bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Feature Engineering for an Efficient Motor Related EcoG BCI System
Authors: Jain Ritwik , Jaiman Prakhar , Baths Veeky
Published: April 2023

Invasive Brain Computer Interface (BCI) systems through Electrocorticographic (ECoG) signals require efficient recognition of spatiotemporal patterns from a multi-electrodes sensor array. Such signals are excellent candidates for automated pattern recognition through machine learning algorithms. The importance of these patterns can be highlighted through feature extraction techniques. However, the signal variability due to non-stationarity is ignored while extracting features, and which features to use can be challenging to figure out by visual inspection. In this study, we introduce the signal split parameter to account for the variability of the signal and increase the accuracy of the machine learning classifier. We use genetic selection, which allows the selection of the optimal combination of features from a pool of 8 different feature sets. Genetic selection of features increases accuracy and reduces the BCI’s prediction time. Along with Genetic selection, we also use a reduced signal length, which leads to a higher Information Transfer Rate. Thus this approach enables the design of a fast and accurate motorrelated EcoG BCI system.
The thalamic reuniens is associated with consolidation of non-spatial memory too
Authors: Hamilton J. J. , Dalrymple-Alford J. C.
Published: April 2023

The nucleus reuniens (RE) is situated in the midline thalamus and provides a key link between hippocampus and prefrontal cortex. This anatomical relationship positions the Re as an ideal candidate to facilitate memory consolidation. Evidence is, however, lacking whether this role extends beyond spatial memory and contextual fear memory, both of which are strongly associated with hippocampal function. We therefore trained intact male Long-Evans rats on an odour-trace-object paired-association task in which the explicit 10-second delay between paired items renders the task sensitive to hippocampal function. Neurons in the RE showed markedly increased immediate early gene (Zif268) activation when rats were re-tested for the previous non-spatial memory 25 days after acquisition training, relative to a group tested at 5-days post-acquisition, as well as a control group tested 25 days after acquisition but with a new pair of non-spatial stimuli, and home cage controls. The remote recall group also showed relatively augmented IEG expression in the superficial layers of the medial PFC (anterior cingulate cortex and prelimbic cortex). These findings support the conclusion that the RE is preferentially engaged during remote recall in this non-spatial task and thus has a role beyond spatial memory and contextual fear memory.
Two-fold increase in the prevalence of autism in Israel between 2017 and 2021
Authors: Dinstein Ilan , Solomon Shirley , Zats Michael , Shusel Ronit , Lottner Raphael , Ben Gershon Bella , Meiri Gal , Menashe Idan , Shmueli Dorit
Published: April 2023

The prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has increased steadily in most high-income countries over the last decade. Estimates of ASD prevalence among 8-year-old children in the U.S. have increased from 1.47% in 2010 to 2.3% in 2018, and up to 3.5% among 3-17-year-old children in 2020. In Israel, estimates have been lower, with the prevalence of ASD in 8-year-old children increasing from 0.3% in 2009 to 0.64% in 2018. Here, we examined data from the entire population of Israel (∼3 million 1-17-year-old children) and quantified changes in their ASD prevalence between 2017 and 2021. We analyzed consecutive annual reports acquired from the Israeli National Insurance Institute (NII), which monitors all children with ASD in Israel who receive welfare services, and Clalit Health Services (CHS), the largest Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) in Israel that services ∼50% of the population. Both data sources revealed a nearly twofold increase in the ASD prevalence of 1–17-year-old children during this five-year period. Rates differed across age groups with 2-3-year-old (day-care) children exhibiting a ∼4.4-fold increase in prevalence from 0.27% to 1.19% and 4-6-year-old (pre-school) children exhibiting a ∼2.3-fold increase from 0.80% to 1.83%. These results demonstrate that ASD prevalence in Israel is increasing at unprecedented rates and shifting towards diagnosis at earlier ages. These findings highlight the challenge facing health and education service providers in meeting the needs of a rapidly growing ASD population that is being diagnosed at earlier ages.
Re-evaluating the melanoma TIL compartment and its unexpected spectrum of exhausted and functional T cells
Authors: Cameron Cheryl M. , Richardson Brian , Golden Jackelyn B. , Phoon Yee Peng , Tamilselvan Banumathi , Pfannenstiel Lukas , Thapaliya Samjhana , Roversi Gustavo , Gao Xing-Huang , Zagore Leah L. , Cameron Mark J. , Gastman Brian R.
Published: April 2023

Significant heterogeneity exists within the tumor infiltrating CD8 T cell population, and exhausted T cells harbor a subpopulation that may be replicating and retain signatures of activation, with potential functional consequences in tumor progression. Dysfunctional immunity in the tumor microenvironment is associated with poor cancer outcomes, making exploration of these exhausted but activated (Tex/act) subpopulations critical to the improvement of therapeutic approaches. To investigate mechanisms associated with Tex/act cells, we sorted and performed transcriptional profiling of CD8+tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) coexpressing the exhaustion markers PD-1 and TIM-3, from large volume melanoma tumors. We additionally performed immunologic phenotyping and functional validation, including at the single cell level, to identify potential mechanisms that underlie their dysfunctional phenotype. We identified novel dysregulated pathways in CD8+PD-1+TIM-3+cells that have not been well studied in TIL; these include bile acid and peroxisome pathway-related metabolism, and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathways, which are highly correlated with immune checkpoint receptor expression. Through bioinformatic integration of immunophenotypic data and network analysis, we propose unexpected targets for therapies to rescue the immune response to tumors in melanoma.
Seizure dynamotype classification using non-invasive recordings
Authors: Guendelman Miriam , Vekslar Rotem , Shriki Oren
Published: April 2023

