bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Guardare senza vedere: una storia esemplare
Authors: Armando Luigi Antonello
Published: March 2024

La riproposizione di una scelta dei contributi a due convegni tenuti presso l'Università di Napoli "L'Orientale" nel 1996 e nel 1999 fornisce lo spunto per proporre una lettura di un momento della psichiatria e della psicoanalisi italiane. Viene mostrata la significatività di quel momento in quanto esemplare di fenomeni anche attuali la cui rilevanza va oltre lo specifico suo e di quelle discipline e riguarda i campi della religione e della politica.
Una conferenza di Freud su Leonardo da Vinci
Authors: Romano Cesare
Published: March 2024

Si prende in considerazione la conferenza che Freud tenne su Leonardo da Vinci nella seduta del 1° dicembre 1909 della Società Psicoanalitica di Vienna quale anticipazione del saggio Un ricor-do d'infanzia di Leonardo da Vinci (Freud, 1910b). Si cerca di mettere in evidenza la discrepanza tra le ipotesi formulate da Freud e i dati storici allora a sua disposizione. Senza entrare nel merito specifico dell'errore di Freud sul tema dell'avvoltoio, ampiamente presente nella letteratura sul suo scritto, si esprimono perplessità sulle reali conoscenze di Freud nel campo della storia dell'arte e sul metodo da lui adottato nella ricostruzione della personalità di Leonardo, che volutamente trascura dati storici per affidarsi quasi esclusivamente a una psicoanalisi applicata che fa ampio ricorso alla fantasia, tanto che lui stesso definirà lo scritto che seguirà questa conferenza una biografia per metà romanzata. Un'incongruenza fondamentale di questa relazione, che non sarà emendata neppure nel saggio del 1910, è che Freud definisce "fantasia" ciò che Leonardo indicava chiaramente come un ricordo d'infanzia.
Organizational democracy at work. Shaping participation through strategic planning in university
Authors: Barbera Carmela , Lusardi Roberto , Tomelleri Stefano
Published: March 2024

This article discusses whether and how strategic planning can promote the development and dissemination of organizational democracy in knowledge-intensive organizations. This research is inspired by the theoretical approach known as strategy-as-practice, in which strategic planning is considered a process of co-construction of meanings and actions involving multiple actors engaged in negotiation dynamics, through situational interactions in daily practice. Adopting a strategic ethnography approach from a methodological point of view, we examine the participatory strategic planning process conducted from January 2022 to April 2023 at the University of Bergamo. By analyzing ethnographic reports, formal documents, and working drafts, four strategic practices (Collective decision making, Platform and process alignment, Emotional coordination, and Organizational diplomacy) are identified as connected to two key enabling factors (synergic approach and consensus on organizational change) that can support and facilitate the spread of work environments more sensitive to the principles of organizational democracy. Implications for both theory and practice are discussed.
Beyond workplace democracy: Prefiguring non-capitalist social reproduction within Marx's communist horizon
Authors: Zanoni Patrizia , N. Alakavuklar Ozan
Published: March 2024

This contribution argues that, in order to foster a more socially just and sustainable economy and society, management and organization studies need to embrace novel, alternative forms of organizing the economy and society. We first discuss how the scholarship on workplace democracy, which promotes more participatory governance in firms and cooperatives, fails to acknowledge that exploitation and dispossession are constitutive features of capitalist institutions. As these institutions need to abide by the imperative of capital accumulation, they cannot be redeemed. Instead, we propose that our social reproduction should be organized through alternative non-capitalist economic practices. We point to the key role of prefiguration in envisioning alternatives to capitalism, and plead for embedding prefiguration within a ‘communist horizon' based on the Marxist principle ‘from each according to their possibilities to each according to their needs'. We conclude with a call for bringing alternative economies to the core of management and organization studies, in view of expanding our current understanding of the economy beyond capitalism, as a means to sustain life on this planet rather than for capital accumulation.
La cultura gestionale di un grande evento: il Giubileo. Intervista a Francesco Rutelli e a Mons. Rino Fisichella
Authors: Maussier Barbara
Published: March 2024

