bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Circular product design: strategies, challenges and relationships with new product development
Authors: Aguiar Marina Fernandes , Mesa Jaime A. , Jugend Daniel , Pinheiro Marco Antonio Paula , Fiorini Paula De Camargo
Published: November 2021

Purpose

Although product design is a fundamental element in the transition towards the circular economy, the knowledge of practices, methods and tools oriented to circular product design has not been widely developed. This study aims to contribute to the circular economy research area by investigating and analyzing the main design approaches to circular products and their relationship to new product development.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors conducted a systematic review and qualitative analysis of 120 articles. In these studies, the authors analyzed aspects such as design strategies used, the barriers to the adoption of circular product design and the relationships between the phases of new product development processes with circular product design studies.

Findings

The findings revealed that the circular product design approach has added new design strategies to those already recommended by ecodesign, such as multiple use cycles, emotional durability and biomimicry. Furthermore, the results showed that most circular product design articles focus on the planning and concept development phases of the new product development process.

Originality/value

In this article, the authors systematized the findings of an emergent research area: the development of new products for the circular economy. Its main contributions lie in the identification of design strategies, the classification of Design for X approaches, analysis of such approaches during the new product development process and discussion of their main barriers. Finally, this study presents contributions for managers and designers who are starting the transition to a circular strategy.
The rise and fall of the energy-carbon Kuznets curve: evidence from Africa
Authors: Shobande Olatunji , Asongu Simplice
Published: November 2021

Purpose

This paper provides an analysis of the energy-carbon Kuznets curve hypothesis (CKC) using a second-generation panel methodology.

Design/methodology/approach

Specifically, the authors investigate whether energy consumption, natural resources and governance explain the CKC proposition. The study’s empirical strategy is based on the Westerlund panel cointegration test, augmented mean group (AMG) and vector autoregressive (VAR) panel Granger-causality tests.

Findings

The results suggest that the CKC hypothesis is incomplete without these mechanisms, as they play a critical role in reducing carbon emissions in Africa. The authors recommend improving the environmental standards and proper regulatory and monitoring systems to reduce carbon emissions and promote sustainable development in the continent.

Originality/value

The study revisits the CKC hypothesis with particular emphasis on governance and more robust empirical estimation techniques.
The role of social capital in private placement: evidence from Rule 144A debt issuances
Authors: Wang Jianrong , Wang Haizhi , Yin Desheng , Zhu Yun
Published: November 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the role of social capital in the issuances of Rule 144A debt. Using a sample of 1,378 debt offerings from 1997 to 2015 in the US, this paper provides empirical evidence on whether and to what extent social capital affects the cost of Rule 144A debt.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper employs a county-level measure of social capital and links social capital to the yield spreads of Rule 144A debt. A Heckman selection model is sued to address the sample selection bias, and an instrumental variable approach and propensity score matching methodology are implemented to deal with the potential endogeneity issue. The authors check for robustness using an alternative measure of social capital.

Findings

The results of the analysis provide evidence that issuers headquartered in the counties with higher levels of social capital experience lower yield spreads in their Rule 144A debt offerings. The findings are robust to a Heckman selection model, an instrumental variable approach and propensity score matching. Furthermore, the analysis reveals the marginal effect of social capital that the effect of social capital is more pronounced for the issuing firms with higher agency cost of debt and lower institutional ownership. The effect of social capital is more prominent after financial crisis.

Originality/value

This paper provides novel evidence of the effect of social capital on the cost of privately placed debt. The issuances of Rule 144A debt are subject to significant information asymmetry and are targeted at sophisticated institutional investors. This paper sheds further light on how institutional investors incorporate the regional social capital in their pricing scheme of private placement of Rule 144A debt.
What’s next for the Renewable Energy Target – resolving Australia’s integration of energy and climate change policy?*
Authors: Nelson Tim , Nolan Tahlia , Gilmore Joel
Published: November 2021

Australian climate change policy and its integration with Australia’s electricity markets have been fraught for at least two decades. The only enduring policy has been the Commonwealth Renewable Energy Target (RET). Despite the relative success of the RET in driving investment and reducing emissions, state governments have now pivoted towards contracts‐for‐difference (Cfds). In this article, we outline the issues associated with policy discontinuity and the large‐scale RET and review its effectiveness as an emissions reduction tool and driver of electricity sector abatement. We find that the RET has been relatively successful across the key criteria of cost and emissions reductions and is a better policy instrument than contracts‐for‐difference, which are increasingly being adopted by state governments. Building on the work of Nelson et al. (2020), we propose a new approach, which would allow for continued use of Cfds but utilising the RET’s policy architecture.
A venom protein of ectoparasitoid Pachycrepoideus vindemiae, PvG6PDH, contributes to parasitism by inhibiting host glucose‐6‐phosphate metabolism
Authors: Yang Lei , Qiu Liming , Fang Qi , Wu Shaoying , Ye Gongyin
Published: November 2021

