bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Facilitating organizations to dance with the complex “logic of life”: spinning with paradoxes in regenerative appreciative inquiry summits
Authors: Lilja Johan
Published: January 2024

Purpose

Organizations will be key to realizing the “transformative change for humanity” now being called for. However, the complexity calls for new ways of facilitating change and organizational learning; it also calls for moving beyond sustainability to develop practices that restore and regenerate the world in which we live. Above all, it calls for the development of new frameworks, practices, mindset and capabilities to hold space for and facilitate such transformation, to dance with the “Logic of Life.” The purpose of this study is to contribute to advancing the current leading frameworks and practices of facilitating learning and development towards the enabling of regenerative transformative change in organizations and society.

Design/methodology/approach

This study is based on an exploratory qualitative analysis of a facilitation prototype that expands the current framework and practice of Appreciative Inquiry Summits toward regeneration.

Findings

This study presents four paradoxes of regenerative facilitation to guide the dance for life in complex ecosystems. It also identifies that the dance needs to be widened, towards inviting more frequently the ends of the four paradoxes noted as regenerative, negative emotions, inner and more-than-human.

Originality/value

This study explores the intersection of practices and frameworks for facilitating complexity with principles from regenerative leadership and complexity theory, potentially making an important contribution to the urgent and widespread need to facilitate a regenerative transformative change for humanity, society and our organizations.
The effect of soluble soybean polysaccharide addition to permeate concentrate on lactose crystallisation, growth and recovery during lactose manufacturing
Authors: Sunkesula Venkateswarlu , Salunke Prafulla , Metzger Lloyd E
Published: January 2024

Lactose is manufactured from permeates of cheese whey, milk protein concentrate and a mix of both using a crystallisation process. Several factors, such as solute supersaturation, cooling rate and impurities, influence lactose crystallisation. This study focussed on the effect of soluble soybean polysaccharides (SSPS) on crystallisation during lactose manufacture from concentrated permeate solutions by evaluating lactose crystal growth and recovery with and without SSPS addition. Adding 0.1% (w/w) SSPS resulted in a significant difference (P > 0.05) in lactose crystal size and yield. The results suggest that using SSPS during lactose manufacturing from permeate concentrates could influence lactose crystallisation and recovery.
Environmental impacts of equine parasiticide treatment: The UK perspective
Authors: Haseler Callum J. , Shrubb Julia L. , Davies Hannah G. D. , Rendle David I. , Rathbone Polly C. , Mair Timothy S.
Published: January 2024

While there are limited data on the environmental impact of administering equine parasiticide drugs, evidence from other species indicates significant negative ecological effects. Anthelmintic drugs are excreted unchanged or metabolised to other active and/or toxic metabolites that enter the environment through direct excretion. These chemicals can have significant toxic effects on insects, such as dung beetles, earthworms and aquatic animals. Of the frequently used equine anthelmintics, ivermectin is the most ecotoxic; available evidence indicates that moxidectin is less toxic and fenbendazole appears to have little impact on dung‐colonising insects but may be toxic to aquatic organisms and fungi. There are little data regarding the ecotoxicity of pyrantel and praziquantel, although their ecotoxic effects are thought to be low. Pasture hygiene reduces pharmaceutical contamination and also helps to break the endoparasitic cycle of infectivity, thus reducing reliance on anthelmintics. Judicious and targeted use of endoparasiticides, along with pasture hygiene measures, will limit the ecotoxic effects of these drugs as well as reduce the selection pressure that drives anthelmintic resistance. Anthelmintics may also negatively impact the equine gastrointestinal microbiota. Ectoparasiticides (such as fipronil, permethrin and cypermethrin) may also have significant negative ecological effects, with a risk of contamination of both the immediate environment and water courses following topical use of these drugs. The half‐life of fipronil in the environment is variable, but it degrades into compounds which are more toxic; for example, it is highly toxic to bees and is reported to bioaccumulate in fish and can be toxic to birds. Of the synthetic pyrethroids, permethrin degrades at a faster rate than cypermethrin and may therefore have a lower ecotoxic effect. The ecotoxic effects of injectable doramectin are likely to be similar to oral ivermectin, although persistence in faeces may be significantly prolonged compared to the oral treatment route for ivermectin.
CCH attack frequency reduction after psilocybin correlates with hypothalamic functional connectivity
Authors: Madsen Martin K. , Petersen Anja Sofie , Stenbæk Dea S. , Sørensen Inger Marie , Schiønning Harald , Fjeld Tobias , Nykjær Charlotte H. , Larsen Sara Marie Ulv , Grzywacz Maria , Mathiesen Tobias , Klausen Ida L. , Overgaard‐Hansen Oliver , Brendstrup‐Brix Kristoffer , Linnet Kristian , Johansen Sys S. , Fisher Patrick M. , Jensen Rigmor H. , Knudsen Gitte M.
Published: January 2024

Objective

To evaluate the feasibility and prophylactic effect of psilocybin as well as its effects on hypothalamic functional connectivity (FC) in patients with chronic cluster headache (CCH).

Background

CCH is an excruciating and difficult‐to‐treat disorder with incompletely understood pathophysiology, although hypothalamic dysfunction has been implicated. Psilocybin may have beneficial prophylactic effects, but clinical evidence is limited.

