bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Understanding electricity nightmare and health implications among slum dwellers in Ghana
Authors: Nkrumah Agyabeng Anthony , Ahwireng Patience Obeng , Bawole Justice Nyigmah , Mickson Michael Kwame , Ahenkan Albert
Published: January 2022

Purpose

The purpose of the study was to examine the electricity challenges confronting slums in order to understand the health implications thereof.

Design/methodology/approach

The study utilized purposive sampling techniques supported by the convenience sampling method within the context of qualitative research to select 30 interviewees of varying demographics for in-depth interviews.

Findings

The findings revealed that slums faced various forms of challenges that are attributable to lack of government support, stringent procedures and financial hardship, among others. The study also found that a lack of health education in the slums has resulted in health problems, such as skin diseases, stomach aches, cholera, typhoid and childbirth complications.

Research limitations/implications

The outcome of this study cannot be generalized to represent the whole population of slums within context due to the qualitative approach.

Practical implications

The study advanced the frontiers of slum literature to understand contextual issues that are important to policymakers and practitioners.

Originality/value

This study revealed a country-specific understanding of the challenges confronting slum dwellers in accessing electricity through the perspective of the two-factor theory of motivation.
Using AI and ML to predict shipment times of therapeutics, diagnostics and vaccines in e-pharmacy supply chains during COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Mariappan Mahesh Babu , Devi Kanniga , Venkataraman Yegnanarayanan , Lim Ming K. , Theivendren Panneerselvam
Published: January 2022

Purpose

This paper aims to address the pressing problem of prediction concerning shipment times of therapeutics, diagnostics and vaccines during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic using a novel artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) approach.

Design/methodology/approach

The present study used organic real-world therapeutic supplies data of over 3 million shipments collected during the COVID-19 pandemic through a large real-world e-pharmacy. The researchers built various ML multiclass classification models, namely, random forest (RF), extra trees (XRT), decision tree (DT), multilayer perceptron (MLP), XGBoost (XGB), CatBoost (CB), linear stochastic gradient descent (SGD) and the linear Naïve Bayes (NB) and trained them on striped datasets of (source, destination, shipper) triplets. The study stacked the base models and built stacked meta-models. Subsequently, the researchers built a model zoo with a combination of the base models and stacked meta-models trained on these striped datasets. The study used 10-fold cross-validation (CV) for performance evaluation.

Findings

The findings reveal that the turn-around-time provided by therapeutic supply logistics providers is only 62.91% accurate when compared to reality. In contrast, the solution provided in this study is up to 93.5% accurate compared to reality, resulting in up to 48.62% improvement, with a clear trend of more historic data and better performance growing each week.

Research limitations/implications

The implication of the study has shown the efficacy of ML model zoo with a combination of base models and stacked meta-models trained on striped datasets of (source, destination and shipper) triplets for predicting the shipment times of therapeutics, diagnostics and vaccines in the e-pharmacy supply chain.

Originality/value

The novelty of the study is on the real-world e-pharmacy supply chain under post-COVID-19 lockdown conditions and has come up with a novel ML ensemble stacking based model zoo to make predictions on the shipment times of therapeutics. Through this work, it is assumed that there will be greater adoption of AI and ML techniques in shipment time prediction of therapeutics in the logistics industry in the pandemic situations.
Assessing the impact of supply chain agility on operational performances-a PLS-SEM approach
Authors: Panigrahi Rashmi Ranjan , Jena Duryodhan , Meher Jamini Ranjan , Shrivastava Avinash K.
Published: January 2022

Purpose

This study aims to examine the effect of supply chain agility (SCA) on operational performance (OP) measurements of steel manufacturing firms. It also investigates the role of cost efficiencies concerning enhance OPs.

Design/methodology/approach

The study is based on an experimental research design by collecting data from responses 398 responses of key officials of India’s steel manufacturing firms. Analyses are carried to explore this modern concept with the help of Smart-partial least square (PLS) version 3.3.2 with confirmatory factor analysis and PLS structural equational modelling.

Findings

SCA factor (SCAF) directly has influenced the firm’s OP. It also represents cost efficiencies that have partial mediation between the SCAF and OP. The impact of cost efficiencies on OPs is strongly significant as compared to the impact of SCAF on cost efficiencies.

Practical implications

Management teams in the manufacturing industry should stress the role of SCA as a comprehensive concept in responding to market needs in a volatile environment. SCA reflects one of its winning strategies in today’s dynamic and competitive world. Managers must thoroughly know the ramifications of agility to develop a mechanism for determining the procedures and identifying inequality in SC operation.

Originality/value

This study speaks explicitly about the linkage between SCAF, OP, CE. It is an addition to the existing theories of RBV. Enhancements in OP measurements, specifically performance and flexibility, will lead to better firm performance. study conceptualizing the complementing effects of SCA (IS capability) and OPs and second cost efficiencies play positive partial mediating effect in between the link. The achievement of SC agile is especially a critical approach to Boost customer satisfaction and differentiate market position.
Analysis of the color properties of papers subjected to different recycling numbers in electrophotographic (toner) printing
Authors: Yılmaz Ufuk
Published: January 2022

Purpose

In this present study, electrophotographic printing is made on papers which are subjected to different recycling numbers, and this paper aims to examine the colour changes of this printing type.

