bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Modeling of Deformable Cell Separation in a Microchannel with Sequenced Pillars
Authors: Hymel Scott J. , Fujioka Hideki , Khismatullin Damir B.
Published: March 2021

Embedded pillar microstructures are an efficient approach for controlling and sculpting shear flow in a microchannel but have not yet demonstrated to be effective for deformability-based cell separation and sorting. Although simple pillar configurations (lattice, line sequence) worked well for size-based separation of rigid particles, they had a low separation efficiency for circulating cells. The objective of this study was to optimize sequenced microstructures for separation of deformable cells. This was achieved by numerical analysis of pairwise cell migration in a microchannel with multiple pillars, which size, longitudinal spacing, and lateral location as well as the cell elasticity and size varied. This study revealed two basic pillar configurations optimized for deformability-based separation: 1) “duplet” that consists of two closely spaced pillars positioned far below the centerline and above the centerline halfway to the wall; and 2) “triplet” composed of three widely-spaced pillars located below, above and at the centerline, respectively. The duplet configuration is well suited for deformable cell separation in short channels, while the triplet or a combination of duplets and triplets provides even better separation in long channels. These optimized pillar microstructures can dramatically improve microfluidic methods for sorting and isolation of blood and rare circulating tumor cells.
On the emergence of orientational order in folded proteins with implications for allostery
Authors: Chakraborty Debayan , Mugnai Mauro Lorenzo , Thirumalai D.
Published: March 2021

The beautiful structures of single and multi-domain proteins are clearly ordered in some fashion but cannot be readily classified using group theory methods that are successfully used to describe periodic crystals. For this reason, protein structures are considered to be aperiodic, and may have evolved this way for functional purposes, especially in instances that require a combination of softness and rigidity within the same molecule. By analyzing the solved protein structures, we show that orientational symmetry is broken in the aperiodic arrangement of the secondary structural elements (SSEs), which we deduce by calculating the nematic order parameter,P2. We find that the folded structures are nematic droplets with a broad distribution ofP2. We argue that non-zero values ofP2, leads to an arrangement of the SSEs that can resist external stresses forces, which is a requirement for allosteric proteins. Such proteins, which resist mechanical forces in some regions while being flexible in others, transmit signals from one region of the protein to another (action at a distance) in response to binding of ligands (oxygen, ATP or other small molecules).
Rattus economicus: A neural model for rational regulation of water-seeking effort in rodents
Authors: Reinagel Pamela
Published: March 2021

In the laboratory, animals’ motivation to work tends to be positively correlated with reward magnitude. But in nature, rewards earned by work are essential to survival (e.g., working to find water), and the payoff of that work can vary on long timescales (e.g., seasonally). Under these constraints, the strategy of working less when rewards are small could be fatal. We found that instead, rats in a closed economy did more work for water rewards when the rewards were stably smaller, a phenomenon also observed in human labor supply curves. Like human consumers, rats also showed elasticity of demand, consuming far more water per day when its price in effort was lower. The neural mechanisms underlying such “rational” market behaviors remain largely unexplored. We propose a dynamic utility maximization model that can account for the dependence of rat labor supply (trials/day) on the wage rate (ml/trial), and also predict the temporal dynamics of when rats work. Based on data from mice, we hypothesize that SFOGLUTneurons inlamina terminaliscontinuously compute the instantaneous marginal utility of voluntary work for water reward, and causally determine the amount and timing of work.
Institutional pressures and cluster firms’ ambidextrous innovation: the mediating role of strategic cognition
Authors: Song Bo , Zhao Zhonghua
Published: March 2021

Purpose

How do institutional pressures influence the cluster firm’s innovation? Institutional pressure consists of regulative, normative and cognitive pressures; most scholars have only focused on the influence of regulative pressure as institutional environment on innovation. In addition, the nature of strategic cognition, as the mediator act on innovation strategy, remains underexplored in the literature. Based on institution theory and ambidextrous innovation theory, this study aims to propose a framework to examine the mechanism of institutional pressures acting on ambidextrous innovation through the moderated mediating role of strategic cognition in clusters.

Design/methodology/approach

Using survey data collected from 422 sampled firms in China, regression models were used to test hypotheses from the mediating role of strategic cognition between institutional pressures and cluster firm’s ambidextrous innovation.

Findings

The results showed that regulative, cognitive pressures and, especially, normative pressures have significant positive effects on cluster firms’ ambidextrous innovation. Strategic cognition presented by prospector and analyzer mediates the relationship between institutional pressure and ambidextrous innovation except defender; dynamic environment positively moderates the mediating effects of prospector cognition on explorative innovation, and negatively moderates the mediating effects of analyzer cognition on exploitative innovation.

