bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Surface characteristics and bacterial adhesion of endodontic cements
Authors: Koutroulis Andreas , Valen Håkon , Ørstavik Dag , Kapralos Vasileios , Camilleri Josette , Sunde Pia Titterud
Published: August 2022

Objectives

To investigate the effect of inclusion of silver nano-particles (SNP) or bioactive glass (BG) on the surface characteristics and bacterial adhesion of prototype tricalcium silicate (TCS)–based cements alongside two commercial cements, under different aging periods and exposure conditions.

Materials and methods

A basic formulation of radio-opacified TCS without (TZ-base) and with additions of SNP (0.5, 1, or 2 mg/ml) or BG (10 or 20%) was used. Biodentine and intermediate restorative material (IRM) served as reference materials. Material disks were immersed in ultrapure water or fetal bovine serum (FBS) for 1, 7, or 28 days. Surface roughness (n = 3), microhardness (n = 9), and wettability (n = 6) were analyzed by standard procedures. Adhesion of Enterococcus faecalis was assessed by fluorescence microscopy (n = 5). Data from these assays were evaluated for normality and comparisons among groups were conducted with statistical procedures (p < 0.05 for significance).

Results

The surface morphology of SNP- and BG-containing cements had higher roughness values than TZ-base after 28 days (p < 0.05). No differences in microhardness were observed among prototype cements (p > 0.05). Biodentine presented smooth surface characteristics and the highest hardness values (p < 0.05). The FBS-immersion resulted in surface reactions in prototype materials and Biodentine, depicted with scanning electron microscopy. All 1- and 7-day prototype cements showed negligible bacterial adhesion, while in Biodentine and IRM, noticeable E. faecalis adherence was observed from day 1 (p < 0.05).

Conclusions

Incorporation of SNP or BG did not improve the antibacterial effect of the experimental cement; all 28-day aged materials failed to inhibit bacterial adherence. The measured physical parameters did not appear to be related to the degree of bacterial adhesion. Exposure of TCS-based cements in FBS resulted in surface reactions, which did not affect bacterial adhesion.

Clinical relevance

Changes in the surface characteristics of prototype TCS-based cements by inclusion of SNP and BG or exposure to different environments did not affect bacterial adhesion. All experimental materials showed inferior physical properties and higher antibacterial effect than Biodentine.
Blockchain as the “trust-building machine” for supply chain management
Authors: Yavaprabhas Kongmanas , Pournader Mehrdokht , Seuring Stefan
Published: August 2022

This paper aims to investigate the impact of blockchain application on trust levels in supply chains. Through the systematic review of the relevant literature, three dimensions of trust, i.e., the trustor–trustee perspective, forms of trust, and time orientation, are investigated. Our findings show that, first, there are three pairs of trustors and trustees involved in blockchain implementation: (a) the user and the blockchain, (b) two supply chain partners, and (c) the consumer/public and a supply chain unit. Second, the two forms of trust, namely cognition-based and institution-based trust, are likely to be enhanced by blockchain execution, while affect-based trust may not be directly impacted by the technology. Third, the presence of blockchain technology would facilitate swift trust-building between unknown supply chain partners under specific circumstances. Moreover, we also find contradicting assertions among scholars on the implications of blockchain for trust in supply chains. While some studies pointed out that blockchain will enable a trustless trusted scheme, others expected the reinforcement of interorganizational trust. To test these assertions, we develop the blockchain-entrusted supply chain models to present the three-step process of how trust is developed through the blockchain and diffused to supply chain partners and external stakeholders.
DNS and Highly-Resolved LES of Heat and Mass Transfer in Two-Phase Counter-Current Condensing Flow
Authors: Apanasevich P. , Lucas D. , Sato Y. , Ničeno B.
Published: August 2022

A comprehensive study of direct-contact condensation heat transfer for turbulent, counter-current, liquid/vapour flow in a nearly horizontal channel at high pressure (i.e. 5 MPa) has been carried out based on Direct Numerical Simulation (DNS) and highly-resolved Large Eddy Simulation (LES) approaches. To simulate the two-phase flow situation, driven in this case by a constant pressure gradient, a single set of Navier–Stokes equations, coupled with an enthalpy conservation equation, have been employed. The interfacial mass transfer, seen in this case to be dominated by condensation, has been calculated directly from the heat flux at the liquid/vapour interface. To investigate the effect of condensation on the turbulence phenomena, and vice versa, cases have been considered involving two friction Reynolds numbers: namely $$Re_{*}=u_{*}h/\nu =178$$

R

e

∗

=

u

∗

h
/
ν
=
178

and $$Re_{*}=u_{*}h/\nu =590$$

R

e

∗

=

u

∗

h
/
ν
=
590

($$u_{*}=(h\varDelta P/\rho )^{1/2}$$

u

∗

=

(
h
Δ
P
/
ρ
)

