bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Municipal financial vulnerability in pandemic crises: a framework for analysis
Authors: Padovani Emanuele , Iacuzzi Silvia , Jorge Susana , Pimentel Liliana
Published: March 2021

Purpose

This paper explores how global pandemic crises affect the financial vulnerability of municipalities.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper is developed from the relevant literature an analytical framework to examine municipal financial vulnerability before a global pandemic crisis and in its immediate aftermath by mapping and systematizing its dimensions and sources. To illustrate how it can be used and evaluate its robustness and flexibility, such a tool was applied to Portugal and Italy, two countries that particularly suffered from the Covid-19 crisis.

Findings

The application of the analytical framework has shown how financially vulnerable municipalities are to global pandemic crises. Financial vulnerability relates to issues ranging from institutional design to internal financial conditions and the perception of the capacity to cope with a crisis. Results further reveal that vulnerability has an inherent contingent nature in time and space and can lead to paradoxical outcomes.

Research limitations/implications

This paper provides a tool that can be useful for both academic and public policy purposes, to further appreciate municipal financial vulnerability, especially during crises.

Practical implications

Municipalities can use the framework to better manage their financial vulnerability, strengthening their anticipatory and copying capacities, while oversight authorities can use it to help municipalities become less financially vulnerable or, at least, more aware of their financial vulnerability.

Originality/value

Municipal financial vulnerability to global shocks has not been explored extensively. Also, the Covid-19 pandemic is different from previous global crises as it affected society overnight with the implementation of lockdown and social distancing measures.
Selective laser sintering of bonded anisotropic permanent magnets using an in situ alignment fixture
Authors: Mapley Martin Christopher , Tansley Geoff , Pauls Jo P. , Gregory Shaun D. , Busch Andrew
Published: March 2021

Purpose

Additive manufacturing (AM) techniques have been developed to rapidly produce custom designs from a multitude of materials. Bonded permanent magnets (PMs) have been produced via several AM techniques to allow for rapid manufacture of complex geometries. These magnets, however, tend to suffer from lower residual induction than the industry standard of injection moulding primarily due to the lower packing density of the magnetic particles and secondly due to the feedstock consisting of neodymium-iron-boron (Nd-Fe-B) powder with isotropic magnetic properties. As there is no compaction during most AM processes, increasing the packing density is very difficult and therefore the purpose of this study was to increase the magnetic properties of the PMs without increasing the part density.

Design/methodology/approach

Accordingly, this research investigates the use of anisotropic NdFeB feedstock coupled with an in-situ alignment fixture into an AM process known as selective laser sintering (SLS) to increase the magnetic properties of AM magnets. A Helmholtz coil array was added to an SLS machine and used to expose each powder layer during part fabrication to a near-uniform magnetic field of 20.4 mT prior to consolidation by the laser.

Findings

Permeagraph measurements of the parts showed that the alignment field introduced residual induction anisotropy of up to 46.4 ± 2.2% when measured in directions parallel and perpendicular to the alignment field. X-ray diffraction measurements also demonstrated a convergence of the orientation of the crystals when the magnets were processed in the presence of the alignment field.

Originality/value

A novel active alignment fixture for SLS was introduced and was experimentally shown to induce anisotropy in bonded PMs. Thus demonstrating a new method for the enhancement in energy density of PMs produced via AM methods.
Corporate Culture and Innovation: A Tale from an Emerging Market
Authors: Wang Yaopeng , Farag Hisham , Ahmad Wasim
Published: March 2021

We examine the influence of corporate culture on innovation using a unique set of data from Chinese listed companies over the period 2008–2017. Using the competing value framework, we quantify corporate culture using textual analysis of financial statements. We find a positive and significant impact of a creation culture on innovation measured by both patent applications and citations, as well as innovation efficiency. We address endogeneity concerns and conduct a battery of robustness tests, including alternative proxies for both corporate innovation and culture, and conclude that variations in culture have a significant impact on firm‐level innovation. We also show that a strong creation culture is more likely to spur innovation for firms in more competitive product markets and firms that are subject to higher managerial career concerns. We provide empirical evidence that corporate culture is an important driver in enhancing innovation. Our results have clear implications for directors and shareholders.
Corporate Responses to the Coronavirus Crisis and their Impact on Electronic‐Word‐of‐Mouth and Trust Recovery: Evidence from Social Media
Authors: Wang Yichuan , Zhang Minhao , Li Shuyang , McLeay Fraser , Gupta Suraksha
Published: March 2021

This study examines how corporate responses to service failure, caused by the coronavirus (COVID‐19) crisis, influence electronic‐word‐of‐mouth (E‐WoM) and trust recovery around lockdown, using multiple data sources. A dataset of 398 valid COVID‐19 announcements from 50 UK food retailers posted on the social media platform Twitter, and 21,960 consumer comments associated with these announcements, are analysed using content analysis and social media analytics, respectively. In Study 1, we test the effects of corporate crisis response strategy (defensive vs. offensive) and response framing (emotional vs. rational) on consumer E‐WoM (measured as ‘consumer sentiment’). The results reveal that using a defensive corporate response strategy with emotionally framed announcements leads to more positive consumer E‐WoM. In Study 2, we advance the findings of Study 1 using a vignette‐based experimental design to examine how social media announcements made by food retailing brands influence consumers’ trust recovery. We find that consumer trust recovers significantly when corporate COVID‐19 responses are framed in an emotional manner. By drawing upon signalling theory, this study makes an important contribution to public health crisis communication and service failure literature by demystifying consumers’ reactions towards corporate crisis responses amid a pandemic.
Productivity‐Enhancing Labour Reallocation in Australia†
Authors: Andrews Dan , Hansell David
Published: March 2021

