bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Near infrared spectroscopy detection of hemispheric cerebral ischemia following middle cerebral artery occlusion in rats
Authors: Wong Ardy , Bhuiyan Mohammad Iqbal Hossain , Rothman Jeffrey , Drew Kelly , Pourrezaei Kambiz , Sun Dandan , Barati Zeinab 
Published: August 2022

AbstractTimely and sensitive in vivo estimation of ischemic stroke-induced brain infarction are necessary to guide diagnosis and evaluation of treatments’ efficacy. The gold standard for estimation of the cerebral infarction volume is magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), which is expensive and not readily accessible. Measuring regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) with Laser Doppler flowmetry (LDF) is the status quo for confirming reduced blood flow in experimental ischemic stroke models. However, rCBF reduction following cerebral artery occlusion often does not correlate with subsequent infarct volume. In the present study, we employed the continuous-wave near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) technique to monitor cerebral oxygenation during 90 min of the intraluminal middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) in Sprague-Dawley rats (n=8, male). The NIRS device consisted of a controller module and an optical sensor with two LED light sources and two photodiodes making up two parallel channels for monitoring left and right cerebral hemispheres. Optical intensity measurements were converted to deoxyhemoglobin (Hb) and oxyhemoglobin (HbO2) changes relative to a 2-min window prior to MCAO. Area under the curve (auc) for Hb and HbO2 was calculated for the 90-min occlusion period for each hemisphere (ipsilateral and contralateral). To obtain a measure of total ischemia, auc of the contralateral side was subtracted from the ipsilateral side resulting in ΔHb and ΔHbO2 parameters. Infarct volume (IV) was calculated by triphenyl tetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining at 24h reperfusion. Results showed a significant negative correlation (r = -0.81, p = 0.03) between ΔHb and infarct volume. In conclusion, our results show feasibility of using a noninvasive optical imaging instrument, namely NIRS, in monitoring cerebral ischemia in a rodent stroke model. This cost-effective, non-invasive technique may improve the rigor of experimental models of ischemic stroke by enabling in vivo longitudinal assessment of cerebral oxygenation and ischemic injury.
Natural and pathological aging distinctively impact the vomeronasal detection system and social behavior
Authors: Portalés Adrián , Chamero Pablo , Jurado Sandra 
Published: August 2022

ABSTRACTNormal aging and many age-related disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease cause deficits in olfaction, however it is currently unknown how natural and pathological aging impact the detection of social odors which might contribute to the impoverishment of social behavior at old age further worsening overall health. Here, we investigated the effect of aging in the recognition of social cues and the display of social behavior. Our findings indicate that aging distinctively disrupts the processing of social olfactory cues decreasing social odor exploration, discrimination and habituation in both wild type senescent (2-year-old) mice and in 1-year-old double mutant model of Alzheimer’s disease (APP/PS1Het). Furthermore, social novelty was diminished in 1-year-old APP/PS1Het mice, indicating that alterations in the processing of social cues are accelerated during pathological aging. Analysis of the vomeronasal organ, the main gateway to pheromone-encoded information, indicated that natural and pathological aging distinctively reduce the neurogenic ability of the vomeronasal sensory epithelium. Cell proliferation remained majorly preserved in 1-year model of Alzheimer’s disease (APP/PS1Het), whereas naturally aged animals exhibited significant deficiencies in the number of mature, proliferative and progenitor cells. This study reveals fundamental differences in the cellular processes by which natural and pathological aging disrupt the exploration of social cues and social behavior.
An intrinsic alkalization circuit turns onmntP-riboswitch under manganese stress inEscherichia coli
Authors: Kalita Arunima , Mishra Rajesh Kumar , Kumar Vineet , Arora Amit , Dutta Dipak 
Published: August 2022

SummaryThe trace metal manganese in excess affects iron-sulfur cluster and heme-protein biogenesis eliciting cellular toxicity. The manganese efflux protein MntP is crucial to evading manganese toxicity in bacteria. Recently, two Mn-sensing riboswitches upstream ofmntPandalxinEscherichia colihave been reported to mediate the upregulation of their expression under manganese shock. As thealx-riboswitch is also responsive to alkaline shock administered externally, it is intriguing whethermntP-riboswitch is also responsive to alkaline stress. Furthermore, how both manganese and alkaline pH simultaneously regulate these two riboswitches under physiological conditions is a puzzle. Using multiple approaches, we show that manganese shock activated glutamine synthetase (GlnA) and glutaminases (GlsA and GlsB) to spike ammonia production inE. coli. The elevated ammonia intrinsically alkalizes the cytoplasm. We establish that this alkalization under manganese stress is crucial for attaining the highest degree of riboswitch activation. Additional studies showed that alkaline pH promotes a 17 to 22-fold tighter interaction between manganese and themntP-riboswitch element. Our study uncovers a physiological linkage between manganese efflux and pH homeostasis that mediates enhanced manganese tolerance.Significance statementRiboswitch RNAs are cis-acting elements that can adopt alternative conformations in the presence or absence of a specific ligand(s) to modulate transcription termination or translation initiation processes. In the present work, we show that how manganese and alkaline pH both are necessary for maximalmntP-riboswitch activation to mitigate the manganese toxicity. This study bridges the gap between earlier studies that separately emphasize the importance of alkaline pH and manganese in activating the riboswitches belonging to theyybP-ykoY-family. This study also ascribes a physiological relevance as to how manganese can rewire cellular physiology to render cytoplasmic pH alkaline for its homeostasis.
Diffusion controls local versus dispersed inheritance of histones during replication and shapes epigenomic architecture
Authors: Singh Archit , Chakrabarti Shaon 
Published: August 2022

