bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Triclosan depletes the membrane potential inPseudomonas aeruginosabiofilms inhibiting aminoglycoside induced adaptive resistance
Authors: Maiden Michael M. , Waters Christopher M.
Published: April 2020

Biofilm-based infections are difficult to treat due to their inherent resistance to antibiotic treatment. Discovering new approaches to enhance antibiotic efficacy in biofilms would be highly significant in treating many chronic infections. Exposure to aminoglycosides induces adaptive resistance inPseudomonas aeruginosabiofilms. Adaptive resistance is primarily the result of active antibiotic export by RND-type efflux pumps, which use the proton motive force as an energy source. We show that the protonophore uncoupler triclosan depletes the membrane potential of biofilm growingP. aeruginosa, leading to decreased activity of RND-type efflux pumps. This disruption results in increased intracellular accumulation of tobramycin and enhanced antimicrobial activityin vitro. In addition, we show that triclosan enhances tobramycin effectivenessin vivousing a mouse wound model. Combining triclosan with tobramycin is a new anti-biofilm strategy that targets bacterial energetics, increasing the susceptibility ofP. aeruginosabiofilms to aminoglycosides.

Author summary

Adaptive resistance is a phenotypic response that allowsP. aeruginosato transiently survive aminoglycosides such as tobramycin. To date, few compounds have been identified that target adaptive resistance. Here, we show the protonophore uncoupler triclosan disrupts the membrane potential ofP. aeruginosa. The depletion of the membrane potential reduces efflux pump activity, which is essential for adaptive resistance, leading to increased tobramycin accumulation and a shorter onset of action. Our results demonstrate that in addition to its canonical mechanism inhibiting membrane biosynthesis, triclosan can exert antibacterial properties by functioning as a protonophore that targetsP. aeruginosaenergetics.
Effects of spectral light quality on the growth, productivity, and elemental ratios in differently pigmented marine phytoplankton species
Authors: Bercel T. L. , Kranz S. A.
Published: April 2020

Effects of light quality on the growth, productivity, and cellular composition of three uniquely pigmented marine phytoplankton species were characterized. To accomplish this, cultures ofProchlorococcus marinus, Synechococcus sp., andThalassiosira weissflogiiwere grown under three commercially available LEDs as well as a fluorescent growth light. Despite having equal photosynthetically active radiation, light quality and thus photosynthetically usable radiation differed between the treatments. Growth was unaffected in all species tested, yet primary productivity was affected inP. marinusandSynechococcus sp.All species regulated cellular carbon and nitrogen quotas as a direct response to light spectra, while cellular chlorophyllawas regulated inSynechococcus sp.andT. weissflogiionly. Analysis of pigment ratios revealed minor acclimations in some of the cultures and photophysiological analysis indicated changes in the photoacclimation state between different light environments. These results show that while the species used in our experiment are able to maintain growth when exposed to lights of varying quality, underlying cellular metabolism and biochemistry can be affected. The data presented here highlight the importance of carefully choosing a lighting environment with a defined spectral quality when designing laboratory-based experiments or setting up bioreactors for biomass generation.

Highlight

With light emitting diode-based growth lights becoming available to researchers, it is important to consider the spectral quality of light when designing experiments to understand responses of phytoplankton to environmental conditions.
Robust data-driven auditory profiling towards precision audiology
Authors: Sanchez-Lopez Raul , Fereczkowski Michal , Neher Tobias , Santurette Sébastien , Dau Torsten
Published: April 2020

The sources and consequences of a sensorineural hearing loss are diverse. While several approaches have aimed at disentangling the physiological and perceptual consequences of different etiologies, hearing deficit characterization and rehabilitation have been dominated by the results from pure-tone audiometry. Here, we present a novel approach based on data-driven profiling of perceptual auditory deficits that attempts to represent auditory phenomena that are usually hidden by, or entangled with, audibility loss. We hypothesize that the hearing deficits of a given listener, both at hearing threshold and at supra-threshold sound levels, result from two independent types of “auditory distortions”. In this two-dimensional space, four distinct “auditory profiles” can be identified. To test this hypothesis we gathered a dataset consisting of a heterogeneous group of listeners that were evaluated using measures of speech intelligibility, loudness perception, binaural processing abilities and spectro-temporal resolution. The subsequent analysis revealed that distortion type-I was associated with elevated hearing thresholds at high frequencies and reduced temporal masking release and was significantly correlated with elevated speech reception thresholds in noise. Distortion type-II was associated with low-frequency hearing loss and abnormally steep loudness functions. The auditory profiles represent four robust subpopulations of hearing-impaired listeners that exhibit different degrees of perceptual distortions. The four auditory profiles may provide a valuable basis for improved hearing rehabilitation, e.g. through profile-based hearing-aid fitting
Temporal Association Between Particulate Matter Pollution and Case Fatality Rate of COVID-19 in Wuhan, China
Authors: Yao Ye , Pan Jinhua , Liu Zhixi , Meng Xia , Wang Weidong , Kan Haidong , Wang Weibing
Published: April 2020

