bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Maintenance policies considering degradation and cost processes for a multi-component system
Authors: Yin Jiaqi , Wu Shaomin , Spiegler Virginia
Published: March 2023

Purpose

This paper models the deterioration process of a multi-component system. Each deterioration process is modelled by the Wiener process. The purposes of this paper are to address these issues and consider the cost process based on the multi-component system.

Design/methodology/approach

Condition-based Maintenance is a method for reducing the probability of system failures as well as the operating cost. Nowadays, a system is composed of multiple components. If the deteriorating process of each component can be monitored and then modelled by a stochastic process, the deteriorating process of the system is a stochastic process. The cost of repairing failures of the components in the system forms a stochastic process as well and is known as a cost process.

Findings

When a linear combination of the processes, which can be the deterioration processes and the cost processes, exceeds a pre-specified threshold, a replacement policy will be carried out to preventively maintain the system.

Originality/value

Under this setting, this paper investigates maintenance policies based on the deterioration process and the cost process. Numerical examples are given to illustrate the optimisation process.
Debt to the Penny and US Dollar Index: a lead-lag relationship of the US economy under impacts of the Covid-19 outbreak
Authors: Nguyen Bao Khac Quoc , Phan Nguyet Thi Bich , Le Van
Published: March 2023

Purpose

This study investigates the interactions between the US daily public debt and currency power under impacts of the Covid-19 crisis.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors employ the multivariate generalized autoregressive conditional heteroskedasticity (MGARCH) modeling to explore the interactions between daily changes in the US Debt to the Penny and the US Dollar Index. The data sets are from April 01, 1993, to May 27, 2022, in which noticeable points include the Covid-19 outbreak (January 01, 2020) and the US vaccination campaign commencement (December 14, 2020).

Findings

The authors find that the daily change in public debt positively affects the USD index return, and the past performance of currency power significantly mitigates the Debt to the Penny. Due to the Covid-19 outbreak, the impact of public debt on currency power becomes negative. This effect remains unchanged after the pandemic. These findings indicate that policy-makers could feasibly obtain both the budget stability and currency power objectives in pursuit of either public debt sustainability or power of currency. However, such policies should be considered that public debt could be a negative influencer during crisis periods.

Originality/value

The authors propose a pioneering approach to explore the relationship between leading and lagging indicators of an economy as characterized by their daily data sets. In accordance, empirical findings of this study inspire future research in relation to public debt and its connections with several economic indicators.

Peer review

The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/IJSE-08-2022-0581
Price sensitivity and online shopping behavior during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Rahmani Vahid , Kordrostami Elika
Published: March 2023

Purpose

The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted numerous businesses and upended the lives and shopping habits of most consumers. This study aims to examine the price sensitivity and the efficacy of online reviews during a pandemic crisis.

Design/methodology/approach

This study borrowed from the regulatory focus theory and heuristic-systematic model and used a unique longitudinal sample of 320,000 product/day observations from the jeans category, collected before and during the pandemic, to investigate how consumers’ online shopping behavior changed during the pandemic.

Findings

The results of several hierarchical linear modeling analyses revealed that during the pandemic consumers were less price-sensitive and more willing to pay price premiums for jeans. Furthermore, consumers were more (less) likely to be influenced by online review volume than valence. Finally, the results of a post-hoc study highlighted the potential role of regulatory focus as the underlying psychological mechanism explaining the effect of the pandemic.

Originality/value

This research contributes to the digital marketing and regulatory-focus literatures by showing that the COVID-19 pandemic may have triggered a prevention-focus state of mind and prompted consumers to place a greater value on online review volume than valence when shopping online (for jeans). Furthermore, this paper contributes to the pricing literature by offering further evidence that the pandemic may have inclined consumers to be less price-sensitive.
Being unwanted and other very early predictors of adult psychopathy
Authors: Zara Georgia , Bergstrøm Henriette , Farrington David P.
Published: March 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to present new evidence from the Cambridge Study in Delinquent Development (CSDD) showing the extent to which obstetric (e.g. abnormal birth weight, confinement at birth, severe abnormality of pregnancy, etc.) and early childhood and family factors (illegitimate child, unwanted conception, family overcrowding, etc.) have predictive effects on psychopathic traits measured later in life at age 48 years.

Design/methodology/approach

Data collected in the CSDD are analysed. This is a prospective longitudinal study of 411 London men from age 8 to age 61 years.

Findings

The results suggest that none of the obstetric problems were predictive of adult psychopathy. However, some other early childhood factors were significant. Unwanted conception (by the mother) was significantly associated with high psychopathy. The likelihood of being an unwanted child was higher when the mother was younger (19 years or less), and when the child was illegitimate. The poor health of the mother and living in an overcrowded family were also significant in predicting psychopathy in adulthood, as well as both psychopathic personality (F1) and psychopathic behaviour (F2).

Originality/value

These findings suggest the influence of very early emotional tensions and problematic social background in predicting psychopathic traits in adulthood (at age 48 years). They also emphasise the importance of investigating further the very early roots of psychopathic traits.
Schooling for equitable excellence: principles of systemic design
Authors: Eacott Scott
Published: March 2023

Purpose

Education is a key institution of modern society, long recognized for its central role in the reproduction of inequities and with the potential to challenge them. Schools behave as their systems are designed. Achieving equity and excellence is not possible through attempts to fix “the school” or educators. Principles of systemic design that incorporate equity and excellence are needed to increase the likelihood of desirable outcomes.