Originality/value

The findings of this study have some implications that strategic cognition played a partially meditating role between the institutional pressure and ambidextrous innovation. Government should construct a dynamic innovation policy system according to the resource endowment in different regions; furthermore, classification support system to cluster firms with different strategic cognition should be built.
Evaluating a bystander intervention to disrupt interpersonal violence/abuse
Authors: Roberts Nicola , Marsh Heaven
Published: March 2021

Purpose

It is recommended that universities implement bystander interventions to disrupt the interpersonal violence and abuse that students experience in this context. Yet, there are few evaluations of bystander interventions in the UK. Building on an existing evaluation carried out on a bystander intervention at a university in 2017/18, the purpose of this research was to evaluate the intervention.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a one-way repeated measures design, analysis of variance was used to analyse pre- and post-intervention data gathered from 121 students, during 2018/19.

Findings

As the aims of the session were met, it can be inferred individuals who participate in the bystander intervention have the potential to disrupt interpersonal violence and abuse.

Research limitations/implications

The small sample size and design of the survey limited the research. Further evaluations of bystander interventions are needed in the UK that utilises large samples and a validated survey.

Practical implications

This paper notes the importance of engaging many students in a cohort to participate on a bystander intervention.

Originality/value

This study adds to the paucity of evaluations of bystander interventions in the UK. Knowing that the intervention has the potential to disrupt interpersonal violence and abuse builds the momentum for other similarly designed interventions to be implemented in universities in the UK.
Balancing pressures for SENCos as managers, leaders and advocates in the emerging context of the Covid‐19 pandemic
Authors: Clarke Amy L. , Done Elizabeth J.
Published: March 2021

This article considers the role of the SENCo during Covid‐19 pandemic conditions of school lockdown with partial reopening for children classified as ‘vulnerable’. It is argued that the existing pressures and tensions already experienced by SENCos – for example, related to time, workload, status, and their prescribed managerial and strategic role – have been highlighted by pandemic conditions. Pressures resulting specifically from the pandemic are reflected by considering how SENCos will adjust to enact their role during this time. It is concluded that an advocacy role for pupils with special educational needs and disability, who are at risk of becoming increasingly marginalised within school and wider communities during this pandemic, should now be considered a central element of the SENCo’s remit.
Linking Data on Constituent Health with Elected Officials’ Opinions: Associations Between Urban Health Disparities and Mayoral Officials’ Beliefs About Health Disparities in Their Cities
Authors: PURTLE JONATHAN , JOSHI RENNIE , LÊ‐SCHERBAN FÉLICE , HENSON ROSIE MAE , DIEZ ROUX ANA V.
Published: March 2021

Policy Points

Mayoral officials’ opinions about the existence and fairness of health disparities in their city are positively associated with the magnitude of income‐based life expectancy disparity in their city.

Associations between mayoral officials’ opinions about health disparities in their city and the magnitude of life expectancy disparity in their city are not moderated by the social or fiscal ideology of mayoral officials or the ideology of their constituents.

Highly visible and publicized information about mortality disparities, such as that related to COVID‐19 disparities, has potential to elevate elected officials’ perceptions of the severity of health disparities and influence their opinions about the issue.

Context

A substantive body of research has explored what factors influence elected officials’ opinions about health issues. However, no studies have assessed the potential influence of the health of an elected official's constituents. We assessed whether the magnitude of income‐based life expectancy disparity within a city was associated with the opinions of that city's mayoral official (i.e., mayor or deputy mayor) about health disparities in their city.

Methods

The independent variable was the magnitude of income‐based life expectancy disparity in US cities. The magnitude was determined by linking 2010‐2015 estimates of life expectancy and median household income for 8,434 census tracts in 224 cities. The dependent variables were mayoral officials’ opinions from a 2016 survey about the existence and fairness of health disparities in their city (n = 224, response rate 30.3%). Multivariable logistic regression was used to adjust for characteristics of mayoral officials (e.g., ideology) and city characteristics.

Findings

In cities in the highest income‐based life expectancy disparity quartile, 50.0% of mayoral officials “strongly agreed” that health disparities existed and 52.7% believed health disparities were “very unfair.” In comparison, among mayoral officials in cities in the lowest disparity quartile 33.9% “strongly agreed” that health disparities existed and 22.2% believed the disparities were “very unfair.” A 1‐year‐larger income‐based life expectancy disparity in a city was associated with 25% higher odds that the city's mayoral official would “strongly agree” that health disparities existed (odds ratio [OR] = 1.25; P = .04) and twice the odds that the city's mayoral official would believe that such disparities were “very unfair” (OR = 2.24; P <.001).

Conclusions

Mayoral officials’ opinions about health disparities in their jurisdictions are generally aligned with, and potentially influenced by, information about the magnitude of income‐based life expectancy disparities among their constituents.
Responding to Activist Short Sellers: Allegations, Firm Responses, and Outcomes
Authors: Brendel Janja , Ryans James
Published: March 2021

This study provides descriptive evidence on how firms respond to activist short seller reports and how these responses are associated with outcomes for the targeted firms. We show that the frequency of these reports has grown substantially in recent years. Although we find that firms respond only 31% of the time, this rate increases substantially when the report is accompanied by significantly negative abnormal returns and when the report contains new evidence. Not responding is associated with a less negative stock price response at report release and fewer adverse outcomes. Firms that launch internal investigations following the report release have significantly higher subsequent rates of stock exchange delisting and SEC enforcement actions, and lower rates of being acquired. Overall, our results highlight the impact of activist short sellers on target firms and that firm responses are associated with material outcomes.
rTPC and nls.multstart: A new pipeline to fit thermal performance curves in r
Authors: Padfield Daniel , O'Sullivan Hannah , Pawar Samraat
Published: March 2021

Quantifying thermal performance curves (TPCs) for biological rates has many applications to important problems such as predicting responses of biological systems—from individuals to communities—to directional climate change or climatic fluctuations.

