bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Enhanced Humoral Immune Response After COVID-19 Vaccination in Elderly Kidney Transplant Recipients on Everolimus Versus Mycophenolate Mofetil–containing Immunosuppressive Regimens
Authors: de Boer Silke E. , Berger Stefan P. , van Leer–Buter Coretta C. , Kroesen Bart-Jan , van Baarle Debbie , Sanders Jan-Stephan F. ,   on behalf of the OPTIMIZE study group
Published: May 2022

Background.

Elderly kidney transplant recipients (KTRs) represent almost one third of the total kidney transplant population. These patients have a very high coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)–related mortality, whereas their response to COVID-19 vaccination is impaired. Finding ways to improve the COVID-19 vaccination response in this vulnerable population is of uttermost importance.

Methods.

In the OPTIMIZE trial, we randomly assign elderly KTRs to an immunosuppressive regimen with standard-exposure calcineurin inhibitor (CNI), mycophenolate mofetil, and prednisolone or an adapted regimen with low dose CNI, everolimus, and prednisolone. In this substudy, we measured the humoral response after 2 (N = 32) and 3 (N = 22) COVID-19 mRNA vaccinations and the cellular response (N = 15) after 2 vaccinations.

Results.

. The seroconversion rates of elderly KTRs on a standard immunosuppressive regimen were only 13% and 38% after 2 and 3 vaccinations, respectively, whereas the response rates of KTRs on the everolimus regimen were significantly higher at 56% (P = 0.009) and 100% (P = 0.006). Levels of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronaVirus 2 IgG antibodies were significantly higher at both time points in the everolimus group (P = 0.004 and P < 0.001). There were no differences in cellular response after vaccination.

Conclusions.

An immunosuppressive regimen without mycophenolate mofetil, a lower CNI dose, and usage of everolimus is associated with a higher humoral response rate after COVID-19 vaccination in elderly KTRs after transplantation. This encouraging finding should be investigated in larger cohorts, including transplant recipients of all ages.
Marinomonas lutimaris sp. nov., isolated from a tidal flat sediment of the East China Sea
Authors: Gao Yuxin , Wei Yuli , Wang Peng
Published: May 2022

A Gram-stain-negative bacterial strain, designated as E165T, was isolated from a tidal flat sediment of the East China Sea. Strain E165T grew optimally at pH 6, at 32 °C and with 1–2 % (w/v) NaCl. The 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity results revealed that strain E165T was most closely related to

Marinomonas rhizomae

IVIA-Po-145T,

Marinomonas polaris

CK13T,

Marinomonas foliarum

IVIA-Po-155T,

Marinomonas hwangdonensis

HDW-15T,

Marinomonas pontica

46-16T,

Marinomonas mangrovi

B20-1T and

Marinomonas shanghaiensis

DSL-35T with values of 97.0–98.5 %. The digital DNA–DNA hybridization and average nucleotide identity values between strain E165T and the reference strains were 21.9–34.3 % and 77.6–87.3 %, respectively. The DNA G+C content of the isolate was 42.9 mol%. Strain E165T contained Q-8 as the sole ubiquinone and C16 : 0, summed feature 8 (C18 : 1
 ω7c and/or C18 : 1
 ω6c) and summed feature 3 (C16 : 1
 ω7c and/or C16 : 1
 ω6c) as the major fatty acids. The major polar lipids of strain E165T were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, aminolipid and aminophospholipid. On the basis of phenotypic characteristics, phylogenetic analysis and DNA–DNA relatedness, a novel species, Marinomonas lutimaris sp. nov., is proposed with E165T (=MCCC 1K06241T=KCTC 82809T) as the type strain.
Internationalization of Chinese open universities
Authors: Hou Songyan
Published: May 2022

Purpose

In 2019, the goal of developing a world-class open university through different stages was put forward by the Open University of China (OUC), which indicated that internationalization for Chinese open universities came to the agenda. However, international activities of open universities are different from those in conventional universities, and how to fulfill the goal of internationalization is a main issue faced by educators in Chinese open and distance education arena. This research aimed to identify ways of internationalization for the OUC system.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey was employed as a tool to get feedback from target audience. A questionnaire was released to academics, management staff and researchers to the 44 provincial open universities. A total of 501 samples were collected. Among them, 332 were from academics, which accounted for 66.27%, 152 were from school-level directors and 17 were from university-level leaders.

Findings

By analyzing the data collected in the survey, the study proposes four recommendations to fulfill the goal of internationalization for Chinese open universities and these include strengthening top-level strategies, building up professional teams, sharing learning resources and delivering upper-level programs.

Research limitations/implications

The targets of this research were all staff at different levels in the central and local institutions; no students were included in the research. Therefore, this did not reflect a picture from the student perspective, and this will be improved in future research.

