bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impact of solid waste landfill proximity on residential property offer values: a case study of Pune
Authors: Abhyankar Abhijat Arun , Prakash Anand , Singla Harish Kumar
Published: September 2023

Purpose

This study aims to examine whether or not residential properties closer to landfill sites have lower offer values by the developers. That is, by analyzing real estate data and landfill site locations, the study seeks to provide insights into whether properties situated closer to landfill sites tend to have a lower offer values than those located farther away.

Design/methodology/approach

The study is exploratory in nature, and a case study approach is applied. A landfill site named “Uruli Devachi” is selected in the region of Pune district, and data is collected from 102 developers selling residential projects within a radius of 15 km (about 9.32 mi). The gathered data is analyzed by using basic descriptive statistics, one-way ANOVA and ordinary least squares (OLS) regression. The OLS regression helps to determine whether there is a relationship between the distance of a residential property from a landfill site and its offer value.

Findings

The findings suggest that landfill sites have a detrimental impact on residential property offer values, with the negative impact increasing with proximity to a landfill site. The negative effect seems to vanish after over 10 km (about 6.21 mi). The developers provide extra facilities including a clubhouse, a children’s play area, a gym and a swimming pool in an effort to mitigate the negative effects of the landfill site on residential properties.

Practical implications

The findings of this study could have implications for property developers, real estate professionals and policymakers in understanding how landfill proximity might impact property offer values.

Originality/value

This study presents many novelties for the Indian housing market: the landfill sites do have a negative effect on the offer value of residential property; the closer the residential property to a landfill site, the higher the negative effect. Further, the developers try and mitigate the negative effect of landfill sites on residential properties by providing additional amenities such as a clubhouse, children’s play park, gym and swimming pool.
Mapping the terrain for the Lean Supply Chain 4.0
Authors: McDermott Olivia , Antony Jiju , Sony Michael , Swarnakar Vikas
Published: September 2023

Purpose

This study aims to carry out a systematic literature review (SLR) on the integration of Lean, Industry 4.0 and the supply chain or the Lean Supply Chain (LSC) 4.0. The research analyses the current research on the LSC 4.0 concept in an increasingly digitalised world. The authors present the benefits, motivations, critical success factors and challenges of integrating the LSC with Industry 4.0 technologies within this emerging area of research.

Design/methodology/approach

An SLR is carried out on how Lean can be integrated with Supply Chain 4.0. Using the search strings of “Lean Supply Chain 4.0,” “Lean Supply Chain Management 4.0” and “Lean Supply Chain Digitalisation,” a review of published literature was carried out via searches on academic databases.

Findings

Industry 4.0 has a synergistic effect on the LSC and, depending on the technology and sector applied in, can complement and enhance the LSC. Similarly, the LSC is a precursor for digitalisation. There are considerable implications in the LSC 4.0 for green and sustainable processes.

Practical implications

Organisations can use this study to understand what the LSC 4.0 means to industry, the benefits and motivating factors for implementation, the critical success factors (CSFs) to implementation and the challenges for implementation.

Originality/value

This study adds to state of the art around the LSC 4.0 and future directions in this nascent research area. This study will aid organisations in understanding how Lean, supply chain management and Industry 4.0 can be integrated.
Why do social media users follow tourism-related posts? Roles of bloggers and posts in trip planning
Authors: Zhou Zhongyuan , Li Ting (Tina) , Liu Chang , Zhou Yang , Li Ping , Wen Si
Published: September 2023

Purpose

More people share their tourism experiences on social media today than in the past, and as a result, more people follow these posts in their trip planning. However, studies into tourists' intention to follow such posts are scarce. Therefore, this study investigates the antecedents influencing social media users' intentions to follow tourism-related posts (TRPs) when planning their trips.

Design/methodology/approach

Questionnaires were collected from 402 social media users who had followed TRPs for their trip planning. Data were then analyzed using partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) and artificial neural networks.

Findings

The authors found that blogger–user fit and users' involvement with TRPs influenced behavior components (attitudes toward TRPs and intention to follow TRPs) via assessment components (bloggers' credibility and content quality), and the authors developed a framework to explain this relationship.

Originality/value

The findings advance prior studies by investigating (1) the antecedents of intention to follow TRPs when trip planning, (2) the two main social media elements – bloggers and posts – to understanding the role of social media on travel behavior and (3) involvement with TRPs and their impacts on travel behavior. This study contributes to the research on social media and tourism marketing and proposes practical indications for bloggers, social media platforms and destination marketing organizations.
Learning and (dis)connection: graduate students’ experiences seeking diversity, equity and inclusion education and engagement opportunities
Authors: Haley Jarett D. , Williams Amber N. , Perez Rosemary J. , Robbins Claire K.
Published: September 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to explore how US graduate students described their diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) education and engagement experiences outside their academic departments.

Design/methodology/approach

This study used a critical constructivist qualitative approach and methods (i.e. interviews) to explore how 44 graduate students across various disciplines and fields at two public research institutions in the USA described their DEI education and engagement experiences outside their departments.