Design/methodology/approach

Using the social contract as a design principle, this paper systematically builds an empirical model of school provision aimed at equitable excellence.

Findings

Equitable excellence in school provision is possible if choice is available across geolocation and socio-educational (dis)advantage, schools have autonomy over fiscal, personnel and curricular matters, public accountability is linked to academic outcomes and social impact, all moderated by the quality of teaching.

Research limitations/implications

Data-driven empirical modelling is particularly attractive to policy makers, systemic authorities and researchers when theory (of all varieties) does not yield the necessary insights to support the functionality and effectiveness of systems to deliver equitable outcomes at scale. Empirical examples can be used to test the explanatory power of the novel model – and refine it when necessary.

Practical implications

The empirical model and threshold question are the genesis of a common language for assessing relevant costs and benefits of initiatives for government and system designers. Significantly, establishing a threshold question and tests of legitimacy and strength to accompany the novel model provides a more principled way of prioritizing the competing demands on public investment in education.

Originality/value

Establishing a threshold question and tests for legitimacy and strength to accompany the novel model provides a more principled way of prioritizing the competing demands to accompany.
Trade-off between future travel avoidance and self-protectiveness post-COVID-19: the roles of adventurousness and safety-seeking tendency
Authors: Selem Kareem M. , Sinha Rupa , Khalid Rimsha , Raza Mohsin , Shahidul Islam Mohammad
Published: March 2023

Purpose

Underpinned by sensation-seeking theory (SST) and regulatory focus theory (RFT), this paper highlights the crucial role of adventurousness in self-protective behavior and future travel avoidance. Furthermore, this paper investigates safety-seeking tendency as a moderator and travel anxiety post-COVID-19 as a mediator.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were gathered from 574 potential visitors to St. Catherine post-COVID-19 and analyzed using Smart-PLS approach.

Findings

Adventurousness negatively and significantly affected travel anxiety, while the latter negatively influenced self-protective behavior and positively influenced future travel avoidance. Besides, the findings proved that travel anxiety partially mediated the adventurousness linkage with self-protective behavior and future travel avoidance. Moreover, safety-seeking tendencies dampened travel anxiety's connection with self-protective behavior and future travel avoidance.

Practical implications

This paper provides valuable insights into travel research in theory and practice to revive tourist attractions post-COVID-19 in developing countries via an adventure tourism pattern. The study helps figure out how to deal with the pandemic and restore the monument of heavenly religions, St. Catherine—sacred mountain peaks, mosques, churches and many monasteries—in addition to its charming and picturesque nature.

Originality/value

The current paper examines a traveler's adventurous nature and post-COVID-19 behavior when visiting St. Catherine and their behaviors related to future avoidance and self-protection. This paper adds the first investigation of travel anxiety and safety-seeking through the lens of SST and RFT theories in the Egyptian tourism context.
Fostering a culture of business ethics: a roadmap for responsible management through codes of ethics based on the experience of Spanish companies
Authors: de los Ríos-Berjillos Araceli , Millán-Lara Salud , Sepúlveda del Rio Ignacio , Ruiz-Lozano Mercedes
Published: March 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to analyse the role of the code of ethics as a critical element of responsible management and posits it as a tool that integrates ethics, sustainability and attention to stakeholders. This proposed tool can be a facilitator of integrated management of these dimensions.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey was developed to answer the research questions, and descriptive and factor analyses were carried out. A non-probabilistic sampling technique, purposive sampling, was used. The survey, sent by e-mail, was addressed to managers and decision makers of Spanish companies belonging to associations explicitly committed to corporate social responsibility and ethics; 73 questionnaires were answered. Statistical analyses were performed with SPSS 26.0 software.

Findings

The findings highlight that companies that are showing leadership in ethical management are using their codes of ethics as a key instrument in the business ethics strategy. Codes of ethics go beyond being a guide to ethical conduct to being an instrument at the service of stakeholder relations, sustainability and ethics. The keys that these companies agree on are the design of participative processes of responsible management, the multidimensional content of their codes of ethics and a code management oriented to generate a proactive ethical culture in the company.

Practical implications

This paper proposes a series of recommendations that may be useful to all those companies that wish to promote effective and integrative ethical management through their code of ethics, as much as if they already have one, as they are developing it.

Originality/value

This research highlights the role of code of ethics as an integrative tool for ethics, sustainability and stakeholder responsibility. For that, the keys that these companies agree on are the design of participative processes of responsible management, the multidimensional content of their codes of ethics and code management oriented to generate a proactive ethical culture in the company.
Multi-level Meals on Wheels insights: a qualitative study
Authors: FitzGerald Christine
Published: March 2023

Purpose

Meals on Wheels (MOW) support older people to live in their own homes and communities. The purpose of this paper is to explore MOW experiences from a multi-stakeholder level to inform and better equip this valuable service.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative approach was undertaken utilising semi-structured interviews and focus groups with current, former and potential MOW service users and MOW stakeholders.

