bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Development and validation of a rating scale for summarization as an integrated task
Authors: Li Jiuliang , Wang Qian
Published: July 2021

Summary writing is essential for academic success, and has attracted renewed interest in academic research and large-scale language test. However, less attention has been paid to the development and evaluation of the scoring scales of summary writing. This study reports on the validation of a summary rubric that represented an approach to scale development with limited resources out of consideration for practicality. Participants were 83 students and three raters. Diagnostic evaluation of the scale components and categories was based on raters’ perception of their use and the scores of students’ summaries which were analyzed using multifaceted Rasch measurement (MFRM). Correlation analysis revealed significant relationships among the scoring components, but the coefficients among some of the components were over high. MFRM analysis provided evidence in support of the usefulness of the scoring rubric, but also suggested the need of a refinement of the components and categories. According to the raters, the rubric was ambiguous in addressing some crucial text features. This study has implications for summarization task design, scoring scale development and validation in particular.
Epistemological beliefs and conceptions about language teaching and learning: a study of secondary school non-native learners and teachers of Mandarin Chinese in Zambia
Authors: Zhong Wanjuan , Muyunda Gift , Cheng Jun
Published: July 2021

In recent years, the demand for the acquisition of Mandarin Chinese language is in full swing globally based on the recognition of the economic and social importance of China. As a proactive response, the Ministry of General Education in Zambia included Mandarin Chinese as a second additional language in the secondary school Curriculum. However, there is a lack of exploring the epistemological beliefs and conceptions about Mandarin Chinese language teaching and learning in Zambia. A mixed research design is employed to study the epistemological beliefs and conceptions about Mandarin Chinese language teaching and learning in Zambia. A belief questionnaire was administered to 100 secondary school students learning Chinese as a Foreign Language (CFL). Semi-structured interviews were adopted to seek deep insights from 10 secondary school teachers on their epistemological beliefs and conceptions about Chinese language teaching and learning. The result shows that the students’ epistemological beliefs about the introduction of Mandarin Chinese language learning in secondary schools is key to enhance mutual understanding and friendship between the People’s Republic of China and Zambia. Also, the study results indicate that most of the students perceive learning Mandarin Chinese language as a window of opportunity for a good job and learning a new language. Nevertheless, the study results show that some teachers perceived the introduction of Mandarin Chinese language as a new form of Neo-colonization. This paper concludes that it’s fundamental for teachers in secondary schools in Zambia to review their epistemological beliefs and conceptions about Mandarin Chinese language teaching and learning and try to incorporate a SAL orientation using both literacy artifacts and cultural artifacts in teaching Mandarin Chinese language in secondary schools.
Preexisting vs. de novo antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 in individuals without or with virus infection: impact on antibody therapy, vaccine research and serological testing
Authors: Muthumani Kar , Xu Ziyang , Jeong Moonsup , Maslow Joel N. , Kalyanaraman Vaniambadi S. , Srinivasan Alagarsamy
Published: July 2021

The causative agent of the ongoing pandemic in the world is SARS-CoV-2. The research on SARS-CoV-2 has progressed with lightning speed on various fronts, including clinical research and treatment, virology, epidemiology, drug development, and vaccine research. Recent studies reported that sera from healthy individuals, who were confirmed negative for SARS-CoV-2 by RT-PCR method, tested positive for antibodies against spike and nucleocapsid proteins of SARS-CoV-2. Further, such antibodies also exhibited neutralizing activity against the virus. These observations have prompted us to prepare a commentary on this topic. While the preexisting antibodies are likely to protect against SARS-CoV-2 infection, they may also complicate serological testing results. Another unknown is the influence of preexisting antibodies on immune responses in individuals receiving vaccines against  SARS-CoV-2. The commentary identifies the potential limitations with the serological tests based on spike and nucleocapsid proteins as these tests may overestimate the seroprevalence due to cross-reactive antibodies. The inclusion of tests specific to SARS-CoV-2 (such as RBD of spike protein) could overcome these limitations.
Persistent vegetative state: an overview
Authors: Quiñones-Ossa Gabriel Alexander , Durango-Espinosa Yeider A. , Janjua Tariq , Moscote-Salazar Luis Rafael , Agrawal Amit
Published: July 2021

Background

Disorder of consciousness diagnosis, especially when is classified as persistent vegetative state (without misestimating the other diagnosis classifications), in the intensive care is an important diagnosis to evaluate and treat. Persistent vegetative state diagnosis is a challenge in the daily clinical practice because the diagnosis is made mainly based upon the clinical history and the patient behavior observation. There are some specific criteria for this diagnosis, and this could be very tricky when the physician is not well trained.

Main body

We made a literature review regarding the persistent vegetative state diagnosis, clinical features, management, prognosis, and daily medical practice challenges while considering the bioethical issues and the family perspective about the patient status. The objective of this overview is to provide updated information regarding this clinical state’s features while considering the current medical literature available.

