bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
New public sector management (NPM) doctrines and service delivery: the case of Mauritius
Authors: Lukea Bhiwajee Soolakshna
Published: December 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate into the perception of new public sector management (NPM) and service delivery among senior officers of the Mauritian public sector in the context of reforms. Although improved service delivery is one of the salient outcomes of successful reforms of NPM, many governments in the world have not been able to fulfil this promise. While few extant research probe into the factors affecting service delivery, mostly from the customer’s perspective, this study probes into how senior public officers themselves perceive service delivery as part of their duty in government.

Design/methodology/approach

The qualitative stance was adopted for this study. Interviews were conducted with 23 senior public officers having on average 20 years of service in the Mauritian public sector. Data obtained was transcribed and coded under themes, sub-themes and emergent themes. These were then analysed in the light of the literature review conducted.

Findings

The findings of this study revealed that NPM was being practiced and service delivery was an imbedded factor among senior public sector officers of the Mauritian public sector. Among other factors, officers interviewed were of the opinion that serving the public was a legitimate part of their job, view that they had agreed to serve the government of Mauritius. Such a finding proves to be very encouraging for the Mauritian Government, still struggling to achieve reforms or NPM doctrines.

Research limitations/implications

This study contributes to the scant literature on NPM and service delivery in small island developing states. It explores the perception of experienced senior officers about the practice of NPM and the state of service delivery.

Practical implications

This study elucidates how senior public servants themselves perceive service delivery and can, thus, serve as an example of public sector best practices in small island developing states.

Originality/value

While most studies with respect to public sector reforms concentrate on developed countries, this study takes place in the small island state of Mauritius. More so, the perception of public servants themselves have been explored in the context of service delivery improvement and reforms, contrary to other studies which concentrate of the customers’ perceptions.
Tourist behaviour change for sustainable consumption (SDG Goal12): Tourism Agenda 2030 perspective article
Authors: Dolnicar Sara
Published: December 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this perspective paper is to draw attention to how the tourism industry can take action to contribute to United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 12 by nudging tourists to behave in more environmentally sustainable ways. Many of the available practical approaches are easy and cheap to implement and therefore can be deployed easily by small and medium-sized tourism businesses.

Design/methodology/approach

This perspective paper reviews past contributions to United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 12 and calls for more future research that develops and empirically test effective behavioural change interventions.

Findings

Future research must focus on two directions: the development and empirical testing in the field of new behavioural change interventions that entice tourists to behave in more environmentally sustainable ways, and the development and large-scale deployment of affordable instrumentation to automatically and continuously measure the environmental performance of tourism businesses.

Originality/value

This perspective paper synthesizes literature and point to important new future research directions. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first synthesis of past tourism research that has developed and empirically tested tangible approaches the tourism industry can deploy to contribute to SGD 12.
Electric discharge drilling of blind holes in titanium alloy Ti6Al4V
Authors: Kumar Ravinder , Sharma Sahendra Pal
Published: December 2022

Purpose

This experimental study aims to deal with the improvement of process performance of electric discharge drilling (EDD) for fabricating true blind holes in titanium alloy Ti6Al4V. Micro EDD was performed on Ti6Al4V and blind holes were drilled into the workpiece.

Design/methodology/approach

The effects of input parameters (i.e. voltage, capacitance and spindle speed) on responses (i.e. material removal rate, tool wear rate and surface roughness [SR]) were evaluated through response surface methodology. The data was analyzed using analysis of variance and multi-optimization was performed for the optimized set of parameters. The optimized process parameters were then used to drill deeper blind holes.

Findings

Blind holes have few characteristics such as SR, taper angle and corner radius. The value of corner radius reflects the quality of the hole produced as well as the amount of tool roundness. The optimized process parameters suggested by the current experimental study lower down the response values (i.e. SR, taper angle and corner radius). The process is found very effective in producing finished blind holes.

Originality/value

This experimental study establishes EDD as a feasible process for the fabrication of truly blind holes in Ti6Al4V.
Development of an improved limit pressure equation for structurally distorted thin-walled pressurized 90 degree pipe bends
Authors: T. Raghuraman , AR. Veerappan , S. Shanmugam
Published: December 2022

Purpose

This paper aims to present the approximate limit pressure solutions for thin-walled shape-imperfect 90° pipe bends. Limit pressure was determined by finite element (FE) limit analysis with the consideration of small geometry change effects.

Design/methodology/approach

The limit pressure of 90° pipe bends with ovality and thinning has been evaluated by geometric linear FE approach. Internal pressure was applied to the inner surface of the FE pipe bend models. When von-Mises stress equals or just exceeds the yield strength of the material, the corresponding pressure was considered as the limit pressure for all models. The current FE methodology was evaluated by the theoretical solution which has been published in the literature.

Findings

Ovality and thinning produced a significant effect on thin-walled pipe bends. The ovality weakened pipe bend performance at any constant thinning, while thinning improved the performance of the bend portion at any constant ovality. The limit pressure of pipe bends under internal pressure increased with an increase in the bend ratio and decreased with an increase in the pipe ratio. With a simultaneous increment in bend radius and reduction in wall thickness, there was a reduction in limit pressure. A new closed-form empirical solution was proposed to evaluate limit pressure, which was validated with published experimental data.

