bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Neoforehead Remodelling Techniques for Fronto-Orbital Advancement and Remodelling in the Oxford Craniofacial Unit: Lateral Remodelling and a Novel Central Self-Stabilizing S-Osteotomy Technique
Authors: Ching Rosanna C. , Wall Steven A. , Johnson David
Published: July 2022

Fronto-orbital advancement and remodelling (FOAR) has undergone many modifications over the years, aimed at improving outcomes and reducing risks for patients. This work describes 2 techniques for remodelling the neoforehead used by the Oxford Craniofacial Unit since 1995: lateral remodelling and a central S-Osteotomy. Both methods adopt bone from the vertex as a neoforehead, but they differ in their techniques to adapt its shape to that of the newly remodelled orbital bandeau. The novel S-Osteotomy technique can be successfully applied to all FOAR procedures, irrespective of underlying synostosis and calvarial symmetry. It was originally developed for when 2 separate bony panels were required to create a neoforehead in asymmetrical cases, but was adopted for single panel neoforehead designs in metopic synostosis with the idea it may reduce temporal hollowing. An investigation of temporal hollowing in these patients who underwent either of the described methods was undertaken to assess this hypothesis with no statistically significant difference seen (P=0.1111). Both techniques on average resulted in minimal hollowing that was not felt to require any revision, supporting the belief that temporal hollowing is a multifactorial issue. This work describes 2 successful methods of neoforehead remodelling and introduces the S-Osteotomy technique that can be applied in all FOAR procedures.
Lessons Learned
Authors: Glover Hilary Ashton , Hitt Amanda , Darby Wendy
Published: July 2022

Intimate partner violence (IPV) has been a major public health threat long before COVID-19. However, the pandemic has removed protective measures from victims, while heightening risk factors associated with IPV. Emergency department providers are often the initial point of contact in the health care system for IPV victims; therefore, knowledge of current screening guidelines and best practices in assessment and management of IPV is essential. The purpose of this case report is to present a missed opportunity involving IPV in an emergency department during the COVID-19 pandemic and to discuss the lessons learned with the aim of educating health care providers on the subtle signs of IPV and current screening guidelines.
The “Heart” of COVID-19
Authors: Norton Colleen K. , Brown Alexandra , Benedetto Heather N. , Granitto Margaret
Published: July 2022

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an illness that was sudden, unexpected, and global. Primarily a disease of the vascular endothelium, the virus threatens all of core systems, as well as behavioral and mental health, during the acute and long-term phases. Attention is now being given to the identification and care of post-acute sequelae of COVID-19. This article presents the case of a “long hauler” who presented post-cardiac arrest with a history of COVID-19. Diagnosed with Brugada syndrome, his assessment, diagnosis, and care are discussed. In addition, the need for early identification and care for patients with post-COVID-19 symptoms is addressed.
Sex Trafficking
Authors: Rapoza Sarah
Published: July 2022

Sex trafficking often goes unrecognized, yet is a pervasive issue that disproportionately affects marginalized populations. Survivors suffer adverse health effects and often present to health care facilities while still under control of their traffickers. Health care providers, including nurses and advanced practice nurses, lack understanding of risk factors, signs and symptoms, and means of offering assistance. A comprehensive literature search was conducted utilizing EBSCOhost and WorldCat. Studies were considered eligible for inclusion if subject matter dealt directly with domestic sex trafficking and included implications for health care or health care education. There are some identified risk factors that place people at higher risk for victimization and survivors may present for care with a common symptom, including physical and mental health issues. Barriers to care include both survivor and health care system characteristics; however, health care providers can undertake specific actions to help overcome these barriers. Health care providers are in a prime position to identify and assist sex trafficking survivors. However, they need to be aware of common risk factor presentations, and they need to be trained to offer assistance. Ongoing research is needed to determine the best way to develop, introduce, and evaluate these trainings.
Novel internalin P homologs in Listeria
Authors: Conner Kayla N. , Burke Joseph T. , Ravi Janani , Hardy Jonathan W.
Published: July 2022

Listeria monocytogenes

(Lm) is a bacterial pathogen that causes listeriosis in immunocompromised individuals, particularly pregnant women. Several virulence factors support the intracellular lifecycle of Lm and facilitate cell-to-cell spread, allowing it to occupy multiple niches within the host and cross-protective barriers, including the placenta. One family of virulence factors, internalins, contributes to Lm pathogenicity by inducing specific uptake and conferring tissue tropism. Over 25 internalins have been identified thus far, but only a few have been extensively studied. Internalins contain leucine-rich repeat (LRR) domains that enable protein-protein interactions, allowing Lm to bind host proteins. Notably, other

Listeria

species express internalins but cannot colonize human hosts, prompting questions regarding the evolution of internalins within the genus

Listeria

. Internalin P (InlP) promotes placental colonization through interaction with the host protein afadin. Although prior studies of InlP have begun to elucidate its role in Lm pathogenesis, there remains a lack of information regarding homologs in other

Listeria

species. Here, we have used a computational evolutionary approach to identify InlP homologs in additional

