bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Longitudinal Follow-up of Antibody Responses in Pediatric Patients With COVID-19 up to 9 Months After Infection
Authors: Oygar Pembe Derin , Ozsurekci Yasemin , Gurlevik Sibel Lacinel , Aykac Kubra , Kukul Musa Gurel , Cura Yayla Burcu Ceylan , Ilbay Sare , Karakaya Jale , Teksam Ozlem , Cengiz Ali Bulent , Ceyhan Mehmet
Published: July 2021

Introduction:

Antibody response developed within 2–3 weeks after exposure to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has been shown to decrease over time; however, there is limited data about antibody levels at 6 months or later postinfection, particularly in children.

Materials and Method:

A prospective multicenter study was performed using 315 samples of 74 confirmed and 10 probable coronavirus disease 2019 pediatric cases. About 20% of these cases were classified as asymptomatic, 74% as mild/moderate and 6% as severe/critical. Patients were included if at least 2 samples were available. The antibody response was classified as either early-period or late-period (14 days–3 months and after 6 months, respectively) for IgG response whereas IgA response was tested on various time intervals, including as early as 4 days up to 3 months. Euroimmun Anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG and IgA and Genscript SARS-CoV-2 Surrogate Virus Neutralization Kits were used for antibody detection.

Results:

There was no difference between the early-period and late-period IgG positivity (P = 0.1). However, the median IgG levels were 11.98 in the early periods and 4.05 in the late periods, with a significance of P < 0.001. Although the decrease in IgG levels was significant in asymptomatic and mild/moderate cases (P < 0.008 and P < 0.001, respectively), the decrease in severe/critical cases was moderate (P = 0.285). The sensitivity of the IgG after 15 days was higher than 94%, and the sensitivity of IgA was 88% on days 8–15.

Conclusion:

SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibody levels decreased after 6 months. The decrease was moderate in severe/critical cases. Overall, 95.8% of the patients remained positive up to 9 months after infection. Although the IgA response may be useful early on, the IgG response is useful after 14 days.
Trajectories of distress regulation during preschool vaccinations: child and caregiver predictors
Authors: Shiff Ilana , Greenberg Saul , Garfield Hartley , Pillai Riddell Rebecca
Published: July 2021

Recent research has highlighted the need for a deeper understanding of the heterogeneity in trajectories of children's distress after acute pain exposure, moving beyond the group means of behavioural pain scores at a single timepoint. During preschool vaccinations, 3 distinct trajectories of postvaccination pain regulation have been elucidated, with approximately 75% of children displaying trajectories characterized by downregulation to no distress by 2 minutes postneedle and 25% concerningly failing to downregulate by 2 minutes. The objective of this study was to examine child and caregiver predictors of preschool children's postvaccination regulatory patterns. Our results indicated that higher child baseline distress, more caregiver coping-promoting verbalizations in the first minute after the needle, less coping-promoting verbalizations in the second minute, and more caregiver distress-promoting verbalizations in the second minute after the needle were associated with membership in the trajectories characterized by high distress. Furthermore, although all children's pain-related distress at various timepoints throughout the appointment was most strongly predicted by previous pain scores, different patterns of associations emerged depending on the trajectory exhibited. This research highlights both the need to minimize distress before the needle to avoid the highly distressed trajectory and the importance of considering the heterogeneity of trajectories of preschool pain responding when examining the factors that are associated with children's pain-related distress.
A ketogenic diet reduces mechanical allodynia and improves epidermal innervation in diabetic mice
Authors: Enders Jonathan , Swanson Matthew Taylor , Ryals Janelle , Wright Douglas E.
Published: July 2021

Dietary interventions are promising approaches to treat pain associated with metabolic changes because they impact both metabolic and neural components contributing to painful neuropathy. Here, we tested whether consumption of a ketogenic diet could affect sensation, pain, and epidermal innervation loss in type 1 diabetic mice. C57Bl/6 mice were rendered diabetic using streptozotocin and administered a ketogenic diet at either 3 weeks (prevention) or 9 weeks (reversal) of uncontrolled diabetes. We quantified changes in metabolic biomarkers, sensory thresholds, and epidermal innervation to assess impact on neuropathy parameters. Diabetic mice consuming a ketogenic diet had normalized weight gain, reduced blood glucose, elevated blood ketones, and reduced hemoglobin-A1C levels. These metabolic biomarkers were also improved after 9 weeks of diabetes followed by 4 weeks of a ketogenic diet. Diabetic mice fed a control chow diet developed rapid mechanical allodynia of the hind paw that was reversed within a week of consumption of a ketogenic diet in both prevention and reversal studies. Loss of thermal sensation was also improved by consumption of a ketogenic diet through normalized thermal thresholds. Finally, diabetic mice consuming a ketogenic diet had normalized epidermal innervation, including after 9 weeks of uncontrolled diabetes and 4 weeks of consumption of the ketogenic diet. These results suggest that, in mice, a ketogenic diet can prevent and reverse changes in key metabolic biomarkers, altered sensation, pain, and axon innervation of the skin. These results identify a ketogenic diet as a potential therapeutic intervention for patients with painful diabetic neuropathy and/or epidermal axon loss.
A surgical needs assessment for airway rapid responses: A retrospective observational study
Authors: Hynes Allyson M. , Lambe Leah D. , Scantling Dane R. , Bormann Bradford C. , Atkins Joshua H. , Rassekh Christopher H. , Seamon Mark J. , Martin Niels D.
Published: July 2021

