bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cross-seasonal weather effects interact with breeding conditions to impact reproductive success in an alpine songbird
Authors: de Zwaan Devin R. , Drake Anna , Camfield Alaine F. , MacDonald Elizabeth C. , Martin Kathy
Published: August 2021

In alpine habitats, fluctuating early-season weather conditions and short breeding seasons limit reproductive opportunities, such that arriving and breeding earlier or later than the optimum may be particularly costly for migratory species. Given early-season energy limitations, the influence of environmental conditions across the annual cycle on breeding phenology may have pronounced fitness consequences, yet our understanding of cross-seasonal dynamics in alpine breeding organisms is severely limited.

For an alpine-breeding, migratory population of horned lark (Eremophila alpestris) in northern British Columbia, Canada (54.8°N latitude) we assessed how spatially explicit weather conditions from across the annual cycle influenced clutch initiation date and offspring development. We also addressed how cross-seasonal effects on breeding parameters interact to influence reproductive fitness.

With 12 years of intensive breeding data and 3 years of migration data from archival light-level geolocators, we used a sliding window approach to identify critical points during the annual cycle where weather events most influenced breeding phenology and offspring development. Consequences for reproductive success were assessed using nest survival simulations.

Average clutch initiation varied up to 11 days among years but did not advance from 2003 to 2019. Colder temperatures with greater precipitation at wintering habitats, as well as colder temperatures upon arrival at the breeding site delayed clutch initiation, independent of arrival time. Extreme cold (sub-zero temperatures) within a staging area just prior to arrival at the breeding site carried over to prolong offspring development rate, potentially by influencing parental investment. Nest survival decreased with both later clutch initiation and prolonged offspring development, such that females that nested earlier and fledged offspring at a younger age were up to 45% more likely to reproduce successfully.

We demonstrate pronounced carry-over effects acting through mechanisms that influence breeding phenology and offspring development independently. We also highlight the potential importance of staging areas for alpine songbirds, particularly given that environmental conditions are becoming increasingly decoupled across seasons. Understanding the cross-seasonal mechanisms shaping breeding decisions in stochastic environments like the alpine enables more accurate predictions of future individual- and population-level responses to climate change.
VPS29 exerts opposing effects on endocytic viral entry
Authors: Poston Daniel , Weisblum Yiska , Hobbs Alvaro , Bieniasz Paul D.
Published: August 2021

Emerging zoonotic viral pathogens threaten global health and there is an urgent need to discover host and viral determinants influencing infection. We performed a loss-of-function genome-wide CRISPR screen in a human lung cell line using HCoV-OC43, a human betacoronavirus. One candidate gene, VPS29, was required for infection by HCoV-OC43, SARS-CoV-2, other endemic and pandemic threat coronaviruses as well as ebolavirus. However, VPS29 deficiency had no effect on certain other viruses that enter cells via endosomes and had an opposing, enhancing effect on influenza A virus infection. VPS29 deficiency caused changes endosome morphology, and acidity and attenuated the activity of endosomal proteases. These changes in endosome properties caused incoming coronavirus, but not influenza virus particles, to become entrapped therein. Overall, these data show how host regulation of endosome characteristics can influence viral susceptibility and identify a host pathway that could serve as a pharmaceutical target for intervention in zoonotic viral diseases.
Integrating multi-omics data reveals function and therapeutic potential of deubiquitinating enzymes
Authors: Doherty Laura M. , Mills Caitlin E. , Boswell Sarah A. , Liu Xiaoxi , Hoyt Charles Tapley , Gyori Benjamin M. , Buhrlage Sara J. , Sorger Peter K.
Published: August 2021

Deubiquitinating enzymes (DUBs) are proteases that remove ubiquitin conjugates from proteins, thereby regulating protein turnover. Inhibition of DUBs promises to make classically undruggable targets such as the tumor suppressor TP53 and oncogene c-Myc amenable to regulation by small molecules. However, the majority of substrates and pathways regulated by DUBs remain unknown, impeding efforts to prioritize specific enzymes for research and drug development. To assemble a knowledgebase of DUB activities, co-dependent genes, and substrates, we combined targeted experiments using CRISPR libraries and inhibitors with systematic mining of functional genomic databases. Analysis of the Dependency Map, Connectivity Map, Cancer Cell Line Encyclopedia, and protein-protein interaction databases yielded specific hypotheses about DUB function, a subset of which were confirmed in follow-on experiments. The data in this paper, which are browsable online via the DUB Portal, promise to improve understanding of DUBs as a family as well as the activities of specific DUBs such as USP14, UCHL5 and USP7, which have been targeted with investigational cancer therapeutics.
Time-analysis of COVID-19 dispersion among health care workers and the general population
Authors: Leme Patricia A. F. , Jalalizadeh Mehrsa , Dionato Franciele A. V. , Buosi Keini , Col Luciana S.B. Dal , Giacomelli Cristiane F. , Ferrari Karen L. , Pagliarone Ana Carolina , Gon Lucas M. , Maia Cristiane L. , Esfahani Akbar A. , Reis Leonardo O.
Published: August 2021

Introduction

Heath care workers with direct (HCW-D) or indirect (HCW-A) patient contact represent 4.2% to 17.8% of COVID-19 cases. We evaluate the temporal COVID-19 infection behavior among HCW-D, HCW-A, and non-HCW.

