bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Acinetobacter geminorum sp. nov., isolated from human throat swabs
Authors: Wolf Sophia , Barth-Jakschic Elisabeth , Birkle Karolin , Bader Baris , Marschal Matthias , Liese Jan , Peter Silke , Oberhettinger Philipp
Published: October 2021

Two isolates of a non-fermenting, Gram-negative bacterial strain were cultured from two throat swabs that were taken from a pair of twins during routine microbiological surveillance screening. As these isolates could not be unambiguously identified using routine diagnostic methods, whole genome sequencing was performed followed by phylogenetic analysis based on the rpoB gene sequence and by whole genome datasets. The two strains compose a separate branch within the clade formed by the Acinetobacter calcoaceticus–baumannii (ACB) complex with

Acinetobacter pittii

CIP 70.29T as the most closely related species. The average nucleotide identity compared to all other species of the ACB complex was below 94.2% and digital DNA–DNA hybridization values were less than 60%. Biochemical characteristics confirm affiliation to the ACB complex with some specific phenotypic differences. As a result of the described data, a new

Acinetobacter

species is introduced, for which the name Acinetobacter geminorum sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is J00019T with a G+C DNA content of 38.8 mol% and it is deposited in the DSMZ Germany (DSM 111094T) and CCUG Sweden (CCUG 74625T).
Clinical Benefits and Budget Impact of Lenzilumab plus Standard of Care Compared with Standard of Care Alone for the Treatment of Hospitalized Patients with COVID-19 in the United States from the Hospital Perspective
Authors: Kilcoyne Adrian , Jordan Edward , Zhou Allen , Thomas Kimberly , Pepper Alicia N. , Chappell Dale , Amarapala Miyuru , Hughes Avery , Thompson Melissa
Published: October 2021

Aims

The study estimated the clinical benefits and budget impact of lenzilumab plus standard of care (SOC) compared with SOC alone in the treatment of hospitalized COVID-19 patients from the United States hospital perspective.

Materials and Methods

An economic model was developed to estimate the clinical benefits and costs for an average newly hospitalized COVID-19 patient, with a 28-day time horizon for the index hospitalization. Clinical outcomes from the LIVE-AIR trial included failure to achieve survival without ventilation (SWOV), mortality, time to recovery, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, and invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) use. Base case costs included drug acquisition and administration for lenzilumab and hospital resource costs based on the level of care required. The inclusion of 1-year rehospitalization costs was examined in a scenario analysis.

Results

In the base case and all scenarios, treatment with lenzilumab plus SOC improved all specified clinical outcomes over SOC alone. Adding lenzilumab to SOC was also estimated to result in cost savings of $3,190 per patient in a population aged <85 years with CRP <150 mg/L and receiving remdesivir (base case). Per-patient cost savings were also estimated in the following scenarios: 1) aged <85 years with CRP <150 mg/L, with or without remdesivir ($1,858); 2) Black and African American patients with CRP <150 mg/L ($13,154); and 3) Black and African American patients from the full population ($2,763). In the full mITT population, a budget impact of $4,952 was estimated. When adding rehospitalization costs to the index hospitalization, a total per-patient cost savings of $5,154 was estimated.

Conclusions

The results highlight the clinical benefits for SWOV, ventilator use, time to recovery, mortality, time in ICU, and time on IMV, in addition to a favorable budget impact from the United States hospital perspective associated with adding lenzilumab to SOC for patients with COVID-19 pneumonia.
Differential anchoring effects of vaccination comparator selection: characterizing a potential bias due to healthcare utilization in COVID-19 versus influenza
Authors: Ostropolets Anna , Ryan Patrick B. , Schuemie Martijn J. , Hripcsak George
Published: October 2021

Introduction

Observational data enables large-scale vaccine safety surveillance but requires careful evaluation of potential sources of bias. One potential source of bias is an index date selection procedure for the unvaccinated cohort or unvaccinated comparison time. Here, we evaluate different index date selection procedures for two vaccines: COVID-19 and influenza.

Methods

For each vaccine, we extracted patient baseline characteristics on the index date and up to 450 days prior and then compared them to the characteristics of the unvaccinated patients indexed on an arbitrary date or indexed on a date of a visit. Additionally, we compared vaccinated patients indexed on the date of vaccination and the same patients indexed on a prior date or visit.

Results

COVID-19 vaccination and influenza vaccination differ drastically from each other in terms of populations vaccinated and their status on the day of vaccination. When compared to indexing on a visit in unvaccinated population, influenza vaccination had markedly higher covariate proportions and COVID-19 vaccination had lower proportions of most covariates on the index date. In contrast, COVID-19 vaccination had similar covariate proportions when compared to an arbitrary date. These effects attenuated but were still present with a longer lookback period. The effect of day 0 was present even when patients served as their own controls.