Objective

Recently, a seizure classification approach derived from complex systems and nonlinear dynamics has been suggested, termed the “taxonomy of seizure dynamotypes.” This framework is based on modeling the dynamical process of the transition in and out of a seizure. It has been examined in computational and animal modelsin-vitroand recently in human intracranial data. However, its applicability and value in surface EEG remain unclear. This study examined the applicability of dynamotype classification to seizure information extracted from surface EEG and tested how it relates to clinical factors.

Methods

Surface EEG recordings from 1,215 seizures were analyzed. We used an automated pre-processing pipeline, resulting in independent components (ICs) for each seizure. Subsequently, we visually identified ICs with clear seizure information and classified them based on the suggested taxonomy. To examine the possibility of automatic classification, we applied a random forest classifier combined with EEG features and evaluated its performance in identifying seizure-related ICs and classifying dynamical types. Lastly, we used a Bayesian estimator to examine the likelihood of the different dynamical types under various clinical conditions.

Results

We found an apparent onset and offset bifurcation in 49.5% and 40.3% of seizures, respectively. Bifurcation prevalence aligns with that previously reported using intracranial data and computational modeling. The automated classifiers, evaluated with a leave-one-patient-out paradigm, provided good performance. In addition, bifurcation prevalence differed between vigilance states and seizure classes.

Significance

We demonstrated a method to extract seizure information and classify dynamotypes in non-invasive recordings with a visual as well as an automated framework. Extending this classification to a larger scale and a broader population may provide further insights into seizure dynamics.

Key Points Box

We characterized the dynamical types of transitions at seizure onset and offset based on seizure information extracted from surface EEG.

We classified the dynamical types (dynamotypes) in 49.5% and 40.3% of seizure onsets and offsets, respectively.

The dynamotype distribution in surface EEG data aligns with previous findings from intracranial EEG and theoretical expectations.

The likelihood of the dynamical type of a seizure exhibits differences across clinical seizure classes and vigilance states.

Automated detection and classification of seizure bifurcations are possible using relevant features and pre-existing tools.
Ca2+channel and active zone protein abundance intersects with input-specific synapse organization to shape functional synaptic diversity
Authors: Medeiros A. T. , Gratz S.J. , Delgado A. , Ritt J.T. , O’Connor-Giles Kate M.
Published: April 2023

Synaptic heterogeneity is a hallmark of nervous systems that enables complex and adaptable communication in neural circuits. To understand circuit function, it is thus critical to determine the factors that contribute to the functional diversity of synapses. We investigated the contributions of voltage-gated calcium channel (VGCC) abundance, spatial organization, and subunit composition to synapse diversity among and between synapses formed by two closely relatedDrosophilaglutamatergic motor neurons with distinct neurotransmitter release probabilities (Pr). Surprisingly, VGCC levels are highly predictive of heterogeneous Pramong individual synapses of either low- or high-Prinputs, but not between inputs. We find that the same number of VGCCs are more densely organized at high-Prsynapses, consistent with tighter VGCC-synaptic vesicle coupling. We generated endogenously tagged lines to investigate VGCC subunitsin vivoand found that the α2δ-3 subunit Straightjacket along with the CAST/ELKS active zone (AZ) protein Bruchpilot, both key regulators of VGCCs, are less abundant at high-Prinputs, yet positively correlate with Pramong synapses formed by either input. Consistently, both Straightjacket and Bruchpilot levels are dynamically increased across AZs of both inputs when neurotransmitter release is potentiated to maintain stable communication following glutamate receptor inhibition. Together, these findings suggest a model in which VGCC and AZ protein abundance intersects with input-specific spatial and molecular organization to shape the functional diversity of synapses.
Dopamine D1 and NMDA receptor co-regulation of protein translation in cultured nucleus accumbens neurons
Authors: Zimbelman Alexa R. , Wong Benjamin , Murray Conor H. , Wolf Marina E. , Stefanik Michael T.
Published: April 2023

