bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Acanthopagrus oconnorae, a new species of seabream (Sparidae) from the Red Sea
Authors: Pombo‐Ayora Lucía , Peinemann Viktor N. , Williams Collin T. , He Song , Lin Yu Jia , Iwatsuki Yukio , Bradley Donal D. C. , Berumen Michael L.
Published: June 2022

A new species of sparid fish, Acanthopagrus oconnorae, is described based on 11 specimens collected in the shallow (0–1 m depth) mangrove‐adjacent sandflats of Thuwal, Saudi Arabia. The new species is distinguished from its congeners by the following combination of characters: second anal‐fin spine 12.8%–16.6% of standard length (SL); 3½ scale rows between the fifth dorsal‐fin spine and lateral line; suborbital width 5.7%–6.7% of SL; eyes positioned at the anterior edge of the head, often forming a weakly convex break in an otherwise gently curved head profile, when viewed laterally; caudal fin light yellow with black posterior margin (approximately half of fin); anal fin dusky grey, with posterior one‐fifth of the fin light yellow; black streaks on inter‐radial membranes of anal fin absent. The most similar species to A. oconnorae is Acanthopagrus vagus, which differs by the presence of a w‐shaped anterior edge of the scaled predorsal area, a more acute snout and black streaks on the inter‐radial membranes of the anal fin. Phylogenetic placement and species delimitation of A. oconnorae are discussed based on COI, CytB and 16S sequences. It is hypothesized that ecology and behaviour explain how this species avoided detection despite its likely occurrence in coastal areas of the Red Sea with historically high fishing pressure.
The potential role of fibroblast‐derived multi‐peptide factors in activation of growth factors and β‐Catenin in hair follicle cells
Authors: Shin Jung‐Min , Lee Young‐Yoon , Kim Kyung Min , Won Kyung Shin , Suh Sang Bum , Hong Dongkyun , Jung Kyung Eun , Kim Chang‐Deok , Seo Young‐Joon , Cho Sung Bin , Lee Young
Published: June 2022

Background

Dermal fibroblasts play a pivotal role in hair follicle regeneration during wound repair. Recently, dermal fibroblast‐conditioned medium (DFCM), which contains multi‐peptide factors (MPFs), has been used to promote wound repair.

Aim

This study aimed to investigate the stimulatory effects of MPF‐containing DFCM on hair growth.

Methods

MPF‐containing DFCM was prepared using human neonatal dermal fibroblasts. Outer root sheath (ORS) and dermal papilla (DP) cells were cultured in MPF‐containing DFCM. We examined the expression and secretion of growth factors and cytokines using quantitative polymerase chain reaction and a growth factor array. In addition, the effect of MPFs on β‐catenin activity was determined using the TOPflash assay. All experiments were repeated at least three times with separate batches of cells.

Results

MPF‐containing DFCM increased keratinocyte growth factor (KGF), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and epidermal growth factor (EGF) mRNA expression in ORS cells and KGF and VEGF mRNA expression in DP cells. When ORS cells were treated with MPF‐containing DFCM, the secretion of several growth factors, including EGF, VEGF, insulin‐like growth factor‐binding protein (IGFBP)‐4, IGFBP‐6, and fibroblast growth factor‐7, was increased in the cell‐cultured medium compared with that in control. Additionally, MPF‐containing DFCM increased the transcriptional activation of β‐catenin in DP cells.

Conclusions

These results suggest that MPF‐containing DFCM might stimulate hair growth by inducing growth factors in ORS and DP cells and regulating β‐catenin in DP cells.
Theologian, Teacher, and Friend: Tributes to James M. Gustafson
Authors: Childress James F. , Cahill Lisa Sowle , Ottati Douglas F. , Schweiker William , Boer Theo A.
Published: June 2022

James M. Gustafson, who died in 2021, has influenced generations of theologians and ethicists. In this article, five students, colleagues, and friends provide short reflections on what Gustafson has meant for their work as scholars of theology and religious ethics.
Sensory quality control: Assessment of food company employees' knowledge, attitudes, and practices
Authors: Onojakpor Ogheneyoma , Tuorila Hely , De Kock Henrietta L.
Published: June 2022

This study was carried out to validate a questionnaire for assessing sensory quality control (SQC) knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP). The questionnaire, containing 24 knowledge, 13 attitudes, and nine practices items, was submitted to company representatives in South Africa and Nigeria. Confirmatory factor analysis and group comparisons among respondents and companies were carried out to validate the questionnaire. The final SQC‐KAP questionnaire consists of 24 knowledge (one scale), 11 attitudes (A bifactor scale, with a general scale and two subscales representing individual attitudes to SQC and those towards company SQC) and nine practices (one scale) items. The knowledge items had acceptable indices for difficulty and discrimination, and the attitudes and practices items had acceptable item‐total correlations. The final questionnaire can be used for the rapid assessment of SQC related knowledge and attitudes of food company employees and assessment of company practices.