Conclusion

Patient baseline characteristics are sensitive to the choice of the index date. In vaccine safety studies, unexposed index event should represent vaccination settings. Study designs previously used to assess influenza vaccination must be reassessed for COVID-19 to account for a potentially healthier population and lack of medical activity on the day of vaccination.
Cardiovascular Mortality during the COVID-19 Pandemics in a Large Brazilian City: a Comprehensive Analysis
Authors: Brant Luisa C C , Pinheiro Pedro C , Ribeiro Antonio L P , Machado Isis E , Correa Paulo R L , Santos Mayara R , Marinho de Souza Maria de Fatima , Malta Deborah C , Passos Valéria M A
Published: October 2021

Introduction

The impact of COVID-19 pandemics on cardiovascular diseases (CVD) may be caused by health system reorganization and/or collapse, or from changes in the behaviour of individuals. In Brazil, municipalities were empowered to define regulatory measures, potentially resulting in diverse effects on CVD morbimortality.

Objective

To analyse the impact of COVID-19 pandemics on CVD outcomes in Belo Horizonte (BH), the 6th greater capital city in Brazil, including: mortality, mortality at home, hospitalizations, intensive care unit utilization, and in-hospital mortality; and the differential effect according to sex, age range, social vulnerability, and pandemic’s phase.

Methods

Ecological study analysing data from the Mortality and Hospital Information System of BH residents aged ≥30 years. CVD was defined as in Chapter IX from ICD-10. Social vulnerability was classified by a composite socioeconomic index as high, medium and low. The observed age-standardized rates for epidemiological weeks 10-48, 2020, were compared to the expected rates (mean of 2015-2019). Wilcoxon rank-sum test was used to test differences, and risk ratios with their 95% confidence intervals were calculated. National demographic estimates was used to calculate rates.

Results

We found no changes in CVD mortality rates (RiR 1.01, 95%CI 0.96-1.06). However, CVD deaths occurred more at homes (RiR 1.32, 95%CI 1.20-1.46) than in hospitals (RiR 0.89, 95%CI 0.79-0.99), as a result of a substantial decline in hospitalization rates, even though proportional in-hospital deaths increased. The rise in home deaths was greater in older adults and in had an increasing gradient in those more socially vulnerable (RiR 1.45); for high (RiR 1.45), medium (RiR 1.32) and low vulnerability (RiR 1.21).

Conclusion

The greater occurrence of CVD deaths at home, in parallel with lower hospitalization rates, suggests that CVD care was disrupted during the COVID-19 pandemics, which more adversely affected older and more socially vulnerable individuals, exacerbating health inequities in BH.
Exoskeleton-assisted walking improves pulmonary and exercise performances more than conventional exercise program in individuals with spinal cord injury: a randomised controlled study
Authors: Xiang Xiao-Na , Zhang Li-Ming , Zong Hui-Yan , Ou Yi , Yu Xi , Liu Yan , Jiang Hong-Ying , Cheng Hong , He Hong-Chen , He Cheng-Qi
Published: October 2021

Question

In people with spinal cord injury, does exoskeleton-assisted walking training improve pulmonary ventilation function, motor function and related body structure, walking, and activities of daily life equally comparing those with conventional exercise program?

Design

Randomised controlled trial with concealed allocation, assessor blinding and intention-to-treat analysis.

Intervention

Both groups undertook 16 sessions of 50-60min training (4 days/week, 4 weeks). Participants in the experimental group received EAW trainings using AIDER system, which assisted standing, walking, and climbing the stairs. The control group received a conventional exercise program which combined aerobic, resistance, flexibility and walking training.

Outcome measures

The primary outcome was the pulmonary function test. The secondary outcomes included: a 6-minute walk test with Borg scale (0 to 10) rating of exertion, 10-metre walk test, basic activities of daily living, trunk control test, lower extremity motor score, muscle tone of lower limb, bone mineral density, and distal femoral cartilage at baseline and upon completion of treatment.

Results

After 4 weeks of trainings, the experimental group improved more on the forced vital capacity (MD 0.53, 95%CI 0.01 to 1.06), predicted FVC% (MD 19.59, 95%CI 6.63 to 32.54) and forced expiratory volume in 1s (MD 0.61, 95%CI 0.15 to 1.07); BADL (MD 19.75, 95%CI 10.88 to 28.62); and distal femoral cartilage than the control group. Participants completed 6-minute walk test with median 17.3 meters while wearing the exoskeleton. There was no difference in trunk control test, lower extremity motor score, muscle tone, bone mineral density and adverse event.

Conclusions

In people with lower thoracic neurological level of spinal cord injury, exoskeleton-assisted walking training instead of a conventional excise program has potential benefits to facilitate pulmonary ventilation function, walking, basic activities of daily living and thickness of cartilage.

Trial registration

ChiCTR2000034623
The Repercussion of SARS-CoV-2 on the Blood Glucose Level of Diabetes Patients’ Prior and During the Lockdown in Bangladesh
Authors: Abrar Shams Mohammad
Published: October 2021

Purpose

Diabetes Mellitus (DM) patients were exposed to subacute risk as a result of the unanticipated lockdown. Furthermore, most DM patients were unable to engage in physical activity during that period. This impediment to proper healthcare management had increased Blood Glucose Levels (BGL). Therefore, initiatives must be adopted to prevent the same result in the second lockdown in 2021 for the well-being of patients.

