bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Insertion Sequence Excision Enhancer (IEE): a PrimPol-based system for Immobilizing Transposon-Transmitted Antibiotic Resistance Genes?
Authors: Chandler Mick , Ross Karen , Varani Alessandro M.
Published: June 2023

We provide an overview of a protein, IEE (Insertion Sequence Excision Enhancer), which was originally observed to facilitate high levels of excision of the IS3 family member, IS629, from clinically important Escherichia coli O157:H7. IEE was subsequently shown to affect a large class of bacterial insertion sequences which all transpose by producing a circular intermediate and presumably use the copy-out-paste-in transposition mechanism. Excision is dependent on both IEE and transposase indicating that it is associated with the transposition process itself. We propose that IEE serves to immobilize genes carried by compound transposons by removing the flanking IS copies, an activity which would explain the presence of certain of these genes without associated IS copies in plasmids and chromosomes. The biochemical activities of IEE as a primase with the capacity to recognize microhomologies, together with the observation that its effect appears to be restricted to those IS families which probably use the copy-out-paste-in transposition pathway, suggests a strand switch mechanism during the copy-out step leading to abortive transposition. This reinforces the proposal made for understanding the loss of the IS30family member, ISApl1, which flanks themcr-1 gene in the compound transposon Tn6330.
Characterization of GAPDH expression related to biotic stress responses in Physcomitrella
Authors: Miniera Alessandra A. , Hoernstein Sebastian N.W. , van Gessel Nico , Peeters Jens O. , Reski Ralf
Published: June 2023

Glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) is a housekeeping protein that plays an important role in the energy metabolism and is found in all kingdoms of life. While animals possess one GAPDH isoform, plants possess several GAPDHs. GAPA and GAPB are chloroplastic phosphorylating GAPDHs involved in the Calvin-Benson cycle. GAPC in the cytosol and GAPCp in plastids are glycolytic phosphorylating GAPDHs involved in the glycolysis pathway. In animals as well as in plants, GAPDH isoforms have various non-metabolic roles, e.g. in autophagy, apoptosis, and were identified as redox sensors. In plants, in addition to the variety of moonlight functions in abiotic stress, GAPDHs are also involved in biotic stress responses. Here, we identified 17 GAPDH isoforms from the moss Physcomitrella, belonging to theGAPA,GAPC,andGAPCp. We searched for protein and transcript evidences in publicly available proteome and transcriptome data, laying the focus on datasets of treatments with the phytohormones salicylic acid (SA) and methyl jasmonate (MeJA). We investigated the putative role of GAPDHs in plant immune response by identifying SA- and MeJA-inducibleGAPAs andGAPCgenes. TheGAPAs Pp3c1_13170 and Pp3c11_15790 and theGAPCPp3c18_15450 appear to be unresponsive to SA treatment. In contrast, we identified four MeJA-responsive genes. MeJA-treatment resulted in a 10- and 3-fold downregulation of theGAPAs Pp3c1_13170 and Pp3c11_15790, whereas expression of the twoGAPCgenes Pp3c18_15450 and Pp3c21_9380 showed an up to 7- and 33-fold upregulation after 4 hours of MeJA treatment, respectively. Simultaneously, a four-hour MeJA-treatment induced the remodeling of the Physcomitrella secretome, resulting in the production of antimicrobial compounds, which in turn led to a bacteriostatic growth inhibition of 26% ofE. coli.These findings draw attention to the potential differential regulation of GAPDH genes in plant immune response as well as a potential role for GAPC in the defense response against necrotrophic pathogens.
Genomic regions of durum wheat involved in water productivity
Authors: Zaïm Meryem , Kehel Zakaria , Sanchez-Garcia Miguel , Belkadi Bouchra , Filali-Maltouf Abdelkarim , Al Abdallat Ayed , Bassi Filippo Maria
Published: June 2023

Durum wheat is a staple food of the Mediterranean Basin, mostly cultivated under rainfed conditions. As such, the crop is often exposed to moisture stress. Therefore, the identification of genetic factors controlling the capacity of genotypes to convert moisture into grain yield (i.e. water productivity) is quintessential to stabilize production despite climatic variations. A global panel of 384 accessions was tested across eighteen Mediterranean environments (Morocco, Lebanon, and Jordan) representing a vast range of moisture levels. The accessions were assigned to water responsiveness classes, with genotypes ‘Responsive to Low Moisture’ reaching an average + 1.5 kg ha-1mm-1advantage. Genome wide association studies (GWAS) revealed that six loci explained the majority of this variation. A second validation panel tested under moisture stress confirmed that carrying the positive allele at three loci on chromosomes 1B, 2A and 7B generated an average water productivity gain of + 2.2 kg ha-1mm-1. Interestingly, loci on chromosome 2A is novel. The three loci were tagged by Kompetitive Allele Specific PCR (KASP) markers, and these were used to screen a third independent validation panel composed by elites tested across moisture stressed sites. The three KASP combined predicted up to 34% of the variation for grain yield at 65% accuracy. These loci are now ready for molecular pyramiding and transfer across cultivars to improve the moisture conversion of durum wheat.

