bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Endogenous memory reactivation during sleep in humans is clocked by slow oscillation spindle complexes
Authors: Schreiner Thomas , Petzka Marit , Staudigl Tobias , Staresina Bernhard P.
Published: September 2020

Sleep is thought to support memory consolidation via reactivation of prior experiences, with particular electrophysiological sleep signatures (slow oscillations (SOs) and sleep spindles) gating the information flow between relevant brain areas. However, empirical evidence for a role of endogenous memory reactivation (i.e., without experimentally delivered memory cues) for consolidation in humans is lacking. Here, we devised a paradigm in which participants acquired associative memories before taking a nap. Multivariate decoding was then used to capture endogenous memory reactivation during non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep in surface EEG recordings. Our results reveal reactivation of learning material during SO-spindle complexes, with the precision of SO-spindle coupling predicting reactivation strength. Critically, reactivation strength (i.e. classifier evidence in favor of the previously studied stimulus category) in turn predicts the level of consolidation across participants. These results elucidate the memory function of sleep in humans and emphasize the importance of SOs and spindles in clocking endogenous consolidation processes.
True time series of gene expression from multinucleate single cells reveal essential information on the regulatory dynamics of cell differentiation
Authors: Pretschner Anna , Pabel Sophie , Haas Markus , Heiner Monika , Marwan Wolfgang
Published: September 2020

Dynamics of cell fate decisions are commonly investigated by inferring temporal sequences of gene expression states by assembling snapshots of individual cells where each cell is measured once. Ordering cells according to minimal differences in expression patterns and assuming that differentiation occurs by a sequence of irreversible steps, yields unidirectional, eventually branching Markov chains with a single source node. In an alternative approach, we used multinucleate cells to follow gene expression taking true time series. Assembling state machines, each made from single-cell trajectories, gives a network of highly structured Markov chains of states with different source and sink nodes including cycles, revealing essential information on the dynamics of regulatory events. We argue that the obtained networks depict aspects of the Waddington landscape of cell differentiation and characterize them as reachability graphs that provide the basis for the reconstruction of the underlying gene regulatory network.
Cryo-EM structure of yeast 90S preribosome at 3.4 Å resolution
Authors: Du Yifei , An Weidong , Ye Keqiong
Published: September 2020

Previously, we determined a cryo-EM structure of Saccharomyces cerevisiae 90S preribosome obtained after depletion of the RNA helicase Mtr4 at 4.5 Å resolution (Sun et al., 2017). The 90S preribosome is an early assembly intermediate of small ribosomal subunit. Here, the structure was improved to 3.4 Å resolution and reveals many previously unresolved structures and interactions, in particular around the central domain of 18S rRNA. The central domain adopts a closed conformation in our structure, in contrast to an open conformation in another high-resolution structure of S. cerevisiae 90S. The new model of 90S would serve as a better reference for investigation of the assembly mechanism of small ribosomal subunit.
Improving data quality and expanding BioSAXS experiments to low-molecular-weight and low-concentration protein samples
Authors: Castellví Albert , Pascual-Izarra Carlos , Crosas Eva , Malfois Marc , Juanhuix Judith
Published: September 2020

The addition of compounds to scavenge the radical species produced during biological small-angle X-ray scattering (BioSAXS) experiments is a common strategy to reduce the effects of radiation damage and produce better quality data. As almost half of the experiments leading to structures deposited in the SASBDB database used scavengers, finding potent scavengers would be advantageous for many experiments. Here, four compounds, three nucleosides and one nitrogenous base, are presented which can act as very effective radical-scavenging additives and increase the critical dose by up to 20 times without altering the stability or reducing the contrast of the tested protein solutions. The efficacy of these scavengers is higher than those commonly used in the field to date, as verified for lysozyme solutions at various concentrations from 7.0 to 0.5 mg ml−1. The compounds are also very efficient at mitigating radiation damage to four proteins with molecular weights ranging from 7 to 240 kDa and pH values from 3 to 8, with the extreme case being catalase at 6.7 mg ml−1, with a scavenging factor exceeding 100. These scavengers can therefore be instrumental in expanding BioSAXS to low-molecular-weight and low-concentration protein samples that were previously inaccessible owing to poor data quality. It is also demonstrated that an increase in the critical dose in standard BioSAXS experiments leads to an increment in the retrieved information, in particular at higher angles, and thus to higher resolution of the model.
The crystal structure of the tetrameric human vasohibin-1–SVBP complex reveals a variable arm region within the structural core
Authors: Ikeda Akihito , Urata Seia , Ando Tadashi , Suzuki Yasuhiro , Sato Yasufumi , Nishino Tatsuya
Published: September 2020