Conclusions

Regardless of the currently available guidelines and literature, there is still a lot of what we do not know about the persistent vegetative state. There is a lack of evidence regarding the optimal diagnosis and even more, about how to expect a natural history of this disorder of consciousness. It is important to recall that the patients (despite of their altered mental state diagnosis) should always be treated to avoid some of the intensive care unit long-stance complications.
Unravelling hybridization in Phytophthora using phylogenomics and genome size estimation
Authors: Van Poucke Kris , Haegeman Annelies , Goedefroit Thomas , Focquet Fran , Leus Leen , Jung Marília Horta , Nave Corina , Redondo Miguel Angel , Husson Claude , Kostov Kaloyan , Lyubenova Aneta , Christova Petya , Chandelier Anne , Slavov Slavcho , de Cock Arthur , Bonants Peter , Werres Sabine , Palau Jonàs Oliva , Marçais Benoit , Jung Thomas , Stenlid Jan , Ruttink Tom , Heungens Kurt
Published: July 2021

The genusPhytophthoracomprises many economically and ecologically important plant pathogens. Hybrid species have previously been identified in at least six of the 12 phylogenetic clades. These hybrids can potentially infect a wider host range and display enhanced vigour compared to their progenitors.Phytophthorahybrids therefore pose a serious threat to agriculture as well as to natural ecosystems. Early and correct identification of hybrids is therefore essential for adequate plant protection but this is hampered by the limitations of morphological and traditional molecular methods. Identification of hybrids is also important in evolutionary studies as the positioning of hybrids in a phylogenetic tree can lead to suboptimal topologies. To improve the identification of hybrids we have combined genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS) and genome size estimation on a genus-wide collection of 614Phytophthoraisolates. Analyses based on locus- and allele counts and especially on the combination of species-specific loci and genome size estimations allowed us to confirm and characterize 27 previously described hybrid species and discover 16 new hybrid species. Our method was also valuable for species identification at an unprecedented resolution and further allowed correct naming of misidentified isolates. We used both a concatenation- and a coalescent-based phylogenomic method to construct a reliable phylogeny using the GBS data of 140 non-hybridPhytophthoraisolates. Hybrid species were subsequently connected to their progenitors in this phylogenetic tree. In this study we demonstrate the application of two validated techniques (GBS and flow cytometry) for relatively low cost but high resolution identification of hybrids and their phylogenetic relations.
Enhanced ant tracking: Using a multispectral seismic attribute workflow to improve 3D fault detection
Authors: Acuña-Uribe Mateo , Pico-Forero María Camila , Goyes-Peñafiel Paul , Mateus Darwin
Published: July 2021

Fault interpretation is a complex task that requires time and effort on behalf of the interpreter. Moreover, it plays a key role during subsurface structural characterization either for hydrocarbon exploration and development or well planning and placement. Seismic attributes are tools that help interpreters identify subsurface characteristics that cannot be observed clearly. Unfortunately, indiscriminate and random seismic attribute use affects the fault interpretation process. We have developed a multispectral seismic attribute workflow composed of dip-azimuth extraction, structural filtering, frequency filtering, detection of amplitude discontinuities, enhancement of amplitude discontinuities, and automatic fault extraction. The result is an enhanced ant-tracking volume in which faults are improved compared to common fault-enhanced workflows that incorporate the ant-tracking algorithm. To prove the effectiveness of the enhanced ant-tracking volume, we have applied this methodology in three seismic volumes with different random noise content and seismic characteristics. The detected and extracted faults are continuous, clean, and accurate. The proposed fault identification workflow reduces the effort and time spent in fault interpretation as a result of the integration and appropriate use of various types of seismic attributes, spectral decomposition, and swarm intelligence.
Homologous Recombination Deficiency in Pancreatic Cancer: A Systematic Review and Prevalence Meta-Analysis
Authors: Casolino Raffaella , Paiella Salvatore , Azzolina Danila , Beer Philip A. , Corbo Vincenzo , Lorenzoni Giulia , Gregori Dario , Golan Talia , Braconi Chiara , Froeling Fieke E. M. , Milella Michele , Scarpa Aldo , Pea Antonio , Malleo Giuseppe , Salvia Roberto , Bassi Claudio , Chang David K. , Biankin Andrew V.
Published: July 2021

PURPOSE

To analyze the prevalence of homologous recombination deficiency (HRD) in patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of the prevalence of HRD in PDAC from PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane Library databases, and online cancer genomic data sets. The main outcome was pooled prevalence of somatic and germline mutations in the better characterized HRD genes ( BRCA1, BRCA2, PALB2, ATM, ATR, CHEK2, RAD51, and the FANC genes). The secondary outcomes were prevalence of germline mutations overall, and in sporadic and familial cases; prevalence of germline BRCA1/2 mutations in Ashkenazi Jewish (AJ); and prevalence of HRD based on other definitions (ie, alterations in other genes, genomic scars, and mutational signatures). Random-effects modeling with the Freeman-Tukey transformation was used for the analyses. PROSPERO registration number: (CRD42020190813).

