bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effectiveness of acupuncture for multiple sclerosis
Authors: Guan Hong , Wang Jingyu , Zhu Yongzheng , Jia Hongling , Zhang Yongchen
Published: April 2022

Background:

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease characterized by white matter inflammatory demyelination in the central nervous system (CNS). Its clinical manifestations include decreased vision, diplopia, and limb weakness. As a green and simple traditional Chinese medicine method, acupuncture is gradually recognized by the public. At present, there is still a lack of systematic evaluation on acupuncture treatment of MS. This study aims to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of acupuncture in the treatment of MS, in order to provide a basis for clinical decision-making.

Methods:

Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of acupuncture for MS will be searched in the relevant database, including PubMed, MEDLINE, Web of Science, Embase, Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure Database (CNKI), WanFang Database, China Biology Medicine Database (CBM), Chinese Scientific Journals Database (VIP), regardless of publication date, or language. All relevant RCTs of electronic searches will be exported to EndNote X9.1 software. Data analysis will be performed using RevMan 5.4 and STATA 14.2 software.

Results:

Our study aims to explore the efficacy of acupuncture for MS and to provide up-to-date evidence for clinical of MS. We will publish our research results in peer review journals.

Conclusion:

This study will perform a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis on the efficacy of acupuncture for MS, making up for the lack of relevant evidence of the clinical use of acupuncture.
Sampling multiple life stages significantly increases estimates of marine biodiversity
Authors: Maslakova Svetlana , Ellison Christina I. , Hiebert Terra C. , Conable Frances , Heaphy Maureen C. , Venera-Pontón Dagoberto E. , Norenburg Jon L. , Schwartz Megan L. , Moss Nicole D. , Boyle Michael J. , Driskell Amy C. , Macdonald Kenneth S. , Zattara Eduardo E. , Collin Rachel
Published: April 2022

Biodiversity assessments are critical for setting conservation priorities, understanding ecosystem function and establishing a baseline to monitor change. Surveys of marine biodiversity that rely almost entirely on sampling adult organisms underestimate diversity because they tend to be limited to habitat types and individuals that can be easily surveyed. Many marine animals have planktonic larvae that can be sampled from the water column at shallow depths. This life stage often is overlooked in surveys but can be used to relatively rapidly document diversity, especially for the many species that are rare or live cryptically as adults. Using DNA barcode data from samples of nemertean worms collected in three biogeographical regions—Northeastern Pacific, the Caribbean Sea and Eastern Tropical Pacific—we found that most species were collected as either benthic adults or planktonic larvae but seldom in both stages. Randomization tests show that this deficit of operational taxonomic units collected as both adults and larvae is extremely unlikely if larvae and adults were drawn from the same pool of species. This effect persists even in well-studied faunas. These results suggest that sampling planktonic larvae offers access to a different subset of species and thus significantly increases estimates of biodiversity compared to sampling adults alone. Spanish abstract is available in the electronic supplementary material.
ICTV Virus Taxonomy Profile: Chaseviridae 2022
Authors: Anany Hany , Mahadevan Padmanabhan , Turner Dann , Adriaenssens Evelien M. , Kropinski Andrew M. ,   ICTV Report Consortium
Published: April 2022

Members of the family Chaseviridae are lytic bacterial viruses infecting representatives of the bacterial class Gammaproteobacteria. Chaseviruses have a global distribution. Virions of members of this family have a myovirus morphology (icosahedral head with contractile tail). Genomes are dsDNA of 52–56 kbp with G+C content ranging from 39.3–52.5 %. Chaseviruses, like members of the family Autographiviridae, encode a large single subunit RNA polymerase, but unlike those viruses their promoter sequences have not yet been identified. This is a summary of the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses (ICTV) Report on the family Chaseviridae, which is available at ictv.global/report/chaseviridae.
Systematic generation and imaging of tandem repeats reveal multivalent base-pairing as a major determinant of RNA aggregation
Authors: Isiktas Atagun U. , Eshov Aziz , Yang Suzhou , Guo Junjie U.
Published: April 2022

Expansion of short tandem repeats (STRs) in the human genome underlies over fifty genetic disorders. A common pathological feature of repeat RNAs is their propensity to aggregate in cells. While these RNA aggregates have been shown to cause toxicity by sequestering RNA-binding proteins, the molecular mechanism of repeat RNA aggregation remains unclear. Here we devised a generalizable method to efficiently generate long tandem repeat DNAs de novo and applied it to systematically determine the sequence features underlying RNA aggregation. Live-cell imaging of repeat RNAs indicated that aggregation was mainly driven by multivalent RNA-RNA interactions via either canonical or noncanonical base pairs. While multiple short runs of two consecutive base pairs were sufficient, longer runs of consecutive base pairs such as those formed by a neurodegeneration-associated hexanucleotide repeat further enhanced aggregation. In summary, our study provides a unifying model for the molecular basis of repeat RNA aggregation and a generalizable approach for identifying the sequence and structural determinants of repeat RNA properties.
Searching for possible potentials of cultural and creative industries in rural tourism development; a case of Rudkhan Castle rural areas
Authors: Pourzakarya Maryam
Published: April 2022

Purpose

This study aims to argue the concept of cultural and creative industries (CCIs)-led tourism within a rural context to investigate the potential of local cultural and creative assets from the perspectives of rural communities, visitors and public institutions to stimulate co-creation experiences and long-term development.