Originality/value

The influences of structural deformation (ovality and thinning) in the limit pressure analysis of 90° pipe bends have not been investigated and reported.
Phosphate limitation as crucial factor to enhance yeast lipid production from short‐chain fatty acids
Authors: Morales‐Palomo Sergio , Tomás‐Pejó Elia , González‐Fernández Cristina
Published: December 2022

Microbial lipids for chemical synthesis are commonly obtained from sugar‐based substrates which in most cases is not economically viable. As a low‐cost carbon source, short‐chain fatty acids (SCFAs) that can be obtained from food wastes offer an interesting alternative for achieving an affordable lipid production process. In this study, SCFAs were employed to accumulate lipids using Yarrowia lipolytica ACA DC 50109. For this purpose, different amounts of SCFAs, sulfate, phosphate and carbon: phosphate ratios were used in both synthetic and real SCFAs‐rich media. Although sulfate limitation did not increase lipid accumulation, phosphate limitation was proved to be an optimal strategy for increasing lipid content and lipid yields in both synthetic and real media, reaching a lipid productivity up to 8.95 g/L h. Remarkably, the highest lipid yield (0.30 g/g) was achieved under phosphate absence condition (0 g/L). This fact demonstrated the suitability of using low‐phosphate concentrations to boost lipid production from SCFAs.
Bioimpedance as a measure of fluids in patients with septic shock. A prospective observational study
Authors: Madsen Janne Meisner , Itenov Theis S. , Koch Ellen Bjerre , Bestle Morten H.
Published: December 2022

Background

Septic shock is often treated with aggressive fluid resuscitation leading to profound fluid overload. The assessment of fluid status relies on suboptimal measures making treatment difficult. Bioelectrical impedance analysis is an alternative but the validity is unclear. The aim of this study was to determine the validity of bioelectrical impedance analysis for fluid measures in patients with septic shock.

Methods

Single‐center, prospective observational cohort study. We included adult ICU patients with septic shock. We evaluated the agreement between measures on the left and right side of the patient and measures 1 h apart by two bioelectrical impedance devices. Results are presented as Bland Altman plots with 95% Limits of Agreements (LoA) and as correlations between bioelectrical impedance analysis results and clinical markers of fluids.

Results

Forty‐nine patients were included. The agreement between measures on the left and the right side of the patient and after 1 h was overall without bias, but with wide LoA's. Fluid overload 1 h apart showed the most narrow 95% LoA (−2.4–2.9 L). The same wide limits of agreements were observed when comparing devices. For example, total body water with 95% LoA of −14.8 –16.7 L. Correlations between bioelectrical impedance analysis and clinical measures were low but statistically significant.

Conclusions

In patients with septic shock bioelectrical impedance analysis had no systematic errors or bias, but wide limits of agreement, indicating that the devices have a large and uncorrectable random error. Fluid status by bioelectrical impedance analysis is not sufficiently accurate to guide treatment in this group of patients.
Intensive care unit burden is associated with increased mortality in critically ill COVID‐19 patients
Authors: Didriksson Ingrid , Leffler Märta , Spångfors Martin , Lindberg Sarah , Reepalu Anton , Nilsson Anna , Cronqvist Jonas , Andertun Sara , Nelderup Maria , Jungner Mårten , Johnsson Patrik , Lilja Gisela , Frigyesi Attila , Friberg Hans
Published: December 2022

Background

Traditional models to predict intensive care outcomes do not perform well in COVID‐19. We undertook a comprehensive study of factors affecting mortality and functional outcome after severe COVID‐19.

Methods

In this prospective multicentre cohort study, we enrolled laboratory‐confirmed, critically ill COVID‐19 patients at six ICUs in the Skåne Region, Sweden, between May 11, 2020, and May 10, 2021. Demographics and clinical data were collected. ICU burden was defined as the total number of ICU‐treated COVID‐19 patients in the region on admission. Surviving patients had a follow‐up at 90 days for assessment of functional outcome using the Glasgow Outcome Scale‐Extended (GOSE), an ordinal scale (1–8) with GOSE ≥5 representing a favourable outcome. The primary outcome was 90‐day mortality; the secondary outcome was functional outcome at 90 days.

Results

Among 498 included patients, 74% were male with a median age of 66 years and a median body mass index (BMI) of 30 kg/m2. Invasive mechanical ventilation was employed in 72%. Mortality in the ICU, in‐hospital and at 90 days was 30%, 38% and 39%, respectively. Mortality increased markedly at age 60 and older. Increasing ICU burden was independently associated with a two‐fold increase in mortality. Higher BMI was not associated with increased mortality. Besides age and ICU burden, smoking status, cortisone use, PaCO2 >7 kPa, and inflammatory markers on admission were independent factors of 90‐day mortality. Lower GOSE at 90 days was associated with a longer stay in the ICU.