Hanno segnato come pietre miliari il cammino della Chiesa e continueranno a farlo nel futuro, sono i Giubilei. Come è avvenuto in occasione di tutti gli Anni Santi, anche il Giubileo del 2025 sarà un evento importante non solo per gli aspetti propriamente religiosi e spirituali, ma anche dal punto di vista organizzativo, urbanistico e culturale. Roma si sta preparando in tal senso con significativi interventi atti a migliorare la qualità delle infrastrutture, delle strutture di accoglienza dei visitatori e dell'offerta culturale e turistica in genere anche grazie alle misure previste dal Piano Nazionale di Ripresa e Resilienza (P.N.R.R.) con i fondi della Comunità Europea "Next Generation Eu" stanziati in seguito alla pandemia da COVID-19. Ma qual è la macchina organizzativa che c'è dietro ad un evento di questa portata? Quali sono gli obiettivi che si vogliono raggiungere? Quali le risorse necessarie, il tipo di governance e gli strumenti di comunicazione più efficaci? Per rispondere a queste domande l'autrice ha intervistato a Roma, il 2 marzo 2023, Francesco Rutelli, ex-Sindaco di Roma che ha coordinato, in qualità di Commissario Straordinario, gli interventi del Giubileo Ordinario del 2000 e, il 28 marzo 2023, Mons. Rino Fisichella, Presidente del Pontificio Consiglio per la Promozione della Nuova Evangelizzazione, delegato da Papa Francesco all'organizzazione del Giubileo Ordinario del 2025. Attraverso queste interviste, si sono approfonditi gli aspetti chiave che costituiscono la cultura gestionale di un evento di grande rilevanza spirituale e sociale come il Giubileo, esaminando il caso del Grande Giubileo del 2000 e i primi sforzi organizzativi del Giubileo del 2025. Il seguente lavoro si articola in quattro sezioni: il primo paragrafo comprende la descrizione degli obiettivi della ricerca e l'approccio metodologico utilizzato per la raccolta dei dati. Il secondo paragrafo rappresenta i risultati relativi all'analisi della dimensione organizzativa, che include gli aspetti relativi alla storia dell'evento, l'evoluzione della struttura organizzativa, gli obiettivi prefissati, il sistema di governance, l'analisi del sistema d'offerta, le sedi e il periodo di svolgimento. Il terzo paragrafo afferisce ai risultati relativi all'analisi della dimensione comunicativa, che include l'identità dell'evento (concept, logo e messaggio di base), il target (numero, tipologia e provenienza dei partecipanti), gli strumenti di comunicazione utilizzati, i simboli e i segni oltre ai sistemi di comunicazione interna. Il quarto paragrafo si riferisce agli aspetti relativi alla dimensione economica, che include fonti di finanziamento, spese previste e sistema di gestione dell'evento. Conclude il testo un'analisi degli insegnamenti tratti dall'esperienza organizzativa del Grande Giubileo del 2000 che possono essere interpretati come dei suggerimenti da implementare nei primi sforzi organizzativi messi in atto per il prossimo Giubileo della Speranza del 2025.
Solidarietà nazionale, damnatio memoriae, donne protestanti. Per una storia sociale della Riforma italiana (a partire da cinque libri donati da Lelio Sozzini)
Authors: Zuliani Federico
Published: March 2024

Il saggio si occupa di cinque esemplari di scritti di (o curati da) Pier Paolo Vergerio ma donati da Lelio Sozzini. Essi confermano i legami tra i due esuli e attestano ulteriormente la loro cooperazione nella stampa e distribuzione di letteratura filo-protestante negli anni 1549-1552. Se visti da una prospettiva più ampia però i volumi permettono pure di evidenziare tre aspetti dell'emigrazione religionis causa del XVI secolo (spesso sottovalutati dagli studiosi e per i quali è difficile rinvenire fonti): il diffondersi del pregiudizio anti-italiano; l'esistenza, tra gli esuli, di legami di solidarietà più forti delle reciproche convinzioni teologiche; la condizione di isolamento delle donne (di norma impossibilitate ad apprendere la lingua del luogo). Inoltre, nella prima parte del saggio l'autore prova a illustrare perché simili case studies gli paiano la via per aggirare l'impasse in cui versa la storia religiosa del cinquecento italiano e per giungere a una storia sociale della Riforma che superi l'approccio tradizionale, di fatto teologico.
Gli operai stradali nell'AOI: condizioni economiche, precarietà e agency
Authors: Bo Gianluca
Published: March 2024

Tra il 1935 e il 1941, circa 200,000 italiani emigrarono nell'Africa Orientale Italiana in qualità di terrazzieri e manovali per la costruzione della rete stradale. Al di là della retorica fascista dell'«impero del lavoro», per questi lavoratori non-qualificati si sarebbe profilato in molti casi uno stato di marginalità sociale e instabilità economico-occupazionale. Questo articolo intende analizzare le risposte individuali (agency) di questi soggetti tanto protagonisti quanto subalterni della colonizzazione italiana dell'Etiopia. Nello specifico, si vuole far emergere l'influenza esercitata dal progetto di insediamento dei lavoratori e le differenze tra il contesto coloniale e quello della madrepatria. Nel tentativo di ridisegnare l'immagine dell'«emigrante disperato passivamente in balia della sorte» si utilizzeranno due fonti archivistiche: la memorialistica autobiografica, nello specifico undici diari conservati all'Archivio Diaristico Nazionale, oltre ai fondi dell'Institute of Ethiopian Studies relativi al Tribunale Penale di Addis Abeba e alle condizioni di impiego della manodopera italiana.
Confluencias literarias y cotidianas de la retórica
Authors:   Universidad de Guadalajara, Ramírez Vidal Gerardo , Gutiérrez Grova Alina
Published: March 2024

La retórica, el antiguo arte de la palabra, permite entender diferentes manifestaciones orales y escritas atendiendo a los mecanismos discursivos que producen diversos efectos en los oyentes y, al mismo tiempo, cómo se inserta entre las actuales disciplinas de la comunicación y del lenguaje. Así, tiene diversos efectos concretos como la creación de identidades nacionales en la lucha política, en la publicidad, los sermones religiosos y la transmisión de ideologías. Esta obra pretende contribuir en los cuidados que le debemos dar a nuestra palabra en su dimensión pragmática, dinámica, activa y utilitaria, a partir de presentar diversas investigaciones y metodologías vinculadas con la retórica.
Argumentando se entiende la gente
Authors:   Universidad de Guadalajara, Gilbert Michael
Published: March 2024

