bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Enhancing AW/EP tribological characteristics of biolubricant synthesized from chemically modified cotton methyl-esters by using nanoparticle as additives
Authors: Gul Mustabshirha , Kalam Md. Abul , Mohd Zulkifli Nurin Wahidah , Hj. Hassan Masjuki , Abbas Md. Mujtaba , Yousuf Sumra , Al-Dahiree Omar Sabah , Gaffar Abbas Md. Kamaleldin , Ahmed Waqar , Imran Shahab
Published: December 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to improve the tribological characteristics of cotton-biolubricant by adding nanoparticles at extreme pressure (EP) conditions in comparison with commercial lubricant SAE-40.

Design/methodology/approach

This research involved the synthesis of cotton-biolubricant by transesterification process and then the addition of nanoparticles in it to improve anti wear (AW)/EP tribological behavior. SAE-40 was studied as a reference commercial lubricant. AW/EP characteristics of all samples were estimated by the four-ball tribo-tester according to the American Society for Testing and Materials D2783 standard.

Findings

The addition of 1-Wt.% TiO2 and Al2O3 with oleic acid surfactant in cotton-biolubricant decreased wear scar diameter effectively and enhanced the lubricity, load-wear-index, weld-load and flash-temperature-parameters. This investigation revealed that cotton-biolubricant with TiO2 nano-particle additive is more effective and will help in developing new efficient biolubricant to replace petroleum-based lubricants.

Research limitations/implications

Cotton biolubricant with TiO2 nano-particles appeared as an optimistic solution for the global bio-lubricant market.

Originality/value

No one has not studied the cotton biolubricant with nanoparticles for internal combustion engine applications at high temperature and EP conditions.
Exploring the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on approaches to innovation in the consulting industry: a grounded theory pilot study
Authors: Kamning Diane Laurette
Published: December 2021

Purpose

There is a significant pressure on consulting businesses to produce innovative solutions and to assist their clients in producing innovative solutions for their organizational problems as well. In addition to that challenging need to innovate for survival and competition, as other contemporary firms, consultancies must face the global changes brought by the outbreak of the coronavirus infection since 2019. This qualitative pilot study aimed at exploring the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on the approaches to innovation in the consulting industry.

Design/methodology/approach

Triggered from the literature gap on approaches to innovation in consultancies during the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic, a grounded theory approach was used to generate a theoretical explanation of how the COVID-19 is affecting the strategies and approaches of businesses in harnessing innovation opportunities from the perspectives of four professionals from an information technology (IT) consultancy in the USA.

Findings

The findings of this pilot study showed that organizational leaders' increased responsiveness, a Job-To-Be-Done strategy, organizational support and team adaption are the keys to harvesting dynamic capabilities for better competition, even during global environmental changes.

Practical implications

This implies that managers remain the main actors in a firm's efforts to harvest dynamic capabilities. Innovation strategists, business leaders and policymakers can confidently work together to implement novel and flexible work settings that integrate both social and economic advancements.

Originality/value

Theoretical implications support the sustainable innovation strategy concepts and the Job-To-Be-Done theory. Finally, the substantive theory from this pilot study lays the ground for future research on approaches to innovation in the consulting industry.
Strategies for achieving customer order flexibility – supplier perspective
Authors: Forslund Helena , Mattsson Stig-Arne
Published: December 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to develop a framework of strategies to achieving customer order flexibility in and related to the order-to-delivery (OTD) process. The purpose is also to investigate how companies prioritize various strategies to achieve customer order flexibility.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on a literature review, pre-tests and conceptual reasoning, a conceptual framework of strategies related to the order-to-delivery process was developed. The strategies were linked to the order quantity and delivery lead-time flexibility dimensions. This structure resulted in six groups covering enabling as well as remedial strategies. An empirical interview study of ten customer–supplier relationships was conducted.

Findings

The interviews identified additional strategies, thereby expanding the framework. The enabling strategies with the highest median values were “have continuous contact with the customer's purchaser” and “use safety stock of raw materials/semi-finished products”. The remedial strategy with the highest median was “re-plan/re-prioritize the order backlog”. In the delivery sub-process, it was more common to apply remedial strategies for delivery lead-time than for order quantities.

Research limitations/implications

The developed framework is a contribution to the literature on operational flexibility in and related to the OTD process. It complements existing knowledge by taking a supplier perspective.

Practical implications

Suppliers can use the framework as a tool to understand and systematically achieve better customer order flexibility in and related to the OTD process. Customers can use the framework as a checklist for supplier evaluation and supplier development.