Design/methodology/approach

Four-colour electrophotographic printing is carried out on adhering to the INGEDE 11p standard recycled papers four times under the same conditions. Colour measurements are made by means of electrophotographic printed colour scales printed on these recycled papers. Colour measurements are made with the X-Rite eXact spectrophotometer according to the ISO 13655:2017 standard. As a result of colour measurements, colour differences (ΔL′, ΔH′, ΔC′, ΔE00) of recycled papers are determined using some formulas.

Findings

According to the values obtained after four recycling, the highest ΔL′ value is found to be 4.80 yellow and the lowest 1.92 black. Again, according to the measurement results, it is determined that the highest ΔE00 is yellow colour with a value of 5.66, and lowest ΔE00 is black colour with a value of 1.98. In ΔH′, black colour is the highest value of 12.61, the lowest value with −2.05 is obtained in magenta colour. It was observed that the highest ΔC′ value is 2.98 in yellow, and the lowest value is −0.28 in black.

Originality/value

In the printing industry, sometimes customers want to monitor the colour differences in the printing by taking the L′a′b′ obtained values as a result of printing from the printing houses. If the colour differences exceed the tolerance values, then they can interfere with the printing. As a result of the calculations, colour changes in electrophotographic printing are observed with many parameters. This study can be a pioneer for the studies that can be done on this subject.
Feedforward control to suppress the leading edge bulge in photopolymerization-based additive manufacturing
Authors: Kozhevnikov Andrey , Kunnen Rudie P.J. , van Baars Gregor E. , Clercx Herman J.H.
Published: January 2022

Purpose

This study aims to examine the feasibility of feedforward actuation of the recoater blade position to alleviate the resin surface non-uniformity while moving over deep-to-shallow transitions of submerged (already cured) geometric features.

Design/methodology/approach

A two-dimensional computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model has been used to determine optimized blade actuation protocols to minimize the resin surface non-uniformity. An experimental setup has been designed to validate the feasibility of the proposed protocol in practice.

Findings

A developed protocol for the blade height actuation is applied to a rectangular stair-like configuration of the underlying part geometry. The evaluation of the actuation protocol revealed the importance of two physical length scales, the capillary length and the size of the flow recirculation cell below in the liquid resin layer below the blade. They determine, together with the length scales defining the topography (horizontal extent and depth), the optimal blade trajectory. This protocol has also shown its efficiency for application to more complicated shapes (and, potentially, for any arbitrary geometry).

Practical implications

This study shows that incorporation of a feedforward control scheme in the recoating system might significantly reduce (by up to 80%) the surface unevenness. Moreover, this improvement of performances does not require major modifications of the existing architecture.

Originality/value

The results presented in this work demonstrate the benefits of the integration of the feedforward control to minimize the leading edge bulges over underlying part geometries in stereolithography.
AQP5 pathogenic variants induce palmoplantar keratoderma Bothnia type in two Chinese families
Authors: Wang Yumeng , Wang Jianbo , Li Yue , Pan Chaolan , Zhou Wange , Cao Qiaoyu , Yao Zhirong , Han Jianwen , Li Ming
Published: January 2022

Palmoplantar keratoderma Bothnia type (PPKB) is caused by AQP5 pathogenic variants. The mechanisms of this disease and the genotype–phenotype correlation are still not fully understood. We report two pedigrees with PPKB caused by a recurrent variant c.367A>T and a novel variant c.530T>A in the AQP5 gene, respectively. We also summarize the cases with AQP5 variants identified, and found that there seemed to be no significant genotype–phenotype correlation of this disease. Moreover, we noticed that the epidermis of the patient had strong proliferation and immature differentiation potential as well as recognizing the possible important role of TRPV4 in the pathogenesis of PPKB.
Specificity and genetic polymorphism in the Vfm quorum sensing system of plant pathogenic bacteria of the genus Dickeya
Authors: Hugouvieux‐Cotte‐Pattat Nicole , Royer Monique , Gueguen Erwan , Le Guen Paul , Süssmuth Roderich D. , Reverchon Sylvie , Cociancich Stéphane
Published: January 2022

The Vfm quorum sensing (QS) system is preponderant for the virulence of different species of the bacterial genus Dickeya. The vfm gene cluster encodes 26 genes involved in the production, sensing or transduction of the QS signal. To date, the Vfm QS signal has escaped detection by analytical chemistry methods. However, we report here a strain‐specific polymorphism in the biosynthesis genes vfmO and vfmP, which is predicted to be related to the production of different analogues of the QS signal. Consequently, the Vfm communication could be impossible between strains possessing different variants of the genes vfmO/P. We constructed three Vfm QS biosensor strains possessing different vfmO/P variants and compared these biosensors for their responses to samples prepared from 34 Dickeya strains possessing different vfmO/P variants. A pattern of specificity was demonstrated, providing evidence that the polymorphism in the genes vfmO/P determines the biosynthesis of different analogues of the QS signal. Unexpectedly, this vfmO/P‐dependent pattern of specificity is linked to a polymorphism in the ABC transporter gene vfmG, suggesting an adaptation of the putative permease VfmG to specifically bind different analogues of the QS signal. Accordingly, we discuss the possible involvement of VfmG as co‐sensor of the Vfm two‐component regulatory system.
Improving learning outcomes in francophone Africa: More resources or improved efficiency?
Authors: Miningou Élisé Wendlassida , Pierre‐Louis Medjy , Bernard Jean‐Marc
Published: January 2022

