bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
RNA-based vaccine demonstrates prophylactic efficacy against Mycobacterium tuberculosis challenge in a mouse model
Authors: Larsen Sasha E. , Erasmus Jesse H. , Reese Valerie A. , Pecor Tiffany , Archer Jacob , Kandahar Amit , Hsu Fan-Chi , Reed Steven G. , Baldwin Susan L. , Coler Rhea N.
Published: February 2022

Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) is an opportunistic bacterial pathogen that causes tuberculosis disease (TB) and exerts an extensive burden on global health. The complex intra- and extracellular nature of this bacterium, coupled with different disease stages have made mechanistic studies evaluating the contributions of innate and adaptive host immunity challenging. In this work we leveraged two delivery platforms as prophylactic vaccines to assess immunity and subsequent efficacy against low dose and ultra-low dose aerosol challenge with Mtb H37Rv in C57BL/6 mice. Our proof-of-concept TB vaccine candidate ID91 was produced as a fusion protein formulated with a synthetic TLR4 agonist (glucopyranosyl lipid adjuvant in a stable emulsion) or as a replicating-RNA (repRNA) formulated in a nanostructured lipid carrier (NLC). Results from this work demonstrate that protein subunit- and RNA-based vaccines preferentially elicit cellular immune responses to different ID91 epitopes. In a single prophylactic immunization screen, both platforms reduced pulmonary bacterial burden compared to controls. Excitingly, in prime-boost strategies, groups that received heterologous RNA-prime, protein-boost or combination (simultaneous in different sites) immunizations demonstrated the greatest reduction in bacterial burden and a unique humoral and cellular immune response profile. These data are the first to report that repRNA platforms are a viable system for TB vaccines and should be pursued with high priority Mtb antigens containing CD4+ and CD8+ T cell epitopes.
Resolving tricky nodes in the tree of life through amino acid recoding
Authors: Giacomelli Mattia , Rossi Maria Eleonora , Lozano-Fernandez Jesus , Feuda Roberto , Pisani Davide
Published: February 2022

Genomic data allowed for a detailed resolution of the tree of life. Yet, tricky nodes such as the root of the animal, plants, eukaryotes, bacterial and archaeal trees remain unresolved. Genomic datasets are heterogeneous as genes and species evolve under different selective pressures, impending the efficacy of evolutionary analyses. Amino acid recodings were developed to reduce heterogeneity, but clear evidence to justify their use is missing. We use simulated genomic-scale datasets and show that recodings can substantially improve phylogenetic accuracy when tackling tricky nodes. We apply our findings to address the root of the animal tree where the debate centers on whether sponges (Porifera) or comb jellies (Ctenophora) branched out first. We show that results from real data follow predictions from simulated data and indicate that a placement of the ctenophores as the first branching animal lineage is most likely artifactual.
Optimization of Whole Mount RNA multiplexed in situ Hybridization Chain Reaction with Immunohistochemistry, Clearing and Imaging to visualize octopus neurogenesis
Authors: Elagoz Ali M , Styfhals Ruth , Maccuro Sofia , Masin Luca , Moons Lieve , Seuntjens Eve
Published: February 2022

Gene expression analysis has been instrumental to understand the function of key factors during embryonic development of many species. Marker analysis is also used as a tool to investigate organ functioning and disease progression. As these processes happen in three dimensions, the development of technologies that enable detection of gene expression in the whole organ or embryo is essential. Here, we describe an optimized protocol of whole mount multiplexed RNA in situ hybridization chain reaction version 3.0 (HCR v3.0) in combination with immunohistochemistry (IHC), followed by fructose-glycerol clearing and light sheet fluorescence microscopy (LSFM) imaging on whole-mount Octopus vulgaris embryos. We developed a code to automate probe design which can be applied for designing HCR v3.0 type probe pairs for fluorescent in situ mRNA visualization. As proof of concept, neuronal (Ov-elav) and glial (Ov-apolpp) markers were used for multiplexed HCR v3.0. Neural progenitor (Ov-ascl1) and precursor (Ov-neuroD) markers were combined with an immunostaining for phosphorylated-histone H3, a marker for mitosis. After comparing several tissue clearing methods, fructose-glycerol clearing was found optimal in preserving the fluorescent signal of HCR v3.0. The expression that was observed in whole-mount octopus embryos matched with the previous expression data gathered from paraffin-embedded transverse sections. Three-dimensional reconstruction revealed additional spatial organization that had not been discovered using two-dimensional methods.
PanGraph: scalable bacterial pan-genome graph construction
Authors: Noll Nicholas , Molari Marco , Shaw Liam P. , Neher Richard A.
Published: February 2022

The genomic diversity of microbes is commonly parameterized as single nucleotide polymorphisms relative to a reference genome of a well-characterized, but arbitrary, isolate. However, any reference genome contains only a fraction of the microbialpangenome, thetotalset of genes observed in a given species. Reference-based approaches are thus blind to the dynamics of the accessory genome, as well as variation within gene order and copy number. With the wide-spread usage of long-read sequencing, the number of high-quality, complete genome assemblies has increased dramatically. Traditional computational approaches towards whole-genome analysis either scale poorly with the number of genomes, or treat genomes as dissociated “bags of genes”, and thus are not suited for this new era. Here, we presentPanGraph, a Julia-based library and command line interface for aligning whole genomes into a graph. Each genome is represented as an undirected path along vertices, which in turn, encapsulate homologous multiple sequence alignments. The resultant data structure succinctly summarizes population-level nucleotide and structural polymorphisms and can be exported into a several common formats for either downstream analysis or immediate visualization.
Tribological behavior of laser textured rolling element bearings under starved lubrication
Authors: Long Risheng , Shang Qingyu , Jin Zhihao , Zhang Yimin , Ju Zichen , Li Manhong
Published: February 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to reveal the influence of dimples on the tribological properties of the “washers-cage-rollers” system of rolling element bearing (REB) under starved lubrication.