Highlight

Loci controlling drought tolerance were identified using a solid strategy, involving 3 different panels. Those loci associated enables higher water productivity and grain yield.
Why the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence? – the research of Chinese consumer xenocentrism: take electronics as an example
Authors: Zhang Yi , Zhang Dongxin
Published: June 2023

Purpose

The economy of China has developed rapidly, and its international status has quickly risen in the past 30 years. China is shifting from a major exporter into a major consumer, becoming an essential part of the international market. However, some global brands make wrong market decisions because of a lack of understanding of Eastern consumer culture.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on consumer xenocentrism, this paper helps global enterprises better understand Chinese consumers' psychology in foreign goods, which is conducive to the development of transnational trade. This study proposes a hypothesis model based on previous literature. The authors collected 300 questionnaires from China and tested the model by SPSS24 and AMOS24.

Findings

The findings show that curiosity and country of origin positively affect consumer xenocentrism, consumer xenocentrism has a positive impact on word-of-mouth and purchase intention, word-of-mouth plays a mediating role in xenocentrism and purchase intention and social comparison tendency plays a moderating role in consumer xenocentrism and purchase intention. Simultaneously, this paper develops a scale measuring consumer xenocentrism to provide some quantitative support for this research.

Originality/value

The authors propose some suggestions basing on the research of consumer xenocentrism and provide some further directions.
The fall of DHFL: hidden issues that everyone ignored
Authors: Sharma Dipasha , Singhi Sagar , Kosambia Dhaval
Published: June 2023

Learning outcomes

The learning outcomes are as follows: to be able to evaluate early warning signs/red flags through financial statement analysis; to be able to analyse company’s credit or debt servicing using a thorough process of fundamental analysis; to be able to analyse and decode the financial health of an organization through different financial tools applicable according to the industry such as default probability and financial ratios; and to be able to synthesize credit rating framework and role of credit rating agencies in the bond market.

Case overview/synopsis

In late January 2019, the allegation by an online investigative portal about the misuse of the Dewan Housing Finance Corporation Ltd. (DHFL) money by its promoter for buying asset abroad was the start of the fall of the non-banking finance company giant. This was followed by a series of downgrade by credit rating agencies on its debt and eventual default on its interest payment on 4 June 2019 which upset multiple portfolio investors and the regulators. Investors became sceptical about the regulator’s policy and inefficiencies of credit rating agencies in predicting the default along with asset management houses which were expected to guard investors’ interest. One investor, Shikhar Pachori, decided to scrutinize all hidden information on DHFL to investigate if DHFL crisis arises because of unknown factors which was not in control of management or if it a clear negligence on the part of all involved parties. The case tries to emphasize the aspect of Asset-Liability Management and process of credit analysis while looking for red flags which aids in identifying any stress in company’s financial or any potential default by company.

Complexity academic level

This case can be used in the advance level of post-graduate finance course or MBA program for elective/specialization courses such as Financial Statement Analysis, Financial Institutions and Market and Fixed Income.

Supplementary materials

Teaching notes are available for educators only.

Subject code

CSS 1: Accounting and Finance
A coupled domain–boundary type meshless method for phase-field modelling of dendritic solidification with the fluid flow
Authors: Dobravec Tadej , Mavrič Boštjan , Zahoor Rizwan , Šarler Božidar
Published: June 2023

Purpose

This study aims to simulate the dendritic growth in Stokes flow by iteratively coupling a domain and boundary type meshless method.

Design/methodology/approach

A preconditioned phase-field model for dendritic solidification of a pure supercooled melt is solved by the strong-form space-time adaptive approach based on dynamic quadtree domain decomposition. The domain-type space discretisation relies on monomial augmented polyharmonic splines interpolation. The forward Euler scheme is used for time evolution. The boundary-type meshless method solves the Stokes flow around the dendrite based on the collocation of the moving and fixed flow boundaries with the regularised Stokes flow fundamental solution. Both approaches are iteratively coupled at the moving solid–liquid interface. The solution procedure ensures computationally efficient and accurate calculations. The novel approach is numerically implemented for a 2D case.

Findings

The solution procedure reflects the advantages of both meshless methods. Domain one is not sensitive to the dendrite orientation and boundary one reduces the dimensionality of the flow field solution. The procedure results agree well with the reference results obtained by the classical numerical methods. Directions for selecting the appropriate free parameters which yield the highest accuracy and computational efficiency are presented.

Originality/value

A combination of boundary- and domain-type meshless methods is used to simulate dendritic solidification with the influence of fluid flow efficiently.
Investigating water vapor retention of fabrics and their suitability for seat coverings
Authors: Nagano Kazuo , Lyu Shijia , Kakitsuba Naoshi
Published: June 2023

Purpose

Water vapor trapped in the boundary layer between a person and the clothing creates discomfort and other unpleasant sensations. When that water vapor is prevented from leaving the clothing by external vapor barriers or impermeable layers, those psychophysical states are further exacerbated. One situation where that can be problematic is in office workplaces, and the seats that workers use for many hours every day. This study aims to evaluate the impact of different fabrics that are used for seat cover on water vapor retention.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors' method determines the behavior of contact surface humidity with a 50 kg sandbag on the seat to mimic the deformation of the seat materials due to the seated person's weight. Thus, the maximum increase in relative humidity (RH) after humidification of the seat surface (ΔRH-max), the time required to reach the maximum value of humidity (t-max) and the time constant (TC) after humidity starts to fall were derived.