Argumentar es la operación mental y comunicativa que más se necesita en todas las ocupaciones y profesiones. Es necesario que en toda ocupación logremos pensar productivamente, es decir, que no importa cuál sea el problema que se nos presente, estemos en posición de plantear premisas y a partir de ellas sacar conclusiones de acuerdo con reglas sólidas y robustas, así como desarrollar habilidades para defender nuestras posturas, disuadir al otro o construir acuerdos. En ese sentido, esta obra promueve, de una manera sencilla y organizada, que aprendamos a dominar el arte de argumentar.
Unveiling the Dutch Disease Indexes: Principal Component Analysis in a Small Oil-rich Country
Authors: Niftiyev Ibrahim
Published: March 2024

The Dutch disease (DD) theory is a popular approach when analyzing the economies of resource-rich countries. However, despite the extensive examination of both the original DD theory and its variations in numerous country cases, the findings remain contradictory and inconclusive, primarily due to the challenges associated with measuring DD. Building upon the notable case study of the Azerbaijani economy, this paper introduces a novel way to utilise principal component analysis (PCA) in index development, which incorporates the modelling framework of the original theory and provides a profound understanding of DD measurement. The findings of the study reveal that the fundamental variables associated with DD in the Azerbaijani economy can be effectively condensed into a small number of principal components (PCs). In addition, this research introduces not only a total Dutch disease index (TDDI), but also a resource movement index (RMI) and a spending index (SI), with the last of these demonstrating a more pronounced impact in Azerbaijan. The estimated indexes exhibit a significant and negative correlation with the manufacturing sector’s share in the industry, pointing to the presence of the crowding-out mechanism of DD. Moreover, a strong positive correlation is observed with key growth indicators such as gross domestic product (GDP) and gross capital formation, underscoring the exceptional role of the oil boom in the Azerbaijani economy. These findings justify the contention that DD is present in the Azerbaijani economy. The paper also provides a composite index that can be utilised by both policymakers and scholars for measuring DD.
Betriebsunterbrechungsversicherung
Authors: Pobatschnig Roman
Published: March 2024

BUV im Detail: Rechtliche Expertise und praxisnahe Einblicke Die Betriebsunterbrechungsversicherung (BUV) schützt Unternehmerinnen und Unternehmer vor den Folgen eines Betriebsstillstands. Doch welche Risiken in der BUV genau versichert sind und wie die Schadensberechnung im Gemenge von Versicherungsvertrags- und Bilanzrecht funktioniert, ist oftmals unklar. Dieses Handbuch bietet die erste umfassende Aufarbeitung dieser Versicherungssparte im österreichischen Recht. Neben der Darstellung der Eckpfeiler der BUV werden die im Versicherungsalltag häufig auftretenden Probleme behandelt. Dazu gehören die Folgen einer Betriebsänderungen (zB Veräußerung, Umgründungen, Outsourcing, M&A-Vorgänge), die Pflichten des Versicherungsnehmers (zB Fixkostenabbau im Schadensfall) und der Unterbrechungsschadensberechnung (zB Umgang mit „schwarzen Kassen“).
Decision Making in an Academic Department of Medicine: The Role of a Management Control System
Authors: Calvin, Jr. James E.
Published: March 2024

Academic Departments of Medicine have several challenges in managing resources, meeting academic goals and clinical demands. In this paper, we describe a management control system installed in 2014: the Strategic Plan, a Balanced Scorecard reflecting clinical research and educational performance, Annual feedback and review by Departmental and Divisional Chairs, and Improvement Plans.

This system over 8 years resulted in a reduction in 30-day re-admissions of 14%, a decline in length of stay of 0.55 days, and reduced absolute in-hospital mortality of nearly 2%. Clinical revenue increased 42% from 2016 to 2022 largely due to increased ambulatory and procedural volumes. Teaching time and ratings were unaffected by the installation of this system. Return on investment for newly hired researchers and scientists was 67.5% with a 12.7% increase in peer-reviewed funding. We conclude that the Decision Management Control System was feasible to create and allowed capable monitoring of performance and informed decision-making. Major metrics improved after its implementation.
Collaboratories: Designing Universal Innovation Ecosystems in the Era of Transitions
Authors: Serra Artur , Caro-Gonzalez Antonia , Colobrans Jordi
Published: March 2024

This paper discusses the development of the Col.laboratori programme in Catalonia as a model for testing the theory of universal innovation ecosystems. This programme aims to address the challenges faced by societies in the current era of transitions by combining theories of techno anthropology, social innovation, and living labs.

The authors propose collaboratories as crucial social innovations that can facilitate the absorption of changes and promote creative construction. These collaboratories are considered meta socio-digital innovation mechanisms that establish quadruple helix collaborative structures, bridging different actors, types of innovations, and diverse worldviews.