Design/methodology/approach

A fiber laser marking system was used to prepare dimples patterns on the raceways of the shaft washers of cylindrical roller thrust bearings (CRTBs). The friction and wear properties of dimples textured CRTBs with different diameter of dimples (200 µm, 250 µm, 300 µm) and depth of dimples (4 µm, 8 µm, 12 µm) were researched through a vertical universal wear test rig using a customized tribo-pair under starved lubrication. The surface stresses and the influence mechanism of dimple units on the tribological behavior of REBs were also compared and discussed.

Findings

Although the surface stresses on the raceways of dimples textured bearings are significantly higher than that of the smooth group, the coefficients of friction and wear losses of them are all reduced under starved lubrication. When the effective volume of dimples is between 1.13 and 2.25 and the depth of dimples is smaller than 12 µm, the tribological properties of dimples textured CRTBs are significantly improved. In this work, when the diameter of dimples is 250 µm, and the depth of dimples is 8 µm, the textured bearings can provide the excellent friction-reduction ability and outstanding wear resistance.

Originality/value

This work is a valuable reference for the raceway design and optimization of REBs.
Knowledge-based HR practices, π-shaped skills and innovative performance in the contemporary organizations
Authors: Elayan Malek Bakheet , Hayajneh Jamal Abdelrahman M. , Abdellatif Mamdouh Abdallah Mohamed , Abubakar A. Mohammed
Published: February 2022

Purpose

As technology accelerates, the pace of innovation and product and process life cycles have significantly decreased. Firms seek to leverage their employees' efforts, particularly through knowledge-based HR practices and intellectual skills, to attain innovative performances. Despite extensive research, the scope and role of p-shaped skills have yet to be considered; this is an important oversight. Through the lens of a knowledge-based perspective, this study examines the association of knowledge-based HR practices, p-shaped skills and innovative performance.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper tested the hypotheses using data obtained from large and SMEs in Riyadh, Saudi. A partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) technique was applied to analyze the data.

Findings

The results of the PLS-SEM algorithm suggest that knowledge-based HR practices result in increased p-shaped skills, and p-shaped skills result in increased innovative performance. Accordingly, p-shaped skills mediate the association between knowledge-based HR practices and innovative performances.

Originality/value

This is among the first study to operationalize a p-shaped skills scale. The paper extends its functionality as a predictor for innovative performance and the outcome of knowledge-driven HR practices. This research offers valuable theoretical and practical implications.
Sentiment analysis of online discussion of LIS professionals using R
Authors: Garg Mohit , Kanjilal Uma
Published: February 2022

Purpose

The main focus of the present study was threefold. Firstly, extraction of the data from the Library and Information Science (LIS) Links; secondly, pre-process the data to remove noises on maximum parameters; and lastly, to know the polarity of the discussion posted on LIS Links.

Design/methodology/approach

The advancement in the internet and Web 2.0 technologies have facilitated the academic community with many online platforms like Q&A sites, mailing lists, discussion forums, etc. for disseminating or seeking information. LIS Links is one such discussion forum commonly used by Indian LIS professionals. The analysis of these discussions can help in knowing the experience of LIS professionals in different aspects. The present study is based on a lexicon-based approach, which works on the bag of word model. The open source environment R and its different packages were used for the analysis.

Findings

The analysis shows that the majority of the posts on LIS Links were discussed with positive sentiments. There were only very few words of negative sentiments on the discussion forum of LIS Links.

Originality/value

The above review of the literature shows that there have been many studies in different domains. The user responses on different platforms were explored. Also, some studies have conducted sentiment analysis in LIS. However, this was limited to content posted by the libraries or the reviews of books. No research was found in the published literature on the analysis of the opinion of LIS professional.
Environmental awards and their relevance to the environmental commitment of organizations
Authors: Conke Leonardo Silveira
Published: February 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify the characteristics of environmental awards and analyze their relevance to the environmental commitment of organizations.

Design/methodology/approach

Extensive desk research, using secondary data and multiple documental sources on the environmental awards offered in Brazil.

Findings

Concerning their characteristics, awards are voluntary, do not have a standard set of guiding principles or regulations, can be offered by any desiring entity (accredited or not) and usually have qualitative evaluation methods. Regarding the contributions to social responsibility, organizations have been using awards to increase the visibility of their environmental efforts, reinforce their environmental image and disseminate environmental values and behaviors, especially within specific groups or communities. Consequently, it is argued why awards’ promotion or winning can be considered additional evidence of environmental commitment but should not be taken as a definite measure of environmental performance.