Findings

Students identified expanded DEI and professional knowledge as key learning outcomes, while also highlighting the benefits and negative effects of the identity-centered (dis)connection, community and personal fulfillment that came from these experiences.

Research limitations/implications

Given that DEI education and engagement opportunities addressed some students’ needs and were unsatisfactory for others, more scholarship on the nature of these experiences is needed to better understand factors that contribute to students’ desirable and undesirable outcomes. There are also practical implications for faculty who advise graduate students and administrators who are responsible for funding the campus spaces in which these experiences occurred (e.g. graduate colleges, identity-based student organizations).

Originality/value

Few studies have explored graduate students’ participation in DEI education and engagement opportunities outside of their academic departments. Consequently, the efficacy of these initiatives, and the extent to which students benefit from them, warrant investigation. This study, thus, adds to researchers’ and practitioners’ understanding of this topic by highlighting the benefits and limitations of these experiences for graduate students.
Homophily and Merger Dynamics
Authors: Bonini Stefano , Vaidya Meghana
Published: September 2023

We propose a novel multi‐factor metric of homophily between the CEOs of the acquirer and target firms as a causal determinant of mergers and acquisitions (M&As). We find strong evidence that higher homophily among the two CEOs increases the likelihood of M&A deal initiation and completion. When homophily is high, deals are more likely to be paid in cash, exhibit significantly larger long‐term value creation and are less subject to ex‐ante overpricing as measured by ex‐post goodwill write‐offs. These effects stem from similarity between CEOs creating trust, reducing information asymmetry and facilitating effective communication. Our approach resolves prior conflicting results on the effect of homophily on large corporate decisions and strongly indicates the need for a multi‐dimensional estimation of homophily to obtain conclusive results.
Domestic sewage wastewater irrigation in the semi‐urban ecosystem on soil physical–chemical properties and environmental food security perspectives of two vegetables
Authors: Sivaraman Roopika , Nair Haritha Thulaseedharan , Sajith Revathy Makkaparambu , Perumal Siddhuraju
Published: September 2023

Nowadays, using domestic sewage wastewater for agricultural irrigation is becoming increasingly important for sustainable water resources management. Several national and international programs have been implemented to mitigate wastewater. However, it is important to ensure that these measures are affordable, effective, and sustainable. The aim of the present study is to determine, after all these mitigations, whether these domestic sewage wastewaters can be used as a potential irrigation source and at the same time ensure environmental food security. With these objectives, we analyzed the consequences of domestic sewage effluent irrigation on soil physical–chemical properties and nutritive and nutraceutical properties of cultivated green vegetables, Luffa acutangula (L.) Roxb. and Lagenaria siceraria (Molina) Standl., in the semi‐urban ecosystem compared with well water irrigated crops in a rural area. The quality status of both well water irrigated and domestic sewage wastewater irrigated soil samples showed similar and/or comparable values, that is, domestic sewage wastewater irrigation does not harm the soil quality and both were comparable with the permissible limits of BIS (Bureau of Indian Standards) including heavy metal contents. And positively supporting the objective of our study, the nutrient status/proximate composition of both the vegetables in terms of protein, gross energy, carbohydrate, etc., were higher in domestic sewage wastewater irrigated crops compared with the well water irrigated crops. The antioxidant activity also exhibited a significant increase in the sewage wastewater irrigated crops rather than the well water irrigated ones. Hence the results of the present study state that due to the impact of the mitigation measures, domestic sewage wastewater is now pertinent to be used as an irrigation source and also a possible organic fertilizer without any ambiguity. Moreover, more field‐oriented studies may ensure the potential of wastewater irrigation for sustainable crop production without any pollution, particularly in a semi‐urban area.
Factors in early pregnancy predicting pregnancy‐related pain in the second and third trimester
Authors: Ertmann Ruth K. , Nicolaisdottir Dagny R. , Siersma Volkert , Overbeck Gritt , Strøyer de Voss Sarah , Modin Frederikke Agerbo , Lutterodt Melissa C.
Published: September 2023

Introduction

Pain during pregnancy affects women's well‐being, causes worry and is a risk factor for the child and the mother during labor. The aim was to investigate the relative importance of an extensive set of pregnancy‐related physiological symptoms and psychosocial factors assessed in the first trimester compared with the occurrence of pregnancy‐related pain symptoms later in the pregnancy.

Material and methods

Included were all women who booked an appointment for a first prenatal visit in one of 125 randomly selected general practitioner practices in Eastern Denmark from April 2015 to August 2016. These women answered an electronic questionnaire containing questions on the occurrence of five pregnancy‐related pain symptoms: back pain, leg cramps, pelvic cavity pain, pelvic girdle pain and uterine contractions. The questionnaire also included sociodemographic questions and questions on chronic diseases, physical symptoms, mental health symptoms, lifestyle and reproductive background. The questionnaire was repeated in each trimester. The relative importance of this set of factors from the first trimester on the five pregnancy‐related pain symptoms compared with the second and third trimesters was assessed in a dominance analysis.

