bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Critical research and entrepreneurship: A cross‐disciplinary conceptual typology
Authors: Dey Pascal , Fletcher Denise , Verduijn Karen
Published: June 2022

Critical perspectives of entrepreneurship have gained increasing traction over the last two decades. The transformative potential of critical research resides in challenging some of entrepreneurship research's epistemological, ontological and theoretical assumptions, with a view to offering a range of alternatives. Critical research in entrepreneurship has remained fragmented, however, due to its heterogeneous theoretical lineages and compartmentalized and niche interests. Addressing this situation, our objective is to intensify the space of critique in entrepreneurship research by offering a theoretically informed typology that delineates different manifestations of ‘criticalness’. Our overarching contribution is to advance a typology distinguishing four ideal types of critical entrepreneurship research based on evaluative emphases (referred to as ‘valence’) and the meta‐theoretical assumptions informing its critical operation (called ‘paradigmatic orientation’). By demonstrating the variegated political, ethical and ideological interests and preoccupations that critical studies serve within different management sub‐disciplines, the typology provides a conceptual vocabulary for making sense of and synthesizing critical perspectives across scholarly boundaries. Also, it helps to reposition understandings of critique as gestures of negativity by stimulating a greater appreciation of the generative potential of critique and the theoretical and philosophical possibilities that this can bring to our scholarly community.
A survey of stakeholders' perceived importance of health indicators and subgroup analyses to inform the Canadian clinical practice guideline for managing paediatric obesity
Authors: Gehring Nicole D. , Johnston Bradley C. , Birken Catherine , Buchholz Annick , Cooper Jenny , Erdstein Julius , Fitzpatrick‐Lewis Donna , Hadjiyannakis Stasia , Hamilton Jill , Hatanaka Dawn , Henderson Mélanie , Lebel Tracy , Moore Sarah A. , Morrison Katherine M. , Page Shawn , Pearce Nicole , Sebastianski Megan , Sherifali Diana , St‐Pierre Julie , Zenlea Ian , Ball Geoff D. C.
Published: June 2022

Objective

To assess stakeholder ratings of health indicators and subgroup analyses in systematic reviews used to update the Canadian Clinical Practice Guideline for Managing Paediatric Obesity.

Methods

Stakeholders (caregivers of children with obesity and Clinical Practice Guideline Steering Committee members) completed an online survey between April 2020 and March 2021. Participants rated importance of health indicators and subgroup analyses for behavioural and psychological, pharmacotherapeutic, and surgical interventions for managing paediatric obesity from not important to critically important using Grading, Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation criteria.

Results

No health indicators or subgroup analyses were rated not important by the 30 caregivers and 17 Steering Committee members. Across intervention types, stakeholders rated anxiety, depression, health‐related quality of life, serious adverse events, plus age and weight status subgroups as critically important.

Conclusion

Stakeholder ratings will inform data reporting and interpretation to update Canada's Clinical Practice Guideline for Managing Paediatric Obesity.
Improvement of human myeloid and natural killer cell development in humanized mice via hydrodynamic injection of transposon plasmids containing multiple human cytokine genes
Authors: Tan Shulian , Fang Minghui , Fan Wei , Wang Zhaowei , Lv Yanan , Zou Jun , Wang Xue , Liu Bin , Yang Yong‐Guang , Hu Zheng
Published: June 2022

Humanized mice reconstituted with a functional human immune system (HIS) are instrumental in studying human immunity and immune disorders in vivo. The poor or lack of cross‐reactivity between mouse cytokines and human cells limits the development and/or function of human immune cell subsets including human myeloid, natural killer and B cells. Here we explored the potential to achieve long‐term production of human cytokines in immunodeficient mice using a transposon‐plasmid–based hydrodynamic injection approach. We constructed a transposon‐plasmid carrying five human cytokine coding sequences (named PB‐5F), and observed that four of the cytokines (granulocyte–macrophage colony‐stimulating factor, interleukin (IL)‐15, IL‐6 and IL‐3) were detectable in sera and three (granulocyte–macrophage colony‐stimulating factor, IL‐15 and IL‐6) showed long‐term production in immunodeficient mice that received a single hydrodynamic injection of PB‐5F plus the transposase plasmid (Super PB). Furthermore, a single injection of PB‐5F/Super PB markedly enhanced the reconstitution of human myeloid cells and natural killer cells, and promoted human B‐cell maturation in HIS mice. Taken together, our data revealed that hydrodynamic injection of the PB‐5F/Super PB vectors may serve as a convenient and efficacious means to promote human immune function in HIS mice.
Mechanisms of Gynostemma pentaphyllum against non‐alcoholic fibre liver disease based on network pharmacology and molecular docking
Authors: Wang Cunzhi , Wang Pengrui , Chen Wenbin , Bai Yanyan
Published: June 2022

