bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
SOCS3‐Luciferase mice: a model to identify mediators of leptin resistance
Authors: Cordonier Elizabeth Lyn , Liu Tiemin , Saito Kenji , Chen Sylvia Siyu , Xu Yong , Fukuda Makoto
Published: June 2021

Obesity is characterized by diminished neural sensitivity to leptin, the most powerful anorectic hormone that critically maintains normal body weight, yet exact mechanisms underlying leptin resistance remain unclear. Suppressor of cytokine signaling (Socs3) has been identified as a critical mediator of neural leptin resistance. Since hypothalamic Socs3 is significantly increased under the conditions associated with leptin resistance such as overfeeding and in multiple obesity models, we assume that Socs3 induction could be used as a reliable readout to screen for compounds or pathways involved in leptin resistance. Thus, we have generated mice (SOCS3‐Luc) that express luciferase by introducing firefly luciferase‐polyA (Promega) into the ATG site of the Socs3 in a bacterial artificial chromosome (bMQ126k03) via homologous recombination. To validate SOCS3‐Luc mice, we injected lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a known, potent activator of Socs3, into the periphery of SOCS3‐Luc mice and their littermate controls (WT) and assessed luciferase activity and luciferase gene expression. SOCS3‐Luc mice treated with LPS showed a 2‐fold (p<0.05, n=3) and 3.7‐fold (p<0.01, n=3) increase in luciferase activity in the hypothalamus and liver, respectively compared to mice treated with a dPBS vehicle control. Hypothalamic and liver samples from WT mice showed no luciferase activity. Luciferase gene expression was increased by 8.3 fold (p<0.01, n=3) and 7‐fold (p<0.01, n=3) in LPS‐treated hypothalamus and liver respectively, compared to dPBS treated SOCS3‐Luc animals. Previously we have shown that an organotypic brain slice model is a powerful tool to measure effects on hypothalamic leptin signaling that allows us to dissect signaling mechanisms of leptin resistance in the hypothalamus. Using the ex vivo slice model of SOCS3‐Luc, we next tested if luciferase activity is indeed altered by the known modulators of leptin sensitivity. Slices treated with LPS show a 3‐fold (p<0.01, n=3) increase in luciferase activity compared to their PBS controls. Forskolin, a previously reported inducer of leptin resistance, showed a 2.4‐fold (p<0.0001) increase in luciferase activity compared to slices treated with a DMSO vehicle control while metformin, which has previously been reported to sensitize leptin signaling showed a 3.5‐fold (p<0.0001) decrease in luciferase activity. These results confirm that organotypic brain slices prepared from SOCS3‐Luc mice can serve as a suitable screening tool. Future studies involve in vivo imaging of SOCS3‐Luc mice under various conditions such as fasting/refeeding and high fat diet feeding.

Support or Funding Information

Supported by USDA‐CRIS 625051000055, NIH‐P30DK079638, NIH‐R01DK104901, and NIH‐T32HD071839
Advanced endoscopic gastrointestinal techniques for the bariatric patient: implications for the anesthesia provider
Authors: Kim Andrew , Spiro Joshua A. , Hatzidais Thomas J. , Randolph Norman D. , Li Rosie Q. , Ayubcha Diana , Weiss Mark S.
Published: June 2021

Purpose of review

The incidence of obesity and the use of endoscopy have risen concurrently throughout the 21st century. Bariatric patients may present to the endoscopy suite for primary treatments as well as preoperatively and postoperatively from bariatric surgery. However, over the past 10 years, endoscopic bariatric and metabolic therapies (EBMTs) have emerged as viable alternatives to more invasive surgical approaches for weight loss.

Recent findings

The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved several different gastric EBMTs including aspiration therapy, intragastric balloons, and endoscopic suturing. Other small intestine EBMTs including duodenal mucosal resurfacing, endoluminal magnetic partial jejunal diversion, and Duodenal-Jejunal Bypass Liner are not yet FDA approved, but are actively being investigated.

Obesity causes anatomic and physiologic changes to every aspect of the human body. All EBMTs have specific nuances with important implications for the anesthesiologist. By considering both patient and procedural factors, the anesthesiologist will be able to perform a safe and effective anesthetic.
Mapping of Vertical Femoral Neck Fractures in Young Patients Using Advanced 2 and 3-Dimensional Computed Tomography
Authors: Sarfani Shumaila , Beltran Michael J. , Benvenuti Michael , Collinge Cory A.
Published: June 2021

Objective:

To better describe the pathoanatomy of young patients' femoral neck fractures with the goal of improving surgeons' decisions for treatment including reduction and fixation.

Design:

This is a retrospective study of patient records, plain radiographs, and the modern computed tomography scans to study the pathoanatomy of Pauwels II and III femoral neck fractures (coronal angle >30 degrees) in young adults.

Setting:

One American College of Surgeons Level 1 trauma center.