Vasohibins regulate angiogenesis, tumor growth, metastasis and neuronal differentiation. They form a complex with small vasohibin-binding protein (SVBP) and show tubulin tyrosine carboxypeptidase activity. Recent crystal structure determinations of vasohibin–SVBP complexes have provided a molecular basis for complex formation, substrate binding and catalytic activity. However, the regulatory mechanism and dynamics of the complex remain elusive. Here, the crystal structure of the VASH1–SVBP complex and a molecular-dynamics simulation study are reported. The overall structure of the complex was similar to previously reported structures. Importantly, however, the structure revealed a domain-swapped heterotetramer that was formed between twofold symmetry-related molecules. This heterotetramerization was stabilized by the mutual exchange of ten conserved N-terminal residues from the VASH1 structural core, which was intramolecular in other structures. Interestingly, a comparison of this region with previously reported structures revealed that the patterns of hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic interactions vary. In the molecular-dynamics simulations, differences were found between the heterotetramer and heterodimer, where the fluctuation of the N-terminal region in the heterotetramer was suppressed. Thus, heterotetramer formation and flexibility of the N-terminal region may be important for enzyme activity and regulation.
Communicating the health value of extra-virgin olive oil: an investigation of consumers' responses to health claims
Authors: Pichierri Marco , Peluso Alessandro M. , Pino Giovanni , Guido Gianluigi
Published: September 2020

Purpose

This research investigates the effectiveness of the four health claims that the European Union (EU) authorized for extra-virgin olive oil (EVOO) in terms of perceived text clarity, text interestingness, message credibility and information diagnosticity, along with the claims' effect on product attractiveness and consumers' purchase intention.

Design/methodology/approach

An experimental study with 185 participants investigated consumer response to the four claims. A one-way MANOVA analyzed differences in the aforementioned variables, while a sequential mediation model assessed the relationship among perceived text clarity of the EVOO health claims, information diagnosticity, product attractiveness and purchase intention.

Findings

The four EU-authorized health claims differ in terms of perceived text clarity, message credibility, information diagnosticity and product attractiveness. Specifically, the health claim on EVOO polyphenols scored lower than the other three health claims on the aforementioned dependent variables. Importantly, clearer health claims are perceived as more useful and may increase product attractiveness and consumers' purchase intention.

Originality/value

The research sheds light on the effectiveness of EVOO health claims. Since the use of such health claims is not a common practice in the EVOO market, a deeper understanding of consumers' perception and attitude toward them could inspire better guidelines and suggestions for claim usage and improvement.
Factors affecting successful induced lactation process among Malaysian women: a qualitative study
Authors: Che Abdul Rahim Norsyamlina , Sulaiman Zaharah , Tengku Ismail Tengku Alina , Aris Tahir
Published: September 2020

Purpose

This qualitative study was to understand the factors affecting successful adoptive breastfeeding among women who underwent induced lactation process.

Design/methodology/approach

This study conducted in-depth interviews among induced lactation women in five states based on five regions [South (Johor), Central (Selangor), North (Penang), East (Kelantan) and East Malaysia (Sabah)]. The interviews have been consented, audio-recorded then transcribed verbatim, followed by identification of emerging themes.

Findings

Data saturation was achieved after interviewing a total of 23 induced lactation women. There were six main themes that emerged to describe factors affecting successful induced lactation process: (1) support and encouragement, (2) diet supplementation, (3) breastfeeding devices support, (4) incorporating treatment plan in the daily schedule, (5) high determination and pleasant attitude and (6) being informed on induced lactation process.

Research limitations/implications

There can be recall bias among the respondents since the information was collected retrospectively, one to two years after the induced lactation practice completed. Due to that, we cannot rule out recall bias in the responses given in the interviews. In this study, induced lactation women barely were ethnic Malay Muslims. Thus, comparisons to other ethnic groups were not possible. This was due to the difficulty to get participation from induced lactation mother of other ethnic groups in the study. Even though the success is demonstrated, a significant limitation is that the ratio between Muslims and non-Muslims cannot be performed for the reason that the respondents only consists of Muslims alone.

Originality/value

The benefits of breastfeeding by an adoptive woman are numerous for both the mother and baby. There are multifactors involved in successful induced lactation process. After experiencing induced lactation, all respondents agreed that it has prepared them to be real mothers and breastfeeding is a pleasurable experience. All respondents corresponded to breastfeeding have a positive influence in the aspect of affection and touch. A mother who feels confident in her ability to lactate and is reassured by those around her will be most likely to feel successful in this great attempt.
Innovative human resource management: measurement, determinants and outcomes
Authors: Koster Ferry , Benda Luc
Published: September 2020

Purpose

External factors such as global competition and new technologies, require organizations to be innovative. Such organizational innovations also ask for innovative human resource management (HRM). However, in the current literature, it is not completely clear what innovative HRM means, as it is conceptualized in different ways. This study aims to provide clarity about innovative HRM by suggesting a new measurement scale; formulating hypotheses about some core determinants of innovative HRM; and investigating how innovative HRM relates to organizational innovation.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a sample of 719 Dutch organizations it was possible to investigate the properties of the inventory and examining several determinants of innovative HRM and how it relates to organizational innovation.

Findings

The innovative HRM scale is internally consistent and differs from other HRM indicators. It is explained by external developments, organizational size and stability of the organization. Finally, innovative HRM is a predictor of organizational innovation.