Results

A total of 1491 women were included. The most important factor for pregnancy‐related pain in the second trimester and third trimester is the presence of the corresponding pain in the first trimester. Parity was associated with pelvic cavity pain and uterine contractions in the following pregnancies. For back pain and pelvic cavity pain, the odds increased as the women's estimated low self‐assessed fitness decreased and had low WHO‐5 wellbeing scores.

Conclusions

When including physical risk factors, sociodemographic factors, psychological factors and clinical risk factors, women's experiences of pregnancy‐related pain in the first trimester are the most important predictors for pain later in pregnancy. Beyond the expected positive effects of pregnancy‐related pain, notably self‐assessed fitness, age and parity were predictive for pain later in pregnancy.
Q&A
Authors: Girling Rob , Carney Sean
Published: September 2023

Artefact co‐founder and co‐CEO Rob Girling has built a career on using design to drive positive change.

As CDO for Philips, Sean Carney has encouraged his teams to collaborate across departments and with customers.
Let's Do Right by Design by Helping Everyone Else Do Design Right
Authors: Pacione Chris
Published: September 2023

Rather than debating “design thinking,” let's concentrate on making design available and usable for the greatest number of people, and the greater good of everyone. It won't put professional designers out of business—quite the opposite.

“Everyone designs.” Right?
Influence of whey protein concentrates as a novel binder on physiochemical, textural and ultrastructural properties of restructured buffalo meat slices
Authors: Bhaskar Reddy Gudapu Reddy Vijaya , Surasani Vijay Kumar Reddy , Amaravathi Pidugu , Mandal Prabhat Kumar , Desai Ajay S. , Sen Arup Ratan
Published: September 2023

The present study was carried out to determine the effect of whey protein concentrates (WPC; 0%, 1%, 2% and 3%) as a novel binder for restructured buffalo meat slices (RBMS). 3% WPC had significantly (P < 0.01) higher cooking yield, batter stability, water‐holding capacity and pH and lower (%) diameter shrinkage as compared to other formulations. The addition of WPC did not influence the total protein extractability, collagen content and collagen solubility of RBMS. However, the addition of 3% WPC significantly (P < 0.01) improved the textural characteristics, instrumental colour and sensory scores and enhanced the meat protein–milk protein gel network. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) showed the matrix and gel networking of myofibrillar proteins and whey proteins, which caused more cohesiveness and compactness of the product. It was concluded that the addition of 3% WPC acted as an excellent binder for RBMS which can be used for commercial applications in the processed meat industry.
Workplace leave patterns among Victorian health care workers during the COVID‐19 pandemic
Authors: McGuinness Sarah L. , Zhong Shannon , Eades Owen , Di Donato Michael , Collie Alex , Kelsall Helen L. , Leder Karin ,   for the COVIC‐HA Study Collaborators
Published: September 2023

We analysed aggregate work absences during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic from two Victorian hospital sites and corresponding individual‐level survey data to understand changes in the rates and types of workplace absence. We found changing reasons for workplace absences as the pandemic progressed and observed higher rates of annual and sick leave during the months coinciding with increased COVID‐19 cases and workforce burnout.
Exposure to patient aggression and health outcomes for forensic mental health nurses: A cross‐sectional survey
Authors: Newman Claire , Roche Michael , Elliott Doug
Published: September 2023

Aims

The aims of the study were to determine the types and prevalence of forensic mental health nurse exposure to patient aggression and explore the impact of these exposures on their physical and mental health and work absences.

Design

Cross‐sectional survey conducted January to April 2020.

Methods

All 205 nurses working in an Australian high‐security inpatient forensic mental health hospital were invited to participate. An online survey included the Perception of Prevalence of Aggression Scale to measure respondent exposure to types of patient aggression, and the SF‐36v2 to measure mental and physical health. Absence from work and other work and individual characteristics were also explored.

Results

Sixty‐eight respondents completed the survey. Verbal abuse was the most experienced aggression type, followed by physical violence and observing violence, patient self‐harming behaviours and sexual violence. Nurses who worked in acute units experienced significantly more exposure to overall aggression than nurses in non‐acute units. Higher level of aggression was associated with number of days sick leave taken and days off due to aggression or violence. Higher level of aggression was associated with poorer mental health, and patient self‐harming behaviour was associated with poorer physical health.

Conclusions

Nurses in acute units experience higher levels of inpatient aggression and are therefore at increased risk of being impacted by the exposure. Findings indicate a psychological impact of exposure to frequent aggression and potential for an accumulative effect of exposure to traumatic events on nurse well‐being. Nurses who are victim of, or witness, physical violence are most likely to take time off work.

Impact

This study provides further evidence that forensic mental health nurses are frequently exposed to various forms of patient aggression. For some nurses, this exposure to patient aggression negatively impacted their mental and physical health. Employing organizations should therefore prioritize provision of formal support for nurses.