Originality/value

Few identified studies include empirical data on customer order flexibility.
A study on variability of bioactive proteins in camel (Camelus dromedarius) milk: Insulin, insulin‐like growth factors, lactoferrin, immunoglobulin G, peptidoglycan recognition protein‐1, lysozyme and lactoperoxidase
Authors: Mohamed Huda , Ranasinghe Meththa , Amir Naheed , Nagy Peter , Gariballa Salah , Adem Abdu , Kamal‐Eldin Afaf
Published: December 2021

Milk samples were collected from 140 individual dromedary camels (Camelus dromedarius) to determine the variability in the concentrations of several bioactive whey proteins. The ranges were as follows: insulin (IN) (17.8–51.1 mIU/L), insulin‐like growth factor I (IGF1) (1.4–736.1 ng/mL), insulin‐like growth factor II (IGF2) (13.7–82.6 ng/mL), lactoferrin (639.4–2094.9 µg/mL), immunoglobulin G (IgG) (7.3–17.9 mg/mL), peptidoglycan recognition protein‐1 (PGRP‐1) (1.6–22.3 ng/mL), lysozyme (LZ) (23.3–71.4 µg/mL) and lactoperoxidase (LPO) (7.1–15.5 ng/mL). These data demonstrate wide variation in the concentrations of the studied proteins. Significant correlations (P < 0.05) were observed between the concentrations of IN and LZ, IN and IgG, IN and PGRP‐1, LZ and PGRP‐1, IgG and LPO, and IgG and PGRP‐1.
Risk of postpartum haemorrhage is associated with ethnicity: A cohort study of 981 801 births in England
Authors: Jardine Jennifer , Gurol‐Urganci Ipek , Harris Tina , Hawdon Jane , Pasupathy Dharmintra , van der Meulen Jan , Walker Kate ,   the NMPA Project Team
Published: December 2021

Objective

To determine the association between ethnic group and risk of postpartum haemorrhage in women giving birth.

Design

Cohort study.

Setting

Maternity units in England.

Sample

A total of 981 801 records of births between 1 April 2015 and 31 March 2017 in a national clinical database.

Methods

Multivariable logistic regression analyses with multiple imputation to account for missing data and robust standard errors to account for clustering within hospitals.

Main Outcome Measure

Postpartum haemorrhage of ≥1500 ml (PPH).

Results

A total of 28 268 (2.9%) births were complicated by PPH. Risks were higher in women from black (3.9%) and other (3.5%) ethnic backgrounds. Following adjustment for maternal and fetal characteristics, and care at birth, there was evidence of an increased risk of PPH in women from all ethnic minority groups, with the largest increase seen in black women (adjusted OR 1.54, 95% CI 1.45–1.63). The increase in risk was robust to sensitivity analyses, which included changing the outcome to PPH of ≥3000 ml.

Conclusions

In England, women from ethnic minority backgrounds have an increased risk of PPH, when maternal, fetal and birth characteristics are taken into account. Factors contributing to this increased risk need further investigation. Perinatal care for women from ethnic minority backgrounds should focus on preventative measures to optimise maternal outcomes.

Tweetable Abstract

Women with an ethnic minority background giving birth in England have an increased risk of postpartum haemorrhage, even when characteristics of the mother, the baby and the care received are taken into account.
Tocopherols as antioxidants in lipid‐based systems: The combination of chemical and physicochemical interactions determines their efficiency
Authors: Barouh Nathalie , Bourlieu‐Lacanal Claire , Figueroa‐Espinoza Maria Cruz , Durand Erwann , Villeneuve Pierre
Published: December 2021

Lipid oxidation is a major concern in the food, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical sectors. The degradation of unsaturated lipids affects the nutritional, physicochemical, and organoleptic properties of products and can lead to off‐flavors and to the formation of potentially harmful oxidation compounds. To prevent or slow down lipid oxidation, different antioxidant additives are used alone or in combination to achieve the best possible efficiency with the minimum possible quantities. In manufactured products, that is, heterogeneous systems containing lipids as emulsions or bulk phase, the efficiency of an antioxidant is determined not only by its chemical reactivity, but also by its physical properties and its interaction with other compounds present in the products. The antioxidants most widely used on the industrial scale are probably tocopherols, either as natural extracts or pure synthetic molecules. Considerable research has been conducted on their antioxidant activity, but results regarding their efficiency are contradictory. Here, we review the known mechanisms behind the antioxidant activity of tocopherols and discuss the chemical and physical features that determine their efficacy. We first describe their chemical reactivity linked with the main factors that modulate it between efficient antioxidant capacity and potential prooxidant effects. We then describe their chemical interactions with other molecules (phenolic compounds, metals, vitamin C, carotenes, proteins, and phospholipids) that have potential additive, synergistic, or antagonist effects. Finally, we discuss other physical parameters that influence their activity in complex systems including their specific interactions with surfactants in emulsions and their behavior in the presence of association colloids in bulk oils.
Autocorrelation‐informed home range estimation: A review and practical guide
Authors: Silva Inês , Fleming Christen H. , Noonan Michael J. , Alston Jesse , Folta Cody , Fagan William F. , Calabrese Justin M.
Published: December 2021

Modern tracking devices allow for the collection of high‐volume animal tracking data at improved sampling rates over very‐high‐frequency radiotelemetry. Home range estimation is a key output from these tracking datasets, but the inherent properties of animal movement can lead traditional statistical methods to under‐ or overestimate home range areas.

The autocorrelated kernel density estimation (AKDE) family of estimators was designed to be statistically efficient while explicitly dealing with the complexities of modern movement data: autocorrelation, small sample sizes and missing or irregularly sampled data. Although each of these estimators has been described in separate technical papers, here we review how these estimators work and provide a user‐friendly guide on how they may be combined to reduce multiple biases simultaneously.