To achieve successful development, female parasitoids, while laying eggs, introduce various virulence factors, mainly venoms, into host insects to manipulate their physiology. Although numerous studies have been conducted to characterize the components of venoms that regulate host immune responses, few systematic investigations have been conducted on the roles of venom proteins in host metabolic regulation. In this investigation, we characterized a novel venom protein in Pachycrepoideus vindemiae called glucose‐6‐phosphate dehydrogenase (PvG6PDH) and showed it has a vital role in regulating host carbohydrate metabolism. PvG6PDH encodes 510 amino acids and features a signal peptide and two conserved “G6PDH” domains. Multiple sequence alignment showed it has high amino acid identity with G6PDH from other pteromalids, and quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis and immunofluorescent staining demonstrated a significantly higher expression of PvG6PDH in the venom apparatus compared with the carcass. We report that PvG6PDH contributes to parasitism by inhibiting the glucose‐6‐phosphate (G6P) metabolism of host Drosophila melanogaster, as demonstrated by PvG6PDH injection and RNA interference analysis. Further tests revealed that the accumulation of host G6P was caused by the transcriptional inhibition of G6P‐metabolism‐related genes. These findings greatly contribute to our understanding of venom‐mediated host metabolic regulation, further laying the foundation for the development of venom proteins as biological agents for pest control.
Improvement in epistaxis management: the experience of a dedicated hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia clinic
Authors: Anning Rebecca , Huang Johnson , Ronan Anne , de Malmanche Jillian , Asher Rebecca , Low Tsu‐Hui (Hubert)
Published: November 2021

Background

Hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT) is a rare genetic vascular disorder which is characterised by the development of arteriovenous malformations and telangiectasias. A key clinical manifestation is recurrent epistaxis. This study examined the impact of a dedicated HHT clinic in a major Australian tertiary hospital on epistaxis symptoms and subjective quality of life.

Methods

A multidisciplinary HHT clinic was established in 2015. All patients satisfied either genetic diagnosis or fulfilled Curacao criteria. A protocol based clinical assessment was performed and a standardised treatment regimen was implemented. Patients completed quality of life and epistaxis severity score (ESS) questionnaires at each review.

Results

Participants of the dedicated clinic included 21 females (58.3%) and 15 males (41.7%), with a mean age of 49.0 ± 24.0 years. The ACVRL1 variant was the most common (n = 20, 55.6%). A statistically significant reduction in epistaxis severity was noted between the baseline and second review (P = 0.02) and was maintained to the third visit (P = 0.015). Patients older than 50 years demonstrate a consistently higher ESS than those less than 50 years old (P = 0.03). This trend is noted throughout the follow up period with the dedicated clinic.

Conclusion

The introduction of a multidisciplinary, dedicated HHT clinic to provide enhanced assessment, monitored treatment regimen and greater access to care, resulted in improvement in the management of epistaxis and quality of life in these patients.
Do we need to change empiric antibiotic use following natural disasters? A reflection on the Townsville flood
Authors: Jenkin Ashley , Mantha Pranay , Palamuthusingam Pranavan
Published: November 2021

Introduction

Skin and soft tissue infections have the potential to affect every patient admitted to a surgical service. Changes to the microbiota colonizing wounds during natural disasters, such as the Townsville floods of 2019, could impact empiric antibiotic choice and need for return to theatre.

Methods

This retrospective observational cohort study reviews culture data and demographics for patients undergoing surgical debridement of infected wounds over a six‐month period starting in November 2018 to May 2019 at the Townsville Hospital.

Results

Of the 408 patients requiring operative intervention, only 61 patients met the inclusion criteria. The groups were comparative in terms of age and gender, but a greater proportion of patients (40.5% versus 29.1%, P = 0.368) in the post‐flood group were diabetic. Common skin commensals, such as Staphylococcus aureus, were the most common pathogen in both groups, however the post‐flood group had a higher proportion of atypical organisms (14 versus 8 patients), and an increased need for repeated debridement for infection control (24 versus 14 patients).

Conclusion

Wound swabs and tissue culture are imperative during surgical debridement and may guide the use of more broad‐spectrum coverage following a significant flooding event.
Can the alcohol withdrawal scale be applied to post‐operative patients?
Authors: Underwood Kirk , Stupart Douglas , Morgan Frederick Hamish , Scott Benjamin , Moxham‐Smith Ryan , Moore Eileen Mary , Friedman Deborah
Published: November 2021

Backgrounds

Assessment scales are commonly used to diagnose and treat alcohol withdrawal syndrome (AWS) in acute hospitals, although they have only been validated for use in detoxification facilities. There is a significant overlap between the symptoms and signs of AWS and other clinical presentations, including systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) and the physiological response to surgery. This may lead to both over‐diagnosis and inappropriate treatment of AWS. This study sought to determine the false‐positive rate for the commonly used Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment for Alcohol–Revised (CIWA‐Ar) among post‐operative patients.

Methods

This was a prospective study of patients undergoing major abdominal surgery at University Hospital Geelong. Patients were recruited who were NOT at risk of alcohol dependency (using the World Health Organisation Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test). Patients were assessed for AWS using the CIWA‐Ar day one post‐operatively with a false positive measured as a CIWA‐Ar > 7.

Results

A total of 67 patients were included in the study. There were 31 (46%) men and 36 women. Their median age was 52 years (range 27–85). Thirty‐six (52%) of patients underwent elective procedures, and 32 were emergencies. Twelve of the 67 patients (18%) had CIWA‐Ar scores >seven.

