bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of SiO2on the tribological properties of PTFE sliding against Cu: a molecular dynamics simulation
Authors: Song Jingfu , Zhao Gai , Ding Qingjun , Yang Ying
Published: June 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effect of SiO2on the tribological properties of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) composites from an atomic level.

Design/methodology/approach

Effect of SiO2on the tribological properties of PTFE sliding against Cu was studied by molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to explore the inherent mechanisms from an atomic level.

Findings

SiO2had a higher interaction energy with PTFE than copper, which contributed to an increase of interfacial temperature and velocity with severe adhesive wear on the PTFE molecules.

Originality/value

This study reveals the mechanism of SiO2on the friction and wear behavior of PTFE by MD simulation.
Linking environmental forces, absorptive capacity, information sharing and innovation performance
Authors: Oke Adegoke , Prajogo Daniel , Idiagbon-Oke Moronke , Cheng T.C. Edwin
Published: June 2022

Purpose

This study seeks to understand how regulatory and competitive forces impact firms' actions and innovation performance. The study investigates how firms strategize internally and externally to address regulatory and competitive forces, and how such actions influence firms' innovation performance.

Design/methodology/approach

The data were collected via a survey of 217 managers of business organizations in Nigeria.

Findings

Regulatory forces have a positive relationship with both absorptive capacity (AC) and information sharing (IS). Competitive forces, on the other hand, only have a negative relationship with IS but not with AC. AC has a positive relationship with innovation performance, while IS, surprisingly, does not have a positive relationship with innovation performance.

Originality/value

The study contributes to knowledge by empirically validating the relationships between environmental forces and innovation performance; more importantly, the study uncovers the underlying factors, i.e. IS and AC that link environmental forces and firms' innovation performance.
Digital twins’ impact on organizational control: perspectives on formal vs social control
Authors: Ukko Juhani , Saunila Minna , Nasiri Mina , Rantala Tero , Holopainen Mira
Published: June 2022

Purpose

This study examines the connection between different digital-twin characteristics and organizational control. Specifically, the study aims to examine whether the digital-twin characteristics exploration, guidance and gamification will affect formal and social control.

Design/methodology/approach

The study is based on an analysis of survey results from 139 respondents comprising applied university students who use digital twins.

Findings

The results offer an interesting contribution to the literature. The authors consider the digital-twin characteristics exploration, guidance and gamification and investigate their contribution to two types of organizational controls: formal and social. The results show that two characteristics, exploration and gamification, affect the extent to which digital twins can be utilized for social control. Exploration and guidance’s role is significant concerning the extent to which digital twins can be utilized for formal control.

Originality/value

This study contributes to literature by considering multiple digital-twin characteristics and their contribution to two different control outcomes. First, it diverges from previous technical-oriented research by investigating digital twins in a human context. Second, the study is the first to examine digital twins’ effects from an organizational control perspective systematically.
Review of the methodological approach of analysing rental income of residential property in Abuja, Nigeria
Authors: Bello Nurudeen Akinsola , Abdullahi Bawa Chafe , Atilola Moses Idowu , Thontteh Esther Oromidayo
Published: June 2022

Purpose

This study aims to review the approaches used in the analysis of rental income of residential property in Abuja, Nigeria, to strengthen the existing investment performance approaches initially relied upon by property investors towards having a better and reliable performance evaluation for property investment decision-making.

Design/methodology/approach

With the adoption of combined methodological approaches, quantitative data on rental history (2006–2016) were collected on the randomly selected residential investment properties (block of flats) available in the portfolio of estate surveying firms in the different locations/sub-markets of the study area. Data collected were analysed with the frequency mean and growth rate.

Findings

All the methodological approaches adopted for analysis displayed varying performance results. No particular sub-market maintains the same ranking position in any of the approaches. The developmental phases previously used as an indication of yield in the study area do not correspond with the status of rental income of sub-markets. Yield has been observed to be a mere attraction to property investment; it does not translate to income growth. Mean income (though a good indicator of changes in rental income) is not a reliable indicator of growth in income, and growth in the rate of income omitted the changes in rental income during the holding period.

Research limitations/implications

The study was restricted to historical rental income data on a block of flat-type residential property, and it does not include capital value analysis or inquire into the factors responsible for variation in rental income during the study period. The outcome of this study is only applicable to a block of 4 number three-bedroom flats residential property type.

Practical implications

Multiple simple methods of analysing rental income performance should be preferred to the single complex method. This will simplify investors’ rental income characteristics of investment towards a better understanding of rental property investment analysis. That rental value appreciates with time does not translate to an increase in the actual rental income of residential investment property.

Social implications

Through these performance approaches, ranking of the sampled properties in the study area sub-markets will enhance investors’ traditional diversification planning across the study area for an enhanced combination that can achieve latent profitability. The attention of investors is hereby called to these multiple approaches to enable them to merge their investment objectives with any or a combination of these approaches towards making rational investment decisions.

