bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Electrophysiological correlates of confidence differ across correct and erroneous perceptual decisions
Authors: Feuerriegel Daniel , Murphy Mackenzie , Konski Alexandra , Mepani Vinay , Sun Jie , Hester Robert , Bode Stefan
Published: November 2021

Every decision we make is accompanied by an estimate of the probability that our decision is accurate or appropriate. This probability estimate is termed our degree of decision confidence. Recent work has uncovered event-related potential (ERP) correlates of confidence both during decision formation and after a decision has been made. However, the interpretation of these findings is complicated by methodological issues related to ERP amplitude measurement that are prevalent across existing studies. To more accurately characterise the neural correlates of confidence, we presented participants with a difficult perceptual decision task that elicited a broad range of confidence ratings. We identified a frontal ERP component within an onset prior to the behavioural response, which exhibited more positive-going amplitudes in trials with higher confidence ratings. This frontal effect also biased measures of the centro-parietal positivity (CPP) component at parietal electrodes via volume conduction. Amplitudes of the error positivity (Pe) component that followed each decision were negatively associated with confidence for trials with decision errors, but not for trials with correct decisions, with Bayes factors providing moderate evidence for the null in the latter case. We provide evidence for both pre- and post-decisional neural correlates of decision confidence that are observed in trials with correct and erroneous decisions, respectively. Our findings suggest that certainty in having made a correct response is associated with frontal activity during decision formation, whereas certainty in having committed an error is instead associated with the post-decisional Pe component. These findings also highlight the possibility that some previously reported associations between decision confidence and CPP/Pe component amplitudes may have been a consequence of ERP amplitude measurement-related confounds. Re-analysis of existing datasets may be useful to test this hypothesis more directly.

Highlights

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We mapped the event-related potential correlates of decision confidence

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A frontal component was associated with confidence during decision formation

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The error positivity component was associated with confidence in error trials

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The error positivity was not associated with confidence in correct response trials
Chronic Physical and Vicarious Psychosocial Stress Alter Fentanyl Consumption and Nucleus Accumbens Rho GTPases in Male and Female C57BL/6 Mice
Authors: Franco Daniela , Wulff Andreas B , Lobo Mary Kay , Fox Megan E
Published: November 2021

Chronic stress can increase the risk of developing a substance use disorder in vulnerable individuals. Numerous models have been developed to probe the underlying neurobiological mechanisms, however most prior work has been restricted to male rodents, conducted only in rats, or introduces physical injury that can complicate opioid studies. Here we sought to establish how chronic psychosocial stress influences fentanyl consumption in male and female C57BL/6 mice. We used chronic social defeat stress (CSDS), or the modified vicarious chronic witness defeat stress (CWDS), and used social interaction to stratify mice as stress-susceptible or resilient. We then subjected mice to a 15 day fentanyl drinking paradigm in the home cage that consisted of alternating forced and choice periods with increasing fentanyl concentrations. Male mice susceptible to either CWDS or CSDS consumed more fentanyl relative to unstressed mice, and exhibited increased preference for fentanyl. CWDS-susceptible female mice did not differ from unstressed mice during the forced periods, but showed increased preference for fentanyl. We also found decreased expression of nucleus accumbens Rho GTPases in male, but not female mice following stress and fentanyl drinking. We also compare fentanyl drinking behavior in mice that had free access to plain water throughout. Our results indicate that stress-sensitized fentanyl consumption is dependent on both sex and behavioral outcomes to stress.
Comparative analysis of Bacillus cereus group isolates’ resistance using disk diffusion and broth microdilution and the correlation between resistance phenotypes and genotypes
Authors: Mills Emma , Sullivan Erin , Kovac Jasna
Published: November 2021

A collection of 85 Bacillus cereus group isolates were screened for phenotypic resistance to nine antibiotics using disk diffusion and broth microdilution. The broth microdilution antimicrobial results were interpreted using the CLSI M45 breakpoints for Bacillus spp. Due to the lack of Bacillus spp. disk diffusion breakpoints, the results obtained with the disk diffusion assay were interpreted using the CLSI M100 breakpoints for Staphylococcus spp. We identified significant (p < 0.05) discrepancies in resistance interpretation between the two methods for ampicillin, gentamicin, rifampicin, tetracycline, and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole. Antimicrobial resistance genes were detected using unassembled and assembled whole-genome sequences with Ariba and Abricate, respectively, to assess the sensitivity and specificity for predicting phenotypic resistance based on the presence of antimicrobial resistance genes. We found antimicrobial resistance gene presence to be a poor indicator for phenotypic resistance, calling for further investigation of mechanisms underlying antimicrobial resistance in the B. cereus group. Genes with poor sensitivity and/or specificity, as determined based on broth microdilution results included rph (rifampicin, 0%, 95%), mph genes (erythromycin, 0%, 96%), and all van genes (vancomycin, 100%, 35%). However, Bc (ampicillin, 64%, 100%) and tet genes (tetracycline, 67%, 100%) were highly specific, albeit moderately sensitive indicators of phenotypic resistance based on broth microdilution results. Only beta-lactam resistance genes (Bc, BcII, and blaTEM) were highly sensitive (94%) and specific (100%) markers of resistance to ceftriaxone based on the disk diffusion results, providing further evidence of these beta-lactams’ role in nonsusceptibility of Bacillus cereus group isolates to ceftriaxone.

