bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sustainable manufacturing practices and performance of the Nigerian table water industry: a structural equation modeling approach
Authors: Adekunle Simon Ayo , Dakare Olamitunji
Published: June 2020

Purpose

This study empirically examined and investigated the relationship between sustainable manufacturing practices (SMPs) and performance of table water industry (TWI) in Nigeria.

Design/methodology/approach

Cross-sectional survey research design was adopted for this study. The population of this study covers all the registered table water firms in Delta and Edo states by National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC). Convenience sampling, a nonprobability sampling method, was used in administering the questionnaire to selected table water firms in the two states used for the study. The sample can be considered as experimental group used for the research and analysis. Data collected through questionnaire administration were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used in estimating the research models, through the use of Analysis of Moment Structures (AMOS version 24) software.

Findings

The study found that SMPs are adopted by table water firms registered by NAFDAC. It was also found that sustainable packaging and waste management significantly influence the different dimensions of sustainable performance of table water firms.

Practical implications

The study recommends that table water producers should ensure they consistently adhere to NAFDAC standards after product registration and certification to make the products safe for consumption. Also, NAFDAC should promote a regulatory environment with appropriate incentives to table water firms that consistently comply with stipulated regulations that can promote the sustainability of the environment while any table water firms found engaging in unwholesome activities that can undermine the health status of consumers should be severely sanctioned.

Originality/value

The study provides a comprehensive analysis of sustainability practices in the Nigerian TWI by examining four manufacturing practices and how they impact on sustainability performance of the industry. The study will help to reinforce the need for stakeholders in the TWI to be more environmentally conscious.
Significance of heat generation/absorption in magnetohydrodynamic flow by an unsteady stretching curved surface
Authors: Muhammad Taseer
Published: June 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this article is to analyze the magnetohydrodynamic viscous liquid flow with heat absorption/generation. Flow is induced by an unsteady stretching curved surface. A time-dependent magnetic field is utilized.

Design/methodology/approach

The resulting nonlinear system is solved through shooting method.

Findings

An increment in the values of curvature A and unsteadiness parameters correspond to higher velocity, temperature and concentration fields. There is a reduction in the temperature and related layer via Prandtl number. Skin friction is increasing factor of magnetic number. Local Nusselt and Sherwood numbers are lower for greater magnetic number.

Originality/value

To the best of author's knowledge, no such consideration has been given in the literature yet.
Removal of sonar wave interference in multi-robot system for the efficient SLAM by randomized triggering time technique
Authors: Singh Ravinder , Katyal Akshay , Kumar Mukesh , Singh Kirti , Bhola Deepak
Published: June 2020

Purpose

Sonar sensor-based mobile robot mapping is an efficient and low cost technique for the application such as localization, autonomous navigation, SLAM and path planning. In multi-robots system, numbers of sonar sensors are used and the sound waves from sonar are interacting with the sound wave of other sonar causes wave interference. Because of wave interference, the generated sonar grid maps get distorted which resulted in decreasing the reliability of mobile robot’s navigation in the generated grid maps. This research study focus in removing the effect of wave interfaces in the sonar mapping to achieve robust navigation of mobile robot.

Design/methodology/approach

The wrong perception (occupancy grid map) of the environment due to cross talk/wave interference is eliminated by randomized the triggering time of sonar by varying the delay/sleep time of each sonar sensor. A software-based approach randomized triggering technique (RTT) is design in laboratory virtual instrument engineering workbench (LabVIEW) that randomized the triggering time of the sonar sensor to eliminate the effect of wave interference/cross talk when multiple sonar are placed in face-forward directions.

Findings

To check the reliability of the RTT technique, various real-world experiments are perform and it is experimentally obtained that 64.8% improvement in terms of probabilities in the generated occupancy grid map has been attained when compared with the conventional approaches.

Originality/value

This proposed RTT technique maybe implementing for SLAM, reliable autonomous navigation, optimal path planning, efficient robotics vision, consistent multi-robotic system, etc.
Don’t Call it Climate Populism: On Greta Thunberg’s Technocratic Ecocentrism
Authors: Zulianello Mattia , Ceccobelli Diego
Published: June 2020

The growing popularity of Greta Thunberg has led an increasing number of pundits and scholars to consider her message to be an instance of ‘climate’ or ‘environmental’ populism. Following a qualitative content analysis of key speeches by the young activist, this paper challenges this view, and argues that her message is far from being a case of populism. On the contrary, it abides by a substantially different set of ideas that can be defined as technocratic ecocentrism. In particular, it is argued that rather than people‐centrism, anti‐elitism and vox populi, Greta Thunberg’s message is grounded on three different core ideas: ecocentrism, technocracy, and on the exaltation of the vox scientifica. However, whereas Thunberg’s technocratic ecocentrism is at odds with the foundations of the populist set of ideas, it shares a similar emphasis on monism, moralisation, a Manichean vision of the world, a critique of key features of the metapolitical status quo, and a tendency to personalisation.
Impact of dissolved oxygen and loading rate on NH3 oxidation and N2 production mechanisms in activated sludge treatment of sewage
Authors: Zhang Xueyu , Li Shida , Zheng Shaokui , Duan Shoupeng
Published: June 2020