Originality/value

This paper provides a new perspective about awards, understanding them as types of recognition, and therefore, comparable to certification and labeling. Another contribution is gathering of awards’ characteristics, which can help analyze awards across several other fields, such as social responsibility, quality, innovation and public services.
The state as a whiteman, the whiteman as a/’hun: personhood, recognition, and the politics of knowability in the Kalahari
Authors: Ninkova Velina
Published: February 2022

The article is dedicated to the loving memory of !A|’xuni.

The Ju|’hoansi of east central Namibia sometimes refer to the state as a whiteman and to the whiteman as a/’hun(steenbok). In this article, I contextualize these naming practices by tracing the history of colonial encounters on the fringes of the Western Kalahari through a small‐scale animist perspective. I then discuss what this means for the concept of ‘recognition’, which I treat as a two‐way intersubjective process of making oneself un/knowable to others. I argue that the Ju|’hoansi have engaged in parallel processes of mis/recognition vis‐à‐vis their colonial Others. By failing to enter into reciprocal relations with the Ju|’hoansi, the whiteman and the state have remained outside of the Ju|’hoansi's social universe and have thus compromised their own personhood.
‘Access to Women’: Securing Mormon Whiteness in the US Army's Regulation of Commercial Sex in Chihuahua, 1916
Authors: Maddock Pamela Jean
Published: February 2022

This article argues that Mormon colonists – once refugees who had sought freedom from persecution for their sexual practices – asserted a white middle‐class respectability as they cooperated with the US Army and corresponded with officers on the management of the soldiers’ sexual conduct. Their success depended heavily on shared understandings of the race and gender of the people involved. That is, they leveraged prevailing assumptions about Black soldiers’ bodies as aggressive and in need of sex, about white Mormon women's bodies as vulnerable and about Mexican women's bodies as racially in‐between and thus suitable for the sexual service‐work of enlisted men, pliable and ready to be made ‘accessible’ to soldiers. John Pershing, when asked to explain his decision to build the brothel, justified his choice by saying he had all Black troops at the camp and that nearby Mormon colonists had complained of these Black men meeting women outside for sex. This article explains how, why, for whom and to what end Pershing's explanation worked.
Compendium of sodium reduction strategies in foods: A scoping review
Authors: Dunteman Aubrey N. , McKenzie Elle N. , Yang Ying , Lee Youngsoo , Lee Soo‐Yeun
Published: February 2022

In response to health concerns generated by increased sodium intake, many new approaches have been studied to reduce the sodium content in processed food. It has been suggested that reducing sodium in the food supply may be the most appropriate solution. The aim of this scoping review was to establish what sodium reduction strategies are effective in maintaining acceptable sensory qualities for various food industry applications. Studies that evaluate and report on the effectiveness of a sodium reduction strategy relevant to food and included outcomes detailing how the strategies were received by human subjects using sensory data are included, as well as book chapters, literature reviews, and patents focusing on sodium reduction strategies. Only those published in English and since 1970 were included. Literature was obtained through Scopus, PubMed, EBSCOhost, and ScienceDirect databases, whereas patents were obtained through US Patent Trademark Office, Google Patents, and PATENTSCOPE databases. Two‐hundred and seventy‐seven primary studies, 27 literature reviews, 10 book chapters, and 143 patents were selected for inclusion. Data extracted included details such as analytical methods, broad and specific treatment categories, significant outcomes, and limitations among other material. Sodium reduction methods were categorized as either salt removal, salt replacement, flavor modification, functional modification, or physical modification. Although salt removal and salt replacement were the majority of included studies, future research would benefit from combining methods from other categories while investigating the impact on sensory characteristics, technological aspects, and consumer perception of the strategy.
Efficacy and safety of S‐flurbiprofen plaster in knee osteoarthritis patients: A 2‐week randomized controlled Phase III clinical trial compared to diclofenac gel
Authors: Tomatsu Kenji , Yasuda Shoji , Fuady Ahmad , Matsumoto Hideo , Sumariyono
Published: February 2022

Aim

S‐flurbiprofen plaster (SFPP) is a novel topical nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drug (NSAID) patch. This study aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of SFPP in knee osteoarthritis (OA) patients compared to diclofenac gel.

Methods

This study was a multicenter, randomized, active‐controlled, open‐label, non‐inferiority phase III trial. There were 311 enrolled patients treated by SFPP or diclofenac gel for 2 weeks. The primary efficacy outcome was the knee pain when rising from the specially arranged chair assessed by visual analog scale (rVAS). The other efficacy outcomes were clinical symptoms, pain on walking, global assessment by both investigator and patient, and use/non‐use of the rescue drugs during the treatment period. Adverse events (AEs) were evaluated as the safety outcome.

Results

The least‐squares mean (95% CI) of ΔrVAS at the end of the study was 41.52 (39.16‐43.88) mm in the SFPP group and 36.01 (33.69‐38.33) mm in the diclofenac gel group, with a between‐group difference of 5.51 (2.20‐8.82), indicating non‐inferiority. There were statistically significant differences between the groups in rVAS, clinical symptoms, pain on walking, and the global assessment by both investigator and patient. The incidence rate of AEs in the SFPP group was 5.8%, and there was no statistically significant difference from that in the diclofenac gel group (5.2%). Most of the AEs were mild, and no AE led to discontinuation.

