bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of subprime crisis on financing decisions and capital structure of Indian firms: a pre- and post- crisis study using system GMM methodology
Authors: Sinha Pankaj , Vodwal Sandeep
Published: March 2023

Purpose

The subprime crisis (SPC) (2007–2008) has severely affected the economies across the globe. The Indian economy was also troubled because the SPC led to a sharp reduction in foreign trade and investment, a rise in the exchange rate volatility and disproportionate foreign-currency reserves. The present paper analyzes the financing pattern of Indian listed companies during the SPC. This study aims to ascertain the impacts of the SPC-2008 on the long-term and short-term financing decisions of Indian listed companies using novel data set and appropriate robust methodology.

Design/methodology/approach

The study uses fixed effect model autoregressive of order 1 (FEM AR (1)) and system generalised method of moments (GMM) methodology on a sample data of 1,032 Indian non-financial listed companies on the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) for the period 1999 to 2019 to analyze the financing pattern during the crisis.

Findings

The study finds that the Indian firms opted for de-leveraging, shortening the maturity of debt and short-term borrowing. This significant decline in the leverage and maturity of debt indicates that the companies in India generally followed the “rat race” model of the financing mix in the crisis. After the crisis, the firms have re-leveraged and expanded the maturity of debt up to 90%. This considerable expansion in leverage and maturity implies that the Indian firms are exposed to the “rollover risk.” This re-leverage risk is asymmetrically distributed for manufacturing and services firms. Manufacturing firms are found to be more exposed to this risk. Furthermore, tangibility, free cash flows and the liquidity available within the firms are the compelling elements of the financing decision during the crisis.

Research limitations/implications

The study has not included the private firms and unorganized sectors in India. Moreover, the study has not analyzed disasters such as the Asian liquidity crisis, the information technology (IT) bubble crisis, the euro bond crisis and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

Practical implications

The study finds that Indian firms are exposed to higher risk during the financial crisis and this risk is further aggravated by the rollover risk. Therefore, investors and creditors should consider these additional risks in the financial decisions and take more precautions. The study suggests that the regulators should make necessary adjustments in lending policy, corporate restructuring and tax policy to deal with the menace of a financial crisis.

Social implications

Indian firms should avoid following the rate race financing model.

Originality/value

This study aims to ascertain the impacts of the SPC-2008 on the long-term and short-term financing decisions of Indian listed companies using novel data set and appropriate robust methodology.
Linking paradoxical leadership and individual in-role and extra-role performance: a multilevel examination
Authors: Kundi Yasir Mansoor , Aboramadan Mohammed , Abualigah Ahmad
Published: March 2023

Purpose

Leaders in the hospitality industry encounter daily conflicting demands and paradoxes which call for adjusting their leadership philosophy from “either/or” to “both/and” leadership style. Therefore, drawing upon paradox, self-determination, social learning and job demands-resources perspectives, the purpose of this article is to examine the relationships between paradoxical leadership and employee in-role and extra-role performance outcomes. It also aims to explore the mediating effect of work engagement on the aforesaid linkages.

Design/methodology/approach

Multilevel analyses in Mplus 8.0 software were conducted on three-wave data from 238 employees working in 19 Pakistani hotels.

Findings

The authors found that paradoxical leadership influences employee in-role (job performance) and extra-role (innovative work behavior and voice behavior) performance directly and indirectly through employee work engagement.

Originality/value

This study addresses recent calls by highlighting the role of paradoxical leadership, an important yet underexplored leadership style in the hospitality literature. In addition, this is the first study examining the multilevel effect of paradoxical leadership on employees’ in-role and extra-role performance via work engagement.
Volatile sensation: The chemical ecology of the earthy odorant geosmin
Authors: Garbeva Paolina , Avalos Mariana , Ulanova Dana , van Wezel Gilles P. , Dickschat Jeroen S.
Published: March 2023

Geosmin may be the most familiar volatile compound, as it lends the earthy smell to soil. The compound is a member of the largest family of natural products, the terpenoids. The broad distribution of geosmin among bacteria in both terrestrial and aquatic environments suggests that this compound has an important ecological function, for example, as a signal (attractant or repellent) or as a protective specialized metabolite against biotic and abiotic stresses. While geosmin is part of our everyday life, scientists still do not understand the exact biological function of this omnipresent natural product. This minireview summarizes the current general observations regarding geosmin in prokaryotes and introduces new insights into its biosynthesis and regulation, as well as its biological roles in terrestrial and aquatic environments.
Antenatal detection of large‐for‐gestational‐age fetuses following implementation of the Growth Assessment Protocol: secondary analysis of a randomised control trial
Authors: Relph Sophie , Vieira Matias C. , Copas Andrew , Winsloe Chivon , Coxon Kirstie , Alagna Alessandro , Briley Annette , Johnson Mark , Page Louise , Peebles Donald , Shennan Andrew , Thilaganathan Baskaran , Marlow Neil , Lees Christoph , Lawlor Deborah A. , Khalil Asma , Sandall Jane , Pasupathy Dharmintra ,   the DESiGN trial team
Published: March 2023

Objective

To determine whether the Growth Assessment Protocol (GAP) affects the antenatal detection of large for gestational age (LGA) or maternal and perinatal outcomes amongst LGA babies.