Methods

From February 2020 to April 2021, trained nurses recorded age, gender, occupation, and symptoms in a COVID-19 testing outpatient health center. We allocated data into weekly time fractals and calculated the proportion of COVID-19 positive among HCW vs. non-HCW and incorporated an ARFIMA model (traditionally used in weather forecast) to predict future cases of COVID-19.

Results

Among 8,998 COVID-19 RT-PCR tests, 3,462 (42%) patients were HCW-D, and 933 (11%) were HCW-A. Overall, 1,914 (21.3%) returned positive, representing 27%, 25% and 19% of HCW-D, HCW-A and non-HCW, respectively. HCW-D or HCW-A were significantly more likely to test positive for COVID-19 than non-HCW (OR=1.5, p<0.0001). The percentage of positive to negative test results remained steady over time. In the positive cases, the percentage of HCW to non-HCW declined significantly over time (Mann-Kendal trend test: tau=-0.58, p<0.0001). Our ARFIMA model showed a long-memory infection pattern in the occurrence of new COVID-19 cases lasting for months. Average error was 1.9 cases per week comparing predicted to actual values three months later (May-July 2021).

Conclusion

HCW have a sustained 50% higher risk of COVID-19 positivity in the pandemic. Time-series analysis showed a long-memory infection pattern with virus spread mainly among HCWs before the general population. The toolhttp://wdchealth.covid-map.com/shiny/covid-map/will be updated according to population previous infection and vaccination impact.
High vaccine effectiveness against COVID-19 infection and severe disease among residents and staff of long-term care facilities in Norway, November – June 2021
Authors: Starrfelt Jostein , Danielsen Anders S , Kacelnik Oliver , Børseth Anita Wang , Seppälä Elina , Meijerink Hinta
Published: August 2021

COVID-19 has caused high morbidity and mortality in long-term care facilities (LTCFs) worldwide. We estimated vaccine effectiveness (VE) among residents and health care workers (HCWs) in LTCFs using Cox regressions. The VE against SARS-CoV-2 infection was 81.5 (95%CI: 75.3 – 86.1 82.7%) and 81.4% (95%CI: 74.5-86.4%) ≥ 7 days after 2ndvaccine dose among residents and staff respectively. The VE against COVID-19 associated death was 93.1% among residents, no hospitalisations occurred among HCW ≥7 days after 2nddose.
Follow the Money: A Closer Look at US Tobacco Industry Marketing Expenditures
Authors: Levy David T. , Liber Alex , Cadham Christopher J. , María Sánchez-Romero Luz , Hyland Andrew , Cummings K. Michael , Douglas Clifford E. , Meza Rafael , Henriksen Lisa
Published: August 2021

Introduction

While much of the concern with tobacco industry marketing has focused on direct media advertising, a less explored form of marketing strategy is to discount prices. Price discounting is important because it keeps the purchase price low and can undermine the impact of tax increases.

Methods

We examine annual marketing expenditures from 1975 to 2019 by the largest cigarette and smokeless tobacco companies. We consider three categories: direct advertising, promotional allowances, and price discounting. In addition to considering trends in these expenditures, we examine how price discounting expenditures relate to changes in product prices and excise taxes.

Results

US direct advertising expenditures for cigarettes fell from 80% of total industry marketing expenditures in 1975 to less than 3% in 2019, while falling from 39% in 1985 to 6% in 2019 for smokeless tobacco. Price-discounting expenditures for cigarettes became prominent after the Master Settlement Agreement and related tax increases in 2002. By 2019, 87% of cigarette marketing expenditures were for price discounts and 7% for promotional allowances. Smokeless marketing expenditures were similar: 72% for price promotions and 13% for promotional allowances. Price discounting increased with prices and taxes until reaching their currently high levels.

Conclusions

While much attention focuses on direct advertising, other marketing practices, especially price discounting, has received less attention. Local, state and federal policies that use non-tax mechanisms to increase tobacco prices and restrict industry contracts with retailers are needed to offset/disrupt industry marketing expenditures. Further study is needed to better understand industry decisions about marketing expenditures.

Key points

While much of the concern with tobacco industry marketing has focused on direct media advertising, a less explored form of marketing strategy is to discount prices. Price discounting is important because it keeps the purchase price low and can undermine the impact of tax increases, contributing to tobacco initiation and exacerbating socio-economic health disparities.

While cigarette and smokeless tobacco industry direct marketing expenditures have drastically fallen over time, price-discounting expenditures have dramatically increased in line with increases in prices and taxes.