Conclusion

Non‐inferiority of SFPP to diclofenac gel was demonstrated in the efficacy for pain on rising from a chair. SFPP was also well‐tolerated in knee OA patients.
Sex pheromones and sex attractants of species within the genera Idolus Desbrochers des Loges and Dalopius Eschscholtz (Coleoptera: Elateridae) in the western United States
Authors: Serrano Jacqueline M. , Landolt Peter J. , Reyes Corral Cesar A. , Millar Jocelyn G.
Published: February 2022

Most known click beetle (Coleoptera: Elateridae) sex pheromones have been identified from economically important European species. We hypothesized that pheromone components might be conserved between New and Old World species, and so tested blends of known pheromones in California and Washington states.

Males of the endemic species Idolus californicus and Idolus columbianus (subfamily Elaterinae) were attracted to blends of neryl esters, many of which are known pheromones of related European species. Electroantennogram assays determined that antennae of male beetles responded strongly to two neryl esters, and in field bioassays, males of both species were specifically attracted to neryl hexanoate.

Female I. californicus were found to produce both neryl hexanoate and neryl octanoate, and lures that contained neryl hexanoate alone or in blends attracted male beetles. Neryl octanoate was not attractive, and neither synergized nor antagonized attraction to neryl hexanoate.

Males of Dalopius spp. also were captured in traps baited with lures containing neryl octanoate.

Our results support the hypothesis that the neryl ester pheromone motif is conserved among taxonomically related European and North American elaterids in the tribe Elaterinae, which should aid in the identification of pheromones of pest species within the tribe.
Trans‐homophilic interaction of CADM1 promotes organ infiltration of T‐cell lymphoma by adhesion to vascular endothelium
Authors: Kasai Yutaka , Gan Siew Pey , Funaki Toko , Ohashi‐Kumagai Yuki , Tominaga Mizuki , Shiu Shu‐Jen , Suzuki Daisuke , Matsubara Daisuke , Sakamoto Takeharu , Sakurai‐Yageta Mika , Ito Takeshi , Murakami Yoshinori
Published: February 2022

The initial step of organ infiltration of malignant cells is the interaction with host vascular endothelial cells, which is often mediated by specific combinations of cell adhesion molecules. Cell adhesion molecule 1 (CADM1) is overexpressed in adult T‐cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATL) and provides a cell‐surface diagnostic marker. CADM1 promotes the adhesion of ATL cells to vascular endothelial cells and multiple organ infiltration in mice. However, its binding partner on host cells has not yet been identified. In this study, we show that CADM1 promotes transendothelial migration of ATL cells in addition to the adhesion to vascular endothelial cells. Moreover, CADM1 enhances liver infiltration of mouse T‐cell lymphoma cells, EL4, after tail vein injection, whereas a CADM1 mutant lacking adhesive activity did not. Among the known CADM1‐binding proteins expressed in primary endothelial cells, only CADM1 and CADM4 could induce morphological extension of ATL cells when plated onto glass coated with these proteins. Furthermore, CADM1‐mediated liver infiltration of EL4 cells was canceled in conventional and vascular endothelium‐specific Cadm1 knockout mice, whereas it was not canceled in Cadm4 knockout mice. These results suggest that CADM1 on host vascular endothelial cells is required for organ infiltration of ATL and other T‐cell lymphomas expressing CADM1.
Type I conventional dendritic cells relate to disease severity in virus‐induced asthma exacerbations
Authors: Cameron Aoife , Dhariwal Jaideep , Upton Nadine , Ranz Jimenez Ismael , Paulsen Malte , Wong Ernie , Trujillo‐Torralbo Maria‐Belen , del Rosario Ajerico , Jackson David J. , Edwards Michael R. , Johnston Sebastian L. , Walton Ross P. ,   the MRC‐GSK Strategic Alliance Consortium
Published: February 2022

Rationale

Rhinoviruses are the major precipitant of asthma exacerbations and individuals with asthma experience more severe/prolonged rhinovirus infections. Concurrent viral infection and allergen exposure synergistically increase exacerbation risk. Although dendritic cells orchestrate immune responses to both virus and allergen, little is known about their role in viral asthma exacerbations.

Objectives

To characterize dendritic cell populations present in the lower airways, and to assess whether their numbers are altered in asthma compared to healthy subjects prior to infection and during rhinovirus‐16 infection.

Methods

Moderately‐severe atopic asthmatic patients and healthy controls were experimentally infected with rhinovirus‐16. Bronchoalveolar lavage was collected at baseline, day 3 and day 8 post infection and dendritic cells isolated using fluorescence activated cell sorting.

Measurements and Main Results

Numbers of type I conventional dendritic cells, which cross prime CD8+ T helper cells and produce innate interferons, were significantly reduced in the lower airways of asthma patients compared to healthy controls at baseline. This reduction was associated serum IgE at baseline and with reduced numbers of CD8+ T helper cells and with increased viral replication, airway eosinophils and reduced lung function during infection. IgE receptor expression on lower airway plasmacytoid dendritic cells was significantly increased in asthma, consistent with a reduced capacity to produce innate interferons.