Patients:

All patients 18–49 years of age with a surgically repaired Pauwels' II and III (>30 degrees) femoral neck fracture between 2013 and 2017.

Methods:

Fifty-six adult patients younger than 50 years were identified with a femoral neck fracture in the study period, of whom 30 met study criteria. We evaluated plain radiography and computed tomography data including fracture orientation, characteristics of fracture morphology including size, shape, and dimensions, comminution, displacement, and deformity.

Results:

Fracture morphology typically included a wide-based caudal head-neck segment (80%) that ends at a variable location along the medial calcar, sometimes as caudal as the lesser trochanter. Comminution was present in 90% of cases mostly located in the inferior quadrant, but anterior or posterior to the void left by the head–neck's caudal segment. The fractures orientations and deformities were reported by means and ranges.

Conclusions:

We investigated and reported on the pathoanatomy of high-energy femoral neck fractures in young adults with the goal of increasing understanding of the injury and improving surgeons' ability to provide for improved treatment decisions and quality fracture repair.

Level of Evidence:

Diagnostic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
MYC in T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia: functional implications and targeted strategies
Authors: Li Qilong , Pan Sa , Xie Ting , Liu Hudan
Published: June 2021

T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) is an aggressive hematological cancer that frequently occurs in children and adolescents, which results from the transformation of immature T-cell progenitors. Aberrant cell growth and proliferation of T-ALL lymphoblasts are sustained by activation of strong oncogenic drivers. Mounting evidence highlights the critical role of the NOTCH1-MYC highway toward the initiation and progression of T-ALL. MYC has been emphasized as a primary NOTCH1 transcriptional target impinging in leukemia-initiating cell activity particularly responsible for disease onset and relapse. These findings lay a foundation of T-ALL as an ideal disease model for studying MYC-mediated cancer. The biology of MYC deregulation in T-ALL supports innovative strategies for therapeutic targeting of MYC. To summarize the relevant literature and data in recent years, we here provide a comprehensive overview of the functional importance of MYC in T-ALL development, and the molecular mechanisms underlying MYC deregulation in T-ALL. Finally, we illustrate the innovative MYC-targeted approaches that have been evaluated in pre-clinical models and shown significant efficacy. Given the complexity of T-ALL molecular pathogenesis, we propose that a combination of anti-MYC strategies with conventional chemotherapies or other targeted/immunotherapies may provide the most durable response, especially for those patients with relapsed and refractory T-ALL.
The Adoption of Electronic Health Records in Primary Healthcare Settings
Authors: Tubaishat Ahmad
Published: June 2021

Little is known about the adoption rate of electronic health records in primary healthcare settings. This study aimed to estimate this adoption rate in Jordan, using a national survey with a descriptive cross-sectional design. The first step was to review the annual report of the Jordanian Ministry of Health as a basis for identifying the sample, which are primary healthcare settings. Then, Electronic Health Solutions, the company that vends electronic health record systems in Jordan, was used to determine which primary healthcare settings were using these electronic record systems. The final task was to determine which functionalities of the system were being used in these settings, and for this, a telephone survey of key personnel was conducted. It was found that 21.6% of the primary healthcare settings were using electronic health records, while the other 78.4% were still relying on paper records. The results also showed that the adoption rate of electronic health records was significantly associated with the type of the setting (P < .001), its size (P < .001), location (P < .001), and region (P = .04). As a conclusion, the adoption rate in Jordan is still in its infancy compared with those in developed countries. Policy and decision makers should therefore be focused on minimizing any challenges or obstacles to such adoption.
Factors contributing to persistent disparate outcomes of in vitro fertilization treatment
Authors: Aly Jasmine , Plowden Torie C. , Christy Alicia Y.
Published: June 2021

Purpose of review

Disparate healthcare outcomes are ubiquitous and occur across all fields of medicine, specifically for racial and ethnic minorities. Within reproductive health, minority women face disparate access to care, particularly infertility services, poor outcomes of fertility treatment, alarmingly higher rates of maternal morbidity and mortality as well as higher rates of preterm birth, lower live birth rates when they conceive spontaneously or when they conceive with assisted reproductive technology. The objective of this review is to highlight factors contributing to the persistent racial/ethnic disparities in in vitro fertilization (IVF) outcomes.

Recent findings

Recent studies document poorer outcomes after IVF treatment. Black women have been shown to have lower live birth rates following IVF treatment for more than 15 years.

In an effort to better understand these negative outcomes, scientists and clinicians have investigated possible biological contributing factors including the vaginal microbiome, differences in oocyte quality, embryo viability, endometrial factors, and hormonal differences. Multiple social/cultural factors also play a role including access to care, particularly for people with low income, patient (mis)education, and medical racism/bias.
Editorial: It was the best of times; it was the worst of times: the impact of the SARS-CoV2 (COVID-19) pandemic on reproductive endocrinology
Authors: Alvero Ruben
Published: June 2021

Purpose of review

To review the impact that COVID-19 has had on the practice of reproductive endocrinology and infertility.