Originality/value

Since the establishment of the OUC in 1979, there has been no clear and systematic pathways for the development of internationalization of Chinese open universities. This research proposes a theoretical framework of internationalization for open universities and suggests a direction for future development.
A vision-aided fuzzy adaptive sliding mode controller for autonomous landing of a nonlinear model helicopter on a moving marine platform
Authors: Pakro Farhad , Nikkhah Amir Ali
Published: May 2022

Purpose

A vision-assisted fuzzy adaptive sliding mode controller is presented in this research and implemented on a nonlinear helicopter model, which is about to land on a moving ship. Stabilization of the dynamics and tracking the landing path are required, at the same time. This study aims to take one step closer to fully autonomous landing, which is a growing trend.

Design/methodology/approach

An integrated guidance and control is considered for the model helicopter. A fuzzy logic is designed to adaptively choose the best control parameters for the sliding mode controller and solve the challenge of parameter tuning. A self-organizing matrix consisting of fuzzy sliding mode parameters is formed instead of a single parameter with the goal of enhancing controller tracking capability. A simple, precise and fast image recognition system based on OpenCV is used to detect the proper point for descending without getting any special data from the ship and by only using a general “H” sign.

Findings

The problem is simulated under intense disturbances, while the approach and landing performances are acceptable. Controller performance is compared and validated. Simulation results show the robustness, agility, stability and outperformance of the proposed controller.

Originality/value

The novelty of this paper is the designed procedure for using a simple image recognition system in the process of autonomous ship-landing, which does not use any special data sent from the ship. Besides, an improved nonlinear controller is designed for integrated guidance and control in this specific application.
Online community development in the early stages: the life cycle model application to Medical Sciences Stack Exchange
Authors: Fu Hengyi , Oh Sanghee
Published: May 2022

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the nature and evolution of online communities in the early stages of their life cycles. The authors analyze the topics of discussions in an online community to identify issues related to community development. The authors also compare the topics of exemplary questions that founding members believed to be asked with the real questions based on members' information needs.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors use Medical Sciences Stack Exchange, a health Q&A community of Stack Exchange, which requires four stages of development: definition, commitment, private beta and public beta. The authors collect postings of discussions and health questions in the first three stages, perform a content analysis of the postings and analyze the topics of discussions and health questions.

Findings

The authors find that the topics of discussions evolved dynamically with the issues of community governance, role as a medical/health community, members and roles, content management, quality control and community design. The authors also find that the real questions included more specific and diverse issues than the exemplary questions that founding members expected.

Originality/value

Theoretically, this study tests the community life cycle model in an online community that has explicit phase markers. The findings could shed light on community development and help prioritize issues to solve and decisions to make in its early stages. Additionally, this study focuses on the challenges and concerns in online health community building and solutions generated by collective efforts that could influence health communications in online communities.
How to make it stick? Institutionalising process improvement initiatives
Authors: Abeygunasekera Ahangama Withanage Janitha Chandimali , Bandara Wasana , Wynn Moe Thandar , Yigitbasioglu Ogan
Published: May 2022

Purpose

Understanding how organisations can institutionalise the outcomes of process improvement initiatives is limited. This paper explores how process changes resulting from improvement initiatives are adhered to, so that the changed processes become the new “norm” and people do not revert to old practices. This study proposes an institutionalisation process for process improvement initiatives.

Design/methodology/approach

Firstly, a literature review identified Tolbert and Zucker’s (1996) institutionalisation framework as a suitable conceptual framework on which to base the enquiry. The second phase (the focus of this paper) applied the findings from two case studies to adapt this framework (its stages and related factors) to fit process improvement contexts.

Findings

The paper presents an empirically and theoretically supported novel institutionalisation process for process improvement initiatives. The three stages of the institutionalisation process presented by Tolbert and Zucker (1996) have been respecified into four stages, explaining how process changes are institutionalised through “Planning”, “Implementation”, “Objectification” and “Sedimentation” (the original first stage, i.e. “Habitualisation” being divided into Planning and Implementation). Some newly identified Business Process Management (BPM) specific factors influencing the institutionalisation processes are also discussed and triangulated with the BPM literature.

Research limitations/implications

The study contributes to the BPM literature by conceptualising and theorising the stages of institutionalisation of process improvement initiatives. In doing so, the study explicitly identifies and considers several key contextual factors that drive the stages of institutionalisation. Practitioners can use this to better manage process change and future researchers can use this framework to operationalise institutionalisation of process change.

Originality/value

This is the first research study that provides an empirically supported and clearly conceptualised understanding of the stages of institutionalising process improvement outcomes.
Geodesign and Sustainable Development Goals in the environmental parameterization of the Iron Quadrangle region, Brazil: an academic experience
Authors: Moura Ana Clara Mourão , Morais Camila Fernandes de , Gonçalves Mello Tiago Augusto
Published: May 2022

Purpose

There are countless challenges concerning the process of interest mediation. Regarding territorial planning, the participation of different stakeholders is essential. In this sense, Geodesign is a method that supports decision-making based on geocollaboration and co-creation, using geospatial data and tools. The purpose of this study was to use the method to support the co-creation of environmental projects and policies climate-oriented for the Iron Quadrangle region, Brazil.