Practical Applications

This study is the first to validate a questionnaire for assessing SQC related knowledge, attitudes, and practices in the food industry. The SQC‐KAP questionnaire can be used to rapidly assess SQC knowledge and attitudes of food company employees for sensory services, and to identify SQC training needs. Stakeholders can also use it to assess the sensory quality practices of food companies to gauge their compliance to good practice and identify potential areas of improvement of their SQC programs.
Development and feasibility testing of an evidence‐based occupational therapy program for adults with both Down syndrome and dementia
Authors: Raj Sujatha E. , Mackintosh Shylie , Kernot Jocelyn , Fryer Caroline , Stanley Mandy
Published: June 2022

This paper describes the development of a home‐based occupational therapy intervention program for people with Down syndrome who experience early on‐set dementia causing a decline in their performance skills and increasing care dependency on their informal caregivers. A six‐step methodological process adapted from the Medical Research Council framework for developing and evaluating complex interventions was formulated to develop an evidence‐based occupational therapy program for people with both Down syndrome and dementia and their informal caregivers. The first two steps gathered evidence through systematic reviews of the literature and determined the scope of current occupational therapy practice. The gathered evidence was synthesised in step three to develop a client‐centred occupational therapy intervention program for persons with both Down syndrome and dementia and their informal caregivers. In steps four and five, opinions were sought from occupational therapists working in this area of practice on the content of the developed program and its feasibility within the Australian disability services context. The final testing step can be conducted in the future using a single‐case experimental design study. It is important to use rigorous frameworks and gather comprehensive evidence using multiple methods to develop interventions for small heterogeneous populations. The developed occupational therapy program for persons with both Down syndrome and dementia and their informal caregivers appears feasible to be implemented within the Australian disability services; however, funding limitations imposes barriers for its implementation in clinical practice.
Cellular expression of epigenetic markers and oxidative stress in periodontitis lesions of smokers and non‐smokers
Authors: Dionigi Carlotta , Larsson Lena , Difloe‐Geisert Julia C. , Zitzmann Nicola U. , Berglundh Tord
Published: June 2022

Objective

To evaluate differences in the cellular expression of epigenetic markers and oxidative stress in periodontitis lesions between current smokers and non‐smokers.

Background

Tobacco smoking is recognized as one of the major risk factors for periodontitis. However, the mechanisms by which smoking affects the progression of the disease remain to be determined.

Methods

Twenty‐five current smokers and 21 non‐smokers with generalized severe periodontitis were included. From each patient, one soft tissue biopsy from a periodontitis site was harvested and prepared for histological analysis. The infiltrated connective tissue (ICT) was selected as the region of interest to assess the cellular expression of epigenetic markers and reactive oxygen/nitrogen species (RONS) by immunohistochemistry.

Results

Although the ICT of smokers and non‐smokers did not differ in size or in the expression of markers for DNA damage or oxidative stress, current smokers presented with significantly lower area proportions and densities of cells positive for the epigenetic markers DNMT1 and AcH3. In addition, periodontitis lesions in current smokers presented with a diminished antimicrobial activity, as indicated by significantly lower densities and area proportions of NOX2‐ and iNOS‐positive cells.

Conclusions

Components of the host response and epigenetic mechanisms in periodontitis lesions in smokers are downregulated as opposed to lesions of non‐smokers.
Genome‐wide methylation in the panmictic European eel (Anguilla anguilla)
Authors: Liu Shenglin , Tengstedt Aja Noersgaard Buur , Jacobsen Magnus W. , Pujolar Jose Martin , Jónsson Bjarni , Lobón‐Cervià Javier , Bernatchez Louis , Hansen Michael M.
Published: June 2022

The role of methylation in adaptive, developmental and speciation processes has attracted considerable interest, but interpretation of results is complicated by diffuse boundaries between genetic and non‐genetic variation. We studied whole genome genetic and methylation variation in the European eel, distributed from subarctic to subtropical environments, but with panmixia precluding genetically based local adaptation beyond single‐generation responses. Overall methylation was 70.9%, with hypomethylation predominantly found in promoters and first exons. Redundancy analyses involving juvenile glass eels showed 0.06% and 0.03% of the variance at SNPs to be explained by localities and environmental variables, respectively, with GO terms of genes associated with outliers primarily involving neural system functioning. For CpGs 2.98% and 1.36% of variance was explained by localities and environmental variables. Differentially methylated regions particularly included genes involved in developmental processes, with Hox clusters featuring prominently. Life stage (adult versus glass eels) was the most important source of inter‐individual variation in methylation, probably reflecting both ageing and developmental processes. Demethylation of transposable elements relative to pure European eel was observed in European X American eel hybrids, possibly representing postzygotic barriers in this system characterized by prolonged speciation and ongoing gene flow. Whereas the genetic data are consistent with a role of single‐generation selective responses, the methylation results underpin the importance of epigenetics in the life cycle of eels and suggest interactions between local environments, development and phenotypic variation mediated by methylation variation. Eels are remarkable by having retained eight Hox clusters, and the results suggest important roles of methylation at Hox genes for adaptive processes.
Abscisic acid‐controlled redox proteome of Arabidopsis and its regulation by heterotrimeric Gβ protein
Authors: Smythers Amanda L. , Bhatnagar Nikita , Ha Chien , Majumdar Parinita , McConnell Evan W. , Mohanasundaram Boominathan , Hicks Leslie M. , Pandey Sona
Published: June 2022

The plant hormone abscisic acid (ABA) plays crucial roles in regulation of stress responses and growth modulation. Heterotrimeric G‐proteins are key mediators of ABA responses. Both ABA and G‐proteins have also been implicated in intracellular redox regulation; however, the extent to which reversible protein oxidation manipulates ABA and/or G‐protein signaling remains uncharacterized.

