bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Supply chain innovation: Conceptualization, instrument development, and influence on supply chain performance
Authors: Wong David T. W. , Ngai Eric W. T.
Published: January 2022

A supply chain (SC) is seen as a source of competitive advantage, and SC innovation has become a critical research topic in business‐to‐business marketing and production. However, the main obstacle to empirical research on SC innovation is a lack of validated and well‐developed scales to measure it. Therefore, developing a measurement scale for the SC innovation construct is necessary. This paper describes the development and validation of a third‐order SC innovation scale based on the collection of primary quantitative and qualitative data. SC innovation was then operationalized as a multidimensional construct with three aspects, namely, marketing, technology development, and logistics‐oriented innovation activities, resulting in 31 measurement items. The developed SC innovation scale applies to the textile and apparel industry primarily. Business‐to‐business marketers can apply this empirically validated scale to evaluate their SC innovation efforts and identify areas for improvement.
Envisioning innovation opportunities through science fiction
Authors: Michaud Thomas , Appio Francesco Paolo
Published: January 2022

The inherent uncertainty of the innovation process, along with the fast‐changing world of technology, presents significant difficulties to modern companies. As a result, product managers and engineers are under growing pressure to come up with better, more effective, more inventive solutions faster. Science fiction is one of the various approaches available, although it is yet relatively unexplored. Despite the fact that science fiction has demonstrated its promise in a variety of areas, it is sometimes seen as little more than an escapism. In this Catalyst, we show how to use science fiction into the innovation process to help product managers and engineers envision new opportunities. We provide a preliminary explanation of how science fiction may be implemented by showcasing evidence from inventors and pioneering companies and demonstrating examples of utopian technology transformed into reality. Finally, we offer a set of actionable research directions to promote debate and discussion among product managers, engineers, and academics.
Towards reflexivity in police practice and research
Authors: Koerner Swen , Staller Mario S.
Published: January 2022

In their recent article, Bennell et al. (2021) address the ongoing series of critical incidents within law enforcement across the globe and the amplified public debate that ensured. The team of renowned international police scholars and practitioners intend to ‘provide insights into the fundamental issues related to police use of force’ (Bennell et al., 2021, p. 1) and work out what they perceive to be ‘urgent issues and prospects (p. 1)’. Since the author's proposal is likely to influence future debates, we feel warrants that foremost the issue on how the issue of urgency is handled in the paper at hand deserves scientific attention. While Bennell et al. (2021) emphasize the importance of evidence‐based policing for the further professionalization of policing, we advocate for reflexivity in modern police practice and research. Reflexivity calls for the analysis on preconditions and consequences of scientific perspectives themselves, thus touching issues of evidence of evidence.
Deformation forecasting of a hydropower dam by hybridizing a long short‐term memory deep learning network with the coronavirus optimization algorithm
Authors: Bui Kien‐Trinh T. , Torres José F. , Gutiérrez‐Avilés David , Nhu Viet‐Ha , Bui Dieu Tien , Martínez‐Álvarez Francisco
Published: January 2022

The safety operation and management of hydropower dam play a critical role in social‐economic development and ensure people's safety in many countries; therefore, modeling and forecasting the hydropower dam's deformations with high accuracy is crucial. This research aims to propose and validate a new model based on deep learning long short‐term memory (LSTM) and the coronavirus optimization algorithm (CVOA), named CVOA‐LSTM, for forecasting the deformations of the hydropower dam. The second‐largest hydropower dam of Vietnam, located in the Hoa Binh province, is focused. Herein, we used the LSTM to establish the deformation model, whereas the CVOA was utilized to optimize the three parameters of the LSTM, the number of hidden layers, the learning rate, and the dropout. The efficacy of the proposed CVOA‐LSTM model is assessed by comparing its forecasting performance with state‐of‐the‐art benchmarks, sequential minimal optimization for support vector regression, Gaussian process, M5' model tree, multilayer perceptron neural network, reduced error pruning tree, random tree, random forest, and radial basis function neural network. The result shows that the proposed CVOA‐LSTM model has high forecasting capability (R2 = 0.874, root mean square error = 0.34, mean absolute error = 0.23) and outperforms the benchmarks. We conclude that CVOA‐LSTM is a new tool that can be considered to forecast the hydropower dam's deformations.
Shrub encroachment interacts with environmental variation to reduce the albedo of alpine lichen heaths: an experimental study
Authors: Reinhardt Stefanie , Aartsma Peter , Skøyen Konstanse , Renssen Hans
Published: January 2022

Global warming causes the replacement of lichens by shrubs in alpine and Arctic ecosystems. Since shrubs have lower albedo than lichens, this shrub encroachment can lead to a positive climatic feedback, resulting in higher temperatures in the surroundings. Therefore, gaining knowledge on the surface albedo of shrubs and lichens is important. Environmental factors also influence the surface albedo, but have often been neglected, potentially leading to biased results. In an experimental setup, we analyzed albedos of the lichen species Cladonia stellaris, Flavocetraria nivalis and Cetraria islandica, and how albedo changes with a stepwise replacement by the dwarf shrub Empetrum nigrum. Albedo was measured with radiometers in a paired set up. By setting certain environmental variables and species composition (monocultures) to be constant, we quantified the impact of environmental factors such as cloud cover, aspect and zenith angle on the surface albedo of two lichen species. Surface albedo (mean values ± SD) differed between C. islandica (0.155 ± 0.015), C. stellaris (0.364 ± 0.019), F. nivalis (0.350 ± 0.022) and E. nigrum (0.154 ± 0.016), and an increase in shrub cover at the expense of lichen cover led to a corresponding decrease in albedo. A 0.6 reduction in clearness index (more clouds) produced a 0.054 albedo decline. On the north‐facing aspect, albedo was 0.023 lower than on the south‐facing aspect. Albedo increased by 0.032 with an increase in zenith angle of 15°. Albedo variations caused by these studied environmental factors significantly affect the radiation budget of alpine and Arctic vegetation. We therefore stress the importance of considering environmental factors when surface albedos are estimated. Likewise, our species‐specific measurements can be a basis for further studies of the impact of climate change on alpine and Arctic vegetation and species‐related feedback mechanisms.
Disruption of carbon for nutrient exchange between potato and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi enhanced cyst nematode fitness and host pest tolerance
Authors: Bell Christopher A. , Magkourilou Emily , Urwin P. E. , Field Katie J.
Published: January 2022