Findings

Qualitative analysis explored MOW perspectives and experiences, highlighting a lack of MOW information and awareness, the importance of a client-centred approach the multiple roles of MOW and service transition.

Originality/value

This research explores MOW from the perspective of different groups directly involved in this community service, offering unique multi-stakeholder insights to understand and guide the future of this service.
A generalized source‐distance semi‐automatic interpretation method for potential field data
Authors: Cooper Gordon R. J.
Published: March 2023

Source‐distance methods can be used to locate the position and depth of potential field sources. Existing analytic signal amplitude‐based methods are generalized here so that they are more flexible in the orders of analytic signal amplitude that they use. This not only gives benefits with respect to their robustness against noise and interference, but if the methods are applied several times using different orders then the repeatability of the results can be used to assess their reliability. Some of the proposed methods require the structural index of the source to be specified, whereas others do not. The methods are compared with the Euler deconvolution and Tilt‐Euler methods and are demonstrated on synthetic data and on aeromagnetic data from South Africa.
Longer term housing market effects of a major US airport closure
Authors: Cohen Jeffrey P. , Coughlin Cletus C. , Crews Jonas , Ross Stephen L.
Published: March 2023

Using a unique dataset, we examine various effects of closing Denver's Stapleton Airport, and subsequent redevelopment, on nearby housing markets. We find immediate anticipatory price effects upon announcement, but no price changes at closing and little evidence of upward trending prices between announcement and closing. Post‐closure, more higher income and fewer Black households moved in, and developers built larger houses on larger lots. Increases in the price of pre‐existing housing are also found. Finally, we find that post‐closing price increases were largest in areas that were closest to the center of new commercial development and that had greater exposure to new housing construction.
Sex differences in guideline‐consistent diagnostic testing for acute pulmonary embolism among adult emergency department patients aged 18–49
Authors: Jarman Angela F. , Mumma Bryn E. , White Richard , Dooley Emily , Yang Nuen Tsang , Taylor Sandra L. , Newgard Craig , Morris Cynthia , Cloutier Jared , Maughan Brandon C.
Published: March 2023

Background

Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a frequent diagnostic consideration in emergency department (ED) patients, yet diagnosis is challenging because symptoms of PE are nonspecific. Guidelines recommend the use of clinical decision tools to increase efficiency and avoid harms from overtesting, including D‐dimer screening in patients not at high risk for PE. Women undergo testing for PE more often than men yet have a lower yield from testing. Our study objective was to determine whether patient sex influenced the odds of received guideline‐consistent care.

Methods

We performed a retrospective cohort study at two large U.S. academic EDs from January 1, 2016, to December 31, 2018. Nonpregnant patients aged 18–49 years were included if they presented with chest pain, shortness of breath, hemoptysis, or syncope and underwent testing for PE with D‐dimer or imaging. Demographic and clinical data were exported from the electronic medical record (EMR). Pretest risk scores were calculated using manually abstracted EMR data. Diagnostic testing was then compared with recommended testing based on pretest risk. The primary outcome was receipt of guideline‐consistent care, which required an elevated screening D‐dimer prior to imaging in all non–high‐risk patients.

Results

We studied 1991 discrete patient encounters; 37% (735) of patients were male and 63% (1256) were female. Baseline characteristics, including revised Geneva scores, were similar between sexes. Female patients were more likely to receive guideline‐consistent care (70% [874/1256] female vs. 63% [463/735] male, p < 0.01) and less likely to be diagnosed with PE (3.1% [39/1256] female vs. 5.3% [39/735] male, p < 0.05). The most common guideline deviation in both sexes was obtaining imaging without a screening D‐dimer in a non–high‐risk patient (75% [287/382] female vs. 75% [205/272] male).

Conclusions

In this cohort, females were more likely than males to receive care consistent with current guidelines and less likely to be diagnosed with PE.
The ‘hot zone policy’ for colorectal cancer screening presents unique risks and opportunities for rural Australia
Authors: Worthington Joachim , Lew Jie‐Bin , He Emily , Broun Kate , D'Onise Katina , Grogan Paul , Canfell Karen , Feletto Eleonora
Published: March 2023

Objective

Colorectal cancer has geographic inequities in Australia, with higher mortality rates and lower participation in the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program (NBCSP) in remote and rural areas. The at‐home kit is temperature‐sensitive, necessitating a ‘hot zone policy’ (HZP); kits are not sent when an area's average monthly temperature is above 30°C. Australians in HZP areas are susceptible to potential screening disruptions but may benefit from well‐timed interventions to improve participation. This study describes the demographics of HZP areas and estimates the impacts of potential screening changes.

Methods

The number of individuals in HZP areas was estimated, as well as correlations with remoteness, socio‐economic and Indigenous status. The potential impacts of screening changes were estimated.

Results

Over a million eligible Australians live in HZP areas, which are more likely to be remote/rural, have lower socio‐economic status and higher Indigenous populations. Predictive modelling estimates that any 3‐month screening disruption would increase CRC mortality rates up to 4.1 times more in HZP areas vs unaffected areas, while targeted intervention could decrease mortality rates 3.4 times more in HZP areas.