As a progressive chronic disease, the effective treatment for non‐alcoholic fibre liver disease (NAFLD) has not yet been thoroughly explored at the moment. The widespread use of Gynostemma pentaphyllum (Thunb) for its anti‐insulin resistance effect indicates that potential therapeutic value may be found in Thunb for NAFLD. Hence, this research aims to discover the latent mechanism of Thunb for NAFLD treatment. To achieve the goal of discovering the latent mechanism of Thunb for NAFLD treatment, molecular docking strategy integrated a network phamacology was adopted in the exploration. We acquire Thunb compounds with activeness from TCMSP database. We collect the putative targets of Thunb and NAFLD to generate the network. Key targets and mechanism are screened by PPI analysis, GO and KEGG pathway enrichment analyses. Molecular docking simulation is introduced into the study as assessment method. Through network analysis and virtual screening based on molecular docking, 2 targets (AKT 1 and GSK3B) are identified as key therapeutic targets with satisfying binding affinity. Main mechanism is believed to be the biological process and pathway related to insulin resistance according to the enrichment analyses outcomes. Particularly, the P13K–AKT signalling pathway is recognized as a key pathway of the mechanism. In conclusion, the study shows that Thunb could be a potential treatment against NAFLD and may suppress insulin resistance through the P13K–AKT signalling pathway. The result of the exploration provides a novel perspective for approaching experimental exploration.
Resistance to Saprolegnia parasitica infection: A heritable trait in Atlantic salmon
Authors: Misk Ehab , Gonen Serap , Garber Amber F.
Published: June 2022

A controlled Saprolegnia parasitica infection model was used to challenge 1158 fish representing 105 pedigreed Atlantic salmon families to evaluate the possibility of selecting for Saprolegnia resistance in a commercial breeding programme. Fish were infected in five study tanks and observed for 40 days post‐infection for lesion score and survival. Survival analysis of the top 10 resistant and bottom 10 susceptible families indicated that the hazard of dying following Saprolegnia infection was 1509% higher in susceptible families. In all fish, a 10 g increase in weight correlated with a 7.8% increase in the hazard of dying while sex did not affect mortality. Resistance to Saprolegnia was estimated to have a heritability of 0.25, indicating that selection is possible. Genetic and phenotypic correlations indicated that the 11‐point scoring system, developed in this study to quantify Saprolegnia infection severity, had a high negative correlation with survival as days to mortality at ≥−0.922(±0.005), suggesting that the scoring method could help assess lesion development in studies where mortality is not the primary biological endpoint.
Parenting styles in relation to childhood obesity, smoking and drinking: A gene–environment interaction study
Authors: Ji Mengmeng , An Ruopeng
Published: June 2022

Background

The present study assessed gene–environment interactions linking maternal parenting styles to childhood obesity and alcohol and tobacco use.

Methods

Data were retrieved from the first wave of the German Twin Family Panel. Participants comprised three birth cohorts, aged 5, 11 and 17 years, with approximately 500 pairs of same‐sex monozygotic twins and 500 pairs of same‐sex dizygotic twins per cohort. Self‐reported parenting styles were measured in five dimensions: emotional warmth, psychological control, negative communication, monitoring and inconsistent parenting. Outcome variables included children's body mass index z‐score (BMIz) and smoking and alcohol drinking frequency. Gene–environment interaction models were used to assess how parenting styles might moderate genetic and environmental influences on BMIz and smoking and drinking behaviours.

Results

A positive interaction of genetic effects with psychological control was found for BMIz at age 5 years, indicating that genetic influences on BMIz increased with psychological control. No interaction effect was found for BMIz at ages 11 and 17 years. Regarding adolescent smoking, positive interaction between genetic effects and negative communication was found, indicating that genetic influences on smoking increased with negative communication. There was no significant moderating effect of parenting styles on adolescent drinking.

Conclusions

The present study found preliminary evidence indicating that parenting styles moderated genetic and environmental impacts on body weight status and smoking. Moderation effects of parenting on BMIz were observed only at a very young age. The moderating effects of parenting influenced adolescent smoking but not drinking.
The association between self‐compassion in the postnatal period and difficult experiences with COVID‐19 pandemic‐related changes during pregnancy: An observational study for women at 1‐month postnatal in Japan
Authors: Muramoto Miyuki , Kita Sachiko , Tobe Hiromi , Ikeda Mari , Kamibeppu Kiyoko
Published: June 2022

Aim

This observational study aimed to describe the rate and degree of difficult experiences with COVID‐19 pandemic‐related changes (DE) during pregnancy, clarify the relationship between DE and self‐compassion of women postnatally, and investigate the influence of compassion from a partner (CP) and compassion from the woman's mother (CM) on this relationship.

Methods

Data from 46 1‐month postnatal women in Japan were collected through a self‐report questionnaire from October to December 2020. Self‐compassion was measured using the Japanese version of the Self‐Compassion Scale; DE, CP, and CM were measured using original questions based on prior studies.

Results

Almost all participants (97.8%) experienced more than one DE during pregnancy. Data analyses revealed that DE in maternity hospitals (d = 0.76), DE in social support (d = 0.53), and CM (d = 0.64) were associated with self‐compassion. A two‐way analysis of variance suggested that CM moderated the relationship between self‐compassion and DE in preparation for the baby (η2 = 0.11) and the birth plan (η2 = 0.11), whereas CP moderated the relationship between self‐compassion and DE in social support (η2 = 0.07).