RESULTS

Sixty studies with 21,842 participants were included in the systematic review and 57 in the meta-analysis. Prevalence of germline and somatic mutations was BRCA1: 0.9%, BRCA2: 3.5%, PALB2: 0.2%, ATM: 2.2%, CHEK2: 0.3%, FANC: 0.5%, RAD51: 0.0%, and ATR: 0.1%. Prevalence of germline mutations was BRCA1: 0.9% (2.4% in AJ), BRCA2: 3.8% (8.2% in AJ), PALB2: 0.2%, ATM: 2%, CHEK2: 0.3%, and FANC: 0.4%. No significant differences between sporadic and familial cases were identified. HRD prevalence ranged between 14.5%-16.5% through targeted next-generation sequencing and 24%-44% through whole-genome or whole-exome sequencing allowing complementary genomic analysis, including genomic scars and other signatures (surrogate markers of HRD).

CONCLUSION

Surrogate readouts of HRD identify a greater proportion of patients with HRD than analyses limited to gene-level approaches. There is a clear need to harmonize HRD definitions and to validate the optimal biomarker for treatment selection. Universal HRD screening including integrated somatic and germline analysis should be offered to all patients with PDAC.
The Dog That Did Not Bark
Authors: Dellas Harris , Tavlas George S.
Published: July 2021

Evidence about Lloyd Mints’s role in the development of monetary economics at the University of Chicago has proven elusive, with the result that Mints has long been considered a peripheral figure at Chicago. We provide evidence showing that the standard assessment of Mints’s standing in Chicago monetary economics—and in American monetary economics more broadly—is deficient. In light of (1) the originality and the breadth of his monetary contributions, (2) the cross-fertilization of his thinking with that of Milton Friedman, and (3) the way Mints’s original contributions helped shape part of Friedman’s framework and were pushed forward by Friedman, we argue that, far from being a peripheral figure in the development of Chicago monetary economics, Mints played a more substantial role than has been previously thought in the emerging Chicago monetary economics of the late 1940s and early 1950s.
Tokens of Love
Authors: Mascetti Yaakov A.
Published: July 2021

In the second installment of this contribution to the Common Knowledge symposium “Contextualism—the Next Generation,” Donne's religious poetry is set in dialogue not only with the “Great Controversy” of the 1560s over the nature of the eucharistic sign but also with pre-Christian semiotic discourses. From the perspective of contextualist scholarship, which recognizes in any temporal context a limited number of discourses available, Donne's religious poems of the period from about 1607 to 1620 register many contradictory conceptions, but contradictory only in the sense that no contextualist map of religious identities allows for their miscibility or even collocation. Notoriously resistant to psychological and phenomenological interests, contextualism has no place for an early seventeenth-century Christian writer whose concern is less to join a school of thought on the Real Presence in the Eucharist than to dismiss the issue as vexingly trivial in comparison with the question of whether God thinks that each or any of us adequately loves him. For the questions that concern Donne, there are no determinate answers available, and no standard vocabulary. But the poet's alternating acquiescence in and fretfulness about indeterminacy and incomprehensibility constitute an intellectual and affective identity as much as does the attachment to any one or other more recognizable set of arguments and ways of framing them.
Embryonic development in the acoelHofstenia miamia
Authors: Kimura Julian O. , Ricci Lorenzo , Srivastava Mansi
Published: July 2021

Acoels are marine worms that belong to the phylum Xenacoelomorpha, a deep-diverging bilaterian lineage. This makes acoels an attractive system for studying the evolution of major bilaterian traits. Thus far, acoel development has not been described in detail at the morphological and transcriptomic levels in a species in which functional genetic studies are possible. We present a set of developmental landmarks for embryogenesis in the highly regenerative acoel Hofstenia miamia. We generated a developmental staging atlas from zygote to hatched worm based on gross morphology, with accompanying bulk transcriptome data. Hofstenia embryos undergo a stereotyped cleavage program known as duet cleavage, which results in two large vegetal pole ‘macromeres’ and numerous small animal pole ‘micromeres’. These macromeres become internalized as micromere progeny proliferate and move vegetally. We also noted a second, previously undescribed, cell-internalization event at the animal pole, following which we detected major body axes and tissues corresponding to all three germ layers. Our work on Hofstenia embryos provides a resource for mechanistic investigations of acoel development, which will yield insights into the evolution of bilaterian development and regeneration.
Cardiac and behavioural responses to hypoxia and warming in free-swimming gilthead seabream, Sparus aurata
Authors: Mignucci Alexandre , Bourjea Jérôme , Forget Fabien , Allal Hossein , Dutto Gilbert , Gasset Eric , McKenzie David J.
Published: July 2021

