bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Identifying factors affecting waste production throughout the construction project life cycle and proposing BIM-based solutions
Authors: Ahmadzadeh Amid Solmaz , Noorzai Esmatullah , Golabchi Mahmood
Published: June 2022

Purpose

Because the construction industry is one of the largest waste producers, understanding the primary reasons for waste production is essential. The goal of this study is to identify the major causes of waste production over the project life cycle in Iran's construction industry and to propose effective solutions based on modern technologies like BIM.

Design/methodology/approach

After identifying the primary causes of construction and demolition waste production through interviews and literature analysis, solutions based on building information modeling (BIM) were provided. Then, using questionnaires and exploratory factor analysis (EFA), the areas impacting waste reduction were found.

Findings

The findings suggest that “prefabrication” is the best approach for improving time and quality, while “detection and prediction of errors in the design and construction phases” is the most cost-effective technique for addressing cost and environmental issues.

Originality/value

Cost, time, quality and environmental concerns may all be influenced by effective waste management throughout the project life cycle. Furthermore, utilizing state-of-the-art technologies has far-reaching implications for reducing material waste, resulting in more environmental-friendly construction.
Growing more Rice with less water: the System of Rice Intensification and water productivity in Vietnam*
Authors: Tong Lan Anh , Ulubaşoğlu Mehmet Ali , Guven Cahit
Published: June 2022

We study the effects of a large‐scale System of Rice Intensification (SRI) program on the water productivity of rice in Vietnam by exploiting provincial and time variations in SRI uptake and irrigation water supply over the period 2000–2012. Our findings document that the world's second‐largest rice exporter could produce 4 million tonnes more rice with the same water supply in the reasonably achievable case of 20 per cent SRI uptake across its provinces. In addition, we find that SRI also increases the output of other crops, due at least partly to its possible water savings and soil nutrition preservation in rice production. Moreover, we show that SRI is more likely to be adopted in provinces with a stronger quality of provincial institutions and a weaker agricultural capital base. Numerous selectivity and randomisation tests affirm that the water productivity effect of SRI is robust to selection in SRI uptake at the province and district levels and addressing potential unobservable and omitted variable problems.
The Pandemic Consumer Response: A Stockpiling Perspective and Shopping Channel Preferences
Authors: Papagiannidis Savvas , Alamanos Eleftherios , Bourlakis Michael , Dennis Charles
Published: June 2022

Covid‐19 has changed consumer behaviour, probably forever. Initial consumer stockpiling led to stockouts, threat and uncertainty for consumers. To overcome shortages, consumers expanded their use of channels and many consumers started buying online for the first time. In this paper, we aim to address important research gaps related to consumer behaviour during the pandemic and especially stockpiling. Our paper starts by presenting the findings of our pre‐study, which used social media to elicit or confirm potential constructs for our quantitative models. These constructs complemented the protection motivations theory to explain stockpiling behaviour, forming the basis for study 1, the stockpiling preparation stage and study 2, the effects of the Covid‐19 pandemic disruptor on customer service logistics and lockdown shopping channel preferences. For studies 1 and 2 we gathered data via a UK online panel‐structured questionnaire survey (n = 603). Results confirm that consumer‐driven changes to supply chains emanate largely from consumer uncertainty. Lockdown restrictions led to consumers feeling socially excluded, but enhanced consumers’ positive attitudes towards shopping online and increased consumers’ altruism. In response, consumers stockpiled by visiting physical stores and/or ordering online. Lockdown restrictions led to feelings of social exclusion but, importantly, stockpiling helped to minimize consumer anxiety and fear and even increase wellbeing.
Genesis and Geodynamic Significance of Chromitites from the Fuchuan Ophiolite, Southern China, as Evidenced by Trace Element Fingerprints of Chromite, Olivine and Pyroxene
Authors: WU Jun , LIU Ting , WANG Fangyue
Published: June 2022

The Fuchuan ophiolite is located in the northeasternmost segment of the Neoproterozoic Jiangnan orogen and consists mainly of harzburgites, with minor dunites, pyroxenite and gabbro veins and dykes. In order to investigate the genesis and tectonic setting of the Fuchuan ophiolite and chromitites, in situ analyses of unaltered chromites and silicates were carried out. Trace element analyses of unaltered chromites from the Fuchuan chromitites indicate the parental magma is of mid‐ocean ridge basalt (MORB)‐like origin, with the Ti/Fe3+#–Ga/Fe3+# diagram of chromites showing that the chromitites are a result of melt/rock interaction of MORB melts with mantle peridotites, and that the Fuchuan harzburgites present the dual features of MORB and supra‐subduction zone peridotites (SSZP). Trace and rare earth element (REE) analyses of olivines and orthopyroxenes from the Fuchuan harzburgites hint at the possibility of mantle metasomatism influenced by SSZ‐subducted fluids. Finally, integrating with previous study, the Fuchuan ophiolite and chromitites might have been formed in a back‐arc spreading ridge between the Yangtze and Cathaysia blocks during the Neoproterozoic.
Single cell‐ and spatial ‘Omics revolutionize physiology
Authors: Conrad Thomas , Altmüller Janine
Published: June 2022