Current software tools for fitting TPC models to data are not adequate for dealing with the immense size of new datasets that are increasingly becoming available. We require tools capable of tackling this issue in a simple, reproducible and accessible way.

We present a new, reproducible pipeline in r that allows for relatively simple fitting of 24 different TPC models using nonlinear least squares (NLLS) regression. The pipeline consists of two packages—rTPC and nls.multstart—that provide functions which conveniently address common problems with NLLS fitting such as the NLLS parameter starting values problem. rTPC also includes functions to set starting values, estimate key TPC parameters and calculate uncertainty around parameter estimates as well as the fitted model as a whole.

We demonstrate how this pipeline can be combined with other packages in r to robustly and reproducibly fit multiple mathematical models to multiple TPC datasets at once. In addition, we show how model selection or averaging, weighted model fitting and bootstrapping can be easily implemented within the pipeline.

This new pipeline provides a flexible and reproducible approach that makes the challenging task of fitting multiple TPC models to data accessible to a wide range of users across ecology and evolution.
A roadmap for sampling and scaling biological nitrogen fixation in terrestrial ecosystems
Authors: Soper Fiona M. , Taylor Benton N. , Winbourne Joy B. , Wong Michelle Y. , Dynarski Katherine A. , Reis Carla R. G. , Peoples Mark B. , Cleveland Cory C. , Reed Sasha C. , Menge Duncan N. L. , Perakis Steven S.
Published: March 2021

Accurately quantifying rates and patterns of biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) in terrestrial ecosystems is essential to characterize ecological and biogeochemical interactions, identify mechanistic controls, improve BNF representation in conceptual and numerical modelling, and forecast nitrogen limitation constraints on future carbon (C) cycling.

While many resources address the technical advantages and limitations of different methods for measuring BNF, less systematic consideration has been given to the broader decisions involved in planning studies, interpreting data, and extrapolating results. Here, we present a conceptual and practical road map to study design, study execution, data analysis and scaling, outlining key considerations at each step.

We address issues including defining N‐fixing niches of interest, identifying important sources of temporal and spatial heterogeneity, designing a sampling scheme (including method selection, measurement conditions, replication, and consideration of hotspots and hot moments), and approaches to analysing, scaling and reporting BNF. We also review the comparability of estimates derived using different approaches in the literature, and provide sample R code for simulating symbiotic BNF data frames and upscaling.

Improving and standardizing study design at each of these stages will improve the accuracy and interpretability of data, define limits of extrapolation, and facilitate broader use of BNF data for downstream applications. We highlight aspects—such as quantifying scales of heterogeneity, statistical approaches for dealing with non‐normality, and consideration of rates versus ecological significance—that are ripe for further development.
The impact of platelet‐rich fibrin (PRF) on delayed tooth replantation: A preliminary animal study
Authors: Behnaz Mohammad , Izadi Seyed Sadra , Mashhadi Abbas Fatemeh , Dianat Omid , Sadeghabadi Sina , Akbarzadeh Tina , Haeri Ali , Kazem Majid , Younessian Farnaz
Published: March 2021

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of platelet‐rich fibrin (PRF) placed in delayed replantation of mature extracted teeth. Sixteen intentionally extracted teeth in two mature beagle dogs were selected. In one quadrant of each jaw, the extraction sockets were filled with PRF prior to replantation, and the other quadrant served as control without PRF. All extracted teeth underwent endodontic treatment and dried for 60 min. Thereafter, they were replanted with a flexible splint. After 8 weeks, the animals were euthanised, and the histological sections examined. Less inflammatory root resorption was noted in the PRF group compared to the control (P = 0.031). However, there was no significant difference between the two groups with regard to new bone formation, inflammatory status, connective tissue healing and replacement resorption (P > 0.05). Using PRF in the extracted socket before delayed replantation did not provide any significant benefit other than reduced inflammatory root resorption.
Personality traits and bricolage as drivers of sustainable social responsibility in family SMEs: A COVID‐19 perspective
Authors: Anwar Muhammad , Clauß Thomas
Published: March 2021

