bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cancer mutational processes vary in their association with replication timing and chromatin accessibility
Authors: Yaacov Adar , Vardi Oriya , Blumenfeld Britny , Greenberg Avraham , Massey Dashiell J. , Koren Amnon , Adar Sheera , Simon Itamar , Rosenberg Shai
Published: May 2021

Background

Cancer somatic mutations are the product of multiple mutational and repair processes, which are tightly associated with DNA replication. Distinctive patterns of somatic mutations accumulation in tumors, termed mutational signatures, are indicative of processes the tumors underwent. While tumor mutational load is correlated with late replicating regions and spatial genome organization, much is unknown about the association of many different mutational processes and replication timing, and the interplay with chromatin structure remains an open question.

Methods

We systematically analyzed the mutational landscape of 2,787 WGS tumors from 32 different tumor types separately for early and late replicating regions. We used sequence context normalization and chromatin data to account for sequence and chromatin accessibility differences between early and late replicating regions. Moreover, we expanded the signature analyses to doublet base substitutions and small insertions and deletions by developing an artificial genomes-based approach to account for sequence differences between various genomic regions.

Results

We revealed the replication timing (RT) association of single base, doublet base and small insertions and deletions mutational signatures. The association is signature specific: some are associated with early or late replication (such as UV-exposure signatures SBS7b and SBS7a, respectively) and others have no association. Most associations exist even after normalizing for genome accessibility. We further developed a focused mutational signature identification approach, which uses RT information to improve signature identification, and found that SBS16, which is biased towards early replication, is strongly associated with better survival rates in liver cancer.

Conclusions

Our comprehensive analyses enabled a more robust classification of RT association of single base, doublet base and indels signatures. By doing so, we demonstrated a variation in the association with RT, as many mutational processes biased towards either early or late replication timing, and others have an equal RT distribution. These associations were independent from chromatin accessibility in most cases. This work highlights that restricting signatures analyses to concise genomic regions improves identification of signatures, such as SBS16, and demonstrates its clinically relevance as a predictor of improved survival of liver cancer patients.
Heparin protects human neural progenitor cells from Zika Virus-induced cell death and preserves their differentiation into mature neural-glia cells
Authors: Pagani Isabel , Ottoboni Linda , Podini Paola , Ghezzi Silvia , Brambilla Elena , Bezukladova Svetlana , Corti Davide , Bianchi Marco Emilio , Capobianchi Maria Rosaria , Yates Edwin A , Martino Gianvito , Vicenzi Elisa
Published: May 2021

Zika virus (ZIKV) is an arbovirus member of the Flaviviridae family that causes severe congenital brain anomalies in infected fetuses. Human neural progenitor cells (hNPCs) are highly permissive to ZIKV infection, causing inhibition of cell proliferation concomitant with an induction of cell death. We previously demonstrated that pharmaceutical-grade heparin inhibited virus-induced cell death with minor effects onin vitrovirus replication in ZIKV-infected hNPCs. Here we show that heparin prevented ZIKV-induced intracellular vacuoles, a signature characteristic of paraptosis, but also inhibited necrosis and apoptosis of hNPCs when grown as neurospheres (NS). Furthermore, heparin preserved the differentiation of both ZIKV-infected human-induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSC) derived-NPCs and fetus-derived NPCs into neural-glial cells. Collectively, these results highlight the potential neuroprotective effect of heparin that could be re-purposed and exploited to drive the development of novel agents for preventing ZIKV damage.
Variance in student and teacher roles in the contemporary Australasian architecture design studio context
Authors: Iftikhar Naima , Crowther Philip , Osborne Burton Lindy
Published: May 2021

Purpose

This study aims to expose the various roles that teachers and students adopt in the architecture design studio. It highlights how these roles change over time, through three distinct phases, which relate to the stages of the design project. This understanding of how roles change over the semester will guide academics in understanding how to better relate to students.

Design/methodology/approach

Through a series of interviews and surveys, this study utilised a modified Delphi method to establish a consensus of opinion, both within and across the three stakeholder groups of students, tutors and coordinators/lecturers. Two rounds of data collection were conducted, with “expert” perceptions of the three stakeholder roles being established.

Findings

The roles that are adopted and perceived by students, tutors and coordinators/lecturers vary over time and respond to the stages of the design project. While there is general agreement between the perceptions of students and their teachers, there are some notable differences at key times.

Originality/value

This research builds upon previous studies into the roles of students and their teachers in the architecture design studio. It provides a nuanced map of how roles change and how interactions happen, over the duration and through the phases, of the architecture design project.
Female directors and acquisition outcomes: a reflection on replicating Levi, Li and Zhang (2014)
Authors: Bachmann Rebecca Lorena , Spiropoulos Helen
Published: May 2021

Purpose

In this pitch research letter (PRL), the authors reflect on their research journey in replicating Levi, Li and Zhang (2014) for the AFAANZ Finance SIG 2020 Shark Tank Pitch event.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors outline their experience in using the pitch template and discuss some issues and considerations one might encounter when replicating a study using Australian data.