Gilthead seabream were equipped with intraperitoneal biologging tags to investigate cardiac responses to hypoxia and warming, comparing when fish were either swimming freely in a tank with conspecifics or confined to individual respirometers. After tag implantation under anaesthesia, heart rate (fH) required 60 h to recover to a stable value in a holding tank. Subsequently, when undisturbed under control conditions (normoxia, 21°C), mean fH was always significantly lower in the tank than in the respirometers. In progressive hypoxia (100% to 15% oxygen saturation), mean fH in the tank was significantly lower than in the respirometers at oxygen levels down to 40%, with significant bradycardia in both holding conditions below this level. Simultaneous logging of tri-axial body acceleration revealed that spontaneous activity, inferred as the variance of external acceleration (VARm), was low and invariant in hypoxia. Warming (21 to 31°C) caused progressive tachycardia with no differences in fH between holding conditions. Mean VARm was, however, significantly higher in the tank during warming, with a positive relationship between VARm and fH across all temperatures. Therefore, spontaneous activity contributed to raising fH of fish in the tank during warming. Mean fH in respirometers had a highly significant linear relationship with mean rates of oxygen uptake, considering data from hypoxia and warming together. The high fH of confined seabream indicates that respirometry techniques may bias estimates of metabolic traits in some fishes, and that biologging on free-swimming fish will provide more reliable insight into cardiac and behavioural responses to environmental stressors by fish in their natural environment.
Comparative analysis of a geometric and an adhesive righting strategy against toppling in inclined hexapedal locomotion
Authors: Wöhrl Toni , Richter Adrian , Guo Shihui , Reinhardt Lars , Nowotny Manuela , Blickhan Reinhard
Published: July 2021

Animals are known to exhibit different walking behaviors in hilly habitats. For instance, cats, rats, squirrels, tree frogs, desert iguana, stick insects and desert ants were observed to lower their body height when traversing slopes, whereas mound-dwelling iguanas and wood ants tend to maintain constant walking kinematics regardless of the slope. This paper aims to understand and classify these distinct behaviors into two different strategies against toppling for climbing animals by looking into two factors: (i) the torque of the center of gravity (CoG) with respect to the critical tipping axis, and (ii) the torque of the legs, which has the potential to counterbalance the CoG torque. Our comparative locomotion analysis on level locomotion and inclined locomotion exhibited that primarily only one of the proposed two strategies was chosen for each of our sample species, despite the fact that a combined strategy could have reduced the animal's risk of toppling over even more. We found that Cataglyphis desert ants (species Cataglyphis fortis) maintained their upright posture primarily through the adjustment of their CoG torque (geometric strategy), and Formica wood ants (species Formica rufa), controlled their posture primarily by exerting leg torques (adhesive strategy). We further provide hints that the geometric strategy employed by Cataglyphis could increase the risk of slipping on slopes as the leg-impulse substrate angle of Cataglyphis hindlegs was lower than that of Formica hindlegs. In contrast, the adhesion strategy employed by Formica front legs not only decreased the risk of toppling but also explained the steeper leg-impulse substrate angle of Formica hindlegs which should relate to more bending of the tarsal structures and therefore to more microscopic contact points, potentially reducing the risk of hindleg slipping.
Impact of freeze-thaw cytoablation on aqueous outflow patterns in ex vivo anterior chamber perfusion cultures and whole eyes
Authors: Verma-Fuehring Raoul , Dakroub Mohamad , Strzalkowska Alicja , Strzalkowski Piotr , Han Hong , Hillenkamp Jost , Loewen Nils A.
Published: July 2021

Background: Porcine eyes have been widely used as ex vivo models in glaucoma research, as they share similar features with human eyes. Freeze-thawing is a non-invasive technique that has been used to obliterate living cells in anterior segment ex vivo cultures, to prepare them for further research such as cellular repopulation. This technique has previously been shown to reduce the intraocular pressure (IOP) in porcine eyes. The aim of this study was to investigate whether freeze-thaw cytoablation causes corresponding canalogram outflow changes in perfused anterior segment cultures (AFT) and whole porcine eyes (WFT). We hypothesized that the known IOP drop in AFT after trabecular meshwork ablation by freeze-thaw would be accompanied by a similarly large change in the distal outflow pattern.

Methods: Two-dye (fluorescein and Texas red) reperfusion canalograms were used to compare the outflow time before and after two -80°C cycles of freeze-thaw. We assigned 28 freshly enucleated porcine eyes to four groups: perfused anterior segment dye controls (ACO, n = 6), perfused whole eye dye controls (WCO, n = 6), freeze-thaw treated anterior segment cultures (AFT, n = 10), and freeze-thaw treated whole eyes (WFT, n = 6).

Results: In control groups ACO and WCO, the two different dyes had similar filling times. In AFT, the outflow pattern and filling times were unchanged. In WFT, the temporal superior quadrant filled more slowly (p = 0.042) while all others remained unchanged. The qualitative appearance of distal outflow spaces was altered only in some eyes.

Conclusions: Freeze-thaw cytoablation caused neither loss nor leakage of distal outflow structures. Surprisingly, the loss of an intact trabecular meshwork over the entire circumference did not result in a general acceleration of quadrant outflow times. The results validate freeze-thawing as a method to generate an extracellular matrix without major structural changes.
A living mapping review for COVID-19 funded research projects: nine-month update
Authors: Norton Alice , Bucher Adrian , Antonio Emilia , Advani Nicole , Grund Henrike , Mburu Sheila , Clegg Emma , Gollish Marguerite , Jabin Nusrat , Scott Laura , Boily-Larouche Genevieve , Lay A. Morgan , Carson Gail , Tufet Bayona Marta
Published: July 2021

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has resulted in an unprecedented research response, demonstrating exceptional examples of rapid research and collaboration. There is however a need for greater coordination, with limited resources and the shifting global nature of the pandemic resulting in a proliferation of research projects underpowered and unable to achieve their aims.

