bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Does joint impedance improve dynamic leg simulations with explicit and implicit solvers?
Authors: Bahdasariants Serhii , Forti Barela Ana Maria , Gritsenko Valeriya , Bacca Odair , Angelo Barela José , Yakovenko Sergiy
Published: February 2023

The nervous system predicts and executes complex motion of body segments actuated by the coordinated action of muscles. When a stroke or other traumatic injury disrupts neural processing, the impeded behavior has not only kinematic but also kinetic attributes that require interpretation. Biomechanical models could allow medical specialists to observe these dynamic variables and instantaneously diagnose mobility issues that may otherwise remain unnoticed. However, the real-time and subject-specific dynamic computations necessitate the optimization these simulations. In this study, we explored the effects of intrinsic viscoelasticity, choice of numerical integration method, and decrease in sampling frequency on the accuracy and stability of the simulation. The bipedal model with 17 rotational degrees of freedom (DOF)—describing hip, knee, ankle, and standing foot contact—was instrumented with viscoelastic elements with a resting length in the middle of the DOF range of motion. The accumulation of numerical errors was evaluated in dynamic simulations using swing-phase experimental kinematics. The relationship between viscoelasticity, sampling rates, and the integrator type was evaluated. The optimal selection of these three factors resulted in an accurate reconstruction of joint kinematics (err < 1%) and kinetics (err < 5%) with increased simulation time steps. Notably, joint viscoelasticity reduced the integration errors ofexplicit methodsand had minimal to no additional benefit forimplicit methods. Gained insights have the potential to improve diagnostic tools and accurize real-time feedback simulations used in the functional recovery of neuromuscular diseases and intuitive control of modern prosthetic solutions.
Synthesis, crystal structure and Hirshfeld surface analysis of the orthorhombic polymorph of 4-bromo-N-(4-bromobenzylidene)aniline
Authors: Subashini A. , Ramamurthi K. , Ramesh Babu R. , Philip Reji , Stoeckli-Evans Helen
Published: February 2023

The crystal structure of the title compound, C13H9Br2N [systematic name: (E)-N,1-bis(4-bromophenyl)methanimine], is a second polymorph (Form II) crystallizing in the orthorhombic space group Pccn. The first polymorph (Form I) crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P21/c [Bernstein & Izak (1975). J. Cryst. Mol. Struct.
5, 257–266; Marin et al. (2013). J. Mol. Struct.
1049, 377–385]. The molecule is disordered about an inversion center situated in the middle of the C=N bond, similar to the situation in the monoclinic polymorph: the C=N bond length is 1.243 (7) Å. In the crystal, molecules stack along the b-axis direction and are linked by C—H...π interactions. The interatomic contacts in the crystal for both polymorphs were studied by Hirshfeld surface analysis and have notable differences. The solid-state fluorescence spectrum of Form II shows an emission peak at ca 469 nm. The two-photon absorption coefficient measured from the open aperture Z-scan technique is 1.3 × 10 −11 m W−1, hence, Form II shows optical limiting behaviour.
Crossroad of intellectual property rights of technology innovators and human rights: a systematic literature review
Authors: Gupta Parul , Wadhwa Simran , Chauhan Sumedha
Published: February 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to analyze the scholarly approach to examine the issues at the intersection of intellectual property rights (IPRs) and human rights (HRs) and ways to address, to examine broad categories of approaches used by the scholars in examining this conflict, their justification and to provide concrete directions for HRs framework of intellectual property.

Design/methodology/approach

The study conducted systematic literature review of 94 research articles published between 1996 and 2021, focusing on cross roads between IPRs and HRs.

Findings

The in-depth content analysis of 94 published research papers revealed the polarization of scholarly opinion on the HRs perspective of IPRs.

Originality/value

Very limited efforts were made in past to synthesize and organize scholarly research on the conflict between IPRs and HRs covering the right to education, to access information, to food, etc. besides the right to health care. This study synthesized and analyzed the scholarly research on the crossroad between IPRs and HRs, revealed critical conflict areas and collated the justifications of opposing approaches to provide inputs to international organizations, policymakers and governments for the enforcement of IPRs from the perspective of HRs.
Brand anthropomorphism’s impact on real estate purchase decisions of young buyers in India and the underlying reliance on spatial memory
Authors: Rodrigues Andrea , Godwin Benny J. , George Jossy P.
Published: February 2023

Purpose

Assessing anthropomorphic tendency in relation to real estate purchase decisions and analysing the elements of friendliness, aggressiveness, pleasure and arousal as a link to the spatial memory of the consumer. This study aims to help brands and advertisers in the real estate industry to create meaningful consumer relationships by using elements that are associated with positive spatial experience. By formulating a detailed questionnaire with adapted variables from proven research and a multilayered approach of theoretic and practical analysis, this paper situates the identified variables in the plane of space and customer experience.

Design/methodology/approach

By using structural equation modeling, this study analyses a sample data of 411 consumers and their response to elements of housing.