The lack of resources is often highlighted as the most important correlate of poor learning outcomes in developing countries. However, increasing school resources may not necessarily drive better learning if resources are not properly translated into learning outcomes. This paper investigates the efficient utilization of school resources to promote learning. It tries to better understand the extent to which efficiency plays a role in the relationship between school resources and learning outcomes. Applying the Data Envelopment Analysis methodology, an efficiency analysis is performed using the PASEC 2014 learning assessment that covers 10 francophone West and Central African countries. The results show that the efficiency of school resource utilization varies across countries and across schools within the same countries. The relationship between some of the key elements of school resources and learning is weak in the least efficient schools. This suggests that resources allocated to the least efficient schools should consider first addressing inefficiency issues. While efficiency drivers may vary depending on the country's specific contexts, findings show that student absenteeism, community engagement in school management, teaching time and school environment seem to play a role in school efficiency.
Perfect versus possible: Kingdon's multiple streams analysis, politics and the National Disability Insurance Scheme
Authors: Perks Ben , Gilchrist David J.
Published: January 2022

As the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) moves towards full rollout, it is timely to describe the nature of the policy framework and environment driving outcomes in order to better respond to commentary and learnings. To do this, this paper assesses Kingdon's Multiple Streams Approach as an explanatory model which will allow us to untangle the spaghetti of competing interests, issues and drivers of policy. Notwithstanding observed limitations, the paper finds that the potential for a policy window provides a powerful guide for actors to organise, as well as a mechanism for compromise. Further, the model suggests that key political drivers dominated the emergence and development of the NDIS and have thus shaped its current state.
A multimodal approach to reducing post‐caesarean opioid use: a quality improvement initiative
Authors: Llarena Natalia C. , Krivanek Kevin , Yao Meng , Kim Daniel D. , Devarajan Jagan , Ayad Sabry , Chiang Eric
Published: January 2022

Objective

To evaluate the impact of a QI initiative to reduce post‐caesarean opioid use.

Design

Retrospective cohort study.

Setting

Academic hospital in the USA.

Population

Women over 18 years undergoing caesarean section.

Methods

A quality improvement (QI) initiative titled Reduced Option for Opioid Therapy (ROOT) was implemented in women undergoing caesarean section. The intervention included implementation of a postpartum order set maximising the use of scheduled NSAIDs and acetaminophen. Additionally, nursing education promoted non‐opioid therapy as first‐line, with opioids reserved for breakthrough pain. Performance feedback was provided to nursing staff on a bimonthly basis. Post‐caesarean opioid use was reviewed in the 6 months before and after implementation of ROOT.

Main outcome measures

The primary outcome was the total morphine milligram equivalents (MME) consumed during the postpartum admission. Secondary outcomes included opioid use per postoperative day, the proportion of opioid‐free admissions, the percentage of patients discharged with a prescription for opioids, prescription size, and pain scores.

Results

Following implementation of ROOT, median inpatient opioid use decreased by more than 60%, from 75 to 30 MME per admission (P < 0.001). The proportion of opioid‐free admissions increased from 12.6% pre‐intervention to 30.7% post‐intervention (P < 0.001). Additionally, the median opioid dose prescribed at discharge decreased in the post‐intervention cohort, and the proportion of patients discharged without an opioid prescription increased. The reduction in opioids was associated with a slight decrease in patient‐reported pain scores.

Conclusions

Implementation of ROOT significantly reduced opioid use while achieving comparable pain control.

Tweetable abstract

Nursing education, and use of an order set prioritising non‐opioid analgesics reduces post‐caesarean opioid use.
Serum PlGF compared with PAPP‐A in first trimester screening for preterm pre‐eclampsia: Adjusting for the effect of aspirin treatment
Authors: Wright David , Tan Min Yi , O'Gorman Neil , Syngelaki Argyro , Nicolaides Kypros H.
Published: January 2022

Objective

To compare the predictive performance for preterm‐pre‐eclampsia (PE) in first‐trimester screening by serum placental growth factor (PlGF) versus pregnancy associated plasma protein‐A (PAPP‐A), in combination with maternal risk factors, mean arterial pressure (MAP) and uterine artery pulsatility index (UtA‐PI), after adjustment for the effect of aspirin in women receiving this treatment.

Design

Non‐intervention multicentre screening studies for PE in singleton pregnancies.

Setting

Maternity hospitals.

Population

Two independent prospective studies of 8775 and 16 451 women with singleton pregnancies attending for routine assessment at 11+0–13+6 weeks' gestation.

Methods

The competing risks model was used to estimate patient‐specific risks of delivery with PE at <37 weeks' gestation based on maternal risk factors and combinations with MAP, UtA‐PI and either PlGF or PAPP‐A. McNemar's test was used to compare the detection rate (DR) of preterm‐PE of screening utilising PlGF versus PAPP‐A, after adjustments for the effects of aspirin.