The Coronavirus (COVID-19) epidemic, which was first reported in December 2019 in Wuhan, China, has caused 3,314 death as of March 31, 2020 in China. This study aimed to investigate the temporal association between case fatality rate (CFR) of COVID-19 and particulate matter (PM) in Wuhan. We conducted a time series analysis to explore the temporal day-by-day associations. We found COVID-19 held higher case fatality rate with increasing concentrations of PM2.5 and PM10 in temporal scale, which may affect the process of patients developed from mild to severe and finally influence the prognosis of COVID-19 patients.
Environmental palaeogenomic reconstruction of an Ice Age algal population
Authors: Lammers Youri , Heintzman Peter D. , Alsos Inger Greve
Published: April 2020

Palaeogenomics has greatly increased our knowledge of past evolutionary and ecological change, but has been restricted to the study of species that preserve as fossils. Here we show the potential of shotgun metagenomics to reveal population genomic information for a taxon that does not preserve in the body fossil record, the algaeNannochloropsis. We shotgun sequenced two lake sediment samples dated to the Last Glacial Maximum and identifiedN. limneticaas the dominant taxon. We then reconstructed full chloroplast and mitochondrial genomes to explore within-lake population genomic variation. This revealed at least two major haplogroups for each organellar genome, which could be assigned to known varieties ofN. limnetica. The approach presented here demonstrates the utility of lake sedimentary ancient DNA (sedaDNA) for population genomic analysis, thereby opening the door to environmental palaeogenomics, which will unlock the full potential ofsedaDNA.
Is corporate governance maturity measurable?
Authors: Rehman Ali , Hashim Fathyah
Published: April 2020

Purpose

This study aims to intend toward the measurement of corporate governance to identify its maturity levels within Omani public listed companies and also propose to identify whether corporate governance maturity (CGM) levels vary significantly between sectors or not. CGM is an innovation in the field of corporate governance, which assists organizations in achieving their objectives and satisfying shareholders.

Design/methodology/approach

This study used descriptive cross-sectional survey design. Data are collected by the internet-based tool and analyzed via SPSS.

Findings

This study found that corporate governance is measurable and can be measured to the levels of maturity. Moreover, this study identified that CGM does not differ among different sectors. From a total of 107 organizations, none of the organizations falls under the forming level and mature level. However, majority of organizations falls under normalized level followed by developing and established levels of maturity.

Practical implications

This study integrates significant empirical research and literature to broaden the potentials of CGM. This study provides a framework along with a calculation tool, which can be used by organizations, regulators and policymakers.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, the maturity levels of Omani organizations are never being measured before. Moreover, past studies demonstrate single constituent relationship with CGM and not all four. Therefore, this study is distinctive from others by testing all four major components or constituents toward CGM.
Consumers’ intentions to use online food delivery systems in the USA
Authors: Gunden Nefike , Morosan Cristian , DeFranco Agnes
Published: April 2020

Purpose

The recent development of online food delivery systems (OFDS) consolidated the restaurant industry’s representation in the electronic distribution landscape. The purpose of this study is to examine consumers’ intentions to use OFDS.

Design/methodology/approach

A comprehensive structural model was developed based on UTAUT2 and extended the model with three additional constructs: impulse buying tendency, congruity with self-image and mindfulness. Data were collected from 605 US respondents. Confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling were used to test the model.

Findings

Performance expectancy was the strongest predictor of intentions to use OFDS, followed by congruity with self-image. Low-magnitude predictors included habit and mindfulness, while impulse buying tendency had a negative impact on intentions to use OFDS.

Research limitations/implications

The study validates a comprehensive yet parsimonious conceptual model that explains consumers’ intentions to use OFDS. The model brings together constructs that capture the essence of the online food ordering tasks and the consumers’ cognitive processes that inform such tasks.

Practical implications

This study offers substantial practical implications for two types of practitioners: OFDS developers and restaurants and provides a mapping of the factors influencing consumers’ intentions to use OFDS.

Originality/value

This study provides a first theoretical perspective on consumers’ intentions to use OFDS, which have not been studied so far. Studying such intentions provides insight into consumers’ adoption behaviors, which are critical to the success of OFDS.
Wine-related lifestyle segmentation in the context of urban Indian consumers
Authors: Sharma Poonam , Singh Sonali , Misra Richa
Published: April 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to understand consumers in the emerging wine market of India to ensure the best services. To this end, factors were identified to describe Indian wine consumer behavior and further segments for consumers were created based on the factors identified.

Design/methodology/approach

The research design is descriptive in nature and based on primary data. Data was collected by a structured questionnaire from 232 respondents in five major cities of India (Mumbai, Delhi NCR, Bangalore, Pune and Hyderabad). The scale was mainly adopted from wine-related lifestyle approaches.