Using firm‐level data, we examine the efficiency of labour reallocation in Australia over the period 2002–16. We find that more productive firms account for a higher share of employment – particularly in trade‐exposed sectors – and Australia appears more successful at reallocating resources to high‐productivity firms than many OECD countries. But the propensity for high‐productivity firms to expand and low‐productivity firms to contract (or exit) has declined over time. Counterfactual estimates suggest this decline in productivity‐enhancing labour reallocation is a key feature of Australia’s productivity slowdown.
Is Higher Education Making Students Dumb and Dumber?
Authors: Friedman Hershey H.
Published: March 2021

This article examines what colleges and universities have to do if they wish to remain relevant. Many students graduating college today lack critical thinking skills. One reason for this is that academic faculty themselves lack some important skills, which include: 1) an appreciation of uncertainty; 2) respect for other disciplines; and 3) an understanding of what true diversity is all about. All of these require humility, which is not valued enough in academe.
Education Crisis, Workforce Preparedness, and COVID‐19: Reflections and Recommendations
Authors: Krishnamoorthy Raghu , Keating Keith
Published: March 2021

This article explores the impact of COVID‐19 on the higher education crisis and its implications for workforce preparedness and the future of work. It takes an integrative look at the evolving role of three primary actors involved in higher education: traditional universities, corporate universities, and educational technology companies, before, during, and after the pandemic. We conclude with recommendations for reframing discussions about higher education and workforce preparation to achieve a better balance between the workforce needs of the corporate world and those of society.
Prospects for personalization of depression treatment with genome sequencing
Authors: Borczyk Malgorzata , Piechota Marcin , Rodriguez Parkitna Jan , Korostynski Michal
Published: March 2021

The effectiveness of antidepressants in the treatment of major depressive disorder varies considerably between patients. With these interindividual differences and a number of antidepressants to choose from, the first choice of treatment often fails to produce improvement in the patient's condition. A substantial part of the variation in response to antidepressants can be explained by genetic factors. Accordingly, variants related to drug metabolism in two pharmacogenes, CYP2D6 and CYP2C19, have already been translated into guidelines for antidepressant prescriptions. The role of variants in other genes that influence antidepressant responses is not yet understood. Furthermore, rare and individual variants account for a substantial part of genetic differences in antidepressant efficacy. Recent years have brought a tremendous increase in the accessibility of genome sequencing in terms of data availability and its clinical use. In this review, we summarize recent developments and current issues in the personalization of major depressive disorder treatment through pharmacogenomics.

LINKED ARTICLES

This article is part of a themed issue on New discoveries and perspectives in mental and pain disorders. To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v179.17/issuetoc
Triptolide prevents LPS‐induced skeletal muscle atrophy via inhibiting NF‐κB/TNF‐α and regulating protein synthesis/degradation pathway
Authors: Fang Wei‐Yu , Tseng Yu‐Ting , Lee Tzu‐Ying , Fu Yin‐Chih , Chang Wan‐Hsuan , Lo Wan‐Wen , Lin Chih‐Lung , Lo Yi‐Ching
Published: March 2021

Background and Purpose

Increasing evidence suggests systemic inflammation‐caused skeletal muscle atrophy as a major clinical feature of cachexia. Triptolide obtained from Tripterygium wilfordii Hook F possesses potent anti‐inflammatory and immunosuppressive effects. The present study aims to evaluate the protective effects and molecular mechanisms of triptolide on inflammation‐induced skeletal muscle atrophy.

Experimental Approach

The effects of triptolide on skeletal muscle atrophy were investigated in LPS‐treated C2C12 myotubes and C57BL/6 mice. Protein expressions and mRNA levels were analysed by western blot and qPCR, respectively. Skeletal muscle mass, volume and strength were measured by histological analysis, micro‐CT and grip strength, respectively. Locomotor activity was measured using the open field test.

KEY RESULTS

Triptolide (10–100 fM) up‐regulated protein synthesis signals (IGF‐1/p‐IGF‐1R/IRS‐1/p‐Akt/p‐mTOR) and down‐regulated protein degradation signal atrogin‐1 in C2C12 myotubes. In LPS (100 ng·ml−1)‐treated C2C12 myotubes, triptolide up‐regulated MyHC, IGF‐1, p‐IGF‐1R, IRS‐1 and p‐Akt. Triptolide also down‐regulated ubiquitin‐proteasome molecules (n‐FoxO3a/atrogin‐1/MuRF1), proteasome activity, autophagy‐lysosomal molecules (LC3‐II/LC3‐I and Bnip3) and inflammatory mediators (NF‐κB, Cox‐2, NLRP3, IL‐1β and TNF‐α). However, AG1024, an IGF‐1R inhibitor, suppressed triptolide‐mediated effects on MyHC, myotube diameter, MuRF1 and p62 in LPS‐treated C2C12 myotubes. In LPS (1 mg·kg−1, i.p.)‐challenged mice, triptolide (5 and 20 μg·kg−1·day−1, i.p.) decreased plasma TNF‐α levels and it increased skeletal muscle volume, cross‐sectional area of myofibers, weights of the gastrocnemius and tibialis anterior muscles, forelimb grip strength and locomotion.