Motivated by the social and environmental challenges resulting from the COVID‐19 pandemic, this research examines the influence of the “big five” personality traits; extroversion, agreeableness, openness, conscientiousness, and neuroticism on sustainable social responsibility with a mediating role of bricolage. We collected empirical evidence from 245 family‐owned SMEs. The results indicate that the personality traits do not directly influence sustainable social responsibility, although the traits (except extroversion) influence bricolage. Moreover, we found that open, conscious, and agreeable personalities indirectly contribute to sustainable social responsibility, with bricolage as a mediator. Our findings encourage enterprises to focus on those personality traits during crises (especially COVID‐19) that empower people to effectively manage existing resources (e.g., bricolage) and protect their stakeholders. Family‐owned SMEs need to assign resource utilization tasks to family members having personalities of openness, conscientiousness, and neuroticism because these kinds of people have high capacities for bricolage.
Central nervous system diseases related to pathological microglial phagocytosis
Authors: Wang Ke , Li Jiaying , Zhang Yue , Huang Yichen , Chen Di , Shi Ziyu , Smith Amanda D. , Li Wei , Gao Yanqin
Published: March 2021

Microglia are important phagocytes of the central nervous system (CNS). They play an important role in protecting the CNS by clearing necrotic tissue and apoptotic cells in many CNS diseases. However, recent studies have found that microglia can phagocytose parts of neurons excessively, such as the neuronal cell body, synapse, or myelin sheaths, before or after the onset of CNS diseases, leading to aggravated injury and impaired tissue repair. Meanwhile, reduced phagocytosis of synapses and myelin results in abnormal circuit connections and inhibition of remyelination, respectively. Previous studies focused primarily on the positive effects of microglia phagocytosis, whereas only a few studies have focused on the negative effects. In this review, we use the term "pathological microglial phagocytosis" to refer to excessive or reduced phagocytosis by microglia that leads to structural or functional abnormalities in target cells and brain tissue. The classification of pathological microglial phagocytosis, the composition, and activation of related signaling pathways, as well as the process of pathological phagocytosis in various kinds of CNS diseases, are described in this review. We hypothesize that pathological microglial phagocytosis leads to aggravation of tissue damage and negative functional outcome. For example, excessive microglial phagocytosis of synapses can be observed in Alzheimer's disease and schizophrenia, leading to significant synapse loss and memory impairment. In Parkinson's disease, ischemic stroke, and traumatic brain injury, excessive microglial phagocytosis of neuronal cell bodies causes impaired gray matter recovery and sensory dysfunction. We therefore believe that more studies should focus on the mechanism of pathological microglial phagocytosis and activation to uncover potential targets of therapeutic intervention.
Review prognosis system to predict employees job satisfaction using deep neural network
Authors: Rustam Furqan , Ashraf Imran , Shafique Rahman , Mehmood Arif , Ullah Saleem , Sang Choi Gyu
Published: March 2021

With the multitude of companies that flourish today, job seekers want to join companies with highly satisfied employees. So, job satisfaction prediction is an important task that helps companies in sustaining or redesigning employee policies. Such predictions not only help in reducing employee attrition but also affect the goodwill and reputation of a company. The higher satisfaction level of current employees attracts potential new employees and confirms the positive policies of a company toward its employees. Job satisfaction prediction can be performed using employee reviews either manually or via automated machine learning algorithms. This study first evaluates four widely used machine learning algorithms, that is, random forest, logistic regression, support vector classifier, and gradient boosting, and then proposes a deep learning model to predict employee job satisfaction level. Experiments are carried out on a dataset that contains text reviews from the employees of Google, Facebook, Amazon, Microsoft, and Apple. Three feature extraction methods are analyzed as well including term frequency‐inverse document frequency (TF‐IDF), bag‐of‐words (BOW), and global vector for word representation (GloVe). Performance is evaluated using accuracy, precision, recall, F1 score, as well as, macro average precision, and weighted average. The performance of the proposed model is compared with state‐of‐the‐art deep learning models. Results demonstrate that the proposed model performs better than both the machine learning and state‐of‐the‐art approaches.
Effect of selenium on thyroid autoimmunity and regulatory T cells in patients with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis: A prospective randomized‐controlled trial
Authors: Hu Yifang , Feng Wenwen , Chen Huanhuan , Shi He , Jiang Lin , Zheng Xuqin , Liu Xiaoyun , Zhang Wensong , Ge Yaoqi , Liu Yun , Cui Dai
Published: March 2021

Selenium (Se) is an essential trace element in human. Recent studies of Se supplementation on the effect of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (HT) have been reported, but the exact benefit is unclear as well as the underlying immunologic mechanism. We aimed to evaluate the clinical effect of Se supplement in patients with HT, and explore the potential mechanism against thyroid autoimmunity. A prospective, randomized‑controlled study was performed in patients with HT assigned to two groups. Se‐treated group (n = 43) received selenious yeast tablet (SYT) for 6 months, whereas no treatment in control group (n = 47). The primary outcome is the change of thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPOAb) or thyroglobulin antibody (TGAb). Second, thyroid function, urinary iodine, Se, Glutathione peroxidase3 (GPx3), and Selenoprotein P1 (SePP1) levels were measured during the SYT treatment. Meanwhile, regulatory T cells (Tregs) and their subsets activated Tregs (aTregs), resting Tregs, and secreting Tregs, as well as Helios and PD‐1 expression on these cells were also detected. The results showed that SYT treatment significantly decreased TPOAb, TGAb, and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) levels, accompanied with the increased Se, GPx3, and SePP1, compared with the control group. Subgroup analysis revealed that subclinical HT may benefit more from this treatment in the decrease of TSH levels by interaction test. Moreover, the percentage of aTregs, Helios/Tregs, and Helios/aTregs were significantly higher in the Se‐treated group than control. In conclusion, Se supplementation may have a beneficial effect on thyroid autoantibodies and thyroid function by increasing the antioxidant activity and upregulating the activated Treg cells.
Prescribing trends and clinical characteristics of patients starting antiobesity drugs in the United States
Authors: Suissa Karine , Schneeweiss Sebastian , Kim Dong Wook , Patorno Elisabetta
Published: March 2021

Aim

To assess the trends in the prescribing of antiobesity medications and the characteristics of patients recently initiating antiobesity drugs.