Design/methodology/approach

The Brazilian platform of Geodesign, GISColab, was used to support the activity. The experiment involved undergraduate and graduate students in Urban Planning and in Geography and technicians that work with planning subjects. Social isolation measures imposed by the pandemic resulted in an adaptation of the dynamic, which was held entirely online.

Findings

The study group proposed 28 designs, in which the most discussed topics were landscape (43%), climate (25%) and risk (25%). This may be associated with the fact that the workshop was conducted in consideration of the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the environmental crisis, but it might also suggest the group’s prior concern with such issues. Other SDGs were contemplated, with the productive sector as the most negatively impacted by proposals. This situation reinforces the importance of incorporating different actors (a term used for participants in the Geodesign method, referring to representatives from groups of the society) into planning processes. Geodesign was easily accepted and assimilated by participants.

Originality/value

The proposed methodology proved to be positive for this type of study and GISColab, the Brazilian Geodesign platform, was easily adapted to the characteristics and demands of the experience.
Green supply chain management and SMEs environmental performance: green HRM practices as antecedent from service sector of emerging economy
Authors: Aldaas Raghad , Mohamed Rosmah , Hareeza Ali Mass , Ismail Noor Azlin
Published: May 2022

Purpose

The research aimed to study the influence of green human resources management practices (GHRMPs) on green supply chain management (GSCM) and environmental performance while examining how those green practices affect environmental performance.

Design/methodology/approach

The study investigated 314 cases (responses) from the small and medium-sized enterprises belonging to the service sector from an emergent economy (i.e. Oman). The study model was developed based on the theory of resource-based view and the theory of ability, motivation and opportunity. The structural equation modeling was used for hypotheses testing using SmartPLS 3 software.

Findings

Based on the findings, green hiring and green training and innovation have a positive and significant effect on GSCM, while both of them have no effect on environmental performance. Further, green performance management and compensation positively influenced the environmental performance but not GSCM. Furthermore, GSCM significantly and positively influenced environmental performance.

Originality/value

GHRMPs and GSCM can enhance environmental performance. Organizations should consider this interesting finding if they aim to reduce their negative environmental effect, conserve energy, prevent pollution and recycle garbage. Despite the fact that the present environment-friendly culture is still in its infancy, it adds uniqueness to this research by investigating the phenomenon's importance.
Overcoming challenges to make e-learning a panacea for present and future crises
Authors: Looi Kim Hoe
Published: May 2022

Purpose

This study identified salient challenges related to future preference for e-learning of undergraduates during closure of institutions of higher learning due to the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and put forth suggestions to overcome challenges of e-learning for present and future crises.

Design/methodology/approach

Undergraduates were drawn from two universities in Malaysia who normally attend conventional classroom learning. Underpinned by the literature, the challenges and future preference for e-learning were operationalised into statements. Data were collected via a self-administered questionnaire hosted on Google Forms and were analysed with Statistical Package for the Social Sciences and STATA statistical software.

Findings

The hierarchical multiple linear regression results showed that the salient challenges related to undergraduates' future preference for e-learning, in descending order, were learning outcomes, followed by disadvantages (negatively) and discipline. Moreover, there were nuanced gender differences on the relative importance of salient challenges related to future preference for e-learning.

Research limitations/implications

Because the literature on e-learning during the closure of institutions of learning due to the COVID-19 pandemic is evolving, some salient challenges may not be captured in this study. Next, this survey was carried out in July 2020 when all courses were conducted using one hundred per cent e-learning for the first time. Hence, future replication studies may produce different results. Lastly, findings are not generalisable to other contexts as the salient challenges may be unique to the Malaysian context.

Practical implications

Concerted efforts by all stakeholders to address these salient challenges will shift e-learning in higher education closer to a panacea during present and future crises.

Originality/value

The sudden and involuntary switch from face-to-face learning to e-learning during the closure of institutions of higher learning due to the COVID-19 pandemic provided opportunity to research the salient challenges encountered by undergraduates and to overcome these salient challenges.
Action design research: integration of method support
Authors: Cronholm Stefan , Göbel Hannes
Published: May 2022

Purpose

Action design research (ADR) has become widely accepted as a prominent research method within information systems when managing design-oriented research projects. One purpose of the ADR method is to provide methodological guidance for the building of IT artefacts. However, several scholars have reported a lack of guidance of method support at the micro level. This article aims to complement the macro level of the ADR method by integrating prescriptive method support at the micro level.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative approach including direct content analysis. An empirical ADR project was analysed in order to identify method support that could be integrated into the ADR method.

Findings

Method support at the micro level was identified for all the stages of the ADR method. The method support consists of procedural support, guiding concepts, and various techniques for the documentation of project tasks stated in the ADR method.