1
/
2

). At the lower Reynolds number, three levels of water subcooling—0 K, 10 K and 40 K—have been investigated. The use of water subcooling of 0 K has enabled the validation and verification procedures associated with the numerical approach to be compared against experimental and numerical data reported in the literature. The choice of the maximum degree of water subcooling is dictated by the need to justify the periodic boundary conditions applied in this numerical study. In the simulation for the higher Reynolds number, only the case of 10 K subcooling has been included, as a consequence of the very high computation effort involved. A detailed statistical analysis of the DNS and LES data obtained from the application of the well-known wall laws has also been assessed. In the vicinity of the liquid/vapour interface, the characteristics of the turbulent motions appear somewhat diverse, depending on whether the interface is basically flat or wavy in character. For a flat interface, some damping effect of the presence of the interface on the turbulence intensity has been observed, a feature which becomes enhanced as the level of liquid subcooling is increased. In the case of a wavy interface, the damping effect is predicted as considerably less pronounced.
Lagrangian Particle Dispersion Models in the Grey Zone of Turbulence: Adaptations to FLEXPART-COSMO for Simulations at 1 km Grid Resolution
Authors: Katharopoulos Ioannis , Brunner Dominik , Emmenegger Lukas , Leuenberger Markus , Henne Stephan
Published: August 2022

Lagrangian particle dispersion models (LPDMs) are frequently used for regional-scale inversions of greenhouse gas emissions. However, the turbulence parameterizations used in these models were developed for coarse resolution grids, hence, when moving to the kilometre-scale the validity of these descriptions should be questioned. Here, we analyze the influence of the turbulence parameterization employed in the LPDM FLEXPART-COSMO model. Comparisons of the turbulence kinetic energy between the turbulence schemes of FLEXPART-COSMO and the underlying Eulerian model COSMO suggest that the dispersion in FLEXPART-COSMO suffers from a double-counting of turbulent elements when run at a high resolution of $$1 \times 1 \,\hbox {km}^2$$

1
×
1

km
2

. Such turbulent elements are represented in both COSMO, by the resolved grid-scale winds, and FLEXPART, by its stochastic parameterizations. Therefore, we developed a new parametrization for the variations of the winds and the Lagrangian time scales in FLEXPART in order to harmonize the amount of turbulence present in both models. In a case study for a power plant plume, the new scheme results in improved plume representation when compared with in situ flight observations and with a tracer transported in COSMO. Further in-depth validation of the LPDM against methane observations at a tall tower site in Switzerland shows that the model’s ability to predict the observed tracer variability and concentration at different heights above ground is considerably enhanced using the updated turbulence description. The high-resolution simulations result in a more realistic and pronounced diurnal cycle of the tracer concentration peaks and overall improved correlation with observations when compared to previously used coarser resolution simulations (at 7 km $$\times $$
×
7 km). Our results indicate that the stochastic turbulence schemes of LPDMs, developed in the past for coarse resolution models, should be revisited to include a resolution dependency and resolve only the part of the turbulence spectrum that is a subgrid process at each different mesh size. Although our new scheme is specific to COSMO simulations at $$1 \times 1 \,\hbox {km}^2$$

1
×
1

km
2

resolution, the methodology for deriving the scheme can easily be applied to different resolutions and other regional models.
Parents’ Perspectives of Family Engagement with Early Childhood Education and Care During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Levickis Penny , Murray Lisa , Lee-Pang Lynn , Eadie Patricia , Page Jane , Lee Wan Yi , Hill Georgie
Published: August 2022

The COVID-19 pandemic has created significant challenges for Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) services and families, impacting family access to services and their communication and engagement with educators. This study aimed to examine parents’ perspectives of family engagement with ECEC services during the pandemic. Primary caregivers in Victoria at the time of recruitment (September–November 2020) were invited to participate. Of the 66 participants who completed an online survey, 25 also took part in semi-structured video call or phone interviews; qualitative findings from these interviews are reported in this paper. Four key themes were conceptualised using a reflexive thematic approach: (1) disruptions to ECEC access and attendance impacting on family routines and relationships, and child development; (2) barriers to family engagement; (3) ECEC educators’ support of families and children during the pandemic; and (4) increased parental appreciation of the ECEC profession. Findings revealed that disruptions to ECEC access and routines during the pandemic adversely impacted family engagement, and child learning and social-emotional wellbeing for some families. These were aggravated by other stressors, including increased parental responsibilities in the home, financial and health concerns, and changed work conditions. Findings also demonstrated successful methods used by educators to maintain communication and connections with families. Importantly, parents expressed increasing appreciation of the profession and an increased awareness of the value of family involvement in children’s learning. Learnings regarding strategies for effective and alternative ways of engaging families are discussed.
Development and Heredity in the Interwar Period: Hans Spemann and Fritz Baltzer on Organizers and Merogones
Authors: Brandt Christina
Published: August 2022

This article explores the collaborative research of the Nobel laureate Hans Spemann (1869–1941) and the Swiss zoologist Fritz Baltzer (1884–1974) on problems at the intersection of development and heredity and raises more general questions concerning science and politics in Germany in the interwar period. It argues that Spemann and Baltzer’s collaborative work made a significant contribution to the then ongoing debates about the relation between developmental physiology and hereditary studies, although Spemann distanced himself fromDrosophilagenetics because of his anti-reductionist position. The article analyzes how Spemann framed the issues of heredity in terms of an epigenetic principle in the context of his work on the “organizer,” and it explores the experimental dynamics of research on newt merogones carried out by Baltzer in a methodological development of Spemann’s constriction experiments. Finally, these research attempts are discussed as part of a broader “prehistory” of the mid-twentieth century cell nuclear transplantation experiments, which provided the basis for later animal cloning.
Modeling receptor flexibility in the structure-based design of KRASG12C inhibitors
Authors: Zhu Kai , Li Cui , Wu Kingsley Y. , Mohr Christopher , Li Xun , Lanman Brian
Published: August 2022