Plants simultaneously interact with a range of biotrophic symbionts, ranging from mutualists such as arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), to parasites such as the potato cyst nematode (PCN). The exchange of mycorrhizal‐acquired nutrients for plant‐fixed carbon (C) is well studied; however, the impact of competing symbionts remains underexplored.

In this study, we examined mycorrhizal nutrient and host resource allocation in potato with and without AMF and PCN using radioisotope tracing, whilst determining the consequences of such allocation.

The presence of PCN disrupted C for nutrient exchange between plants and AMF, with plant C overwhelmingly obtained by the nematodes. Despite this, AMF maintained transfer of nutrients on PCN‐infected potato, ultimately losing out in their C for nutrient exchange with the host. Whilst PCN exploited the greater nutrient reserves to drive population growth on AMF–potato, the fungus imparted tolerance to allow the host to bear the parasitic burden.

Our findings provide important insights into the belowground dynamics of plant–AMF symbioses, where simultaneous nutritional and nonnutritional benefits conferred by AMF to hosts and their parasites are seldom considered in plant community dynamics. Our findings suggest this may be a critical oversight, particularly in the consideration of C and nutrient flows in plant and soil communities.
Two R2R3‐MYB genes cooperatively control trichome development and cuticular wax biosynthesis in Prunus persica
Authors: Yang Qiurui , Yang Xianpeng , Wang Lu , Zheng Beibei , Cai Yaming , Ogutu Collins Otieno , Zhao Lei , Peng Qian , Liao Liao , Zhao Yun , Zhou Hui , Han Yuepeng
Published: January 2022

The fruit surface has an enormous impact on the external appearance and postharvest shelf‐life of fruit. Here, we report two functionally redundant genes, PpMYB25 and PpMYB26, involved in regulation of fruit skin texture in peach.

PpMYB25 can activate transcription of PpMYB26 and they both induce trichome development and cuticular wax accumulation, resulting in peach fruit with a fuzzy and dull appearance. By contrast, nonfunctional mutation of PpMYB25 caused by an insertional retrotransposon in the last exon in nectarine fails to activate transcription of PpMYB26, resulting in nectarine fruit with a smooth and shiny appearance due to loss of trichome initiation and decreased cuticular wax accumulation.

Secondary cell wall biosynthesis in peach fruit pubescence is controlled by a transcriptional regulatory network, including the master regulator PpNAC43 and its downstream MYB transcription factors such as PpMYB42, PpMYB46 and PpMYB83.

Our results show that PpMYB25 and PpMYB26 coordinately regulate fruit pubescence and cuticular wax accumulation and their simultaneous perturbation results in the origin of nectarine, which is botanically classified as a subspecies of peach.
Prevalence of myopia among urban and suburban school children in Tamil Nadu, South India: findings from the Sankara Nethralaya Tamil Nadu Essilor Myopia (STEM) Study
Authors: Gopalakrishnan Aparna , Hussaindeen Jameel Rizwana , Sivaraman Viswanathan , Swaminathan Meenakshi , Wong Yee Ling , Armitage James A , Gentle Alex , Backhouse Simon
Published: January 2022

Purpose

To report the baseline prevalence of myopia among school children in Tamil Nadu, South India from a prospective cohort study.

Methods

Children between the ages of 5 and 16 years from 11 schools in two districts of Tamil Nadu underwent vision screening. All children underwent visual acuity assessment using a Pocket Vision Screener followed by non‐cycloplegic open‐field autorefraction (Grand Seiko WAM‐5500). Myopia was defined as a spherical equivalent (SE) refraction of ≤−0.75 D and high myopia was defined as SE ≤ −6.00 D. Distribution of refraction, biometry and factors associated with prevalence of myopia were the outcome measures.

Results

A total of 14,699 children completed vision screening, with 2% (357) of them having ocular abnormalities other than refractive errors or poor vision despite spectacle correction. The remaining 14,342 children (7557 boys; 52.69%) had a mean age of 10.2 (Standard Deviation [SD] 2.8) years. A total of 2502 had myopia in at least one eye, a prevalence of 17.5% (95% CI: 14.7–20.5%), and 74 (0.5%; 95% CI: 0.3–0.9%) had high myopia. Myopia prevalence increased with age (p < 0.001), but sex was not associated with myopia prevalence (p = 0.24). Mean axial length (AL; 23.08 (SD = 0.91) mm) and mean anterior chamber depth (ACD; 3.45 (SD = 0.27) mm) positively correlated with age (p < 0.001). The mean flat (K1; 43.37 (SD = 1.49) D) and steep (K2; 44.50 (SD = 1.58) D) corneal curvatures showed negative correlation with age (p = 0.02 and p < 0.001, respectively). In the multivariable logistic regression, older age and urban school location had higher odds for prevalence of myopia.