Findings

They found the pitch template useful for planning our replication and for developing a thorough understanding of the different aspects involved in completing the project (such as data and methodology considerations as well as motivation and contribution to existing knowledge).

Originality/value

This PRL highlights the benefits of replicating an existing study using Australian data, and outlines some potential challenges (and solutions) one may encounter along the way. This experience is expected to be useful to early career researchers and those beginning to work with Australian data.
Quality control (QC) of an institutional repository: a hands-on
Authors: Ahammad Nur
Published: May 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to show the quality control process and techniques of an open-source digital library (DL)/institutional repository (IR) in an institution. It will also demonstrate the challenges for quality control of a digital library in an institution.

Design/methodology/approach

It will explain metadata quality control and structural quality control and some matters that are important for an ideal IR. It also describes data migration from one repository to another.

Findings

Metadata without quality is just junk. Library personnel should have adequate library science educational qualifications to do the DL work. Non-professionals may create junk in the IR. Quality control can ensure the standard of a digital IR.

Originality/value

This study drowns upon the practical experience of DSpace quality control of a private university library in Bangladesh.
Exploring the role of organizational slack in the COVID-19 pandemic: an empirical study of the manufacturing industry
Authors: Li Zonghui
Published: May 2021

Purpose

Drawing on the behavioral theory of the firm (BTF), this study aims to understand the role of organizational slack in the manufacturing industry during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Design/methodology/approach

Using panel data of publicly traded manufacturing firms in the USA over a 12-quarter time period, this study uses generalized least squares modeling to test the hypothesized relationships.

Findings

Results show that the COVID-19 pandemic has a negative impact on manufacturing firms’ performance and organizational slack weakens the negative relationship between the COVID-19 pandemic and firm performance. In addition, when a positive performance aspirational gap (PAG) exists, the negative relationship between COVID-19 pandemic and firm performance in firms with high levels of organizational slack is further weakened.

Originality/value

This study contributes to organizational studies by investigating the contingent impact of organizational slack in the setting of COVID-19 pandemic. This study also contributes to the BTF by investigating how firm PAG, combined with the abundance of organizational slack, moderates the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on firm performance.
Determinants of outward foreign direct investment entry mode choice: evidence from Chinese-listed companies
Authors: Lv Jie , Xiong Ying , Zheng Yingjie
Published: May 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of the nature of firm heterogeneity and factors of the host country on the choice of entry modes in greenfield investments and cross-border mergers and acquisitions.

Design/methodology/approach

An empirical analysis was conducted of 450 outward foreign direct investment (OFDI) cases of Chinese-listed companies from 2001 to 2015. A regression analysis was conducted to determine the influence of the heterogeneous nature of enterprises and host country factors on the choice of entry mode.

Findings

First, the nature of a firm’s heterogeneity differs in terms of their mobile or immobile capabilities, which may affect entry strategies. Second, although Chinese multinational companies do not have a strong ownership advantage when compared with multinational companies in developed countries, they have certain marketing capabilities, such as innovations, aimed at customer needs that make it possible to implement their internationalization strategy. Third, factors such as cultural distance and investment risk of the host country significantly influence the choice of OFDI entry modes.

Originality/value

The authors discuss the mobility of a firm’s resource heterogeneity in determining Chinese firms’ entry mode choices and emphasize that Chinese marketing-intensive firms seek complementary resources from the firms of the host countries to achieve competitive advantages. The authors further divide heterogeneous enterprise resources into research and development resources and marketing resources according to the degree of international mobility and examine what kind of firm heterogeneity could help in the selection of different entry modes.
Ecology mechanism of female talents social mobility
Authors: Liu Yun-na , Liu Zhiyu
Published: May 2021

Purpose

With the development of social economy, the problem of female labor force and talent ecology mechanism has become increasingly prominent. They do not assign jobs according to their abilities, but decide their duties according to their interpersonal relationships. The uneven distribution of human resources makes the difference, the impact of the female talent social mobility tends to solidify and the social strata between the contradictions are deepening.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper mainly investigates the current situation of female talents social mobility to solve the problem of the social mobility of female talent, and evaluates the main factors that affect female talents social mobility by analyzing the flow of ordinary female labor, enterprise female talents and educational female talents.

Findings

Society should pay attention to the social mobility of female talent, carry out comprehensive ecology mechanism in time, take different methods to the management of female talents in different industries, remove the obstacles that affect the social mobility of female talents and create a good ecology mechanism of female talent.

Originality/value

This paper provides corresponding suggestions and countermeasures on the ecology mechanism of female talents social mobility.
Long term effects of service adaptations made under pandemic conditions: the new “post COVID-19” normal
Authors: John Joby , Thakur Ramendra
Published: May 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to propose an approach to examining the long-term impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on business, which presents a unique opportunity to study a hitherto-unavailable business scenario.