AbstractThe dynamics of inheritance of histones and their associated modifications across cell divisions can have major consequences on maintenance of the cellular epigenomic state. Recent experiments contradict the long-held notion that histone inheritance during replication is always local, suggesting that active and repressed regions of the genome exhibit fundamentally different histone dynamics independent of transcription-coupled turnover. Here we develop a stochastic model of histone dynamics at the replication fork and demonstrate that differential diffusivity of histones in active versus repressed chromatin is sufficient to quantitatively explain these recent experiments. Further, we use the model to predict patterns in histone mark similarity between pairs of genomic loci that should be developed as a result of diffusion, but not from PRC2 mediated mark spreading or transcriptional processes. Interestingly, using a combination of CHIP-seq, replication timing and Hi-C datasets we demonstrate that all the computationally predicted patterns are consistently observed for both active and repressive histone marks in two different cell lines. Our results suggest that in contrast to current models that posit histone transfer exclusively between parental and daughter DNA strands, dislodged histones in euchromatin and facultative heterochromatin diffuse within larger “Diffusion-Accessible-Domains” (DADs), leading to redistribution of epigenetic marks both within and across chromosomes. Preservation of the epigenomic state across cell divisions therefore might be achieved not by passing on strict positional information of histone marks, but by maintaining the marks in somewhat larger DADs of the genome.
Does economic policy uncertainty affect bank profitability?
Authors: Ozili Peterson K. , Arun Thankom G. 
Published: August 2022

PurposeManagers are concerned about how the macroeconomic environment affects business profit. Focusing on banks, this study aims to investigate the effect of economic policy uncertainty (EPU) on bank profitability in 22 advanced countries.Design/methodology/approachThe study used the panel fixed effect regression methodology to assess the effect of EPU on several measures of bank profitability for 22 advanced countries from 1998 to 2017. The measures of bank profitability are net interest margin, lending-deposit spread, non-interest income (NII) ratio, after-tax return on asset, before-tax return on asset, after-tax return on equity and before-tax return on equity.FindingsThe findings reveal that high EPU negatively affects bank NII. Real gross domestic product growth rate, nonperforming loans and regulatory capital ratio are negatively related to profitability in times of high EPU. The findings also reveal that high EPU has a positive effect on bank profitability in Asia and the region of the Americas, as these regions witnessed high return on equity in times of high EPU.Practical implicationsThe implication of the findings is that, although EPU has a depressive effect on some indicators of bank profitability, regional characteristics can ameliorate the depressive effects of EPU on bank profitability.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the literature that examine the economic consequences of EPU on firms. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is among the first to examine how regional characteristics affect the relationship between EPU and bank profitability using cross-country data.
The nexus between green human resource management processes and the sustainability of educational institutions: the mediating effect of strategic excellence
Authors: Mohammed Atheer Abdullah , Fisal Muthana Zahim 
Published: August 2022

PurposeThis study aims to propose a novel research model to test the nexus between green human resource management processes, strategic excellence and the sustainability of educational institutions in Iraqi academic settings.Design/methodology/approachThis examination in Iraqi higher education is finalised across three key stages: determining the knowledge gaps, reviewing the literature and building the hypothesised conceptual model. A case study complemented by a quantitative methodology using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) and Analysis of Moment Structures (AMOS) was performed.FindingsGreen human resource management processes significantly impact the sustainability of Iraqi educational institutions through their strategic excellence.Originality/valueThis research provides new insights into green human resource management processes, strategic excellence and the sustainability of educational institutions in emerging economies such as Iraq.
Applications of augmented reality for construction productivity improvement: a systematic review
Authors: Adebowale Oluseyi Julius , Agumba Justus Ngala 
Published: August 2022