Conclusion

The baseline prevalence of myopia among 5‐ to 16‐year‐old children in South India is larger than that found in previous studies, indicating that myopia is becoming a major public health problem in this country.
Sarcoidosis‐related mortality and the impact of corticosteroid treatment: A population‐based cohort study
Authors: Sikjær Melina Gade , Hilberg Ole , Ibsen Rikke , Løkke Anders
Published: January 2022

Background and objective

The aims of this national cohort study were: (1) to evaluate mortality in patients with sarcoidosis, stratified by gender, age and systemic corticosteroid (SC) treatment and (2) to characterize comorbidities in this cohort.

Methods

Patients diagnosed with sarcoidosis from 2001 to 2015 were identified in the Danish National Patient Registry. Subgroup analyses were performed on cases treated/not treated with SCs within 3 years of the initial sarcoidosis diagnosis (as a proxy for disease severity). The Deyo–Charlson Comorbidity Index was used to evaluate pre‐diagnostic comorbidity. Cases were matched (1:4) with controls from the general population.

Results

We identified 9795 cases with sarcoidosis. Mean age was 46.5 ± 15.9 years and 55% were male. The adjusted hazard ratio (HR) for death was 1.48 (95% CI 1.31–1.68). Mortality was higher than for controls in all age groups and in both genders. HR for death for cases treated with SCs was 1.78 (95% CI 1.49–2.13) and, for cases receiving no treatment, 1.24 (95% CI 1.04–1.48). Sarcoidosis was the most commonly registered cause of death (13.3%).

Conclusion

Patients with sarcoidosis have an increased mortality compared with matched controls. Mortality is particularly high in patients treated with SCs.
Deriving the anaphor–agreement effect and the violations of it
Authors: Murugesan Gurujegan
Published: January 2022

The termanaphor–agreement effectrefers to the descriptive generalization that anaphors cannot control agreement on the verb. The general consensus in the literature is that the anaphor–agreement effect is a universal phenomenon. Contrary to that consensus, in this article, I present data from a set of languages where an anaphor does indeed control agreement on the verb, in violation of the anaphor–agreement effect. To explain this dual nature of anaphors in the world's languages, I propose a derivational‐timing analysis that derives not only the anaphor–agreement effect but also those problematic cases in which it seems to be violated.
Polymorphism of the HLA system and weak antibody response to BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine
Authors: Crocchiolo Roberto , Gallina Anna Maria , Pani Arianna , Campisi Daniela , Cento Valeria , Sacchi Nicoletta , Miotti Valeria , Gagliardi Oscar Matteo , D'Amico Federico , Vismara Chiara , Cornacchini Giorgia , Lando Giuliana , Cuppari Irene , Scaglione Francesco , Rossini Silvano
Published: January 2022

The polymorphism of the HLA system has been extensively studied in COVID‐19 infection, however there are no data about the role of HLA on vaccine response. We report here the HLA‐A, ‐B, ‐C, and DRB1 allelic frequencies of n = 111 individuals after BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine, selected on the basis of lower antibody levels (<5% percentile) after the second dose among a total of n = 2569 vaccinees, and compare them with the frequencies of a reference population. We found that differences in the frequencies of the alleles HLA‐A*03:01, A*33:03, B*58:01 and at least one haplotype (HLA‐A*24:02~C*07:01~B*18:01~DRB1*11:04) are associated with a weaker antibody response after vaccination, together with the age of vaccinees. Our results might suggest a role played by some HLA alleles or haplotypes in antibody production after the BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine, giving insights into the tracking of potentially susceptible individuals across populations. Further studies are needed to better define our exploratory findings and dissect the role of HLA polymorphism on response to anti‐COVID‐19 vaccines.
Clinical grade production of IL‐15 stimulated NK cells for early infusion in adult AML patients undergoing haploidentical stem cell transplantation with post‐transplant cyclophosphamide
Authors: Rubio‐Azpeitia Eva , Pérez‐Corral Ana Maria , Dorado‐Herrero Nieves , Monsalvo Silvia , Pérez‐Balsera Gonzalo , Fernández‐Santos Maria Eugenia , Kwon Mi , Oarbeascoa Gillen , Bastos‐Oreiro Mariana , Falero Carmen , Pascual Izquierdo Cristina , Muñoz‐Martínez Cristina , Pérez‐Martínez Antonio , Diez‐Martin José Luis , Anguita Javier
Published: January 2022

Background

Allogeneic stem cell transplantation is the treatment of choice for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients. Unmanipulated haploidentical transplantation (Haplo‐HSCT) is commonly used for those AML patients who need a timely transplant and do not have a suitable matched donor, but relapse rates are still high, and improvements are needed. Adoptive immunotherapy using natural killer cells (NK cells) could be a promising tool to improved Haplo‐HSCT but, to date, no optimal infusion and manufacturing protocols have been developed.

Study Design and Methods

In this study, we describe a quick and reproducible protocol for clinical‐grade production of haploidentical donor NK cells using double immunomagnetic depletion and enrichment protocol and overnight IL‐15 stimulation.

Results

Thus, we have obtained 8 viable and functional NK cell products that have been safely infused to five AML patients undergoing unmanipulated Haplo‐HSCT.