Listeria

species. We found that

Listeria ivanovii londoniensis

(Liv) and

Listeria seeligeri

(Ls) encode InlP homologs. We also found InlP-like homologs in

Listeria innocua

and the recently identified species

Listeria costaricensis

. All newly identified homologs lack the full-length LRR6 and LRR7 domains found in Lm’s InlP. These findings are informative regarding the evolution of one key Lm virulence factor, InlP, and serve as a springboard for future evolutionary studies of Lm pathogenesis as well as mechanistic studies of

Listeria

internalins.
Maternal Hepatocytes Heterogeneously and Dynamically Exhibit Developmental Phenotypes Partially via YAP1 during Pregnancy
Authors: Nambiar Shashank Manohar , Lee Joonyong , Jiang Huaizhou , Dai Guoli
Published: July 2022

Background and Aims

Pregnancy induces reprogramming of maternal physiology to support fetal development and growth. Maternal hepatocytes undergo hypertrophy and hyperplasia to drive maternal liver growth and alter their gene expression profiles simultaneously. This study aimed to further understand maternal hepatocyte adaptation to pregnancy.

Methods

Timed pregnancies were generated in mice.

Results

In a non-pregnant state, most hepatocytes expressed Cd133, α-fetalprotein (Afp,) and epithelial cell adhesion molecule (Epcam) mRNAs, whereas overall, at the protein level, they exhibited a CD133-/AFP- phenotype; however, pericentral hepatocytes were EpCAM+. As pregnancy advanced, while most maternal hepatocytes retained Cd133, Afp, and Epcam mRNA expression, they generally displayed a phenotype of CD133+/AFP+, and EpCAM protein expression was switched from pericentral to periportal maternal hepatocytes. In addition, we found that the Hippo/yes-associated protein (YAP) pathway does not respond to pregnancy. Yap1 gene deletion specifically in maternal hepatocytes did not affect maternal liver growth or metabolic zonation. However, the absence of Yap1 gene eliminated CD133 protein expression without interfering with Cd133 transcript expression in maternal livers.

Conclusions

We demonstrated that maternal hepatocytes acquire heterogeneous and dynamic developmental phenotypes, resembling fetal hepatocytes, partially via YAP1 through a post-transcriptional mechanism. Moreover, maternal liver is a new source of AFP. In addition, maternal liver grows and maintains its metabolic zonation independent of the Hippo/YAP1 pathway. Our findings revealed a novel and gestation-dependent phenotypic plasticity in adult hepatocytes.

Synopsis

We found that maternal hepatocytes exhibit developmental phenotypes in a temporal and spatial manner, similarly to fetal hepatocytes. They acquire this new property partially via yes-associated protein 1.
Sequence Dependent Nanoscale Structure of CENP-A Nucleosomes
Authors: Stormberg Tommy , Lyubchenko Yuri L.
Published: July 2022

CENP-A is a histone variant found in high abundance at the centromere. The centromere chromatin similar to the bulk chromatin consist of nucleosomes, but H3 histone of the bulk chromatin nucleosomes (H3 nucleosomes) is replaced with CENP-A histone. Additionally, the centromere comprises tandem repeats of α-satellite DNA which CENP-A nucleosomes assemble upon. However, the effect of the DNA sequence on the nucleosome assembly and centromere formation remains poorly understood. Here we investigated the structure of nucleosomes assembled with the CENP-A variant using Atomic Force Microscopy. We assembled both CENP-A nucleosomes and H3 nucleosomes on a DNA substrate containing an α-satellite motif and characterized their positioning and wrapping efficiency. We also studied CENP-A nucleosomes on the 601-positioning motif and non-specific DNA to compare their relative positioning and stability. CENP-A nucleosomes assembled on α-satellite DNA did not show any positional preference along the substrate, which is similar to H3 nucleosomes and CENP-A nucleosomes on non-specific DNA. The range of nucleosome wrapping efficiency was narrower on α-satellite DNA compared with non-specific DNA, suggesting a more stable complex. These findings indicate that DNA sequence and histone composition may be two of many factors required for accurate centromere assembly.
Identification of a TNF-TNFR-like system in malaria vectors (Anopheles stephensi) likely to influence Plasmodium resistance
Authors: Srinivasan Subhashini , Ghosh Chaitali , Das Shrestha , Thakare Aditi , Singh Siddharth , Ganesh Apoorva , Mahawar Harsh , Jaisimha Aadhya , Krishna Mohanapriya , Chattopadhyay Aritra , Borah Rishima , Singh Vikrant , Soumya M , Kumar Naveen , Kumar Sampath , Swain Sunita , Subramani Suresh
Published: July 2022

