bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Entrepreneurs as influencers: the impact of parasocial interactions on communication outcomes
Authors: Rudeloff Christian , Damms Julius
Published: December 2022

Purpose

Drawing on the example of car manufacturer Tesla and its early investor Elon Musk, the purpose of this paper is to explore the connection between the personal communication activities of influential entrepreneurs on social media, the emergence of parasocial interactions (PSIs) and the related communication outcomes for the company.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper conducted an online survey, recruiting 207 participants via purposive sampling. Partial least square path modeling and an independent t-test were conducted to test hypotheses.

Findings

The results of this paper show that following entrepreneurs’ personal social media activities amplifies PSIs, which in turn positively impact the company's communication outcomes. Organization–public relationships and purchase intentions are improved by PSI.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is one of the first studies that connects the personal and the organizational level in exploring entrepreneurial marketing. The results show that Elon Musk acts as an influential entrepreneur to effectively promote communication outcomes for Tesla. This paper illuminates the potential of entrepreneurs’ personal social media activities to support the success of their ventures.
Revisiting the notions of translation ethics in Saudi Arabia: a survey of translators' perceptions
Authors: Asiri Eisa Ahmad S. , Sahari Yousef , Alasmri Ibrahim , Assiri Ahmad
Published: December 2022

Purpose

This paper investigates professional translation practice in Saudi Arabia with a particular focus on translation ethics. Following an examination of varying opinions and contentious concepts relating to translation, this paper suggests that Saudi Arabia should establish a code of ethics for translation services. It investigates the ethical challenges that translators encounter during their professional work and considers their responses to these challenges.

Design/methodology/approach

A quantitative methodology was adopted to collect data from forty participants. This self-completed survey uncovered 11 ethical dimensions that translators encounter during the translation process and the researchers used descriptive analysis to calculate the mean and standard deviation of their frequency and importance. Participants' responses to the multiple-choice questions were categorised as personal, professional ethics or sociopolitical activism, and their overall percentages calculated.

Findings

For all 11 dimensions, the mean scores fell in the mid-frequency range between 2.74 and 3.88, inferring that the respondents faced these ethical challenges neither particularly frequently nor infrequently. Regarding the importance rankings, the mean scores varied between 1.58 and 2.04, consistently lower than the experience frequency rankings, which indicates that these challenges were considered important regardless of their frequency. The majority (40.27%) related to professional notions of ethics, followed by personal ethics (35.22%) and sociopolitical and activist conceptions of ethics (24.14%), while less than 1% (0.37%) reflected mixed motivations.

Originality/value

The study's concept and methodology are both novel. The researchers believe that this is the first study to examine professional translation ethics in the Saudi context. Unlike most studies in this field, this study adopted a quantitative approach, thus calling for the development of an effective professional code of ethics for translators.
A bearing fault diagnosis method for high-noise and unbalanced dataset
Authors: Wang Rui , Zhang Shunjie , Liu Shengqiang , Liu Weidong , Ding Ao
Published: December 2022

Purpose

The purpose is using generative adversarial network (GAN) to solve the problem of sample augmentation in the case of imbalanced bearing fault data sets and improving residual network is used to improve the diagnostic accuracy of the bearing fault intelligent diagnosis model in the environment of high signal noise.

Design/methodology/approach

A bearing vibration data generation model based on conditional GAN (CGAN) framework is proposed. The method generates data based on the adversarial mechanism of GANs and uses a small number of real samples to generate data, thereby effectively expanding imbalanced data sets. Combined with the data augmentation method based on CGAN, a fault diagnosis model of rolling bearing under the condition of data imbalance based on CGAN and improved residual network with attention mechanism is proposed.

Findings

The method proposed in this paper is verified by the western reserve data set and the truck bearing test bench data set, proving that the CGAN-based data generation method can form a high-quality augmented data set, while the CGAN-based and improved residual with attention mechanism. The diagnostic model of the network has better diagnostic accuracy under low signal-to-noise ratio samples.

Originality/value

A bearing vibration data generation model based on CGAN framework is proposed. The method generates data based on the adversarial mechanism of GAN and uses a small number of real samples to generate data, thereby effectively expanding imbalanced data sets. Combined with the data augmentation method based on CGAN, a fault diagnosis model of rolling bearing under the condition of data imbalance based on CGAN and improved residual network with attention mechanism is proposed.
Multidimensional stoichiometric mismatch explains differences in detritivore biomass across three forest types
Authors: Zhang Bing , Chen Haozhen , Deng Mingqin , Li Xin , Chen Ting‐Wen , Liu Lingli , Scheu Stefan , Wang Shaopeng
Published: December 2022

The ecological stoichiometry theory provides a framework to understand organism fitness and population dynamics based on stoichiometric mismatch between organisms and their resources. Recent studies have revealed that different soil animals occupy distinct multidimensional stoichiometric niches (MSNs), which likely determine their specific stoichiometric mismatches and population responses facing resource changes. The goals of the present study are to examine how long‐term forest plantations affect multidimensional elemental contents of litter and detritivores and the population size of detritivores that occupy distinct MSNs.