Originality/value

The measure that was developed in this paper is new to the literature. Innovative HRM has not been measured in a similar way to date. Besides that, the innovative HRM Survey is a novel data set.
Project management canvas: a systems thinking framework to address project complexity
Authors: Elia Gianluca , Margherita Alessandro , Secundo Giustina
Published: September 2020

Purpose

Factors such as stakeholder requirements, emergence of exponential technologies, global business operations and pressures for sustainability increase the complexity of modern projects. This article aims to contribute by developing a systems view of project elements and relations among the same.

Design/methodology/approach

The article is based on a design science process and uses business management, project management and the system dynamics literature to support the construction of a conceptual framework, which is preliminary validated using practitioner feedback.

Findings

The project management model includes: (a) a systems view of a project in terms of 5 subsystems, 9 components and 27 dimensions; (b) a flow diagram showing 11 key relations among project attributes and (c) a discussion of ten system archetypes which can be identified in the management of a project.

Research limitations/implications

Whereas the application of systems thinking in project management has been mostly addressed to build system dynamics tools, this article advances the discussion by providing a framework useful to support theory development and contextual knowledge construction in project management activities.

Practical implications

The article provides (project) managers with an articulated project management model and insights to address the complexity of modern project activities.

Originality/value

The main value of the research stays in the integrative nature of the presented framework, along with its twofold focus on components and flows (dynamic view).
The great reanimation
Authors: Hirsch Peter Buell
Published: September 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to highlight the ways in which long running secular trends and the COVID-19 pandemic have combined to re-energize labor movements and pushed political thinking to the left.

Design/methodology/approach

A review of emerging trends in public opinion and labor action to identify some critical tipping points.

Findings

There is a critical shift unfolding in which government intervention to stem income inequality is becoming politically acceptable.

Originality/value

To the best of the author’s knowledge, there have been few, if any comparable discussions of the relationship between the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the political will to stem income inequality and the implications for corporate behavior.
Relevance of heritage safeguarding plans in the Algerian Medina
Authors: Salah-Salah Hana
Published: September 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the heritage management of the Algerian medinas subject to standardized safeguarding plans, referring only to the general community model, and then ignoring their particularities. Two medinas were selected as a case study: Annaba and Constantine.

Design/methodology/approach

Several methodologies of a descriptive historical issue and an exploratory study approach were used to determine the physical and cultural values of the two medinas. The objective is to see to what extent the medinas can be claimed as a place of affirmation and diffusion of urbanity.

Findings

On the basis of the results obtained, this work aims to articulate the tangible and intangible heritage as two inseparable dimensions to rethink the heritage of the Algerian medinas, taking into account the specificities and peculiarities of each of them.

Originality/value

This paper responds to an identified need to examine the issue of identity as a new approach that depends on the available characteristics of the historic center and the way in which planners and decision-makers use these resources as a guideline for implementing a new vision of safeguarding.
Applying the theory of planned behaviour to hospitality management students in Nigeria: the mediating role of self-confidence
Authors: Otache Innocent
Published: September 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to explore the mediating role of self-confidence in the relationship between the constructs of the theory of planned behaviour (TPB) (i.e. attitudes towards behaviour [ATB], subjective norms [SN] and perceived behavioural control [PBC]) and the entrepreneurial intentions (EIs) of hospitality management students.

Design/methodology/approach

This study adopted a quantitative approach. A self-reported questionnaire was used to collect data from a randomly selected sample of 126 hospitality management students from two federal polytechnics in Nigeria. To test the hypotheses formulated, partial least squares structural equation modelling was performed using SmartPLS software.

Findings

The results indicated that ATB and PBC had significantly positive links with EIs. The link between SN and EIs was only positive but not statistically significant. Further analysis showed that self-confidence had a significantly positive link with EIs and mediated the relationships between ATB and EIs and between PBC and EIs.

Practical implications

The findings have policy and practical implications for governments, policymakers and administrators of higher education institutions in Nigeria and other countries.

Originality/value

To the author’s best knowledge, this is the first study to provide empirical evidence of the mediating effect of self-confidence on the relationship between the TPB constructs and students’ EIs. Theoretically, the findings of this study lend credence to the applicability of the TPB in predicting students’ EIs across different contexts. More importantly, this study has modified the TPB by demonstrating that the effectiveness of the TPB constructs in influencing EIs depends on the degree of self-confidence that prospective entrepreneurs possess.
Are online food delivery systems persuasive? The impact of pictures and calorie information on consumer behavior
Authors: Gunden Nefike , Morosan Cristian , DeFranco Agnes
Published: September 2020

Purpose

The study's purpose was to examine the role of two main factors in the design of online food delivery systems (OFDS) user interfaces: the display of pictures and calories – on consumers' attitudes toward online food delivery systems, intentions to use such systems, spending on a food item and tipping behavior.

Design/methodology/approach

The study is grounded in the elaboration likelihood model. A 2 × 2 randomized post-test only between-subjects experimental design manipulated the types of pictures (food item only vs consumers eating a food item) and calorie information display style (numbers vs activity symbols) to determine whether they influence consumers' attitudes, intentions to purchase, spending and tipping behaviors.