Identification of Plasmodium-resistance genes in malaria vectors remains an elusive goal despite the recent availability of high-quality genomes of several mosquito vectors. An. stephensi, with its three distinctly-identifiable forms at the egg stage, correlating with varying vector competence, offers an ideal species to discover functional mosquito genes implicated in Plasmodium resistance. Recently, the genomes of several strains of An. stephensi of the type-form, known to display high vectorial capacity, have been reported. Here, we report a chromosomal-level assembly of an intermediate-form of An. stephensi strain (IndInt), shown to have reduced vectorial capacity relative to a strain of type-form (IndCh). The contig level assembly with a L50 of 4 was scaffolded into chromosomes by using the genome of IndCh as the reference. The final assembly shows a heterozygous paracentric inversion, 3Li, involving 8 Mbp, which is syntenic to the extensively-studied 2La inversion implicated in Plasmodium resistance in An. gambiae involving 21 Mbp. Deep annotation of genes within the 3Li region in IndInt assembly using the state-of-the-art protein-fold prediction and other annotation tools reveals the presence of a TNF-like gene, which is the homolog of the eiger gene in Drosophila. Subsequent chromosome-wide searches revealed homologs of wengen (wgn) and grindelwald (grnd) genes in IndInt, which are known to be the receptors for eiger in Drosophila. We have identified all the genes in IndInt required for eiger-mediated signaling by analogy to TNF-TNFR system, suggesting the presence of a functionally active eiger signaling pathway present in IndInt. Comparative genomics of high-quality genome assemblies of the three type-forms with that of IndInt, reveals structurally disruptive mutations in eiger gene in all three strains of the type-form, alluding to compromised innate immunity in the type-form as the cause of high vectorial capacity in these strains. This is the first report of the presence of an intact evolutionarily-conserved TNF-TNFR signaling system in malaria vectors, with a potential role in Plasmodium resistance.
Flow of visco elastic fluid through a porous medium with chemical reaction
Authors: N. Niranjana , M. Vidhya , A. Govindarajan , K. Rajesh
Published: July 2022

Purpose

Chemical reaction effects are added to the governing equation. This paper aims to get the solution by converting the partial differential equation into an ordinary differential equation and solve using a perturbation scheme and applying the boundary conditions.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper, the authors discussed the chemical reaction effects of heat and mass transfer on megnato hydro dynamics free convective rotating flow of a visco-elastic incompressible electrically conducting fluid past a vertical porous plate through a porous medium with suction and heat source. The authors analyze the effect of time dependent fluctuating suction on a visco-elastic fluid flow.

Findings

Using variable parameters of the fluid, the velocity, temperature and concentration of the fluid are analyzed through graphs.

Originality/value

The velocity profile reduces by increasing the values of thermal Grashof number (Gr), mass Grashof number (Gc) and the magnetic parameter (M). On the other hand, the velocity profile gets increased by increasing the permeability parameter (K). The temperature profile decreases by raising the value of Prandtl number (Pr) and frequency of oscillation parameter (ω). However, the source parameter (S) has the opposite effect on the temperature profile. The concentration profile reduces in all points by raising the chemical reaction parameter Kl, Schmidt number Sc, frequency of oscillation ω and the time t.
Performance enrichment in optimal location and sizing of wind and solar PV centered distributed generation by communal spider optimization algorithm
Authors: Raviprabhakaran Vijay
Published: July 2022

Purpose

The distributed generation (DG) proper placement is an extremely rebellious concern for attaining their extreme potential profits. This paper aims to propose the application of the communal spider optimization algorithm (CSOA) to the performance model of the wind turbine unit (WTU) and photovoltaic (PV) array locating method. It also involves the power loss reduction and voltage stability improvement of the ring main distribution system (DS).

Design/methodology/approach

This paper replicates the efficiency of WTU and PV array enactment models in the placement of DG. The effectiveness of the voltage stability factor considered in computing the voltage stability levels of buses in the DS is studied.

Findings

The voltage stability levels are augmented, and total losses are diminished for the taken bus system. The accomplished outcomes exposed the number of PV arrays accompanied by the optimal bus location for various penetration situations.

Practical implications

The optimal placement and sizing of wind- and solar-based DGs are tested on the 15- and 69-test bus system.

Originality/value

Moreover, the projected CSOA algorithm outperforms the PSOA, IAPSOA, BBO, ACO and BSO optimization techniques.
The future as a public good: decolonising the future through anticipatory participatory action research
Authors: Bourgeois Robin , Karuri-Sebina Geci , Feukeu Kwamou Eva
Published: July 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to nurture reflections on the colonization of the future in the present with a particular focus on Africa. This paper aims at exploring how participatory research and particularly anticipatory action research can contribute to a decolonising process.

Design/methodology/approach

Considering the future as a public good, this paper develops a reflection on the colonization processes that can turn it into a club or a private good. This paper mobilizes the notions of participatory knowledge production and local action research as a way to decolonize the future and empower imagination. This paper revisits the tenets of participatory action research as a means to achieve this objective and discusses the main features of a non-colonial anticipatory action research in the context of African futures.

Findings

This paper highlights the challenges associated with connecting anticipatory endeavours focusing on action research, the creation of collective intelligence and co-design, with the intention of encouraging the decolonisation process. It includes design principles and anticipates a possible process of counter-decolonization.