Conclusion

In the early post‐operative period, the CIWA‐Ar tool over‐diagnoses AWS in 18% of patients. These false‐positives could lead to delayed treatment of serious underlying conditions. We call for caution in the use of alcohol withdrawal scales in the acute hospital setting.
Unions and hazard pay for COVID‐19: Evidence from the Canadian Labour Force Survey
Authors: Lamb Danielle , Gomez Rafael , Moghaddas Milad
Published: November 2021

In this article, we examine whether (and by how much) workers in Canada have been compensated for the ‘novel’ risks associated with COVID‐19. We create a unique dataset from a system that scores occupations in the US O*NET database for COVID‐19 exposure. We then combine those COVID exposure scores with Canadian occupational data contained in the Public Use Microdata File of the Labour Force Survey. This allows us to categorize Canadian occupations based on COVID‐19 exposure risk. We find a long‐tailed distribution of COVID‐19 risk scores across occupations, with most jobs at the lower end of the risk spectrum and relatively few occupations accounting for most of the high COVID‐19 exposure risk. We find that workers who are already more vulnerable in the labour market (i.e. youth, women and immigrants) are also more likely to be employed in occupations with high COVID‐19 exposure risk. When we look at the relationship between high‐COVID exposure risks in occupation and wages, we find negative compensating differentials both at the mean (negative 8%) and across the earnings distribution. However, when workers are covered by a union, they enjoy a sizeable hazard pay premium (11.7% on average) as compared to their non‐union counterparts. Furthermore, we find that the moderating effects of unionization for workers at high risk of COVID exposure to be largest at the bottom of the earnings distribution (i.e. the 10th percentile of unionized earners receives a 12.3% risk premium for high‐COVID exposure, whereas the 90th percentile receives only a 2%).
Alemtuzumab‐induced autoimmune thyroid events in patients with relapsing‐remitting multiple sclerosis: A real‐life and monocentric experience at a tertiary‐level centre
Authors: Manso Jacopo , Zhu Yi Hang , Margoni Monica , Rinaldi Francesca , Censi Simona , Carducci Sofia , Cosma Chiara , Plebani Mario , Gallo Paolo , Mian Caterina
Published: November 2021

Objective

Alemtuzumab‐induced autoimmune thyroid events (AIATEs) are the most common adverse effects observed in relapsing‐remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) patients. This study aims to explore the clinical and biochemical characteristics of such AIATEs, and to examine the risk factors for their occurrence, particularly for the worst clinical phenotype of fluctuating Graves' disease (GD).

Design, Patients, Measurements

We retrospectively analysed a real‐life single‐centre consecutive series of 57 RRMS patients treated with alemtuzumab whose clinical and biochemical parameters were collected before starting the treatment and then monthly during their follow‐up.

Results

AIATEs developed in 39% of patients a mean 17 months ± 11 after the first cycle of alemtuzumab. The most common AIATEs were GD (64%), followed by Hashimoto's thyroiditis with hypothyroidism (23%), TSH‐receptor‐antibody (TRAb)‐positive hypothyroidism (9%), and silent thyroiditis (4%). GD showed a fluctuating course in 57% of cases. Baseline positivity for anti‐thyroperoxidase antibodies, and higher absolute titers of anti‐thyroglobulin and anti‐thyroperoxidase antibodies correlated significantly with the risk of developing AIATEs, but TRAb positivity did not. Higher TRAb titers at the time of GD being diagnosed correlated strongly with a greater risk of the fluctuating GD phenotype. On ROC curve analysis, we found that a cut‐off of 7.3 IU/L could be used to predict the risk of developing a fluctuating GD, with a positive predictive value of 100%.

Conclusions

TRAb levels measured with commercial automatic methods at the time of a patient being diagnosed with alemtuzumab‐induced GD emerged as a novel biomarker for predicting a fluctuating disease phenotype, with an influence on subsequent therapeutic decisions and patients' follow‐up.
Natural history and surgical outcome of Rathke's cleft cysts—A study from the Swedish Pituitary Registry
Authors: Petersson Maria , Berinder Katarina , Eden Engström Britt , Tsatsaris Erika , Ekman Bertil , Wahlberg Jeanette , Burman Pia , Borg Henrik , Siesjö Peter , Dahlqvist Per , Åkerman Anna‐Karin , Ragnarsson Oskar , Olsson Martin , Förander Petter , Bensing Sophie , Höybye Charlotte
Published: November 2021

Objective

Rathke's cleft cysts are benign, embryological remnants in the pituitary gland. The majority of them are small and asymptomatic but a few may become large, and cause mass effects, pituitary hormone deficiencies and visual impairment. Recommendations for the follow‐up of Rathke's cleft cysts vary since data on the natural history are sparse.

Patients and Design

Data at diagnosis and at 1, 5 and 10 years for patients with a Rathke's cleft cyst (434 at diagnosis, 317 females) were retrieved from the Swedish Pituitary Registry. Cysts ≤3 mm in diameter were excluded from the study.

Measurements

Data included demographics, cyst size, pituitary function, visual defects and surgery.

Results

The mean age at diagnosis was 45 years. In patients with cysts <10 mm in diameter (n = 204) 2.9% had pituitary hormone deficiencies and 2% had visual field impairments. Cyst size did not progress during the 5 years. Cysts with a diameter of ≥10 mm that were not operated (n = 174) decreased in size over the years (p < .01). Pituitary hormone deficiencies and visual impairments were more frequent (18% and 5.7%, respectively) but were stable over time. Transphenoidal surgery was performed in 56 patients of whom 51 underwent surgery before the 1‐year follow‐up. The mean cyst diameter at diagnosis was 18 mm (range: 9─30 mm), 36% had pituitary hormone deficiency, 45% had visual field defects and 20% had impaired visual acuity. One year after surgery 60% had no cyst remnants, 50% had a pituitary deficiency, 26% had visual field defects and 12% had impaired visual acuity. No major changes were observed after 5 years. Twelve of the operated patients had a follow‐up at 10 years, in eight the cyst remnants or recurrences increased in size over time (p < .05).