Method

This statistical analysis aimed to assess the rise in BGL of diabetic patients before and during the lockdown. A survey was conducted among the DM patients in the Bangladeshi cohort, who came from various socioeconomic backgrounds and included both men and women. The statistical modeling, performed with the help of stat-ease software, was conducted by applying the Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) method to Response Surface Methodology (RSM).

Result

Out of the 3 models applied (quadratic, main effect and sequential sum of squares for 2 factor interaction (2FI)) in 2 different response vectors the 2FI model was the best suited (p value - 0.0441 and 0.0015). The results yielded by the 2FI model were used to evaluate RSM.

Conclusion

The analysis had shown a significant rise in the BGL among the DM patients during the lockdown, and the patients with the higher BMI tend to have a more significant increment in the BGL. Male patients experienced a greater rise in BGL. Furthermore, elderly patients with high Random Blood Glucose (RBG) levels before lockdown were more likely to have high RBG levels during the lockdown.
EEG Microstate Correlates of Emotion Dynamics and Stimulation Content during Video Watching
Authors: Hu Wanrou , Zhang Zhiguo , Zhao Huilin , Zhang Li , Li Linling , Huang Gan , Liang Zhen
Published: October 2021

EEG microstates have been widely adopted to understand the complex and dynamic-changing process in dynamic brain systems, but how microstates are temporally modulated by emotion dynamics is still unclear. An investigation of EEG microstates under video-evoking emotion dynamics modulation would provide a novel insight into the understanding of temporal dynamics of functional brain networks. In the present study, we postulate that emotional states dynamically modulate the microstate patterns, and perform an in-depth investigation between EEG microstates and emotion dynamics under a video-watching task. By mapping from subjective-experienced emotion states and objective-presented stimulation content to EEG microstates, we gauge the comprehensive associations among microstates, emotions, and multimedia stimulation. The results show that emotion dynamics could be well revealed by four EEG microstates (MS1, MS2, MS3, and MS4), where MS3 and MS4 are found to be highly correlated to different emotion states (emotion task effect and level effect) and the affective information involved in the multimedia content (visual and audio). In this work, we reveal the microstate patterns related to emotion dynamics from sensory and stimulation dimensions, which deepens the understanding of the neural representation under emotion dynamics modulation and will be beneficial for the future study of brain dynamic systems.
Complex fitness landscape shapes variation in a hyperpolymorphic species
Authors: Stolyarova A. V. , Neretina T. V. , Zvyagina E. A. , Fedotova A. V. , Kondrashov A. S. , Bazykin G. A.
Published: October 2021

It is natural to assume that patterns of genetic variation in hyperpolymorphic species can reveal large-scale properties of the fitness landscape that are hard to detect by studying species with ordinary levels of genetic variation1,2. Here, we study such patterns in a fungus Schizophyllum commune, the most polymorphic species known3. Throughout the genome, short-range linkage disequilibrium caused by attraction of rare alleles is higher between pairs of nonsynonymous than of synonymous sites. This effect is especially pronounced for pairs of sites that are located within the same gene, especially if a large fraction of the gene is covered by haploblocks, genome segments where the gene pool consists of two highly divergent haplotypes, which is a signature of balancing selection. Haploblocks are usually shorter than 1000 nucleotides, and collectively cover about 10% of the S. commune genome. LD tends to be substantially higher for pairs of nonsynonymous sites encoding amino acids that interact within the protein. There is a substantial correlation between LDs at the same pairs of nonsynonymous sites in the USA and the Russian populations. These patterns indicate that selection in S. commune involves positive epistasis due to compensatory interactions between nonsynonymous alleles. When less polymorphic species are studied, analogous patterns can be detected only through interspecific comparisons.
The Japanese wolf is most closely related to modern dogs and its ancestral genome has been widely inherited by dogs throughout East Eurasia
Authors: Gojobori Jun , Arakawa Nami , Xiayire Xiaokaiti , Matsumoto Yuki , Matsumura Shuichi , Hongo Hitomi , Ishiguro Naotaka , Terai Yohey
Published: October 2021

The Japanese wolf (Canis lupus hodophilaxTemminck, 1839) was a subspecies of the gray wolf that inhabited the Japanese Archipelago and became extinct 100-120 years ago. In this study, we determined the whole genomes of nine Japanese wolves from the 19th- early 20thcenturies and 11 Japanese dogs and analyzed them along with both modern and ancient wolves and dogs. Genomic analyses indicate that the Japanese wolf was a unique subspecies of the gray wolf that was genetically distinct from both modern and ancient gray wolves, lacking gene flow with other gray wolves. A Phylogenetic tree that minimizes the effects of introgression shows that Japanese wolves are closest to the dog monophyletic group among the gray wolves. Moreover, Japanese wolves show significant genetic affinities with East Eurasian dogs. We estimated the level of introgression from the ancestor of the Japanese wolves to the ancestor of East Eurasian dogs that had occurred in the transitional period from the Pleistocene to the Holocene, at an early stage after divergence from West Eurasian dog lineages. Because of this introgression, Japanese wolf ancestry has been inherited by many dogs through admixture between East Eurasian dog lineages. As a result of this heredity, up to 5.5% of modern dog genomes throughout East Eurasia are derived from Japanese wolf ancestry.
The role of pension knowledge in voluntary pension and banking savings in Chile
Authors: Diaz David , Ruiz José L. , Tapia Pablo
Published: October 2021

