bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
European tech startups' responses to the COVID-19 pandemic: integrating McKinsey's 5R's paradigm and the Newtonian gravitational field
Authors: Dragan George Bogdan , Bleoju Gianita , Capatina Alexandru , Woodside Arch
Published: March 2022

Purpose

Given the nature of corona chaos, tech startups confront strategic disorientation; therefore, this study aims to constructively engage with the theory development process in the area of management decision, adopt causal complexity with a configurational approach of McKinsey's 5R paradigm and the Newtonian gravitational field.

Design/methodology/approach

This study provides a novel conceptualization of systematic research of explanatory mechanisms for navigating the turbulence and consequences of the COVID-19 crisis. This configurational study shows how European tech startups adopt strategies in addressing COVID-19 challenges successfully.

Findings

The analysis reveals configurations that lead to the outcome of the conceptual model, namely, reimagining the equifinal paths to the next normal. The findings suggest that, in navigating the crisis, tech startups are able to seize market opportunities, capture technological opportunities and consolidate their future positions.

Research limitations/implications

The principal limitation consists of limited empirical evidence regarding tech startups’ ability to navigate Covid-19 crisis and choose the appropriate path to the next normal.

Practical implications

This study enhances European tech startups’ capability to adopt reflexivity and openness while navigating the Covid-19 chaotic context. Furthermore, the study provides a managerial toolkit to guide strategic decisions via deepening their understanding of the new created realities.

Originality/value

This study provides a novel conceptualization of systematic research on explanatory mechanisms for navigating the turbulence and consequences of the COVID-19 crisis context. This configurational study shows how European tech startups adopt strategies that address COVID-19 challenges successfully.
Exploring immersive learning technology as learning tools in experiential learning for architecture design education
Authors: Ummihusna Annisa , Zairul Mohd
Published: March 2022

Purpose

Formal architecture curriculum necessitates students to observe their architectural experience and environment, which cannot be comprehended entirely in a classroom alone. However, complications in handling site visits and the Covid-19 pandemic can affect their overall learning experience. This study seeks to uncover (1) how a learning tool can be designed to actively enrich novice designers' personal spatial understanding and (2) how will the experiential learning (EL) with immersive learning technology (ILT) replace the actual concrete experience (CE) in enriching the novice designers' personal spatial experience during the architecture design process.

Design/methodology/approach

The current research focuses on novice designers (first-year architecture students) who seem to lack personal spatial experience. Findings from a personal spatial experience survey (PSES) conducted in the earlier stage of the research established that each learner had had a different level of spatial experience, which affected their approach in the design process. A learning tool called Architectural Spatial Experience Simulation (ASES) was designed, developed, implemented and evaluated with an experiential learning model (ELM) framework.

Findings

The findings suggest that the use of ASES in the ELM significantly increased the learners' spatial experience. However, the simulation and framework demonstrated a different effect on the participants' spatial experience, particularly on learners with minimal spatial experience.

Originality/value

This study benefits the architecture learning process by providing a tool and a framework to remedy the emerging issue concerning novice designers. The finding contributes to the body of knowledge by expanding the application of EL theory in architecture education.
Patterns of publications in social media-based co-creation: a bibliometric analysis
Authors: Kargaran Sanaz , Shahri Masoumeh Hosseinzadeh , Ghorbani Zahra , Saberi Ali , Jamali Seyedh Mahboobeh , Aleebrahim Nader
Published: March 2022

Purpose

Today social media capabilities have enabled businesses and enterprises to more collaboration, engagement and co-creation with their customers. So the current paper expands on this notion. The aim of this study is a bibliometric analysis to examine the trends of publications in the field of co-creation based on social media.

Design/methodology/approach

To data collection of quantitative analysis, Scopus database was selected and the collected data were analyzed using Bibliometrix-package. The Web of Science also was selected to retrieve highly cited and hot papers for qualitative part of analysis besides top 10 Scopus highest citation per year documents on June 6, 2020.

Findings

The results indicate insights into research trends pertaining to social media-based co-creation, as follows: starting jump to the publications occurred in this researches from the year 2008 and the growth trend is progressing in recent years; the stressful points are “co-design,” “co-creation” and “value co-creation” and concepts such as “open innovation,” “co-innovation” and “co-new product design” are new topics that guide future direction; the USA and UK are leaders in number of multiple and single publications; the most active and top journals that are better suited to achieving a high citation rate per year for a related paper were introduced. In addition, the top documents and highly cited papers were qualitatively analyzed on the basis of times cited per year.

Research limitations/implications

The current study is not free of limitations. The database was limited to only Scopus. So the patterns and trends generated in the study may not be generalized to all social media-based co-creation research. Of course, the authors did not intend to ignore other contributions. It is mainly because of the number of documents retrieved from Scopus database and the coverage, Scopus was selected. Moreover, other types of research techniques such as correspondence analysis can be incorporated to generate additional meaningful insight.