Conclusions

Rathke's cleft cysts with a size less than 10 mm rarely grow and our results indicate that radiological follow‐up can be restricted to 5 years. In contrast, progression of postoperative remnants or recurrent cysts is more likely and require long‐term follow‐up.
Evidence in peroneal nerve entrapment: A scoping review
Authors: Oosterbos Christophe , Decramer Thomas , Rummens Sofie , Weyns Frank , Dubuisson Annie , Ceuppens Jeroen , Schuind Sophie , Groen Justus , van Loon Johannes , Rasulic Lukas , Lemmens Robin , Theys Tom
Published: November 2021

Background and purpose

Daily management of patients with foot drop due to peroneal nerve entrapment varies between a purely conservative treatment and early surgery, with no high‐quality evidence to guide current practice. Electrodiagnostic (EDX) prognostic features and the value of imaging in establishing and supplementing the diagnosis have not been clearly established.

Methods

We performed a literature search in the online databases MEDLINE, Embase, and the Cochrane Library. Of the 42 unique articles meeting the eligibility criteria, 10 discussed diagnostic performance of imaging, 11 reported EDX limits for abnormal values and/or the value of EDX in prognostication, and 26 focused on treatment outcome.

Results

Studies report high sensitivity and specificity of both ultrasound (varying respectively from 47.1% to 91% and from 53% to 100%) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI; varying respectively from 31% to 100% and from 73% to 100%). One comparative trial favoured ultrasound over MRI. Variable criteria for a conduction block (>20%–≥50) were reported. A motor conduction block and any baseline compound motor action potential response were identified as predictors of good outcome. Based predominantly on case series, the percentage of patients with good outcome ranged 0%–100% after conservative treatment and 40%−100% after neurolysis. No study compared both treatments.

Conclusions

Ultrasound and MRI have good accuracy, and introducing imaging in the standard diagnostic workup should be considered. Further research should focus on the role of EDX in prognostication. No recommendation on the optimal treatment strategy of peroneal nerve entrapment can be made, warranting future randomized controlled trials.
Functional relevance and health benefits of soymilk fermented by lactic acid bacteria
Authors: Kumari Manorama , Kokkiligadda Anusha , Dasriya Vaishali , Naithani Harshita
Published: November 2021

The growing interest of consumers towards nutritionally enriched, and health promoting foods, provoke interest in the eventual development of fermented functional foods. Soymilk is a growing trend that can serve as a low-cost non-dairy alternative with improved functional and nutritional properties. Soymilk acts as a good nutrition media for the growth and proliferation of the micro-organism as well as for their bioactivities. The bioactive compounds produced by fermentation of soymilk with lactic acid bacteria (LAB) exhibit enhanced nutritional values, and several improved health benefits including antihypertensive, antioxidant, antidiabetic, anticancer and hypocholesterolaemic effects. The fermented soymilk is acquiring a significant position in the functional food industry due to its increased techno-functional qualities as well as ensuring the survivability of probiotic bacteria producing diverse metabolites. This review covers the important benefits conferred by the consumption of soymilk fermented by LAB producing bioactive compounds. It provides a holistic approach to obtain existing knowledge on the biofunctional attributes of fermented soymilk, with a focus on the functionality of soymilk fermented by LAB.
Resistance properties and the role of the inner membrane and coat of Bacillus subtilis spores with extreme wet heat resistance
Authors: Kanaan Julia , Murray Jillian , Higgins Ryan , Nana Mishil , DeMarco Angela M. , Korza George , Setlow Peter
Published: November 2021

Aims

A protein termed 2Duf greatly increases wet heat resistance of Bacillus subtilis spores. The current work examines the effects of 2Duf on spore resistance to other sporicides, including chemicals that act on or must cross spores’ inner membrane (IM), where 2Duf is likely present. The overall aim was to gain a deeper understanding of how 2Duf affects spore resistance, and of spore resistance itself.

Methods and Results

2Duf's presence increased spore resistance to chemicals that damage or must cross the IM to kill spores. Spore coat removal decreased 2Duf-spore resistance to chemicals and wet heat, and 2Duf-spores made at higher temperatures were more resistant to wet heat and chemicals. 2Duf-less spores lacking coats and Ca-dipicolinic acid were also extremely sensitive to wet heat and chemicals that transit the IM to kill spores.

Conclusions

The new work plus previous results lead to a number of important conclusions as follows. (1) 2Duf may influence spore resistance by decreasing the permeability of and lipid mobility in spores’ IM. (2) Since wet heat-killed spores that germinate do not accumulate ATP, wet heat may inactivate some spore IM protein essential in ATP production which is stabilized in a more rigid IM. (3) Both Ca-dipicolinic acid and the spore coat play an important role in the permeability of the spore IM, and thus in many spore resistance properties.