No patient or public contribution.
Association of race and ethnicity with opioid prescribing for Medicare beneficiaries following total joint replacements
Authors: Thirukumaran Caroline P. , Fiscella Kevin A. , Rosenthal Meredith B. , Doshi Jalpa A. , Schloemann Derek T. , Ricciardi Benjamin F.
Published: September 2023

Background

Profound racial and ethnic disparities exist in the use and outcomes of total hip/knee replacements (total joint replacements [TJR]). Whether similar disparities extend to post‐TJR pain management remains unknown. Our objective is to examine the association of race and ethnicity with opioid fills following elective TJRs for White, Black, and Hispanic Medicare beneficiaries.

Methods

We used the 2019 national Medicare data to identify beneficiaries who underwent total hip/knee replacements. Primary outcomes were at least one opioid fill in the period from discharge to 30 days post‐discharge, and 31–90 days following discharge. Secondary outcomes were morphine milligram equivalent per day and number of opioid fills. Key independent variable was patient race‐ethnicity (non‐Hispanic White, non‐Hispanic Black, Hispanic). We estimated multivariable hierarchical logistic regressions and two‐part models with state‐level clustering.

Results

Among 67,550 patients, 93.36% were White, 3.69% were Black, and 2.95% were Hispanic. Compared to White patients, more Black patients and fewer Hispanic patients filled an opioid script (84.10% [Black] and 80.11% [Hispanic] vs. 80.33% [White], p < 0.001) in the 30‐day period. On multivariable analysis, Black patients had 18% higher odds of filling an opioid script in the 30‐day period (odds ratio [OR]: 1.18, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.05–1.33, p = 0.004), and 39% higher odds in the 31–90‐day period (OR: 1.39, 95% CI: 1.26–1.54, p < 0.001). There were no significant differences in the endpoints between Hispanic and White patients in the 30‐day period. However, Hispanic patients had 20% higher odds of filling an opioid script in the 31‐ to 90‐day period (OR: 1.20, 95% CI: 1.07–1.34, p = 0.002).

Conclusions

Important race‐ and ethnicity‐based differences exist in post‐TJR pain management with opioids. The mechanisms leading to the higher use of opioids by racial/ethnic minority patients need to be carefully examined.
Preserving the ability to discriminate between left and right; A case study
Authors: Ruis Carla , Robe Pierre A. , Dijkerman H. Chris
Published: September 2023

Left‐right orientation, a function related to the parietal lobe, is important for many daily activities. Here, we describe a left‐handed patient with a right parietal brain tumour. During awake surgery, electric stimulation of the right inferior parietal lobe resulted in mistakes in his left‐right orientation. Postoperatively our patient had no problems in discriminating left right. This case report shows that monitoring of left‐right orientation during awake brain tumour surgery is feasible so that this function can be preserved.
Preference sorting versus Check‐All‐That‐Apply on sensory drivers of liking determination: A complementary study assessing dulce de leche
Authors: Rodrigues Jéssica Ferreira , Amorim Katiúcia Alves , de Souza Vanessa Rios , Nogueira Ana Carolina Ratti , Pinheiro Ana Carla Marques
Published: September 2023

Product sensory description is a fundamental action in sensory science, traditionally achieved through descriptive sensory tests. Rapid methods (Sorting and check all that apply [CATA]) that do not require trained sensory panels have been increasingly implemented to save time and costs. Considering the traditionality of the CATA method, this study is an extension of previous research on sensory drivers of liking of dulce de leche, comprising an investigation of Preference Sorting (PS) versus CATA to compare the results and information obtained from both techniques. PS and CATA tests showed similar results in determining dulce de leche sensory drivers of liking. However, some differences on sensory description were noted. Consumers considered the PS test more difficult than CATA. PS proved to be an alternative in determining the product sensory drivers of liking for a screening of a large number of samples, providing similar results to the traditional test—the CATA test.

Practical Applications

The findings of this study show practical utility for consumer‐based methodologies, focusing on sorting tasks and sensory drivers of liking determination, complementing the preference sorting studies in a comparative perspective with a traditional sensory method to understand the technique and its applicability better. In addition, they are useful for Brazilian dulce de leche producers as they enable an understanding of consumer preferences to plan production, marketing, and commercialization strategies.
These Days, All Roads Lead To Beijing
Authors: Frankopan Peter
Published: September 2023

The success of the new Silk Roads depends on delivering win‐win scenarios.
Three Kims And Six US Presidents Later, Diplomacy Can Still Solve The North Korea Crisis
Authors: Hecker Siegfried
Published: September 2023

Pyongyang's nuclear progress slowed significantly during times of diplomacy and accelerated during times of threats.
Trump's North Korea Bluster Has Shattered US Standing As Global Leader
Authors: White Hugh
Published: September 2023

The more stridently Trump says he is going to stop North Korea, the worse it looks when he fails, and the more Beijing stands to gain.
Performance of five arid land shrub species in direct seeding: implications for seed‐based restoration
Authors: Hernández Jorge Ariel , Pérez Daniel Roberto
Published: September 2023