Findings

The findings of this study showed that variables of friendliness, aggressiveness, pleasure and arousal significantly impact consumer’s real estate purchase decision; however, anthropomorphic tendency does not have a significant impact. Through theoretical analysis, it was found that spatial memory may have a role in the visual and display of the variables.

Originality/value

The merit of this paper lies in the discussion it has raised with regard to the intersection between theoretics of space and the chosen variables. In the field of business and management, often philosophical implications of spatiality may not be actively associated with numerical computation. This paper not only looks at brand anthropomorphism’s impact on real estate purchase decisions but also looks at friendliness and other mentioned variables as significantly impacting purchase decisions and linked to memory, space and affiliation.
Sustainability in Business Administration programs in Brazil: what curricula changes have taken place in the past ten years?
Authors: Palma Lisiane Celia , de Oliveira Lessandra Medeiros , Alves Nilo Barcelos , Figueiró Paola Schmitt
Published: February 2023

Purpose

This study aims to analyze the extent to which sustainability and its related core aspects have been integrated in the curricula of Business Administration programs in Brazilian federal public universities over the past ten years.

Design/methodology/approach

A longitudinal exploratory study, with a descriptive scope, was carried out to evaluate the changes that have occurred in the curricula between the years 2011 and 2021. The analysis focused on the Pedagogical Project of the Business Administration programs offered by the Brazilian federal universities identified in the e-Ministry of Education’s (MEC) database of higher educational institutions and course registration. From the total number of federal universities identified in the e-MEC, about 90% were considered for the research.

Findings

The number of courses related to sustainability in Business Administration programs increased considerably in ten years. However, these courses still represent a low percentage of hours in the overall curriculum. Moreover, almost a third of Business Administration programs may produce graduates who have never addressed sustainability during their studies.

Research limitations/implications

This research does not consider other aspects of the curriculum beyond courses, nor does it collect primary data that allows for inferences about the transversal nature of the theme.

Practical implications

This study contributes to monitoring the performance of Brazilian federal universities teaching sustainability and its related core aspects in Business Administration programs. This updated panorama may aid in the search for strategies to expand actions related to education for sustainability (EfS) in educational institutions (EIs).

Social implications

This study presents some of the impacts of implementing the national environmental education curriculum guidelines. This study encourages discussion about EfS in Business Administration programs and in public EIs, which are important actors for promoting sustainable development.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first longitudinal study that maps the courses related to sustainability in Business Administration programs at Brazilian federal public universities. This study offers the first responses to a broad and complex topic, of a region and disciplinary field, of which there are not many studies done, opening doors to subsequent investigations.
Reconstruction of trust and organizational commitment through servant leadership in the postpandemic era: evidence from the IT sector of Pakistan
Authors: Ghayas Muhammad Muzammil , Khan Malik Muhammad Sheheryar , Kumar Sanjeev , Mohyuddin Syed Mofazzal
Published: February 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of the role of trust in leaders in the relationship between dimensions of servant leadership and dimensions of organizational commitment in the information technology (IT) sector of Pakistan in post-COVID era. This paper also highlights the role of trust in leader as mediating mechanism among the examined variables.

Design/methodology/approach

Self-administered questionnaires were distributed to IT professional working in the IT sector of Pakistan. The sample included 283 across Pakistan. Structural equation modeling was used to analyze the data.

Findings

Results indicated that trust in a leader has a significant indirect effect on the relationship between the dimensions of servant leadership and organizational commitment. Upon further investigation, it is found that in the majority of cases, the nature of mediation is partial in nature. Whereas, it is found that trust in leader fully mediates the relationship between persuasive mapping and normative commitment. Furthermore, trust in leader is also found to be fully mediating the relationship between emotional healing and continuance commitment.

Research limitations/implications

This study is limited to the geographical boundaries of Pakistan, results obtained during the course of study have limited generalizability outside the country.

Originality/value

This paper aims at addressing a gap in the literature by developing a model of how trust in leader mediates the relationship between servant leadership and organizational commitment, and examine relationship between individual dimensions of servant leadership and organizational commitment.
Healthcare startups compete in new digital spaces: the lure of virtual specialties
Authors: Jahn Justin , Bohnet-Joschko Sabine
Published: February 2023

Purpose

This study aims to explore the rise of virtual specialty care startups and understand how the ventures leverage digital services to create a new market space. Given the high level of competition in an established industry like health care, the authors investigate the business models and competitive strategies of leading virtual specialty care startups with unicorn status (i.e. emerging, current and exited unicorns).

Design/methodology/approach

The authors performed an analysis of Crunchbase data to examine whether rising virtual care ventures target specialty care. They focused on companies from the USA, Europe and Asia-Pacific. The identified virtual specialty care ventures were investigated in-depth via a multiple case study. By reviewing corporate websites, Crunchbase data and media coverage, the authors analyzed the ventures’ business models and competitive strategies.