Protein translation is essential for some forms of synaptic plasticity. We used nucleus accumbens (NAc) medium spiny neurons (MSN), co-cultured with cortical neurons to restore excitatory synapses, to examine whether dopamine modulates protein translation in NAc MSN. FUNCAT was used to measure translation in MSNs under basal conditions and after disinhibiting excitatory transmission using the GABAAreceptor antagonist bicuculline (2 hr). Under basal conditions, translation was not altered by the D1-class receptor (D1R) agonist SKF81297 or the D2-class receptor (D2R) agonist quinpirole. Bicuculline alone robustly increased translation. This was reversed by quinpirole but not SKF81297. It was also reversed by co-incubation with the D1R antagonist SCH23390, but not the D2R antagonist eticlopride, suggesting dopaminergic tone at D1Rs. This was surprising because no dopamine neurons are present. An alternative explanation is that bicuculline activates translation by increasing glutamate tone at NMDA receptors (NMDAR) within D1R/NMDAR heteromers, which have been described in other cell types. Supporting this, immunocytochemistry and proximity ligation assays revealed D1/NMDAR heteromers on NAc cells bothin vitroandin vivo. Further, bicuculline’s effect was reversed to the same extent by SCH23390 alone, the NMDAR antagonist APV alone, or SCH23390+APV. These results suggest that: 1) excitatory synaptic transmission stimulates translation in NAc MSNs, 2) this is opposed when glutamate activates D1R/NMDAR heteromers, even in the absence of dopamine, and 3) antagonist occupation of D1Rs within the heteromers prevents their activation. Our study is the first to suggest a role for D2 receptors and D1R/NMDAR heteromers in regulating protein translation.
Mitochondrial GTP Metabolism Regulates Reproductive Aging
Authors: Lee Yi-Tang , Savini Marzia , Chen Tao , Yang Jin , Zhao Qian , Ding Lang , Gao Shihong Max , Senturk Mumine , Sowa Jessica , Wang Jue D. , Wang Meng C.
Published: April 2023

Healthy mitochondria are critical for reproduction. During aging, both reproductive fitness and mitochondrial homeostasis decline. Mitochondrial metabolism and dynamics are key factors in supporting mitochondrial homeostasis. However, how they are coupled to control reproductive health remains unclear. We report that mitochondrial GTP metabolism acts through mitochondrial dynamics factors to regulate reproductive aging. We discovered that germline-only inactivation of GTP- but not ATP-specific succinyl-CoA synthetase (SCS), promotes reproductive longevity inCaenorhabditis elegans.We further revealed an age-associated increase in mitochondrial clustering surrounding oocyte nuclei, which is attenuated by the GTP-specific SCS inactivation. Germline-only induction of mitochondrial fission factors sufficiently promotes mitochondrial dispersion and reproductive longevity. Moreover, we discovered that bacterial inputs affect mitochondrial GTP and dynamics factors to modulate reproductive aging. These results demonstrate the significance of mitochondrial GTP metabolism in regulating oocyte mitochondrial homeostasis and reproductive longevity and reveal mitochondrial fission induction as an effective strategy to improve reproductive health.
Nomination committee characteristics and exposure to environmental, social and governance (ESG) controversies: evidence from European global systemically important banks
Authors: Iannuzzi Antonia Patrizia , Dell’Atti Stefano , D'Apolito Elisabetta , Galletta Simona
Published: April 2023

Purpose

Based on the agency and resource dependence theories, this study aims to investigate whether nomination committee (NC) characteristics could serve as key attributes for reducing environmental, social and governance (ESG) disputes and whether NC composition affects the appointment of ESG-friendly directors to the board.

Design/methodology/approach

This study focuses on a sample of 30 global systemically important banks from 2015 to 2021. The authors estimate panel data models with fixed effects, clustering heteroskedastic standard errors at the bank level to account for the serial correlation of the dependent variables for each bank.

Findings

Banks’ exposure to ESG controversies can be reduced when NC members have specific skills, in particular when at least one member of this committee also belongs to the sustainability committee and is a foreign director. Moreover, banks’ ESG disputes decrease when the NC members are younger, while the share of independent NC members has a negative impact. Finally, a positive influence of NC composition and its members’ features as well as the appointment of ESG-friendly directors on the board is found.

Originality/value

The findings are particularly useful during periods such as the current one, when there is growing attention to both banks’ corporate governance, the subcommittees’ role and functioning and social and environmental issues. This study shows that the NC is important in reducing the likelihood of banks incurring ESG disputes and in appointing more ESG-friendly directors. NC effective functioning and its members’ qualities serve as a key attribute for fulfilling objective assessment and improving board effectiveness.
How machine learning changes Project Risk Management: a structured literature review and insights for organizational innovation
Authors: Secundo Giustina , Mele Gioconda , Passiante Giuseppina , Ligorio Angela
Published: April 2023

Purpose

In the current economic scenario characterized by turbulence, innovation is a requisite for company's growth. The innovation activities are implemented through the realization of innovative project. This paper aims to prospect the promising opportunities coming from the application of Machine Learning (ML) algorithms to project risk management for organizational innovation, where a large amount of data supports the decision-making process within the companies and the organizations.

Design/methodology/approach

Moving from a structured literature review (SLR), a final sample of 42 papers has been analyzed through a descriptive, content and bibliographic analysis. Moreover, metrics for measuring the impact of the citation index approach and the CPY (Citations per year) have been defined. The descriptive and cluster analysis has been realized with VOSviewer, a tool for constructing and visualizing bibliometric networks and clusters.

Findings

Prospective future developments and forthcoming challenges of ML applications for managing risks in projects have been identified in the following research context: software development projects; construction industry projects; climate and environmental issues and Health and Safety projects. Insights about the impact of ML for improving organizational innovation through the project risks management are defined.