Design/methodology/approach

A conceptual framework is suggested to study the ability of a service firm to make adaptations to pandemic conditions based on the nature of its services: namely, the act of production and the type of recipient and the predisposed ability of the customer to accept the service firm’s adaptations to social distancing restrictions. Under this framework, it is demonstrated that service adaptations made due to COVID-19 business restrictions and the customers’ acceptance of them determine whether these changes are likely to become permanent.

Findings

A classification scheme is developed to determine four classes of service firms’ adaptations to their normal course of business made under pandemic conditions and suggestions given on how to project which adaptations may persist beyond the pandemic and why.

Research limitations/implications

A conceptual framework grounded on Lovelock classification to present projections needs to be empirically tested.

Practical implications

Managerial insights based on the study and suggestions for research on what business practices are most likely to be permanently changed in a post-pandemic world for services are offered.

Originality/value

Using two of Lovelock’s dimensions pertaining to the nature of production and delivery of the service, four categories are proposed based on two characteristics: service adaptability and customer acceptance. The Technology Acceptance Model 2 (TAM2) model is extended to predict service adaptations, which are most likely to become permanent in a post-pandemic world.
Positive power: events as temporary sites of power which “empower” marginalised groups
Authors: Walters Trudie , Stadler Raphaela , Jepson Allan Stewart
Published: May 2021

Purpose

The importance of events for marginalised groups has largely been overlooked within tourism, hospitality and event studies. The purpose of this study is to address this gap, emphasising the positive outcomes of power relationships rather than the negative, which have traditionally been the focus in event studies.

Design/methodology/approach

The study investigated eight events for indigenous and ethnic minority groups, rural women, disabled people and seniors in Australia and New Zealand. Qualitative data was collected via participant observation, reflexive ethnography, semi-structured interviews and in-the-moment conversations. An inductive thematic approach was taken to data analysis.

Findings

Eight themes around notions of power and empowerment were identified during the analysis: providing a platform, giving/taking ownership, gaining confidence, empowering with/through knowledge, respect, pride and affirmation, freedom to “be” and resistance. These were then viewed through the lenses of social-structural and psychological empowerment, enabling a deeper understanding of power at/through events.

Research limitations/implications

The paper presents a framework for empowerment that enables event organisers to both understand and deliberately plan for the productive use of power, which can reaffirm important event aims, objectives and values. It can also be used by researchers as a framework through which to identify and assess the contributing elements of empowerment at events and by local government to guide policymaking around events.

Originality/value

This study is the first to highlight best practices for the positive use of power at events that “empowers” marginalised groups. Grounded in empowerment theory, the study offers a new lens to reframe notions of power and provides a theoretical framework that will be of value for both critical event studies researchers, event organisers and policymakers alike.
The nexus among perceived organizational support, organizational justice and cynicism
Authors: Sen Cem , Mert Ibrahim Sani , Abubakar A. Mohammed
Published: May 2021

Purpose

A traditional view of an ideal workplace is an organization with a justice climate and a supportive atmosphere. Over the past years, justice and support practices in the workplace have received significant scholarly, practical and even political attention. Unfortunately, theoretical underpinnings and literature associated with these themes vary across multiple disciplines, cultural and contextual settings. To fill the void from the Turkish contextual perspective, the present study aims to examine the association among perceived organizational support (POS), organizational justice and cynicism.

Design/methodology/approach

The sample was chosen from the public employees in the central organization of two ministries in Ankara Province. Data through questionnaires were collected by the conveniency method from a total of 326 public employees. The proposed model is analyzed withvariance-based structural equation modeling technique.

Findings

Results suggest that POS and organizational justice exert a negative impact on cynicism. In particular, as employees-POS and organizational justice increases, the tendency for organizational cynicism decreases.

Originality/value

In today’s dynamic environment, controlling and reducing the cynicism, which emerges as an important threat to the success of organizations, of employees has become essential in obtaining a sustainable competitive advantage. The originality of this research stems from its ability to put forward how to manage and control cynicism, with the help of organizational support and organizational justice and hence have a power that increases personal and organizational efficiency and performance from the Turkish contextual perspective. There is limited research examining the relationship among organizational POS, organizational justice and cynicism in the Turkish context.
Knowledge and innovative factors: how cloud computing improves students’ academic performance
Authors: Raza Syed Ali , Khan Komal Akram
Published: May 2021

Purpose

Collaboration, communication, critical thinking and creativity are the most essential Cs of education. However, at present, these Cs are interlinked with technology to make it more effective and reliable. Educational technology infuses higher education, many people use it on a daily basis. Students are eager to adopt such technologies that help them in academia. Hence, this study aims to investigate how cloud computing adoption influences the academic performance of students by incorporating innovative, knowledge, economic and technological factors in the model.