Findings

The principal component factor analysis resulted in six factors, namely, drinking ritual, consumption reason (social), consumption reason (mood, enjoyment and relaxation), consumption practice, consumption planning and quality. Cluster analysis resulted in a three-cluster solution. These clusters were named as cautious social drinker, loner regular drinker and highly engaged drinker based on the attributes possessed.

Originality/value

The segmentation of urban Indian wine consumers will be helpful for marketers to identity and describe the differences in attributes and behaviors, to create customized promotions to match the needs.
Study on oil film pressure distribution and load capacity of textured rolling bearings
Authors: Han Ka , Li Junning , Wang Qian , Chen Wuge , Xue Jiafan
Published: April 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to reveal the tribological performance of the textured rolling bearing.

Design/methodology/approach

In the present study, the oil film pressure distribution and load capacity analysis method are established, which integrate the micro-texture model and Hydrodynamic lubrication (HL) methods. The tribological performances of the textured rolling bearing under the various working condition, texture dimension and texture type are investigated systematically.

Findings

The results show that the oil film load capacity increases with the increase in the texture size. As the texture depth increases, the oil film load capacity increases first and then decreases, and then the load capacity is the largest at the texture depth range of 3 to 5 µm. In addition, the oil film load capacity of the matching pairs, such as Si4N3-Si4N3, GCr15- Si4N3 and GCr15-GCr15 are compared; the results show that the cases of using ceramic material can improve oil film load capacity of textured rolling bearing.

Originality/value

The current manuscript can be useful for supporting the reliability and life research of textured rolling bearing.

Peer review

The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/ILT-02-2020-0055
Inventory management of perishable health products: a decision framework with non-financial measures
Authors: Duong Linh Nguyen Khanh , Wood Lincoln C. , Wang William Yu Chung
Published: April 2020

Purpose

This research proposes a decision framework for using non-financial measures to define a replenishment policy for perishable health products. These products are perishable and substitutable by nature and create complexities for managing inventory. Instead of a financial measure, numerous measures should be considered and balanced to meet business objectives and enhance inventory management.

Design/methodology/approach

This research applies a multi-methodological approach and develops a framework that integrates discrete event simulation (DES), analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and data envelopment analysis (DEA) techniques to define the most favourable replenishment policy using non-financial measures.

Findings

The integration framework performs well as illustrated in the numerical example; outcomes from the framework are comparable to those generated using a traditional, financial measures-based, approach. This research demonstrates that it is feasible to adopt non-financial performance measures to define a replenishment policy and evaluate performance.

Originality/value

The framework, thus, prioritises non-financial measures and addresses issues of lacking information sharing and employee involvement to enhance hospitals' performance while minimising costs. The non-financial measures improve cross-functional communication while supporting simpler transformations from high-level strategies to daily operational targets.
The use of social media as a legitimation tool for sustainability reporting
Authors: Lodhia Sumit , Kaur Amanpreet , Stone Gerard
Published: April 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the use of social media for sustainability reporting by the largest Australia companies as a means of seeking legitimacy from stakeholders.

Design/methodology/approach

Qualitative content analysis was applied to examine social and environmental disclosures posted by Australian companies on three social media platforms – Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn, and to observe stakeholder interaction in relation to the social and environmental postings.

Findings

The findings of this study indicate a limited use of social media by the top 50 Australian Stock Exchange (ASX) listed companies for sustainability reporting as only 46 per cent of the companies used Facebook, Twitter and/or LinkedIn. Nevertheless, those companies which actively used social media were able to seek legitimacy through information disclosure and dialogue with stakeholders. Social issues such as community support, employees, gender equality and diversity dominated the three social media platforms when compared to environmental issues and all disclosures had a positive tone. These disclosures in turn framed the dialogue with stakeholders, leading to use of social media platforms that companies preferred and enabling a close control over online discussions.

Research limitations/implications

This study highlights that social media sustainability communication focuses on symbolic legitimacy strategies, leading to companies managing the impressions of their stakeholders and controlling the dialogue with them.

Practical implications

This study provides an understanding of the actual practice of social media sustainability communication and has implications for both organisations and their stakeholders.

Originality/value

This study provides in-depth insights into the use of social media to transform sustainability reporting, an issue that has limited coverage in prior literature and extends the application of legitimacy theory to social media communication.
The predictability of the metabolic syndrome by adipokines
Authors: Aliasghari Fereshteh , Aliasgharzadeh Soghra , Faghfouri Amir Hossein , Mahdavi Reza , Lotfi Yagin Neda
Published: April 2020

Purpose

Obesity can cause impairment in adipose tissue-derived hormones levels, which, in turn, might lead to metabolic syndrome occurrence. This study aims to assess the relationship between the levels of adiponectin, resistin, retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4) and insulin with metabolic syndrome (MetS) indices. Also, optimal cutoff points of the adipokines and insulin for MetS prediction were determined.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study, 180 women (90 women with MetS and 90 women without MetS) were studied. The National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III criteria were used for MetS diagnosis. Anthropometric and biochemical indices were measured. Data were analyzed using SPSS software version 21.