Conclusions and Implications

These findings reveal that triptolide prevented LPS‐induced inflammation and skeletal muscle atrophy and have implications for the discovery of novel agents for preventing muscle wasting.
Primary cutaneous follicle center lymphoma with extensive plasmacytic differentiation and t(14;18) in both the lymphoid and plasma cell components
Authors: Kelley Justin T. , Brown Noah A. , Hristov Alexandra C. , Bresler Scott C.
Published: March 2021

Primary cutaneous follicle center lymphoma (PCFCL) is the most common cutaneous B‐cell lymphoma. The typical immunophenotype includes expression of both CD20 and BCL6, with the majority of cases lacking expression of CD10, BCL2, and the characteristic t(14;18)/IGH‐BCL2 rearrangement seen in systemic follicular lymphoma (FL). Plasmacytic differentiation (PD) is an uncommon finding in both systemic and cutaneous FLs and presents a diagnostic challenge when present, leading to the potential for misdiagnosis as marginal zone lymphoma (MZL). Limited reports have described light chain restriction in the plasma cell component of FLs with PD, and rare cases of PCFCL with PD have been described. While the IGH‐BCL2 translocation has been identified in a subset of FLs with PD, the presence of the BCL2 translocation in monotypic plasma cells of PCFCL has not been previously described to our knowledge. Here, we report a case of PCFCL with extensive PD in a 77‐year‐old woman that was favored to represent primary cutaneous MZL on an initial punch biopsy. Excisional biopsy, however, revealed that the atypical lymphocytes expressed CD10, BCL6, and BCL2, while the plasma cell component demonstrated light‐chain lambda restriction. FISH studies showed the presence of an IGH‐BCL2 translocation in both the lymphocytic and plasmacytic components.
Peroral endoscopic myotomy for achalasia with esophageal varices
Authors: Urakami Satoshi , Tanaka Shinwa , Kodama Yuzo
Published: March 2021

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Primary Care Dentists’ management of permanent dentition traumatic dental injuries in 7‐ to 16‐year‐olds: A sequential mixed‐methods study
Authors: Taylor Greig D. , Sumner Oliver , Holmes Richard , Waterhouse Paula J.
Published: March 2021

Background/Aims

Primary care dentists play a pivotal role in the management of traumatic dental injuries in children, despite little evidence on the barriers they face in providing care. The aim of this study was to explore and contextualize the knowledge and attitudes of general dental practitioners regarding their management of permanent dentition traumatic dental injuries in children aged 7–16 years old.

Material and Methods

A two‐phase sequential mixed‐methods study included a questionnaire that was disseminated to all 619 primary care dentists, identified via a triangulated sampling strategy, based across the north‐east of England (Phase I). Statistical analyses were performed using Mann–Whitney U‐ and Kruskal–Wallis tests, Spearman's correlation and chi‐square test. Multivariate factor analysis, with principal components extraction, was used to test between multiple ordinal variables. Respondents were invited to a face‐to‐face or telephone semi‐structured interview (Phase II). Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed using inductive thematic analysis.

Results

Primary care dentists were less confident in managing complex dental trauma. Inadequate financial remuneration was the main reason for not providing care, often prompting a referral to the local dental hospital. This was more apparent for those who qualified before 2000. More recently qualified dentists felt the long‐term costs, related to traumatic dental injuries, were insufficiently remunerated. Most still provided emergency management, irrespective of remuneration, as long as they had the requisite knowledge and skills. Four major themes arose: impact of traumatic dental injuries on patients, parents and primary care dentists; barriers to providing treatment; educational opportunities for primary care dentists; and interactions between primary and secondary care services.

Conclusions

There is high confidence in managing simple traumatic dental injuries but less for complex injuries. A lack of sufficient financial remuneration associated with the long‐term management of dental trauma was the main barrier for dentists to manage these cases.
Disentangling the effects of technological and organizational changes during the rise of the factory: the case of the Japanese weaving industry, 1905−14†
Authors: Okazaki Tetsuji
Published: March 2021

This article contributes to the ‘factory debate’ by disentangling the effects of technological change and organizational change during the rise of the factory, using unique data from the weaving industry in early twentieth‐century Japan. During this period, a variety of production organizations co‐existed, as did a variety of technologies, which creates an excellent opportunity to evaluate the implications of the factory system. Using regression analyses and observation of descriptive data, this study finds that production value per worker was around two times larger in factories compared with weavers and outworkers under the putting‐out system, after controlling for the technological difference. This difference is supposed to reflect the difference in the mode of work—that is, working hours and work intensity—between factories and weavers and outworkers. Meanwhile, production per worker was two to three times larger for powered factories than non‐powered factories, other things being equal. Thus, the magnitude of the impact of organizational difference was almost comparable to that of technological difference.
Sporadic Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease presenting as epilepsia partialis continua and non‐ictal nystagmus
Authors: Cunha Inês Antunes , Gomes Inês , Gens Helena , Guimarães Susana , Martins Ana Inês , Bento Conceição
Published: March 2021

Background and purpose

Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease (CJD) is a rare form of rapidly progressive neurodegenerative disorder. Seizures are uncommon in the early stage of CJD, increasing diagnostic difficulty.