Design/methodology/approach

By adopting qualitative methodology and case study research, this paper aims at evaluating the positive and negative aspects of developing local CCIs through the case of Rudkhan Castle rural villages in Gilan, Iran, where is the source of various indigenous cultural resources. This will be followed by classifying common CCIs through semi-structured interviews with stakeholders leading to policy planning suggestions.

Findings

Results demonstrated that the existence of cultural heritage or a historical site in a village has a direct impact on the prioritisation of indigenous CCIs from the perspective of the local community, tourists and governmental organisations. In this case, local authorities need to focus on the development of lesser-known cultural industries such as crafts or gastronomy by involving locals in decision-making processes that could be extendable to long-term tourism development planning.

Originality/value

Although the initiation of CCIs has led to new debates on the significance of co-creation experiences and cultural values in the tourism industry, it is criticised for creating social exclusion or unstable jobs. This research contributes to filling the gap between the potential of CCIs and rural tourism development from a policy perspective.
VET ecosystems and labour market integration of at-risk youth in the Baltic countries: implications of Baltic neoliberalism
Authors: Tūtlys Vidmantas , Buligina Ilze , Dzelme Juris , Gedvilienė Genutė , Loogma Krista , Sloka Biruta , Tikkanen Tarja Irene , Tora Ginta , Vaitkutė Lina , Valjataga Terje , Ümarik Meril
Published: April 2022

Purpose

The paper seeks to disclose the features and implications of the neoliberal VET and employment policy agendas for the social and institutional VET ecosystems and the integration of at-risk youth in the labour market in the Baltic countries.

Design/methodology/approach

The research is based on the comparative policy analysis approach with reference to the theories of social and skill formation ecosystems and the historical institutionalism perspective.

Findings

The research has revealed three interconnected and alternately/simultaneously applied development pathways in the skill formation and vocational education of at-risk youth in the Baltic countries: (1) the market-oriented approach based on fostering immediate employability based on the momentary skills needs in the economy; (2) the state-assistance approach based on ensuring equal access to the VET and employment services by the state and (3) the approach of systemic support to socially disadvantaged or at-risk young people in developing their capabilities.

Originality/value

The originality of the paper lies in a new, holistic and comparative perspective in analysing the implications of the “Baltic neoliberalism” for the development of skill formation systems, VET and employment of at-risk youth in this region.
The urgency of linking peace and citizenship education
Authors: Cabezudo Alicia , Haavelsrud Magnus
Published: April 2022

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to highlight the utility of different sources of learning in informal, formal and non-formal venues in lifelong learning developing under variable contextual conditions. This calls for an integration of two fields that have been isolated for too long, namely, citizenship education and peace education.

Design/methodology/approach

Untrue, indoctrinating and even coercive communications negate learning that contributes to the formation of convictions based in conscientization. Political awareness is imperative for strengthening the human being’s influence as an historical subject and participant in present and future social movements.

Findings

Traditionally, citizenship education focused on citizens’ understanding of and relation to national political systems and domestic affairs. This focus was later enlarged to both a sub-national civic culture and to international orientations with an increasing interest in the global dimension. Peace education originated in peace research and action embedded in an understanding of peace from a value perspective aiming at transformation towards alternative visions of the future. Learners’ perceptions of problems, conflicts and contradictions ranging from local to global levels are starting points for a politicization approach in peace education.

Originality/value

It is claimed in this paper that this comprehensive approach in peace education is imperative in citizenship education in any society. The rationale for this integration of citizenship and peace education is that becoming and being a citizen involves a lifelong process of learning aiming at increasing political awareness and influence.
Online cross-religion donation during COVID-19: mediating role of empathy and trust
Authors: Aji Hendy Mustiko , Muslichah Istyakara
Published: April 2022

Purpose

Most donation-related studies have extensively examined in-group donation behavior, but it is difficult to find similar studies that consider donations to out-group members. This study aims to understand online cross-religion donation during COVID-19 in Indonesia.

Design/methodology/approach

The online questionnaire is distributed using the purposive and snowball sampling technique. From July to August 2021, 753 respondents are obtained, comprising Muslims, Catholics, Christians, Hindus, Buddhists and Confucian.

Findings

This study found that online cross-religion dona tion is strongly influenced by the social presence, trust in fundraiser and empathy. Interestingly, this study also reveals a partial mediation effect of trust in fundraiser and empathy in the relationship between social presence and online cross-religion donation. Future studies are encouraged to investigate and explore how care for others may affect online prosocial behavior.

Originality/value

This study provides two theoretical contributions. First, this study empirically evinced that charitable donation is blind to religious belief. Second, it promotes the mediating role of empathy and trust in fundraisers to improve online cross-religion donation.
User perceptions of cloud-based small business accounting software
Authors: Mauricette Jemmi , Wells Paul , Haar Jarrod
Published: April 2022

Purpose

This study aims to identify the variables which influence user perceptions of cloud-based small business accounting software.