Direct seeding is one of the most feasible techniques in practical, logistical, and economic terms for large‐scale restoration of arid lands. However, several factors are still under study to enhance the outcomes of this restoration alternative, with species selection being a pivotal component. To evaluate differences in the performance of species in direct seeding, we selected five shrubs from the arid region known as “Monte Desert” in Argentina: Atriplex lampa, Hyalis argentea, Larrea divaricata, Neltuma flexuosa var. depressa, and Parkinsonia praecox. Direct seeding was carried out in furrows (4.0 m long, 0.5 m wide, and 0.4 m deep) with seeds previously treated to dormancy alleviation and with a density of 250 seeds/m2. We evaluated results in 12 furrows, where topsoil and hydrogel were deposited. The biological variables considered were seedling emergence, seedlings establishment regarding sowed seeds, and seedling success (survival in relation to emerged seedlings) after almost 3 years. The species with the highest emergence and establishment rates was A. lampa (50.16 and 23.75%, respectively). L. divaricata showed the lowest values for these variables (2.17 and 0.83%, respectively). On the other hand, the survival of N. flexuosa seedlings was >2× that of L. divaricata (65.02 vs. 30.36%). We discuss the notable differences in species performance and the possible role of furrows in the results.
The classical and neoclassical perspectives: A theoretical framework for studying the advent and growth of mobile money—The Tanzanian experience
Authors: Mhella Deogratius Joseph
Published: September 2023

The article addresses the need for comprehensive analytical frameworks or perspectives in mobile money research. It also proposes and develops a conceptual framework utilizing classical and neoclassical perspectives. The interdisciplinary nature of mobile money studies and the need for robust analytical frameworks or perspectives pose a significant challenge to researchers, creating a political‐economic gap in analyzing mobile money. In this case, classical and neoclassical mindsets bridge this gap in mobile money analysis. Moreover, the article also addresses the following research question: How have classical and neoclassical perspectives influenced the emergence and growth of mobile money in Tanzania throughout the past 15 years? The argument posits that implementing and dismantling neoliberal policies have facilitated the introduction and advancement of mobile money, drawing upon classical and neoclassical principles. In‐depth, unstructured interviews and content analysis from relevant and scholarly sources have been used as data collection methods. Thematic analysis has also been used for data analysis. The findings indicate that researchers can rely on classical and neoclassical perspectives to analyze mobile money's advent, growth, and consolidation. The implications are that classical and neoclassical perspectives provide a context and a unit of analysis that can be used to study the political‐economic issues of mobile money and other digital financial innovations.
A Low-Area Hardware Realization of 2-Shares Threshold Implementation AES for IoT Biosensor Device
Authors: Sun Yi , Cheng Pao-Ying , Chao Paul C.-P.
Published: September 2023

A novel 2-shares Threshold Implementation Advanced Encryption Standard (TI-AES) is proposed to secure sensitive data collected by portable Biosensor Devices. These devices transmit data such as blood pressure, blood oxygen, and heartbeat directly to the Internet of Things. To protect personal information, symmetric encryption is used. However, the lightweight symmetric encryption used by IoT edge devices to enhance transmission efficiency and reduce device size makes them vulnerable to side-channel analysis (SCA), which poses a potential threat to data security. Our proposal incorporates provable security against Single Power Analysis (SPA) and first-order differential power analysis (DPA) with uniform and independent input shares in the s-box. Our proposed incorporates additional randomness to improve security. The resulting power trace resistance with 116-bit random number is 50 times that of unprotected AES. We minimize the area and the required number of random numbers while maintaining a high level of security comparable to other masking schemes. Furthermore, we implement and verify our proposed scheme on the Xilinx Artix-7 FPGA platform. Proposed 2-shares TI-AES successfully reduces the operation cycle time by three-quarters to 100 clock cycles with 100M Hz frequency compared to all other related best countermeasure works on TI-AES. Additionally, the hardware requirements are reduced by 34.3% with 8.3 kilo-gate equivalent (kGE), greatly reducing the cost of IoT devices while maintaining favorable processing speed and security.
The Use of an Artificial Cornea for Validation of a Novel Intraocular Pressure Measurement Device
Authors: Laha Avinash , Srinath Aravind , Talke Frank E.
Published: September 2023

To improve the prospect of self-examining ophthalmic devices, we have previously developed a handheld 3-in-1 device consisting of a non-contact tonometer, visual acuity tester, and slit lamp biomicroscope [1]. For validating the tonometer measurement principle, we have developed an artificial cornea and manometer test stand using different silicone materials to study the deflection of the cornea as a function of the intraocular pressure (IOP) inside the human eye. Young’s moduli for all materials were evaluated and compared with that of human cornea. The intraocular pressure was varied between 0 and 40 mmHg and tested with both a commercial and the 3-in-1 device’s tonometer. Results from both devices validate the use of such a phantom eye apparatus to test similar ophthalmic instrumentation before clinical testing on humans.
An Optical Tracking Approach to Computer-Assisted Surgical Navigation via Stereoscopic Vision
Authors: Tsui Darin , Melentyev Capalina , Rajan Ananya , Kumar Rohan , Talke Frank E.
Published: September 2023