BACKGROUND

Airway rapid response (ARR) teams can be compiled of anesthesiologists, intensivists, otolaryngologists, general and thoracic surgeons, respiratory therapists, and nurses. The optimal composition of an ARR team is unknown but considered to be resource intensive. We sought to determine the type of technical procedures performed during an ARR activation to inform team composition.

METHODS

A large urban quaternary academic medical center retrospective review (2016–2019) of adult ARR patients was performed. Analysis included ARR demographics, patient characteristics, characteristics of preexisting tracheostomies, incidence of concomitant conditions, and procedures completed during an ARR event.

RESULTS

A total of 345 ARR patients with a median age of 60 years (interquartile range, 47–69 years) and a median time to ARR conclusion of 28 minutes (interquartile range, 14–47 minutes) were included. About 41.7% of the ARR had a preexisting tracheostomy. Overall, there were 130 procedures completed that can be performed by a general surgeon in addition to the 122 difficult intubations. These procedures included recannulation of a tracheostomy, operative intervention, new emergent tracheostomy or cricothyroidotomy, thoracostomy tube placement, initiation of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, and pericardiocentesis.

CONCLUSION

Highly technical procedures are common during an ARR, including procedures related to tracheostomies. Surgeons possess a comprehensive skill set that is unique and comprehensive with respect to airway emergencies. This distinctive skill set creates an important role within the ARR team to perform these urgent technical procedures.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Epidemiologic/prognostic, level III.
Long-term sequelae of critical illness in sepsis, trauma and burns: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Haug Valentin F. , Tapking Christian , Panayi Adriana C. , Thiele Philipp , Wang Alice T. , Obed Doha , Hirche Christoph , Most Patrick , Kneser Ulrich , Hundeshagen Gabriel
Published: July 2021

BACKGROUND

Sepsis, major trauma, and severe burn injury are life-threatening critical illnesses that remain significant contributors to worldwide morbidity and mortality. The three underlying etiologies share pathophysiological similarities: hyperinflammation, hypermetabolism, and acute immunomodulation. The aims of this study were to assess the current state of long-term outcome research and to identify key outcome parameters between the three forms of critical illness.

METHODS

This systematic review and meta-analysis (MA) were conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses guidelines. PubMed was searched from January 1, 1975, to December 31, 2019. Studies were assessed for eligibility by independent reviewers. Inclusion criteria were studies reporting at least a 6-month follow-up of health-related quality of life and organ-specific sequelae within the three etiologies: severe burn injury, sepsis, and major trauma.

RESULTS

In total, 125 articles could be included in the systematic review and 74 in the MA. The mean follow-up time was significantly longer in burn studies, compared with sepsis and trauma studies. The majority of patients were from the sepsis group, followed by burns, and major trauma studies. In the overall health-related quality of life, as assessed by Short Form 36 and European Quality-of-Life Index, the three different etiologies were comparable with one another.

CONCLUSION

The effects of critical illness on survivors persist for years after hospitalization. Well-reported and reliable data on the long-term outcomes are imperative, as they can be used to determine the treatment choice of physicians and to guide the expectations of patients, improving the overall quality of care of three significant patient cohorts.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Systematic review and MA, level III.
The interaction between pre-admission β-blocker therapy, the Revised Cardiac Risk Index, and mortality in geriatric hip fracture patients
Authors: Mohammad Ismail Ahmad , Ahl Rebecka , Forssten Maximilian Peter , Cao Yang , Wretenberg Per , Borg Tomas , Mohseni Shahin
Published: July 2021

BACKGROUND

An association between β-blocker (BB) therapy and a reduced risk of major cardiac events and mortality in patients undergoing surgery for hip fractures has previously been demonstrated. Furthermore, a relationship between an increased Revised Cardiac Risk Index (RCRI) score and a higher risk of postoperative mortality has also been detected. The purpose of the current study was to investigate the interaction between BB therapy and RCRI in relation to 30-day postoperative mortality in geriatric patients after hip fracture surgery.

METHODS

All patients older than 65 years who underwent primary emergency hip fracture surgery in Sweden between January 1, 2008, and December 31, 2017, except for pathological fractures, were included in this retrospective cohort study. Patients were divided into cohorts based on their RCRI score (RCRI 1, 2, 3, and ≥4) and whether they had ongoing BB therapy at the time of admission. A Poisson regression model with robust standard errors of variance was used, while adjusting for confounders, to evaluate the association between BB therapy, RCRI, and 30-day mortality.