Recent findings

As in all areas of medicine, the COVID-19 pandemic has caused profound changes in reproductive endocrinology and infertility. However, the pandemic has encouraged providers and systems to change approaches and unmasked many opportunities that may have actually improved care. The pandemic also forced the field to provide society with fact-based information even as data was constantly emerging and evolving and to do so rapidly.

Combating misinformation became an equally important effort and led to increased participation of providers using traditional and social media to provide the most reliable and up to date information. A return to status quo ante bellum is unlikely.
Incorporating image enhanced endoscopy in your everyday practice
Authors: Kiesslich Ralf
Published: June 2021

Purpose of review

The purpose of this review is to analyze newly available image enhanced endoscopic techniques and to evaluate how these techniques can be integrated into daily routine.

Recent findings

Recent guidelines have clearly stated how competency can be achieved. Endoscopist should have achieved general competence in endoscopy (more than 300 examinations) before commencing training in optical diagnosis.

A validated optical diagnosis training course should be attended and meeting competence thresholds by assessing a minimum number of lesions prospectively during real-time endoscopy should be performed.

These guidelines will help to standardize training and to achieve high efficiency in enhanced imaging.
Impact of TeamSTEPPS Training With Rural Hospital Staff
Authors: Prochnow Laura , Tschannen Dana
Published: June 2021

Background:

Teamwork and communication are critical components to patient safety and reducing clinical errors. TeamSTEPPS is a successful team-training program evaluated by many health care settings; however, there are limited data on its use in small, rural hospitals.

Local Problem:

A large health care system purchased a small, rural hospital with the goal to improve patient care by creating a team-based culture and a financially stable organization.

Methods:

This quality improvement project used a pre-/postdesign to evaluate the staff's knowledge, application, and attitudes toward team skills and behaviors.

Intervention:

The intervention was a customized TeamSTEPPS training program delivered to an interprofessional team at a small rural hospital.

Results:

The interprofessional staff demonstrated improved attitudes toward team behaviors and incorporated the tools into their practice.

Conclusions:

TeamSTEPPS is an effective program for training a variety of health care disciplines.
The Healers Are Broken
Authors: Gilroy Heidi
Published: June 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the fact that nurses are at risk for poor mental health, but there is evidence that this risk existed long before the pandemic started. Nurses in professional development have a unique opportunity to support nurses through trauma-informed professional development. Evidence-based interventions, such as peer support, attention to cultural differences, and empowerment, can enhance protective factors and also promote recovery from trauma-related poor mental health outcomes.
Recognition and Management of Pediatric Sepsis in a Resource-Limited Emergency Department in Mwanza, Tanzania
Authors: Mesiwala Adnan , Suleman Shahzmah , Sundararajan Radhika , Kowalsky Rachel , Morton Kathleen , Uy Vincent , Platt Shari , Alfonzo Michael J.
Published: June 2021

Objective

The World Health Organization aims to reduce worldwide under-five mortality rates (U5MR), with a focus on resource-limited settings (RLS). Tanzania reports a mean U5MR of 54 per 1000 live births, largely due to treatable infectious diseases that may lead to sepsis, accounting for 40% of the under-five deaths. Bugando Medical Centre in Mwanza, Tanzania represents a resource-limited setting in Sub-Saharan Africa and estimates a 14% pediatric mortality rate. We sought to better understand provider experience in recognizing and managing pediatric sepsis in the emergency department (ED) at Bugando Medical Centre in Mwanza, Tanzania.

Methods

We conducted a qualitative study with a purposive sampling of 14 Bugando Medical Centre ED providers from January to February 2019, via minimally structured interviews, to identify factors influencing the recognition and management of children presenting to the ED with concern for sepsis. Interviews were conducted in English, audio recorded, and transcribed. Data saturation determined the sample size. Three primary coders independently coded all transcripts and developed an initial coding list. Consensus among all authors generated a final coding scheme. A grounded theory approach guided data analysis.

Results

We achieved thematic saturation after 13 interviews. Responses identified patient-, provider-, and health care system–related factors influencing sepsis recognition and management in children presenting to the ED. Patient-related factors include the use of traditional healers, limited parent health literacy, and geographic factors impacting access to medical care. Provider-related factors include limited knowledge of pediatric sepsis, lack of a standard communication process among providers, and insufficient experience with procedural skills on children. Health care system-related factors include limited personnel and resources, delayed transfers from referral hospitals, and lack of standard antibiotic-use guidelines.