KRAS has long been referred to as an ‘undruggable’ target due to its high affinity for its cognate ligands (GDP and GTP) and its lack of readily exploited allosteric binding pockets. Recent progress in the development of covalent inhibitors of KRASG12C has revealed that occupancy of an allosteric binding site located between the α3-helix and switch-II loop of KRASG12C—sometimes referred to as the ‘switch-II pocket’—holds great potential in the design of direct inhibitors of KRASG12C. In studying diverse switch-II pocket binders during the development of sotorasib (AMG 510), the first FDA-approved inhibitor of KRASG12C, we found the dramatic conformational flexibility of the switch-II pocket posing significant challenges toward the structure-based design of inhibitors. Here, we present our computational approaches for dealing with receptor flexibility in the prediction of ligand binding pose and binding affinity. For binding pose prediction, we modified the covalent docking program CovDock to allow for protein conformational mobility. This new docking approach, termed as FlexCovDock, improves success rates from 55 to 89% for binding pose prediction on a dataset of 10 cross-docking cases and has been prospectively validated across diverse ligand chemotypes. For binding affinity prediction, we found standard free energy perturbation (FEP) methods could not adequately handle the significant conformational change of the switch-II loop. We developed a new computational strategy to accelerate conformational transitions through the use of targeted protein mutations. Using this methodology, the mean unsigned error (MUE) of binding affinity prediction were reduced from 1.44 to 0.89 kcal/mol on a set of 14 compounds. These approaches were of significant use in facilitating the structure-based design of KRASG12C inhibitors and are anticipated to be of further use in the design of covalent (and noncovalent) inhibitors of other conformationally labile protein targets.
Effect of Graphene Oxide/Hydroxyapatite fine-grained AZ91D on blood compatibility and cytocompatibility
Authors: Ji Hongrui , Zhao Yunpeng , Yu Xiaojing , Fang Wenbin
Published: August 2022

Magnesium alloy has excellent physical and mechanical properties and is expected to become a new generation of medical degradable materials. In this paper, the blood compatibility analysis of Graphene Oxide(GO)/Hydroxyapatite(HA)-AZ91D was carried out to improve the blood compatibility of magnesium alloy materials. AZ91D was used as the control group and GO/HA-AZ91D was used as the experimental group. The two samples were studied in vitro by hemolysis rate test, cell proliferation test, NO release and T-AOC test. The results combined with the work of the research group showed that the blood compatibility and cell compatibility of the GO/HA-AZ91D group were significantly improved, providing an effective idea for future corrosion resistant coatings on magnesium alloys.
Between Resistance and Complicity, the Australian Healthcare Community and 30 Years of Immigration Detention
Authors: Essex Ryan , Kalocsányiová Erika
Published: August 2022

This year marks 30 years since Australia introduced its policy of mandatory, indefinite immigration detention. We provide an overview of these policies with a focus on the involvement of healthcare workers, both within centres and externally, protesting these policies. We discuss several lessons that can be learnt from Australia?s approach, namely that traditional approaches to health and healthcare have done little to address the suffering of those who are detained. We call for the healthcare community to consider their role in activism and in calling for the abolition of detention. These lessons sadly have increasing global relevance with several countries now seeking to emulate Australia?s cruelty.
Constructing Pseudowords with Constraints on Morphological Features - Application for Polish Pseudonouns and Pseudoverbs
Authors: Dołżycka Joanna Daria , Nikadon Jan , Formanowicz Magdalena
Published: August 2022

Pseudowords allow researchers to investigate multiple grammatical or syntactic aspects of language processing. In order to serve that purpose, pseudoword stimuli need to preserve certain properties of real language. We provide a Python-based pipeline for the generation of pseudoword stimuli that sound/read naturally in a given language. The pseudowords are designed to resemble real words and clearly indicate their grammatical class for languages that use specific suffixes from parts of speech. We also provide two sets of pseudonouns and pseudoverbs in Polish that are outcomes of the applied pipeline. The sets are equipped with psycholinguistically relevant properties of words, such as orthographic Levenshtein distance 20. We also performed two studies (overall N = 640) to test the validity of the algorithmically constructed stimuli in a human sample. Thus, we present stimuli that were deprived of direct meaning yet are clearly classifiable as grammatical categories while being orthographically and phonologically plausible.
A study of the diffusive properties of a modified compressible Navier-Stokes model
Authors: Svärd Magnus , Munthe Karl
Published: August 2022

The aim of this study is to provide further validation for the weakly well-posed modified compressible Navier-Stokes system proposed in Svärd (Phys A 506:350–375, 2018) when applied to ideal gases. We do so by considering sound attenuation, both theoretically and numerically for argon and oxygen, and make comparisons with experimental values in the literature. Furthermore, we compute shock profiles for argon and nitrogen, and compare them with experiments in the literature. Our numerical simulations have revealed problems when using experimental attenuation data, as presented in the available literature, for validation and determination of diffusion coefficients. However, comparisons with the shock data, suggest that the modified system may benefit from an additional heat diffusive term. In view of these and previously published validation tests, the model proposed in Svärd (Phys A 506:350–375, 2018) is equally accurate as the standard compressible system. However, with more complete experimental information for the attenuation case at hand, it might be possible to further improve the accuracy by more precise determination of the diffusion coefficients. We propose a tentative adjustment of the model that may be tested/validated, if more detailed experimental information becomes available.
Leaf area index estimations by deep learning models using RGB images and data fusion in maize
Authors: Castro-Valdecantos P. , Apolo-Apolo O. E. , Pérez-Ruiz M. , Egea G.
Published: August 2022