Research limitations/implications

The study have some limitations regarding the choice of keywords and as well the database chosen for selecting the final sample. Another limitation regards the number of the analyzed papers.

Originality/value

The analysis demonstrated how much the use of ML techniques for project risk management is still new and has many unexplored areas, given the increasing trend in annual scientific publications. This evidence represents an opportunities for supporting the organizational innovation in companies engaged into complex projects whose risk management become strategic.
Interlinking institutions, entrepreneurship and economic performance
Authors: Ferreira João J. , Fernandes Cristina I. , Veiga Pedro Mota , Gerschewski Stephan
Published: April 2023

Purpose

This study holds the objective of evaluating the impact of formal (e.g. ease of doing business score, start-up procedures to register a business, property rights) and informal (e.g. school life expectancy, collaboration between companies and human capital) institutions on the economic performance of countries in conjunction with the mediating effect of entrepreneurial activities and social performance.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors collected quantitative, secondary data from a range of different sources, specifically the World Bank (WB), Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM), World Economic Forum (WEF), Freedom House (FH) and Doing Business (DB) for the years between 2016 and 2018. The authors deployed a quantitative approach based on estimating structural equation models according to the Partial Least Squares (PLS) method.

Findings

The authors find that institutions, whether formal or informal, impact positively on economic and social performance with entrepreneurial activities positively mediating the relationship between informal institutions and economic performance and social performance.

Practical implications

The study research holds key implications for strengthening institutional theory. The authors find that our empirical results draw attention to the impact that institutions and their functioning can have on economic performance. Through this alert, the authors aim for researchers, politicians and other diverse decision-makers involved in public policies to prioritise not only the good working of institutions but also fostering entrepreneurship, in order to boost the resulting economic performance.

Originality/value

The study research contributes to the literature by testing the model that links institutions, entrepreneurial activity and economic performance. The authors also help policymakers to become aware of the importance that the quality of institutions has on entrepreneurial activity, and, consequently on economic performance.
Impact of code smells on software development environments: a study based on ENTROPY-CODAS method
Authors: Anand Adarsh , Gupta Priyanka , Tamura Yoshinobu , Papic Ljubisa
Published: April 2023

Purpose

The relationship between the various existing smell taxonomies and the smell impacting factors has been established. The ideology is to identify the most critical smell influencing factors in the vicinity of various software development environments.

Design/methodology/approach

To fulfill the said task, the utilization of the amalgamation of two multicriteria decision-making techniques, namely, Entropy method and CODAS method, is presented.

Findings

Through this article, the most critical smell impacting criteria with respect to the smell taxonomies is identified. Furthermore, the behaviour of 4 software development principles was then analysed, and their working state has been successfully assessed.

Originality/value

The ideology to study design-related smells in the software system has been studied by a lot of researchers. Some of them have worked upon their detection and the corresponding refactoration process with the help of several algorithms like machine learning and artificial intelligence. But how and to what extent these design-related smells impact the software development environment has remained out of the limelight till now. Through this article, this research gap has been identified, and an attempt to fill it has been made.
Gearbox fault diagnosis method based on deep learning multi-task framework
Authors: Chen Yao , Liang Ruijun , Ran Wenfeng , Chen Weifang
Published: April 2023

Purpose

In gearbox fault diagnosis, identifying the fault type and severity simultaneously, as well as the compound fault containing multiple faults, is necessary.

Design/methodology/approach

To diagnose multiple faults simultaneously, this paper proposes a multichannel and multi-task convolutional neural network (MCMT-CNN) model.

Findings

Experiments were conducted on a bearing dataset containing different fault types and severities and a gearbox compound fault dataset. The experimental results show that MCMT-CNN can effectively extract features of different tasks from vibration signals, with a diagnosis accuracy of more than 97%.

Originality/value

Vibration signals at different positions and in different directions are taken as the MC inputs to ensure the integrity of the fault features. Fault labels are established to retain and distinguish the unique features of different tasks. In MCMT-CNN, multiple task branches can connect and share all neurons in the hidden layer, thus enabling multiple tasks to share information.
Children and young peoples’ lyrics and voices capturing their experiences within youth justice services
Authors: Price Jayne , Wilkinson Dean , Crossley Charlene
Published: April 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to explore young peoples’ authentic experiences of youth justice services (YJS) during the Covid-19 pandemic. By adopting the creative arts-based method of lyric writing, the research team sought to empower participants through collaboration and participation and to facilitate them leading the narrative (Deakinet al., 2020).

Design/methodology/approach

This research adopted a creative arts-based method in which participants worked alongside an artist to generate lyrics that captured their experiences within YJS. Such an approach demonstrated a commitment to participatory, child-first approaches.

Findings

Two main themes were identified: identity and relationships. The young people vocalised resistance to frequent labelling and their ambitions to move away from past criminal identity and behaviour. Relationships with practitioners could be a source of frustration within this but were also highlighted as valuable and supportive.