IMPORTANCE

Bacillus cereus group includes human pathogens that can cause severe infections requiring antibiotic treatment. Screening of environmental and food isolates for antimicrobial resistance can provide insight into what antibiotics may be more effective therapeutic options based on the lower prevalence of resistance. Currently, interpretation of antimicrobial susceptibility testing results using the disk diffusion method is complicated by the fact that there are no standard disk diffusion resistance breakpoints defined for Bacillus spp. Hence, the breakpoints for Staphylococcus are often used in research studies. By comparing the results of disk diffusion interpreted using the Staphylococcus spp. breakpoints against broth microdilution interpreted using Bacillus spp. breakpoints, this study demonstrated that disk diffusion results interpretation with Staphylococcus spp. breakpoints are inconsistent. This study also provides new insight into the poor associations between antimicrobial resistance genotypes and phenotypes for the B. cereus group.
COVID-19 pandemic and entrepreneurial intention among university students: a contextualisation of the Igbo Traditional Business School
Authors: Godswill Agu Agu , Okwara Onwuka Onwuka , Okocha Ebere Rejoice , Madichie Nnamdi O.
Published: November 2021

Purpose

This study investigates and contextualises the Igbo Traditional Business School (ITBS) and planned entrepreneurial behaviour across Nigerian higher education sector in a period of crisis occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Design/methodology/approach

The study is based on a quantitative survey of undergraduate students on ITBS, and the data were analysed using the SmartPLS structural equation modelling (SEM).

Findings

The study finds that the COVID-19 pandemic has had negative influence on attitudes, subjective norms, perceived behavioural control (PBC) and entrepreneurial intention (EI) of students, but these negative influences are mediated/moderated by the ITBS.

Practical implications

The study presents some practical and managerial implications that will be of interest to ITBS administrators, the government and other stakeholder groups.

Originality/value

While research has increasingly explored the role of the ITBS in promoting entrepreneurial activities, not much has been linked to coping mechanisms for students in crisis times. The study unearths the “positive” influence of the pandemic on entrepreneurship and how the ITBS mediates the “negative” aspects of COVID-19 on entrepreneurial vocation.
Harmonic/interharmonic estimation using standard deviation assisted ESPRIT method
Authors: Srivastava Ankit Kumar , Tiwari A.N. , Singh S.N.
Published: November 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to accurately estimate harmonics/interharmonics in modern power system. There are several high spectral resolution techniques that have been in use for several years like Estimation of Signal Parameters via Rotational Invariance Technique (ESPRIT), Prony methods, etc. but these techniques require prior knowledge of number of modes present in the signal. Model Order (MO) estimation techniques have to make a trade-off between accuracy and their speed i.e., computational burden. Therefore, there is always a requirement of a technique that is fast as well as accurate.

Design/methodology/approach

The proposed standard deviation (SD) method eliminates the requirement of energy validation test and analyses the distribution pattern, i.e. standard deviation of eigenvalues to identify the number of modes present in the signal. Signal is reconstructed using estimated modes and reconstruction error is obtained to show accuracy of the proposed estimation.

Findings

Six test synthetic signals as well as one practical signal have been taken for validating the proposed method. The paper shows that proposed methodology has a better accuracy compared to modified exact model order (MEMO) method in high noise environment and takes very less computation time compared to the exact model order (EMO) method.

Practical implications

The proposed method has been practically implemented for harmonic/interharmonic analysis at a sewage treatment plant at GIFT City, Gujarat, India. Apart from this the proposed method is modeled in python-based tool and is run into low-cost Raspberry Pi like hardware to create an onsite as well as remote monitoring device.

Originality/value

SD-based approach for model order estimation is novel to this area. Further, the proposed method is compared with EMO and MEMO under varying noise conditions to check for accuracy and estimation time.
Assessing the influence of emotional intelligence on teachers' performance in Lebanese private education institutions
Authors: Trad Moni , Alayoubi Mona Omar , Abdul Khalek Rasha , Khaddage-Soboh Nada
Published: November 2021

Purpose

The main purpose of this study is to demonstrate and verify the influence of emotional intelligence skills on the performance of teachers in private higher educational institutions.

Design/methodology/approach

This quantitative study is based on the positivism research philosophy and the deductive research. Data are collected form Lebanese educational institutions; 304 teachers are surveyed using the convenience sampling technique. Hypotheses are verified through the one-way ANOVA and the multiple linear regression (step-wise) technique with a Sig. value of 0.000 < 0.05.