Design/methodology/approach

The data are collected by using the survey method and the five-point Likert scale is used for this purpose. The statistical techniques applied to the data set were confirmatory factor analysis and partial least square structural equation modeling.

Findings

All dimensions have been observed to have a positive association with perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness. On the other hand, the innovative factors which include relative advantage and complexity have a negative impact on perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness except for compatibility. Moreover, economic factors, all have a negative relationship. Finally, research shows that perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness have a direct and significant relationship with cloud computing adoption among students, which ultimately predicts their academic performance.

Originality/value

Present research makes the following vital contributions; first, focus on the role of innovative factors, economical, technological and knowledge factors together that were previously largely ignored. Second, it extends the model of technology acceptance model for analyzing the cloud computing adoption pattern among university students. Finally, this study uses PLS-SEM for analyzing the relationship.
Entrepreneurship, family and migration: a systematic literature review on Vietnamese migrant entrepreneurship
Authors: Nguyen Quoc Anh , Nguyen Van Dai , Nguyen Nu Nguyet Anh
Published: May 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to systematically review the literature on the intersections among family, migration and entrepreneurship in the context of Vietnam. This paper aims to shed light on the current state of knowledge of the research field by highlighting some key bibliographic trends among existing literature, mapping existing knowledge in the field of research and recommending future research agenda.

Design/methodology/approach

This study adopts a systematic literature review approach with five steps. A list of 24 papers that are extracted from a pool of 643 papers in the Core Collection of Web of Science and Scopus were selected as the most relevant to the research questions used for further in-depth analysis.

Findings

Bibliometric analysis indicates that this research field is considered an infant research stream that is dominated by qualitative empirical studies. Content analysis reveals how Vietnamese migrant families mobilize and use various kinds of cultural, social, human and financial capital for entrepreneurship. They also generate resources to develop family-owned enterprises that are expected to be continued over generations. Five research gaps for future research are identified: functions of family, downsides of networks, the role of transnational and returnee entrepreneurs, gender and methodology.

Research limitations/implications

The choice of a limited number of keywords and access to only two databases (Web of Science and Scopus) are limitations of this study. Furthermore, the selection of the articles for content analysis is subjective although research triangulation is applied in this review.

Originality/value

This research is a pioneering systematic literature review that sheds light on the interconnectedness of family, migration and entrepreneurship in the case of Vietnamese migrant entrepreneurs.
Brand development and entrepreneur’s role in small businesses
Authors: Tewary Ashwini Kumar , Mehta Ritu
Published: May 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to frame the guidelines for brand building for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and evaluate the role of the entrepreneur in the brand management process.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative study comprising in-depth interviews of 20 Indian MSME entrepreneurs who had experience with brand-building was conducted. The entrepreneurs were probed regarding the brand management process and their role in the brand-building efforts in their organization. The guidelines that emerged from the study were compared and contrasted with those proposed in Krake’s model, and a new model for brand-building is proposed.

Findings

The improvised new model highlights the importance of “name of the brand”, “managing finance simultaneously” and “exit strategy” as important factors for the creation of a successful brand, amongst other factors revealed in extant literature. The interviews also reveal that an MSME headed by a passionate entrepreneur who accommodates professional expertise witnesses a greater chance of success.

Originality/value

In spite of the growing importance of SMEs, scant attention has been paid to the issue of branding in SMEs. This study contributes to the literature on branding and small business research by examining and advancing the brand-building guidelines developed by Krake. It further looks at the role of the entrepreneur in the entire process of brand building in the increasingly evolving Indian market.
Blind image deblurring for a close scene under a 6-DOF motion path
Authors: Wang Zhe , Li Xisheng , Zhang Xiaojuan , Bai Yanru , Zheng Chengcai
Published: May 2021

Purpose

How to model blind image deblurring that arises when a camera undergoes ego-motion while observing a static and close scene. In particular, this paper aims to detail how the blurry image can be restored under a sequence of the linear model of the point spread function (PSF) that are derived from the 6-degree of freedom (DOF) camera’s accurate path during the long exposure time.

Design/methodology/approach

There are two existing techniques, namely, an estimation of the PSF and a blind image deconvolution. Based on online and short-period inertial measurement unit (IMU) self-calibration, this motion path has discretized a sequence of the uniform speed of 3-DOF rectilinear motion, which unites with a 3-DOF rotational motion to form a discrete 6-DOF camera’s path. These PSFs are evaluated through the discrete path, then combine with a blurry image to restoration through deconvolution.

Findings

This paper describes to build a hardware attachment, which is composed of a consumer camera, an inexpensive IMU and a 3-DOF motion mechanism to the best of the knowledge, together with experimental results demonstrating its overall effectiveness.