Research limitations/implications

As data collection was remote, owing to the Covid-19 pandemic and associated lockdowns, the opportunity to develop relationships with young people within the YJS prior to conducting the research was restricted. This approach may have also impacted recruitment of participants. The sessions presented short-term interventions and whilst follow-up sessions were offered, many did not take them up. Although the research sample is small and cannot be considered representative, it allows for a valuable insight into the experiences of young people at a particularly challenging time.

Practical implications

Upon receiving our findings and recommendations, the first YJS research site has sought to further embed a relationship-based practice model and greater creative/participatory socially prescribed psychosocial therapeutic interventions, including music groups and spoken word artists to work with children and young people.

Originality value

This research adds to the growing literature base surrounding creative arts-based research with children and young people for their value towards communication, pro-social identity and development.
Effect of inclination angle on the thermal-hydraulic characteristics and entropy generation of Al2O3–water nanofluid for in-tube turbulent flow
Authors: Chinakwe Chinedu , Adelaja Adekunle , Akinseloyin Michael , Olakoyejo Olabode Thomas
Published: April 2023

Purpose

Inclination angle has been reported to have an enhancing effect on the thermal-hydraulic characteristics and entropy of some thermal systems. Therefore, this paper aims to numerically investigate the effects of inclination angle, volume concentration and Reynolds number on the thermal and hydraulic characteristics and entropy generation rates of water-based Al2O3 nanofluids through a smooth circular aluminum pipe in a turbulent flow.

Design/methodology/approach

A constant heat flux of 2,000 Watts is applied to the circular surface of the tube. Reynolds number is varied between 4,000 and 20,000 for different volume concentrations of alumina nanoparticles of 0.5%, 1.0% and 2.0% for tube inclination angles of ±90o, ±60o, ±45o, ±30o and 0o, respectively. The simulation is performed in an ANSYS Fluent environment using the realizable kinetic energy–epsilon turbulent model.

Findings

Results show that +45o tube orientation possesses the largest thermal deviations of 0.006% for 0.5% and 1.0% vol. concentrations for Reynolds numbers 4,000 and 12,000. −45o gives a maximum pressure deviation of −0.06% for the same condition. The heat transfer coefficient and pressure drop give maximum deviations of −0.35% and −0.39%, respectively, for 2.0% vol. concentration for Reynolds number of 20,000 and angle ±90o. A 95%–99.8% and 95%–98% increase in the heat transfer and total entropy generation rates, respectively, is observed for 2.0% volume concentration as tube orientation changes from the horizontal position upward or downward.

Originality/value

Research investigating the effect of inclination angle on thermal-hydraulic performance and entropy generation rates in-tube turbulent flow of nanofluid is very scarce in the literature.
Do ‘humble’ leaders help employees to perform better? Evidence from the Chinese public sector
Authors: Wu Fan , Zhou Qiwei
Published: April 2023

Humility is crucial for public sector leaders as it enables them to recognise their inadequacies and acknowledge others’ competencies in complex external environments. Despite its benefits, our knowledge of the influence of leader humility in the public sector remains limited. This study provides insights into how and when leader humility influences employee performance in public sectors. Based on Self‐Determination Theory, this article posits that leader humility enhances the leader's perception of employee performance by promoting intrinsic motivation. Moreover, drawing on Dominance Complementarity Theory, it is revealed that the above effect is stronger when the employee has a highly proactive personality. To assess the mechanism and boundary condition of leader humility on the perception of employee performance, our study uses a two‐wave multi‐source survey of 136 leader–employee dyads amongst public sector workers located in north‐eastern China. The results are consistent with our theoretical predictions. We discuss implications for understanding how public leader humility influences employees’ motivation and subsequent performance, and how a leader's character and an employee's personality may enhance desirable outcomes.

Points for practitioners

Humble public leaders can satisfy their followers’ basic self‐determining psychological needs and improve followers’ intrinsic motivations.

Since humble public leaders care more about others and can minimise the effect of leader–follower power imbalances, facilitate frequent interactions, and spotlight followers’ unique abilities, they tend to enhance the followers’ job performance through their increased intrinsic motivation.

Humble public leaders are non‐hierarchical and power equalising. They could positively interact with proactive followers who tend to take the initiative to get things done. The interaction facilitates followers’ higher intrinsic motivation and job performance.
One Man's Damage: The Consequences of Boris Johnson's Assault on the British Political System
Authors: Sanders David
Published: April 2023

The disgraced British prime minister, Boris Johnson, was forced to resign by his own backbench MPs on 7 July 2022 (effective from 6 September) in complete denial that he had done anything wrong. Optimists might argue that this shows the strength of the British political system; that a way was found to throw out a proven rascal, thus providing the opportunity for a restoration of ‘normal politics’. In my view, this optimism is misplaced. Boris Johnson's behaviour, mirroring that of his populist role model, Donald Trump, has raised a number of serious questions about the continued successful functioning of the UK's unwritten constitution.