Conclusion

In critically ill COVID‐19 patients, the 90‐day mortality was 39% and increased considerably at age 60 or older. The ICU burden was associated with mortality, whereas a high BMI was not. A longer stay in the ICU was associated with unfavourable functional outcomes at 90 days.
CEO incentive compensation and stock price momentum
Authors: Wang Jian , Huang Yanhuang , Feng Hongrui , Li Xingjian , Yan Shu
Published: December 2022

We document strong evidence that CEO incentive compensation can predict the significance of stock price momentum through discretionary accrual and real activities manipulation. The profit of momentum strategy increases with CEO pay‐for‐performance incentive, but decreases with CEO risk‐taking incentive. It also evaluates the effects of information uncertainty on such relationship. The evidence is more significant for firms with older and longer tenured CEOs and firms with more informed traders. The relationship between the profit of momentum strategy and CEO pay‐for‐performance incentive is stronger among CEOs without the risk‐taking incentive. Our results are robust for different sub‐samples based on before and after Reg FD and Sarbanes–Oxley Act, even after controlling for the potential endogeneity. Further, our findings are consistent with the information diffusion explanation of momentum and the agency theory that incentivised CEOs tend to manipulate information by smoothing good news, concealing mildly bad news and accelerating the disclosure of extremely bad news.
Exposure to Campaign and Partisan Voting: The Moderating Roles of Voters' Political Predispositions
Authors: Jiang Liang
Published: December 2022

How do partisan citizens respond to campaign information and make voting decisions? We theorise that the association between exposure to campaign information and partisan voting is moderated by citizens' political predispositions — strength of partisanship, political sophistication, and election interest. To test our expectations, we used Australian Election Studies data from 2013, 2016, and 2019. We found that partisans who are exposed to campaign information tend to follow their party preference when strength of partisanship is high. For political sophistication, we found that the influence of campaign information on partisan voting is not conditional on sophistication. For election interest, we found a moderating effect of election interest whereby partisan individuals who encountered campaign information were more inclined to choose their own party when interest was low and more inclined to support their opposing party when interest was high.
Outcomes of early versus delayed trabeculotomy for primary congenital glaucoma
Authors: Cronemberger Sebastião , Veloso Artur W. , Lins Pedro , Melo Ana Catarina , da Silva Alexandre Higino Gonçalves , de Figueiredo Barbosa Luciana , Martins Márcio Placedino
Published: December 2022

Purpose

In patients with primary congenital glaucoma (PCG), elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) causes abnormal eye growth. This study compared the outcomes of children with PCG who underwent ab externo trabeculotomy (TROC) at age ≤ 6 months (early TROC) and of those who underwent TROC at age > 6 months (delayed TROC).

Methods

Intraocular pressure, horizontal corneal diameter (HCD), central corneal thickness (CCT) and axial length (AL) were compared before TROC and at 1‐, 3‐, 6‐ and 12‐month follow‐up visits between the groups of children who underwent TROC until or after 6 months of age. The ALs of these groups were also compared with the ALs of healthy age‐matched eyes examined under the same conditions.

Results

Trabeculotomy was performed in 43 children: 18 (33 eyes) aged 6 months (group 1) and 25 (37 eyes) aged >6 months (group 2); the mean ages were 86.56 ± 53.64 and 504.48 ± 448.14 days, respectively. The mean pre‐ and 12‐month postoperative IOP values were 15.97 ± 4.78/16.62 ± 4.85 and 9.77 ± 2.88/10.93 ± 4.83 mmHg, respectively. Delayed TROC was associated with abnormal AL in 31 (88.6%) out of 37 eyes, while after early TROC, only 13 (41.9%) out of 33 eyes had abnormal AL (chi‐square, 8.00; p = 0.03). In multivariable analysis, each 1‐mmHg increase in preoperative IOP was associated with a 0.25‐mmHg increase at 12 months (p = 0.04). On average, the mean IOP of the delayed TROC group was higher than that of the early TROC group by 3.72 mmHg at postoperative month 12 (95% CI = 0.44–6.99; p = 0.02).

Conclusion

Compared with delayed TROC, early TROC is associated with reduced IOP and substantially reduced incidence of abnormal AL at postoperative month 12.
In‐hospital supplementation and subsequent breastfeeding practices in Finland: A cross‐sectional population‐level study
Authors: Ikonen Riikka , Kaunonen Marja , Hakulinen Tuovi
Published: December 2022

Background

The Baby‐Friendly Hospital Initiative suggests that in‐hospital supplementation should be avoided unless medically indicated. The supporting evidence is contradictory, as nonexperimental studies have shown an association between supplementation and decreased breastfeeding rates, whereas trials have failed to do so. The aim of this study was to investigate whether in‐hospital supplementation is associated with exclusive breastfeeding to the age of 5 months and any breastfeeding to the age of 12 months in full‐term, normal‐weight singleton infants.

Methods

This is a secondary analysis of national‐level, cross‐sectional survey data. The data were collected in child health clinics in Finland. Families attending a regular health examination with a child aged 2 weeks to 12 months were eligible to participate. Full‐term, normal‐weight, singleton infants (n = 3025) were included in this study. Multivariate logistic regression was performed using in‐hospital supplementation and socioeconomic characteristics as covariates and exclusive and any breastfeeding as outcomes.