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that self‐compassion negatively correlates with DE in maternity hospitals and social support. Additionally, CM may buffer the influence of DE in preparation for the baby and the birth plan on self‐compassion; moreover, CP may buffer the influence of DE in social support on self‐compassion. This study highlights the importance of supporting perinatal women to adapt to COVID‐19‐related changes through cooperation with their families, which may increase self‐compassion.
Establishment of a simplified score for predicting risk during intrahospital transport of critical patients: A prospective cohort study
Authors: An Ying , Tian Zi‐Rong , Li Fei , Lu Qi , Guan Ya‐Mei , Ma Zi‐Feng , Lu Zhen‐Hui , Wang Ai‐Ping , Li Yue
Published: June 2022

Aims and objectives

To establish a simple score that enables nurses to quickly, conveniently and accurately identify patients whose condition may change during intrahospital transport.

Background

Critically ill patients may experience various complications during intrahospital transport; therefore, it is important to predict their risk before they leave the emergency department. The existing scoring systems were not developed for this population.

Design

A prospective cohort study.

Methods

This study used convenience sampling and continuous enrolment from 1 January, 2019, to 30 June, 2021, and 584 critically ill patients were included. The collected data included vital signs and any condition change during transfer. The STROBE checklist was used.

Results

The median age of the modelling group was 74 (62, 83) years; 93 (19.7%) patients were included in the changed group, and 379 (80.3%) were included in the stable group. The five independent model variables (respiration, pulse, oxygen saturation, systolic pressure and consciousness) were statistically significant (p < .05). The above model was simplified based on beta coefficient values, and each variable was assigned 1 point, for a total score of 0–5 points. The AUC of the simplified score in the modelling group was 0.724 (95% CI: 0.682–0.764); the AUC of the simplified score in the validation group (112 patients) was 0.657 (95% CI: 0.566–0.741).

Conclusions

This study preliminarily established a simplified scoring system for the prediction of risk during intrahospital transport from the emergency department to the intensive care unit. It provides emergency nursing staff with a simple assessment tool to quickly, conveniently and accurately identify a patient's transport risk.

Relevance to clinical practice

This study suggested the importance of strengthening the evaluation of the status of critical patients before intrahospital transport, and a simple score was formed to guide emergency department nurses in evaluating patients.
Professional competence development through interprofessional simulation‐based learning assists perioperative nurses in postgraduation acute clinical practice situations: A qualitative study
Authors: Kaldheim Hege Kristin Aslaksen , Fossum Mariann , Munday Judy , Creutzfeldt Johan , Slettebø Åshild
Published: June 2022

Aims and objectives

To explore recently graduated perioperative nurses' experiences of interprofessional simulation‐based learning during postgraduate education and investigate whether and how this learning approach contributed to the development of their professional competence in meeting acute clinical situations.

Background

Perioperative nursing requires specialised education that offers professional development to ensure high‐quality nursing care and patient safety in acute situations. Interprofessional simulation‐based learning exposes students to acute situations in a safe environment without the risk of harming the patient, and it prepares postgraduate nursing students for clinical practice. Despite extensive research regarding simulation‐based learning, there is a lack of knowledge on what impact such training has on perioperative nursing students after graduation.

Design

An explorative qualitative design was used, and this study is reported in accordance with the COREQ guidelines.

Method

Between March 2019–November 2020, 16 perioperative nurses participated in semi‐structured individual interviews three to five months after their graduation from five different educational institutions. During their postgraduate education, they had participated in interprofessional simulation‐based learning that included acute clinical situations. A phenomenological hermeneutical analysis was applied to the data involving three steps: naïve reading, structural analysis and comprehensive understanding.

Results

During the naïve reading, three themes emerged: competence in handling acute situations, competence in interprofessional teamwork and professional identity development.

Conclusion

Interprofessional simulation‐based learning in perioperative nursing education developed relevant and important competence, including professional identity development, among perioperative nursing students. As recent graduates, their professional competence was transferred to clinical practice and developed further.

Relevance to clinical practice

Findings indicate that interprofessional simulation‐based learning is an important educational approach in perioperative nursing education. It is essential to use effective learning approaches to develop competencies that are transferable to clinical practice and improve perioperative nurses' performance as recent graduates. Therefore, interprofessional simulation‐based learning should be implemented into perioperative nursing education.
Low molecular weight heparin and pregnancy outcomes in women with inherited thrombophilia: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Chen Yan , Wang Tingting , Liu Xiaoling , Ye Changxiang , Xing Dexiu , Wu Rong , Li Fang , Chen Lizhang
Published: June 2022

Aim

To determine whether the use of low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) improves the pregnancy outcomes in women with inherited thrombophilia by conducting a meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials and observational studies.

Methods

A systematic literature search of several databases was conducted through September 19, 2020 to identify relevant studies. The outcomes of interest included live birth and adverse pregnancy outcomes (APOs). The overall risk estimates were pooled using random‐effects meta‐analysis.