The article reviews the character of Johnson's constitutional violations during his period as prime minister. Using data from a recent survey of UK voters, it then explores the damaging effect that his period in office has had on UK public opinion. Despite his removal from office, Johnson retains a hard core of support across the wider electorate and, in particular, among grassroots Conservative supporters and party members. These supporters remain largely unaware of Johnson's constitutional crimes, and where they do know about them, they forgive them. This creates the real danger either that Johnson may at some future date return to office to repeat his offences, or that a similarly populist successor might deploy the same anti‐democratic devices that Johnson himself used in his desperate attempts to cling to power.
Devouring and Asphyxia: Paradigm Crisis, the Depletion of the Hero and Complex Thought1
Authors: Boechat Walter
Published: April 2023

This article deals with the profound paradigm crisis that affects modernity and threatens the destiny of humanity. This crisis results from the lack of perspective offered by the paradigm of modernity with its emphasis on unilateral rationality, scientific objectivity, and exploitation of natural resources by a hyper development of an inflated Hero archetype. The emergence of a new paradigm of complexity, C. G. Jung’s complex psychology, and Ameridian perspectivism, may offer new paths to approach these serious problems lived by modern man. A clinical vignette illustrates how complex psychology may also help with individual patients suffering from psychosomatic complaints.
Wheat starch structure–function relationship in breadmaking: A review
Authors: van Rooyen Jana , Simsek Senay , Oyeyinka Samson A. , Manley Marena
Published: April 2023

Bread dough and bread are dispersed systems consisting of starch polymers that interact with other flour components and added ingredients during processing. In addition to gluten proteins, starch impacts the quality characteristics of the final baked product. Wheat starch consists of amylose and amylopectin organized into alternating semicrystalline and amorphous layers in granules that vary in size and are embedded in the endosperm protein matrix. Investigation of the molecular movement of protons in the dough system provides a comprehensive insight into granular swelling and amylose leaching. Starch interacts with water, proteins, amylase, lipids, yeast, and salt during various stages of breadmaking. As a result, the starch polymers within the produced crumb and crust, together with the rate of retrogradation and staling due to structural reorganization, moisture migration, storage temperature, and relative humidity determines the final product's textural perception. This review aims to provide insight into wheat starch composition and functionality and critically review recently published research results with reference to starch structure–function relationship and factors affecting it during dough formation, fermentation, baking, cooling, and storage of bread.
Utilization of plant extracts to control the safety and quality of fried foods—A review
Authors: Li Cuicui , Chen Long , McClements David Julian , Liu Wenmeng , Long Jie , Qiu Chao , Wang Yi , Yang Zhongyu , Xu Zhenlin , Meng Man , Jin Zhengyu
Published: April 2023

Frying is one of the most common methods of preparing foods. However, it may lead to the formation of potentially hazardous substances, such as acrylamide, heterocyclic amines, trans fatty acids, advanced glycation end products, hydroxymethyl furfural and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and adversely alter the desirable sensory attributes of foods, thereby reducing the safety and quality of fried foods. Currently, the formation of toxic substances is usually reduced by pretreatment of the raw materials, optimization of process parameters, and the use of coatings. However, many of these strategies are not highly effective at inhibiting the formation of these undesirable reaction products. Plant extracts can be used for this purpose because of their abundance, safety, and beneficial functional attributes. In this article, we focus on the potential of using plant extracts to inhibit the formation of hazardous substances, so as to improve the safety of fried food. In addition, we also summarized the effects of plant extracts, which inhibit the production of hazardous substances, on food sensory aspects (flavor, color, texture, and taste). Finally, we highlight areas where further research is required.
Clinical impact of first‐line PD‐1 or PD‐L1 inhibitors combined with chemotherapy in extensive‐stage small cell lung cancer patients: A real‐world multicenter propensity score‐matched study
Authors: Xie Jingyuan , Chen Mo , Han Hedong , Xu Ke , Qiu Guihuan , Lin Xinqing , Song Yong , Ye Jinjun , Lv Tangfeng , Zhan Ping
Published: April 2023

Objectives

Our research aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of first‐line immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) with etoposide and platinum (EP) for extensive‐stage small cell lung cancer (ES‐SCLC) and identify prognostic factors, as real‐world outcomes and the inconsistency of PD‐1 and PD‐L1 inhibitors are uncertain.

Methods

We selected ES‐SCLC patients in three centers and conducted a propensity score‐matched analysis. The Kaplan–Meier method and Cox proportional hazards regression were conducted to compare the survival outcomes. We also performed univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses to investigate predictors.

Results

Among 236 patients included, 83 pairs of cases were matched. The EP plus ICIs cohort had a longer median overall survival (OS) (17.3 months) than the EP cohort (13.4 months) (hazard ratio [HR],  0.61 [0.45, 0.83]; p = 0.001). The median progression‐free survival (PFS) was also longer in the EP plus ICIs cohort (8.3 months) than in the EP cohort (5.9 months) (HR,   0.44 [0.32, 0.60]; p < 0.001). The EP plus ICIs group had a higher objective response rate (ORR) (EP: 62.3%, EP + ICIs: 84.3%, p < 0.001). Multivariate analysis presented that liver metastases (HR, 2.08; p = 0.018) and lymphocyte–monocyte ratio (LMR) (HR, 0.54; p = 0.049) were independent prognostic factors for OS, and performance status (PS) (HR, 2.11; p = 0.015), liver metastases (HR, 2.64; p = 0.002), and neutrophil‐lymphocyte ratio (NLR) (HR, 0.45; p = 0.028) were for PFS in patients with chemo‐immunotherapy.