Microaerobic activated sludge (MAS) is a one‐stage process operated at 0.5–1.0 mg l−1 dissolved oxygen (DO) aiming at simultaneous nitrification and denitrification. We used molecular techniques and a comprehensive nitrogen (N)‐transformation activity test to investigate the dominant NH3‐oxidizing and N2‐producing mechanism as well as the dominant ammonia‐oxidizing bacteria (AOB) species in sludge samples individually collected from an MAS system and a conventional anoxic/oxic (A/O) system; both systems were operated at a normal loading rate (i.e. 1.0 kg chemical oxygen demand (COD) m−3 day−1 and 0.1 kg NH4+‐N m−3 day−1) in our previous studies. The DO levels in both systems (aerobic: conventional A/O system; microaerobic: MAS system) did not affect the dominant NH3‐oxidizing mechanism or the dominant AOB species. This study further demonstrated the feasibility of a higher loading rate (i.e. 2.30 kg COD m−3 day−1 and 0.34 kg NH4+‐N m−3 day−1) with the MAS process during sewage treatment, which achieved a 40% reduction in aeration energy consumption than that obtained in the conventional A/O system. The increase in loading rates in the MAS system did not affect the dominant NH3‐oxidizing mechanism but did impact the dominant AOB species. Besides, N2 was predominantly produced by microaerobic denitrification in the MAS system at the two loading rates.
Platform Capitalism’s Hidden Abode: Producing Data Assets in the Gig Economy
Authors: van Doorn Niels , Badger Adam
Published: June 2020

In this article, we argue that the governance of gig work under conditions of financialised platform capitalism is characterised by a process that we call “dual value production”: the monetary value produced by the service provided is augmented by the use and speculative value of the data produced before, during, and after service provision. App‐governed gig workers hence function as pivotal conduits in software systems that produce digital data as a particular asset class. We reflect on the production of data assets and the unequal distribution of opportunities for their valorisation, after which we survey a number of strategies seeking data‐centric worker empowerment. These strategies, we argue, are crucial attempts to push back against platform capitalism’s domination, bankrolled by what we term “meta‐platforms”. Ultimately, it is the massive wealth and synergetic capacities of meta‐platforms that constitute the most formidable obstacle to worker power and social justice in increasingly data‐driven societies.
Claims for compensation from women with cervical cancer in Norway—A retrospective, descriptive study of a 12‐year period
Authors: Ravlo Merethe , Lieng Marit , Khan Bukholm Ida Rashida , Haase Moen Mette , Vanky Eszter
Published: June 2020

Introduction

In Norway, all patient‐reported claims for compensation are evaluated by The Norwegian System of Patient Injury Compensation (NPE). The number of claims from women with cervical cancer is rising, and the approval rate is high. Our aim was to study claims for compensation from women with cervical cancer to identify the type of failures, when, during the time‐course of treatment, the medical failures occurred, and the consequences of the failures.

Material and methods

A retrospective, descriptive study of claims for compensation to NPE from cervical cancer patients during a 12‐year period, from 2007 through 2018. We used anonymized medical expert statements and summaries of NPE cases.

Results

In all, 161 women claimed compensation for alleged medical failure related to cervical cancer. Compensation was approved for 100 (62%) women. Mean age at the time of alleged failure was 37.5 years (SD ±9.9). The main reasons why women sought medical attention were routine cervical screening (56%), or vaginal bleeding or discharge (30%). In approved cases, incorrect evaluation of cytology and histology was the cause of most failures (72%). Mean delay of cervical cancer diagnosis for approved cases was 28 months (SD ±22). Treatment not in accordance with guidelines was the cause of failure in 2% of the cases, and failure during follow up was the cause of failure in 12%. Consequences of the failures were as follows: worsening of cancer prognosis (89%), treatment‐induced adverse effects, such as loss of fertility (43%) and/or loss of ovarian function in premenopausal women (50%), and permanent injury after chemo‐radiation (27%). Seven women (7%) died, most probably as a consequence of the failure.

Conclusions

The main cause of medical failure in women with cervical cancer was incorrect pathological diagnosis. The main consequences of failures were worsening of cancer prognosis and treatment‐induced adverse effects. Increased focus on the quality of pathological examinations, and better routines in all parts of the cervical examinations might improve patient safety for women in risk of cervical cancer.
‘Aching to be a boy’: A preliminary analysis of gender assignment of intersex persons in India in a culture of son preference
Authors: Das Arpita
Published: June 2020

Intersexuality, particularly in the global South, remains an under‐researched field of study. In my in‐progress doctoral research project, I explore the cultural, social, and medical discourses that influence how key stakeholders such as healthcare providers make decisions about the sex and gender assignment of the intersex child in India. In this paper I interrogate some of these ideas around gender assignment of intersex people in India, paying particular attention to the context of son preference. I am interested in exploring how decisions of gender assignment by medical professionals are guided by ideas of son preference. Focusing on four qualitative, semi‐structured, in‐depth interviews across two cities with medical doctors from different specializations, this paper is a preliminary attempt to examine some of the factors that guide medical professionals in making decisions about gender assignment of intersex children and explore the dynamics of the decision‐making process. Specifically, I explore the factors that inform doctors’ decision‐making and locate these decision‐making processes within the broader socio‐cultural context of India.
Effectiveness of a self‐regulation intervention for weight loss: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Frie Kerstin , Hartmann‐Boyce Jamie , Jebb Susan A. , Aveyard Paul
Published: June 2020

Objectives

To evaluate effectiveness and acceptability of a novel intervention, based on self‐regulation theory, for weight loss.