Discussion

Our results demonstrate the safety and feasibility of manufactured NK IL15 cells obtained from an adult allogeneic donor in the setting of haploidentical transplantation for AML patients.
Impact of the pathogen inactivation process on the migration of di(2‐ethylhexyl) phthalate from plasma bags
Authors: Thelliez Aurélie , Décaudin Bertrand , Lecoeur Marie
Published: January 2022

Background and Objectives

Di(2‐ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) is a toxic plasticizer that is commonly used in the manufacture of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) blood bags. It is well known that DEHP can migrate from a medical device into the blood plasma. For safety reasons, pathogens in plasma must be inactivated; however, this process may increase DEHP migration. Here, we assessed the impact of illumination‐based pathogen inactivation on the migration of DEHP from PVC bags into plasma.

Materials and Methods

Pairs of native PVC‐DEHP plasma bags were pooled. Each pool was then split into a pathogen‐inactivated bag and a control bag. After illumination, the plasma concentrations of DEHP and its main metabolite (mono(2‐ethylhexyl) phthalate, MEHP) in each bag were assayed and compared using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. Concentrations were evaluated in repeated‐measures, two‐way analyses of variance.

Results

The MEHP concentration was significantly associated with storage but not with illumination (p = 0.0001). The DEHP concentration stayed constant throughout the storage period. The DEHP equivalent concentration (corresponding to the overall plasticizer migration rate into plasma) was not significantly associated with illumination (p = 0.3) or storage (p = 0.09; mean ± standard deviation of the mean DEHP concentration for all conditions: 147.9 ± 11.3 μg/ml).

Conclusion

Illumination‐based inactivation of pathogens in plasma did not increase the DEHP equivalent concentration, relative to control (non‐inactivated) plasma.
Rapid genotyping of 508G>A (rs3745635) and 1067T>A (rs3894326) of FUT3 by a duplex Eprobe‐mediated melting curve analysis
Authors: Soejima Mikiko , Koda Yoshiro
Published: January 2022

Background and Objectives

Lewis histo‐blood group phenotypes are regulated by the action of FUT3‐encoded α(1,3/1,4)fucosyltransferase and FUT2‐encoded α(1,2)fucosyltransferase. Since Lewis phenotypes are suggested to be associated with various clinical conditions, a method for large‐scale FUT3 genotyping is desirable. In worldwide populations, 508G>A and 1067T>A of FUT3 are two of three common causal single nucleotide polymorphisms for Lewis‐negative alleles.

Materials and Methods

We developed a duplex Eprobe‐mediated melting curve analysis for genotyping 508G>A and 1067T>A simultaneously and applied this method to 106 Ghanaian and 140 Japanese subjects.

Results

The results of both 508G>A and 1067T>A genotyping by duplex Eprobe‐mediated melting curve analysis were completely in agreement with the results of a DNA sequence analysis in 106 Ghanaians and polymerase chain reaction‐restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis in 140 Japanese subjects.

Conclusion

The present duplex Eprobe‐mediated melting curve analysis is valid and credible for large‐scale estimation of Lewis‐negative alleles.
Influence of crotch suture augmentation on leakage pressure and leakage location during functional end‐to‐end stapled anastomoses in dogs
Authors: Duffy Daniel J. , Chang Yi‐Jen , Moore George E.
Published: January 2022

Objective

To determine the influence of anastomotic crotch suture augmentation on leakage pressures and leakage location following intestinal functional end‐to‐end stapled anastomosis (FEESA) in dogs.

Study design

Ex vivo, randomized, experimental.

Sample population

Chilled jejunal segments from 3 adult dogs.

Methods

Jejunal specimens were tested within 24 hours of collection. A FEESA was performed and randomly assigned to 1 of 4 treatment groups (n = 12/group): (1) no crotch suture (NCS); (2) simple interrupted crotch suture (SICS); (3) two simple interrupted crotch sutures (TCS) placed laterally on opposing jejunal limbs; (4) simple continuous crotch suture (SCCS) augmentation. Crotch sutures were performed using 3‐0 USP polydioxanone. Initial (ILP) and maximal (MLP) leakage pressures (Mean ± SD mm Hg) and leakage location were recorded and compared between groups.

Results

Initial leakage pressure was greater after placement of TCS (37.8 ± 6.4,P < .039) and SCCS (47.6 ± 11.0,P < .002) than NCS (27.1 ± 2.5) and SICS (33.0 ± 6.0). Maximal leakage pressure was greater in specimens including SICS, TCS, and SCCS than those without crotch suture augmentation (P < .043). Leakage occurred at the anastomotic crotch in 8/12 NCS, 6/12 SICS, 11/12 TCS, and 12/12 SCCS constructs (P < .001).

Conclusion

Augmentation of FEESA with TCS and SCCS increased ILP and decreased the occurrence of leakage from the anastomotic crotch, while all methods of anastomotic crotch augmentation increased MLP.

Clinical significance

Augmenting the FEESA with crotch suture(s) improved the resistance of the jejunal anastomosis to leakage in normal cadaveric segments. Placing 2 crotch sutures or use of a simple continuous pattern for anastomotic augmentation appeared to be superior to the placement of a single suture.
Perceptions and experiences of health care professionals and staff with animal-assisted interventions in health care settings: a qualitative systematic review protocol
Authors: Beck Amy J. , Barber Tanya , McKenzie Holly , Thorlakson Jessica , Dell Colleen , Keeping-Burke Lisa
Published: January 2022

Objective:

The objective of this review is to examine the perceptions and experiences of health care professionals and staff in implementing or coordinating animal-assisted interventions in health care settings.