Materials and Methods

We conducted a population‐based cohort study using claims data from commercial health insurances in the United States. Patients initiating an antiobesity drug between January 2004 and December 2018 were included. Trends in the utilization of antiobesity medications were plotted by year, as a proportion of any antiobesity treatment, and as initiation rates per 100 000. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the characteristics of antiobesity initiators.

Results

From 2004 to 2018, 626 216 patients started an antiobesity medication (two per 100 000). Phentermine was the most frequently prescribed (50% in 2018). In recent years (2015‐2018), among 227 692 patients who initiated an antiobesity drug, 51% started phentermine, 19% naltrexone‐bupropion, and 13% liraglutide 3.0 mg. Compared to other agents, the use of liraglutide 3.0 mg increased between 2015 and 2018. The average age of initiators was 45 years, 81% of initiators were female, 32% had hypertension, 25% had dyslipidaemia, and 6% had type 2 diabetes. Time on treatment was generally short (mean 81 days).

Conclusion

The overall use of antiobesity medications remained low over the past 15 years and phentermine was the preferred antiobesity agent. Although the use of potentially safer antiobesity agents, for example, liraglutide 3.0 mg, has increased in recent years, phentermine remained the most frequently prescribed agent among middle‐aged adults with a moderate burden of comorbidities.
Recombinant factor VIII Fc for the treatment of haemophilia A
Authors: Hermans Cedric , Mancuso Maria Elisa , Nolan Beatrice , Pasi K. John
Published: March 2021

Prophylaxis with factor VIII (FVIII) is the current therapeutic approach for people with haemophilia A. However, standard half‐life (SHL) FVIII products must be injected frequently, imposing a substantial burden on the individual and making it difficult to tailor therapy according to patient need and lifestyle, which could impact adherence. Recombinant FVIII Fc fusion protein (rFVIIIFc; Elocta®, Sobi; Eloctate®, Sanofi) is a recombinant fusion protein that undergoes slower clearance from the body than SHL FVIII products. This pharmacokinetic property of rFVIIIFc allows prophylactic administration every 3‐5 days, or once weekly in selected patients, with doses adjusted to patient needs and clinical outcomes. Higher FVIII levels can be achieved maintaining dosing frequency similar to that usually applied with SHL FVIII. This review provides a summary of recent data from the A‐LONG, Kids A‐LONG, ASPIRE and PUPs A‐LONG studies and recently published real‐world experience relevant to rFVIIIFc use in individualised regimens. The review also introduces ongoing studies of rFVIIIFc, including its use for induction of immune tolerance, and discusses some aspects to consider when switching patients to rFVIIIFc and managing ongoing treatment. In summary, rFVIIIFc is suitable for individualised prophylaxis regimens that can be tailored according to patient clinical needs and lifestyle.
Transcranial magnetic stimulation over the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex modulates visuospatial distractor suppression
Authors: Jin Zhenlan , Xie Ke , Ni Xuejin , Jin Dong‐Gang , Zhang Junjun , Li Ling
Published: March 2021

Visual selective attention allows us to filter relevant inputs from irrelevant inputs during visual processing. In contrast to rich research exploring how the brain facilitates task‐relevant inputs, less is known about how the brain suppresses irrelevant inputs. In this study, we used transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) to investigate the causal role of the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), a crucial brain area for attentional control, in distractor suppression. Specifically, 10‐Hz repetitive TMS (rTMS) was applied to the right DLPFC and Vertex at the stimuli onset (stimuli‐onset TMS) or 500 ms prior to the stimuli onset (prestimuli TMS). In a variant of the Posner cueing task, participants were instructed to identify the shape of a white target while ignoring a white or colored distractor whose location was either cued in advance or uncued. As anticipated, either the location cue or the colored distractor led to faster responses. Notably, the location cueing effect was eliminated by stimuli‐onset TMS to the right DLPFC, but not by prestimuli TMS. Further analyses showed that stimuli‐onset TMS quickened responses to uncued trials, and this TMS effect was derived from the inhibition at the distractor in both visual fields. In addition, TMS over the right DLPFC had no specific effect on the colored distractor compared to the white one. Considered collectively, these findings indicate that the DLPFC plays a crucial role in visuospatial distractor suppression and acts upon stimuli presentation. Besides, it seems the DLPFC contributes more to location‐based distractor suppression than to color‐based one.
Beyond knowledge: Evaluating the practices and precautionary measures towards COVID‐19 amongst medical doctors in Jordan
Authors: Ramadan Mohannad , Hasan Zuheir , Saleh Tareq , Jaradat Mahmoud , Al‐hazaimeh Mohammad , Bani Hani Omar , Al‐Tammemi Ala’a B. , Shorman Enas , Al‐Mistarehi Abdel‐Hameed , Kheirallah Khalid
Published: March 2021

Background

Health Care Workers (HCWs), including medical doctors, played a pivotal role as a first‐line defence against the COVID‐19 pandemic. Because of high exposure, HCWs are at an increased risk of contracting the disease.