We describe the magnitude of the improvements offered by these estimators and their impact on home range area estimates, using both empirical case studies and simulations, contrasting their computational costs.

Finally, we provide guidelines for researchers to choose among alternative estimators and anRscript to facilitate the application and interpretation of AKDE home range estimates.
Postdischarge pain, nausea and patient satisfaction after diagnostic and breast‐conserving ambulatory surgery for breast cancer: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Stjernberg Mi , Schlichting Ellen , Rustoen Tone , Valeberg Berit T. , Småstuen Milada C. , Raeder Johan C.
Published: December 2021

Background

The aims of this study were to assess first day postdischarge pain, nausea and patient satisfaction in ambulatory breast cancer surgical patients, after diagnostic and breast conserving procedures.

Methods

A total of 781 women, aged 18–85 years were included in this prospective, cross‐sectional study. All patients received standardized multimodal pain prophylaxis with paracetamol, COX‐II inhibitor, dexamethasone and wound infiltration with local anaesthetics. Nausea prophylaxis was provided with ondansetron. Most patients received general anaesthesia with propofol and remifentanil. Data were collected using a validated questionnaire during telephone follow‐up on the first postoperative day.

Results

The response rate was 94.5%. NRS ≥ 4 was reported by 5.3% at rest, by 17% during activity and by 30.7% as the worst pain score. Young age was strongly associated with more pain both at rest, during activity and regarding worst pain since discharge. Postdischarge nausea was present in 17.8%, and vomiting in 1.2%. High pain score during activity and higher level of worst pain, were associated with nausea. There was no association between nausea and age, type of anaesthesia, surgical procedure or pain at rest. Patient satisfaction was high (97.8%–99.7%) regarding information, time for discharge and overall satisfaction.

Conclusion

Pain scores and incidence of nausea were generally low on the day after surgery. Young age was a strong predictor for postdischarge pain. A high worst pain score and high pain score during the activity were associated with postdischarge nausea. Patient satisfaction was high.
Legal Strategy Disrupted: Managing Climate Change and Regulatory Transformation
Authors: Park Stephen Kim
Published: December 2021

The effects of climate change on the natural, economic, political, and social environments of business will be broad and substantial. The legal environment of business is not immune from these forces. In fact, as this article explores, law is both a necessary means to address climate change disruption and itself a source of disruption. Regulatory measures to buffer the shocks of climate change and facilitate the innovation necessary to mitigate and adapt to it are likely to disrupt industries and firms. Drawing on legal and management theory, the field of legal strategy identifies the conditions and actions through which firms can engage with the legal environment to protect as well as enhance their value. However, as this article shows, the legal strategy literature does not adequately account for the legal, regulatory, and other transition risks arising from the expanding scope and changing modes of regulatory responses to climate change. Accordingly, to adapt legal strategy to the impending age of regulatory change and transformation, this article advances a conception of legal strategy that embraces resilience as an indicator of firm value.
Unusual pattern of thrombotic events in young adult non‐critically ill patients with COVID‐19 may result from an undiagnosed inherited and acquired form of thrombophilia
Authors: Elbadry Mahmoud I. , Tawfeek Ahmed , Abdellatif Mohammed G. , Salama Eman H. , Abudeif Ahmed , Mahmoud Hany , Ezeldin Mohamed , Abdelkareem Rasha Mokhtar , Rashad Usama M.
Published: December 2021

In 145 previously healthy non‐critically ill young adults, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19)‐related symptoms, risk factors for thrombosis, coagulation and inflammatory parameters were compared, with 29 patients reporting unusual thrombotic events (UTEs) and 116 not having thrombotic events. The inflammatory indices, coagulation and prothrombotic platelet phenotype (PTPP) were significantly higher in patients with UTEs versus those without. Patients with UTEs were categorised according to detection of thrombophilic genes (TGs), coagulation and inflammatory markers to the non‐TG and TG subcohort. A total of 38 UTEs were identified, which included splanchnic vein thrombosis (SVT; 11), stroke (six), cerebral vein thrombosis (five), thrombotic microangiopathy (four), limb ischaemia and inferior vena cava thrombosis (three each), ST‐segment elevation myocardial infarction (two), superior vena cava thrombosis (two), upper limb deep venous thrombosis and retinal vein thrombosis, one each. We found a 55% prevalence of TGs mainly heterozygous coagulation factor II, thrombin (FII)‐G20210A, Janus kinase 2 (JAK2)‐V617F, protein‐S, and antithrombin III deficiency with a high (76·9%) prevalence of venous UTEs, multiple vessels thrombosis, and recurrence rate among the TG versus non‐TG subcohort. The presence of JAK2‐V617F, and FII‐G20210A mutations was linked with SVT. Thrombosis in the non‐TG subcohort was associated with more haemorrhagic problems, thrombosis progression and a significantly higher level of inflammatory markers, PTPP, mean platelet volume, von Willebrand factor, and factor VIII, which remained high for up to 6 months, as well as elevated D‐dimer. Acquired and inherited thrombophilia with endotheliopathy appeared to be a relevant mechanism to explain the occurrence of UTEs that are not correlated to COVID‐19 severity.
Identifying behaviour change techniques within randomized trials of interventions promoting deceased organ donation registration
Authors: Crawshaw Jacob , Li Alvin H. , Garg Amit X. , Chassé Michaël , Grimshaw Jeremy M. , Presseau Justin
Published: December 2021

Objective

Increasing deceased organ donation registration may increase the number of available organs for transplant to help save lives. This study aimed to identify which behaviour change techniques (BCTs; or ‘active ingredients’) are reported within randomized trials of interventions promoting deceased organ donation registration and of those, which are associated with a larger intervention effect.