Findings

Of the three different seat covers tested, the ΔRH-max of the wool were 7.3–8.8%, compared to 27.0–29.0% of the polyvinyl chloride (PVC), indicating more moisture absorption and transmission of the wool. The TC of the acrylic cover was 224–384 min compared to the 483–558 min of the PVC, which indicated a quick drying out feature of the acrylic.

Originality/value

The ΔRH-max, t-max and TC were all significantly correlated with the RH at the back thigh skin surface of the actual human participants.
The role of human resource management practices on the results of digitalisation. From Industry 4.0 to Industry 5.0
Authors: Erro-Garcés Amaya , Aramendia-Muneta Maria Elena
Published: June 2023

Purpose

This article aims to analyse the impact of data analytics and robots on firms' performance across Europe.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper aims to examine the impact of data analytics and robots on companies' performance, multilevel models are estimated. Empirical research is based on the fourth round of the European Company Survey 2019.

Findings

The main findings show that human resource management practices (HRMP) are relevant to explain firms' profits. Therefore, human resource practices and technology are complementary resources to achieve higher results. A positive and significant relation between profits and the use of data analytics to monitor employee performance was found. In addition, positive and significant relations between human resource practices and profitability were obtained.

Practical implications

From a practical perspective, this article helps to understand the role of technological and human factors in profitability, and it emphasises the relevance of human resource strategies and technology to accomplish business outcomes.

Originality/value

This study’s findings reinforce the concept of Industry 5.0 which highlights the role of humans in the digitalisation process.
Finland's NATO membership: Continuous shelter‐seeking strategy
Authors: Thorhallsson Baldur , Stude Vidal Thomas
Published: June 2023

This article offers a challenge, in the form of an illustrative case study, to the notion that Finland's NATO membership is a radical reversal in security policy. With the use of shelter theory, it examines how Finland (as a small state), beginning in the Cold War, has actively sought to achieve political, economic and societal shelter from Western organizations. However, due to geopolitical restraints, the country has at various times been unable to fully adopt preferred shelter arrangements, especially within the military security sphere. The analysis indicates that the institutionalisation of Finland's shelter strategy has often been a tedious, diplomatic quest to integrate with the West, contingent upon opportunistically taking advantage of external ‘critical junctures’ to solidify its own interests. The article posits that Finland's pursuit of Western economic and societal shelter during the Cold War transformed into further Western political shelter‐seeking in its aftermath and, finally, membership of NATO in 2023. The case of Finland indicates that shelter theory captures the foreign policy strategy of a small neutral/nonaligned state. Nevertheless, our specific case also indicates that the theory ought to take a closer look at four features regarding relations between small and large states, that is how an agressive neighbour can restrict a small state's foreign policy choices, how economic and societal shelter relations may precede political shelter relations (or vice versa), the role of critical junctures within shelter theory, and, finally, how a history of cooperation may be transitioned into full‐fledged shelter.
A Legal Framework for Using Smart Contracts in Consumer Contracts: Machines as Servants, Not Masters
Authors: Durovic Mateja , Willett Chris
Published: June 2023

Smart contracts, as a newly developed technology, may radically re‐shape traditional contractual relationships, transferring the power to perform and enforce from contractors to robots. This paper provides a framework which seeks to ensure that this transfer of power does not undermine vital consumer law values. The starting point is the well‐accepted idea of consumer law being based on values aiming to protect consumers as weaker parties in their relationships with traders and this will be built on using various new arguments. First it will be argued that any brave new world of smart contracts will still need the law to provide the sorts of rights it already does: smart contracts may enhance data preferences and improve choice up to a point, but they cannot produce market choices replacing the need for such legally mandated rights. Next it will be shown that to reflect underpinning protection values, some such rights must operate in particular ways. This includes rights concerning information and contract cancellation, conformity standards, remedies, and unfair terms: ‘time sensitive’ rights that must be available at certain stages of the relationship.
The effect of silicon on the antioxidant system of tomato seedlings exposed to individual and combined nitrogen and water deficit
Authors: Machado Joana , Fernandes Ana Patricia G. , Bokor Boris , Vaculík Marek , Heuvelink Ep , Carvalho Susana M. P. , Vasconcelos Marta W.
Published: June 2023