Local, state and federal policies that restrict non-tax mechanisms to increase tobacco prices and restrict industry contracts with retailers are needed to offset/disrupt industry marketing expenditures.
Induction of cross-reactive antibody responses against the RBD domain of the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 by commensal microbiota
Authors: Ninnemann Justus , Budzinski Lisa , Bondareva Marina , Witkowski Mario , Angermair Stefan , Kreye Jakob , Durek Pawel , Reincke S. Momsen , Sánchez-Sendin Elisa , Yilmaz Selin , Sempert Toni , Heinz Gitta Anne , Tizian Caroline , Raftery Martin , Schönrich Günther , Matyushkina Daria , Smirnov Ivan V. , Govorun Vadim M. , Schrezenmeier Eva , Dörner Thomas , Zocche Silvia , Viviano Edoardo , Sehmsdorf Katharina Johanna , Chang Hyun-Dong , Enghard Philipp , Treskatsch Sascha , Radbruch Andreas , Diefenbach Andreas , Prüss Harald , Mashreghi Mir-Farzin , Kruglov Andrey A.
Published: August 2021

The commensal microflora is a source for multiple antigens that may induce cross-reactive antibodies against host proteins and pathogens. However, whether commensal bacteria can induce cross-reactive antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 remains unknown. Here we report that several commensal bacteria contribute to the generation of cross-reactive IgA antibodies against the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of the SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein. We identified SARS-CoV-2 unexposed individuals with RBD-binding IgA antibodies at their mucosal surfaces. Conversely, neutralising monoclonal anti-RBD antibodies recognised distinct commensal bacterial species. Some of these bacteria, such as Streptococcus salivarius, induced a cross-reactive anti-RBD antibodies upon supplementation in mice. Conversely, severely ill COVID-19 patients showed reduction of Streptococcus and Veillonella in their oropharynx and feces and a reduction of anti-RBD IgA at mucosal surfaces. Altogether, distinct microbial species of the human microbiota can induce secretory IgA antibodies cross-reactive for the RBD of SARS-CoV-2.
Impact of a National Immunisation Program on herpes zoster incidence in Australia
Authors: Lin Jialing , Dobbins Timothy , Wood James G , Bernardo Carla , Stocks Nigel P , Liu Bette
Published: August 2021

Objectives

To evaluate the impact of the National Herpes Zoster (zoster) Immunisation Program in Australia on zoster incidence.

Methods

Ecological analysis of zoster incidence related to timing of implementation of the national program in vaccine-targeted (70-79 years) and non-targeted age groups (60-69 and 80-89 years) during January 2013-December 2018 was estimated using interrupted time-series analyses.

Results

Prior to program commencement (Jan 2013 to Oct 2016) in patients aged 60-69, 70-79 and 80-89 years, incidence was mostly stable averaging respectively 7.2, 9.6 and 10.8 per 1000 person-years. In the two years following program commencement, incidence fell steadily in those aged 70-79 years, with an estimated decrease of 2.25 (95% CI: 1.34, 3.17) per 1000 person-years per year, with women having a greater decrease than men (2.83 versus 1.68, p-interaction<0.01). In the two non-vaccine-program-targeted age groups there was no evidence of reduction in zoster incidence: 60-69 years, 0.46 (95% CI: -0.46, 1.38) and 80-89 years, 0.11 (95% CI: -1.64, 1.87).

Conclusions

Two years after implementation, an estimated 7000 zoster cases were prevented through the national program. With known waning vaccine efficacy, continued surveillance is needed to ensure these early reductions in incidence are sustained.
Thermal performance evaluation of a microchannel with different porous media insert configurations
Authors: Moosavi Rouhollah , Banihashemi Mehdi , Lin Cheng-Xian
Published: August 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to numerically investigate the thermal performance evaluation of a microchannel with different porous media insert configurations.

Design/methodology/approach

Heat transfer and pressure drop of fluid flow through a three-dimensional (3D) microchannel with different partially and filled porous media insert configurations are investigated numerically. The number of divisions and positions of porous material inside the microchannel for 12 different arrangements are considered. A control volume method is used for single-phase laminar flow with the Darcy–Forchheimer model used for the porous media. The geometry of the problem consists of a microchannel with a rectangular cross-section of 0.4 mm × 0.2 mm and length 20 mm, with a stainless steel porous material insert with a porosity coefficient of ε = 0.32 and a Darcy number of Da = 2.7 × 10−4.

Findings

Numerical results show that when the transverse arrangement is used, as the number of partitions increases, the thermal performance is improved and the heat transfer increases up to 300% compared to that of the plain microchannel. Comparing the obtained results from the microchannels with transverse and longitudinal configurations, at low Reynolds numbers, the transverse arrangement of porous blocks and at high Reynold numbers, the longitudinal arrangement present the best thermal performance which is virtually four times higher compared to the obtained Nu numbers from the plain microchannel. The results show that as the volume of porous material is constant in the cases with various transverse porous blocks, the pressure drop is not changed in these cases. Also, the highest thermal performance ratio is when the porous material is placed along the walls in a longitudinal direction.