Results

Ten randomized controlled trials and 12 cohort studies were included. In the meta‐analyses of randomized controlled trials, the effectiveness of LMWH‐treatment was found to be statistically significant in decreasing the risk of APOs (risk ratio [RR] = 0.76; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.61–0.95; p = 0.020), rather than in increasing the rate of live birth (RR = 1.12; 95% CI: 0.93–1.34; p = 0.230). In the meta‐analyses of cohort studies, results showed that the use of LMWH was associated with a significantly higher proportion of live birth (RR = 1.86; 95% CI: 1.09–3.19; p = 0.020) as well as a significantly lower ratio of APOs (RR = 0.46; 95% CI: 0.31–0.69; p < 0.001) in women with inherited thrombophilia.

Conclusions

The use of LMWH may have a potentially beneficial effect on reducing the risk of APOs and even increasing the live birth rate in women with inherited thrombophilia. Further well‐designed clinical trials with large samples are needed to address the role of LMWH in improving pregnancy outcomes among pregnant women with inherited thrombophilia.
Parent concerns for child development following admission to neonatal intensive or special care: From birth to adolescence
Authors: Bater Megan L , Stark Michael J , Gould Jacqueline F , Anderson Peter J , Collins Carmel T
Published: June 2022

Aim

To describe the presence and nature of parent concerns regarding the development of their children admitted to Australian neonatal units (NNUs), comprising neonatal intensive care or special care.

Methods

In a cross‐sectional survey, mothers and fathers provided information regarding concerns for their child's development. The self‐administered survey was completed by two separate cohorts; (i) parents of child graduates from Australian NNUs (n = 381); (ii) parents of infant's inpatient in two South Australian NNUs (n = 209). Data were analysed using thematic analysis and descriptive statistics.

Results

Information was provided for 730 children. Developmental concern was reported for 39% of NNU graduates and 35% of inpatients. Children born very preterm (< 32 weeks' gestation) elicited greater parent concern than those born more mature (Cohort 1: 41% vs 36%; Cohort 2: 49% vs 22%), including in multiple developmental domains (Cohort 1: 17% vs 15%; Cohort 2: 28% vs 4%). Parents with inpatient infants were predominantly concerned about general development‐milestones (19.1%) and the potential impact of medical or CNS issues (13.7%). Graduate parents commonly focused on specific domains, such as their child's speech‐language (13.7%) and motor (12.9%) development.

Conclusion

Neurodevelopment is a substantial source of concern for mothers and fathers during NNU admission and childhood, particularly for children born very preterm. However, in the first year of life, developmental concerns are poorly defined. This highlights the need for clinical education resources detailing infant developmental expectations and supportive strategies for parents of these high‐risk infants.
Drowning prevention counselling by paediatricians to educate caregivers on water safety
Authors: Yusuf Shabana , Jones Jennifer L , Camp Elizabeth A , McCallin Tracy E
Published: June 2022

Aim

Drowning is the leading cause of unintentional injury death for children 1–4 years of age in the USA. Texas, a southeastern state, is disproportionately burdened by paediatric drowning. The aim of this project was to increase drowning prevention counselling provided during well‐child visits to families with children aged 0–10 years.

Methods

We developed and implemented a water safety counselling programme for paediatricians to impart to families during well child, urgent care and ED visits for 0–10 year age group. Physicians completed and self‐reported demographic, pre‐ and post‐intervention, counselling rate and project evaluation surveys, while caregivers completed post‐intervention surveys only. Both physicians and caregivers were surveyed on evidence‐based drowning prevention strategies (four‐sided fencing of pools, touch supervision, life jackets and swim/cardio‐pulmonary resuscitation classes).

Results

Thirty‐three physicians and 1934 caregivers participated in the project. Physicians demonstrated statistically significant improvement in discussing drowning prevention with patients (3.5 vs. 4 on Likert scale; P = 0.002) in 2018 versus 2019. The counselling frequency in primary care settings increased from 54% to 70% from year 1 to 2. 100% of physicians correctly identified the best drowning prevention strategy and 80.6% of caregivers reported learning new water safety information in 2019 versus 68.8% in 2018 (P value < 0.001).

Conclusions

This water safety education programme demonstrated increased drowning prevention counselling during well‐child visits. The counselling was effective as demonstrated by increased caregiver acquisition of new water safety information. Paediatricians had adequate drowning prevention knowledge; an efficient counselling strategy helped them impart this knowledge to their patients.
The silent cry: A psychiatric‐mental health nurse's guide for fathers experiencing perinatal loss
Authors: Robinson Mamilda , Robinson Esq. Courtney D.
Published: June 2022

Introduction

The effects of grief on fathers that have experienced perinatal loss merit further exploration.

Aim

The purpose of this paper is to draw attention to the experience of grief felt by fathers when facing perinatal loss. A father's grief and loss are frequently unrecognized and underappreciated by healthcare professionals who customarily attend only to the needs of mothers.

Results

Data for this study were based on a couple's lived experience. This is a co‐authored piece by a husband and wife. This literature suggests that the lack of resources for fathers might result in unresolved grief which if prolonged could be expressed in potential losses during subsequent pregnancies.