Purpose

In an era of increasing financial vulnerability, people are not saving enough to either fund their future pension benefits or having precautionary savings. The authors propose that pension knowledge makes people increase their probability of having voluntary pension and banking savings.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors use the social protection survey in Chile, a unique set of panel data for affiliates in 2006 and 2009. First, the authors use clustering algorithms to find naturally occurring groupings in the level of pension knowledge. Second, the authors run a probit regression model for explaining the probability of having a voluntary pension and banking savings, using as determinants the level of pension knowledge and several control variables that are usually explored in the literature.

Findings

The authors find two clusters of pension knowledge in the Chilean pension system. In addition, the authors find that there is a positive correlation between high pension knowledge and good financial decision-making, as these people have voluntary retirement and banking savings.

Practical implications

As people who spend time planning accumulate more wealth, it is important to develop public policies that promote the advantages to know better about the benefits of having voluntary savings for the long-term horizon. Conscientious people are also more likely to have voluntary savings.

Social implications

Policy programs to increase to be responsible can have positive effects on society's welfare.

Originality/value

Up to the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study that connects clustering algorithms and pension knowledge.
An investigation into occupational health and safety of scaffolding practices on construction sites in Malaysia
Authors: Olanrewaju AbdulLateef , Khor Jack Son , Preece Christopher Nigel
Published: October 2021

Purpose

Statistics show that the construction sector has the second-highest number of accident cases in Malaysia. A total of 100, 000 construction workers suffer from work-related bad health each year. Scaffolding accidents are the second cause of accidents on construction sites. Therefore, this present research provided answers to the following questions: (1) what are the causes of scaffolding accidents and (2) what are the possible measures to reduce scaffolding accidents?

Design/methodology/approach

The research developed a questionnaire instrument that included 24 causes of scaffolding accidents and 21 remedial actions. The research was based on a cross-sectional survey questionnaire administered to 129 members of construction organizations.

Findings

Data revealed that scaffolding-related cases caused a total of 70% of the deaths/injuries on sites. Furthermore, scaffolding accidents were mainly caused by a lack of guard rails on scaffoldings, poor inspections, improper assembly, a poor safety culture, poor attitudes towards safety, poor footing of scaffoldings and unsecured planking. To reduce scaffolding accidents, there must be a lifeline on scaffolding, proper guardrails and proper assembling of scaffoldings, and preventing access to incomplete or defective scaffoldings. The 24 causes are structured into six factors through factor analysis and the 21 remedial actions into six factors.

Originality/value

This research serves as the first attempt to conduct broad research on the causes and remedial actions concerning scaffolding accidents on construction sites in Malaysia. Theoretically, the research has provided fresh insights into the impact of scaffolding accidents.
EGMM video surveillance for monitoring urban traffic scenario
Authors: Reyana A. , Kautish Sandeep , Vibith A.S. , Goyal S.B.
Published: October 2021

Purpose

In the traffic monitoring system, the detection of stirring vehicles is monitored by fitting static cameras in the traffic scenarios. Background subtraction a commonly used method detaches poignant objects in the foreground from the background. The method applies a Gaussian Mixture Model, which can effortlessly be contaminated through slow-moving or momentarily stopped vehicles.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper proposes the Enhanced Gaussian Mixture Model to overcome the addressed issue, efficiently detecting vehicles in complex traffic scenarios.

Findings

The model was evaluated with experiments conducted using real-world on-road travel videos. The evidence intimates that the proposed model excels with other approaches showing the accuracy of 0.9759 when compared with the existing Gaussian mixture model (GMM) model and avoids contamination of slow-moving or momentarily stopped vehicles.

Originality/value

The proposed method effectively combines, tracks and classifies the traffic vehicles, resolving the contamination problem that occurred by slow-moving or momentarily stopped vehicles.
The validity of the irrelevant theory in Middle East and North African markets: conventional banks versus Islamic banks
Authors: Budagaga Akram Ramadan
Published: October 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to test the validity of irrelevant theory empirically by exploring the relationship between cash dividends, profitability, leverage and investment policy with the value of banking institutions in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) markets.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper adopts Ohlson’s (1995) valuation model. The author estimates models by using static panel (random and fixed effects) techniques and the dynamic technique, namely, the GMM estimation. The empirical study covers a sample of 122 conventional and 37 Islamic banks listed on stock markets in 12 MENA countries over the period 1999–2018.

Findings

The empirical results show that dividend yield has no significant association with the value of conventional banks, whereas profitability, growth opportunity and leverage have a significant positive impact on the value of conventional banks. In contrast, the results for a sample of Islamic banks indicate that the dividend yield, profitability and leverage have a significant positive effect on the value of Islamic banks, whereas growth opportunity has no significant effect on the value of Islamic banks. Therefore, these results support, to a greater extent, the validity of the dividend irrelevance theory of Modigliani and Miller for conventional banks but would not be accepted for Islamic banks in the MENA region.