Computer-assisted navigation has become a popular solution in surgical procedures where a high amount of precision is required. Current state-of-the-art methods of surgical navigation involve tracking reflective 3D marker spheres using IR stereo-scopic cameras. However, the cost of implementing such systems may not be affordable for smaller healthcare systems. In this paper, we propose that fully optical navigation has the potential to be a viable alternative to state-of-the-art reflective marker navigation. We use fiducial ArUco markers to facilitate the tracking of real-time position. Using two inexpensive cameras, we design and calibrate a stereoscopic camera to record the 3D position of an ArUco marker moving through space along a positioning platform. Additionally, we explore the possibility of using different color spaces and physical marker colors to improve the detection percentage and accuracy of markers. We identified that black-and-white ArUco markers using the Hue, Saturation, and Lightness (HSL) color space gave a positional mean error of 5.38 mm. Using the Red, Green, and Blue (RGB) color space gave the highest detection percentage for the same ArUco markers. In the future, the mean error can be reduced by increasing camera quality and by using a multi-stereoscopic camera setup.
Left renal vein thrombosis due to pancreatic pseudocyst compression
Authors: Jiang Fengyu , Chen Dingfa
Published: September 2023

letter to editor,
The phageome in normal and inflamed human skin
Authors: Wielscher M. , Pfisterer K. , Samardzic D. , Balsini P. , Bangert C. , Jäger K. , Buchberger M. , Selitsch B. , Pjevac P. , Willinger B. , Weninger W.
Published: September 2023

Dysbiosis of skin microbiota drives the progression of atopic dermatitis (AD). The contribution of bacteriophages to bacterial community compositions in normal and inflamed skin is unknown. Using shotgun metagenomics from skin swabs of healthy individuals and patients with AD, we found 13,586 potential viral contiguous DNA sequences, which could be combined into 164 putative viral genomes including 133 putative phages. The Shannon diversity index for the viral metagenome-assembled genomes (vMAGs) did not correlate with AD. In total, we identified 28 vMAGs that differed significantly between normal and AD skin. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction validation of three complete vMAGs revealed their independence from host bacterium abundance. Our data indicate that normal and inflamed skin harbor distinct phageomes and suggest a causative relationship between changing viral and bacterial communities as a driver of skin pathology.
Fungi involved in rhinosinusitis in arid regions: insights from molecular identification and antifungal susceptibility
Authors: Zhou Shaoqin , Ismail Mawahib A. I. , Buil Jochem B. , Gabr Aida , Verweij Paul E. , Mahgoub El-Sheikh , de Hoog Sybren , Kang Yingqian , Ahmed Sarah A.
Published: September 2023

Fungal rhinosinusitis (FRS) is a common problem worldwide, with an increasing burden in arid climate regions.
Aspergillus
species are the most common causative agents involved. In the present study, we investigated the prevalence, molecular characterization, and antifungal susceptibility of opportunists causing FRS in Sudan on the basis of strains collected over a period of 5 years. β-Tubulin and calmodulin sequencing were used for species identification, and antifungal susceptibility profiles were evaluated by the protocol of the European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (EUCAST). Predominant species belonged to the
Aspergillus flavus
complex (
n
= 244),
A. terreus
complex (
n
= 16),
A. fumigatus
complex (
n
= 7), and other fungi (
n
= 17). Molecular identification of 94 strains of
Aspergillus
revealed the following species:
A. flavus
(
n
= 88),
A. terreus
(
n
= 1),
A. citrinoterreus
(
n
= 2),
A. fumigatus
(
n
= 1),
A. caespitosus
(
n
= 1), and
A. sydowii
(
n
= 1). Several
A. flavus
and an
A. fumigatus
isolates showed reduced susceptibility to azoles (minimum inhibitory concentrations above the clinical breakpoints or epidemiological cutoff values). Despite several mutations revealed in
cyp51A
of these isolates, none could be directly linked to azole resistance. Molecular identification of fungi causing FRS is useful to identify cryptic species and for epidemiologic studies.

IMPORTANCE

Fungal rhinosinusitis (FRS) is a significant clinical problem in arid regions. This study provides new insights into the prevalence, etiology, and antifungal susceptibility of FRS pathogens in Sudan, where the disease burden is high.
Aspergillus
species, particularly the
A. flavus
complex, were identified as the primary FRS pathogens in the region, with some evidence of antifungal resistance. The molecular identification of fungal species causing FRS is useful for detecting antifungal resistance, identifying cryptic species, and characterizing the epidemiology of the disease. The emergence of Azole resistance
Aspergilli
in Sudan highlights the need for continued surveillance and appropriate use of antifungal agents. These findings have important implications for clinical management, public health policy, and future research on FRS. Publishing this study in Microbiology Spectrum would enable other researchers and clinicians to build on these findings, ultimately improving the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of FRS.
Heterogeneity and transmission of food safety-related enterotoxigenic
Staphylococcus aureus
in pig abattoirs in Hubei, China
Authors: Zhu Zhihao , Wu Simin , Chen Xingyu , Tan Wei , Zou Geng , Huang Qi , Meng Xianrong , Hu Dong-Liang , Li Shaowen
Published: September 2023