Implications for Practice

Content from a review of the literature provides evidence helpful in addressing the recognition and management of grief in fathers experiencing perinatal losses. The grief and any related trauma due to prenatal losses can be managed in fathers with different methods, including support services, counselling, and if needed psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy. Psychiatric‐mental health nurses can play an important role in the recognition and management of grief and planning interventions to support grieving fathers.
Analyzing the degree of persistence of economic policy uncertainty using linear and non‐linear fourier quantile unit root tests
Authors: Peng Yi‐Ting , Chang Tsangyao , Ranjbar Omid
Published: June 2022

This research analyzes the degree of persistence of the economic policy uncertainty (EPU) index for 23 countries using two novel quantile unit root tests that allow for smooth breaks and quantile‐specific stochastic behavior. After executing conventional linear and non‐linear unit root tests, we find scant evidence in favor of stationarity of the EPU indices, yet applying the quantile unit root test with smooth breaks presents more evidence in favor of stationarity. Our results indicate that the EPU index series of these countries respond differently to positive shocks, which may result in a jump in uncertainty. For some countries like the UK, positive shocks to EPU have transitory effects and disappear in the short run, whereas for 10 countries such as China, the positive shocks have long lasting (persistence) effects. Our results offer important policy implications.
Parallel metatranscriptome analysis reveals degradation of plant secondary metabolites by beetles and their gut symbionts
Authors: Wei Jing , Yang Xing‐Ke , Zhang Shou‐Ke , Segraves Kari A. , Xue Huai‐Jun
Published: June 2022

Switching to a new host plant is a driving force for divergence and speciation in herbivorous insects. This process of incorporating a novel host plant into the diet may require a number of adaptations in the insect herbivores that allow them to consume host plant tissue that may contain toxic secondary chemicals. As a result, herbivorous insects are predicted to have evolved efficient ways to detoxify major plant defences and increase fitness by either relying on their own genomes or by recruiting other organisms such as microbial gut symbionts. In the present study we used parallel metatranscriptomic analyses of Altica flea beetles and their gut symbionts to explore the contributions of beetle detoxification mechanisms versus detoxification by their gut consortium. We compared the gut meta‐transcriptomes of two sympatric Altica species that feed exclusively on different host plant species as well as their F1 hybrids that were fed one of the two host plant species. These comparisons revealed that gene expression patterns of Altica are dependent on both beetle species identity and diet. The community structure of gut symbionts was also dependent on the identity of the beetle species, and the gene expression patterns of the gut symbionts were significantly correlated with beetle species and plant diet. Some of the enriched genes identified in the beetles and gut symbionts are involved in the degradation of secondary metabolites produced by plants, suggesting that Altica flea beetles may use their gut microbiota to help them feed on and adapt to their host plants.
The faecal metabolome of black howler monkeys (Alouatta pigra) varies in response to seasonal dietary changes
Authors: Mallott Elizabeth K. , Skovmand Lotte H. , Garber Paul A. , Amato Katherine R.
Published: June 2022

Mammals rely on the metabolic functions of their gut microbiota to meet their energetic needs and digest potentially toxic components in their diet. The gut microbiome plastically responds to shifts in host diet and may buffer variation in energy and nutrient availability. However, it is unclear how seasonal differences in the gut microbiome influence microbial metabolism and nutrients available to hosts. In this study, we examine seasonal variation in the gut metabolome of black howler monkeys (Alouatta pigra) to determine whether those variations are associated with differences in gut microbiome composition and nutrient intake, and if plasticity in the gut microbiome buffers shortfalls in energy or nutrient intake. We integrated data on the metabolome of 81 faecal samples from 16 individuals collected across three distinct seasons with gut microbiome, nutrient intake and plant metabolite consumption data from the same period. Faecal metabolite profiles differed significantly between seasons and were strongly associated with changes in plant metabolite consumption. However, microbial community composition and faecal metabolite composition were not strongly associated. Additionally, the connectivity and stability of faecal metabolome networks varied seasonally, with network connectivity being highest during the dry, fruit‐dominated season when black howler monkey diets were calorically and nutritionally constrained. Network stability was highest during the dry, leaf‐dominated season when most nutrients were being consumed at intermediate rates. Our results suggest that the gut microbiome buffers seasonal variation in dietary intake, and that the buffering effect is most limited when host diet becomes calorically or nutritionally restricted.
Quantitative proteomics analysis reveals core and variable tick salivary proteins at the tick‐vertebrate host interface
Authors: Bensaoud Chaima , Tenzer Stefan , Poplawski Alicia , Medina José María , Jmel Mohamed Amine , Voet Hanne , Mekki Imen , Aparicio‐Puerta Ernesto , Cuveele Brent , Distler Ute , Marini Federico , Hackenberg Michael , Kotsyfakis Michalis
Published: June 2022