Originality/value

To the best knowledge of the authors, in the previous research, the effect of the arrangement and location of the porous medium in the transverse and longitudinal direction in the microchannel and their effect in different states on the behavior of flow and heat transfer has not been numerically investigated. In this study, the porous media configuration and its placement in a 3D microchannel were numerically studied. The effect of porous material layout and configurations in different longitudinal and transverse directions on the pressure drop, heat transfer and thermal performance in the 3D microchannel is investigated numerically.
New (3+1)-dimensional integrable fourth-order nonlinear equation: lumps and multiple soliton solutions
Authors: Wazwaz Abdul-Majid
Published: August 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to introduce a new (3 + 1)-dimensional fourth-order integrable equation characterized by second-order derivative in time t. The new equation models both right- and left-going waves in a like manner to the Boussinesq equation.

Design/methodology/approach

This formally uses the simplified Hirota’s method and lump schemes for determining multiple soliton solutions and lump solutions, which are rationally localized in all directions in space.

Findings

This paper confirms the complete integrability of the newly developed (3 + 1)-dimensional model in the Painevé sense.

Research limitations/implications

This paper addresses the integrability features of this model via using the Painlevé analysis.

Practical implications

This paper presents a variety of lump solutions via using a variety of numerical values of the included parameters.

Social implications

This work formally furnishes useful algorithms for extending integrable equations and for the determination of lump solutions.

Originality/value

To the best of the author’s knowledge, this paper introduces an original work with newly developed integrable equation and shows useful findings of solitons and lump solutions.
Cyberattacks against the health-care sectors during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Gafni Ruti , Pavel Tal
Published: August 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to analyze the changes in cyberattacks against the health-care sector during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Design/methodology/approach

The changes in cyberattacks of the health-care sector are analyzed by examination of the number and essence of published news concerning cybersecurity attacks on the health-care sector during 2019 and compared them to those published during 2020, based on two main websites, which review such incidents.

Findings

This study found that there was a significant growth in reports of cyberattacks on the health-care sector. Moreover, the number of cyberattacks fit interestingly to the pattern of waves of the disease, which expanded worldwide. During the first wave the number of reports was doubled or even tripled, compared to the same period in 2019, a tendency that was slightly waned afterwards.

Practical implications

This study helps to deepen the awareness of information security implications of a potential global devastating crisis, even in the cybersecurity domain, and on the health-care sector, among various other affected sectors and domains.

Social implications

COVID-19 pandemic created long-term wide-range changes that affect every individual and sector, mainly owing to the shift to remote working model, which impose long-term new cybersecurity changes, among them to the health-care industry.

Originality/value

This paper extends the existing information on implication of remote working model on information security and of the COVID-19 pandemic on the cybersecurity of health-care institutions around the world.
Aged and gendered master narratives on entrepreneurship in Finnish higher education
Authors: Siivonen Päivi Tuulikki , Komulainen Katri , Kasanen Kati , Kupiainen Paula
Published: August 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the construction of master narratives related to age, gender and entrepreneurship in the context of entrepreneurship education (EE) in Finnish higher education (HE). This is important as master narratives create and limit our understanding of entrepreneurship.

Design/methodology/approach

The data comprises 30 student interviews generated in one multidisciplinary Finnish university. The data were analyzed using narrative positioning analysis to examine what kinds of master narratives are (re)constructed in relation to age and entrepreneurship by Finnish university students and how gender intertwines with age in the construction of entrepreneurship.

Findings

Three aged and gendered master narratives were identified: (1) youthful, masculine, startup/growth entrepreneurship; (2) middle-aged feminine, expert entrepreneurship and (3) modest, feminine, senior entrepreneurship. The paper makes visible aged and gendered master narratives and cultural norms related to entrepreneurship in the context of EE and HE. Authors argue that the youthful, masculine startup/growth entrepreneurship is the hegemonic master narrative in the context of EE in Finnish HE. Femininity is mostly excluded from this master narrative.

Originality/value

The paper contributes to critical literature on entrepreneurship as an aged as well as gendered phenomenon in the context of EE and HE. So far research on entrepreneurship as an aged and gendered phenomenon in EE and in the context of HE has been virtually non-existent. Moreover, the theoretical and methodological focus on master narratives in entrepreneurship and EE literature is novel. The master narratives identified in the study show that HE students are not addressed equally in relation to entrepreneurship, but aged and gendered hierarchies are sustained.
The influence of design-related features on houses time-on-market: a statistical analysis
Authors: BuHamdan Samer , Minayhashemi Seyedmohammadamin , Alwisy Aladdin , Bouferguene Ahmed
Published: August 2021

Purpose

Researchers have not widely explored design-based factors that govern buildings’ physical properties and human–building interactions. This paper aims to understand the influence of design-related factors on the time-on-market (TOM) of listed houses and, consequently, study the effect of design features on the desirability of a given house.