Design/methodology/approach

This study used the end-user computing satisfaction (EUCS) model developed by Doll and Torkzadeh. Responses to open-ended questions informed these findings.

Findings

The findings from this study suggest that user satisfaction and perceived effectiveness were more strongly influenced by content and accuracy than the variables format, ease of use and timeliness.

Research limitations/implications

There were a small number of participants (122) from a single city in New Zealand evaluating a single software application.

Practical implications

Given the increased availability and range of accounting applications for small business, these findings help explain factors which might influence software selection decisions. This study also provides a platform for researchers to extend this research to other cloud-based accounting software applications in their academic research. These findings may also provide software developers with functionality suggestions to be included in future software development.

Social implications

These findings identify the perceived importance of the factors used to evaluate cloud-base accounting software.

Originality/value

There has been very little research undertaken to identify factors which influence user perceptions of cloud-based accounting software using a structured EUCS framework.
Unraveling collaborative learning stimuli and effective dynamic capability integration on MNCs: the global capabilities administration model (GCAM)
Authors: Abrantes Bruno F. , Preto Miguel Torres , Antonio Nelson
Published: April 2022

Purpose

Dynamic capabilities yield positive effects to firm-specific advantage formation. Paradoxically, the body of literature on capability diffusion is scarce. The purpose of this study is to focus, thus, on this dearth of literature with an emphasis on exploring the transferability function.

Design/methodology/approach

An integrative review of literature on the dynamic capabilities view covers the organizational context determining capability sharing, supported by strategic communication and business networking theories for the fashioning of global capabilities’ administration model (GCAM).

Findings

Individual motivations and formal modelling of capabilities’ transference have been overlooked in previous research. Largely with a top-down orientation, the current paradigm of their diffusion is profoundly shaped by the organizational structure and its global governance practices.

Research limitations/implications

The GCAM’s architecture, based on transnational administration and hybrid transferability, opens horizons for multinational companies to develop their own capability management systems and is at the same time a new scholarly avenue in the field.

Originality/value

This study explores an untapped research gap and the formal modelling of a GCAM, while reconciling some of the weaknesses of academic research and industry practices.
Analytical psychology and quantum physics in a world in crisis and under transformation
Authors: Aufranc Ana Lia
Published: April 2022

Starting with the current pandemic, a potent symbol of death for all, the author explores the need to transform our vision of, and position in, the world. The author describes the world in which we live in terms of accelerated transformation and extreme imbalance: environmental suicide, consumerism, environmental pollution, global warming and intense polarization brought about by techno‐populism. She reflects on the enantiodromia of our current times in which the focus has shifted from extreme spirituality to the opposite extreme of materialism. She returns to the concepts of the psychoid archetype and unus mundus, and analogous concepts in quantum physics, examining the need to review the polarities of psyche and matter in the search for a new synthesis. The author then concludes by highlighting the importance of consciousness in the elaboration and construction of a new way of being in the world.
Madness is other people: alterity/ipseity and the sibling archetype
Authors: Barcellos Gustavo
Published: April 2022

The issue of madness, always present in the hot‐tempered gods – Ares, Aphrodite, and Dionysus – has to do with what the ancient Greeks referred to as alterity. It was the Greeks who ‘invented’ this notion. What is otherness? It is, simply said, the extensive category of the Other. Let us examine a few aspects of the way this category is presented in mythical thinking in order to understand its place in psychology and madness. Alterity has to do with the Other, who is outside or inside me; ipseity is the possibility of remaining the same. This recognition has political, historical, ethical and, of course, psychological implications. And yet, it is archetypal, because that is where, as we will see, the issues of the sibling archetype fall. The sibling, as a primordial image in the soul, is present in the psychological evolution of each individual and each culture, and its influence inevitably projects itself into the history and construction of our connections with friends, companions, partners, associates, and colleagues – i.e. with all others, before confirmation is established in the soul that madness is other people.
Facilitating the emergence of hidden dissociative identity disorder: finding the lost maiden Medusa
Authors: Calland Ruth
Published: April 2022

This paper uses the myth of Medusa as a containing narrative to explore the aetiology, recognition and treatment of emergent dissociative identity disorder or DID, in apparently high‐functioning people. Both the ‘hiding’ nature of DID, and disbelief in therapists are identified as impediments to recognition of the disorder, despite the high prevalence of DID. The paper describes the impact on psycho‐neurobiological development of both disorganized attachment and group sexual abuse at a young age, both typically present for DID survivors, leading to multiple ego centres in the psyche. DID is perceived as a creative protective mechanism against knowing, that also seals the abuse survivor into a lifetime of fractured self‐experience, and exile from relational depth with others. Two case studies illuminate a key feature of DID, the existence of lost but ever‐present child selves/alters, and how these may present within the therapeutic relationship. The author supports the facilitation by the analyst of self‐diagnosis and describes how careful attunement to inner turmoil and confusion, can act as a containing mirror within which to discern the individual needs of a multiplicity of selves/alters, leading to increased self‐agency, internal co‐consciousness and the ability to function more authentically with others.
I thought I was being blessed
Authors: Fischer Jill
Published: April 2022