We evaluated the contents of 10 elements of two detritivore taxa (lumbricid earthworms and julid millipedes) and their litter resources, quantified their MSNs and the multidimensional stoichiometric mismatches, and examined how such mismatch patterns influence the density and total biomass of detritivores across three forest types spanning from natural forests (oak forest) to plantations (pine and larch forests).

Sixty‐year pine plantations changed the multidimensional elemental contents of litter, but did not influence the elemental contents of the two detritivore taxa. Earthworms and millipedes exhibited distinct patterns of MSNs and stoichiometric mismatches, but they both experienced severer stoichiometric mismatches in pine plantations than in oak forests and larch plantations. Such stoichiometric mismatches led to lower density and biomass of both earthworms and millipedes in pine plantations. In other words, under conditions of low litter quality and severe stoichiometric mismatches in pine plantations, detritivores maintained their body elemental contents but decreased their population biomass.

Our study illustrates the success in using the multidimensional stoichiometric framework to understand the impact of forest plantations on animal population dynamics, which may serve as a useful tool in addressing ecosystem responses to global environmental changes.
Large‐scale spatial variability in urban tolerance of birds
Authors: Callaghan Corey T. , Palacio Facundo X. , Benedetti Yanina , Morelli Federico , Bowler Diana E.
Published: December 2022

Quantifying intraspecific and interspecific trait variability is critical to our understanding of biogeography, ecology and conservation. But quantifying such variability and understanding the importance of intraspecific and interspecific variability remain challenging. This is especially true of large geographic scales as this is where the differences between intraspecific and interspecific variability are likely to be greatest.

Our goal is to address this research gap using broad‐scale citizen science data to quantify intraspecific variability and compare it with interspecific variability, using the example of bird responses to urbanization across the continental United States.

Using more than 100 million observations, we quantified urban tolerance for 338 species within randomly sampled spatial regions and then calculated the standard deviation of each species' urban tolerance.

We found that species' spatial variability in urban tolerance (i.e. standard deviation) was largely explained by the variability of urban cover throughout a species' range (R2 = 0.70). Variability in urban tolerance was greater in species that were more tolerant of urban cover (i.e. the average urban tolerance throughout their range), suggesting that generalist life histories are better suited to adapt to novel anthropogenic environments. Overall, species differences explained most of the variability in urban tolerance across spatial regions.

Together, our results indicate that (1) intraspecific variability is largely predicted by local environmental variability in urban cover at a large spatial scale and (2) interspecific variability is greater than intraspecific variability, supporting the common use of mean values (i.e. collapsing observations across a species' range) when assessing species–environment relationships. Further studies, across different taxa, traits and species–environment relationships are needed to test the role of intraspecific variability, but nevertheless, we recommend that when possible, ecologists should avoid using discrete categories to classify species in how they respond to the environment.
The impact of participation in research for speech and language therapy departments and their patients: A case example of the Big CACTUS multicentre trial of self‐managed computerized aphasia therapy
Authors: Jimenez Forero Sonia J. , Palmer Rebecca
Published: December 2022

Background

In order to conduct research that is meaningful to speech and language therapy services and their patients, it is often desirable to conduct the research within routine clinical services. This can require considerable time and commitment from speech and language therapists (SLTs). It is therefore important to understand the impact that such participation in research can have.

Aims

To explore the impact of research participation in the Big CACTUS study of self‐managed computerized aphasia therapy conducted in 21 UK NHS speech and language therapy departments.

Methods & Procedures

An online survey was sent to SLTs who took the lead role for the study at their NHS Trust to evaluate the impact of study participation in three domains: capacity‐building, research development and health services. The questionnaire, based on the VICTOR framework for evaluating research impact, included Likert scale statements and closed and open‐ended questions. The results from open‐ended questions were coded and analysed using framework analysis in NVivo 12 and the data from closed questions were analysed descriptively.

Outcomes & Results

A total of 12 SLTs returned the survey. Nine codes were identified from open‐ended questions and 20 predefined from the literature. Analysis of the responses demonstrated the perceived impact including improvements in practices and access to therapy, investments in infrastructure, increased SLT profile, and impact on research culture among SLTs. The usefulness of the intervention during the COVID‐19 pandemic was also highlighted.

Conclusions & Implications

The results suggest participation in Big CACTUS has resulted in improvements in patient care and SLT research capacity and culture in speech and language therapy departments.

What This Paper Adds

What is already known on the subject

Practice‐based research is encouraged to assist with the clinical relevance of the research findings. Participation in research can be seen as an activity that is additional to the core business of patient care and it can be difficult to secure time to participate or conduct research in clinical settings. Impact evaluation initiatives of individual trials facilitate early identification of benefits beyond the trial.

What this paper adds to existing knowledge

This study describes specific examples of the impact on services, staff and patients from SLT participation and leadership in the Big CACTUS speech and language therapy trial in clinical settings.

What are the potential or actual clinical implications of this study?