To probe the role of reversible protein oxidation in plant stress response and its dependence on G‐proteins, we determined the ABA‐dependent reversible redoxome of wild‐type and Gβ‐protein null mutant agb1 of Arabidopsis.

We quantified 6891 uniquely oxidized cysteine‐containing peptides, 923 of which show significant changes in oxidation following ABA treatment. The majority of these changes required the presence of G‐proteins. Divergent pathways including primary metabolism, reactive oxygen species response, translation and photosynthesis exhibited both ABA‐ and G‐protein‐dependent redox changes, many of which occurred on proteins not previously linked to them.

We report the most comprehensive ABA‐dependent plant redoxome and uncover a complex network of reversible oxidations that allow ABA and G‐proteins to rapidly adjust cellular signaling to adapt to changing environments. Physiological validation of a subset of these observations suggests that functional G‐proteins are required to maintain intracellular redox homeostasis and fully execute plant stress responses.
A cross‐sectional study of pediatric hidradenitis suppurativa and the value of the International Hidradenitis Suppurativa Severity Score System (IHS4) as a pediatric clinical trial inclusion criteria
Authors: Bui Helen , Sayed Christopher
Published: June 2022

Background

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) often develops in pediatrics, but few interventional studies include pediatric patients.

Objectives

This dual analysis of a pediatric HS cohort and typical eligibility criteria in adult trials aims to identify potential patient characteristics and inclusion criteria for future pediatric HS studies.

Methods

This cross‐sectional and descriptive study is based on a prospectively collected data registry from an HS clinic. We also queried 125 HS studies from the Clinicaltrials.gov database and information from 61 interventional systemic HS drug trials was analyzed.

Results

The mean abscess and inflammatory nodule (AN) count in 81 pediatric subjects was 2.3 compared to 5.0 in adults with majority being Hurley stage I (39.5%, 32/81) or II (55.6%, 45/81). Most clinical trials required patients to be Hurley stage II/III with AN count of ≥3.

Conclusion

When developing clinical trials for pediatric HS, it is imperative to consider how baseline characteristics impact recruitment and disease assessment. Frequently used eligibility criteria in adult trials may severely limit pediatric recruitment. Although our registry had a large adult sample size, the main limitation of this study was the relatively smaller pediatric sample size.
Commonalities and differences between schemas of five types of love
Authors: Natividade Jean Carlos , Londero‐Santos Amanda , Cassepp‐Borges Vicente
Published: June 2022

The present study sought to map schemas of five types of love and characterize their commonalities and differences in the Brazilian context. Two studies were carried out sequentially. In Study 1, 537 adults answered open‐ended questions about friends' love, romantic love, parental love, filial love, and self‐love. Responses for descriptions of the different types of love were grouped into 29 thematic categories. In Study 2, we tested the degree of representativeness of these 29 categories for the five types of love. Five hundred thirteen adults from all regions of Brazil participated. Results from two studies showed that each type of love has peculiarities that distinguish them from the others and that “understanding” is the common core of all types of love.
Grape berry transpiration influences ripening and must composition in cv. Tempranillo (Vitis vinifera L.)
Authors: Pascual Inmaculada , Antolín María Carmen , Goicoechea Nieves , Irigoyen Juan José , Morales Fermín
Published: June 2022

The implications of grape berry transpiration for the ripening process and final grape composition were studied. An experiment was conducted, under controlled conditions, with fruit‐bearing cuttings of Vitis vinifera L. cv. Tempranillo. Three doses of the antitranspirant di‐1‐p‐menthene were applied directly to the bunch at the onset of veraison: 1%, 5%, and 10% (v/v) (D1, D5, and D10, respectively). A treatment with bunches sprayed with water (D0) was also included as a control. Grape and bunch transpiration, and total soluble solids (TSS) accumulation rate decreased as the dose of antitranspirant increased, thus resulting in the lengthening of the ripening period. Bunch transpiration rates were linearly correlated with the elapsed time between veraison and maturity, and with the TSS accumulation rate. The evolution of pH, malic acid and total skin anthocyanins during ripening did not show remarkable changes as a consequence of the artificially reduced bunch transpiration. However, a decoupling between TSS and anthocyanins was observed. At maturity, the bunches treated with D10 had significantly lower must acidity and higher pH and extractable anthocyanin levels, these differences being likely associated with the lengthening of the ripening period. The results show a clear implication of grape transpiration for the ripening process and final grape composition, and give new hints on the direct application of antitranspirants to the bunch as a way to regulate sugar accumulation while avoiding the concurrent delay of color development.
On target selection as reflected by posterior ERP components in feature‐guided visual search
Authors: Dell'Acqua Roberto , Doro Mattia , Brigadoi Sabrina , Drisdelle Brandi Lee , Simal Amour , Baro Valentina , Jolicœur Pierre
Published: June 2022