Results

In total, 55.3% (n = 1631) of the infants received in‐hospital supplementation. After controlling for socioeconomic factors, in‐hospital supplementation was associated with decreased exclusive breastfeeding to the age of 5 months and with a decrease in any breastfeeding to the age of 7 months.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that noncontrolled supplementation, without a trial's rigorous procedures of care, is associated with decreased breastfeeding postdischarge. Both donor milk and infant formula use were associated with lower breastfeeding rates, although the association was stronger with formula use. In clinical settings, liberal, nonmedically indicated supplementation should be avoided.
Genetically predicted selenium concentrations and thyroid function: A two‐sample Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Huang Hui‐Jun , Wang Shan‐Shan , Jin Ming‐Min , Cheng Bin‐Wei , Liu Yu , Liu Xiao‐Chen , Yu Qiu‐Yan , Yang Xin‐Jun
Published: December 2022

Objective

The impact of selenium (Se) on human thyroid function remains unclear, with inconsistent results from recent epidemiological studies. Moreover, the observed associations are prone to bias due to potential confounding and reverse causation. Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis facilitates the large minimization of biases produced by environmental and lifestyle influences, providing unconfounded estimates of causal effects using instrumental variables. We aim to examine the association between Se concentrations and human thyroid function using a two‐sample MR analysis.

Design and Methods

Genetic instruments for Se concentrations, including toenail and blood (TAB) and blood Se concentrations, were identified from a genome‐wide association study (GWAS) of blood Se (n = 5477) and toenail Se levels (n = 4162). GWAS summary statistics on thyroid phenotypes were downloaded from the ThyroidOmics consortium, including thyroid‐stimulating hormone (TSH) (n = 54,288), free thyroxin (FT4) (n = 49,269), hypo (n = 53,423), and hyperthyroidism (n = 51,823). The MR study was conducted using the inverse‐variance weighted (IVW) method, supplemented with the weighted median and the mode‐based method.

Results

Genetically determined TAB Se was negatively associated with FT4 (β = −.067; 95% confidence interval [CI] = −0.106, −0.028; p = 0.001) using the IVW analyses, as well in the additional analyses using the weighted median and weighted‐mode methods. No evidence in heterogeneity, pleiotropy or outlier single‐nucleotide polymorphisms was detected (all p > 0.05). Suggestive casual association between increased genetically determined TAB Se concentrations and decreased hypothyroidism risk was found by the IVW method (odds ratio [OR] = 0.847; 95% CI = 0.728, 0.985; p = 0.031). The causal effect of TAB Se on FT4 was observed in women (β = −.076; 95% CI = −0.129, −0.024; p = 0.004). However, the influence of genetically determined higher Se concentrations on TSH levels and hyperthyroidism revealed insignificance in the primary and sensitivity analyses.

Conclusions

The present MR study indicated that high Se concentration enable the decreasing of FT4 levels, and the effects of Se concentrations on FT4 remain sex‐specific.
Adolescent trajectories in situations of adversity: A mixed‐method approach to understanding educational and leadership outcomes
Authors: García Sandra , Maldonado Darío , Ritterbusch Amy , Llanes Lucas Marín , Simbaqueba Melissa Arena Lucía , Cuartas Jorge
Published: December 2022

The context in which youths grow up influences the lives they are capable of living. Using a mixed‐methods approach, this study analyses the risk and promotive factors associated with educational and leadership outcomes in Colombian youth. Results suggest that poverty and inadequate social services are key obstacles to the attainment of positive school and leadership outcomes, while parental involvement is among the most important promotive factors associated with such outcomes. Our qualitative findings show that teachers' and peers' motivational support promotes adolescents' positive leadership and educational trajectories, as does educational institution and teacher quality.
Efficacy and safety of endoscopic septoplasty for treating nasal septal deviations compared with conventional septoplasty: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Kim Do Hyun , Kim Sung Won , Hwang Se Hwan
Published: December 2022

Objectives

We assessed the effects and safety of endoscopic septoplasty in patients with nasal septal deviations (NSD), compared with those of conventional septoplasty.

Design and Setting

Systematic review and meta‐analysis.

Participants

Patients who have undergone various endoscopic septoplasty procedure, such as hemitransfixion incision, incision at the deviated site and Killian incision, and conventional septoplasty.

Main Outcome Measures

Six databases were searched up to April 2022. We analysed studies comparing improvements in NSD‐related symptoms and post‐operative complications between endoscopic septoplasty and control (conventional septoplasty) groups.

Results

A total of 38 articles with 2733 individuals were included. There were no significant differences in operative time (−0.4354, 95% confidence interval [CI: −1.1670; 0.2962]) or intra‐operative bleeding (−1.3011 [−2.8003; 0.1981]) between the two groups. In the endoscopic septoplasty group, the change in nasal obstruction symptom evaluation score (9.5143 [5.4613; 13.5674] was statistically higher and the incidence of mucosal tearing (0.2766 [0.1889; 0.4049]) was lower. The incidences of full relief from symptoms such as headache (2.1996 [1.6896; 2.8634]), hyposmia (4.4468 [2.6806; 7.3767]), nasal obstruction (5.9871 [4.3292; 8.2800]), post‐nasal drip (4.7241 [3.4086; 6.5472]) and snoring (2.9980 [1.2622; 7.1211]) were significantly higher in the endoscopic septoplasty group. In terms of post‐operative endoscopic findings, epistaxis (0.3043 [0.1969; 0.4703]), hematoma (0.2022 [0.0785; 0.5213]), nasal obstruction 0.3373 [0.1334; 0.8527]), residual posterior septal deviation (0.1562 [0.0921; 0.2650]), septal perforation (0.2286 [0.1069; 0.4889]), residual spur (0.1294 [0.0602; 0.2780]) and synechia (0.2537 [0.1849; 0.3483]) were significantly less common in the endoscopic septoplasty group.