Research limitations/implications

The contribution to theory consists of aspects concerning the integration of macro and micro levels: relationships between normative and prescriptive support, continuous focus shifts, and method completeness.

Practical implications

The contribution to practice consists of explicit suggestions for method support that could be integrated into the ADR method.

Originality/value

This study extends previously provided knowledge by offering empirical evidence concerning theoretical constructions consisting of explicit relationships between ADR tasks and integrated method support, and elaboration on the integration of macro and micro levels.
Forensic accounting tools for fraud deterrence: a qualitative approach
Authors: Clavería Navarrete Alberto , Carrasco Gallego Amalia
Published: May 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to understand if forensic accounting techniques and tools could contribute to the deterrence of fraud in financial statements, considering the expertise of forensic accountant on ex post activities and that the traditional mechanisms to prevent this type of fraud have not been sufficient to stop the impact on companies, investors, auditors, employees and on society in general.

Design/methodology/approach

This research was carried out using a qualitative exploratory study with a phenomenological approach conducted through in-depth interviews with professional experts in the forensic field.

Findings

The findings confirm that the use of forensic accounting techniques and tools could contribute to the prevention of fraud in financial reporting not only when the risk of fraud has been materialized. Similar studies, about fraud prevention addressing the situation under a qualitative approach from the perspectives of its protagonists, have not been observed in the bibliographical review, so this research contributes to expanding the scientific research, the study and practice of forensic accounting.

Originality/value

From a business management perspective, this study contributes a paradigm shift from the traditional ex post forensic auditing activity toward an ex ante activity to improve management control systems within organizations anywhere in the world. Because this study is guided to prevent fraudulent financial statements, other fraud categories such as misappropriation or corruption could be addressed in other studies and various countries.
Real Estate Insights Offices – reports of my death are greatly exaggerated
Authors: French Nick
Published: May 2022

Purpose

The aim of this Real Estate Insight is to comment upon the role that offices will play in the post-COVID 19 work environment. The impact of lockdowns, worldwide, was to accelerate the changes in office use that were already beginning in the late 2010s as changes in work culture and practice and supporting technology were slowly transforming the way in which people worked.

Design/methodology/approach

This Real Estate Insight will comment upon changes in the UK market as a bellwether for global working practices. The nature of the “Insights” briefings means that this is a personal view of the author.

Findings

This paper looks at office usage in a transitional, post-COVID 19, marketplace. The findings are a reasoned conjecture that traditional office use still has a place for the workforce of the 2020s and beyond, although office use will be less intense as workers adopt a range of other working practices, including coworking and working at home, outside the four walls of the physical office building.

Practical implications

As with all property investment, the value and performance of the property assets is interlinked with the use and demand of the space in question. There will be a rebasing of rents as the use of office space becomes less intense and the lowering of unit costs will allow companies to restructure the internal space to accommodate a more flexible working environment.

Originality/value

This is a review of the UK office market in relation to a seismic change in how workers choose to work post COVID-19.
The relationship between student motivation and academic performance: the mediating role of online learning behavior
Authors: Meng Xiangju , Hu Zhenfang
Published: May 2022

Purpose

This paper aims to use a quantitative approach to explore the role of online learning behavior in students’ academic performance during the COVID-19 pandemic. Specifically, the authors probe its mediating effect in the relationship between student motivation (extrinsic and intrinsic) and academic performance in a blended learning context.

Design/methodology/approach

Survey data were collected from 148 students taking an organizational behavior course at one Chinese university. The data were paired and analyzed through regression analysis.

Findings

The results show that students should actively engage in online learning behavior to maximize the effects of blended learning. Extrinsic motivation was found to positively influence academic performance both directly and indirectly through online learning behavior, while intrinsic motivation affected academic performance only indirectly.

Originality/value

Through paired data on extrinsic and intrinsic motivation, online learning behavior and academic performance, this study provides a more nuanced understanding of how online learning behavior affects the focal relationship, and it advances research on the mechanisms underlying the focal relationship. Practitioners should enhance students’ online learning behavior to boost blended learning effects during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Judgments of ethically questionable financial practices: a new perspective
Authors: Sobolev Daphne , Clunie James
Published: May 2022

Purpose

Research has suggested that ethics judgments should be made from an impartial perspective. However, people are often partial about their money. This study aims to investigate the extent to which perspectives – the perspective of those who can gain from the use of a financial practice and the perspective of those who can incur losses due to it – affect lay people’s ethics and legality judgments of the practice. In addition, it asks which factors influence their investment intentions.

Design/methodology/approach

The study uses a between-participant scenario experiment, in which participants are presented with cases of predatory trading and front running. Each participant is asked to take either a gain or loss perspective through the formulation of the presented cases. Subsequently, all participants make ethics, legality and investment intention judgments.

Findings

The authors establish that perspectives significantly affect people’s ethics judgments and, to a lesser extent, their legality judgments. People’s investment intentions depend on their perspectives, too, as well as on their financial considerations, ethics judgments, legality judgments and trust.