Introduction:

Animal-assisted interventions are applied in the areas of health, education, and human services to help improve individuals’ health and wellness. The positive effects of animal-assisted interventions on individuals have been shown in multiple health disciplines, from pediatrics to long-term care, and include outcomes such as decreased feelings of loneliness and increased feelings of support. The increase of animal-assisted interventions in human health has initiated growing research on health care professionals’ perceptions and experiences of these interventions. No current qualitative systematic reviews have focused solely on health care professionals’ and staff's perceptions of animal-assisted interventions. Conducting such a review will advance understanding of how these providers perceive and engage with animal-assisted interventions as well as their influence and role in coordinating these interventions.

Inclusion criteria:

This review will consider qualitative primary studies that address the perceptions and experiences of health care professionals and staff in implementing or coordinating animal-assisted interventions in health care settings.

Methods:

Nine bibliographic databases will be systematically searched for published and unpublished studies by employing a three-step search strategy. Studies published from database inception to present and in English will be considered. Two reviewers will independently appraise the studies and extract qualitative data using the standardized JBI critical appraisal and data extraction instruments. Findings from the review will be categorized according to similarity in meaning, and categories will be subjected to a meta-synthesis to produce a single comprehensive set of synthesized findings.

Systematic review registration number:

PROSPERO CRD42021258909
A Surface Defect Detection Method Via Fusing Multi-Level Features
Authors: Ren Meijian , Shen Rulin , Gong Yanling
Published: January 2022

Surface defect detection is very important to ensure product quality, but most of the surface defects of industrial products are characterized by low contrast, large variation in size and category similarity, which brings challenges to the automatic detection of defects. To solve these problems, this paper proposes a defect detection method based on convolutional neural network. In this method, a backbone network with semantic supervision is applied to extract the features of different levels. While a multi-level feature fusion module is proposed to fuse adjacent feature maps into high-resolution feature maps successively, it significantly improves the prediction accuracy of the network. Finally, an encoding module is used to obtain the global context information of the high-resolution feature map, which further improves the pixel classification accuracy. Experiments show that the mean intersection of union (mIoU) of the proposed method is superior to other methods on a standardized defect detection dataset of steel strip (NEU_SEG, mIoU of 85.27%) and a magnetic-tile defect dataset (mIoU of 77.82%).
Robust design of an asymmetrically absorbing Willis acoustic metasurface subject to manufacturing-induced dimensional variations
Authors: Wiest Tyler , Seepersad Carolyn Conner , Haberman Michael R.
Published: January 2022

Advancements in additive manufacturing (AM) technology are promising for the creation of acoustic materials. Acoustic metamaterials and metasurfaces are of particular interest for the application of AM technologies as theoretical predictions suggest the need for precise arrangements of dissimilar materials within specified regions of space to reflect, transmit, guide, or absorb acoustic waves in ways that exceed the capabilities of currently available acoustic materials. This work presents the design of an acoustic metasurface (AMS) with Willis constitutive behavior, which is created from an array of multi-material inclusions embedded in an elastomeric matrix, which displays the asymmetric acoustic absorption. The finite element models of the AMS show that the asymmetric absorption is dependent on asymmetry in the distribution of materials within the inclusion and highly sensitive to small changes in the inclusion geometry. It is shown that the performance variability can be used to place constraints on the manufacturing-induced variability to ensure that an as-built AMS will perform using the as-designed parameters. The evaluation of the AMS performance is computationally expensive, thus, the design is performed with a classifier-based metamodel to support more efficient Monte Carlo simulations and quantify the sensitivity of the candidate design performance to the manufacturing variability. This work explores combinations of material choices and dimensional accuracies to demonstrate how a robust design approach can be used to help select AM fabrication methods or guide process development toward an AM process that is capable of fabricating acoustic material structures.
Estimation of the in vivo neutralization potency of eCD4Ig and conditions for AAV-mediated production for SHIV long-term remission
Authors: Goyal Ashish , Gardner Matthew , Mayer Bryan T. , Jerome Keith R. , Farzan Michael , Schiffer Joshua T. , Cardozo-Ojeda E. Fabian
Published: January 2022

eCD4Ig has an in vivo IC
50
of 25 μg/ml, and it may induce ART-free virus control if produced continually at 10
5
μg/day or more.
RAD51AP2 is required for efficient meiotic recombination between X and Y chromosomes
Authors: Ma Hui , Li Tao , Xie Xuefeng , Jiang Long , Ye Jingwei , Gong Chenjia , Jiang Hanwei , Fan Suixing , Zhang Huan , Shi Baolu , Zhang Beibei , Jiang Xiaohua , Li Yang , Zhou Jianteng , Xu Jianze , Zhang Xingxia , Hou Xiaoning , Yin Hao , Zhang Yuanwei , Shi Qinghua
Published: January 2022

RAD51AP2 is required specifically for efficient meiotic recombination to form crossover between X and Y chromosomes.
Nanoengineered on-demand drug delivery system improves efficacy of pharmacotherapy for epilepsy
Authors: Wu Di , Fei Fan , Zhang Qi , Wang Xia , Gong Yiwei , Chen Xiaojie , Zheng Yuyi , Tan Bei , Xu Cenglin , Xie Hujun , Fang Wenjun , Chen Zhong , Wang Yi
Published: January 2022