Exploring sustainable strategies for improving crop water and nitrogen use efficiency is essential. Silicon (Si) has been reported as a beneficial metalloid for plants since it alleviates several abiotic stresses (including drought) by triggering the plants' antioxidant system. However, its role in mitigating the negative impact of nitrogen (N) deficit alone or when combined with water (W) deficit is not well studied. This study applied 0 or 2 mM of Na₂SiO3 to 3‐week‐old tomato cv. Micro‐Tom seedlings that were grown under the following conditions: control (CTR; 100%N + 100% Field Capacity), N deficit (N; 50% N + 100% Field Capacity), water deficit (W; 100% N + 50% Field Capacity) or combined stress (N + W; 50% N + 50% Field Capacity). The Si effect on tomato plant growth depended on the type of stress. Si could only alleviate stress caused by N + W deficit resulting in a higher root dry weight (by 28%), total dry weight (by 23%) and root length (by 37%). Alongside this, there was an increase in the antioxidant (AOX) system activity with the root activity of ascorbate peroxidase and catalase enzymes being enhanced by 48% and by 263%, respectively. Si application also enhanced AOX enzyme activity when tomato plants were subjected to individual deficits but to a lesser extent. In conclusion, Si‐treated tomato plants could efficiently modulate their AOX networks in a situation of combined N and water limitation, thus mitigating some of the adverse effects of this combined stress.
Combined effect of ambient temperature and solar radiation on maned sloths' behaviour and detectability
Authors: Lopes Gabriel S. , Cassano Camila Righetto , Mureb Laila Santim , Miranda Flavia Regina , Cruz‐Neto Ariovaldo P. , Giné Gastón Andrés Fernandez
Published: June 2023

Changes in ambient temperature and solar radiation may affect sloths' metabolic rate and body temperature, with consequent changes in activities, postures and microhabitat selection. Although the separate effect of temperature and solar radiation on sloth's behaviour have been previously studied, the combined effect of these climatic factors on behavioural aspects of sloths has never been systematically evaluated in field conditions. Here we evaluated the influence of hourly ambient temperature variation on maned sloth (Bradypus torquatus) activities, postures and tree crown positions, under sunny and cloudy conditions; and tested if any of the animal posture and position increase their exposure to human detection. We performed 350 h of visual observation on eight maned sloths, equipped with radio‐backpacks, in northern Bahia, Brazil, recording their activities, and their resting postures and positions on tree crowns. We also recorded the time taken to visualize the sloths on 58 days to analyse if sloths' detection is affected by posture and position. Higher ambient temperature, within a range of 21–33°C, increased the sloths' activity levels in cloudy conditions but reduced their activity in sunny conditions. Increasing ambient temperature also reduced the frequency of huddled posture and increased the frequency of extended posture and permanence in the inner tree crown. Lastly, the postures and positions did not influence sloths' detectability. Thus, the direction of the temperature–activity relationship depends on climatic conditions (sunny/cloudy), and individuals rely on resting postures and positions to thermoregulate. The warmer and drier future climate, expected to occur in the northern Atlantic Forest, may impose change in the diurnal activity levels and postural pattern for this threatened species, leading maned sloths to reduce its activity on sunny and warmer days and adopting an extended posture.
Prognostic modelling of number of patients with retinal vein occlusion in anti‐VEGF therapy
Authors: Subhi Yousif , Potapenko Ivan , Hajari Javad N. , la Cour Morten
Published: June 2023

Purpose

The purpose of the study was to evaluate temporal changes in age‐ and sex‐stratified incidence rates of retinal vein occlusion (RVO) commenced in anti‐vascular endothelial growth factor (anti‐VEGF) treatment, proportion of patients remaining in active anti‐VEGF therapy over time, and to develop a forecasting model for future number of patients with RVO in active anti‐VEGF therapy.

Methods

This was a registry‐based study of patients with RVO in the Capital Region of Denmark from commenced in anti‐VEGF therapy from 1 January 2007 to 30 June 2022. Census data were extracted from Statistics Denmark for incidence rate analyses and forecasting data of future demographics.

Results

A total of 2641 patients with RVO were commenced in anti‐VEGF therapy, of which 2192 were later discontinued. Number of patients rose dramatically during the first years of introduction of anti‐VEGF therapy, after which growth was slower and followed the demographic changes. Trend analyses revealed that the COVID‐19 epidemics impacted with fewer referrals and more aggressive discontinuation practices. Annual incidence of RVO in 2012–2021 was 13.1 per 100 000 (95% CI: 12.6–13.6 per 100 000). Proportion of patients with RVO remaining in active anti‐VEGF treatment was 55.0%, 40.1%, 30.8% and 12.1% after Years 1, 2, 3 and 8, respectively. According to our forecast, number of patients with RVO in active anti‐VEGF therapy will grow slowly but continually at least until year 2035.

Conclusion

Our study reports incidence rates and provides prognostic modelling of number of patients with RVO in anti‐VEGF therapy.
Residual neural network‐assisted one‐class classification algorithm for melanoma recognition with imbalanced data
Authors: Yu Lisu , Wang Yifei , Zhou Liyu , Wu Jinsheng , Wang Zhenghai
Published: June 2023