Methods

An autopsy‐proven case of CJD presenting initially as an epilepsia partialis continua is reported, in which the initial workup was unremarkable. Retrospectively, the presence of nystagmus, which proved to be non‐epileptic, pointed to a cerebellar lesion before a diagnosis of clinically probable CJD was made.

Results

A 70‐year‐old man presented with a 3‐week history of intermittent rhythmic jerking tremors in his left limbs, interfering with his gait. Examination showed left body clonic movements. Electroencephalography revealed an ictal right centroparietal pattern of focal status epilepticus. Video‐oculography revealed right‐beating nystagmus (mean slow phase velocity [SPV] 3.4º/s) in the dark and left‐beating nystagmus (SPV 2.6º/s) in the light, left‐beating nystagmus after head shaking (SPV 4º/s) and during mastoid vibration (SPV 11º/s) and mildly hypoactive horizontal head impulses. Search for occult malignancy, serologies, cerebrospinal fluid analyses, anti‐onconeural antigen, auto‐immune panel and brain magnetic resonance imaging were unrevealing. Rapid neurological decline was observed. Three weeks later, cerebrospinal fluid was positive for 14.3.3 protein, electroencephalography showed generalized periodic sharp wave complexes and brain magnetic resonance imaging revealed diffusion restriction and T2/fluid‐attenuated inversion recovery hyperintensities in the cerebellum, basal ganglia, thalamus and cortex. He died 1 month later. Neuropathological study confirmed the diagnosis of CJD.

Conclusion

This case highlights that CJD should be considered in the differential diagnosis of new onset epilepsia partialis continua and that neuro‐ophthalmological examination can be helpful in pointing to early asymmetric cerebellar involvement.
Involving an individual with lived‐experience in a co‐analysis of qualitative data
Authors: Hemming Laura , Pratt Daniel , Bhatti Peer , Shaw Jennifer , Haddock Gillian
Published: March 2021

Background

People with lived‐experience of the phenomenon under investigation are seldom involved in the analysis of qualitative data, and there exists little guidance for those wishing to involve contributors at this stage of research.

Aims

To critically reflect on the process of involving people with lived‐experience in a thematic analysis and to offer direction to other researchers.

Methods

An individual with lived‐experience of residing in prison contributed to a co‐analysis of qualitative data using thematic analysis. This paper reports on involvement at each stage of a thematic analysis and follows an established reporting checklist.

Results

A number of challenges and benefits were encountered in the process of co‐analysing the data. These are discussed in relation to previous research and how to overcome the challenges encountered.

Conclusions

The paper concludes by giving recommendations and guidance for future researchers wishing to involve people with lived‐experience in qualitative data analysis.
Thymic atrophy creates holes in Treg‐mediated immuno‐regulation via impairment of an antigen‐specific clone
Authors: Thomas Rachel , Oh Jiyoung , Wang Weikan , Su Dong‐Ming
Published: March 2021

Age‐related thymic atrophy results in reduced output of naïve conventional T (Tcon) cells. However, its impact on regulatory T (Treg) cells is insufficiently understood. Given evidence that thymic Treg (tTreg) cell generation is enhanced in the aged, atrophy thymus and that the aged periphery accumulates peripheral Treg (pTreg) cells, we asked why these Treg cells are unable to effectively attenuate increased autoreactivity‐induced chronic inflammation in the elderly. We designed a mock‐self‐antigen chimera mouse model, in which membrane‐bound ovalbumin (mOVA) transgenic mice, bearing a FoxN1‐floxed gene for induction of conditional thymic atrophy, received OVA‐specific (OT‐II) T‐cell receptor (TCR) transgenic progenitor cells. The chimeric mice with thymic atrophy exhibited a significant decrease in OVA‐specific tTreg and pTreg cells but not polyclonal (pan)‐Treg cells. These OVA‐specific pTreg cells were significantly less able to suppress OVA‐specific stimulation‐induced proliferation in vitro and exhibited lower FoxP3 expression. Additionally, we conducted preliminary TCR repertoire diversity sequencing for Treg cells among recent thymic emigrants (RTEs) from RagGFP‐FoxP3RFP dual‐reporter mice and observed a trend for decreased diversity in mice with thymic atrophy compared to littermates with normal thymus. These data indicate that although the effects of age‐related thymic atrophy do not affect pan‐Treg generation, certain tissue‐specific Treg clones may experience abnormal agonist selection. This, combined with enhanced pan‐pTreg cells, may greatly contribute to age‐related chronic inflammation, even in the absence of acute autoimmune disease in the elderly.
Islamic equity markets versus their conventional counterparts in the COVID‐19 age: Reaction, resilience, and recovery
Authors: Chowdhury Md Iftekhar Hasan , Balli Faruk , de Bruin Anne
Published: March 2021