Conclusions

This qualitative study identified patient, provider, and health care system-related factors that influence the emergency care of children with suspected sepsis in a quaternary hospital in Mwanza, Tanzania. These factors may serve as a framework for educational opportunities to improve the early recognition and management of pediatric sepsis in a resource-limited setting.
Combinatorial small molecule-mediated activation of CBP/p300 with environmental enrichment in chronic severe experimental spinal cord injury to enable axon regeneration and sprouting for functional recovery
Authors: Mueller Franziska , De Virgiliis Francesco , Kong Guiping , Zhou Luming , Serger Elisabeth , Chadwick Jessica , Sanchez-Vassopoulos Alexandros , Singh Akash Kumar , Eswaramoorth Muthusamy , Kundu Tapas K , Di Giovanni Simone
Published: June 2021

The interruption of spinal circuitry following spinal cord injury disrupts neural activity and is followed by a failure to mount an effective regenerative gene expression response resulting in permanent neurological disability. Functional recovery requires the enhancement of axonal and synaptic plasticity of spared as well as injured fibres, which need to sprout and/or regenerate to form new connections. Here we will investigate whether the combined epigenetic stimulation of the regenerative gene expression program with neuronal activity-dependent enhancement of neuroplasticity and guidance can overcome the current inability to promote neurological recovery in severe and chronic spinal cord injury. This will be carried out by delivering the small molecule CBP/p300 activator CSP-TTK21 in combination with environmental enrichment. We will deliver the CBP/p300 activator CSP-TTK21 weekly between week twelve and twenty following a severe transection model of spinal cord injury in the mouse. Data analysis will assess modifications in regenerative signalling, in motor and sensory axon sprouting and regeneration, in synaptic plasticity as well as in neurological sensorimotor recovery. This approach will advance our mechanistic understanding of regenerative failure and provide insight of whether combining growth promoting strategies with enhancement of neural activity is an effective therapeutic strategy in chronic spinal cord injury.
A comprehensive investigation of m6A regulators prognostic value and associated molecular pathways in breast invasive cancer
Authors: Demircan Turan , Yavuz Mervenur , Akgül Sıddıka
Published: June 2021

Breast invasive cancer (BIC) is one of the most commonly observed and the deadliest cancer among women. Despite the progress that has been made in improving breast cancer outcomes by the development of advanced treatment options, due to the heterogeneity and complexity of the disease, more studies are required to explore underlying molecular mechanisms of breast cancer which may provide useful insights to overcome the constraints related to current therapeutic options. The goal of this study was to reveal the crucial roles of m6A regulatory proteins in BIC development using various publicly available datasets and databases. We first conducted a comprehensive analysis to depict the mutation frequency and types for m6A regulatory genes in sub-types of BIC for the evaluation of the genetic alterations landscape of breast cancer. Changes in expression levels of m6A regulatory factors were identified as the key genetic alteration in BIC. Implementation of Kaplan-Meier tool to assess the predictive value of m6A pathway components in BIC validated the use of VIRMA, METTL14, RBM15B, EIF3B, YTHDF1, and YTHDF3 as prognostic biomarkers of breast cancer. We then examined the enriched gene ontology (GO) terms and KEGG pathways for the tumor samples with genetic alterations in the m6A pathway. Dysregulation of m6A regulatory factors in BIC was associated with cell division and survival-related pathways such as ‘nuclear division’ and ‘chromosome segregation’ via the upregulation of the genes functioning in these biological processes and the gained overactivity of these pathways may account for poor prognosis of the disease. The performed analyses highlighted m6A pathway genes as potential regulators of BIC growth and as a valuable set to be utilized as clinical biomarkers in BIC disease.
Blebbistatin protects iPSC-CMs from hypercontraction and facilitates automated patch-clamp based electrophysiological study
Authors: Li Wener , Luo Xiaojing , Ulbricht Ying , Guan Kaomei
Published: June 2021

Recently, there have been great advances in cardiovascular channelopathy modeling and drug safety pharmacology using human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (iPSC-CMs). The automated patch-clamp (APC) technique overcomes the disadvantages of the manual patch-clamp (MPC) technique, which is labor intensive and gives low output. However, the application of the APC platform is still limited in iPSC-CM based research, due to the difficulty in maintaining the high quality of single iPSC-CMs during dissociation and recording. In this study, we improved the method for single iPSC-CM preparation by applying 2.5 μM blebbistatin (BB, an excitation-contraction coupling uncoupler) throughout APC procedures (dissociation, filtration, storage, and recording). Under non-BB buffered condition, iPSC-CMs in suspension showed a severe bleb-like morphology. However, BB-supplement led to significant improvements in morphology andINarecording, and we even obtained several CMs that showed spontaneous action potentials with typical morphology. Furthermore, APC faithfully recapitulated the single-cell electrophysiological phenotypes of iPSC-CMs derived from Brugada syndrome patients, as detected with MPC. Our study indicates that APC is capable of replacing MPC in the modeling of cardiac channelopathies using human iPSC-CMs by providing high-quality data with higher throughput.
Photoreceptor Compartment-Specific TULP1 Interactomes
Authors: Ebke Lindsey A. , Sinha Satyabrata , Pauer Gayle J.T. , Hagstrom Stephanie A.
Published: June 2021