Findings

The study verified that teachers' demographics have a direct impact on their performance. It also proved that emotions have an impact on teachers' behaviors; emotions are important energy re-sources that help them cope with difficult situations. Teachers with a high level of emotional intelligence are in tune with their own emotions. It is demonstrated that self-awareness, self-management, self-motivation and social skill have a positive statistical influence on the teacher's performance. Lebanese Private Educational Institutions system should be endowed with emotional intelligence to provide teachers with more effective abilities which would eventually reflect on the student's cognitive abilities especially attention and memory.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the literature by studying the emotional intelligence in Lebanese educational institutions which was studied in different countries except Lebanon. It is verified that integrating the emotional intelligence into Lebanese educational systems would play a decisive role in optimum academic performance; institutions should establish as a benchmark the skills related to emotional intelligence.
Differentiated transformational leadership, conflict and team creativity: an experimental study in China
Authors: Dai Peihua , Feng Mingming , Wang Jing
Published: November 2021

Purpose

The authors investigated the impacts of differentiated transformational leadership (TFL), including team-focused TFL and individual-focused TFL, on team creativity through the mediating effect of team conflict, consisting of task conflict and relationship conflict.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors designed and conducted a close-to-reality experiment, enrolling 180 students and six professors from a large Chinese university. Student participants worked on a real marketing project and professor participants imitated the behaviors of transformational leaders. Using the computed values of team-focused TFL, individual-focused TFL, team creativity, task conflict and relationship conflict, the authors assessed the relationship among differentiated TFL, team creativity and team conflict.

Findings

Team-focused TFL has a significantly positive impact on team creativity through the mediating effect of task conflict, whereas individual-focused TFL has a significantly negative impact on team creativity through the mediating effect of relationship conflict.

Originality/value

From a new perspective of team conflict, the authors revealed the “black box” of the differentiated TFL–team creativity relationship. Moreover, other determinants were well controlled in the experiment, and thus, the authors effectively clarified the intervening mechanism of differentiated TFL on team creativity through the mediating effect of team conflict.
Robust trajectory tracking control of underactuated unmanned surface vehicles with exponential stability: theory and experimental validation
Authors: Yu Rui , Zhou Hua
Published: November 2021

Purpose

Trajectory tracking is an important issue to underactuated unmanned surface vehicles (USVs). However, parametric uncertainties and environmental disturbances bring great challenges to the precise trajectory tracking control of USVs. This paper aims to propose a robust trajectory tracking control algorithm with exponential stability for underactuated USVs with parametric uncertainties and unknown environmental disturbances.

Design/methodology/approach

In this method, the backstepping method and sliding mode control method are combined to ensure that the underactuated USV can track and maintain the desired trajectory. In addition, a modified switching-gain adaptation algorithm is adopted to enhance the robustness and reduce chattering. Besides, the global exponential stability of the closed-loop system is proved by Lyapunov’s direct method.

Findings

The proposed method in this paper offers a robust trajectory tracking solution to underactuated USVs and it is verified by simulations and experiments. Compared with the traditional proportion-integral-derivative method and several state-of-the-art algorithms, the proposed method has superior performance in simulation and experimental results.

Originality/value

This paper proposes a robust trajectory tracking control algorithm with exponential stability for underactuated USVs. The proposed method achieves exponential stability with better robustness and transient performance.
Do public and internal debt cause income inequality? Evidence from Kenya
Authors: Obiero Wilkista Lore , Topuz Seher Gülşah
Published: November 2021

Purpose

This study aims to determine whether there is an effect of internal and public debt on income inequality in Kenya for the period 1970–2018.

Design/methodology/approach

The relationship is examined by using the Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) model by Pesaran et al. (2001) and Toda Yamamoto causality by Toda and Yamamoto (1995).

Findings

Our findings suggest that both internal and public debt harm inequality in Kenya in the long term. Furthermore, a one-way causality from internal debt to income inequality is also obtained while no causality relationship is found to exist between public debt and income inequality. Based on these findings, the study recommends that to reduce income inequality levels in Kenya, other methods of financing other than debt financing should be preferred because debt financing is not pro-poor.

Originality/value

This study is unique based on the fact that no previous paper has analysed the debt and inequality relationship in Kenya. To the best of our knowledge, this will be the first study to analyse the applicability of redistribution effect of debt in Kenya. The study is also different in that it provides separate analysis for public debt and internal debt on their effects on income inequality.
Do consumer survey data help improve US vehicle sales forecasts?
Authors: Baghestani Hamid
Published: November 2021

Purpose

This study is concerned with evaluating the Federal Reserve forecasts of light motor vehicle sales. The goal is to assess accuracy gains from using consumer vehicle-buying attitudes and expectations about future business conditions derived from the long-running Michigan Surveys of Consumers.

Design/methodology/approach

Simplicity is a core principle in forecasting, and the literature provides plentiful evidence that combining forecasts from different methods and models reduces out-of-sample forecast errors if the methods and models are valid. As such, the authors construct a simple vector autoregressive (VAR) model that incorporates consumer vehicle-buying attitudes and expectations about future business conditions. Comparable forecasts of vehicle sales from this model are then combined with the Federal Reserve forecasts to assess accuracy gains.

Findings

The findings for 1994–2016 indicate that the Federal Reserve and VAR forecasts contain distinct and useful predictive information, and the combination of the two forecasts shows reductions in forecast errors that are more significant at longer horizons. The authors thus conclude that there are accuracy gains from using consumer survey responses.