This is a clinical case presentation of a Catholic hospital chaplain, who, like thousands of deeply wounded children from around the world, was sexually abused by his parish priest. Believing he had received ‘a special blessing’ contributed to his denial, rationalization and ultimate identification with his abuser. For 58 years, having repressed his earlier experience, this man lived as a Catholic cleric, abusing others. Entering analysis provided him with an opportunity to work with his dreams and memories. Analysis enabled him to consciously come to terms with and benefit from a future that fostered his individuation and allowed him to become a spokesman for the rehabilitation of others suffering a similar fate.
The loss of the soul and the myth of the living dead. A Jungian approach to a mental health problem in a public hospital in Buenos Aires
Authors: González‐Casal Cristina
Published: April 2022

This study is about the intervention carried out by a group of professionals from the Interdisciplinary Mental Health Team of the Emergencies Department in a public hospital in Buenos Aires City between 2017 and 2019. It arose from the need to respond to a public health problem related to the increasing number of patients living in situations involving homelessness, drug abuse, violent behaviour and criminal background. The multiple facets of this problem made us think about the impossibility of addressing it only in the individual sense of each patient. We were forced to admit that we were facing a problem of a complex, collective, social and institutional order, which the predominant medical model had neither been able to handle nor understand. We sought to include a Jungian approach to this contemporary problem found in large Latin American cities. Amplifying a symbolic base allowed us to understand creatively the complexity of the phenomenon, which could not be read in any manner other than the social and collective.
Biofilm formation as an extra gear for Apilactobacillus kunkeei to counter the threat of agrochemicals in honeybee crop
Authors: Tlais Ali Zein Alabiden , Polo Andrea , Filannino Pasquale , Cantatore Vincenzo , Gobbetti Marco , Di Cagno Raffaella
Published: April 2022

The alteration of a eubiosis status in honeybees’ gut microbiota is directly linked to the occurrence of diseases, and likely to the honeybees decline. Since fructophilic lactobacilli were suggested as symbionts for honeybees, we mechanistically investigated their behaviour under the exposure to agrochemicals (Roundup, Mediator and Reldan containing glyphosate, imidacloprid and chlorpyrifos‐methyl as active ingredients respectively) and plant secondary metabolites (nicotine and p‐coumaric acid) ingested by honeybees as part of their diet. The effects of exposure to agrochemicals and plant secondary metabolites were assessed both on planktonic cells and sessile communities of three biofilm‐forming strains of Apilactobacillus kunkeei. We identified the high sensitivity of A. kunkeei planktonic cells to Roundup and Reldan, while cells embedded in mature biofilms had increased resistance to the same agrochemicals. However, agrochemicals still exerted a substantial inhibitory/control effect if the exposure was during the preliminary steps of biofilm formation. The level of susceptibility resulted to be strain‐specific. Exopolysaccharides resulted in the main component of extracellular polymeric matrix (ECM) in biofilm, but the exposure to Roundup caused a change in ECM production and composition. Nicotine and p‐coumaric acid had a growth‐promoting effect in sessile communities, although no effect was found on planktonic growth.
Unusual Gram‐negative bacteria cause more severe bacterial meningitis than the three classical agents in children
Authors: Peltola Heikki , Roine Irmeli , Kallio Markku , Pelkonen Tuula
Published: April 2022

Aim

To compare the characteristics, mortality and sequelae at hospital discharge of childhood bacterial meningitis (BM) caused by the three “classical” agentsNeisseria meningitidis,Haemophilus influenzaeorStreptococcus pneumoniaeversus BM due to other aetiology in Finland, Latin America and Angola.

Methods

This observational study is a secondary analysis of data from five prospective treatment trials on non‐neonatal BM in Finland, Latin America and Angola in 1984–2017.

Results

Of the 1568 cases, 1459 (93%) were caused by the classics, 80 (5%) by other Gram‐negative and 29 (2%) by other Gram‐positive bacteria. Nonclassical Gram‐negative disease was encountered especially in Angola (p < 0.0001). Overall, children in the nonclassical group presented later for treatment and were more often underweight and anaemic (p < 0.001). In multivariate analysis, even if the area was strongest predictor of poor outcome, nonclassical Gram‐negative BM increased the odds for death twofold and the odds for death or severe sequelae 2.5‐fold.

Conclusion

BM of a nonclassical aetiology is a particularly severe disease affecting especially Angolan children poorly armoured to fight infections. Since vaccinations are diminishing the role of classical agents, that of nonclassical agents is growing.
Dyadic pairs as interview method: Older Singaporeans and their live‐in migrant carers
Authors: Liew Jian An , Ho Elaine Lynn‐Ee , Yeoh Brenda S. A. , Huang Shirlena
Published: April 2022