Findings

This study demonstrates that even in established and highly competitive markets such as health care, managers and entrepreneurs can still leverage digital services to unlock new market spaces. The data analysis reveals that virtual care startups target the field of specialty care. They create a new market space by focusing on fast access to services, personalization, measurable outcomes and affordability. The majority of investigated companies pursues a platform-based business model approach.

Originality/value

In the context of an established industry like health care, this study gives insights into a new generation of virtual specialty care ventures. By investigating the ventures’ business models and competitive strategies, the authors advance a young field of research.
Transforming a specialist community service model for working with men with sexual convictions and personality difficulties
Authors: Craissati Jackie , Phillips Ophelia , Higgins Caitriona
Published: February 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this discussion paper is to describe the transition over the past five years of a highly specialist group treatment programme to a tiered public health delivery model within the offender personality disorder (OPD) pathway. The focus of this journey of transformation has been the Challenge programme, currently the only OPD specialist service for men with sexual convictions in the community in England and Wales, and now a pan-London service.

Design/methodology/approach

More than 600 high-risk men with sexual convictions are screened into the OPD pathway and reside currently in the community across London. The programme leads have developed a triage model – based on the wider OPD model – that applies the principles of the least intervention necessary and the most effective use of limited resources.

Findings

Preliminary informal feedback was sought on the new consultation approach and innovative joint casework delivery models. The model of care is discussed in relation to the preliminary feedback, which was encouraging in terms of satisfaction with the consultation service and in terms of the people on probation who found that participating in the joint casework enhanced their working relationship with offender managers. The consistent use of a single model of care and a careful triage approach across the city to working with this group of individuals is still in development. Early feedback suggests that the service has to potential to be effective, but establishing this requires formal evaluation.

Practical implications

Practice implications include the need to address the lack of confidence that many practitioners report when working with people with sexual convictions. Virtually delivered group consultation may enhance the development of skills as it may providing a flexible toolkit for delivery.

Originality/value

This practice paper describes the only specialist community service for men with high-risk, high-harm sexual convictions and personality difficulties in the UK.
Learning and employee-driven innovation in the public sector – the interplay between employee engagement and organisational conditions
Authors: Lidman Linda , Gustavsson Maria , Fogelberg Eriksson Anna
Published: February 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine learning and employee-driven innovation (EDI) in the public sector, with a particular focus on the interplay between employee engagement and organisational conditions.

Design/methodology/approach

The material consists of qualitative interviews with 23 participants from three municipal sites of innovation support that participated in a national programme aiming to strengthen municipalities’ innovation work.

Findings

The study found numerous constraining organisational conditions resulting in consequential loss of employee engagement for EDI. The conclusion drawn is that employee engagement and enabling organisational conditions are central to EDI in public sector workplaces, and that incorporating EDI into municipal daily operations requires paying attention to the interplay between organisational conditions and employee engagement.

Originality/value

This paper provides important guidance for supporting EDI in the public sector. Implementing EDI into operations requires employee engagement to be successful. However, employees’ engagement should not be overlooked or taken for granted. A practical implication of this study is that EDI in the workplace must be encouraged by creating a learning environment that supports innovative learning in the workplace. In practice, measures should be taken to support employee engagement by creating organisational conditions that provide a more expansive learning environment to ensure the continuity and perpetuation of EDI in public sector organisations.
Effect of improvisational strategic orientation and entrepreneurial bricolage on new venture performance
Authors: Li Xueling , Yu Ting
Published: February 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the effects of two types of improvisational strategic orientation on new venture performance: defensive improvisation and creative improvisation. Moreover, this study investigates the role of entrepreneurial bricolage in mediating the transition from various types of improvisational strategic orientation to new venture performance.

Design/methodology/approach

This study is designed as quantitative research, employing a structural equation model and bootstrap analysis to empirically test the survey data of 249 new ventures gathered to investigate the true relationship between variables in this paper.

Findings

The findings of this study show that (1) both defensive and creative improvisation positively affect the performance of new ventures, with defensive improvisation having a stronger positive effect; (2) both internal and external bricolage positively affect new venture performance, and play varying degrees of intermediary roles in the influence that defensive and creative improvisation has on the performance of start-ups.

Research limitations/implications

The following limitations apply to this study: First, this paper collects data using a cross-sectional research design, which cannot reveal dynamic changes in the research variables. Second, this study only opens the “black box” of the role of improvisational strategic orientation on new venture performance from the perspective of entrepreneurial bricolage, and the research conclusion may be biased. Finally, the external factors' contingency effect on the relationship between variables is ignored.

Originality/value

This study develops a theoretical research model of improvisational strategic orientation, entrepreneurial bricolage and new venture performance, and provides a thorough examination of the internal mechanisms of various types of improvisational strategic orientation on new venture performance. The research findings not only contribute to the advancement of research on improvisational strategic orientation in the context of entrepreneurship but also assist entrepreneurs in developing a correct understanding of improvisational strategic orientation.
Understanding the therapeutic factors of the social reintegration treatment stage in a residential treatment setting: a qualitative approach
Authors: Flora Katerina
Published: February 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to understand deeply the important elements of the reintegration phase of recovery.