Methods: The UK Collaborative on Development Research (UKCDR) and Global Research Collaboration for Infectious Disease Preparedness (GloPID-R), two funder coordination groups have collaborated to develop a live database of funded research projects across the world relating to COVID-19. Drawing data continually from their members and further global funding bodies, as of 15th April 2021 the database contains 10,608 projects, funded by 201 funders, taking place across 142 countries representing an investment of at least $4.7 billion. To our knowledge it is one of the most comprehensive databases. The database is aligned to the World Health Organisation  and GloPID-R Global Research Roadmap: 2019 Novel Coronavirus. It is being used by the WHO, governments and multi-lateral policy makers, research funders and researchers.

This living mapping review aims to supplement the database by providing an open accessible and frequently updated resource summarising the characteristics of the COVID-19 funded research portfolio. Both descriptive and thematic analysis will be presented and updated frequently to aid interpretation of the global COVID-19 funded research portfolio.

Results: In this version four analysis we provide an updated detailed descriptive analysis of the database (three months after version three) and focus our thematic analysis on research gaps, research areas in need of coordination, study populations and research locations (with a focus on resource-limited countries).

Conclusions: As the global funding response to COVID-19 plateaus, this living mapping review helps both funders and researchers to prioritise resources to areas where there is continued unmet research need.
Host Directed Therapies for Tuberculous Meningitis
Authors: Davis Angharad G. , Donovan Joseph , Bremer Marise , Van Toorn Ronald , Schoeman Johan , Dadabhoy Ariba , Lai Rachel P.J. , Cresswell Fiona V , Boulware David R , Wilkinson Robert J , Thuong Nguyen Thuy Thuong , Thwaites Guy E , Bahr Nathan C ,   Tuberculous Meningitis International Research Consortium
Published: July 2021

A dysregulated host immune response significantly contributes to morbidity and mortality in tuberculous meningitis (TBM). Effective host directed therapies (HDTs) are critical to improve survival and clinical outcomes. Currently only one HDT, dexamethasone, is proven to improve mortality. However, there is no evidence dexamethasone reduces morbidity, how it reduces mortality is uncertain, and it has no proven benefit in HIV co-infected individuals. Further research on these aspects of its use, as well as alternative HDTs such as aspirin, thalidomide and other immunomodulatory drugs is needed. Based on new knowledge from pathogenesis studies, repurposed therapeutics which act upon small molecule drug targets may also have a role in TBM. Here we review existing literature investigating HDTs in TBM, and propose new rationale for the use of novel and repurposed drugs. We also discuss host variable responses and evidence to support a personalised approach to HDTs in TBM.
SLOW AND DISCONNECTED? THE HISTORIOGRAPHY OF 17TH–18TH CENTURY GLASS IN ESTONIA AND THE PROSPECTS OF INTERDISCIPLINARY RESEARCH BASED ON A CASE STUDY OF PÄRNU COUNTY
Authors: Reppo Monika
Published: July 2021

This article provides an overview of the research into 17th–18thcentury glass in Estonia that has been lacking to date. Works onindustrial archaeology, artefact studies and genealogy are discussed,thereby offering a useful reference point for comparative studies onregional dynamics, influences on glass consumption and production,and the origins of foreign products, merchants and glassmakers. Theuse of art as an iconographic source is described in an attempt topresent material that could help to realise art history’s full potentialin studying glass in Estonia during this period. The potential ofinterdisciplinary research that combines all of the sources notedabove is highlighted through a case study on the research prospectsof Pärnu glassworks based on previously unstudied and unpublisheddata. Based on information from archival records, genealogy,cartography and typology, it is determined that a factory did existin Pärnu in the first half of the 17th century that could potentially beeven older than the factory at Hüti. This could significantly changeour understanding of the beginning of glass production in Estonia.
Participação em programas públicos para prática de atividade física e comportamentos de saúde
Authors: Oliveira Lorena Neiva de , Freitas Patrícia Pinheiro de , Lopes Mariana Souza , Lopes Aline Cristine Souza
Published: July 2021

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar as prevalências de comportamentos de saúde de brasileiros segundo a participação em programas públicos de estímulo à prática de atividade física. Para isso, foram utilizados dados da Pesquisa Nacional da Saúde 2013, que entrevistou 60.202 adultos e idosos e investigou comportamentos de saúde protetores (consumo de feijão, peixe, carne sem excesso de gordura, frutas e hortaliças; e prática de atividade física) e de risco (consumo de refrigerante, doces e álcool; substituição de refeições; tabagismo e assistir televisão). Foram calculadas as prevalências e intervalos de confiança (95%). Cerca de 10% dos entrevistados participavam destes programas e possuíam comportamentos mais saudáveis (maiores prevalências de prática de atividade física e consumo de peixe; e menor ingestão de doces e tabagismo), quando comparados aos demais, com diferenças entre as macrorregiões do país. Desta forma, a expansão destes programas e a diversificação de suas atividades podem constituir importante estratégia de promoção da saúde no país.
Monetary Incentives and Knowledge Spillover: Evidence from a Natural Experiment
Authors: Wang Jing , Li Gen , Hui Kai-Lung
Published: July 2021