Dyadic interviewing is a research method that focuses on the interdependent relationship between two people (known as a dyad). Alongside the rise of relational approaches in geography, researchers have taken greater interest in understanding the shared lives of specifically paired individuals. Although paired interviewing presents a way to elicit the constitutive aspects of shared lives, it remains under‐discussed. Based on research methods developed for a project exploring the linked lives of older adults and their migrant carers in Singapore, we examine how intra‐dyadic relations are negotiated during the research process, either reaffirming and/or reconfiguring difference. We introduce a typology that takes into account the role(s) that space, time and mobility play in the organisation of power dynamics. Our proposed classification nuances understandings of dyadic interviewing through drawing out how these trifold dimensions of space, time and mobility mediate interdependent relations. This paper contributes to extant literatures that stress the mutuality of the research process, but with a focus on the social relations of the dyad pairs instead of between the researcher and researched.
Examining drivers of self‐harm guideline implementation by general practitioners: A qualitative analysis using the theoretical domains framework
Authors: Leather Jessica Z. , Keyworth Christopher , Kapur Nav , Campbell Stephen M. , Armitage Christopher J.
Published: April 2022

Objectives

This study aimed to (1) examine barriers and enablers to General Practitioners’ (GP) use of National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines for self‐harm and (2) recommend potential intervention strategies to improve implementation of them in primary care. Design: Qualitative interview study.

Methods

Twenty‐one telephone interviews, semi‐structured around the capabilities, opportunities and motivations model of behaviour change (COM‐B), were conducted with GPs in the United Kingdom. The Theoretical Domains Framework was employed as an analytical framework. Using the Behaviour Change Wheel, Behaviour Change Techniques (BCTs), intervention functions and exemplar interventions were identified.

Results

GPs valued additional knowledge about self‐harm risk assessments (knowledge), and communication skills were considered to be fundamental to high‐pressure consultations (cognitive and interpersonal skills). GPs did not engage with the guidelines due to concerns that they would be a distraction from patient cues about risk during consultations (memory, attention and decision processes), and perceptions that following the guidance is difficult due to time pressures and lack of access to mental health referrals (environmental context and resources). Clinical uncertainty surrounding longer term care for people that self‐harm, particularly patients that are waiting for or cannot access a referral, drives GPs to rely on their professional judgement over the guidance (beliefs about capabilities).

Conclusions

Three key drivers related to information and skill needs, guideline engagement and clinical uncertainty need to be addressed to support GPs to be able to assess and manage self‐harm. Five intervention functions and ten BCT groups were identified as potential avenues for intervention design.
The ELEANOR noncoding RNA expression contributes to cancer dormancy and predicts late recurrence of estrogen receptor‐positive breast cancer
Authors: Fukuoka Megumi , Ichikawa Yuichi , Osako Tomo , Fujita Tomoko , Baba Satoko , Takeuchi Kengo , Tsunoda Nobuyuki , Ebata Tomoki , Ueno Takayuki , Ohno Shinji , Saitoh Noriko
Published: April 2022

The recurrence risk of estrogen receptor (ER)‐positive breast cancer remains high for a long period of time, unlike other types of cancer. Late recurrence reflects the ability of cancer cells to remain dormant through various events, including cancer stemness acquisition, but the detailed mechanism is unknown. ESR1 locus enhancing and activating noncoding RNAs (ELEANORS) are a cluster of nuclear noncoding RNAs originally identified in a recurrent breast cancer cell model. Although their functions as chromatin regulators in vitro are well characterized, their roles in vivo remain elusive. In this study, we evaluated the clinicopathologic features of ELEANORS, using primary and corresponding metastatic breast cancer tissues. The ELEANOR expression was restricted to ER‐positive cases and well‐correlated with the ER and progesterone receptor expression levels, especially at the metastatic sites. ELEANORS were detected in both primary and metastatic tumors (32% and 29%, respectively), and frequently in postmenopausal cases. Interestingly, after surgery, patients with ELEANOR‐positive primary tumors showed increased relapse rates after, but not within, 5 years. Multivariate analysis showed that ELEANORS are an independent recurrence risk factor. Consistently, analyses with cell lines, mouse xenografts, and patient tissues revealed that ELEANORS upregulate a breast cancer stemness gene, CD44, and maintain the cancer stem cell population, which could facilitate tumor dormancy. Our findings highlight a new role of nuclear long noncoding RNAs and their clinical potential as predictive biomarkers and therapeutic targets for late recurrence of ER‐positive breast cancer.
comspat: an R package to analyze within‐community spatial organization using species combinations
Authors: Tsakalos James L. , Chelli Stefano , Campetella Giandiego , Canullo Roberto , Simonetti Enrico , Bartha Sandor
Published: April 2022

The diversity of species combinations observable in sampling units reflects a species' uneven distribution and preference for specific abiotic and biotic conditions – a phenomenon most commonly expressed in terms of ecological assembly rules of plant communities and other sessile organisms (e.g. subtidal algae, invertebrates and coral reefs). We present comspat, a new R package that uses grid or transect data sets to measure the number of realized (observed) species combinations (NRC) and the Shannon diversity of realized species combinations (compositional diversity; CD) as a function of spatial scale. NRC and CD represent two measures from a model family developed by Pál Juhász‐Nagy based on information theory. Classical Shannon diversity measures biodiversity based on the number and relative abundance of species, whereas the specific version of Shannon diversity presented here characterizes biodiversity and provides information on species coexistence relationships; both measures operate at fine‐scale within the sampling unit or within the community. comspat offers two commonly applied null models, complete spatial randomness and random shift, to disentangle the textural, intraspecific and interspecific effects on the observed spatial patterns. Combined, these models assist users in detecting and interpreting spatial associations and inferring assembly mechanisms. Our open‐sourced package provides a vignette that describes the method and reproduces the figures from this paper to help users contextualize and apply functions to their data.
Factors leading to interview question decisions: Introducing the Model of Interviewer Question Preferences
Authors: Speer Andrew B. , Wegmeyer Lauren J. , Delacruz Angie Y.
Published: April 2022