Design

A two‐arm parallel group design was employed.

Methods

Adult participants with a BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2 and the aim to lose weight were recruited and randomized to either a control or intervention group. Both groups were asked to weigh themselves daily for eight weeks. The intervention group was encouraged to use a weight tracking app, and complete daily and weekly questionnaires to prompt action planning, reflection, and evaluation of actions. Participants chose daily actions from a menu of 53 behaviours. The primary outcome was weight change after 8 weeks, assessed using linear mixed effects models. At follow‐up, 20 intervention group participants were interviewed regarding their experiences in the trial.

Results

100 participants were recruited, and 98% were followed up at 8 weeks. Mean weight loss was −4.18 kg (SD = 3.84) in the intervention compared to −1.01 kg (SD = 2.67) in the control group; the adjusted difference was −3.20 kg (95% CI −4.49, −1.92). Participants rated the intervention’s usefulness as 8.25 (SD = 2.04) on a scale from 1 to 10. Adherence was a significant independent predictor of weight loss success (−1.54 kg per one SD, 95% CI −2.16, −0.93), but not a mediator of the intervention effect. Participants reported that the intervention enabled them to experiment with and identify effective weight loss actions.

Conclusions

Guiding participants through the self‐regulation process was feasible, acceptable to participants, and led to significantly greater short‐term weight loss than unguided self‐weighing.
Explaining Employment Effects in Multipolar Value Chains: A Cross‐National Study on Soft Drinks and Dairy Manufacturing in Europe
Authors: Pulignano Valeria , Hammer Nikolaus , Doerflinger Nadja
Published: June 2020

The article develops an integrated framework that employs a dynamic perspective on interlinked levels of value chain governance in order to explain employment in value chains. It compares two multipolar chains in food and beverage manufacturing, in two different producer and consumer markets, Belgium and Germany. Analysis reveals that varied value capture dynamics in the food and beverage industries underpin distinct employment effects at specific inter‐firm nodes, as well as between labour and product markets. This reveals institutional and product variation explaining firms’ value capture trajectories. However, it also illustrates a concomitant transnational trend of deteriorating working conditions, stemming from overall chain governance.
Discovery of novel N‐aryl pyrrothine derivatives as bacterial RNA polymerase inhibitors
Authors: Huang Mo‐Han , Kong Bo , Meng Jie‐Yun , Lv Yu‐Bin , Peng Yan‐Fen , Chen Yi‐Ping , Tan Xiang‐Duan
Published: June 2020

Bacterial RNA polymerase (RNAP) is a validated drug target for broad‐spectrum antibiotics, and its “switch region” is considered as the promising binding site for novel antibiotics. Based on the core scaffold of dithiolopyrrolone, a series of N‐aryl pyrrothine derivatives was designed, synthesized, and evaluated for their antibacterial activity. Compounds generally displayed more active against Gram‐positive bacteria, but less against Gram‐negative bacteria. Among them, compound 6e exhibited moderate antibacterial activity against clinical isolates of rifampin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus with minimum inhibition concentration value of 1–2 μg/ml and inhibited Escherichia coli RNAP with IC50 value of 12.0 ± 0.9 μM. In addition, compound 6e showed certain degree of cytotoxicity against HepG2 and LO2 cells. Furthermore, molecular docking studies suggested that compound 6e might interact with the switch region of bacterial RNAP in a similar conformation to myxopyronin A. Together, the N‐aryl pyrrothine scaffold is a promising lead for discovery of antibacterial drugs acting against bacterial RNAP.
Gambogenic acid suppresses bladder cancer cells growth and metastasis by regulating NF‐κB signaling
Authors: Zhou Shiming , Zhao Nan , Wang Jialei
Published: June 2020

Background

Gambogenic acid (GNA) is one of the main active components of Gamboge, and its anticancer role has been reported in some cancers. The study was to investigate the inhibitory effects of GNA on the proliferation and metastasis of bladder cancer (BC) cells and its potential regulatory mechanisms.

Materials and Methods

BC cell lines (BIU‐87 cells, T24 cells, and J82 cells) were treated with different doses of GNA for different time, and then the effects of GNA on BC cell were examined in vitro using CCK‐8 assay, apoptosis assays, and Transwell tests. NF‐κB signaling activity was detected by the NF‐κB p65 luciferase reporter assay. Western blot was used to detect the expressions of cIAP2, XIAP, Survivin, and p65.

Results

GNA inhibited the viability of BC cells in vitro in a dose‐ and time‐dependent manner and facilitated apoptosis of BC cells. Moreover, GNA could remarkably impede the migration and invasion abilities of BC cells. In terms of mechanism, GNA administration reduced the activity of NF‐κB signaling and down‐regulated the expressions of p65, survivin, XIAP, and cIAP2.