Originality/value

Research has focused on relatively stable determinants of people’s ethics judgments of financial practices. This paper shows that the situational prospect of profit can sway lay people’s judgments. When people take the gain perspective, they judge financial practices to be more ethical than when they take the loss perspective. Furthermore, people’s perspectives can distort their legality judgments and influence their investment intentions.
Suitability of NIID‐MDCK cells as a substrate for cell‐based influenza vaccine development from the perspective of adventitious virus susceptibility
Authors: Hamamoto Itsuki , Takahashi Hitoshi , Shimasaki Noriko , Nakamura Kazuya , Mizuta Katsumi , Sato Ko , Nishimura Hidekazu , Yamamoto Norio , Hasegawa Hideki , Odagiri Takato , Tashiro Masato , Nobusawa Eri
Published: May 2022

The practical use of cell‐based seasonal influenza vaccines is currently being considered in Japan. From the perspective of adventitious virus contamination, we assessed the suitability of NIID‐MDCK cells (NIID‐MDCK‐Cs) as a safe substrate for the isolation of influenza viruses from clinical specimens. We first established a sensitive multiplex real‐time PCR system to screen for 27 respiratory viruses and used it on 34 virus samples that were isolated by passaging influenza‐positive clinical specimens in NIID‐MDCK‐Cs. Incidentally, the limit of detection (LOD) of the system was 100 or fewer genome copies per reaction. In addition to influenza viruses, human enterovirus 68 (HEV‐D68) genomes were detected in two samples after two or three passages in NIID‐MDCK‐Cs. To further investigate the susceptibility of NIID‐MDCK‐Cs to adventitious viruses, eight common respiratory viruses were subjected to passages in NIID‐MDCK‐Cs. The genome copy numbers of seven viruses other than parainfluenza 3 decreased below the LOD by passage 4. By passaging in NIID‐MDCK‐Cs, the genome numbers of the input HEV‐D68, 1 × 108 copies, declined to 102 at passage 3 and to under the LOD at passage 4, whereas those of the other six viruses were under the LOD by passage 3. These results implied that during the process of isolating influenza viruses with NIID‐MDCK‐Cs, contaminating viruses other than parainfluenza 3 can be efficiently removed by passages in NIID‐MDCK‐Cs. NIID‐MDCK‐Cs could be a safe substrate for isolating influenza viruses that can be used to develop cell‐based influenza vaccine candidate viruses.
Spatial aggregation of herbivores and predators enhances tri‐trophic cascades in paddy fields: Rice monoculture versus rice‐fish co‐culture
Authors: Wan Nian‐Feng , Cavalieri Andrea , Siemann Evan , Dainese Matteo , Li Wen‐Wei , Jiang Jie‐Xian
Published: May 2022

Rice‐fish co‐culture system has a history of more than 2,000 years in Asia and has been recognized as one of FAO's Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS). To date, few studies have explored rice‐fish co‐culture effects on the relationship between predator–prey aggregations and associated tri‐trophic cascades of predatory spiders, insect herbivores and rice. Indeed, predators have been shown to increase prey spatial aggregation but it is still not clear how fish (tertiary consumers) affect aggregations and interactions of their prey on multiple trophic levels (i.e. predatory spiders and rice insect herbivores).

Here, we conducted a 2‐year experiment to measure the abundance and distribution of herbivores (leafrollers, stemborers and planthoppers) and their predators (spiders) along with rice yield in rice‐fish co‐culture versus monoculture‐rice (fish free) systems in eastern China. We analysed spatial aggregations of herbivores and predators using geostatistics and used correlations to examine tri‐trophic interactions.

Results showed that co‐culture enhanced predatory spider and herbivore spatial aggregations, which in turn increased biocontrol of herbivores by predators, decreased herbivore damage and increased rice productivity.

Synthesis and applications. Fish presence increased spatial aggregation of two different trophic levels, which enhanced a tri‐trophic cascade of predatory spiders, insect herbivores and rice in co‐culture systems. Our approach linking spatial aggregations of herbivores and predators with trophic cascades can be applied to study trophic interactions in other ecosystems. Incorporating fish into monoculture paddy fields can increase both natural pest control by predatory spiders and crop productivity via aggregation, and thus increase multiple ecosystem services.
Aflatoxin‐M1 contamination in cheese of six countries in the West Asia region: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Mohammadi Salman , Keshavarzi Majid , Kazemi Asma , Rahmdel Samane , Nouri Mehran , Rastegar Ayoob , Ghaffarian‐Bahraman Ali
Published: May 2022