Design/methodology/approach

The participants were 14 people suffering from addiction to drugs, who met the criteria for substance use disorder according to the diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders, fifth edition. The data obtained by semi-structured interview were qualitatively analyzed by interpretive phenomenological analysis.

Findings

The results highlight the importance of relationships in therapy, identity reshaping, a deeper understanding of the causes of substance use, the importance of boundaries, the critical parameters of the transition to regularity and the important role of emotions.

Originality/value

The results are discussed on the basis of the enhancement of the therapeutic interventions that are followed at the reintegration stage, taking into account not only the peculiarities of this phase but also social factors such as stigmatization.
Power quality improvement of large power induction motor drive using three-level front-end converter
Authors: Mohanty Kanungo Barada , Daramukkala Pavankumar
Published: February 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to provide the enhancement of power quality of a high power-rated voltage source inverter driven induction motor with a three-phase, three-level neutral point clamped converter placed at the front end, while a passive power filter is connected in shunt with it. The improvement in power quality can be achieved by reducing the total harmonic distortion in source current. The controllers were designed for the linearization of the high-power induction motor drive. A control method is presented for the regulation of the common DC-link voltage.

Design/methodology/approach

The induction motor is modeled using its dynamic equations, and a decoupling controller is designed to linearize the nonlinear dynamics of the drive through feedback. The common DC-link voltage of the proposed front-end connected converter is monitored and controlled through a control method which feeds the pulse width modulated inverter that drives the induction motor. A passive power filter is designed to meet the reactive power requirement of the system in addition to improve the power quality.

Findings

Simulations were carried out for the proposed topology of the drive mechanism, and the outcomes were analyzed by a comparative analysis of the drive system both in the presence of the passive filter as well as in the absence of the filter. The total harmonic distortion is found to be reduced enough to meet the standards with the designed filter, and the reactive power is also compensated considerably. The input power factor at the supply side is maintained almost to unity, and the DC-link voltage of the proposed circuit topology is maintained at the desired level. The overall performance of the drive system was found to be useful and economical.

Originality/value

A new topology of a front-end connected three-level neutral point clamped converter to a high power-rated induction motor drive is proposed. The drive is fed by a pulse width modulated inverter with a common DC-link with the front end connected converter. A passive filter is designed with respect to the reactive power requirement of the system and connected in shunt to the converter at the supply side. Control schemes are designed and used for the drive system and also for the regulation of the common DC-link voltage of the proposed front end connected converter.
Single‐amplified genomes reveal most streamlined free‐living marine bacteria
Authors: Roda‐Garcia Juan J. , Haro‐Moreno Jose M. , Rodriguez‐Valera Francisco , Almagro‐Moreno Salvador , López‐Pérez Mario
Published: February 2023

Evolutionary adaptations of prokaryotes to the environment sometimes result in genome reduction. Our knowledge of this phenomenon among free‐living bacteria remains scarce. We address the dynamics and limits of genome reduction by examining one of the most abundant bacteria in the ocean, the SAR86 clade. Despite its abundance, comparative genomics has been limited by the absence of pure cultures and the poor representation in metagenome‐assembled genomes. We co‐assembled multiple previously available single‐amplified genomes to obtain the first complete genomes from members of the four families. All families showed a convergent evolutionary trajectory with characteristic features of streamlined genomes, most pronounced in the TMED112 family. This family has a genome size of ca. 1 Mb and only 1 bp as median intergenic distance, exceeding values found in other abundant microbes such as SAR11, OM43 and Prochlorococcus. This genomic simplification led to a reduction in the biosynthesis of essential molecules, DNA repair‐related genes, and the ability to sense and respond to environmental factors, which could suggest an evolutionary dependence on other co‐occurring microbes for survival (Black Queen hypothesis). Therefore, these reconstructed genomes within the SAR86 clade provide new insights into the limits of genome reduction in free‐living marine bacteria.
Medicare's hospital readmissions reduction program and the rise in observation stays
Authors: Wright Brad , Parrish Canada , Basu Anirban , Joynt Maddox Karen E. , Liao Joshua M. , Sabbatini Amber K.
Published: February 2023

Objective

To evaluate whether Medicare's Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program (HRRP) is associated with increased observation stay use.

Data Sources and Study Setting

A nationally representative sample of fee‐for‐service Medicare claims, January 2009–September 2016.

Study Design

Using a difference‐in‐difference (DID) design, we modeled changes in observation stays as a proportion of total hospitalizations, separately comparing the initial (acute myocardial infarction, pneumonia, heart failure) and subsequent (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) target conditions with a control group of nontarget conditions. Each model used 3 time periods: baseline (15 months before program announcement), an intervening period between announcement and implementation, and a 2‐year post‐implementation period, with specific dates defined by HRRP policies.