Conclusions

Reduced numbers of anti‐viral type I conventional dendritic cells in asthma are associated with adverse outcomes during rhinovirus infection. This, with increased FcεR1α expression on lower airway plasmacytoid DCs could mediate the more permissive respiratory viral infection observed in asthma patients.
Severe COVID‐19 pneumonia in an intensive care setting and comparisons with historic severe viral pneumonia due to other viruses
Authors: Dadhwal Kiran , Stonham Rosalind , Breen Hannah , Poole Stephen , Saeed Kordo , Dushianthan Ahilanandan
Published: February 2022

Purpose

Severe viral pneumonia is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Recent COVID‐19 pandemic continues to impose significant health burden worldwide, and individual pandemic waves often lead to a large surge in the intensive care unit (ICU) admissions for respiratory support. Comparisons of severe SARS‐CoV‐2 pneumonia with other seasonal and nonseasonal severe viral infections are rarely studied in an intensive care setting.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study comparing patients admitted to ICU with COVID‐19 between March and June 2020 and those with viral pneumonias between January and December 2019. We compared patient specific demographic variables, duration of illness, ICU organ supportive measures and outcomes between both groups.

Results

Analysis of 93 COVID‐19 (Group 1) and 52 other viral pneumonia patients (Group 2) showed an increased proportion of obesity (42% vs. 23%, p = 0.02), non‐White ethnicities (41% vs. 6%, p < 0.001) and diabetes mellitus (30% vs. 13%, p = 0.03) in Group 1, with lower prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)/asthma (16% vs. 34%, p = 0.02). In Group 1, the neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio was much lower (6.7 vs. 10, p = 0.006), and invasive mechanical ventilation (58% vs. 26%, p < 0.001) was more common. Length of ICU (8 vs. 4, p < 0.001) and hospital stay (22 vs. 11, p < 0.001) was prolonged in Group 1, with no significant difference in mortality. Influenza A and rhinovirus were the most common pathogens in Group 2 (26% each).

Conclusions

Key differences were identified within demographics (obesity, ethnicity, age, ICU scores, comorbidities) and organ support. Despite these variations, there were no significant differences in mortality between both groups. Further studies with larger sample sizes would allow for further assessment of clinical parameters in these patients.
Prognostic significance of blood urea nitrogen/creatinine ratio in chronic HFpEF
Authors: Zhen Zhe , Liang Weihao , Tan Weiping , Dong Bin , Wu Yuzhong , Liu Chen , Xue Ruicong
Published: February 2022

Background

The prognostic significance of blood urea nitrogen (BUN)/creatinine ratio specifically in chronic heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) patients remained unclear. We aimed to evaluate the association of BUN/creatinine ratio (baseline level and visit‐to‐visit variation) with the risk of adverse clinical outcomes among patients with chronic HFpEF.

Methods and results

This is a secondary analysis of the Treatment of Preserved Cardiac Function Heart Failure with an Aldosterone Antagonist (TOPCAT) trial. Of the enrolled 3445 participants in the TOPCAT trial, associations between BUN/creatinine and clinical outcomes were examined in a subset of 1521 (baseline measurements level) and 1453 (visit‐to‐visit variation) participants. A multivariable Cox proportional hazard model was used to assess the prognostic significance of BUN/creatinine ratio and BUN/creatinine ratio variation for the prespecified clinical outcomes. A higher BUN/creatinine ratio was associated with a higher risk of all‐cause mortality (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.52, 95%CI, 1.21‐1.91; p < .001) as well as cardiovascular disease mortality (HR = 1.83, 95%CI, 1.35‐2.49; p < .001) in the fully adjusted model. Greater visit‐to‐visit variability in BUN/creatinine ratio tended to be independently associated with a higher risk of heart failure hospitalization and primary endpoint (p < .001 for both outcomes). Furthermore, those findings were consistent across participants stratified by the presence of chronic kidney disease at baseline.

Conclusions

Higher BUN/creatinine ratio and greater BUN/creatinine ratio variability are independently associated with adverse outcomes in HFpEF participants in the TOPCAT trial.
Towards a general framework for innovation shaped with AI to create and transform market offerings
Authors: Giacomoni Gilbert
Published: February 2022

Our research focuses on early‐stages of innovation, especially in the Biotech and Pharmaceutical industry, wherein the business research is still hit‐and‐miss, mainly based on trial and error and experimentation. We leverage the story of a high‐growth startup, building and expanding on behavioral economics that examines the relationships between science and innovation, especially dynamic capabilities and related problemistic search and strategic options generation. A general framework for innovation shaped with both narrow and general AI (advanced data analytics, intelligent algorithms, etc.) is proposed to create and transform market offerings, hybridize domains heretofore dissociated and build organizational fit with prior and novel core elements. For firms, it can be exploitable as a competitive advantage, making it possible to efficiently anticipate, hence adapt to the most general types of change in representation or taking place in the environment.
Diagnostic characteristics of refractometry cut‐off points for the estimation of immunoglobulin G concentration in mare colostrum
Authors: Rampacci Elisa , Mazzola Karen , Beccati Francesca , Passamonti Fabrizio
Published: February 2022

Background

Feeding foals with poor quality colostrum predisposes them to failure of passive transfer (FPT). FPT is a major risk factor for neonatal infections.