The aim of the present study was to assess Aflatoxin‐M1 (AFM1) contamination in cheese samples from the West Asia region. Furthermore, AFM1 contamination was investigated based on the texture type (hard, semi‐soft/semi‐hard and soft) and the maturation process (matured and fresh) of the cheese sampled. Our results indicated that AFM1 contamination occurs in more than 50% of the cheese samples from all included countries. Our subgroup meta‐analyses showed that the occurrence and the average concentration of AFM1, as well as the percentage of the standard maximum allowance exceeding samples in matured cheeses, were lower than unmatured samples.
Prioritization vs. congestion on platforms: evidence from Amazon's Twitch.tv
Authors: Tudón José
Published: May 2022

This article studies the efficient use of prioritizing certain content over others in Amazon's Twitch.tv, a live streaming service, taking into account the trade‐off between entry and congestion. I specify and estimate supply and demand models for live video, and a congestion model. Using technological shocks, I identify congestion costs for content providers and their consumers. Using shocks in prioritization, I identify its benefits. With estimated preferences and technological parameters, I construct counterfactuals. Without congestion, demand doubles. A supply‐side Pigouvian tax on traffic is preferred to a demand‐side one. Without prioritization, consumer welfare drops by 10%.
A targeted siRNA‐loaded PDL1‐exosome and functional evaluation against lung cancer
Authors: Lin Xianbin , Lin Liangan , Wu Jingyang , Jiang Wentan , Wu Jiayun , Yang Jianshen , Chen Chun
Published: May 2022

Background

As an endocytic nanosicle involved in intercellular communication, an exosome can efficiently deliver drugs from one cell to another and deliver therapeutic short interfering RNA (siRNA) to target cells. This is conducive to gene therapy for cancers. In this study, an exosome was used as the siRNA‐loaded substrate to prepare a targeted siRNA‐loaded PD‐L1 exosome and evaluate its function against lung cancer.

Methods

The optimal preparation process and binding ratio of the targeted nanovesicle/siRNA complex was determined by detecting the particle size, potential, and other physical parameters in combination with cell binding and uptake capacity of exosome complexes. The biological cell behavior of targeted exosome nanosicles was evaluated through cytotoxicity, apoptosis, and the cell uptake capacity.

Results

A targeted exosome nanovesicle capable of loading siRNA and characterized with low toxicity, high loading rate, and the ability to be used for targeted tumor cell gene therapy was constructed.

Conclusion

The PD‐L1 targeting exosome can be used as an efficient siRNA delivery carrier, which is an efficient and safe nanocarrier for tumor targeted gene therapy.
Detailed classification of second‐degree perineal tears in the delivery ward: an inter‐rater agreement study
Authors: Macedo Marthe Dalevoll , Ellström Engh Marie , Siafarikas Franziska
Published: May 2022

Introduction

Second‐degree perineal tears can vary widely as to the extent of trauma, which may be relevant for women's pelvic floor health postpartum. However, the short‐ and long‐term consequences of second‐degree perineal tears are poorly understood, likely due to the lack of a detailed classification system. Such a classification system for second‐degree tears has been suggested but the inter‐rater agreement has not yet been assessed. The aim of this study was to assess the inter‐rater agreement of the already established classification system for perineal tears recommended by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG classification) among midwives. Further, we aimed to assess the inter‐rater agreement of a classification system that provides three sub‐categories for second‐degree perineal tears.

Material and methods

This was an inter‐rater agreement study, conducted at Akershus University Hospital in Norway from 31 August to 29 November 2020. All midwives working in the delivery ward participated in the study. Midwives classified the integrity of the perineum of all women delivering vaginally within the study period. During the first month of the study, tears were classified by two midwives who were blinded to each other's findings, and the agreement of the RCOG classification was assessed. The following month, the detailed classification system was introduced to the midwifery staff. The last month, perineal tears were classified by two midwives using the detailed classification system, and the agreement was assessed. Inter‐rater agreement was measured using Fleiss multirater kappa (k) and Kendall's coefficient of concordance (KCCw).

Results

The inter‐rater agreement for the RCOG classification was good to very good, with k = 0.705 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.62–0.79, P < 0.001), KCCw = 0.928 (P < 0.001). The inter‐rater agreement for the detailed classification system was good to very good, with k = 0.748 (95% CI 0.67–0.83, P < 0.001), KCCw = 0.956 (P < 0.001).

Conclusions

The inter‐rater agreement among midwives using both the RCOG classification and the detailed classification system among midwives was good to very good. The detailed classification system provides additional information about the extent of tissue trauma in second‐degree tears, warranted for future research on women's pelvic floor health postpartum.
Outcome of percutaneous HeartMate3 decommissioning: A single‐centre experience
Authors: Abdallah Hassane , Grasso Elena , Abdelhamed M. Ibrahem , Ibrahim Ahmed , Segur Metin , Al Khamees Khalid , Lorusso Roberto
Published: May 2022

Objectives

To highlight the role of percutaneous left ventricular assist device (LVAD) decommissioning as a safe procedure after myocardial recovery in patients with advanced heart failure.