We examine how the introduction of monetary incentives by a knowledge-sharing platform affects the nonrewarded knowledge activity on the platform. Our setting is a question-and-answer platform that provides monetary incentives for holding live talks. Using a combination of coarsened exact matching and difference-in-differences estimation techniques, we find that the launch of the paid feature creates a positive spillover effect on the hosts’ free contributions, specifically, 9.4%–40.8% more answers in the short run when compared with nonhosts. The paid feature did not result in any significant change in the quality of answers. We suggest reputation building is one plausible mechanism underlying the spillover. Additional analyses reveal the spillover effect is negative for short-lived hosts in the long run, indicating possible crowding out of free contributions. The positive spillover effect for long-lived hosts lasts longer but is also reduced over time. Our findings suggest that introducing monetary incentives can be a viable business model for knowledge platforms to stimulate user contributions in both the paid and related unpaid activities. Yet platform owners should be cautious about the potential negative spillover after users stop contributing to the paid activity and develop effective strategies to maintain users’ long-term interests in the paid program.

This paper was accepted by Kartik Hosanagar, information systems.
Transferring Knowledge by Transferring Individuals: Innovative Technology Use and Organizational Performance in Multiunit Firms
Authors: Stadler Christian , Helfat Constance E. , Verona Gianmario
Published: July 2021

Transferring individuals who possess relevant knowledge from one organizational unit to another—a form of resource redeployment—may help to overcome impediments to knowledge transfer. Despite the promise of this mechanism, which often occurs through intrafirm geographic mobility, relatively little research has examined how the knowledge and expertise of individuals interacts with the organizational resources of the units to which individuals move. This study examines whether intrafirm geographic mobility improves organizational performance by providing a conduit for the transfer of knowledge while accounting for the interaction between individual knowledge and factors at the organization-unit level of analysis. We analyze the performance effects of the transfer of engineers who have expertise in innovative process technologies. The results from a large multinational company show that the innovative process technology-related expertise of an individual engineer who moves to a new organizational unit is positively associated with the performance of that unit, suggesting that intrafirm geographic mobility improves organizational performance by providing a conduit for the transfer of knowledge. The results also show that the technology-related knowledge of engineers is a substitute for organization-level factors when a unit uses only technologies with which it is already familiar, whereas the technology-related knowledge of engineers is a complement to organization-level factors when units introduce new technologies. Thus, individuals who bring novel expertise to their organizational units through intrafirm mobility may be important vehicles for organizational learning and building new competences, helping to diffuse best practices.
Fluorescent Labeling of Silica Gel Powder using Zingiber Montanum Extract fora Bright Latent Fingerprint Detection under UV Light
Authors: Pattarith Kongsak , Chanthai Saksit , Benchawattananon Rachadaporn
Published: July 2021

This research was to study the preparation of fluorescent dust powder to enhance the detection of ultra-bright latent fingerprints using natural plant extract associated with adsorption on silica gel particles by a simple and cheap method environmentally friendly. To study the physical and chemical properties of the fluorescent powder, various factors affecting the latent fingerprints detection including different surface characteristics, temperature, time, and overlapping passive fingerprints were investigated. From the results, it was found that the fingerprints on the surface of different materials could be performed, and gave good inspection trace,which can be seen with naked eye and appear brightly under UV light at a wavelength of 366 nm. For the persistence study of the latent fingerprints, it was also found that when kept it in a dark place at room temperature for 30 days, the fingerprints were still visible to the naked eye and glow clearly under UV light.In addition, the overlapping fingerprints can be clearly identified. Therefore, the study of the fluorescent silica gel dust powder demonstrates good performance,and it is a potential use to detect latent fingerprints as a witness in forensic processes.
Quality and Safety of the Frying Oils used in Small or Medium-sized Food Enterprises in West Delhi, India
Authors: Sehgal Shalini , Swer Tanya L. , Bhalla Akshay , Chandrakanth N.
Published: July 2021

The present study investigates the cooking practices and oil used in small and medium sized street food vendors/ kiosks in the west zone of Delhi, India. A survey was conducted to collect information on vendor cooking practices and oil quality was analyzed using different physio-chemical parameters. The study revealed that the oil samples collected from the participating vendors displayed varied values of % FFA (free fatty acid) content (0.16±0.00 to 0.60±0.01), acid value (0.225±0.00 to 1.030±0.01), peroxide values (9.12±0.02 to 32.45±0.49) and iodine value (61.57±0.19 to 79.08±0.07) indicating poor quality of the oils used for the preparation of snacks. Study revealed that the majority of the vendors re-use oils and practice adulteration with hydrogenated fats which can significantly deteriorate the quality of oil and henceforth the health of the consumers.
Synthesis and Properties of Ce3+ Doped the Multi-Functional Tio2-Sio2 nanocomposite Films
Authors: Quynh Nhu Tran Thi , An Tran Trong , Thang Cao Xuan , Tung Nguyen Viet , Phuong Nguyen Thanh , Tung Lai Trung
Published: July 2021