Aims

This study aims to assess the level of precautionary measures, both at home and the workplace, amongst medical doctors who were on duty during the national lockdown in Jordan.

Methods

A cross‐sectional study was conducted between March 23 and May 1, 2020, utilising a self‐administered web‐based questionnaire to examine a sample of medical doctors (n = 270) working at different healthcare institutions in Jordan. Likert scale was used to code the data and generate means and percentages.

Results

The most practiced on‐duty precautionary measures were cleaning hands with water and disinfectant for more than 20 seconds (47.4%), followed by proper hygiene before and during meals (38.9%). The most practiced off‐duty measures were taking off clothes before entering the residential place (65.9%) and prohibiting visitors (58.1%). Overall, the mean work protection percentage score was 73.8% (range: 28%‐100%), while the mean home safety percentage score was 71.3% (range: 25%‐100%). Work protection score was positively correlated with the home safety score. Female doctors were found to be more precautious at home than males. Doctors with chronic illness(es) were found to be less precautious than their healthier counterparts. Participants who isolated themselves expressed the highest level of home safety practice. Doctors who reported to smoke were found more precautious at home and doctors who preferred to work during lockdowns were more precautious at the workplace.

Conclusion

The level of precautionary behaviour of medical doctors in Jordan was not optimal. More attention and efforts are needed to enhance the adherence of doctors to precautionary guidance. Strengthening the role of infectious disease and infection control units within healthcare settings remains a necessity.
Pleural effusion as an indicator for the poor prognosis of COVID‐19 patients
Authors: Wei Xiao‐Shan , Wang Xu , Ye Lin‐Lin , Niu Yi‐Ran , Peng Wen‐Bei , Wang Zi‐Hao , Zhang Jian‐Chu , Zhou Qiong
Published: March 2021

Background

Coronavirus Disease 19 (COVID‐19) is a global health concern that has become a pandemic over the past few months. This study aims at understanding the clinical manifestations of COVID‐19 patients with pleural effusion.

Methods

COVID‐19 patients were retrospectively enrolled from the Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology. Pharyngeal swabs from patients were tested using real‐time polymerase chain reaction. Patients with COVID‐19 were divided into two groups based on their computed tomography (CT) scans for the presence of pleural effusion at admission. We compared the clinical features, laboratory findings, scans and clinical outcomes between the two groups.

Results

Pleural effusion was observed in 9.19% of the patients. Patients with pleural effusion were more likely to be severe or critical cases. Moreover, patients with pleural effusion were associated with increased mortality. Of the 799 discharged patients, patients with pleural effusion had longer hospital stays and duration of viral shedding since the onset of symptoms as compared with that for patients without pleural effusion. After discharge, 217 patients visited for a follow‐up CT re‐examination at the Union Hospital. The CT scans showed that patients with pleural effusion required a longer time to resolve the lung inflammation after the onset of COVID‐19 as compared with the time required by patients without pleural effusion.

Conclusion

This population of patients requires special attention and pleural effusion may be an indicator of poor prognosis in COVID‐19 patients.
Emerging applications of nanotechnologies to probiotics and prebiotics
Authors: Ashaolu Tolulope Joshua
Published: March 2021

Fervid interests on nanoparticles are increasing within the scientific and non‐scientific communities, as they are utilised in food and non‐food applications. The versatility of emerging applications of nanoparticles makes them potentially harmful to the food, healthcare and environment sectors, and thus necessitates the development of nanonutraceuticals from nutritional substances such as antioxidants, vitamins, fatty acids, fibres, probiotics and prebiotics. This review excavated state of the art on nanotechnology applications such as gold and selenium particles, nanolayers, nanobeads, nanoemulsions and nanofibers to probiotics and prebiotics for the synthesis of anticancer, antimicrobial, antioxidant and photo‐reactive products among others, and finally delved into other noteworthy considerations like safety. It is concluded that available literature on the current status of nanoprobiotics and prebiotics are exhaustive, despite their huge potentials and applications.
Contribution of soil compositions, harvested times and varieties on chemical fingerprint of Italian and Turkish citrus cultivars
Authors: Mottese Antonio Francesco , Sabatino Giuseppe , Di Bella Marcella , Fede Maria Rita , Parisi Francesco , Marcianò Giuseppe , Tripodo Alessandro , Italiano Francesco , Dugo Giacomo , Caridi Francesco
Published: March 2021