Originality/value

This seems to be the first advocacy for methodological paradigm shift applicable to direct residential property investment performance in Nigeria, using transaction rather than appraisal data.
Portfolio replication: Islamic vs conventional
Authors: Tlemsani Issam , Mohamed Hashim Mohamed Ashmel , Matthews Robin
Published: June 2022

Purpose

This conceptual paper aims to explore portfolio replication to resolve post-COVID pandemic private and public debt. This paper stresses the need to be less dependent on a debt-based system and the emergence Islamic equity market.

Design/methodology/approach

This study analyses different types of risks involved in Islamic and conventional portfolios by using risk measures such as relative beta and comparatively examining the systematic and downside risk exposure of Islamic and conventional portfolios. Data was collected monthly from 2016 to 2022.

Findings

The findings indicate that the replications of a conventional portfolio into an Islamic portfolio are compatible with the regulatory standard, sharia boundaries and professional practices developed from investment theory. The result shows that Islamic portfolios have lower risk exposure compared with their conventional counterparts in most of the sample years, therefore, become further attractive for debt–equity portfolio swaps and Sharia-compliant investors preferring low-risk preferences. The result confirmed that the Islamic portfolios have a higher return and less risk than conventional portfolios.

Research limitations/implications

The implications of this research are to provide a road map to the regulators, policymakers, governments and the financial industry on how to rearrange some of the public and private debt. A likely remedy is incorporating Islamic financial instrument principles through the equitisation of public and private debt.

Practical implications

This research contributes to investors (particularly those who want to avoid riba [usury] based investment) to make more diversified portfolios by considering Islamic portfolios to reduce risk exposure.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first paper to create bivariate debt–equity portfolios swaps composed of Islamic and conventional assets.
The relationship between family cohesion, family-work conflict, enrichment and psychological health of Indian police
Authors: Agrawal Monika , Mahajan Ritika
Published: June 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to test the influence of family cohesion on family-to-work conflict (FWC), family-to-work enrichment (FWE) and psychological health. The study also aims to investigate the impact of FWC and FEW on psychological health. The study uses conservation of resources theory as a theoretical base.

Design/methodology/approach

Data came from frontline officers of Rajasthan police in India using a purposive sampling technique. The study utilizes Partial Least Square Structural Equation Modeling to test the proposed research model.

Findings

The findings reveal that family cohesion is a critical family resource that diminishes FWC and boosts FWE. The findings further demonstrate that FWE improves psychological health. Lastly, the study displays that FWE fully mediates the link between family cohesion and psychological health.

Research limitations/implications

The male-dominated sample prevents evaluating gender differences in the proposed relationships. Generalizations to other cultures and contexts are limited. The findings of the study suggest that police administrators need to understand the family characteristics of officers and plan interventions to facilitate a cohesive family environment in the police.

Originality/value

Little is known about the family direction relationships (FWC and FWE) in work-family research. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first study to test a model of family cohesion, FWC, FWE and psychological health.
Exhausted by social distancing at work: understanding the effects of COVID-19 pandemic in workgroups
Authors: Jahantab Farid , Anand Smriti , Vidyarthi Prajya R.
Published: June 2022

Purpose

In the new post-COVID-19 work order, this study aims to examine whether and how individual-level social distancing interacts with workgroup-level socio-affective support to influence employee exhaustion and performance.

Design/methodology/approach

Multi-level analyses of time-lagged multi-source data from 231 employees nested in 34 workgroups were conducted to test our hypothesized relationships.

Findings

Analyses revealed a significant relationship between social distancing and employee performance via emotional exhaustion. Further, the positive relationship between social distancing and emotional exhaustion was attenuated by workgroup team orientation and support for innovation, and the indirect effect of social distancing on employee performance was weaker in workgroups with a high team orientation and high support for innovation.

Originality/value

This study extends the job demands-resources theory to the new work order and examines the impact of workplace social distancing on employee outcomes in the context of workgroup membership.
A systematic review of Industry 4.0 maturity models: applicability in the O&G upstream industry
Authors: Onyeme Chinedu , Liyanage Kapila
Published: June 2022

Purpose

The study aims to review the currently available Industry 4.0 (I4.0) maturity models (MMs) for manufacturing industries and analyse their applicability in the oil and gas (O&G) upstream sector. Knowing that the growth in demand for energy through crude oil and natural gas is still viable over the next decade, there is the drive to ensure sustenance and improvement in production. The study sees an opportunity in harnessing the gains of Industry 4.0 technologies for better solution-driven strategies in production processes, equipment availability and reliability which would translate into higher production performance. So, a review on the Industry 4.0 MMs is considered important.

Design/methodology/approach

A systematic and in-depth literature review was performed to identify the specific requirements of this industry. This study examined the key characteristics of the O&G upstream sector and identified research gaps that need to be addressed to successfully support this industry for Industry 4.0 implementation. An Industry 4.0 MM that reflects the industrial realities for this industry more accurately from insights drawn from reviews of existing MMs is proposed

Findings

The review of 19 selected Industry 4.0 MMs revealed that the existing MMs are not a direct fit for the O&G upstream industry. Only a few of the models were clear on validation but with subjectivity, low number of persons and industries involved as limitations; none of the models confirmed validation with the O&G industry. There are varying views on the model dimensions and maturity levels by each author and not all required areas specific to the O&G industries were acknowledged by the models. An MM specific to this industry is therefore required.