Conclusion

Endoscopic septoplasty better relieved NSD‐related symptoms and reduced surgery‐related complications compared to conventional septoplasty.
Bone marrow stromal cell‐derived exosomal circular RNA improves diabetic foot ulcer wound healing by activating the nuclear factor erythroid 2‐related factor 2 pathway and inhibiting ferroptosis
Authors: Chen Juehao , Li Xi , Liu Hua , Zhong Da , Yin Ke , Li Yusheng , Zhu Lemei , Xu Can , Li Mingqing , Wang Chenggong
Published: December 2022

Background

Diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) remains a serious chronic diabetic complication that can lead to disability. CircRNA‐itchy E3 ubiquitin protein ligase (circ‐ITCH) was observed to be down‐regulated in diabetic retinopathy and diabetic nephropathy, and overexpression of circ‐ITCH could inhibit the processes of these diseases. However, the detailed physiological and pathological functions of circ‐ITCH in wound healing of DFU remain undetermined.

Methods

Exosomes derived from bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) were isolated and identified. Cell viability and angiogenesis of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were evaluated by cell counting kit‐8 (CCK‐8) and tube formation assays, respectively. The interplays of circ‐ITCH, TATA‐Box‐binding protein associated factor 15 (TAF15) and nuclear factor erythroid 2‐related factor 2 (Nrf2) mRNA were analysed by RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP), fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) combined immunofluorescent staining and RNA pull‐down assays. qRT‐PCR, western blot or immunohistochemistry (IHC) were used to measure the expression of circ‐ITCH, TAF15, Nrf2, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGFR) and ferroptosis‐related makers. The mice DFU model was established to verify the in vitro results.

Results

Circ‐ITCH was down‐regulated in in vitro and in vivo models of DFU. Deferoxamine (DFO), an iron chelating agent, improved the viability and angiogenic ability of high glucose (HG)‐treated HUVECs. Overexpression of circ‐ITCH or co‐cultured with exosomal circ‐ITCH from BMSCs could alleviate HG‐induced ferroptosis and improve the angiogenesis ability of HUVECs. Circ‐ITCH in HUVECs recruited TAF15 protein to stabilize Nrf2 mRNA, thus activating the Nrf2 signalling pathway and suppressing ferroptosis. Exosomal circ‐ITCH from BMSCs also accelerated the wound healing process by inhibiting ferroptosis in the DFU mice in a time‐dependent manner.

Conclusion

Exosomal circ‐ITCH from BMSCs inhibited ferroptosis and improved the angiogenesis of HUVECs through activation of the Nrf2 signalling pathway by recruiting TAF15 protein, ultimately accelerating the wound healing process in DFU.
Traumatic brain injury, stroke, and epilepsy: A mediation study in a Danish nationwide cohort
Authors: Lolk Kasper , Lange Theis , Elwert Felix , Dreier Julie W. , Christensen Jakob
Published: December 2022

Objective

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) and stroke are well‐known causes of acquired epilepsy. TBI is also a risk factor for stroke, and injury‐induced stroke may indirectly convey a proportion of the epilepsy risk following TBI. We studied the extent to which the effect of TBI on epilepsy operated through intermediary stroke.

Methods

We analyzed a nationwide, matched, register‐based cohort of adults 40 years of age whose first TBI at Danish hospitals was recorded between 2004 and 2016. A matched reference population was sampled for comparison. During follow‐up, we recorded all acute strokes. Cox proportional hazard models and the difference method were used to estimate the total and controlled direct effect hazard ratios (HRs) of TBI on epilepsy and the indirect effect HRs of TBI on epilepsy operating through stroke, and to calculate the proportion eliminated. Analyses were stratified by severity of, age at, and time since TBI.

Results

We followed 57 900 persons with TBI (48.6% males) from median age 61 years (interquartile range = 51–75), and 561 977 age‐ and sex‐matched references. The total effect of TBI on epilepsy was higher for persons aged 40–59 years (HR = 5.15, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 4.65–5.72) than for persons aged 60 years (HR = 4.55, 95% CI = 4.19–4.95). In contrast, the indirect effect of TBI mediated by stroke was lower for persons aged 40–59 years (HR = 1.02, 95% CI = 1.02–1.03) than for persons aged 60 years (HR = 1.05, 95% CI = 1.04–1.06). We estimated 2.3% and 5.6% of the risk of epilepsy after TBI to operate through stroke for these age groups, respectively.