Methods

In this small open‐label clinical trial, 10 patients with CCH were included and maintained headache diaries for 10 weeks. Patients received three doses of peroral psilocybin (0.14 mg/kg) on the first day of weeks five, six, and seven. The first 4 weeks served as baseline and the last 4 weeks as follow‐up. Hypothalamic FC was determined using functional magnetic resonance imaging the day before the first psilocybin dose and 1 week after the last dose.

Results

The treatment was well tolerated. Attack frequency was reduced by mean (standard deviation) 31% (31) from baseline to follow‐up (pFWER = 0.008). One patient experienced 21 weeks of complete remission. Changes in hypothalamic–diencephalic FC correlated negatively with a percent change in attack frequency (pFWER = 0.03, R = −0.81), implicating this neural pathway in treatment response.

Conclusion

Our results indicate that psilocybin may have prophylactic potential and implicates the hypothalamus in possible treatment response. Further clinical studies are warranted.
Prevalence and risk factors associated with dehydration of patients with dysphagia in eastern China: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Li Mengchao , Li Mengru , Mao Erli , Li Min , Cui Yan , Chen Shen
Published: January 2024

Aims

Dehydration is one of the common complications of dysphagia and poses significant risks including hospitalization and mortality, but the relationship between dysphagia and dehydration has received little attention. This study aims to determine the prevalence and risk factors for dehydration of patients with dysphagia in eastern China, and to provide reference for early identification and prevention of dehydration.

Methods

A descriptive, cross‐sectional design was conducted. Three hundred and thirty‐seven (n = 337) patients with dysphagia participated in the study between August and December 2022.

Information relating to participants' demographic variables, nutrition, cognition, functional, hydration status and fluid intake was collected. Univariate analysis was used to examine related impact factors, and then binary logistic regression analysis was conducted to determine reliable impact factors.

Results

Among 337 patients with dysphagia, the average age was 63.47 ± 16.96, most participants were male (72.1%) and married (91.7%). The prevalence of dehydration was calculated to be 43.9%, the mean plasma osmolality score was 293.53 mmol/L. Diseases with the highest prevalence were stroke (78.3%), followed by hypertension (63.5%). The risk for dehydration increased with older age, usage of more medicines such as diuretics and beta‐blockers, worse functional status and lower fluid intake.

Conclusion

This study found a high percentage of dehydration in patients with dysphagia. Findings can provide a basis for targeted nursing interventions for clinical prevention and treatment of dehydration.
Ecosocial work among social welfare professionals in Finland: Key learnings for future practice
Authors: Nöjd Taija , Kannasoja Sirpa , Niemi Petteri , Ranta‐Tyrkkö Satu , Närhi Kati
Published: January 2024

An ecosocial approach implies integrating social and ecological sustainability on all levels of social work practice (Boetto, British Journal of Social Work, 2017:47(1), 48–67). This survey study explored the frequency of ecosocial work practices in Finnish social work and the factors that enable or hinder adopting ecosocial work in social work practice. The study found that ecosocial work practices are quite rarely applied in Finnish social work. It indicates that personal interest in and knowledge of the ecosocial approach, organizational practices, and client attitudes play an important role. Social welfare professionals as well as the organizations where they work should be informed of environmental issues affecting human wellbeing and of the ecosocial approach in social work. This study examines the present state of the ecosocial approach in Finnish social work and provides opportunities to reflect on the relationship between social work and the natural environment.
A new way of identifying viral pathogens reactivating in cellular therapy products
Authors: Cunningham Anthony L , Micklethwaite Kenneth
Published: January 2024

In this article, we discuss a recently published article that demonstrated a novel way of identifying viral pathogens reactivating in human cells to be used as cellular therapy, in this instance chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells. The authors used search engines and databases to identify viruses able to reactivate in T cells and then tested this initially in T‐cell cultures, specifically human herpesvirus 6. This virus was then shown to reactivate infrequently in vitro and in vivo in CAR T cells as a consequence of T‐cell activation. The methodology may be most clinically useful for more frequently reactivating viruses in other types of cellular therapy such as allogenic CAR T cells or induced pluripotent stem cells.
Quantified impacts of non‐pharmaceutical interventions on influenza circulation during the COVID‐19 pandemic in 13 African countries, 2020–2022
Authors: Gharpure Radhika , Olsen Sonja J. , Davis William W.
Published: January 2024

Nonpharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) for SARS‐CoV‐2 disrupted circulation of influenza. We used data from 13 African countries and generalized linear models to identify associations between levels of NPIs, using the Oxford Stringency Index, and seasonal influenza activity, using parameters derived from 2020–2022 seasonal influenza surveillance. We found that for each step increase in school closings, the average percentage of respiratory specimens testing positive for influenza across the influenza season dropped by 20% (95% CI: 1–38%); no other NPI was significant. These findings may inform interventions to slow influenza circulation in pandemics and possibly during seasonal epidemics.
Living in the cracks: Two novel genera of Variosea (Amoebozoa) discovered on an urban sidewalk
Authors: Fry Nicholas , Schuler Gabriel A. , Jones Robert E. , Kooienga Peter G. , Jira Violet , Shepherd Maggie , Tice Alexander K. , Brown Matthew W.
Published: January 2024