Design

Secondary analysis of a pragmatic open randomised cluster control trial comparing the GAP with standard care.

Setting

Eleven UK maternity units.

Population

Pregnant women and their LGA babies born at ≥36+0 weeks of gestation.

Methods

Clusters were randomly allocated to GAP implementation or standard care. Data were collected from electronic patient records. Trial arms were compared using summary statistics, with unadjusted and adjusted (two‐stage cluster summary approach) differences.

Main outcome measures

Rate of detection of LGA (estimated fetal weight on ultrasound scan above the 90th centile after 34+0 weeks of gestation, defined by either population or customised growth charts), maternal and perinatal outcomes (e.g. mode of birth, postpartum haemorrhage, severe perineal tears, birthweight and gestational age, neonatal unit admission, perinatal mortality, and neonatal morbidity and mortality).

Results

A total of 506 LGA babies were exposed to GAP and 618 babies received standard care. There were no significant differences in the rate of LGA detection (GAP 38.0% vs standard care 48.0%; adjusted effect size −4.9%; 95% CI −20.5, 10.7; p = 0.54), nor in any of the maternal or perinatal outcomes.

Conclusions

The use of GAP did not change the rate of antenatal ultrasound detection of LGA when compared with standard care.
The association between anastomotic leakage and health‐related quality of life after colorectal cancer surgery
Authors: Arron Melissa N. N. , Custers Jose A. E. , van Goor Harry , van Duijnhoven Fränzel J. B. , Kampman Ellen , Kouwenhoven Ewout A. , de Wilt Johannes H. W. , Kok Dieuwertje E.
Published: March 2023

Aim

Colorectal anastomotic leakage (AL) is a serious complication. Studies on the impact of AL on health‐related quality of life (HRQoL) are scarce. We aimed to investigate the association between AL and HRQoL in colorectal cancer patients up to 2 years after diagnosis, and to evaluate whether AL is associated with a clinically relevant decrease in HRQoL over time.

Methods

Patients diagnosed with Stage I–III colorectal cancer undergoing elective surgical resection with primary anastomosis between 2010 and 2017 were included. HRQoL was evaluated using the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire C30, represented by the summary score, and analysed at diagnosis and at 6 months and 2 years post‐diagnosis. Multivariable linear regression was performed to assess the association between AL and HRQoL, while multivariable logistic regression was used to investigate the association between AL and a clinically relevant HRQoL decrease (≥10 points) during follow‐up compared to the time of diagnosis.

Results

In total, 1197 patients were included of whom 63 (5%) developed AL. AL was not associated with HRQoL at 6 months post‐diagnosis nor at 2 years post‐diagnosis. However, having AL was associated with an increased risk of a clinically relevant decrease in HRQoL at 6 months post‐diagnosis (OR 3.65, 95% CI 1.62–8.21) but not at 2 years after diagnosis (OR 1.91, 95% CI 0.62–5.93).

Conclusion

Although AL was not associated with HRQoL at 6 months or 2 years post‐diagnosis, AL was a determinant of a clinically relevant decrease in HRQoL at 6 months after diagnosis. Future work should identify feasible and effective strategies to prevent declines in QoL in this patient population.
Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma: state of the art, perspectives and unmet needs
Authors: Heppt Markus V. , Leiter Ulrike
Published: March 2023

Squamous cell carcinoma of the skin (cSCC) is one of the most common cancers of the Caucasian population and accounts for 20% of all cutaneous tumors. An S3 guideline from the German Guideline Program in Oncology has been available since 2019 and was updated in 2022. The diagnosis of cSCC is based on clinical examination. Excision and histological confirmation are required for clinically suspicious lesions to allow for prognostic assessment and correct treatment. The treatment of first choice is excision with complete histological assessment of the surgical margins. Adjuvant radiation therapy may be considered if there is a high risk of recurrence. The immune checkpoint inhibitor cemiplimab is approved and recommended as the treatment of first choice for locally advanced or metastatic cSCC in Europe. If contraindications are present, chemotherapy, EGFR inhibitors, or palliative radiation therapy may be used. Surveillance should be performed in a risk‐stratified manner and includes a dermatological control supplemented by sonography examinations in high‐risk patients. Much research is still needed for solid organ transplant patients, concomitant hematologic diseases, and cSCC showing primary or acquired resistance to immunotherapies. Current developments include new drug combinations, intralesional therapies alone or in combination with immune checkpoint inhibitors, and neoadjuvant approaches.
A dynamic segmentation of U.S. women during the COVID‐19 pandemic
Authors: Ackerman Joshua M. , Borinstein Andrew , Kaji Joel , Bekier John , Wrinn Chase , Dockendorf Tatiana
Published: March 2023

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic has had a vast, but uneven, influence on consumers. Diversity in consumer reactions, and the extent to which those reactions lead to lasting preference and lifestyle changes, present challenges for implementing effective marketing strategies during a period of societal crisis. To address this, we conducted a dynamic segmentation analysis involving over 14,000 U.S. women by assessing relevant psychological, experiential, and other personal factors at multiple time points during the pandemic. This analysis identified seven unique consumer segments who varied in their current and future degree of change, and who indicated responsiveness to specific forms of brand and advertising content. This seven‐segment clustering was highly stable over time, suggesting that certain segmentation approaches hold continuing value for marketers even as widespread events like pandemics evolve.
The effect of nursing interventions with therapeutic play and video animations prepared with psychodrama technique in reducing fear, anxiety, and pain of children at male circumcision: A randomized controlled study
Authors: Tuncay Suat , Tüfekci Fatma Güdücü
Published: March 2023

Objective

This research was carried out to reduce the fear, anxiety and pain of 4–6 age circumcised children with therapeutic play and video animation interventions.