To achieve a Just Triple Transition (social, green and digital), the paper suggests bringing together actors from business, academia, government, and society in collaborative processes that generate short-term optimal results and long-term synergies. This approach involves including society as the end-user in common tasks to ensure better design and higher-value outcomes. The paper advocates for a democratization of the innovation ecosystems, aiming for a broader distribution of social benefits through negotiated approaches focused on solving common challenges in pursuit of the common good.
Participação de pais nos cuidados precoces em Unidades de Cuidados Intensivos Neonatais: Uma revisão sistemática de literatura
Authors: Oliveira Fernanda Alves de Britto Guimarães , Brandão Maria Teresa Perlico Machado
Published: March 2024

O artigo tem como objetivo analisar estudos sobre cuidados centrados na família na intervenção precoce em bebês prematuros, enfatizando a participação dos pais, com destaque para o contexto em Portugal. Anualmente, 15 milhões de bebês nascem prematuros globalmente, sendo a taxa em Portugal de aproximadamente 8%. Nas últimas cinco décadas, as taxas de nascimentos prematuros aumentaram, enquanto a mortalidade infantil diminuiu, indicando avanços nos cuidados obstétricos e neonatais. Recém-nascidos prematuros enfrentam riscos significativos, como atrasos no desenvolvimento, défices sensoriais, dificuldades de aprendizagem e paralisia cerebral. Intervenções precoces são essenciais para encaminhar essas crianças a serviços que promovam seu desenvolvimento no período de maior a plasticidade neuronal. A Intervenção Precoce (IP) tem mostrado ser promissora, promovendo ganhos significativos em termos de desenvolvimento e reduzindo impacto dos fatores de risco biológicos e sociais. No entanto, verifica-se escassez de pesquisas nacionais sobre o tema. O presente estudo centrou-se na revisão de artigos no periodo de 2015 a 2022, identificando 17 que abordaram as temáticas em análise: recém-nascidos prematuros, intervenção precoce e cuidados familiares, tendo sida avaliada a qualidade dos ensaios clínicos com base na Escala de Avaliação PEDro. O artigo destaca a relevância da intervenção precoce e dos cuidados familiares para o desenvolvimento de bebês prematuros e suas famílias, ressaltando a necessidade de mais pesquisas nacionais nessa área. A promoção de estudos adicionais pode ampliar o entendimento e melhorar os cuidados oferecidos a essa população vulnerável.
Applied insight: studying reducing the carbon footprint of the drying process and its environmental impact and financial return
Authors: Ibrahim Ayman , Amer Alia , Elsebaee Islam , Sabahe Amr , Amer Mariam A.
Published: March 2024

Harnessing solar energy is one of the most important practical insights highlighted to mitigate the severe climate change (CC) phenomenon. Therefore, this study aims to focus on the use of hybrid solar dryers (HSDs) within an environmentally friendly framework, which is one of the promising applications of solar thermal technology to replace traditional thermal technology that contributes to increasing the severity of the CC phenomenon. The HSD, based on a traditional electrical energy source (HSTEE) and electrical energy from photovoltaic panels (HSPVSE), was evaluated compared to a traditional electrical (TE) dryer for drying some medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs). This is done by evaluating some of the drying outputs, energy consumed, carbon footprint, and financial return at 30, 40, and 50°C. The best quality of dried MAP samples in terms of essential oil (EO, %) and microbial load was achieved at 40°C. The HSTEE dryer has reduced energy consumption compared to the TE dryer by a percentage ranging from 37% to 54%. The highest CO2 mitigated ratio using the HSTEE dryer was recorded in lavender, thyme, basil, lemongrass, and sage samples with values ranging from 45% to 54% at 30, and 50°C. The highest financial return obtained from energy consumption reduction and carbon credit footprint was achieved at 50°C, with values ranging from 5,313.69 to 6,763.03 EGP/year (EGP ≈ 0.0352 USD) when coal was used as a fuel source for the generation of electricity. Moreover, the HSPVSE dryer achieved a 100% reduction in traditional energy consumption and then reduced CO2 emissions by 100%, which led to a 100% financial return from both energy reduction and carbon credit. The highest financial returns were observed at 50°C, with values ranging from 13,872.56 to 15,007.02, 12,927.28 to 13,984.43, and 11,981.99 to 12,961.85 EGP/year (EGP ≈ 0.0352 USD) for coal, oil, and natural gas, respectively. The HS dryers show potential for environmental conservation contribution; furthermore, earning money from energy savings and carbon credit could help improve the living standards and maximize benefits for stakeholders.
Liver X Receptors (LXRs) in cancer-an Eagle’s view on molecular insights and therapeutic opportunities
Authors: Ramalingam Prasanna Srinivasan , Elangovan Sujatha , Mekala Janaki Ramaiah , Arumugam Sivakumar
Published: March 2024

Cancer has become a serious health burden that results in high incidence and mortality rates every year, mainly due to various molecular alterations inside the cell. Liver X receptors (LXRs) dysregulation is one among them that plays a vital role in cholesterol metabolism, lipid metabolism and inflammation and also plays a crucial role in various diseases such as obesity, metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD), cardiovascular diseases, Type 2 diabetes, osteoporosis, and cancer. Studies report that the activation of LXRs inhibits cancer growth by inhibiting cellular proliferation, inducing apoptosis and autophagy, regulating cholesterol metabolism, various signalling pathways such as Wnt, and PI3K/AKT, modulating the expression levels of cell-cycle regulators, and promoting antitumor immunity inside the tumor microenvironment. In this review, we have discussed the role, structure, and functions of LXRs and also summarized their ligands along with their mechanism of action. In addition, the role of LXRs in various cancers, tumor immunity and tumor microenvironment (TME) along with the importance of precision medicine in LXR-targeted therapies has been discussed to emphasize the LXRs as potent targets for the development of novel cancer therapeutics.
Causal associations between Helicobacter pylori infection and pregnancy and neonatal outcomes: a two-sample Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Huang Jialyu , Liu Yuxin , Xu Dingfei , Chen Mengyi , Xie Qiqi , Chen Jia , Xia Leizhen , Yu Lamei , Wu Qiongfang , Li Zengming , Wang Jiawei , Tian Lifeng
Published: March 2024

Background

Observational studies have reported that Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is associated with a series of pregnancy and neonatal outcomes. However, the results have been inconsistent, and the causal effect is unknown.