The leaf area index (LAI) is a biophysical crop parameter of great interest for agronomists and plant breeders. Direct methods for measuring LAI are normally destructive, while indirect methods are either costly or require long pre- and post-processing times. In this study, a novel deep learning-based (DL) model was developed using RGB nadir-view images taken from a high-throughput plant phenotyping platform for LAI estimation of maize. The study took place in a commercial maize breeding trial during two consecutive growing seasons. Ground-truth LAI values were obtained non-destructively using an allometric relationship that was derived to calculate the leaf area of individual leaves from their main leaf dimensions (length and maximum width). Three convolutional neural network (CNN)-based DL model approaches were proposed using RGB images as input. One of the models tested is a classification model trained with a set of RGB images tagged with previously measured LAI values (classes). The second model provides LAI estimates from CNN-based linear regression and the third one uses a combination of RGB images and numerical data as input of the CNN-based model (multi-input model). The results obtained from the three approaches were compared against ground-truth data and LAI estimations from a classic indirect method based on nadir-view image analysis and gap fraction theory. All DL approaches outperformed the classic indirect method. The multi-input_model showed the least error and explained the highest proportion of the observed LAI variance. This work represents a major advance for LAI estimation in maize breeding plots as compared to previous methods, in terms of processing time and equipment costs.
Moral entanglements with a changing climate
Authors: Elliott Rebecca
Published: August 2022

This essay explores the theorization of moral valuation outlined in Stefan Bargheer’s Moral Entanglements: Conserving Birds in Britain and Germany when extended to the climate crisis. It considers, first, how ‘nature’ is valued when it confronts people and societies as a source of threat, rather than of recreation or resources. Second, the essay critically examines the role of moral discourse in the collective work of addressing climate change and its relationship to practice.
Gender Ideology in Europe: Plotting Normative Types in a Multidimensional Space
Authors: van Damme Maike , Pavlopoulos Dimitris
Published: August 2022

Two recent articles (Grunow et al. in J Marriage Fam 80(1):42–60, 2018; Knight and Brinton in Am J Sociol 122(5):1485–1532) suggest that gender ideology is multidimensional. Such a finding is of utmost importance because, if robust, it can be used in future comparative (multilevel) research. However, these two articles present different results on which gender ideology profiles are dominant in Europe. Using the European Value Study, we replicate and extend these Latent Class analyses and address the question of generalizability and content- and criterion-related validity. We come to a five-cluster solution that not only synthesizes theoretically and empirically the results of the two articles, but also contributes to the literature by clarifying the place of these five gender ideology types in a multidimensional space. We suggest that in Europe five ‘worlds of norms’ exist that are mutually influenced by the general institutional context of welfare states.
Fair performance-based user recommendation in eCoaching systems
Authors: Boratto Ludovico , Carta Salvatore , Iguider Walid , Mulas Fabrizio , Pilloni Paolo
Published: August 2022

Offering timely support to users in eCoaching systems is a key factor to keep them engaged. However, coaches usually follow a lot of users, so it is hard for them to prioritize those with whom they should interact first. Timeliness is especially needed when health implications might be the consequence of a lack of support. In this paper, we focus on this last scenario, by considering an eCoaching platform for runners. Our goal is to provide a coach with a ranked list of users, according to the support they need. Moreover, we want to guarantee a fair exposure in the ranking, to make sure that users of different groups have equal opportunities to get supported. In order to do so, we first model their performance and running behavior and then present a ranking algorithm to recommend users to coaches, according to their performance in the last running session and the quality of the previous ones. We provide measures of fairness that allow us to assess the exposure of users of different groups in the ranking and propose a re-ranking algorithm to guarantee a fair exposure. Experiments on data coming from the previously mentioned platform for runners show the effectiveness of our approach on standard metrics for ranking quality assessment and its capability to provide a fair exposure to users. The source code and the preprocessed datasets are available at: https://github.com/wiguider/Fair-Performance-based-User-Recommendation-in-eCoaching-Systems.
Handgrip strength is associated with adverse outcomes in patients hospitalized for COVID-19-associated pneumonia
Authors: Pucci Giacomo , D’Abbondanza Marco , Curcio Rosa , Alcidi Riccardo , Campanella Tommaso , Chiatti Lorenzo , Gandolfo Vito , Veca Vito , Casarola Genni , Leone Maria Comasia , Rossi Rachele , Alberti Alessio , Sanesi Leandro , Cavallo Massimiliano , Vaudo Gaetano
Published: August 2022