Conclusion

GNA blocks the growth and metastasis of BC cells via inhibiting the NF‐κB signal transduction pathway.
Making Sense of Scientific Simulation Ensembles With Semantic Interaction
Authors: Dahshan M. , Polys N. F. , Jayne R. S. , Pollyea R. M.
Published: June 2020

In the study of complex physical systems, scientists use simulations to study the effects of different models and parameters. Seeking to understand the influence and relationships among multiple dimensions, they typically run many simulations and vary the initial conditions in what are known as ‘ensembles’. Ensembles are then a number of runs that are each multi‐dimensional and multi‐variate. In order to understand the connections between simulation parameters and patterns in the output data, we have been developing an approach to the visual analysis of scientific data that merges human expertise and intuition with machine learning and statistics. Our approach is manifested in a new visualization tool, GLEE (Graphically‐Linked Ensemble Explorer), that allows scientists to explore, search, filter and make sense of their ensembles. GLEE uses visualization and semantic interaction (SI) techniques to enable scientists to find similarities and differences between runs, find correlation(s) between different parameters and explore relations and correlations across and between different runs and parameters. Our approach supports scientists in selecting interesting subsets of runs in order to investigate and summarize the factors and statistics that show variations and consistencies across different runs. In this paper, we evaluate our tool with experts to understand its strengths and weaknesses for optimization and inverse problems.
Functions of lactate in the brain of rat with intracerebral hemorrhage evaluated with MRI/MRS and in vitro approaches
Authors: Liu Yue , Yang Shusheng , Cai Erli , Lin Li , Zeng Peng , Nie Binbin , Xu Fuqiang , Tian Qing , Wang Jie
Published: June 2020

Introduction

Lactate accumulation in the brain is caused by the anaerobic metabolism induced by ischemic damages, which always accompanies intracerebral hemorrhages (ICH). Our former findings showed that microglia's movement was always directly toward hemorrhagic center with the highest lactate concentration, and penumbra area has the largest density of compactly arrayed microglia. However, the relationship between microglia and lactate concentration has not been well documented.

Methods

Cerebral hemorrhage model was successfully achieved by injecting collagenase VII (causing stabile localized bleeding) in CPu (striatum) of SD rats. Emodin was used as a potential therapeutic for ICH. The function of the lactate was examined with in vitro culture studies. Then, the effect of lactate on the proliferation, cell survival, migration, and phagocytosis property of microglia was investigated by in vitro culture studies.

Results

Lactate accumulation was observed with in vivo MRS method, and its concentration was monitored during the recovery of ICH and treatment of emodin. Lactate concentration significantly increased in the core and penumbra regions of hemorrhagic foci, and it decreased after the treatment of emodin. The in vitro culture study was verified that lactate was beneficial for the proliferation, cell survival, migration, and phagocytosis property of the microglia.

Conclusion

Results from in vitro verification study, investigations from the recovery of ICH, and treatment of emodin verify that lactate plays an important role during the recovery of ICH. This could provide a novel therapeutic approach for ICH.
Documenting change with the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure for children with cerebral palsy
Authors: Kang Mani , Smith Emma , Goldsmith Charles H , Switzer Lauren , Rosenbaum Peter , Wright Frances Virginia , Fehlings Darcy
Published: June 2020

Aim

To assess the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure's (COPM) ability to document change over 3 years in children with cerebral palsy (CP).

Method

This was a prospective study with ambulatory children with CP, aged 2 to 6 years. Caregivers set one to three COPM goals which were rescored annually over 3 years. A ceiling effect for performance goals was operationalized as a score of 8. A Wald χ2 generalized estimating equations model adjusted for age, sex, and Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) level, evaluated change over time.

Results

In total, 124 children (47 [37.9%] females, 77 [62.1%] males; mean age 3y 11mo [SD 1y 1mo]; GMFCS level I [n=78, 62.9%], II [n=21, 16.9%], and III [n=25, 20.2%]) were set 345 COPM goals at baseline. By Year 3, 106 participants (85.5%) rescored 287 of the goals (83.2%). Performance scores increased between baseline mean (SD) 2.93 (0.56), Year 1 5.98 (0.58) with 34.8% at ceiling; Year 2 6.74 (0.60) 48.3% at ceiling; and Year 3 7.37 (0.60) 59.6% at ceiling (Wald χ2 [3]=607.18, p<0.001). Satisfaction scores increased between baseline 4.42 (0.59), Year 1 6.82 (0.60) with 48% at ceiling; Year 2 7.53 (0.60) with 62.2% at ceiling (Wald χ2 [3]=208.48, p<0.001); with no significant increase by Year 3 7.82 (0.62) with 66.9% at ceiling.