Originality/value

In this time of social media and user-generated content portals, co-creation through social media has become quite popular. So the main innovation of this study is providing a visual presentation of the trends and patterns in the evaluation of social media-based co-creation from the first document about the research area published till 2020. The results of this paper can shed light on the factors that strengthen the contribution of studies in a research area. Generally, the bibliometric items the authors analyzed essentially show the entire field picture and guide researchers toward understanding future trends to produce impactful studies.
CotG controls spore surface formation in response to the temperature of growth in Bacillus subtilis
Authors: Di Gregorio Barletta Giovanni , Vittoria Maria , Lanzilli Mariamichela , Petrillo Claudia , Ricca Ezio , Isticato Rachele
Published: March 2022

Bacterial spores of the Bacillus genus are ubiquitous in nature and are commonly isolated from a variety of diverse environments. Such wide distribution mainly reflects the spore resistance properties but some Bacillus species can grow/sporulate in at least some of the environments where they have been originally isolated. Growing and sporulating at different conditions is known to affect the structure and the resistance properties of the produced spore. In B. subtilis the temperature of growth and sporulation has been shown to influence the structure of the spore surface throughout the action of a sporulation‐specific and heat‐labile kinase CotH. Here we report that CotG, an abundant component of the B. subtilis spore surface and a substrate of the CotH kinase, assembles around the forming spore but also accumulates in the mother cell cytoplasm where it forms aggregates with at least two other coat components. Our data suggest that the thermo‐regulator CotH contributes to the switch between the coat of 25°C and that of 42°C spores by controlling the phosphorylation levels of CotG that, in turn, regulates the assembly of at least two other coat components.
Under the canopy: disentangling the role of stemflow in shaping spatial patterns of soil microbial community structure underneath trees
Authors: Teachey Morgan E. , Ottesen Elizabeth A. , Pound Preston , Van Stan John T.
Published: March 2022

Stemflow is a spatially concentrated input of rainwater at the base of trees, resulting from precipitation draining down tree branches to the stem. Depending on tree shape, stemflow can represent a significant fraction of the total rainfall that contacts the tree's canopy area, and can become chemically enriched along its drainage path. As a result, stemflow has been hypothesized to influence microbial communities in the receiving soil proximal to the stem. However, previous studies have (i) yielded conflicting results on the significance of stemflow as a driver in bacterial community composition, and (ii) not directly compared communities in soils with and without stemflow receipt. In this study, a stemflow diversion system was employed onQuercus virginianatrees in Skidaway Island (Georgia, USA) to directly compare soil bacterial communities receiving no stemflow to those beneath trees with no diversion system in place. In both treatments, sample distance from the stem significantly influenced bacterial community structure. However, the absence of stemflow resulted in increased bacterial community diversity across all samples. Stemflow diversion also significantly altered longitudinal patterns in the abundance of multiple taxonomic groups. These results support the hypothesis thatQ.virginianastemflow has a significant impact on bacterial soil inhabitants and is a key factor in taxon selection in stem‐proximal communities.
The Rights and Wrongs of No‐Platforming
Authors: Tadros Victor
Published: March 2022

This article offers an account of no‐platforming, an investigation of the different considerations that determine why no‐platforming is wrong when it is, and how it might be justified. It suggests that no‐platforming can be wrong because it violates a person's right to a platform, or because it involves unjustified public denunciation. It then explores when no‐platforming is justified by exploring when a person might lose a right to a platform, and when public denunciation is justified. It concludes with a critical assessment of both no‐platforming culture and the prospects for legal regulation.
Personality pathways to aggression: Testing a trait‐state model using immersive technology
Authors: van Gelder Jean‐Louis , de Vries Reinout E. , van Sintemaartensdijk Iris , Donker Tara
Published: March 2022

Trait‐state models aim to provide an encompassing view of offender decision‐making processes by linking individual dispositions to proximal factors. In an experiment using an immersive virtual reality bar fight scenario, we propose and test a trait‐state model that identifies the pathways through which robust personality correlates of aggressive behavior, that is, agreeableness, emotionality, and honesty‐humility, result in intentions to aggress. Using structural equation modeling, we show how these personality traits relate to intentions to aggress via anger, fear, perceived risk, and anticipated guilt/shame. Additionally, we demonstrate superior validity of our virtual scenario over a written version of the same scenario by virtue of its ability to provide more contextual realism, to establish a stronger sense of presence, and to trigger more intense emotional states relevant to the decision situation. Implications for future decision‐making research and theory are discussed.
Food web visualisation: Heat map, interactive graph and animated flow network
Authors: Pawluczuk Łukasz , Iskrzyński Mateusz
Published: March 2022

Food webs are the physical foundations of ecosystems. Visualisations help to find and present structural patterns of these weighted networks and are essential in research, conservation practice and education. There has been no open‐source library drawing weighted food webs with fractional trophic levels clearly. The existing approaches are scattered across separate libraries and programming languages.

We provide an ensemble of mutually complementary visualisation methods that enable a general overview of the system, as well as a clear presentation of its details: https://github.com/ibs‐pan/foodwebviz. We use colours, sizes, positions, zoom and movement for precise identification of flows, their magnitudes and connectivity patterns. Vertical positions of nodes highlight the fractional trophic level as the most significant structural variable in a food web. The visualisations are in the form of modular and extensible python functions. Jupyter notebooks display them interactively in HTML.