Handgrip strength (HGS), a simple tool for the evaluation of muscular strength, is independently associated with negative prognosis in many diseases. It is unknown whether HGS is prognostically relevant in COVID-19. We evaluated the ability of HGS to predict clinical outcomes in people with COVID-19-related pneumonia. 118 patients (66% men, 63 ± 12 years), consecutively hospitalized to the “Santa Maria” Terni University Hospital for COVID-19-related pneumonia and respiratory failure, underwent HGS measurement (Jamar hand-dynamometer) at ward admission. HGS was normalized to weight2/3 (nHGS) The main end-point was the first occurrence of death and/or endotracheal intubation at 14 days. Twenty-two patients reached the main end-point. In the Kaplan–Meyer analysis, the Log rank test showed significant differences between subjects with lower than mean HGS normalized to weight2/3 (nHGS) (< 1.32 kg/Kg2/3) vs subjects with higher than mean nHGS. (p = 0.03). In a Cox-proportional hazard model, nHGS inversely predicted the main end-point (hazard ratio, HR = 1.99 each 0.5 kg/Kg2/3 decrease, p = 0.03), independently from age, sex, body mass index, ratio of partial pressure arterial oxygen and fraction of inspired oxygen (PaO2/FiO2 ratio), hypertension, diabetes, estimated glomerular filtration rate and history of previous cardiovascular cardiovascular disease. These two latter also showed independent association with the main end-point (HR 1.30, p = 0.03 and 3.89, p < 0.01, respectively). In conclusion, nHGS measured at hospital admission, independently and inversely predicts the risk of poor outcomes in people with COVID-19-related pneumonia. The evaluation of HGS may be useful in early stratifying the risk of adverse prognosis in COVID-19.
Expectations of manufacturing companies regarding future priorities of improvement actions taken by their suppliers
Authors: Urbaniak Maciej , Rogala Piotr , Kafel Piotr
Published: August 2022

Purpose

The paper concerns supply chains. It aims to identify the essential improvement actions that manufacturing companies expect their suppliers to take in the future rather than selection requirements already used in the assessment process. Within those improvement actions, the goal is to determine whether the size and management methods used in assessing companies affect these future expectations.

Design/methodology/approach:

Hypotheses were developed regarding the expectations of manufacturing companies and the factors influencing these expectations. Data collected from 118 companies from the Polish automotive, metal and chemical sectors were used to verify them. For this purpose, the U-Mann Whitney test was applied.

Findings

Manufacturing companies expect their suppliers to improve: (1) products, (2) processes, (3) organization management, (4) communication and (5) relationship, with the most important thing for them is the improvement of products and processes. It was found that the expectations regarding the contributors are influenced by whether the manufacturing company is a large or small enterprise or it uses or not the Toyota Production System. Lean Management and the ISO 14,001 Environmental Management System do not translate into these expectations.

Originality/value

: The article gives a new look at shaping relations between suppliers and customers in supply chains. Unlike most of the research to date, it does not concern the requirements that suppliers should meet at a given moment but focuses on the improvement actions they should undertake in the future. This paper adds important detail to understanding cooperation in B2B relations.
Good Nudes and Bad Nudes: How Naturism, Casual Stripping, and Sexting Predict Social Physique Anxiety and Body Appreciation
Authors: West Keon , Kukawska Eliza
Published: August 2022

Prior research suggests that naturism leads to less social physique anxiety and more positive body image, but that other forms of public nudity (e.g., casual stripping, sexting) may be harmful, particularly for women. Two cross-sectional studies built on those previous findings. Study 1 (N1 = 6670) found a positive relationship between generalised nude activity and body appreciation which was not moderated by gender. Study 2 (N2 = 331) found that both naturism and casual stripping predicted more body appreciation, a relationship mediated by less social physique anxiety. Again, these relationships were not moderated by gender. In contrast, sexting did not predict body appreciation and predicted more social physique anxiety, but only in men. These findings highlight that some types of nudity may be more beneficial or harmful than others, and that future research and policy should specify the type of nudity under consideration in order to maximise positive effects.
The prognostic implications of SIRTs expression in breast cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Zhang Hongchen , Ma Chenyang , Peng Mingying , Lv Xiaoai , Xie Xiaohong , Huang Run
Published: August 2022

Background

Sirtuins (SIRTs) have key roles in cancer progression. However, the prognostic implications of SIRTs in breast cancer (BC) remains a subject of debate and controversy. Thus, we performed a meta-analysis to identify the precise prognostic value of SIRTs in BC patients.

Methods

Systematic literature searching was conducted in PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and Embase databases. The pooled hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated to estimate the association of SIRTs expression and survival outcomes in BC patients.

Results

A total of 22 original studies with 6317 patients were eligible for this meta-analysis. The results showed that in patients with BC, elevated SIRTs levels were associated with shorter overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) both in univariate (HR = 1.56, 95% CI 1.21–2.00; HR = 1.67, 95% CI 1.32–2.12, respectively) and multivariate analysis models (HR = 2.11, 95% CI 1.48–3.00; HR = 1.70, 95% CI 1.20–2.39, respectively). Notably, further subgroup analysis revealed that overexpression of SIRT1 and SIRT6 predicted poor OS (HR = 2.65, 95% CI 1.54–4.56; HR = 2.53, 95% CI 1.64–3.90, respectively) and DFS (HR = 1.65, 95% CI 1.07–2.56; HR = 2.74; 95% CI 1.88–4.01, respectively) in BC.