The N2pc event‐related potential is a widely studied ERP component that reflects the covert deployment of visuo‐spatial attention to target stimuli displayed laterally relative to fixation. Recently, an analogous ERP component, named N2pcb, has been proposed as a marker of the deployment of visuo‐spatial attention to targets displayed on the vertical midline. Two studies that investigated the N2pcb component found analogous results, using however two different algorithms to compute the amplitude of N2pcb. One study subtracted the ipsilateral activity elicited by a lateral target from the bilateral activity elicited by a target displayed on the vertical midline, whereas the other study subtracted the bilateral activity elicited by target‐absent displays from the bilateral activity elicited by a target displayed on the vertical midline. Here we show both algorithms estimate properly the N2pc as well as the N2pcb components. In addition, we explored whether the singleton detection positivity (SDP) component, a posterior bilateral positivity temporally concomitant to N2pc recently reported in studies using singleton search, could be observed in the present study in which a target was defined by a combination of features. Given that such component was indeed found using feature search, we named this component posterior processing positivity (PPP), and showed that bilateral activity elicited by target‐absent displays is an adequate baseline for its correct isolation.
The extent of the abundance of exosomal and non‐exosomal extracellular miRNAs in the bovine follicular fluid
Authors: Sohel Md Mahmodul Hasan , Hoelker Michael , Schellander Karl , Tesfaye Dawit
Published: June 2022

Follicular fluid (FF) plays an important role during follicular development and it contains several bioactive molecules including extracellular microRNAs (ECmiRNAs) that may mediate cell–cell communication during follicular development. Yet, the distribution patterns of ECmiRNAs in FF is not well characterized. This study aims to investigate the distribution of ECmiRNAs in two major fractions, namely exosomal and non‐exosomal, of bovine follicular fluid (bFF). Exosomal and non‐exosomal fractions from bFF were separated using Exoquick™ exosomes precipitation kit. miRNA expression was evaluated using the human miRCURY LNA™ Universal RT miRNA PCR array system. Transmission electron microscopy and immunoblotting revealed that the isolated vesicles were exosomes. The real‐time PCR‐based expression analysis revealed that 516 miRNAs were detected in the exosomal fraction of bFF, while 393 miRNAs were detected in the non‐exosomal fraction. Among the detected miRNAs, a total of 370 miRNAs were detected in both fractions, while 145 miRNAs and 23 miRNAs were solely detected in exosomal and non‐exosomal fractions, respectively. Exploratory pathway analysis showed that the genes targeted by exosomal and non‐exosomal miRNAs to be involved in MAPK, Wnt, FoxO, TGF‐beta, Oxytocin, ErbB, PI3K‐Akt, Neurotrophin signalling pathways which are believed to be involved in follicular development, cell proliferation, and meiotic resumption. The results of our study demonstrated that besides the exosomal fraction, non‐exosomal fractions can carry a significant amount of miRNAs in bFF where the exosomal fraction carries a significantly higher number of detectable miRNAs.
Towards truly ‘idiopathic’ pulmonary fibrosis
Authors: Mackintosh John A. , Chambers Daniel C.
Published: June 2022

See related article
Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand Position Statement: Respiratory nursing
Authors: Smith Sheree M. S. , Cotter Jane , Poot Betty , Ncube Nikola ,   Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand
Published: June 2022

The Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand's (TSANZ) Position Statement recognizes the pivotal role respiratory nurses play in the lung health of Australians and New Zealanders. The national and international lung health strategies are evidence based to ensure optimal professional clinical support for patients. Respiratory nurses are essential to the success of these strategies as a professional workforce, irrespective of healthcare setting, as they are at the forefront of the delivery of world‐class evidence‐based respiratory care. Respiratory nursing, as an entity, does not have the status as a nursing specialist area despite its range of professional practice across the life span and diverse settings, including disease prevention, public health, occupational health, symptom management, health education, surgery, rehabilitation, non‐invasive ventilation, support for a life‐limiting illness and adjustments to living with a chronic disease. Recognition of the specialized nature of work and specialist nursing practice status has been conferred by nurse registration boards upon cancer, emergency, cardiac, critical care, midwifery, mental health and palliative care nurses. It is time to confer this speciality practice recognition upon respiratory nurses of Australia and New Zealand. Through this position statement, the TSANZ advocates for respiratory nursing as a speciality area of professional nursing practice, thus supporting registered nurses in respiratory practice as well as the development of future generations of respiratory nurses. Furthermore, this statement validates the strong partnerships between all professions within the society for the advancement of lung health.
Abortion Legalization in Uruguay: Effects on Adolescent Fertility
Authors: Cabella Wanda , Velázquez Cecilia
Published: June 2022

The Latin American and Caribbean adolescent fertility rates are among the highest in the world: about 1.7 million children are born to teen mothers every year, and most of them are declared unintended pregnancies. The region also has the highest rate of unintended pregnancy of any world region, and nearly half of such pregnancies end in abortion. However, fewer than 18 percent of the region's women live in countries where abortion is broadly legal. This paper estimates the causal effect of abortion legalization on adolescent fertility in Uruguay using official data on legal abortions provided after the 2012 reform. We employed a difference‐in‐differences strategy, classifying states by whether they are responsive or unresponsive to the reform. The results suggest that abortion reform had a negative impact on the adolescent birth rate by 2.5–2.8 births per thousand adolescents aged 15–19 (a 4 percent decrease from the preintervention average). Additionally, we exploited variation in reform implementation intensity through the estimation of fixed‐effect linear regression models and found consistent results. Our findings are robust to controlling for a concurrent large‐scale program of contraceptive implants. We conclude that legislation aimed at enhancing rights and reducing avoidable deaths and complications from unsafe abortions may also have spillover effects that help reduce adolescent fertility.
From Dayton to Bernese Jura: The Election of the Croat Member of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina
Authors: Pepić Ivan , Kasapović Mirjana
Published: June 2022