Skin cancer, also known as melanoma, is a deadly form of skin cancer that can significantly improve survival rates when diagnosed at an early stage. It is usually diagnosed visually from dermoscopic images, and such visual assessment of skin cancer by the naked eye is a challenging and arduous task. Therefore, the detection of melanoma from dermoscopic images using trained artificial intelligence models is of great importance today. However, since melanoma is a rare disease, existing databases of skin lesions often contain highly unbalanced numbers of benign and malignant samples. In this paper, we propose a new one‐class classification‐based skin lesion classification strategy for small and unbalanced datasets. One‐class classification (OCC) is a special case of multi‐classification. OCC aims to learn a descriptive paradigm from positive class data (true data) during training and reject pseudo data (fake data) that do not conform to the paradigm during inference. OCC has great potential for application in anomaly detection problems. We have analyzed several approaches to the OCC task in recent years and propose a new design paradigm for the OCC problem, taking into account the unbalanced data set of the melanoma classification task. We have designed an improved OCC network based on this design paradigm, where the network is based on the architecture of a residual neural network, combining the coding and decoding idea of variational self‐encoder and the adversarial training idea of an adversarial neural network, using binary cross‐entropy as the loss function and introducing the channel attention mechanism. Tests on several publicly available dermatology datasets show that this improved OCC network addresses the unbalanced dataset situation in melanoma image classification to some extent while having relatively excellent performance. Compared with some traditional networks, it can obtain more stable training results and perform more consistently on complex datasets.
1059. Lachenalia bolusii W.F. Barker: Asparagaceae
Authors: Duncan Graham
Published: June 2023

The South African geophyte Lachenalia bolusii W.F.Barker is a dainty‐flowered plant from semi‐arid inland western parts of the Northern and Western Cape. Details of its classification, relationships, history and distribution are given, with notes on cultivation.
Supporting the ‘lived expertise’ of older adults with type 1 diabetes: An applied focus group analysis to characterize barriers, facilitators, and strategies for self‐management in a growing and understudied population
Authors: Cristello Sarteau Angelica , Muthukkumar Rashmi , Smith Cambray , Busby‐Whitehead Jan , Lich Kristen Hassmiller , Pratley Richard E. , Thambuluru Sirisha , Weinstein Joshua , Weinstock Ruth S. , Young Laura A. , Kahkoska Anna R.
Published: June 2023

Introduction

There is a growing number of older adults (≥65 years) who live with type 1 diabetes. We qualitatively explored experiences and perspectives regarding type 1 diabetes self‐management and treatment decisions among older adults, focusing on adopting care advances such as continuous glucose monitoring (CGM).

Methods

Among a clinic‐based sample of older adults ≥65 years with type 1 diabetes, we conducted a series of literature and expert informed focus groups with structured discussion activities. Groups were transcribed followed by inductive coding, theme identification, and inference verification. Medical records and surveys added clinical information.

Results

Twenty nine older adults (age 73.4 ± 4.5 years; 86% CGM users) and four caregivers (age 73.3 ± 2.9 years) participated. Participants were 58% female and 82% non‐Hispanic White. Analysis revealed themes related to attitudes, behaviours, and experiences, as well as interpersonal and contextual factors that shape self‐management and outcomes. These factors and their interactions drive variability in diabetes outcomes and optimal treatment strategies between individuals as well as within individuals over time (i.e. with ageing). Participants proposed strategies to address these factors: regular, holistic needs assessments to match people with effective self‐care approaches and adapt them over the lifespan; longitudinal support (e.g., education, tactical help, sharing and validating experiences); tailored education and skills training; and leveraging of caregivers, family, and peers as resources.

Conclusions

Our study of what influences self‐management decisions and technology adoption among older adults with type 1 diabetes underscores the importance of ongoing assessments to address dynamic age‐specific needs, as well as individualized multi‐faceted support that integrates peers and caregivers.
The risk of healing complications in primary teeth with root fractures: A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Kevci Mir , Gerds Thomas Alexander , Lauridsen Eva , Andersson Lars
Published: June 2023

Background/Aim

Primary teeth are frequently affected by traumatic dental injuries. Root fractures are rare and have a reported incidence of 2% in the primary dentition. Hence, there is limited evidence on this topic. This study aims to evaluate the risk of healing complications in primary teeth with root fracture and to identify possible sequelae in the permanent dentition following root fracture in the primary dentition.

Materials and methods

A retrospective analysis of a cohort of 53 patients with 74 root fractured primary teeth. The standard follow‐up program included clinical and radiographic examination after 4 weeks, 8 weeks, 6 months, and 1 year after the trauma and when the patient was 6 years of age. The following complications were registered: pulp necrosis (PN), pulp canal obliteration (PCO), ankylosis with replacement root resorption (ARR), infection‐related root resorption (IRR), premature tooth loss (PTL), and repair‐related resorption (RRR). Statistics: The Kaplan–Meier and Aalen‐Johansen estimators were employed. The level of significance was 5%.

Results

A total of 74 teeth were included. 42 teeth were extracted at the initial examination. Risks estimated after 3 years: PTL 45.9% [95% CI: 28.8–63.0], PCO 12.9% [95% CI: 2.3–23.4], PN 14.9% [95% CI: 3.9–25.9], RRR 2.6% [95% CI: 0.0–7.5]. No teeth showed ARR or IRR. All complications were diagnosed within the first year. Most common sequelae in the permanent dentition was demarcated opacities, with an estimated risk of 20% [95% CI: 8.2–41.3].