Conclusions

Our data has elucidated that SIRT1 and SIRT6 could serve as prognostic biomarkers for patients with BC and may contribute to refined patient management.
Where are the students? A close reading of priorities and silences in scholarly and public debates on VCE English (1990–2021)
Authors: Horton Allayne , McLean Davies Larissa
Published: August 2022

Debates about subject English in Australia are often conducted through the senior years curriculum. In light of the anticipated interest in the new Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) English study design released in 2022 to be implemented in 2023, this paper outlines the current state of research on the VCE English subject by mapping areas of interest, types of evidence and gaps in research. The authors utilise a hybrid approach of narrative scoping review to identify methodological and thematic trends in the scholarly literature, and intersecting professional and media discourse on VCE English from 1990 to 2021. Finding that the student experience and the enacted curriculum have been largely elided, the paper identifies fresh lines of inquiry into VCE English and advocates for new discussions around scholarly interest and approaches to senior secondary English in Australia.
Tissue culture tools for selenium hyperaccumulator Neptunia amplexicaulis for development in phytoextraction
Authors: O’Donohue Billy , Hiti-Bandaralage Jayeni , Gleeson Madeleine , O’Brien Chris , Harvey Maggie-Anne , van der Ent Antony , Pinto Irish Katherine , Mitter Neena , Hayward Alice
Published: August 2022

Neptunia amplexicaulis is an herbaceous legume endemic to the Richmond area in central Queensland, Australia and is one of the strongest known Selenium hyperaccumulators on earth, showing significant potential to be utilised in Se phytoextraction applications. Here a protocol was established for in vitro micropropagation of Se hyperaccumulator N. amplexicaulis using nodal segments from in vitro-germinated seedlings. Shoot multiplication was achieved on Murashige and Skoog (MS) basal media supplemented with various concentrations of 6-Benzylaminopurine (BA) (1.0, 2.0, 3.0 mg L−1) alone or in combination with low levels of Naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) (0.1, 0.2, 0.3 mg L−1), with 2.0 mg L−1 BA + 0.2 mg L−1 NAA found to be most effective. Elongated shoots were rooted in vitro using NAA, with highest root induction rate of 30% observed at 0.2 mg L−1 NAA. About 95% of the in vitro rooted shoots survived acclimatization. Clonally propagated plantlets were dosed with selenate/selenite solution and assessed for Se tissue concentrations using Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-AES) and found to retain their ability to hyperaccumulate. The protocol developed for this study has potential to be optimised for generating clonal plants of N. amplexicaulis for use in research and phytoextraction industry applications.
Effects of Pelvic Floor Muscle Training on Sexual Dysfunction, Sexual Satisfaction of Partners, Urinary Symptoms, and Pelvic Floor Muscle Strength in Women with Overactive Bladder: A Randomized Controlled Study
Authors: Celenay Seyda Toprak , Karaaslan Yasemin , Ozdemir Enver
Published: August 2022

Background

In women with overactive bladder (OAB), sexual dysfunctions and sexual satisfaction of their partners have been problems that are as important as urinary symptoms.

Aim

To investigate the effects of pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) on sexual dysfunction, sexual satisfaction of partners, urinary symptoms, and pelvic floor muscle strength (PFMS) in women with OAB.

Methods

Women with OAB were randomized into 2 groups: 6-week PFMT (n = 21) (home exercise program) and a control group (n = 22) (did not receive any treatment for OAB).

Outcomes

Sexual dysfunction, sexual satisfaction of partner, urinary symptoms, and PFMS were assessed at baseline and after 6 weeks with the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), the OAB-Version8 (OAB-V8), and the Modified Oxford Scale (MOS), respectively.

Results

After 6 weeks, there was an increase in FSFI domains [desire (95% CI: 0.18 to 0.64; P:.001, d: 0.88); arousal (95% CI: 0.42 to 1.24, P:<.001, d: 1.17); orgasm (95% CI:0.85 to 1.47; P:<.001, d:1.89); satisfaction (95% CI: 0.85 to 1.44; P:<.001, d: 2.29); sexual pain (95% CI:0.80 to 1.52; P:<.001, d:1.47); total score (95% CI: 3.70 to 5.94; P:<.001, d: 2.55)], sexual satisfaction of partners (95% CI: 1.80 to 2.85; P:<.001, d:2.83) and PFMS scores (95% CI: 1.10 to 1.55; P:<.001, d:3.18), and a decrease in the OAB-V8 score (95% CI: -13.01 to -7.10; P:<.001, d:2.19) in the PFMT group compared to the control group. There was a significant decrease in sexual dysfunction in the PFMT group compared to the control group (P:.046).

Clinical Implications

In order to improve sexual function, sexual satisfaction of the partners, urinary symptoms, and PFMS in women with OAB, PFMT should be added to the rehabilitation program in clinics.

Strengths & Limitations

The strength of this study was that it is a randomized controlled trial investigating the effect of PFMT in improving sexual function in OAB. The limitations of our study were the lack of a long-term (6 months-1 year) follow-up and the inability to blind.