PurposeDespite the significance of the construction industry to the nation's economic growth, there is empirical evidence that the sector is lagging behind other industries in terms of productivity growth. The need for improvements inspired the industry's stakeholders to consider using emerging technologies that support the enhancement. This research aims to report augmented reality applications essential for contractors' productivity improvement.Design/methodology/approachThis study systematically reviewed academic journals. The selection of journal articles entailed searching Scopus and Web of Science databases. Relevant articles for reviews were identified and screened. Content analysis was used to classify key applications into six categories. The research results were limited to journal articles published between 2010 and 2021.FindingsAugmented reality can improve construction productivity through its applications in assembly, training and education, monitoring and controlling, interdisciplinary function, health and safety and design information.Originality/valueThe research provides a direction for contractors on key augmented reality applications they can leverage to improve their organisations' productivity.
Alterations in epidermal function in type 2 diabetes: Implications for the management of this disease
Authors: Man Mao‐Qiang , Wakefield Joan S. , Mauro Theodora M. , Elias Peter M. 
Published: August 2022

AbstractEpidermal function is regulated by numerous exogenous and endogenous factors, including age, psychological stress, certain skin disorders, ultraviolet irradiation and pollution, and epidermal function itself can regulate cutaneous and extracutaneous functions. The biophysical properties of the stratum corneum reflect the status of both epidermal function and systemic conditions. Type 2 diabetes in both murine models and humans displays alterations in epidermal functions, including reduced levels of stratum corneum hydration and increased epidermal permeability as well as delayed permeability barrier recovery, which can all provoke and exacerbate cutaneous inflammation. Because inflammation plays a pathogenic role in type 2 diabetes, a therapy that improves epidermal functions could be an alternative approach to mitigating type 2 diabetes and its associated cutaneous disorders.
Does the definition of preventable emergency department visit matter? An empirical analysis using 20 million visits in Ontario and Alberta
Authors: Lau Tammy , Maltby Alana , Ali Shehzad , Moran Valérie , Wilk Piotr 
Published: August 2022

AbstractObjectivesThis study had two objectives: (1) to estimate the prevalence of preventable emergency department (ED) visits during the 2016–2020 time period among those living in 19 large urban centers in Alberta and Ontario, Canada, and (2) to assess if the definition of preventable ED visits matters in estimating the prevalence.MethodsA retrospective, population‐based study of ED visits that were reported to the National Ambulatory Care Reporting System from April 1, 2016, to March 31, 2020, was conducted. Preventable ED visits were operationalized based on the following approaches: (1) Canadian Triage and Acuity Scale (CTAS), (2) ambulatory care–sensitive conditions (ACSC), (3) family practice–sensitive conditions (FPSC), and (4) sentinel nonurgent conditions (SNC). The overall proportion of ED visits that were preventable was estimated. We also estimated the adjusted relative risks of preventable ED visits by patients' sex and age, fiscal year, province of residence, and census metropolitan area (CMA) of residence.ResultsThere were 20,171,319 ED visits made by 8,919,618 patients ages 1 to 74 who resided in one of the 19 CMAs in Alberta or Ontario. On average, there were 2.26 visits per patient over the period of 4 fiscal years; most patients made one (44.22%) or two ED visits (20.72%). The overall unadjusted prevalence of preventable ED visits varied by definition; 35.33% of ED visits were defined as preventable based on CTAS, 12.88% based on FPSC, 3.41% based on SNC, and 2.33% based on ACSC.ConclusionsThere is a substantial level of variation in prevalence estimates across definitions of preventable ED visits, and care should be taken when interpreting these estimates as each has a different meaning and may lead to different conclusions. The conceptualization and measurement of preventable ED visits is complex and multifaceted and may not be adequately captured by a single definition.
Establishing the international research priorities for pediatric emergency medicine point‐of‐care ultrasound: A modified Delphi study
Authors: Snelling Peter J. , Shefrin Allan E. , Moake Matthew M. , Bergmann Kelly R. , Constantine Erika , Deanehan J. Kate , Dessie Almaz S. , Elkhunovich Marsha A. , Gold Delia L. , Kornblith Aaron E. , Lin‐Martore Margaret , Nti Benjamin , Pade Kathryn H. , Parri Niccolò , Sivitz Adam , Lam Samuel H. F. 
Published: August 2022