Photoreceptors are highly compartmentalized cells with large amounts of proteins synthesized in the inner segment (IS) and transported to the outer segment (OS) and synaptic terminal. Tulp1 is a photoreceptor-specific protein localized to the IS and synapse. In the absence of Tulp1, several OS-specific proteins are mislocalized and synaptic vesicle recycling is impaired. To better understand the involvement of Tulp1 in protein trafficking, our approach was to physically isolate Tulp1-containing photoreceptor compartments by serial tangential sectioning of retinas and to identify compartment-specific Tulp1 binding partners by immunoprecipitation followed by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. Our results indicate that Tulp1 has two distinct interactomes. We report the identification of: 1) an IS-specific interaction between Tulp1 and the motor protein Kinesin family member 3a (Kif3a), 2) a synaptic-specific interaction between Tulp1 and the scaffold protein Ribeye, and 3) an interaction between Tulp1 and the cytoskeletal protein Microtubule-associated protein 1B (MAP1B) in both compartments. Immunolocalization studies in the wild-type retina indicate that Tulp1 and its binding partners co-localize to their respective compartments. Our observations are compatible with Tulp1 functioning in protein trafficking in multiple photoreceptor compartments, likely as an adapter molecule linking vesicles to molecular motors and the cytoskeletal scaffold.
How perception and attention participate in reading skill?
Authors: Gudwani Sunita , Mehta Manju , Sagar Rajesh , Behari Madhuri , Narang Vaishna , Dwivedi Sadanad , Jagannathan N.R. , Kumaran S. Senthil
Published: June 2021

Reading creates accessibility to the outer world information and is an integral skill for academic achievement. It involves visual perception, reasoning at symbolic level (text reading) and phonological processing. But does perception, visuospatial processing at pre-symbolic level affect reading skill? To understand and untangle the mechanism fifty children with reading problem (developmental dyslexia, DDC) and twentyfive age-matched typical readers (healthy controls, HC) were studied. In DDC, the variable-performance of non-symbolic visual search (pictorial-level) was associated with bilateral brain activity (functional MRI) of ventral stream (inferior occipital and fusiform) and greater involvement of frontal-prefrontal regions, suggesting the modified dorsal route-gating for figure-ground filtering. Performance variability in picture-concept reasoning (71.9% and significant group mean difference) and visuospatial-organization (51.3%) of DDC children indicate attentional or executive differences at nonsymbolic level. In symbolic discrimination performance, no significant difference observed for single alphabet or number (digit) reading but significant differences at word level for visual and phonological performance (considering orthographic differences), attributes to distractor-inhibition problems. Nonsymbolic to symbolic coding/decoding speed and writing error (copying) differences are suggestive of execution variability rather than motor coordination in DDC. In HC, the top-down dorsal route gating and hypoactivity induced in right frontal-anterior cingulate cortices, play a major role in reading by allocating spatial attention and inhibiting distractors. It has been elaborated in the “neurobiological model”.

How perception and attention participate in reading skill?

Research Highlights

Visuospatial attention, executive control (nonsymbolic level) and visual discrimination (symbolic level) performance contribute to reading.

In children with reading problems (dyslexia) pictorial visual processing task (fMRI) recruited higher activation in right hemispheric frontal, inferior parietal and anterior cingulate regions.

Bilateral activation of occipital-striate, extra-striate, fusiform for nonsymbolic is associated with significantly more errors at bigger-symbol-string, in dyslexia.

Auditory discrimination differences in shallow-deep orthography.

Correlation of non-symbolic executive and symbolic performances.

Role of the prelexical visual perception and dorsal-route gating in reading skill explained as neurobiological model.
Foot scales in the Early Cretaceous bird Gansus yumenensis from China
Authors: Zhao Tao , Li Zhiheng , Zhang He , Pan Yanhong
Published: June 2021

Most modern birds have scales covering the foot and feathers elsewhere. Discoveries of fossil feathers attached to the metatarsus in non-avian dinosaurs and basal birds suggests that the avian scales are secondarily derived from feathers. However, our knowledge of early avian scales and their taphonomy is still limited, due to the scarcity of fossil record. Here we employ multiple techniques to characterize the morphological and chemical details preserved and investigate how they are preserved in the skin of IVPP V15077, a referred specimen of the Early Cretaceous Gansus yumenensis. Results show that two types of scales, scutellate and interstitial scales, are preserved in IVPP V15077, which, in combination with previous discovery of scutate and reticulate scales in other Early Cretaceous birds, indicates that all four types of scales present in modern birds have appeared in the Early Cretaceous. SEM observations and Raman analysis suggest that the skin of Gansus yumenensis may be pigmented. Elemental mapping indicates that aluminosilicates and calcium phosphate are involved in the mineralization of the skin.
Rapid and accurate alignment of nucleotide conversion sequencing reads with HISAT-3N
Authors: Zhang Yun , Park Chanhee , Bennett Christopher , Thornton Micah , Kim Daehwan
Published: June 2021