Conclusion

PFMT was effective in improving sexual dysfunction, sexual satisfaction of partners, urinary symptoms, and PFMS in women with OAB.
Steady and unsteady aerodynamic loading of a NACA 16-616 aerofoil in a uniform flow
Authors: Branch J.A. , Zang B. , Azarpeyvand M. , Jones D. , Jinks E. , Westin M. Fernandino
Published: August 2022

This paper investigates the hydrodynamic near-field of a NACA 16-616 aerofoil over a range of angles-of-attack, encompassing the pre-stall, stall and post-stall flow regimes. In both the static pressure and the pressure fluctuation results, it is shown that each flow regime is easily distinguished, and it is further shown that each regime has different spectral behaviour and boundary layer characteristics. It is found that the NACA 16-616 aerofoil stalls by an abrupt leading-edge mechanism, characterised by a sudden change in the static pressure and unsteady surface pressure spectra between
$16^\circ $
and
$17^\circ $
angles-of-attack, but of more interest is that there is a secondary yet significant trailing-edge flow separation mechanism occurring upstream of the trailing-edge and moving further upstream as the angle-of-attack increases in the pre-stall regime. A comparison is made between the spectra and coherence of the unsteady surface pressure of the NACA 16-616 aerofoil and those of the classic NACA 0012 aerofoil and shows that such a secondary mechanism has a significant impact for large pre-stall angles-of-attack on the unsteady surface pressure. This will have a significant impact on the radiated far-field sound, distinguishing the NACA 16-616 aerofoil from aerofoils that do not have this secondary mechanism. The existence and extent of this secondary trailing-edge separation mechanism is further shown by the hot-wire anemometry boundary layer velocity results that indicate separation within the pre-stall regime.
Impact on time to active antimicrobial therapy with 24-hour pharmacist review of Accelerate Pheno BC Kit results
Authors: Kinn Patrick M. , Ford Bradley , Percival Kelly M. , Weiner Lukasz , Ince Dilek
Published: August 2022

The Accelerate Pheno platform provides rapid identification and susceptibility data. We demonstrate successful incorporation of 24-hour pharmacist review of Accelerate Pheno results that reduced the number of patients going >3 hours from result without an order for active antimicrobial therapy from 29 (2.8%) of 1,043 to 9 (0.85%) of 1,053 (P < .001).
The Political Philosophy of Data and AI
Authors: Zimmermann Annette , Vredenburgh Kate , Lazar Seth
Published: August 2022

We are increasingly subject to the power of technological systems relying on big data and AI. These systems are reshaping the welfare state and the administration of criminal justice. They are used to police tax evasion, track down child abusers, and model the spread of the pandemic. And they are used to weaponize vast surveillance networks through facial recognition technology. But algorithmic power extends far beyond the state: we spend ever more time working, socialising, and consuming within digital platforms. Our experiences are governed by algorithms that are constantly monitoring and shaping our behaviour and our attention, automatically selecting what we do and do not see. These online experiences have offline consequences, among them an unprecedented challenge to democratic processes worldwide.
Depressive Symptoms in Mothers With Infants: The Quantitative Evidence of the Association of COVID-19 Crisis-Related Factors in Japan
Authors: Matsushima Midori , Horiguchi Hanna
Published: August 2022

Objective:

This study explores the depressive symptoms in postpartum women during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) crisis in Japan.

Methods:

An online survey conducted from May 31 to June 6, 2020 resulted in 3073 responses obtained from mothers with infants < 12 mo.

Results:

The point prevalence of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) score of ≥ 9 was 28.66% for primipara and 25.83% for multipara. Logistic regression analysis indicated a negative association between the COVID-19 crisis and EPDS ≥ 9; specifically, decreased social support and financial concern were identified as risk factors. The COVID-19–related experiences significantly increased the score of each factor of EPDS, ie, anxiety, anhedonia, and depression.

Conclusions:

During the COVID-19 crisis, the number of mothers who faced depreciation in social support and income had increased. Moreover, spending their perinatal period during the crisis increased the propensity of facing unexpected changes, such as changes of hospitals for delivery, or cancellation of parenting classes. These multiple factors were associated with an elevated risk of depression in postpartum women. In a prolonged crisis, postpartum mental health should be treated carefully with the prevention of infection.
Moderating Effect of Personal and Community Resilience on the Relationship Between Disaster Trauma, Disaster Conflict, Economic Loss, and Post-traumatic Stress Disorder
Authors: Ann Ji-Eun , Bae Sung-Man
Published: August 2022

Objective:

This study aimed to investigate the effects of disaster trauma, disaster conflict, and economic loss on posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and to verify the moderating effect of personal and community resilience in these relationships. The data of 1914 people, aged 20 or above, who had experienced natural disasters (earthquake, typhoon, flooding) were used.

Methods:

Hayes’s (2013) PROCESS macro (Model 1) was conducted to verify the moderation effect of personal and community resilience between PTSD and disaster trauma, disaster conflict, and economic loss.

Results:

Disaster trauma, disaster conflict, and economic loss were found to be positively related to PTSD. Personal and community resilience were negatively related to PTSD. Resilience had a moderating effect on the relationship between disaster trauma, economic loss, and PTSD. However, there was no moderating effect on the relationship between disaster conflict and PTSD. Community resilience had a moderating effect on the relationship between economic loss and PTSD. However, there was no moderating effect on the relationship between disaster trauma, disaster conflict, and PTSD.