A heat map of food web flows or diet proportions shows their general pattern at a glance while retaining their precise identification. An interactive graph allows tracing the flow of matter over subsequent links. The user can select nodes, zoom, adjust layout parameters and manually drag‐and‐drop nodes. An intuitive animation of particles moving between the nodes uses colours and time dimension to trace connections better. It shows the multivariate food web aspects in one graph, together with a structural indicator, the trophic level. A bar plot and a heat map summarise exchanges of matter between the trophic levels.

We bring several complementary and customisable methods together to facilitate accompanying every food web publication and analysis with its visualisation. Users can tinker with the interactive output and method parameters to reach the desired effect. Aesthetically appealing images presenting empirical data help to communicate the importance of species interconnectedness and ecosystem complexity to the broader public. Visualisation tools facilitate incorporating real‐world examples in education.
Predictive factors associated with resistance to initial methotrexate treatment in women with low‐risk gestational trophoblastic neoplasia
Authors: Phianpiset Rattiya , Ruengkhachorn Irene , Kuljarusnont Sompop , Jareemit Nida , Udompunturak Suthipol
Published: March 2022

Aim

To compare clinical characteristics and identify factors predictive of resistance to initial treatment with methotrexate‐folinic acid (MTX‐FA) in women with low‐risk gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN).

Methods

Retrospective chart reviews were conducted in patients diagnosed with low‐risk GTN who were treated with MTX‐FA at Siriraj Hospital between 2002 and 2018. Demographic data, disease characteristics, treatment response, toxicity, and data of the subsequent pregnancy were collected and analyzed. Groups of patients who were responsive or resistant to treatment were compared. Stepwise logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors predictive of resistance to methotrexate chemotherapy.

Results

Totally, 113 patients were eligible for analysis. The primary remission rate was 55.8% with first‐line MTX‐FA. All other patients achieved remission by subsequent treatment with actinomycin D or multiple‐agent chemotherapy. Relapse of disease occurred in 4.4% and the overall survival rate was 99.1%. Univariate analysis showed that pretreatment serum hCG, neutrophil‐to‐lymphocyte ratio at baseline, and serum hCG ratio of the first three consecutive cycles (C) were significantly associated with resistance to MTX‐FA. Independent factors that predict failure to respond to first‐line MTX‐FA were pretreatment serum hCG ≥15,000 IU/L, a less than 4.8‐fold reduction of serum hCG between cycle 1 and cycle 2 (C1/C2), and a less than seven‐fold reduction of serum hCG from cycle 2 to cycle 3 (C2/C3).

Conclusions

First‐line MTX‐FA treatment is effective in 55.8% of patients. Pretreatment serum hCG, and serum hCG ratio between consecutive treatment cycles can predict initial treatment failure.
Composition, abundance and distribution of rodent species in Alemsaga Priority State Forest and farmlands, northwestern Ethiopia
Authors: Takele Bewketu , Yihune Mesele , Bekele Afework
Published: March 2022

The aim of this study was to investigate species composition, relative abundance, habitat preference and seasonal variations of rodents in Alemsaga Priority State Forest and the nearby farmlands. A total of 1311 individual rodents were captured in six permanent grids and line transects, comprising of nine species, namely Lophuromys simensis, Arvicanthis abyssinicus, Desmomys harringtoni, Mastomys natalensis, Stenocephalemys albipes, Rattus rattus, Arvicanthis dembeensis, Mus musculus and Acomys cahrinus. Hystrix cristata and Tachyoryctes splendens were also recorded but not captured in trapes. About 44.4% of captured species are endemic to Ethiopia. Lophuromys simensis was captured from all habitats, while Acomys cahrinus was recorded only in Carissa land. The highest abundance of rodents was recorded in crop fields and the lowest in Carissa land. The overall trap success was 14.76%. Statistical variation was observed between individual rodent species among different habitats. Highest rodent populations were recorded during the wet season. Females comprised more individuals than males. Adults outnumbered sub‐adults and juveniles. Vegetation composition, altitudinal variations and human disturbance were the major factors affecting the distribution of rodents in the area. Attention should be given by the local administrators to conserve the area.
CD158a+/CD158b+ NK cell imbalance correlates with hypertension in patients with pre‐eclampsia
Authors: Xu Xiuxiu , Zhao Xirui , Chen Ling , Liu Muziying , Hu Ziming , Ke Jieqi , Fu Binqing , Zhou Yonggang , Wei Haiming
Published: March 2022

Problem

Preeclampsia, a pregnancy complication with hypertension and proteinuria, seriously threats the health and lives of the mother and the baby. The pathogenesis of pre‐eclampsia remains incompletely understood. The role of peripheral natural killer cells (NK cells) in the pre‐eclampsia is unclear.

Method of study

Flow cytometry was performed to detect the expression of CD158a (KIR2DL1) and CD158b (KIR2DL2/3) in peripheral NK cells of healthy pregnant women (HP) and patients with pre‐eclampsia (PE). Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in CD158a+ and CD158b+ NK cells were identified by RNA‐sequencing and real‐time PCR. Protein array analysis was used to identify altered protein levels in the serum of study participants.