Data Collection/Extraction Methods

We derived a 20% random sample of all hospitalizations for beneficiaries continuously enrolled for 12 months before hospitalization (N = 7,162,189).

Principal Findings

Observation stays increased similarly for the initial HRRP target and nontarget conditions in the intervening period (0.01% points per month [95% CI −0.01, 0.3]). Post‐implementation, observation stays increased significantly more for target versus nontarget conditions, but the difference is quite small (0.02% points per month [95% CI 0.002, 0.04]). Results for the COPD analysis were statistically insignificant in both policy periods.

Conclusions

The increase in observation stays is likely due to other factors, including audit activity and clinical advances.
Easy to use and validated predictive models to identify beneficiaries experiencing homelessness in Medicaid administrative data
Authors: Pourat Nadereh , Yue Dahai , Chen Xiao , Zhou Weihao , O'Masta Brenna
Published: February 2023

Objective

To develop easy to use and validated predictive models to identify beneficiaries experiencing homelessness from administrative data.

Data Sources

We pooled enrollment and claims data from enrollees of the California Whole Person Care (WPC) Medicaid demonstration program that coordinated the care of a subset of Medicaid beneficiaries identified as high utilizers in 26 California counties (25 WPC Pilots). We also used public directories of social service and health care facilities.

Study Design

Using WPC Pilot‐reported homelessness status, we trained seven supervised learning algorithms with different specifications to identify beneficiaries experiencing homelessness. The list of predictors included address‐ and claims‐based indicators, demographics, health status, health care utilization, and county‐level homelessness rate. We then assessed model performance using measures of balanced accuracy (BA), sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (area under the curve [AUC]).

Data Collection/Extraction Methods

We included 93,656 WPC enrollees from 2017 to 2018, 37,441 of whom had a WPC Pilot‐reported homelessness indicator.

Principal Findings

The random forest algorithm with all available indicators had the best performance (87% BA and 0.95 AUC), but a simpler Generalized Linear Model (GLM) also performed well (74% BA and 0.83 AUC). Reducing predictors to the top 20 and top five most important indicators in a GLM model yields only slightly lower performance (86% BA and 0.94 AUC for the top 20 and 86% BA and 0.91 AUC for the top five).

Conclusions

Large samples can be used to accurately predict homelessness in Medicaid administrative data if a validated homelessness indicator for a small subset can be obtained. In the absence of a validated indicator, the likelihood of homelessness can be calculated using county rate of homelessness, address‐ and claim‐based indicators, and beneficiary age using a prediction model presented here. These approaches are needed given the rising prevalence of homelessness and the focus of Medicaid and other payers on addressing homelessness and its outcomes.
Unpredictable and monetized contact with the police: Race, avoidance behaviors, and modified activity spaces
Authors: Giuffre Andrea , Huebner Beth M.
Published: February 2023

Exponential growth in order maintenance policing and associated misdemeanor sanctions have led to disproportionate consequences for people of color. Using data from qualitative interviews with individuals in the metropolitan St. Louis, Missouri, region, the current study documents the racialized and monetized nature of police contact. This work extends extant scholarship by considering how minor contact with the police shapes individual avoidance behaviors and activity spaces, places where people work and live. We consider how the combination of monetary sanctions, warrants, incarceration, and overpolicing in the region affects avoidance behaviors, particularly for people of color. Our findings suggest that the frequently unpredictable nature of police contacts and the parochial and often profit‐focused structure of policing organizations in the region leads individuals to modify the ways in which they move through the region and, for some, to isolate. Narratives reflect the need for constant calibration of behaviors and decisions, as well as the legacy that police contact and monetary sanctions can have on everyday routines.
DNA repair in cardiomyocytes is critical for maintaining cardiac function in mice
Authors: de Boer Martine , te Lintel Hekkert Maaike , Chang Jiang , van Thiel Bibi S. , Martens Leonie , Bos Maxime M. , de Kleijnen Marion G. J. , Ridwan Yanto , Octavia Yanti , van Deel Elza D. , Blonden Lau A. , Brandt Renata M. C. , Barnhoorn Sander , Bautista‐Niño Paula K. , Krabbendam‐Peters Ilona , Wolswinkel Rianne , Arshi Banafsheh , Ghanbari Mohsen , Kupatt Christian , de Windt Leon J. , Danser A. H. Jan , van der Pluijm Ingrid , Remme Carol Ann , Stoll Monika , Pothof Joris , Roks Anton J. M. , Kavousi Maryam , Essers Jeroen , van der Velden Jolanda , Hoeijmakers Jan H. J. , Duncker Dirk J.
Published: February 2023