The effect of Cerium on the properties of the multi-functional SiO2-TiO2:Ce3+ nanocomposite films are shown in this paper. The multi-functional SiO2-TiO2:Ce3+ nanocomposite film was synthesis by a sol-gel method and coated several layers on a glass substrate by a spin-coating technique. The bonding was indicated in the obtained film that Si-O-Si and Si-O-Ti bonding, which are characteristics that bonding in the SiO2-TiO2 matrix by the FT-IR spectrum. The TiO2 crystal in the anatase phase and SiO2 in the amorphous phase of the nanocomposite film was determined by X-ray Diffraction. When increased doping of Ce3+, the prepared films have a high transmittance in the visible light (from 84.5 to 88.3%, 400 – 800 nm), the red-shifted of the absorbance edge in UV(A) region (from 355 to 390 nm), and the optical bandgap is narrowed. Particularly, the SiO2-TiO2:6%Ce3+ film has the transmittance by 88.3% in the visible light (400 – 800 nm), absorbance in the UV(A) light (390 nm), and performance the super-hydrophilic with/without thermal and UV(A) light. Thus, the multi-functional SiO2-TiO2:6%Ce3+ nanocomposite film could have a potential to use as the protective high transmittance film to avoid the UV-A light and exhibits a super-hydrophilic on the material surface such as glasses, photovoltaic devices, window panels.
Validation and Optimization of Polyvinyl Alcohol-Functionalized Gold Nanoparticles for Producing Lactose-Free Dairy Products
Authors: Alshanberi Asim Muhammed , Ansari Shakeel Ahmed
Published: July 2021

The present study demonstrates the synthesis of lactose-free dairy items by Kluyveromyces lactis β-galactosidase bound to polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)-modified gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). The size of AuNPs was analyzed by dynamic light scattering experiment. The developed AuNPs served as a stable matrix for enzyme immobilization which was observed by obtaining 88% immobilization yield. Km and Vmax were determined for soluble and immobilized enzyme by incubating them with varying concentrations of substrate. Our findings demonstrated that immobilization leads to an increase of Km and a decline in Vmax values for the enzyme attached to PVA-functionalized AuNPs. Moreover, the enzyme conjugated to surface functionalized AuNPs displayed exceptional conversion of lactose hydrolysis in batch reactors at 40 oC in contrast to its hydrolysis at 50 oC. Hence, the developed nanosystem [β-galactosidase-(PVA-modified AuNPs)] serves as an excellent model for suggesting its application in other biomedical applications, particularly for constructing lactose based biosensors.
Venous thromboembolism after total knee arthroplasty is associated with a worse functional outcome at one year
Authors: Calabro Lorenzo , Clement Nick D. , MacDonald Deborah , Patton James T. , Howie Colin R. , Burnett Richard
Published: July 2021

Aims

The primary aim of this study was to assess whether non-fatal postoperative venous thromboembolism (VTE) within six months of surgery influences the knee-specific functional outcome (Oxford Knee Score (OKS)) one year after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Secondary aims were to assess whether non-fatal postoperative VTE influences generic health and patient satisfaction at this time.

Methods

A study of 2,393 TKAs was performed in 2,393 patients. Patient demographics, comorbidities, OKS, EuroQol five-dimension score (EQ-5D), and Forgotten Joint Score (FJS) were collected preoperatively and one year postoperatively. Overall patient satisfaction with their TKA was assessed at one year. Patients with VTE within six months of surgery were identified retrospectively and compared with those without.

Results

A total of 37 patients (1.5%) suffered a VTE and were significantly more likely to have associated comorbidities of stroke (p = 0.026), vascular disease (p = 0.026), and kidney disease (p = 0.026), but less likely to have diabetes (p = 0.046). In an unadjusted analysis, patients suffering a VTE had a significantly worse postoperative OKS (difference in mean (DIM) 4.8 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.6 to 8.0); p = 0.004) and EQ-5D (DIM 0.146 (95% CI 0.059 to 0.233); p = 0.001) compared with patients without a VTE. After adjusting for confounding variables VTE remained a significant independent predictor associated with a worse postoperative OKS (DIM -5.4 (95% CI -8.4 to -2.4); p < 0.001), and EQ-5D score (DIM-0.169 (95% CI -0.251 to -0.087); p < 0.001). VTE was not independently associated with overall satisfaction after TKA (odds ratio 0.89 (95% CI 0.35 to 2.07); p = 0.717).

Conclusion

Patients who had a VTE within six months of their TKA had clinically significantly worse knee-specific outcome (OKS) and general health (EQ-5D) scores one year postoperatively, but the overall satisfaction with their TKA was similar to those patients who did not have a VTE. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2021;103-B(7):1254–1260.
Does the use of the largest possible metal head increase the wear of vitamin E-doped cross-linked polyethylene? Two-year results from a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Tsikandylakis Georgios , Mortensen Kristian R. L. , Gromov Kirill , Mohaddes Maziar , Malchau Henrik , Troelsen Anders
Published: July 2021

Aims

We aimed to investigate if the use of the largest possible cobalt-chromium head articulating with polyethylene acetabular inserts would increase the in vivo wear rate in total hip arthroplasty.