Methods

A two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) study was performed using summary-level statistics for anti-H. pylori IgG levels from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children Cohort. Outcome data for pregnancy (miscarriage, preeclampsia-eclampsia, gestational diabetes mellitus, placental abruption, premature rupture of membranes, postpartum hemorrhage) and neonates (birthweight, gestational age, and preterm birth) were sourced from genome-wide association meta-analysis as well as the FinnGen and Early Growth Genetics Consortium. Causal estimates were calculated by five methods including inverse variance weighted (IVW). The heterogeneity of instrumental variables was quantified by Cochran’s Q test, while sensitivity analyses were performed via MR-Egger, MR-PRESSO, and leave-one-out tests.

Results

IVW estimates suggested that genetically predicted anti-H. pylori IgG levels were significantly associated with increased risks of preeclampsia-eclampsia (odds ratio [OR] = 1.12, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.01–1.24, P = 0.026) and premature rupture of membranes (OR = 1.17, 95% CI 1.05–1.30, P = 0.004). Similar results were obtained for preeclampsia-eclampsia from the MR-Egger method (OR = 1.32, 95% CI 1.06–1.64, P = 0.027) and for premature rupture of membranes from the weighted median method (OR = 1.22, 95% CI 1.06–1.41, P = 0.006). No significant causal effects were found for other outcomes. There was no obvious heterogeneity and horizontal pleiotropy across the MR analysis.

Conclusion

Our two-sample MR study demonstrated a causal relationship of H. pylori infection with preeclampsia-eclampsia and premature rupture of membranes. The findings confirm the epidemiological evidence on the adverse impact of H. pylori in pregnancy. Further studies are needed to elucidate the pathophysiological mechanisms and assess the effectiveness of pre-pregnancy screening and preventive eradication.
Barriers to healthcare data quality and recommendations in public health facilities in Dire Dawa city administration, eastern Ethiopia: a qualitative study
Authors: Tolera Abebe , Firdisa Dawit , Roba Hirbo Shore , Motuma Aboma , Kitesa Monas , Abaerei Admas Abera
Published: March 2024

Background

Maintaining good quality of healthcare data at various levels is a critical challenge in developing countries. The barriers to healthcare data quality remain largely unexplored in eastern Ethiopia.

Objective

This study aimed to assess the barriers to quality of healthcare data in urban public health facilities in the Dire Dawa city administration from 7 April to 7 May 2019.

Methods

An institutional-based qualitative exploratory approach was used among 17 purposefully selected key informants. In-depth interviews were inductively coded using the ATLAS.ti 7.5.4 version software. Inductive analysis was used by semantically analyzing the explicit content of the data to determine our themes.

Results

Several key themes and subthemes with different barriers, some of which are mutually non-exclusive, were identified. These include: Organizational Barriers: Lack of an adequate health management information system and data clerk staff, poor management commitment, lack of post-training follow-up, work overload, frequent duty rotation, lack of incentives for good performers, lack of targeted feedback, and poor culture of information use. Behavioral/Individual Barriers: Gaps in the skill of managers and health professionals, lack of adequate awareness of each indicator and its definitions, inadequate educational competence, lack of feeling of ownership, poor commitment, lack of daily tallying, and lack of value for data. Technical Barriers: Lack of a standard form, diverse and too many data entry formats, manual data collection, shortage of supplies, failure to repair system break down in a timely manner, interruption in electricity and network, delay in digitizing health information systems, lack of post-training follow-up, and inadequate supervision. External Barriers: Poor collaboration between stakeholders, dependence on the software program of non-governmental organizations, and very hot weather conditions.

Conclusion

Diverse and complex barriers to maintenance of data quality were identified. Developing standardized health management information system implementation plans, providing advanced supervisory-level training, supportive supervision, and site-level mentorship may be very effective in identifying and resolving bottleneck data quality issues. Healthcare managers should understand the imperative of data quality and accept responsibility for its improvement and maintenance. Interventions targeted only at supplies will not fully overcome limitations to data quality. Motivation of staff and recognition of best performance can motivate others and can create cooperation among staff.
Current barriers to initiating insulin therapy in individuals with type 2 diabetes
Authors: Galdón Sanz-Pastor Alba , Justel Enríquez Alicia , Sánchez Bao Ana , Ampudia-Blasco Francisco Javier
Published: March 2024