Research limitations/implications

This is a conceptual paper, which does not provide field-tested evidence. Yet, the authors hope it serves as an input enabling to design methodologies that will prevent the colonisation of the future when engaging in future-oriented research activities in Africa and elsewhere.

Originality/value

This paper provides an integral approach to the colonisation of the future, as a renewed old question. This paper also connects this process with a reflection on the nature of what could be non-colonizing anticipatory action research.
Escalation of relationship conflict into work disengagement: uncovering mediation mechanisms
Authors: Li Hsien-Ta
Published: July 2022

Purpose

Guided by the job demands-resources model, this study aims to investigate the underlying mediation mechanisms through which vertical relationship conflict between employees and their supervisors and horizontal relationship conflict between employees and their colleagues escalate into work disengagement. It proposes exhaustion and workplace social isolation as the mediators and explores the relative importance of vertical and horizontal relationship conflicts in influencing work disengagement through the distinct impacts of the mediators.

Design/methodology/approach

Data collected from a three-wave study of 181 online-questionnaire respondents are used to test the research model using partial least squares structural equation modeling.

Findings

Vertical relationship conflict has an indirect effect on work disengagement via exhaustion, whereas horizontal relationship conflict has an indirect effect on work disengagement via workplace social isolation. Compared with horizontal relationship conflict, vertical relationship conflict exerts a stronger effect on work disengagement.

Originality/value

This study addresses a void in the literature on relationship conflict by investigating work disengagement from the perspective of both vertical and horizontal relationship conflict as well as from the perspective of both strain- and resource-centric mediators (i.e. exhaustion and workplace social isolation, respectively), providing a comparatively detailed analysis.
Failure behaviors of 34Cr2Ni2Mo steel up to very high-cycle fatigue
Authors: Wang Shijian , He Qiyuan , Liang Quanwei , Cui Jie , Jiang Qing , Liu Chang , He Chao , Li Lang , Chen Yao
Published: July 2022

Purpose

The study aims to examine the effect of inclusions and inherent microstructure on fatigue behavior of 34Cr2Ni2Mo steel.

Design/methodology/approach

Fatigue behavior of 34Cr2Ni2Mo steel was investigated for up to 1E10 cycles.

Findings

Results showed that both inclusion and inherent microstructure have an influence on the crack initiation mechanism. Fatigue cracks mostly initiated from inclusions, whereas substrate-induced crack initiations were also observed. Fatigue life of inclusion-induced failures is mostly determined by the location of inclusions rather than the loading stress. The inherent microstructure seems to tolerate inclusions at a lower stress level in very high-cycle regime owing to the absence of internal inclusion-induced failure. For the substrate-induced crack initiations, high-density dislocations are found to be accumulated around the carbide particle-matrix interface, which may be the cause of crack initiation in the inherent structure due to strain localization.

Originality/value

The effect of inclusions and inherent microstructure on fatigue behavior of 34Cr2Ni2Mo steel up to 1E10 cycles.

Highlights

Fatigue failure occurs even at a lifetime of 5.76E9 cycles.

Surface inclusion induced premature failures.

Inherent microstructure tolerates inclusions at lower stress level.

Internal carbides promote substrate-induced crack initiations.
The social construction of mental illness in contrast to medical models
Authors: Bradley Melvin
Published: July 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to discuss a social constructionist point of view about mental health in contrast to the medical model.

Design/methodology/approach

This is a discussion paper bringing together two systems of thought concerning mental health and its origins.

Findings

It is not clear that there is any substantive evidence to support the medical model of mental illness.

Research limitations/implications

Researchers may be helped to consider a qualitative approach to knowledge rather than the traditional positivist approach.

Practical implications

This paper will help people to think about mental health in a way that is not orthodox.

Social implications

It will bring an understanding that even though mental illness is not an illness in the traditional sense, there is still no blame or shame associated with it.

Originality/value

The author is an active operational senior manager at a user-led community mental health organisation with over 20 years’ experience in the field. The organisation and its services track a social constructionist philosophy.
Definitions and antecedents of engagement: a systematic literature review
Authors: Kossyva Dorothea , Theriou Georgios , Aggelidis Vassilis , Sarigiannidis Lazaros
Published: July 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to present a systematic literature review in the research area of engagement focusing on employee and work engagement. In this respect, this study aims to focus on the definitions between employee and work engagement and their differences, as well as to identify the antecedents of the relevant body of knowledge on engagement.

Design/methodology/approach

A systematic literature review was conducted drawing on an evidence base of 110 articles published in three- and 4-rated journals retrieved from the Academic Journal Guide (2018) during the years 2000–2021.

Findings

Through a descriptive and thematic analysis of the literature, the study maps the field as a whole, identifies and categorizes relevant engagement definitions as well as individual- and organization-level antecedents. Important insights and gaps in the existing research that may be exploited for further empirical studies are also pinpointed.