Clinical services participating in research may benefit from improved clinical care for patients both during and after the study, an improved professional reputation, and increased research capacity and culture within the clinical settings.
Racial and ethnic disparities in excess mortality among U.S. veterans during the COVID‐19 pandemic
Authors: Feyman Yevgeniy , Avila Cecille Joan , Auty Samantha , Mulugeta Martha , Strombotne Kiersten , Legler Aaron , Griffith Kevin
Published: December 2022

Objective

The COVID‐19 pandemic disproportionately affected racial and ethnic minorities among the general population in the United States; however, little is known regarding its impact on U.S. military Veterans. In this study, our objectives were to identify the extent to which Veterans experienced increased all‐cause mortality during the COVID‐19 pandemic, stratified by race and ethnicity.

Data Sources

Administrative data from the Veterans Health Administration's Corporate Data Warehouse.

Study Design

We use pre‐pandemic data to estimate mortality risk models using five‐fold cross‐validation and quasi‐Poisson regression. Models were stratified by a combined race‐ethnicity variable and included controls for major comorbidities, demographic characteristics, and county fixed effects.

Data Collection

We queried data for all Veterans residing in the 50 states plus Washington D.C. during 2016–2020. Veterans were excluded from analyses if they were missing county of residence or race‐ethnicity data. Data were then aggregated to the county‐year level and stratified by race‐ethnicity.

Principal Findings

Overall, Veterans' mortality rates were 16% above normal during March–December 2020 which equates to 42,348 excess deaths. However, there was substantial variation by racial and ethnic group. Non‐Hispanic White Veterans experienced the smallest relative increase in mortality (17%, 95% CI 11%–24%), while Native American Veterans had the highest increase (40%, 95% CI 17%–73%). Black Veterans (32%, 95% CI 27%–39%) and Hispanic Veterans (26%, 95% CI 17%–36%) had somewhat lower excess mortality, although these changes were significantly higher compared to White Veterans. Disparities were smaller than in the general population.

Conclusions

Minoritized Veterans experienced higher rates excess of mortality during the COVID‐19 pandemic compared to White Veterans, though with smaller differences than the general population. This is likely due in part to the long‐standing history of structural racism in the United States that has negatively affected the health of minoritized communities via several pathways including health care access, economic, and occupational inequities.
One‐lung ventilation in obese patients undergoing thoracoscopic lobectomy for lung cancer
Authors: Leonardi Beatrice , Forte Stefano , Natale Giovanni , Messina Gaetana , Rainone Anna , Opromolla Giorgia , Puca Maria Antonietta , Grande Mario , Martone Mario , Leone Francesco , Fiorito Roberta , Molino Francesca , Liguori Giovanni , Russo Fara , Ferraro Fausto , Pace Maria Caterina , Molino Antonio , Ferrante Luigi , Forte Mauro , Vicidomini Giovanni , Fiorelli Alfonso
Published: December 2022

Background

We evaluated the safety and feasibility of one‐lung ventilation in obese patients undergoing thoracoscopic lobectomy and whether obesity affected peri‐ and postoperative outcomes.

Methods

This was a retrospective single center study including consecutive patients undergoing thoracoscopic lobectomy between October 2019 and February 2022. Obese patients were statistically compared to a control group to evaluate any differences in relation to one‐lung ventilation and peri‐ and postoperative outcomes.

Results

Our study population included 111 patients; of these, 26 (23%) were included in the obese group, while 85 (77%) were included within the nonobese group. To obtain one‐lung ventilation in nonobese patients, a double‐lumen tube was more frequently used than a single‐lumen tube with bronchial blocker (61% vs. 39%; p = 0.02), while in obese patients a single‐lumen tube with bronchial blocker was used more than a double‐lumen tube (81% vs. 19%, p = 0.001). Intergroup comparison showed that a double‐lumen tube was the preferred method in nonobese patients, while a single‐lumen tube with bronchial blockers was the strategy of choice in obese patients (p = 0.0002). Intubation time was longer in the obese group than in the nonobese group (94.0 ± 6.1 vs. 85.0 ± 7.0 s; p = 0.0004) and failure rate of first attempt at intubation was higher in the obese group (23% vs. 5%; p = 0.01). Obesity was not associated with increased intra‐, peri‐ and postoperative complications and/or mortality.

Conclusions

One‐lung ventilation is a feasible and safe procedure also in obese patients and obesity did not negatively affect peri‐ and postoperative outcomes after lung resection.
Financial Leverage, Information Quality, and Efficiency*
Authors: Nan Lin , Wen Xiaoyan
Published: December 2022

We examine information quality and financial leverage when an entrepreneur needs financing to undertake a risky project and his effort input affects the project's outcome. We show that information quality and financial leverage interact to play active roles in both investment and effort decisions. Our analysis shows a positive association between leverage and optimal information quality—when leverage is low (high), low (high) information quality is optimal. This is because with low leverage, the entrepreneur is already motivated by his large share of the outcome to exert effort, and high information quality is not efficient as a precise bad signal discourages the entrepreneur's effort. In contrast, when leverage is high and thus the entrepreneur is less motivated by his residual cash flows, high information quality is optimal, because a precise good signal encourages the entrepreneur's effort. Our study highlights the joint effect of information quality and financial leverage on overall efficiency through firms' effort inputs as well as on defining investment efficiency.
Sampling as ethnographic method/remixing Gulu City
Authors: Bitter Joella
Published: December 2022