Main outcome measure

Predictive performance for preterm‐PE.

Results

In the combined data of 25 226 women, including 678 (2.7%) who developed PE, there were 194(0.8%) with preterm‐PE. Addition of PlGF improved the DR of preterm‐PE, at 10% screen positive rate, by 18.4% (95% CI 12.2–24.6) in screening by maternal risk factors, by 19.9% (95% CI 13.6–26.2) in screening by maternal factors and MAP, and by 7.0% (95% CI 2.3–11.6) in screening by maternal factors, MAP and UtA‐PI. PAPP‐A did not significantly improve the DR provided by any combination of biomarkers.

Conclusion

The predictive performance of first trimester PlGF for preterm‐PE is superior to that of PAPP‐A.
Do citizens care about government debt? Evidence from survey experiments on budgetary priorities
Authors: BREMER BJÖRN , BÜRGISSER RETO
Published: January 2022

Ever since the Great Recession, public debt has become politicised. Some research suggests that citizens are fiscally conservative, while other research shows that they punish governments for implementing fiscal consolidation. This begs the question of whether and how much citizens care about debt. We argue that debt is not a priority for citizens because reducing it involves spending and tax trade‐offs. Using a split‐sample experiment and a conjoint experiment in four European countries, we show that fiscal consolidation at the cost of spending cuts or taxes hikes is less popular than commonly assumed. Revenue‐based consolidation is especially unpopular, but expenditure‐based consolidation is also contested. Moreover, the public has clear fiscal policy priorities: People do not favour lower debt and taxes, but they support higher progressive taxes to pay for more government spending. The article furthers our understanding of public opinion on fiscal policies and the likely political consequences of austerity.
The effect of the Seattle Police‐Free CHOP zone on crime: A microsynthetic control evaluation
Authors: Piza Eric L. , Connealy Nathan T.
Published: January 2022

Research Summary

Nightly confrontations occurred between protestors and officers outside of the Seattle Police Department's (SPD's) East precinct in the aftermath of George Floyd's murder. On June 8, 2020, the SPD abandoned the East precinct in an attempt to calm the situation. Following closure of the precinct, the Capitol Hill Occupation Protest (CHOP) took hold in the surrounding 6‐block area. The CHOP occupation lasted until July 1, 2020. Over this time period, CHOP operated as an autonomous zone, with police officers not patrolling and generally not responding to calls for police service within the area. We used the microsynthetic control group method to analyze the effect of CHOP on crime during the 24‐day occupation. Results indicate crime significantly increased in the CHOP zone, the encompassing two‐block area, and the overall East precinct service area.

Policy Implications

The current study found comparatively stronger effects than the general literature on depolicing. The significant crime increase is particularly noteworthy given the short time frame of the CHOP occupation and retreat of police from the area theoretically making it more challenging for crimes to be reported by citizens and/or proactively discovered by officers. This suggests that police abolition, the most extreme form of the police defunding movement, may significantly compromise public safety. Moving forward, a prudent policy solution may be to simultaneously support the evidence‐based crime prevention work of police and community‐based institutions. Such an approach may achieve currently desired policing reforms without risking crime spikes that can result from drastic reductions of police presence. Wide‐scale adoption of evidence‐based policing may provide a vehicle for such meaningful, long‐term reform.
ORTHOSKIM: In silico sequence capture from genomic and transcriptomic libraries for phylogenomic and barcoding applications
Authors: Pouchon Charles , Boyer Frédéric , Roquet Cristina , Denoeud France , Chave Jérome , Coissac Eric , Alsos Inger Greve ,   The PhyloAlps Consortium,   The PhyloNorway Consortium, Lavergne Sébastien
Published: January 2022

Low‐coverage whole genome shotgun sequencing (or genome skimming) has emerged as a cost‐effective method for acquiring genomic data in nonmodel organisms. This method provides sequence information on chloroplast genome (cpDNA), mitochondrial genome (mtDNA) and nuclear ribosomal regions (rDNA), which are over‐represented within cells. However, numerous bioinformatic challenges remain to accurately and rapidly obtain such data in organisms with complex genomic structures and rearrangements, in particular for mtDNA in plants or for cpDNA in some plant families. Here we introduce the pipeline ORTHOSKIM, which performs in silico capture of targeted sequences from genomic and transcriptomic libraries without assembling whole organelle genomes. ORTHOSKIM proceeds in three steps: (i) global sequence assembly, (ii) mapping against reference sequences and (iii) target sequence extraction; importantly it also includes a range of quality control tests. Different modes are implemented to capture both coding and noncoding regions of cpDNA, mtDNA and rDNA sequences, along with predefined nuclear sequences (e.g., ultraconserved elements) or collections of single‐copy orthologue genes. Moreover, aligned DNA matrices are produced for phylogenetic reconstructions, by performing multiple alignments of the captured sequences. While ORTHOSKIM is suitable for any eukaryote, a case study is presented here, using 114 genome‐skimming libraries and four RNA sequencing libraries obtained for two plant families, Primulaceae and Ericaceae, the latter being a well‐known problematic family for cpDNA assemblies. ORTHOSKIM recovered with high success rates cpDNA, mtDNA and rDNA sequences, well suited to accurately infer evolutionary relationships within these families. ORTHOSKIM is released under a GPL‐3 licence and is available at: https://github.com/cpouchon/ORTHOSKIM.
Metastatic pulmonary nodule after a seventeen‐year disease‐free interval resected through thoracoscopic subsegmentectomy: A case report
Authors: Uchida Tsuyoshi , Matsubara Hirochika , Sato Daisuke , Onuki Yuichiro , Nakajima Hiroyuki
Published: January 2022

