bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Percutaneous delivery of self-propelling thrombin-containing powder increases survival from noncompressible truncal hemorrhage in a swine model of coagulopathy and hypothermia
Authors: Cau Massimo F. , Ali-Mohamad Nabil , Yeh Han , Baylis James R. , Peng Henry , Gao Han Zhang , Rezende-Neto Joao , Grecov Dana , White Nathan J. , Tenn Catherine , Semple Hugh A. , Beckett Andrew , Kastrup Christian J.
Published: May 2022

BACKGROUND

Noncompressible truncal hemorrhage (NCTH) remains a leading cause of preventable death on the battlefield. Definitively managing severe NCTH requires surgery within the first hour after injury, which is difficult when evacuating casualties from remote and austere environments. During delays to surgery, hemostatic interventions that are performed prehospital can prevent coagulopathy and hemorrhagic shock and increase the likelihood that casualties survive to receive definitive care. We previously reported that a self-propelling thrombin-containing powder (SPTP) can be delivered percutaneously into the abdomen as a minimally invasive intervention and can self-disperse through pooled blood to deliver the hemostatic agents thrombin and tranexamic acid locally to noncompressible intracavitary wounds. We hypothesized that, in swine with massive NCTH, dilutional coagulopathy, and hypothermia, delivering SPTP could extend survival times.

METHODS

Ten swine (n = 5 per group) underwent NCTH from a Grade V liver injury following a midline laparotomy. The laparotomy was closed with sutures afterwards, creating a hemoperitoneum, and animals were managed with crystalloid fluid resuscitation, or crystalloid resuscitation and SPTP. Self-propelling thrombin-containing powder was delivered into the closed abdomen using a CO2-powered spray device and a catheter placed into the hemoperitoneum, entering through the upper right quadrant using the Seldinger technique. Survival to 1 and 3 hours was recorded. In an additional animal, hemorrhage was created laparoscopically, and SPTP was imaged in situ within the abdomen to visually track dispersion of the particles.

RESULTS

Self-propelling thrombin-containing powder dispersed as far as 35 ± 5.0 cm within the abdomen. It increased survival to 1 and 3 hours (Kaplan-Meier p = 0.007 for both). The median survival time was 61 minutes with SPTP and 31 minutes without (p = 0.016).

CONCLUSION

Self-propelling thrombin-containing powder effectively disperses medications throughout a hemoperitoneum and increases survival in a model of NCTH. It is a promising strategy for nonsurgical management of NCTH, warranting further testing of its safety and efficacy.
Can we really make catheter-associated urinary tract infections a never event? A level 1 trauma center's experience with prophylactic antibiotic bladder irrigation
Authors: Rieger Rebecca M. , Bonnin Sophia S. , Hopp Morgan J. , Low Trevor M. , Villa David C. , Coates Susan L. , Chapple Kristina M. , Soe-Lin Hahn , Weinberg Jordan A.
Published: May 2022

BACKGROUND

Hospital-acquired catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) are considered “never events” and are reportable to Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services as a quality indicator. Despite protocols to determine appropriate removal of urinary catheters as soon as possible, severely injured trauma patients often require prolonged catheterization during ongoing resuscitation or develop retention requiring catheter replacement, exposing them to risk for CAUTI. We evaluated whether prophylactic antibiotic bladder irrigation reduces the incidence of CAUTI in critically ill trauma patients.

METHODS

As a quality initiative, gentamicin bladder catheter irrigation (GBCI) was performed on a level 1 trauma center's patients at risk for CAUTI in 2021, defined by indwelling Foley catheterization for a minimum of 3 days. We then conducted a retrospective study using a comparison cohort of 2020 admissions as the control group. Catheter-associated urinary tract infection rates per 1,000 catheterized days were compared between these two groups. Patients with traumatic bladder injuries were excluded.

RESULTS

Our cohort included 342 patients with a median hospitalization of 11 (7–17) days, Injury Severity Score of 17 (10–26), and 6 (4–11) days of catheterization. Eighty-six patients, catheterized for 939 at-risk days, received twice-daily GBCI compared with 256, catheterized for 2,114 at-risk days, who did not. Zero patients in the GBCI group versus nine patients in the control group developed CAUTI. The incidence of CAUTI in the GBCI group was significantly less than in the control group (0/1,000 vs. 4.3/1,000 catheterized days, p = 0.018).