Originality/value

First, the paper proposes that a high-precision 6-DOF motion platform periodically adjusts the speed of a three-axis rotational motion and a three-axis rectilinear motion in a short time to compensate the bias of the gyroscope and the accelerometer. Second, this paper establishes a model of 6-DOF motion and emphasizes on rotational motion, translational motion and scene depth motion. Third, this paper addresses a novel model of the discrete path that the motion during long exposure time is discretized at a uniform speed, then to estimate a sequence of PSFs.
Weighing the unknowns: Value of Information for biological and operational uncertainty in invasion management
Authors: Li Shou‐Li , Keller Joseph , Runge Michael C. , Shea Katriona
Published: May 2021

The management of biological invasions is a worldwide conservation priority. Unfortunately, decision‐making on optimal invasion management can be impeded by lack of information about the biological processes that determine invader success (i.e. biological uncertainty) or by uncertainty about the effectiveness of candidate interventions (i.e. operational uncertainty). Concurrent assessment of both sources of uncertainty within the same framework can help to optimize control decisions.

Here, we present a Value of Information (VoI) framework to simultaneously analyse the effects of biological and operational uncertainties on management outcomes. We demonstrate this approach with a case study: minimizing the long‐term population growth of musk thistle Carduus nutans, a widespread invasive plant, using several insects as biological control agents, including Trichosirocalus horridus, Rhinocyllus conicus and Urophora solstitialis.

The ranking of biocontrol agents was sensitive to differences in the target weed's demography and also to differences in the effectiveness of the different biocontrol agents. This finding suggests that accounting for both biological and operational uncertainties is valuable when making management recommendations for invasion control. Furthermore, our VoI analyses show that reduction of all uncertainties across all combinations of demographic model and biocontrol effectiveness explored in the current study would lead, on average, to a 15.6% reduction in musk thistle population growth rate. The specific growth reduction that would be observed in any instance would depend on how the uncertainties actually resolve. Resolving biological uncertainty (across demographic model combinations) or operational uncertainty (across biocontrol effectiveness combinations) alone would reduce expected population growth rate by 8.5% and 10.5% respectively.

Synthesis and applications. Our study demonstrates that intervention rank is determined both by biological processes in the targeted invasive populations and by intervention effectiveness. Ignoring either biological uncertainty or operational uncertainty may result in a suboptimal recommendation. Therefore, it is important to simultaneously acknowledge both sources of uncertainty during the decision‐making process in invasion management. The framework presented here can accommodate diverse data sources and modelling approaches, and has wide applicability to guide invasive species management and conservation efforts.
Effets de la COVID‐19 sur la variation du revenu et la sécurité alimentaire des ménages au Togo
Authors: Dandonougbo Yevessé , Tossou Yaovi , Atake Esso‐Hanam , Ekouevi Didier Koumavi
Published: May 2021

L'objectif de ce papier est d'analyser les effets de la COVID‐19 sur la variation des revenus, la modification de la consommation alimentaire et les stratégies d'adaptations des ménages au Togo. Pour se faire, les modèles probit et logit multinomiale ont été utilisés en se basant sur des données collectées auprès de 1405 ménages dans 44 districts des 6 régions sanitaires. Les résultats révèlent que les ménages dans lesquels le chef a perdu son emploi sont plus exposés à une baisse de revenu et donc à une réduction de leur consommation alimentaire pendant la pandémie. Toutefois, les transferts monétaires octroyés aux personnes vulnérables ont un effet positif, mais non significatif sur le changement de leur revenu. Par ailleurs, les ménages bénéficiaires de prestations sociales au sein desquels le chef a un niveau d'éducation supérieur, sont plus susceptibles de supporter les effets de la pandémie. Ainsi, pour les ménages ayant ressenti un effet modéré ou sévère de la crise, la probabilité est élevée qu'ils diminuent leur consommation alimentaire. A cet effet, il serait intéressant d'étendre les prestations sociales aux acteurs du secteur informel et d'accélérer la mise en place du registre social unique pour un meilleur ciblage des ménages vulnérables.
COVID‐19, financing and sales decline of informal sector MSMEs in Senegal
Authors: Koloma Yaya
Published: May 2021

Using the survey data collected on informal sector MSMEs in Senegal, this study performs logit and propensity score matching (PSM) both to examine the determinants of access to credit, the decline in sales, and the business growth prospect in the 12 months following the COVID‐19 pandemic and to assess the impact of credit on the MSMEs sales decline. We find that being a male manager and aged 46–55 years old reduces the likelihood of a decline in sales, whereas those who are 25–35 years present a high probability of experiencing a decrease in sales due to COVID‐19. Being between 25 and 35 and 36–45 years old with a formalized MSME increases the probability of having access to loans. MSMEs that undertake manufacturing businesses appear more pessimistic about the future. More importantly, PSM findings show that MSMEs with loans have a higher average treatment effect of sales decline than their counterparts. This suggests that the greater the access to credit, the greater the difference in sales decline between MSMEs with credit and their counterpart without. The policy implications underline the importance of extended maturities and direct government financial support—not debt—to help the most affected informal sector MSMEs recover from the COVID‐19 pandemic adverse effects.
Recent developments in antimicrobial and antifouling coatings to reduce or prevent contamination and cross‐contamination of food contact surfaces by bacteria
Authors: DeFlorio William , Liu Shuhao , White Andrew R. , Taylor Thomas Matthew , Cisneros‐Zevallos Luis , Min Younjin , Scholar Ethan M. A.
Published: May 2021