Originality/value

Although the journey of digitisation has commenced in the O&G industry, a reduction with the challenges of transition towards Industry 4.0 implementation and provision of support for improved efficiency is assured using a robust MM, as proposed in this paper.
Biomarkers of endothelial dysfunction and atherosclerosis in hidradenitis suppurativa
Authors: González‐López Marcos A. , Ocejo‐Viñals J. Gonzalo , López‐Sundh Ana E. , Guiral Sandra , Ruiz‐Solana Marta , Mata Cristina , Portilla Virginia , Corrales Alfonso , Blanco Ricardo , Hernández Jose L.
Published: June 2022

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic inflammatory disease associated with an increased prevalence of subclinical atherosclerosis and cardiovascular risk. Angiopoietin‐2 (Ang‐2), asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), and osteoprotegerin (OPG) are molecules related to endothelial dysfunction (ED) and atherosclerosis, but also to disease severity in patients with chronic inflammatory disorders. In this case–control study, we aimed to investigate serum Ang‐2, ADMA, and OPG levels in patients with HS, and to assess the potential relationship between these levels and disease severity. Seventy‐five patients with HS and 60 controls were assessed. Serum Ang‐2, ADMA, and OPG concentrations were determined in all participants. HS patients had significantly higher Ang‐2 and ADMA levels than controls after adjusting for confounders. Besides, Ang‐2 concentrations positively correlated with disease severity in the adjusted multivariable analysis. Nevertheless, serum OPG levels did not significantly differ between HS patients and controls. Our results indicate that serum Ang‐2 and ADMA levels are significantly increased in patients with HS. Furthermore, Ang‐2 might be a suitable marker of HS severity.
Real estate investors and the U.S. housing recovery
Authors: Lambie‐Hanson Lauren , Li Wenli , Slonkosky Michael
Published: June 2022

U.S. house prices fell nearly 30% between 2006 and 2012. Meanwhile, homeownership rates declined as mortgage credit supply tightened and investors bought up properties. Although nationally house prices recovered to prebust levels by 2016, homeownership rates declined through mid‐2016, as investors, particularly those purchasing through corporations, gained market share. By exploiting heterogeneity in zip codes' exposure to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac programs that affected investors' access to foreclosed properties, we find that increased presence of investors explains a significant fraction of the house price recovery. Investors reduced vacancies and shortened the time foreclosed properties spent in bank ownership.
Phenolics in buckwheat hull extracts and their antioxidant activities on bulk oil and emulsions
Authors: Lee Haeseong , Lim Taehwan , Kim Jaecheol , Kim Ryun Hee , Hwang Keum Taek
Published: June 2022

Buckwheat hulls are discarded as waste, although they have more phenolic compounds than buckwheat groats. The antioxidant activities of buckwheat hull extracts prepared with water, 50% ethanol, and 100% ethanol were investigated in bulk oil, oil‐in‐water (O/W), and water‐in‐oil (W/O) emulsions. The relationship between the phenolic compositions of the extracts and their antioxidant activities in the three different lipid systems was also evaluated. Fifty percent ethanol extract had the highest total phenolic content (327 mg gallic acid equivalent [GAE]/g extract) followed by water and 100% ethanol extracts (211 and 163 mg GAE/g extract, respectively). The total oxidation rate (k) was not significantly different among the bulk oils added with the buckwheat hull extracts. However, in the O/W emulsion, the k was more reduced by the 50% and 100% ethanol extracts than by the water extract at the concentration of 100 µg GAE/g (2.9, 2.8, and 3.7 Totox/day, respectively). The k of the W/O emulsion was more reduced by the 100% ethanol extract than by the water and 50% ethanol extract at the concentration of 100 µg GAE/g (3.8, 4.7, and 4.5 Totox/day, respectively). Multivariate statistical analysis revealed that the contents of phenolic acids and their derivatives were the highest in the water extract among the extracts, while the contents of flavonoid glycosides and methylated polyphenols were the highest in the 50% and 100% ethanol extracts, respectively. The results suggest that flavonoid glycosides and methylated polyphenols could be potential candidates for retarding the oxidation of the emulsion system.

Practical Application

Buckwheat hull extracts could retard lipid oxidation. Flavonoid glycosides and methylated polyphenols in buckwheat hull extracts may have an antioxidative effect on lipids. Thus, buckwheat hulls could be used as an antioxidant in lipid systems, as flavonoid glycosides and methylated polyphenols are properly extracted from buckwheat hulls.
Validity and Reliability of the Turkish Version of the DASH‐TR Questionnaire in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients, Based on Rasch Analysis
Authors: Basakci Calik Bilge , Demir Pervin , Gur Kabul Elif , Caglayan Berna Cagla , Keskin Aylin , Karasu Ugur
Published: June 2022

Aim

This study aimed to examine the validity and reliability of the Turkish version of the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand Problems (DASH‐TR) questionnaire in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) using the Rasch analysis.