Findings

The results show that the calorie display style influences consumers' intentions to use such systems and consumers' tipping behaviors toward the delivery driver. It was also found that the type of picture shown to consumers influences their intentions to purchase through ODFS, such that pictures of consumers enjoying a product is more effective in stimulating intentions to purchase than pictures containing only the food items.

Research limitations/implications

This study advances the current knowledge on web design for restaurants wishing to distribute via online food delivery systems. Moreover, this study extends the literature on persuasion in online environments by focusing on foodservice – an area that only recently has undergone substantial distribution online. Finally, this study advances the literature on tipping behavior.

Practical implications

This study provides several contributions for both restaurants and online food delivery system designers. Specifically, it illustrates exactly how specific elements in the design of the web interface and the message targeted at consumers influence consumers' behavior. Most importantly, this study provides insight into tipping behaviors for the delivery driver. This is important because the delivery driver is an important participant in the new value chain of restaurant delivery.

Originality/value

As the first study to develop an experiment that tests these important design conditions, this study offers several critical theoretical and practical implications. This study is the first attempt to examine various ways to present persuasive information in an OFDS in order to stimulate consumers' behaviors. Moreover, this study illustrates that the use of website design that enhance social presence is critical to website effectiveness in OFDS.
Institutional environment and environmental, social and governance accounting among banks in West Africa
Authors: Maama Haruna
Published: September 2020

Purpose

This study investigated the influence of institutional environment on the environmental, social and governance (ESG) accounting practices of banks in West Africa. The purpose of this study is to examine whether the size of an economy and the governance structure of a country is relevant for ESG accounting practice.

Design/methodology/approach

The study applied content analysis on 602 annual reports of 67 banks in 5 countries in West Africa. A generalised method of moments (GMM) estimation technique was used for the regression analysis.

Findings

The evidence showed that GDP has a positive and insignificant relationship with ESG reporting, suggesting that the size of an economy is not relevant for ESG accounting. The study further found that Corruption Perception Index has a positive and significant relationship with ESG accounting. This result implies that a country’s political environment is germane for ESG accounting. Firm-specific factors, such as firms’ size, value and age have positive and significant relationships with ESG accounting while net profit margin and leverage have negative relationships with ESG accounting. The study concludes that a country’s institutional environment influences the ESG accounting practices of its firms.

Practical implications

The governments of countries in West Africa must lay an enabling political and economic foundation to improve the accounting practices of firms, which is a critical factor for attracting investments.

Originality/value

The study contributes to the ESG accounting literature in developing countries which is found to be scarce.
Nutritional, biochemical and organoleptic properties of high protein-fibre functional foods developed from plantain, defatted soybean, rice-bran and oat-bran flour
Authors: Oluwajuyitan Timilehin David , Ijarotimi Oluwole Steve , Fagbemi Tayo Nathaniel
Published: September 2020

Purpose

This study was aimed to develop and evaluate nutritional efficacy and bio-efficacy of food products from plantain, soycake, rice-bran and oat-bran flour.

Design/methodology/approach

The flour samples were blended as follows: plantain 70% and soycake 30% (PS); plantain 65%, soycake 30% and rice bran 5% (PSR); plantain 65%, soycake 30% and oat bran 5% (PSO); and plantain 60%, soycake 30%, rice bran 5% and oat bran 5% (PSRO). Antioxidant and nutritional properties of the blended foods and controls (100% plantain andCerolina) were determined.

Findings

Protein (16.2–19.4 g/100g) and biological values (98.5–99.3%) of the food samples were significantly (p= 0.03) higher than 100% plantain (5 g/100g, 31.6%) andCerolina(17.9 g/100g, 98.3%). Pack cell volume (36.2–42%), serum protein (7.3–9.3 mg/dL), urea/creatinine (1.1–2.8) and aspartate-aminotransferase/alanine-aminotransferase ratio (0.9–1) of the foods were significantly (p= 0.03, 0.01, 0.02 and <0.01, respectively) higher than 100% plantain (28%, 1.6 mg/dL, 4.6 and 0.8) andCerolina(46%, 4.9 mg/dL, 3 and 0.73).In vivoantioxidant activity of the food samples decreased from PSRO to PSO, PSR and PS, respectively and were higher than control samples. Nutritional performance of formulated foods in rats was similar to that ofCerolina, but higher than in 100% plantain.Cerolinaand 100% plantain were rated higher in overall acceptability than formulated foods; however, PSO was most preferred followed by PSRO for the formulated foods.

Originality/value

The study established that PSRO was rated best in terms of nutrition, growth performance and antioxidant activities. Hence, this food may be suitable as functional food to prevent malnutrition and oxidative stress.
Barriers to the growth of micro tailoring businesses in Nigeria: assessing socio-economic and socio-cultural environments
Authors: Akoh Ajogwu
Published: September 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to uncover ways to enhance the growth of micro tailoring businesses by assessing the socio-economic and socio-cultural environments at the bottom of the pyramid (BOP).