Illness as the result of ingesting bacterially contaminated foodstuffs represents a significant annual loss of human quality of life and economic impact globally. Significant research investment has recently been made in developing new materials that can be used to construct food contacting tools and surfaces that might minimize the risk of cross‐contamination of bacteria from one food item to another. This is done to mitigate the spread of bacterial contamination and resultant foodborne illness. Internet‐based literature search tools such as Web of Science, Google Scholar, and Scopus were utilized to investigate publishing trends within the last 10 years related to the development of antimicrobial and antifouling surfaces with potential use in food processing applications. Technologies investigated were categorized into four major groups: antimicrobial agent–releasing coatings, contact‐based antimicrobial coatings, superhydrophobic antifouling coatings, and repulsion‐based antifouling coatings. The advantages for each group and technical challenges remaining before wide‐scale implementation were compared. A diverse array of emerging antimicrobial and antifouling technologies were identified, designed to suit a wide range of food contact applications. Although each poses distinct and promising advantages, significant further research investment will likely be required to reliably produce effective materials economically and safely enough to equip large‐scale operations such as farms, food processing facilities, and kitchens.
Radial probe endobronchial ultrasound‐guided transbronchial lung biopsy for the diagnosis of cavitary peripheral pulmonary lesions
Authors: Hong Kyung Soo , Jang Jong Geol , Ahn June Hong
Published: May 2021

Background

Cavitary peripheral pulmonary lesions (PPLs) are often diagnosed via transthoracic needle biopsy. However, today, radial probe endobronchial ultrasound (RP‐EBUS) is widely used to diagnose PPLs. The efficacy and safety of RP‐EBUS‐guided transbronchial lung biopsy (RP‐EBUS‐TBLB) used to diagnose cavitary PPLs remain poorly known. We investigated the utility of RP‐EBUS‐TBLB using a guide sheath (GS) without fluoroscopy to diagnose PPLs.

Methods

Of 743 RP‐EBUS procedures conducted to diagnose PPLs performed at our institution from January 2019 to October 2020, we analyzed 77 cavitary PPLs. TBLB was performed using RP‐EBUS with a GS without fluoroscopy. The diagnostic accuracy and complications were assessed. All lung lesions with a definitive diagnosis were included in analyses.

Results

The overall diagnostic accuracy was 85.7% (66/77). Of malignant lesions (n = 34), 29 (85.3%) were diagnosed successfully. Of benign lesions (n = 43), 37 (86.0%) were diagnosed successfully. In multivariate analyses, a thicker cavity wall (≥10 mm, odds ratio [OR] 14.22, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.58–78.35, p = 0.002) and EBUS imaging with the probe within the lesion (OR 12.02, 95% CI 1.91–75.53, p = 0.008) independently affected diagnostic success. The likelihood of success increased with increasing thickness of the cavity wall (p < 0.001, test for trend). The specimens obtained for molecular confirmation of malignancy were satisfactory. There were four cases of infection (5.2%) and three cases of pneumothorax (3.9%).

Conclusions

RP‐EBUS‐TBLB of cavitary PPLs affords high diagnostic accuracy with acceptable complication rates.
Does the LENT score risk‐stratify patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma? An observational study
Authors: Chollet Bertrand , Guinde Julien , Laroumagne Sophie , Dutau Hervé , Astoul Philippe
Published: May 2021

Background

Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is a rare, highly aggressive and deadly disease with a poor patient life expectancy. A few years ago, the main challenge was the histological diagnosis of this disease; at present, the search for the best therapeutic strategy is now a priority. However, an optimal therapeutic strategy is not yet clear, despite growing efforts in the treatment armamentarium and research, and at the era of tailored and individualized treatment, tools to predict patient survival are needed for therapeutic decision‐making. Among them, the LENT scoring system was developed to predict prognosis in patients with malignant pleural effusion. The aim of this study was to assess the performance of the LENT score in predicting prognosis in patients with MPM.

Methods

A retrospective observational study was conducted by analyzing the prospective collected databases of patients undergoing medical thoracoscopy in a single center with a final diagnosis of MPM confirmed by the MESOPATH National Reference Center.