Method

A total 97 individuals (13 men, 84 women; mean age:51.99 ± 11.12 years, range: 20‐65 years) diagnosed as having RA according to the criteria of the American College of Rheumatology were included. The functional status of the upper extremities was evaluated with the DASH‐TR questionnaire, patient global health with a visual analog scale (VAS), disease activity with Disease Activity Score 28‐C‐reactive protein (DAS28‐CRP), and disability with Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ). DASH‐TR was applied to the patients with RA who did not receive any treatment for test‐retest at 1‐week intervals. DASH‐TR results were analyzed using the Rasch analysis.

Results

In the sample of patients with RA, it was determined that the DASH‐TR scale did not provide a unidimensional structure and the items were collected in two dimensions. The first 20 items and the last nine items were differentiated in the two‐dimensional structure, and the factor load of m21 was low. Person separation index was obtained as 0.948. Internal consistency reliability was quite high. A significant positive correlation was found between the DASH‐TR and VAS, DAS28 and HAQ. There was excellent test‐retest reliability according to the intra‐class correlation coefficient (0.921, 95% CI 0.882‐0.947; P < 0.001).

Conclusion

The DASH‐TR is a reliable and valid questionnaire and can be used for measurement of functional status of the upper extremities in RA.
Talimogene laherparepvec resulting in near‐complete response in a patient with treatment‐refractory Merkel cell carcinoma
Authors: Cilento Michael A. , Klein Oliver , Egan Elizabeth , Roberts‐Thomson Rachel
Published: June 2022

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare and aggressive cutaneous tumour of neuroendocrine cell origin, which can grow rapidly and metastasise early. Localised disease is treated with surgery and radiotherapy. Disease that reaches a more advanced stage can be treated with a variety of different treatment modalities including surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, radionuclide therapy, immunotherapy, and intralesional therapy. We report a case of a patient who had exhausted all local and systemic treatment options and who subsequently had an exceptional response to intralesional injection of Talimogene laherparepvec (TVEC).
Is jealousy justifiable?
Authors: Wesselinoff Catherine
Published: June 2022

Jealousy has been disparaged as psychologically debilitating and morally flawed since well before Shakespeare wrote Othello and is indeed represented—particularly well—as far back as in Homer's portrayal of gods and goddesses in The Iliad. According to some of these traditional views, often shared by philosophers, psychologists and the general public, jealousy is the sign, if not of an irredeemably corrupt mind, then at least of an excessively possessive and insecure character. But does jealousy always indicate some sort of flaw or failure? Is jealousy rerehensible in all contexts? In the present paper, I intend to suggest some modifications to the view that it is, by giving jealousy a more sympathetic and charitable hearing than it normally receives, and suggesting that jealousy might, in some cases, be justifiable.
Association between liver fibrosis and incident dementia in the UK Biobank study
Authors: Parikh Neal S. , Kamel Hooman , Zhang Cenai , Kumar Sonal , Rosenblatt Russell , Spincemaille Pascal , Gupta Ajay , Cohen David E. , de Leon Mony J. , Gottesman Rebecca F. , Iadecola Costantino
Published: June 2022

Background and purpose

There is growing recognition that chronic liver conditions influence brain health. The impact of liver fibrosis on dementia risk was unclear. We evaluated the association between liver fibrosis and incident dementia in a cohort study.

Methods

We performed a cohort analysis using data from the UK Biobank study, which prospectively enrolled adults starting in 2007, and continues to follow them. People with a Fibrosis‐4 (FIB‐4) liver fibrosis score >2.67 were categorized as at high risk of advanced fibrosis. The primary outcome was incident dementia, ascertained using a validated approach. We excluded participants with prevalent dementia at baseline. We used Cox proportional hazards models to evaluate the association between liver fibrosis and dementia while adjusting for potential confounders.

Results

Among 455,226 participants included in this analysis, the mean age was 56.5 years and 54% were women. Approximately 2.17% (95% confidence interval [CI] 2.13%–2.22%) had liver fibrosis. The rate of dementia per 1000 person‐years was 1.76 (95% CI 1.50–2.07) in participants with liver fibrosis and 0.52 (95% CI 0.50–0.54) in those without. After adjusting for demographics, socioeconomic deprivation, educational attainment, metabolic syndrome, hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, and tobacco and alcohol use, liver fibrosis was associated with an increased risk of dementia (hazard ratio 1.52, 95% CI 1.22–1.90). Results were robust to sensitivity analyses. Effect modification by sex, metabolic syndrome, and apolipoprotein E4 carrier status was not observed.