Electroresponsive and synergistic brain-targeting nanoparticles improve efficacy of pharmacotherapy for epilepsy.
Heat Activation and Inactivation of Bacterial Spores: Is There an Overlap?
Authors: Wen Juan , Smelt Jan P. P. M. , Vischer Norbert O. E. , de Vos Arend L. , Setlow Peter , Brul Stanley
Published: January 2022

Bacterial spores are thermal-stress-resistant structures that can thus survive food preservation strategies and revive through the process of spore germination. The more heat resistant spores are, the more heterogeneous their germination upon the addition of germinants. Upon germination, spores can cause food spoilage and food intoxication. Here, we provide new information on both heat activation and inactivation regimes and their effects on the (heterogeneity of) spore germination.
A Pilot Study for the Evaluation of an Interferon Gamma Release Assay (IGRA) To Measure T-Cell Immune Responses after SARS-CoV-2 Infection or Vaccination in a Unique Cloistered Cohort
Authors: Barreiro Pablo , Sanz Juan Carlos , San Román Jesús , Pérez-Abeledo Marta , Carretero Mar , Megías Gregoria , Viñuela-Prieto José Manuel , Ramos Belén , Canora Jesús , Martínez-Peromingo Francisco Javier , Barba Raquel , Zapatero Antonio , Candel Francisco Javier
Published: January 2022

Assessment of T-cell responses to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) antigens may be of value to determine long-lasting protection to breakthrough infections or reinfections. Interferon gamma release assay is a validated method to test cellular immunity in mycobacterial infections and has been proposed for patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection or vaccination.
Reduction of CD8 T Cell Functionality but Not Inhibitory Capacity by Integrase Inhibitors
Authors: Richter Enrico , Bornemann Lea , Korencak Marek , Alter Galit , Schuster Marc , Esser Stefan , Boesecke Christoph , Rockstroh Juergen , Gunzer Matthias , Streeck Hendrik
Published: January 2022

Integrase Strand Transfer Inhibitors (INSTI) are recommended by national and international guidelines as a key component of ART in the treatment of HIV-infected patients. In particular, their efficacy, tolerability and low drug-drug interaction profile have made them to the preferred choice as part of the first-line regimen in treatment-naive individuals.
Human Cytomegalovirus Hijacks WD Repeat Domain 11 for Virion Assembly Compartment Formation and Virion Morphogenesis
Authors: Yang Bo , Yao YongXuan , Cheng Han , Wang Xian-Zhang , Zhou Yue-peng , Huang Sheng-Nan , Ma Xuehui , Yang Hong , Wu Jinpeng , Jiang Xuan , Cheng Shuang , Sun Jin-Yan , Zeng Wen-Bo , Chen Jason , Zhang Fu-Kun , Shen Hong-Jie , Gu Jian-Yang , McVoy Michael A. , Britt William J. , Gong Sitang , Luo Min-Hua
Published: January 2022

During the late phase of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection, the endomembrane system is dramatically reorganized, resulting in the formation of a unique structure termed the virion assembly compartment (vAC), which is critical for the assembly of infectious virions. The mechanism of HCMV-induced vAC formation is still not fully understood.
African Swine Fever Virus and Host Response: Transcriptome Profiling of the Georgia 2007/1 Strain and Porcine Macrophages
Authors: Cackett Gwenny , Portugal Raquel , Matelska Dorota , Dixon Linda , Werner Finn
Published: January 2022

African swine fever virus (ASFV) causes hemorrhagic fever in domestic pigs, with case fatality rates approaching 100% and no approved vaccines or antivirals. The highly virulent ASFV Georgia 2007/1 strain (GRG) was the first isolated when ASFV spread from Africa to the Caucasus region in 2007, then spreading through Eastern Europe and, more recently, across Asia.
The C-Terminal Domains of the PB2 Subunit of the Influenza A Virus RNA Polymerase Directly Interact with Cellular GTPase Rab11a
Authors: Veler Hana , Fan Haitian , Keown Jeremy R. , Sharps Jane , Fournier Marjorie , Grimes Jonathan M. , Fodor Ervin
Published: January 2022

The influenza virus RNA genome segments are replicated in the cell nucleus and are assembled into viral ribonucleoprotein (vRNP) complexes with viral RNA polymerase and nucleoprotein (NP). Replicated vRNPs need to be exported from the nucleus and trafficked across the cytoplasm to the cell membrane, where virion assembly takes place.
E1B-55K Is a Phosphorylation-Dependent Transcriptional and Posttranscriptional Regulator of Viral Gene Expression in Human Adenovirus C5 Infection
Authors: Hidalgo Paloma , Garcés Yasel , Mundo Eduardo , López Raúl E. , Bertzbach Luca D. , Dobner Thomas , González Ramón A.
Published: January 2022

Human adenoviruses are useful models to study basic aspects of gene expression and splicing. Moreover, they are one of the most commonly used viral vectors for clinical applications.
Mutations at the Alphavirus E1'-E2 Interdimer Interface Have Host-Specific Phenotypes
Authors: Ren Sophia C. , Qazi Shefah A. , Towell Brian , Wang Joseph C.-Y. , Mukhopadhyay Suchetana
Published: January 2022

Alphaviruses, which can cause disease when spread to humans by mosquitoes, have been classified as emerging pathogens, with infections occurring worldwide. The spikes on the surface of the alphavirus particle are absolutely required for the virus to enter a new host cell and initiate an infection.
Characterization of a 2016-2017 Human Seasonal H3 Influenza A Virus Spillover Now Endemic to U.S. Swine
Authors: Sharma Aditi , Zeller Michael A. , Souza Carine K. , Anderson Tavis K. , Vincent Amy L. , Harmon Karen , Li Ganwu , Zhang Jianqiang , Gauger Phillip C.
Published: January 2022