Originality/value

This is the first study that is concerned with evaluating the Federal Reserve forecasts of vehicle sales and examines whether there are accuracy gains from using consumer vehicle-buying attitudes and expectations.
The circular economy, environmental performance and environmental management systems: the role of absorptive capacity
Authors: Marrucci Luca , Daddi Tiberio , Iraldo Fabio
Published: November 2021

Purpose

Despite the general interest in the circular economy, organisations have difficulties in implementing circular practices. Developing absorptive capacity (ACAP) may foster circularity among organisations. The paper aims to shed light on relationship between ACAP and organisational performance.

Design/methodology/approach

To empirically investigate the contribution of ACAP in circular economy implementation, the authors analysed a European sample of more than 800 Eco-Management and Audit Scheme-registered organisations through partial least squares structural equation modelling.

Findings

The analysis demonstrates that ACAP and the underlying organisational activities of a firm significantly facilitate the implementation of a circular economy and the internalisation of an environmental management system (EMS), which consequently improve the overall performance of organisations. The authors found that the diffusion of the circular economy in the organisations’ environment does not affect their commitment to implement a circular economy.

Originality/value

The study expands the academic literature by framing the concept of the circular economy with ACAP theory, thereby highlighting the contribution of acquisition, assimilation, transformation and exploitation. The results also provide useful insights for practitioners highlighting how organisations with an environmental certification can identify and pursue opportunities deriving from a circular economy. Finally, the research contributes to the debate on the effect of internalising EMSs and how ACAP improves economic performance, environmental performance and reputation.
Challenges to measuring social value creation through social impact assessments: the case of RVA Works
Authors: Mulloth Balashankar , Rumi Stefano
Published: November 2021

Purpose

Despite the prevalence of academic literature debating and proposing competing conceptions of social value creation through socially driven enterprises, there is a lack of empirical studies on established impact measurement methodologies in the context of real-world ventures. The purpose of this paper is to illustrate a structured process of conducting social impact assessments (SIAs) through the real-world case of Richmond, Virginia Works Enterprise Support (RVA Works), a social enterprise in Richmond, Virginia, that provides educational programming on small business ownership to minorities and lower-income individuals.

Design/methodology/approach

This qualitative research study incorporates an in-depth case study methodology. Evidence was collected through interpretive/qualitative interviews and direct observations by the researchers.

Findings

Using the example of RVA Works, the authors show that there is a lack of standardization and guidance for social entrepreneurs in choosing methods to assess their organizational performance, and that leading conceptions of social impact continue to face key weaknesses in their methodologies.

Practical implications

By incorporating a qualitative case study approach, the authors present a real-world study of a social enterprise – specifically a microenterprise development organization – that may serve as a valuable example to social entrepreneurs and not-for-profit leaders facing similar challenges of social value creation and impact measurement.

Originality/value

In studying the experience of conducting SIAs by social enterprises, the authors illustrate the real-world challenges faced by entrepreneurs in applying theoretical conceptions of social value to the outcomes of their ventures, thus illustrating a need for additional clarity and discussion around a more comprehensive, standardized and broadly applicable measurement approach.
Integrating global sustainability into social studies teachers' education: a collaborative self-study
Authors: Zong Guichun
Published: November 2021

Purpose

There have been increasing calls for social studies educators to engage issues of sustainability. Proponents argue that the very survival of the planet depends on the degree to which teachers can move learners away from unsustainable beliefs and behaviors to those grounded in interdisciplinary approaches to solving community and global challenges. How to implement this vision of sustainability education? The purpose of the paper is to report the results of teacher-educators' curriculum and pedagogical approaches to implement the National Council for Social Studies (NCSS) C3 framework to engage and empower prospective and practicing teachers to teach for a sustainable future.

Design/methodology/approach

The study is guided by the growing field of self-study in teacher education, a type of research undertaken by teacher-educators with the dual purpose of personal professional development and a deep understanding of teacher-education practices. Most data were derived from multiple, recursive conversations (both formal and informal) around curriculum decisions and pedagogical choices to integrate sustainability issues into teacher-education courses. Additional data sources include classroom lecture notes and PowerPoint presentations, course readings and resources.

Findings

The authors' three years of collaborative work has shown that an issues-centered, interdisciplinary approach to select and integrate global issues, the current event article analysis, young adult literature and discussion and deliberation of local sustainable development issues that are some of the most effective pedagogical tools to engage and empower teacher candidates in learning about issues that affect the sustainable development of global community. The NCSS C3 provides a powerful framework to scaffold the process of analyzing sustainable issues while also teaching social studies curriculum and standards and skills.