The dissemination of
Staphylococcus aureus
in the pork production chain is a major food safety concern. Abattoirs can serve both as disruptor and transmitter for
S. aureus
. In this study, we conducted a systematic genomic epidemiology research on the prevalence, heterogeneity, and transmission of
S. aureus
in 3,638 samples collected from four pig abattoirs in Hubei province, China. Our findings revealed substantial heterogeneity between
S. aureus
recovered from samples collected at upstream (from stunning step to head-removal step) and downstream (from splitting step to chilling step) locations within the slaughter process. Overall, 966 (26.6%) samples were positive for
S. aureus
, with significantly higher overall prevalence for upstream samples (29.0%, 488/1,681) compared to downstream samples (24.4%, 478/1,957). Antimicrobial susceptibility testing demonstrated that the isolates from the upstream exhibited significantly higher resistance proportions to different antimicrobials than those from the downstream. Whole-genome sequencing of 126 isolates revealed that ST398 (32.9%, 23/70) and ST9 (22.9%, 16/70) were more common among upstream isolates, while ST7 (35.7%, 20/56) and ST97 (28.6%, 16/56) were most frequently observed among downstream isolates. Additionally, molecular characterization analysis demonstrated that upstream isolates possessed significantly higher enterotoxigenic potential, more antimicrobial resistance genes, and
S. aureus
pathogenicity islands than downstream isolates. Notably, we discovered that enterotoxigenic
S. aureus
could be transmitted across different slaughter stages, with knives, water, and air serving as vectors. Although slaughtering processes had a substantial effect on reducing the food safety risk posed by enterotoxigenic
S. aureus
, the possibility of its widespread transmission should not be disregarded.

IMPORTANCE

Staphylococcus aureus
(
S. aureus
) is one of the most important foodborne pathogens, and can cause foodborne poisoning by producing enterotoxins. Pork is a preferable reservoir and its contamination often occurs during the slaughter process. Our findings revealed significant differences in the prevalence, antimicrobial resistance, and enterotoxigenic potential between the upstream and downstream isolates within the slaughter process. Also, it is imperative not to overlook enterotoxigenic
S. aureus
transmitted across all stages of the slaughter process, with notable vectors being knives, water, and air. These findings hold significant implications for policy-makers to reassess their surveillance projects, and underscore the importance of implementing effective control measures to minimize the risk of
S. aureus
contamination in pork production. Moreover, we provide a more compelling method of characterizing pathogen transmission based on core-SNPs of bacterial genomes.
Transcriptional profiling and genetic analysis of a cystic fibrosis airway-relevant model shows asymmetric responses to growth in a polymicrobial community
Authors: Kesthely Christopher A. , Rogers Rendi R. , El Hafi Bassam , Jean-Pierre Fabrice , O’Toole George A.
Published: September 2023

Bacterial infections in the lungs of persons with cystic fibrosis are typically composed of multispecies biofilm-like communities, which modulate clinically relevant phenotypes that cannot be explained in the context of a single species culture. Most analyses to date provide a picture of the transcriptional responses of individual pathogens; however, there is relatively little data describing the transcriptional landscape of clinically relevant multispecies communities. Harnessing a previously described cystic fibrosis-relevant, polymicrobial community model consisting of
Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus sanguinis,
and
Prevotella melaninogenica
, we performed an RNA-Seq analysis on the biofilm population to elucidate the transcriptional profiles of the community grown in artificial sputum medium (ASM) as compared to growth in monoculture, without mucin, and in fresh medium supplemented with tobramycin. We provide evidence that, although the transcriptional profile of
P. aeruginosa
is community agnostic, the transcriptomes of
S. aureus
and
S. sanguinis
are community aware. Furthermore,
P. aeruginosa
and
P. melaninogenica
are transcriptionally sensitive to the presence of mucin in ASM, whereas
S. aureus
and
S. sanguinis
largely do not alter their transcriptional profiles in the presence of mucin when grown in a community. Only
P. aeruginosa
shows a robust response to tobramycin. Genetic studies of mutants altered in community-specific growth provide complementary data regarding how these microbes adapt to a community context.

IMPORTANCE

Polymicrobial infections constitute the majority of infections in the cystic fibrosis (CF) airway, but their study has largely been neglected in a laboratory setting. Our lab previously reported a polymicrobial community that can help explain clinical outcomes in the lungs of persons with CF. Here, we obtained transcriptional profiles of the community versus monocultures to provide transcriptional information about how this model community responds to CF-related growth conditions and perturbations. Genetic studies provide complementary functional outputs to assess how the microbes adapt to life in a community.
Representation of the RG-Invariant Quantities in Perturbative QCD through Powers of the Conformal Anomaly
Authors: Kataev A. L. , Molokoedov V. S.
Published: September 2023