Conclusions

There is a low risk of healing complications following a root fracture in the primary dentition. Root fractures often result in early extraction of the coronal fragment. The remaining apical fragment will undergo a physiological resorption. Aside from opacities, there is a low risk of sequelae in the permanent dentition.
A multimodal pain protocol for treatment of vaso‐occlusive crisis in patients with sickle cell disease: Implementation and evaluation
Authors: Admiraal Manouk , van Daalen Jonathan , Ritt Michael W. J. , Dekker Joost , van Tuijn Charlotte F. J. , Nur Erfan , Hollmann Markus W. , Hermanns Henning , Hermanides Jeroen , Biemond Bart J.
Published: June 2023

Objectives

Pain management during a vaso‐occlusive crisis (VOC) for patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) remains a major challenge and strongly depends on opioids. We developed a multimodality pain protocol for rapid, opioid‐sparing pain treatment of VOC and evaluated its feasibility.

Methods

Patients were included for evaluation if they were ≥18 years, diagnosed with SCD and visited the emergency department (ED) because of VOC between July 2018 and December 2020. Primary evaluation outcome was the feasibility of multimodal pain analgesia (i.e., the use of at least two analgesics with different underlying mechanisms of action).

Results

A total of 131 SCD patients visited the ED because of VOC with a total of 550 ED presentations, of which 377 were eventually hospitalised. A total of 508 (92.4%) ED presentations and 374 (99.2%) hospital admissions received multimodal pain treatment. Time to first administration of an opioid was median [IQR] 34.0 [21.0–62.0] minutes.

Conclusion

The implementation of a pain protocol using multimodal analgesia for VOC in patients with SCD appeared to be feasible and facilitated rapid administration of opioids. Controlled trials are needed to investigate the effectiveness of multimodal analgesia on pain and should focus on patient reported outcome measures.
Family strengths among Native American families and families living in poverty: Preventing adverse childhood experiences
Authors: Mullet Natira , Waterman Emily A. , Edwards Katie M. , Simon Briana , Hopfauf Skyler , Herrington Ramona
Published: June 2023

Objective

The purpose of this study was to understand how youth, caregivers, and community professionals perceive family strengths and adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) in their community. Specifically, this study was focused on the protective role of caregivers and families, positive youth development, and how Native American families and families living in poverty support adolescents' social–emotional development and help them thrive in the face of adversity.

Background

Research documents the concerning rates and negative outcomes of ACEs. However, very little research has examined the views of families and professionals on how to prevent ACES among these populations.

Method

Participants were youth aged 10 to 14 years (n = 20), caregivers (n = 13), and an occupationally diverse group of professionals whose work intersected with ACEs (n = 7). Participants were all Native American and/or living in poverty in a small city in the Northern Plains region of the United States.

Results

Themes that emerged from the child and caregiver focus groups regarding protective factors included (a) family engagement, (b) family and cultural values, (c) personal and family safety, (d) future orientation, and (e) community strengths and needs. Themes that emerged from the professionals' focus group included (a) families in crisis, (b) intersectionality of family challenges, (c) community collaboration, (d) trauma‐informed practices and violence prevention, and (e) cultural connections.

Conclusion and implications

These data provided foundational information relevant to understanding families' strengths and needs and the important role of culture in program development to prevent ACEs.
Size‐controlled synthesis of mesoporous silica nanoparticles using rice husk by microwave‐assisted sol–gel method
Authors: Priyan Selvaraj Ranjith , Kumar Govindan Suresh , Surendhiran Srinivasan , Shkir Mohd.
Published: June 2023

Mesoporous silica nanoparticles with distinct characteristics like particle size, tunable pores, and high surface area have received much interest for environmental remediation, energy conversion, and biological applications. In this work, we synthesized spherical silica nanoparticles with tunable particle size and mesoporous properties using a low‐cost silica source (rice husk) and polyethylene glycol (PEG) via microwave‐assisted sol–gel synthesis. The formation of an amorphous silica structure was found using XRD and FTIR analysis. FESEM analysis showed that altering the PEG concentration from .01 to .005 M produced spherical silica nanoparticles with 100–500 nm in size. Nitrogen adsorption–desorption demonstrated that silica nanoparticles obtained with .005, .007, and .01 M of PEG had unique pore sizes and distributions, with specific surface areas of 51.475, 62.367, and 84.251 m2/g, respectively. These results might be due to PEG molecules’ capping effect, which acts as a soft template to regulate particle size, pore size, and dispersion by interacting with sodium silicate precursor. Hence, this approach can be a facile and cost‐effective method to prepare mesoporous silica nanoparticles with controllable nanoscale characteristics for suitable applications.
High gas permeability and directional channels of mullite porous ceramics prepared by pectin‐based freeze‐drying method
Authors: Liu Zhenli , Yuan Lei , Tian Chen , Peng Zijun , Zhang Diyao , Wen Tianpeng , Yu Jingkun
Published: June 2023