RESULTS

A total of 126,934 cases met the study inclusion criteria. β-Blocker therapy was associated with a 65% decrease in the risk of 30-day postoperative mortality in the whole study population (adjusted incidence rate ratio [95% confidence interval], 0.35 [0.32–0.38]; p < 0.001). The use of BB also resulted in a significant reduction in 30-day postoperative mortality within all RCRI cohorts. However, the most pronounced effect of BB therapy was seen in patients with an RCRI score greater than 0.

CONCLUSION

β-Blocker therapy is associated with a reduction in 30-day postoperative mortality, irrespective of RCRI score. Furthermore, patients with an elevated cardiac risk appear to have a greater benefit of BB therapy.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Therapeutic/care management, level II
Odorization of Natural Gas: What are the Challenges?
Authors: Wise Paul , Rowe Steven , Dalton Pamela
Published: July 2021

Modern natural gas (NG) has little or no odor, so other compounds, usually mercaptans and thiols, are added as warning odorants. Federal regulations state that NG must be odorized so that it is readily detectable by people with normal senses of smell at one fifth the lower explosive limit, but regulations don’t define “readily detectable” or “normal senses of smell.” Methods to measure human odor detection have been available for decades. However, most previous work on NG odorants has underestimated human sensitivity, and measurements need to be repeated using the latest methods. More work is also needed to determine how odor sensitivity measured under optimal laboratory conditions is affected by real-world factors such as distraction and exposure to other odors in the environment. Regarding a “normal sense of smell,” healthy people vary over orders of magnitude in the concentrations they can detect, so samples of subjects should be chosen to reflect the range of differences in the population.
DYT-TOR1A Subcellular Proteomics Reveals Selective Vulnerability of the Nuclear Proteome to Cell Stress
Authors: Shroff Kunal , Caffall Zachary F. , Calakos Nicole
Published: July 2021

TorsinA is a AAA+ ATPase that shuttles between the ER lumen and outer nuclear envelope in an ATP-dependent manner and is functionally implicated in nucleocytoplasmic transport. We hypothesized that the DYT-TOR1A dystonia disease-causing variant, ΔE TorsinA, may therefore disrupt the normal subcellular distribution of proteins between the nuclear and cytosolic compartments. To test this hypothesis, we performed proteomic analysis on nuclear and cytosolic subcellular fractions from DYT-TOR1A and wildtype mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs). We further examined the compartmental proteomes following exposure to thapsigargin (Tg), an endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stressor, because DYT-TOR1A dystonia models have previously shown abnormalities in cellular stress responses. Across both subcellular compartments, proteomes of DYT-TOR1A cells showed basal state disruptions consistent with an activated stress response, and in response to thapsigargin, a blunted stress response. However, the DYT-TOR1A nuclear proteome under Tg cell stress showed the most pronounced and disproportionate degree of protein disruptions – 3-fold greater than all other conditions. The affected proteins extended beyond those typically associated with stress responses, including enrichments for processes critical for neuronal synaptic function. These findings highlight the advantage of subcellular proteomics to reveal events that localize to discrete subcellular compartments and refine thinking about the mechanisms and significance of cell stress in DYT-TOR1A pathogenesis.

Highlights

The DYT-TOR1A nuclear proteome under cell stress showed 3-fold greater protein disruptions.

DYT-TOR1A MEFs show basal proteome alterations consistent with cell stress.

Thapsigargin modulation of WT stress-responsive proteins is blunted in DYT-TOR1A MEFs.

TorsinB was identified as part of the cell-stress responsive proteome in WT MEFs.

Graphical Abstract
Social choice using moral metrics
Authors: Halpern Kenneth
Published: July 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to develop a geometry of moral systems. Existing social choice mechanisms predominantly employ simple structures, such as rankings. A mathematical metric among moral systems allows us to represent complex sets of views in a multidimensional geometry. Such a metric can serve to diagnose structural issues, test existing mechanisms of social choice or engender new mechanisms. It also may be used to replace active social choice mechanisms with information-based passive ones, shifting the operational burden.

Design/methodology/approach

Under reasonable assumptions, moral systems correspond to computational black boxes, which can be represented by conditional probability distributions of responses to situations. In the presence of a probability distribution over situations and a metric among responses, codifying our intuition, we can derive a sensible metric among moral systems.

Findings

Within the developed framework, the author offers a set of well-behaved candidate metrics that may be employed in real applications. The author also proposes a variety of practical applications to social choice, both diagnostic and generative.

Originality/value

The proffered framework, derived metrics and proposed applications to social choice represent a new paradigm and offer potential improvements and alternatives to existing social choice mechanisms. They also can serve as the staging point for research in a number of directions.
A novel fractional order PID plus derivative (PIλDµDµ2) controller for AVR system using equilibrium optimizer
Authors: Tabak Abdulsamed
Published: July 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to improve transient response and dynamic performance of automatic voltage regulator (AVR).