Few studies have examined tick proteomes, how they adapt to their environment, and their roles in the parasite–host interactions that drive tick infestation and pathogen transmission. Here we used a proteomics approach to screen for biologically and immunologically relevant proteins acting at the tick‐host interface during tick feeding and, as proof of principle, measured host antibody responses to some of the discovered candidates. We used a label‐free quantitative proteomic workflow to study salivary proteomes of (i) wild Ixodes ricinus ticks fed on different hosts, (ii) wild or laboratory ticks fed on the same host, and (iii) adult ticks cofed with nymphs. Our results reveal high and stable expression of several protease inhibitors and other tick‐specific proteins under different feeding conditions. Most pathways functionally enriched in sialoproteomes were related to proteolysis, endopeptidase, and amine‐binding activities. The generated catalogue of tick salivary proteins enabled the selection of six candidate secreted immunogenic peptides for rabbit immunizations, three of which induced strong and durable antigen‐specific antibody responses in rabbits. Furthermore, rabbits exposed to ticks mounted immune responses against the candidate peptides/proteins, confirming their expression at the tick‐vertebrate interface. Our approach provides insights into tick adaptation strategies to different feeding conditions and promising candidates for developing antitick vaccines or markers of exposure of vertebrate hosts to tick bites.
Drug repurposing against Candida auris: A systematic review
Authors: Izadi Alireza , Aghaei Gharehbolagh Sanaz , Sadeghi Fatemeh , Talebi Meysam , Darmiani Kimia , Zarrinnia Ali , Zarei Fateme , Peymaeei Fatemeh , Khojasteh Shaghayegh , Borman Andrew M. , Mahmoudi Shahram
Published: June 2022

Candida auris is a drug‐resistant pathogen with several reported outbreaks. The treatment of C. auris infections is difficult due to a limited number of available antifungal drugs. Thus, finding alternative drugs through repurposing approaches would be clinically beneficial. A systematic search in PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science databases, as well as Google Scholar up to 1 November 2021, was conducted to find all articles with data regarding the antifungal activity of non‐antifungal drugs against the planktonic and biofilm forms of C. auris. During database and hand searching, 290 articles were found, of which 13 were eligible for inclusion in the present study. Planktonic and biofilm forms have been studied in 11 and 8 articles (with both forms examined in 6 articles), respectively. In total, 22 and 12 drugs/compounds have been reported as repositionable against planktonic and biofilm forms of C. auris, respectively. Antiparasitic drugs, with the dominance of miltefosine, were the most common repurposed drugs against both forms of C. auris, followed by anticancer drugs (e.g. alexidine dihydrochloride) against the planktonic form and anti‐inflammatory drugs (e.g. ebselen) against the biofilm form of the fungus. A collection of other drugs from various classes have also shown promising activity against C. auris. Following drug repurposing approaches, a number of drugs/compounds from various classes have been found to inhibit the planktonic and biofilm forms of C. auris. Accordingly, drug repurposing is an encouraging approach for discovering potential alternatives to conventional antifungal agents to combat drug resistance in fungi, especially C. auris.
How is China's trade imbalance overstated? An analysis based on trade in value‐added
Authors: Wen Dongwei , Xian Guoming
Published: June 2022

This paper uses the 2015 version of the Organisation for Economic Co‐operation and Development (OECD) and World Trade Organization (WTO)'s Trade in Value‐added (TiVA) database to estimate China's value‐added exports to gross exports ratio (VAER), and calculate and compare China's bilateral gross trade imbalances and value‐added trade imbalances with its major trading partners at the aggregate and sector level, respectively. During the period from 1995 to 2011, China's value‐added exports were around 35% less than gross exports at the aggregate level, and around 60% and 80% for manufacturing sectors and tech‐intensive sectors, respectively. Compared with those based on conventional gross trade statistics, our estimates based on trade in value‐added cut China's overall trade imbalances substantially. China's value‐added trade surplus for manufacturing sectors, especially for the so‐called tech‐intensive sectors, was around 45% and over 85% less than gross trade surplus, respectively. China–U.S. value‐added trade surplus was 28–45% less than gross trade surplus during the period from 1995 to 2011. On the contrary, China's value‐added trade deficit with East and Southeast Asian economies is 71–99% and 59–93% less than gross trade deficit during the period from 2005 to 2011, respectively.
Long‐term monitoring of antibody titers against microorganisms in human intravenous immunoglobulin lots derived from healthy donors in Japan manufactured during 1998–2018
Authors: Yunoki Mikihiro , Nakagawa Risa , Onodera Hiroyuki , Tanaka Jun , Haino Katsuyuki
Published: June 2022

Background

Studies evaluating long‐term trends of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) titers against microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi have not been conducted. We herein evaluated long‐term trends of titers of IVIG lots manufactured from 1998 to 2018, derived from donors in Japan, against microorganisms affecting patients with primary or secondary immunodeficiency diseases.

Study Design and Methods

Titers against four strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, three strains of Staphylococcus aureus, four strains of Haemophilus influenzae, two strains of Klebsiella pneumoniae, one strain of Streptococcus pneumoniae, Enterococcus faecium, Bordetella pertussis, Serratia marcescens, and Candida albicans, were tested immediately after lot release in a commercial clinical testing facility in 1998. The long‐term (whole period) and short‐term (first and second half of the period) trends of titers were evaluated using regression analysis.