Interpretation

COPM performance scores increased steadily over 3 years. By Year 2, a ceiling effect was seen in about half of the goals. The COPM may have utility to measure change over 3 years; periodic resetting of the descriptors of goal success are required to minimize ceiling.
Ultra rapid lispro improves postprandial glucose control compared with lispro in patients with type 1 diabetes: Results from the 26‐week PRONTO‐T1D study
Authors: Klaff Leslie , Cao Dachuang , Dellva Mary Anne , Tobian Janet , Miura Junnosuke , Dahl Dominik , Lucas Jean , Bue‐Valleskey Juliana
Published: June 2020

Aims

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of ultra rapid lispro (URLi) versus lispro in adults with type 1 diabetes in a 26‐week, treat‐to‐target, phase 3 trial.

Materials and methods

After an 8‐week lead‐in to optimize basal insulin glargine or degludec, patients were randomized to double‐blind mealtime URLi (n = 451) or lispro (n = 442), or open‐label post‐meal URLi (n = 329). The primary endpoint was change from baseline glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) to 26 weeks (non‐inferiority margin 0.4%), with multiplicity‐adjusted objectives for postprandial glucose (PPG) excursions after a meal test.

Results

Both mealtime and post‐meal URLi demonstrated non‐inferiority to lispro for HbA1c: estimated treatment difference (ETD) for mealtime URLi −0.08% [95% confidence interval (CI) −0.16, 0.00] and for post‐meal URLi +0.13% (95% CI 0.04, 0.22), with a significantly higher endpoint HbA1c for post‐meal URLi versus lispro (P = 0.003). Mealtime URLi was superior to lispro in reducing 1‐ and 2‐hour PPG excursions during the meal test: ETD −1.55 mmol/L (95% CI −1.96, −1.14) at 1 hour and − 1.73 mmol/L (95% CI −2.28, −1.18) at 2 hours (both P < 0.001). The rate and incidence of severe, documented and postprandial hypoglycaemia (<3.0 mmol/L) was similar between treatments, but mealtime URLi demonstrated a 37% lower rate in the period >4 hours after meals (P = 0.013). Injection site reactions were reported by 2.9% of patients on mealtime URLi, 2.4% on post‐meal URLi, and 0.2% on lispro. Overall, the incidence of treatment‐emergent adverse events was similar between treatments.

Conclusions

The results showed that URLi provided good glycaemic control, with non‐inferiority to lispro confirmed for both mealtime and post‐meal URLi, while superior PPG control was demonstrated with mealtime dosing.
Insulin clearance as the major player in the hyperinsulinaemia of black African men without diabetes
Authors: Ladwa Meera , Bello Oluwatoyosi , Hakim Olah , Shojaee‐Moradie Fariba , Boselli Linda , Charles‐Edwards Geoff , Stadler Marietta , Peacock Janet L. , Umpleby Anne Margot , Amiel Stephanie A. , Bonadonna Riccardo C. , Goff Louise M.
Published: June 2020

Aim

To investigate relationships between insulin clearance, insulin secretion, hepatic fat accumulation and insulin sensitivity in black African (BA) and white European (WE) men.

Methods

Twenty‐three BA and twenty‐three WE men with normal glucose tolerance, matched for age and body mass index, underwent a hyperglycaemic clamp to measure insulin secretion and clearance, hyperinsulinaemic‐euglycaemic clamp with stable glucose isotope infusion to measure whole‐body and hepatic‐specific insulin sensitivity, and magnetic resonance imaging to quantify intrahepatic lipid (IHL).

Results

BA men had higher glucose‐stimulated peripheral insulin levels (48.1 [35.5, 65.2] × 103 vs. 29.9 [23.3, 38.4] × 103 pmol L−1 × min, P = .017) and lower endogeneous insulin clearance (771.6 [227.8] vs. 1381 [534.3] mL m−2 body surface area min −1, P < .001) compared with WE men. There were no ethnic differences in beta‐cell insulin secretion or beta‐cell responsivity to glucose, even after adjustment for prevailing insulin sensitivity. In WE men, endogenous insulin clearance was correlated with whole‐body insulin sensitivity (r = 0.691, P = .001) and inversely correlated with IHL (r = −0.674, P = .001). These associations were not found in BA men.

Conclusions

While normally glucose‐tolerant BA men have similar insulin secretory responses to their WE counterparts, they have markedly lower insulin clearance, which does not appear to be explained by either insulin resistance or hepatic fat accumulation. Low insulin clearance may be the primary mechanism of hyperinsulinaemia in populations of African origin.
Projecting future habitat quality of three midwestern reservoir fishes under warming conditions
Authors: Budnik Richard R. , Conroy Joseph D. , Zweifel Richard D. , Ludsin Stuart A. , Marschall Elizabeth A.
Published: June 2020