CONCLUSION

Prophylactic antibiotic bladder irrigation was associated with a zero incidence of CAUTI among trauma patients at risk for CAUTI. This practice holds promise as effective infection prophylaxis for such patients. The optimal duration and frequency of irrigation remain to be determined.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Therapeutic/care management, Level III.
The serotype a-EmaA adhesin of Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans does not require O-PS synthesis for collagen binding activity
Authors: Tang-Siegel Gaoyan G. , Danforth David R. , Tristano Jake , Ruiz Teresa , Mintz Keith P.
Published: May 2022

Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans

, a causative agent of periodontitis and non-oral diseases, synthesizes a trimeric extracellular matrix protein adhesin A (EmaA) that mediates collagen binding and biofilm formation. EmaA is found as two molecular forms, which correlate with the serotype of the bacterium. The canonical protein (b-EmaA), associated with serotypes b and c, has a monomeric molecular mass of 202 kDa. The collagen binding activity of b-EmaA is dependent on the presence of O-polysaccharide (O-PS), whereas biofilm activity is independent of O-PS synthesis. The EmaA associated with serotype a strains (a-EmaA) has a monomeric molecular mass of 173 kDa and differs in the amino acid sequence of the functional domain of the protein. In this study, a-emaA was confirmed to encode a protein that forms antenna-like appendages on the surface of the bacterium, which were found to be important for both collagen binding and biofilm formation. In an O-PS-deficient talose biosynthetic (tld) mutant strain, the electrophoretic mobility of the a-EmaA monomers was altered and the amount of membrane-associated EmaA was decreased when compared to the parent strain. The mass of biofilm formed remained unchanged. Interestingly, the collagen binding activity of the mutant strain was similar to the activity associated with the parent strain, which differs from that observed with the canonical b-EmaA isoform. These data suggest that the properties of the a-EmaA isoform are like those of b-EmaA, with the exception that collagen binding activity is independent of the presence or absence of the O-PS.
Measuring the impact of nonpharmaceutical interventions on the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic at a city level: An agent-based computational modeling study of the City of Natal
Authors: Lopes Paulo Henrique , Wellacott Liam , de Almeida Leandro , Villavicencio Lourdes Milagros Mendoza , Moreira André Luiz de Lucena , de Sousa Rislene Katia Ramos , Silva Priscila de Souza , Lima Luciana , Lones Michael , do Nascimento José-Dias , Vargas Patricia A. , Moioli Renan Cipriano , Figuerola Wilfredo Blanco , Rennó-Costa César
Published: May 2022

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic hit almost all cities in Brazil in early 2020 and lasted for several months. Despite the effort of local state and municipal governments, an inhomogeneous nationwide response resulted in a death toll amongst the highest recorded globally. To evaluate the impact of the nonpharmaceutical governmental interventions applied by different cities – such as the closure of schools and business in general – in the evolution and epidemic spread of SARS-CoV-2, we constructed a full-sized agent-based epidemiological model adjusted to the singularities of particular cities. The model incorporates detailed demographic information, mobility networks segregated by economic segments, and restricting bills enacted during the pandemic period. As a case study, we analyzed the early response of the City of Natal – a midsized state capital – to the pandemic. Although our results indicate that the governmental response could be improved, the restrictive mobility acts saved many lives. The simulations show that a detailed analysis of alternative scenarios can inform policymakers about the most relevant measures for similar pandemic surges and help developing future response protocols.
Remaining useful life prediction of rolling bearings based on convolutional recurrent attention network
Authors: Zhang Qiang , Ye Zijian , Shao Siyu , Niu Tianlin , Zhao Yuwei
Published: May 2022

Purpose

The current studies on remaining useful life (RUL) prediction mainly rely on convolutional neural networks (CNNs) and long short-term memories (LSTMs) and do not take full advantage of the attention mechanism, resulting in lack of prediction accuracy. To further improve the performance of the above models, this study aims to propose a novel end-to-end RUL prediction framework, called convolutional recurrent attention network (CRAN) to achieve high accuracy.

Design/methodology/approach

The proposed CRAN is a CNN-LSTM-based model that effectively combines the powerful feature extraction ability of CNN and sequential processing capability of LSTM. The channel attention mechanism, spatial attention mechanism and LSTM attention mechanism are incorporated in CRAN, assigning different attention coefficients to CNN and LSTM. First, features of the bearing vibration data are extracted from both time and frequency domain. Next, the training and testing set are constructed. Then, the CRAN is trained offline using the training set. Finally, online RUL estimation is performed by applying data from the testing set to the trained CRAN.

Findings

CNN-LSTM-based models have higher RUL prediction accuracy than CNN-based and LSTM-based models. Using a combination of max pooling and average pooling can reduce the loss of feature information, and in addition, the structure of the serial attention mechanism is superior to the parallel attention structure. Comparing the proposed CRAN with six different state-of-the-art methods, for the predicted results of two testing bearings, the proposed CRAN has an average reduction in the root mean square error of 57.07/80.25%, an average reduction in the mean absolute error of 62.27/85.87% and an average improvement in score of 12.65/6.57%.

Originality/value

This article provides a novel end-to-end rolling bearing RUL prediction framework, which can provide a reference for the formulation of bearing maintenance programs in the industry.
Enablers of work from home culture: an integrated empirical framework
Authors: Mandal Santanu , Das Payel , Menon Gayathri V. , Amritha R.
Published: May 2022

Purpose

With the emergence of COVID-19 and increased infections, organizations urged their employees to work from home. Furthermore, with the on-going pandemic, employees take measures to ensure individual safety and their families. Hence, work from home culture can result in long-term employee satisfaction. However, no study addresses the development of work from the home culture in an integrated framework. Therefore, the current research explores the role of safety during the pandemic, organizational commitment and employee motivation on work from home culture, which may influence employee satisfaction. Furthermore, job demands and home demands were also evaluated for employee satisfaction.