Design/methodology/approach

The study used a qualitative research design involving a multiple case study with data from semi-structured interview and non-participant observation.

Findings

The study reveals how micro tailoring businesses modify tailoring practices to cope with the religious practice of seclusion and use entrepreneurial actions to deal with unstable electricity, inadequate finance and conditions of extreme poverty that limit the growth of micro tailoring businesses at the BOP.

Research limitations/implications

The qualitative nature of this study with a focus on micro tailoring businesses in BOP context could limit the generalization of findings. However, replication of the study can be done in other contexts to validate the findings.

Practical implications

The study shows the need for entrepreneurial leadership which continually modifies tailoring practices in ways that sustain tailoring businesses and circumvent the possibility of failure in adverse socio-economic and socio-cultural conditions.

Originality/value

This study is the first to unravel the experiences of micro tailoring businesses at the BOP. Past studies have assessed barriers to the growth of small and medium scale enterprises in general, but this study uncovers the distinct aspects of tailoring business in a largely under-researched context.
An ethical perspective of business CSR and the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Manuel Timothy , Herron Terri L.
Published: September 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to focus on business responses to the pandemic through an ethical lens and to make recommendations for future research in this unique environment. The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic presents many ethical implications for businesses’ responses in balancing individual health and firm risks during the initial and recovery stages. What decisions are businesses making in this pandemic environment? What ethical foundations most align with these decisions?

Design/methodology/approach

The authors review recent business actions taken in response to the pandemic in light of models of motivation for corporate social responsibility (CSR).

Findings

Businesses have engaged in a wide range of philanthropic CSR actions during the pandemic, likely motivated by both utilitarianism and deontological factors in response to the needs of internal and external stakeholders. The pandemic has disparate impacts, generally hurting lower-income individuals more, likely increasing inequality.

Research limitations/implications

There are many questions for future research to determine where pandemic-related CSR has different effects for businesses over the long term compared to the pre-pandemic environment.

Social implications

Businesses must act to benefit society, protect employees and maintain the trust of their stakeholders during the pandemic.

Originality/value

Existing models have examined corporate disaster philanthropic responses that were localized and acute. Business responses to the COVID-19 virus are unique given the severity, the widespread nature and the duration of the crisis.
Demographic analysis of invasible habitat fraction identifies context‐dependent roles of resource availability and biotic resistance in determining invasion success
Authors: Griffith Alden B. , Rodgers Vikki L. , Dukes Jeffrey S.
Published: September 2020

Theories of plant invasions predict that plant communities should be more easily invaded when resources increase and/or competition decreases. We tested this with an experimentally introduced plant population by manipulating precipitation and resident community biomass. We used a spatially explicit demographic approach to develop a new population‐level metric of invasibility that quantifies the invasible habitat fraction (IHF) across the landscape.

The existing community was essentially uninvasible (median IHF ≈ 0%), but experimental manipulations greatly increased the range of outcomes, with maximum observed IHF values over 50%. However, changes in invasibility were often context‐dependent, resulting in some outcomes that aligned with existing theory, and others that were not readily predicted. Moreover, variation in invasibility was often driven by specific sets of invader demographic vital rates.

Removing competitors revealed the capacity for strong biotic resistance, but this interacted with precipitation such that little biotic resistance was detected under drought conditions. Adding precipitation typically had little positive effect on invasibility, and moderate drought relief led to relatively high invasibility. However, the latter was driven to a large extent by interactions with mammal herbivory that otherwise inhibited invasion in one year.

Synthesis. Our findings show that interactions between abiotic and biotic factors, as well as legacy effects, can strongly mediate invasibility. This study also highlights the importance of incorporating spatial heterogeneity into population‐level assessments of invasion, as initial population declines do not necessarily indicate resistance to invasion.
Cranial findings detected by second‐trimester ultrasound in fetuses with myelomeningocele: a systematic review
Authors: Kunpalin Y , Richter J , Mufti N , Bosteels J , Ourselin S , De Coppi P , Thompson D , David AL , Deprest J
Published: September 2020

Background

Abnormal intracranial findings are often detected at mid‐trimester ultrasound (US) in fetuses with myelomeningocele (MMC). It is unclear whether these findings constitute a spectrum of the disease or are an independent finding, which should contraindicate fetal surgery.

Objective

To ascertain the spectrum and frequency of US‐detected cranial findings in fetuses with MMC.

Search strategy

MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science and CENTRAL were searched from January 2000 to June 2020.

Selection criteria

Study reporting incidence of cranial US findings in consecutive cases of second‐trimester fetuses with MMC.

Data collection and analysis

Publication quality was assessed by Newcastle–Ottawa Scale (NOS) and modified NOS. Meta‐analysis could not be performed as a result of high clinical diversity and study heterogeneity.