AbstractBackgroundThe Pediatric Emergency Medicine (PEM) Point‐of‐care Ultrasound (POCUS) Network (P2Network) was established in 2014 to provide a platform for international collaboration among experts, including multicenter research. The objective of this study was to use expert consensus to identify and prioritize PEM POCUS topics, to inform future collaborative multicenter research.MethodsOnline surveys were administered in a two‐stage, modified Delphi study. A steering committee of 16 PEM POCUS experts was identified within the P2Network, with representation from the United States, Canada, Italy, and Australia. We solicited the participation of international PEM POCUS experts through professional society mailing lists, research networks, social media, and “word of mouth.” After each round, responses were refined by the steering committee before being reissued to participants to determine the ranking of all the research questions based on means and to identify the high‐level consensus topics. The final stage was a modified Hanlon process of prioritization round (HPP), which emphasized relevance, impact, and feasibility.ResultsFifty‐four eligible participants (16.6%) provided 191 items to Survey 1 (Round 1). These were refined and consolidated into 52 research questions by the steering committee. These were issued for rating in Survey 2 (Round 2), which had 45 participants. At the completion of Round 2, all questions were ranked with six research questions reaching high‐level consensus. Thirty‐one research questions with mean ratings above neutral were selected for the HPP round. Highly ranked topics included clinical applications of POCUS to evaluate and manage children with shock, cardiac arrest, thoracoabdominal trauma, suspected cardiac failure, atraumatic limp, and intussusception.ConclusionsThis consensus study has established a research agenda to inform future international multicenter PEM POCUS trials. This study has highlighted the ongoing need for high‐quality evidence for PEM POCUS applications to guide clinical practice.
Prioritizing measures to assess performance of drug treatment services: a Delphi process with funders, treatment providers and service‐users
Authors: Stirling Robert , Nathan Sally , Ritter Alison 
Published: August 2022

AbstractBackground and aimWhile many studies have examined outcome measurement as part of clinical trials and routine outcome collection at the person‐level in alcohol and other drug (AOD) treatment services, there has been limited attention to measures required to assess performance at the service‐level. In Australia, non‐government services are primarily funded by government using public funds; however, there is no standardized approach to performance measurement. This study sought to establish a finite list of performance measures that represented consensus between funders, treatment providers and service‐users.MethodA three‐round Delphi process was undertaken with (i) funders of treatment (n = 10), (ii) treatment providers (n = 10) and (iii) treatment service‐users (n = 10). Participants were asked to rate a range of measures on a 10‐point Likert scale on how important they were to be included in contracts with funders. Measures with a median score > 7 and agreement among participants above 70% were the criteria for inclusion in the final set of measures. Qualitative data in the form of text responses provided by participants for their ratings in rounds 1 and 2 were also analysed.ResultsParticipants rated 93 measures in round 1, which reduced to 78 measures in round 2 and 32 measures in round 3. Fifteen service‐level measures and two system‐level measures met criteria for inclusion in the final set of performance measures. The final set of measures cover a range of measurement types: outcomes (n = 5), access (n = 3), structural (n = 3), experience (n = 2), input (n = 2), process (n = 1) and output (n = 1).ConclusionIn Australia, performance measures for alcohol and other drug treatment services that represent a consensus among service‐users, providers and funders focus upon demonstrating accountability for public funds, improving services and communicating key measures of success to future service‐users and the broader community.
Study of variants in genes implicated in rare familial migraine syndromes and their association with migraine in 200,000 exome‐sequenced UK Biobank participants
Authors: Markel Katherine Alexis , Curtis David 
Published: August 2022

AbstractBackgroundA number of genes have been implicated in rare familial syndromes which have migraine as part of their phenotype but these genes have not previously been implicated in the common form of migraine.MethodsAmong exome‐sequenced participants in the UK Biobank, we identified 7194 migraine cases with the remaining 193,433 participants classified as controls. We investigated rare variants in 10 genes previously reported to be implicated in conditions with migraine as a prominent part of the phenotype and carried out gene‐ and variant‐based tests for association.ResultsWe found no evidence for association of these genes or variants with the common form of migraine seen in our subjects. In particular, a frameshift variant in KCNK18, p.(Phe139Trpfs*24), which had been shown to segregate with migraine with aura in a multiply affected pedigree, was found in 196 (0.10%) controls as well as in 10 (0.14%) cases (χ2 = 0.96, 1 df, p = 0.33).ConclusionsSince there is no other reported evidence to implicate KCNK18, we conclude that this gene and its product, TRESK, should no longer be regarded as being involved in migraine aetiology. Overall, we do not find that rare, functional variants in genes previously implicated to be involved in familial syndromes including migraine as part of the phenotype make a contribution to the commoner forms of migraine observed in this population.
The Value‐relevance of Fair Value Measurement for Inventories
Authors: Badenhorst Wessel M , von Well Rieka 
Published: August 2022

AbstractThe objective of this paper is to determine if fair value measurement for inventories is value‐relevant. Inventories are measured at historical cost and investors will have to estimate the fair value for themselves. For a sample of firms listed in the UK and reporting from 2009 to 2018, multivariate regression results show that the historical cost component of inventories on the balance sheet is value‐relevant, but that the fair value component is not. By contrast, both historical cost earnings and changes in the fair value of inventories are value‐relevant. Results therefore imply that investors need both historical cost earnings and fair value movements to make decisions. By extension, fair value measurements complement, rather than replace, historical cost information.