Heart failure has reached epidemic proportions in a progressively ageing population. The molecular mechanisms underlying heart failure remain elusive, but evidence indicates that DNA damage is enhanced in failing hearts. Here, we tested the hypothesis that endogenous DNA repair in cardiomyocytes is critical for maintaining normal cardiac function, so that perturbed repair of spontaneous DNA damage drives early onset of heart failure. To increase the burden of spontaneous DNA damage, we knocked out the DNA repair endonucleases xeroderma pigmentosum complementation group G (XPG) and excision repair cross‐complementation group 1 (ERCC1), either systemically or cardiomyocyte‐restricted, and studied the effects on cardiac function and structure. Loss of DNA repair permitted normal heart development but subsequently caused progressive deterioration of cardiac function, resulting in overt congestive heart failure and premature death within 6 months. Cardiac biopsies revealed increased oxidative stress associated with increased fibrosis and apoptosis. Moreover, gene set enrichment analysis showed enrichment of pathways associated with impaired DNA repair and apoptosis, and identified TP53 as one of the top active upstream transcription regulators. In support of the observed cardiac phenotype in mutant mice, several genetic variants in the ERCC1 and XPG gene in human GWAS data were found to be associated with cardiac remodelling and dysfunction. In conclusion, unrepaired spontaneous DNA damage in differentiated cardiomyocytes drives early onset of cardiac failure. These observations implicate DNA damage as a potential novel therapeutic target and highlight systemic and cardiomyocyte‐restricted DNA repair‐deficient mouse mutants as bona fide models of heart failure.
Standard nurse phone triage versus tele–emergency care pilot on Veteran use of in‐person acute care: An instrumental variable analysis
Authors: Li Kathleen Y. , Kim Paul S. , Thariath Joshua , Wong Edwin S. , Barkham Jonathan , Kocher Keith E.
Published: February 2023

Objectives

Use of acute care telemedicine is growing, but data on quality, utilization, and cost are limited. We evaluated a Veterans Affairs (VA) tele–emergency care (tele‐EC) pilot aimed at reducing reliance on out‐of‐network (OON) emergency department (ED) care, a growing portion of VA spending. With this service, an emergency physician virtually evaluated selected Veterans calling a nurse triage line.

Methods

Calls to the triage line occurring January–December 2021 and advised to seek care acutely within 24 h were included. We described tele‐EC user characteristics, common triage complaints, and patterns in referral to and management by tele‐EC. The primary outcome was acute care visits (ED, urgent care, and hospitalizations at VA and OON sites) within 7 days of the index call. Secondary outcomes included mortality, OON acute care spending, and the effect of tele‐EC visit modality (phone vs. video). We used both standard regression and instrumental variable (IV) analysis, using the tele‐EC physician schedule as the instrument.

Results

Of 7845 eligible calls, 15.5% had a tele‐EC visit, with case resolution documented in 57%. Compared to standard nurse triage, tele‐EC users were less likely to be Black, had more prior ED visits, and were triaged as higher acuity. Calls concerning dizziness/syncope, blood in stool, and chest pain were most likely to have a tele‐EC visit. Tele‐EC was associated with fewer ED visits than standard nurse triage in both regression (average marginal effect [AME] −16.8%, 95% confidence interval [CI] −19.2 to −14.4) and IV analyses (AME −17.5%, 95% CI −25.1 to −9.8), lower hospitalization rate (AME −3.1%, 95% CI −6.2 to −0.0), and lower OON spending (AME –$248, 95% CI −$458 to −$38).

Conclusions

Among Veterans initially advised to seek care within 24 h, use of tele‐EC compared to standard phone triage led to decreased ED visits, hospitalizations, and OON spending within 7 days.
Maternal obesity is associated with a higher number of regulatory‐T‐cells in newborns without affecting suppression
Authors: Arroyo‐Jousse Viviana , Borzutzky Arturo , Bono María Rosa , Casanello Paola
Published: February 2023

Background

Maternal obesity (MO) is associated with a higher risk of immune‐mediated diseases in the offspring and higher leptin levels in cord blood (CB). This study evaluates the number and function of lymphocyte subtypes in CB related to MO and its relationship with leptin concentration and leptin receptor expression.

Methods

Pregnant women with (n= 32) or without obesity (n= 41) were enrolled at delivery. Cord blood mononuclear cells were separated with Ficoll‐Hypaque. B and CD4+, regulatory and effector T cells were quantified by Flow Cytometry. Cord blood leptin concentration was measured by ELISA, and the leptin receptor (sLepR) on Treg cells was determined by Flow Cytometry.

Results

MO was associated with higher numbers of CD4+, Treg and effector T cells in the CB of their offspring, without differences in the suppressive function of Tregs. Female offspring had a higher number of these cells and a higher cord leptin concentration. Tregs expressed higher levels of sLepR than effector T cells, without differences between groups.