Conclusion

People living in affected areas would be negatively impacted by any NBCSP disruption, compounding existing inequities. However, well‐timed health promotion could have a stronger impact.
The effect of guided imagery on postoperative pain and comfort of geriatric orthopaedic patients: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Ozdemir Ahmet , Gunes Hüseyin , Saritas Serdar
Published: March 2023

Background

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of guided imagery on postoperative pain and comfort in geriatric orthopedics patients.

Methods

This study was carried out with a randomized‐controlled true experimental design. The population of the study included geriatric patients receiving treatment at the orthopedics and traumatology inpatient clinic of a university hospital. Based on random selection, the sample consisted of total of 102 patients, including 40 patients in the experimental group and 40 in the control group. The data were collected using a Personal Information Form, the Visual Analog Scale, and the General Comfort Questionnaire.

Results

After the guided imagery intervention, the pain levels of the experimental group significantly decreased compared to their baseline pain levels (t = 4.002,P = 0.00). Their perceived comfort was also significantly improved (t = −5.428,P = 0.00). Although the perceived comfort of the control group decreased, this decrease was not statistically significant (t = 0.698,P = 0.489).

Conclusion

It is recommended that guided imagery, which is an inexpensive and accessible method, be integrated into the nursing care process to reduce the pain and increase the comfort of geriatric orthopedics patients.
Prospective randomized comparison of three‐dimensional (3D) versus conventional laparoscopy in total colectomy for ulcerative colitis
Authors: Sapci Ipek , GamalEldin Maysoon , Rencuzogullari Ahmet , Yilmaz Sumeyye , Kessler Hermann , Hull Tracy , Delaney Conor P. , Steele Scott R. , Gorgun Emre
Published: March 2023

Background

3D laparoscopy has been proposed with the aim of improving the depth perception and overall operative performance. To aim of this study is to compare 3D laparoscopy with conventional 2D laparoscopy in terms of operative time and visual parameters.

Methods

This is a prospective, randomized, single‐center trial designed to determine 10% reduction in the mean operative time. Ulcerative colitis patients >18 years of age who underwent laparoscopic total abdominal colectomy with end ileostomy between 2015 and 2020 were included. Patients were randomized into 3D and 2D laparoscopy groups. Duration of operation and surgeons' evaluation of the visualization system were the primary outcomes.

Results

Fifty‐three subjects (26 in 2D, 27 in 3D group) were included in the analysis, with 56% being male. Mean age and body mass index were 40 (16.3) years and 23.5 (4.7) kg/m2, respectively. Twenty‐five subjects underwent single port laparoscopic surgery, of whom 13 were in 3D and 12 in 2D group. Mean operative time was 75.3 (30.8) versus 82.7 (38.6) minutes (P = 0.4) for 3D and 2D groups, respectively. Operative times spent for individual steps were comparable. Post‐operative minor complications (8 in 3D versus 8 in 2D, P = 1) and median number of times for scope maintenance were also similar between the groups. 69% of the visual evaluation survey results favoured 3D over 2D (P = 0.014).

Conclusion

Three‐dimensional laparoscopy for total colectomy in ulcerative colitis patients is safe and feasible option providing better visualization with no difference in operative time.
New contributions on chronic low back pain: disc infection or contaminated cultures?
Authors: Victoria Monge‐García , Gimeno‐Gascón Adelina , Ventero Maria Paz , Climent‐Barberá Jose M. , Cholbi‐Llobell Francisco , Rodríguez Juan Carlos , Baño‐Ruiz Elena , Caminero‐Canas Miguel Angel , Reus‐Bañuls Sergio
Published: March 2023

There is controversy about the likely infectious origin of chronic low back pain, because it has been suggested the possibility of a relationship with infection by Cutibacterium acnes (C. acnes). The aim of this study is to compare four methods to determine the presence of a likely infection caused by C. acnes in surgical disc samples. This work is a cross‐sectional observational study in which there are included 23 patients with microdiscectomy indication. Disc samples were taken during surgery and analysis was done by culture, Sanger sequencing, next‐generation sequencing (NGS), and real‐time PCR (qPCR). Furthermore, clinical data collection was conducted, and it was analyzed the presence of the Modic‐like changes on the magnetic resonance imaging. In 5 of the samples from among the 23 patients (21.7%), C. acnes was isolated by culture. However, in none of the samples could its genome be detected through Sanger sequencing, the less sensitive method. Only the qPCR and NGS were able to detect very few copies of the genome of this microorganism in all the samples, with no significant quantitative differences being observed between the patients in whom isolation of the microorganism by culture was evident or not. Furthermore, there were no significant relationships identified between the clinical variables, including Modic alterations and positive cultures. The most sensitive methods to the detect C. acnes were NGS and qPCR. The data obtained do not suggest association between the presence of C. acnes and the clinical process and support the hypothesis that C. acnes is found in these samples only because it is a contamination from the skin microbiome.
Inhibition of oxidative stress by apocynin attenuated chronic obstructive pulmonary disease progression and vascular injury by cigarette smoke exposure
Authors: Chan Stanley M. H. , Brassington Kurt , Almerdasi Suleman Abdullah , Dobric Aleksandar , De Luca Simone N. , Coward‐Smith Madison , Wang Hao , Mou Kevin , Akhtar Alina , Alateeq Rana Abdullah , Wang Wei , Seow Huei Jiunn , Selemidis Stavros , Bozinovski Steven , Vlahos Ross
Published: March 2023

Background and Purpose

Cardiovascular disease affects up to half of the patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), exerting deleterious impact on health outcomes and survivability. Vascular endothelial dysfunction marks the onset of cardiovascular disease. The present study examined the effect of a potent NADPH Oxidase (NOX) inhibitor and free‐radical scavenger, apocynin, on COPD‐related cardiovascular disease.