Design/methodology/approach

The study used existing scales of the factors to develop the measures and collect perceptual responses from employees working from home, supported with a pre-test. The study executed a survey with effective responses from 132 individuals spread across different sectors to validate the hypotheses. The responses were analysed using partial least squares in ADANCO 2.2.

Findings

Findings suggest safety concerns along with organization commitment enhances work from home culture. Such work from home culture enhances employee motivation and employee satisfaction. Furthermore, job demands and home demands also influence employee satisfaction.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors knowledge, the study is the foremost to develop an integrated empirical framework for work from home culture and its antecedents and consequences. The study has several important implications for managers.
A contemporary view of interpersonal aggression and cyberbullying through ICT: multilevel insights from LMX differentiation
Authors: Akram Zubair , Khan Abdul Gaffar , Akram Umair , Ahmad Saima , Song Lynda Jiwen
Published: May 2022

Purpose

While the rapid adoption of information communication technologies (ICT) in organizations has been linked with a higher risk of cyberbullying, research on the influence of cyberbullying on interpersonal behaviors in the workplace remains limited. By drawing on the ego-depletion theory and the leader-member exchange (LMX) theory, this research investigates how, why and when workplace cyberbullying may trigger interpersonal aggression through ICT.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors collected data from 259 employees and 62 supervisors working in large ICT organizations in China through a multi-wave survey. The authors performed multilevel analysis and used hierarchical linear modeling to test the proposed moderated mediation model.

Findings

The results revealed that workplace cyberbullying has a significant and positive influence on interpersonal aggression in the workplace via ego depletion. The authors found that differentiation in LMX processes at group level moderates the indirect relationship between workplace cyberbullying and interpersonal aggression (via ego depletion). Furthermore, the positive indirect effect of workplace cyberbullying was found to be stronger in the presence of a high LMX differentiation condition in comparison to a low LMX differentiation condition.

Research limitations/implications

The data were collected from Chinese ICT organizations, which may limit the generalization of this study’s findings to other cultural and sectoral contexts.

Originality/value

This paper provides the first step in understanding how, why and when workplace cyberbullying triggers interpersonal aggression by investigating the role of ego depletion as a mediator and LMX differentiation as a boundary condition. This is the first study to empirically examine the relationships between workplace cyberbullying, ego depletion, LMX differentiation and interpersonal aggression in ICT organizations using multi-level modeling.
Futurizing luxury: an activity-centric model of phygital luxury experiences
Authors: Lawry Charles Aaron
Published: May 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine how phygital luxury experiences can be generated from mobile-mediated service activities while enabling luxury apparel shoppers to attain status goals and hedonic goals. Phygital luxury experiences are defined in this context as shopping experiences that blend the participative and immersive components of mobile and ubiquitous media with physical luxury servicescapes.

Design/methodology/approach

This conceptual research draws on activity theory from the field of human-computer interaction to produce an activity-centric model of phygital luxury experiences. By drawing on activity theory, the authors develop research propositions and build a conceptual model. The conceptual model probes how phygital luxury experiences can be generated from mobile-mediated service activities that enable luxury apparel shoppers to attain status goals and hedonic goals. In turn, service activities are proposed to meld with luxury shopping goals when mobile devices allow luxury apparel shoppers to participate in community-, rules-, and labor-based service activities.

Findings

First, the conceptual model demonstrates that social validation and personalization are status and hedonic drivers for community-based service activities (e.g. content-sharing and multiplatform storytelling). Second, special privileges and new comforts are status and hedonic drivers for rules-based service activities (e.g. engaging in pseudo-webrooming, pseudo-showrooming, and seamless and on-demand resources). Third, know-how and domination are status and hedonic drivers for labor-based service activities (e.g. adopting self-service technologies and smart or intelligent displays).

Originality/value

This conceptual model contributes to the well-documented need for research on interactive luxury strategies and luxury retail innovation. Overall, these service activities provide luxury brands and shoppers new opportunities for building elite communities, bending store rules, and altering the division of labor within physical stores. At the same time, this model shows that exclusivity and allure of luxury consumption can be reproduced through luxury apparel shoppers' embodied interactions with salespeople and relevant audiences in connected store environments.
The experience of inequality and its impact on mental illness – thematic analysis of patients’ lived experiences admitted to secure mental health hospital
Authors: Brenisin Kristina , Trumm Aile , Akinwande Elizabeth , Breen Kieran
Published: May 2022

Purpose

The concept of inequality refers to being treated unfairly in society and its impact on mental illness has been explored primarily using a quantitative research approach. Patients’ lived experiences of inequalities prior to their admission to a secure care setting need to be addressed with a higher priority as they can serve to improve our understanding of the factors underlying the development of mental illness at a personal level. The aim of this study is to explore participant’s views on whether for them the experience of inequality is associated with the development of mental illness.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative study, using a thematic analytical approach, was carried out to explore patients’ lived experiences of inequalities. A total of 11 participants, who were receiving treatment in a UK secure mental health hospital, were recruited into this study. The concept of inequality was explored using semi-structured interviews.