Conclusions

MO is associated with changes in the newborn's immune profile, more evident in female newborns with higher leptin concentrations. More studies are needed to identify the mechanisms by which the high levels of cord leptin in the newborn of women with obesity could affect the offspring's immune system.
Institutions and Political Restraint
Authors: Invernizzi Giovanna M. , Ting Michael M.
Published: February 2023

Recent political developments worldwide have focused attention on the fraying of political norms, often understood as informal restraints on opportunistic behavior. We present a model to study how norms of restraint interact with institutional checks and balances. In the model, an election determines which party holds office in each period over an infinite horizon. Each period presents the majority party with an opportunity to modify a status quo policy. However, informal norms and formal institutional barriers limit its ability to do so by providing soft and hard constraints to policymaking, respectively. We show that political cooperation can be easier to sustain in political systems with fewer checks and balances, when political norms are sufficiently stringent. Under optimal norms, increasing polarization makes norms easier to uphold, while also reducing welfare. Finally, norms maintained by minority parties are less sustainable, and voter optimal norms require minority concessions to achieve greater electoral competitiveness.
Victoria's surgical response to the COVID‐19 pandemic: the first two years
Authors: Drysdale Henry Richard Edward , Watters David Allan , Leang Yit , N J Thomson Benjamin , Brown Wendy Ann , Wilson Andrew ,   Victorian Surgical Directors Group
Published: February 2023

Victoria suffered three major waves during the first two years of the COVID‐19 pandemic. Melbourne became the longest locked down city in the world at 267 days. This narrative review documents the chronological waves of COVID‐19 in Victoria and key themes influencing the State‐wide surgical response. In 2020, Victoria needed to secure supplies of personal protective equipment (PPE) and later, recognizing the importance of aerosol transmission, introduced a respiratory protection program to protect health care workers (HCWs) with fit‐tested N‐95 masks. It established routine preoperative PCR testing for periods when community prevalence was high and developed strategies to restrict elective surgery when hospital capacity was limited. In 2021, three short‐term outbreaks were contained and eliminated whilst vaccination of HCWs and the vulnerable was taking place. A third major wave (Delta) occurred July to November 2021, succeeded by another involving the Omicron variant from December 2021. Planned surgery waiting list numbers, and waiting times for surgery, doubled between March 2020 and March 2022. In early 2022, almost 300 patients underwent surgery when infected with Omicron, with a low mortality (2.6%), though mortality was significantly higher in the unvaccinated (7.3% versus 1.4%). In conclusion, the Victorian response to COVID‐19 involved tight state‐wide social restrictions, contact tracing, furlough, escalating PPE guidance and respiratory protection. HCW infections were greatly reduced in 2021 compared with 2020. Pre‐operative PCR testing gave confidence for emergency and urgent elective surgery to proceed during pandemic waves. Other elective cases were performed as health system capacity allowed, without compromising outcomes.
Tek Down Nelson! The Struggle for Repair in Barbados
Authors: Simone Zaira
Published: February 2023

In this article I explore how the decommissioning of the statue of Lord Horatio Nelson captures some of the ways justice is envisioned within Barbados. I ask: How does the decommissioning generate more attention to the reparations question? How is repair and sovereignty conceptualised through the performances that animated and structured the event? What do these performances suggest about the Barbadian geographic‐historical foundation? I engage theorists of Black geographies and Black studies to work through the above questions. I do close readings of the performances featured in the ceremony, to illuminate how the decommissioning gestured to a range of histories and struggles that are punctuated by political transformation. My reading draws attention to how the statue's removal builds on regional demands for reparations and Barbadian struggles for sovereignty, which I argue are complementary aims.
Coexisting mangrove‐coral habitat use by reef fishes in the Caribbean
Authors: Wright Jennifer L. , Stewart Heather A. , Candanedo Ivette , D'Alessandro Evan , Estevanez Maria , Araújo Rafael J.
Published: February 2023

We conducted visual fish surveys in coexisting mangrove‐coral (CMC) habitats in Panama to analyze the effect of coral presence in mangrove habitats on the fish assemblage. Our study revealed that CMC habitats harbor distinct fish assemblages compared to mangrove habitats without coral, with greater species richness and increased herbivore abundance.

Abstract in Spanish is available with online material.
The CaMKII‐dependent phosphorylation of GABAB receptors in the nucleus accumbens was involved in cocaine‐induced behavioral sensitization in rats
Authors: Lu Ming F. , Fu Qiang , Qiu Tian Y. , Yang Jian H. , Peng Qing H. , Hu Zhen Z.
Published: February 2023

Background

Previous studies have established that the regulation of prolonged, distal neuronal inhibition by the GABAB heteroreceptor (GABABR) is determined by its stability, and hence residence time, on the plasma membrane.

Aims

Here, we show that GABABR in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) of rats affects the development of cocaine‐induced behavioral sensitization by mediating its perinucleus internalization and membrane expression.

Materials & Methods

By immunofluorescent labeling, flow cytometry analysis, Co‐immunoprecipitation and open field test, we measured the role of Ca2+/calmodulin‐dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) to the control of GABABR membrane anchoring and cocaine induced‐behavioral sensitization.