Findings

Serum adiponectin correlated negatively with age, BMI, waist circumference (WC), triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol, SBP, DBP, FBS and positively correlated with high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol. Both resistin and RBP4 levels correlated positively with BMI, WC, TG, SBP, DBP and FBS. Also, serum insulin correlated positively with BMI, WC, SBP and DBP. All the studied adipokines and insulin showed significant areas under the receiver operating characteristics curve. The largest area under the curve was observed for adiponectin (0.93, 95 per cent CI = 0.89-0.97,p< 0.001) with the optimal cut-off point of 11.94 µg/L. Also, the upper level of adiponectin was associated with 70 per cent lower prevalence odds of metabolic syndrome after adjusting for confounders.

Originality/value

The authors determined the optimal cutoff points of the adipokines and insulin for MetS prediction and calculated the diagnostic odds ratio for various cutoff values. Adiponectin could be used as a biomarker in MetS regarding its largest AUC.
Organizational justice and climate for inclusion
Authors: Le Huong , Palmer Johnson Catrina , Fujimoto Yuka
Published: April 2020

Purpose

This article examines a climate for inclusion through the lens of organizational justice. We argue that open interpersonal contacts, the fair treatment of gender-diverse employees, and inclusive decision-making processes in the promotion of equitable employment practices are foundational for shaping the climate for inclusion.

Design/methodology/approach

Qualitative data were collected from multi sources: focus groups with female employees (N = 20) and interviews with male and female managers (N = 8).

Findings

In examining the similarities and differences between employees' and managers' perspectives, the findings revealed that, in all dimensions of a climate for inclusion, employees had more negative justice concerns than did managers, while managers and employees had similar views on some aspects of employment practices.

Research limitations/implications

This study was conducted within one university setting; therefore, the findings may not be applicable to other industries.

Practical implications

This study offers managerial implications that can be developed to promote the climate for inclusion in organizations.

Social implications

In order to create a fair and equitable workplace, all employees should be able to actively participate in decision-making processes and share suggestions for contextualized and fair employment practices.

Originality/value

Drawing the group-value model, this study advocates the importance of justice-based organizational practices in building an inclusive organization.
Interrogating inclusion with youths who use augmentative and alternative communication
Authors: Teachman Gail , McDonough Peggy , Macarthur Colin , Gibson Barbara E.
Published: April 2020

Even as the goal of social inclusion underpins health and social services for disabled youths, those with communication impairments continue to lead narrowly circumscribed lives. In this Canadian study, we combined visual methods and interviews with 13 Canadian youths who use augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) to understand how they make ‘practical sense’ of discourses of inclusion. Drawing on Bourdieu's theory of practice, we suggest: (i) participants’ narratives reveal habitus – a socially constituted set of dispositions – that predispose them to accommodate the devalued social positions and constricted conditions of existence imposed on them; (ii) some forms of ‘inclusion’ perpetuate symbolic violence, as youths who use AAC internalise, as seemingly ‘natural’, dominant social norms and values that privilege ‘normal’ bodies; and (iii) although their practices primarily reproduced the status quo, youths in the study also worked at the margins to create locally produced forms of inclusion that attempted to transform the ‘rules of the game’. We argue these results suggest a need for systemic shifts past reified notions of inclusion towards fostering social spaces where alternative ways of being in the world are positively valued.
Moving from a compliance‐based to an integrity‐based organizational climate in the food supply chain
Authors: Manning Louise
Published: April 2020

Compliance is the act or status of complying with an imperative regulatory or normative requirement, that is, compliance means working within boundaries defined by contractual, social, or cultural standards. The aim of this narrative review is to use the food supply chain as a lens of enquiry to distinguish between compliance‐based and integrity‐based organizational climates and frame and rationalize why deviant behavior arises and how it can be identified. Contemporary theory is explored and critiqued using case studies to contextualize the challenge of organizations promoting supply chain compliance and at the same time recognizing the need for deviant behavior to occur in order to drive innovation and continuous improvement within food supply chains. Deviant behavior can be perceived as either positive in terms of driving continuous improvement or destructive where this behavior has a negative impact on the organization. Although multiple cultural maturity models seek to characterize positive food safety culture and climate, there is minimal research that focuses on the characterization of deviant negative behavior or the development of early warning systems designed to pinpoint signals, traits, or characteristics of this behavior such as low staff morale, theft, property destruction, or absenteeism. The use of cultural maturity models and assessment tools is of value in assisting organizations to translate from a rule, instrumental, or compliance‐based organizational climate to an ethically strong organizational climate that focuses on integrity, building trust, and values and a new cultural maturity model is proposed and explored.
FinTech, Lending and Payment Innovation: A Review
Authors: Agarwal Sumit , Zhang Jian
Published: April 2020