Findings

Data showed that patients had experienced a variety of inequalities which had negative impact on their mental health. Four main themes were identified from thematic textual analysis – abuse and its impact, a lack of support, the issue of labelling and the importance of understanding.

Practical implications

Data showed that patients had experienced a variety of inequalities which had negative impact on their mental health. Four main themes were identified from thematic textual analysis – abuse and its impact, a lack of support, the issue of labelling and the importance of understanding.

Originality/value

This is the first study, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, to consider intersectionality and admission to mental health units by interviewing patients in secure mental health setting.
Intergenerational family online community and older adults' overall well-being
Authors: Gazit Tali , Nisim Sarit , Ayalon Liat
Published: May 2022

Purpose

This study aims to evaluate the potential contribution of a membership in an online family community to older adults' overall well-being.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 427 respondents over the age of 64 participated in the study (M = 74.55, SD = 7.13), answering a survey. To test the contributing of belonging to family online communities (WhatsApp), three hierarchical regression analyses were conducted, with well-being, self-perceptions of aging and loneliness as outcome variables.

Findings

Findings show that belonging to an intergenerational family online community was associated with higher levels of well-being, less loneliness and better self-perceptions of aging, even once demographic characteristics and using social media were controlled for.

Social implications

This study demonstrates the important role that the family online community membership plays in older adults' lives. This has significant implications that may contribute to intergenerational emotional solidarity.

Originality/value

The authors suggest that technology is not per se, but the intergenerational opportunities that technology facilitates that make a difference.

Peer review

The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/OIR-06-2021-0332
Restore lost properties of solidified leaves with hydroxypropyl cellulose
Authors: Mohamed Walid Shaaban Abdelrasoul
Published: May 2022

Purpose

This paper aims to find a suitable solution to treat the solidification paper by using hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC) to improve the mechanical, physical and chemical properties of paper.

Design/methodology/approach

The samples have gone several stages, starting with the manufacture of paper from the linen pulp and the same components of the hardened manuscript papers. It was subjected to artificial aging to reach an age comparable to the manuscript age, then it was subjected to natural aging by inoculation it withA. niger. Mechanical cleaning of the leaves was done with soft brushes. The samples have been consolidated by HPC 2%. Digital microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, mechanical properties measurement, color change, Fourier transform infrared and pH measurements were used to assess the effect of HPC on the qualities of leaves.

Findings

HPC succussed in strengthening and restoring the natural, chemical and mechanical properties for the solidified leaves.

Originality/value

The solidified papers phenomenon constitutes severe suffering for manuscripts and books conservators. The paper consolidation initial stage is one of the most important conservation stages because paper has lost many natural, mechanical and chemical properties. The most important feature of this study is providing a solution to the hardened leaves strengthening problem and restoring their chemical, natural and mechanical properties.
Loss of epidermal Langerhans cells in psoriasiform lesions of de novo induced or worsened pre‐existing psoriasis following uses of immune checkpoint inhibitors
Authors: Kase Misaki , Fujita Yasuyuki , Ota Asako , Shimizu Satoko , Itoi‐Ochi Saori , Sano Shigetoshi
Published: May 2022

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI), including monoclonal antibodies to programmed death 1, programmed death ligand 1, and cytotoxic T lymphocyte‐associated antigen 4, have provided great therapeutic benefits for cancer patients at advanced stages. However, the introduction of ICI frequently results in the development of immune‐related adverse events (irAE) through activation of autoreactive T cells. Here, we present three cases of cancer patients with cutaneous irAE, including development of de novo psoriasis and exacerbation of pre‐existing psoriasis. Interestingly, these patients shared an altered histological feature characterized by loss of epidermal CD1a+ cells, namely Langerhans cells (LC), in the psoriasiform lesions in contrast to “conventional psoriasis” exhibiting unchanged or activated LC. A possible underlying mechanism was that ICI‐mediated hyperactivation of effector T cells contributed to aggravation or establishment of psoriasis phenotype, which might be associated with direct cytotoxicity or expulsion of LC from the epidermis.
Adaptation of The Scenario Test for Greek‐speaking people with aphasia: A reliability and validity study
Authors: Charalambous Marina , Phylactou Phivos , Elriz Thekla , Psychogios Loukia , Annoni Jean‐Marie , Kambanaros Maria
Published: May 2022

Background

Evidence‐based assessments for people with aphasia (PWA) in Greek are predominantly impairment based. Functional communication (FC) is usually underreported and neglected by clinicians. This study explores the adaptation and psychometric testing of the Greek (GR) version of The Scenario Test. The test assesses the everyday FC of PWA in an interactive multimodal communication setting.

Aims

To determine the reliability and validity of The Scenario Test‐GR and discuss its clinical value.

Methods & Procedures

The Scenario Test‐GR was administered to 54 people with chronic stroke (6+ months post‐stroke): 32 PWA and 22 stroke survivors without aphasia. Participants were recruited from Greece and Cyprus. All measures were administered in an interview format. Standard psychometric criteria were applied to evaluate reliability (internal consistency, test–retest, and interrater reliability) and validity (construct and known‐groups validity) of The Scenario Test‐GR.