This article describes the process of producing Gulu SoundTracks, a digital sonic ethnographic project accessible at gulusoundtracks.org, with four Ugandan music producers based in Gulu. The album comprises eight digital audio tracks that tell stories about Gulu musically through the compositional mixing of field soundscape recordings. Using field recordings as samples opened up sampling as a multimodal method for ethnographic storytelling which entails listening that is “vexed” (Weheliye 2005), archival, multiple, and generative. Pointing to insights from the project's creative process, the author explores sound praxis as a modality for amplifying fruitful connections between ethnographic and Afrodiasporic arts traditions. In conversation with others using sound methods in anthropology, ethnomusicology, and digital sound studies, this article stages a dialogue between sound‐based work, critical treatments of Black and Afrosonic cultural production, and experimental ethnography. Sampling as method centers ethnographic imagination and points to critical possibilities field recording holds for anthropological knowledge production.
Impact of farmer group participation on the adoption of sustainable farming practices—spatial analysis of New Zealand dairy farmers
Authors: Yang Wei , Wang Le
Published: December 2022

This paper analyzes the impact of participation in farmer groups on dairy farmers’ adoption of sustainable farming practices in New Zealand. A spatial propensity score matching method is used to consider the spatial dependence and social connections between farmers in the decision‐making of farmer group participation and adoption of sustainable farming practices. The results show that farmers’ decisions of farmer group participation are affected by their neighbors’ choices, and participation in farmer groups has a positive effect on farmers’ adoption of sustainable farming practices. The findings indicate the important role of social interactions in farmers’ voluntary uptake of sustainable agricultural practices. Overall, the positive effect of farmer group participation on the adoption of sustainable agricultural practices highlights learning and knowledge spillover among farmers, which emerges as important to the formulation of sustainable farming policy.
Oncological impact of cystoscopic findings in non‐muscle‐invasive bladder cancer: a meta‐analysis
Authors: Yanagisawa Takafumi , Quhal Fahad , Kawada Tatsushi , Mostafaei Hadi , Motlagh Reza Sari , Laukhtina Ekaterina , Rajwa Pawel , von Deimling Markus , Bianchi Alberto , Pallauf Maximilian , Majdoub Muhammad , Pradere Benjamin , Abufaraj Mohammad , Moschini Marco , Karakiewicz Pierre I. , Iwatani Kosuke , Miki Jun , Kimura Takahiro , Shariat Shahrokh F.
Published: December 2022

Objective

To assess the association between cystoscopic findings and oncological outcomes in patients with non‐muscle‐invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) given that the oncological impact of quantity and quality assessment of tumours with cystoscopy has not been well verified.

Methods

Multiple databases were queried in May 2022 for studies investigating the association of oncological outcomes, such as recurrence‐free (RFS), progression‐free (PFS), and cancer‐specific survival (CSS), with cystoscopic findings, including multiplicity, size, and gross appearance of tumours in patients with NMIBC.

Results

Overall, 73 studies comprising 28 139 patients were eligible for the meta‐analysis. Tumour multiplicity was associated with worse RFS (pooled hazard ratio [HR] 1.61, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.48–1.74) and PFS (pooled HR 1.44, 95% CI 1.18–1.76) in NMIBC patients (including both Ta and T1). Tumour size (≥3 cm) was associated with worse RFS (pooled HR 1.97, 95% CI 1.69–2.30) and PFS (pooled HR 1.81, 95% CI 1.52–2.15) in NMIBC patients. In patients with T1 bladder cancer (BCa), tumour multiplicity and size (≥3 cm) were also associated with worse RFS, PFS and CSS. By contrast, among patients treated with bacillus Calmette‐Guérin (BCG), tumour multiplicity was not associated with worse RFS, and tumour size (≥3 cm) was not associated with worse PFS. Sessile tumours were associated with worse RFS (pooled HR 2.14, 95% CI 1.52–3.01) and PFS (pooled HR 2.17, 95% CI 1.42–3.32) compared to pedunculated tumours. Compared to papillary tumours, solid tumours were associated with worse RFS (pooled HR 1.84, 95% CI 1.25–2.72) and PFS (pooled HR 3.06, 95% CI 2.31–4.07) in NMIBC patients, and CSS in T1 BCa patients (pooled HR 2.32, 95% CI 1.63–3.30).

Conclusions

Cystoscopic findings, including tumour multiplicity, size, and gross appearance, strongly predict oncological outcomes in NMIBC patients. Cystoscopic visual features can help in the decision‐making process regarding the timeliness and extent of tumour resection as well as future management such as intravesical therapy.
The sigma‐1 receptor curtails endogenous opioid analgesia during sensitization of TRPV1 nociceptors
Authors: Ruiz‐Cantero M. Carmen , Cortés‐Montero Elsa , Jain Aakanksha , Montilla‐García Ángeles , Bravo‐Caparrós Inmaculada , Shim Jaehoon , Sánchez‐Blázquez Pilar , Woolf Clifford J. , Baeyens José M. , Cobos Enrique J.
Published: December 2022

Background and Purpose

Peripheral sensitization contributes to pathological pain. While prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and nerve growth factor (NGF) sensitize peptidergic C‐nociceptors (TRPV1+), glial cell line‐derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) sensitizes non‐peptidergic C‐neurons (IB4+). The sigma‐1 receptor (sigma‐1R) is a Ca2+‐sensing chaperone known to modulate opoid analgesia. This receptor binds both to TRPV1 and the μ opioid receptor, although the functional repercussions of these physical interactions in peripheral sensitization are unknown.