Single cell multi‐ ‘Omics and Spatial Transcriptomics are prominent technological highlights of recent years, and both fields still witness a ceaseless firework of novel approaches for high resolution profiling of additional omics layers. As all life processes in organs and organisms are based on the functions of their fundamental building blocks, the individual cells and their interactions, these methods are of utmost worth for the study of physiology in health and disease. Recent discoveries on embryonic development, tumor immunology, the detailed cellular composition and function of complex tissues like for example the kidney or the brain, different roles of the same cell type in different organs, the oncogenic program of individual tumor entities, or the architecture of immunopathology in infected tissue are based on single cell and spatial transcriptomics experiments. In this review, we will give a broad overview of technological concepts for single cell and spatial analysis, showing both advantages and limitations, and illustrate their impact with some particularly impressive case studies.
Brain magnetic resonance imaging and histopathology findings in a dog with global brain ischaemia following cardiopulmonary arrest
Authors: Goh J , Eramanis LM , Milne M , Stent A , Boller M
Published: June 2022

Background

Global brain ischaemia following cardiopulmonary arrest is uncommonly reported in veterinary medicine yet neurologic injury after arrest is a known morbidity.

Case report

An 18‐week‐old male entire Cavalier King Charles Spaniel‐Poodle was referred following 3 days of neurologic abnormalities after cardiopulmonary arrest. After resuscitation, the animal had decerebrate rigidity, a stuporous mentation and intermittent episodes of vocalisation and apnoea. A brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was undertaken 4 days after cardiopulmonary arrest, with standard sequences (T1‐weighted, T2‐weighted and fluid‐attenuated inversion recovery) as well as diffusion‐weighted imaging to better discern ischaemic injury and cytotoxic oedema for prognostic reasons. MRI findings were consistent with global brain ischaemia affecting the hippocampus, cerebellum and substantia nigra, the latter two not previously identified in canine cases of global brain ischaemia. The patient was euthanased on day eight post‐cardiopulmonary arrest due to a lack of neurological improvement and developing sepsis as a complication. Ante‐mortem identification of affected areas of the brain was confirmed on histological examination, with evidence of ischaemic injury seen in the cerebrum, hippocampus, cerebellum, basal nuclei and thalamus.

Conclusion

This report describes ante‐mortem MRI and postmortem findings in a dog with global brain ischaemia following cardiopulmonary arrest. A multimodal approach to neuroprognostication in patients recovering from cardiopulmonary arrest is recommended.
Effect of acquisitions on target firms' stakeholder welfare: Evidence from corporate social responsibility
Authors: Choi Gunae , Kim Tae‐Nyun
Published: June 2022

This study examines whether acquirers support targets' superior corporate social responsibility (CSR) and/or remedy targets' greater CSR problems during the post‐merger integration process using multinomial logit and panel regression models. Furthermore, the study examines the subsequent impact of the acquirers' decision regarding target stakeholder welfare on acquisition performance based on the post‐announcement performance of stock returns. Consequently, we find that acquirers generally do not adopt the superior CSR performance of target firms but instead support their better environmental and product CSR. However, the acquirers do not remedy any of the target's greater CSR problems. This study also reveals that the acquirers supporting targets' superior overall CSR have higher post‐announcement stock returns than others. Meanwhile, post‐announcement stock returns are lower when acquirers fail to fix the targets' greater CSR problems. As this study extends findings from recent scholarship reporting a positive association between CSR and acquisition performance, it sheds light on the importance of stakeholders' welfare in mergers and acquisitions.
Chronic prurigo
Authors: Misery Laurent
Published: June 2022

Chronic prurigo is a distinct disease defined by the presence of chronic pruritus for at least 6 weeks, a history and/or signs of repeated scratching, and multiple localized or generalized pruritic skin lesions (whitish or pinkish papules, nodules and/or plaques). Although chronic prurigo is frequently named prurigo nodularis, the nodular type of chronic prurigo is only the main clinical aspect of chronic prurigo. Chronic prurigo occurs due to neural sensitization to pruritus and the development of a vicious pruritus–scratching cycle. Chronic prurigo can be of allergological, dermatological, systemic, neurological, psychiatric/psychosomatic, mixed or undetermined origin. The prevalence is still debated. The burden is high. Current treatments often remained disappointing. Fortunately, recent research results on the pathophysiology of pruritus evidenced neuroimmune interactions and allow new therapeutic perspectives. Among them, antagonists of T-helper 2 cytokines, κ-opioids and Janus kinase inhibitors may be promising.

What is already known about this topic?  Chronic prurigo or prurigo nodularis is poorly known by dermatologists and the definition was rather vague until recently.

What does this study add?  This review provides a summary of the recent developments of nosology and research (from basic research to epidemiology and clinical research), and current and near-future management are then discussed.
Long term tolerability and clinical outcomes associated with tocilizumab in the treatment of refractory antibody mediated rejection (AMR) in pediatric renal transplant recipients
Authors: Pearl Meghan , Weng Patricia L. , Chen Lucia , Dokras Aditi , Pizzo Helen , Garrison Jonathan , Butler Carrie , Zhang Jennifer , Reed Elaine F , Kim Irene K. , Choi Jua , Haas Mark , Zhang Xiaohai , Vo Ashley , Chambers Eileen Tsai , Ettenger Robert , Jordan Stanley , Puliyanda Dechu
Published: June 2022

Background

Treatment options for antibody‐mediated rejection (AMR) are limited. Recent studies have shown that inhibition of interleukin‐6 (IL‐6)/interleukin‐6 receptor (IL‐6R) signaling can reduce inflammation and slow AMR progression.