Outcomes & Results

The Scenario Test‐GR shows high levels of reliability and validity. High scores of internal consistency (Cronbach's α = 0.95), test–retest reliability (intra‐class coefficients (ICC) = 0.99), and interrater reliability (ICC = 0.99) were found. Interrater agreement in scores on individual items ranged from good to excellent levels of agreement. Correlations with a tool measuring language function in aphasia, a measure of FC, two instruments examining the psychosocial impact of aphasia and a tool measuring non‐verbal cognitive skills revealed good convergent validity (all ps < 0.05). Results showed good known‐groups validity (Mann–Whitney U = 96.5, p < 0.001), with significantly higher scores for participants without aphasia compared with those with aphasia.

Conclusions & Implications

The psychometric qualities of The Scenario Test‐GR support the reliability and validity of the tool for the assessment of FC in Greek‐speaking PWA. The test can be used to assess multimodal FC, promote aphasia rehabilitation goal‐setting at the activity and participation levels, and be used as an outcome measure of everyday communication abilities.
Collaboration or competition? Experimental evidence for coalition heuristics
Authors: HJERMITSLEV IDA B.
Published: May 2022

Does coalition formation have a causal effect on the perceived ideological distance between the coalition members? Observational research shows that voters typically think of parties that form a coalition government as more ideologically similar than those that do not, holding everything else constant. Their many qualities aside, the existing studies are not able to establish a causal relationship between coalition formation and changing perceptions. It is quite possible that voters are reacting to concurrent changes in parties' stated policy and not the coalition information itself. In this paper, I present two survey experiments that isolate the difference between telling voters that two parties can cooperate and telling them that they cannot. In both experiments, I find evidence supporting the theory of coalition heuristics.
Recent progress in the structural study of ion channels as insecticide targets
Authors: Hadiatullah Hadiatullah , Zhang Yongliang , Samurkas Arthur , Xie Yunxuan , Sundarraj Rajamanikandan , Zuilhof Han , Qiao Jianjun , Yuchi Zhiguang
Published: May 2022

Ion channels, many expressed in insect neural and muscular systems, have drawn huge attention as primary targets of insecticides. With the recent technical breakthroughs in structural biology, especially in cryo‐electron microscopy (cryo‐EM), many new high‐resolution structures of ion channel targets, apo or in complex with insecticides, have been solved, shedding light on the molecular mechanism of action of the insecticides and resistance mutations. These structures also provide accurate templates for structure‐based insecticide screening and rational design. This review summarizes the recent progress in the structural studies of 5 ion channel families: the ryanodine receptor (RyR), the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR), the voltage‐gated sodium channel (VGSC), the transient receptor potential (TRP) channel, and the ligand‐gated chloride channel (LGCC). We address the selectivity of the channel‐targeting insecticides by examining the conservation of key coordinating residues revealed by the structures. The possible resistance mechanisms are proposed based on the locations of the identified resistance mutations on the 3D structures of the target channels and their impacts on the binding of insecticides. Finally, we discuss how to develop “green” insecticides with a novel mode of action based on these high‐resolution structures to overcome the resistance.
Developing a CRISPR‐assisted base‐editing system for genome engineering of Pseudomonas chlororaphis
Authors: Yue Sheng‐Jie , Huang Peng , Li Song , Cai Yu‐Yuan , Wang Wei , Zhang Xue‐Hong , Nikel Pablo I. , Hu Hong‐Bo
Published: May 2022

Pseudomonas chlororaphis is a non‐pathogenic, plant growth‐promoting rhizobacterium that secretes phenazine compounds with broad‐spectrum antibiotic activity. Currently available genome‐editing methods for P. chlororaphis are based on homologous recombination (HR)‐dependent allelic exchange, which requires both exogenous DNA repair proteins (e.g. λ‐Red–like systems) and endogenous functions (e.g. RecA) for HR and/or providing donor DNA templates. In general, these procedures are time‐consuming, laborious and inefficient. Here, we established a CRISPR‐assisted base‐editing (CBE) system based on the fusion of a rat cytidine deaminase (rAPOBEC1), enhanced‐specificity Cas9 nickase (eSpCas9ppD10A) and uracil DNA glycosylase inhibitor (UGI). This CBE system converts C:G into T:A without DNA strands breaks or any donor DNA template. By engineering a premature STOP codon in target spacers, the hmgA and phzO genes of P. chlororaphis were successfully interrupted at high efficiency. The phzO‐inactivated strain obtained by base editing exhibited identical phenotypic features as compared with a mutant obtained by HR‐based allelic exchange. The use of this CBE system was extended to other P. chlororaphis strains (subspecies LX24 and HT66) and also to P. fluorescens 10586, with an equally high editing efficiency. The wide applicability of this CBE method will accelerate bacterial physiology research and metabolic engineering of non‐traditional bacterial hosts.
Simplified Cross‐Validation in Principal Component Regression (PCR) and PCR‐Like Machine Learning for Water Supply Forecasting
Authors: Fleming Sean W. , Garen David C.
Published: May 2022