Results

The IVIG lots indicated meaningful titers against all microorganisms that were stable in the short term. The long‐term trends could be categorized into stable, slightly decreasing, or decreasing trends, except for the metallo‐β‐lactamase‐producing K. pneumoniae, which indicated a slight increase. Notably, three strains of P. aeruginosa showed remarkable decreasing long‐term trends in the titer.

Discussion

Some titers indicate decreasing trends against microorganisms over the long‐term, however, is not clear whether the phenomenon diminishes the performance of IVIG. The titers of the IVIG lots could provide helpful information to optimize replacement therapy, such as considering trough values based on the titers in the patient plasma. Therefore, continuous monitoring of IVIG titers against microorganisms is important to understand titer fluctuation and epidemiological background.
Two dynamical generated $$a_0$$ resonances by interactions between vector mesons
Authors: Wang Zheng-Li , Zou Bing-Song
Published: June 2022

We study dynamically generated $$a_0$$

a
0

resonances by interactions between vector mesons including their coupling to channels of pseudoscalar mesons within coupled-channel approach. Both vector and pseudoscalar mesons are considered as t-channel exchanged mesons for calculating interactions between vector mesons. Analogous to $$a_0(980)$$

a
0

(
980
)

as a $$K{\bar{K}}-\pi \eta $$

K

K

¯

-
π
η

dynamically generated state, there is an $$a_0(1710)$$

a
0

(
1710
)

as a coupled channel dynamically generated state near $$K^*\bar{K}^*$$

K
∗

K

¯

∗

threshold. The channels involved are $$\rho \phi ,K^*\bar{K}^*,\rho \omega , K\bar{K},\pi \eta $$

ρ
ϕ
,

K
∗

K

¯

∗

,
ρ
ω
,
K

K

¯

,
π
η

. This $$a_0$$

a
0

mainly decays to $$\rho \omega $$

ρ
ω

, $$\pi \eta $$

π
η

and $$K\bar{K}$$

K

K

¯

. This pole is much tied to the coupled channel effect. If we turn off either $$\rho \phi $$

ρ
ϕ

or $$K^*\bar{K}^*$$

K
∗

K

¯

∗

, the pole disappears. In addition, it is found that $$a_0(1450)$$

a
0

(
1450
)

may also be dynamically generated by $$\rho \omega $$

ρ
ω

interactions due to $$\pi $$
π
and $$\eta $$
η
exchange.
Dynamics of the social construction of knowledge: an empirical study of Zhihu in China
Authors: Zhang Lun , Li Yong-Ning , Peng Tai-Quan , Wu Ye
Published: June 2022

This study examined how the knowledge market promotes knowledge construction on question-and-answer (Q&A) websites. Data were collected from Zhihu, one of the largest Q&A sites in China. Hierarchical linear modeling was employed to estimate the dynamics of information accumulation, that is, the provision of informative content as factual construction. By employing information accumulation as the objective measure of knowledge construction, we determined that online knowledge construction was facilitated by a competitive marketplace of ideas. In addition, participation, temporal, and discourse features affected the dynamics of information accumulation. In specific, active users contributed significantly less to information accumulation than did ordinary users. Information accumulation shows a naturally decaying process represented as a function of answer order. The time interval between answers at the two preceding time points reduced the informativeness of answers at the subsequent time point. Answers with a higher readability score reduced the informativeness of subsequent answers. The results indicate that knowledge construction on Q&A sites unfolds as a process of mass collaboration among users.
Consensus formation on heterogeneous networks
Authors: Fadda Edoardo , He Junda , Tessone Claudio J. , Barucca Paolo
Published: June 2022

Reaching consensus—a macroscopic state where the system constituents display the same microscopic state—is a necessity in multiple complex socio-technical and techno-economic systems: their correct functioning ultimately depends on it. In many distributed systems—of which blockchain-based applications are a paradigmatic example—the process of consensus formation is crucial not only for the emergence of a leading majority but for the very functioning of the system. We build a minimalistic network model of consensus formation on blockchain systems for quantifying how central nodes—with respect to their average distance to others—can leverage on their position to obtain competitive advantage in the consensus process. We show that in a wide range of network topologies, the probability of forming a majority can significantly increase depending on the centrality of nodes that initiate the spreading. Further, we study the role that network topology plays on the consensus process: we show that central nodes in scale-free networks can win consensus in the network even if they broadcast states significantly later than peripheral ones.
Searches for new phenomena in final states with third-generation quarks using the ATLAS detector
Authors: Khoda Elham E
Published: June 2022

Many theories beyond the Standard Model (SM) predict new phenomena, such as [Formula: see text] and vector-like quarks, in final states containing bottom- or top-quarks. It is challenging to reconstruct and identify the decay products and model the major background processes. Nevertheless, such final states offer great potential to reduce the SM backgrounds due to their characteristic decay signature. The latest searches in the third-generation quark final states using the full Run-2 proton–proton collision data collected by the ATLAS experiment are presented. Particularly, the recent results of di-bjet and top-antitop resonance searches and dark matter produced in association with a top-quark are discussed in these proceedings. The associated improvements in [Formula: see text]-quark and top-quark identification techniques are also highlighted.
Searches for new phenomena in final states involving leptons and jets using the ATLAS detector
Authors: Wong Vincent Wai Sum
Published: June 2022