Results

A total of 41 patients with MPM were studied. All patients underwent platinum‐based chemotherapy combined with pemetrexed ± bevacizumab. No high‐risk category patients were found using the LENT scoring system in this cohort. The median (range) LENT score at the time of medical thoracoscopy was 0 (0–3) and the median survival was 15.5 (2–54) months for the entire cohort. The median survival of low‐risk and moderate‐risk category patients was 21.4 months (2–54, 32 patients) and 6.7 months (2–19, nine patients), respectively. A total of 27 patients with MPM of epithelial subgroup had a median LENT score of 1 (0–2) with a 26 (2–54) months median survival. The median LENT score and median survival of nonepithelial mesothelioma patients (biphasic MPM subgroup, eight patients; sarcomatoid MPM subgroup, six patients) were 0 (0–3) and 11 (2–52) months, respectively.

Conclusions

Applied to a homogenous cohort of MPM patients, the LENT score underestimated prognosis and was not useful per se for the management of this disease, as evidenced in the epithelial mesothelioma subgroup of patients in our study.
treeducken: An R package for simulating cophylogenetic systems
Authors: Dismukes Wade , Heath Tracy A.
Published: May 2021

Cophylogenetic methods describe discordance between non‐independent phylogenies.

Simulation is necessary for testing cophylogenetic methods, but few simulators exist that are capable of generating data under explicit and biologically meaningful models.

We present an R package, treeducken, for simulating host–symbiont evolution and gene‐tree–species‐tree evolution.

treeducken provides a straightforward and reproducible interface for simulating cophylogenetic data. This allows easier performance testing of methods and has potential applications in machine learning (ML) and approximate Bayesian computation (ABC) approaches.
Comparing the consistency of electrocardiogram interval measurements by resting ECG versus 12‐lead Holter
Authors: Mendzelevski Boaz , Spencer Christopher S , Freier Anne , Camilleri Dorothée , Graff Claus , Täubel Jörg
Published: May 2021

In clinical trials, traditionally only a limited number of 12‐lead resting electrocardiograms (ECGs) can be recorded and, thus, long intervals may elapse between assessment timepoints and valuable information may be missed during times when patients' cardiac electrical activity is not being monitored. These limitations have led to the increasing use of Holter recorders which provide continuous data registrations while reducing the burden on patients and freeing up time for clinical trial staff to perform other tasks. However, there is a shortage of data comparing the two approaches. In this study, data from a randomized, double‐blind, four‐period, crossover thorough QT study in 40 healthy subjects were used to compare continuous 12‐lead Holter recordings to standard 12‐lead resting ECGs which were recorded in parallel. Heart rate and QT interval data were estimated by averaging three consecutive heartbeats. Values exceeding the sample average by more than 5% were tagged as outliers and excluded from the analysis. Visual comparisons of the ECG waveforms of the Holter signal showed a good correlation with resting ECGs at matching timepoints. Resting ECG data revealed sex differences that Holter data did not show. Specifically, women were found to have a longer QTcF of 20 ms, while men had a lower heart rate. We found that continuous recordings provided a more accurate reflection of changes in cardiac electrical activity over 24 hr. However, manual adjudication is still required to ensure the quality and accuracy of ECG data, and that only artifacts are removed thereby avoiding loss of true signals.
Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) in bipolar disorder: A systematic review
Authors: Konstantinou Gerasimos , Hui Jeanette , Ortiz Abigail , Kaster Tyler S. , Downar Jonathan , Blumberger Daniel M. , Daskalakis Zafiris J.
Published: May 2021

Objectives

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is commonly used in unipolar depression; yet, its evidence in bipolar disorder (BD) is limited. We sought to review the evidence on the use of rTMS across the different stages of BD.

Methods

MEDLINE database was systematically searched using the PubMed interface following the PRISMA guidelines. Inclusion criteria were as follows: (i) randomized clinical trials (RCTs), open‐label studies, and case series; (ii) specific evaluation of the treatment outcomes using psychometric scales; (iii) clinical studies in adults; and (iv) articles in the English language. The systematic review has been registered on PROSPERO (CRD42020192788).

Results

Thirty‐one papers were included in the review. Most studies included participants diagnosed with a bipolar depressive episode (N = 24), have yielded mixed findings, and have yet to reach a consensus on the most effective rTMS protocol. Few studies examined the effect of rTMS during manic (N = 5) or mixed episode (N = 1), or as maintenance treatment (N = 1). The limited data thus far suggest rTMS to be relatively safe and well tolerated. Small sample sizes, heterogeneity among study designs, patients and control groups recruited, rTMS parameters, and outcome measures are among the most significant limitations to these studies.