H3.2010.2 is a new phylogenetic clade of H3N2 circulating in swine that became established after the spillover of a human seasonal H3N2 from the 2016–2017 influenza season. The novel H3.2010.2 transmitted and adapted to the swine host and demonstrated reassortment with internal genes from strains endemic to pigs, but it maintained human-like HA and NA.
On the Ecological Significance of Phenotypic Heterogeneity in Microbial Populations Undergoing Starvation
Authors: Opalek Monika , Smug Bogna , Doebeli Michael , Wloch-Salamon Dominika
Published: January 2022

Nongenetic cell heterogeneity is present in glucose-starved yeast populations in the form of quiescent (Q) and nonquiescent (NQ) phenotypes. There is evidence that Q cells help the population survive long starvation.
Presence of
Malassezia
Hyphae Is Correlated with Pathogenesis of Seborrheic Dermatitis
Authors: Li Juanjuan , Feng Yahui , Liu Chen , Yang Zhiya , de Hoog Sybren , Qu Yuying , Chen Biao , Li Dongmei , Xiong Huabao , Shi Dongmei
Published: January 2022

Our results support the proposal that the hyphal form of
Malassezia
could be one of the pathogenic factors that contribute to SD, which has been previously less well studied. This clinical observation paves the way for further investigations of the molecular mechanisms of
Malassezia
hyphal pathogenicity in SD.
Anthranilate Acts as a Signal to Modulate Biofilm Formation, Virulence, and Antibiotic Tolerance of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Surrounding Bacteria
Authors: Hwang Hyeon-Ji , Li Xi-Hui , Kim Soo-Kyoung , Lee Joon-Hee
Published: January 2022

Pseudomonas aeruginosa
is a notorious pathogen with high antibiotic resistance, strong virulence, and ability to cause biofilm-mediated chronic infection. We found that these characteristics change profoundly before and after the time when anthranilate is produced as an “anthranilate peak”.
Variants of Tn
6924
, a Novel Tn
7
Family Transposon Carrying the
bla
NDM
Metallo-β-Lactamase and 14 Copies of the
aphA6
Amikacin Resistance Genes Found in Acinetobacter baumannii
Authors: Mann Riti , Rafei Rayane , Gunawan Cindy , Harmer Christopher J. , Hamidian Mohammad
Published: January 2022

To date, efforts to study the resistance mechanisms of carbapenem-resistant
Acinetobacter baumannii
have been largely focused on the two major globally distributed clones (GC1 and GC2). ST85 is an emerging sequence type, and unlike other clones, it is associated with the carriage of the
bla
NDM
gene.
Emergence of a KPC-90 Variant that Confers Resistance to Ceftazidime-Avibactam in an ST463 Carbapenem-Resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa Strain
Authors: Tu Yuexing , Wang Dairong , Zhu Yiwei , Li Jiayan , Jiang Yan , Wu Wenhao , Li Xi , Zhou Hua
Published: January 2022

For the first time, we reported a KPC variant, KPC-90, in a clinical ST463 CRPA strain with CZA resistance. CZA resistance was mediated by a 2 amino acid insertion outside the KPC omega-loop region in CRPA.
Genomic Characterization of Potential Plant Growth-Promoting Features of
Sphingomonas
Strains Isolated from the International Space Station
Authors: Lombardino Jonathan , Bijlani Swati , Singh Nitin K. , Wood Jason M. , Barker Richard , Gilroy Simon , Wang Clay C. C. , Venkateswaran Kasthuri
Published: January 2022

Sphingomonas
is ubiquitous in nature, including the anthropogenically contaminated extreme environments. Members of the
Sphingomonas
genus have been identified as potential candidates for space biomining beyond earth.
Comparison of the Responses of Soil Fungal Community to Straw, Inorganic Fertilizer, and Compost in a Farmland in the Loess Plateau
Authors: Yin Yalin , Yuan Ye , Zhang Xiaowen , Huhe  , Cheng Yunxiang , Borjigin Shinchilelt
Published: January 2022

Determining the response of soil fungi in sensitive ecosystems to external environmental disturbances is an important, yet little-known, topic in microbial ecology. In this study, we evaluated the impact of traditional fertilization management practices on the composition, co-occurrence pattern, and functional groups of fungal communities in loessial soil.
Acquired scrotal lymphangiectasia, a long-term sequela of penile carcinoma: diagnosis an enigma
Authors: Tosh Jyoti Mohan , Jindal Rashmi , Mittal Ankur , Panwar Vikas Kumar
Published: January 2022

Acquired lymphangiectasia is an unique entity encountered by an urologist which is marked by occlusion of lymphatics associated with abnormal permanent dilation of cutaneous lymphatics. There is presence of thin-walled ectatic vessels in the superficial and mid dermis, which develops later in life. Trauma, infection, radiation or surgery are important causes of this rare aetiology. Diagnosis is always demanding, as it closely resembles many benign aetiology. Meticulous decision-making and appropriate treatment should be chosen for the management.
Do health literacy levels of nursing students change throughout the study programme? A cross-sectional study
Authors: González-López José Rafael , Rodríguez-Gázquez María de los Angeles
Published: January 2022

Objectives

The aim of this research was to analyse if the level of health literacy (HL) of nursing students changes throughout the study programme.