Rising temperatures caused by climate change are likely to affect cool‐water and warm‐water fishes differently. Yet, forecasts of anticipated temperature effects on fishes of different thermal guilds are lacking, especially in freshwater ecosystems. Towards this end, we used spatially explicit, growth rate potential (GRP) models to project changes in seasonal habitat quality for a warm‐water piscivore (largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides), a cool‐water piscivore (walleye Sander vitreus) and a hybrid piscivore (saugeye S. vitreus × S. canadensis) in two Midwestern reservoirs. We assessed habitat quality for two periods (early and middle 21st century) under two realistic greenhouse gas emission scenarios (a mid‐century emissions peak and a rapid continuous increase in emissions). Largemouth bass were projected to experience enhanced or slightly reduced habitat during all seasons, and throughout the mid‐21st century. By contrast, walleye habitat was projected to decline with anticipated warming, except during the spring in the smaller of our two study reservoirs and during the fall in the larger of our two study reservoirs. Saugeye habitat was projected to either increase modestly or decline slightly during the spring and fall and declines in habitat quality and quantity that were smaller than those for walleye were identified during summer. Collectively, our findings indicate that climate warming will differentially alter habitat suitability for reservoir piscivores, favouring warm‐water species over cool‐water species. We expect these changes in habitat quality to impact the dynamics of reservoir fish populations to varying degrees necessitating the consideration of climate when making future management decisions.
Cognitive profiles of healthy siblings of first‐episode schizophrenia patients
Authors: Voráčková Veronika , Knytl Pavel , Španiel Filip , Šustová Petra , Renka Jiří , Mohr Pavel
Published: June 2020

Aim: Cognitive deficit in psychotic illness is intensively studied, different cognitive subtypes have been suggested. In recent years, there has been an increase in the number of studies in patients with schizophrenia and their relatives searching for endophenotypes of the disease. The aim of our study was to investigate cognitive performance and cognitive subtypes in the siblings of the patients.

Methods: Four groups of subjects were included: patients with a first episode of psychotic illness, the siblings of these patients, and two control groups. All the study subjects (N = 84) had a battery of neuropsychological tests that measured basic cognitive domains – memory, executive functions, attention, visual‐spatial skills, language skills and psychomotor speed – administered to them. The data were assessed with pairwise t‐tests for group comparisons. The siblings were distributed into three groups according to their cognitive performance: non‐deficit, partial deficit, and global deficit. Subsequently, the patients were assigned into three groups corresponding to their siblings' performance.

Results: Our results revealed attenuation of abstract thinking in the siblings compared to the controls. As expected, the patients showed impairment across all cognitive domains. The patients and siblings demonstrated similar profiles in each subtype, in the severity of their impairment, and in their patterns of cognitive performance.

Conclusions: Our results suggest that the cognitive profile can be considered as an endophenotype of psychotic disorders.
A single‐synapse resolution survey of PSD95‐positive synapses in twenty human brain regions
Authors: Curran Olimpia E. , Qiu Zhen , Smith Colin , Grant Seth G.N.
Published: June 2020

Mapping the molecular composition of individual excitatory synapses across the mouse brain reveals high synapse diversity with each brain region showing a distinct composition of synapse types. As a first step towards systematic mapping of synapse diversity across the human brain, we have labelled and imaged synapses expressing the excitatory synapse protein PSD95 in twenty human brain regions, including 13 neocortical, two subcortical, one hippocampal, one cerebellar and three brainstem regions, in four phenotypically normal individuals. We quantified the number, size and intensity of individual synaptic puncta and compared their regional distributions. We found that each region showed a distinct signature of synaptic puncta parameters. Comparison of brain regions showed that cortical and hippocampal structures are similar, and distinct from those of cerebellum and brainstem. Comparison of synapse parameters from human and mouse brain revealed conservation of parameters, hierarchical organization of brain regions and network architecture. This work illustrates the feasibility of generating a systematic single‐synapse resolution atlas of the human brain, a potentially significant resource in studies of brain health and disease.
Stroke care during the COVID‐19 pandemic: experience from three large European countries
Authors: Bersano A. , Kraemer M. , Touzé E. , Weber R. , Alamowitch S. , Sibon I. , Pantoni L.
Published: June 2020

In order to cope with the exponentially increasing number of patients infected with SARS‐CoV‐2, European countries made enormous efforts to reorganize medical assistance and several diseases, including stroke, were particularly impacted. We report the experience of stroke neurologists from three European countries (Italy, France and Germany) that faced the pandemic at diverse time points and with different approaches, depending on their resources and healthcare system organization. Pre‐hospital and in‐hospital acute stroke pathways were reorganized to prioritize COVID‐19 management and, in severely affected regions of Italy and France, stroke care was centralized to a limited number of centers, whereas the remaining stroke units were dedicated to patients with COVID‐19. Access to acute stroke diagnostics and time‐dependent therapies was limited or delayed because of reduced capacities of emergency services due to the burden of patients with COVID‐19. A marked reduction in the number of patients presenting with transient ischaemic attack and stroke was noted in the emergency departments of all three countries. Although we only have preliminary data, these conditions may have affected stroke outcome. These indirect effects of the COVID‐19 pandemic could negate the efforts of stroke neurologists over the last few years to improve outcome and reduce mortality of stroke patients. Although the SARS‐CoV‐2 infection rate is slowing down in Europe, the effects of ending lockdown in the next months are unpredictable. It is important for the European and world stroke community to share what has been learned so far to be plan strategies to ensure stroke care in the future and upcoming challenging times.
Smart textiles biotechnology for electrocardiogram monitoring in horses during exercise on treadmill: Validation tests
Authors: Felici Martina , Nardelli Mimma , Lanatà Antonio , Sgorbini Micaela , Pasquale Scilingo Enzo , Baragli Paolo
Published: June 2020

Background

There are several bioengineering solutions aimed at improving human health and welfare. Smart electrodes based on textile substrates have met the growing demand for comfort, reliability, and robustness when acquiring physiological signals.