Methods

This research was conducted as a randomized controlled study between November 2019 and April 2021. Using block randomization, 30 (n = 30) children were assigned to the control group, 30 (n = 30) to the therapeutic puppet group and 30 (n = 30) to the video animation group. Before the circumcision surgery, therapeutic puppet and video animation interventions were applied to children with scenario prepared with psychodrama technique. Fear, anxiety, and pain findings of children before and after surgery were determined.

Results

The fear and anxiety scores of the children were similar before the nursing intervention in all groups, and that the fear and anxiety scores of therapeutic puppet play and video animation intervention groups had statistically lower than the control group after nursing intervention. The pain scores of the children from the therapeutic puppet play and video animation groups had lower pain scores than the control group after surgery (F = 5.24, p = 0.007).

Conclusions

Therapeutic play and video animation intervention can be effective in reducing fear and anxiety of children aged 4–6 before and after circumcision surgery.
Digital capability: An essential nursing skill for proficiency in a post‐COVID‐19 world
Authors: Clarke‐Darrington Jesrine , McDonald Tracey , Ali Parveen
Published: March 2023

Aim

We explored the importance of digital technologies to health responses during the COVID‐19 pandemic. The benefits, challenges and barriers to developing digital capabilities are identified, and strategies to establish enduring digital proficiency among nurses and healthcare colleagues gained during the pandemic are canvassed.

Background

Since the mid‐20th century, technology uptake by health practitioners has prioritised digital information and communication technology. The COVID‐19 pandemic accelerated the need to adapt digital communication to dangerous clinical workplaces. Organisational policies enabled digital capabilities to replace in‐person processes while preserving regulatory compliance, safety and security of patient information and staff deployment.

Sources of Evidence: All evidence was accessed from publicly available sources.

Discussion

The COVID‐19 pandemic was a catalyst for implementing Technology Enhanced Care Services. Health practitioners need appropriate digital capabilities for their roles and scope of practice. Nursing proficiency includes technological skills. Combining the Jisc Digital Capability Framework and the Health and Care Digital Capabilities Framework helps nurses achieve the technical expertise needed for clinical proficiency in contemporary healthcare environments.

Conclusion

Healthcare workforce digital capability requires policies that resource digital technologies and individual user skills in dangerous COVID‐19 workplaces. All involved must be abreast of technological changes and monitor technology effectiveness in innovation in patient care, professional education and evidence‐based infectious disease management of healthcare systems.

Implications for nursing practice and policy

Nurses and other practitioners in COVID‐19–compromised settings must be able to use the embedded digital technologies in patient care, clinical management and education. Policies securing resources for nurses to learn to use digital technologies will ensure that digital systems are regularly upgraded and that nurses develop proficiency in using technology in their clinical practice. Work and workplace redesign needs compatible computer systems and software to support nursing innovation and digital proficiency.
Assessment of flaws in cold‐sintered ZnO via acoustic wave speed and attenuation measurements
Authors: Jones Haley N. , Trautman Elizabeth , Maria Jon‐Paul , Trolier‐McKinstry Susan , Argüelles Andrea P.
Published: March 2023

The cold sintering process (CSP) is a low temperature processing technique that utilizes a transient phase to synthesize dense ceramics. However, some CSP parts contain microflaws that arise due to inhomogeneities in pressure, temperature, and transient phase. This work uses 20 MHz ultrasound to verify the presence of defects in CSP ZnO samples of varying densities (84%–97%). Acoustic metrics used in this work include wave speed, which is affected by differences in the effective elastic properties of the medium, and attenuation, which quantifies wave energy loss due to scattering from defects. Wave speed maps were inhomogeneous, suggesting density gradients which were verified with scanning electron microscopy. In addition, it was demonstrated that the pores produced by cold sintering are anisometric, which increases the anisotropy in the elastic properties. High attenuation regions (>300 Np/m) are present in all samples independent of relative density and correspond to defects identified in X‐ray computed tomography (XCT) which were as small as 38 µm in effective diameter. However, some high attenuation spots do not correspond to visible defects in XCT, which suggests the presence of features undetectable with XCT such as residual secondary phases at the grain boundaries.
Phase‐field simulation of microscale crack propagation/deflection in SiCf/SiC composites with weak interphase
Authors: Gao Jin , Bai Yuelei , Fan Haolong , Song Guangping , Zou Xiaocan , Zheng Yongting , He Xiaodong
Published: March 2023