Significance and Impact of the Study

The work in this manuscript gives a new insight into mechanisms of spore resistance to chemicals and wet heat, to the understanding of spore wet heat killing, and the role of Ca-dipicolinic acid and the coat in spore resistance.
Effects of microabrasion association to at‐home bleaching on hydrogen peroxide penetration and color change
Authors: Bernardi Laís Giacomini , Favoreto Michael Willian , de Souza Carneiro Taynara , Borges Christiane Philippini Ferreira , Pulido Camilo , Loguercio Alessandro D.
Published: November 2021

Purpose

This study aimed to quantify the penetration of hydrogen peroxide (HP) inside the pulp cavity and color change with two different concentrations of HP to at‐home bleaching associated or not with enamel microabrasion (MA).

Methods

Forty healthy premolars were randomly divided in four groups (n = 10): only HP4%, MA + HP4%, only HP10%, MA + HP10%. The concentration (μg/ml) of HP was assessed using UV–Vis spectrophotometry. The color change (ΔEab, ΔE00 and WID) was evaluated before and one‐week after bleaching. Data were evaluated for a two‐way ANOVA and the Tukey's test (α = 0.05).

Results

The application of MA increased the amounts of HP inside the pulp chamber when compared to without MA, as well as PH10% when compared to PH4% (p < 0.0001). PH10% showed higher WID when compared to PH4%. No significant difference was observed when ΔEab, and ΔE00 were used.

Conclusions

The enamel MA before at‐home bleaching promotes greater penetration of HP, although this procedure did not significantly affect the color change.

Clinical Significance

Since greater penetration of HP into the pulp chamber was detected when home bleaching was applied immediately after MA, the clinician should not apply home bleaching gels in the same session when MA was performed.
MRI of nigrosome‐1: A potential triage tool for patients with suspected parkinsonism
Authors: Haller Sven , Davidsson Anette , Tisell Anders , Ochoa‐Figueroa Miguel , Georgiopoulos Charalampos
Published: November 2021

Background and Purpose

Susceptibility‐weighted imaging (SWI) of nigrosome‐1 is an emerging and clinically applicable imaging marker for parkinsonism, which can be derived from routinely performed brain MRI. The purpose of the study was to assess whether SWI can be used as a triage tool for more efficient selection of subsequent Dopamine Transporter Scan (DaTSCAN) single‐photon emission computed tomography (SPECT).

Methods

We examined 72 consecutive patients with suspected parkinsonism with both DaTSCAN SPECT and SWI (48 in Philips Ingenia, 24 in GE Signa). Additionally, we examined 24 healthy controls with SWI (14 in Philips Ingenia, 10 in GE Signa). Diagnostic performance of SWI and DaTSCAN SPECT was assessed on the basis of clinical diagnosis, in terms of sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic accuracy.

Results

A total of 54 parkinsonism patients (69 years ± 9, 32 men), 18 nonparkinsonism patients (69.4 years ± 9, 10 men), and 24 healthy controls (62 years ± 8, 10 men) were recruited. SWI had a specificity of 92% and a sensitivity of 74%, whereas DaTSCAN SPECT had 83% and 94%, respectively. By preselecting patients with abnormal or inconclusive SWI, the diagnostic performance of DaTSCAN SPECT improved (specificity 100%, sensitivity 95%). Scans from Philips were associated with significantly lower image quality compared to GE (p < .001). The experienced rater outperformed the less experienced one in diagnostic accuracy (82% vs. 68%).

Conclusions

SWI can be used as triage tool because normal SWI can in most cases rule out parkinsonism. However, the performance of SWI depends on acquisition parameters and rater's experience.
Revisiting the Wasson fractional crystallization model for IIIAB iron meteorites with implications for the interpretation of their Fe isotope ratios
Authors: Young Edward D.
Published: November 2021

The trapped melt fractional crystallization model for the IIIAB iron meteorites put forward by J. T. Wasson two decades prior is revisited. The basic precepts upon which the model was based remain true, and the model can be implemented using Ir and Au solid/liquid distribution coefficients that are broadly consistent with experimental data. For this reason, the difference between the Wasson model and some more recent trapped melt models lies mainly with inferences about the S concentrations of the core of the IIIAB iron meteorite parent body. For the Wasson model, S bulk concentrations of about 2 wt% are implied. For the more recent model, much greater concentrations of between about 12–15 wt% are indicated. The two different trapped melt models profoundly influence the interpretation of high δ57Fe values relative to chondrites in the IIIAB irons. The Wasson model suggests that there should be more variations in δ57Fe than are observed among these meteorites, while the more recent trapped melt model relies on the crystallization of FeS from the trapped melt to raise the δ57Fe of the latter, thus minimizing the variability. The interpretation of Fe isotope ratios in the IIIAB meteorites therefore depends critically on the S concentration of the parent body core.
“It's like we're at war”: Nurses’ resilience and coping strategies during the COVID‐19 pandemic
Authors: Marey‐Sarwan Ibtisam , Hamama‐Raz Yaira , Asadi Ahmad , Nakad Bothaina , Hamama Liat
Published: November 2021