The lung is the most common site of metastasis in patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Metastatic RCCs, even those classified as stage I, can recur after >10 years. Therefore, it is critical to completely resect metastatic nodules. Here, we report the case of a 74‐year‐old man who underwent a nephrectomy for RCC and was diagnosed with lung metastasis 17 years later. The metastatic nodule was resected through complete thoracoscopic subsegmentectomy. He had previously undergone partial nephrectomy for clear cell renal carcinoma pT1bN0M0. During his annual follow‐up, a computed tomography scan revealed a pulmonary nodule. The intraoperative frozen section revealed a metastatic clear cell RCC. Thus, additional lobectomy was not performed. The postoperative course was uneventful with no complications. This case demonstrates that even early stage metastatic clear cell renal carcinoma can recur after over 17 years. Thoracoscopic segmentectomy is less invasive and can preserve pulmonary function.
How materialism shapes the effectiveness of financial literacy messages: A cross‐cultural perspective
Authors: Khenfer Jamel
Published: January 2022

This cross‐cultural experiment (N = 1000) shows that messages designed to promote financial literacy are differently effective among US and Arab consumers depending on the salience of materialistic thoughts at the time of exposure. Among US consumers, financial literacy messages increased savings intention by heightening the importance of saving when materialistic thoughts were salient but had no impact otherwise. This is consistent with existing research that has largely focused on WEIRD countries (Western, Educated, Industrial, Rich, Democratic; Henrich et al., 2010). However, among Arab consumers (data collected in the United Arab Emirates), we found that financial optimism was a key construct to explain savings behaviors. Specifically, our results show that financial literacy messages lower levels of financial optimism and, thus, increase savings intention at baseline levels. When materialistic thoughts are salient, our results suggest that Arab consumers prefer spending in the presence of financial literacy messages because having materialistic thoughts heightens financial optimism when one is assured that acquiring financial knowledge and skills guarantees one's financial success.
Making a podcast: Reflecting on creating a place‐based podcast
Authors: Scriven Richard
Published: January 2022

Although podcasts have become a popular medium since the early 2000s, geographers' use of the format as a research and dissemination method is underdeveloped. This paper examines how audio podcasts can be deployed as geographical processes to explore place and convey spatial themes in an impactful and innovative inclusive manner. Using the case study of a short series produced to consider the role of a river in the life of a region, I show how field recordings, interviews, and historical sources can be woven together to examine a place in an evocative and accessible manner. Podcasting is a research and communication tool, which can dovetail with existing approaches, with the potential to understand different environments in new ways, let community voices speak for themselves, and reach broader audiences. The paper argues that podcasts present new opportunities to consider how we appreciate and use sound to tell the story of places in participative and evocative ways.
Perceived threat and support for right‐wing ideology in Finland
Authors: Nshom Elvis
Published: January 2022

Support for right‐wing ideology is on the rise in Finland and has been for the past decade. Using the intergroup threat theory, this study investigates the extent to which support for right‐wing ideology in Finland is explained by the perception of threat from immigrants. According to the intergroup threat theory, immigrants can be perceived as a realistic threat and a symbolic threat. Another aim of this study is to understand how differently the types of threats explain support for right‐wing ideology in Finland. With a sample of 604 participants, results showed that while controlling for age, gender, education and religiosity, perceived threat was a significant predictor of support for right‐wing ideology. However, when considered individually without the effect of other factors, it was revealed that symbolic threat was a stronger predictor of support for right‐wing ideology in Finland when compared to realistic threat.
Wealth into voice: Political behavior of private entrepreneurs in the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (2008–2012)
Authors: Yu Bin , Zhang Yang
Published: January 2022

This article explores the political behavior of private entrepreneur delegates (PEDs) in the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC). Drawing evidence from a data set consisting of personal background and behavioral information for 2295 members of the 11th CPPCC (2008‐12), we probe into the behavioral patterns of 178 PEDs in the proposal process. Our findings reveal that PEDs' participation demonstrates more economic rather than political aspirations, which suggests that a major motivation of their participation is enhancing economic well‐being rather than initiating political changes. Party affiliation is associated with the PEDs' engagement in the proposal process, possibly through two mechanisms. In the pre‐selection mechanism, PEDs' with different political ideologies and preferences tend to be assimilated into different party backgrounds before becoming a delegate, hence different participation patterns. In the resource mobilization mechanism, party backgrounds may influence their capacity to effectively participate in the proposal process due to the resources provided by their party organizations.
Pharmacological profile of ALKS 7119, an investigational compound evaluated for the treatment of neuropsychiatric disorders, in healthy volunteers
Authors: Dijkstra Francis M. , Zuiker Rob G. J. A. , Siebenga Pieter S. , Leigh‐Pemberton Richard A. , Sun Lei , Manthis Joan D. , de Kam Marieke L. , Lin Richard , von Moltke Lisa L. , Rezendes David , van Gerven Joop M. A.
Published: January 2022