Insulin is an essential drug in the treatment of diabetes, often necessary for managing hyperglycemia in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). It should be considered in cases of severe hyperglycemia requiring hospitalization, after the failure of other treatments, in advanced chronic kidney disease, liver cirrhosis, post-transplant diabetes, or during pregnancy. Moreover, in specific patient subgroups, early initiation of insulin is crucial for hyperglycemia control and prevention of chronic complications. Clinical guidelines recommend initiating insulin when other treatments fail, although there are barriers that may delay its initiation. The timing of initiation depends on individual patient characteristics. Typically, insulinization starts by adding basal insulin to the patient’s existing treatment and, if necessary, progresses by gradually introducing prandial insulin. Several barriers have been identified that hinder the initiation of insulin, including fear of hypoglycemia, lack of adherence, the need for glucose monitoring, the injection method of insulin administration, social rejection associated with the stigma of injections, weight gain, a sense of therapeutic failure at initiation, lack of experience among some healthcare professionals, and the delayed and reactive positioning of insulin in recent clinical guidelines. These barriers contribute, among other factors, to therapeutic inertia in initiating and intensifying insulin treatment and to patients’ non-adherence. In this context, the development of once-weekly insulin formulations could improve initial acceptance, adherence, treatment satisfaction, and consequently, the quality of life for patients. Currently, two once-weekly basal insulins, insulin icodec and basal insulin BIF, which are in different stages of clinical development, may help. Their longer half-life translates to lower variability and reduced risk of hypoglycemia. This review addresses the need for insulin in T2DM, its positioning in clinical guidelines under specific circumstances, the current barriers to initiating and intensifying insulin treatment, and the potential role of once-weekly insulin formulations as a potential solution to facilitate timely initiation of insulinization, which would reduce therapeutic inertia and achieve better early control in people with T2DM.
Promotion of CO2 fracturing for CCUS—the technical gap between theory and practice
Authors: Hou Lei , Luo Jiangfeng , Gong Peibin , Ji Ya , Zhang Lei
Published: March 2024

CO2, used as an environmentally friendly fracturing fluid, has encountered a bottleneck in development in recent years. Despite great efforts in research work, limited progress has been made in field applications. In this study, an extensive literature review of research work and field cases was performed to summarize the technical issues and challenges of CO2fracturing. The key issues of CO2fracturing were analyzed to reveal the gap between fundamental research and field operations. The effects of CO2properties on fracture creation and proppant transport were synthetically analyzed to extract new common research orientations, with the aim of improving the efficiency of CO2injection. The hydraulic parameters of CO2fracturing were compared with those of water-based fracturing fluids, which revealed a theory-practice gap. By studying the developing trends and successful experiences of conventional fluids, new strategies for CO2fracturing were proposed. We identified that the major theory-practice gap in CO2fracturing exists in pump rate and operation scale. Consequently, the friction reducer, effects of flow loss (due to leak-off) and distribution (within fracture networks), and shear viscosity of thickened CO2are key factors in improving both fracture propagation and proppant transport. By increasing the scale of injected CO2, the CO2fracturing technique can be enhanced, making it an essential option for carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) to reduce carbon emissions and mitigate climate change.
The heterogeneous impacts of environmental technologies and research and development spending on green growth in emerging economies: the moderating role of financial globalization
Authors: Borojo Dinkneh Gebre
Published: March 2024

Introduction: Understanding the heterogeneous impacts of environmental technologies (ETs), research and development (RD) spending and financial globalization (FG) on green economic growth (GEG) is worthwhile to promote progress toward GEG. Besides, exploring the moderating role of FG is essential to uncover the nuanced dynamics that shape the relationship between ET, RD, GEG, and the influence of global financial integration. Thus, this study examines the effects of ET, RD and FD on GEG in emerging market economies (EMEs). In addition, we investigate the moderating role of FG on the effects of ETs and RD on GEG.

Methods: The method of moments quantile regression (MMQR) is applied using a fixed effects model that can capture distributional heterogeneity and nonnormality concerns for the panel of 25 EMEs from 2000 to 2019. In addition, other alternative models are applied to conduct robustness analysis. We use green total factor productivity (GP) to proxy for GEG using the Malmquist–Luenberger Productivity Index (MLPI) strategy based on the directional distance function (DDF).

Results and discussion: The findings imply that ETs significantly impact GEG, revealing evidence that promoting environmental innovation positively contributes to GEG progress in EMEs. Likewise, RD promotes GEG progression in EMEs. Additionally, FG positively impacts GEG. FG also positively moderates the effects of ETs and RD on GEG, implying that countries open to FG can better harness the positive roles of investment in ETs and RD on GEG in EMEs. Therefore, policymakers should develop prudent policies to encourage ETs and RD to promote GEG in EMEs, which aligns with the goals of controlling climate variation (SDG-13) and fostering innovation (SDG-9) to promote GEG in EMEs.
Where does the EU-path on new genomic techniques lead us?
Authors: Bohle Finja , Schneider Robin , Mundorf Juliane , Zühl Luise , Simon Samson , Engelhard Margret
Published: March 2024