After the signing of the Dayton Agreement, critical literature has attempted to portray consociation in Bosnia and Herzegovina as the predominant source of the country's political problems. At the same time, this literature has widely neglected the centripetal rules that have existed since the first elections of the tripartite Presidency. The paper analyzes the outcomes of the existing centripetal cross‐ethnic vote pooling rules. It concludes that such outcomes are negative and it then discusses a possible solution by drawing inspiration from the application of the Bernese Jura's geometric mean. The paper focuses on the election of the Croat member in the tripartite Presidency as representative of the least numerous ethnic group. We argue that the application of the geometric mean based upon results in Croat‐majority municipalities could eliminate certain grievances and weakens the chances for election of the Croat member by voters from dominantly Bosniak areas.
Urban Green Space Accessibility in Ilorin City, Nigeria
Authors: Abdulraheeem Maimuna Orire , Oloyede Ismail Orire , Amuda-Yusuf Ganiyu , Raheem Wasiu Mayowa , Alade Azeez Kola , Chukwu Michaelmary Tochukwu
Published: June 2022

Urban green space (UGS) is a very important determinant of social and environmental fairness. Many developing countries are faced with a dearth of public green spaces and Ilorin in Nigeria is no exception. Despite the numerous benefits of these facilities, they are still the target of encroachment by other land uses. The study assesses green space distribution in Ilorin City, using the World Health Organization (WHO) standard  indicators to evaluate its accessibility and availability. The primary instruments used are the Geographic Information System (ArcMap 10.3), Google Earth Engine (GEE), and administrative shapefiles of Ilorin West and South Local Government Areas. The results show that UGS is inadequate and only one out of the fourteen wards in the city meets the WHO 9m2green space standard and also offers 64.2 percent public access within a 300m distance radius. This result implies that Ilorin is not developing along the path of sustainability since the dearth of green space predisposes its inhabitants to immense danger. A recommendation was made for the design of a comprehensive green space master plan for the city. This shall put a check on the city's growth to foster sustainable development.
Estate Surveyors and Valuers’ Perception of the Role of Big Data in Property Marketing in Lagos, Nigeria
Authors: Oluwunmi Adedamola Olufunke , Role Bolatito Alison , Umeh Obinna Lawrence
Published: June 2022

Property marketing in Nigeria has frequently been characterised by unique challenges due to inadequate and unreliable data. In recent times, big data has presented a wide range of solutions to contemporary issues in different industries, including real estate. Notwithstanding, there is a paucity of practical studies on the role of big data in property marketing of many developing nations, including Nigeria. Hence, there is a need to investigate the role of big data in transforming property marketing in Nigeria. The aim of this study is therefore to investigate Estate Surveyors and Valuers’ (ESVs) perception of the role of big data in property marketing in Lagos, Nigeria. 82 questionnaires were administered to ESVs in the study area and 55 (67%) of them were found useful for analysis. The data were analysed using frequency, percentage, mean and relative importance index. The results revealed that out of 9 possible roles of big data in property marketing, the 2 most notable ones are that real estate firms can execute laser-focused marketing strategies; and they can match demand with supply. These outcomes distinctly disclosed the merits of adopting big data in marketing properties. The implication of these findings is that big data has the potential of reducing fraud due to the presence of sufficient and reliable data in the property market. This study concludes that big data is a worthy addition to the toolset of real estate practitioners, particularly with respect to property marketing, and wholly recommends its adoption.
People, Wildlife and Contest for Space in Okomu National Park, Nigeria: The Experience of the Host Communities and Managerial Perspective
Authors: Badiora Adewumi Israel , Oresanwo Ganiyat Abiodun
Published: June 2022

Human-wildlife conflict (HWC) has increased globally in recent years. This is true in the case of sub-Saharan Africa, particularly, Nigeria, a country rich in biodiversity. This study examines the types, nature and causes of HWC in Nigeria using Okomu National Park (ONP) and its host communities as a case study. Data were obtained through questionnaire administration and focus group discussions (FGDs). Four rural communities within five kilometers radius of ONP were selected using a simple random approach. Using the systematic sampling technique to select households, 224 copies of a questionnaire were distributed in these host communities. Convenient sampling was utilized to identify park management who were participating in FGDs. A total of ten FGDs were held, with each session lasting twenty minutes and engaging at least five participants. Information collected were analyzed using frequency distribution, mean score and content analysis. Respondents ranked crop damage as the commonest HWC while wildlife poaching, human settlements expansions and agricultural extensions are perceived as the main reasons for HWC in the host communities. Results show that a number of the host communities’ responses to HWC are not in the best interest of biodiversity conservation, safety and environmental health. The study concludes that HWC is apparent in the study area and this is likely to worsen in the near future. This study is of the opinion that effusively enforcement of wildlife poaching penalties, compensation plan, community enlightenment, sustainable land-use planning, and park management technology will do much as preventive measures to HWC in the study area.
Energy Efficiency Renovation Financing Models for Homeowners and Net Present Value Analysis: Case Study from India
Authors: Basu Chaitali , Syal M.G. Matt , Paul Virendra Kumar , Priydarshini Minakshi
Published: June 2022