Methods

We conducted a secondary analysis of 45 trials included in a Cochrane systematic review of deceased organ donation registration interventions. Two researchers used the BCT Taxonomy v1 to independently code intervention content in all trial groups. Outcome data were pooled and we used meta‐regression to explore associations between individual and combinations of recurring BCTs and effect on registration intention and/or registration behaviour.

Results

A total of 27 different BCTs (mean = 3.7, range = 1–9) were identified in intervention groups across the 45 trials. The five most common BCTs were: ‘Information about health consequences’ (71%); ‘Instruction on how to perform the behaviour’ (47%); ‘Salience of consequences’ (40%); ‘Adding objects to the environment’ (28%); and ‘Credible source’ (27%). Comparator groups in 20/45 trials also included identifiable BCTs (n = 12, mean = 3.1, range = 1–7). Meta‐regression revealed that a combination of the three most common BCTs was associated with a larger intervention effect size for registration behaviour (k = 8, β = .19, p = .02).

Conclusions

Trials of deceased organ donation registration interventions focus predominantly on providing information, instruction, and a means to register. While potentially effective, a much wider set of possible BCTs could be leveraged to address known barriers to registration.
Advances in single‐cell sequencing and its application to musculoskeletal system research
Authors: Zhang Yongxiang , Wang Jingkai , Yu Chao , Xia Kaishun , Yang Biao , Zhang Yuang , Ying Liwei , Wang Chenggui , Huang Xianpeng , Chen Qixin , Shen Li , Li Fangcai , Liang Chengzhen
Published: December 2021

In recent years, single‐cell sequencing (SCS) technologies have continued to advance with improved operating procedures and reduced cost, leading to increasing practical adoption among researchers. These emerging technologies have superior abilities to analyse cell heterogeneity at a single‐cell level, which have elevated multi‐omics research to a higher level. In some fields of research, application of SCS has enabled many valuable discoveries, and musculoskeletal system offers typical examples. This article reviews some major scientific issues and recent advances in musculoskeletal system. In addition, combined with SCS technologies, the research of cell or tissue heterogeneity in limb development and various musculoskeletal system clinical diseases also provides new possibilities for treatment strategies. Finally, this article discusses the challenges and future development potential of SCS and recommends the direction of future applications of SCS to musculoskeletal medicine.
The spatial overlap of small‐scale cannabis farms with aquatic and terrestrial biodiversity
Authors: Parker‐Shames Phoebe , Choi Christopher , Butsic Van , Green David , Barry Brent , Moriarty Katie , Levi Taal , Brashares Justin S.
Published: December 2021

The rapid expansion of cannabis agriculture in the Western United States provides a rare opportunity to study how an abrupt change in land‐use policy affects local biodiversity. There is broad speculation that cannabis production on private land is expanding and having negative effects on aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, yet there exist little empirical data to evaluate this concern. In this study, we mapped and characterized outdoor cannabis production during the first season of legal recreational production (2016) in a large legacy cannabis‐producing region of Southern Oregon, Josephine County. We descriptively compared cannabis farms to all available private parcels based on proximity to rivers/streams and undeveloped land and their overlap with carnivore richness. Using publicly available satellite imagery, we found approximately 1.34 km2 (331 acres) of cannabis cultivation within Josephine County during the first season of legal recreational production. Most cannabis production areas were small (median size 414 m2), spatially clustered at all observed scales, and recently established (67% were not visible in 2013–2014 pre‐legalization). When compared with all available private parcels, cannabis was preferentially located in forested areas, undeveloped land and slightly closer to rivers. Within riparian areas, farms were slightly closer to rivers with predicted occurrence of coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch). While projected carnivore richness was similar between cannabis and all private parcels, projected fisher (Pekania pennanti) occupancy was more than five times higher on cannabis farms, with a median occupancy of 0.69 (interquartile range: 0.24–0.87). Our results establish a baseline for cannabis land cover at the time of early recreational legalization and rapid expansion and can be used to predict future patterns or ecological consequences of cannabis development in other production areas. Understanding the potential ecological impact of cannabis is increasingly important as legalization expands and may also offer insights into other rural land‐use change frontiers.
Longitudinal changes in behaviour, mood and functional capacity in the primary progressive aphasia variants
Authors: Foxe David , Irish Muireann , Ramanan Siddharth , Stark Samuel , Cordato Nicholas J. , Burrell James R. , Piguet Olivier
Published: December 2021