Originality/value

The study may stimulate future research and represent a reference point for scholars interested in the topic of engagement and at the same time provide added value to human resource practitioners that prefer evidence-based management over success stories.
Exploring quality of citizen service delivery system in the state of Karnataka, India
Authors: Padiyar Raghavendra D.
Published: July 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to understand the citizen perception of quality of service with respect to the Government’s citizen service delivery system of Karnataka and conduct an investigation to determine the major factors which affect the quality of Government service delivery system in the state of Karnataka in India.

Design/methodology/approach

Primary data related to variables affecting citizen service satisfaction are collected using a questionnaire survey. The questionnaire was designed based on literature review and consulting officers associated with public service delivery system in the state of Karnataka.

Findings

The study found that the five factors “Responsiveness,” “Tangibility,” “Predictability,” “Reliability” and “Perceptiveness” are primary determinants of the quality of citizen/government services.

Research limitations/implications

Right to Service Act has been adapted by 24 states and 5 union territories in India. It is highly impossible to study the progress of Right to Service Act in each and every state of India. In this paper, the author has made a detailed study of state of Karnataka, which has the highest in-time service disposition rate −95.06%, highest number of institutions −99 and highest number of services −1,115 services under Right to Service Act in India and generalized the results for other states.

Practical implications

This research enables government institutions/organizations to enhance their understanding of citizen service quality and perception of government services. The citizen satisfaction gauging parameters can provide useful direction to the design, implementation and management of government services.

Social implications

Government/citizen services include services provided by each and every department of the government. The services covered here begin from birth of individual as birth certificate service till the death of individual which includes death certificate, and in between this life cycle of an individual, important events such as service related to caste certificate, marriage certificate, service verification for job, property or Khatha certificate are included under government services, covering services related to all the major events of one’s life. The improved level of service quality can enhance service satisfaction among citizens resulting in good governance.

Originality/value

The paper addresses quality of Government services for the first time in the state of Karnataka, India using a carefully designed research study. This paper is of value to research scholars in the area of government service quality in India and other countries where government services are delivered either under Right to Services Act, in stipulated time frame or through citizen charters.
Safety‐net hospital performance under Comprehensive Care for Joint Replacement
Authors: Carey Kathleen , Lin Meng‐Yun
Published: July 2022

Objective

To investigate the relative progress of safety‐net hospitals (SNHs) under Medicare's Comprehensive Care for Joint Replacement (CJR) mandatory bundled payment model over 2016–2020 and to identify the contributors to SNHs’ realization of success under the program.

Data Sources/Study Setting

Secondary data on all CJR hospitals were collected from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) public use files and from the American Hospital Association.

Study Design

We addressed whether SNHs can achieve progress in financial performance under CJR by focusing on the relative change in reconciliation payments or the difference between episode spending and target prices. We applied the method of dominance analysis to ordinary least squares regression to determine the relative importance of predictors of change in reconciliation payments over time.

Principal Findings

Compared to CJR hospitals overall, SNHs were less successful in meeting episode spending targets. Hospital factors dominated socioeconomic factors in explaining progress among SNHs, but not among non‐SNHs. The contribution of nurse staffing was negligible across all CJR hospitals.

Conclusions

The formula used by CMS to determine spending targets may not be sufficient to address disparities in SNH financial performance under mandatory bundled payment.
A new strategy using entomopathogenic fungi for the control of tree borer insects
Authors: Shin Tae Young , Lee Mi Rong , Kim Jong‐Cheol , Nai Yu‐Shin , Kim Jae Su
Published: July 2022

In order to establish a strategy for controlling pests living in trees and causing damage, injected entomopathogenic fungal conidia suspension of Beauveria bassiana into a four‐year‐old Canary Island date palm, Phoenix canariensis. As a result, B. bassiana Bb‐egfp#3 expressing green fluorescent protein was dispersed from the injection site to the top and bottom of the tree. To evaluate the insecticidal activity of the Bb‐egfp#3 injected into the tree, we released mealworm larvae (Tenebrio molitor) on the ground palm tree sample that was injected with the conidia suspension. As a result, mycosis caused by the injected Bb‐egfp#3 in the trees was generated in all cadavers. This study suggests the possibility of establishing a new control strategy against tree pests by injecting an entomopathogenic fungal conidia suspension into trees.
Optimization technology and kinetic studies of Acer truncatum seed oil saponification and crystallization separation of nervonic acid
Authors: Li Yang , Kong Fan , Zan Mingyang , Peng Liping , Wang Zhanzhong , Shu Qingyan
Published: July 2022

Acer truncatum seed oil (ATSO) contains abundant unsaturated fatty acids, with significant quantities of nervonic acid (NA, > 5%), which was authenticated as a new food resource in China. For the sake of minimizing animal consumption and the importance of NA for human health, extraction of NA from plants has become a research hotspot. In the present study, three extraction factors were determined to significantly influence the saponification reaction based on single‐factor experiments: NaOH dosage, reaction time, and reaction temperature. These three factors were used to further optimize the saponification process through the response surface methodology, and the highest yield of mixed fatty acids was 83.12%. Moreover, the activation energy (40.8228 kJ/mol), the pre‐exponential factor [2.568 × 106 m3/(kmol·min)], and the kinetic equation [rA = kcAcB = 2.568 × 106·exp(–cAcB] of the ATSO saponification reaction were determined by combining the chemical reaction rate equation of the elementary reaction, the Arrhenius equation, and the NaOH concentration in the substrate. Finally, the mixed fatty acids of ATSO were crystallized by triple‐stage low‐temperature crystallization, and we achieved 25.05% purity for NA. This study provides a technological basis and strategy for specific fatty acid production from ASTO, as well as other vegetable oils important in the field of food and health supplement products.