Design/methodology/approach

This paper proposes a novel fractional order proportional–integral–derivative plus derivative (PIλDµDµ2) controller called FOPIDD for AVR system. The FOPIDD controller has seven optimization parameters and the equilibrium optimizer algorithm is used for tuning of controller parameters. The utilized objective function is widely preferred in AVR systems and consists of transient response characteristics.

Findings

In this study, results of AVR system controlled by FOPIDD is compared with results of proportional–integral–derivative (PID), proportional–integral–derivative acceleration, PID plus second order derivative and fractional order PID controllers. FOPIDD outperforms compared controllers in terms of transient response criteria such as settling time, rise time and overshoot. Then, the frequency domain analysis is performed for the AVR system with FOPIDD controller, and the results are found satisfactory. In addition, robustness test is realized for evaluating performance of FOPIDD controller in perturbed system parameters. In robustness test, FOPIDD controller shows superior control performance.

Originality/value

The FOPIDD controller is introduced for the first time to improve the control performance of the AVR system. The proposed FOPIDD controller has shown superior performance on AVR systems because of having seven optimization parameters and being fractional order based.
Fostering knowledge-sharing behavior through social capital: the implications of face-to-face and online interactions
Authors: Alajmi Bibi M. , Al-Qallaf Charlene L.
Published: July 2021

Purpose

This study aims to research knowledge-sharing behavior and social capital from a pedagogical perspective. It explores the facilitating role of face-to-face and online interactions in social capital development to understand how the formation of a specific form of social capital nurtures knowledge-sharing behaviors.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative approach used interviews and a focus group to collect data from 20 teachers in different positions and subject areas.

Findings

For face-to-face interactions to form social capital, learning communities must develop features including shared vision, shared language, trust-building and self-development and foster identification with and commitment to the community. Of all the categories of pedagogical content knowledge exchanged among teachers, teachers seek knowledge of general pedagogy, representations and strategies and knowledge of curriculum and media more than any others. However, when differentiating between online and face-to-face activities, knowledge of the curriculum and media is sought more frequently online. In contrast, the preferred way of learning about general pedagogy is through face-to-face activities. The choice of knowledge channel reflects the complexity of the types of knowledge needed and the type of social ties required to support this exchange.

Originality/value

The research is expected to expand understanding of how teachers develop their social capital and how social ties foster knowledge-sharing behaviors. This study suggests professional development activities and online professional learning platforms facilitate building social ties.
Experience of shame in service failure context among restaurant frontline employees: does industry tenure matter?
Authors: Wang Xingyu , Guchait Priyanko , Khoa Do The , Paşamehmetoğlu Aysin
Published: July 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to integrate tenets from the appraisal-based model of self-conscious emotions and the compass of shame theory to examine restaurant frontline employees’ experience of shame following service failures, and how shame influences employees’ job attitude and behaviors. In addition, employees’ industry tenure is identified as an individual factor influencing the impacts of shame in resorting to literature on aging in emotion regulation.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a survey methodology, 217 restaurant frontline employees and their supervisors in Turkey provided survey data. Partial least squares (PLS) method using SmartPLS 3.3.3 was used for data analysis.

Findings

The results indicated the maladaptive nature of shame following service failures as a salient self-conscious emotion, as it was negatively related to employee outcomes. Moreover, employees’ industry tenure played a moderating role that influences the impacts of shame on commitment to customer service.

Practical implications

Managers should attend to frontline employees’ shame experience depending on their industry experience and adopt appropriate emotion intervention (e.g. cognitive reappraisal) or create error management culture to eliminate the negative effects of shame.

Originality/value

This study advances our understanding of a powerful but understudied emotional experience, shame, in a typical shame-eliciting hospitality work setting (e.g. service failures). Shame has been linked with commitment to customer service and error reporting. In addition, industry tenure has been identified as a boundary condition to help clarify previous inconsistent findings in regard to the adaptive/maladaptive nature of shame.
Maternal absence and transnational female labour migration; implications for the left-behind child
Authors: Adem Saleh Seid
Published: July 2021

Purpose

As migration of family members becomes an omnipresent phenomenon, the conventional norm of having a family and living under the same roof together is far from normal for many households. It produces transnational practices and multisite lifestyle configurations. This study aims to explore the implication of maternal absence as a result of transnational labour migration on the left-behind child in the context of transnational labour migration from Ethiopia.

Design/methodology/approach

It focusses on the perspective of those who stayed behind. The ethnographic fieldwork was carried out in two rural villages – Bulebullo and Bokekesa – of Worebabbo district in Northern Ethiopia. It involved in-depth interviews with children and their caregivers supported by interviews and group discussions with members of the community, local officials and traditional leaders.

Findings

Transnational mothering and other mothering emerge as new practices of mothering in the rural villages due to maternal absence have interrelated implications and meanings for the left-behind child. However, the rigidity of sending societies’ norms related to mothering and gendered labour dynamics exacerbated the negative implications of maternal absence on left-behind children. The absence of the fathers’ effort to redefine mothering or fathering by providing childcare is part of the equation in the relationship between maternal absence and left-behind children.