Research limitations/implications

This study is restricted to a sample of one type of financial firms, banking firms listed in the MENA countries. In addition, the study has dealt with one type of dividend (the cash dividend).

Practical implications

Highlighting the difference between conventional and Islamic banks is crucial to understanding dividend policy behavior and to providing investors information to be integrated in their valuation setting to make informed corporate decisions.

Originality/value

To the best of the author’s knowledge, the present study is the first of its kind that it draws a comparative analysis by testing empirically the validity of the Irrelevant Theory to banks in the MENA region covering a long time period in the recent past.
Exploring the link between institutional pressures and the timeliness of corporate internet reporting: the case of an emerging economy
Authors: Hasan Mahade , Taha Islam Shah Md
Published: October 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine the role played by coercive, normative and mimetic pressures in stimulating timeliness of corporate internet reporting (TCIR).

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses content analysis technique to track the TCIR practices of top 100 non-financial companies listed on the Dhaka Stock Exchange. A disclosure index of 14 items is developed to capture the extent of TCIR. The authors collected the relevant data from multiple sources, such as corporate websites, monthly review reports and corporate annual reports for the year-end 2019. This study uses Poisson regression models to explore the association between institutional pressures and TCIR.

Findings

Consistent with the predictions of institutional isomorphism theory, the authors find that coercive isomorphic pressures through ownership by foreign investors, government, general public and connection with parent multinational corporations have positive associations with TCIR. The authors also find that normative pressures resulting from cross-directorships have positive influence on TCIR. The authors provide evidence of mimetic pressures through industry memberships (i.e. companies operating in technology-based industry) positively impacting TCIR. The additional analysis suggests that institutional pressures are rather associated with the extent of voluntary TICR and to a lesser extent to regulatory TICR.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first to show the positive impacts of coercive, normative and mimetic isomorphic pressures on TCIR in an emerging economy characterized by weak institutional environment and mixed prospects for TCIR.
Green meets social media: young travelers’ perceptions of hotel environmental sustainability
Authors: Clark Melissa , Kang Bomi , Calhoun Jennifer R.
Published: October 2021

Purpose

A competitive hospitality environment requires attracting new target markets. The purpose of this research is to investigate how young travelers’ intention to stay and electronic word-of-mouth (eWOM) are impacted by a hotel’s environmental sustainability communications on social media.

Design/methodology/approach

The data were collected from 306 participants via online survey and analyzed in SPSS and AMOS. Structural equation modeling was utilized for hypotheses testing.

Findings

The results support the use of social media marketing (SMM) by hotels to communicate sustainability efforts, increasing intentions to stay and expanding eWOM. Hospitality marketers can use these findings to better understand young travelers’ priorities and their information-gathering process when planning travel.

Practical implications

The study revealed the positive relationship between travelers’ perceptions of hotel environmental sustainability and greater intention to stay and positive eWOM. This could lead to increased business and recommendations for hospitality companies from young consumers.

Originality/value

This study advances the understanding of how young customers respond to hotels’ efforts to promote environmental sustainability on social media. The findings add value to practitioners and academics in their understanding of how hospitality marketers can increase intention to stay and eWOM by marketing to young travelers about environmental sustainability on social media.
Critical analysis of internal audit processes carried out by Brazilian companies
Authors: Melo Filho Geraldo P. , Martins Vitor William Batista , Rampasso Izabela Simon , Quelhas Osvaldo Luiz Gonçalves , Souza Pinto Jefferson , Silva Dirceu , Osiro Lauro , Anholon Rosley
Published: October 2021

Purpose

The main objective of this study is to analyze internal audit processes performed by Brazilian companies considering ISO 19011:2018 guidelines.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodological strategy used was a survey conducted with professionals who assist audit processes of Brazilian companies from different segments. Eight main aspects presented by ISO 19011:2018 were evaluated, and data were analysed through fuzzy technique for order of preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS). These aspects were ranked, and it was possible to identify those most critical.

Findings

Three aspects that are evidenced as critical in the study are as follows (1) to correctly establish the objectives to be achieved and the extension of internal audits program; (2) to correctly assess risks and opportunities that can affect internal audits implementation, defining actions for better results and (3) to monitor, critically analyze and improve the internal audit program.