New gel system for preparing mullite porous ceramics by gel‐casting freeze‐drying was proposed, using pectin as gel source and alumina and silica as raw materials. Directional channels were formed due to sublimation of water during freeze‐drying and decomposition of pectin during high temperature sintering to prepare porous mullite ceramic membranes. Effects of solid content on the properties of mullite ceramics in terms of phase composition, microstructure, apparent porosity, bulk density, pore size distribution, compressive strength, thermal conductivity, pressure drop, and gas permeability were investigated. It was found that prepared porous mullite possessed high apparent porosity (56.04%–75.34%), low bulk density (.77–1.37 g/cm3), uniform pore size distribution, relatively high compressive strength (.61–3.03 MPa), low thermal conductivity (.224–.329 W/(m·K)), high gas permeability coefficient (1.11 × 10−10–4.73 × 10−11 m2), and gas permeance (2.18 × 10−2–9.32 × 10−3 mol⋅m−2⋅s−1⋅Pa−1). These properties make prepared lightweight mullite ceramic membranes promising for application in high temperature flue gas filtration. Proposed gel system is expected to provide a new route to prepare porous ceramics with high porosity and directional channels.
A review on microbiota: relation with diseases and nutrients role
Authors: Oz Emel , Şimşek Ayşegül , Şimşek Melih , Tuncer Nihal , Bayrak Muharrem , Çadırcı Kenan , Brennan Charles , Kumar Mukul , Proestos Charalampos , Brennan Margaret , Elobeid Tahra , Zeng Maomao , Tomasevic Igor , Ekiz Elif , Oz Fatih
Published: June 2023

Microbiota plays an essential role in human development and body homeostasis. Individual and environmental variables influence the diversity of microbiota, which performs crucial biochemical activities in the human body and influences health status and disease in later years. Many diseases in adulthood may be prevented or treated if the relationship between the microbiome, nutrition, especially the immune system, and growth and development could be fully understood. For a healthy gut microbiota, the diet‐related changes in the core microbiota must be long‐lasting, achieving permanence in microbiota change. This process is possible by maintaining a sustainable diet and adhering to this diet for a long time. Therefore, this study reviewed the relationship between nutrition, microbiota, and various life‐threatening diseases.
The C3 conundrum
Authors: Lean Maria , Chacko Bobby
Published: June 2023

A 62‐year‐old man with nephritic syndrome underwent a kidney biopsy which revealed a C3 dominant pattern on immunofluorescence. A diagnosis of C3 glomerulopathy (C3G) was suspected. However, a recent skin infection and high levels of anti‐streptococcal antibodies were indicative of post‐infectious glomerulonephritis (PIGN). This paper compares PIGN and C3G and describes an atypical form of PIGN with alternative complement pathway dysregulation.
Elimination of restrictive interventions: Is it achievable under the current mental healthcare landscape?
Authors: Snipe Jim , Searby Adam
Published: June 2023

The 2021 release of the report from the Royal Commission into Victoria's Mental Health System suggested 65 recommendations to improve a mental healthcare system that was described as “broken”. Several of these recommendations relate to the use of restrictive interventions, such as restraint (both physical and mechanical) and seclusion. These interventions continue to be used in Victorian inpatient mental health facilities today, often in response to aggression and violence towards staff, visitors, family and other consumers. Several health services have committed to the substantial reduction or elimination of the use of restrictive interventions. In this perspective paper, we argue that significant investment is required to achieve this goal. Pressure on mental health nursing staff to cease using restrictive interventions without viable alternatives to de‐escalation, restrictions in the built environment, workforce constraints and a lack of education provided early in nursing careers need to be addressed before we can achieve the elimination of restrictive interventions. We recommend that substantial investment in mental health inpatient units, the mental health nursing workforce, and a systemic shift in the role of the mental health nurse are required to attain sustained reduction and potential elimination of restrictive interventions.
Natural piezoelectric tourmaline mineral for piezocatalytic decomposition of organic dyes under vibration
Authors: Wang Xiaoxing , Jia Yanmin , Wang Ying , Xu Xiaoli , Qin Laishun , Wu Zheng
Published: June 2023

Piezoelectric materials can convert mechanical energy into electrical energy, and further piezocatalysis can be designed based on the product between piezoelectric effect and electrochemical redox effect, which is hopeful for the actual dye decomposition. Tourmaline is a natural mineral with spontaneous polarization, which is an ideal piezocatalytic material and is rarely reported in dye decomposition. In this work, after 100 mg tourmaline powder is vibrated for 120 min, the piezocatalytic dye decomposition ratios of rhodamine B (RhB), methylene blue, and methyl orange are ∼95%, ∼46%, and ∼23%, respectively. The corresponding first‐order reaction kinetic values for these three dyes are 0.02681, 0.00639, and 0.00246 min−1, respectively. By adjusting the pH value of the initial RhB solution to 5, the decomposition ratio can reach ∼99% after only 60 min of vibration. In the process of dye decomposition, it is determined that the main active substances are hydroxyl radicals and superoxide radicals via electron spin–resonance spectra test. The spontaneous polarization performance of tourmaline can effectively adsorb dye molecules to promote the catalytic reaction. Natural tourmaline minerals are abundant, low cost, and environmentally friendly making them suitable for large‐scale piezocatalysis of mineral materials.
Effects of sintering aids on microstructure, mechanical, and optical properties of AlON ceramics synthesized by SPS
Authors: Jia Xiao‐Tong , Zhang Zhao‐Hui , Xu Tian‐Hao , Liu Luo‐Jin , Sun Yuan‐Hao , Li Xian‐Yu , Wang Qiang , Jia Zhao‐Hu , He Yang‐Yu , Cheng Xing‐Wang
Published: June 2023