This study expands upon interview research by developing a tentative model to explain interview question preferences. The Model of Interviewer Question Preferences highlights interviewer factors that occur along two paths: job relevance factors that lead to the identification of questions that accurately differentiate applicants in terms of hireability, and social and past experience factors affecting interview preferences more broadly. We tested this tentative model using a prolific sample of 186 respondents who had prior experience conducting interviews. When combining both the job relevance path and social exposure path, nearly 48% of the variance in preference for interview questions was explained. Factors such as question job relevance and question exposure were highly related to question preference. Most generally, results suggest that people prefer to ask questions they are familiar with and think are job relevant.
Ariosoma indicum sp. nov., a new species of congrid eel (Anguilliformes: Congridae: Bathymyrinae) from the Indian waters
Authors: Kodeeswaran Paramasivam , Kathirvelpandian Ayyathurai , Acharya Smrutirekha , Mohanty Swarup Ranjan , Mohapatra Anil , Ajith Kumar Thipramalai Thangappan Pillai , Lal Kuldeep Kumar
Published: April 2022

Ariosoma indicum sp. nov. is described herein based on 12 specimens [(335–433 mm total length (TL)] collected off the Arabian Sea of southwest coast of India and 7 specimens from Digha Mohana, off the Bay of Bengal of northeast coast of India. The new species is distinguished from congeners in having the following combination of the characters: anus positioned anterior to middle of total length, pre‐anal length 40.0%–43.1% of TL; short wedge‐shaped pointed vomerine teeth patch, three or four rows in anterior portion, tapering posteriorly with four uniserial teeth; supraorbital canal with four or five pores; pre‐dorsal vertebrae 9–10; pre‐anal vertebrae 49–53; total vertebrae 141–146; body greenish‐brown in colour; extremities of the lower jaw with minute dark pigmentation patches before the rictus, bicoloured pectoral fin. A. indicum shares few characters with the Indian water species, Ariosoma gnanadossi, but readily differs from the latter in having more pre‐anal vertebrae (49–53 vs. 47 in A. gnanadossi); fewer lateral‐line pores (130–137 vs. 145); shorter tail (54.9%–57.9% TL vs. 60.1% TL); smaller eye (15.1%–17.7% HL vs. 19.2% HL); smaller interorbital width (11.8%–15.7% HL vs. 18.2% HL); longer upper jaw (26.9%–30.2% HL vs. 19.2% HL). In addition, molecular analysis using partial mitochondrial COI gene suggests that A. indicum is genetically closer to Ariosoma maurostigma and Ariosoma melanospilos with a divergence of 15.0% and 15.8%, respectively, and forms a well‐supported monophyletic clade.
Krox20 expression in abnormal scars: An immunohistochemical study
Authors: Bakry Ola A. , Samaka Rehab M. , Fayez Nansy , Seleit Iman
Published: April 2022

Background

Scars are the end outcome of healing. They are grouped into several types, the common of which are keloids, hypertrophic, and atrophic scars. The role of Krox20 in skin and hair physiology and pathology had emerged. Overexpression of Krox20 was sufficient to stimulate collagen gene expression and myofibroblast differentiation and is necessary for transforming growth factor‐β (TGF‐β) induced profibrotic responses.

Objective

To investigate the role of Krox20 in abnormal scar pathogenesis. Hopefully, this insight can set the route for newer therapeutic approaches.

Materials and Method

This study was carried out on 30 cases (10 cases of keloids, 10 cases of atrophic scars, and 10 cases with hypertrophic scars [HTS]) and 10 age and gender‐matched apparently healthy subjects as a control group. Thirty biopsies were taken from perilesional areas. Evaluation of Krox20 expression was done using standard immunohistochemical technique.

Results

Krox20 was downregulated in epidermis of scar biopsies compared with perilesional and normal skin (p = 0.02) while it was overexpressed in fibroblasts in lesional scar biopsies compared with perilesional and normal skin (p < 0.001). Keloid cases have significantly higher Krox20 expression in fibroblasts compared with HTS cases (p < 0.001). Krox20 had significantly nucleocytoplasmic pattern of staining in scar cases compared with normal skin (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

Krox20 overexpression may have a role in scar pathogenesis through upregulation of multiple genes associated with tissue remodeling and wound healing. This may open an avenue for research for new therapies based on Krox20 inhibition.
Religiosity and US adolescents’ well‐being: The moderating role of trait reactance
Authors: Russell Cristel Antonia , Alderman Jillian
Published: April 2022