Objectives

To assess the optimal cut‐offs for the optical (OR) and digital (DR) refractometer and determine their accuracy for poor quality colostrum diagnosis.

Study design

A diagnostic validation study.

Methods

Eighty‐one colostrum samples and sera were collected from broodmares and their neonatal foals, respectively. Colostral and serum IgG concentrations were measured by radial immunodiffusion (RID), DR and OR. Correlation coefficients were calculated. ROC curves were generated to identify optimal cut‐offs for the refractometers and their diagnostic characteristics were evaluated.

Results

The optimal cut‐offs for DR and OR were ≤23.75% and 23.9%, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of the DR were 93.3% (95% CI: 66.0‐99.7) and 87.9% (95% CI: 77.0‐94.3) to detect colostral IgG <60 g/L, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of the OR were 93.3% (95% CI: 66.0‐99.7) and 81.8% (95% CI: 70.0‐89.9), respectively. DR and OR had negative predictive values of 98.3% (95% CI: 89.7‐99.9) and 98.2% (95% CI: 89.0‐99.9), respectively, whilst positive predictive values were lower. No maternal variable, including breed, significantly influenced colostral IgG concentrations. Fifteen out of 81 colostrum samples had IgG <60 g/L. FPT and PFPT were diagnosed in 4/81 and 10/81 foals, respectively. Nine out of 14 animals with FPT/PFPT suckled colostrum with IgG <60 g/L. A moderate correlation (rs 0.542; P = .01) was observed between IgG concentrations measured by RID in sera and colostrum.

Main limitations

A smaller number of samples than the size requirement based on a priori estimate of specificity and the low prevalence of poor quality colostrum.

Conclusions

The method has the potential to reliably differentiate between good and poor quality colostrum. Assessing colostrum quality by refractometry may be an indicator of passive transfer of immunity.
Toward scoping reviews of individual bird species
Authors: McClure Christopher J. W. , Szymczycha Zackery , Anderson David L. , Aguiar‐Silva Francisca Helena , Schulwitz Sarah , Dunn Leah , Henderson Michael T. , Camacho Leticia , Vargas González José de Jesús , Parish Chris N. , Buechley Evan R. , D'Elia Jesse , Wilbur Sanford , Johansen Kenneth , Johnson Devin L. , Møller Søren , Pokrovsky Ivan , Katzner Todd E.
Published: February 2022

Scoping reviews, in which the literature on a given topic is systematically collated and summarized, aid literature searches and highlight knowledge gaps on a given topic, thus hastening scientific progress and informing conservation efforts. Because much research and conservation is targeted at the species level, ornithology and bird conservation would benefit from scoping reviews of individual species. We present and apply a framework for scoping reviews for three disparate raptor species: California Condor Gymnogyps californianus, Harpy Eagle Harpia harpyja and Gyrfalcon Falco rusticolus. We consulted expert panels to develop appropriate search strings and lists of essential literature, i.e. ‘benchmark articles’. We searched Web of Science, Scopus and Google Scholar. Searches for California Condor, Harpy Eagle and Gyrfalcon returned 268, 138 and 343 articles, respectively, that discuss, review or collect empirical data for the focal species. Our searches returned all benchmark articles identified by species experts, indicating that the searches captured the most important work on each species. We coded each study according to the topic addressed, country and month in which data were collected. We also coded threats, stresses and conservation actions addressed by studies, following definitions used by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) during Red List assessments. Literature summaries for each species include the number of studies addressing certain topics, monthly timing of research and global maps of research focus. Our coding scheme revealed important knowledge gaps for each species. Effects of conservation actions on wild individuals were less studied for California Condors. Harpy Eagles were less studied outside of Brazil and Panama, and Gyrfalcons were less studied outside of their breeding season. Scoping reviews of the world's bird species would help to identify critical knowledge gaps, thereby aiding the global effort to assuage the sixth mass extinction.
Does options improve the information absorption? Evidence from the introduction of weekly index options
Authors: Jain Prachi , Kotha Kiran Kumar
Published: February 2022

This paper empirically examines the effect of weekly options introduction on the benchmark index of Indian stock market, NIFTY50. The paper evaluates the possible stabilizing or destabilizing nature of impact on underlying volatility focusing on the relation between information and volatility using GARCH framework. The results indicate that the onset of weekly index options has improved the information assimilation and reduced the persistence of old information on volatility. Further, similar changes are not evident on a control index, NIFTY NEXT50. Overall, the results indicate an increase in market efficiency with weekly index options trading.
A system‐level optimization framework for efficiency and effectiveness improvement of wastewater treatment plants
Authors: Camanho Ana , Barbosa Flávia , Henriques Alda
Published: February 2022

