bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The interplay between vaccination and social distancing strategies affects COVID19 population-level outcomes
Authors: Guerstein Sharon , Romeo-Aznar Victoria , Dekel Ma’ayan , Miron Oren , Davidovitch Nadav , Puzis Rami , Pilosof Shai
Published: December 2020

Social distancing is an effective population-level mitigation strategy to prevent COVID19 propagation but it does not reduce the number of susceptible individuals and bears severe social consequences—a dire situation that can be overcome with the recently developed vaccines. Although a combination of these interventions should provide greater benefits than their isolated deployment, a mechanistic understanding of the interplay between them is missing. To tackle this challenge we developed an age-structured deterministic model in which vaccines are deployed during the pandemic to individuals who, in the eye of public health, are susceptible (do not show symptoms). The model allows for flexible and dynamic prioritization strategies with shifts between target groups. We find a strong interaction between social distancing and vaccination in their effect on the proportion of hospitalizations. In particular, prioritizing vaccines to elderly (60+) before adults (20-59) is more effective when social distancing is applied to adults or uniformly. In addition, the temporal reproductive number Rt is only affected by vaccines when deployed at sufficiently high rates and in tandem with social distancing. Finally, the same reduction in hospitalization can be achieved via different combination of strategies, giving decision makers flexibility in choosing public health policies. Our study provides insights into the factors that affect vaccination success and provides methodology to test different intervention strategies in a way that will align with ethical guidelines.

Author summary

A major question in epidemiology is how to combine intervention methods in an optimal way. With the recent deployment of COVID19 vaccine, this question is now particularly relevant. Using a data-driven model in which vaccines are deployed during the pandemic and their prioritization can shift between target groups we show that there is a strong interplay between these interventions. For example, prioritizing vaccines to elderly—the common strategy worldwide—results in a larger reduction in hospitalizations when social distancing is applied to adults than to elderly. Importantly, reduction in hospitalizations can be achieved via multiple combination of intervention strategies, allowing for flexible public health policies.
Paradoxical neuronal hyperexcitability in a mouse model of mitochondrial pyruvate import deficiency
Authors: De la Rossa Andres , Laporte Marine H. , Astori Simone , Marissal Thomas , Montessuit Sylvie , Sheshadri Preethi , Ramos-Fernández Eva , Mendez Pablo , Khani Abbas , Quairiaux Charles , Taylor Eric , Rutter Jared , Nunes José Manuel , Carleton Alan , Duchen Michael R. , Sandi Carmen , Martinou Jean-Claude
Published: December 2020

Neuronal excitation imposes a high demand of ATP in neurons. Most of the ATP derives primarily from pyruvate-mediated oxidative phosphorylation, a process that relies on import of pyruvate into mitochondria occuring exclusively via the mitochondrial pyruvate carrier (MPC). To investigate whether deficient oxidative phosphorylation impacts neuron excitability, we generated a mouse strain carrying a conditional deletion of MPC1, an essential subunit of the mitochondrial pyruvate carrier, specifically in adult glutamatergic neurons. We found that, despite decreased levels of oxidative phosphorylation in these excitatory neurons, mice were normal at rest. Paradoxically, in response to mild inhibition of GABA mediated synaptic activity, they rapidly developed severe seizures and died, whereas under similar conditions the behaviour of control mice remained unchanged. We show that neurons with a deficient MPC are intrinsically hyperexcitable as a consequence of impaired calcium homeostasis, which reduces M-type potassium channel activity. Provision of ketone bodies restores energy status, calcium homeostasis and M-channel activity and attenuates seizures in animals fed a ketogenic diet. Our results provide an explanation for the paradoxical seizures that frequently accompany a large number of neuropathologies, including cerebral ischemia and diverse mitochondriopathies, in which neurons experience an energy deficit.

One Sentence Summary

Decreased OXPHOS and Ca2+-mediated neuronal hyperexcitability lead to seizure in a mouse model of mitochondrial pyruvate import deficiency.
Computational modeling of seizure spread on a cortical surface
Authors: Sip Viktor , Guye Maxime , Bartolomei Fabrice , Jirsa Viktor
Published: December 2020

In the field of computational epilepsy, neural field models helped to understand some large-scale features of seizure dynamics. These insights however remain on general levels, without translation to the clinical settings via personalization of the model with the patient-specific structure. In particular, a link was suggested between epileptic seizures spreading across the cortical surface and the so-called theta-alpha activity (TAA) pattern seen on intracranial electrographic signals, yet this link was not demonstrated on a patient-specific level. Here we present a single patient computational study linking the seizure spreading across the patient-specific cortical surface with a specific instance of the TAA pattern recorded in the patient. Using the realistic geometry of the cortical surface we perform the simulations of seizure dynamics in The Virtual Brain platform, and we show that the simulated electrographic signals qualitatively agree with the recorded signals. Furthermore, the comparison with the simulations performed on surrogate surfaces reveals that the best quantitative fit is obtained for the real surface. The work illustrates how the patient-specific cortical geometry can be utilized in The Virtual Brain for personalized model building, and the importance of such approach.
Single-pulse phase-contrast imaging at free-electron lasers in the hard X-ray regime
Authors: Hagemann Johannes , Vassholz Malte , Hoeppe Hannes , Osterhoff Markus , Rosselló Juan M. , Mettin Robert , Seiboth Frank , Schropp Andreas , Möller Johannes , Hallmann Jörg , Kim Chan , Scholz Markus , Boesenberg Ulrike , Schaffer Robert , Zozulya Alexey , Lu Wei , Shayduk Roman , Madsen Anders , Schroer Christian G. , Salditt Tim
Published: December 2020