Primary progressive aphasia (PPA) is a neurodegenerative clinical syndrome characterised by a progressive decline in speech and language functions. Deficits in behaviour, mood and functional capacity are reported in PPA but are less well understood. This study examined the PPA variants' profiles on these domains at initial presentation and over time and evaluated their relations to overall cognitive ability. Behaviour, mood and functional capacity were measured annually (over ~6 years) in 145 individuals diagnosed with PPA (41 logopenic [lv‐PPA], 44 non‐fluent [nfv‐PPA] and 60 semantic variants [sv‐PPA]) using the Cambridge Behavioural Inventory‐Revised (CBI‐R) carer questionnaire. Overall cognition was assessed annually with the Addenbrooke's Cognitive Examination‐III. Distinct profiles were observed across PPA syndromes. Notably, sv‐PPA carers reported greater behavioural, eating and motivational disturbances than the other PPA variants throughout the disease course. Reported memory problems were also greater in sv‐PPA and lv‐PPA than in nfv‐PPA across all time points. These disturbances occurred in the context of the sv‐PPA group demonstrating a slower rate of cognitive decline than the lv‐PPA group and a parallel rate to that found in the nfv‐PPA group. Associations between overall cognition and the CBI‐R domains were trivial at baseline assessment; however, distinct profiles emerged when mapping each syndrome's overall cognitive decline with their behavioural, mood and functional trajectories. Our findings demonstrate that the evolving behaviour, mood and functional capacity profiles of the PPA variants are distinct and extend beyond the primary disorder of language. These findings have important implications for clinical management and caregiver education in PPA.
DFT: A deep feature‐based semi‐supervised collaborative training for vehicle recognition in smart cities
Authors: Zhang Yichuan , Liu Yadi , Yang Guangming , Song Jie
Published: December 2021

Intelligent transport systems (ITS) is a popular field of research in smart city. Image‐based vehicle recognition is one of the most promising new techniques. The traditional appearance‐based method has some limitations in feature view. The machine learning algorithm can satisfy multiple feature views, but it mainly adopts an improved supervised learning method, which needs manual annotation and has low efficiency. The semi‐supervised collaborative training method is widely used in the image recognition process to improve machine learning algorithms' accuracy and generalization performance. This paper proposes DFT (deep feature‐based training) method for vehicle recognition in smart cities. DFT is also a semi‐supervised collaborative training method on basis of two base learners. DFT adjusts data pre‐processing and training process, optimizes the constructing a disagreement encoding network, and expands the recognition disagreement of pseudo‐labelled samples‐based training set. Compared with the typical collaborative training methods, DFT greatly accelerates the model's training process by reducing the convergence time, and improves the efficiency of vehicle recognition, while remaining the recognition accuracy unchanged.
Impact of L2 learners' background factors on the perception of L1 Spanish speech
Authors: Wheeler Holly , Kang Okim
Published: December 2021

Listener background variables have been recognized as potential contributors to language evaluation bias. This continuum of trait‐irrelevant factors creates implications from the L2 classroom to integration in the target language community. This study examined how L2 Spanish learners' listener background factors including ethnicity, heritage speaker status, and study abroad experience predicted their perceptual ratings of native Spanish accented speech on comprehensibility, accentedness, acceptability, and open‐mindedness. Results showed mixed findings regarding the impact of L2 listener background factors and study abroad experiences on L1 speech perception ratings with little variance explained overall despite significant differences between speech constructs, suggesting that there may be other effects that impact how L2 learners perceive L1 speech. Results support previous findings that learner L2 level and ability seem to influence how target language speech is perceived. Findings provide implications for the fields of study abroad and immersion learning and teaching.
L2 French students' conversations during interactive writing tasks and their interaction mindset
Authors: McDonough Kim , Ammar Ahlem , Sellami Amal
Published: December 2021

This study explores the relationship between L2 French students' conversations during interactive writing tasks and their interaction mindset, which is their perception about peer interaction. Students (N = 51) in three, high‐intermediate/low‐advanced French L2 classes completed an interaction mindset questionnaire and two interactive writing tasks during a 13‐week semester. Each class was randomly assigned to one type of interactive writing task: interactive planning (i.e., interaction during the planning phase only), interactive revision (i.e., interaction during the revision phase only), or collaborative writing (i.e., interaction during planning, writing, and revision phases). Their conversations were audio‐recorded, and transcripts were coded in terms of what they had talked about: content, organization, language, and other (i.e., task management, reading/rereading, and off‐task talk). Pearson's correlations indicated that the students' interaction mindset had a positive relationship with language and a negative relationship with content. Suggestions for instructors with an interest in interactive writing tasks are provided.
Caveolin‐1 negatively regulates inflammation and fibrosis in silicosis
Authors: He RongLing , Yuan XiangNing , Lv Xin , Liu QingXiang , Tao LiJian , Meng Jie
Published: December 2021