Originality/value

The findings of this study refute the notion that labels mother’s out-migration as “abandoning children”, “disrupting families” and “acts of selfishness”.
“It’s better I’m dead”: oppression and suicidal ideation
Authors: Reber Lisa
Published: July 2021

Purpose

Anecdotal accounts of suicide among temporary low-wage migrant workers in the UAE are numerous, but unofficial and qualitative accounts remain unexplored. This study aims to examine how the socio-environmental context can lead some low-wage migrants, irrespective of their nationality or culture, to contemplate suicide for the first time after arriving in the host country.

Design/methodology/approach

The findings draw from ten months of qualitative fieldwork (2015–2016) and in-depth interviews conducted with 44 temporary migrant workers from sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, earning in the lowest wage bracket in Dubai. The study used a non-probabilistic, purposive sampling approach to select participants. Three criteria drove eligibility: participants had to reside in the UAE, be non-national and earn Dh1500 (US$408) or less a month. Otherwise, diversity was sought in regard to nationality, occupation and employer.

Findings

Eight (18%) of the 44 study participants interviewed admitted to engaging in suicidal thoughts for the first time after arriving in the UAE. The findings suggest that for low-wage migrants working in certain socio-environmental contexts, the religious, gendered or other cultural or group characteristics or patterns that may be predictors of suicide in migrants’ country of origin may become secondary or possibly even irrelevant when one is forced to survive under conditions that by most objective standards would be deemed not only oppressive but extremely exploitative and abusive.

Originality/value

This study contributes to understandings of how the emotional and psychological well-being of temporary foreign low-wage migrant workers can be impacted by the socio-environmental context of the host country. It is a first step in understanding the intimate thoughts of low-wage migrant workers on the topic of suicidality, furthering our understanding of suicidal ideation and the factors that can contribute to it.
Exploring the interplay between question-answering systems and communication with instructors in facilitating learning
Authors: Yi Cheng , Zhu Runge , Wang Qi
Published: July 2021

Purpose

Question-answering (QA) systems are being increasingly applied in learning contexts. However, the authors’ understanding of the relationship between such tools and traditional QA channels remains limited. Focusing on question-answering learning activities, the current research investigates the effect of QA systems on students' learning processes and outcomes, as well as the interplay between two QA channels, that is, QA systems and communication with instructors.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors designed and implemented a QA system for two university courses, and collected data from questionnaires and system logs that recorded the interaction between students and the system throughout a semester.

Findings

The results show that using a QA system alone does not improve students' learning processes or outcomes. However, the use of a QA system significantly improves the positive effect of instructor communication.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the literature on learning and education technology, and provides practical guidance on how to incorporate QA tools in learning.
Foreign capital inflows and economic growth: the experience of low-income countries in Sub Saharan Africa
Authors: Awad Atif
Published: July 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the long-run impact of selected foreign capital inflows, including aid, remittances, foreign direct investment (FDI), trade and debt, on the economic growth of 21 low-income countries in the Sub Saharan Africa (SSA) region, during the period 1990–2018.

Design/methodology/approach

To obtain this objective and for robust analysis, a parametric approach, which was dynamic ordinary least squares, and a non-parametric technique, which was fully modified ordinary least squares, were used.

Findings

The results of both models confirmed that, in the long run, trade and aid affected the growth rate of the per capita income in these countries in a positive way. However, external debt seemed to have an adverse influence on such growth.

Originality/value

First, this is the initial study that has addressed this matter across a homogenous group of countries in the SSA region. Second, while most of the previous studies regarding capital inflows into the SSA region have focused on the impact of only one or two aspects of such foreign capital inflows on growth, the present study, instead, examined the impact of five types of foreign capital inflows (aid, remittances, FDI, trade and debt).
Experiences of lay social workers trained in a trauma-informed intervention in the deinstitutionalization of Rwanda
Authors: Hunsley Jana , Razuri Erin , Ninziza Kamanzi Darlene , Sullivan Halle , Call Casey , Styffe Elizabeth , Hategekimana Celestin
Published: July 2021

Purpose

Rwanda established a deinstitutionalization program to end institutional care and transition to family-based care for children. Part of their program involved training local volunteers in an evidence-based, trauma-informed caregiving model, Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI), to provide education, support and TBRI training to caregivers who reunited or adopted children from institutional care in Rwanda. This study aims to describe the process of disseminating a trauma-informed intervention, TBRI, as part of the national deinstitutionalization program in Rwanda.

Design/methodology/approach

Semi-structured interviews were conducted with ten lay social workers about Rwanda’s care reform and their experience using TBRI. A phenomenological approach was used to qualitatively analyze the interviews.

Findings

Analysis revealed five themes centered on the usefulness and universality of TBRI, the power of community in meeting the needs of children and youth and the importance of connection in supporting children who have experienced institutional care.