A large body of evidence has connected religiosity and spirituality to well‐being, especially during the crucial adolescent years. This study examines whether trait reactance, a personality predisposition to resist external influences and threats to one's freedom, moderates the links between religiosity/spirituality, self‐esteem, and well‐being over the course of adolescence. We test these interactive effects with survey data from a nationally representative sample of children aged 13–17 (N = 419). Our results indicate that religiosity/spirituality is generally related to higher levels of self‐esteem and that self‐esteem positively relates to happiness. However, the relationship between religiosity/spirituality and self‐esteem changes as a function of both age and trait reactance. Among young adolescents (14 years of age), lower reactance and lower religiosity/spirituality are associated with lower self‐esteem, and among older adolescents (17 years of age), higher reactance and higher religiosity/spirituality are associated with the highest levels of self‐esteem.
Evaluating the coverage and quality of nutrition programs via a bottom‐up approach: A secondary analysis of real‐time data from an end‐user monitoring system in Ethiopia
Authors: Donzé Anne‐Sophie , Tefera Abiy , Baye Kaleab , Arnaud Stéphane , Chitekwe Stanley , Laillou Arnaud
Published: April 2022

Over the last two decades, great efforts and investments have been made in Ethiopia to ensure that all children have equal access to nutrition services in health facilities. While quality health systems are a prerequisite for quality nutrition services, little attention has been given to the evaluation of the supply and delivery services. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the coverage and quality of the nutrition‐specific interventions delivered through the health system. Using an end‐user monitoring (EUM) system, we monitored the delivery of nutrition‐specific interventions in 500 districts, having 2514 health facilities distributed throughout Ethiopia. Data were collected through third‐party monitors between August 2020 and 2021. Roughly 90% of health facilities were performing severe acute malnutrition management in line with the national guideline/protocol, and 2/3 of the assessed facilities were delivering iron and folic acid, vitamin A supplementation and deworming. A third of the messages on AMIYCN were retained by beneficiaries. Warehouse conditions were good in 64.3% of the facilities, but only 22% had good recording practices and about half had problems related to the quality and availability of nutrition supplies. Most beneficiaries were satisfied with the nutrition supplies and service delivered at the health facility level. This study also suggests the relevance of an EUM system to assess the quality of nutrition service delivery and its related supply management, as well as to improve the implementation of nutrition interventions as a decision‐making tool.
Objective analysis of the effectiveness of facial massage using breakthrough computed tomographic technology: A preliminary pilot study
Authors: Okuda Itsuko , Takeda Mizuho , Taira Masahiro , Kobayashi Toyoaki , Inomata Ken , Yoshioka Naoki
Published: April 2022

Background

Facial massage is empirically known to be associated with morphological changes, such as improvements in facial sagging. However, quantified objective evaluations of massage‐induced changes have not been performed to date. This preliminary pilot study aimed to verify the effectiveness of facial massages by using breakthrough computed tomographic technology.

Materials and methods

Five healthy adult volunteers (three women and two men; age, 29–37 years) were enrolled, and computed tomography (CT) examinations using a 320 detectors‐spiral CT system known as 320‐multidetector‐row CT (MDCT) were performed before and after facial massages. Each participant performed a self‐massage twice daily for 2 weeks. Massage‐induced changes in the cheeks and the superficial musculoaponeurotic system (SMAS) were analyzed by two radiologists on a workstation with a high‐accuracy imaging analysis system.

Results

After facial massage, the malar top became thinner by −0.8% ± 0.45% and shifted cranially and horizontally over a distance of 3.9 ± 1.94 mm. The SMAS‐height, defined as the highest vertical distance of the SMAS, increased by 2.6% ± 2.6%. The change rate in cheek thickness and SMAS‐height showed a significant correlation (r = −0.63; P < 0.05). These changes were attributed to the lifting and tightening effects of facial massage.

Conclusion

We conducted a detailed analysis of the effects of facial massages by using the breakthrough CT technology. Our results provide useful information for beauty treatments and could contribute to the collection of objective scientific evidence for facial massages.
Detection of an HLA‐A*02 variant, HLA‐A*02:99:01, in a Taiwanese individual
Authors: Yang Kuo‐Liang , Li Chi‐Cheng , Lin Py‐Yu
Published: April 2022

One nucleotide substitution in codon 152 of HLA‐A*02:06:01:01 results in a novel allele HLA‐A*02:99:01.
Couette–Poiseuille Flow in Semi-Elliptic Channels
Authors: Lopes A. v. B. , Siqueira I. R.
Published: April 2022

We present a novel analytical solution for Couette flows of incompressible Newtonian fluids in channels with a semi-elliptical cross section. The flow is steady, unidirectional, satisfies the no-slip condition at the boundaries, and is driven by the movement of the planar wall at constant velocity. The theoretical approach consists of a mapping function to rewrite the problem in an elliptical coordinate system coupled with Fourier's method for the solution of a Laplace equation with Dirichlet-type boundary conditions in the new domain. We then use our new solution together with available results for Poiseuille flows in a similar geometry (Alassar and Abushoshah, 2012, “Hagen–Poiseuille Flow in Semi-Elliptic Microchannels,” ASME J. Fluids Eng. 134(12), p. 124502) to study the so-called Couette–Poiseuille flows, where both pressure-driven and boundary-driven mechanisms act simultaneously. We present a detailed analysis of the flow field in Couette, Poiseuille, and Couette–Poiseuille flows in semi-elliptical channels with cross sections of different aspect ratios. For the latter case, we also determine the critical values of the axial pressure gradient that (i) increase the maximum flow velocity above that of the moving wall and shift its position toward the center of the channel, (ii) mark the onset of flow reversal with the emergence of a backflow region below the static wall, and (iii) eventually lead to a zero net flow rate through the channel.
Perceptions of FIFA Men’s World Cup 2022 Host Nation Qatar in the Twittersphere
Authors: Dun Susan , Rachdi Hatim , Memon Shahan Ali , Pillai Rohith Krishnan , Mejova Yelena , Weber Ingmar
Published: April 2022