The sudden outbreak of the COVID‐19 epidemic forced healthcare workers to use all their professional and personal skills to battle it. The unexpected onset of the disease has led to extraordinary pressure on healthcare workers and has challenged their resilience. The study aimed to explore the subjective experiences of 18 Israeli nurses who are directly treating COVID‐19 patients, and to identify the sources of resilience used by nurses to address national health crises. The data were gathered via semi‐structured interviews and thematically analyzed. The analysis yielded three central analytic themes that described the nurses’ experiences during the pandemic: maneuvering between professional demands and personal‐family life; the nurses’ coping strategies and resilience; and nurses' use of metaphorical military language as a way of coping with the difficulties. The findings show that in a time of severe health crisis, and despite the fear of infection, nurses adhere to the values of the profession and are willing to fight the virus to save lives. The nurses' extensive use of military metaphorical language reflected their experiences, strengthened them, and provided them with a source of empowerment in the face of a common enemy that needed to be overcome.
Supplier Encroachment, Information Sharing, and Channel Structure in Online Retail Platforms
Authors: Ha Albert Y. , Luo Huajiang , Shang Weixin
Published: November 2021

In this study, we develop a game‐theoretic model to study the encroachment and information sharing decisions in a supply chain with a manufacturer selling through an online retail platform. In the base model, the manufacturer decides whether to encroach or not by selling through an agency channel, in addition to an existing reselling channel, at the same platform, who decides whether or not to share information with the manufacturer. We fully characterize the equilibrium decisions and show how they depend on the commission rate of the agency channel, channel substitutability, and information accuracy. Our analysis unfolds a novel wholesale price effect that extends related results in the literature. We also show that encroachment and information sharing are complementary, and therefore managers should not ignore the impact of one decision on the other decision even when the latter is not a primary motivation of the former. We study several model extensions to obtain additional insights and show that the major findings of the base model are robust and remain mostly valid when some modeling assumptions are changed.
Linking local services to global manufactures*
Authors: Arnarson Björn Thor , Gullstrand Joakim
Published: November 2021

We assess how global shocks propagate from global manufacturing firms to local service providers through a spatial variation in export‐driven service demand. We show that a 1 percent increase in a localized measure of exporting increases sales of service firms by around 0.08 percent. We also show that this link is local as the effect fades away after just 20 km, that it is more pronounced with larger and foreign‐owned service firms, and that the impact extends beyond sales as it also increases employment as well as productivity in local service plants and it also make them less likely to move.
Ice reveals a messenger from a blazing galaxy
Authors: Clery Daniel
Published: November 2021

Neutrino astronomy is born as IceCube and other instruments find likely home of particle.
Protamine Sulfate Is a Potent Inhibitor of Human Papillomavirus InfectionIn VitroandIn Vivo
Authors: Young Jesse M. , Zine El Abidine Amira , Gómez-Martinez Ricardo A. , Bondu Virginie , Sterk Rosa T. , Surviladze Zurab , Ozbun Michelle A.
Published: November 2021

Human papillomavirus (HPV) infections are transmitted through sexual or other close contact and are etiologically associated with epithelial warts, papillomas, and intraepithelial lesions that may progress to cancer. Indeed, 4.8% of the global cancer burden is linked to HPV infection.
National scale of neonatal CPAP to district hospitals in Malawi improves survival for neonates weighing between 1.0 and 1.3 kg
Authors: Carns Jennifer , Liaghati-Mobarhan Sara , Asibon Aba , Chalira Alfred , Lufesi Norman , Molyneux Elizabeth , Oden Maria Z , Richards-Kortum Rebecca , Kawaza Kondwani
Published: November 2021

Objective

To determine whether a national quality improvement programme implementing continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) at government hospitals in Malawi improved outcomes for neonates prioritised by an algorithm recommending early CPAP for infants weighing 1.0–1.3 kg (the 50th percentile weight at 30 weeks’ gestation).

Design

The analysis includes neonates admitted with respiratory illness for 5.5 months before CPAP was introduced (baseline period) and for 15 months immediately after CPAP was implemented (implementation period). A follow-up data analysis was completed for neonates treated with CPAP for a further 11 months.

Setting and patients

Neonates with admission weights of 1.0–1.3 kg before (106 neonates treated with nasal oxygen) and after implementation of CPAP (153 neonates treated with nasal oxygen, 103 neonates treated with CPAP) in the newborn wards at Malawi government district hospitals. Follow-up analysis included 87 neonates treated with CPAP.

Intervention

Neonatal CPAP.

Main outcome measure

We assessed survival to discharge at 23 government district hospitals with no significant differences in transfer rates before and after implementation of CPAP.

Results

Survival improved for neonates with admission weights from 1.0 to 1.3 kg treated with CPAP (30.1%) as compared with neonates of the same weight band treated with oxygen during the baseline (17.9%) and implementation (18.3%) periods. There was no significant difference in survival for neonates treated with CPAP during the implementation and follow-up periods (30.1% vs 28.7%).

Conclusions

Survival for neonates weighing 1.0–1.3 kg significantly increased with a nurse-led CPAP service in a low-resource setting and improvements were sustained during follow-up.
Prevalence and clinical implications of persistent or exertional cardiopulmonary symptoms following SARS-CoV-2 infection in 3597 collegiate athletes: a study from the Outcomes Registry for Cardiac Conditions in Athletes (ORCCA)
Authors: Petek Bradley J , Moulson Nathaniel , Baggish Aaron L , Kliethermes Stephanie A , Patel Manesh R , Churchill Timothy W , Harmon Kimberly G , Drezner Jonathan A
Published: November 2021

Objective

To assess the prevalence and clinical implications of persistent or exertional cardiopulmonary symptoms in young competitive athletes following SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Methods

This observational cohort study from the Outcomes Registry for Cardiac Conditions in Athletes included 3597 US collegiate athletes after SARS-CoV-2 infection. Clinical characteristics, advanced diagnostic testing and SARS-CoV-2-associated sequelae were compared between athletes with persistent symptoms >3 weeks, exertional symptoms on return to exercise and those without persistent or exertional symptoms.