Originality/value

Scholars of global education have called for shifting from an anthropocentric philosophy to a bio-centric worldview emphasizing the embeddedness of humans within the environment. How can social studies teacher-educators implement this vision of global education What instructional resources strategies and learning activities can be effectively integrated into existing courses to help candidates develop competences and commitment to teaching for global sustainability The study examines the innovative approaches to addressing these critical topics in teacher education.
Trans fatty acids in food: A review on dietary intake, health impact, regulations and alternatives
Authors: Nagpal Tanya , Sahu Jatindra K , Khare Sunil K , Bashir Khalid , Jan Kulsum
Published: November 2021

Trans fats are desired by the edible oil industry as they impart firmness, plasticity, and oxidative stability to oil. However, clinical trials have demonstrated the adverse effects of trans fats in food on human health and nutrition. Regulatory actions have been taken up by government and non‐government bodies worldwide to eliminate the presence of trans fats in the food supply. The World Health Organization (WHO) has launched a “REPLACE” action plan to eliminate trans‐fat from the global food industry by 2023. A few enabling technologies are developed to mitigate trans fats namely, trait‐enhanced oils, modification in the hydrogenation process, interesterification, fractionation, blending, and oleogelation. Some of them have the drawback of replacing trans‐fat with saturated fats. Interesterification and oleogelation are in‐trend techniques with excellent potential in replacing trans fats without compromising the desired functionality and nutritional quality attributes. This review presents an overview of trans fatty acid for example, its dietary intake in food products, possible adverse health impact, regulations, and approaches to reduce the usage of trans fats for food application.

Practical Application

The requirement for the replacement of trans fatty acids (TFAs) in food supply globally has challenged the food industry to find a novel substitute for trans fats without compromising the desired functionality and nutritional property. This review presents detailed background on trans fats, their health impacts and current trends of reformulation of oils and fats to mitigate their presence in food supply chains. Information compiled in this paper will help food scientists and technologists, chemists, food processors, and retailers as there is an urgent need to find novel technologies and substitutes to replace trans fats in processed foods.
Increasing use of post‐mastectomy hypofractionated radiation therapy for breast cancer in Victoria
Authors: Kim Sohyun , Pitson Graham , Koh Tze Lui , Chao Michael , Byrne Keelan , Hornby Colin , Foroudi Farshad , Millar Jeremy , Ong Wee Loon
Published: November 2021

Introduction

The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of post‐mastectomy hypofractionationed radiation therapy (HFRT) for breast cancer in Victoria, Australia.

Methods

This is a population‐based cohort of women with breast cancer who received post‐mastectomy RT to the chest wall with or without nodal irradiation between 2012 and 2017. HFRT was defined as <25 fractions of RT. Data were captured in the Victorian Radiotherapy Minimum Dataset (VRMDS). The changing pattern of HFRT use was evaluated using the Cochran–Armitage test. Patient‐, treatment‐ and institutional‐related factors associated with HFRT use were evaluated using multivariable logistic regression.

Results

Two thousand and twenty‐one women were included in this study, of which 238 (12%) received HFRT. This increased from 8% in 2012 to 18% in 2017 (P‐trend < 0.001). Older women were more likely to have HFRT (26% in women above 70 years vs 6% in women under 50 years; P < 0.001). Women who did not have nodal irradiation were more likely to have HFRT than those who did (18% vs 9% respectively; P < 0.001). In multivariate analyses, the progressive increase in HFRT use over time remained statistically significant – women treated in 2017 were four times more likely to receive HFRT than those treated in 2012 (95% CI = 2.1–7.7; P < 0.001). Other factors independently associated with increased likelihood of HFRT use included increasing age at RT, and lack of nodal irradiation.

Conclusion

In this first Australian study evaluating the use of post‐mastectomy HFRT, we observed increasing HFRT use in Victoria over time. We anticipate this rising trend will continue in the coming years.
Linear polyacrylamide is highly efficient in precipitating and purifying environmental and ancient DNA
Authors: Maixner Frank , Mitterer Christian , Jäger Heidi Y. , Sarhan Mohamed S. , Valverde Guido , Lücker Sebastian , Piombino‐Mascali Dario , Szikossy Ildikó , Molnár Erika , Pálfi György , Pap Ildikó , Cipollini Giovanna , Zink Albert
Published: November 2021

Nucleic acid extraction from complex environmental and ancient tissue material is prone to co‐extract inhibitory substances that make further molecular analysis difficult or impossible. This co‐extraction occurs in both solid‐phase and liquid‐phase/organic nucleic acid extraction protocols. Currently, the widely used method to overcome inhibition includes the addition of bovine serum albumin (BSA) to the downstream enzymatic reactions or the dilution of the nucleic acid extracts. BSA, however, seems to reduce the inhibitory effect of certain compounds only, and excessive dilution may change the original DNA composition.

In this study, we introduce an innovative new method using linear polyacrylamide (LPA) to efficiently precipitate and purify nucleic acids extracted from complex environmental and ancient tissue samples in one working step. The LPA method replaces the precipitation step in classic liquid‐phase/organic extraction protocols or can be easily applied as an additional post‐extraction step on impure DNA extracts. As a proof of concept, we experimented with this method on different ancient human mummy samples (bones, soft tissues and gut contents) from different time periods (5000 BC–1800 AD), as well as on complex environmental samples (e.g. soil, activated sludge and animal faeces) known to contain inhibitory compounds.