Experimental Approach

We tested the effects of sigma‐1 antagonism on PGE2‐, NGF‐, and GDNF‐induced mechanical and heat hyperalgesia in mice. We used immunohistochemistry to determine the presence of endomorphin‐2, an endogenous μ receptor agonist, on dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons. Recombinant proteins were used to study the interactions between sigma‐1R, μ‐ receptor, and TRPV1. We used calcium imaging to study the effects of sigma‐1 antagonism on PGE2‐induced sensitization of TRPV1+ nociceptors.

Key Results

Sigma1 antagonists reversed PGE2‐ and NGF‐induced hyperalgesia but not GDNF‐induced hyperalgesia. Endomorphin‐2 was detected on TRPV1+ but not on IB4+ neurons. Peripheral opioid receptor antagonism by naloxone methiodide or administration of an anti‐endomorphin‐2 antibody to a sensitized paw reversed the antihyperalgesia induced by sigma‐1 antagonists. Sigma‐1 antagonism transfers sigma‐1R from TRPV1 to μ receptors, suggesting that sigma‐1R participate in TRPV1‐μ receptor crosstalk. Moreover, sigma‐1 antagonism reversed, in a naloxone‐sensitive manner, PGE2‐induced sensitization of DRG neurons to the calcium flux elicited by capsaicin, the prototypic TRPV1 agonist.

Conclusion and Implications

Sigma‐1 antagonism harnesses endogenous opioids produced by TRPV1+ neurons to reduce hyperalgesia by increasing μ receptor activity.
Phase 1 trial of zolbetuximab in Japanese patients with CLDN18.2+ gastric or gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma
Authors: Shitara Kohei , Kawazoe Akihito , Hirakawa Akihiro , Nakanishi Yuka , Furuki Satomi , Fukuda Musashi , Ueno Yoko , Raizer Jeffrey , Arozullah Ahsan
Published: December 2022

Zolbetuximab is a chimeric monoclonal antibody that targets claudin‐18.2, a candidate biomarker in patients with advanced gastric/gastroesophageal cancer. This nonrandomized phase 1 study (NCT03528629) enrolled previously treated Japanese patients with claudin‐18.2–positive locally advanced/metastatic gastric/gastroesophageal cancer in two parts: Safety (Arms A and B, n = 3 each) and Expansion (n = 12). Patients received intravenous zolbetuximab 800 mg/m2 on cycle 1, day 1 followed by 600 mg/m2 every 3 weeks (Q3W; Safety Part Arm A and Expansion) or 1000 mg/m2 Q3W (Safety Part Arm B). For the Safety Part, the primary endpoint was safety (i.e., dose‐limiting toxicities [DLTs]) and a secondary endpoint was objective response rate (ORR) by investigator. For the Expansion Part, the primary endpoint was ORR by investigator and secondary endpoints included ORR by central review and safety. Additional secondary endpoints for both the Safety and Expansion Parts were disease control rate (DCR), overall survival (OS), progression‐free survival (PFS), duration of response, pharmacokinetics, and immunogenicity. In 18 patients, no DLTs (Safety Part) or drug‐related treatment‐emergent adverse events (TEAEs) grade ≥3 were observed. Most TEAEs were gastrointestinal. In 17 patients with measurable lesions, best overall response was stable disease (64.7%) or progressive disease (35.3%). The DCR was 64.7% (95% confidence interval 38.3–85.8). In Arm A and Expansion combined (n = 15), median OS was 4.4 months (2.6–11.4) and median PFS was 2.6 months (0.9–2.8). In Arm B (n = 3), median OS was 6.4 months (2.9–6.8) and median PFS was 1.7 months (1.2–2.1). Zolbetuximab exhibited no new safety signals with limited single‐agent activity in Japanese patients.
A prospective study comparing itraconazole alone versus systemic steroids alone as adjuncts to topical steroids in the post‐operative management of allergic fungal rhinosinusitis
Authors: Salil Amala , Joy Nedha , Faizal Bini
Published: December 2022

Objectives

The objective of this study was to compare the efficacy of itraconazole and systemic steroids as an adjuvant to topical steroids in post‐operative patients with allergic fungal rhinosinusitis (AFRS) using both subjective and objective outcome measurements.

Design

A prospective comparative study.

Setting

A tertiary care centre.

Participants

Sixty patients diagnosed with AFRS were included. Patients with chronic systemic illness and those undergoing revision surgery were excluded. Post‐operative patients were divided into two groups of 30 each which received itraconazole 400 mg OD or methylprednisolone in tapering doses over 6 weeks.

Main outcome measures

The outcomes were measured at the end of 6 weeks—Kupferberg endoscopic staging, absolute eosinophilic count (AEC), serum immunoglobulin (IgE), and Sino Nasal Outcome Test‐20 scores.

Results

Our study showed no statistical significance in outcomes between the two groups treated with itraconazole and methylprednisolone regarding recurrence, AEC, IgE and quality of life assessment (p < 0.01).