Methods

We report our experience using monthly tocilizumab (anti‐IL6R) in 25 pediatric renal transplant recipients with AMR, refractory to IVIg/Rituximab. From January 2013 to June 2019, a median (IQR) of 12 (6.019.0) doses of tocilizumab were given per patient. Serial assessments of renal function, biopsy findings, and HLA DSA (by immunodominant HLA DSA [iDSA] and relative intensity score [RIS]) were performed.

Results

Median (IQR) time from transplant to AMR was 41.4 (24.367.7) months, and time from AMR to first tocilizumab was 10.6 (8.317.6) months. At median (IQR) follow up of 15.8 (8.435.7) months post‐tocilizumab initiation, renal function was stable except for 1 allograft loss. There was no significant decrease in iDSA or RIS. Follow up biopsies showed reduction in peritubular capillaritis (p = .015) and C4d scoring (p = .009). The most frequent adverse events were cytopenias.

Conclusions

Tocilizumab in pediatric patients with refractory AMR was well tolerated and appeared to stabilize renal function. The utility of tocilizumab in the treatment of AMR in this population should be further explored.
Identifying and assessing assisted colonisation sites for a frog species threatened by chytrid fungus
Authors: Scheele Ben C. , Brawata Renee L. , Hoffmann Emily P. , Loneragan Rachael , May Sarah , Pierson Jennifer , Sopniewski Jarrod D. , von Takach Brenton
Published: June 2022

The intentional movement of species outside their indigenous range – assisted colonisation – is an emerging tool in conservation. Here, we outline the process developed to identify and assess candidate sites for assisted colonisation of the critically endangered Northern Corroboree Frog (Pseudophryne pengilleyi), a range‐restricted species highly threatened by chytrid fungus. We first investigated the mechanisms associated with the persistence of Northern Corroboree Frog populations with chytrid fungus and then used a combination of desktop and field surveys to identify and assess sites based on habitat suitability, capacity to allow coexistence with chytrid fungus and hydrological properties. Candidate sites were further assessed by comparing environmental and climatic conditions to historical and persisting sites. Together, these methods allowed us to identify a site that appears to be highly suitable for the species. The process outlined here provides a template for assessing assisted colonisation sites for species where ongoing threats rule out recipient sites within their indigenous range.
Different effects of multiscale microstructure on fatigue crack growth path and rate in selective laser melted Ti6Al4V
Authors: Qi Zhao , Wang Bin , Zhang Peng , Liu Riu , Zhang Zhenjun , Zhang Zhefeng
Published: June 2022

During the selective laser melting (SLM) process of Ti6Al4V, a special structure can be formed with columnar prior β grains along the building direction and fully martensitic α′ within the β grain. To investigate the influence of such special structure on the fatigue crack growth (FCG) rate, Ti6Al4V specimens fabricated by SLM were heat‐treated at two different temperatures in this study. The columnar grains were retained, and the martensite was decomposed when heat‐treated below the β transus. It is found that all the SLM features were removed when heat‐treated above the β transus. FCG rate tests were subsequently performed at room temperature, and it was found that the prior β grains affected the macroscopic fracture morphology, but there was no discernible influence on the FCG rate. The morphology of the α phase affected the crack growth path and the FCG rate. Changes in the strength‐toughness relationship induced by heat treatment can help understand the decrease in the FCG rate.
Are there differences in the characteristics of patients who respond to gemcitabine plus cisplatin chemotherapy and those who respond to pembrolizumab therapy for metastatic urothelial carcinoma? Multicenter retrospective study
Authors: Shindo Tetsuya , Maehana Takeshi , Tanaka Toshiaki , Hashimoto Kohei , Kobayashi Ko , Takahashi Atsushi , Hotta Hiroshi , Kunishima Yasuharu , Taguchi Keisuke , Tachiki Hitoshi , Ito Naoki , Matsukawa Masanori , Kato Ryuichi , Miyamoto Shintaro , Hinotsu Shiro , Masumori Naoya
Published: June 2022

Objectives

To evaluate factors to predict overall survival of metastatic urothelial carcinoma patients treated with gemcitabine plus cisplatin chemotherapy or pembrolizumab therapy.

Methods

We retrospectively evaluated two metastatic urothelial carcinoma cohorts treated with (i) gemcitabine plus cisplatin or (ii) pembrolizumab. The gemcitabine plus cisplatin cohort was treated from December 2005 through December 2014 while the pembrolizumab cohort was treated from January 2018 through December 2020. Using multivariate analyses, we evaluated the risk factors for overall survival in each cohort and compared them. None of the gemcitabine plus cisplatin cohort patients were treated with pembrolizumab. All patients in the pembrolizumab cohort were treated with prior platinum‐based chemotherapy.

Results

There were 184 patients in the gemcitabine plus cisplatin cohort and 91 in the pembrolizumab cohort. The mean follow‐up periods were 714 and 284 days, respectively. In multivariate analysis, the risk factors for overall survival in the gemcitabine plus cisplatin cohort were liver metastasis, worse Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status (1 or more), no primary site resection, and a high prognostic index (1 or more). In the pembrolizumab cohort, liver metastasis, bone metastasis, and worse Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group‐performance status (1 or more), and high prognostic index (1 or more) were the risk factors for overall survival. In the pembrolizumab cohort, patients with a complete response or partial response during prior platinum‐based chemotherapy had better overall survival with the following pembrolizumab treatment than those with stable or progressive disease (P = 0.004).