Biological soil crusts represent a rich habitat for diverse and complex eukaryotic microbial communities. A unique but extremely common habitat is the urban sidewalk and its cracks that collect detritus. While these habitats are ubiquitous across the globe, little to no work has been conducted to characterize protists found there. Amoeboid protists are major predators of bacteria and other microbial eukaryotes in these microhabitats and therefore play a substantial ecological role. From sidewalk crack soil crusts, we have isolated three naked amoebae with finely tapered subpseudopodia, and a simple life cycle consisting of a trophic amoeba and a cyst stage. Using a holistic approach including light, electron, and fluorescence microscopy as well as phylogenetics using the ribosomal small subunit rRNA gene and phylogenomics using 230 nuclear genes, we find that these amoeboid organisms fail to match any previously described eukaryote genus. However, we determined the amoebae belong to the amoebozoan lineage Variosea based on phylogenetics. The molecular analyses place our isolates in two novel genera forming a grade at the base of the variosean group Protosteliida. These three novel varioseans among two novel genera and species are herein named “Kanabo kenzan” and “Parakanabo toge.”
Metabolisable energy from nuts and patterns of nut consumption in the Australian population: a secondary analysis of the 2011–12 National Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey
Authors: Nikodijevic Cassandra J. , Probst Yasmine C. , Tan Sze‐Yen , Neale Elizabeth P.
Published: January 2024

Background

Nut intake is not associated with increased body weight, which may be explained by their metabolisable energy, among other factors. Therefore, total energy intake may be overestimated among nut consumers. This study aimed to describe the metabolisable energy from nuts and nut consumption patterns in the Australian population.

Methods

A nut‐specific database was expanded to include metabolisable energy of nuts (based on nut type and form) and applied to the 2011–12 National Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey (NNPAS). Participants were Australians aged 2 years and older from the 2011–12 NNPAS (n = 12,153, with n = 4,765 nut consumers). Mean metabolisable energy intake was compared with mean energy intake using Atwater factors in nut consumers. Additionally, nut consumption patterns were explored, including the proportion of nuts consumed at meals and snacks.

Results

Among nut consumers, mean metabolisable energy from nuts based only on nut type was 241.2 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 232.0, 250.5) kJ/day and mean metabolisable energy considering both nut type and form was 260.7 (95% CI: 250.2, 271.2) kJ/day. Energy intake from nuts using Atwater factors was 317.6 (95% CI: 304.8, 330.3) kJ/day. Nuts were more likely to be consumed at snack occasions, with approximately 63% of nut intake occurring as a snack.

Conclusion

Application of metabolisable energy to the 2011–12 NNPAS has a significant impact on calculation of energy intake from nuts. Nut consumption patterns identified a majority of nut consumption occurring as snacks. These findings may inform strategies to support nut consumption in Australia.
Workplace status differences and proactive behaviours: The role of perceived insider status and promotion criterion
Authors: Liu Zhiqiang , Ouyang Xi , Kim Tae‐Yeol , Chen Ying
Published: January 2024

Status difference is prevalent within working groups, profoundly influencing employees' perceptions and behaviours towards coworkers and their groups. Despite this ubiquity, exploring the effects of status difference within groups remains relatively underexamined. Drawing on social identity theory, this study examined how and when horizontal status difference (i.e., status comparison between a focal employee and his/her peers) and vertical status difference (i.e., status comparison between a focal employee and his/her leader) influence employees' perceived insider status and proactive behaviour. Results from 421 employees across 113 working groups indicated that horizontal status difference was positively related to perceived insider status, but vertical status difference had a curvilinear effect on perceived insider status. Furthermore, perceived insider status significantly mediated the impact of horizontal and vertical status differences on proactive behaviour. We also demonstrated that promotion criteria significantly moderated the relationship between horizontal status difference and perceived insider status; in particular, this relationship was stronger when organizations used a relative rather than an absolute promotion criterion.
Health‐related quality of life, jaw function and sleep‐disordered breathing among patients with dentofacial deformity
Authors: Madhan Sivaranjani , Nascimento Gustavo G. , Ingerslev Janne , Cornelis Marie , Pinholt Else Marie , Cattaneo Paolo M. , Svensson Peter
Published: January 2024

Background and Objectives

Patients with dentofacial deformity (DFD) requiring orthognathic treatment have poor aesthetics, jaw function and psychological well‐being, which potentially affect the quality of life. This study aimed to investigate the health‐related general, oral and orthognathic quality of life, jaw function and sleep‐disordered breathing at different stages of orthognathic surgical treatment.

Methods

A total of 120 consecutive patients with DFD were recruited and grouped as pre‐orthodontic treatment (group 1), pre‐surgery (group 2), 4 months post‐surgery (group 3), 24 months post‐surgery (group 4) and in addition 30 controls without DFD (group 0). Outcomes were assessed using general health Short Form Survey (SF‐36), Oral Health Impact (OHIP‐14), Orthognathic Quality of Life Questionnaire (OQLQ), STOP‐Bang and Jaw Function Limitation Scale (JFLS) questionnaires. In addition, presence or absence of pain was recorded. Data were tested with analysis of variance, Kruskal–Wallis test, Tukey post hoc test and structural equation modelling (SEM).

Results

Results revealed SF‐36 (p = .814) and STOP‐Bang (p = .143) total scores did not differ between control and treatment groups. In contrast, OHIP‐14, OQLQ and JFLS total scores differed between groups (p = .001). Higher scores were observed in groups 1 (p = .001), 2 (p = .001) and 3 (p = .041) compared to group 0, indicating poor oral health in patients with DFD. Importantly, in group 4, oral health‐related quality of life was better, and OHIP‐14 (p = .936) and JFLS (p = .572) scores did not differ from controls. OQLQ scores of group 4 were significantly lower than group 1 (p = .001) but higher than group 0 (p = .013). SEM results revealed a significant negative associations of pain with JFLS and OQLQ; OHIP‐14 with OQLQ; OHIP‐14 with SF‐36; and finally STOP‐Bang with SF‐36. Positive associations were observed between JFLS and OHIP‐14; OHIP‐14 and OQLQ.