Background

The HeartMate3 LVAD (Abbott, Chicago, IL, USA) is designed to provide circulatory support with enhanced hemocompatibility for patients with advanced heart failure. Most VADs are used as a bridge to heart transplantation; however, in certain cases, myocardial function recovers, and VADs can be explanted after the patient is weaned. Although surgical explantation remains the gold standard, minimally invasive percutaneous decommissioning has been described as a successful alternative. In this study, we present our experience, one‐year outcomes, and adverse events associated with percutaneous LVAD decommissioning.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective review of data from six consecutive patients who underwent percutaneous LVAD decommissioning.

Results

Six patients were enrolled in the study. For all six patients, HM3 decommissioning was completed at least 6 months ago. No technical complications were documented. No strokes were observed within the study period, and the ejection fraction improved. The mean follow‐up duration was 18 ± 8.5 months, and the survival rate was 100%.

Conclusion

Percutaneous HeartMate3 decommissioning appears to be safe. In particular, the survival after the procedure was 100%, and no events, especially thromboembolic ones, occurred.
Validation of child‐adapted short scales for measuring gastrointestinal‐specific avoidance and anxiety
Authors: Lalouni Maria , Olén Ola , Bjureberg Johan , Bonnert Marianne , Chalder Trudie , Hedman‐Lagerlöf Erik , Reme Silje Endresen , Serlachius Eva , Ljótsson Brjánn
Published: May 2022

Aim

To validate child‐adapted shortened versions of the Irritable Bowel Syndrome‐Behavioural Responses Questionnaire (IBS‐BRQ; short scale denoted BRQ‐C) and the Visceral Sensitivity Index (VSI; short scale denoted VSI‐C) for children with functional abdominal pain disorders (FAPDs).

Methods

A child psychologist supervised by a child gastroenterologist was responsible for shortening the scales (BRQ‐C, 11 items; and VSI‐C, 7 items). Then, a sample of 89 children aged 8–12 years with FAPDs was used in the validation. Construct validity was assessed with correlations. Measures included gastrointestinal symptoms, quality of life, pain intensity and anxiety. Also, internal consistency, test–retest reliability, administration time and factor structure were assessed.

Results

Internal consistency for the BRQ‐C and the VSI‐C was α = 0.84 and α = 0.80, respectively. Correlations with related scales were similar between child‐adapted scales and original scales, indicating construct validity equivalence. Correlations between short scales and original scales were high. Mean administration time was reduced by 47% (BRQ‐C) and 42% (VSI‐C), compared with original scales. Test–retest reliability was r = 0.72 for BRQ‐C and r = 0.83 for VSI‐C. BRQ‐C had two factors (Avoidance and Bowel control). VSI‐C had a unifactorial structure.

Conclusion

The BRQ‐C and the VSI‐C were found to be time‐saving, reliable and valid for children with FAPDs.
The effect of trust in government on elections during the COVID‐19 pandemic in South Korea
Authors: Yu Seungwon , Yoo Eun Ji , Kim Suhee
Published: May 2022

Recent studies focused on the pandemic's effect on elections, examining partial government interventions (e.g., lockdowns) or a specific area within a country. Governments have taken a variety of nationwide measures in reaction to the pandemic, and they may or may not be working in the best interests of citizens. If citizens believe that a government demonstrates competence, benevolence and honesty in making pandemic‐related decisions, trust in that government may grow, affecting election results. Using data for trust in government and nationwide elections during the pandemic in South Korea, we find that trust in government completely mediates the relationship between the number of confirmed cases of COVID‐19 and the results of elections (i.e., ruling party's win and vote share).
A Bayesian Platform Trial Design to Simultaneously Evaluate Multiple Drugs in Multiple Indications with Mixed Endpoints
Authors: Zhao Yujie , Tang Rui (Sammi) , Du Yeting , Yuan Ying
Published: May 2022

In the era of targeted therapies and immunotherapies, the traditional drug development paradigm of testing one drug at a time in one indication has become increasingly inefficient. Motivated by a real-world application, we propose a master-protocol–based Bayesian platform trial design with mixed endpoints (PDME) to simultaneously evaluate multiple drugs in multiple indications, where different subsets of efficacy measures (eg, objective response and landmark progression-free survival) may be used by different indications as single or multiple endpoints. We propose a Bayesian hierarchical model to accommodate mixed endpoints and reflect the trial structure of indications that are nested within treatments. We develop a two-stage approach that first clusters the indications into homogeneous subgroups and then applies the Bayesian hierarchical model to each subgroup to achieve precision information borrowing. Patients are enrolled in a group-sequential way and adaptively assigned to treatments according to their efficacy estimates. At each interim analysis, the posterior probabilities that the treatment effect exceeds prespecified clinically relevant thresholds are used to drop ineffective treatments and “graduate” effective treatments. Simulations show that the PDME design has desirable operating characteristics compared to existing method.
Sedimentary bottom simulating reflection muting—A new model of hydrate and fluid redistribution from the Pegasus Basin, New Zealand
Authors: Macnaughtan Michael T. , Pecher Ingo A. , Strachan Lorna J.
Published: May 2022