To understand the microscale toughening mechanism, the crack propagation, and stress–strain response of unidirectional SiCf/SiC composites with h‐BN interphase under transverse and longitudinal tension are investigated by a promising micromechanical phase field (PF) method along with representative volume element. Of much interest, the calculation results are well consistent with the available experimental results. With a strong dependence on the interphase strength, the toughening mechanisms during crack propagation are well presented, for example, fiber pull‐out, crack deflection, and interphase debonding. Furthermore, the longitudinal tensile strength of SiCf/SiC composites increases with decreasing the interphase strength, where only a weak enough interphase can result in a significant crack deflection by its cracking. In particular, the ratio of the interphase strength along fibers to the matrix strength should be less than 1.254 to ensure crack deflection in the interphase and fiber pull‐out. Moreover, the transverse tensile strength of SiCf/SiC composites reaches a maximum with increasing the interphase thickness into the range of 0.25–0.5 µm.
Grain growth inhibition by sluggish diffusion and Zener pinning in high‐entropy diboride ceramics
Authors: Cheng Yu‐Yun , Zhou Lin , Liu Ji‐Xuan , Tan Yu‐Feng , Zhang Guo‐Jun
Published: March 2023

This work reported the grain growth kinetics of high‐entropy diboride (HEB) and HEB‐SiC ceramics containing 10, 20, and 30 vol% SiC during heat treatment at 1800°C. The coarsening of HEB phase occurred in the four kinds of ceramics during heat treatment, especially in HEB ceramics. The kinetic analysis showed that the grain growth of HEB phase in HEB and HEB‐SiC ceramics is controlled by interface‐controlled kinetics and grain‐boundary pinning, respectively. The growth rate constant of HEB grains is lower than ZrB2, which is related to the low grain‐boundary energy and the sluggish diffusion effect in dynamics of high‐entropy materials. The growth rate of matrix phase in HEB‐SiC ceramics is similar to that in ZrB2–SiC ceramics, indicating that the pinning effect of the SiC second‐phase played the dominant role in inhibiting the grain growth of the high‐entropy matrix phase and disguised the sluggish diffusion effect. This study reveals that the grain growth inhibition through sluggish diffusion effect in a high‐entropy ceramic system may be magnified by the possible existence of segregated second‐phase particles located at the grain boundaries.
Evaluation of peroxyacetic acid, liquid buffered vinegar, and cultured dextrose fermentate as potential antimicrobial interventions for raw chicken livers
Authors: Cancio Leslie Pearl M. , Danao Mary‐Grace C. , Sullivan Gary A. , Chaves Byron D.
Published: March 2023

This study aimed to evaluate the use of peroxyacetic acid (PAA), buffered vinegar (BV), and cultured dextrose fermentate (CDF) to reduce Salmonella on artificially inoculated raw chicken livers, one of the most consumed offal around the world. Samples were inoculated with a 5‐strain cocktail of poultry‐borne Salmonella to obtain 106 CFU/g and immersed for 90 s with agitation in one of the following treatments: distilled water (control), 450 ppm PAA, 2.0% (w/v) BV, or 1.5% (w/v) CDF, prior to storing at 4°C. Salmonella was enumerated on XLD agar and monitored for 14 days. Data were analyzed using analysis of covariance. After immersion, there was a significant Salmonella reduction (p < .05) with all treatments, including the control. PAA resulted in the greatest numerical reduction at 0.65 ± 0.12 log; however, there were no significant differences in the reductions among all other treatments (p > .05). After 14 days, higher numerical reductions were observed for PAA, but only when compared to CDF. Although similar reductions (p > .05) were noted after 14 days except for CDF, Salmonella counts were lowest in all timepoints when PAA was used. PAA and CDF inhibited the growth of aerobic bacteria until day 3 while BV inhibited the growth up to 7 days. Regarding objective color, chicken livers immersed in PAA became lighter, but the difference was not sustained over time. No differences were observed in redness or yellowness values across any treatments.
A comparison of the effect on pain management of two non‐pharmacological methods used during administration of Pfizer–BioNTech COVID‐19 vaccine (BNT162b2): A randomized controlled study
Authors: Yılmaz Dilek , Kutlu Münevver , Baki Elmas
Published: March 2023

Aims

This study was conducted with the aim of examining the effect on pain intensity of the vibration technique applied at the injection site and squeezing a stress ball during the administration of Pfizer–BioNTech COVID‐19 vaccination.

Methods

This was a randomized controlled single‐blind experimental study. The study included 120 adults who were randomly selected between July and November 2022. One experimental group (n = 40) received local vibration by means of a Buzzy® device, and the other (n = 40) were given a stress ball to squeeze. Routine vaccination procedure was performed with the control group (n = 40). The level of pain felt during the vaccination procedure was assessed on a visual analog scale.

Results

The pain score of individuals during the vaccination procedure was found to be significantly lower in the vibration group than in the control group (P = .005) and the stress ball group (P = .036), but there was no significant difference between the control and stress ball groups (P = .851). Also, it was found that the variables of gender, age and body mass index did not affect the average pain intensity of individuals during the vaccination procedure.