Cross‐validated principal component regression (PCR) is widely used in day‐to‐day operational forecasting systems for seasonal river runoff volume in western North America. Complexities are increasing in both predictor datasets (including climate‐science products) and in predictive models employed instead of linear regression within the PCR framework (including artificial intelligence), potentially complicating cross‐validation for model evaluation. We explored these issues with 300 modeling experiments on two high‐impact and hydroclimatically diverse basins in the western United States, the Truckee River (Sierra Nevada) and Rio Grande headwaters (southern Rockies), using five different PCR and PCR‐like machine learning models. The results suggest out‐of‐sample error is satisfactorily estimated by applying cross‐validation to only the final, supervised learning, step of PCR/PCR‐like procedures. The outcome facilitates streamlined algorithms and potentially reduced computational times for more complex emerging model architectures and datasets; provides reassurance around a possible inability to perform genuinely complete cross‐validation when predictors include certain complex and externally sourced data sources; and may reflect mitigation of overtraining by geophysical process‐informed model development protocols normally used during feature selection in operational water supply forecast (WSF). The results provide practical guidance helping support the design of next‐generation WSF models.
Survey of brachytherapy training experience among radiation oncology trainees and fellows in the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists (RANZCR)
Authors: Ong Wee Loon , Byrne Adam , Chelvarajah Revadhi , Chong Caris , Gallo James , Kain Mollie , Khong Jeremy , O'Reilly Eileen , Udovicich Cristian , Weeransinghe Chamitha , Zhong Hu Ta‐chi , Bece Andrej
Published: May 2022

Introduction

To evaluate brachytherapy training experience among trainees and fellows trained through the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists (RANZCR).

Methods

All current trainees and fellows (who obtained fellowship from 2015 onwards) were sent an online anonymous questionnaire on various aspects of brachytherapy training, including number of cases observed/ performed, opinions on brachytherapy assessment during training, barriers to brachytherapy training and future role of brachytherapy.

Results

The overall survey response rate was 24% (40/161 trainees, 30/126 fellows). Of the 70 respondents, 50 (71%), 38 (54%) and 43 (61%) reported to have received formal brachytherapy teaching from radiation oncologists, radiation therapists and medical physicists respectively. Most respondents had exposure to gynaecology brachytherapy – two‐thirds of trainees and all fellows have performed at least one gynaecology brachytherapy procedure. Prostate brachytherapy exposure was more limited – by the end of training, 27% and 13% of fellows did not have exposure to LDR and HDR prostate brachytherapy. More than two‐thirds indicated there should be a minimum number of brachytherapy case requirements during training, and half indicated that trainees should be involved in ≥6 gynaecology brachytherapy procedures. Barriers affecting training include lack of caseload (70%) and perceived decreasing role of brachytherapy (66%). Forty‐three percent of respondents were concerned about the decline in brachytherapy utilisation.

Conclusion

This is the first survey on brachytherapy training experience among RANZCR trainees and fellows. It highlighted limited brachytherapy exposure during RANZCR training, and the need to revisit brachytherapy training requirement in the current training programme, along with long‐term brachytherapy workforce planning.
Association between the implementation of tobacco control policies and adolescent vaping in 44 lower‐middle, upper‐middle, and high‐income countries
Authors: Chan Gary C. K. , Gartner Coral , Lim Carmen , Sun Tianze , Hall Wayne , Connor Jason , Stjepanović Daniel , Leung Janni
Published: May 2022

Aim

To (i) estimate the prevalence of adolescent vaping in 47 lower‐middle, upper‐middle and high‐income countries, and (ii) test the association between implementation of World Health Organisation (WHO) tobacco control policies and adolescent e‐cigarette use (also known as vaping) in 44 countries where implementation data were available.

Design

Cross‐sectional surveys.

Settings

A total of 47 lower‐middle, upper‐middle and high‐income countries.

Participants

A total of 151 960 adolescents (typically ages 13–15) who participated in WHO's Global Youth Tobacco Survey between 2015 and 2018.

Measurements

Prevalence of past‐30‐day vaping and past 30‐day frequent vaping (≥10 days) were estimated from the surveys. Data on the implementation of six tobacco control measures including monitoring, smoke‐free policies, cessation programs, warning about the dangers of tobacco, advertising bans and taxation were taken from WHO's report on global tobacco epidemic.

Findings

The overall weighted prevalence of adolescent vaping and frequent vaping in the past 30 days was 8.6% (95% CI, 8.3‐8.9) and 1.7% (95% CI, 1.6‐1.8), respectively. For five of WHO's policies (monitoring, smoking‐free environment, cessation programs, health warning and advertising bans), their association with adolescent vaping was inconclusive because of large variation of their effects across countries. Higher tax on combustible tobacco products was associated with higher adolescent vaping (> = 75% tax vs < 25% tax; odds ratio = 2.58; 95% CI, 1.25‐5.21).