In this work we consider the possibility of representing the perturbative series for renormalization group invariant quantities in QCD in the form of their decomposition in powers of the conformal anomaly $${{\beta ({{\alpha }_{s}})} \mathord{\left/ {\vphantom {{\beta ({{\alpha }_{s}})} {{{\alpha }_{s}}}}} \right. \kern-0em} {{{\alpha }_{s}}}}$$ in the $$\overline {{\text{MS}}} $$-scheme. We remind that such expansion is possible for the Adler function of the process of $${{e}^{ + }}{{e}^{ - }}$$ annihilation into hadrons and the coefficient function of the Bjorken polarized sum rule for the deep-inelastic electron-nucleon scattering, which are both related by the CBK relation. In addition, we study the discussed decomposition for the static quark-antiquark Coulomb-like potential, its relation with the quantity defined by the cusp anomalous dimension and the coefficient function of the Bjorken unpolarized sum rule of neutrino-nucleon scattering. In conclusion we also present the formal results of applying this approach to the non-renormalization invariant ratio between the pole and $$\overline {{\text{MS}}} $$-scheme running mass of heavy quark in QCD and compare them with those already known in the literature. The arguments in favor of the validity of the considered representation in powers of $${{\beta ({{\alpha }_{s}})} \mathord{\left/ {\vphantom {{\beta ({{\alpha }_{s}})} {{{\alpha }_{s}}}}} \right. \kern-0em} {{{\alpha }_{s}}}}$$ for all mentioned renorm-invariant perturbative quantities are discussed.
Association of C-reactive protein with future development of diabetes: a population-based 7-year cohort study among Norwegian adults aged 30 and older in the Tromsø Study 2007–2016
Authors: Tong Kit I , Hopstock Laila Arnesdatter , Cook Sarah
Published: September 2023

Objectives

The extent to which observed associations between high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and incident diabetes are explained by obesity and hypertension remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the association of hs-CRP with developing diabetes in a Norwegian general population sample.

Design

A cohort study using two population-based surveys of the Tromsø Study: the sixth survey Tromsø6 (2007–2008) as baseline and the seventh survey Tromsø7 (2015–2016) at follow-up.

Setting

Tromsø municipality of Norway, a country with increasing proportion of older adults and a high prevalence of overweight, obesity and hypertension.

Participants

8067 women and men without diabetes, aged 30–87 years, at baseline Tromsø6 who subsequently also participated in Tromsø7.

Outcome measures

Diabetes defined by self-reported diabetes, diabetes medication use and/or HbA1c≥6.5% (≥48 mmol/mol) was modelled by logistic regression for the association with baseline hs-CRP, either stratified into three quantiles or as continuous variable, adjusted for demographic factors, behavioural and cardiovascular risk factors, lipid-lowering medication use, and hypertension. Interactions by sex, body mass index (BMI), hypertension or abdominal obesity were assessed by adding interaction terms in the fully adjusted model.

Results

There were 320 (4.0%) diabetes cases after 7 years. After multivariable adjustment including obesity and hypertension, individuals in the highest hs-CRP tertile 3 had 73% higher odds of developing diabetes (OR 1.73; p=0.004; 95% CI 1.20 to 2.49) when compared with the lowest tertile or 28% higher odds of incidence per one-log of hs-CRP increment (OR 1.28; p=0.003; 95% CI 1.09 to 1.50). There was no evidence for interaction between hs-CRP and sex, hypertension, BMI or abdominal obesity.

Conclusions

Raised hs-CRP was associated with future diabetes development in a Norwegian adult population sample. The CRP-diabetes association could not be fully explained by obesity or hypertension.
Exploring the safety and efficacy of stomach-partitioning gastrojejunostomy with distal selective vagotomy versus conventional gastrojejunostomy with highly selective vagotomy for treating benign gastric outlet obstruction: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Zhang Haiqiao , Liu Xiaoye , Zheng Zhi , Xue Yasheng , Yin Jie , Zhang Jun
Published: September 2023

Introduction

Benign gastric outlet obstruction (BGOO) severely impacts the quality of life of patients. The main treatment methods for BGOO include surgery and endoscopy, but both have significant drawbacks. Therefore, this study aims to explore the safety and efficacy of a new technique, to develop a new option for treating BGOO.

Methods and analysis

This is an ongoing prospective, single-centre, single-blind randomised controlled trial. The study will be conducted from January 2022 to December 2025, and 50 patients will be enrolled. The participants will be randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to either the experimental (stomach-partitioning gastrojejunostomy with distal selective vagotomy) or control groups (conventional gastrojejunostomy with highly selective vagotomy). We will collect baseline characteristics, laboratory tests, auxiliary examinations, operation, postoperative conditions and follow-up data. Follow-up will last for 3 years. The main outcome is the incidence of delayed gastric emptying within 30 days after surgery. Secondary outcomes include the efficacy indicator (consisting of serum gastrin level, pepsinogen level, 13C breath test, gastrointestinal quality of life index, operation time, blood loss and postoperative recovery), a safety evaluation index (consisting of complications and mortality within 30 days after surgery) and follow-up data (consisting of the incidence of primary ulcer progression in 3 years after surgery, and the gastroscopy results in 1 and 3 years after surgery).

Ethics and dissemination

This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University (no. 2021-P2-274-02). The study conformed to the provisions of the Declaration of Helsinki (as revised in 2013). Written informed consent will be obtained prior to study enrolment. The results of this study will be published in peer-reviewed publications.

Trial registration number

ChiCTR2100052197.