Results

CD158a+ NK cell numbers were increased in the peripheral blood of patients while the number of CD158b+ NK cells was reduced. In addition, the percentage of CD158a+ NK cells within the peripheral NK subset was positively correlated with systolic blood pressure while the percentage of CD158b+ NK cells was negatively correlated with systolic blood pressure. RNA‐seq and real‐time PCR showed that the expression of ERAP2 and GCH1, the genes that regulate blood pressure and angiogenesis, was decreased in CD158a+ compared to CD158b+ NK cells. Consistently, the level of proteins involved in angiogenesis was altered in the serum of pre‐eclampsia patients compared to healthy individuals.

Conclusions

CD158a+ NK cells increased while CD158b+ NK cells decreased in the peripheral blood of patients with pre‐eclampsia compared to healthy individuals. The change in the frequency of CD158a+/CD158b+ NK cells is related to the increase in blood pressure.
Major complications of airway management: a prospective multicentre observational study
Authors: Cumberworth A. , Lewith H. , Sud A. , Jefferson H. , Athanassoglou V. , Pandit J. J.
Published: March 2022

We conducted an observational study of serious airway complications, using similar methods to the fourth UK National Audit Project (NAP4) over a period of 1 year across four hospitals in one region in the UK. We also conducted an activity survey over a week, using NAP4 methods to yield an estimate for relevant denominators to help interpret the primary data. There were 17 serious airway complications, defined as: failed airway management leading to cancellation of surgery (eight); airway management in recovery (five); unplanned intensive care admission (three); and unplanned emergency front of neck access (one). There were no reports of death or brain damage. This was an estimate of 0.028% (1 in 3600) complications using the denominator of 61,000 general anaesthetics per year in the region. Complications in patients with ‘predicted easy’ airways were rare (approximately 1 in 14,200), but 45 times more common in those with ‘predicted difficult’ airways (approximately 1 in 315). Airway management in both groups was similar (induction of anaesthesia followed by supraglottic airway or tracheal tube). Use of awake/sedation intubation, videolaryngoscopy and high‐flow nasal oxygenation were uncommon even in the predicted difficult airway patients (in 2.7%, 32.4% and 9.5% of patients, respectively). We conclude that the incidence of serious airway complications is at least as high as it was during NAP4. Despite airway prediction being used, this is not informing subsequent management.
The use of intra‐articular platelet rich plasma for the symptomatic management of osteoarthritis of the knee: a pilot study
Authors: Sibillin Olivia , Mitchell David , Harris Greg , Harvey Jack , Spencer Polly , Spencer Luke
Published: March 2022

Background

Osteoarthritis of the knee is a chronic inflammatory condition resulting in significant patient disability, with intra‐articular platelet rich plasma (PRP) injections having shown potential to improve symptomatic outcomes. This retrospective cohort pilot study aimed to observe whether PRP injections were beneficial in the symptomatic management of knee osteoarthritis in an Australian population, based on patient reported outcomes. An additional aim was to observe for an association between the number of injections and patient characteristics, such as body mass index, age, sex and radiologically determined severity of the disease.

Methods

The cohort was drawn from those who attended Ballarat Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine for PRP injections and who had completed the appropriate pre‐ and post‐injection Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC) questionnaire. WOMAC scores were analysed to observe for any difference following a course of PRP injections.

Results

The data suggest that the use of PRP improved patient reported WOMAC scores. Additionally, it was shown that two injections had a greater effect than one injection, with a third injection providing no further benefit. Finally, there was an association with lower WOMAC scores post PRP therapy amongst male participants compared to female participants.

Conclusion

These results suggest two PRP injections are optimal for the symptomatic management of knee osteoarthritis, identifying a need for further prospective research in this Australian population.
Robot‐assisted completion gastrectomy preserving interposed jejunum in remnant gastric cancer following a proximal gastrectomy reconstructed by jejunal interposition: A case report
Authors: Kanai Tatsuya , Cho Haruhiko , Takagi Maki , Funatsu Nozomi , Sasaki Naomichi , Ogawa Rei , Maezawa Yukio , Tsuchida Kazuhito
Published: March 2022

Minimally invasive completion gastrectomy is technically demanding and comprises a variety of procedures depending on the previous operation. We present herein a case of robot‐assisted completion gastrectomy preserving the interposed jejunum in remnant gastric cancer following a proximal gastrectomy reconstructed by jejunal interposition. A 76‐year‐old, male patient experienced newly developed stage cT1bN0M0 gastric cancer in the distal remnant stomach 5 years after his initial proximal gastrectomy. Endoscopic submucosal dissection was not feasible because of tumor depth and poor cancer cell differentiation. The robotic approach was chosen because of the early cancer stage, prior laparoscopic surgery, and the patient's advanced age. The interposed jejunum was successfully preserved, and a new overlap anastomosis was created between it and the retrocolic Roux‐en‐Y limb. Robot‐assisted completion gastrectomy was safely performed even after a proximal gastrectomy with jejunal interposition.
International validation of the EORTC QLQ‐CLL17 questionnaire for assessment of health‐related quality of life for patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia
Authors: Oerlemans Simone , Efficace Fabio , Kieffer Jacobien M. , Kyriakou Charalampia , Xochelli Aliki , Levedahl Kerstin , Petranovic Duska , Borges Fabio Cardoso , Bredart Anne , Shamieh Omar , Gziskevicius Laimonas , Lehmann Jens , Scholz Christian W. , Caocci Giovanni , Molica Stefano , Stamatopoulos Kostas , Panteliadou Alkistis‐Kyra , Papaioannou Maria , Alrjoob Waleed , Baliakas Panagiotis , Rosenquist Richard , Malak Sandra , Miranda Ana , Cocks Kim , van de Poll‐Franse Lonneke ,   the EORTC Quality of Life Group
Published: March 2022