Conclusions

It was found that local vibration applied by means of the Buzzy® device was effective in reducing the levels of pain relating to administration of the Pfizer–BioNTech COVID‐19 vaccination. Nurses should think of the application of vibration as a choice in the management of pain relating to Pfizer–BioNTech COVID‐19 vaccination.
Brain iron acquisition: An overview of homeostatic regulation and disease dysregulation
Authors: Baringer Stephanie L. , Simpson Ian A. , Connor James R.
Published: March 2023

Brain iron homeostasis is crucial for neurological health, with pathological fluctuations in brain iron levels associated with a variety of neurological disorders. Low levels are connected to cognitive impairment and restless legs syndrome, while high levels are connected to Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and other neurodegenerative diseases. Given the detrimental effects unrestricted iron can have, regulated entry into the brain via transferrin and H‐ferritin is critical. Endothelial cells of the blood–brain barrier are the site of iron transport regulation. The movement of iron through endothelial cells into the brain can be divided into three distinct processes: uptake, transcytosis, and release. Each process possesses external and internal influences on the regulation at each stage. This review discusses the mechanisms of iron uptake, transcytosis, and release at the blood–brain barrier, as well as the elements that contribute to regulation. Additionally, we explore the dysregulation of brain iron in Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and restless legs syndrome.

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Orthognathic surgery effects on temporomandibular joint compressive stresses
Authors: Glovsky Taylor E. , Iwasaki Laura R. , Wu Ying , Liu Hongzeng , Liu Ying , Sousa Melo Saulo L. , Nickel Jeffrey C.
Published: March 2023

Introduction

This study tested orthognathic surgery effects on temporomandibular joint (TMJ) compressive stresses.

Methods

Pre‐ (T1) and post‐surgery (T2) cone‐beam computed tomography images were collected from consenting subjects aged ≥15 years. Anatomical data were used to measure surgical changes in anteroposterior mandibular position and occlusal plane angle (FH‐OP), estimate condylar loading areas (mm2) and calculate T1 and T2 TMJ and jaw muscle forces (N) during canine biting via numerical modelling. Analysis of covariance tested for sex and biting angle differences in T2 − T1 TMJ compressive stresses (TMJ force/loading area, MPa). Principal component analyses identified jaw muscle forces that accounted for changes in T2 − T1 TMJ loads. Regression analyses tested the correlations between surgical changes in mandibular position, FH‐OP, TMJ loads and muscle forces.

Results

Of 148 cases screened, 28 females and 16 males provided complete records. Condylar loading areas were significantly smaller (P = .024) for females vs males (124 ± 5 vs 144 ± 7 mm2). T2 − T1 differences in TMJ compressive stresses varied by surgical change, biting angle and sex. Overall, the largest increases in TMJ compressive stresses post‐surgery were for females with mandibular setbacks where FH‐OP angle decreased. T2 − T1 changes in jaw muscle forces had moderate (ipsilateral, λ = 4.59; η2 = 0.071) to large (contralateral, λ = 1.49; η2 = 0.31) effects on TMJ loads.

Conclusions

T2 − T1 differences in TMJ compressive stresses during canine biting were affected by surgical changes in mandibular position and occlusal plane angle, biting angle and sex. Surgical changes altered jaw muscle forces for the same biting conditions and, thus, affected TMJ loads and compressive stresses.
When Rensch meets Foster: insular gigantism may reduce sexual dimorphism in anurans
Authors: Lorrain‐Soligon Léa , Robin Frédéric , Jankovic Marko , Lelong Vincent , Baudouin Simon , Brischoux François
Published: March 2023

According to the Island rule, insular populations exhibit gigantism in small species and dwarfism in large species. These contexts offer opportunities to test for complementary aspects pertaining to the evolution of body size, and particularly sexual size dimorphism (SSD). ‘Rensch's rule' states that SSD should vary with increasing body size, depending on the larger sex. As a consequence, it is expected that dwarfism or gigantism occurring in insular populations should influence the magnitude of SSD. Using anuran amphibians as a study system (because most anuran species express a female‐biased SSD and a marked lability in size), we investigated our hypothesis both in a specific comparison of continental and insular populations of a widespread coastal amphibian, and using a large‐scale analysis across anurans (10 species across 62 sites). Both datasets yielded similar results, with increasing body size in insular populations reducing the magnitude of SSD through an increase of male body size, as expected by Rensch's rule. Detailed data on insular populations considering both sexes are scarce, and future studies are required to complement the existing literature in order to test for the validity of our hypothesis at a wider scale and to infer the mechanistic causes of size variations, which remain unknown. In addition, further investigations are required to explore the consequences of insularity on the magnitude of SSD including various taxa (e.g. mammals, birds, lizards and snakes) in which the Island rule has found support, and considering taxa in which males are the larger sex.

Keywords: amphibians, body size, insularity, Island rule, Rensch's rule, sexual dimorphism
A Review and Summary of Patients with Symptomatic Postoperative Discal Pseudocysts of the Lumbar Spine
Authors: Cao Zhenlu , Cong Yanan , Yin Chuqiang , Wang Yuelei , Wang Zhichao , Liu XiaoWei , Wang Ting
Published: March 2023

Objective

Postoperative discal pseudocyst (PDP) is a rare complication after discectomy. This study aimed to summarize the characteristics, pathological mechanisms and management of PDPs.

Methods

Nine patients with PDP who received surgical treatment at our institution from January 2014 to December 2021 were retrospectively reviewed. A systematic review of the literature on PDP was performed. The demographic data, clinical and imaging features, surgical options and patient prognosis were analyzed.