Conclusion

Our real‐world data demonstrated that ICIs with chemotherapy as the first‐line setting for ES‐SCLC are effective and safe. PS, liver metastases, and inflammatory markers could serve as valuable risk factors.
Influence of vaccination on adverse health outcomes after SARS‐CoV‐2 infection among individuals with alcohol use disorder: a population‐based study
Authors: Askgaard Gro , Osler Merete , Laursen Thomas Munk , Hjorthøj Carsten , Benros Michael E. , Ethelberg Steen , Mølbak Kåre , Nordentoft Merete , Nilsson Sandra Feodor
Published: April 2023

Background and Aims

Alcohol use disorders (AUD) have not been included in the priority groups for early vaccine against SARS‐CoV‐2. We aimed to determine adverse outcomes after SARS‐CoV‐2 infection among individuals with AUD and how this is modified by vaccination.

Design, Setting and Participants

This was a registry‐based cohort study carried out in Denmark, 27 February 2020 to 15 October 2021, comprising 2157 individuals with AUD and 237 541 without AUD who had had a polymerase chain reaction (PCR)‐confirmed SARS‐CoV‐2 infection during the study period.

Measurements

The association of AUD with the absolute and relative risk of hospitalization, intensive care and 60‐day mortality after SARS‐CoV‐2 infection and of all‐cause mortality throughout the follow‐up period were measured. Potential interactions with SARS‐CoV‐2 vaccination, education and sex were explored in stratified analyses and tested by including interaction terms and using likelihood ratio tests.

Findings

Individuals with AUD had an increased absolute and relative risk of adverse outcomes, including hospitalization [incidence rate ratio (IRR) = 1.72, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.51–1.95], intensive care (IRR = 1.47, 95% CI = 1.07–2.02) and 60‐day mortality [mortality rate ratio (MRR) = 2.35, 95% CI = 1.94–2.85] compared with SARS‐CoV‐2‐positive individuals without AUD. Irrespective of AUD, highest risks of these adverse health outcomes were observed for individuals not vaccinated against SARS‐CoV‐2 infection, for individuals of low educational level and in males. However, for all‐cause mortality throughout the follow‐up period, SARS‐CoV‐2 infection showed a lower relative mortality risk increase, whereas being unvaccinated showed a higher relative mortality risk increase, in individuals with AUD than in the reference population without AUD (P of interaction tests < 0.0001).

Conclusions

Both alcohol use disorder and being unvaccinated for SARS‐CoV‐2 appear to be independent risk factors for adverse health outcomes following SARS‐CoV‐2 infection.
Effect of CYP3A4 induction and inhibition on the pharmacokinetics of SHR0302 in healthy subjects
Authors: Zhang Zhe , Gao Xuehu , Zhang Ping , Li Yuan , Fu Meng , Lin Hongda , Feng Sheng , Shen Kai , Yu Guoning , Li Xin
Published: April 2023

Aims

SHR0302 is a selective Janus kinase (JAK) 1 inhibitor under clinical investigation for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). As SHR0302 is metabolized mainly by cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A4, clinical studies were performed to evaluate the effects of a strong CYP3A4 inducer, rifampin, and a strong CYP3A4 inhibitor, itraconazole, on the pharmacokinetics of SHR0302 in healthy subjects.

Methods

Two phase I, open‐label, fixed‐sequence drug interaction studies enrolled 28 subjects. In Study A, 14 subjects received 8 mg SHR0302 on Days 1 and 10, and 600 mg rifampin once daily on Days 3–11. In Study B, 14 subjects received 4 mg SHR0302 on Days 1 and 8, and 200 mg itraconazole once daily on Days 4–10. Blood samples were collected to measure SHR0302 concentrations. Pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated using non‐compartmental analysis. Treatment comparisons were made using mixed‐effect models.

Results

Co‐administration with rifampin decreased the exposures of SHR0302 with geometric mean ratios (GMRs) (90% confidence intervals [CIs]) for AUC0‐inf of 0.51 (0.49, 0.54) and Cmax of 0.91 (0.84, 0.98). Co‐administration with itraconazole increased the exposures of SHR0302 with GMR (90% CIs) for AUC0‐inf of 1.48 (1.41, 1.56) and Cmax of 1.06 (0.982, 1.14). Single oral doses of SHR0302 administered with or without rifampin or itraconazole were generally safe.

Conclusions

Strong CYP3A4 induction and inhibition both resulted in a weak effect on the clinical exposures of SHR0302. These present studies provided valuable information that helps inform SHR0302 dosing instructions and concomitant medication precautions.
A reflective design case of practical micro‐ethics in learning analytics
Authors: Knight Simon , Shibani Antonette , Buckingham Shum Simon
Published: April 2023

A burgeoning literature, policy landscape, and set of practice resources and guidelines have emerged around ethical educational technology development and implementation, particularly in the context of data or artificial intelligence informed tools. However, while these resources provide valuable tools to support navigation of the ethical landscape, they suffer from some limitations. These include a focus on coarse‐grained, clear cut cases; a lack of attention to dilemmas and tensions; and a potential focus on procedural aspects of ethics, rather than our moment‐to‐moment ethics‐in‐action. This paper provides a case study description, using a reflective design case to provide a more textured micro‐ethics. The case approach, its exemplification as a tool for micro‐ethics, and the features of interest in our particular case each provide valuable tools for the educational technology community.