Aims

ALKS 7119 is a novel compound with in vitro affinity highest for the SERT, and for μ receptor, α1A‐adrenoceptor, α1B‐adrenoceptor, NMDA receptor and sigma non‐opioid intracellular receptor 1. This first‐in‐human study evaluated safety and PK/PD effects of single ascending doses (SAD) of ALKS 7119 in healthy males and compared effects with neurotransmitter modulators with partially overlapping targets.

Methods

In 10 cohorts (n = 10 subjects each), PK, safety and PD (NeuroCart tests, measuring neurophysiologic effects [pupillometry, pharmaco‐EEG (pEEG)], visuomotor coordination, alertness, [sustained] attention [saccadic peak velocity, adaptive tracking], subjective drug effects [VAS Bowdle and VAS Bond and Lader] and postural stability [body sway]) were evaluated. Neuroendocrine effects (cortisol, prolactin, growth hormone) were measured. Data were analysed over the 12‐hour post‐dose period using mixed‐effects model for repeated measure (MMRM) with baseline as covariate.

Results

ALKS 7119 demonstrated linear PK and was generally well tolerated. QTcF interval increases of 30–60 ms compared to baseline were observed with ALKS 7119 doses of ≥50 mg without related adverse events. Significant increases in left and right pupil/iris ratio were observed at dose levels ≥50 mg (estimate of difference [95% CI], P‐value) (0.04 [0.01; 0.07], P < .01) and (0.06 [0.03; 0.09], P = .01), respectively. From dose levels ≥50 mg significant increases (% change) of serum cortisol (51.7 [8.4; 112.3], P = .02) and prolactin (77.9 [34.2; 135.8], P < .01) were observed.

Conclusion

In line with ALKS 7119’s in vitro pharmacological profile, the clinical profile observed in this study is most comparable to SERT inhibition.
Design and Analysis of Two-Phase Studies with Multivariate Longitudinal Data
Authors: Di Gravio Chiara , Tao Ran , Schildcrout Jonathan S.
Published: January 2022

Two-phase studies are crucial when outcome and covariate data are available in a first-phase sample (e.g., a cohort study), but costs associated with retrospective ascertainment of a novel exposure limit the size of the second-phase sample, in whom the exposure is collected. For longitudinal outcomes, one class of two-phase studies stratifies subjects based on an outcome vector summary (e.g., an average or a slope over time) and oversamples subjects in the extreme value strata while undersampling subjects in the medium-value stratum. Based on the choice of the summary, two-phase studies for longitudinal data can increase efficiency of time-varying and/or time-fixed exposure parameter estimates. In this manuscript, we extend efficient, two-phase study designs to multivariate longitudinal continuous outcomes, and we detail two analysis approaches. The first approach is a multiple imputation analysis that combines complete data from subjects selected for phase two with the incomplete data from those not selected. The second approach is a conditional maximum likelihood analysis that is intended for applications where only data from subjects selected for phase two are available. Importantly, we show that both approaches can be applied to secondary analyses of previously conducted two-phase studies. We examine finite sample operating characteristics of the two approaches and use the Lung Health Study (Connett et al. (1993), Controlled Clinical Trials, 14, 3S–19S) to examine genetic associations with lung function decline over time.
Information theory approaches to improve glioma diagnostic workflows in surgical neuropathology
Authors: Cevik Lokman , Landrove Marilyn Vazquez , Aslan Mehmet Tahir , Khammad Vasilii , Garagorry Guerra Francisco Jose , Cabello‐Izquierdo Yolanda , Wang Wesley , Zhao Jing , Becker Aline Paixao , Czeisler Catherine , Rendeiro Anne Costa , Véras Lucas Luis Sousa , Zanon Maicon Fernando , Reis Rui Manuel , Matsushita Marcus de Medeiros , Ozduman Koray , Pamir M. Necmettin , Ersen Danyeli Ayca , Pearce Thomas , Felicella Michelle , Eschbacher Jennifer , Arakaki Naomi , Martinetto Horacio , Parwani Anil , Thomas Diana L. , Otero José Javier
Published: January 2022

Aims

Resource‐strained healthcare ecosystems often struggle with the adoption of the World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations for the classification of central nervous system (CNS) tumors. The generation of robust clinical diagnostic aids and the advancement of simple solutions to inform investment strategies in surgical neuropathology would improve patient care in these settings.

Methods

We used simple information theory calculations on a brain cancer simulation model and real‐world data sets to compare contributions of clinical, histologic, immunohistochemical, and molecular information. An image noise assay was generated to compare the efficiencies of different image segmentation methods in H&E and Olig2 stained images obtained from digital slides. An auto‐adjustable image analysis workflow was generated and compared with neuropathologists for p53 positivity quantification. Finally, the density of extracted features of the nuclei, p53 positivity quantification, and combined ATRX/age feature was used to generate a predictive model for 1p/19q codeletion in IDH‐mutant tumors.