Results

Among the nine patients treated at our center, seven were male and two were female. The mean patient age (± standard deviation) at the time of surgery was 28.3 ± 5.7 years (range 18–37 years). The first operation performed on seven patients was percutaneous endoscopic transforaminal discectomy (PETD) and two patients underwent microdiscectomy. The time to conservative treatment before surgical intervention was 20 ± 9.2 days. In three cases, the disc cysts were located in L4/5 and in six cases the lesions were located in L5/S1. Intervertebral disc cyst interventions included foraminal scope (three cases), open discectomy (three cases), conservative treatment with a quadrant channel (one case) and CT‐guided puncture (one case). All patients fully recovered after surgery and the mean follow‐up time was 3.5 ± 2.1 years. A literature review identified 14 relevant articles that reported 43 PDP cases of PDP.

Conclusion

PDP occurs in Asian males with mild intervertebral disc degeneration and occurs 1 month after discectomy. Treatment should be based on specific patient scenarios. Conservative treatment is necessary and surgery should be performed with caution.
No Face, No Race? Racial Politics of Voice Actor Casting in Popular Animated Films1
Authors: Kim Minjeong , Brunn‐Bevel Rachelle J.
Published: March 2023

Racial politics in animated films has long been an important topic for scholars, but racial diversity in the casting of voice actors for animated films has been understudied. This article examines patterns in voice actor casting among 850 characters from 170 animated films released from 1989 to 2019. Because characters in animated films are not bound by voice actors' physical attributes, especially given that many animated characters are not even human, we consider the concepts of color‐blind and color‐conscious casting to understand the racial politics of voice actor casting. Our findings show that racial inequality and white dominance are a categorical reality in the animated film industry and that culturally specific film settings provide opportunities for voice actors of color. However, we also find that both color‐blind and color‐conscious casting can limit the realization of diverse and inclusive casting in animated films that feature fantastical, imaginative characters.
Genomic characterization of HLA class I and class II genes in ethnically diverse sub‐Saharan African populations: A report on novel HLA alleles
Authors: Pagkrati Ioanna , Duke Jamie L. , Mbunwe Eric , Mosbruger Timothy L. , Ferriola Deborah , Wasserman Jenna , Dinou Amalia , Tairis Nikolaos , Damianos Georgios , Kotsopoulou Ioanna , Papaioannou Joanna , Giannopoulos Diamantoula , Beggs William , Nyambo Thomas , Mpoloka Sununguko W. , Mokone Gaonyadiwe G. , Njamnshi Alfred K. , Fokunang Charles , Woldemeskel Dawit , Belay Gurja , Maiers Martin , Tishkoff Sarah A. , Monos Dimitri S.
Published: March 2023

HLA allelic variation has been well studied and documented in many parts of the world. However, African populations have been relatively under‐represented in studies of HLA variation. We have characterized HLA variation from 489 individuals belonging to 13 ethnically diverse populations from rural communities from the African countries of Botswana, Cameroon, Ethiopia, and Tanzania, known to practice traditional subsistence lifestyles using next generation sequencing (Illumina) and long‐reads from Oxford Nanopore Technologies. We identified 342 distinct alleles among the 11 HLA targeted genes: HLA‐A, ‐B, ‐C, ‐DRB1, ‐DRB3, ‐DRB4, ‐DRB5, ‐DQA1, ‐DQB1, ‐DPA1, and ‐DPB1, with 140 of those alleles containing novel sequences that were submitted to the IPD‐IMGT/HLA database. Sixteen of the 140 alleles contained novel content within the exonic regions of the genes, while 110 alleles contained novel intronic variants. Four alleles were found to be recombinants of already described HLA alleles and 10 alleles extended the sequence content of already described alleles. All 140 alleles include complete allelic sequence from the 5′ UTR to the 3′ UTR that are inclusive of all exons and introns. This report characterizes the HLA allelic variation from these individuals and describes the novel allelic variation present within these specific African populations.
Impact of red blood cell transfusion on regional cerebral oxygen saturation during pediatric ECMO
Authors: Garcia Alejandro V. , Velez Ana Karen , Surma Victoria , Jager Leah R. , Bembea Melania M.
Published: March 2023

Background

Low cerebral regional tissue oxygenation (crSO2) is associated with unfavorable neurological outcomes in children requiring extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support. Red blood cell (RBC) transfusion can improve brain oxygenation and crSO2 has been proposed as a noninvasive monitoring tool that could aid in RBC transfusion decision‐making. However, how crSO2 responds to RBC transfusion is largely unknown.

Study Design and Methods

This was a retrospective, observational cohort study of all patients <21 years supported on ECMO at a single institution from 2011 to 2018. Transfusion events were grouped by pre‐transfusion hemoglobin concentration (<10, 10‐ < 12, and ≥ 12 g/dL). Post‐ versus pre‐transfusion crSO2 changes were analyzed using linear mixed‐effects models.

Results

The final cohort included 830 transfusion events in 111 patients. Hemoglobin increased significantly post‐ versus pre‐RBC transfusion (estimated mean increase of 0.47 g/dL [95% CI, 0.35–0.58], p < .001), as did crSO2 (estimated mean increase of 1.82 percentage points [95% CI, 1.23–2.40], p < .001). Larger improvements in crSO2 were associated with lower pre‐transfusion crSO2 values (p < .001). There was no difference in mean change in crSO2 across the three hemoglobin groups in unadjusted analysis (p = .5) or after adjusting for age, diagnostic category, and pre‐transfusion rSO2 (p = .15). Pre‐transfusion crSO2 was <50% for 112 of 830 (13.5%) transfusion events, with only 30 (26.8%) crSO2 measurements noted to increase ≥50% post‐transfusion.