Conclusion

The current data regarding the application of rTMS in BD patients remain limited. More adequately powered sham‐controlled studies are required to verify its efficacy. Large‐scale clinical trials are needed to also determine whether its effects extend to manic and mixed episodes, as well as its role in mood stabilization and amelioration of suicidal behavior.
Students’ experience of online learning during the COVID‐19 pandemic: A province‐wide survey study
Authors: Yan Lixiang , Whitelock‐Wainwright Alexander , Guan Quanlong , Wen Gangxin , Gašević Dragan , Chen Guanliang
Published: May 2021

Online learning is currently adopted by educational institutions worldwide to provide students with ongoing education during the COVID‐19 pandemic. Even though online learning research has been advancing in uncovering student experiences in various settings (i.e., tertiary, adult, and professional education), very little progress has been achieved in understanding the experience of the K‐12 student population, especially when narrowed down to different school‐year segments (i.e., primary and secondary school students). This study explores how students at different stages of their K‐12 education reacted to the mandatory full‐time online learning during the COVID‐19 pandemic. For this purpose, we conducted a province‐wide survey study in which the online learning experience of 1,170,769 Chinese students was collected from the Guangdong Province of China. We performed cross‐tabulation and Chi‐square analysis to compare students’ online learning conditions, experiences, and expectations. Results from this survey study provide evidence that students’ online learning experiences are significantly different across school years. Foremost, policy implications were made to advise government authorises and schools on improving the delivery of online learning, and potential directions were identified for future research into K‐12 online learning.

Practitioner notes

What is already known about this topic

Online learning has been widely adopted during the COVID‐19 pandemic to ensure the continuation of K‐12 education.

Student success in K‐12 online education is substantially lower than in conventional schools.

Students experienced various difficulties related to the delivery of online learning.

What this paper adds

Provide empirical evidence for the online learning experience of students in different school years.

Identify the different needs of students in primary, middle, and high school.

Identify the challenges of delivering online learning to students of different age.

Implications for practice and/or policy

Authority and schools need to provide sufficient technical support to students in online learning.

The delivery of online learning needs to be customised for students in different school years.
Age is the most important predictor of survival in diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma patients achieving event‐free survival at 24 months: a Swedish population‐based study
Authors: Abu Sabaa Amal , Mörth Charlott , Hasselblom Sverker , Hedström Gustaf , Flogegård Max , Stern Mimmi , Andersson Per‐Ola , Glimelius Ingrid , Enblad Gunilla
Published: May 2021

Routine follow‐up for diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma have been shortened to 2 years when event‐free survival at 24 months (EFS24) emerged as a new milestone. In the present study, we aimed to determine whether the achievement of this milestone affected overall survival (OS). We compared OS to that of an age‐ and sex‐matched population, analysed other factors governing OS, and reviewed the causes of death. Data were collected from the Swedish Cancer Registry and from individual patient’s records. We included 1169 adult patients from five counties between the years 2001 and 2014. The median (range) age was 64·6 (18–91) years, 56·6% were men and the median follow‐up was 82·3 months. For early stages, the achievement of EFS12 did not improve OS. More than two‐thirds of the patients (n = 837, 71·6%) achieved EFS24, of which 190 (22·7%) died during follow‐up. Lymphoma (20%), cardiovascular disease (22·4%) and malignancies (16%) contributed to causes of death. Patients aged <60 years had an OS that matched the standard population. In multivariate analysis, only age >60 years significantly affected OS after EFS24 compared with the standard population. We concluded that follow‐up beyond EFS24 should be considered for patients aged >60 years.
The effect of calorie and physical activity equivalent labelling of alcoholic drinks on drinking intentions in participants of higher and lower socioeconomic position: An experimental study
Authors: Robinson Eric , Smith Jemma , Jones Andrew
Published: May 2021

Objectives

The primary objective of the study was to examine the effect of calorie labelling and physical activity equivalence labelling of alcoholic drinks on drinking intentions in participants of lower and higher socioeconomic position (SEP).

Methods

Participants (N = 1,084) of higher and lower SEP were recruited into an online study and randomized into one of three drink label conditions; Control (standard alcohol labelling), kcal labelling (standard labelling plus drink kilocalorie information), or kcal + PACE labelling (standard labelling and kilocalorie information, plus information on physical activity needed to compensate for drink calories). After viewing drink labels, participants reported alcohol drinking intentions. Participants also completed measures of alcoholic drink energy content estimation, beliefs about how calorie labelling would affect health behaviour and support for calorie labelling of alcoholic drinks.

Results

kcal labelling (d = 0.31) and kcal + PACE labelling (d = 0.38) conditions had significantly lower drinking intentions compared to the control condition (ps < .001). There was no evidence that effect of labelling condition on drinking intentions was moderated by SEP. A subset of participants also reported that they believed calorie labelling would be likely to positively change their eating and exercise behaviour. Estimates of the energy content of alcoholic drinks tended to be inaccurate and the majority of participants supported the introduction of calorie labelling on alcoholic drinks.

Conclusions

Calorie labelling of alcoholic drinks resulted in small reductions to intended drinking and testing of the effect calorie labelling has on behaviour in real‐world settings is now warranted.