This paper aims to define the stability over the time of chemical elemental patterns in some citrus varieties of PGI (Protected Geographical Indication) and not PGI Interdonato and Lunario cultivars coming from Italy and Turkey and to set up a range of markers useful to trace their geographical origin. During the 2015–2017 growing seasons, all fruits were collected and subjected to Inductively Coupled Mass spectrometry (ICP‐MS) analysis, in order to determine the multielemental chemical profiles. The chemical variability was calculated for each element by Multi‐way analysis of variance. The results highlighted how the measured Cr, Ni, Al, K, Fe and Zn levels mainly depend on the soil composition and the fingerprint allow to trace the geographical origins. Moreover, the stepwise linear discriminant analysis (SLDA) has allowed to correctly classify the 100% of lemon pulps provenances, based on Ni, Al, K, Ca and Na contents. Finally, our study demonstrates the role played by harvest years, variety and soils composition whose interaction contributed to define the chemical fingerprints.
Risk of symptomatic COVID‐19 due to aircraft transmission: a retrospective cohort study of contact‐traced flights during England’s containment phase
Authors: Blomquist Paula Bianca , Bolt Hikaru , Packer Simon , Schaefer Ulf , Platt Steven , Dabrera Gavin , Gobin Maya , Oliver Isabel
Published: March 2021

Background

Knowledge gaps remain regarding SARS‐CoV‐2 transmission on flights. We conducted a retrospective cohort study to estimate risk of acquiring symptomatic SARS‐CoV‐2 on aircraft, to inform contact tracing and infection control efforts.

Methods

We identified co‐passengers of infectious passengers on 18 England‐bound flights from European cities up to 12/03/2020, using manifests received for contact tracing. Infectious passengers were laboratory‐confirmed cases with symptom onset from 7 days before to 2 days after the flight. Possible aircraft‐acquired cases were laboratory‐confirmed with onset 3‐14 days post‐flight with no known non‐flight exposure. Manifests was merged with the national case management dataset (identifying cases, onset dates, contact tracing status) and the national COVID‐19 linelist. Contact tracing notes were reviewed to identify non‐flight exposures. We calculated attack rates (ARs) among all co‐passengers and within subgroups, including by distance from infectious cases and number of infectious cases on‐board.

Results

There were 55 infectious passengers and 2313 co‐passengers, including 2221 flight‐only contacts. Five possible aircraft‐acquired cases were identified; ARs of 0.2% (95%CI 0.1‐0.5) among all flight‐only contacts and 3.8% (95%CI 1.3‐10.6) among contact‐traced flight‐only contacts sat within a two‐seat radius. The AR among 92 co‐travellers with known non‐flight exposure to infectious cases was 13.0% (95%CI 7.6%‐21.4%). There were insufficient numbers to assess differences between subgroups.

Conclusion

We conclude that risk of symptomatic COVID‐19 due to transmission on short to medium‐haul flights is low, and recommend prioritising contact‐tracing of close contacts and co‐travellers where resources are limited. Further research on risk on aircraft is encouraged.
Gynaecological cancers and their cell lines
Authors: Skok Kristijan , Gradišnik Lidija , Maver Uroš , Kozar Nejc , Sobočan Monika , Takač Iztok , Arko Darja , Kavalar Rajko
Published: March 2021

Cell lines are widely used for various research purposes including cancer and drug research. Recently, there have been studies that pointed to discrepancies in the literature and usage of cell lines. That is why we have prepared a comprehensive overview of the most common gynaecological cancer cell lines, their literature, a list of currently available cell lines, and new findings compared with the original studies. A literature review was conducted via MEDLINE, PubMed and ScienceDirect for reviews in the last 5 years to identify research and other studies related to gynaecological cancer cell lines. We present an overview of the current literature with reference to the original studies and pointed to certain inconsistencies in the literature. The adherence to culturing rulesets and the international guidelines helps in minimizing replication failure between institutions. Evidence from the latest research suggests that despite certain drawbacks, variations of cancer cell lines can also be useful in regard to a more diverse genomic landscape.
Salinity, freshwater and agricultural water preferences of glass eels of the Japanese eel Anguilla japonica collected in southern Japan
Authors: Kumai Yusuke , Kuroki Mari
Published: March 2021

Water‐choice trial experiments revealed that Anguilla japonica glass eels collected in southern Japan possess strong preferences for fresh water and agricultural water. Their locomotor activity and preference for fresh water were higher and stronger, respectively, in this study when compared to previous studies conducted at lower temperatures. These results suggest that their locomotor activity and preference for fresh water is influenced by water temperature. The attraction to agricultural water indicates their upstream migration and habitat selection could be influenced by agricultural water.
Understanding Differential Effectiveness of Behavioral Parent Training from a Family Systems Perspective: Families Are Greater than “Some of Their Parts”
Authors: Weeland Joyce , Helmerhorst Katrien O. W. , Lucassen Nicole
Published: March 2021