The global landscape has seen the advent of new technology in offering innovative financial services and products and reshaping the financial sector, namely FinTech. In this review, we discuss the literature on recent FinTech development and its interaction with both banks and consumers. We synthesize the insights it provides into two domains: credit supply and payment and clearing services. The rise of FinTech has introduced digital transformation of the “bricks‐and‐mortar” banking model and dramatically changed the way financial services are delivered. We also present several future questions and directions that are worthy of investigation for researchers and policy‐makers.
Structural changes in the corneal subbasal nerve plexus in keratoconus
Authors: Flockerzi Elias , Daas Loay , Seitz Berthold
Published: April 2020

Background

Corneal confocal microscopy (CCM) allows visualizing slightest alterations within the corneal subbasal nerve plexus (SNP). Recent CCM studies based on the analysis of three–five CCM images per eye assumed a reduced corneal nerve fibre length (CNFL) in keratoconus (KC).

Methods

The SNP of KC patients (n = 23, 13 contact lens wearing, 10 noncontact lens wearing) and patients without KC (n = 16) was examined by 10 CCM images of one eye per patient. The CNFL per frame area was calculated, and the SNP tortuosity was quantified by measuring (a) the amplitude of the curves and (b) the area under the curve (AUC) formed by the SNP.

Results

Analysing 390 non‐overlapping confocal images revealed the CNFL (mm/mm2) to be significantly lower in KC (16.4 ± 1.9 mm/mm2) than in healthy corneae (23.8 ± 3.3 mm/mm2, p < 0.0001; mean ± SD; p‐value calculated using the Mann–Whitney U‐test), without a difference between contact lens wearing and noncontact lens wearing KC patients (p = 0.4). Amplitudes and AUCs analysed as median with 25th and 75th percentile were significantly increased in KC (amplitude 33/23/41 µm and AUC 2839/1545/3444 µm2) compared to healthy corneae (amplitude 24/18/28 µm and AUC 1870/1193/2327 µm2, p < 0.0001).

Conclusions

Corneal confocal microscopy (CCM) visualizes slightest alterations within the SNP in KC including (a) a significantly lower CNFL and (b) an enhanced winding course of the SNP. The significantly lower CNFL observed in KC may support the hypothesis of a neurodegenerative aspect of the disease and might be a measure to be correlated with the severity and progression of the disease.
Oral consumption ofGarcinia kola(Bitter kola) lowers intraocular pressure
Authors: Ilechie Alex A. , Jeduah Mohammed M. , Abraham Carl H. , Ocansey Stephen , Abu Emmanuel , Okyere Theophilus , Ngosaro Obarijima
Published: April 2020

Purpose

Garcinia kola(bitter kola) is locally ingested across the West African subregion. It has ocular hypotensive effects similar to some commonly used glaucoma medications when administered topically. The study assessed the effect of oral ingestion ofG. kolaon intraocular pressure (IOP).

Method

A randomized, single‐blind, placebo‐controlled, cross‐over design was used in this study.Forty‐six healthy subjects, aged between 19 and 27 years were recruited and randomized into two groups (A and B). Subjects in group A ingested 100 mg/kg body weight bitter kola in a 200 ml solution on their first visit and group B ingested 200 ml of water. On the second visit, the order of treatment was reversed, IOP was measured at baseline and every 45 min interval for 135 min. The mean difference between the baseline and post‐treatment IOP measurements were tested for statistical significance using repeated‐measures analysis of variance (95% confidence intervals [CIs]).

Results

Mean IOP measurements decreased by 7.9, 18.2 and 20.6% at 45, 90 and 135 min, respectively, afterG. kolatreatment. The reduction, though variable across subjects, was statistically significant (F [2.13, 95.62] = 90.35, p < 0.0001) across the respective time points. Repetition of an identical protocol withoutG. kolacaused clinically negligible changes in IOP. There was no statistically significant influence of gender or age inG. kolaeffect on IOP reading.

Conclusion

Oral ingestion ofG. kolalowered the intraocular pressure of healthy young adults by 21%. Such an effect may be of therapeutic benefit to patients with POAG or ocular hypertension in low‐income settings.
Social Dominance Orientation, Right‐Wing Authoritarianism, and Willingness to Carry out Three Domains of Socially Inclusive Behaviors in a Public Campaign
Authors: Zhao Kun , Faulkner Nicholas , Perry Ryan
Published: April 2020