Selecting the most appropriate chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) treatment is challenging. Patient‐reported health‐related quality of life (HRQoL) is therefore a critical aspect to consider. This international study by the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) tested the psychometric properties of a newly developed measure for CLL patients: the EORTC QLQ‐CLL17 to supplement the core questionnaire (EORTC QLQ‐C30). Patients with CLL (n = 341) from 12 countries completed the QLQ‐C30, QLQ‐CLL17 and a debriefing questionnaire. Sociodemographic and clinical data were recorded from medical records. A high percentage (30%–66%) reported symptoms and/or worries (e.g. aches/pains in muscles, lack of energy and worry/fears about health). Confirmatory factor analysis showed an acceptable to good fit of the 17 items on the three scales (i.e. symptom burden, physical condition/fatigue and worries/fears about health and functioning). Completion took on average 8 min. Test–retest and convergent validity was demonstrated. The QLQ‐CLL17 differentiated between patients with an Eastern Cooperative Oncology group (ECOG) performance of 0 versus 1–3 (p's < 0.01 and clinically relevant). The newly developed EORTC QLQ‐CLL17 will increase sensitivity of HRQoL assessment in patients with CLL. Implementation of this questionnaire both in clinical research and practice will help to generate unique clinically relevant data to better inform CLL treatment decision‐making.
Rituximab‐treated patients with lymphoma develop strong CD8 T‐cell responses following COVID‐19 vaccination
Authors: Riise Jon , Meyer Saskia , Blaas Isaac , Chopra Adity , Tran Trung T. , Delic‐Sarac Marina , Hestdalen Malu Lian , Brodin Ellen , Rustad Even Holth , Dai Ke‐Zheng , Vaage John Torgils , Nissen‐Meyer Lise Sofie Haug , Sund Fredrik , Wader Karin F. , Bjornevik Anne T. , Meyer Peter A. , Nygaard Gro O. , König Marton , Smeland Sigbjørn , Lund‐Johansen Fridtjof , Olweus Johanna , Kolstad Arne
Published: March 2022

B‐cell depletion induced by anti‐cluster of differentiation 20 (CD20) monoclonal antibody (mAb) therapy of patients with lymphoma is expected to impair humoral responses to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus‐2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) vaccination, but effects on CD8 T‐cell responses are unknown. Here, we investigated humoral and CD8 T‐cell responses following two vaccinations in patients with lymphoma undergoing anti‐CD20‐mAb therapy as single agent or in combination with chemotherapy or other anti‐neoplastic agents during the last 9 months prior to inclusion, and in healthy age‐matched blood donors. Antibody measurements showed that seven of 110 patients had antibodies to the receptor‐binding domain of the SARS‐CoV‐2 Spike protein 3–6 weeks after the second dose of vaccination. Peripheral blood CD8 T‐cell responses against prevalent human leucocyte antigen (HLA) class I SARS‐CoV‐2 epitopes were determined by peptide‐HLA multimer analysis. Strong CD8 T‐cell responses were observed in samples from 20/29 patients (69%) and 12/16 (75%) controls, with similar median response magnitudes in the groups and some of the strongest responses observed in patients. We conclude that despite the absence of humoral immune responses in fully SARS‐CoV‐2‐vaccinated, anti‐CD20‐treated patients with lymphoma, their CD8 T‐cell responses reach similar frequencies and magnitudes as for controls. Patients with lymphoma on B‐cell depleting therapies are thus likely to benefit from current coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) vaccines, and development of vaccines aimed at eliciting T‐cell responses to non‐Spike epitopes might provide improved protection.
Effects of sleep on positive, negative and neutral valenced story and image memory
Authors: Reid Alex , Bloxham Anthony , Carr Michelle , van Rijn Elaine , Basoudan Nasreen , Tulip Chloe , Blagrove Mark
Published: March 2022

During sleep, emotional memories are preferentially strengthened. However, most studies on sleep and emotional memory focus on comparing negative valence with neutral valence stimuli. This study compared the sleep‐dependent memory effects for stories and images, each comprising negative, neutral, and positive stimuli. It was hypothesized that a sleep effect would be seen for negatively and positively valenced stimuli. A novel story memory task (comprising three stories), and photographs from the Nencki Affective Picture database were presented for learning to 61 healthy adults (ages 18–25). They were tested for memory on the two tasks immediately, and then again after either a 2‐hr nap (n = 31; 17 women, 14 men) or 2‐hr wake period (n = 30; 13 women, 17 men). At second testing, the sleep condition had significantly better recall compared to the wake condition on both tasks. There was a relationship with valence only for the story task, with better performance for the sleep condition on the negatively and positively valenced texts, but not on the neutral text. There were no significant relationships between memory measures and sleep‐stage duration and EEG power variables. The story memory findings support the hypothesis that memory consolidation prioritizes emotional memory, whether positively or negatively valenced.
Advances for future working following an online dramatherapy group for adults with intellectual disabilities and mental ill health during the COVID‐19 pandemic: A service evaluation for Cumbria, Northumberland Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust
Authors: Bourne Jane , Brown Claire , Corrigan Debbie , Goldblatt Phil , Hackett Simon
Published: March 2022

Background

During the COVID‐19 pandemic, social distancing measures were enforced and the national lockdown underlined our reliance on virtual means as a way to communicate. This new way of interacting highlighted that people with an intellectual disability were a large proportion of a digitally excluded population.