We demonstrated that LPA precipitates nucleic acids, even in an aqueous ethanol solution without the addition of chaotropic salts, resulting in the recovery of highly pure DNA from all tested samples that displayed inhibition with previously published extraction protocols. Compared to the current, most widely used silica‐based extraction method for ancient and sedimentary DNA, our LPA method resulted in comparable DNA qualities and overall DNA compositions (human endogenous content and microbial diversity).

In conclusion, our LPA method with its high purifying capacity provides an important alternative to the commonly used DNA extraction protocols in the environmental and ancient DNA (aDNA) fields.
Growth hormone receptor gene disruption in mature‐adult mice improves male insulin sensitivity and extends female lifespan
Authors: Duran‐Ortiz Silvana , List Edward O. , Ikeno Yuji , Young Jonathan , Basu Reetobrata , Bell Stephen , McHugh Todd , Funk Kevin , Mathes Samuel , Qian Yanrong , Kulkarni Prateek , Yakar Shoshana , Berryman Darlene E. , Kopchick John J.
Published: November 2021

Studies in multiple species indicate that reducing growth hormone (GH) action enhances healthy lifespan. In fact, GH receptor knockout (GHRKO) mice hold the Methuselah prize for the world's longest‐lived laboratory mouse. We previously demonstrated that GHR ablation starting at puberty (1.5 months), improved insulin sensitivity and female lifespan but results in markedly reduced body size. In this study, we investigated the effects of GHR disruption in mature‐adult mice at 6 months old (6mGHRKO). These mice exhibited GH resistance (reduced IGF‐1 and elevated GH serum levels), increased body adiposity, reduced lean mass, and minimal effects on body length. Importantly, 6mGHRKO males have enhanced insulin sensitivity and reduced neoplasms while females exhibited increased median and maximal lifespan. Furthermore, fasting glucose and oxidative damage was reduced in females compared to males irrespective of Ghr deletion. Overall, disrupted GH action in adult mice resulted in sexual dimorphic effects suggesting that GH reduction at older ages may have gerotherapeutic effects.
Differences in lesion interpretation between radiologists in two countries: Lessons from a digital breast tomosynthesis training test set
Authors: Li Tong , Gandomkar Ziba , Trieu Phuong Dung (Yun) , Lewis Sarah J. , Brennan Patrick C.
Published: November 2021

Introduction

In many western countries, there is good evidence documenting the performance of radiologists reading digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) images. However, the diagnostic efficiency of Chinese radiologists using DBT, particularly type of errors being made and type of cancers being missed, is understudied. This study aims to investigate the pattern of diagnostic errors across different lesion types produced by Chinese radiologists diagnosing from DBT images. Australian radiologists will be used as a benchmark.

Methods

Twelve Chinese radiologists read a DBT test set and located each perceived cancer lesion. True positives, false positives (FP), true negatives and false negatives (FN) were generated. The same test set was also read by 14 Australian radiologists. Z‐scores and Pearson correlations were used to compare interpretation of lesions and identification of normal appearances between two groups of radiologists.

Results

Architectural distortions (p < .001) and stellate masses (p = .02) were more difficult for Chinese radiologists to correctly diagnose compared to their Australian counterparts. Chinese readers categorised more FPs as discrete masses (p < .001) and fewer FPs as architectural distortions (p < .001) comparing with Australian radiologists. The percentages of FN for each cancer case were not correlated (r = 0.37, p = .18) but the percentages of FP for each normal case were moderately correlated (r = 0.52, p = .02) between two groups of readers.

Conclusions

Architectural distortions and stellate masses were challenging to Chinese radiologists when reading DBT. Our findings proposed the need of development of training and education programs focussing on imaging cases tailored for specific groups of readers with certain interpretation patterns.
Delineating the interactions between the cannabinoid CB2 receptor and its regulatory effectors; β‐arrestins and GPCR kinases
Authors: Patel Monica , Matti Christoph , Grimsey Natasha L. , Legler Daniel F. , Javitch Jonathan A. , Finlay David B. , Glass Michelle
Published: November 2021

Background and Purpose

The cannabinoid CB2 receptor (CB2) is a promising therapeutic target for modulating inflammation. However, little is known surrounding the mechanisms underpinning CB2 desensitisation and regulation, particularly the role of GPCR kinases (GRKs). Here, we evaluated the role of six GRK isoforms in β‐arrestin recruitment to CB2. Mutagenesis of several distal C‐terminal aspartic acid residues was also performed in an attempt to delineate additional structural elements involved in the regulation of CB2.

Experimental Approach

In CB2‐expressing HEK 293 cells, β‐arrestin translocation was measured using real‐time BRET assays. G protein dissociation BRET assays were performed to assess the activation and desensitisation of CB2 in the presence of β‐arrestin 2.

Key Results

Overexpression of GRK isoforms 1–6 failed to considerably improve translocation of either β‐arrestin 1 or β‐arrestin 2 to CB2. Consistent with this, inhibition of endogenous GRK2/3 did not substantially reduce β‐arrestin 2 translocation. Mutagenesis of C‐terminal aspartic acid residues resulted in attenuation of β‐arrestin 2 translocation, which translated to a reduction in desensitisation of G protein activation.