Results

Repeated cocaine treatment in rats (15 mg/kg) significantly decreases membrane levels of GABAB1R and GABAB2R in the NAc after day 3, 5 and 7. The membrane fluorescence and protein levels of GABABR was also decreased in NAc GAD67+ neurons post cocaine (1 μM) treatment after 5 min. Moreover, the majority of internalized GABAB1Rs exhibited perinuclear localization, a decrease in GABAB1R‐pHluroin signals was observed in cocaine‐treated NAc neurons. By contrast, membrane expression of phosphorylated CaMKII (pCaMKII) post cocaine treatment was significantly increased after day 1, 3, 5 and 7. Baclofen blocked the cocaine induced behavioral sensitization via inhibition of cocaine enhanced‐pCaMKII‐GABAB1R interaction.

Conclusion

These findings reveal a new mechanism by which pCaMKII‐GABABR signaling can promote psychostimulant‐induced behavioral sensitization.
Navigation between initial and desired community states using shortcuts
Authors: Blonder Benjamin W. , Lim Michael H. , Sunberg Zachary , Tomlin Claire
Published: February 2023

Ecological management problems often involve navigating from an initial to a desired community state. We ask whether navigation without brute‐force additions and deletions of species is possible via: adding/deleting a small number of individuals of a species, changing the environment, and waiting. Navigation can yield direct paths (single sequence of actions) or shortcut paths (multiple sequences of actions with lower cost than a direct path). We ask (1) when is non‐brute‐force navigation possible?; (2) do shortcuts exist and what are their properties?; and (3) what heuristics predict shortcut existence? Using a state diagram framework applied to several empirical datasets, we show that (1) non‐brute‐force navigation is only possible between some state pairs, (2) shortcuts exist between many state pairs; and (3) changes in abundance and richness are the strongest predictors of shortcut existence, independent of dataset and algorithm choices. State diagrams thus unveil hidden strategies for manipulating species coexistence and efficiently navigating between states.
Comments on Soimakallio et al. (2022) “Closing an open balance: The impact of increased tree harvest on forest carbon”
Authors: Vauhkonen Jari
Published: February 2023

Soimakallio et al. (2022) reviewed literature to draw leveraged conclusions on how forest carbon balances are affected by increased harvest rates. The conclusions are based on a carbon balance indicator that is not transparent and loses information when averaged over multiple factors. While potentially useful for comparing fossil fuel displacement by wood in alternative harvest scenarios of a given forest resource, the indicator should not be used to compare scenarios based on different forest and forestry conditions.
A controlled forearm washing ex vivo method for assessing the impact of personal cleansing products on skin's acid mantle properties and antimicrobial defence against transient bacteria
Authors: Yue Feng , Yu Betty , Zhang Lesheng , Yu Amy , Wang Caroline , Xu Zigang , Wei Karl
Published: February 2023

Background

An important trend in the personal care industry involves the development of advanced personal cleaning products that not only provide skin mildness but support skin's acid mantle properties and skin's natural antimicrobial defence function.

Objective

The objective of this study was to develop a controlled forearm washing ex vivo method for assessing the impact of personal cleansing products on skin's acid mantle properties and antimicrobial defence against transient bacteria.

Methods

We developed a controlled forearm washing ex vivo method (ex vivo NET method) to compare the impact of two representative personal cleansing products on skin's acid mantle properties and antimicrobial defence against transient bacteria: one was a low‐pH skin cleanser, and the other was high‐pH soap cleanser. Skin pH was measured at baseline and 4 h after the product application. Concurrently, D‐squame tape stripping procedure was followed to sample the stratum corneum surface layers. Then, two selected transient bacteria, Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, were inoculated onto the D‐squame tapes and incubated under controlled conditions, respectively. The residual bacteria counts can provide an objective measure of skin's acid mantle properties against transient bacteria. Results from the ex vivo NET method were compared with the traditional in vivo cup‐scrub RET method.

Results

The skin pH was significantly lower 4 h after washing the forearm with the low‐pH cleanser versus the high‐pH soap, consistent with literatures. Interestingly, the skin surface washed by the low‐pH cleanser showed significantly higher hostility against representative transient bacteria as demonstrated by the lower counts of S. aureus by 1.09 log and E. coli by 0.6 log versus the high‐pH soap based on the ex vivo NET method. Results from the ex vivo NET method were further supported by the traditional in vivo RET method which also showed the skin washed by the low‐pH cleanser had significantly lower counts of S. aureus and E. coli versus the high‐pH soap.

Conclusions

The skin's acid mantle properties and antimicrobial defence can be directly impacted by the personal cleansing products. The low‐pH skin cleanser works better than the high‐pH soap for supporting skin's acid mantle properties and antimicrobial defence against transient bacteria. Results from the ex vivo NET method are consistent with the in vivo RET method. It is important that the ex vivo NET method offers many advantages since it is quicker to run with higher throughput and has better safety without the constraint of inoculating harmful microorganisms onto the human subjects.