Significance

Less than 6% of the risk of epilepsy following TBI operated through intermediary stroke. However, this mechanism seems to play an increasing role with age and for late onset epilepsies. This warrants further investigation.
First report of Saissetia miranda (Cockerell & Parrott) (Hemiptera: Coccidae) in Tunisia: occurrence on fig trees
Authors: Ben Halima Kamel Monia , Zouari Sana , Ercan Cansu , Kaydan Bora Mehmet
Published: December 2022

Saissetia miranda (Cockerell & Parrott) (Hemiptera: Coccidae) was identified for the first time in Tunisia, in the region of Akouda (Sousse, coastal area of Tunisia) on Ficus carica L. (Moraceae) during a survey in July and August 2020 and 2021. The infestation was observed on leaves, shoots and also on the stems and branches of fig trees. This is the first record of S. miranda in Tunisia and the first record of this pest in North Africa. Two other scale insects, Ceroplastes rusci L. (Hemiptera: Coccidae) and Planococcus ficus Signoret (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae), were also recorded during this survey.
Heart rate variability during high‐speed treadmill exercise and recovery in Thoroughbred racehorses presented for poor performance
Authors: Hammond Anna , Sage William , Hezzell Melanie , Smith Sarah , Franklin Samantha , Allen Kate
Published: December 2022

Background

Heart rate variability (HRV) analysis measures the inter‐beat interval variation of successive cardiac cycles. Measurement of these indices has been used to assess cardiac autonomic modulation and for arrhythmia identification in exercising horses.

Objectives

To report HRV indices during submaximal exercise, strenuous exercise and recovery, and explore relationships with clinical conditions (arrhythmias, lameness, equine gastric ulcer syndrome [EGUS], lower airway inflammation and upper respiratory tract obstructions [URTOs]) in Thoroughbred racehorses.

Study design

Retrospective, observational cross‐sectional study.

Methods

One hundred and eighty Thoroughbred horses underwent a treadmill exercise test with simultaneous electrocardiographic recording. Time‐domain HRV indices (standard deviation of the R–R interval [SDRR]; root mean square of successive differences [RMSSD]) were derived for submaximal and strenuous exercise and recovery segments. Clinical conditions (arrhythmia [during each phase of exercise], lameness, EGUS, lower airway inflammation and URTO) were assigned to binary categories for statistical analysis. Relationships between selected HRV indices and the clinical conditions were explored using linear regression models.

Results

During submaximal exercise, lameness was associated with decreased logRMSSD (B = −0.19 95% confidence interval [CI] −0.31 to −0.06, p = 0.006) and arrhythmia was associated with increased logRMSSD (B = 0.31 95% CI 0.01–0.608, p = 0.04). During strenuous exercise, arrhythmia was associated with increased HRV indices (logSDRR B = 0.51 95% CI 0.40–0.62, p < 0.001; RMSSD B = 0.60 95% CI 0.49–0.72, p < 0.001). During recovery, arrhythmia was associated with increased HRV indices (logSDRR B = 0.51 95% CI 0.40–0.62, p < 0.001, logRMSSD B = 0.60 95% CI 0.49–0.72, p < 0.001).

Main limitations

The main limitations of this retrospective study were that not every horse had the full range of clinical testing, therefore some horses may have had undetected abnormalities.

Conclusions

The presence of arrhythmia increased HRV in both phases of exercise and recovery. Lameness decreased HRV during submaximal exercise.
Validation of inertial measurement units to detect and predict horse behaviour while stabled
Authors: Anderson Katrina , Morrice‐West Ashleigh V. , Walmsley Elizabeth A. , Fisher Andrew D. , Whitton R. Chris , Hitchens Peta L.
Published: December 2022

Background

Musculoskeletal injuries are observed in Thoroughbred racehorses and may become catastrophic. Currently, there are limited methods for early detection of such injuries. Most injuries develop gradually due to accumulated damage, providing the opportunity for early detection. Horses experiencing pain or lameness may exhibit changes in behaviour so the development of an objective, real‐time system monitoring horse behaviour may enable detection of bone injuries before catastrophic failure.

Objectives

To determine whether intensive observational methods of assessing horse behaviour can be replaced by use of inertial measurement units (IMUs).

Study design

Validation study assessing IMU use against video observation.

Methods

Six hospitalised Thoroughbreds (algorithm training data) and 19 Thoroughbred racehorses in‐training (algorithm testing data) were equipped with an IMU placed on the lateral side of both forelimbs (left fore, LF; right fore, RF) and monitored in a stable for 4 h. An algorithm was developed to classify behaviour and then validated against video recordings.

Results

Standing was the most prevalent behaviour (LF 88.8%, 95% confidence interval [CI] 88.7–89.0; RF 88.5%, 95% CI 88.4–88.7). IMU classification of recumbent and standing activities showed excellent agreement (sensitivity) with video observation (>98%). This was followed by stepping (LF 89.4%, RF 85.5%) then weight‐shifting (LF 54.3%, RF 61.5%). Predictions from the algorithm showed misclassification of 2.5% (LF 5500/225 352, RF 5218/210 170). Excluding standing, misclassification was 6.8% (1705/25 158) and 7.5% (1812/24 077) for the left and right forelimbs, respectively, with pawing and weight‐shifting most frequently misclassified.

Main limitations

Increasing the number of horses and types of behaviours observed may improve predictions.

Conclusions

IMUs displayed a high sensitivity to movement on a small number of horses, and with further validation they have the potential to effectively monitor behaviour of racehorses in training. However, more sensitive methods may be needed to validate the classification of weight‐shifting behaviour. Future studies should evaluate the association between each behaviour and musculoskeletal injury.
Morphine in donkeys: Antinociceptive effect and preliminary pharmacokinetics
Authors: Maney Jill K. , Dzikiti Brighton T. , Escobar Andre , Knych Heather K. , Bennett Rachel C.
Published: December 2022

Background

Morphine is the prototypical μ‐opioid receptor agonist used to provide analgesia in veterinary species. Its effects are well‐described in horses but not donkeys.