In India, the lack of financing mechanisms has been identified as a major impediment in achieving energy efficiency (EE) and requires focused research to identify barriers and propose innovative financial models. This paper presents details of selected Government of India initiatives that highlight interlinking strategies of energy efficiency renovations, their financing models, and institutional policies needed for their implementation. These initiatives show that residential buildings have tremendous scope for retrofitting as they successfully attract finances through Energy Service Companies (ESCOs) and Renewable ESCO (RESCO) routes. This research highlights understanding of financial and technical barriers in energy efficiency retrofitting for existing residential buildings. Additionally, it discusses financial models and technical interventions being employed in energy efficiency residential retrofitting projects and demonstrates a retrofitting cost model for an actual case study project for composite climate using various physical and technological interventions. The work includes developing retrofitting scenarios through Government initiatives of technical interventions, then performing energy saving calculations, and finally developing cost model explaining the actual savings and payback periods for the potential intervention’s investments. These steps led to the development of a potential cost model which can assist both homeowners and energy professionals in identifying and implementing energy retrofitting measures in the residential building sector.
Comparative Performance of the Luminex NxTAG Respiratory Pathogen Panel, GenMark eSensor Respiratory Viral Panel, and BioFire FilmArray Respiratory Panel
Authors: Popowitch Elena B. , Kaplan Sam , Wu Zenglin , Tang Yi-Wei , Miller Melissa B.
Published: June 2022

Clinical laboratories have multiple choices when it is comes to syndromic respiratory testing. Here, the Luminex NxTAG RPP is compared to the BioFire FilmArray RP and GenMark eSensor RVP for overall and per-target accuracy. As new tests come to market, it is important to ascertain their performance characteristics, compared to other widely used
in vitro
diagnostic products.
High Pathogenicity of a Chinese NADC34-like PRRSV on Pigs
Authors: Yuan Lili , Zhu Zhenbang , Fan Juan , Liu Panrao , Li Yanhua , Li Qun , Sun Zhe , Yu Xiuling , Lee Hu Suk , Tian Kegong , Li Xiangdong
Published: June 2022

NADC34 PRRSV was initially reported in the United States in 2018. Subsequently, this virus strain spread to other countries, including Peru, South Korea, and China.
European Urban Strategies for Attracting Highly Skilled Migrants
Authors: Kvashnin Yu. D.
Published: June 2022

In the context of globalization and rapid technological changes, the preservation of human capital and its multiplication are becoming an increasingly important factor of economic growth. These challenges are particularly acute for the European Union and the UK, which have been gradually losing their competitive positions in the world economy over the past decades. In this context it is particularly important to analyze policies aimed at stimulating highly skilled migration carried out at different levels, including the municipal level. Despite their limited competences in the field of migration regulation, municipal administrations are able to influence its dynamics and structure by creating a comfortable urban environment and housing policy, increasing transport accessibility, facilitating employment of local university graduates, supporting return migration, and using other soft measures to attract highly qualified specialists and representatives of the creative class. This process, however, has both winners and losers. Many cities, primarily in the peripheral EU countries, are not able to cope with the competition and handle the ever increasing brain drain problem, which requires comprehensive solutions involving not only municipal administrations but also central authorities and supranational European institutions.
TRENDS IN THE EVOLUTION OF THE PARTY SYSTEM IN SPAIN IN THE POST-FRANCO PERIOD
Authors: Orlov A. A.
Published: June 2022

The degradation of the bipolar party system established in Spain in the post-Franco period, based on the dominance in the political space of two system-forming parties of opposite political orientation, and its replacement with a multi-party model with a wider involvement of new alternative players in political processes seems to be a long-term trend. Taking into account the extreme problematic nature of the formation of mono-party cabinets of ministers in the future, the creation of government coalitions becomes inevitable. However, due to the absence of a “coalition culture,” which was not necessary before, as well as a noticeable polarization of political forces and the growth of mutual rejection at the level of leaders and party elites, the solution of this problem in modern Spanish realities threatens to turn into an endless political marathon and is fraught with significant increased political instability in the coming years.
Severe myopericarditis following the third dose of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine: utility of a multimodal treatment approach
Authors: Fritz Rachel Olivia , Betageri Omkar , Chakrala Teja , Kim Justin , Al-Ani Mohammad , Omar Abdullah
Published: June 2022

We report a rare case of severe myopericarditis in a healthy man in his 20s after the third dose of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine. His symptoms and troponinemia resolved with a beta-blocker in addition to standard anti-inflammatory therapy, highlighting the utility of multimodal therapy.
Prognostic and diagnostic accuracy of intracoronary electrocardiogram recorded during percutaneous coronary intervention: a meta-analysis
Authors: Li Weijie , He Jialin , Fan Jun , Huang Jiankai , Chen Pingan , Pan Yizhi
Published: June 2022

Objective

Intracoronary ECG (IC-ECG) recording has been shown to be sensitive and reliable for detecting myocardial viability and local myocardial ischaemia in some studies. But IC-ECG is neither widely used during percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) nor recommended in guidelines. This up-to-date meta-analysis of published studies was conducted to evaluate the prognostic and diagnostic accuracy of IC-ECG recorded during PCI.