Results

Among 3597 athletes (mean age 20 years (SD, 1 year), 34% female), data on persistent and exertional symptoms were reported in 3529 and 3393 athletes, respectively. Persistent symptoms >3 weeks were present in 44/3529 (1.2%) athletes with 2/3529 (0.06%) reporting symptoms >12 weeks. Exertional cardiopulmonary symptoms were present in 137/3393 (4.0%) athletes. Clinical evaluation and diagnostic testing led to the diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2-associated sequelae in 12/137 (8.8%) athletes with exertional symptoms (five cardiac involvement, two pneumonia, two inappropriate sinus tachycardia, two postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome and one pleural effusion). No SARS-CoV-2-associated sequelae were identified in athletes with isolated persistent symptoms. Of athletes with chest pain on return to exercise who underwent cardiac MRI (CMR), 5/24 (20.8%) had probable or definite cardiac involvement. In contrast, no athlete with exertional symptoms without chest pain who underwent CMR (0/20) was diagnosed with probable or definite SARS-CoV-2 cardiac involvement.

Conclusion

Collegiate athletes with SARS-CoV-2 infection have a low prevalence of persistent or exertional symptoms on return to exercise. Exertional cardiopulmonary symptoms, specifically chest pain, warrant a comprehensive evaluation.
Prognostic and discriminative accuracy of the quick Sepsis-related Organ Failure Assessment compared with an early warning score: a Danish cohort study
Authors: Svingel Lise Skovgaard , Storgaard Merete , Esen Buket Öztürk , Ebdrup Lotte , Ahrensberg Jette , Larsen Kim M , Nørgaard Mette , Sørensen Henrik Toft , Christiansen Christian Fynbo
Published: November 2021

Background

The clinical benefit of implementing the quick Sepsis-related Organ Failure Assessment (qSOFA) instead of early warning scores (EWS) to screen all hospitalised patients for critical illness has yet to be investigated in a large, multicentre study.

Methods

We conducted a cohort study including all hospitalised patients ≥18 years with EWS recorded at hospitals in the Central Denmark Region during the year 2016. The primary outcome was intensive care unit (ICU) admission and/or death within 2 days following an initial EWS. Prognostic accuracy was examined using sensitivity, specificity, negative predictive value (NPV) and positive predictive value (PPV). Discriminative accuracy was examined by the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC).

Results

Among 97 332 evaluated patients, 1714 (1.8%) experienced the primary outcome. The qSOFA ≥2 was less sensitive (11.7% (95% CI: 10.2% to 13.3%) vs 25.1% (95% CI: 23.1% to 27.3%)) and more specific (99.3% (95% CI: 99.2% to 99.3%) vs 97.5% (95% CI: 97.4% to 97.6%)) than EWS ≥5. The NPV was similar for the two scores (EWS ≥5, 98.6% (95% CI: 98.6% to 98.7%) and qSOFA ≥2, 98.4% (95% CI: 98.3% to 98.5%)), while the PPV was 15.1% (95% CI: 13.8% to 16.5%) for EWS ≥5 and 22.4% (95% CI: 19.7% to 25.3%) for qSOFA ≥2. The AUROC was 0.72 (95% CI: 0.70 to 0.73) for EWS and 0.66 (95% CI: 0.65 to 0.67) for qSOFA.

Conclusion

The qSOFA was less sensitive (qSOFA ≥2 vs EWS ≥5) and discriminatively accurate than the EWS for predicting ICU admission and/or death within 2 days after an initial EWS. This study did not support replacing EWS with qSOFA in all hospitalised patients.
Bidirectional brain–gut axis effects influence mood and prognosis in IBD: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Fairbrass Keeley M , Lovatt Jessica , Barberio Brigida , Yuan Yuhong , Gracie David J , Ford Alexander C
Published: November 2021

Objective

The role of the brain–gut axis is of increasing interest in IBD, as the link between common mental disorders and GI inflammation may be bidirectional. We performed a systematic review examining these issues.

Design

We searched EMBASE Classic and EMBASE, Medline, and APA PsychInfo (to 11 July 2021) for longitudinal follow-up studies examining effect of symptoms of anxiety or depression on subsequent adverse outcomes in IBD, or effect of active IBD on subsequent development of symptoms of anxiety or depression. We pooled relative risks (RRs) and HRs with 95% CIs for adverse outcomes (flare, escalation of therapy, hospitalisation, emergency department attendance, surgery or a composite of any of these) according to presence of symptoms of anxiety or depression at baseline, or RRs and HRs with 95% CIs for new onset of symptoms of anxiety or depression according to presence of active IBD at baseline.

Results

We included 12 separate studies, recruiting 9192 patients. All 12 studies examined brain-to-gut effects. Anxiety at baseline was associated with significantly higher risks of escalation of therapy (RR=1.68; 95% CI 1.18 to 2.40), hospitalisation (RR=1.72; 95% CI 1.01 to 2.95), emergency department attendance (RR=1.30; 95% CI 1.21 to 1.39), or a composite of any adverse outcome. Depression at baseline was associated with higher risks of flare (RR=1.60; 95% CI 1.21 to 2.12), escalation of therapy (RR=1.41; 95% CI 1.08 to 1.84), hospitalisation (RR=1.35; 95% CI 1.17 to 1.57), emergency department attendance (RR=1.38; 95% CI 1.22 to 1.56), surgery (RR=1.63; 95% CI 1.19 to 2.22) or a composite of any of these. Three studies examined gut-to-brain effects. Active disease at baseline was associated with future development of anxiety or depression (RR=2.24; 95% CI 1.25 to 4.01 and RR=1.49; 95% CI 1.11 to 1.98, respectively).