Methods

A service evaluation, using a mixed method design in the form of four self‐reported outcome measures and qualitative feedback.

Findings

Clinical services need to continue when face to face sessions are not possible. Remote groups can be an alternative option not only when self‐isolating due to pandemics but when living in remote locations, having physical health problems or excessive expenses and travel costs.

Conclusions

Online dramatherapy groups can be a beneficial alternative when face to face groups are not possible or challenging to attend due to access difficulties. Online groups can offer opportunities to meet with peers, build relationships, improve confidence and learn new skills in technology.
Global kelp forest restoration: past lessons, present status, and future directions
Authors: Eger Aaron M. , Marzinelli Ezequiel M. , Christie Hartvig , Fagerli Camilla W. , Fujita Daisuke , Gonzalez Alejandra P. , Hong Seok Woo , Kim Jeong Ha , Lee Lynn C. , McHugh Tristin Anoush , Nishihara Gregory N. , Tatsumi Masayuki , Steinberg Peter D. , Vergés Adriana
Published: March 2022

Kelp forest ecosystems and their associated ecosystem services are declining around the world. In response, marine managers are working to restore and counteract these declines. Kelp restoration first started in the 1700s in Japan and since then has spread across the globe. Restoration efforts, however, have been largely disconnected, with varying methodologies trialled by different actors in different countries. Moreover, a small subset of these efforts are ‘afforestation’, which focuses on creating new kelp habitat, as opposed to restoring kelp where it previously existed. To distil lessons learned over the last 300 years of kelp restoration, we review the history of kelp restoration (including afforestation) around the world and synthesise the results of 259 documented restoration attempts spanning from 1957 to 2020, across 16 countries, five languages, and multiple user groups. Our results show that kelp restoration projects have increased in frequency, have employed 10 different methodologies and targeted 17 different kelp genera. Of these projects, the majority have been led by academics (62%), have been conducted at sizes of less than 1 ha (80%) and took place over time spans of less than 2 years. We show that projects are most successful when they are located near existing kelp forests. Further, disturbance events such as sea‐urchin grazing are identified as regular causes of project failure. Costs for restoration are historically high, averaging hundreds of thousands of dollars per hectare, therefore we explore avenues to reduce these costs and suggest financial and legal pathways for scaling up future restoration efforts. One key suggestion is the creation of a living database which serves as a platform for recording restoration projects, showcasing and/or re‐analysing existing data, and providing updated information. Our work establishes the groundwork to provide adaptive and relevant recommendations on best practices for kelp restoration projects today and into the future.
COVID‐related distress, mental health, and substance use in adolescents and young adults
Authors: Villanti Andrea C. , LePine S. Elisha , Peasley‐Miklus Catherine , West Julia C. , Roemhildt Maria , Williams Rhonda , Copeland William E.
Published: March 2022

Background

This study examined the impact of COVID‐related disruptions on mental health and substance use in young people residing in a state with an initially lower COVID burden and earlier reopening of in‐person learning than other states.

Methods

Data come from Waves 3 (Fall 2019) and 4 (Fall 2020) of the Policy and Communication Evaluation (PACE) Vermont, an online cohort study of adolescents (ages 12–17) and young adults (ages 18–25). Participants in Wave 4 (212 adolescents; 662 young adults) completed items on COVID‐related stressors, the impact of the pandemic on their substance use, brief mental health scales, and past 30‐day substance use. Analyses examined correlational and longitudinal relationships between COVID‐related stressors, mental health symptoms, and substance use.

Results

More than 60% of participants noted negative effects of the pandemic on their physical, emotional, and social well‐being, with greater impacts of COVID‐related stressors in young adults than adolescents. There were significant increases in depressive (OR 1.31, 95% CI 1.03, 1.66) and anxiety symptoms (OR 1.34; 95% CI 1.10, 1.64) in young adults between Fall 2019 and Fall 2020. Higher overall COVID Impact scores were associated with higher odds of depressive and anxiety symptoms, as well as past 30‐day electronic vapor product use, in adjusted cross‐sectional and longitudinal models.

Conclusions

Robust associations between COVID‐related distress, mental health, and substance use outcomes in young people signal the opportunity to increase evidence‐based interventions while adding novel approaches to minimize longer‐term harms of the pandemic on mental health in adolescents and young adults.
Anti‐phospholipid antibodies are elevated and functionally active in chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps
Authors: Eide Jacob G. , Wu Jeffanie , Stevens Whitney W. , Bai Junqin , Hou Songwang , Huang Julia H. , Rosenberg Jacob , Utz Paul , Shintani‐Smith Stephanie , Conley David B. , Welch Kevin C. , Kern Robert C. , Hulse Kathryn E. , Peters Anju T. , Grammer Leslie C. , Zhao Ming , Lindholm Paul , Schleimer Robert P. , Tan Bruce K.
Published: March 2022

Background

Polyps from patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) contain increased levels of autoreactive antibodies, B cells and fibrin deposition. Anti‐phospholipid antibodies (APA) are autoantibodies known to cause thrombosis but have not been implicated in chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS).