We undertake a comparative examination of Islamic equity markets and their conventional counterparts during the COVID‐19 pandemic via maximum drawdown‐based risk measures. The two‐digit drawdown throughout the underlying sectors signifies the indiscriminate impact of the pandemic. It appears that most of the Islamic sectors experience relatively lower drawdown as well as faster recovery than their non‐Islamic counterparts. During the period, Islamic markets outperformed their counterparts. Islamic markets also hold healthier Calmar ratios while the emerging markets retain relatively higher metrics.
Microstructured multimaterial fibers for efficient optical detection
Authors: Dai Yi , Du Minghui , Feng Xu , Zhang Weida , Zhou Shifeng
Published: March 2021

Flexible optoelectronic fibers are recognized as one type of important building block for the system of wearable electronics and advanced functional textiles. The thermal drawing process offers promise for scalable construction of optoelectronic fibers, while they are generally characterized by the continuous cylindrical structure and poor electrical property. Here, we report the fabrication and characterization of the flexible structured multimaterial fibers thermally drawn from the combination of metal‐semiconductor‐polymer, and control of their inner structure via fluid Plateau‐Rayleigh instability. A trapezoidal electrical connection configuration with the semiconductor spheres clamped by two metal electrodes inside the fiber is successfully achieved based on this fluid instability. The obtained structured multimaterial fiber shows better photoresponse properties than that of the as drawn multimaterial fiber. The findings open new opportunity to develop fiber devices for efficient optical detection.
Morbidity and maternal and infant outcomes of hypertensive disorder in pregnancy in China in 2018
Authors: Lyu Xin , Zhang Weiyuan , Zhang Jingxiao , Wei Yuqian , Guo Xiaoli , Cui Shihong , Yan Jianying , Zhang Xiaoyan , Qiao Chong , Zhou Rong , Gu Weirong , Chen Xianxia , Zi Yang , Li Xiaotian , Song Yanyan , Lin Jianhua
Published: March 2021

Hypertensive disorder in pregnancy is a disease that occurs during pregnancy. We aimed to analyze the morbidity and maternal and infant outcomes with respect to the hypertensive disorder in pregnancy in China in 2018. Clinical data of 38 590 cases from 161 hospitals were retrospectively collected. The differences in morbidity and maternal and infant mortality among the major regions and provinces were compared. The overall national average morbidity was 4.74%, and the ratios of gestational hypertension, preeclampsia, eclampsia, chronic hypertension, and chronic hypertension with superimposed preeclampsia were 29.17%, 55.02%, 0.66%, 6.53%, and 8.62%, respectively. The overall maternal mortality was 0.61/100 000, and the case fatality was 0.13%. Morbidity associated with hypertensive disorder in pregnancy was 7.74% in North China, 6.62% in Northwest China, 6.40% in Central China, 5.83% in Northeast China, 4.28% in East China, 3.85% in South China, and 2.88% in Southwest China. The morbidity in each province was 1.62‐11.28%. The overall perinatal mortality was 3.59% (81.09% for stillbirths; 18.91% for neonatal deaths). Perinatal mortality decreased with increasing gestational weeks from 24 to 37 + 6 weeks. Perinatal mortality for delivery at 32 weeks of gestation in all regions of the country was <10%. Morbidity varied across regions in China, with the lowest in Southwest and the highest in North China. The low maternal mortality is related to the large‐scale development of standardized maternal health care in China. For severe hypertensive disorder patients, gestation should be prolonged to 32 weeks as often as possible for better neonatal survival rates.
The importance of sialic acid, pH and ion concentration on the interaction of uromodulin and complement factor H
Authors: Bai Lufeng , Xie Qiuyu , Xia Min , Gong Kunjing , Wang Na , Chen Yuqing , Zhao Minghui
Published: March 2021

Uromodulin (UMOD) can bind complement factor H (cFH) and inhibit the activation of complement alternative pathway (AP) by enhancing the cofactor activity of cFH on degeneration of C3b. UMOD, an N‐glycans‐rich glycoprotein, is expressed in thick ascending limb of Henle's loop where the epithelia need to adapt to gradient change of pH and ion concentration. ELISA‐based cofactor activity of cFH and erythrocytes haemolytic assay was used to measure the impact of native and de‐glycosylated UMOD on the functions of cFH. The binding assay was performed under different pH and ion concentrations, using ELISA. The levels of sialic acid on UMOD, from healthy controls and patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), were also detected by lectin‐ELISA. It was shown that removal of glycans decreased the binding between UMOD and cFH and abolished the ability of enhancing C3b degradation. In acidic condition, the binding became stronger, but it reduced as sodium concentration increased. A significant decrease of α‐2,3 sialic acids on UMOD was observed in CKD patients compared with that of healthy individuals. The sialic acids on UMOD, local pH and sodium concentration could impact the binding capacity between UMOD and cFH and thus regulate the activation of complement AP.
Nurse’s Achilles Heel: Using Big Data to Determine Workload Factors That Impact Near Misses
Authors: Campbell Amy A. , Harlan Todd , Campbell Matt , Mulekar Madhuri S. , Wang Bin
Published: March 2021

Purpose

To explore how big data can be used to identify the contribution or influence of six specific workload variables: patient count, medication count, task count call lights, patient sepsis score, and hours worked on the occurrence of a near miss (NM) by individual nurses.