Results

Information theory calculations can be performed on open access platforms and provide significant insight into linear and nonlinear associations between diagnostic biomarkers. Age, p53, and ATRX status have significant information for the diagnosis of IDH‐mutant tumors. The predictive models may facilitate the reduction of false‐positive 1p/19q codeletion by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) testing.

Conclusions

We posit that this approach provides an improvement on the cIMPACT‐NOW workflow recommendations for IDH‐mutant tumors and a framework for future resource and testing allocation.
A framework for understanding the relation between spoken language input and outcomes for children with cochlear implants
Authors: Houston Derek M.
Published: January 2022

Spoken language outcomes after cochlear implantation are highly variable. Some variance can be attributed to individual characteristics. Research with typically hearing children suggests that the amount of language directed to children may also play a role. However, several moderating factors may complicate the association between language input and language outcomes in children with cochlear implants. In this article, I present a conceptual framework that posits that the association between total language input directed to children and language outcomes is moderated by factors that influence what is accessible, attended to, and coordinated with the child. The framework also posits that children with cochlear implants exhibit more variability on those moderating factors, which explains why the relation between language input and language outcomes may be more complex even if language input is more important for successful language outcomes in this population.
Radiation-induced subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus
Authors: De Caux Deborah , Kelly Áine , Pearce Julian , Natkunarajah Janakan
Published: January 2022

We present an unusual case of radiation-induced subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus (SCLE) occurring in a patient with non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Dermatologists should be aware of the ability of low-dose radiation treatment to induce a first presentation or flare of SCLE, with the possibility of extension of disease outside of the radiation field.
Proton pump inhibitor use and risk of depression and anxiety in children: nationwide cohort study
Authors: Wang Yun‐Han , Wintzell Viktor , Ludvigsson Jonas F. , Svanström Henrik , Pasternak Björn
Published: January 2022

Although some data have linked proton pump inhibitor (PPI) use to risk of depression and anxiety, there are no studies investigating this safety issue in children. This study investigated the association between PPI use and risk of depression and anxiety in children. We conducted a nationwide register‐based cohort study in Sweden, July 1, 2007, to December 31, 2016. Following matching on age and propensity score, we included 29,320 pairs of PPI initiators and noninitiators among children aged 7–17 years old. The primary analysis examined the risk of incident depression and anxiety, a composite outcome defined as a diagnosis of depression, anxiety, or a prescription for an antidepressant. Children who initiated PPI use had higher hazards for risk of depression and anxiety compared with noninitiators (hazard ratios [HRs], 2.61; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.32–2.94). In analyses of the timing of depression and anxiety onset after PPI initiation, the HRs were 3.71 (95% CI, 2.17–6.34) for 1–30 days, 3.47 (95% CI, 2.33–5.18) for 31–90 days, 2.71 (2.04–3.60) for 91–180 days, 2.52 (2.00–3.16) for 181–365 days, and 2.34 (1.94–2.82) for 366–730 days. Significant associations were observed across all age groups. The magnitude of the association increased with longer duration of PPI use (p for trend < 0.0001). The association was consistent through all sensitivity analyses, including high‐dimensional propensity score matching (HR, 2.31, 95% CI, 2.05–2.61). PPI use was associated with increased risk of depression and anxiety in children. Further investigation is warranted to confirm or refute this potential association.
Inhibition of 11β‐Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase‐1 with AZD4017 in patients with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis or nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: A randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, phase II study
Authors: Yadav Yogesh , Dunagan Kelly , Khot Rachita , Venkatesh Sudhakar K. , Port John , Galderisi Alfonso , Cobelli Claudio , Wegner Craig , Basu Ananda , Carter Rickey , Basu Rita
Published: January 2022

Aim

To evaluate whether short‐term treatment with a selective 11β‐Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase‐1 (11β‐HSD1) inhibitor, AZD4017, would block hepatic cortisol production and thereby decrease hepatic fat in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)/nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), with or without type 2 diabetes (T2D).

Materials and Methods

This was a randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, phase 2 study conducted at two sites. Key inclusion criteria were the presence of NAFLD or NASH on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or recent biopsy positive for NASH. Enrolled patients were randomly assigned (1:1) to AZD4017 or placebo for 12 weeks. Primary outcomes were between‐group differences in mean change from baseline to week 12 in liver fat fraction (LFF) and conversion of 13C cortisone to 13C cortisol in the liver.

Results

A total of 93 patients were randomized; 85 patients completed treatment. The mean (standard deviation [SD]) change in LFF was −0.667 (5.246) and 0.139 (4.323) in the AZD4017 and placebo groups (P = 0.441). For patients with NASH and T2D, the mean (SD) change in LFF was significantly improved in the AZD4017 versus the placebo group (−1.087 [5.374] vs. 1.675 [3.318]; P = 0.033). Conversion of 13C cortisone to 13C cortisol was blocked in all patients in the AZD4017 group. There were no significant between‐group differences (AZD4017 vs. placebo) in changes in fibrosis, weight, levels of liver enzymes or lipids, or insulin sensitivity.