Design/methodology/approach

This research analyzes a dataset of listed houses, provided by the REALTORS® Association of Edmonton (RAE) and covers a period extending from January 2009 to August 2019, using Cox proportional-hazards regression model to identify building features that influence people purchasing decisions.

Findings

The research findings affirm the statistical insignificance of the price on the TOM compared to other design features, such as the construction method, the installed mechanical systems and cladding materials.

Research limitations/implications

The data used in the analysis comes from a single North American region, i.e. Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Also, the data provided by the RAE includes only records that involve a realtor.

Practical implications

The observations of the research presented in this paper influence the housing market players’ decisions about housing designs, mainly those concerned with building new residential dwellings such as speculative builders and designers.

Originality/value

The research novelty stems from two aspects: the medium used for analysis, i.e. Cox proportional-hazards regression model, which allows considering the listed-but-not-sold units and helps to eliminate the survivorship bias that leads to over-optimistic outcomes; and the assessment of design-related features which allows to understand people’s preferences in design alternatives.
(Design) thinking out loud: adolescents’ design talk in a library makerspace tabletop game design camp
Authors: Kessner Taylor M. , Parekh Priyanka , Aguliera Earl , Pérez Cortés Luis E. , Tran Kelly M. , Siyahhan Sinem , Gee Elisabeth R.
Published: August 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to explore how making tabletop board games elicited adolescents’ design thinking during their participation in a summer game design camp at their local library.

Design/methodology/approach

This study leverages qualitative approaches to coding transcripts of participants’ talk. This study uses the design thinking framework from the Hasso-Plattner Institute of Design at Stanford University as provisional codes to identify and make sense of participants’ verbalized design activity.

Findings

This study found that the making context of designing tabletop board games elicited a high frequency of design talk in participants, evidenced by both quantitative and qualitative reports of the data. Additionally, participants in large measure obviated constraints on their design activity imposed by linear conceptions of the design thinking model this study introduces, instead of moving fluidly across design modes. Finally, participants’ prior experiences in both life and in regard to games significantly influenced their design study.

Originality/value

This study highlights the unique affordances of making-centric approaches to designing tabletop games in particular, such as participants’ quick and sustained engagement in the study of design. This study also highlights the need for conceptions of design thinking specific to designing games.
Can organizations guide employees' social media behavior? The benefits of incentive rather than restrictive social media guidelines
Authors: Soens Ellen , Claeys An-Sofie
Published: August 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the effectiveness of social media guidelines (SMGs), as well as their impact on control mutuality, a sub-dimension of the organization–employee relationship (OER). A total of two studies compare guidelines with a focus that is either predominantly incentive or restrictive. In addition, they investigate the moderating effect of guideline writing style and enforcement.

Design/methodology/approach

In total, two online experiments were conducted among Belgian employees. Participants read a social media policy manipulated in terms of focus (restrictive vs incentive) and style (conversational vs corporate; Study 1) or enforcement (signature requested vs not requested; Study 2).

Findings

Incentive guidelines increase employee branding behavior more than their restrictive counterparts, while also safeguarding employees' perceived control mutuality. However, solid SMGs will not compensate for an organization's bad reputation among employees. The guidelines' style and manner of enforcement did not seem to matter.

Practical implications

Communication executives can use our findings to draft SMGs in a way that increases opportunities (e.g. ambassadorship) and reduces risks (e.g. criticism) associated with employee social media use.

Originality/value

Prior research on SMGs is predominantly descriptive and focused on the organizational perspective. This research paper contributes to both theory and practice by studying the causal impact of these guidelines on employees.
Socioemotional wealth (SEW) as the driver of business performance in family businesses in Bosnia and Herzegovina: the mediating role of transformational leadership
Authors: Palalić Ramo , Smajić Hamza
Published: August 2021

Purpose

The aim of this study is to investigate a mediation role of leadership over business performance and socioemotional wealth, within two Bosnian family businesses. This research purpose brings interesting highlights regarding how family businesses embedded the role of leadership that it might have a tremendous influence on business performance while tuning the socioemotional wealth.

Design/methodology/approach

This study is based on qualitative research methodology. The sample is collected based on a purposive sampling method as in most qualitative studies. As the instrument for data collection is concerned, in-person-semi-structured interview has been employed with the owner-manager of each particular-family firm. Thus, two case studies were conducted and analyzed.

Findings

The research contributes both to the theory and the practice. From the theoretical perspective, it contributes to the theoretical knowledge of leadership as an important role in relationship between the socioemotional wealth and business performance. The practical contribution of this research could be summed up in the sense that business owners should seek to employ positive leadership vibes to create a good socioemotional wealth so that would be positively reflected in overall business performance of a family business. Other findings are further discussed.