Originality/value

This study has an exploratory character, and the information presented here can be useful for market professionals and researchers interested in the subject. No similar study was found in the literature.
Vehicular Locard’s principle and patterned tire markings
Authors: Byard Roger W.
Published: October 2021

A 32‐year‐old man was found dead beside a road with severe complex traumatic brain injuries due to blunt craniocerebral trauma compatible with being run over by a vehicle. A subsequent review of closed‐circuit television (CCTV) footage showed him to be unaccompanied and to fall over beside the road. At autopsy, distinctive black patterned markings were present on the left side of his face and head, which were not associated with significant underlying patterned bruising or abrasions. These corresponded to the pattern of tire tread taken from a vehicle identified by police as likely to have been involved in the incident. This case demonstrates an unusual form of tire track marking on the skin due to the transfer of oil/dirt/rubber from the projecting tread, that is, a vehicular form of Locard's principle where every contact leaves a trace. Although this may be extremely useful in linking a particular vehicle to a crash, the superficial nature of the residue renders it vulnerable to being wiped off by rubbing with a body bag during transport or washing if a body is cleaned. Careful photographic documentation of such tire markings at the scene will preserve this type of evidence and avoid it being subsequently compromised by body handling.
The protective effect of solidagenone from Solidago chilensis Meyen in a mouse model of airway inflammation
Authors: Vasconcelos Juliana Fraga , Santos Ivanilson Pimenta , de Oliveira Temistocles Barroso , Kelly Andressa Maia , do Reis Bruna Padilha Zurita Claro , Orge Iasmim Diniz , Meira Cássio Santana , Valverde Simone Sacramento , Soares Milena Botelho Pereira
Published: October 2021

Solidagenone is the main active constituent present in Solidago chilensis Meyen which is used in folk medicine to treat pain and inflammatory diseases. This study aimed to evaluate the anti‐inflammatory activity of solidagenone in vitro and in a model of allergic airway inflammation. In vitro studies were performed in activated macrophages and lymphocytes. BALB/c mice were sensitized and challenged with ovalbumin and treated with solidagenone orally (30 or 90 mg/kg body weight) or dexamethasone, as a positive control in our in vivo analysis. Supernatant concentrations of nitrite, TNF and IL‐1β, as well as gene expression of pro‐inflammatory mediators in macrophages cultures, were reduced after solidagenone treatment, without affecting macrophages viability. Besides, solidagenone significantly decreased T cell proliferation and secretion of IFNγ and IL‐2. Th2 cytokine concentrations and inflammatory cell counts, especially eosinophils, in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid were reduced in mice treated with solidagenone. Histopathological evaluation of lung tissue was performed, and morphometrical analyses demonstrated reduction of cellular infiltration and mucus hypersecretion. Altogether, solidagenone presented anti‐inflammatory activity in vitro and in vivo in the OVA‐induced airway inflammation model, suggesting its promising pharmacological use as an anti‐inflammatory agent for allergic hypersensitivity.
Extended phenotyping does not preclude the occurrence of delayed haemolytic transfusion reactions in sickle cell disease
Authors: Gerritsma Jorn , Bongaerts Vera , Eckhardt Corien , Heijboer Harriet , Nur Erfan , Biemond Bart , van der Schoot Ellen , Fijnvandraat Karin ,   SCORE consortium
Published: October 2021

Delayed haemolytic transfusion reaction (DHTR) is a potentially life‐threatening complication of red blood cell (RBC) transfusions in sickle cell disease (SCD) and is classically induced by reactivation of previously formed antibodies. Improved antigenic matching has reduced alloimmunization and may reduce DHTR risk. We conducted a retrospective cohort study to investigate the incidence rate of DHTR in SCD patients receiving extended matched units (ABO/RhDCcEe/K/Fya/Jkb/S). Occasional transfusion episodes (OTE) between 2011 and 2020 were reviewed for occurrence of DHTR symptoms using four screening criteria: decreased Hb, increased lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), pain, and dark urine. We included 205 patients who received a cumulative number of 580 transfusion episodes of 1866 RBC units. During follow‐up, 10 DHTR events were observed. The incidence rate of DHTR was 13·8/1000 OTEs [95% confidence interval (CI): 7·37–22·2], with a cumulative incidence of 15·2% (95% CI: 8·4–24·0%) after 25 patients having received RBC units. One DHTR event was fatal (10%). Symptoms were misdiagnosed in four DHTR events (40%) as other acute SCD complications. Despite a lower incidence rate compared to most other studies, the incidence rate of DHTR in SCD remains high, in spite of extended matching of donor RBCs. Increased awareness of DHTR is of utmost importance to facilitate early diagnosis and, consequently, improve outcome.
Liver transplantation in patients with non‐neoplastic portal vein thrombosis: 20 years of experience in a single center
Authors: Pinelli Domenico , Camagni Stefania , Amaduzzi Annalisa , Frosio Fabio , Fontanella Laura , Carioli Greta , Guizzetti Michela , Zambelli Marco Fabrizio , Giovanelli Mara , Fagiuoli Stefano , Colledan Michele
Published: October 2021

Background

The Yerdel classification is widely used for describing the severity of portal vein thrombosis (PVT) in liver transplant (LT) candidates, but might not accurately predict transplant outcome.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed data regarding 97 adult patients with PVT who underwent LT, investigating whether the complexity of portal reconstruction could better correlate with transplant outcome than the site and extent of the thrombosis.