Conclusion

Oral health‐related quality of life and jaw function appears to be improved 24 months after orthognathic surgery. Pain and limitation in jaw function had a negative association with health‐related quality of life.
Transcriptional alterations of the resistant potato genotype ‘Cruza 148’ in response to Ralstonia solanacearum infection
Authors: Okiro Lilian A. , Mulwa Richard M. , Oyoo Maurice E. , Mendes Thiago
Published: January 2024

Ralstonia solanacearum, a highly destructive phytopathogen causing bacterial wilt disease, poses a substantial risk to the potato value chain, putting global food security at risk and impeding potato production. ‘Cruza 148’, a locally adapted potato genotype, has been reported to exhibit resistance when cultivated in areas with a background of bacterial wilt occurrences. This study aimed to acquire a deeper understanding of the factors influencing resistance and susceptibility in ‘Cruza 148’ and ‘Shangi’ potato genotypes respectively. To achieve this, RNA‐seq was deployed to detect DEGs in ‘Cruza 148’ and ‘Shangi’ potato genotypes at 6 h, 24 h, 48 h, and 72 h post‐inoculation with Ralstonia solanacearum. A total of 54.2% of the DEGs were upregulated and 45.8% were downregulated in the roots of the ‘Cruza 148’ potato genotype, while 45.5% and 54.5% of DEGs were upregulated and downregulated in the roots of the susceptible potato genotype ‘Shangi’ respectively. The gene ontology (GO) enrichment analysis indicated that the ‘Cruza 148’ genotype consistently displayed the ‘defence response’ category throughout every stage of infection. The analysis of enriched GO terms revealed 225 terms, with 132 related to biological processes, 16 linked to cellular components and 12 linked to molecular functions. The ‘Cruza 148’ genotype had the highest gene counts in peptide metabolic processes and cellular component assembly, while the ‘Shangi’ genotype had the greatest number of gene counts that responded to chemicals and cellular component assembly. Defence genes identified, included leucine‐rich repeat protein, MYB transcription factor, glucan endo‐1,3‐beta‐glucosidase, serine/threonine‐protein kinase, ethylene‐responsive transcriptional coactivator and disease resistance protein, which could help explain the mechanisms and pathways of resistance to R. solanacearum. This study presents a fundamental understanding of the transcriptional alterations that occur during pathogen interactions with potato. It will also assist in identifying potential useful genes induced during the resistance and susceptibility processes.
Use of human intravenous immunoglobulin for the treatment of 12 dogs with newly diagnosed malignant disease and presumed secondary immune‐mediated thrombocytopenia
Authors: Stikeman E. , Bianco D.
Published: January 2024

Objectives

To evaluate the safety and efficacy of human intravenous immunoglobulin in dogs with newly diagnosed malignancy and presumed secondary immune‐mediated thrombocytopenia.

Materials and Methods

Twelve client‐owned dogs with newly diagnosed malignant disease and presumed secondary immune‐mediated thrombocytopenia were prospectively enrolled to receive a single infusion of human intravenous immunoglobulin at a dose of 0.5 to 1 mg/kg intravenous over 8 hours. A complete treatment response was defined as a platelet estimation of ≥40,000 platelets/μL within 24 hours and a partial response within 48 hours from the completion of human intravenous immunoglobulin infusion. No treatment response was defined as a platelet estimation remaining <40,000 platelets/μL over 48 hours from the completion of the human intravenous immunoglobulin infusion. This pilot study had a prospective, open‐label, uncontrolled design.

Results

Out of the 12 enrolled dogs, seven completed the study. A complete treatment response to human intravenous immunoglobulin was identified in one lymphoma dog and a partial response was noted in another lymphoma dog. The remaining 10 dogs had no response to human intravenous immunoglobulin. No clinically relevant adverse reactions to human intravenous immunoglobulin occurred in any of the 12 initially enrolled dogs during the infusion and over a 3‐month follow‐up period for the seven surviving dogs.

Clinical Significance

The results of this study suggest that the use of human intravenous immunoglobulin in dogs with newly diagnosed malignant disease and presumed secondary immune‐mediated thrombocytopenia appears safe, but not effective for the treatment of thrombocytopenia. Larger multi‐centre, prospective, double‐blinded, placebo‐controlled, outcome‐based, malignancy‐specific studies are needed to further evaluate these preliminary findings.
Diversity and distribution of Raunkiær's life forms in European vegetation
Authors: Midolo Gabriele , Axmanová Irena , Divíšek Jan , Dřevojan Pavel , Lososová Zdeňka , Večeřa Martin , Karger Dirk Nikolaus , Thuiller Wilfried , Bruelheide Helge , Aćić Svetlana , Attorre Fabio , Biurrun Idoia , Boch Steffen , Bonari Gianmaria , Čarni Andraž , Chiarucci Alessandro , Ćušterevska Renata , Dengler Jürgen , Dziuba Tetiana , Garbolino Emmanuel , Jandt Ute , Lenoir Jonathan , Marcenò Corrado , Rūsiņa Solvita , Šibík Jozef , Škvorc Željko , Stančić Zvjezdana , Stanišić‐Vujačić Milica , Svenning Jens‐Christian , Swacha Grzegorz , Vassilev Kiril , Chytrý Milan
Published: January 2024

Aims

The Raunkiær's system classifies vascular plants into life forms based on the position of renewal buds during periods unfavourable for plant growth. Despite the importance of Raunkiær's system for ecological research, a study exploring the diversity and distribution of life forms on a continental scale is missing. We aim to (i) map the diversity and distribution of life forms in European vegetation and (ii) test for effects of bioclimatic variables while controlling for habitat‐specific responses.