Conclusion and Implications

Our findings suggest that CB2 does not adhere to the classical GPCR regulatory paradigm, entailing GRK‐mediated and β‐arrestin‐mediated desensitisation. Instead, C‐terminal aspartic acid residues may act as phospho‐mimics to induce β‐arrestin activation. This study provides novel insights into the regulatory mechanisms of CB2, which may aid in our understanding of drug tolerance and dependence.
Nicotinic‐acid derivative BGP‐15 improves diastolic function in a rabbit model of atherosclerotic cardiomyopathy
Authors: Priksz Daniel , Lampe Nora , Kovacs Arpad , Herwig Melissa , Bombicz Mariann , Varga Balazs , Wilisicz Tician , Szilvassy Judit , Posa Aniko , Kiss Rita , Gesztelyi Rudolf , Raduly Arnold , Szekeres Reka , Sieme Marcel , Papp Zoltan , Toth Attila , Hamdani Nazha , Szilvassy Zoltan , Juhasz Bela
Published: November 2021

Background and Purpose

The small molecule BGP‐15 has been reported to alleviate symptoms of heart failure and improve muscle function in murine models. Here, we investigated the acute and chronic effects of BGP‐15 in a rabbit model of atherosclerotic cardiomyopathy.

Experimental Approach

Rabbits were maintained on standard chow (control) or atherogenic diet (hypercholesterolemic) for 16 weeks. BGP‐15 was administered intravenously (once) or orally (for 16 weeks), to assess acute and chronic effects. Cardiac function was evaluated by echocardiography, endothelium‐dependent vasorelaxation was assessed and key molecules in the protein kinase G (PKG) pathway were examined by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and western blot. Passive force generation was investigated in skinned cardiomyocytes.

Key Results

Both acute and chronic BGP‐15 treatments improved the diastolic performance of the diseased heart. However, vasorelaxation and serum lipid markers were unaffected. Myocardial cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) levels were elevated in the BGP‐15‐treated group, along with preserved PKG activity and increased phospholamban Ser16‐phosphorylation. PDE5 expression decreased in the BGP‐15‐treated group and PDE1 was inhibited. Cardiomyocyte passive tension reduced in BGP‐15‐treated rabbits, the ratio of titin N2BA/N2B isoforms increased and PKG‐dependent N2B‐titin phosphorylation elevated.

Conclusions and Implications

BGP‐15 treatment improves diastolic function, reduces cardiomyocyte stiffness and restores titin compliance in a rabbit model of atherosclerotic cardiomyopathy by increasing the activity of the cGMP‐PKG pathway. As BGP‐15 has been proven to be safe, it may be clinically useful in the treatment of diastolic dysfunction.
Society for Endocrinology guidelines for testosterone replacement therapy in male hypogonadism
Authors: Jayasena Channa N. , Anderson Richard A. , Llahana Sofia , Barth Julian H. , MacKenzie Finlay , Wilkes Scott , Smith Neil , Sooriakumaran Prasanna , Minhas Sukhbinder , Wu Frederick C. W. , Tomlinson Jeremy , Quinton Richard
Published: November 2021

Male hypogonadism (MH) is a common endocrine disorder. However, uncertainties and variations in its diagnosis and management exist. There are several current guidelines on testosterone replacement therapy that have been driven predominantly by single disciplines. The Society for Endocrinology commissioned this new guideline to provide all care providers with a multidisciplinary approach to treating patients with MH. This guideline has been compiled using expertise from endocrine (medical and nursing), primary care, clinical biochemistry, urology and reproductive medicine practices. These guidelines also provide a patient perspective to help clinicians best manage MH.
Challenges in the diagnosis and management of glucocorticoid‐induced osteoporosis in younger and older adults
Authors: Herath Madhuni , Langdahl Bente , Ebeling Peter R. , Milat Frances
Published: November 2021

Objective

Glucocorticoids constitute a considerable risk for developing osteoporosis in both younger and older adults. However, currently available bone imaging modalities and fracture‐risk assessment tools do not adequately capture the dramatic changes in bone microarchitecture, heterogeneity of glucocorticoid exposure, the impact of chronic disease and other osteoporosis risk factors on the assessment of osteoporosis in these individuals.

Design

A narrative review is presented, following a systematic search of the literature from 2000 to 2021.

Results

Our current appreciation of glucocorticoid‐induced osteoporosis (GIO) is focused on older populations, with limited evidence to guide the investigation, risk assessment and treatment in premenopausal women and men less than 50 years. The impact of the underlying chronic disease on secondary osteoporosis in these younger adults is also poorly understood.

Conclusion

Through this narrative review, we provide a comprehensive overview of and recommendations for optimising the management of this common cause of secondary osteoporosis younger and older adults.
The transcriptome of hand eczema assessed by tape stripping
Authors: Sølberg Julie B. K. , Quaade Anna S. , Jacobsen Stine B. , Andersen Jeppe D. , Kampmann Marie‐Louise , Morling Niels , Litman Thomas , Thyssen Jacob P. , Johansen Jeanne D.
Published: November 2021

Background

No biomarkers have been identified that can classify subtypes of hand eczema (HE). Although skin biopsies represent the gold standard for investigations of the skin, the invasive technique is not favorable when investigating skin from sensitive areas. Recent advances in the use of skin‐tape strips for molecular investigations enable noninvasive investigations of HE.