Results

79/97 (80%) patients underwent thrombectomy and anatomical anastomosis (TAA), 18/97 (20%) patients underwent non‐anatomical physiological reconstructions (non‐TAA). PVT Yerdel grade was 1–2 in 72/97 (74%) patients, and 3–4 in 25/97 (26%) patients. Univariate analysis revealed higher 30‐day mortality, 90‐day mortality, 1‐year mortality, and a higher rate of severe early complications in the non‐TAA group than in the TAA group (p = .018, .001, .014, .009, respectively). In the model adjusted for PVT Yerdel grade, non‐TAA remained independently associated with higher 30‐day, 90‐day, and 1‐year mortality (p = .021, .007, and .015, respectively). The portal vein re‐thrombosis and overall patient and graft survival rates were similar.

Discussion

In our experience, the complexity of portal reconstruction better correlated with transplant outcome than the Yerdel classification, which did not even appear to be a reliable predictor of the surgical complexity and technique.
1005. DROSERA ALLANTOSTIGMA: Droseraceae
Authors: Cross Adam T. , Krueger Thilo A.
Published: October 2021

Drosera allantostigma (N.G.Marchant & Lowrie) Lowrie & Conran is illustrated and described. The species is a tiny herbaceous carnivorous plant native to a single roadside location in Western Australia, from which it has not been observed in almost a decade. Weed encroachment, agricultural runoff and altered hydrology continue to affect the location. We discuss the conservation status and threats facing the species, and suggest that D. allantostigma may be the first Australian carnivorous plant to have become extinct in the wild.
Rethinking the phonetics of baby‐talk: Differences across Canada and Vanuatu in the articulation of mothers' speech to infants
Authors: McClay Elise K. , Cebioglu Senay , Broesch Tanya , Yeung H. Henny
Published: October 2021

Infant‐directed speech (IDS) is phonetically distinct from adult‐directed speech (ADS): It is typically considered to have special prosody—like higher pitch and slower speaking rates—as well as unique speech sound properties, for example, more breathy, hyperarticulated, and/or variable consonant and vowel articulation. These phonetic features are widely observed in the IDS of caregivers from urbanized contexts who speak a handful of very well‐researched languages. Yet studies with more diverse socio‐cultural and linguistic samples show that this “typical” IDS prosody is not consistently observed across cultures. We extended cross‐cultural work by examining IDS speech segment articulation, which—like prosody—is also thought to be a characteristic phonetic feature of IDS that might aid speech and language development. Here we asked whether IDS vowels have different articulatory features compared to ADS vowels in two distinct linguistic and socio‐cultural contexts: urban English‐speaking Canadian mothers, and rural Lenakel‐ and Southwest Tanna‐speaking ni‐Vanuatu mothers (n = 57, 20–46 years of age). Replicating prior work, Canadian mothers had more variable vowels in IDS compared to ADS, but also did not show clear register differences for breathiness or hyperarticulation. Vowels spoken by ni‐Vanuatu mothers showed very distinct articulatory tendencies, using less variable (and less breathy) IDS vowels. Along with other work showing diversity in IDS phonetics across populations, this paper suggests that any understanding of how IDS might aid speech and language development are best examined through a culturally‐ and linguistically‐specific lens.
Adults with cerebral palsy and Alzheimer disease: a missing link?
Authors: Engelborghs Sebastiaan
Published: October 2021

This commentary is on the original article by Mahmoudi et al. on pages 372–378 of this issue.
Impact of lipoprotein(a) level on cardiometabolic disease in the Chinese population: The CHCN‐BTH Study
Authors: Xia Juan , Guo Chunyue , Cao Han , Liu Kuo , Peng Wenjuan , Sun Yanyan , Xie Yunyi , Li Bingxiao , Zhang Fengxu , Wen Fuyuan , Zhang Ling
Published: October 2021

Background

The emergence of promising compounds to lower lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] has increased the need for a precise characterisation and comparability assessment of Lp(a)‐associated cardiometabolic disease risk. This study aimed to evaluate the distribution of Lp(a) levels in a Chinese population and characterise the association with cardiometabolic diseases.

Methods

We assessed data from individuals from the Cohort Study on Chronic Diseases of the General Community Population in the Beijing‐Tianjin‐Hebei Region project. All Lp(a) measurements were performed in the same hospital. The cardiometabolic diseases considered were coronary heart disease (CHD), stroke, hypertension and type 2 diabetes (T2DM).

Results

A total of 25343 individuals were included in the study. The median level of Lp(a) was 11.9 mg/dl (IQR 5.9 to 23.7 mg/dl), and higher Lp(a) levels showed a significant concentration‐dependent association with CHD risk. Individuals with Lp(a) levels lower than the 25th percentile were at increased risk of hypertension (OR: 1.15, 95% CI: 1.06–1.25) and T2DM (OR: 1.15, 95% CI: 1.03–1.28); however, Lp(a) levels were not significantly associated with stroke. The addition of Lp(a) levels to the prognostic model led to a marginal but significant C‐index, integrated discrimination improvement and net reclassification improvement.