Practical Application

Nervonic acid (NA) is an essential component of neural cells and neural tissue, and it is vital for maintaining the normal work of nerve tissues in organisms and promotes neurodevelopment. NA has traditionally been mainly obtained from shark hunting, which is now restricted due to an international ban on shark fishing. The alternative way to produce NA cheaply and in large quantities is from plant sources. The techniques utilized in this study provide an effective method of NA separation from Acer truncatum seed oil for industrial production.
Emergency department condition acuity, length of stay, and revisits among deaf and hard‐of‐hearing patients: A retrospective chart review
Authors: James Tyler G. , Miller M. David , McKee Michael M. , Sullivan Meagan K. , Rotoli Jason , Pearson Thomas A. , Mahmoudi Elham , Varnes Julia R. , Cheong Jee Won
Published: July 2022

Objective

Deaf and hard‐of‐hearing (DHH) patients are understudied in emergency medicine health services research. Theory and limited evidence suggest that DHH patients are at higher risk of emergency department (ED) utilization and poorer quality of care. This study assessed ED condition acuity, length of stay (LOS), and acute ED revisits among DHH patients. We hypothesized that DHH patients would experience poorer ED care outcomes.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective chart review of a single health care system using data from a large academic medical center in the southeast United States. Data were received from the medical center's data office, and we sampled patients and encounters from between June 2011 and April 2020. We compared DHH American Sign Language (ASL) users (n = 108), DHH English speakers (n = 358), and non‐DHH English speakers (n = 302). We used multilevel modeling to assess the differences among patient segments in outcomes related to ED use and care.

Results

As hypothesized, DHH ASL users had longer ED LOS than non‐DHH English speakers, on average 30 min longer. Differences in ED condition acuity, measured through Emergency Severity Index and triage pain scale, were not statistically significant. DHH English speakers represented a majority (61%) of acute ED revisit encounters.

Conclusions

Our study identified that DHH ASL users have longer ED LOS than non‐DHH English speakers. Additional research is needed to further explain the association between DHH status and ED care outcomes (including ED LOS and acute revisit), which may be used to identify intervention targets to improve health equity.
Genes regulating levels of ω‐3 long‐chain polyunsaturated fatty acids are associated with alcohol use disorder and consumption, and broader externalizing behavior in humans
Authors: Aliev Fazil , Barr Peter B. , Davies Andrew G. , Dick Danielle M. , Bettinger Jill C.
Published: July 2022

Background

Individual variation in the physiological response to alcohol is predictive of an individual's likelihood to develop alcohol use disorder (AUD). Evidence from diverse model organisms indicates that the levels of long‐chain polyunsaturated omega‐3 fatty acids (ω‐3 LC‐PUFAs) can modulate the behavioral response to ethanol and therefore may impact the propensity to develop AUD. While most ω‐3 LC‐PUFAs come from diet, humans can produce these fatty acids from shorter chain precursors through a series of enzymatic steps. Natural variation in the genes encoding these enzymes has been shown to affect ω‐3 LC‐PUFA levels. We hypothesized that variation in these genes could contribute to the susceptibility to develop AUD.

Methods

We identified nine genes (FADS1, FADS2, FADS3, ELOVL2, GCKR, ELOVL1, ACOX1, APOE, and PPARA) that are required to generate ω‐3 LC‐PUFAs and/or have been shown or predicted to affect ω‐3 LC‐PUFA levels. Using both set‐based and gene‐based analyses we examined their association with AUD and two AUD‐related phenotypes, alcohol consumption, and an externalizing phenotype.

Results

We found that the set of nine genes is associated with all three phenotypes. When examined individually, GCKR, FADS2, and ACOX1 showed significant association signals with alcohol consumption. GCKR was significantly associated with AUD. ELOVL1 and APOE were associated with externalizing.

Conclusions

Taken together with observations that dietary ω‐3 LC‐PUFAs can affect ethanol‐related phenotypes, this work suggests that these fatty acids provide a link between the environmental and genetic influences on the risk of developing AUD.
Right subclavian vein approach for selective left bundle branch pacing: A case report
Authors: Peng Xinhui , Jiang Longfu , Chen Sujun , Feng Haiming
Published: July 2022