Objectives

Given the importance of good quality electrocardiograms (ECG) in equine sports medicine, this study focuses on the validation of smart textile electrodes to acquire ECG signals in horses during treadmill exercise.

Study design

The performance of the smart textile electrodes is compared with standard silver/silver chloride (Ag/AgCl) electrodes in terms of signal quality.

Methods

Five healthy Standardbred mares were fitted with two identical electronic systems for the simultaneous recording of ECGs during a standardised exercise test (SET) on a treadmill. One system was equipped with smart textile electrodes, whereas the second was equipped with standard Ag/AgCl electrodes. The Ag/AgCl electrodes were positioned on shaved skin with self‐adhesive pads, and without (SET1) or with glue (SET2). The textile electrodes were positioned without shaving the skin. The Kurtosis (k) value for each ECG trace recorded was calculated as an index of ECG signal quality.

Results

For the textile electrodes, k values were higher, and closer to ideal compared to Ag/AgCl electrodes. The median values of the Signal Quality Indexes (kSQI) were higher for textile compared to Ag/AgCl electrodes. These differences were significant in SET 2 (P < .001), but not in SET 1 (P = .08).

Main limitations

This study was limited to treadmill exercise that did not include a rider or harness.

Conclusions

During treadmill exercise, textile electrodes are a practical solution for collecting good quality ECG traces.
Chondrosesamoidean ligament enthesopathy: Prevalence and findings in a population of lame horses imaged with positron emission tomography
Authors: Norvall Amy , Spriet Mathieu , Espinosa Pablo , Ariño‐Estrada Gerard , Murphy Brian G. , Katzman Scott A. , Galuppo Larry D.
Published: June 2020

Background

Increased 18F‐Sodium Fluoride (18F‐NaF) uptake at the chondrosesamoidean ligament (ChSL) attachment on the distal phalanx was identified in an exploratory positron emission tomography (PET) study. The prevalence and significance of this lesion has not been previously investigated.

Objectives

The goal of this study was to assess the prevalence of this lesion, its association with other imaging findings and with clinical signs.

Study design

Retrospective cross‐sectional analytical study.

Methods

All horses with 18F‐NaF PET and computed tomography (CT) imaging of the feet performed between October 2016 and December 2017 were included in the study. All PET scans were independently assessed by two radiologists for increased uptake at the ChSL attachment site and concurrent imaging was reviewed. Clinical findings, treatment and outcome were retrieved from the medical records.

Results

Fourteen of 30 horses (20/56 feet) had increased 18F‐NaF uptake in the region of interest. ChSL enthesopathy was the primary lesion in three horses. Other PET abnormalities included navicular bone uptake (13 feet) and ipsilateral palmar process uptake (9 feet). There was no significant association between ChSL enthesopathy and other lesions. ChSL enthesopathy was significantly associated with foot lameness. CT abnormalities at the ChSL attachment were initially identified in one foot, and retrospectively noted in another five following the results of PET imaging.

Main limitations

The study is retrospective and there was a limited sample size.

Conclusions

PET led to identification of ChSL enthesopathy in a large proportion of horses with foot pain. This finding is most commonly associated with other lesions but may also represent the main abnormality. The axial border of the palmar processes of the distal phalanx should be carefully assessed on cross sectional imaging to identify this lesion. ChSL enthesopathy may be an important but previously not recognised component of foot pathology in horses.
Ceftriaxone‐associated biliary pseudolithiasis in children: do we know enough?
Authors: Cuzzolin Laura , Oggiano Anna Maria , Clemente Maria Grazia , Locci Cristian , Antonucci Luca , Antonucci Roberto
Published: June 2020

Ceftriaxone is an antibiotic agent frequently used in paediatric hospital practice for the treatment of severe bacterial infections. The use of this agent can result in cholelithiasis and/or biliary sludge, more commonly in children than in adults. This systematic review was aimed at analysing available literature concerning ceftriaxone‐associated biliary pseudolithiasis in paediatric patients, with a special emphasis on the clinical aspects. A literature analysis was performed using Medline and Embase electronic databases (articles published in English up to December 2019), with the search terms and combinations as follows:’ceftriaxone’, ‘cholelithiasis’, ‘biliary sludge’ ‘gallstones’ ‘neonates’ ‘children’ ‘clinical aspects’ ‘management’. Several case reports, case series and prospective/retrospective studies have documented a relationship between ceftriaxone treatment and biliary pseudolithiasis in the paediatric population, even though literature data regarding neonates and infants are scarce. Ceftriaxone‐associated biliary pseudolithiasis is dose‐dependent and usually asymptomatic but, sometimes, it may present with abdominal pain, nausea and emesis. Abdominal ultrasonography should be performed when this complication is suspected. Generally, ceftriaxone‐associated cholelithiasis resolves over a variable period of time (days to months) after cessation of therapy. Therefore, a conservative approach to this condition is advocated, but a prolonged follow‐up may be necessary. A personalized assessment of factors predisposing to ceftriaxone‐associated biliary pseudolithiasis before prescribing the drug can allow to minimize the risk of developing it, with significant advantages in terms of human and economic costs.
Effects of lingual exercises on oral muscle strength and salivary flow rate in elderly adults: a randomized clinical trial
Authors: Lee Kyeong‐Hee , Jung Eun‐Seo , Choi Yoon‐Young
Published: June 2020

Aim

The present study investigated the effects of two types of lingual exercise (tongue‐hold swallowing and tongue‐pressure resistance training) on oral muscle strength, salivary flow rate and subjective oral health of the elderly.