Conclusions

Considering the similarity of these risk factors in two sequential treatments, it may be possible to predict the response to pembrolizumab according to the response to prior chemotherapy.
Actividades esenciales, trabajo a distancia y vigilancia digital. Estrategias para hacer frente al panóptico de la pandemia de COVID‐19
Authors: ALOISI Antonio , DE STEFANO Valerio
Published: June 2022

La expansión de la vigilancia digital a raíz de la COVID‐19 ha reconfigurado las relaciones de poder en los entornos profesionales. Aquí se analiza críticamente la interacción entre esa vigilancia intrusiva y la ampliación de las prerrogativas empresariales en el lugar de trabajo físico y digital. Con la supervisión excesiva como denominador común de las actividades «esenciales» y «distanciables», se estudian los inconvenientes para ambas categorías de trabajadores durante la pandemia (y después). Se evalúa la idoneidad del marco jurídico de la Unión Europea para abordar la gestión basada en datos. El diálogo social, el empoderamiento de los trabajadores y la alfabetización digital se consideran formas eficaces de promover la flexibilidad, el bienestar y la competitividad.
Assessing resource‐based theory in ecotourism management: The case of Sebangau National Park, Indonesia
Authors: Rhama Bhayu , Kusumasari Bevaola
Published: June 2022

Resource‐based theory (RBT) has been widely used in strategic management, but only few studies apply it in the field of ecotourism. This research examines RBT in national park development in Indonesia in order to develop strategies and increase competitive advantage. Through an assessment using RBT, this study identifies and evaluates the management of Sebangau National Park (SNP) that has been known as one of the peatland national parks in the world and has been managed with the concept of ecotourism. The assessment was conducted on resources and capabilities using the methods of literature study, observations, interviews, and focus group discussions. This qualitative method targeted all actors except tourists, owing to the small sample size and hierarchical nature of the sample [including village heads, local government officials, and non‐governmental organization (NGO) leaders]. The result shows that the education and training of human resources at SNP remains focused on conservation issues; consequently, it has been difficult to maximize benefit to society. This study also shows that the challenges facing the development of ecotourism in SNP are interrelated and rooted in the problem of limited resources in the region. This paper makes a theoretical contribution by applying RBT to network‐shaped stakeholders.
Biovalorization of spent Konacha tea leaves via single-culture fermentation involving wine yeasts and lactic acid bacteria
Authors: Tang Vivien Chia Yen , Sun Jingcan , Pua Aileen , Goh Rui Min Vivian , Huang Yunle , Ee Kim-Huey , Lassabliere Benjamin
Published: June 2022

Aims

The objective of this study was to explore the potential of fermentation as a biovalorization strategy for spent tea leaves (STL), a major agrifood waste generated from the tea extraction industry. Fermentation by wine yeasts or lactic acid bacteria (LAB) has shown promising results in previous studies across various substrates.

Methods and Results

Konacha (green tea) STL slurries were inoculated with single strains of wine yeasts or LAB respectively. After a 48-h fermentation, changes in selected nonvolatile and volatile compositions were evaluated. Fermentation by LAB increased organic acid content by 5- to 7-fold (except Lactobacillus fermentum) and modulated the composition of major tea catechins, whereas wine yeast fermentation resulted in a 30% increase in amino acid content. Strain-specific production of specific volatile compounds was also observed such as butanoic acid (L. fermentum), isoamyl acetate (Pichia kluyveri) and 4-ethylphenol (L. plantarum).

Conclusions

Both volatile and nonvolatile compound compositions of Konacha STL were successfully modified via wine yeast and LAB fermentation.

Significance and Impact of Study

Our findings indicate that Konacha STL is a suitable medium for biovalorization by wine yeasts or LAB via the generation of commercially useful volatile and nonvolatile compounds. Future optimizations could further render fermentation an economically viable strategy for the upcycling of STL.
Prevalence of sarcopenia and mortality rate in older adults with hip fracture
Authors: Kim Hong Seok , Park Jung‐Wee , Lee Young‐Kyun , Yoo Jun‐Il , Choi Yang‐Seon , Yoon Byung‐Ho , Ha Yong‐Chan , Koo Kyung‐Hoi
Published: June 2022

Background

Several international study groups adopted appendicular skeletal muscle mass (ASM) index adjusted by (1) height squared, (2) weight, and (3) body mass index (BMI) in the diagnosis of sarcopenia. However, different prevalence rates of sarcopenia by each index and clinical implications were not well known. The purpose of this study was to compare the differences in (1) the percentage of sarcopenia in hip fracture patients and (2) the relative mortality rate according to the sarcopenia criteria of three ASM indices.

Methods

Between January 2009 and December 2020, 1003 older adult hip fracture patients at a tertiary institution were eligible and retrospectively reviewed for this study. Based on the ASM measured on dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry, three indices were calculated, and sarcopenia was diagnosed. The proportion of sarcopenia was evaluated according to each index. One, two, and five‐year mortality rates were compared between each sarcopenia group and a normal musculature group, based on ASM criteria.