We reported a 65‐year‐old man with symptomatic bradycardia caused by chronic atrial fibrillation who underwent pacemaker implantation by left bundle branch pacing (LBBP) via right subclavian vein (RSV) approach. A tricuspid valve annulus (TVA) angiography was performed, and a different connecting cable that can monitor electrocardiograms (ECG) and intracardiac electrograms (EGM) in real time was used during the process. By TVA angiography, we could easily find the ideal location of LBBP; a new connecting cable helped us avoid perforation and guide effective endpoint without the need to stop pacing. The case showed that it was feasible and safe to use the new method for LBBP through RSV route.
Direct evidence of the use of beehive products in pre‐Roman Sardinia
Authors: Bison Leonardo , Roffet‐Salque Mélanie , Botto Massimo , Madrigali Emanuele , Salis Gianfranca , Cramp Lucy J. E.
Published: July 2022

Written sources and iconographic evidence suggest that honey and beehive products, used in culinary, medicinal, and technological functions since pre‐Neolithic times, were likely known and used in Phoenician and Punic Sardinia. The role of these resources is nonetheless poorly understood because no direct evidence survives on a macroscopic level. Significant advances in the knowledge about beeswax and beehive products processing in the past have been offered in recent decades by organic residue analyses (ORA), an approach that enables the characterisation of surviving chemical compounds or suites of compounds that provide information relating to human activity in the past. The relatively recalcitrant nature of lipid compounds comprising beeswax means that this commodity is among the products that can be unambiguously identified through ORA. Here we present and discuss the results of analyses undertaken on 368 pottery sherds from Phoenician and Punic Sardinia (eighth to third century BCE). These analyses offer direct evidence for the presence of beehive products on the island, suggesting the use of honey for culinary purposes in pots, and possibly connecting one specific vessel category with beeswax decanting during beekeeping and honey production processes. Our results also now clearly illustrate the widespread use of beehive products in pre‐Roman Sardinia.
Effects of land use and climate change on functional and phylogenetic diversity of terrestrial vertebrates in a Himalayan biodiversity hotspot
Authors: Penjor Ugyen , Cushman Samuel A. , Kaszta Żaneta M. , Sherub Sherub , Macdonald David W.
Published: July 2022

Aim

The synergy between human land use and climate change is accelerating the global decline of biodiversity. In the fragile Himalayas, this trend has a strong ecological impact on wildlife communities, and a better understanding is needed to discern changes in the mechanisms. This study aims to understand the effects of land use and climate change on the functional (FD) and phylogenetic diversity (PD) of mammal and bird communities across the land use gradient.

Location

Eastern Himalayan biodiversity hotspot, Bhutan.

Methods

Mammal data were gathered from a camera trap survey and bird data from point counts. We used morphological and ecological traits of 45 mammal species and 336 bird species to construct functional trait space. We quantified FD and PD using standardized effect size of functional richness, functional dispersion, mean pairwise distance and mean nearest taxon distance. We used linear regression to evaluate the relationship between FD and PD and land use/climate variables.

Results

The functional space of mammals was structured by body mass (small–large) and diet (herbivore–carnivore) as one major axis, and habitat breadth (generalist‐specialist) as the other, whereas bird functional space was structured by beak shape and size (large and long–small and short), body mass (small–large), foraging strata (canopy–ground) and diet (ectotherm–scavenge) along four axes. Land use (agriculture and road) negatively affected mammal FD, whereas both land use (tree cover and built‐up area) and climate (temperature and precipitation) affected PD, although the effects were highly variable. Climate (temperature) had a pronounced negative effect on bird FD while land use (agriculture, built‐up area and settlement) on PD.

Main conclusions

The realized functional space of the vertebrate groups can be represented by different planes on which species are clumped around a small number of functional strategies. The loss of species at the edge of functional space is non‐random and could result in the loss of irreplaceable traits impacting long‐term ecological and evolutionary processes. Our study demonstrates the filtering effect of anthropogenic pressure and climate change on vertebrate FD and PD. However, the association with land use suggests the potential for ecosystem services (particularly by birds). Our findings reveal nuances of dimensions of biodiversity and provide novel insights into the structure and drivers of vertebrate assemblages in the eastern Himalayas.
Uso da mão de assistência e o desempenho bimanual no autocuidado de crianças com paralisia cerebral unilateral espástica
Authors: Brandão Marina B. , Coster Wendy J. , Figueiredo Priscilla R. P. , Amaral Maíra F. , Gordon Andrew M. , Mancini Marisa C.
Published: July 2022

Objetivo

Examinar a relação entre o uso da mão de assistência em atividades bimanuais e o desempenho de crianças nas atividades e tarefas de autocuidado.

Método

Analisamos retrospectivamente dados da funcionalidade diária (Inventário de Avaliação Pediátrica de Incapacidade [PEDI]) e do desempenho bimanual (Avaliação da Mão de Assistência [AHA]) de 112 crianças (idade média: 8 anos 10 meses [DP 2 anos 1 mês], amplitude 3 anos 7 meses–17 anos 4 meses; 66 meninos, 46 meninas) com paralisia cerebral (PC) unilateral espástica. Nós usamos análise Rasch para examinar a relação entre os escores individuais nos itens do AHA e nos itens de autocuidado (habilidades funcionais e assistência do cuidador) do PEDI.