Originality/value

A global call to end institutional care and shift to family-based care for children has organizations, governments and experts seeking pathways to implement care reform. Although care reform is a complex process, Rwanda created and implemented a deinstitutionalization program focused on spreading the message of care reform and providing sustainable support for caregivers and families.
Machine learning using synthetic images for detecting dust emissions on construction sites
Authors: Xiong Ruoxin , Tang Pingbo
Published: July 2021

Purpose

Automated dust monitoring in workplaces helps provide timely alerts to over-exposed workers and effective mitigation measures for proactive dust control. However, the cluttered nature of construction sites poses a practical challenge to obtain enough high-quality images in the real world. The study aims to establish a framework that overcomes the challenges of lacking sufficient imagery data (“data-hungry problem”) for training computer vision algorithms to monitor construction dust.

Design/methodology/approach

This study develops a synthetic image generation method that incorporates virtual environments of construction dust for producing training samples. Three state-of-the-art object detection algorithms, including Faster-RCNN, you only look once (YOLO) and single shot detection (SSD), are trained using solely synthetic images. Finally, this research provides a comparative analysis of object detection algorithms for real-world dust monitoring regarding the accuracy and computational efficiency.

Findings

This study creates a construction dust emission (CDE) dataset consisting of 3,860 synthetic dust images as the training dataset and 1,015 real-world images as the testing dataset. The YOLO-v3 model achieves the best performance with a 0.93 F1 score and 31.44 fps among all three object detection models. The experimental results indicate that training dust detection algorithms with only synthetic images can achieve acceptable performance on real-world images.

Originality/value

This study provides insights into two questions: (1) how synthetic images could help train dust detection models to overcome data-hungry problems and (2) how well state-of-the-art deep learning algorithms can detect nonrigid construction dust.
The influence of banner position and user experience on recall. The mediating role of visual attention
Authors: Muñoz-Leiva Francisco , Faísca Luís Miguel , Ramos Célia M.Q. , Correia Marisol B. , Sousa Carlos M.R. , Bouhachi Marouan
Published: July 2021

Purpose

This study aims to analyse the effectiveness of a static promotional banner located on a hotel reservation website in terms of capturing the visitor’s visual attention by exploring how this impact depends on the user’s degree of internet experience.

Design/methodology/approach

An experiment was conducted using the eye-tracking methodology, in addition to a self-administered questionnaire. Through eye-tracking technology, eye movements were recorded whilst participants explored a generic hotel website. The factors used in the analyses were the position of the banner on the website and participants’ experience as internet users.

Findings

The findings showed that positioning a banner at certain locations on the webpage may lead to a better recall, which, in part, seems to result from the visual attention that such locations attract. The mediation analysis showed that the bottom-right and bottom-left positions have a negative effect on banner recall due, in part, to the shorter attention times and the smaller number of fixations those positions induce. Although the visitor’s level of internet experience affected his/her visual attention towards the banner, its impact on banner recall was non-significant. Results are discussed considering which variables produce greater effectiveness in capturing the user’s attention.

Practical implications

The paper draws several implications for the marketing literature, hospitality management and society in general.

Originality/value

The study is the first to analyse the impact of the position of a static ad on users’ visual attention and memory, considering the user’s degree of internet experience.
Development of potent antipseudomonal β‐lactams by means of polycarboxylation of aminopenicillins
Authors: Akter Shahinur , Migiyama Yohei , Tsutsuki Hiroyasu , Ono Katsuhiko , Hamasaki Chika , Zhang Tianli , Miyao Kenki , Toyomoto Touya , Yamamoto Keiichi , Islam Waliul , Sakagami Takuro , Matsui Hirotaka , Yamaguchi Yoshihiro , Sawa Tomohiro
Published: July 2021

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a Gram‐negative opportunistic pathogen that presents a serious risk to immunosuppressed individuals and other extremely vulnerable patients such as those in intensive care units. The emergence of multidrug‐resistant Pseudomonas strains has increased the need for new antipseudomonal agents. In this study, a series of amino group‐modified aminopenicillin derivatives was synthesized that have different numbers of carboxyl groups and structurally resemble carboxypenicillin–ureidopenicillin hybrids, and their antipseudomonal activities were evaluated. Among the derivatives synthesized, diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA)‐modified amoxicillin (DTPA‐Amox) showed potent antipseudomonal activity, not only against the laboratory strain PAO1 but also against clinically isolated Pseudomonas strains that were resistant to piperacillin and carbenicillin. DTPA‐Amox had no obvious cytotoxic effects on cultured mammalian cells. In addition, in an in vivo model of leukopenia, DTPA‐Amox treatment produced a moderate but statistically significant improvement in the survival of mice with P. aeruginosa strain PAO1 infection. These data suggest that polycarboxylation by DTPA conjugation is an effective approach to enhance antipseudomonal activity of aminopenicillins.
Nonskeletal injuries related to cardiopulmonary resuscitation: An autopsy study
Authors: Righi Fabiola A. , Jenkins Sarah , Lin Peter T.
Published: July 2021