Experimental Approach

Male BALB/c mice were exposed to either room air (Sham) or cigarette smoke (CS) generated from 9 cigarettes·day−1, 5 days a week for up to 24 weeks with or without apocynin treatment (5 mg·kg−1·day−1, intraperitoneal injection).

Key Results

Eight‐weeks of apocynin treatment reduced airway neutrophil infiltration (by 42%) and completely preserved endothelial function and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) availability against the oxidative insults of cigarette smoke exposure. These preservative effects were maintained up until the 24‐week time point. 24‐week of apocynin treatment markedly reduced airway inflammation (reduced infiltration of macrophage, neutrophil and lymphocyte), lung function decline (hyperinflation) and prevented airway collagen deposition by cigarette smoke exposure.

Conclusion and Implications

Limiting NOX activity may slow COPD progression and lower cardiovascular disease risk, particularly when signs of oxidative stress become evident.
Understanding the historic legacies of empire from the timbers left behind: Towards critical dendroprovenancing in the British North Atlantic
Authors: Greer Kirsten , Csank Adam , Calvert Kirby , Maddison‐MacFadyen Margot , Smith Andrew , Monk Kimberly , Morrison Sabrina
Published: March 2023

The forests of British North America were integral to Britain's maritime empire. Many of these timbers exist today as wooden beams and flooring at historical dockyards and garrisons such as the Royal Naval Dockyard of Bermuda. In this paper, we investigate what timbers from this Dockyard can tell us about interconnections and empire‐building throughout the North Atlantic region. To do this we drew from approaches of critical physical geography, historical geography, and dendroprovenancing by using timber as a way to interrogate collaboratively the changes in—and connections across—socio‐ecological landscapes. We examined HM Customs records between 1825 and 1850 to determine the flow of timbers to Bermuda. We then sampled timbers from buildings constructed between 1825 and 1853 and analyzed them using isotopic and dendrochronological techniques to establish the probable location of origin of the timber samples. HM Customs records showed that prior to the 1840s, timbers primarily came from British North America, whereas post‐1840 timbers primarily came from the southeastern United States, with some still coming from Europe and British North America. To establish whether timber use by the Royal Navy and Royal Engineers matched the pattern in the customs documents, we looked to the dendrochronological records. Dendrochronologic evidence showed that military construction followed the same pattern, with buildings constructed pre‐1840 using material from British North America and buildings constructed post‐1840 using timbers sourced from the southeastern United States. Finally, using this information we explore some of the connections between regions, in terms of resource use, and the implications of those uses—for example, that the British Admiralty continued to benefit from the practices of slavery through the use of products produced from enslaved labour in other parts of the North Atlantic well after emancipation.
Fusobacterium nucleatum‐induced exosomal HOTTIP promotes gastric cancer progression through the microRNA‐885‐3p/EphB2 axis
Authors: Xin Yiwei , Li Xinyang , Zhang Mengjiao , Shang Ziqi , Luo Zhengdong , Wang Yifeng , Gui Xinru , Liu Qi , Li Tingting , Zeng Shunjie , Schiöth Helgi B. , Zhang Xin , Zhang Yi
Published: March 2023

Recent studies have reported that Fusobacterium nucleatum (Fn) is associated with gastric cancer (GC). Cancer‐derived exosomes contain key regulatory noncoding RNAs and are a crucial medium of intercellular communication. However, the function and regulatory mechanism of exosomes (Fn‐GCEx) secreted from Fn‐infected GC cells remains unclear. In this study, Fn‐GCEx enhanced the proliferation, migration, and invasion capacity of GC cells in vitro, as well as tumor growth and metastasis in vivo. HOTTIP was also upregulated in GC cells treated with Fn‐GCEx. Moreover, knockdown of HOTTIP weakened the effects of Fn‐GCEx in recipient GC cells. Mechanistically, HOTTIP promoted EphB2 expression by sponging microRNA (miR)‐885‐3p, thus activating the PI3K/AKT pathway in Fn‐GCEx treated GC cells. Overall, Fn infection induced the upregulation of exosomal HOTTIP from GC cells that subsequently promoted GC progression through the miR‐885‐3p/EphB2/PI3K/AKT axis. Herein, we identify a potential molecular pathway and therapeutic target for GC.
In vivo CRISPR screens identify RhoV as a pro‐metastasis factor of triple‐negative breast cancer
Authors: Jin Ming‐Liang , Gong Yue , Ji Peng , Hu Xin , Shao Zhi‐Ming
Published: March 2023