Conclusion

Although the study did not meet one of the primary outcomes, AZD4017 blocked the conversion of 13C cortisone to 13C cortisol in the liver in all patients who received the drug. In patients with NASH and T2D, AZD4017 improved liver steatosis versus placebo.
Combination therapy with pioglitazone/exenatide/metformin reduces the prevalence of hepatic fibrosis and steatosis: The efficacy and durability of initial combination therapy for type 2 diabetes (EDICT)
Authors: Lavynenko Olga , Abdul‐Ghani Muhammad , Alatrach Mariam , Puckett Curtiss , Adams John , Abdelgani Siham , Alkhouri Naim , Triplitt Curtis , Clarke Geoffrey D. , Vasquez Juan A. , Li Jinqi , Cersosimo Eugenio , Gastaldelli Amalia , DeFronzo Ralph A.
Published: January 2022

Aim

To compare the efficacy of triple therapy (metformin/exenatide/pioglitazone) versus stepwise conventional therapy (metformin → glipizide → glargine insulin) on liver fat content and hepatic fibrosis in newly diagnosed, drug‐naïve patients with type 2 diabetes.

Methods

Sixty‐eight patients completed the 6‐year follow‐up and had an end‐of‐study (EOS) FibroScan to provide measures of steatosis (controlled attenuation parameter [CAP] in dB/m) and fibrosis (liver stiffness measurement [LSM] in kPa); 59 had magnetic resonance imaging‐proton density fat fraction (MRI‐PDFF) to measure liver fat.

Results

At EOS, HbA1c was 6.8% and 6.0% in triple and conventional therapy groups, respectively (P = .0006). Twenty‐seven of 39 subjects (69%) receiving conventional therapy had grade 2/3 steatosis (CAP, FibroScan) versus nine of 29 (31%) in triple therapy (P = .0003). Ten of 39 (26%) subjects receiving conventional therapy had stage 3/4 fibrosis (LSM) versus two of 29 (7%) in triple therapy (P = .04). Conventional therapy subjects had more liver fat (MRI‐PDFF) than triple therapy (12.9% vs. 8.8%, P = .03). The severity of steatosis (CAP) (r = 0.42, P < .001) and fibrosis (LSM) (r = −0.48, P < .001) correlated inversely with the Matsuda Index of insulin sensitivity, but not with percentage body fat. Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) to Platelet Ratio Index (APRI), non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease fibrosis score (NFS), plasma AST, and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) all decreased significantly with triple therapy, but only the decrease in plasma AST and ALT correlated with the severity of steatosis and fibrosis at EOS.

Conclusions

At EOS, subjects with type 2 diabetes treated with triple therapy had less hepatic steatosis and fibrosis versus conventional therapy; the severity of hepatic steatosis and fibrosis were both strongly and inversely correlated with insulin resistance; and changes in liver fibrosis scores (APRI, NFS, Fibrosis‐4, and AST/ALT ratio) have limited value in predicting response to therapy.
Relations between soil organic carbon content and the pore size distribution for an arable topsoil with large variations in soil properties
Authors: Fukumasu Jumpei , Jarvis Nick , Koestel John , Kätterer Thomas , Larsbo Mats
Published: January 2022

Soil organic carbon (SOC) in arable topsoil is known to have beneficial effects on soil physical properties that are important for soil fertility. The effects of SOC content on soil aggregate stability have been well documented; however, few studies have investigated its relationship with the soil pore structure, which has a strong influence on water dynamics and biogeochemical cycling. In the present study, we examined the relationships between SOC and clay contents and pore size distributions (PSDs) across an arable field with large spatial variations in topsoil SOC and clay contents by combining X‐ray tomography and measurements of soil water retention. Additionally, we investigated the relationships between fractionated SOC, reactive Fe and Al oxide contents and soil pore structure. We found that porosities in the 0.2–720 μm diameter class were positively correlated with SOC content. A unit increase of SOC content was associated with a relatively large increase in porosity in the 0.2–5 and 480–720 μm diameter classes, which indicates that enhanced SOC content would increase plant available water content and unsaturated hydraulic conductivity. On the other hand, macroporosities (1200–3120 μm diameter classes) and bioporosity were positively correlated with clay content but not with SOC content. Due to strong correlations between soil texture, carbon‐to‐nitrogen ratios and reactive iron contents, we could not separate the relative importance of these soil properties for PSDs. Reactive aluminium and particulate organic carbon contents were poorer predictors for PSDs compared with clay and SOC contents. This study provides new insights on the relations between SOC and soil pore structure in an arable soil and may lead to improved estimations of the effects of enhanced SOC sequestration on soil water dynamics and soil water supply to crops.

Highlights

Relations between soil organic carbon (SOC) and pore size distribution (PSD) in an arable soil were explored.

We used X‐ray tomography and soil water retention to quantify a wide range of PSD.

There were positive correlations between SOC and porosities in 0.2–720 μm diameter classes.

Porosities in 0.2–5 and 480–720 μm diameter classes were more strongly correlated with SOC than clay.

Our results have implications for improved estimates of effects of SOC sequestration on soil water dynamics.