The current standard technique for cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), initially described in the early 1960s, has quickly become the expected response for all persons found without a pulse or respiration. Despite the potentially lifesaving properties of external cardiac massage, the mainstay of resuscitation, it consists of repeated blunt force trauma to the chest, which can lead to extensive traumatic skeletal and nonskeletal injuries. Numerous autopsy‐based studies have documented the incidence and patterns of rib and sternal fractures associated with attempted CPR, but there is relatively little data on the incidence and severity of nonskeletal CPR‐related injuries. We reviewed reports from 1878 autopsies performed between September 2017 and December 2019 (inclusive), for documentation of CPR‐related injuries. Among these cases, there were 93 cases with resuscitation‐related nonskeletal injuries. The most common type of injury identified were visceral contusions, documented in 57.0% of cases. These contusions predominantly involved the heart, lungs, neck soft tissue, and surrounding structures. Resuscitation‐related lacerations were seen in 17.2% of the cases, most predominantly involving the pericardium, heart, and liver. Statistical analysis of the data demonstrated that lacerations were more likely to be seen in females and with associated sternal fractures. Additionally, hemothoraces were present in 34.4% of cases and hemopericardium was seen in 8.6% of cases. This study provides additional documentation of the range, severity, and incidence of various types of resuscitation‐related visceral injuries to better assist autopsy pathologists in distinguishing these injuries from other antecedent traumatic injuries.
Curcuma longa enhances IFN‐γ secretion by natural killer cells through cytokines secreted from macrophages
Authors: Seo Sang Gwon , Ahn Young Je , Jin Mu Hyun , Kang Nae Gyu , Cho Ho Song
Published: July 2021

Interferon‐γ (IFN‐γ) regulates the human immune system. To study the interaction between macrophages and natural killer (NK) cells, we established a THP‐1 macrophage‐conditioned media. Among the 58 natural plant extracts tested, Curcuma longa exerted the strongest IFN‐γ‐enhancing effect in NK‐92 cells through THP‐1 macrophages. C. longa extract (CLE) enhanced IFN‐γ secretion 2.3‐ and 4.2‐fold at 50 and 100 µg/ml, respectively. Therefore, we evaluated its IFN‐γ‐enhancing effect in vitro. Although NK‐92 cells did not produce IFN‐γ following treatment with C. longa, enhanced IFN‐γ secretion was observed after treatment with THP‐1 macrophage‐conditioned media. We hypothesized that the cytokines secreted by the CLE‐treated THP‐1 macrophages are responsible for stimulating NK‐92 cells. Cytokine array results show upregulation of cytokines, including MIP‐1α, CXCL‐1, IL‐1β, PAI‐1, and TNF‐α, in CLE‐treated THP‐1 macrophages. To determine the cytokines responsible for augmenting IFN‐γ secretion, NK‐92 cells were stimulated with MIP‐1α, CXCL‐1, IL‐1β, or PAI‐1. Enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay results show that all cytokines induced IFN‐γ production, although the dose response was somewhat varied. High‐performance liquid chromatography analysis of CLE revealed the concentrations of three active curcuminoids, curcumin, demethoxycurcumin, and bisdemethoxycurcumin, as 6.70%, 1.00%, and 0.95%, respectively. Their mixture (with concentrations comparable to their occurrence in CLE) exerted an effect similar to that of the whole CLE. Our findings reveal that CLE indirectly stimulated NK‐92 cells to secrete IFN‐γ, which is mediated by cytokines produced from THP‐1 macrophages. Further, we identified three curcuminoids partly responsible for this IFN‐γ‐enhancing effect. Therefore, C. longa can be used as a functional food ingredient owing to its immune‐boosting ability.

Practical Application

This study demonstrates that CLE stimulates THP‐1 macrophages to secrete cytokines, which can in turn stimulate IFN‐γ production by NK‐92 cells. A mixture of three curcuminoids present in the extract exerted effects similar to whole CLE, demonstrating that the curcuminoids are partly responsible for the IFN‐γ‐enhancing effect of C. longa. Since IFN‐γ is a key regulator of human immune system, these results suggest the potential use of C. longa as an immune‐boosting functional food ingredient.
Occurrence of pesticides in white tea and a corresponding risk exposure assessment for the different residents in Fujian, China
Authors: Yao Qinghua , Li Jie , Yan Sun‐an , Huang Minmin , Lin Qiu
Published: July 2021

White tea has been of increasing public interest worldwide owing to its health benefits. Based on 2 years of surveillance, the long‐term and cumulative chronic exposure risks of pesticide residues through white tea drinking were assessed for different subpopulations in Fujian, China. Twenty‐five different pesticides were found, and 74.8% of samples contained at least one pesticide residue. The most frequently detected pesticide was bifenthrin with detection rates of 61.6%. Risk assessment was performed using both the deterministic approach and semiprobabilistic model under the best‐case and the worst‐case scenarios. The results demonstrated that the dietary risks were extremely low for six different subpopulations in which the risks for adults over the age of 41 were relatively higher. The risk ranking scheme indicated that isocarbophos and triazophos were considered to be of medium risk. The different use suggestions for the 25 positive pesticides are proposed to further minimize the exposure risk to consumer health.