Recently, the European Commission (EC) published a regulatory proposal on plants generated with new genomic techniques (NGTs) (5 July 2023). According to this proposal, NGT plant applications are categorized into category 1 NGT (NGT1) and category 2 NGT (NGT2) based on their molecular characteristics, which diverges from the current legislation centered around Directive 2001/18/EC. To demonstrate where the path of the proposal leads to in practice, we applied the proposed criteria for categorization to a list of NGT plant applications currently in the commercialization pipeline. Combining literature research and a descriptive statistical approach, we can show that 94% of the plant applications affected by the EC proposal, would be classified as NGT1 and thus would receive market approval without risk assessment, monitoring, and sufficient labeling provisions. The remaining 6% of applications would be classified as NGT2 plants, for which, in deviation from the current regulation, an adapted risk assessment is proposed. Screening of the intended traits in the pipeline highlights that certain NGT1 plants can pose similar environmental risks (e.g., invasiveness) to other genetically modified organisms (GMOs), as defined in Directive 2001/18/EC. For example, NGT1 applications based on RNA interference technology can exhibit insecticidal effects with potential side effects on non-target organisms (i.e., other insects). Our quantitative and case-specific elaboration of how the current EC regulatory proposal would affect the environment, health, and consumer protection will be informative for decision-makers and politicians.
Circadian disruption dysregulates lung gene expression associated with inflammatory lung injury
Authors: Casanova Nancy G. , De Armond Richard L. , Sammani Saad , Sun Xiaoguang , Sun Belinda , Kempf Carrie , Bime Christian , Garcia Joe G. N. , Parthasarathy Sairam
Published: March 2024

Rationale

Circadian systems drive the expression of multiple genes in nearly all cells and coordinate cellular-, tissue-, and system-level processes that are critical to innate immunity regulation.

Objective

We examined the effects of circadian rhythm disorganization, produced by light shift exposure, on innate immunity-mediated inflammatory lung responses including vascular permeability and gene expression in a C57BL/6J murine model of inflammatory lung injury.

Methods

A total of 32 C57BL/6J mice were assigned to circadian phase shifting (CPS) with intratracheal phosphate-buffered saline (PBS), CPS with intratracheal lipopolysaccharide (LPS), control (normal lighting) condition with intratracheal PBS, and control condition with intratracheal LPS. Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) protein, cell counts, tissue immunostaining, and differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were measured in lung tissues at 2 and 10 weeks.

Measurements and results

In mice exposed to both CPS and intratracheal LPS, both BAL protein and cell counts were increased at both 2 and 10 weeks compared to mice exposed to LPS alone. Multiple DEGs were identified in CPS–LPS-exposed lung tissues compared to LPS alone and were involved in transcriptional pathways associated with circadian rhythm disruption, regulation of lung permeability, inflammation with Rap1 signaling, and regulation of actin cytoskeleton. The most dysregulated pathways included myosin light chain kinase, MAP kinase, profilin 2, fibroblast growth factor receptor, integrin b4, and p21-activated kinase.

Conclusion

Circadian rhythm disruption results in exacerbated immune response and dysregulated expression of cytoskeletal genes involved in the regulation of epithelial and vascular barrier integrity—the mechanistic underpinnings of acute lung injury. Further studies need to explore circadian disorganization as a druggable target.
Unraveling the chicken T cell repertoire with enhanced genome annotation
Authors: Früh Simon P. , Früh Martin A. , Kaufer Benedikt B. , Göbel Thomas W.
Published: March 2024

T cell receptor (TCR) repertoire sequencing has emerged as a powerful tool for understanding the diversity and functionality of T cells within the host immune system. Yet, the chicken TCR repertoire remains poorly understood due to incomplete genome annotation of the TCR loci, despite the importance of chickens in agriculture and as an immunological model. Here, we addressed this critical issue by employing 5’ rapid amplification of complementary DNA ends (5’RACE) TCR repertoire sequencing with molecular barcoding of complementary DNA (cDNA) molecules. Simultaneously, we enhanced the genome annotation of TCR Variable (V), Diversity (D, only present in β and δ loci) and Joining (J) genes in the chicken genome. To enhance the efficiency of TCR annotations, we developed VJ-gene-finder, an algorithm designed to extract VJ gene candidates from deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) sequences. Using this tool, we achieved a comprehensive annotation of all known chicken TCR loci, including the α/δ locus on chromosome 27. Evolutionary analysis revealed that each locus evolved separately by duplication of long homology units. To define the baseline TCR diversity in healthy chickens and to demonstrate the feasibility of the approach, we characterized the splenic α/β/γ/δ TCR repertoire. Analysis of the repertoires revealed preferential usage of specific V and J combinations in all chains, while the overall features were characteristic of unbiased repertoires. We observed moderate levels of shared complementarity-determining region 3 (CDR3) clonotypes among individual birds within the α and γ chain repertoires, including the most frequently occurring clonotypes. However, the β and δ repertoires were predominantly unique to each bird. Taken together, our TCR repertoire analysis allowed us to decipher the composition, diversity, and functionality of T cells in chickens. This work not only represents a significant step towards understanding avian T cell biology, but will also shed light on host-pathogen interactions, vaccine development, and the evolutionary history of avian immunology.
MICA-specific nanobodies for diagnosis and immunotherapy of MICA+ tumors
Authors: Verhaar Elisha R. , Knoflook Anouk , Pishesha Novalia , Liu Xin , van Keizerswaard Willemijn J. C. , Wucherpfennig Kai W. , Ploegh Hidde L.
Published: March 2024