Location

Europe.

Methods

We used data on life forms of 8883 species recorded in 546,501 vegetation plots of different habitats (forest, grassland, scrub and wetland). For each plot, we calculated: (i) the proportion of species of each life form and (ii) the richness and evenness of life forms. We mapped these plot‐level metrics averaged across 50 km × 50 km grid cells and modelled their response to bioclimatic variables.

Results

Hemicryptophytes were the most widespread life form, especially in the temperate zone of Central Europe. Conversely, therophyte and chamaephyte species were more common in the Mediterranean as well as in the dry temperate regions. Moreover, chamaephytes were also more common in the boreal and arctic zones. Higher proportions of phanerophytes were found in the Mediterranean. Overall, a higher richness of life forms was found at lower latitudes while evenness showed more spatially heterogeneous patterns. Habitat type was the main discriminator for most of the responses analysed, but several moisture‐related predictors still showed a marked effect on the diversity of therophytes and chamaephytes.

Conclusions

Our maps can be used as a tool for future biogeographic and macro‐ecological research at a continental scale. Habitat type and bioclimatic conditions are key for regulating the diversity and distribution of plant life forms, with concomitant consequences for the response of functional diversity in European vegetation to global environmental changes.
The shape of business cycles: A cross‐country analysis of Friedman's plucking theory
Authors: Kohlscheen Emanuel , Moessner Richhild , Rees Daniel M.
Published: January 2024

We test the international applicability of Friedman's plucking theory of the business cycle in 18 advanced economies between 1970 and 2019. We find that in countries where labour markets are more flexible (Australia, Canada, Denmark, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States), unemployment rates typically return to pre‐recession levels, in line with Friedman's theory. Elsewhere, unemployment rate recoveries are less complete. Output recoveries differ less across countries, but more across episodes: on average, half of the decline in GDP during a recession persists. In contrast, the extent of labour market tightening or output growth during a boom generally does not provide any information about the intensity of the subsequent recession. In terms of sectors, declines in manufacturing are typically fully reversed. In contrast, construction‐driven recessions, which are often associated with bursting property price bubbles, tend to be persistent.
Application of the New Irrigation Protocol to Reduce Recurrence Rate in the Management Of Periprosthetic Joint Infection
Authors: Wu Xiaoyu , Chen Weishen , Rong Rong , Pan Baiqi , Hu Xuantao , Zheng Linli , Alimu Aerman , Chu Chenghan , Tu Yucheng , Zhang Ziji , Ye Yongyu , Gu Minghui , Sheng Puyi
Published: January 2024

Objective

Irrigation is a conventional treatment for acute and chronic periprosthetic joint infections (PJI). However, there has been no unified standard for irrigation during surgery for PJI in the past, and the efficacy is uncertain. The purpose of this study is to create a new irrigation protocol to enhance the infection control rate and reduce the postoperative recurrence rate of PJI patients.

Methods

We conducted a single‐institution retrospective review with a total of 56 patients who underwent revision total hip or knee arthroplasties due to PJI from January 2011 to January 2022. Conventional irrigation (CI) was used in 32 cases, and standard operating procedure of irrigation (SOPI) was used in 24. The CI protocol carries out an empirical irrigation after debridement, which is quite random. Our SOPI protocol clearly stipulates the soaking concentration and time of hydrogen peroxide and povidone‐iodine. The irrigation is carried out three times, and tissue samples are taken from multiple parts before and after irrigation, which are sent for microbial culture. The important statistical indicators were the rate of positive microbiological culture and postoperative recurrence rate with an average follow‐up of 24 average months.

Results

The drainage volume was lower in the SOPI group than in the CI group on postoperative day 3 (p < 0.01) and 7 (p = 0.016). In addition, the percentage of positive microbiological cultures after the third irrigation was less than that before (p < 0.01) and after (p < 0.01) the first irrigation. The most common causative organism was Staphylococcus aureus, which was detected in 25.0% and 12.5% of the SOPI and CI groups, respectively. The failure rate at the final follow‐up was 8.3% and 31.3% (p = 0.039) for the SOPI and CI groups, respectively.

Conclusion

Compared with the traditional CI method, SOPI standardized the soaking time of hydrogen peroxide and povidone‐iodine, increased the frequency of and irrigation, and proved that microorganisms were almost completely removed through the microbial culture of multiple tissues. SOPI has the potential to become a standardized irrigation process worthy of promotion, effectively reducing the postoperative recurrence rate of PJI patients.
Temporary‐permanent pacemakers are associated with better clinical and safety outcomes compared to balloon‐tipped temporary pacemakers
Authors: Chedid Maroun , Shroff Gautam R. , Iqbal Omer , Adabag Selçuk , Karim Rehan M.
Published: January 2024

Background

Balloon Tipped Temporary Pacemakers (BTTP) are the most used temporary pacemakers; however, they are associated with a risk of dislodgement and thromboembolism. Recently, Temporary Permanent Pacemakers (TPPM) have been increasingly used. Evidence of outcomes with TPPM compared to BTTP remains scarce.