Practical Application

Tea is the second most popular nonalcoholic beverage throughout the world. Pesticides are used to improve the yield of tea. Pesticide residues in tea could be one of the exposure pathways for consumers. Monitoring residual levels and assessing the health risk assessment in tea are thus in an urge.
The use of case studies in developing students’ understanding of the concept ‘material misstatement’
Authors: Agrawal Prerana , Birt Jacqueline , Bayne Lyndie , Schonfeldt Nikki
Published: July 2021

We investigate the use of an audit case study in developing students’ understanding of the key concept ‘material misstatement’. Using semantic differentials, we explore changes in connotative meaning (reflecting emotional reaction) of undergraduate students at an Australian university. Shifts in class perspective indicate students perceive the concept as more useful and less fluid after the case study. We contribute to the audit education literature by focusing on this complex concept and developing teaching methodologies to enhance students’ learning. Results support inclusion of comprehensive case studies embedded with judgement and decision making, in accounting curricula to enhance understanding of complex concepts.
Captivity, Kinship, and Black Masculine Care Work under Domestic Warfare
Authors: Burton Orisanmi
Published: July 2021

This article examines the forms of intergenerational kinship and care work that Black men perform within and beyond US prisons. First, I offer a historical conceptualization of domestic warfare as a multilayered process that targets Black radical activism, social/familial life, and the interiority of Black subjectivity. I argue that the rupturing of intimacy and familial relationships precipitated by the prison should be understood not as an incidental byproduct of a poorly designed carceral regime but as a tactic of war and a condition of genocide. Next, I theorize letter writing as an ethnographic and political modality that is part of a broader repertoire of strategies that Black men deploy to survive within and rebel against domestic war. I then draw on correspondence between myself and Absolute, an imprisoned Black man, as well as oral histories I collected with elders of New York's radical prison movement, to show how Black men care for each other, forge kinship networks, and transmit knowledge. I close by showing how Absolute carries on traditions of knowledge production and care to younger generations of captive Black men and by connecting this intergenerational practice to forms of collective rebellion. [prisons, kinship, Black masculinity, letters, warfare]
A principled approach to cross‐sector genomic data access
Authors: Smith Marcus , Miller Seumas
Published: July 2021

Genomic data is growing in importance as scientific knowledge and technology develop, and in availability, as direct‐to‐consumer genomic health testing and recreational genealogy services become more widely utilized. Access to genomic data needs to be considered in light of individual privacy. Cross‐sector use of genomic health and ancestry data, and by law enforcement in particular, raises ethical questions and requires appropriate regulation. This article discusses the significance of genomic data and focuses on investigative genetic genealogy, namely the use of genomic health and ancestry data to advance law enforcement, as an example of cross‐sector use. An ethical framework is developed that contributes to a more principled approach to genomic data access.
Lung pharmacokinetics of inhaled and systemic drugs: A clinical evaluation
Authors: Sadiq Muhammad Waqas , Holz Olaf , Ellinghusen Birthe D. , Faulenbach Cornelia , Müller Meike , Badorrek Philipp , Eriksson Ulf G. , Fridén Markus , Stomilovic Stina , Lundqvist Anders J. , Hohlfeld Jens M.
Published: July 2021

Background and Purpose

Human pharmacokinetic studies of lung‐targeted drugs are typically limited to measurements of systemic plasma concentrations, which provide no direct information on lung target‐site concentrations. We aimed to evaluate lung pharmacokinetics of commonly prescribed drugs by sampling different lung compartments after inhalation and oral administration.

Experimental Approach

Healthy volunteers received single, sequential doses of either inhaled salbutamol, salmeterol and fluticasone propionate (n = 12), or oral salbutamol and propranolol (n = 6). Each participant underwent bronchoscopies and gave breath samples for analysis of particles in exhaled air at two points after drug administration (1 and 6, 2 and 9, 3 and 12, or 4 and 18 h). Lung samples were taken via bronchosorption, bronchial brush, mucosal biopsy and bronchoalveolar lavage during each bronchoscopy. Blood samples were taken during the 24 h after administration. Pharmacokinetic profiles were generated by combining data from multiple individuals, covering all sample timings.

Key Results

Pharmacokinetic profiles were obtained for each drug in lung epithelial lining fluid, lung tissue and plasma. Inhalation of salbutamol resulted in approximately 100‐fold higher concentrations in lung than in plasma. Salmeterol and fluticasone concentration ratios in lung versus plasma were higher still. Bronchosorption‐ and bronchoalveolar‐lavage‐generated profiles of inhaled drugs in epithelial lining fluid were comparable. For orally administered drugs, epithelial‐lining‐fluid concentrations were overestimated in bronchoalveolar‐lavage‐generated profiles.

Conclusion and Implications

Combining pharmacokinetic data derived from several individuals and techniques sampling different lung compartments enabled generation of pharmacokinetic profiles for evaluation of lung targeting after inhaled and oral drug delivery.