Conclusion

Itraconazole was comparable to methylprednisolone in preventing disease recurrence in the post‐operative management of AFRS. It may be a viable alternative to replacing systemic steroids where the latter may be contraindicated. Itraconazole given at a dose of 400 mg once daily for 6 weeks was a safe dose.
Faecal immunochemical testing reduces demand and improves yield of Leicester's 2‐week pathway for change in bowel habit
Authors: Khasawneh Farah , Osborne Timothy , Danaher Paul , Barnes Daniel , Chapman Caroline J. , Stephenson James A. , Singh Baljit
Published: December 2022

Aim

We look at the effect of introducing the faecal immunochemical test (FIT) in the straight‐to‐test 2‐week pathway for change in bowel habit (CIBH).

Method

The FIT in primary care triages 2‐week wait (2WW) colorectal referrals for patients aged 60 years and above for straight‐to‐test CT colonography (CTC). We compare the impact of the FIT on numbers of 2WW CTCs, in the year before and after FIT, in both colorectal cancer (CRC) detection and cost‐effectiveness at both 4 μg Hb/g faeces and 10 μg Hb/g faeces.

Results

At a threshold of 4 μg Hb/g faeces, the positive predictive value of the FIT for diagnosis of CRC is 5.0% with a negative predictive value of 99.8% and a polyp detection rate of 25.5%. The introduction of the FIT resulted in a reduction in the number of CTCs performed through the CIBH pathway from a mean of 143.9 per month prior to the FIT to 66.8 CTCs per month once the FIT was well established. Given a FIT threshold of 10 μg Hb/g the number of CTCs would be predicted to fall by 70.4% to 42.6 CTCs per month resulting in higher CRC and polyp detection rate, and an estimated annual cost saving of £238 258 in our institution.

Conclusion

The FIT use in primary care improves the yield of 2WW referrals for CIBH alone and reduces the burden and cost of investigations to exclude CRC. Improvements may be possible by increasing the cut‐off employed, without adversely affecting the risk of missing a cancer.
Chromic textiles: Colour fastness properties and irreversible colour change behaviour of textiles screen printed with thermochromic, photochromic and hydrochromic colourants
Authors: Cabral Isabel , Santiago Diana , Steffens Fernanda
Published: December 2022

The objective of this work was to study how ultraviolet (UV) light exposure, washing and rubbing can influence colour and dynamic qualities of chromic textiles, and to explore how the results attained can be applied by designers for the development of colour changing palettes. The experimental work was conducted with 74% polyamide and 26% elastane elastics screen printed with thermochromic, photochromic and hydrochromic pigments in diverse colours. Initially, colourfastness properties of each pigment type versus colour were assessed. Although washing and rubbing can interfere in samples' colours by becoming lighter at different degrees, the results attained highlight the poor stability to lighting of thermochromic and photochromic pigments, which also present changes between hues along exposure time. For conventional textile applications, poor colour fastness commonly represents a limitation. This work proposes that the way textile colours and behaviour are permanently affected by the studied conditions can be interpreted as a creative variable in the design process. Research samples with a combination of pigments were developed and tested with a combination of cycles of different fastness tests, namely one washing cycle for every 4 h of UV light exposure, totalling 48 h and 12 washing cycles. Results demonstrate the possibility of creating interactive surfaces capable of displaying a wide range of colours that evolve to static within different hues, over stimuli conditions.
Fluoride detection with a colorimetric and fluorescent dual‐mode chemosensor
Authors: Song Chanwoo , Gil Dongkyun , Lee Jae Jun , Jung Sumin , Kim Cheal
Published: December 2022

We designed a colorimetric and fluorescent dual‐mode chemosensor ADM ((E)‐2‐(((2‐amino‐4,5‐dichlorophenyl)imino)methyl)‐6‐methoxyphenol) for detecting fluoride (F−). The sensor ADM can detect F− by colour and fluorescence changes. The colour change is from colourless to yellow, and the fluorescence change is a yellow turn‐on. With the results of Job plot and electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry, the reaction of F− and ADM turned out to be a 1:1 binding. The detection limits for F− of ADM were 5.00 μM in ultraviolet–visible and 4.16 μM in fluorescence. The detecting process of F− by ADM was demonstrated by ultraviolet–visible and fluorescent titrations, electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry, proton nuclear magnetic resonance titration and theoretical calculations.
CDT1 is the major functional regulatory subunit of the pre‐replication complex in zygotes
Authors: Li Chao , Tan Yong‐Peng , Ma Xue‐Shan , Wang Zhen‐Bo , Meng Tie‐Gang , Sun Qing‐Yuan
Published: December 2022