Aluminum oxynitride (AlON) ceramics doped with different sintering aids were synthesized by spark plasma sintering process. The microstructures, mechanical, and optical properties of the ceramics were investigated. The results indicate that the optimal amount of sintering aids is 0.06 wt% La2O3 + 0.16 wt% Y2O3 + 0.30 wt% MgO. The addition of La3+ and Mg2+ decreases the rate of grain boundary migration in ceramics, promotes pore elimination, and inhibits grain growth. The addition of Y3+ facilitates liquid‐phase sintering of AlON ceramics. Moreover, the addition of Mg2+ effectively promotes twin formation in the ceramics, which hinders crack propagation and dislocation motion when the ceramics are loaded. Hence, the AlON ceramic doped with 0.06 wt% La2O3 + 0.16 wt% Y2O3 + 0.30 wt% MgO exhibits a relative density of 99.95%, an average grain size of 9.42 μm, and a twin boundary content of 10.3%, which contributes to its excellent mechanical and optical properties.
Policies to promote breeding for lice‐resistant salmon: Incentives designed for resilient and sustainable growth in aquaculture
Authors: Rosendal Kristin , Kettunen Anne , Olesen Ingrid
Published: June 2023

Sea lice represent a persistent and growing problem, challenging the resilience and growth of the salmon aquaculture industry. In this Norwegian case study, we studied and discuss how the absence of policy instruments directed at stimulating breeding for lice resistance (LR) might be explained. We found well‐documented opportunities for selection progress for LR. Hence, breeding on LR appears with an untapped potential. We discuss how market‐based, legal, institutional and interest‐based factors can explain the absence of policy instruments stimulating LR breeding. Methodologically, we obtained data from document and literature studies and interviews with key players (salmon breeders, farmers, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and governmental bodies in Norway). First, LR is a polygenic trait, which makes it poorly suited for patenting. Furthermore, if only a small proportion of fish farmers choose seeds with higher LR, other operators can easily take on the free‐rider role because they will not suffer from reduced gain in growth performance as a result of a much stronger emphasis on LR in the breeding goal. The market is thus not expected to stimulate stronger selection for LR in Norwegian salmon breeding. Second, neither genetic engineering (e.g., gene editing), still struggling with consumer acceptance, nor the uncertainty associated with possible changes in the Norwegian Gene Technology Act stimulate investment in LR via, for example, CRISPR technology. Thirdly, public policy instruments in their entirety have targeted other types of innovations against salmon lice, and none have so far been used to stimulate breeding companies to emphasize LR more strongly in their breeding programmes. From a political point of view, it seems that breeding has been left to the market and the private sector. However, neither the NGOs nor the public seem to be aware of, or pay significant attention to, the breeding potential to improve LR and fish welfare. Fragmented management of the aquaculture sector can camouflage the close ties between political and business interests. The industry is hesitant to invest significantly in long‐term breeding targets such as significantly higher genetic LR. This may strengthen the assumption that strong economic interests will reduce the role of science in knowledge‐based management. As farmed salmon are increasingly being exposed to stressful delousing treatments, mortality and associated welfare problems have increased significantly. For instance, large fish die more often from cardiomyopathy syndrome (CMS), resulting in growing demand for CMS‐resistant salmon. This gives rise to a paradoxical situation: increasing treatments with high mortality and fish welfare issues in farmed salmon, while the lice threat to wild salmon persists.
Regulation of FLC nuclear import by coordinated action of the NUP62‐subcomplex and importin β SAD2
Authors: Chen Gang , Xu Danyun , Liu Qing , Yue Zhichuang , Dai Biao , Pan Shujuan , Chen Yongqiang , Feng Xinhua , Hu Honghong
Published: June 2023

Flowering locus C (FLC) is a central transcriptional repressor that controls flowering time. However, how FLC is imported into the nucleus is unknown. Here, we report that Arabidopsis nucleoporins 62 (NUP62), NUP58, and NUP54 composed NUP62‐subcomplex modulates FLC nuclear import during floral transition in an importin α‐independent manner, via direct interaction. NUP62 recruits FLC to the cytoplasmic filaments and imports it into the nucleus through the NUP62‐subcomplex composed central channel. Importin β supersensitive to ABA and drought 2 (SAD2), a carrier protein, is critical for FLC nuclear import and flower transition, which facilitates FLC import into the nucleus mainly through the NUP62‐subcomplex. Proteomics, RNA‐seq, and cell biological analyses indicate that the NUP62‐subcomplex mainly mediates the nuclear import of cargos with unconventional nuclear localization sequences (NLSs), such as FLC. Our findings illustrate the mechanisms of the NUP62‐subcomplex and SAD2 on FLC nuclear import process and floral transition, and provide insights into the role of NUP62‐subcomplex and SAD2 in protein nucleocytoplasmic transport in plants.