The FIFA Men’s World Cup Qatar 2022 has been analyzed through the frameworks of nation branding and soft power. As the world’s most popular sport event, the World Cup has the possibility to enhance host nations’ images internationally, but we are not aware of empirical work attempting to assess public perceptions of Qatar, despite the considerable attention it has been paid. Accordingly, we assessed the discussion in the Twittersphere to shed some light on whether Qatar’s nation-branding and soft power attempts are reflected in public perceptions. We collected, geotagged, and analyzed 4,458,914 tweets with the word “Qatar.” We found that, contrary to the expectations of the organizers in Qatar, host nation status has not necessarily brought better nation branding or enhanced soft power, especially in the Global North. We conclude that social media’s interactive nature, which enables users to influence the discussion agenda, should have been considered by event organizers.
Toward improved urban earthquake monitoring through deep-learning-based noise suppression
Authors: Yang Lei , Liu Xin , Zhu Weiqiang , Zhao Liang , Beroza Gregory C.
Published: April 2022

Earthquake monitoring in urban settings is essential but challenging, due to the strong anthropogenic noise inherent to urban seismic recordings. Here, we develop a deep-learning-based denoising algorithm, UrbanDenoiser, to filter out urban seismological noise. UrbanDenoiser strongly suppresses noise relative to the signals, because it was trained using waveform datasets containing rich noise sources from the urban Long Beach dense array and high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) earthquake signals from the rural San Jacinto dense array. Application to the dense array data and an earthquake sequence in an urban area shows that UrbanDenoiser can increase signal quality and recover signals at an SNR level down to ~0 dB. Earthquake location using our denoised Long Beach data does not support the presence of mantle seismicity beneath Los Angeles but suggests a fault model featuring shallow creep, intermediate locking, and localized stress concentration at the base of the seismogenic zone.
Effectiveness of Nifurtimox in the Treatment of Chagas Disease: a Long-Term Retrospective Cohort Study in Children and Adults
Authors: Falk N. , Berenstein A. J. , Moscatelli G. , Moroni S. , González N. , Ballering G. , Freilij H. , Altcheh J.
Published: April 2022

Chagas disease (ChD), caused by
Trypanosoma cruzi
, has a global prevalence due to patient migration. However, despite its worldwide distribution, long-term follow-up efficacy studies with nifurtimox (NF) are scarce and have been conducted with only small numbers of patients. A retrospective study of a large cohort of ChD treated children and adults with NF.
Role of NK-Like CD8+T Cells during Asymptomatic Borrelia burgdorferi Infection
Authors: Scorza Breanna M. , Mahachi Kurayi G. , Cox Arin D. , Toepp Angela J. , Pessoa-Pereira Danielle , Tyrrell Phyllis , Buch Jesse , Foltz Jennifer A. , Lee Dean , Petersen Christine A.
Published: April 2022

Lyme disease (LD) due toBorrelia burgdorferiis the most prevalent vector-borne disease in the United States. There is a poor understanding of how immunity contributes to bacterial control, pathology, or both during LD.
Interactions between Loci Contributing to Antimicrobial Resistance and Virulence in Neisseria gonorrhoeae
Authors: Mortimer Tatum D.
Published: April 2022

In a recent mBio article, Ayala et al. (mBio 13:e00276-22, 2022,
https://doi.org/10.1128/mbio.00276-22
) identified a single nucleotide variant in the repressor
gdhR
in
Neisseria gonorrhoeae
that reduces binding to the promoter of the virulence factor
lctP
and thereby increases its expression. The allele (
gdhR6
) frequently co-occurs with mutations in the
mtr
operon promoter that reduce expression of another repressor,
mtrR
, resulting in overexpression of the efflux pump-encoding
mtrCDE
and increased antimicrobial resistance.
In Vitro
Antibacterial Activity of Imipenem/Relebactam against Clinical Isolates in Japan
Authors: Kurihara Dai , Matsumoto Satoru , Kishi Naoko , Ishii Yoshikazu , Mori Masahiko
Published: April 2022

Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales and carbapenem-resistant
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
strains pose a global threat. Antibacterial activity of imipenem/relebactam (IMR) against clinical isolates of these bacteria from several global regions has been shown; however, as yet there are no reports on Japanese isolates.
Supplemental Material: Evidence for benthic oxygen production in Neoarchean lacustrine stromatolites
Authors: Wilmeth Dylan T. , al. et
Published: April 2022

Supplementary discussion of geochemical and petrographic analyses, Table S1 (EMPA analyses of oxides in Hartbeesfontein stromatolites), and Table S2 (LA-ICP-MS analyses of oxides in Hartbeesfontein stromatolites). 