Results

The proportion of sarcopenia patients differed according to three ASM indices. The proportion of sarcopenic patients by ASM/height2 index was higher than those of the other two indices in both male and female hip fracture patients. In male patients, 61% were sarcopenic by ASM/height2 index, 37% by ASM/weight index, and 44% by ASM/BMI index. In female patients, 26%, 11%, and 14% were sarcopenic, respectively. Among the three indices, only ASM/height2 had significant correlations with all 1‐, 2‐, and 5‐year mortality rates.

Conclusions and Implications

The prevalence of sarcopenia in hip fracture patients differed substantially according to ASM indices. Sarcopenic hip fracture patients had a higher mortality rate than those with normal musculature. The 1‐year, 2‐year, and 5‐year mortality rates were discriminated by ASM/height2 criteria in both men and women. Future prospective studies in a larger cohort are warranted.
A lifelong struggle for a lighter tomorrow: A qualitative study on experiences of obesity in primary healthcare patients
Authors: Imhagen Annika , Karlsson Jan , Jansson Stefan , Anderzén‐Carlsson Agneta
Published: June 2022

Aim

To describe experiences of living with obesity before the start of a group‐based lifestyle intervention.

Background

Obesity is a chronic disease that affects a person's physical and psychological health. Increased knowledge of experiences of living with obesity is required.

Design

A qualitative study with a descriptive design.

Methods

Semi‐structured individual interviews with 17 participants living with obesity (Body Mass Index 32–49) were conducted between October and November 2019. The interviews were analysed using qualitative content analysis. The COREQ checklist was followed.

Results

The analysis resulted in one main theme: Struggling for a lighter tomorrow and three subthemes: Suffering, Resilience and Need for support in making changes. For the majority of the participants, living with obesity was a lifelong struggle involving suffering on different levels. Yet despite this, the participants had not given up and hoped for a better life. They showed a degree of resilience and motivation, and a perceived ability to achieve lifestyle changes. However, there was a pronounced need for support to help them achieve this.

Conclusion

Living with obesity is complex and carries a risk of medical complications as well as psychosocial suffering. Healthy lifestyle habits to achieve better health and to lose weight should be encouraged, taking patient resources into account. Patients also need help in handling weight stigmatisation, and both healthcare professionals and society must engage with this.

Relevance to clinical practice

Obesity is a chronic disease, and patients need ongoing support. Therefore, care for patients with obesity in primary health care must be further developed. Patient resources and strengths have to be acknowledged and encouraged in the process of helping them adopt healthy lifestyle habits. The findings of this study can contribute to ending weight stigmatisation by increasing the knowledge of living with obesity.
Effects of self‐care programs on the incidence of diabetes among adults with prediabetes: A systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomised controlled trials
Authors: Sun Caiyun , Lei Yang , Lin Zheng , Li Sha , Wang Mi , Gu Junyi
Published: June 2022

Objectives

To verify the effects of self‐care programs among adults with prediabetes, to identify the preferable structure components and to summarise the core content components of self‐care programs.

Design

A systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomised controlled trials.

Methods

PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Wanfang, CNKI, Chinese Biomedical Database and Open Grey were searched for studies published from January 2002 to December, 2021. Meta‐analysis was conducted to verify the effects of self‐care programs on diabetes incidence. Subgroup analyses based on structure components were performed to contrast the effects. We made a critical analysis to generalise the core elements of content components. The study was reported according to PRISMA statement.

Results

Totally, 15 studies were included in systematic review, of which 14 studies were eligible for meta‐analysis. The results of meta‐analysis showed the incidence of diabetes for prediabetic adults receiving self‐care programs was significantly lower than those who received usual care (OR 0.58; 95% CI 0.46 to 0.73). The results of subgroup analyses based on delivery mode, intervention implementer, health education brochures provided, and follow‐up duration showed statistically significant reduction in incidence compared with control group (p < .05). However, the differences of these pair‐wise comparisons (face‐to‐face or remote, individual or interdisciplinary team, with or without brochures provided, ≤1 year or >1 year) were not statistically significant (p > .05). Three core content elements were generalised: cognitive education, behaviour guidance and psychological support.

Conclusions

Self‐care programs can effectively delay the progression of prediabetes to diabetes. Regardless of the diversified structure components, self‐care programs can achieve better effects on the diabetes incidence than usual care, while the optimal structure components still remain unknown. Cognitive education, behaviour guidance and psychological support are core elements for these programs.

Relevance to clinical practice

More clinical trials with rigorous study design are needed to provide further evidence.
Walling in and Walling out: Middle Managers' Boundary Work
Authors: Azambuja Ricardo , Islam Gazi , Ancelin‐Bourguignon Annick
Published: June 2022

Literature around middle management has highlighted the importance of intra‐organizational boundaries, focusing on the in‐betweenness and fluidity of middle‐managerial roles and practices. Yet, this literature has largely focused on the crossing of largely stable, monolithic boundaries, placing less emphasis on the plurality of emerging boundaries and the ways in which they are constructed. Focusing on boundaries as the outcomes of, rather than only as constraints upon, everyday practices, we conduct an ethnographic study across multiple sites of a Brazilian audit firm, examining middle managers' construction, maintenance and adjustment of boundaries. Drawing upon ethnographic fieldnotes and 155 formal interviews, our study reveals how middle managers fluidly manipulate boundaries' visibility and permeability to achieve specific purposes, and how different configurations of these elements generate various boundary work practices, which we describe as barricade, façade, taboo and phantom boundary work. Moreover, we show the dual orientation of middle managers' boundary work – both obstructing and facilitating boundary‐crossing – demonstrating that, in contrast to prior research, both orientations can be enacted by the same actor according to his or her purposes. By doing so, we contribute to scholarship exploring agency and plasticity as the key issues linking the existing literature on middle management with that on boundary work.
Adenotonsillectomy and adenoidectomy in children: The impact of timing of surgery and post‐operative outcomes
Authors: Schneuer Francisco J , Bell Katy JL , Dalton Chris , Elshaug Adam , Nassar Natasha
Published: June 2022

Aim

To investigate the impact of adenotonsillectomy (ADT) and adenoidectomy (AD) on child health and evaluated their post‐operative complications.