Objective

To compare APA levels (anti‐cardiolipin, anti‐phosphatidylethanolamine (anti‐PE), and anti‐β2‐glycoprotein (anti‐B2GP)) in nasal polyp (NP) tissue with tissue from control and CRS without nasal polyp (CRSsNP) patients, we tested whether NP antibodies affect coagulation, and correlate APAs with anti‐dsDNA IgG and markers of coagulation.

Methods

Patient specimens were assayed for APA IgG, anti‐dsDNA IgG and thrombin‐anti‐thrombin (TaT) complex by ELISA. Antibodies from a subset of specimens were tested for modified activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) measured on an optical‐mechanical coagulometer.

Results

Anti‐cardiolipin IgG in NP was 5‐fold higher than control tissue (p < .0001). NP antibodies prolonged aPTT compared to control tissue antibodies at 400 µg/mL (36.7 s vs. 33.8 s, p = .024) and 600 µg/mL (40.9 s vs. 34.7 s, p = .0037). Anti‐PE IgG antibodies were increased in NP (p = .027), but anti‐B2GP IgG was not significantly higher (p = .084). All APAs correlated with anti‐dsDNA IgG levels, which were also elevated (R = .77, .71 and .54, respectively, for anti‐cardiolipin, anti‐PE, and anti‐B2GP; all p < .001), but only anti‐cardiolipin (R = .50, p = .0185) and anti‐PE (R = 0.45, p = .037) correlated with TaT complex levels.

Conclusions

APA IgG antibodies are increased in NP and correlate with autoreactive tissue antibodies. NP antibodies have in vitro anti‐coagulant activity similar to those observed in anti‐phospholipid syndrome, suggesting that they may have pro‐coagulant effects in polyp tissue.
Prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp. in Horses from communities of the Mapuche native people, Araucanía Region, Chile
Authors: Tuemmers Christian , Fellenberg Constanza , Pérez Eugenio J. , Paillaqueo Javier
Published: March 2022

Background

There are no studies of potential zoonotic diseases in Mapuche communities’ horses.

Objectives

The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of Cryptosporidium in horses of the Mapuche communities.

Study design

This was a cross‐sectional study.

Methods

Faecal samples from 100 randomly selected horses (n = 100) were taken from rural Mapuche communities from four municipalities from the Araucanía Region. These samples were processed with the modified Ziehl‐Neelsen staining technique and grouped by sex, age and municipality.

Results

The general prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp. was 67.0% (n = 67). The prevalence was 51.0% (n = 51) in males and 49.0% (n = 49) in females, and there is no gender association to the presentation of Cryptosporidium spp. The prevalence by municipality was 60.0%, 80.0%, 64.0% and 64.0% in Curarrehue, Lonquimay, Padre las Casas and Teodoro Schmidt, respectively. The above shows no significant association between the sector and the presence of Cryptosporidium spp. The prevalence by age was 95.4% of horses tested positive for Cryptosporidium between birth and 6 years of age. About 27.3% of horses were tested positive in the age group between 7 and 10 years. There was no presence of Cryptosporidium spp. in the age group older than 11 years, showing a significant relationship between the age of the animal and the presence of Cryptosporidium (P ˂ 0.05).

Main limitations

The sample analysis did not specifically identify the type of Cryptosporidium, and it was not possible to evaluate the zoonotic risk in the Mapuche communities.

Conclusions

Cryptosporidium spp. is present in working horses in Mapuche communities, with a 67.7% general prevalence, and there is a significant association between this parasite and the age of the horses, being higher in the age group between 0 and 6 years, with a prevalence of 95.4%. There may be a potential zoonotic risk in the Mapuche communities.
Deriving the minimum staff number requirement for intelligent staff scheduling: An efficient constructive method and application
Authors: Cao Bin , Chen Hao , Wang Zijie , Wang Ting , Fan Jing
Published: March 2022

Effective staff scheduling is a critical activity of successful software development management. Due to its difficulty and broad applications in many service delivery scenarios, staff scheduling has been studied for several decades. However, most existing work focus on constructing the working schedules based on a given workforce size. This paper tries to solve a prerequisite issue before performing staff scheduling, i.e., testing whether the already existed manpower can meet the scheduling requirements. Though it is possible to use network flow theory or artificial intelligence (AI) methods like genetic algorithms to solve this problem, their time complexities could be too high to be used for large problem sizes. This paper proposes a constructive method that can derive the minimum staff number for three scheduling problem variants in a linear running time, and in the meantime a corresponding working schedule that can satisfy all the problem constraints can be produced. We not only theoretically show the lower bound for the computation time complexity of our proposed method but also prove its correctness. Moreover, based on the derived minimum staff number, we further explore the genetic algorithm for generating the schedule and compare its performance with our method. The experiments show that our method outperforms the baselines in terms of both effectiveness and efficiency.
Inflammatory molecules facilitate the development of docetaxel‐resistant prostate cancer cells in vitro and in vivo
Authors: Wang Shikang , Han Leiqiang , Li Juan , Liu Yongqing , Wang Shaoyong
Published: March 2022