Ideological attitudes supporting group‐based dominance (i.e., social dominance orientation, SDO) and in‐group authority (i.e., right‐wing authoritarianism, RWA) are well‐established dual antecedents of prejudice. We extend classic perspectives of prejudice as an attitudinal outcome by testing this dual‐antecedent model with prejudice operationalized as inclusive behavioral intentions in a nationally‐representative Australian community sample (N = 2,632). An exploratory structural equation model simultaneously derived three domains of behavioral intentions in the data: small, interpersonal gestures (e.g., saying hello to people from other groups), volunteering to help the disadvantaged (e.g., mentoring people from disadvantaged groups), and political action (e.g., organizing a demonstration). There was evidence for a dual‐motivational basis of inclusive behavior intentions, with SDO negatively predicting all three categories of behaviors, particularly interpersonal gestures, while RWA showed a small negative relation only with political action. The findings suggest that motivations for group‐based dominance are the primary barrier against behavioral intentions toward social inclusion, which can inform the design of public interventions for reducing prejudice and discrimination.
A double‐blind, randomized, placebo‐controlled trial of adjunctive blue‐blocking glasses for the treatment of sleep and circadian rhythm in patients with bipolar disorder
Authors: Esaki Yuichi , Takeuchi Ipei , Tsuboi Soji , Fujita Kiyoshi , Iwata Nakao , Kitajima Tsuyoshi
Published: April 2020

Objectives

Recent studies have suggested that evening blue light exposure is associated with sleep and circadian rhythm abnormalities. This study examined the effect of blue‐blocking (BB) glasses on sleep and circadian rhythm in patients with bipolar disorder (BD).

Methods

We used a randomized, placebo‐controlled, double‐blinded design. Outpatients with BD and also with insomnia were randomly assigned to wear either orange glasses (BB) or clear ones (placebo) and were instructed to use these from 20:00 hours until bedtime for 2 weeks. The primary outcome metric was the difference in change from baseline to after intervention in sleep quality, as measured by the visual analog scale (VAS).

Results

Forty‐three patients were included in this study (BB group, 21; placebo group, 22). The change in sleep quality as per the VAS metric was not significantly different between the two groups (95% confidence interval [CI], −3.34 to 24.72; P = .13). However, the Morningness‐Eveningness Questionnaire score had shifted to an advanced rhythm in the BB group and to a delayed rhythm in the placebo group, and the difference in these changes was statistically significant (95% CI, 1.69‐7.45; P = .003). The change in the actigraphy sleep parameters and mood symptoms was not significantly different between the two groups.

Conclusion

Although concurrent medications may have influenced, our results suggest that BB glasses may be useful as an adjunctive treatment for circadian rhythm issues in patients with BD.
Changes in lung immune cells related to clinical outcome during treatment with infliximab for sarcoidosis
Authors: Kullberg S , Rivera N V , Abo Al Hayja M , Grunewald J , Eklund A
Published: April 2020

Pulmonary sarcoidosis is characterized by an exaggerated CD4+ T cell response and formation of non-necrotizing granulomas. Tumour necrosis factor α (TNF-α) is regarded as crucial for granuloma formation and TNF-α inhibitors offer a third-line treatment option for patients not responding to conventional treatment. However, not all patients benefit from treatment, and an optimal dose and treatment duration have not been established. Insight into the influence of TNF-α inhibitors on lung immune cells may provide clues as to what drives inflammation in sarcoidosis and improve our understanding of treatment outcomes. To evaluate the effects of treatment with the TNF-α inhibitor infliximab on lung immune cells and clinical features of the patients, 13 patients with sarcoidosis refractory to conventional treatment were assessed with bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), spirometry and computerized tomography (CT) scan closely adjacent to the start of infliximab treatment. These investigations were repeated after 6 months of treatment. Treatment with TNF-α inhibitor infliximab was well tolerated with no adverse events, except for one patient who developed a probable adverse event with liver toxicity. Ten patients were classified as responders, having a reduced CD4/CD8 ratio, a decreased percentage of CD4+ T cells expressing the activation marker CD69 and number of mast cells (P < 0·05 for all). The percentage of T regulatory cells (Tregs), defined as forkhead box P3+ CD4+ T cells decreased in most patients. In conclusion, six months of infliximab treatment in patients with sarcoidosis led to signs of decreased CD4+ T cell alveolitis and decreased mastocytosis in the lungs of responders.
Who Is to Blame? Children's and Adults' Moral Judgments Regarding Victim and Transgressor Negligence
Authors: Mulvey Kelly Lynn , Gönültaş Seçil , Richardson Cameron B.
Published: April 2020

Research has documented that individuals consider outcomes, intentions, and transgressor negligence when making morally relevant judgments (Nobes, Panagiotaki, & Engelhardt, 2017). However, less is known about whether individuals attend to both victim and transgressor negligence in their evaluations. The current study measured 3‐ to 6‐year‐olds (N = 70), 7‐ to 12‐year‐olds (N = 54), and adults' (N = 97, ages 18–25 years) moral judgments about scenarios in which an accidental transgression occurred involving property damage or physical harm. Participants were either assigned to conditions where the victim or the transgressor was negligent. Results revealed attention to negligence among all participants across a range of different moral judgment measures (including acceptability judgments, punishment judgments, and attributions of blame), with age‐related increases in attention to negligence evident. Results provide novel evidence that children and adults consider not just outcomes and intentions, but also the role of negligence in both victims and transgressors, when making social decisions.
Transrectal laparoscopy using flexible endoscopy with a submucosal tunneling method: Porcine survival model
Authors: Yoshida Masao , Esaki Mitsuru , Satoh Tatsunori , Yamakawa Shun , Nakajima Noriko , Ono Hiroyuki , Gotoda Takuji
Published: April 2020

Objectives

Transrectal laparoscopy (TRLS) using a flexible endoscope was recently proposed for peritoneal observation. Although previous studies have reported its feasibility, follow‐up durations were insufficient to ascertain technical safety. Moreover, knowledge about the technical feasibility of collecting peritoneal cytological lavage or ascites during TRLS is limited. Thus, this study aimed to confirm the safety and efficacy of TRLS in a porcine survival model.