Wastewater treatment plants constitute an essential part of the sewage system. They have the role of removing pollutants from wastewater to enable the safe disposal of the treated effluent in the natural environment. This research seeks to evaluate plants' efficiency and effectiveness, which involves minimizing energy consumption while obtaining a quality level of the treated water aligned with legislation requirements. We explore two policy scenarios regarding the measurement of effluent quality. The first assumes that pollutants' emission quotas (EQs) are fixed at each plant. The second assumes that quotas are set for the receiving waters (e.g., river or watercourse in the natural environment) so that trade‐offs in EQs among plants sharing the same discharge site are possible. This latter scenario requires a system‐wide analysis to identify optimal targets for pollutants removal at each plant that allow fulfilling the expected average quality levels of the effluent discharged. This paper develops a methodology to fully realize the potential for energy savings based on an innovative mixed‐integer linear programming model. This model follows the data envelopment analysis axioms to estimate the frontier of the production possibility set. The approach proposed is tested in a real‐world context using the plants of a Portuguese water company. The results show that the two scenarios combining efficiency and effectiveness perspectives have advantages in terms of energy savings compared to the conventional situation focused only on efficiency gains. The saving potential is slightly higher in the scenario allowing reallocation of EQs among plants.
Balancing reactive oxygen species generation by rebooting gut microbiota
Authors: Singh Vandna , Ahlawat Shruti , Mohan Hari , Gill Sarvajeet Singh , Sharma Krishna Kant
Published: February 2022

Reactive oxygen species (ROS; free radical form O2•−, superoxide radical; OH•, hydroxyl radical; ROO•, peroxyl; RO•, alkoxyl and non-radical form 1O2, singlet oxygen; H2O2, hydrogen peroxide) are inevitable companions of aerobic life with crucial role in gut health. But, overwhelming production of ROS can cause serious damage to biomolecules. In this review, we have discussed several sources of ROS production that can be beneficial or dangerous to the human gut. Micro-organisms, organelles and enzymes play crucial role in ROS generation, where NOX1 is the main intestinal enzyme, which produce ROS in the intestine epithelial cells. Previous studies have reported that probiotics play significant role in gut homeostasis by checking the ROS generation, maintaining the antioxidant level, immune system and barrier protection. With current knowledge, we have critically analysed the available literature and presented the outcome in the form of bubble maps to suggest that the probiotics help in controlling the ROS-specific intestinal diseases, such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and colon cancer. Finally, it has been concluded that rebooting of the gut microbiota with probiotics, postbiotics or faecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) can have crucial implications in the structuring of gut communities for the personalized management of the gastrointestinal (GI) diseases.
Construction of an early warning model of hepatic encephalopathy in patients with liver cirrhosis based on psychological testing
Authors: Yi Chen , Wei Yin , Zhengcui Hu , Ying Xiao , Xiaoying Lu
Published: February 2022

Aims and objectives

To establish an early warning model of hepatic encephalopathy in patients with liver cirrhosis based on psychological testing.

Methods

Data including patient demographics, number connection test‐A (NCT‐A), digit symbol test (DST), Model for End‐Stage Liver Disease (MELD) scores were collected for patients admitted to a tertiary hospital in Shanghai with liver cirrhosis between January and December 2019. Patients were divided into two groups based on the development of hepatic encephalopathy (the hepatic encephalopathy group and non‐hepatic encephalopathy group). Risk factors for hepatic encephalopathy in patients with liver cirrhosis were determined by using the binary logistic regression. We developed a predictive model in accordance with the STARD statement criteria (Supplementary File S1) with a cut‐off value determined by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis and calculation of the Youden index.

Results

A total of 417 patients with liver cirrhosis were included in the present study. Of these, 33 out of 66 patients with abnormal psychological tests had hepatic encephalopathy during hospitalisation. In contrast, 6 out of 317 patients with normal psychological tests had hepatic encephalopathy. Logistic regression analysis identified age, MELD score, and abnormal psychological tests as risk factors for hepatic encephalopathy in patients with liver cirrhosis. The area under the ROC curve for our prediction model for hepatic encephalopathy in patients with liver cirrhosis was 0.950 and the largest calculated Youden index was 0.804, which corresponds to a cut‐off value is 0.0307.

Conclusion

Greater age, higher MELD score and abnormal psychological tests were significantly associated with increased risk of hepatic encephalopathy indicating early warning systems and identification of abnormal psychological tests are important components of the clinical nursing care process for cirrhotic patients. Our early warning model based on psychological testing can provide a basis for nursing observation and prevention of hepatic encephalopathy.

Relevance to clinical practice

Risk assessments for hepatic encephalopathy according to liver function and psychological tests, in addition to traditional neurological observations and dietary guidance, have utility in decreasing the incidence of hepatic encephalopathy.
Prevalence of and risk factors for thirst in the intensive care unit: An observational study
Authors: Lin Rong , Li Hong , Chen Lili , He Jinyi
Published: February 2022

Aim and objectives

This study investigated the incidence of thirst and contributing factors in intensive care unit (ICU) patients by analysing differences in physiologic, psychological, and disease‐ and environment‐related parameters in ICU patients with vs without thirst.

Background

Little is known about the factors that influence thirst, and there are no standardised methods for identifying at‐risk patients in the ICU. Previous studies generalised the risk of thirst in ICU patients because of a lack of data on relevant variables. Here, we examined the factors contributing to thirst based on symptom management theory.

Design

Prospective descriptive design.