Objectives

To determine the antinociceptive effects of two doses of morphine in donkeys. To describe preliminary pharmacokinetic parameters of morphine in donkeys.

Study design

In vivo experiment.

Methods

Eight adult castrated male donkeys were given intravenous (IV) 0.9% saline, morphine 0.1 mg/kg bwt (LDM), or morphine 0.5 mg/kg bwt (HDM) in a randomised order with a minimum 1‐week washout period. Mechanical nociceptive thresholds (MNTs) were determined by a blinded investigator pre‐injection and 15, 30, 45, 60, 90, 120, 150, 180, 210, 240, 300, and 360 min post‐injection. Venous blood samples were collected pre‐injection and 2, 5, 10, 15, 30, 45, 60, 90, and 120 min post‐injection. Data were analysed using Friedman's test with Dunn's post hoc test for multiple comparisons. Pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated for the HDM treatment.

Results

Baseline MNT was [median (interquartile range)] 8.9 (7.1–10.3) N and did not differ between treatments. Peak MNTs occurred at 60 min for both LDM (16.2 N) and HDM (25.0 N) treatments. MNTs after HDM treatment were higher than saline (p < 0.04) at 15, 60, 90, 120, 150, 180, 240, and 300 min post‐injection. MNTs after LDM treatment were higher than baseline (p < 0.05) at 45 and 60 min post‐injection. Terminal half‐life for HDM was (mean ± SD) 51.0 ± 10.7 min, the volume of distribution at steady‐state 2.07 ± 0.33 L/min and clearance 49.2 ± 4.16 ml * min/kg using noncompartmental analysis. The concentration of morphine‐3‐glucuronide (M3G) was higher than morphine‐6‐glucuronide (M6G) at all sampled time points.

Main limitations

Short duration of plasma sampling for pharmacokinetic analysis; lack of objective measure of gastrointestinal function.

Conclusions

The HDM treatment provided mechanical antinociception in donkeys with no significant adverse effects.
Nitrification, denitrification, and related functional genes under elevated CO2: A meta‐analysis in terrestrial ecosystems
Authors: Gineyts Robin , Niboyet Audrey
Published: December 2022

Global change may have profound effects on soil nitrogen (N) cycling that can induce positive feedback to climate change through increased nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions mediated by nitrification and denitrification. We conducted a meta‐analysis of the effects of elevated CO2 on nitrification and denitrification based on 879 observations from 58 publications and 46 independent elevated CO2 experiments in terrestrial ecosystems. We investigated the effects of elevated CO2 alone or combined with elevated temperature, increased precipitation, drought, and N addition. We assessed the response to elevated CO2 of gross and potential nitrification, potential denitrification, and abundances of related functional genes (archaeal amoA, bacterial amoA, nirK, nirS, and nosZ). Elevated CO2 increased potential nitrification (+28%) and the abundance of bacterial amoA functional gene (+62%) in cropland ecosystems. Elevated CO2 increased potential denitrification when combined with N addition and higher precipitation (+116%). Elevated CO2 also increased the abundance of nirK (+25%) and nirS (+27%) functional genes in terrestrial ecosystems and of nosZ (+32%) functional gene in cropland ecosystems. The increase in the abundance of nosZ under elevated CO2 was larger at elevated temperature and high N (+62%). Four out of 14 two‐way interactions tested between elevated CO2 and elevated temperature, elevated CO2 and increased precipitation, and elevated CO2 and N addition were marginally significant and mostly synergistic. The effects of elevated CO2 on potential nitrification and abundances of bacterial amoA and nirS functional genes increased with mean annual temperature and mean annual precipitation. Our meta‐analysis thus suggests that warming and increased precipitation in large areas of the world could reinforce positive responses of nitrification and denitrification to elevated CO2 and urges the need for more investigations in the tropical zone and on interactive effects among multiple global change factors, as we may largely underestimate the effects of global change on soil N2O emissions.
‘Marketization’ of higher education in Peru: Who attends private institutions and what are the perceived advantages (disadvantages)?
Authors: Thapa Amrit , Miranda Alejandra , Sánchez Alan , Behrman Jere R.
Published: December 2022

Debate continues on the effects of the global proliferation of private higher‐educational institutions, especially for‐profit institutions. We examine two related questions for Peru using mixed methods: Who attends private institutions and what are their perceived advantages/disadvantages? Longitudinal quantitative data suggest higher‐educational segmentation starting early in life, whereby young people from wealthier households attended private institutions and those from poorer households attended public ones. Interviews with teachers, students, and staff provide insights on perceived strengths and drawbacks of higher‐educational marketization and highlight the importance of family background in higher‐educational choices, governmental regulation, and close monitoring of higher‐educational quality.
Treatment of patients with coronavirus disease 2019 and cross‐infection in dental clinics in Korea
Authors: Lee Na‐Young , Kim Han‐Na
Published: December 2022

Objectives

The aim of the study was to investigate patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) who visited dental clinics for treatment and to analyse the occurrence of additional COVID‐19‐confirmed cases according to the type of dental treatment and use of personal protective equipment (PPE).