Metastasis is the main death reason for triple‐negative breast cancer (TNBC). Thus, identifying the driver genes associated with metastasis of TNBC is urgently needed. CRISPR screens have dramatically enhanced genome editing and made it possible to identify genes associated with metastasis. In this study, we identified and explored the crucial role of ras homolog family member V (RhoV) in TNBC metastasis. Here, we performed customized in vivo CRISPR screens targeting metastasis‐related genes obtained from transcriptome analysis of TNBC. The regulatory role of RhoV in TNBC was validated using gain‐ or loss‐of‐function studies in vitro and in vivo. We further conducted immunoprecipitation and LC–MS/MS to explore the metastasis mechanism of RhoV. In vivo functional screens identified RhoV as a candidate regulator involved in tumor metastasis. RhoV was frequently upregulated in TNBC and correlated with poor survival. Knockdown of RhoV significantly suppressed cell invasion, migration, and metastasis both in vitro and in vivo. In addition, we provided evidence that p‐EGFR interacted with RhoV to activate the downstream signal pathway of RhoV, thereby promoting tumor metastasis. We further confirmed that this association was dependent on GRB2 through a specific proline‐rich motif in the N‐terminus of RhoV. This mechanism of RhoV is unique, as other Rho family proteins lack the proline‐rich motif in the N‐terminus.
Current understanding and future prospects on Berberine for anticancer therapy
Authors: Goel Anjana
Published: March 2023

Berberine (BBR) is a potential plant metabolite and has remarkable anticancer properties. Many kinds of research are being focused on the cytotoxic activity of berberine in in vitro and in vivo studies. A variety of molecular targets which lead to the anticancer effect of berberine ranges from p‐53 activation, Cyclin B expression for arresting cell cycles; protein kinase B (AKT), MAP kinase and IKB kinase for antiproliferative activity; effect on beclin‐1 involved in autophagy; reduced expression of MMP‐9 and MMP‐2 for the inhibition of invasion and metastasis etc. Berberine also interferes with transcription factor‐1 (AP‐1) activity responsible for the expression of oncogenes and neoplastic transformation of the cell. It also leads to the inhibition of various enzymes which are directly or indirectly involved in carcinogenesis like N acetyl transferase, Cyclo‐oxygenase‐2, Telomerase and Topoisomerase. In addition to these actions, Berberine plays a role in, the regulation of reactive oxygen species and inflammatory cytokines in preventing cancer formation. Berberine anticancer properties are demonstrated due to the interaction of berberine with micro‐RNA. The summarized information presented in this review article may help and lead the researchers, scientists/industry persons to use berberine as a promising candidate against cancer.
Radiation of bilateral adrenal metastases is associated with a high risk of primary adrenal insufficiency
Authors: Herndon Justine , Hallemeier Christopher , Jethwa Krishan , Shariff Afreen , Bancos Irina
Published: March 2023

Background

Adrenal metastasis is the most common adrenal malignancy and can be bilateral in up to 43% of patients. Radiotherapy (RT) is one option available to treat adrenal metastases. The risk of primary adrenal insufficiency (PAI) after adrenal RT is unclear.

Objective

Determine the incidence and the timeline of PAI in patients undergoing adrenal RT.

Design, Setting and Participants

Single‐centre longitudinal retrospective cohort study of adult patients with adrenal metastases treated with RT between 2010 and 2021.

Results

Of 56 patients with adrenal metastases treated with adrenal RT, eight (14.3%) patients developed PAI at a median of 6.1 months (interquartile range [IQR]: 3.9–13.8) after RT All patients developing PAI had either unilateral RT in the setting of contralateral adrenalectomy or bilateral adrenal RT. Patients who developed PAI received a median RT dose of 50 Gy (IQR: 44–50 Gy), administered in a median of five fractions (IQR: 5–6). Treated metastases decreased in size and/or metabolic activity on positron emission tomography in seven patients (87.5%). Patients were initiated on hydrocortisone (median daily dose of 20 mg, IQR: 18–40) and fludrocortisone (median daily dose of 0.05 mg, IQR: 0.05–0.05 mg). At the end of the study period, five patients died, all due to extra‐adrenal malignancy, at a median time of 19.7 months (IQR: 16–21.1 months) since RT and median time of 7.7 months (IQR: 2.9–12.5 months) since the diagnosis of PAI.

Conclusion

Patients receiving unilateral adrenal RT with two intact adrenal glands have a low risk of PAI. Patients receiving bilateral adrenal RT have a high risk of PAI and require close monitoring.
1051.Cathaya argyrophyllaChun & Kuang: Pinaceae
Authors: Christenhusz Maarten J. M. , Battle Christine
Published: March 2023

The ‘pearl of the forest’, also known as ‘yin shan’ or the ‘giant panda of the plant kingdom’,Cathaya argyrophyllais illustrated here (t. 1051) from a tree cultivated at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. The discovery and phylogenetics of this species are discussed, and its introduction into horticulture is presented. A detailed description is provided here, and ecology, cytology, etymology and conservation are discussed. Advice on cultivation is also given.
1057.Heptacodium miconioidesRehder: Caprifoliaceae
Authors: Christenhusz Maarten J. M. , Mian Sahr , Lambkin Deborah
Published: March 2023