Pre‐replication complex (pre‐RC) is critical for DNA replication initiation. CDT1 and MCM2 are the subunits of pre‐RC, and proper regulation of CDT1 and MCM2 are necessary for DNA replication and cell proliferation. The present study aimed to explore the role of CDT1 and MCM2 in oocyte meiotic maturation and early embryonic development. The depletion and overexpression of Cdt1 and Mcm2 in oocyte and zygote were achieved by microinjecting specific siRNA and mRNA to explored their functions in oocyte meiotic maturation and embryonic development. Then, we examined the effect of CDT1 and MCM2 on other signal pathways by immunostaining the expression of related maker genes. We showed that neither depletion nor overexpression of Cdt1 affected oocyte meiotic progressions. The CDT1 was degraded in S phase and remained at a low level in G2 phase of zygote. Exogenous expression of Cdt1 in G2 phase led to embryo attest at zygote stage. Mechanistically, CDT1 overexpression induced DNA re‐replication and thus DNA damage check‐point activation. Protein abundance of MCM2 was stable throughout the cell cycle, and embryos with overexpressed MCM2 could develop to blastocysts normally. Overexpression or depletion of Mcm2 also had no effect on oocyte meiotic maturation. Our results indicate that pre‐RC subunits CDT1 and MCM2 are not involved in oocyte meiotic maturation. In zygote, CDT1 but not MCM2 is the major regulator of DNA replication in a cell cycle dependent manner. Furthermore, its' degradation is essential for zygotes to prevent from DNA re‐replication in G2 stage.
Effectiveness and safety of early insulin glargine administration in combination with continuous intravenous insulin infusion in the management of diabetic ketoacidosis: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Thammakosol Kitti , Sriphrapradang Chutintorn
Published: December 2022

Aim

To determine the effectiveness and safety of early combination of insulin glargine with intravenous (IV) insulin infusion compared with IV insulin infusion alone in the management of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA).

Methods

This was a single‐centre, open‐label, randomized controlled trial of adults aged 18 years or older diagnosed with DKA. The ‘early glargine’ group was given subcutaneous insulin glargine 0.3 units/kg within the first 3 hours of DKA diagnosis, in addition to the standard IV insulin infusion. The control group received standard IV insulin treatment only. The primary outcome was the time to DKA resolution. The other outcomes included rebound hyperglycaemia, mortality, hypoglycaemia and hypokalaemia, as well as the length of hospital stay (LOS).

Results

A total of 60 patients (30 patients per group) were enrolled. Most patients (76.7%) had type 2 diabetes. Both groups were similar in baseline characteristics, except for higher serum beta‐hydroxybutyrate and lower pH levels in the early glargine group. The mean ± standard deviation time to DKA resolution in the early glargine group was significantly faster than the control group (9.89 ± 3.81 vs. 12.73 ± 5.37 hours; P = .022). The median (interquartile range) LOS was significantly shorter in the early glargine group than in the control group (4.75 [3.53‐8.96] vs. 15.25 [5.71‐26.38] days; P = .024). The incidence of rebound hyperglycaemia, all‐cause mortality, hypoglycaemia and hypokalaemia was similar between the groups.

Conclusions

Early combination of insulin glargine with IV insulin infusion led to a faster DKA resolution and a shorter LOS, without increasing hypoglycaemia and hypokalaemia.
Female labour, status and decision power
Authors: Bros Catherine , Gille Véronique , Maniquet François
Published: December 2022

This paper investigates the role of (perceived or own) norm cost in the relationship between female labour supply and decision power, which we define as the say that women have in major household decisions. We propose a model where female labour supply and decision power are set jointly following a bargaining process. Taking into account the fact that men may lose status when having a working wife, we show that decision power and female labour supply can be negatively correlated. We test the predictions of our model using Indian panel data. We find that the relationship is negative in contexts where the norm cost of having a working wife is high.
Culture and the labor supply of female immigrants
Authors: Bredtmann Julia , Otten Sebastian
Published: December 2022

This paper analyzes the impact of source‐country culture on the labor supply of female immigrants in Europe. We find that the labor supply of immigrant women is positively associated with the female‐to‐male labor force participation ratio in their source country, which serves as a proxy for the country's preferences and beliefs regarding women's roles. This suggests that the culture and norms of their source country play an important role for immigrant women's labor supply. However, contradicting previous evidence for the US, we do not find evidence that the cultural effect persists through the second generation.
Community structure and antifungal activity of actinobacteria in a fungus‐growing termite
Authors: Chen Siqi , Cheng Daifeng , Liu Zhen , Hassan Babar , Xu Yijuan
Published: December 2022

Fungus‐growing termites cultivate the fungal mutualist Termitomyces as their main food source; however, how fungus‐growing termites protect Termitomyces from threats is still unclear. In this study, we investigated the actinobacterial communities in Odontotermes formosanus individuals and their fungal combs.

Moreover, the antifungal activities of the isolated actinobacteria were tested. 16 S rRNA gene sequencing results indicated that the actinobacteria in O. formosanus and its fungal combs belong to 5 classes, 17 orders, 40 families, and 84 genera.

The relative abundance of Coriobacteriia in the nymphs, young workers, old workers, and soldiers was higher than that in the queens and fungal combs, and the relative abundance of class Actinobacteria in the queens and the fungal combs was higher than that in the nymphs, young workers, old workers, and soldiers.

Based on antifungal bioassays, 3 strains of Amycolatopsis and 2 strains of Streptomyces isolated from old workers had strong inhibitory activity against Xylaria angulosa but weak inhibitory activity against Termitomyces sp.