Sequencing technologies using nucleotide conversion techniques such as cytosine to thymine in bisulfite-seq and thymine to cytosine in SLAM seq are powerful tools to explore the chemical intricacies of cellular processes. To date, no one has developed a unified methodology for aligning converted sequences and consolidating alignment of these technologies in one package. In this paper, we describe hierarchical indexing for spliced alignment of transcripts–3 nucleotides (HISAT-3N), which can rapidly and accurately align sequences consisting of any nucleotide conversion by leveraging the powerful hierarchical index and repeat index algorithms originally developed for the HISAT software. Tests on real and simulated data sets show that HISAT-3N is faster than other modern systems, with greater alignment accuracy, higher scalability, and smaller memory requirements. HISAT-3N therefore becomes an ideal aligner when used with converted sequence technologies.
An ultra-high-stability four-axis ultra-high-vacuum sample manipulator
Authors: Agåker Marcus , Englund Carl-Johan , Sjöblom Peter , Wassdahl Nial , Fredriksson Pierre , Såthe Conny
Published: June 2021

A report on a four-axis ultra-high-stability manipulator developed for use at the Veritas and Species RIXS beamlines at MAX IV Laboratory, Lund, Sweden, is presented. The manipulator consists of a compact, light-weight X–Y table with a stiffened Z tower carrying a platform with a rotary seal to which a manipulator rod holding the sample can be attached. Its design parameters have been optimized to achieve high eigen-frequencies via a light-weight yet stiff construction, to absorb forces without deformations, provide a low center of gravity, and have a compact footprint without compromising access to the manipulator rod. The manipulator system can house a multitude of different, easily exchangeable, manipulator rods that can be tailor-made for specific experimental requirements without having to rebuild the entire sample positioning system. It is shown that the manipulator has its lowest eigen-frequency at 48.5 Hz and that long-term stability is in the few tens of nanometres. Position accuracy is shown to be better than 100 nm. Angular accuracy is in the 500 nrad range with a long-term stability of a few hundred nanoradians.
The photon beamline vacuum system of the European XFEL
Authors: Dommach Martin , Di Felice Massimiliano , Dickert Bianca , Finze Denis , Eidam Janni , Kohlstrunk Nicole , Neumann Maik , Meyn Frederik , Petrich Michaela , Rio Benoit , Sinn Harald , Villanueva Raúl
Published: June 2021

The photon beamline vacuum system of the European X-ray Free-Electron Laser Facility (European XFEL) is described. The ultra-large, in total more than 3 km-long, fan-like vacuum system, consisting of three photon beamlines is an essential part of the photon beam transport. It is located between the accelerator vacuum system and the scientific instruments. The main focus of the design was on the efficiency, reliability and robustness of the entire system to ensure the retention of beam properties and the operation of the X-ray optics and X-ray photon diagnostics components. Installation started in late 2014, the first of the three beamline vacuum systems was commissioned in spring 2017, and the last one was operational in mid-2018. The present state and experience from the first years of operation are outlined.
Crystal structure of new formamidinium triiodide jointly refined by single-crystal XRD, Raman scattering spectroscopy and DFT assessment of hydrogen-bond network features
Authors: Ordinartsev Artem A. , Petrov Andrey A. , Lyssenko Konstantin A. , Petrov Andrey V. , Goodilin Eugene A. , Tarasov Alexey B.
Published: June 2021

A novel triiodide phase of the formamidinium cation, CH5N2
+·I3
−, crystallizes in the triclinic space group P\overline{1} at a temperature of 110 K. The structure consists of two independent isolated triiodide ions located on inversion centers. The centrosymmetric character of I3
− was additionally confirmed by the observed pronounced peaks of symmetrical oscillations of I3
− at 115–116 cm−1 in Raman scattering spectra. An additional structural feature is that each terminal iodine atom is connected with three neighboring planar formamidinium cations by N—H...I hydrogen bonding with the N—H...I bond length varying from 2.81 to 3.08 Å, forming a deformed two-dimensional framework of hydrogen bonds. A Mulliken population analysis showed that the calculated charges of hydrogen atoms correlate well with hydrogen-bond lengths. The crystal studied was refined as a three-component twin with domain ratios of 0.631 (1):0.211 (1):0.158 (1).
Visualization concept for maintenance information using wearable devices
Authors: Dannenmann Peter
Published: June 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to show the current state of methods for information visualization on wearable devices and demonstrate how these devices and methods can be used to support the work of aircraft maintenance engineers. This paper develops a path to make aircraft maintenance tasks more efficient and safe by providing relevant and important information to maintenance personnel matching the task they are currently working on.