Objective

By using whole transcriptome sequencing (WTS), the molecular profile of HE according to different localizations on the hands, etiologies, and clinical/morphological subtypes was investigated.

Methods

Thirty adult, Danish HE patients, 12 with and 18 without concurrent atopic dermatitis (AD), as well as 16 controls were included. Tape strip samples were collected from lesional, nonlesional, and healthy skin. Total RNA was extracted and WTS was performed.

Results

The largest molecular difference of HE patients with and without AD was found in nonlesional skin areas and included a downregulation ofCXCL8for HE patients without AD. Differences between allergic and irritant contact dermatitis included epidermal biomarkers such asEPHA1.

Conclusion

Skin tape strip samples could be used to assess the gene expression profile of HE on different localizations of the hands. The skin tape strip method identified new molecular markers that showed promising result for the identification of HE subtypes.
The Impact of COVID‐19 on the Dietary Diversity of Children and Adolescents: Evidence from a Rural/Urban Panel Study
Authors: Cui Yi , Si Wei , Zhao Qiran , Glauben Thomas , Feng Xiaolong
Published: November 2021

This paper offers the first empirical evidence of the impact of COVID‐19 on dietary diversity among children and adolescents in urban and rural families by using panel data collected in 2019 (before COVID‐19) and 2020 (during COVID‐19) in northern China. Our study uses panel data from 2,201 primary school students and 1,341 junior high‐school students to apply the difference in differences (DID) method to estimate the impact of COVID‐19 on dietary diversity among students in urban and rural families. We found that the dietary diversity score (DDS) of rural students decreased by 0.295 points (p < 0.01) compared with that of urban students during COVID‐19. Specifically, COVID‐19 significantly reduced the frequency of rural students' consumption of vegetables by 1.8 percent, protein‐rich foods such as soybean products and nuts by 6.0 percent, meats by 4.0 percent, aquatic products by 6.7 percent, and eggs by 5.3 percent, compared with urban students. Further, COVID‐19 had a significant negative effect on the dietary diversity of students from low‐ and middle‐income groups, with the DDS of the low‐income group decreasing by 0.31 points (p < 0.01) and that of the middle‐income group by 0.12 points (p < 0.1).
Hide‐and‐seek: Neurotropic squamous cell carcinoma of the periorbital region – a series of five cases and review of the literature
Authors: Morandi Evi M. , Rauchenwald Tina , Puelzl Petra , Zelger Bernhard W. , Zelger Bettina G. , Henninger Benjamin , Pierer Gerhard , Wolfram Dolores
Published: November 2021

Squamous cell carcinoma is the second most common malignancy of the skin after basal cell carcinoma and mainly found in sun‐exposed areas such as the face. This mostly locally destructive malignancy may show invasive growth and insidious mechanisms of dissemination such as perineural invasion. Periorbital squamous cell carcinoma is associated with perineural invasion in up to 14 % of cases. Specifically in this region, the proximity to cranial nerves and therefore the associated risk of progression to the central nervous system are associated with poor prognosis. The clinically concealed character of this entity often leads to a delay in diagnosis and consequently makes complete resection and reconstruction demanding. Careful clinical evaluation often hints at perineural invasion before obtaining histology.

Aside from presenting five challenging cases, this work analyzes risk factors, clinical as well as histological features, and treatment options for periorbital squamous cell carcinoma with perineural invasion.
Drug eruptions with novel targeted therapies – immune checkpoint and EGFR inhibitors
Authors: Pospischil Isabella , Hoetzenecker Wolfram
Published: November 2021

Given the increasing use of novel targeted therapies, dermatologists are constantly confronted with novel cutaneous side effects of these agents. A rapid diagnosis and appropriate management of these side effects are crucial to prevent impairment of the patients’ quality of life and interruptions of essential cancer treatments. Immune checkpoint and EGFR inhibitors are frequently used targeted therapies for various malignancies and are associated with a distinct spectrum of cutaneous adverse events. Exanthematous drug eruptions represent a particular diagnostic challenge in these patients. Immune checkpoint inhibitors can elicit a plethora of immune‐related exanthemas, most commonly maculopapular, lichenoid, and psoriasiform eruptions. Additionally, autoimmune bullous dermatoses and exanthemas associated with connective tissue diseases may arise. In cases of severe, atypical or therapy‐resistant presentations an extensive dermatological investigation including a skin biopsy is recommended. Topical and systemic steroids are the mainstay of treatment. Papulopustular eruptions represent the major cutaneous adverse effect of EGFR inhibitor therapy, occurring in up to 90 % of patients within the first two weeks of therapy, depending on the agent. Besides topical antibiotics and steroids, oral tetracyclines are the first choice in systemic treatment and can also be used as prophylaxis.