Practitioner notes

What is already known about this topic

Ethical concerns are central to the design, development and implementation of educational technologies (edtech).

A range of guidelines, policies and law exist, providing principles that guide edtech research and use.

However existing resources tend to reflect coarse procedural aspects of ethics, providing a navigation aid, but not a defined path, in ethical edtech practice.

What this paper adds

This paper provides a novel method—a reflective design case—for describing and exploring micro‐ethics in edtech.

Through applying this method, we demonstrate that micro‐ethical analyses of ‘ethics‐in‐action’ help to uncover the nuanced decisions we make in ethical conduct.

This exemplification provides insight into a specific body of work on writing analytics, of relevance to the field.

Implications for practice and/or policy

Policy and guidance for ethical conduct should make use of cases that demonstrate how such ethical materials are drawn on in ethical conduct, and as demonstrations of micro‐ethics in action.

Practitioners—those who design, develop, and implement edtech—may use the method developed to explore and share their own cases to support their work.

Practitioners—those who design, develop, and implement edtech—may draw on shared reflective design cases in learning regarding navigating application of procedural ethics and developing ethics‐in‐action.
Systematic review and meta‐analysis of the clinical effectiveness of tixagevimab/cilgavimab for prophylaxis of COVID‐19 in immunocompromised patients
Authors: Suribhatla Rhea , Starkey Thomas , Ionescu Maria C. , Pagliuca Antonio , Richter Alex , Lee Lennard Y. W.
Published: April 2023

Immunocompromised patients, such as those with a haematological malignancy, are at higher risk of SARS‐CoV‐2 infection, severe outcomes and mortality. Tixagevimab/cilgavimab is a monoclonal antibody combination which binds to the SARS‐CoV‐2 spike protein. The PROVENT phase III clinical trial reported that tixagevimab/cilgavimab prophylaxis significantly reduced the risk of COVID‐19 infection in immunocompromised participants. However, the trial was conducted before the Omicron variant became prevalent. This systematic review and meta‐analysis provide an up‐to‐date summary of the real‐world effectiveness of tixagevimab/cilgavimab in immunocompromised patients, including patients with haematological malignancies. Clinical studies from 1 January 2021 to 1 October 2022, which reported breakthrough COVID‐19 infections after tixagevimab/cilgavimab, were included. COVID‐19‐related hospitalisations, intensive care admissions and mortality were also assessed. A meta‐analysis was performed to ascertain overall clinical effectiveness. Eighteen studies, with 25 345 immunocompromised participants, including 5438 patients with haematological pathologies, were included in the review. The overall clinical effectiveness of tixagevimab/cilgavimab against COVID‐19 breakthrough infection, hospitalisation, intensive care admission and COVID‐19‐specific mortality was 40.54%, 66.19%, 82.13% and 92.39%, respectively. This review highlights the clinical effectiveness of tixagevimab/cilgavimab at reducing COVID‐19 infection and severe outcomes for immunosuppressed individuals, including patients with a haematological malignancy, during the Omicron‐predominant era. Real‐world studies are important to provide ongoing certainty of the clinical benefit for immunocompromised patients against new SARS‐CoV‐2 variants.
Resource scarcity aggravates ingroup bias: Neural mechanisms and cross‐scenario validation
Authors: Cui Fang , Deng Kexin , Liu Jie , Huang Xiaoxuan , Yang Jiamiao , Luo Yue‐jia , Feng Chunliang , Gu Ruolei
Published: April 2023

Previous studies examining the relationship between ingroup bias and resource scarcity have produced heterogeneous findings, possibly due to their focus on the allocation of positive resources (e.g. money). This study aims to investigate whether ingroup bias would be amplified or eliminated when perceived survival resources for counteracting negative stimuli are scarce. For this purpose, we exposed the participants and another confederate of the experimenters (ingroup/outgroup member) to a potential threat of unpleasant noise. Participants received some ‘relieving resources’ to counteract noise administration, the amount of which may or may not be enough for them and the confederate in different conditions (i.e. abundance vs. scarcity). First, a behavioural experiment demonstrated that intergroup discrimination manifested only in the scarcity condition; in contrast, the participants allocated similar amounts of resource to ingroup and outgroup members in the abundance condition, indicating a context‐dependent allocation strategy. This behavioural pattern was replicated in a follow‐up neuroimaging experiment, which further revealed that when contrasting scarcity with abundance, there was higher activation in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) as well as stronger functional connectivity of the ACC with the empathy network (including the temporoparietal junction and medial prefrontal cortex) for ingroup compared to outgroup members. We suggest that ACC activation reflects the mentalizing process toward ingroup over outgroup members in the scarcity condition. Finally, the ACC activation level significantly predicted the influence of resource scarcity on ingroup bias in hypothetical real‐life situations according to a follow‐up examination.