Heptacodium miconioides,also known as ‘the seven‐son flower’, is illustrated from a plant cultivated at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Originally from China, it was discovered in the early 20thCentury, but was first introduced into western horticulture in the 1980s from plants grown at the Hangzhou Botanical Garden. A detailed description is provided here, and the ecology, cytology and etymology of the species are discussed. Type specimens have been studied and lectotypes are designated. This attractive hardy, autumn‐flowering shrub is a great addition to any woodland garden and should be much more commonly grown.
Theorizing Power in Community Economies: A Women's Cooperative in Northern Kurdistan
Authors: Turker Kaner Atakan
Published: March 2023

Under the Democratic Autonomy project, Turkey's Kurdish Movement has pursued self‐governance since the mid‐2000s and promoted cooperatives and communal modes of production across Northern Kurdistan. Drawing upon the engagement of diverse and community economies studies with assemblage thinking, this article utilizes assemblage thinking to expand our understanding of power dynamics in community economies, and to reveal the power‐led processes involved in building and maintaining community economies. The article focuses on the case of a women's cooperative spearheaded by the Kurdish Movement, which managed to circumvent state oppression and stay in business, despite the turmoil that erupted in Northern Kurdistan after the collapse of peace negotiations between the Turkish state and the Kurdish Movement in 2015.
An analytical framework for household entitlement assessment in civil war
Authors: Arya Aziz , Ihle Rico , Heijman Wim
Published: March 2023

Amartya Sen, the economist and philosopher, defines entitlement as command over resources that permits a household to have access to essential goods and services to sustain life within legal and established social norms and practices. Entitlement failure occurs when a household's command over all available combinations of resources does not ensure sufficient provisions of food to avoid starvation. This paper provides an overview of the literature on causal relations between civil war and household entitlements. It suggests a conceptual framework for empirically analysing the ramifications of armed political conflict on household entitlements. In addition, it develops a composite index as a tool to investigate the effect of civil war on household entitlements and to guide policy in the context of conflict‐related international humanitarian interventions. The paper's key contribution is to suggest an empirical framework for quantitative measurement of the impact of civil war on household entitlements and to improve targeting criteria in post‐conflict rehabilitation efforts.
Using touchscreen technology for screening basic cognitive, sensory, and motor abilities in pediatric patients
Authors: Pitchford Nicola J.
Published: March 2023

This commentary is on the original article by Casey et al. on pages 1206–1214 of this issue.
Diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) for rapid soil testing and soil quality assessment in smallholder farms
Authors: Majeed Israr , Garg Kaushal K. , Venkataradha A. , Purushothaman Naveen K. , Roy Sourav , Reddy Nagarjuna N. , Singh Ramesh , Anantha K. H. , Dixit Sreenath , Das Bhabani S.
Published: March 2023

Rapid soil testing and soil quality assessment are essential to address soil degradation and low farm incomes in smallholder farms. With the objective of testing diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) to rapidly assess soil chemical properties, nutrient content and a soil quality index (SQI), samples of surface soil were collected from 1113 smallholder farms in seven districts in Bundelkhand region of Uttar Pradesh, India. A minimum dataset (MDS) approach was followed to estimate SQI using the three chemical parameters of soil pH, electrical conductivity (EC) and soil organic carbon (SOC), and 11 different soil nutrients. Principal component and correlation analyses showed that soil pH, SOC content and three available nutrients − copper (Cu), iron (Fe) and sulphur (S) − may constitute the MDS. Estimated SQI values showed strong positive correlation with crop yields. Results of chemometric modelling showed that the DRS approach could yield the coefficient of determination (R2) values in the validation datasets ranging from 0.79 to 0.94 for exchangeable calcium (Ca) followed by 0.67–0.88 for exchangeable potassium (K), 0.52–0.86 for SOC and 0.53–0.81 for available boron (B) content. Except in one district, the DRS approach could be used to estimate SQI values with R2 values in the range of 0.63–0.81; an R2 value of 0.71 was obtained in the pooled dataset. We also estimated the three‐tier soil test crop response (STCR) ratings to compare DRS and wet chemistry soil testing approaches. Similar STCR ratings were obtained for both these approaches in more than 86% of the samples. Parameters for which both the methods yielded similar ratings in more than 80% of the samples were EC (>98%), pH and exchangeable Ca (>81%) and available B (>89%). With similar ratings, these results suggest that the DRS approach may safely be used for farmers' fields, replacing the traditional wet analysis approach of soil testing.
Incidence and outcomes of head injuries in people with and without Parkinson disease
Authors: Ilmaniemi Sarianna , Tolppanen Anna‐Maija , Herukka Sanna‐Kaisa , Hartikainen Päivi , Hartikainen Sirpa
Published: March 2023

Background and purpose

Fall‐related injuries are a major health concern among people with Parkinson disease (PD). We compared the incidence and postinjury mortality of head injuries and traumatic brain injury (TBI) among persons with and without PD.

Methods

This register‐based study was conducted on the FINPARK cohort, which includes 22,189 persons who were diagnosed with PD in Finland during 1996–2015. We excluded persons with a previous head injury, leaving 20,514 persons with PD. For each person with PD, 1–7 matching persons without PD and previous head injury were identified with respect to age, sex, and residence. The Cox proportional hazard model was used to estimate hazard ratios for head injury. A logistic regression model was used to compare mortality.