Main results

Fourteen cranial US findings were reported in 15 studies. Findings in classic Chiari II malformation (CIIM) spectrum included posterior fossa funnelling (96%), small transcerebellar diameter (82–96%), ‘banana’ sign (50–100%), beaked tectum (65%) and ‘lemon’ sign (53–100%). Additional cranial findings were small biparietal diameter (BPD) and head circumference (HC) (<5th centile; 53 and 71%, respectively), ventriculomegaly (45–89%), abnormal pointed shape of the occipital horn (77–78%), thinning of the posterior cerebrum, perinodular heterotopia (11%), abnormal gyration (3%), corpus callosum disorders (60%) and midline interhemispheric cyst (42%).

Conclusions

We identified 14 cranial findings by second‐trimester US in fetuses with MMC. The relatively high incidence of these findings and their unclear prognostic significance might not contraindicate fetal surgery in the case of normal fetal genetic testing. Some cranial findings may independently affect postnatal outcome, however. Long‐term detailed follow‐up is required to investigate this.

Tweetable abstract

A high rate of cranial abnormalities found on second‐trimester ultrasound in fetuses with myelomeningocele.
Maternal infections: revisiting the need for screening in pregnancy
Authors: Faure‐Bardon V , Ville Y
Published: September 2020

The decision to implement screening for infections during pregnancy depends upon epidemiological, economic, therapeutic and test performance criteria. It therefore varies with public health priorities from country to country. When screening is implemented, the first trimester has become the best time slot to build individual care pathways in this field. This is most relevant for evaluating the risk of embryonic consequences, planning diagnostic testing, initiating primary or secondary prevention and optimising the accuracy of ultrasound follow‐up. This article is a critical appraisal of epidemiological data and current international screening recommendations for infections in pregnancy.

Tweetable abstract

Screening for infections in pregnancy: a critical review of current epidemiological evidence and international guidelines.
Benefit of antenatal corticosteroids by year of birth among preterm infants in Canada during 2003–2017: a population‐based cohort study
Authors: Melamed N , Murphy K , Barrett J , Asztalos E , McDonald SD , Yoon EW , Shah PS ,   the Canadian Neonatal Network (CNN), Canadian Preterm Birth Network (CPTBN) Investigators
Published: September 2020

Objective

To evaluate the changes in the associations of antenatal corticosteroids (ACS) with neonatal mortality and severe neurological injury over time (2003–17).

Design

National, population‐representative, retrospective cohort study.

Setting

Level III neonatal intensive care units participating in the Canadian Neonatal Network.

Population

All infants born at 230/7–336/7 weeks of gestation (n = 43 456).

Methods

We estimated the associations between exposure to ACS and neonatal outcomes by year of birth. Year of birth was considered both continuously and categorically as three consecutive epochs.

Main outcome measure

Neonatal mortality and severe neurological injury.

Results

The absolute rates of neonatal mortality and severe neurological injury decreased during the study period in both the ACS and No ACS groups. For infants born at 230/7–306/7 weeks of gestation, ACS was associated with similar reductions in neonatal mortality across the three epochs (9.0% versus 18.1%, adjusted relative risk [aRR] 0.54, 95% CI 0.47–0.61 in 2003–09; 7.6% versus 19.6%, aRR 0.51, 95% CI 0.44–0.59 in 2010–13; and 7.3% versus 14.5%, aRR 0.56, 95% CI 0.46–0.68 in 2014–17) and in severe neurological injury (13.2% versus 25.8%, aRR 0.57, 95% CI 0.50–0.64 in 2003–09; 7.4% versus 17.4%, aRR 0.53, 95% CI 0.43–0.66 in 2010–14; and 7.2% versus 14.8%, aRR 0.59, 95% CI 0.48–0.74 in 2014–17).

Conclusion

Despite the ongoing improvements in neonatal care of preterm infants, as reflected by the gradual decrease in the absolute rates of neonatal mortality and severe neurological injury, the association of ACS treatment with neonatal mortality and severe neurological injury among extremely preterm infants born at 23–30 weeks of gestation has remained stable throughout the study period of 15 years.

Tweetable abstract

Despite the gradual decrease in the rates of neonatal mortality and severe neurological injury, antenatal corticosteroids remain an important intervention in the current era of neonatal care.
Forensic Footwear Reliability: Part I—Participant Demographics and Examiner Agreement*
Authors: Speir Jacqueline A. , Richetelli Nicole , Hammer Lesley
Published: September 2020

In order to assess the extent of agreement between forensic footwear examiners in the United States, a reliability study was performed by West Virginia University between February 2017 and August 2018. Over the span of 19 months, 70 examiners each performed 12 comparisons and reported a total of 840 conclusions. For each comparison, participants were queried on a number of factors in order to determine the degree to which different types of features were identified, evaluated, and weighted, before arriving at a final decision regarding the strength of the association or disassociation between questioned and test impressions. Preliminary results from this study are divided into a series of three summaries. This manuscript (Part I) describes participant demographics as well as community agreement in both feature identification/annotation, and final reporting. Results indicate considerable variation in feature identification/annotation (as low as 66.5% agreement), but higher consistency in the reporting of overall conclusions. For mated pairs, this agreement was 79.7% ± 14.1% (median of 85.7% and a 90% confidence interval between 75.9% and 83.2%). For nonmated pairs, the equivalent overall agreement was 89.8% ± 6.69% (median of 91.4% and a 90% confidence interval between 87.4% and 92.1%). These estimates of agreement are further compared with previous published findings, and collectively, the work extends the body of knowledge concerning reliability in forensic footwear comparisons and conclusions.
Integrated management of the coffee berry borer: A comparison of cultural, biological, and ethological control
Authors: Oliva Manuel , Rubio Karol , Rivasplata Elder , Leiva Santos
Published: September 2020