Methods

Relevant studies were identified by searches of MEDLINE until 19 June 2021. Observational and diagnostic studies which reported the prognostic or diagnostic accuracy of IC-ECG were included. Data were extracted independently by two authors. Summary estimates of clinical outcomes were obtained using a random effects model. Summary diagnostic accuracy was obtained by using a Bayesian bivariate random effects model.

Results

Of the 12 included studies, 7 studies reported the clinical outcomes (821 patients) and 6 studies reported the diagnostic accuracy (485 patients) of IC-ECG. The pooled ORs with 95% CIs of ST-segment elevation recorded by IC-ECG were 4.65 (1.69 to 12.77), 5.08 (1.10 to 23.44), 4.53 (0.79 to 25.90) and 1.83 (0.93 to 3.62) for major adverse cardiac events, myocardial infarction, cardiac death and revascularisation, respectively. The weighted mean difference were 6.49 (95% CIs 3.84 to 9.14) for ejection fraction when ST-segment resolution was recorded, and 0.86 (95% CIs −8.55 to 10.26) when ST-segment elevation was recorded. The pooled sensitivity and specificity of ST-segment elevation were 0.78 (95% credibility intervals 0.64 to 0.89) and 0.87 (95% credibility intervals 0.75 to 0.94), respectively.

Conclusions

These findings provide quantitative data supporting that IC-ECG had promising diagnostic ability for local myocardial injury, and could predict clinical outcomes.
Readiness for five digital technologies in general practice: perceptions of staff in one part of southern England
Authors: Hammerton Matthew , Benson Tim , Sibley Andrew
Published: June 2022

Background

Our aim was to understand how digital readiness within general practice varies between different technologies and to identify how demographic, workplace and external factors affect this. The technologies considered include electronic patient records, telehealth (text messaging and video consultations), patient online access, patient clinical apps and wearables, and social media.

Method

A digital readiness survey tool was developed and used in one area of southern England during Spring 2020. Semistructured qualitative interviews were also carried out with some practice staff and digital technology company representatives.

Results

GPs, nurses and non-clinical staff submitted 287 responses from 27 general practices (out of 33 invited).

Staff digital readiness differs significantly between technologies. The mean perceived digital competency scores on 0–100 scale (high is good) were electronic patient records (75.7), telehealth (64.2), patient online access (65.8), patient clinical apps and wearables (50.8), and social media (51.2).

Younger general practice staff, those in post for 5 or less years are more digitally competent and confident than older staff. This applies to both clinical and non-clinical staff. Older patient population, rurality and smaller practice size are associated with lower digital readiness. Readiness to use digital technology may have improved since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic but barriers remain in poor IT and mobile infrastructure, software usability and interoperability, and concerns about information governance.

Conclusions

Improving digital readiness in general practice is complex and multifactorial. Issues may be alleviated by using dedicated digital implementation teams and closer collaboration between stakeholders (GPs and their staff, patients, funders, technology companies and government).
An international guideline with six personalised titration schedules for preventing myocarditis and pneumonia associated with clozapine
Authors: de Leon Jose , Ruan Can-Jun , Schoretsanitis Georgios , Rohde Christopher , Yağcıoğlu Elif Anıl , Baptista Trino , Kirilochev Oleg O , De las Cuevas Carlos , Correll Christoph U
Published: June 2022

White blood cell (WBC) monitoring has reduced clozapine-treated patient deaths associated with agranulocytosis to a rarity. However, clozapine protocols and package inserts worldwide provide no instructions for preventing myocarditis or pneumonia during clozapine titrations. Prescribers worldwide are largely unaware of that. Meanwhile, as they worry about agranulocytosis, their clozapine-treated patients are at risk of dying from pneumonia or myocarditis. Consequently, an international guideline with 104 authors from 50 countries/regions was recently published to provide personalised clozapine titration schedules for adult inpatients. This forum article reviews pneumonia and myocarditis occurring during clozapine titration, as well as the three most innovative aspects of this new guideline: (1) personalised titration, (2) C reactive protein (CRP) measures, and (3) dose predictions based on blood levels. Clozapine metabolism is influenced by 3 levels of complexity: (1) ancestry groups, (2) sex-smoking subgroups, and (3) presence/absence of poor metabolizer status. These 3 groups of variables should determine the maintenance dose and speed of clozapine titration; they are summarised in a table in the full-text. The international clozapine titration guideline recommends measuring CRP levels simultaneously with WBC, at baseline and weekly at least for the first 4 weeks of titration, the highest risk period for clozapine-induced myocarditis.
Breakthrough SARS-CoV-2 infections after COVID-19 immunization
Authors: Hirsh Joshua , Htay Thwe , Bhalla Shubhang , Nguyen Victoria , Cervantes Jorge
Published: June 2022