Results

Persons with PD had 2.16‐fold (95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.06–2.26) risk of all head injuries and 1.97‐fold (95% CI = 1.84–2.10) risk of TBI after adjustment for age, sex, and comorbidities. Persons with PD had higher 1‐year mortality after any type of head injury (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.44, 95% CI = 1.28–1.62), TBI (aOR = 1.33, 95% CI = 1.14–1.57), or non‐TBI head injury (aOR = 1.72, 95% CI = 1.42–2.07) than persons without PD. The higher risk of mortality was observed 6 months after TBI and 1 month after non‐TBI injury in persons with PD. Persons with PD and head injury also had higher 1‐year mortality than persons with PD and without head injury.

Conclusions

Persons with PD have a higher risk of head injury and higher postinjury mortality than persons without PD.
Factors associated with physical activity in young people with haemophilia A on prophylaxis
Authors: Matlary Ruth Elise D. , Grydeland May , Glosli Heidi , Rueegg Corina Silvia , Holme Pål André
Published: March 2023

Introduction

Physical activity (PA) is influenced by numerous factors, and the literature describing why people with haemophilia (PWH) are physically active or not is inconclusive.

Aims

To investigate factors associated with PA (mean min/day in light (LPA), moderate (MPA), vigorous (VPA) and total PA, and proportion meeting World Health Organization (WHO) weekly moderate‐to‐vigorous (MVPA) recommendations) among young PWH A.

Methods

Forty PWH A on prophylaxis from the HemFitbit study were included. PA was measured using Fitbit devices and participant characteristics were collected. Potential factors associated with PA were investigated by univariable linear regression models for continuous PA outcomes, and descriptively for teenagers meeting/not meeting WHO MVPA recommendations only, because all except one adult met PA recommendations.

Results

Mean age (n = 40) was 19.5 years (SD 5.7). Annual bleeding rate was nearly zero and joint scores were low. We found an increase of four min/day in LPA (95% confidence interval (CI) 1–7) per year increase in age. Participants with ‘Haemophilia Early Arthropathy Detection with Ultrasound’ (HEAD‐US) score ≥1 engaged in mean 14 min/day less MPA (95% CI −23.2 to −3.8), and 8 min less VPA (95% CI −15.0 to −0.4) compared to participants with HEAD‐US score 0. Teenagers who met PA recommendations had slightly better joint status compared to those who did not meet recommendations.

Conclusion

These findings indicate that presence of mild arthropathy does not affect LPA but may have a negative impact on PA of higher intensities. Early start of prophylaxis may be an important determinant of PA.
Ferry quarantine: The pandemic as a pretext to deny healthcare access to undocumented migrants and asylum seekers in Italy
Authors: Botrugno Carlo
Published: March 2023

The outbreak of COVID‐19 forced national governments and health authorities worldwide to adopt measures aimed at protecting population health, most of which resulted in prolonged restrictions to individual freedom(s) and fundamental rights. In some cases, the pandemic represented a pretext for macroscopic and unjustified human rights violations, as in the case of the “ferry quarantine,” that is the use of commercial boats by the Italian Government to forcibly isolate migrants and asylum seekers from the rest of the population. Such a measure does not have any rationale at the epidemiological level and poses serious obstacles to the provision of adequate care to vulnerable people such as migrants and asylum seekers. The pandemic has been used as a pretext to implement discriminatory and disproportionate measures whose effect has been denying healthcare access to undocumented migrants and asylum seekers.
Fine structure of the retrocerebral organ in the rotifer Trichocerca similis (Monogononta)
Authors: Hochberg Rick , Araújo Thiago Q. , Walsh Elizabeth J. , Mohl Jonathon E. , Wallace Robert L.
Published: March 2023

The retrocerebral organ (RCO) is a complex glandular system that is widely distributed across species of phylum Rotifera (sensu stricto). This system is hypothesized to secrete mucus that aids in benthic locomotion, adhesion, and/or reproduction. Unfortunately, the ultrastructure of the RCO is mostly unknown, having only been partially examined in one species. We used transmission electron microscopy and confocal laser scanning microscopy to describe the RCO in the planktonic freshwater rotifer Trichocerca similis. Results reveal the RCO to be a singular syncytial organ composed of a posterior glandular region, an expansive reservoir, and an anterior duct. The glandular portion has an active synthetic cytoplasm with paired nuclei, abundant rER, ribosomes, Golgi, and mitochondria. Electron‐dense secretion granules accumulate at the anterior end of the gland and undergo homotypic fusion to create larger, more electron‐lucent granules with numerous mesh‐like contents that gradually fuse into tubular secretions that accumulate in the reservoir. Ultrastructure of these secretions suggests they may be hydrated glycoproteins. Cross‐striated longitudinal muscles form a partial sleeve around the reservoir and may function to squeeze the secretions through the single cytoplasmic duct that penetrates the cerebral ganglion. A review of the RCOs from other rotifers suggests that further ultrastructural analyses are required before attempting to discern their functions and homologies.