Originality/value

Scarce empirical research offers mixed results while theoretical propositions that organizational governance (leadership) plays an important role in this relationship, is somehow neglected. Hence, this is the first empirical study on this particular that investigates this topic in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), even in the Balkan region.
Understanding student learning pathways in traditional online history courses: utilizing process mining analysis on clickstream data
Authors: Crosslin Matt , Breuer Kimberly , Milikić Nikola , Dellinger Justin T.
Published: August 2021

Purpose

This study explores ongoing research into self-mapped learning pathways that students utilize to move through a course when given two modalities to choose from: one that is instructor-led and one that is student-directed.

Design/methodology/approach

Process mining analysis was utilized to examine and cluster clickstream data from an online college-level History course designed with dual modality choices. This paper examines some of the results from different approaches to clustering the available data.

Findings

By examining how often students interacted with others, whether they were more internal or external facing with their pathway choices, and whether or not they completed a learning pathway, this study identified five general tactics from the data: Individualistic Internal; Non-completing Internal; Completing, Interactive Internal; Completing, Interactive, and Reflective and Completing External. Further analysis of when students used each tactic led to the identification of four different strategies that learners utilized during class sessions.

Practical implications

The results of this analysis could potentially lead to the creation of customizable design models that can assist learners as they navigate modality choices in learner-centered or less-structured learning design methodologies.

Originality/value

Few courses are designed to give the learners the options to follow the instructor or create their own learning pathway. Knowing how to identify what choices a learner might take in these scenarios is even less explored. Preliminary data for this paper was originally presented as a poster session at the Learning Analytics and Knowledge conference in 2019.
Industry life cycle, geographic diversification and performance of international new ventures
Authors: Pangarkar Nitin , Yuan Lin
Published: August 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine how geographic diversification affects the performance of international new ventures.

Design/methodology/approach

This study develops hypotheses about the individual and joint effects of geographic diversification and industry life cycle on the performance of international new ventures. This paper also introduces industry technology characteristics as a contingent factor for the above relationships and tests the hypotheses on a large panel data set.

Findings

Based on the analyses of the strategies and performance of 699 listed Chinese international new ventures between 1991 and 2014, this study finds that the impact of geographic diversification on performance is contingent on the stage of the industry life cycle and that the moderating effect differs across high-technology and low-technology industries. The results suggest that it is fruitful for international new ventures in high-technology industries to undertake geographic diversification in earlier stages of the industry life cycle, but international new ventures in low-technology industries are better off undertaking geographic diversification during the later stages of the industry life cycle.

Originality/value

The study contributes to the literature on international entrepreneurship by identifying the industry life cycle conditions under which the learning advantages of international new ventures are effective and facilitate the achievement of better performance. This paper also shows that industry technology type matters for geographic diversification strategies of international new ventures.
Strategies for the identification and sensory evaluation of volatile constituents in wine
Authors: Chen Liang , Darriet Philippe
Published: August 2021

Wine aroma, which stems from complex perceptual and cognitive processes, is initially driven by a multitude of naturally occurring volatile constituents. Its interpretation depends on the characterization of relevant volatile constituents. With large numbers of volatile constituents already identified, the search for unknown volatiles in wine has become increasingly challenging. However, the opportunities to discover unknown volatile compounds contributing to the wine volatilome are still of great interest, as demonstrated by the recent identification of highly odorous trace (µg/L) to ultra‐trace (ng/L) volatile compounds in wine. This review provides an overview of both existing strategies and future directions on identifying unknown volatile constituents in wine. Chemical identification, including sample extraction, fractionation, gas chromatography, olfactometry, and mass spectrometry, is comprehensively covered. In addition, this review also focuses on aspects related to sensory‐guided wine selection, authentic reference standards, artifacts and interferences, and the evaluation of the sensory significance of discovered wine volatiles. Powerful key volatile odorants present at ultra‐trace levels, for which these analytical approaches have been successfully applied, are discussed. Research areas where novel wine volatiles are likely to be identified are pointed out. The importance of perceptual interaction phenomena is emphasized. Finally, future avenues for the exploration of yet unknown wine volatiles by coupling analytical approaches and sensory evaluation are suggested.
Impact of lockdowns on critical care service demand in a metropolitan hospital in Melbourne, Australia
Authors: Tan Sing Chee , Cross Anthony , Ghosh Angajendra
Published: August 2021

Objective

There is a growing recognition of the impact of lockdowns on non‐COVID‐19 demand for critical care services. While a reduction in demand has been postulated, there remains a paucity of quantitative data on the extent and nature of this reduction. The present study aims to quantify the impact of lockdown on critical care services, namely ED, intensive care unit (ICU), medical emergency team (MET) and emergency theatre (ET) demand, during the lockdown in Victoria, Australia.

Methods

This is a single‐centred, retrospective observational study on critical service demand, comparing activity levels during the lockdown (31 March to 27 October 2020) with the matched time period from 1 year prior.