Conclusion

In 47 lower‐middle, upper‐middle and high‐income countries from 2015 to 2018, ~1 in 12 (8.6%) adolescents reported vaping in the past 30 days, but prevalence of frequent vaping was low (1 in 60; 1.7%). A higher tobacco tax was associated with higher adolescent vaping.
Genome‐wide association study of three litter traits in Yorkshire pigs
Authors: Shi Lijun , Li Huihui , Gao Xuefeng , Wang Lixian
Published: May 2022

Litter traits are important in the development of production and economic profits of pigs. The object of this study was to perform genome‐wide association studies (GWASs) for the total number born (TNB), number born alive (NBA) and number born healthy (NBH) traits in a Yorkshire population. By mixed model, we conducted GWASs with gcta software, and in total identified 3, 7 and 12 significant SNPs associated with TNB, NBA and NBH respectively: one on Sus scrofa chromosome (SSC) 2 (p = 7.03 × 10−5), one on SSC4 (p = 8.53 × 10−5), two on SSC 6 (p = 9.27 × 10−5 to 9.64 × 10−5), nine on SSC 8 (p = 1.53 × 10−5 to 8.52 × 10−5), four on SSC 14 (p = 2.17 × 10−5 to 6.79 × 10−5), and one on SSC 15 (p = 9.30 × 10−5). We screened for flanking regions ±1 Mb nearby or within the significant SNPs, and found 203 candidate genes, including 53 for TNB, 71 for NBA and 112 for NBH. In conclusion, our findings show the significant SNPs with candidate genes for the TNB, NBA and NBH traits in Yorkshire pigs.
DRD4 polymorphism associated with greater positive affect in response to negative and neutral social stimuli
Authors: Gilman T. Lee , Ford Matthew T. , Jasnow Aaron M. , Coifman Karin G.
Published: May 2022

Despite the robustness of DRD4 polymorphism associations with brain‐based behavioral characteristics in candidate gene research, investigations have minimally explored associations between these polymorphisms and emotional responses. In particular, the prevalent single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) ‐521C/T (rs1800955) in the promoter region of DRD4 remains unexplored relative to emotions. Here, two independent samples were evaluated using different emotion elicitation tasks involving social stimuli: Study 1 (N = 120) evoked positive and negative emotional responses to validated film clips; Study 2 (N = 122) utilized Cyberball to simulate social rejection and acceptance. Across studies, C/C individuals self‐reported higher mean positive affect scores using Likert scales versus T carrier individuals, selectively when presented with neutral or negative (but not positive) social stimuli. The consistent findings across these two studies supports a functional consequence of this DRD4 SNP on emotion processing during changing social contexts. Continued investigation will help clarify if a C/C genotype enhances positive emotions under negative circumstances, or if the presence of the T allele reduces positive emotions, and how rs1800955 behavioral associations might generalize across different demographics. Future studies could also reveal if this SNP interacts with other changing environmental conditions to affect emotional responses, such as social limitations during the COVID‐19 pandemic.
The role of hypothermic machine perfusion in selecting renal grafts with advanced histological score
Authors: Ruberto Franco , Lai Quirino , Piazzolla Mario , Brisciani Matteo , Pretagostini Renzo , Garofalo Manuela , Giovanardi Francesco , Nudo Francesco , Poli Luca , Zullino Veronica , Santopietro Pietro , Rossi Massimo , Berloco Pasquale B. , Pugliese Francesco
Published: May 2022

Background

Few studies explored the role of hypothermic machine perfusion (HMP) in the sub‐group of non‐standard renal grafts with a biopsy‐proven advanced histological impairment. This study aimed to investigate the role of HMP in grafts with a Karpinski Score >3 in terms of the need for dialysis, creatinine reduction ratio at day‐7 (CRR7), and 3‐year graft survival.

Methods

Twenty‐three perfused grafts with Karpinski Score >3 evaluated between November 2017 and December 2018 were retrospectively analyzed and compared with a control group of 32 non‐perfused grafts transplanted between January 2014 and October 2017.

Results

After transplantation, perfused grafts had fewer cases requiring dialysis (8.7% vs. 34.4%; p = 0.051), a better reduction in serum creatinine (median at 7 days: 2.2 vs. 4.3 mg/dl; p = 0.045), and shorter length of hospital stay (median 11 vs. 15 days; p = 0.01). Three‐year death‐censored graft survival was better in the perfused cases (91.3% vs. 77.0%; p = 0.16).

In perfused grafts, initial renal resistance (RR) had the best predictive value for renal function recovery after the first week, as defined by CRR7 ≤ 70% (AUC = 0.83; p = 0.02). A cut‐off value of 0.5 mm Hg/ml/min showed a sensitivity of 82.4%, a specificity of 83.3%, and diagnostic odds ratio = 23.4. After dividing the entire population into a Low‐RR (n = 8) and a High‐RR Group (n = 15), more cases with CRR7 ≤ 70% were reported in the latter group (86.7 vs. 13.3%; p = 0.03).