Methods

After creating artificial ascites in 10 animals, TRLS was performed as follows: submucosal tunnel creation on the anterior wall of the rectum, intentional perforation at the distal end of the tunnel, endoscopic ascites collection and intraperitoneal observation, and clip closure at the mucosal incision site. The pigs were administered antibiotics orally for 7 days after TRLS and killed for histological evaluation and bacterial culture after 28 days of observation.

Results

The technical success rates of insertion into the abdominal cavity, ascites collection, and clip closure were 100%. All frequent anatomical sites for peritoneal dissemination including the stomach, subdiaphragmatic space, and pelvic space were fully observable without adverse events. The median procedure time was 36.3 min. Full 28‐day survival was observed in all cases without any infection. The autopsies showed no infection, including abscess formation. Bacterial cultures of the peritoneal cavity were negative 28 days after TRLS in all cases.

Conclusions

Transrectal laparoscopy enabled ascites collection and intraperitoneal observation without adverse events. All animals survived without peritonitis. Therefore, TRLS can be an option for intraperitoneal examination.
Freemasonry in Turkey’s modern history of ideas: A factor of liberalization and individualization?
Authors: Benedikter Roland
Published: April 2020

This article provides a brief outline of the impact of Turkish Freemasonry on the development of modern Turkey since the eighteenth century. It draws a short and incomplete history from a qualitative viewpoint, including influential topics, approaches, and camps. As European influences were historically strong in shaping Freemasonry on the Bosphorus, the text makes Turkish Freemasonry a case of Turkish‐European exchange and an example of specific currents of modernization, individualization, and liberalization—with all their pros and cons—within Islamic societies. The relevant questions are where and in which frameworks such currents may have been effective, where they perhaps produced the opposite of what they intended, and to what extent they could contribute to mitigating today’s torn political climate to all participants’ benefit. The article is based on interactions with representatives of Turkey’s Freemasonry, mainly of the liberal and progressive strands, making it more a narrative‐oriented account of an evolving greater picture than an array of detailed empirical‐scientific evidence on single pillars. The goal is to illustrate the complexity of “semi‐secular” socio‐religious dynamics in a Muslim context and to put the past into some relation to the present.
Proteomic identification and physicochemical characterisation of paramyosin and collagen from octopus (Octopus vulgaris) and jumbo squid (Dosidicus gigas)
Authors: Tapia‐Vasquez Angel Edgardo , Ezquerra‐Brauer Josafat Marina , Márquez‐Ríos Enrique , Ramírez‐Suárez Juan Carlos , Huerta‐Ocampo José Ángel , Santacruz‐Ortega Hisila , Torres‐Arreola Wilfrido
Published: April 2020

To perform improvements in food science, it is fundamental to understand the physicochemical properties of proteins since their interaction with other macromolecules plays an essential role in food systems. Collagen and paramyosin help in the maintenance of the matrix structure cells, the textural behaviour and the technical functionality of the protein concentrates; because of this, their identification and characterisation are necessary. Cephalopods species have shown differences in the distribution of its muscle fibres. The amino acid profile of jumbo squid showed a high content of glycine and hydroxyproline, while octopus showed a high content of acidic amino acids. The thermal profile of jumbo squid showed an endothermic transition at 117 °C, which octopus did not present. Moreover, the proteomic identification confirms the identity of paramyosin with 33% coverage to paramyosin from Dosidicus gigas and a 4% coverage to collagen type II from Sepia pharaonis on octopus and jumbo squid, respectively.
Agile optimization of a two‐echelon vehicle routing problem with pickup and delivery
Authors: do C. Martins Leandro , Hirsch Patrick , Juan Angel A.
Published: April 2020