Inhalation of crystalline silica causes silicosis, the most common and serious occupational disease, which is characterized by progressive lung inflammation and fibrosis. Recent studies revealed the anti‐inflammatory and anti‐fibrosis role of Caveolin‐1 (Cav‐1) in lung, but this role in silicosis has not been investigated. Thus, this study evaluated Cav‐1 regulatory effects in silicosis. It was found that Cav‐1 levels were significantly reduced in the lung from silicosis patients and silicotic mice. The silicosis models were established in C57BL/6 (wild‐type) and Cav‐1 deficiency (Cav‐1−/−) mice, and Cav‐1−/− mice displayed wider alveolar septa, increased collagen deposition and more silicotic nodules. The mice peritoneal‐derived macrophages were used to explore the role of Cav‐1 in silica‐induced inflammation, which plays a central role in mechanism of silicosis. Cav‐1 inhibited silica‐induced infiltration of inflammatory cells and secretion of inflammatory factors in vitro and in vivo, partly by downregulating NF‐κB pathway. Additionally, silica uptake and expression of 4‐hydroxynonenal in silicotic mice were observed, and it was found that Cav‐1 absence triggered excessive silica deposition, causing a stronger oxidative stress response. These findings demonstrate the protective effects of Cav‐1 in silica‐induced lung injury, suggesting its potential therapeutic value in silicosis.
Bolivar's Sword: The Mapoyo and the Politics of Heritage‐Making in Venezuela
Authors: Torrealba Alfonzo Gabriel , Navas Méndez Ana María
Published: December 2021

This article analyzes the political dynamics involved in the inclusion of the Mapoyo oral tradition into UNESCO's lists of Intangible Cultural Heritage. We frame this designation as an “event” that encapsulates a contested process of negotiation between the Mapoyo Indigenous community and the Venezuelan state. Our article evaluates the intersection of two asymmetrical (but nonantagonistic) political agendas in terms of how they are enacted through heritage‐making practices: (1) the Mapoyo's demands for territorial autonomy and (2) the Bolivarian Revolution's nationalist program. We focus on the way this heritagization process was tied to discourses of patriotic indigeneity centered on a sword attributed to Simón Bolívar. We argue that even though heritage‐making practices mostly reproduce nation states’ hegemonic discourses, they can also open spaces for subaltern groups to exert relational forms of agency. Ultimately, we show the implications of the Mapoyo heritage designation in reimagining the place of Indigenous peoples in Venezuela's national history.
Prosocial responses to global crises: Key influences of religiosity and perceived control
Authors: Minton Elizabeth A. , Wang Cindy X. , Anthony Carissa M.
Published: December 2021

Through three studies, we examine how religiosity explains why some consumers in the United States are more resistant toward engaging in prosocial responses than others in response to global crises (specifically, a pandemic) and what can be done to change this. Specifically, Study 1 shows that consumers with higher levels of religiosity exhibit lower global crisis concern, because they feel less of a sense of personal control over the crisis, which leads to reduced prosocial responses. Study 2 generally replicates these effects by priming religiosity and showing that these religiously primed consumers have a lower perceived sense of control and view prosocial responses as not as beneficial, thereby reducing participation likelihood. Study 3 then shows that marketing messages can be used to improve higher religiosity consumers' perceived sense of control over a global crisis, leading to more positive prosocial responses and retailer attitudes.
Correlation between occlusal contact area at various levels of interocclusal thicknesses and masticatory performance
Authors: Lee Hye‐Seon , Ko Kyung‐Ho , Huh Yoon‐Hyuk , Cho Lee‐Ra , Park Chan‐Jin
Published: December 2021

Background

This study aimed to determine the correlation between occlusal contact area and masticatory performance using BiteEye®, a photo occlusal analysis device and the multiple sieve method.

Objectives

To calculate the occlusal contact area at various levels of interocclusal thicknesses and to measure masticatory performance with peanuts as the test material.

Methods

Fifty‐two adults (30 men and 22 women) were enrolled according to specific exclusion/inclusion criteria. The occlusal contact area was measured by obtaining the interocclusal record of the maximum intercuspal position (MIP) using silicone impression material. Occlusal contact area measurements were performed in the ranges of 0–149, 0–89, 0–59, 0–29 and 0–9 μm. Masticatory performance was measured by obtaining the median particle size (X 50) after converting the weight of comminuted peanuts into size using the multiple sieve method. Statistical analysis was performed at 95% significance level.

Results

Interocclusal thickness comparison revealed the highest correlation with X 50 in the 0–149 μm range. Stronger correlations between the occlusal contact area and X 50 were observed in cases of 20 strokes of mastication (r = −.451) than in cases of 10 strokes (r = −.383), in the posterior occlusal contact area (r = −.456) than in the full arch occlusal contact area (r = −.451) and the molar area (r = −.478) than in the premolar area (r = −.296).

Conclusions

The larger the occlusal contact area, the higher the masticatory performance; this correlation was statistically significant. Regarding interocclusal thickness, the highest correlation between the occlusal contact area and masticatory performance was observed in the 0–149 μm range.