Results

There was a reduction in presentations to ED (27.2%), MET calls (27.4%), ICU patient episodes (14.5%) and ET bookings (5.8%). There was an unexpected increase in ICU admissions for metabolic diagnoses, comprising drug overdoses and diabetic ketoacidosis, and a reduction in respiratory ICU admissions. There was a reduction across all ED triage categories, which included triage 1 and 2 patients, indicating a reduction even in life‐threatening and emergency presentations.

Conclusion

Lockdowns lead to a significant reduction in ICU, MET call and ED demand, and to a lesser extent ET demand. This pattern should be considered in surge capacity and workforce redeployment planning. There are also impacts on public health epidemiology, with potential adverse consequences on mental health and chronic disease management. Further research on the impact of lockdowns on long‐term disease outcomes is needed.
Weight management interventions that include dietary components for young people with chronic health care needs: A systematic review
Authors: Billich Natassja , Maugeri Isabella , Calligaro Lara , Truby Helen , Davidson Zoe E.
Published: August 2021

Aims

To identify and describe weight management interventions that include a dietary component for young people with chronic healthcare needs and overweight or obesity and their effect on body mass index (BMI) or weight.

Methods

Six databases were searched in 2017 and 2020 for experimental studies in English: Ovid MEDLINE, Ovid Embase, Ovid AMED, EBSCO CINAHL, Scopus and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and Database of Systematic Reviews. Two independent reviewers conducted data extraction and quality assessment using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool. Eligible studies included young people with chronic healthcare needs ≤18 years with overweight or obesity with an intervention that included a dietary component. Eligible outcomes were BMI or weight. Data were synthesised narratively.

Results

The search identified 15 293 references, 12 studies were included (randomised controlled trials n = 5, before‐after comparisons n = 7). Participant diagnoses were neurodevelopmental disabilities (n = 5) and mental illness (n = 1); survivors of cancers or tumours (n = 4); congenital heart disease (n = 1) and; migraine (n = 1). No studies addressed weight management in physical disabilities. Eight studies demonstrated a significant reduction in BMI or weight. Of these, most interventions used dietary counselling or an energy deficit, were family‐focused, multicomponent and delivered by a multidisciplinary team including dietitians. A high risk of bias was detected across studies.

Conclusions

There is limited high‐quality evidence about effective dietary solutions for the management of overweight and obesity for young people with chronic healthcare needs. While more research is required, dietary management appears to be important to manage weight in these populations.
Autonomous algorithmic collusion: Q‐learning under sequential pricing
Authors: Klein Timo
Published: August 2021

Prices are increasingly set by algorithms. One concern is that intelligent algorithms may learn to collude on higher prices even in the absence of the kind of coordination necessary to establish an antitrust infringement. However, exactly how this may happen is an open question. I show how in simulated sequential competition, competing reinforcement learning algorithms can indeed learn to converge to collusive equilibria when the set of discrete prices is limited. When this set increases, the algorithm considered increasingly converges to supra‐competitive asymmetric cycles. I show that results are robust to various extensions and discuss practical limitations and policy implications.
Multifaceted intervention including Facebook‐groups to improve guideline‐adherence in ICU: A quasi‐experimental interrupted time series study
Authors: Petosic Antonija , Småstuen Milada C. , Beeckman Dimitri , Flaatten Hans , Sunde Kjetil , Wøien Hilde
Published: August 2021

Background

The impact of social media, with its speed, reach and accessibility, in interventions aimed to improve adherence to guidelines such as assessment of Pain, Agitation/Sedation and Delirium (PAD) in intensive care is not described. Therefore, the primary objective of this quality improvement study was to evaluate the impact of a multifaceted intervention including audit and feedback of quality indicators (QI) via Facebook‐groups, educational events and engagement of opinion leaders on adherence to PAD‐guidelines in four ICUs.

Methods

A quasi‐experimental interrupted time series study with eight monthly data points in the two phases Before and Intervention was designed. Proportion of nursing shifts with documented PAD‐assessment (PAD‐QIs) were retrieved from the electronical medical chart from included adult ICU patient‐stays in four participating ICUs. Difference between the two time periods was assessed using generalised mixed model for repeated measures with unstructured covariance matrix, and presented as Beta (B) with 95% confidence interval (CI).

Results

Finally, 1049 ICU patient‐stays were analysed; 534 in Before and 515 in Intervention. All three PAD‐QIs significantly increased in Intervention by 31% (B = 30.7, 95%CI [25.7 to 35.8]), 26% (B = 25.8, 95%CI [19.4 to 32.2]) and 34% (B = 33.9, 95%CI [28.4 to 39.4]) in pain, agitation/sedation and delirium, respectively.