MICA and MICB are Class I MHC-related glycoproteins that are upregulated on the surface of cells in response to stress, for instance due to infection or malignant transformation. MICA/B are ligands for NKG2D, an activating receptor on NK cells, CD8+ T cells, and γδ T cells. Upon engagement of MICA/B with NKG2D, these cytotoxic cells eradicate MICA/B-positive targets. MICA is frequently overexpressed on the surface of cancer cells of epithelial and hematopoietic origin. Here, we created nanobodies that recognize MICA. Nanobodies, or VHHs, are the recombinantly expressed variable regions of camelid heavy chain-only immunoglobulins. They retain the capacity of antigen recognition but are characterized by their stability and ease of production. The nanobodies described here detect surface-disposed MICA on cancer cells in vitro by flow cytometry and can be used therapeutically as nanobody-drug conjugates when fused to the Maytansine derivative DM1. The nanobody-DM1 conjugate selectively kills MICA positive tumor cells in vitro.
Correlation between body composition and disease severity in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Authors: Jin Xiaohan , Yang Yu , Chen Guangmei , Shao Yue , Liu Chang , Li Rong , Liu Yazhuo , Zhang Lichuan
Published: March 2024

Background

Body composition changes are important extrapulmonary manifestations in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients. This study aimed to investigate the characteristics of body composition in patients with COPD, and its correlation with disease severity.

Methods

A total of 105 COPD patients admitted to Zhongshan Hospital affiliated to Dalian University, from May 1, 2021 to January 31, 2023, were included as the COPD group, and 105 subjects without COPD were enrolled as the control group during the same period. According to the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) comprehensive assessment indicators, COPD patients were divided into groups: the degree of pulmonary function airflow limitation was grouped according to FEV1%pred; clinical symptoms were grouped according to mMRC scores and CAT scores; the risk of acute exacerbation was divided into low risk and high risk groups. Body composition was measured by bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA).

Results

(1) Concerning body composition, the body mass index (BMI), fat-free mass index (FFMI), and angle of phase (PhA) of COPD patients were lower than those of the control group. Extracellular water-to-total body water ratio (ECW/TBW) and extra-to-intracellular water ratio (ECW/ICW) were higher than those of the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (p < 0.05). (2) There were differences in body composition among COPD patients with different severity of disease: FFMI and PhA in the mild/moderate airflow limitation group were higher than those in the severe/very severe airflow limitation group. According to mMRC scores classification, the FFMI and PhA of the less symptomatic group were higher than those of the more symptomatic group, and ECW/TBW and ECW/ICW were lower than those of the more symptomatic group. According to CAT scores classification, FFMI and PhA in the mild/moderate disease group were higher than those in the severe/very severe disease group. The FFMI of the low-risk group was higher than that of the high-risk group, and ECW/TBW was lower than that of the high risk group. (3) Correlation analysis between body composition and disease severity indicators showed that FFMI and PhA were negatively correlated with mMRC scores and CAT scores, and positively correlated with FEV1%pred. ECW/TBW ratio and ECW/ICW ratio were positively correlated with mMRC scores and CAT scores, and negatively correlated with FEV1%pred, and the difference was statistically significant (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

There are significant differences in body composition between COPD patients and the control group, and there are significant differences in body composition between COPD patients with different severity of disease, with correlations between body composition and severity of disease.
Global disease burden linked to diet high in red meat and colorectal cancer from 1990 to 2019 and its prediction up to 2030
Authors: Yang Xuesong , Wu Duozhi , Liu Yanbo , He Zhigang , Manyande Anne , Fu Hongjun , Xiang Hongbing
Published: March 2024

Background

Numerous studies have already identified an association between excessive consumption of red meat and colorectal cancer (CRC). However, there has been a lack of detailed understanding regarding the disease burden linked to diet high in red meat and CRC.

Objective

We aim to offer evidence-based guidance for developing effective strategies that can mitigate the elevated CRC burden in certain countries.

Methods

We used the data from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) Study 2019 to evaluate global, regional, and national mortality rates and disability-adjusted Life years (DALYs) related to diet high in red meat. We also considered factors such as sex, age, the socio-demographic index (SDI), and evaluated the cross-national inequalities. Furthermore, we utilized DALYs data from 204 countries and regions to measure cross-country inequalities of CRC by calculating the slope index of inequality and concentration index as standard indicators of absolute and relative inequalities.

Discussion

The results show that globally, the age-standardized mortality rate (ASMR) and age-standardized disability adjusted life year rate (ASDR) related to CRC due to diet high in red meat have decreased, with estimated annual percent change (EAPCs) of −0.32% (95% CI −0.37 to −0.28) and-0.18% (95% CI −0.25 to −0.11). Notably, the burden was higher among males and the elderly. The slope index of inequality rose from 22.0 (95% CI 18.1 to 25.9) in 1990 to 32.9 (95% CI 28.3 to 37.5) in 2019 and the concentration index fell from 59.5 (95% CI 46.4 to 72.6) in 1990 to 48.9 (95% CI 34.6 to 63.1) in 2019. Also, according to our projections, global ASDR and ASMR might tend to increase up to 2030.

Conclusion

ASMR and ASDR for CRC associated with high red meat diets declined globally from 1990 to 2019, but the absolute number of cases is still rising, with men and the elderly being more affected. CRC associated with diets high in red meat exhibits significant income inequality, placing a disproportionate burden on wealthier countries. Moreover, according to our projections, ASMR and ASDR are likely to increase globally by 2030. In order to address this intractable disease problem, understanding changes in global and regional epidemiologic trends is critical for policy makers and others.