Methods

Physiologic, psychological, disease‐related and environment‐related data were collected for 301 patients from 4 ICUs (medical, surgical, cardiac and emergency ICUs) of a hospital from 15 December 2017–10 July 2019 through a screening interview, questionnaires and from electronic medical records. The data were analysed with descriptive statistics, the t‐test and chi‐squared test, and by logistic regression. Binary stepwise logistic regression was used to identify thirst‐associated factors. The findings are reported according to the STROBE checklist for cross‐sectional studies.

Results

In total, 210/301 (69.8%) ICU patients experienced thirst. Risk factors were nil per os order (odds ratio [OR] = 4.10, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.44–11.69), surgery (OR = 2.96, 95% CI: 1.11–7.93), high glucose (OR = 3.36, 95% CI: 1.01–11.17) and greater disease severity (OR = 1.13, 95% CI: 1.02–1.24).

Conclusion

Thirst is common in ICU patients. Timely detection of patients’ thirst and identification of those at high risk by ICU nurses can ensure the implementation of effective and safe interventions.

Relevance to clinical practice

The results of this study highlight the need to evaluate thirst symptoms in patients with severe disease and develop relief strategies for fasting, perioperative, and hyperglycaemic patients and others who are at high risk of thirst.
Incidence of gestational diabetes mellitus before and after the Covid‐19 lockdown: A retrospective cohort study
Authors: La Verde Marco , Torella Marco , Riemma Gaetano , Narciso Giuliana , Iavarone Irene , Gliubizzi Ligia , Palma Marica , Morlando Maddalena , Colacurci Nicola , De Franciscis Pasquale
Published: February 2022

Aim

To evaluate whether the first Covid‐19 lockdown for Italian citizens (March to July 2021) might have altered the incidence of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).

Methods

A retrospective single‐center study in a tertiary referral center. Primary outcome was the incidence of GDM among pregnant women. GDM incidence, from June 11, 2019 to December 4, 2020, was compared by dividing the study time as follows: from the beginning of the study to before Covid‐19 lockdown (from June 11, 2019, to March 9, 2020) and lockdown period (from March 10, 2020, to December 4, 2020). GDM was diagnosed with a 75‐g, 2‐h oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) at 24–28 gestational weeks.

Results

Concerning 1295 women, GDM incidence increased during the lockdown period (9.3% vs. 3.4%, p < 0.001). Higher pregnancy weight gain with an increased body mass index (BMI) at the delivery was reported during the lockdown (31.3 vs. 28.4 kg/m2, p = 0.02 and mean weight gain of 9.3 vs. 6.6 kg, p = 0.007). There was no difference in other comorbidity incidence and OGTT values between the two groups.

Conclusions

Pregnant women during the Covid‐19 lockdown might have experienced higher BMI and pregnancy weight gain with increased GDM diagnoses. This may be related to physical limitations and emotional distress experienced during the lockdown. However, evidence is limited due to restricted study duration and random variations of outcomes across time. More studies are needed to understand the dietary patterns and the physical activity changes during the Covid‐19 lockdown and its impact on fetal outcomes.
Assessing Verb‐Construction Integration in Young Learners of English as a Foreign Language: Analyses of Written and Spoken Production
Authors: Kim Hyunwoo , Hwang Haerim
Published: February 2022

Extending previous findings on adult L2 learners’ integration of verbal and constructional information, this study investigated how child learners of English as a foreign language produce verbs in target constructions and whether (a) receptive skills and (b) the specific production modality (spoken versus written) modulate the integration process. Written and spoken samples from 76 Korean‑speaking children were analyzed for verb‐construction association strength using three independent measures. A mixed‐effects regression analysis showed that the written data contained fewer strongly associated verb‐construction combinations than did the spoken data, yet verb‐construction association in writing became stronger as the participants’ receptive task scores increased. Subsequent cluster analyses revealed that the stronger verb‐construction associations found for increasing receptive skills in writing were due to the lower‐proficiency participants’ matching some verbs with inappropriate constructions. The modulating role of production modes, as well as receptive skills, in children's integration of verbs and constructions is consistent with usage‐based approaches to language learning.
Nursing students' perceptions of the efficacy of narrative photography as a learning method: Across‐sectionalstudy
Authors: Leyva‐Moral Juan M. , Aguayo‐González Mariela , Folch Cinta , San Rafael Sabiniana , Gómez‐Ibáñez Rebeca
Published: February 2022

Although active learning methodologies promote students' creativity and motivation regarding learning objectives, traditional unidirectional teaching methods remain more common. The objective of this study was to determine nursing students' perceptions regarding the efficacy of narrative photography as a learning method, including self‐perceived satisfaction. Narrative photography is an art‐based technique inspired by Photovoice that promotes empathy, creativity, and reflection. A cross‐sectional study was conducted using a nonprobabilistic sample of 66 nursing students from a public university in Barcelona, Spain. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected anonymously using an electronic tool. Descriptive statistics and thematic analyses were used to analyze the data. Sixty valid questionnaires were returned. The respondents found narrative photography's ability to promote creativity and assist understanding of theory to be its most satisfying aspect (>95% somewhat/totally agree). Narrative photography's usefulness, ability to foster self‐criticism, and the associated workload was the least satisfactory aspect (>55% somewhat/totally agree). Significant differences regarding satisfaction levels were found for both age and sex. Narrative photography is a helpful and satisfactory learning method, especially for promoting creativity and understanding theoretical concepts.