Conclusion

HMP yielded promising results in kidneys with Karpinski Score >3. Initial RR should be of interest in selecting non‐standard organs for single kidney transplantation even in impaired histology.
Development of positive intergroup emotions amongst youth in contexts affected or threatened by conflict
Authors: Čehajić‐Clancy Sabina
Published: May 2022

Social‐psychological research has established the importance of positive emotions for creating and maintaining positive intergroup relations in contexts affected or threatened by conflict (intergroup reconciliation). Building on existing body of evidence, we conceptualised intergroup reconciliation as a process aimed at regulating negative intergroup emotions such as hatred and creating more positive and relationship functional emotions such as trust. This review presents theoretical and empirical insights into the emotion regulation perspective on intergroup reconciliation. Regulation of negative intergroup emotions amongst youths affected by conflict is feasible through social‐psychological interventions.
Association of ICT utilization level and life satisfaction of people with disabilities: Focus on differences in disability type
Authors: Baek Sehyun , Lee Sungkyu , Lee Shin Young
Published: May 2022

Using a nationally representative sample in Korea, this study examined the association of information and communication technology (ICT) utilization level and the life satisfaction of people with disabilities and the variations by disability type. Data were obtained from the second wave of the 2021 Survey on the Digital Divide, administered by the Korean National Information Society Agency (N = 2200 persons with disabilities). Study findings reveal that ICT utilization level has a significant association with the life satisfaction of people with disabilities, regardless of the disability type. In addition, the level of disability was related to the life satisfaction of people with physical disabilities only, while income was associated with the life satisfaction of people with physical disabilities and brain lesion disabilities. Based upon these results, this study discussed practical and policy implications for people with disabilities, particularly focusing on the methods to increase to increase the level of ICT utilization.
The role of the audit committee in enhancing the credibility of CSR disclosure: Evidence from STOXX Europe 600 members
Authors: Dwekat Aladdin , Meqbel Rasmi , Seguí‐Mas Elies , Tormo‐Carbó Guillermina
Published: May 2022

This study examines the influence of audit committee attributes, namely financial expertise, independence, meeting frequency and size, on the adoption of CSR assurance. The study also offers insight into the effect of audit committee attributes on the scope and level of CSR assurance and the selection of CSR assurance providers. Contextually, this is achieved using a sample of European companies listed on the STOXX 600 index over the period 2012–2018. The findings show that attributes related to audit committee financial expertise, audit committee independence and audit committee meeting frequency and the existence of a CSR committee, are positively linked with the adoption of CSR assurance. Moreover, our empirical analysis further highlights the critical role of audit committee financial expert members in enhancing the scope and level of CSR assurance. Furthermore, audit committee with more frequent meetings lead to higher assurance scopes. Our findings offer significant and multidimensional insights for regulators, policymakers and professionals, regarding the revision and establishment of regulations concerning the audit committee structure.
Gender diversity on boards for organizational impression management: An empirical study of Japanese firms
Authors: Min Jungwon
Published: May 2022

The literature on gender diversity on corporate boards is growing, yet firms' motivation for achieving such diversity remains underexplored. This study examines the potential objective behind appointing female directors that could be driven by organizational impression management based on the hypothesis that firms strategically propose to nominate female directors when they need to form a favorable impression to their stakeholders, especially in relation to executive compensation. This study analyzed annual shareholders meeting agendas for 3585 listed Japanese firms between 2011 and 2020 and found that firms placed female director appointments on the meeting agenda when they needed approval for the revision of executive compensation. This tendency was strengthened for firms with more outside directors. This study's approach and findings contribute to the literature on corporate board gender diversity by suggesting organizational impression management as a potential strategic motivation behind the appointment of female directors.
Neogene sediment provenance and paleogeography of SE Sulawesi, Indonesia
Authors: Nugraha Abang Mansyursyah Surya , Hall Robert
Published: May 2022

Neogene syn‐and post‐orogenic sedimentary rocks in Sulawesi are important to understand the history of collision of Australian continental crust with SE Asia. However, they have received relatively little attention, and have generally been considered to be molasse‐type deposits of similar characteristics across Sulawesi—the Celebes Molasse. New field sedimentological observations, results from heavy mineral studies and detrital zircon U–Pb geochronology, together with conventional sandstone petrography identify three important provenance shifts, that can be correlated with significant tectonic events and enable the reconstruction of the Neogene palaeogeography of SE Sulawesi. The first provenance shift was related to the Early Miocene collision of Australian crust and the North Sulawesi volcanic arc, accompanied by ophiolite emplacement in East Sulawesi, marked by a change from pre‐collision carbonates to ultramafic‐rich clastics of the Bungku Formation. A second change in the Late Miocene was marked by input of abundant metamorphic detritus including blueschists into the Pandua Formation indicating exhumation of Oligo‐Miocene subduction zone material. The third provenance change, of Mio‐Pliocene age, was from the ophiolite‐ and blueschist‐rich Pandua Formation to the quartz‐rich Langkowala Formation, and records blocking of the ophiolite debris pathways by the rise and progressive unroofing of low‐ to high‐grade metamorphic rocks. The Neogene sedimentary rocks of SE Sulawesi record Early Miocene collision and ophiolite emplacement, followed by extension which led to exhumation of Mesozoic and metamorphic rocks, driven by Banda subduction rollback.