Conclusions:

The results suggest that personal and community resilience could be used for prevention and therapeutic interventions for disaster victims who experience PTSD.
Serratia marcescens outbreak in a neonatal intensive care unit associated with contaminated donor milk
Authors: Bechmann Lukas , Böttger Ralf , Baier Claas , Tersteegen Aljoscha , Bauer Katja , Kaasch Achim J. , Geginat Gernot
Published: August 2022

Objective:

Investigation of the origin of a Serratia marcescens outbreak in a neonatal intensive care unit.

Design:

Retrospective case–control study.

Setting:

Regional level 3 perinatal center in Germany.

Patients:

This study included 4 S. marcescens–positive and 19 S. marcescens–negative neonates treated between February 1 and February 26, 2019, in the neonatal intensive care unit.

Methods:

A case–control study was performed to identify the source of the outbreak. The molecular investigation of S. marcescens isolates collected during the outbreak was performed using pulsed-field gel electrophoresis and next-generation sequencing.

Results:

The retrospective case–control study showed a significant correlation (P < .0001) between S. marcensens infection or colonization and consumption of donor milk that had tested negative for pathogenic bacteria from a single breast milk donor. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis and next-generation sequencing retrospectively confirmed an S. marcescens strain isolated from the breast milk of this donor as the possible origin of the initial outbreak. The outbreak was controlled by the implementation of an infection control bundle including a multidisciplinary infection control team, temporary nutrition of infants with formula only and/or their mother’s own milk, repeated screening of all inpatients, strict coat and glove care, process observation, retraining of hand hygiene and continuous monitoring of environmental cleaning procedures.

Conclusions:

Low-level contaminated raw donor milk can be a source of infection and colonization of preterm infants with S. marcescens even if it tests negative for bacteria.
Parliamentary sovereignty and the protocol pincer
Authors: Deb Anurag
Published: August 2022

It is May 2030 and Stormont heads into its fourth Assembly election in eight years. Voters walk past election posters loudly praising and denouncing the Northern Ireland Protocol. As with the other Assembly elections since Brexit, the Protocol occupies centre-stage. Voters are under no delusion: the new Assembly will be as polarised as ever, no matter its party-political make-up.

The legal backdrop to this (not entirely unfeasible) future is complex: the UK's Withdrawal Agreement has meant the emergence of a regulatory border between Great Britain and Northern Ireland. The consequences which flow from this have been swift and myriad: trade barriers and social unrest, barely a year after withdrawal.

The focus of this paper, however, is the impact of these changes on the UK constitution. I will examine two landmark judgments of the UK Supreme Court, applying the themes arising in these cases to the legislation which incorporated the Protocol into UK domestic law. In so doing, I will argue that, far from ‘taking back control’, the UK Parliament has instead erected significant new barriers to its ability to ‘make or unmake any law whatever’ for the whole of the UK.
SkyHopper mission science case I: Identification of high redshift Gamma-Ray Bursts through space-based near-infrared afterglow observations
Authors: Thomas M. , Trenti M. , Greiner J. , Skrutskie M. , Forbes Duncan A. , Klose S. , Mack K. J. , Mearns R. , Metha B. , Skafidas E. , Tagliaferri G. , Tanvir N.
Published: August 2022

Long-duration gamma-ray burst (GRB) afterglow observations offer cutting-edge opportunities to characterise the star formation history of the Universe back to the epoch of reionisation, and to measure the chemical composition of interstellar and intergalactic gas through absorption spectroscopy. The main barrier to progress is the low efficiency in rapidly and confidently identifying which bursts are high redshift (

$z > 5$

) candidates before they fade, as this requires low-latency follow-up observations at near-infrared wavelengths (or longer) to determine a reliable photometric redshift estimate. Since no current or planned gamma-ray observatories carry near-infrared telescopes on-board, complementary facilities are needed. So far this task has been performed by instruments on the ground, but sky visibility and weather constraints limit the number of GRB targets that can be observed and the speed at which follow-up is possible. In this work we develop a Monte Carlo simulation framework to investigate an alternative approach based on the use of a rapid-response near-infrared nano-satellite, capable of simultaneous imaging in four bands from

$0.8$

to

$1.7\,\unicode{x03BC}$

m (a mission concept called SkyHopper). Using as reference a sample of 88 afterglows observed with the GROND instrument on the MPG/ESO telescope, we find that such a nano-satellite is capable of detecting in the H-band (1.6

$\unicode{x03BC}$

m)

$72.5\% \pm 3.1\%$

of GRBs concurrently observable with the Swift satellite via its UVOT instrument (and

$44.1\% \pm 12.3\%$

of high redshift (

$z>5$

) GRBs) within 60 min of the GRB prompt emission. This corresponds to detecting

${\sim}55$

GRB afterglows per year, of which 1–3 have

$z > 5$

. These rates represent a substantial contribution to the field of high-z GRB science, as only 23

$z > 5$

GRBs have been collectively discovered by the entire astronomical community over the last

${\sim}24$

yr. Future discoveries are critically needed to take advantage of next generation follow-up spectroscopic facilities such as 30m-class ground telescopes and the James Webb Space Telescope. Furthermore, a systematic space-based follow-up of afterglows in the near-infrared will offer new insight on the population of dusty (‘dark’) GRBs which are primarily found at cosmic noon (

$z\sim 1-3$

). Additionally, we find that launching a mini-constellation of 3 near-infrared nano-satellites would increase the detection fraction of afterglows to

${\sim}83\%$

and substantially reduce the latency in the photometric redshift determination.