Methods

We included all children aged <16 years undergoing ADT (tonsillectomy ± adenoidectomy) or AD in New South Wales, Australia, 2008–2017. Health information was obtained from administrative hospitalisation data. Rates of post‐operative complications and reoperation were evaluated using generalised estimating equations and Kaplan–Meier methods, respectively.

Results

Out of 156 500 included children, 112 361 had ADT and 44 139 had AD. Population rates increased during 2008–2017 (ADT: 68–79 per 10 000 children; AD: 25–34 per 10 000), and children were increasingly operated on at a younger age. Overall, 7262 (6.5%) and 1276 (2.9%) children had post‐operative complications (mostly haemorrhage), and 4320 (3.8%) and 5394 (12.2%) required reoperation, following ADT and AD, respectively. Complication rates were highest among children aged 0–1 years, lowest for those 2–5 years and increased with age thereafter. Three‐year reoperation rates for children aged 0–1 years were 9.0% and 25.9% following ADT and AD, respectively, decreasing thereafter to 0.5% and 2.1% in children aged 12–13 years.

Conclusions

ADT and AD in Australian children have both increased in frequency and are being done at a younger age. Post‐operative complications and reoperation rates highlight surgery is not without risk, especially for children under 2 years old. These findings support a more conservative approach to management of upper respiratory symptoms, with surgery reserved for cases where potential benefits are most likely to outweigh harms.
Metabolic engineering of Bacillus subtilis for high-level production of uridine from glucose
Authors: Wang C. , Xu J. , Ban R.
Published: June 2022

As an intermediate in drug synthesis, uridine has practical applications in the pharmaceutical field. Bacillus subtilis is used as a host to boost uridine yield by manipulating its uridine biosynthesis pathway. In this study, we engineered a high-uridine-producing strain of B. subtilis by modifying its metabolic pathways in vivo. Overexpression of the aspartate ammonia-lyase (ansB) gene increased the relative transcriptional level of ansB in B. subtilis TD320 by 13·18 times and improved uridine production to 15·13 g l−1 after 72-h fermentation. Overexpression of the putative 6-phosphogluconolactonase (ykgB) gene increased uridine production by the derivative strain TD325 to 15·43 g l−1. Reducing the translation of the amido phosphoribosyl transferase (purF) gene and inducing expression of the subtilisin E (aprE) gene resulted in a 1·99-fold increase in uridine production after 24 h shaking. Finally, uridine production in the optimal strain B. subtilis TD335, which exhibited reduced urease expression, reached 17·9 g l−1 with a yield of 314 mg of uridine g−1 glucose. To our knowledge, this is the first study to obtain high-yield uridine-producing B. subtilis in a medium containing only three components (80 g l−1 glucose, 20 g l−1 yeast powder, and 20 g l−1 urea).
Target insertion depth of nasopharyngeal temperature probes in children: A prospective observational study analyzing magnetic resonance images
Authors: Miller Clemens , Bräuer Anselm , Asendorf Thomas , Ernst Marielle , von Gottberg Philipp , Richter Juliane , Saager Leif , Nemeth Marcus
Published: June 2022

Background

Core temperature monitoring is indispensable to prevent children from perioperative thermal perturbations. Although nasopharyngeal measurements are commonly used in anesthesia and considered to reflect core temperature accurately, standardized target depths for probe insertion are unknown in children.

Aims

Our primary goal was to determine a target depth of nasopharyngeal temperature probe insertion in children by measuring distances on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Secondary aims were to correlate these measurements with biometric variables and facial landmark‐distances to derive formulas estimating target depth.

Methods

We conducted a prospective observational study in children ≤12 years undergoing cranial MRI with anesthesia. We documented patient characteristics and measured the landmark‐distances nostril‐mandible, nostril‐tragus, and philtrum‐tragus on patient's faces. On MRI, the target point for the probe tip was considered to be the site of the nasopharyngeal mucosa with the closest proximity to the internal carotid artery. After its determination in the transverse axis and triangulation to the sagittal axis, we measured the distance to the nostril. This distance, defined as target insertion depth, was correlated with the patient characteristics and used for univariate and multiple linear regression analysis.

Results

One hundred twenty children with a mean age of 4.5 years were included. The target insertion depth ranged from 61.8 mm in infants to 89.8 mm in 12‐year‐old children. Height correlated best (ρ = 0.685, 95%‐CI: [0.57–0.77]). The best‐fit estimation in millimeters, “40.8 + height [cm] × 0.32,″ would lead to a placement in the target position in 67% of cases. A simplified approach by categories of 50–80, 80–110, 110–130, and >130 cm height with target insertion depths of 60, 70, 80, and 85 mm, respectively, achieved similar probabilities.