Design

A cross-sectional study with anonymous self-reporting was conducted.

Participants/setting

329 public university nursing students in Seville, Spain; 243 of the first year and 86 of the fourth.

Interventions

The short Spanish version of the Health Literacy Survey Questionnaire-European Union was used to evaluate HL.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

The proportions of the limited level of HL were compared between academic years and the crude and corrected OR were calculated with the Mantel-Haenszel test to evaluate the effect of confusion of the sex variable on the HL level and academic year relationship. A logistic regression model with step-by-step analysis was run, including the independent variables sex, age, marital status, academic year and HL level (limited/sufficient) as the dependent variable.

Results

62.1% of the participants of the first year versus 47.7% of the fourth year had a limited literacy level for a crude OR of 1.5 (95% CI 1.10 to 2.21; p=0.014) and a corrected by sex OR of 1.8 (95% CI 1.10 to 2.96; p=0.026). Only the strata in women had a statistically significant relationship. The logistic regression model ratified that the HL was a function exclusive to the academic year.

Conclusion

The HL level of nursing students increases from the first to the fourth academic year, even when controlling for sex. Although the HL level in the fourth academic year was greater than that of the first, both groups had inadequate HL levels. It is hence recommended to implement intervention strategies, which reinforce in the curriculum the knowledge and experiences related with health communication and education to ensure that future professionals improve their HL. Achieving adequate HL is crucial to be able to provide care to patients, their families and the community.
Development and validation of a prehospital-stage prediction tool for traumatic brain injury: a multicentre retrospective cohort study in Korea
Authors: Choi Yeongho , Park Jeong Ho , Hong Ki Jeong , Ro Young Sun , Song Kyoung Jun , Shin Sang Do
Published: January 2022

Objectives

Predicting diagnosis and prognosis of traumatic brain injury (TBI) at the prehospital stage is challenging; however, using comprehensive prehospital information and machine learning may improve the performance of the predictive model. We developed and tested predictive models for TBI that use machine learning algorithms using information that can be obtained in the prehospital stage.

Design

This was a multicentre retrospective study.

Setting and participants

This study was conducted at three tertiary academic emergency departments (EDs) located in an urban area of South Korea. The data from adult patients with severe trauma who were assessed by emergency medical service providers and transported to three participating hospitals between 2014 to 2018 were analysed.

Results

We developed and tested five machine learning algorithms—logistic regression analyses, extreme gradient boosting, support vector machine, random forest and elastic net (EN)—to predict TBI, TBI with intracranial haemorrhage or injury (TBI-I), TBI with ED or admission result of admission or transferred (TBI with non-discharge (TBI-ND)) and TBI with ED or admission result of death (TBI-D). A total of 1169 patients were included in the final analysis, and the proportions of TBI, TBI-I, TBI-ND and TBI-D were 24.0%, 21.5%, 21.3% and 3.7%, respectively. The EN model yielded an area under receiver–operator curve of 0.799 for TBI, 0.844 for TBI-I, 0.811 for TBI-ND and 0.871 for TBI-D. The EN model also yielded the highest specificity and significant reclassification improvement. Variables related to loss of consciousness, Glasgow Coma Scale and light reflex were the three most important variables to predict all outcomes.

Conclusion

Our results inform the diagnosis and prognosis of TBI. Machine learning models resulted in significant performance improvement over that with logistic regression analyses, and the best performing model was EN.
Perceived working mechanisms of psychosomatic therapy in patients with persistent somatic symptoms in primary care: a qualitative study
Authors: Wortman Margreet S H , Olde Hartman Tim C , van der Wouden Johannes C , Dankers Sarah , Visser Bart , Assendelft Willem J J , van der Horst Henriëtte E
Published: January 2022

Objectives

To explore the perceived working mechanisms of psychosomatic therapy according to patients with persistent somatic symptoms (PSS) and their psychosomatic therapists.

Design

Qualitative study using semistructured face-to-face interviews and focus groups. All interviews were audiorecorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed, by two researchers independently, based on the thematic analysis.

Setting

Alongside a randomised controlled trial to establish the (cost-)effectiveness of psychosomatic therapy in patients with PSS in primary care, we conducted a process evaluation with a qualitative study. Patients were recruited in general practice in three regions in the Netherlands.

Participants

Interviews were conducted with twenty patients with PSS who received psychosomatic therapy and 25 psychosomatic therapists. In addition, two focus groups were conducted with six and seven psychosomatic therapists, respectively.

Intervention

Psychosomatic therapy, delivered by specialised exercise and physical therapists, is a multimodal and tailored treatment based on the biopsychosocial model.

Outcome measures

Experiences, opinions and views from patients’ and therapists’ perspective on psychosomatic therapy were identified.

Results

A total of 37 interviews with patients, 25 interviews and two focus groups with therapists were analysed. Three main themes emerged from the data of the patients: (1) continuous alternation of psychosocial conversations and body-oriented exercises; (2) awareness of body–mind connection and (3) good relationship with therapist. Four main themes emerged from the data of the therapists (1) building rapport; (2) continuously searching for common ground; (3) making patients aware of the interaction between body and mind; and (4) continuous alternation between exploration and treatment.

Conclusion

According to patients as well as therapists, the continuous alternation of psychosocial conversations and body-oriented exercises to provide awareness of the interaction between body and mind are the perceived working mechanism of psychosomatic therapy. Therapeutic alliance and finding common ground between patient and therapist are prerequisites for the success of psychosomatic therapy.

Trial registration number

NL7157 (NTR7356).