Clinical Trial Registration Number: GWNUDH IRB 2020‐A001.
Hepatocellular carcinoma after treatment cessation in non‐cirrhotic HBeAg‐negative chronic hepatitis B: A multicentre cohort study
Authors: Papatheodoridi Margarita , Su Tung‐Hung , Hadziyannis Emilia , Liao Chun‐Hsun , Orfanidou Αfroditi , Yang Hung‐Chi , Zachou Kalliopi , Liu Chun‐Jen , Kourikou Anastasia , Gatselis Nikolaos , Manolakopoulos Spilios , Dalekos George , Kao Jia‐Horng , Hadziyannis Stephanos , Papatheodoridis George V.
Published: December 2021

Background and Aims

Scarce data exist on the effect of nucleos(t)ide analogue (NA) discontinuation on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) risk in HBeAg‐negative chronic hepatitis B (CHBe−). Therefore, we assessed whether HCC risk is increased in non‐cirrhotic CHBe− patients who discontinue compared to those remaining on NAs.

Methods

This cohort study included 650 consecutive non‐cirrhotic Caucasian or Asian patients with CHBe− without a history of HCC who discontinued NAs after a median of 5 or 3 years (cases, n = 325; Caucasians: 143, Asians: 182) or remained on NA therapy beyond 5 or 3 years respectively (controls, n = 325; Caucasians: 223, Asians: 102). Propensity score (PS) 1:1 matching was applied to adjust for patients' origin, age and sex.

Results

During a median follow‐up of 44 months, HCC developed in 7/325 cases and 9/325 controls or 7/245 PS‐matched cases and 7/245 PS‐matched controls with 5‐year cumulative HCC incidence of 5.1% and 4.9% respectively (log‐rank, P = .836). No difference in 5‐year HCC risk was observed between cases and controls of Caucasian (3.0% vs 4.8%; log‐rank, P = .510) or Asian origin (1.3% vs 2.2%; log‐rank, P = .873). In both cases and controls, HCC incidence was independently associated with age and PAGE‐B score. In cases alone, HCC development after NA discontinuation was associated only with pretreatment platelet counts and PAGE‐B score, but not with any type of relapse or HBsAg loss.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that discontinuation of effective long‐term NA therapy in non‐cirrhotic CHBe− patients are not associated with increased HCC risk, which is not affected by post‐NA relapses and/or HBsAg loss.
Systematic evolution of initiation factor 3 and the ribosomal protein uS12 optimizes Escherichia coli growth with an unconventional initiator tRNA
Authors: Datta Madhurima , Singh Jitendra , Modak Mamata Jayant , Pillai Maalavika , Varshney Umesh
Published: December 2021

The anticodon stem of initiator tRNA (i‐tRNA) possesses the characteristic three consecutive GC base pairs (G29:C41, G30:C40, and G31:C39 abbreviated as GC/GC/GC or 3GC pairs) crucial to commencing translation. To understand the importance of this highly conserved element, we isolated two fast‐growing suppressors of Escherichia coli sustained solely on an unconventional i‐tRNA (i‐tRNAcg/GC/cg) having cg/GC/cg sequence instead of the conventional GC/GC/GC. Both suppressors have the common mutation of V93A in initiation factor 3 (IF3), and additional mutations of either V32L (Sup‐1) or H76L (Sup‐2) in small subunit ribosomal protein 12 (uS12). The V93A mutation in IF3 was necessary for relaxed fidelity of i‐tRNA selection to sustain on i‐tRNAcg/GC/cg though with a retarded growth. Subsequent mutations in uS12 salvaged the retarded growth by enhancing the fidelity of translation. The H76L mutation in uS12 showed better fidelity of i‐tRNA selection. However, the V32L mutation compensated for the deficient fidelity of i‐tRNA selection by ensuring an efficient fidelity check by ribosome recycling factor (RRF). We reveal unique genetic networks between uS12, IF3 and i‐tRNA in initiation and between uS12, elongation factor‐G (EF‐G), RRF, and Pth (peptidyl‐tRNA hydrolase) which, taken together, govern the fidelity of translation in bacteria.
Atypical keratosis pilaris‐like lesions in a patient with Bethlem myopathy
Authors: Lee Stephanie S. , Hinds Brian , Sprague Jessica , Barrio Victoria Regina , Mancuso Jennifer Brescoll
Published: December 2021

Bethlem myopathy is a collagen VI‐related myopathy. Collagen VI is primarily not only associated with the extracellular matrix of skeletal muscle, but is also found in the skin, blood vessels, and other organs. Dermatologic findings described for Bethlem myopathy include follicular hyperkeratosis and abnormal scar formation, although clinical and histopathologic photographs remain elusive in the literature. We present a case of atypical keratosis pilaris‐like follicular lesions in a patient with Bethlem myopathy and provide histopathologic correlation to better characterize the development of skin lesions in this rare neuromuscular disease.
Usability of intraoperative cine‐portogram during liver transplantation in young pediatric patients with biliary atresia
Authors: Namgoong Jung‐Man , Hwang Shin , Ko Gi‐Young , Kwon Hyunhee , Ha Suhyeon , Oh Seak Hee , Kim Kyung Mo
Published: December 2021

Background

Pediatric patients with biliary atresia (BA) often present liver cirrhosis‐associated portal hypertension and portal vein (PV) hypoplasia. For successful liver transplantation (LT), it is essential to maintain sufficient PV inflow through stenosis‐free PV reconstruction with effective ligation of collateral veins. The aim of this study was to assess the clinical usability of intraoperative cine‐portogram (IOCP) in young pediatric patients who underwent LT for BA.