Conclusions

Height‐based formulas could be a valuable proxy for the insertion depth of nasopharyngeal temperature probes. Further clinical trials are necessary to investigate their measurement accuracy.
A novel kinase subverts aluminium resistance by boosting ornithine decarboxylase‐dependent putrescine biosynthesis
Authors: Liu Xiang P. , Gao Li J. , She Ben T. , Li Gui X. , Wu Yun R. , Xu Ji M. , Ding Zhong J. , Ma Jian F. , Zheng Shao J.
Published: June 2022

Rice, as one of the most aluminium (Al)‐resistant cereal crops, has developed more complicated Al resistance mechanisms than others. By using forward genetic screening from a rice ethyl methanesulfonate mutant library, we obtained a mutant showing specifically high sensitivity to Al. Through MutMap analysis followed by a complementation test, we identified the causal gene, Al‐related Protein Kinase (ArPK) for Al‐sensitivity. ArPK expression was induced by a relatively longer exposure to high Al concentration in the roots. The result of RNA‐sequencing indicated the functional disorder in arginine metabolism pathway with downregulation of N‐acetylornithine deacetylase (NAOD) expression and upregulation of Ornithine decarboxylase1 (ODC1) expression in arpk mutant. Al specifically and rapidly upregulated ODC1 expression and causes overaccumulation of putrescine (Put), whereas the ODC inhibitor difluoromethylornithine reverted Al‐sensitive phenotype of arpk, suggesting that overaccumulation of endogenous Put might be harmful for root growth, and that ArPK seems to act as an endogenous inhibitor of ODC1 action to maintain suitable endogenous Put level under Al treatment. Overall, we identified ArPK and its putative repressive role in controlling a novel ODC‐dependent Put biosynthesis pathway specifically affecting rice Al resistance, thus enriching the fundamental understanding of plant Al resistance.
Hybrid food networks and sustainability transitions: Shared and contested values and practices in food relocalisation and resocialisation
Authors: Zollet Simona
Published: June 2022

Processes of food relocalisation and resocialisation occurring within alternative food networks (AFNs) are seen as fundamental to fostering sustainability transitions in agro‐food systems. Criticism of the alternative‐conventional dualism typical of much AFN literature, however, has resulted in the emergence of the concept of hybrid food networks. This article looks at the Japanese context to critically engage with current debates on relocalisation, resocialisation and hybridity, particularly regarding the conditions under which they can serve as a means of transitioning towards more sustainable food systems. The study employs a qualitative approach to explore the interplay between the values and practices of small‐scale organic farmers with those of mainstream agro‐food actors operating in hybrid food spaces. The findings highlight two characteristics of hybrid contexts where actors characterised by different degrees of alternativeness ‘share space’ in the local food system: first, the tensions and contrasting meanings that emerge in the practice of food relocalisation and resocialisation; second, the way in which institutional efforts to relocalise food consumption co‐opt and dilute more radically transformative projects but at the same time can rapidly amplify incremental changes connected to the uptake of more sustainable practices.
The effect of improving solid waste collection on waste disposal behaviour and exposure to environmental risk factors in urban low‐income communities in Pakistan
Authors: Schmidt Wolf‐Peter , Haider Irfan , Hussain Musarat , Safdar Mahpara , Mustafa Farooq , Massey Terrill , Angelo Gerald , Williams Mari , Gower Richard , Hasan Zoone , Sharma Waddington Hugh , Anjum Nomana , Biran Adam
Published: June 2022

Objective

To estimate the effect of improving waste collection services on waste disposal behaviour and exposure to environmental risk factors in urban, low‐income communities in Pakistan.

Methods

We enrolled six low‐income communities in Islamabad (Pakistan), four of which received an intervention consisting of a door‐to‐door low‐cost waste collection service with centralised waste processing and recycling sites. Intervention communities underwent community‐level and household‐level mobilisation. The effect of the intervention on waste disposal behaviour, exposure to waste and synanthropic fly counts was measured using two cross‐sectional surveys in 180 households per community.

Results

Intervention communities had less favourable socio‐economic indicators and poorer access to waste disposal services at baseline than control communities. Use of any waste collection service increased from 5% to 49% in the intervention communities (difference 44%, 95% CI 41%, 48%), but the increase was largely confined to two communities where post‐intervention coverage exceeded 80% and 90%, respectively. An increase in the use of waste collection services was also found in the two control communities (from 21% to 67%, difference 47%, 95% CI 41%, 53%). Fly counts decreased by about 60% in the intervention communities (rate ratio 0.4, 95% CI 0.3, 0.4) but not in the control communities (rate ratio 1.52, 95% CI 1.1, 2.2). The decrease in fly counts was largely confined to the two high‐coverage intervention communities.