Numerous molecular mechanisms have been found to contribute to docetaxel‐induced resistance in prostate cancer (PCa). In this study, the changes in gene expression profiles of multidrug resistant PCa cells that were established in response to docetaxel were determined using microarray analysis. In addition to alterations in the expression of multidrug resistance‐associated genes, the expression levels of multiple inflammatory molecules, in particular IL‐6, significantly increased in resistant cells in vitro and in vivo, which further increased with the development of drug resistance following microarray, qRT‐PCR and ELISA analysis. Compared with parental cells, resistant cells also presented with stronger activation of multiple IL‐6‐associated signaling pathways STAT1/3, NF‐κB, and PI3K/AKT. Inactivation of IL‐6 using a neutralizing antibody resulted in a slight effect on the sensitivity of resistant cells to docetaxel, while blockade of of STAT1/3, NF‐κB, or PI3K/AKT signaling significantly resensitized resistant cells to docetaxel. Of note, simultaneous inactivation of IL‐6 and STAT1/3, PI3K/AKT or NF‐κB further enhanced the sensitivity of the resistant cells to docetaxel. Thus, inflammatory molecules, in particular IL‐6, and IL‐6‐associated signaling pathways NF‐κB, STAT1/3, and PI3K/AKT, are crucial mediators of the development of docetaxel‐resistance in PCa. Targeting inflammatory molecules and signaling pathways could be a potential therapeutic option for the intervention of drug resistance in PCa.
Analytic visual word recognition among Chinese L2 learners
Authors: Jiang Nan , Feng Lijuan
Published: March 2022

The process of word recognition can be analytic (or serial) or holistic (or parallel). They differ in the size of the processing units (lexical vs. sublexical) or in whether sublexical units are processed sequentially or simultaneously. First language (L1) reading development has been found to involve a transition from serial processing to parallel processing, as shown in a decreasing length or stroke number effect among readers of increasing proficiencies. The present study was intended to explore the use of analytic versus holistic character recognition strategies in the second language (L2) learners, an issue that has not received much attention. Chinese native speakers and learners of Chinese as a second language (CSL) were tested in a variant of the lexical decision task on Chinese characters of different numbers of strokes. Regression analyses with reaction times as an outcome variable and stroke number as a predictor variable showed that CSL speakers produced a stroke number effect where native speakers did not. The results were interpreted as evidence for the employment of an analytic processing strategy by L2 speakers. The findings raised several important issues for future research and for pedagogical considerations.
Establishment of a reference panel of Helicobacter pylori strains for antimicrobial susceptibility testing
Authors: Yokota Kenji , Osaki Takako , Hayashi Shunji , Yokota Shin‐ichi , Takeuchi Hiroaki , Rimbara Emiko , Ojima Hinako , Sato Toyotaka , Yonezawa Hideo , Shibayama Keigo , Tokunaga Kengo , Kamiya Shigeru , Murakami Kazunari , Kato Mototsugu , Sugiyama Toshiro
Published: March 2022

Background

Eradication treatment for Helicobacter pylori gastritis is covered by national health insurance since 2013 in Japan. However, eradication failure due to the increase of antimicrobial resistance has become a serious problem. The present study aims to establish a reference panel of Japanese H. pylori strains for antimicrobial susceptibility testing.

Method

A total of 28 strains were collected from 4 medical facilities in Japan. Antimicrobial susceptibility tests (ASTs) to clarithromycin (CLR), amoxicillin (AMX), and metronidazole (MNZ), were used to select standard reference strains. Complete genome sequences were also determined.

Results

Three H. pylori strains (JSHR3, JSHR6 and JSHR31) were selected as standard reference strains by the Japanese Society for Helicobacter Research (JSHR). The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of the antibiotics against these 3 strains by agar dilution method with Brucella‐based horse‐serum‐containing agar medium were as follows: JSHR3 (CLR 16 μg/ml, AMX 0.032 μg/ml and MNZ 4 μg/ml), JSHR6 (CLR 0.016 μg/ml, AMX 0.032 μg/ml and MNZ 4 μg/ml), and JSHR31 (CLR 16 μg/ml, AMX 1 μg/ml and MNZ 64 μg/ml).

Conclusions

A reference panel of H. pylori JSHR strains was established. The panel consisted of JSHR6, which was antibiotic‐susceptible, JSHR3, which was CLR‐resistant, and JSHR31, which was multi‐resistant. This reference panel will be essential for standardized ASTs before the optimal drugs are selected for eradication treatment.
Do oligopolistic firms benefit from being forced to act non‐strategically?
Authors: Fadaee Mehdi , Esfahani Hamideh
Published: March 2022

The present study seeks to answer the question of whether acting non‐strategically can benefit firms. In a static Cournot framework, if a subset of firms are constrained to the equilibrium level of output, being non‐strategic will have no impact on profits of neither constrained nor strategic firms and provided that sufficiently large number of firms are restricted, a marginal quantity contraction can be to their benefit. In contrast, using a dynamic Cournot framework, we find that the constraint set at the equilibrium level or moderately deviated from it, leads to increased profits for all firms irrespective of the number of non‐strategic ones.