Discussion

Among neonatal and pediatric patients on ECMO support, there was a statistically significant increase in crSO2 following RBC transfusion, although clinical significance needs to be investigated further. The effect was strongest among patients with lower crSO2 pre‐transfusion.
Culture-based prescribing to improve mental health: a scoping review protocol
Authors: Bekkering Geertruida E. , Corremans Marleen , Gemignani Marco , Gerber Nancy , Godderis Lode , Kaewma Sumuttana , Khammathit Adchara , Steel Jonas , Hannes Karin
Published: March 2023

Objective:

The objective of this review is to investigate what is known about culture-based prescribing to improve mental health and well-being.

Introduction:

Culture-based prescribing, where a person is referred by a clinical professional to an arts or cultural activity aimed at improving mental health and well-being, is increasingly used as a community-based source of support. Although culture-based prescribing seems promising, the field is heterogeneous with respect to definition, underlying hypotheses, and cultural activity. This hampers its further development and implementation.

Inclusion criteria:

We will consider publications that report on or explore culture-based prescribing to improve mental health and well-being for adults with symptoms related to mental health conditions who are seeking care from any clinical professional.

Methods:

We will search 8 electronic literature databases for published or unpublished reports on culture-based prescribing, without date limits. We will also search for gray literature and screen reference lists of relevant reviews. No language restrictions will be applied during the screening process, but for data extraction, we will only extract studies in languages our team has proficiency in. The screening and data extraction will be performed by 2 reviewers, independently. Data analysis will be descriptive, with results tabulated separately for each subquestion. The results will be complemented with a narrative summary.

Review registration:

Open Science Framework https://osf.io/ndbqj
Experience of loneliness and depression due to spousal separation in long-term care residents and their spouses: a qualitative systematic review protocol
Authors: Robertson Madison A. , Petersen Erika E. , Ross-White Amanda , Egan Rylan
Published: March 2023

Objective:

The objective of this review is to describe the experience of loneliness and/or depression due to spousal separation when one or both spouses are admitted into a long-term care facility.

Introduction:

Loneliness and depression are important concerns for the health and well-being of older adults separated from their spouses due to long-term care placement. Social relationships, specifically spousal relationships, have a significant impact on the mental health of older adults. However, there is limited research on the experience or effect of spousal separation on long-term care residents’ and their spouses’ experience of loneliness and/or depression.

Inclusion criteria:

This review will include long-term care residents and their spouses who are over the age of 50 and have a spouse they are separated from due to long-term care placement. Studies will be included in this review if they explore the experiences of loneliness and/or depression due to spousal separation with one or both spouses living in a long-term care facility.

Methods:

This review will be conducted in line with the JBI methodology for systematic reviews of qualitative evidence. MEDLINE was used for the initial search. A full search strategy was then developed for MEDLINE, CINAHL, Embase, and PsycINFO. The JBI approach to study selection, critical appraisal, data extraction, data synthesis, and assessment of confidence will be used. Two reviewers will pilot test the screening criteria and data extraction protocol.

Review registration:

PROSPERO CRD42022333014
Stability Analysis of a One Degree of Freedom Robot Model With Sampled Digital Acceleration Feedback Controller in Turning and Milling
Authors: Bartfai Andras , Barrios Asier , Dombovari Zoltan
Published: March 2023

This study is interested in the stability of robots in machining. The goal is to improve the dynamic performance of robots using an additional acceleration signal fed back through the conventional built-in proportional-derivative controller provided by the manufacturer. The structure of the robot is modelled with a simple one degree-of-freedom lumped model and the control signals are fed back via a linear spring and damping. The time delays of the feedback controllers are considered as zero-order holds, which results in sawtooth-like time-periodic time delays. The resulting equation of motion is an advanced delay differential equation. The semidiscretization method is shown for such systems having multiple sampled digital delays and continuous delays. First, we establish the stable regions in the plane of the sampling delay and the gain of the acceleration signal without machining. Then, we show the possibility to improve stability in turning and milling using the additional acceleration feedback controller compared to the cases without any controller or using only the built-in proportional-derivative controller.
Human disturbance increases coronavirus prevalence in bats
Authors: Warmuth Vera M. , Metzler Dirk , Zamora-Gutierrez Veronica
Published: March 2023

Human land modification is a known driver of animal-to-human transmission of infectious agents (zoonotic spillover). Infection prevalence in the reservoir is a key predictor of spillover, but landscape-level associations between the intensity of land modification and infection rates in wildlife remain largely untested. Bat-borne coronaviruses have caused three major disease outbreaks in humans: severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), Middle East respiratory syndrome, and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). We statistically link high-resolution land modification data with bat coronavirus surveillance records and show that coronavirus prevalence significantly increases with the intensity of human impact across all climates and levels of background biodiversity. The most significant contributors to the overall human impact are agriculture, deforestation, and mining. Regions of high predicted bat coronavirus prevalence coincide with global disease hotspots, suggesting that infection prevalence in wildlife may be an important factor underlying links between human land modification and zoonotic disease emergence.
Prime factorization via localized tile assembly in a DNA origami framework
Authors: Zhang Yinan , Yin Xiaoyao , Cui Chengjun , He Kun , Wang Fei , Chao Jie , Li Tao , Zuo Xiaolei , Li Ailing , Wang Lihua , Wang Na , Bo Xiaochen , Fan Chunhai
Published: March 2023