Conclusion

Liver fibrosis in middle age was associated with an increased risk of incident dementia, independent of shared risk factors. Liver fibrosis may be an underrecognized risk factor for dementia.
Electrospray application of guava seed oil for shelf life extension of guava fruit
Authors: Kapoor Swati , Gandhi Neeraj , Kaur Gurkirat , Khatkar Sunil Kumar , Bala Manju , Nikhanj Pooja , Mahajan BVC , Sharma Deepansh
Published: June 2022

Guava seed oil (GSO) extracted from agro‐waste of the guava processing industry was used to prepare emulsion‐based edible coating. GSO ranging from 5% to 20% oil containing soy lecithin emulsifier was homogenised and ultrasonicated for preparation of stable emulsion. GSO majorly contained linoleic fatty acid and the mean particle size of GSO emulsions was in the range of 1.350–3.134 μm. Transmission electron microscopy showed uniform distribution of GSO particles in water, depicting the efficiency of soy lecithin as an effective emulsifier. Water‐based electrostatic spray gun was used as a spray mechanism, wherein the charged particles of GSO emulsion were sprayed onto fresh guava fruits. The electrospray coated and control fruits (without coating) were stored in lined corrugated fibreboard boxes at ambient conditions and analysed for physiological, physico‐chemical, colour and microbiological changes throughout the storage period. Guava fruits coated with 15% GSO showed the best results with respect to weight loss, firmness, spoilage and microbial load. Shelf‐life studies conclude that GSO‐coated fruits could be stored well till 10 days with better quality as compared to control fruits with only 6 days shelf life.
Destination unknown: Parents and healthcare professionals' perspectives on transition from paediatric to adult care in Down syndrome
Authors: Peters Vincent J. T. , Bok Levinus A. , de Beer Lieke , van Rooij Joyce J. M. , Meijboom Bert R. , Bunt Jan Erik H.
Published: June 2022

Background

Transitioning from paediatric medical care to adult care is a challenging process for children, parents and healthcare professionals. The aim of this study was to explore the experiences, concerns and needs of parents of children with Down syndrome and of professionals regarding this transition.

Method

A qualitative study was performed using semi‐structured interviews with 20 parents of children with Down syndrome and six healthcare professionals.

Results

We showed that parents and professionals have concerns during each of the three distinct phases of transition (preparation, transfer and integration). Data disclose specific concerns regarding communication, continuity of care and rebuilding trust. We propose a framework for the transition to adult care.

Conclusions

The transition in medical care for children with Down syndrome should be flexible, patient‐centred and coordinated together with patients and parents. Only in ensuring continuity of care will individuals with Down syndrome not get lost in transition.
African primary healthcare as complex adaptive system
Authors: Moosa Shabir
Published: June 2022

Bureaucratic African governments need to trust their health workers and populations on the way to the Africa Agenda 2063. Small defined populations cared for by a team with an appropriate mix of healthcare workers (from public and private sectors) and delivered in a comprehensive, continuous, coordinated manner can be the complex adaptive system to deliver better PHC and health for all in Africa.
Variation in prescribing of opioids for emergency department encounters: A cohort study in the Military Health System
Authors: Larson Mary J. , Bauer Mark R. , Moresco Natalie , Huntington Nick , Ritter Grant , Paul‐Kagiri Rachelle , Hyppolite Regine , Richard Patrick
Published: June 2022

Rationale, Aims and Objectives

Emergency department (ED) clinicians account for approximately 13% of all opioid prescriptions to opioid‐naïve patients and variability in the rates of prescribing have been noted among individual clinicians and different EDs. This study elucidates the amount of variability within a unified health system (the U.S. Military Health System [MHS]) with the expectation that understanding the sources of variability will enable health system leaders to improve the quality of decision making.

Methods

The design was a retrospective cohort study examining variation in opioid prescribing within EDs of the US MHS. Participants were Army soldiers who returned from a deployment and received care between October 2009 and September 2016. The exposure was ED encounters at a military treatment facility. Key measures were the proportion of ED encounters with an opioid prescription fill; total opioid dose of the fill (morphine milligram equivalent, MME); and total opioid days‐supply of the fill.

Results

The mean proportion of ED encounters with an opioid fill across providers was 19.7% (SD 8.8%), median proportion was 18.6%, and the distribution was close to symmetric with the 75th percentile provider prescribing opioids in 24.6% of their ED encounters and the 25th percentile provider prescribing in 13.4% of their encounters. The provider‐level mean opioid dose per encounter was 113.1 MME (SD 56.0) with the 75th percentile (130.1) 50% higher than the 25th percentile (87.4). The mean opioid supply per encounter was 6.8 days (SD 3.9) with more than a twofold ratio between the 75th percentile (8.3) and the 25th (4.1). Using a series of multilevel regression models to examine opioid fills associated with ED encounters and their dose levels, the variation among providers within facilities was much larger in magnitude than the variation among facilities.

Conclusion

Among ED encounters of Army soldiers at military treatment facilities, there was substantial variation among providers in prescribing opioid prescriptions that were not explained by patient case‐mix. These results suggest that programmes and protocols to address less than optimal prescribing in the ED should be initiated to improve the quality of care.
“I have a certain standard:” HBCU women's heterosexual aspirations and identity negotiation
Authors: Dunn Mercedez D.
Published: June 2022

Abstract

Objective

The present study expands scholarship on collegiate relationship formation by exploring heterosexual Black HBCU women's romantic aspirations for identity formation.