Design/methodology/approach

The current researchers elaborate prerequisites that wearable computing devices have to meet to use them in aircraft maintenance. Based on these prerequisites the researchers evaluate such existing devices and visualization techniques with regard to how they can be used to visualize information in aircraft maintenance processes.

Findings

This paper elaborates a roadmap how wearable devices can be applied in future aircraft maintenance scenarios. It also shows that augmented reality (AR) is a technology that shows great potential to support aircraft maintenance staff. The current researchers develop a scenario, how AR applications on wearable devices support such tasks.

Practical implications

The implementation of the maintenance scenario that is developed in this paper will vastly reduce the possibilities of mistakes by maintenance personnel. This leads to more efficient maintenance processes and further increases the safety of aviation in general.

Originality/value

Although AR today already is used in fields of application like gaming, an application of this technology in a safety-critical environment is not known to the author. This paper provides a step towards extending the application domains of this technology to aircraft maintenance.
Extending UTAUT2 in M-banking adoption and actual use behavior: Does WOM communication matter?
Authors: Farzin Milad , Sadeghi Marzieh , Yahyayi Kharkeshi Fatemeh , Ruholahpur Hedyeh , Fattahi Majid
Published: June 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate important factors that help explain customer willingness to adopt mobile banking (M-banking). To this end, the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology 2 (UTAUT2) was applied and to more accurately predict customer behavioral intentions, it was attempted to extend it.

Design/methodology/approach

The research data were collected from 396 customers of Iranian private banks who had the experience of using M-banking. The structural equation modeling technique was used to test the research hypotheses.

Findings

Findings suggest that performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence, facilitating conditions, habit, hedonic motivation, perceived value and trialability are endorsed as proponents of M-banking adoption intention. On the other hand, M-banking adoption intention has also had a significant positive effect on actual use behavior and word-of-mouth (WOM). WOM has also influenced actual use behavior and mediated the relationship between M-banking adoption intention and actual use behavior.

Research limitations/implications

The present study focuses on private banks, therefore, although it is sufficient, it is limited to private cases. This study contributes to the literature on M-banking services and actual use behavior. By appropriately focusing on M-banking adoption intention and the service quality provided, banks can strengthen their relationships with customers, thereby stimulating actual customer behavior such as actual use behavior and WOM.

Originality/value

From theoretical and managerial aspects, this study has particular value for the literature on M-services’ intention in general and banking in particular. The present study provides a conceptual framework for M-banking adoption intention, which could be used in M-banking services. In addition, this study sought to extend UTAUT2 and to examine the mediating role of WOM in actual use behavior motivation as well.
Is the use of financial accounting fit for purpose? An exploration of the theoretical foundations, framework and practicalities
Authors: de Aguiar Thereza Raquel Sales
Published: June 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore issues related to the use of financial accounting and reporting by discussing three interrelated areas: the theoretical foundations, the framework and practicalities. The paper also discusses participatory and pluralistic approaches to accounting and corporate governance as alternatives to address some of these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

This is a narrative research based on deductive thematic analysis of secondary data. This study provides a general overview of the existing literature of the limits of the use of financial accounting and its impact on business and society.

Findings

In terms of the theoretical foundations, this paper contrasts financial accounting explained by agency theory and a dialogic accounting approach. The findings of this study emphasise the need to establish an accounting framework for the interests of the many (not the few) in conjunction and simultaneously with a participatory and pluralistic approach to corporate governance. Finally, this paper explores accounting for carbon emissions and recent financial accounting scandals to analyse the impact of the inappropriate use of financial accounting and reporting in business and society.

Originality/value

This paper provides an overview of the limits of the use of financial accounting by exploring its theoretical background, framework and practicalities. The paper also discusses the need for new accounting and corporate governance frameworks that allow a pluralistic and participatory approach to the decision-making of companies.
Floral diversity in the central part of Chattogram city, Bangladesh
Authors: Biswas Trapa , Dutta Shourav , Hossain Md. Akhter , Rahman Md. Rayhanur , Hossen Saddam , Hossain Mohammed Kamal
Published: June 2021

Purpose

This study/paper aims to evaluate the floral richness of the central part of Chattogram city, Bangladesh. Chattogram is recognized as the largest port city and the commercial capital of Bangladesh, which confronts faster urbanization and swift infrastructure development. Green spaces in and around Chattogram city are shrinking sharply, which resulted in rapid loss of floral and faunal resources in this area. The present study was carried out from February 2018 to January 2019 to enumerate the vascular plant species of the Sulakbahar ward located in the central part of Chattogram City, Bangladesh.

Design/methodology/approach

The study area was categorized into 10 habitats to assess the variation of floral composition. The extensive whole area survey method was applied to record the flora from all sorts of plant habitats of the research area.