Design

A correlational and cross‐section research design was used to collect over 82,000 useable data points of historical workload data from the three unique systems on a medical‐surgical unit in a midsized hospital in the southeast United States over a 60‐day period. Data were collected prior to the start of the Covid‐19 pandemic in the United States.

Methods

Combined data were analyzed using JMP Pro version 12. Mean responses from two groups were compared using a t‐test and those from more than two groups using analysis of variance. Logistic regression was used to determine the significance of impact each workload variable had on individual nurses’ ability to administer medications successfully as measured by occurrence of NMs.

Findings

The mean outcome of each of the six workload factors measured differed significantly (p < .0001) among nurses. The mean outcome for all workload factors except the hours worked was found to be significantly higher (p < .0001) for those who committed an NM compared to those who did not. At least one workload variable was observed to be significantly associated (p < .05) with the occurrence or nonoccurrence of NMs in 82.6% of the nurses in the study.

Conclusions

For the majority of the nurses in our study, the occurrence of an NM was significantly impacted by at least one workload variable. Because the specific variables that impact performance are different for each individual nurse, decreasing only one variable, such as patient load, will not adequately address the risk for NMs. Other variables not studied here, such as education and experience, might be associated with the occurrence of NMs.

Clinical Relevance

In the majority of nurses, different workload variables increase their risk for an NM, suggesting that interventions addressing medication errors should be implemented based on the individual’s risk profile.
Comparative sensory and instrumental analyses and principal components of commercial sunscreens
Authors: Vergilio Mariane Massufero , de Freitas Andréa Carolina Pinheiro , da Rocha‐Filho Pedro Alves
Published: March 2021

Background

The initial contact of consumers when choosing sunscreens is through the trademark, packaging, perfume, and tactile feeling of the product, outlining the popular practice of sensory science.

Aims

To describe the sensory and physical‐mechanical profile of commercial sunscreens through sensory and instrumental analyses related to principal component analysis (PCA).

Methods

Seven commercial sunscreens available on the Brazilian market and with a solar protection factor (SPF) of 30 were evaluated. Physical‐mechanical profiling (rheological and textural analyses) was conducted by a trained panel, followed by sensory profile characterization and descriptive analysis. The results were assessed using the Spearman correlation coefficient and PCA.

Results

The correlation or lack thereof of the instrumental parameters with most of the sensory aspects was demonstrated using the Spearman coefficient. PCA enabled us to identify the nature of the dissimilarities among the samples.

Conclusions

The obtained results highlight the importance of descriptive sensory analysis in the research and development of sunscreens, evidencing the significance of precisely informing the products’ formulation in order to be chosen by the consumer.
Desire for information and alternative therapies of pet owners is associated with empathy and partnership‐building of veterinarians
Authors: Merle R. , Küper A.
Published: March 2021

Objectives

The relationship between the pet owners’ desire for information and preference of alternative therapies and the veterinarians' ability to build partnership and communicate empathically was investigated using quantitative multifactorial analysis.

Materials and Methods

In an online survey, 1270 German pet owners were asked about their experience of veterinary appointments regarding communication and relationship building. Additional questions included the type and number of pets, years of animal husbandry, age, gender and education level.

The factors associated with the pet owners’ desire for further information and alternative therapies were analysed in two multivariable linear models. A recently published structural equation model consolidated the following as latent factors:

veterinarian's empathic communication, veterinarian's partnership building, pet owners' desire for further information and pet owners' desire for alternative therapies (e.g. non‐veterinary practitioners).

Results

The two veterinarian‐related factors of empathic communication and partnership building were positively associated with each other, but negatively associated with the pet owners’ desires. Dog owners and participants who owned animals for more than 2 years expressed less desire for further information. The desire for further information decreased with increasing age. The desire for alternative therapies was more among animal owners of more than 2 years and those visiting the same veterinary practice for over 2 years.

Clinical Significance

Veterinarians’ empathic communication and partnership building are key factors that satisfy clients' desires for information and alternative therapies. This comprises communicational skills regarding information sharing, as well as emotional aspects.
Opportunities and challenges for high‐quality biodiversity tissue archives in the age of long‐read sequencing
Authors: Blom Mozes P. K.
Published: March 2021

The technological ability to characterize genetic variation at a genome‐wide scale provides an unprecedented opportunity to study the genetic underpinnings and evolutionary mechanisms that promote and sustain biodiversity. The transition from short‐ to long‐read sequencing is particularly promising and allows a more holistic view on any changes in genetic diversity across time and space. Long‐read sequencing has tremendous potential but sequencing success strongly depends on the long‐range integrity of DNA molecules and therefore on the availability of high‐quality tissue samples. With the scope of genomic experiments expanding and wild populations simultaneously disappearing at an unprecedented rate, access to high‐quality samples may soon be a major concern for many projects. The need for high‐quality biodiversity tissue archives is therefore urgent but sampling and preserving high‐quality samples is not a trivial exercise. In this review, I will briefly outline how long‐read sequencing can benefit the study of molecular ecology, how this will substantially increase the demand for high‐quality tissues and why it is challenging to preserve DNA integrity. I will then provide an overview of preservation approaches and end with a call for support to acknowledge the efforts needed to assemble high‐quality tissue archives. In doing so, I hope to simultaneously motivate field biologists to expand sampling practices and molecular biologists to develop (cost) efficient guidelines for the sampling and long‐term storage of tissues. A concerted, interdisciplinary, effort is needed to catalogue the genetic variation underlying contemporary biodiversity and will eventually provide a critical resource for future studies.
Clinical significance of incidentally detected lead perforations by computed tomography
Authors: Bhatia Prerana , Chiou Tommy , Svennberg Emma , Khoche Swapnil , Jacobs Kathleen , Pollema Travis , Pretorius Victor , Birgersdotter‐Green Ulrika
Published: March 2021