Methods

Retrospective, chart review study evaluating all patients who underwent temporary pacemaker placement between 2014 and 2022 (N = 126) in the cardiac catheterization laboratory (CCL) at a level 1 trauma center. Primary outcome of this study is to evaluate the safety profile of TPPM versus BTTP. Secondary objectives include patient ambulation and healthcare utilization in patients with temporary pacemakers.

Results

Both groups had similar baseline characteristics distribution including gender, race, and age at temporary pacemaker insertion (p > .05). Subclavian vein was the most common site of access for the TPPM cohort (89.0%) versus the femoral vein in the BTTP group (65.1%). Ambulation was only possible in the TPPM group (55.6%, p < .001). Lead dislodgement, venous thromboembolism, local hematoma, and access site infections were less frequently encountered in the TPPM group (OR = 0.23 [95% CI (0.10‐0.67), p < .001]). Within the subgroup of patients with TPPM, 36.6% of the patients were monitored outside the ICU setting. There was no significant difference in the pacemaker‐related adverse events among patients with TPPM based on their in‐hospital setting.

Conclusion

TPPM is associated with a more favorable safety profile compared to BTTP. They are also associated with earlier patient ambulation and reduced healthcare utilization.
Kisspeptin stimulates oestradiol biosynthesis by upregulating steroidogenic transcripts and proliferation markers in the bubaline granulosa cells in vitro
Authors: Sharma Renu , Patra Manas Kumar , Puttanarsappa Thejaswini Meda , Hitesh  , Raza Mohammad Rehan Ahmad , Sahu Tarun Kumar , Mathesh Karikalan , Dubal Zunjar Baburao , Ghosh Subrata Kumar , Gaur Gyanendra Kumar , Das Goutam Kumar , Singh Sanjay Kumar , Krishnaswamy Narayanan
Published: January 2024

Kisspeptin (Kp), an upstream regulator of GnRH release, is essential for the development and function of reproductive axis. Previously, we demonstrated the localization of Kp and its receptor (Kiss1r) in the active follicle in the bubaline ovary. Present study aimed to determine the effect of Kp on granulosa cell (GCs) functions, especially oestradiol (E2) and progesterone (P4) production, and differential expression of genes regulating the proliferation, apoptosis and steroidogenesis in the buffalo. The ovaries with 6–10 mm size follicles obtained from the cyclic buffaloes after slaughtering were used for isolation of GCs for in vitro study. The primary GCs culture was treated with Kp (0, 10, 50 and 100 nM) and incubated for 48 h. Production of E2 and P4 was estimated in the culture supernatant by ELISA. The expression of gonadotropin receptors (FSHR and LHR), steroidogenic genes (STAR, 3β‐HSD, CYP19A1), proliferation marker (PCNA), apoptotic factors (CASP3 and BCL2) and Kp signalling molecule (extracellular signal‐regulated kinase 1/2, ERK1/2 and p‐ERK1/2) was studied in the GCs by qPCR. Significant E2 production was found in the Kp 50 and 100 nM groups (p < .05), whereas P4 production was reduced in Kp 100 nM group (p < .05). There was concomitant upregulation of FSHR, ERK1/2, STAR and CYP19A1 in the Kp 100 nM treated GCs. In addition, Kp at 100 nM stimulated the proliferation of GCs by upregulating the expression of BCL2 (5.0 fold) and PCNA (94.9 fold). Further, high immunoreactivity of p‐ERK1/2 was observed in the Kp‐treated GCs. It was concluded that Kp at 100 nM concentration stimulated E2 production by upregulating the steroidogenic pathway through ERK1/2, STAR and CYP19A1 and modulating PCNA and BCL2 expressions in the GCs. Further experiments are warranted using Kp antagonist in different combinations to establish the signalling pathway in Kp‐mediated steroidogenesis in the GCs for developing strategies to control ovarian functions.
Morphology and morphometry of sperm in Kurdish stallions, a local breed from western Iran
Authors: Nooroozian Armaghan , Goodarzi Nader , Tafti Rohollah Dehghani
Published: January 2024

The present work was designed for a thorough investigation into the sperm morphology and morphometry of Kurdish stallions. The semen samples were collected from 10 Kurdish stallions. Three preparations from each ejaculate were stained with eosin–nigrosin (EN), Diff‐Quik (DQ) and Rose Bengal (RB). The area, perimeter, length and width of the sperm head as well as tail length and total sperm length were measured. The parameters ellipticity, elongation, roughness and regularity were calculated. The morphology of sperm was also investigated under scanning and transmission electron microscopes. DQ and RB provided more clarified images for examining sperm structures compared to the EN method. The head length, head width, area and perimeter in EN were significantly higher than those in DQ and RB (p ≤ .05). Furthermore, the difference in head width, head area and head perimeter between DQ and RB was not significant (p ≥ .05). The tail length and total sperm length in all methods were close together (p ≥ .05). The highest percentage of normal sperm was seen in DQ and RB methods (82.55 ± 2.88 and 88.31 ± 5.19) respectively. The highest values for ellipticity, elongation and regularity were found in RB, whereas the highest value for roughness was measured in EN. Tail defects including coiled tails, and folded midpieces were the most frequent. Scanning electron microscope revealed two types of head shapes: heads with round anterior border, and heads with flat anterior border. The results indicated that despite the routine use of EN for morphological assessment of stallion sperm, RB and DQ can be considered for more clarified details of sperm structure including acrosome and midpiece. Furthermore, the Kurdish stallion sperm has morphometric traits in the normal range established for stallions; yet, some traits were larger than those reported for other breeds. It seems that the sperm of the Kurdish stallion has a longer head and tail in comparison with other horse breeds.
The effect of capital structure on the financial sustainability of microfinance institutions: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Dirse Muleye Tarekegn , Japee Gurudutta P.
Published: January 2024