Background

Collegiate environments structure sex and dating. However, extant research has not adequately considered how racialization matters for gendered relationship formation in these contexts and has yet to establish how racial, gender, and class identity formation and performance converge to structure Black college women's relational desires and opportunities.

Method

The study uses 30 in‐depth interviews with cisgender, heterosexual Black women at an HBCU to investigate their romantic and sexual experiences and expectations.

Results

HBCU women's romantic aspirations were organized by their race, gender, and aspirant class locations. They identified committed, monogamous, equitable relationships with similarly situated Black men as a relational ideal. Nonetheless, women expressed barriers to obtaining this relationship structure within their campus landscape and sought to otherwise negotiate romantic opportunities in accordance with respectable middle‐class Black feminine identities.

Conclusion

HBCU women's characterizations of ideal partnerships revealed the ways existing race, class, and gender structures are simultaneously accepted, reified, and problematized in Black women's identity negotiation through collegiate romance. Though HBCUs seem ideal for satisfactory sexual and romantic connections for Black middle‐class aspirant women, inequities on and off‐campus and rigid standards for respectability leave women with limited opportunities to obtain all they desire.
The effect of prescribing vitamin D analogues and serum vitamin D status on both contracting COVID‐19 and clinical outcomes in kidney dialysis patients'
Authors: Tangwonglert Theerasak , Davenport Andrew
Published: June 2022

Aims

Vitamin D plays a role in innate immune system activation, and deficiency increases susceptibility to respiratory infections and disease severity including COVID‐19. We determined whether vitamin D levels and medications were associated with contracting COVID‐19, and disease severity defined by hospitalisation and dialysis patient mortality.

Methods

We reviewed serum vitamin D levels, and prescription of cholecalciferol and alfacalcidol along with corresponding medical records of adult dialysis patients from a United Kingdom tertiary centre between March 2020 and May 2021. COVID‐19 infection was determined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) results.

Results

362 (35%) of 1035 dialysis patients tested PCR positive for COVID‐19. COVID‐19 positive patients had lower native median vitamin D (65 (39–95) versus 74 (40.5–101) nmol/L (p = .009) despite greater prescription of cholecalciferol (median 20 000 (20000‐20 000) versus 20 000 (0–20 000) IU/week), p < .001, but lower prescription of alfacalcidol 0 (0–3.0) versus 2.0 (0.–5.0) ug/week, p < .001. On multivariate logistic regression COVID‐19 infection was associated with haemodialysis versus peritoneal dialysis (p < .001), cholecalciferol dose (p < .001) and negatively with alfacalcidol (p < .001). However, serum vitamin D levels and alfacalcidol dosages were not significantly different for those requiring hospitalisation compared to those managed at home, although those who died were prescribed lower alfacalcidol dosages.

Conclusion

Dialysis patients who contracted COVID‐19 had lower levels of native vitamin D prior to COVID‐19 and were prescribed lower dosages of alfacalcidol. However, there was no association between vitamin D status and disease severity. This retrospective observational analysis supports a potential role for vitamin D and susceptibility to COVID‐19 infection in dialysis patients.
Dental caries status in individuals with hearing difficulties: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Bhadauria Upendra Singh , Purohit Bharathi , Agarwal Deepali , Priya Harsh
Published: June 2022

Aims

The purpose of the systematic review and meta‐analysis was to assess the dental caries status in individuals with hearing difficulties.

Methods and Results

Searches were conducted in six databases with no restriction on publication date. The cross‐sectional and comparative cross sectional studies assessing the dental caries status of hearing impaired individuals using standardized evaluation criteria were included. PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane, Wiley Online, Lilacs, and Scopus databases were searched to identify the relevant papers published before August 1, 2021. The risk of bias assessment was carried out by New Castle Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale. Three thousand three hundred thirty five potentially relevant references were identified in the systematic literature search. Thirteen relevant publications that fulfilled the eligibility criteria were included in the systematic review and the meta analysis. The overall analysis of the included studies revealed pooled dental caries prevalence of 58.0% (95% CI 0.41–0.74) among the hearing impaired individuals. The overall dental caries experience of the included studies showed a mean pooled DMFT of 2.68 (95% CI 1.24–4.12).

Conclusion

The present systematic review and meta‐analysis reported high dental caries prevalence in hearing impaired individuals.
Understanding the experiences of plasma donors in Canada's new source plasma collection centres during COVID‐19: A qualitative study
Authors: Holloway Kelly
Published: June 2022

Background and Objectives

To address a national concern over the sufficiency of plasma, Canadian Blood Services (CBS) initiated a proof‐of‐concept programme with three new source plasma collection centres, aiming to demonstrate a cost‐effective template for future source plasma collection and to alleviate the concerns and risks associated with the dependence on the United States. This study uses social capital as a framework to assess the success of the proof‐of‐concept collection centres.

Materials and Methods

One‐hundred and one qualitative interviews with source plasma donors in three new source plasma centres in Canada were carried out.

Results

CBS played a critical role in motivating whole‐blood donors to switch to plasma donation by building on their identity as a donor and facilitating access. Community was central to ensuring that donors returned. The importance of the social network was apparent through relationships participants developed with staff and through the relationships that staff had with each other. Donors wanted to understand more about the uses of plasma so that they could promote donation through their social networks outside the centre.