Many beyond the Standard Model signatures predict new physics phenomena that lead to final states containing both leptons and jets. The latest search results for massive particles or lepton flavor violation using the full Run 2 dataset recorded by the ATLAS experiment are presented. A particular focus is given to searches for leptoquarks, that offer an attractive potential explanation for the lepton flavor anomalies observed at [Formula: see text]-physics factories; searches for heavy leptons, such as the ones appearing in Type-III seesaw model that can explain the smallness of neutrino masses; and lepton flavor violating [Formula: see text] decays, which is an excellent probe for new physics that predict direct lepton flavor violating processes.
Bianchi type-IX model in the presence of anisotropic dark energy and massive scalar meson field in Lyra geometry
Authors: Aditya Y. , Divya Prasanthi U. Y. , Reddy D. R. K.
Published: June 2022

Modern cosmology establishes the scenario of accelerated expansion of the universe and the reason for this is supposed to be the exotic negative pressure named dark energy. In light of this, investigation of dark energy models to explain the above scenario assumes paramount importance. Here we obtain dark energy models in the presence of massive scalar meson fields in the Lyra manifold [Math. Z. 54, 52 (1951)] corresponding to Bianchi type-IX space–time. We obtain deterministic models solving field equations using some relevant physical conditions. Dynamical properties of the model are presented and their relevance to the modern observational cosmology is discussed.
Misanthropic entropy and renormalization as a communication channel
Authors: Fowler Ramón , Heckman Jonathan J.
Published: June 2022

A central physical question is the extent to which infrared (IR) observations are sufficient to reconstruct a candidate ultraviolet (UV) completion. We recast this question as a problem of communication, with messages encoded in field configurations of the UV being transmitted to the IR degrees of freedom via a noisy channel specified by renormalization group (RG) flow, with noise generated by coarse graining/decimation. We present an explicit formulation of these considerations in terms of lattice field theory, where we show that the “misanthropic entropy” — the mutual information obtained from decimating neighbors — encodes the extent to which information is lost in marginalizing over/tracing out UV degrees of freedom. Our considerations apply both to statistical field theories as well as density matrix renormalization of quantum systems, where in the quantum case, the statistical field theory analysis amounts to a leading-order approximation. As a concrete example, we focus on the case of the 2D Ising model, where we show that the misanthropic entropy detects the onset of the phase transition at the Ising model critical point.
Temporal-Variation Skeleton Point Correction Algorithm for Improved Accuracy of Human Action Recognition
Authors: Tsai Ming-Fong , Huang Sheng-Hong
Published: June 2022

The technique of human action recognition can be applied in a number of fields, such as medical rehabilitation, posture in the domain of sports, and emotion perception in counselling. Deep learning action recognition models that consider the continuous changes in the human skeleton can efficiently identify action states, such as rehabilitation processes, posture, and changes in emotion. However, the keypoints of the human skeleton are susceptible to occlusion due to body movement, resulting in a lower confidence level in their positions, which in turn affects the training and execution of human action recognition models. This paper proposes a keypoint correction algorithm based on continuous-time images of temporal variation that can predict and correct the skeleton keypoints with low confidence, based on the previous and subsequent multiple images. The proposed temporal-variation skeleton keypoint correction algorithm can provide accurate feature association training for the locations of the skeleton keypoints. The proposed method is shown to improve the accuracy of human action recognition by at least 30% over three alternative models in the literature: STV-GCN, GCN-NAS, and 2S-AGCN. The proposed algorithm is also improved by at least 30% compared with the above-mentioned methods in the literature, based on an action recognition model with a Gaussian filter.
Multi-Modal Fusion Sign Language Recognition Based on Residual Network and Attention Mechanism
Authors: Chu Chaoqin , Xiao Qinkun , Zhang Yinhuan , Liu Xing
Published: June 2022

Sign language recognition (SLR) is a useful tool for the deaf-mute to communicate with the outside world. Although many SLR methods have been proposed and have demonstrated good performance, continuous SLR (CSLR) is still challenging. Meanwhile, due to the heavy occlusions and closely interacting motions, there is a higher requirement for the real-time efficiency of CSLR. Therefore, the performance of CSLR needs further improvement. The highlights include: (1) to overcome these challenges, this paper proposes a novel video-based CSLR framework. This framework consists of three components: an OpenPose-based skeleton stream extraction module, a RGB stream extraction module, and a combination module of the BiLSTM network and the conditional hidden Markov model (CHMM) for CSLR. (2) A new residual network with Squeeze-and-Excitation blocks (SEResNet50) for video sequence feature extraction. (3) This paper combines the SEResNet50 module with the BiLSTM network to extract the feature information from video streams with different modalities. To evaluate the effectiveness of our proposed framework, experiments are conducted on two CSL datasets. The experimental results indicate that our method is superior to the methods in the literature.