Considering the trend toward microfinance institutions (MFIs) commercialization that fundamentally reshapes their capital structure, this meta‐analysis, by synthesizing data from a wide range of studies, aims to investigate the impact of different sources of finance on the financial sustainability of MFIs and determine the optimal order in which these sources should be utilized. In this study, 166 effect sizes were obtained from 64 studies. Overall, the findings indicate that equity and deposit financing enhance financial sustainability positively, whereas debt and donation financing exhibit an inverse relationship. However, variations exist based on the MFI charters. While equity financing adversely affects the financial sustainability of MFI banks, it also exerts positive effects on other types of MFIs. Similarly, deposit financing negatively affected MFI NGOs. Regarding financial sustainability proxies, debt and equity financing affect financial self‐sufficiency (FSS) and operating self‐sufficiency (OSS), unlike donation and deposit financing. Equity financing has a positive effect on OSS but a negative effect on FSS. In contrast, debt financing shows the opposite trend. The meta‐regression further reveals that, as capital structure variables, the sources of finance do not significantly explain the variance in MFIs' FSS but do so for OSS. These findings have implications for managers and for future research.
Beyond bronchodilation: Illuminating the performance benefits of inhaled beta2‐agonists in sports
Authors: Hostrup Morten , Jessen Søren
Published: January 2024

Given the prevalent use of inhaled beta2‐agonists in sports, there is an ongoing debate as to whether they enhance athletic performance. Over the last decades, inhaled beta2‐agonists have been claimed not to enhance performance with little consideration of dose or exercise modality. In contrast, orally administered beta2‐agonists are perceived as being performance enhancing, predominantly on muscle strength and sprint ability, but can also induce muscle hypertrophy and slow‐to‐fast fiber phenotypic switching. But because inhaled beta2‐agonists are more efficient to achieve high systemic concentrations than oral delivery relative to dose, it follows that the inhaled route has the potential to enhance performance too. The question is at which inhaled doses such effects occur. While supratherapeutic doses of inhaled beta2‐agonists enhance muscle strength and short intense exercise performance, effects at low therapeutic doses are less apparent. However, even high therapeutic inhaled doses of commonly used beta2‐agonists have been shown to induce muscle hypertrophy and to enhance sprint performance. This is concerning from an anti‐doping perspective. In this paper, we raise awareness of the circumstances under which inhaled beta2‐agonists can constitute a performance‐enhancing benefit.
Microphone array based on tangent line method
Authors: Kaizuka Tsutomu
Published: January 2024

The tangent line method (TLM) was originally proposed for loudspeaker arrays to generate curvilinear acoustic beams. In this study, the TLM was applied to a microphone array. Based on reciprocity, the TLM-based microphone array can be used to form curvilinear beams. A curvilinear beam is produced as an envelope for the tangent lines. Tangent lines, which are straight beams with different angles, are generated by applying a delay-and-sum (DAS) beamformer. Because the envelope length is specified, the distance discrimination in the sensitivity is better using the TLM than the DAS beamformer. Case studies have indicated that directivity is better in the former TLM than in the latter. The TLM is realizable with fixed delay times for each microphone unless the formation of curvilinear trajectory is altered according to reproduction frequencies. Hence, the same simplicity of implementing the DAS beamformer can be achieved by optimizing the curvilinear trajectory based average frequency. Optimization is conducted such that the acoustic contrast between the focal point and elsewhere is maximized. In summary, the frequency-averaged optimal TLM can be a fixed beamformer with better performance than and the same simplicity as the DAS beamformer.
Engineered cocultures of iPSC-derived atrial cardiomyocytes and atrial fibroblasts for modeling atrial fibrillation
Authors: Brown Grace E. , Han Yong Duk , Michell Ashlin R. , Ly Olivia T. , Vanoye Carlos G. , Spanghero Emanuele , George Alfred L. , Darbar Dawood , Khetani Salman R.
Published: January 2024

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common sustained cardiac arrhythmia treatable with antiarrhythmic drugs; however, patient responses remain highly variable. Human induced pluripotent stem cell–derived atrial cardiomyocytes (iPSC-aCMs) are useful for discovering precision therapeutics, but current platforms yield phenotypically immature cells and are not easily scalable for high-throughput screening. Here, primary adult atrial, but not ventricular, fibroblasts induced greater functional iPSC-aCM maturation, partly through connexin-40 and ephrin-B1 signaling. We developed a protein patterning process within multiwell plates to engineer patterned iPSC-aCM and atrial fibroblast coculture (PC) that significantly enhanced iPSC-aCM structural, electrical, contractile, and metabolic maturation for 6+ weeks compared to conventional mono-/coculture. PC displayed greater sensitivity for detecting drug efficacy than monoculture and enabled the modeling and pharmacological or gene editing treatment of an AF-like electrophysiological phenotype due to a mutated sodium channel. Overall, PC is useful for elucidating cell signaling in the atria, drug screening, and modeling AF.
Tenascin-C expressing touch dome keratinocytes exhibit characteristics of all epidermal lineages
Authors: Nguyen Minh Binh , Flora Pooja , Branch Meagan C. , Weber Madison , Zheng Xiang Yu , Sivan Unnikrishnan , Joost Simon , Annusver Karl , Zheng Deyou , Kasper Maria , Ezhkova Elena
Published: January 2024