The coffee berry borer (CBB) is among the most harmful pests to coffee crops across the world, causing enormous harm to small‐ scale coffee farmers in northern Peru. This study aimed to contrast three different CBB control methods; cultural control (field sanitation), ethological control (red traps baited with ethanol–methanol (1:1)), biological control (use of the Beauveria sp., strain) and an integration of the aforementioned methods by comparing each control method's efficiencies and CBB reduction percentage in coffee plantations located in the province of Rodriguez de Mendoza, Amazonas. Therefore, a completely randomized block design (CRBD) was applied. Subsequently, the results showed no statistical differences among treatments carried out in this study. However, high infestation reduction percentages of up to 70% were reached, evidencing the effect of these treatments. In addition, the final results were impacted by environmental conditions and population pressure.
Mass transfer dynamics of simultaneous water gain and solid loss during soaking of pigeon pea grains
Authors: Kate Adinath E. , Giri Saroj K. , B Sivatejaswini
Published: September 2020

Pigeon pea is the most prominently used protein source for human consumption. This is one of the leading pulse utilized in various applications in food processing. Soaking is one of the mandatory unit operation required to convert it from raw to a consumable form. Insights into its mass transfer dynamics enable the design and optimization of processing conditions with due consideration of retention of its quality and nutrition. In the present investigation, the mass transfer dynamics of simultaneous water gain and solid loss taking place during soaking was studied . The experimental samples were soaked at 35, 50, 75, 85, and 100 °C to represent the lower and upper gelatinization temperatures. The water diffusivities varied from 5.492 × 10−10 to 13.84 × 10−10 m²/s when soaking temperature was increased from 35 to 100 °C. Similarly, solid diffusivities vary between 6.27 × 10−10 at 35 °C and 9.48 × 10−10 m²/s at 100 °C. The activation energies of both the phenomenon were estimated using the Arrhenius equation. The mass transfer process has been identified with three distinct stages. The first stage was characterized by void filling, expansion, and solid hydration. The second stage was marked at 5% of solid loss and characterized by solid loss, while the third stage contributed to the starch gelatinization process. Simultaneous water gain and solid loss in the grain was observed throughout the process at varying rates. The insights into mass transfers from this study can help in further modeling of pigeon pea soaking behavior.

Practical Application

Soaking is one of the mandatory step for further utilization of legume grains. Various desirable and undesirable changes take place during the soaking process. Pigeon pea being a leading legume, understanding of the dynamics of various chemical, physical, and compositional changes during soaking is very much required for a process design. Also the representation of these behaviors in mathematical models is essential to further understand and optimize the operations for maximum retention of quality attributes, minimum wastage, and low‐energy consumption.
Wildlife omnivores and herbivores as a significant vehicle of multidrug‐resistant and pathogenic Escherichia coli strains in environment
Authors: Osińska Marcelina , Nowakiewicz Aneta , Zięba Przemysław , Gnat Sebastian , Łagowski Dominik
Published: September 2020

The phenomenon of resistance of Escherichia coli strains in free‐living animals has been constantly expanding in recent years. However, the data are still fragmented and, due to the growing threat to public health, there is a constant need to search for and analyse new reservoirs and indicate their role and importance in the circulation of resistance genes in the environment. Therefore, the target group in this study were free‐living non‐predatory animals as reservoirs of drug‐resistant and potentially virulent E. coli strains. We obtained 70 different isolates, including 71.4% of multidrug‐resistant strains. In strains isolated from all species of animals, we determined high resistance to ampicillin (95.7%), tetracycline (64.3%), streptomycin (51.4%) and chloramphenicol (38.6%). Every third of the E. coli‐positive individual was a carrier of more than one resistant clone. Moreover, 11.4% of isolates among the resistant strains had the ExPEC, ETEC, or EHEC pathotype. Our study confirmed that not only free‐living predatory animals are reservoirs of resistance but also many synanthropic species of herbivores and omnivores contribute substantially to the spread of resistant and virulent E. coli strains.
COVID‐19, smoking, vaping and quitting: a representative population survey in England
Authors: Tattan‐Birch Harry , Perski Olga , Jackson Sarah , Shahab Lion , West Robert , Brown Jamie
Published: September 2020

Aims

To estimate (1) associations between self‐reported COVID‐19, hand‐washing, smoking status, e‐cigarette use and nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) use and (2) the extent to which COVID‐19 has prompted smoking and vaping quit attempts and more smoking inside the home.