Findings

The study enumerated 418 vascular plant species under 315 genera and 120 families including natural, planted and cultivated from the study area. The habit form of the recorded plant composition indicated that herbs (35%) constitute the major plant category followed by trees (34%), shrubs (17%), climbers (12%), ferns (1%) and orchids (1%). The study also indicated that exotic species (50.3%) became dominant than native species (49.7%) in Chattogram city because of their scenic beauty, easy propagation and ornamental value to the city planners and inhabitants.

Originality/value

It appeared that floral resources of the Chattogram city area are in great threat due to aggressive and unplanned infrastructure development for housing, offices and institutions by replacing the green spaces. The study recommended that urgent protection measures should be taken to conserve and protect the existing floral resources for the well-being of the urban people.
The effect of multilingual suggested tags on cross-language information tagging behaviour
Authors: Ma Xiaoyue , Zhang Siya , Zhao Pengwei
Published: June 2021

Purpose

Suggested tag was considered as one of the critical factors affecting a user’s tagging behaviour. However, compared to the findings on the suggested tags for the monolingual environment, it still lacks focused studies on the tag suggestions for cross-language information. Therefore, this paper aims to concern with annotation behaviour and psychological cognition in the cross-language environment when suggested tags are provided.

Design/methodology/approach

A cross-language tagging experiment was conducted to explore the impact of suggested tags on the tagging results and process. The descriptive statistics of tags, the sources and semantic relations of tags, as well as the user’s psychological cognition were all measured in the test.

Findings

The experimental results demonstrated that the multilingual suggested tags could bring some costs to a user’s tagging perception. Furthermore, the language factor of suggested tags led to different paths of tagging imitation (reflected by longer semantic mapping and imitation at the visual level) and different cognitive processes (topic extraction and inference process).

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is one of the first to emphasize the effect of suggested tags during multilingual tagging. The findings will enrich the theories of user-information interaction in the cross-language environment and, in turn, provide practical implications for tag-based information system design.
Numerical investigation of double-diffusive mixed convection of Fe3O4/Cu/Al2O3-water nanofluid flow through a backward-facing-step channel subjected to magnetic field
Authors: Nath Ratnadeep , Murugesan Krishnan
Published: June 2021

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the buoyancy-induced heat and mass transfer phenomena in a backward-facing-step (BFS) channel subjected to applied magnetic field using different types of nanofluid.

Design/methodology/approach

Conservation equations of mass, momentum, energy and concentration are used through velocity-vorticity form of Navier–Stokes equations and solved using Galerkin’s weighted residual finite element method. The density variation is handled by Boussinesq approximation caused by thermo-solutal buoyancy forces evolved at the channel bottom wall having high heat and concentration. Simulations were carried out for the variation of Hartmann number (0 to 100), buoyancy ratio (−10 to +10), three types of water-based nanofluid i.e. Fe3O4, Cu, Al2O3 at χ = 6%, Re = 200 and Ri = 0.1.

Findings

The mutual interaction of magnetic force, inertial force and nature of thermal-solutal buoyancy forces play a significant role in the heat and mass transport phenomena. Results show that the size of the recirculation zone increases at N = 1 for aiding thermo-solutal buoyancy force, whereas the applied magnetic field dampened the fluid-convection process. With an increase in buoyancy ratio, Al2O3 nanoparticle shows a maximum 54% and 67% increase in convective heat and mass transfer, respectively at Ha = 20 followed by Fe3O4 and Cu. However, with increase in Ha the Nuavg and Shavg diminish by maximum 62.33% and 74.56%, respectively, for Fe3O4 nanoparticles at N = 5 followed by Al2O3 and Cu.

Originality/value

This research study numerically examines the sensitivity of Fe3O4, Cu and Al2O3 nanoparticles in a magnetic field for buoyancy-induced mixed convective heat and mass transfer phenomena in a BFS channel, which was not analyzed earlier.
AI-enabled knowledge sharing and learning: redesigning roles and processes
Authors: Sundaresan Shankar , Zhang Zuopeng
Published: June 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the role of AI in facilitating knowledge sharing and learning in organizations and the redesign of AI-enabled knowledge workers’ roles and processes.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper develops a framework for analyzing AI’s role in different knowledge management activities, explores the impact of AI in transforming knowledge workers’ roles and processes in knowledge sharing and learning and presents recommendations for tailored AI-enabled knowledge management systems for modern knowledge worker environments.

Findings

The authors synthesize the elements from different parts of the relevant literature and develop a unified framework consisting of three dimensions of AI systems, three knowledge management (KM) activities and two types of AI–human interactions. Based on this framework, the authors summarize the primary use cases supported by AI-enabled knowledge management systems (KMS) and compare them with the traditional KMS use cases. The authors find that a single type of AI system is insufficient to support the increasingly complex nature of knowledge workers’ activities, manifested in three dimensions – process, engagement and content; a tailored AI system should be developed to support knowledge workers in their unique roles and processes.

Originality/value

With the growing interest in AI and its applications to KM, this research provides managerial insights for practitioners to effectively adopt AI in managing knowledge assets in organizations.