The touch dome (TD) keratinocytes are specialized epidermal cells that intimately associate with the light touch sensing Merkel cells (MCs). The TD keratinocytes function as a niche for the MCs and can induce de novo hair follicles upon stimulation; however, how the TD keratinocytes are maintained during homeostasis remains unclear. scRNA-seq identified a specific TD keratinocyte marker,Tenascin-C(TNC). Lineage tracing ofTnc-expressing TD keratinocytes revealed that these cells maintain themselves as an autonomous epidermal compartment and give rise to MCs upon injury. Molecular characterization uncovered that, while the transcriptional and chromatin landscape of the TD keratinocytes is remarkably similar to that of the interfollicular epidermal keratinocytes, it also shares certain molecular signatures with the hair follicle keratinocytes. Our study highlights that the TD keratinocytes in the adult skin have molecular characteristics of keratinocytes of diverse epidermal lineages.
Supplemental Material: Precipitation of Ag-Pb-Zn ores of the Poshan vein deposit in the Qinling orogen (central China) by dilution of magmatic hydrothermal fluids
Authors: Chai Ming-Chun , Li Jian-Wei , et al.
Published: January 2024

Tables S1–S7; Figures S1–S3; Text S1 for numerical modeling of δ18Ofluid variations.
An effective stress-based approach to modeling the hydro-mechanical behavior of unsaturated soils
Authors: Song Zhaoyang , Ma Tiantian , Cai Guoqing , Liu Yan , Wei Changfu
Published: January 2024

A constitutive model of unsaturated soils is developed by incorporating the concept of intergranular stress into the framework of the modified Cam–Clay model. Within this context, the degree of saturation is viewed as an internal state variable, so that the soil–water retention function appears naturally as an evolution equation for the volume fraction of water. The new model not only has a neat structure but also includes fewer material parameters compared to the other models. A new volumetric-hardening law is proposed by taking into account the effect of wetting-induced pore collapse. It is shown that the collapsing void ratio (the current void ratio minus the void ratio at full saturation under the same effective stress) is dominated by the degree of pore air saturation (one minus the degree of water saturation) and practically independent of intergranular pulling forces, highlighting the important effect of soil fabric on the wetting-induced pore collapse. The proposed model is applied to simulate different types of experiments on unsaturated soils subjected to various combined hydraulic and mechanical loadings, showing its capability and diversity in modeling the hydraulic and mechanical behavior of unsaturated soils.
Coarse woody debris dynamics in a secondary Atlantic Forest fragment in Brazil
Authors: Villanova Paulo Henrique , Torres Carlos Moreira Miquelino Eleto , Jacovine Laércio Antônio Gonçalves , Schettini Bruno Leão Said , Soares Carlos Pedro Boechat , da Rocha Samuel José Silva Soares , Rufino Maria Paula Miranda Xavier , de Freitas Mariany Filipini , Kerkoff Lucas Abreu
Published: January 2024

The Atlantic Forest fragments have suffered from the impacts of climate change, resulting in the increased production of coarse woody debris (CWD), which needs to be evaluated in space and time to generate accurate estimates of carbon accumulation. Thus, the goals of this study were (i) to quantify the CWD volume, necromass, carbon stock, and annual increment of carbon (AIcarb) over a period of 4 years; and (ii) to select the optimal combination of climatic, topographic, edaphic, and intrinsic forest variables to accurately predict AIcarb using machine learning and multivariate analysis. The CWD volume, necromass, and carbon stock increased between 2017 and 2020. The AIcarb was 1.09 MgC ha−1 year−1 (2017–2018), 1.24 MgC ha−1 year−1 (2018–2019), and 2.31 MgC ha−1 year−1 (2019–2020). Statistical analysis indicated that climate variables had greater weight in the CWD carbon increment in the 2018–2019 and 2019–2020 periods, while edaphic, topographical, and intrinsic forest variables were more important for the 2017–2018 period. Our findings showed that the carbon increase in CWD was linked to temporal and spatial variables within forests. These results demonstrate the importance of this parameter in the carbon cycle of forest ecosystems and highlight that there should be greater international research efforts to quantify this carbon pool.
CONSTRUCTION OF A WEIGHTED FRACTAL INTERPOLATION SURFACE BASED ON MATKOWSKI CONTRACTIONS
Authors: ZHONG QIAN-RUI , WANG HONG-YONG
Published: January 2024

In this paper, we construct a new kind of weighted recursive iteration function system (IFS) and prove the existence of the unique attractor for the kind of IFS based on the Matkowski fixed point theorem. We confirm that the attractor is a bivariate fractal interpolation surface (FIS), which interpolates a given set of data. In addition, we also provide an upper error estimate of such FISs caused by changes of weights. Finally, we give their box dimension estimates for a specific type of the FISs.