Modern cybersecurity built on public-key cryptosystems like Rivest-Shamir-Adleman is compromised upon finding solutions to the prime factorization. Nevertheless, solving the prime factorization problem, given a large
N
, remains computationally challenging. Here, we design DNA origami frameworks (DOFs) to direct localized assembly of double-crossover (DX) tiles for solving prime factorization with a model consisting of the computing, decision-making, and reporting motifs. The model implementation is based on the sequential assembly of different DX tiles in the DOF cavity that carries overhangs encoding the prime and composite integers. The primes are multiplied and then verified with the composite, and the result is visualized under atomic force microscopy via the presence (success) or absence (failure) of biotin-streptavidin labels on the reporting DX tile. The factorization of semiprimes 6 and 15 is realized with this DOF-based demonstration. Given the potential of massively parallel processing ability of DNA, this strategy opens an avenue to solve complex mathematical puzzles like prime factoring with molecular computing.
A cosmic stream of atomic carbon gas connected to a massive radio galaxy at redshift 3.8
Authors: Emonts Bjorn H. C. , Lehnert Matthew D. , Yoon Ilsang , Mandelker Nir , Villar-Martín Montserrat , Miley George K. , De Breuck Carlos , Pérez-Torres Miguel A. , Hatch Nina A. , Guillard Pierre
Published: March 2023

The growth of galaxies in the early Universe is driven by accretion of circum- and intergalactic gas. Simulations have predicted that steady streams of cold gas penetrate the dark matter halos of galaxies and provide the raw material necessary to sustain star formation. We report a filamentary stream of gas that extends for 100 kiloparsecs and connects to the massive radio galaxy 4C 41.17. We detected the stream using submillimeter observations of the
3
P
1
to
3
P
0
emission from the [C
i
] line of atomic carbon, a tracer of neutral atomic or molecular hydrogen gas. The galaxy contains a central gas reservoir that is fueling a vigorous starburst. Our results show that the raw material for star formation can be present in cosmic streams outside galaxies.
Soil respiration–driven CO
2
pulses dominate Australia’s flux variability
Authors: Metz Eva-Marie , Vardag Sanam N. , Basu Sourish , Jung Martin , Ahrens Bernhard , El-Madany Tarek , Sitch Stephen , Arora Vivek K. , Briggs Peter R. , Friedlingstein Pierre , Goll Daniel S. , Jain Atul K. , Kato Etsushi , Lombardozzi Danica , Nabel Julia E. M. S. , Poulter Benjamin , Séférian Roland , Tian Hanqin , Wiltshire Andrew , Yuan Wenping , Yue Xu , Zaehle Sönke , Deutscher Nicholas M. , Griffith David W. T. , Butz André
Published: March 2023

The Australian continent contributes substantially to the year-to-year variability of the global terrestrial carbon dioxide (CO
2
) sink. However, the scarcity of in situ observations in remote areas prevents the deciphering of processes that force the CO
2
flux variability. In this study, by examining atmospheric CO
2
measurements from satellites in the period 2009–2018, we find recurrent end-of-dry-season CO
2
pulses over the Australian continent. These pulses largely control the year-to-year variability of Australia’s CO
2
balance. They cause two to three times larger seasonal variations compared with previous top-down inversions and bottom-up estimates. The pulses occur shortly after the onset of rainfall and are driven by enhanced soil respiration preceding photosynthetic uptake in Australia’s semiarid regions. The suggested continental-scale relevance of soil-rewetting processes has substantial implications for our understanding and modeling of global climate–carbon cycle feedbacks.
Gate-tunable negative refraction of mid-infrared polaritons
Authors: Hu Hai , Chen Na , Teng Hanchao , Yu Renwen , Xue Mengfei , Chen Ke , Xiao Yuchuan , Qu Yunpeng , Hu Debo , Chen Jianing , Sun Zhipei , Li Peining , de Abajo F. Javier García , Dai Qing
Published: March 2023

Negative refraction provides a platform to manipulate mid-infrared and terahertz radiation for molecular sensing and thermal emission applications. However, its implementation based on metamaterials and plasmonic media presents challenges with optical losses, limited spatial confinement, and lack of active tunability in this spectral range. We demonstrate gate-tunable negative refraction at mid-infrared frequencies using hybrid topological polaritons in van der Waals heterostructures. Specifically, we visualize wide-angle negatively refracted polaritons in α-MoO
3
films partially decorated with graphene, undergoing reversible planar nanoscale focusing. Our atomically thick heterostructures weaken scattering losses at the interface while enabling an actively tunable transition of normal to negative refraction through electrical gating. We propose polaritonic negative refraction as a promising platform for infrared applications such as electrically tunable super-resolution imaging, nanoscale thermal manipulation, enhanced molecular sensing, and on-chip optical circuitry.