Methods

We randomly assigned 74 elderly adults (≥65 years) to three groups (tongue‐hold swallowing, tongue‐pressure resistance training and control groups). Each group participated in 8 weeks of their appropriately prescribed intervention. We measured anterior tongue strength, posterior tongue strength, lip strength, salivary flow rate and Oral Health Impact Profile‐14 score before and after 8 weeks. Differences before and after intervention were observed with a paired sample t‐test. Moreover, analyses of covariance and variance were performed to determine the differences in the measured values between the groups.

Results

The tongue‐hold swallowing group showed improvement in both anterior and posterior tongue strength, while the tongue‐pressure resistance training group showed a significant increase in only anterior tongue strength. Both the tongue‐hold swallowing and tongue‐pressure resistance training groups showed increased salivary secretion, with the tongue‐pressure resistance training group showing a higher level of salivary secretion. However, the difference in the subjective oral health scores before and after the intervention was not significant.

Conclusions

The two lingual exercises strengthened some aspects of tongue muscles and increased the salivary flow rate, with more salivary secretion in the tongue‐pressure resistance training group than in the tongue‐hold swallowing group. Any evidence of the lingual exercises being able to enhance subjective oral health could not be found. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2020; ••: ••–••.
Chronic Migraine With Apparent Loss of Response to Onabotulinum Toxin Type A Due to Local Nitroglycerin Treatment for an Anal Fissure: A Case Report
Authors: Pérez‐Pereda Sara , González‐Quintanilla Vicente , Madera Jorge , Pascual Julio
Published: June 2020

Many patients with chronic migraine are difficult to treat. We present a patient with chronic migraine with good response to onabotulinum toxin type A whose headaches worsened in clear temporal relationship to local treatment with glyceryl trinitrate for an anal fissure. Our case shows that the use, even at distance, of nitric oxide donors can be a precipitating factor for migraineurs and should be always inquired in chronic migraine patients. In addition, the presence of frequent headaches should always be ruled out before prescribing such medications.
The bioengineering theory of the key modes of action of a cyanoacrylate liquid skin protectant
Authors: Gefen Amit
Published: June 2020

The objective of this article is to formulate a new bioengineering theoretical framework for modelling the biomechanical efficacy of cyanoacrylate skin protectants, with specific focus on the Marathon technology (Medline Industries, Inc., Northfield, Illinois) and its modes of action. This work details the bioengineering and mathematical formulations of the theory, which is based on the classic engineering theories of flexural stiffness of coated elements and deformation friction. Based on the relevant skin anatomy and physiology, this paper demonstrates: (a) the contribution of the polymerised cyanoacrylate coating to flexural skin stiffness, which facilitates protection from non‐axial (eg, compressive) localised mechanical forces; and (b) the contribution of the aforementioned coating to reduction in frictional forces and surface shear stresses applied by contacting objects such as medical devices. The present theoretical framework establishes that application of the cyanoacrylate coating provides considerable biomechanical protection to skin and subdermally, by shielding skin from both compressive and frictional (shearing) forces. Moreover, these analyses indicate that the prophylactic effects of the studied cyanoacrylate coating become particularly strong where the skin is thin or fragile (typically less than ~0.7 mm thick), which is characteristic to old age, post‐neural injuries, neuromuscular diseases, and in disuse‐induced tissue atrophy conditions.
Synthesis of high‐surface area mesoporous SiC with hierarchical porosity for use as catalyst support
Authors: Ortega‐Trigueros Adrian , Narciso Javier , Caccia Mario
Published: June 2020

Porous SiC with a hierarchical mesoporous structure is a promising material for high‐performance catalytic systems because of its high thermal conductivity, high chemical inertness at high temperature, and oxidation resistance. Attempts to produce high‐surface area hierarchical SiC have typically been made by using porous carbon as a template and reacting it with either Si or SiO2 at high temperature under inert atmosphere. Because the reaction mechanism with Si involves a carbon dissolution step, and the reaction with SiO2 is highly dependent on C‐SiO2 dispersion, the porous structure of the carbon template is not maintained, and the reaction yields nonporous SiC. In this work, mesoporous SiC has been synthesized using a novel hard‐template methodology. SiC was prepared from hierarchical (mesoporous) silica which served as a solid template. Carbon deposition was done by Carbon Vapor Deposition (CVD) using CH4 as carbon precursor, where different temperatures and reaction times were tested to optimize the carbon coating. The synthesized SiC retained 61 (118 m2/g) and 47% (0.3 cm3/g) of the BET surface area and the mesopore volume of the original SiO2, which is 10 times higher than the retention reported for other template methods used to produce high surface area SiC.