Design

Cross‐sectional household surveys.

Setting and participants

A representative sample of the population in England from April to May 2020. The sample included 3179 adults aged ≥ 18 years.

Measurements

Participants who reported that they definitely or thought they had coronavirus were classified as having self‐reported COVID‐19. Participants were asked how often they wash their hands after returning home, before preparing foods, before eating or before touching their face. They were also asked whether, due to COVID‐19, they had (i) attempted to quit smoking, (ii) attempted to quit vaping and (iii) changed the amount they smoke inside the home.

Findings

Odds of self‐reported COVID‐19 were significantly greater among current smokers [20.9%, adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 1.34, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.04–1.73] and long‐term (> 1‐year) ex‐smokers (16.1%, aOR = 1.33, 95% CI = 1.05–1.68) compared with never smokers (14.5%). Recent (< 1‐year) ex‐smokers had non‐significantly greater odds of self‐reported COVID‐19 (22.2%, aOR = 1.50, 95% CI = 0.85–2.53). Bayes factors indicated there was sufficient evidence to rule out large differences in self‐reported COVID‐19 by NRT use and medium differences by e‐cigarette use. With the exception of hand‐washing before face‐touching, engagement in hand‐washing behaviours was high (> 85%), regardless of nicotine use. A minority (12.2%) of quit attempts in the past 3 months were reportedly triggered by COVID‐19, and approximately one in 10 current e‐cigarette users reported attempting to quit vaping because of COVID‐19.

Conclusions

In England, current smokers and long‐term ex‐smokers appear to have higher odds of self‐reported COVID‐19 compared with never smokers in adjusted analyses, but there were no large differences between people who used nicotine replacement therapy or e‐cigarettes. Engagement in hand‐washing appears to be high, regardless of nicotine or tobacco use. A minority of past‐year smokers and current e‐cigarette users, respectively, report attempting to quit smoking/vaping due to COVID‐19.
A new monitoring tool CLIP test for progression of oxaliplatin‐induced peripheral neuropathy: A multicenter prospective study
Authors: Kamei Keiko , Ohnishi Tadashi , Nakata Ken , Danno Katsuki , Ohkawa Atsushi , Miyake Yasuhiro , Okazaki Satoshi , Fukunaga Mutsumi , Toyokawa Akihiro , Hamada Tetsuhiro , Shindoh Junichi , Kanazawa Akiyoshi
Published: September 2020

Introduction

Oxaliplatin‐induced peripheral neuropathy (OIPN) is a common adverse events that can limit a patient's quality of life during/after chemotherapy. However, no appropriate methods have been established yet for monitoring the risk of progression of OIPN.

Methods

A simple assessment tool using gem clips, the CLIP test, was established and its performance in predicting the risk of progression to ≥grade 2 peripheral sensory neuropathy (CTCAE ver. 4.0) was investigated in patients receiving chemotherapy with oxaliplatin.

Results

Among 101 patients included in this study, 71 patients developed CTCAE ≥grade 1 peripheral neuropathy (grade 1, n = 67; grade 2, n = 4) at a median of 63 (range, 14–259) days after the start of treatment. Of the 67 patients with grade 1 peripheral neuropathy, 17 showed progression to ≥grade 2 neuropathy after a median interval of 84 (range, 21–246) days. Of these patients, 27 showed a positive result of the CLIP test at a median of 91 (range, 14–224) days, excluding one patient who already showed a positive result of the test at the baseline. Therefore, the risk ratio for the development of CTCAE ≥grade 2 peripheral neuropathy was 8.3 in the patients who showed a positive result on the CLIP test. Multivariate analysis confirmed that a positive results on the CLIP test was significantly correlated with the risk of future development of CTCAE ≥grade 2 peripheral neuropathy (odds ratio, 9.37; P = 0.002).

Conclusion

A positive result on the CLIP test predict is predictive of the risk of progression of OIPN during chemotherapy with oxaliplatin.
Melatonin for anaesthetic indications in paediatric patients: a systematic review
Authors: Procaccini D. , Lobner K. , Azamfirei R. , Kudchadkar S. R.
Published: September 2020

The favourable safety profile and ubiquitous nature of melatonin has led to an increase in its use in various clinical settings in adults and children. We performed a systematic review of published studies on the use of melatonin for anaesthetic indications in paediatric patients. To identify relevant articles, PubMed, EMBASE, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Web of Science and Scopus databases were searched. Study title and abstract screening, and full text review were performed by two reviewers. Twenty‐seven eligible studies investigating melatonin use for anaesthetic indications were identified. Due to significant heterogeneity in study methodology, a quantitative synthesis of the published findings was not possible. The identified studies were therefore categorised by the indication for melatonin: analgesia, diagnostic sedation and as an anaesthetic adjunct. Melatonin use for anaesthetic‐related indications is safe; may provide analgesia for inflammatory‐associated pain in neonates and children before venepuncture; may decrease the need for, or replace, general anaesthesia for diagnostic procedures; and may serve as an anaesthesia adjunct before induction in paediatric patients.