Conclusions

In this large sample size study, we observed that elevated Lp(a) levels were significantly associated with CHD. Furthermore, we found that the lowest Lp(a) levels were also significantly associated with hypertension and T2DM. These results provide evidence for differential approaches to higher levels of Lp(a) in individuals with different cardiometabolic diseases.
Performance of field‐scale lab vs in situ visible/near‐ and mid‐infrared spectroscopy for estimation of soil properties
Authors: Greenberg Isabel , Seidel Michael , Vohland Michael , Ludwig Bernard
Published: October 2021

Comparison of laboratory versus in situ visible/near‐ (visNIR) and mid‐infrared (MIR) spectroscopy for prediction of various soil properties is required to demonstrate trade‐offs between accuracy and efficiency. Field measurements were made on an arable field in Germany (silt loam Haplic Luvisol) using visNIR (ASD FieldSpec 3 Hi‐Res) and MIR (Agilent Technologies 4300 Handheld FTIR) and material was collected for lab visNIR (Foss XDS Rapid Content Analyzer) and MIR (Bruker‐TENSOR 27) measurements on dried and ground soil and determination of total, labile (>63 μm light), stabilized (>63 μm heavy + <63 μm oxidizable) and resistant organic carbon (OC) content, total nitrogen (Nt), pH and texture. Partial least squares regression models were calculated for five repeated partitions of the dataset (n = 238) into training (75%) and test (25%) sets. Lab spectral models outperformed in situ models for total OC (root mean squared error [RMSE] = 0.24–1.0 g kg−1), Nt (RMSE = 0.026–0.088 g kg−1), pH (RMSE = 0.12–0.28) and texture (RMSE = 0.53–1.5%). For both lab and field spectra, the accuracy of visNIR models was comparable or slightly better than MIR for sand, silt and clay. Spectral estimations for labile (RMSE = 0.34–0.47 g kg−1) and stabilized OC (RMSE = 0.41–0.85 g kg−1) were slightly (lab spectra) to substantially (field spectra) inferior to estimations from multiple linear regressions using total OC, Nt, clay and pH as predictors. Variable importance in the projection scores elucidated differences in spectral prediction mechanisms by spectrometer and OC fraction, and found mineral spectral signatures were highly important. For this field‐scale study with 14% median soil gravimetric water content (GWC), the loss of accuracy from lab to field measurement was lower for visNIR than MIR. Analysis of the driest soils (<9% GWC) found field MIR outperformed field visNIR for OC and Nt estimation and vice versa for the wettest soils (>18%), demonstrating the moisture dependence of performance rankings.

Highlights

Lab vs field visible/near‐ (visNIRS) and mid‐infrared (MIRS) spectroscopy require comparison for prediction of soil C fractions, N, pH and texture.

Lab MIRS prediction of C, N and pH were superior, while texture estimations were comparable or slightly inferior to lab visNIRS.

At 14% median soil water content, the loss of accuracy from lab to field measurement was lower for visNIRS than MIRS.

The ranking of field visNIRS vs MIRS performance for C and N estimation is moisture dependent.
Information technology and public administration modernization in a developing country: Pursuing paperless clearance at Ghana customs
Authors: Addo Atta
Published: October 2021

Despite significant information technology (IT) implementations in public administrations of developing countries to change their dysfunctional traditional practices towards modern forms, the outcomes are typically disappointing relative to the potential of IT for organizational change. With a case study of the customs clearance process when importing goods through Ghana's main port, the Tema Harbour, we explore why IT struggles to modernize traditional practices of public administration in a developing country context. We focus on explaining the persistence of paper use at Ghana customs despite more than a decade of digitalization and automation to establish paperless processes that eliminate malpractices of traditional clearance. We view modernization as a process of long‐term institutional change and therefore draw from the literature on IT and institutional change to focus our investigation on the dynamics of incongruent institutional logics of IT and public administration. We show that in the administration context of a developing country like Ghana, the endurance of patrimonial logics in the state and broader society, coupled with high levels of administrative discretion and ambivalent or weak compliance pressure limit the realization of IT for modernization and allows hybrid practices to emerge.
Ultra low loss (Mg1 − xCax)2SiO4dielectric ceramics (x = 0 to 0.15) for millimeter wave applications
Authors: Hameed Iqra , Li Lei , Liu Xiao Qiang , Chen Xiang Ming
Published: October 2021

(Mg1 − xCax)2SiO4dense ceramics (x ≥ 0.15) were prepared, and their microwave dielectric characteristics were investigated together with the structure evolution. The sintering temperature for Mg2SiO4ceramics was reduced significantly with Ca2+substitution. (Mg1 − xCax)2SiO4ceramics exhibited a small increase in dielectric constant (εr) correlated with increased crystallite size, and ultra‐high quality factorQfvalue was achieved throughout the compositional range. Temperature coefficient of resonant frequency (τf) was considerably tuned from −70 ppm/°C to −33 ppm/°C, and this improvement was deeply linked with the decreased bond valance. At x = 0.075, (Mg1 − xCax)2SiO4ceramics exhibited the best combination of microwave dielectric characteristics:εr = 7.2,Qf = 199,800 GHz at 26 GHz,τf = −33 ppm/°C. The present ceramics could be expected as promising candidate of dielectric materials for millimeter wave applications.