Background

Computed tomography (CT) has an established role in detecting perforation of implanted pacemaker and defibrillator leads. The clinical significance of incidental finding of delayed lead perforation remains unclear. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of lead perforation as detected by CT in a cohort of patients undergoing transvenous laser lead extraction and characterize the association between finding of incidental lead perforation with periprocedural outcomes.

Methods

Consecutive patients that underwent chest CT and lead extraction were retrospectively assessed for presence of lead perforation. A total of 143 patients and 348 leads were assessed. The finding of lead perforation was correlated with findings from peri‐procedural transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) and outcomes of the lead extraction procedure.

Results

Lead perforations (including perforations <5 mm and ≥5 mm) were detected in 66 (46%) patients and 73 (21%) leads. Lead perforation ≥5 mm were less common and detected in 13 (9%) of patients and 14 (4%) of leads. There was no significant difference in the rates of peri‐procedural death, cardiac avulsion, cardiac tamponade or post‐extraction pericardial effusion in patients with and without lead perforation.

Conclusions

Incidental delayed lead perforations detected by CT are common and do not correlate with significant TEE findings or adverse peri‐procedural outcomes in patients undergoing lead extraction. Larger studies are needed to further characterize the frequency and safety of these findings.
Uganda's fiscal policy reforms: What have we learned?
Authors: Mawejje Joseph , Odhiambo Nicholas M.
Published: March 2021

This article attempts to provide an exploratory review of policy reforms, trends, and determinants of fiscal deficits in Uganda, a low‐income country that has undertaken many successful economic reforms. Fiscal policy reforms initially sought to stabilize the economy in the post‐crisis period with structural adjustment and economic recovery programs. With the restoration of macroeconomic stability, fiscal objectives shifted to poverty eradication following the promulgation of the Poverty Eradication Action Plan. More recently, a key fiscal policy objective is to unlock key growth and competitiveness constraints with the rolling out of National Development Plans. These reforms achieved much success in the early years, especially in the areas of macroeconomic stabilization and growth because they received support and political goodwill from the highest echelons of government. However, fiscal slippages during more recent years have often threatened to reverse the hard‐earned gains from these reform programs. Consequently, fiscal outcomes have been characterized by revenue shortfalls, budget execution challenges, accumulation of arrears, and rising debt.
Economic growth takeoffs and the extensive and intensive margins of trade
Authors: Bista Rishav , Sheridan Brandon J.
Published: March 2021

In this study, we use a gravity model to investigate the relationship between exports and sudden, prolonged increases in economic growth. Our main contribution is we decompose exports into the extensive and intensive margins when considering this relationship. Using the definition of takeoffs in a country's growth process from Aizenman & Spiegel, we identify 142 economic growth takeoffs. We find that the extensive margin is an important mechanism for export growth and, ultimately, economic growth. We also find evidence that exports increase significantly immediately before, and during, a growth episode, with the extensive margin being entirely responsible for the observed increase in exports. Finally, we find that developing countries see a larger percentage point increase in the extensive margin and decrease in the intensive margin during a takeoff. These results suggest that takeoffs may spur a reduction in the fixed costs to exporting, which propel an increase in the extensive margin. Therefore, export diversification appears to be a potential policy option for those seeking to increase the chances of a growth takeoff in their country, and takeoffs seem to present an opportunity for further export diversification.
Moisture sensor for exudative wounds – A pilot study
Authors: Henricson Joakim , Sandh Jenny , Iredahl Fredrik
Published: March 2021

Background

Exudative wounds cause discomfort for patients. Introduction of a moisture sensor to dressings could facilitate change of dressings only when needed. The aim of this pilot study was to evaluate the ability of a newly developed moisture sensor to detect moisture in relation to the absorbing capacity of the dressing.

Materials and Methods

In five patients, with one leg ulcer each, three dressing changes per patient were observed. Interval of dressing change was according to clinical need and healthcare professional's decision. Sensor activation, dressing weight and complications were registered. To investigate the effect of dressing on sensor activation, half of the observations were made without an extra layer of non‐woven between the dressing and sensor (Variant A), and half with (Variant B).

Results

The sensor indicated time for dressing change in six out of fifteen observations. Variants A and B did not differ regarding activation or the timing of the activation.