Methods

Interviews were conducted in November 2021 via telephone, and written questionnaires were administered to dental hygienists working at the 24 dental clinics selected for the study, visited by patients with COVID‐19. The survey focused on the visit date, the treatment received, whether or not the dental personnel wore PPE while treating the patient, and how the dental clinic and the public health centre with jurisdiction over the clinic responded after the patient's visit.

Results

Additional confirmed cases occurred in two of the 24 dental clinics included. In both cases, scaling was performed, dental personnel did not use a face shield, and patients with COVID‐19 were asymptomatic. In 14 of the 22 dental clinics where additional confirmed cases did not occur, the dental personnel did not use face shields, and in 10 clinics, the dental personnel wore dental masks but not a KF94 mask. Based on these findings, which were obtained before the advent of the omicron variant, COVID‐19 cross‐infection did not appear to be high in dental clinics.

Conclusion

The rate of COVID‐19 cross‐infection before the advent of the omicron variant appeared to be low in dental clinics in Korea. Therefore, patients have no reason to delay necessary dental treatment if dental personnel put effort into wearing PPE.
Co‐movement among oil, stock, bond, and housing markets: An analysis of U.S., Asian, and European economies
Authors: Yunus Nafeesa
Published: December 2022

This study explores the co‐movement among oil and the stock, bond, and housing markets of the U.S. and major developed countries across Europe and Asia. The results indicate that oil is long‐run integrated with each asset class, and that the extent of convergence has increased after the onset of the 2007–2009 global financial crisis (GFC). Moreover, oil contributes most heavily toward the common trends, implying that oil is the “leader” sector that drives each asset class toward long‐run equilibrium relationships. Short‐run analyses indicate that oil shocks induce a negative response in stock and housing returns and a positive reaction in bond returns, showing a tendency to become more intense and persistent after the GFC. When oil shocks are disentangled, the results indicate that supply and demand have heterogeneous effects on the three global asset classes. Over the long‐run, demand shocks make the most significant contribution to the common trends and “lead” the other asset classes, whereas supply shocks have either a negligible or a weaker impact. Over the short‐run, demand shocks positively impact the stock and housing markets and negatively impact bonds, while supply shocks induce negative and weaker impacts on all three asset classes.
Critical Expectation Gaps: Advancing Theorization of the Perceptual Approach in EU Foreign Policy Studies
Authors: Chaban Natalia , Elgström Ole
Published: December 2022

Advancing theorization of the perceptual approach to EU foreign policy, this study develops a new notion of critical expectation gaps, intended to reflect on the depth and intensity of the rapture between expectations/hopes and perceived performance of the EU. In our focus is the correlation between the degree of externally perceived ‘Otherness’ and the likelihood of EU external action to be considered effective, whereas the EU adapts (or not) to existing perception gaps (in this research, the expectation–performance and hope–performance gaps). We propose a novel conceptual apparatus to understand the gaps in terms of the locus of expectations and types of causal factors. Empirically, we engage with a 13‐country dataset of external perceptions of the EU amongst tertiary educated youth.
From the sea to the table: The environmental impact assessment of fishing, processing, and end‐of‐life of albacore in Cantabria
Authors: Fernández‐Ríos Ana , Ceballos‐Santos Sandra , Laso Jara , Campos Cristina , Cristóbal Jorge , Margallo María , Aldaco Rubén , Ruiz‐Salmón Israel
Published: December 2022

Cantabria, a small coastal region of Northern Spain, is one of the biggest producers of gourmet tuna cans in Europe. The fish capture in the Cantabrian Sea and the subsequent transformation in a local processing plant give distinction to this product, which is widely marketed in cans of 105 g of net weight. This work evaluates for the first time the environmental profile of the whole supply chain of this product, from fishing, processing, and waste valorization to inter‐stage transport and packaging management in the end‐of‐life. To this end, the life cycle assessment methodology was applied considering primary data from the stakeholders involved in the supply chain and analyzing the seven most studied categories in this sector. Results revealed that fishing and processing accounted for the majority of the environmental impacts, while valorization and end‐of‐life treatments only avoid less than 10% of the burdens. The most important findings are focused on the high dependence on fuel use, identified as a hotspot in most stages although low compared to other fisheries, and on the intensive use of resources, especially sunflower oil, which contributes more than 70% of the impact on the global warming potential of the processing. This current framework forces the enhancement of the efficiency of a sector that attempts to engage the challenge of societal sustainability, by identifying the critical points and guiding policy makers on the path to sustainable development.
Predators in the web of life: World ecology of historical human–wolf relations in Finland
Authors: Komi Sanna , Kröger Markus
Published: December 2022

To better understand current conflicts related to human–wolf interactions in Finland, this article undertakes a longue‐durée examination of societal structural transformations and how they have influenced ways of relating to nature in the country. Through a world‐ecological perspective, we weave together a historical review and results of ethnographic fieldwork to explain how and why human–wolf relations in Finland transformed from indifferent coexistence to purposeful eradication in the late 19th century and ultimately to contemporary contested protection. We argue that the nature‐making capacities of capitalist development are an integral part of the historical circumstances that led to the eradication of wolves, which was not only the result of animosity towards wolves but also fuelled by the interests of elite hunters. The resulting negative perceptions, coupled with changes in practices and landscapes during the wolf‐less era, are central in current contestations, illustrating the deep ideological, emotional, and practical nature relations that capitalism creates.