These results indicated that the actinobacteria of O. formosanus may contribute to protecting termite fungal food via their asymmetric antifungal activities.
Using an EBFM lens to guide the management of marine biological resources under changing conditions
Authors: Ruiz‐Díaz Raquel
Published: December 2022

The management of natural resources is currently more challenging than ever before. Climate change and human population growth pose a threat to marine ecosystems as we know them. In order to preserve ecosystems, biodiversity and ecosystem services, management of biological resources must adopt a holistic strategy. Ecosystem‐Based Fisheries Management (EBFM) enables this by managing natural resources at the ecosystem level. However, EBFM objectives and implementation can be unclear at times, particularly when framed in the context of shifting conditions. In this research, the strategies available for managing marine biological resources within the EBFM framework and in a changing environment are reviewed. The purpose of this publication is to guide the decision on whether and how to change current management strategies in order to achieve policy goals. The manuscript starts with a revision of ecosystem indicators and ecosystem models used to detect and describe changes in ecosystem dynamics and stocks productivities under present and future conditions. Then, the different frameworks and methods available for integrating this information into the decision‐making process are summarised. Currently, some of the options available to include ecosystem realism into the fisheries advice include using ecosystem models in the Management Strategy Evaluation (MSE) process, adjusting single species reference points with ecosystem information and implementing risk‐equivalent empirical approaches. However, barriers that are impeding the adoption of these techniques exist. I concluded the study by identifying them and providing literature‐based solutions to overcome them from an interdisciplinary perspective.
From one flooding crisis to the next: Negotiating ‘the maybe’ in unequal Karachi
Authors: Kaker Sobia Ahmad , Anwar Nausheen H.
Published: December 2022

Every few years, Karachi floods during the summer monsoon. The flooding brings latent manoeuvrings by political actors looking to establish their hold over the city to the surface. Politicians, urban administrators, and relevant state and non‐state institutions blame historical planning failures, informal and illegal constructions, institutional conflict, incapable municipal governance, and widespread corruption for the flooding. They move quickly to establish authority and consolidate power while offering ‘fixes’. Eviction drives against ‘illegal settlements’ built along storm‐water drains, heavy taxes, fines, and demolitions of non‐conforming constructions, institutional reforms, budget allocations, and project approvals for new infrastructure all happen at once. Once the emergency ceases, key players in urban politics – resident groups, community associations, political parties, municipal authorities, land developers, planners, international non‐governmental organisations, and military institutions – start working on projects of accumulation and entrenchment, in preparation for the next crisis. In this paper, we look at the space–time of Karachi's certain and yet uncertain flooding crisis as a moment to study the politics of the maybe in the Pakistani megacity. Outlining marginal and affluent residents' lived experiences in a flooding city and relating their politics with governmental responses to immediate and possible future floods, we study the conditions of inhabitation, citizenship claims, and governmental relations in Karachi. We argue that the monsoon's expectant arrival becomes a locus for articulating and modulating different kinds of popular vernaculars, governmental practices, and political manoeuvrings for institutional and individual actors seeking profit and power in and through Karachi. The politics of the maybe hinges on actors entrenching their political positions without care, taking away any possibility for a shared, coherent worldview for all Karachiites. In conclusion, we argue that distant interests and logics of this politics of governance and inhabitation are inherently exploitative, threatening to pull apart the very city they thrive on.
Respiratory sarcopenia: A position paper by four professional organizations
Authors: Sato Susumu , Miyazaki Shinjiro , Tamaki Akira , Yoshimura Yoshihiro , Arai Hidenori , Fujiwara Dai , Katsura Hideki , Kawagoshi Atsuyoshi , Kozu Ryo , Maeda Keisuke , Ogawa Sumito , Ueki Jun , Wakabayashi Hidetaka
Published: December 2022

We defined respiratory sarcopenia as a coexistence of respiratory muscle weakness and decreased respiratory muscle mass. Although respiratory muscle function is indispensable for life support, its evaluation has not been included in the regular assessment of respiratory function or adequately evaluated in clinical practice. Considering this situation, we prepared a position paper outlining basic knowledge, diagnostic and assessment methods, mechanisms, involvement in respiratory diseases, intervention and treatment methods, and future perspectives on respiratory sarcopenia, and summarized the current consensus on respiratory sarcopenia. Respiratory sarcopenia is diagnosed when respiratory muscle weakness and decreased respiratory muscle mass are observed. If respiratory muscle mass is difficult to measure, we can use appendicular skeletal muscle mass as a surrogate. Probable respiratory sarcopenia is defined when respiratory muscle weakness and decreased appendicular skeletal muscle mass are observed. If only respiratory muscle strength is decreased without a decrease in respiratory function, the patient is diagnosed with possible respiratory sarcopenia. Respiratory muscle strength is assessed using maximum inspiratory pressure and maximum expiratory pressure. Ultrasonography and computed tomography are commonly used to assess respiratory muscle mass; however, there are insufficient data to propose the cutoff values for defining decreased respiratory muscle mass. It was jointly prepared by the representative authors and authorized by the Japanese Society for Respiratory Care and Rehabilitation, Japanese Association on Sarcopenia and Frailty, Japanese Society of Respiratory Physical Therapy and Japanese Association of Rehabilitation Nutrition. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2023; 23: 5–15.