Conclusion

Campaigns to convert existing blood donors to plasma donors should build on their identity as a donor and structure the centre as a safe and welcoming place. To retain donors, blood collection agencies should emphasize community by facilitating staff ability to work well together and connect with the donor. Blood operators have the potential to expand existing social networks and foster trust through the dissemination of knowledge about plasma more broadly in more diverse communities.
The impact of different bone tracers and acquisition times on image quality of equine bone scintigraphy
Authors: Mageed Mahmoud , Dyab Shahlaa , Swagemakers Jan‐Hein , Gerlach Kerstin
Published: June 2022

The impact of different acquisition times (AqT) and technetium‐99 m–labeled (99mTc) diphosphonates on the image quality of bone scintigraphy is poorly documented in horses. The aim of this prospective experimental study was to evaluate the impact of varying 99mTc‐disphosphonates and AqT on semiquantitative and qualitative image parameters of bone scintigraphy in horses. Twenty‐four horses undergoing bone scintigraphy were divided equally and randomly into methylene‐ (MDP), hydroxymethylene‐ (HDP), and dicarboxypropane diphosphonate (DPD) groups. Lateral scintigraphic images of the antebrachium were obtained 3 h post 99mTC‐diphosphonate injection using three AqT (60, 90, 120 s). The images were analyzed semiquantitatively using the bone‐soft tissue ratio (B:ST), signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR), contrast‐to‐noise ratio (CNR), and image contrast. Furthermore, a blinded qualitative analysis was performed using a visual grading analysis. The results showed that DPD images had a significantly higher B:ST ratio than MDP images (P < .01) but not HDP images in all AqT (P > .08). However, DPD and HPD images acquired at 60 s had significantly higher CNR (P < .05) than those acquired at 90 and 120 s. The qualitative analysis revealed no significant differences between 99mTc‐diphosphonates at AqT 60 and 90 s. However, MDP images acquired at 120 s had significantly lower image quality compared to DPD and HDP (P = .01 and .03, respectively). In conclusion, the bone tracers affected the semiquantitative image parameters but not the qualitative analysis findings. Increasing AqT did not necessarily improve the image quality. Therefore, decreasing the AqT enabled a reduction in personnel radiation exposure.
Progresividad en el acceso al trabajo de las mujeres con discapacidad en Colombia
Authors: Guerrero Morales Juliana
Published: June 2022

El artículo se propone determinar el cumplimiento de las obligaciones de realización progresiva de la igualdad en el acceso al trabajo de las mujeres con discapacidad. La metodología empleada es cualitativa y analítica; integra la sistematización y la clasificación de las obligaciones del Estado en la materia, y a partir de consultas formuladas a las entidades obligadas se evalúa su cumplimiento, con fundamento en el indicador 27,4 del Comité de la Convención sobre los derechos de personas con discapacidad (CDPD). Se concluye que en Colombia no hay datos actualizados y coherentes sobre el acceso al trabajo de las MCD; tampoco existen leyes ni políticas públicas que impulsen y garanticen de manera real el goce efectivo de su derecho al trabajo en condiciones de igualdad.
El rol del principio de solidaridad en el derecho concursal en Colombia. Reflexión teórica con ocasión de la pandemia/sindemia por la enfermedad de la covid-19
Authors: Wilches Durán Rafael E.
Published: June 2022

El autor estudia, bajo una aproximación teórica, el rol del principio de solidaridad dentro del derecho concursal en Colombia, para plantear que es el derecho concursal un escenario propicio para el desarrollo de tal principio. Igualmente, plantea que, con ocasión de la pandemia/sindemia provocada por la enfermedad de la covid-19, el rol del principio de solidaridad cobra mayor importancia en los procesos concursales en Colombia, al mismo tiempo que llama la atención sobre la necesidad de que no sea el derecho concursal la principal herramienta utilizada por el Estado colombiano para hacer frente a las necesidades que trajo la “nueva realidad” surgida tras la aparición del virus SARS-CoV-2.
Experimental Investigation on Rock-Breaking by High-Voltage Electro-Pulse Boring
Authors: Li Changping , Duan Longchen , Kang Jifeng , Li Ao , Xiao Yibiao
Published: June 2022

Deep drilling and tunnel excavation rely on new rock-breaking technology. Currently, there is a lack of research on the micro mechanism of high-voltage electro-pulse boring (EPB). The design structure of the electrode bit is diverse, and there is still a great room for improving the service life of the electrode bit, the quality of the borehole wall, and the energy loss in the drilling process. Based on this, first, the electrode bits in the EPB system were improved, and the EPB tests was carried out. The three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction cloud graphs of broken granite were obtained, and the drilling with a diameter of 60 mm in granite and red sandstone was actualized. Compared with the drilling effect before improvement, the reliability and the service life of electrode bits and test devices were verified. Second, the high-voltage EPB experiments with different electric parameters were carried out, and the complete drilling with a diameter of 100 mm in red sandstone was realized. Finally, the composition and the microstructure of rock were obtained with Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectrometer, scanning electron microscope (SEM), and energy-dispersive spectrometer (EDS) before and after EPB. It was concluded that the prefragmentation could be realized by EPB. The rock mass near the discharge channel underwent an oxidation reaction in addition to physical damage and formed new oxidation products. The EPB experimental study provided practical guidance for the design of the electrical bits and the improvement of the rock-breaking efficiency.
Trapping a free-propagating single-photon into an atomic ensemble as a quantum stationary light pulse
Authors: Kim U-Shin , Ihn Yong Sup , Lee Chung-Hyun , Kim Yoon-Ho
Published: June 2022