Methods

In a single-blinded randomized controlled trial, 96 patients (43 females), at a median age of 63 years (interquartile range (IQR) 57 to 69), were allocated to receive either the largest possible modular femoral head (36 mm to 44 mm) in the thinnest possible insert or a standard 32 mm head. All patients received a vitamin E-doped cross-linked polyethylene insert and a cobalt-chromium head. The primary outcome was proximal head penetration measured with radiostereometric analysis (RSA) at two years. Secondary outcomes were volumetric wear, periacetabular radiolucencies, and patient-reported outcomes.

Results

At two years, 44 patients in each group were available for RSA assessment. The median total two-year proximal head penetration was -0.02 mm (IQR -0.09 to 0.07; p = 0.548) for the largest possible head and -0.01 mm (IQR -0.07 to 0.10; p = 0.525) for 32 mm heads. Their difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.323). Neither group demonstrated a bedding-in period. The median steady-state volumetric wear rates were 6.1 mm3/year (IQR -59 to 57) and 3.5 mm3/year (-21 to 34) respectively, and did not differ between the groups (p = 0.848). There were no statistically significant differences in periacetabular radiolucencies or patient-reported outcomes.

Conclusion

The use of the largest possible metal head did not increase vitamin E-doped cross-linked polyethylene wear compared with 32 mm heads at two years. Linear wear was negligible and volumetric wear rates were very low in both head size groups. There was a tendency towards higher values of volumetric wear in large heads that warrants longer-term evaluation before any definite conclusions about the association between head size and wear can be drawn. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2021;103-B(7):1206–1214.
Cost-effectiveness of surgery versus cast immobilization for adults with a bicortical fracture of the scaphoid waist
Authors: Hinde Sebastian , Richardson Gerry , Fairhurst Caroline , Brealey Stephen D. , Cook Liz , Rangan Amar , Costa Matt L. , Dias Joseph J.
Published: July 2021

Aims

The aim of the Scaphoid Waist Internal Fixation for Fractures Trial (SWIFFT) was to determine the optimal treatment for adults with a bicortical undisplaced or minimally displaced fracture of the waist of the scaphoid, comparing early surgical fixation with initial cast immobilization, with immediate fixation being offered to patients with nonunion.

Methods

A cost-effectiveness analysis was conducted to assess the relative merits of these forms of treatment. The differences in costs to the healthcare system and quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) of the patients over the one-year follow-up of the trial in the two treatment arms were estimated using regression analysis.

Results

Our base case analysis found that patients randomized to early surgical fixation had statistically significantly higher mean costs to the NHS of £1,295 more than for the cast immobilization arm (p < 0.001), primarily due to the cost of surgery. They also had a marginally better quality of life, over the period, of 0.0158 QALYs; however, this was not statistically significant (p = 0.379). The mean combined cost per additional QALY was £81,962, well above the accepted threshold for cost-effectiveness used in the UK and internationally. The probability of early surgery being cost-effective in this setting was only 5.6%.

Conclusion

Consistent with the clinical findings of SWIFFT, these results indicate that initial cast immobilization of minimally displaced scaphoid fractures, with immediate fixation only offered to patients with nonunion, is the optimal form of treatment, resulting in comparable outcomes with less cost to the healthcare system. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2021;103-B(7):1277–1283.
Telemedicine for patients undergoing arthroplasty
Authors: Freiman Serena , Schwabe Maria T. , Barrack Robert L. , Nunley Ryan M. , Clohisy John C. , Lawrie Charles M.
Published: July 2021

Aims

The purpose of this study was to determine the access to and ability to use telemedicine technology in adult patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty (THA) and total knee arthroplasty (TKA), and to determine associations with the socioeconomic characteristics of the patients, including age, sex, race, and education. We also sought to understand the patients’ perceived benefits, risks, and preferences when dealing with telemedicine.

Methods

We performed a cross-sectional survey involving patients awaiting primary THA and TKA by one of six surgeons at a single academic institution. Patients were included and called for a telephone-administered survey if their surgery was scheduled to be between 23 March and 2 June 2020, and were aged > 18 years.

Results

The response rate was 52% (189 of 363 patients). A total of 170 patients (90.4%) reported using the internet, 177 (94.1%) reported owning a device capable of videoconferencing, and 143 (76.1%) had participated in a video call in the past year. When asked for their preferred method for a consultation, 155 (82.8%) and 26 (13.9%) ranked in-person and a videoconference as their first choice, respectively. The perceived benefits of telemedicine consultations included reduced travel to appointments (165 (88.2%) agreed) and reduced cost of attending appointments (123 (65.8%) agreed). However, patients were concerned that they would not establish the same patient-physician connection (100 (53.8%) agreed), and would not receive the same level of care (52 (33.2%) agreed) using telemedicine consultations compared with in-person consultations.

Conclusion

Most patients undergoing arthroplasty have access to and are capable of using the technology required for telemedicine consultations. However, they still prefer in-person consultations due to concerns that they will not establish the same patient-physician connection and will not receive the same level of care, despite the benefits of reducing the time spent in travelling and the cost of attending appointments, and the appointments being easier to attend. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2021;103-B(7 Supple B):98–102.