Conclusion

A multifaceted intervention including use of Facebook‐groups was associated with improved guideline‐adherence in four ICUs, as measured with process PAD‐QIs of PAD assessment. Further research on use of social media to improve guideline adherence is warranted, particularly as social distancing impacts clinical education and training and new approaches are needed.
Efficacy of partial injection underwater endoscopic mucosal resection for superficial duodenal epithelial tumor: Propensity score‐matched study (with video)
Authors: Takatori Yusaku , Kato Motohiko , Masunaga Teppei , Kubosawa Yoko , Mizutani Mari , Kiguchi Yoshiyuki , Matsuura Noriko , Nakayama Atsushi , Yahagi Naohisa
Published: August 2021

Background and aim

Underwater endoscopic mucosal resection (UEMR) has been reported as effective endoscopic treatment for superficial duodenal epithelial tumors (SDETs). However, it has been reported that a notable problem of UEMR for SDETs is that en bloc resection rate is relatively low. Therefore, we proposed a novel technique to improve en bloc resection rate: UEMR combining partial submucosal injection (PI‐UEMR). The aim of this study is to evaluate efficacy and safety of PI‐UEMR for SDETs by comparing to UEMR.

Methods

This is a retrospective observational study in a single center. The patients who underwent UEMR or PI‐UEMR from June 2010 to August 2020 were included in this study. Eligible patients were selected from included patients in a 1:1 ratio using propensity score matching. The clinical outcomes of endoscopic resection (procedure time, en bloc resection rate, complication rate [immediate perforation, delayed bleeding, delayed perforation]), and histopathological diagnosis (adenoma/cancer) were compared between each group.

Results

Two hundred and twenty‐eight patients were included in this study. Of included patients, 47 patients were selected in each group by propensity score matching. There were no statistical differences in procedure time (11 ± 1.2 min vs. 9 ± 1.2 min, P = 0.30), complication rate (immediate perforation [0% vs. 2%, P = 0.12], delayed bleeding [0% vs. 2%, P = 0.12], and no delayed perforation) and histopathological diagnosis (adenoma; 100% vs. 96%, P = 0.14) in each group. However, en bloc resection rate of PI‐UEMR was significantly higher than UEMR (96% vs. 83%, P < 0.05).

Conclusion

Partial submucosal injection UEMR might be superior procedure for en bloc resection in SDETs compare to UEMR.
Historically Underrepresented Graduate Students' Experiences During theCOVID‐19 Pandemic
Authors: Walsh Bridget A. , Woodliff Tricia A. , Lucero Julie , Harvey Sheena , Burnham Melissa M. , Bowser Teysha L. , Aguirre Matthew , Zeh David W.
Published: August 2021

Objective

The purpose of this study was to understand the experiences of historically underrepresented graduate students, more than half of whom were enrolled in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines, during the COVID‐19 pandemic. This focus group study represents an initial stage in developing an intervention for historically underrepresented graduate students and their families.

Background

Underrepresentation of graduate students of color in STEM has been attributed to a myriad of factors, including a lack of support systems. Familial support is an endorsed reason for persisting in graduate school. It is unclear what historically underrepresented graduate students' experiences are during uncertain times, such as a pandemic.

Method

Focus groups were conducted online using a videoconferencing platform during the COVID‐19 pandemic. Five focus groups included: historically underrepresented doctoral students (n = 5), historically underrepresented master's students (n = 6), academic faculty (n = 7), administrator, administrative faculty, and academic faculty (n = 6), and families of historically underrepresented doctoral students (n = 6). Data were analyzed using thematic analysis.

Results

Historically underrepresented graduate students experienced difficulties in accessing resources, adjustments to home and family life, amplification of existing nonfinancial issues, and expressed both fears of and hopes for the future.

Conclusion

The COVID‐19 pandemic exacerbated existing inequalities in access to resources as well as nonfinancial family support.

Implications

This study may help normalize historically underrepresented graduate students' experiences during the COVID‐19 pandemic. The findings include ideas for informing families about graduate school that can enlighten family support efforts for historically underrepresented graduate students and their families.
Reflections from the COVID‐19 pandemic on inequalities and patient and public involvement and engagement (PPIE) in social care, health and public health research
Authors: Clark Michael , van Vliet Esther , Collins Michelle
Published: August 2021

Patient and public involvement and engagement (PPIE) has evolved to become widely established practice in social care, health and public health research in the UK. The COVID‐19 pandemic has caused rapid change in practice in PPIE, notably in moving from face‐to‐face meetings to virtual ones. This has opened a space for reflecting on established PPIE practice, but there is a risk this is conducted too narrowly, such as only weighing our preferences and the relative pros and cons with regard to in‐person versus virtual meetings. The pandemic has also demonstrated the wide inequalities in society, and hence, we argue that an inequalities lens ought to guide a deeper and wider reflection on PPIE practice. We do not seek to criticize practice pre‐ or during the pandemic, but to encourage using the inequalities lens as a means of encouraging debate and focusing energy on a more rigorous review of PPIE practice to widen involvement in social care, health and public health research.