Methods

Medical records of pediatric patients younger than 10 years who underwent primary LT for BA from 2018 to 2020 were reviewed.

Results

A total of 31 patients had undergone Kasai portoenterostomy soon after birth. Their median ages at Kasai portoenterostomy and LT were 1 and 11 months, respectively. Types of LT were living‐donor LT in 13, deceased‐donor split LT in 15, and deceased‐donor whole LT in three patients. PV interposition using an iliac vein homograft was performed in 28 patients receiving partial liver grafts. Side‐to‐side PV unification venoplasty was performed in three patients undergoing whole LT. All patients underwent ligation of collateral veins. IOCP was performed in 6 (19.4%) patients. Four showed no or faint residual venous collaterals. Collateral vein embolization and endovascular stenting were performed in one patient each. PV insufficiency‐free survival rate was 100% at 1 year and 93.8% at 3 years. All patients are currently alive with a median follow‐up period of 23 months.

Conclusions

Intraoperative cine‐portogram can be a useful method for identification and embolization of residual portosystemic collateral veins in young pediatric patients who undergo LT for biliary atresia.
Beyond the label: Exploring the role of ethnicity in the Kosovo conflict
Authors: Medeiros Mike
Published: December 2021

The Kosovo War (1998–1999) that played out between ethnic Albanians and Serbs in the former Yugoslavia is often portrayed as an ethnic conflict because it involved different ethnic groups in confrontation with each other. This characteristic presupposes that ethnicity played an important role in the Kosovo conflict, but is that actually the case? To explore this question, the experience of Albanians in Kosovo is compared with that of Hungarians in Vojvodina. The latter formed the second largest minority in Serbia, behind Albanians, and their institutional and legal position greatly paralleled that of Kosovar Albanians. Despite this, Hungarians experienced far less conflict with the Serbian majority than did their Albanian counterparts.
Question wording and attitudinal ambivalence: COVID, the economy, and Americans' response to a real‐life trolley problem
Authors: Craig Stephen C. , McCarthy Angela Farizo , Gainous Jason
Published: December 2021

Objective

As the coronavirus pandemic raged throughout 2020, political leaders faced a difficult choice: Should strict social distancing guidelines be maintained until the threat posed by COVID‐19 was diminished enough for citizens to return to their regular activities? Or was the economic disruption caused by the pandemic something that was, according to President Trump, "worse than the problem itself"?

Methods

We analyze data from a 2020 survey of registered voters.

Results

Democrats were more likely than Republicans to resolve the tradeoff in favor of maintaining social distancing over rebuilding the economy. More importantly, we find that when faced with this moral dilemma (measured by one's choice between a utilitarian vs. a deontological approach when confronted with a real‐life "trolley problem"), many citizens from both sides of the partisan aisle were of two minds on the subject.

Conclusion

Americans are ambivalent about the appropriate government response to COVID‐19.
Public beliefs about the black/white socioeconomic status gap: What's “upbringing” got to do with it?*
Authors: Hunt Matthew O. , Croll Paul R. , Krysan Maria
Published: December 2021

Objective

Citing the black family as the locus of responsibility for black disadvantage has a long history in the United States; however, only limited research has examined the place of family upbringing in studies of Americans’ beliefs about the causes of racial inequality.

Methods

We use data from the 2010, 2012, and 2014 General Social Surveys (GSS) to examine the prevalence and selected correlates of a newly offered (by the GSS) and culturally centered explanation of the black/white socioeconomic status gap focusing on “differences in upbringing.”

Results

The “upbringing” explanation is the most popular of the five reasons offered by the GSS in all three waves of data available for examination. Three‐quarters of GSS respondents endorse this view, while less than half endorse the next most popular explanation. Upbringing is also the most popular explanation among all three race/ethnic groups we examine, though non‐Hispanic whites endorse this view most strongly.

Conclusion

Our results offer important insights for future survey design and investigations of public beliefs about racial inequality.
Creating careful circularities: Community composting in New York City
Authors: Morrow Oona , Davies Anna
Published: December 2021

While matters of food waste and soil have become vital research arenas, compost remains the Cinderella of human geographical enquiry. In response, this paper brings compost to the centre of debates at the intersection of diverse economies and circular economy. In particular, the concept of community composting and the care involved in such practices is used to offset and problematise the technoscientific bias in circular economy discourses. Extending feminist perspectives on care in soil studies, this paper focuses on the careful circularities that are realised through community composting in New York City. This case study provides not only a material space for examining community composting but also a unique opportunity to consider the colliding worlds of worth that operate in and around urban sustainability transitions to zero waste. Drawing empirical insights from interviews, participant observation, and document analysis, this paper argues for a sensitisation of circular economy policy and research to matters of care and diverse economies as a means to better understand motivations, justifications, and outcomes of efforts to reorient food systems onto more sustainable pathways. We argue that privileging care in this way helps to shift focus away from dominant narratives of "scaling‐up" towards sustainability to a more relational perspective that sees transformation in connecting, deepening, and even scaling‐down. This means attending to the micro as well as macro transformations needed to enact the required sustainability transitions.