Conclusions

The addition of a moisture sensor for facilitating management of exudative wounds is promising. We recommend future larger studies evaluating the potential clinical benefits and risks of the addition of a moisture sensor. We also recommend evaluation of potential home monitoring of wounds by a moisture sensor.
Identifying temporal patterns of multilateral spatial interactions: Using international trades as an example
Authors: Luo Wei , Yuan May
Published: March 2021

Gravity models, popular for estimating spatial interactions, assume independent spatial interactions from locations to all other locations and, therefore, overlook potential latent multilateral influences in play. This research combines self‐organizing map (SOM) and trajectory analysis to classify patterns of spatial interactions and trace changes in the patterns simultaneously across all locations and decipher the development and dependence of multilateral interactions in space and time. We use international trading among 207 countries from 1900 to 2014 to demonstrate the proposed SOM–trajectory analysis. We create SOMs of annual international trade for all countries, trace each country's changes in trading patterns over 115 years, and compare the trajectories for countries. The combined SOM–trajectory analysis elicits the hidden trading development and geographic influences brought into play. The proposed method is adaptable to other domains of spatial interactions (e.g., immigration) to characterize the temporal patterns of multilateral spatial interactions at locations individually or contextually.
A perspective on the potential detrimental role of inflammation in pig orthotopic heart xenotransplantation
Authors: Thompson Charles P. , Jagdale Abhijit , Walcott Gregory , Iwase Hayato , Foote Jeremy B. , Cron Randall Q. , Hara Hidetaka , Cleveland David C. , Cooper David K. C.
Published: March 2021

There is a critical shortage of deceased human donor organs for transplantation. The need is perhaps most acute in neonates and infants with life‐threatening congenital heart disease, in whom mechanical support devices are largely unsuccessful. If orthotopic (life‐supporting) heart transplantation (OHTx) were consistently successful in the genetically engineered pig‐to‐nonhuman primate (NHP) model, a clinical trial of bridging with a pig heart in such patients might be justified. However, the results of pig OHTx in NHPs have been mixed and largely poor. We hypothesise that a factor is the detrimental effects of the inflammatory response that is known to develop (a) during any surgical procedure that requires cardiopulmonary bypass, and (b) immediately after an NHP recipient is exposed to a pig xenograft. We suggest that the combination of these two inflammatory responses has a direct detrimental effect on pig heart graft function, but also, and possibly of more importance, on recipient baboon pulmonary function, which further impacts survival of the pig heart graft. In addition, the inflammatory response almost certainly adversely impacts the immune response to the graft. If our hypothesis is correct, the potential steps that could be taken to reduce the inflammatory response or its effects (with varying degrees of efficacy) include (a) white blood cell filtration, (b) complement depletion or inactivation, (c) immunosuppressive therapy, (d) high‐dose corticosteroid therapy, (e) cytokine/chemokine‐targeted therapy, (f) ultrafiltration or CytoSorb hemoperfusion, (g) reduction in the levels of endogenous catecholamines, (h) triiodothyronine therapy and (i) genetic engineering of the organ‐source pig. Prevention of the inflammatory response, or attenuation of its effects, by judicious anti‐inflammatory therapy may contribute not only to early survival of the recipient of a genetically engineered pig OHTx, but also to improved long‐term pig heart graft survival. This would open the possibility of initiating a clinical trial of genetically engineered pig OHTx as a bridge to allotransplantation.
A three-step pattern in audiometric thresholds
Authors: Hoover Eric C.
Published: March 2021

Use of the audiogram as the gold standard index of hearing ability amplifies the consequences of error in threshold measurement. A Markov chain model of the audiometric procedure revealed a three-step pattern in the stimuli presented each trial. Monte Carlo simulations were used to generate threshold estimates for a simple listener model. Thresholds sorted by trial had a mean bias consistent with model predictions. An alternate scoring method is proposed that uses equal sampling of Markov states. The resulting threshold targets a specific probability of detection and has no systematic bias as a function of trial.
A microrobotic platform actuated by thermocapillary flows for manipulation at the air-water interface
Authors: Piñan Basualdo Franco N. , Bolopion A. , Gauthier M. , Lambert P.
Published: March 2021

ThermoBot uses a laser-induced thermocapillary flow to manipulate floating micro-objects and assist self-assemblies.
Tiny robots make big advances
Authors: Fischer Peer , Nelson Bradley J.
Published: March 2021

This special issue showcases developments in microactuation, microparticle control, and micro/nanorobots for biomedicine.
Transcriptional networks in at-risk individuals identify signatures of type 1 diabetes progression
Authors: Xhonneux Louis-Pascal , Knight Oliver , Lernmark Åke , Bonifacio Ezio , Hagopian William A. , Rewers Marian J. , She Jin-Xiong , Toppari Jorma , Parikh Hemang , Smith Kenneth G.C. , Ziegler Anette-G. , Akolkar Beena , Krischer Jeffrey P. , McKinney Eoin F.
Published: March 2021

Transcriptomic analysis identifies progression signatures facilitating prediction of individual T1D risk from 18 months of age in independent cohorts.
Pre-existing T Cell Memory against Zika Virus
Authors: Schouest Blake , Grifoni Alba , Pham John , Mateus Jose , Sydney John , Brien James D. , De Silva Aruna D. , Balmaseda Angel , Harris Eva , Sette Alessandro , Weiskopf Daniela
Published: March 2021

Multiple flaviviruses, including Zika virus (ZIKV) and the four serotypes of dengue virus (DENV), are prevalent in the same large tropical and equatorial areas, which are inhabited by hundreds of millions of people. The interplay of DENV and ZIKV infection is especially relevant, as these two viruses are endemic in largely overlapping regions, have significant sequence similarity, and share the same arthropod vector.