Resultados

A maioria das habilidades funcionais e das tarefas de assistência do cuidador de autocuidado ficaram localizadas no meio do contínuo unidimensional. Estes itens apresentaram níveis de dificuldade semelhantes aos itens do AHA relacionados à coordenação efetiva das duas mãos, cadência, e uso da mão de assistência para estabilizar e soltar objetos, bem como variações nos movimentos dos braços.

Interpretação

A distribuição dos itens de autocuidado do PEDI e itens do AHA ao longo do contínuo unidimensional ilustra a relação entre o uso da mão de assistência e o desempenho bimanual em autocuidado. Interpretação sobre a localização dos itens na hierarquia do contínuo unidimensional pode ajudar no raciocínio clínico dos terapeutas e na sugestão de objetivos de intervenção para melhorar a função manual e a funcionalidade diária de crianças com PC unilateral espástica. Tais aplicações necessitam de investigação futura.
Effect of number of diffusion‐encoding directions in diffusion metrics of 5‐year‐olds using tract‐based spatial statistical analysis
Authors: Kumpulainen Venla , Merisaari Harri , Copeland Anni , Silver Eero , Pulli Elmo P. , Lewis John D. , Saukko Ekaterina , Saunavaara Jani , Karlsson Linnea , Karlsson Hasse , Tuulari Jetro J.
Published: July 2022

Methodological aspects and effects of different imaging parameters on DTI (diffusion tensor imaging) results and their reproducibility have been recently studied comprehensively in adult populations. Although MR imaging of children's brains has become common, less interest has been focussed on researching whether adult‐based optimised parameters and pre‐processing protocols can be reliably applied to paediatric populations. Furthermore, DTI scalar values of preschool aged children are rarely reported. We gathered a DTI dataset from 5‐year‐old children (N = 49) to study the effect of the number of diffusion‐encoding directions on the reliability of resultant scalar values with TBSS (tract‐based spatial statistics) method. Additionally, the potential effect of within‐scan head motion on DTI scalars was evaluated. Reducing the number of diffusion‐encoding directions deteriorated both the accuracy and the precision of all DTI scalar values. To obtain reliable scalar values, a minimum of 18 directions for TBSS was required. For TBSS fractional anisotropy values, the intraclass correlation coefficient with two‐way random‐effects model (ICC[2,1]) for the subsets of 6 to 66 directions ranged between 0.136 [95%CI 0.0767;0.227] and 0.639 [0.542;0.740], whereas the corresponding values for subsets of 18 to 66 directions were 0.868 [0.815;0.913] and 0.995 [0.993;0.997]. Following the exclusion of motion‐corrupted volumes, minor residual motion did not associate with the scalar values. A minimum of 18 diffusion directions is recommended to result in reliable DTI scalar results with TBSS. We suggest gathering extra directions in paediatric DTI to enable exclusion of volumes with motion artefacts and simultaneously preserve the overall data quality.
Tracking lexical access and code switching in multilingual participants with different degrees of simultaneous interpretation expertise
Authors: Boos Michael , Kobi Matthias , Elmer Stefan , Jäncke Lutz
Published: July 2022

With the worldwide increase in people speaking more than one language, a better understanding of the behavioural and neural mechanisms governing lexical selection, lexical access in multiple languages and code switching has attracted widespread interest from several disciplines. Previous studies documented higher costs when processing a non‐native (L2) than a native (L1) language or when switching from L2 to L1. However, studies on auditory language reception are still scarce and did not take into account the degree of switching experience. Accordingly, in the present study, we combined behavioural and electrophysiological measurements to assess lexical access in L1 and L2 as well as code switching in professional simultaneous interpreters, trainee interpreters, foreign language teachers and Anglistics students, while the participants performed a bilingual auditory lexical decision task. The purpose of this study was to expand the knowledge on code switching in auditory language processing and examine whether the degree of simultaneous interpretation experience might reduce switching costs. As a main result, we revealed that L2 compared to L1 trials, as well as switch compared to non‐switch trials, generally resulted in lower accuracies, longer reaction times and increased N400 amplitudes in all groups of participants. Otherwise, we did not reveal any influence of switching direction and interpretation expertise on N400 parameters. Taken together, these results suggest that a late age of L2 acquisition leads to switching costs, irrespective of proficiency level. Furthermore, we provided first evidence that simultaneous interpretation training does not diminish switching costs, at least when focusing on lexical access.
Information asymmetry, east–west cultural differences, and divergence in investor reactions
Authors: Lee Seungho , Walker Thomas , Zhang Aoran , Zhao Yunfei
Published: July 2022

This paper investigates the divergence in investor behaviour between the United States and China following the abolition of the Chinese presidential term limit in 2018, which may, in part, have reflected the heterogeneous opinions expressed in public online media regarding this event. Compared with Chinese investors, the sentiment among US investors was considerably more pessimistic. Accordingly, we find that Chinese companies listed in the United States significantly underperformed relative to a sample of propensity score‐matched firms listed in China. Additionally, we find that the political connectedness of firms to the Chinese government strongly influenced the stock prices of US‐listed Chinese firms.