Bottom simulating reflections (BSRs) interpreted in seismic data are one of the most used indicators for the presence of gas hydrates. In numerous hydrate provinces, including the Hikurangi margin, east of New Zealand, distinct and anomalous gaps in reflectivity punctuate otherwise continuous BSRs. We undertake a seismic stratigraphic and structural interpretation of a dense grid of two‐dimensional reflection seismic data to investigate possible causes of widespread BSR gaps that occur near the hinge area of synclines. We explain these BSR gaps with a tectono‐sedimentary model where sedimentation into accretionary wedge synclines leads to an upward migration of the base of gas hydrate stability with respect to stratigraphy, causing dissociation of gas hydrates to water and free gas. A trough‐shaped syncline's radially dipping beds promotes along‐strata, upward migration of gas away from the hinge area, incrementally depleting synclinal hinges of gas and resulting in a BSR gap or muted BSR. This model may be applicable to observed gaps in BSRs in tectonically active slope basins worldwide.
Supporting native grasslands in Canada: Lessons learned and future management of the Prairie Pastures Conservation Area (PPCA) in Saskatchewan
Authors: Hisey Forrest , Heppner Melissa , Olive Andrea
Published: May 2022

Temperate grasslands are the most endangered and least protected biome in the world. Few significant parcels remain and strategies for ongoing protection are critical for conservation efforts worldwide. In southwestern Saskatchewan, three contiguous blocks of native grassland, known as the Prairie Pastures Conservation Area, are federally managed by Environment and Climate Change Canada. Previously, the 800‐km2space was managed by the Department of Agriculture as public rangeland in the Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Agency (PFRA). We interviewed 11 individuals, including NGO representatives and pasture patrons, familiar with the PFRA at a native prairie/grassland conference to enhance our understanding of the importance of the agency and the lands in the province to them, as well as to Canada and globally. Themes that emerged included benefits of historic PFRA management, reservations about privatization of pasturelands, and worries about mismanagement. We take these themes and build them into our recommendations for what Environment and Climate Change Canada should do with the Prairie Pastures Conservation Area going forward: enhance Indigenous collaboration, establish a conservation network, and increase public use and awareness.
Comparison of fractional laser‐assisted drug delivery and intralesional injection of triamcinolone acetonide in nail psoriasis
Authors: Nassar Amany , Atef Hadeel , Eldeeb Fatma , Alakad Rania
Published: May 2022

Background and objectives

The treatment of nail psoriasis is often unsatisfactory due to poor penetration of topical therapeutics through the nail plate. The development of innovative methods that provide adequate delivery of the drug into the nail is warranted. In this study, we aim to compare the efficacy of intralesional corticosteroid injection versus its topical application after fractional CO2 laser in the treatment of fingernail psoriasis.

Patients and Methods

The study included 36 patients with fingernail psoriasis divided into two groups. The nails in group A were treated with intralesional injection of triamcinolone acetonide while the nails in group B received fractional CO2 laser therapy followed by topical application of the drug for six sessions. The evaluation was performed using NAPSI and dermatoscopic scores.

Results

Both modalities yielded a significant improvement of the nail matrix and bed psoriatic signs. No statistically significant difference was found between the two groups by both clinical and dermatoscopic assessment. The laser treatment was associated with significantly lower pain scores (P = 0.03) and higher patient satisfaction (P = 0.007).

Conclusions

Fractional CO2 laser‐assisted delivery of topical corticosteroids can be a potentially effective and well‐tolerated therapeutic modality in the treatment of nail psoriasis with comparable efficacy to intralesional injection.
Examining the evidence for weight management in individuals with type 2 diabetes
Authors: Garvey W. Timothy , Umpierrez Guillermo E. , Dunn Julia P. , Kwan Anita Y. M. , Varnado Oralee J. , Konig Manige , Levine Joshua A.
Published: May 2022

The obesity epidemic has been linked to the worsening diabetes epidemic. Despite this, weight reduction for individuals with obesity is seen as a secondary, or even tertiary, consideration in the treatment of type 2 diabetes (T2D). The aim of this review is to examine the benefits of weight management in individuals with T2D. A literature review of current available published data on the benefits of weight reduction in individuals with T2D was conducted. In individuals with T2D who have obesity or overweight, modest and sustained weight reduction results in improvement in glycaemic control and decreased utilization of glucose‐lowering medication. A total body weight loss of 5% or higher reduces HbA1c levels and contributes to mitigating risk factors of cardiovascular disease, such as hyperlipidaemia and hypertension, as well as other disease‐related complications of obesity. Progressive improvements in glycaemic control and cardiometabolic risk factors can occur when the total body weight loss increases to 10% or more. In the approach to treating patients with T2D and obesity, prioritizing weight management and the use of therapeutics that offer glycaemic control as well as the additional weight loss should be emphasized given their potential to attenuate the progression and severity of T2D.