Conclusion

Bidirectional effects of the brain–gut axis are present in IBD and may influence both the natural history of the disease and psychological health.
Lifetime high occupational physical activity and total and cause-specific mortality among 320 000 adults in the NIH-AARP study: a cohort study
Authors: Martinez Gomez David , Coenen Pieter , Celis-Morales Carlos , Mota Jorge , Rodriguez-Artalejo Fernando , Matthews Charles , Saint-Maurice Pedro F
Published: November 2021

Objectives

We examined the associations of history and duration in high occupational physical activity (OPA) with long-term total and cause-specific mortality.

Methods

The sample included 322 126 participants (135 254 women) from the National Institutes of Health–AARP Diet and Health Study, established in 1995–1996. History and duration in high OPA were reported by participants. All-cause, cardiovascular, cancer and other cause mortality records available through 31 December 2011.

Results

The prevalence of high OPA was 52.1% in men and 16.1% in women. During 13.6 years (SD, 3.3) of follow-up, 73 563 participants (25 219 women) died. In age-adjusted models, the risk of death was higher among men (HR 1.14, 95% CI 1.12 to 1.16) and women (HR 1.22, 95% CI 1.18 to 1.26) with a history of high OPA. However, these associations were substantially attenuated in women (HR 1.04, 95% CI 1.00 to 1.07, an 81.8% attenuation) and eliminated in men (HR 1.02, 95% CI 0.99 to 1.04, 85.7% attenuation) after multivariable adjustments. Similar important attenuation results were found when examining duration in high OPA, as well as using cause-specific deaths as the outcomes. Educational attainment and smoking patterns were the main contributors in the excess mortality among people working in highly physically active jobs in both men and women.

Conclusion

Participating in high OPA was not consistently associated with a higher mortality risk, after adjustments for education and smoking factors. Workers in high OPA should be aware that they might not be getting all well-known health benefits of being physically active if they are only very active at work.
Formation mechanism of clogging of dredge slurry under vacuum preloading visualized using digital image technology
Authors: Sun Hong-lei , He Zi-li , Geng Xue-yu , Shen Meng-fen , Cai Yuan-qiang , Wu Jian , Yang Biao , Wang Wan-jie
Published: November 2021

Vacuum preloading combined with prefabricated vertical drains (PVDs) system has been widely used to improve the soft clay with high water content. Clogging is usually formed around the PVDs during the vacuum preloading, impeding the propagation of the vacuum pressure and slowing down the consolidation process. To understand the forming mechanism of the clogging, particle image velocimetry (PIV) technique and particle tracking velocimetry (PTV) technique were adopted in the model test of vacuum preloading test. Through this study, three stages can be identified from the results of water volume discharge rate and maximum displacements versus time. In the first stage, the soil around the PVD is horizontally consolidated, which leads to the rapid formation of clogging. In the second stage, the formation of clogging slows down due to the loss of vacuum pressure, which further reduces the drainage. In the third stage, the clogging tends to be stable, and the drainage consolidation rate is significantly reduced. PTV results show that there is a difference in the displacement of large and small particles during improvement. Two methods were proposed to estimate the thickness of clogging zone, reflecting a growing layer of clogging zone compressed around the PVD. This study provides new insights to investigate the formation mechanism of clogging during vacuum preloading test.
Characterization of bronze leaf disease in western Canadian aspen and poplar trees
Authors: Wijekoon Champa P. , Kalischuk Melanie L. , Brunelle Paige , Howard Ronald J. , Kawchuk Lawrence M.
Published: November 2021

Aspen and poplar trees are important horticultural plants grown in Canada for aesthetic, commercial woodlot and windbreak applications. Bronze leaf is a destructive disease in Populus spp. and is caused by the fungal pathogen Apioplagiostoma populi Barr. This pathogen is often difficult to isolate and confirm from infected plant tissues and has been mainly identified by disease symptoms and morphological characteristics of A. populi when fruiting bodies form on infected leaves or branches. Affected leaves and branches typically become necrotic and bronze in colour. Air-borne spores and nursery shipments containing infected plants play an important role in the efficient movement of the pathogen. In this study, bronze leaf disease samples from symptomatic trees in Canada were examined microscopically for A. populi perithecia and asci. Pathogen-specific genomic sequences were identified for the development of sensitive stringent diagnostics that indicated branches and petioles were the most effective tissues for detecting A. populi. Leaf samples from symptomatic trees were collected in Canada and examined for perithecia to microscopically characterize A. populi asci and ascospores. Disease associated DNA sequences of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) 5.8S region of the nuclear ribosomal, β-tubulin 2, and translation elongation factor-1-γ chain, were isolated from perithecia and symptomatic tree samples. Morphological and molecular biological data from this study characterized the relationship and epidemiology of A. populi and enabled the development of rapid diagnostic methods that restrict the extent of further losses in amenity and commercial plantings of aspen and poplar.