Efficient photon–photon interaction is one of the key elements for realizing quantum information processing. The interaction, however, must often be mediated through an atomic medium due to the bosonic nature of photons, and the interaction time, which is critically linked to the efficiency, depends on the properties of the atom–photon interaction. While the electromagnetically induced transparency effect does offer the possibility of photonic quantum memory, it does not enhance the interaction time as it fully maps the photonic state to an atomic state. The stationary light pulse (SLP) effect, on the contrary, traps the photonic state inside an atomic medium with zero group velocity, opening up the possibility of enhanced interaction time. In this work, we report the first experimental demonstration of trapping a free-propagating single-photon into a cold atomic ensemble via the quantum SLP (QSLP) process. We conclusively show that the quantum properties of the single-photon state are preserved well during the QSLP process. Our work paves the way for new approaches for efficient photon–photon interactions, exotic photonic states, and many-body simulations in photonic systems.
Complete Genome Sequences of Four Bacteria Isolated from the Gut of a Spiny Ant (
Polyrhachis lamellidens
)
Authors: Ishikawa Sora , Huang Muyang , Tomita Atsuki , Kurihara Yu , Watanabe Riki , Iwai Hironori , Arakawa Kazuharu
Published: June 2022

We isolated and sequenced the complete genomes of four bacteria from the gut contents of a spiny ant (
Polyrhachis lamellidens
) sampled from a primeval beech forest in Yamagata Prefecture, Japan. The isolates belong to the genera
Tsukamurella
,
Enterococcus
,
Lysinibacillus
, and
Streptomyces
and provide insights into the functional roles of microbiomes of ants.
Indole-3-Propionic Acid as a Potential Therapeutic Agent for Sepsis-Induced Gut Microbiota Disturbance
Authors: Fang Heng , Fang Miaoxian , Wang Yirong , Zhang Huidan , Li Jiaxin , Chen Jingchun , Wu Qingrui , He Linling , Xu Jing , Deng Jia , Liu Mengting , Deng Yiyu , Chen Chunbo
Published: June 2022

The role of gut microbiota in the pathophysiology of sepsis is gaining increasing attention and developing effective and safe sepsis therapies targeting intestinal microorganisms is promising. Given the safety of probiotic supplementation or fecal microbiota transplantation in critically ill patients, identifying an abiotic agent to regulate the intestinal microbiota of septic patients is of clinical significance.
N
-Acetylglucosamine Promotes Tomato Plant Growth by Shaping the Community Structure and Metabolism of the Rhizosphere Microbiome
Authors: Sun Jiuyun , Li Shuhua , Fan Chunyang , Cui Kangjia , Tan Hongxiao , Qiao Liping , Lu Laifeng
Published: June 2022

While the benefits of using plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPRs) to enhance crop production have been recognized and studied extensively under laboratory conditions, the success of their application in the field varies immensely. More fundamentally explicit processes of positive, plant–PGPRs interactions are needed.
Vestibular neuronitis after COVID-19 vaccination
Authors: Bramer Solange , Jaffe Yvette , Sivagnanaratnam Aravinth
Published: June 2022

A woman in her 50s presented with acute vertigo and vomiting within 72 hours of receiving the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. The only neurological deficit was an impaired vestibulo-ocular reflex with horizontal nystagmus. The patient was subsequently diagnosed with vestibular neuronitis. She was managed symptomatically with prochlorperazine and betahistine, and underwent vestibular rehabilitation for 6 weeks. She made a full recovery and experienced no further symptoms. She received the second dose of the vaccine without complications.

This case demonstrates a temporal association between COVID-19 vaccination and vestibular neuronitis. Neurological adverse events are rare but recognised side effects of COVID-19 vaccines and healthcare professionals should be aware of them. This ensures timely management of patients with such presentations. Treatment should be the same as for non-vaccine-associated vestibular neuronitis. The nature of the relationship between COVID-19 vaccination and vestibular neuronitis remains unclear and patients therefore require investigations to exclude other recognised causes of vestibular neuronitis.
Walthard cyst of spermatic cord in the right inguinal hernia
Authors: Fahim Muhammad , Oyewole Bankole , Heatley Nicholas , Belgaumkar Ajay
Published: June 2022

There are isolated case reports of Walthard cells in paratesticular structures although these benign epithelial cells are commonly found in relation to fallopian tubes. This is a second case report of cystic Walthard rest presented in an elderly man in right inguinal hernia.