In this paper, we consider a vehicle routing problem in which a fleet of homogeneous vehicles, initially located at a depot, has to satisfy customers' demands in a two‐echelon network: first, the vehicles have to visit intermediate nodes (e.g., a retail center or a consolidation center), where they deliver raw materials or bulk products and collect a number of processed items requested by the customers in their route; then, the vehicles proceed to complete their assigned routes, thus delivering the processed items to the final customers before returning to the depot. During this stage, vehicles might visit other intermediate nodes for reloading new items. In some real‐life scenarios, this problem needs to be solved in just a few seconds or even milliseconds, which leads to the concept of “agile optimization.” This might be the case in some rescue operations using drones in humanitarian logistics, where every second can be decisive to save lives. In order to deal with this real‐time two‐echelon vehicle routing problem with pickup and delivery, an original constructive heuristic is proposed. This heuristic is able to provide a feasible and reasonably good solution in just a few milliseconds. The constructive heuristic is extended into a biased‐randomized algorithm using a skewed probability distribution to modify its greedy behavior. This way, parallel runs of the algorithm are able to generate even better results without violating the real‐time constraint. Results show that the proposed methodology generates competitive results in milliseconds, being able to outperform other heuristics from the literature.
An ELECTRE III based consensus‐reaching process to improve a collective solution
Authors: Alvarez Pavel Anselmo , Morais Danielle Costa , Leyva López Juan Carlos , de Almeida Adiel Teixeira
Published: April 2020

Group decision making (GDM) is a very important process to reach a collective solution with a certain level of consensus. When a collective solution is generated by the aggregation of individual solutions, the group members can feel some disagreements with the collective solution. The GDM process proposed in this paper is a framework that supports decision makers to reach a collective solution with a high level of consensus. The procedure includes two manners to carry out the GDM to reach a collective solution. An interesting aspect is the individual agreement and collective agreement increase in each round of the decision process. The results show that a collective solution is generated, and the convergence of the consensus is reached.
Species richness and patterns of overdispersion, clustering and randomness shape phylogenetic and functional diversity–area relationships in habitat islands
Authors: Dias Rafael Antunes , Bastazini Vinicius Augusto Galvão , Knopp Bruna de Castro , Bonow Felipe Castro , Gonçalves Maycon Sanyvan Sigales , Gianuca Andros Tarouco
Published: April 2020

Aim

The aim of this study was to evaluate how the area of habitat islands influences multiple facets of diversity.

Location

Southern Brazil.

Taxon

Birds.

Methods

Using an Information Theoretic approach, we compared the fit of 20 diversity–area relationship (DARs) models in three habitat island systems. We tested for the best‐fit model, model‐family, shape and the presence/absence of an asymptote. We used species richness (SR), Faith's phylogenetic diversity (PD) and Faith's functional diversity (FD) to assess species–area (SARs), phylogenetic (PDARs) and functional diversity–area relationships (FDARs). We controlled for the effect of SR in PD and FD via null models to assess PDARs and FDARs independently of SR and to explore the influence of phylogenetic and functional randomness, clustering and overdispersion.

Results

PDARs and FDARs built with PD and FD resembled SARs and were all best fitted by convex or sigmoidal, upwards oriented, non‐asymptotic models. Controlling for SR in diversity indices produced flat or downwards oriented, weak PDARs and FDARs, which were best fitted by convex, non‐asymptotic models or the linear model. Taxonomic diversity accumulated faster with area than functional diversity, which accumulated faster than phylogenetic diversity. Randomness and clustering patterns prevailed in shaping PDARs and FDARs relative to overdispersion.

Main conclusions

Controlling for SR in PD and FD affects DARs patterns and the strength of the relationships. Irrespective of this influence of SR, a few simple models of the power and exponential model‐families best fit DARs. Model parameters reveal differences in the response of each facet of diversity to increases in area, highlighting the complementary nature of DARs. When considered independently of SR, PDAR and FDAR patterns largely reflect the broad variation of phylogenetic and functional diversity in small islands. This suggests that the ecological processes that generate phylogenetic and functional overdispersion and clustering operate at contrasting spatial scales.
Investigating psychological problems in caregiver of pediatrics with cancer: A systematic review
Authors: Shokri Mehdi , Tarjoman Asma , Borji Milad , Solaimanizadeh Laleh
Published: April 2020

Purpose

Cancer is a type of chronic illness that causes many issues for patients and their caregivers, including a wide range of psychological problems. This study was conducted to determine the status and psychological problems of caregivers of pediatric patients with cancer who live in Iran.

Methods

All articles from 2000 to March 2019 related to the psychological of caregivers and their child's cancer were included in the search. Domestic websites in Iran and international databases were searched. Keywords of the search included child, cancer, malignancy, care burden, stress, anxiety, depression, coping strategies, psychological hardiness, posttraumatic stress, parents, father, mother, and pediatric. The search, data extraction, quality assessment and screening were conducted independently by two researchers.

Results

In the initial search, 345 articles were extracted regarding the psychological problems of caregivers. After final screening 15 articles were selected; from these four referred to care burden, four articles for coping skills, three articles for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and four articles for stress, anxiety, and depression among carers of children with cancer.

Conclusion

Considering the existence of psychological problems such as caregiver burden, PTSD, stress, anxiety, and depression in caregivers of children with cancer, it is necessary to provide nursing interventions for this group of parents; particularly interventions that provide the necessary ground for reducing psychological problems and improving caregivers' mental health.