As no vaccines are 100% effective at preventing illness, COVID-19 vaccine breakthrough cases are expected. We here aim to review the most recent literature on COVID-19 vaccine breakthrough infections. SARS-CoV-2 breakthrough infections are, in general, rare. Age may still be a factor in SARS-CoV-2 infections in immunized individuals.
Recent Findings on Hyperprolactinemia and its Pathological Implications: A Literature Review
Authors: Ghoreshi Zohreh al-sadat , Akbari Hamed , Sharif-zak Mohsen , Arefinia Nasir , Abbasi-Jorjandi Mojtaba , Asadikaram Gholamreza
Published: June 2022

The prolactin hormone (PRL) is often secreted by lactotrophic cells of the anterior pituitary and has been shown to play a role in various biological processes, including breast feeding and reproduction. The predominant form of this hormone is the 23 kDa form and acts through its receptor (PRLR) on the cell membrane. This receptor is a member of the superfamily of hematopoietic/cytokine receptors. PRL also has a 16 kDa subunit with anti-angiogenic, proapoptotic, and anti-inflammatory effects which is produced by the proteolytic breakdown of this hormone under oxidative stress. Although the common side effects of hyperprolactinemia are exerted on the reproductive system, new studies have shown that hyperprolactinemia has a wide variety of effects, including playing a role in the development of autoimmune diseases and increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease, peripartum cardiomyopathy, and diabetes among others. The range of PRL functions is increasing with the discovery of multiple sites of PRL secretion as well as PRLR expression in various tissues. This review summarizes current knowledge of the biology of PRL and its receptor, as well as the role of PRL in human pathophysiology.
Working conditions and absence from work during pregnancy in a cohort of healthcare workers
Authors: Villar Rocio , Serra Laura , Serra Consol , Benavides Fernando G
Published: June 2022

Objectives

To assess the relationship between exposure to occupational risk factors during pregnancy and absence from work using two different social benefits.

Method

Three working pregnancy trajectories (WPT) were identified in a cohort of 428 pregnant workers from a healthcare institution (period 2010–2014), based on absence days and using cluster analysis. WPT1 included absences mainly covered by sickness absence benefit (32.0% of women), WPT2 included absences covered by pregnancy occupational risk (POR) benefit (28.3%) and WPT3 were pregnant workers with few absences (39.9%). Exposure to occupational risk factors was assessed by experts and association with trajectories was analysed using logistic regression. Relative risks (RR) and their 95% CIs were adjusted for age, type of contract and shift work.

Results

WPT2 was associated with exposure to physical (RR=1.86, 95%CI 1.17 to 2.97), safety (RR=2.10, 95%CI 1.61 to 2.73), ergonomic (RR=2.52, 95%CI 1.89 to 3.36) and psychosocial (RR=1.79, 95%CI 1.31 to 2.46) factors, and with exposure level. For physicians, WPT1 was associated with safety risks (RR=3.13, 95%CI 1.22 to 7.99), WPT2 with chemical and ergonomic for administrative/technical support (RR=12.20, 95%CI 1.69 to 88.09; RR=14.09, 95%CI 1.34 to 148.61, respectively), with safety and ergonomic risks for nursing aides (RR=1.84, 95%CI 1.12 to 3.02; RR=3.94, 95% CI 2.38 to 6.53, respectively), and with physical (RR=1.72, 95%CI 1.04 to 2.86), safety (RR=2.21, 95%CI 1.62 to 3.03), ergonomic (RR=2.02, 95%CI 1.44 to 2.86) and psychosocial factors (RR=1.96, 95%CI 1.32 to 2.90) for nurses.

Conclusions

Absences from work covered by POR benefit show a consistent relationship with exposure to occupational risks. Sickness absence is the most frequent benefit used by pregnant workers. Current social benefits are apparently used adequately for protecting women from occupational exposures. Future studies are needed to clarify this further.
Growth and shedding of harbor seal (Phoca vitulina) whiskers
Authors: Karpovich Shawna A. , Skinner John P. , Miller Carlene N. , Polasek Lori K. , Pendleton Grey W.
Published: June 2022

Accurate and precise estimates of the timing of whisker growth and shedding are necessary to interpret biochemical information stored in whiskers. This fine-scale examination of harbor seal ( Phoca vitulina Linnaeus, 1758) whisker growth and shedding identified an asymptotic growth pattern with initial rapid growth that decays over time that can be defined with the von Bertalanffy curve. Initial growth rates were similar among whiskers, but estimated growth coefficients ( K) and asymptotic lengths ( L∞) differed by follicle positions suggesting that differences in total whisker lengths result from dissimilarly shaped growth curves. In other words, longer whisker length is attained by delaying the growth rate decay. There was substantial intra- and interseal variation in shedding dates; whisker shedding began at the caudal margin of the whisker bed and progressed toward the nose. Shedding of marked whiskers from the three study seals took from 78 to 133 days; however, selecting whiskers only from the most caudal follicle of the bottom three rows constrained the period of whisker shedding to 7–43 days. These differences in growth and shedding of harbor seal whiskers emphasize the importance of considering follicle position to select whiskers that are the most similar for analyses of information stored in whiskers.