Behavioral parent training (BPT) is a theory‐driven, evidence‐based, and widely used intervention strategy for preventing and decreasing children's disruptive behavior problems, indirectly via improved parenting behavior. However, not all families benefit equally from BPT. To date, our knowledge of who benefits (and who does not) and our understanding of why some families benefit more than others is limited. An important challenge for research and practice is finding ways to tailor interventions to the needs of an individual family and increase their effectiveness. We put forwardfamily systems theoryas a tool to gain more insight into which families (do not) benefit from BPT and why. We synthesize the theoretical foundations and empirical support for the putative mechanisms through which the functioning of family systems may explain BPT effectiveness and propose ways in which family systems theory can help strengthen the design, implementation, and evaluation of BPT programs.
Does negative contact undermine attempts to improve intergroup relations? Deepening the understanding of negative contact and its consequences for intergroup contact research and interventions
Authors: Schäfer Sarina J. , Kauff Mathias , Prati Francesca , Kros Mathijs , Lang Timothy , Christ Oliver
Published: March 2021

Intergroup contact is an established pathway to improve intergroup relations. Research has long focused on mainly positive intergroup contact and its capability to improve intergroup relations. Yet, if members of different groups meet, they will not only make positive, but possibly also negative intergroup contact experiences. Recent research considering both positive as well as negative intergroup contact has raised concerns about potentially stronger effects of negative compared to positive contact. These new insights and the increasing awareness of potentially detrimental effects of contact could lead to doubts about whether it is always sensible to bring individuals from different groups together. Our article first updates the latest review on joint effects of positive and negative intergroup contact. We find that there is no clear tendency for either positive or negative intergroup contact to yield stronger effects on intergroup relations, and we portray factors that might influence these effects. Such factors—for example an individual's prior experiences—could play a crucial role in defining the relevance of negative contact in everyday settings. We continue by answering calls to increase a more qualitative understanding of what kinds of experiences are seen to be intergroup contact, and where intergroup contact in everyday life is experienced from a lay understanding, with new qualitative data from British White and British Asian individuals. Our results demonstrate that positive as well as negative contact is often rather casual and happens in public spaces and at work. Interventions explicitly addressing these spaces may help to reach more people. We also demonstrate that positive contact is much more frequent than negative contact. This finding is confirmed in the third section, which reviews the relative frequency of positive and negative intergroup contact. Last but not least, we discuss the implications of our review for practitioners and researchers alike.
Influence of oral movement, particle size, and zeta potential on astringency of whey protein
Authors: Carter Brandon G. , Drake MaryAnne
Published: March 2021

Astringency is an important characteristic in whey protein products that leads to lower consumer liking, improvements in astringency may improve consumer acceptance of high protein products. The contributions of oral movement, particle size, and zeta potential on the perception of whey protein astringency were investigated. Trained panelists documented the astringency of 10% (w/w) whey protein isolate (WPI, >90% protein) solutions at pH 3.4 or 7.0 with or without oral movements. In a second experiment, 67 commercial WPI and whey protein concentrate 80% protein (WPC80) were evaluated for particle size and zeta potential at neutral pH, and of these, 21 were selected for further evaluation of astringency. Acidification of WPI increased astringency, but astringency was also documented in a neutral pH range (pH 6.0–7.0). Oral movements increased the perception of astringency (p < 0.05), suggesting that part of the astringent sensation was due to the interaction of whey proteins with receptors on oral tissues and oral movement further increasing astringency perception, possibly by friction of delubricated oral surfaces. Commercial WPI and WPC80 varied widely in particle size, zeta potential, and astringency. Astringency of WPI solutions were correlated with zeta potential (p < 0.05, r = −.81). WPC80 were astringent, but astringency of WPC 80 was not correlated with particle size or zeta potential (p > 0.05, r = .14, .40). These results provide information on the mechanism of whey protein astringency perception, which may facilitate the development of whey protein products with decreased astringency.

Practical Applications

Astringency of whey proteins is complex and a result of multiple mechanisms. This study established that oral movements and zeta potential are linked to the astringency of whey protein. These results further explain the mechanisms of astringency and may help to identify possible methodologies to reduce astringency in whey protein ingredient applications.
Social Representations Theory and young Africans' creative narratives about human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome, 1997–2014
Authors: Winskell Kate
Published: March 2021

Research on social representations (SRs) has often focused more on categorical than narrative‐based representations. However, narratives are considered to play a key role in the organization of SRs. This article describes an empirical study of some 2000 creative narratives about human immunodeficiency virus written by young Africans from five countries between 1997 and 2014 and examines the theoretical, methodological and applied relevance of Social Representations Theory (SRT) for this study and the implications of the study for the intersection between narrative and SRT. The study is unusual within the SR paradigm: it is temporal and cross‐national; addresses a subject whose science has evolved over time; and usescreativenarratives as its data source. A narrative perspective foregrounds holistic understandings of SRs as systems of thought. Creative narratives fit well within an SR framework. Our triangulating methodologies foreground categorical or narrative dimensions depending on the objectives of specific sub‐studies. Central Core Theory provides a framework to articulate stability and change within narrative representations. In creative narrative, objectification also happens at the level of plot and characters, such that dominant cultural narratives can be viewed as a form of hegemonic SR. We link with health communication and embrace more critical streams within SR research.