Conclusion

Introduction of a low‐cost waste collection service has the potential for high uptake in low‐income communities and for decreasing the exposure to waste and synanthropic flies at household level. Intervention success was constrained by low uptake in half of the intervention communities.
Action potential amplitude and baroreflex resetting of action potential clusters mediate hypoxia‐induced sympathetic long‐term facilitation
Authors: Shafer Brooke M. , Incognito Anthony V. , Vermeulen Tyler D. , Nardone Massimo , Teixeira André L. , Klassen Stephen A. , Millar Philip J. , Foster Glen E.
Published: June 2022

Baroreflex resetting permits sympathetic long‐term facilitation (sLTF) following hypoxia; however, baroreflex control of action potential (AP) clusters and AP recruitment patterns facilitating sLTF is unknown. We hypothesized that baroreflex resetting of arterial pressure operating points (OPs) of AP clusters and recruitment of large‐amplitude APs would mediate sLTF following hypoxia. Eight men (age: 24 (3) years; body mass index: 24 (3) kg/m2) underwent 20 min isocapnic hypoxia (: 47 (2) mmHg) and 30 min recovery. Multi‐unit microneurography (muscle sympathetic nerve activity; MSNA) and a continuous wavelet transform with matched mother wavelet was used to detect sympathetic APs during baseline, hypoxia, early (first 5 min), and late recovery (last 5 min). AP amplitude (normalized to largest baseline AP amplitude), percentage APs occurring outside a MSNA burst (percentage asynchronous APs), and proportion of APs firing in small (1–3), medium (4–6) and large (7–10) normalized cluster sizes was calculated. Normalized clusters were used to assess baroreflex OPs and sensitivity. Hypoxia increased total MSNA activity, which remained elevated during recovery (P < 0.0001). Baroreflex OPs were shifted rightward for all clusters in recovery, with no effect on slope. Compared to baseline, AP amplitude was elevated by 3 (2)% and 4 (2)% while asynchronous APs were reduced by 9 (5)% and 7 (6)% in early and late recovery, respectively. In early recovery, the proportion of APs firing in large clusters was increased compared to baseline. Hypoxia‐induced sLTF is mediated by baroreflex resetting of AP clusters to higher OPs, reduced asynchronous AP firing, and increased contribution from large‐amplitude APs.

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Key points

Acute isocapnic hypoxia resets the arterial baroreflex and permits long‐lasting sympathoexcitation, termed sympathetic long‐term facilitation.

Our understanding of sympathetic long‐term facilitation following hypoxia in humans is based on multiunit muscle sympathetic nerve activity and does not fully characterize the underlying baroreflex control of sympathetic neuronal subpopulations or their discharge/recruitment strategies.

We show that sympathetic long‐term facilitation is mediated by baroreflex resetting of sympathetic action potential clusters to higher arterial pressure operating points, a reduction in the percentage of action potentials firing asynchronously, and a shift toward larger amplitude action potential activity.

The results advance our fundamental understanding of how the sympathetic nervous system mediates sympathetic long‐term facilitation following exposure to acute isocapnic hypoxia in humans.
UNIPROT DATABASE - UNIVERSAL INFORMATION RESOURCE OF PROTEIN SEQUENCES
Authors: Kulyyassov A.
Published: June 2022

Protein sequences are stored in public databases such as the UniProt Knowledgebase (UniProtKB), where curators add bioinformatics data, including prediction of structure and function of biomolecules and experimental results. Protein function prediction can be done using sequence similarity searches, but an alternative approach is to use protein signatures that classify proteins into families and domains. The main protein signature databases are accessible through the integrated InterPro database, which provides the UniProtKB sequence classification. In addition to characterizing proteins through protein families, many researchers are interested in analyzing the complete set of proteins from the genome (i.e., the proteome), and there are databases and resources providing unreduced sets of proteomes and analyzes of proteins from organisms with fully sequenced genomes. This article reviews the tools and resources available on the Internet for characterizing both individual proteins and analysis of the entire proteome.
STUDY OF THE BIOCHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF GLYCOSYLATED RECOMBINANT XYLANASE
Authors: Kiribayeva A. , Silayev D. , Abdullayeva A. , Ramankulov Ye. , Khassenov B.
Published: June 2022

The main renewable source of energy and raw materials on Earth is plant biomass, most of which consists of plant cell wall polymers: cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin. Hemicelluloses are divided into three main types: xylans, mannans and arabinogalactans. Xylan is the second most abundant carbohydrate in nature after cellulose. The specific enzymes that hydrolyze xylan into xylooligosaccharides and D-xylose are xylanases. Prospective xylanases are enzymes derived from bacteria and mycelial fungi. Bacterial xylanases are characterized by high unitary activity, and additional manose chains can significantly increase the stability of the enzyme protein globule.  Obtaining a glycosylated variant of bacillary xylanase, which are known for their high specific activity, seems promising.
The Bacillus sonorensis T6 xylanase gene was cloned and expressed in the yeast Pichia pastoris. The recombinant xylanase was isolated and purified. The biochemical characteristics of the glycosylated recombinant xylanase were studied.  It was found that the recombinant xylanase had maximum activity at 47-50°C and pH 6.0. The Km, Vmax and Kcat values are 3.037 ± 0.362 (mg/ml), 667.8 ± 31 (units/mg) and 100.3 ± 4.6 (s-1), respectively. The unitary activity of the recombinant enzyme is 873.8 units/mg. The glycosylated recombinant xylanase was found to have high temperature stability and retained 47% activity after a 2-hour incubation at 55°C. In addition to temperature stability, recombinant xylanase showed high pH stability - 10 h incubation in buffers with pH 3-11 did not decrease the activity. The effect of metal ions, detergents, and organic solvents on the activity of recombinant glycosylated xylanase was studied.
The high biochemical parameters of recombinant glycosylated xylanase from Bacillus sonorensis T6 suggest that this enzyme is promising for use in the biotechnology and food industry.