X-ray free-electron lasers (XFELs) have opened up unprecedented opportunities for time-resolved nano-scale imaging with X-rays. Near-field propagation-based imaging, and in particular near-field holography (NFH) in its high-resolution implementation in cone-beam geometry, can offer full-field views of a specimen's dynamics captured by single XFEL pulses. To exploit this capability, for example in optical-pump/X-ray-probe imaging schemes, the stochastic nature of the self-amplified spontaneous emission pulses, i.e. the dynamics of the beam itself, presents a major challenge. In this work, a concept is presented to address the fluctuating illumination wavefronts by sampling the configuration space of SASE pulses before an actual recording, followed by a principal component analysis. This scheme is implemented at the MID (Materials Imaging and Dynamics) instrument of the European XFEL and time-resolved NFH is performed using aberration-corrected nano-focusing compound refractive lenses. Specifically, the dynamics of a micro-fluidic water-jet, which is commonly used as sample delivery system at XFELs, is imaged. The jet exhibits rich dynamics of droplet formation in the break-up regime. Moreover, pump–probe imaging is demonstrated using an infrared pulsed laser to induce cavitation and explosion of the jet.
“Stay at home” for addressing COVID-19 protocol: learning from the traditional Balinese house
Authors: Putra I Dewa Gede Agung Diasana
Published: December 2020

Purpose

COVID-19 caused dramatic changes in daily life, including the way people stay in a building. Since the virus's outbreak and the mandate of social distancing from WHO, a house has become an essential place for people to avoid the propagation of the virus. However, recent house configurations cannot satisfy people's needs when staying at home and have not provided complete protection from viruses. Therefore, architects are expected to create new configurations. In order to establish a new trend, this paper aimed to explore the ability of the traditional architectural concepts that discuss the efforts to produce suitable configurations.

Design/methodology/approach

To investigate to what extent the traditional Balinese concepts are still relevant to counter infectious diseases, architectural examinations and spatial stories were used as a method of investigations.

Findings

This paper found that certain traditional knowledge elements are still relevant to produce suitable configurations to deal with possible virus attacks and introduce more security layers to the house.

Research limitations/implications

Learning from the COVID-19 pandemic, this paper provides a view of traditional concepts that are now still applicable to modifications and adaptations.

Practical implications

In these modifications, the traditional hierarchy of entering the house and the function of open spaces for food production are traditional elements that address the protocol to face the virus.

Social implications

Local knowledge has given good things as a precious heritage from the Balinese communities' ancestors to face this new challenge.

Originality/value

This pandemic has taught architects to combine modern technologies with local wisdom as an approach to develop innovative antivirus designs.
When supportive workplaces positively help work performance
Authors: Tran Lobel Trong Thuy , Thi Vinh Hien Ho , Baker John
Published: December 2020

Purpose

Although a supportive workplace is increasingly considered important for employees' performance, much of the evidence remains speculative, for example, it lacks offsetting mechanisms. This study addresses circumstances when perceived support helps and when it hurts work performance, depending on the mediating effects of job autonomy, intrinsic motivation and job satisfaction under the boundary conditions of perceived helpfulness of social media platforms and felt stress.

Design/methodology/approach

This study collected data using a questionnaire protocol that was adapted and refined from the original scales in existing studies. The sample consists of 900 employees from the public healthcare industry in Vietnam. To test the hypotheses, the partial least squares (PLS) technique was used.

Findings

This study finds that job autonomy, intrinsic motivation and job satisfaction are important for the perceived support and work performance relationship in which perceived helpfulness of social media platforms plays a critical confounding role. The findings also confirm that felt stress negatively moderates the relationship between job satisfaction and work performance, weakening the effect job satisfaction has on employee work performance.

Originality/value

This study specifies the boundary conditions under which work performance is mostly affected while enhancing the understanding of how to reinforce intrinsic motivation and job satisfaction. The findings offer organizational and human resource management (HRM) scholars and practitioners a closer look at perceived helpfulness of social media platforms and support the suggestions that autonomy-supportive workplaces are superior.
Analysis of a novel manipulator with low melting point alloy initiated stiffness variation and shape detection for minimally invasive surgery
Authors: Wei Xiaoyong , Ju Feng , Chen Bai , Guo Hao , Wang Dan , Wang Yaoyao , Wu Hongtao
Published: December 2020

Purpose

There is an increasing popularity for the continuum robot in minimally invasive surgery owing to its compliance and dexterity. However, the dexterity takes the challenges in loading and precise control because of the absence of the shape tracking for the continuum robot. The purpose of this paper is to propose a new type of continuum manipulator with variable stiffness that can track the bending shape timely.

Design/methodology/approach

The low-melting-point alloy (LMPA) is used to implement the stiffness variation and shape detection for the continuum manipulator. A conceptual design for a single module is presented, and the principle of stiffness control based on the established static model is formulated. Afterward, a shape detection method is introduced in which the shape of the continuum manipulator can be detected by measuring the resistance of every LMPA. Finally, the effect of the proposed variable stiffness method is verified by simulation; the variable stiffness and shape detection methods are evaluated by experiments.

Findings

The results from the simulations and experiments indicate that the designed continuum manipulator has the ability of stiffness variation over 42.3% and the shape detection method has high precision.

Originality/value

Compared with conventional structures, the novel manipulator has a simpler structure and integrates the stiffness variation and shape detection capabilities with the LMPA. The proposed method is promising, and it can be conveniently extended to other continuum manipulators.
A review of fast-food companies' approaches to animal welfare
Authors: Jones Peter , Comfort Daphne
Published: December 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this review paper is to extend the literature on animal welfare in the hospitality industry by exploring how some of the major fast-food companies have publicly addressed this issue.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper reviews, and reflects on, the animal welfare statements and policies posted on the Internet by five major fast-food companies, namely, Yum! Brands, Restaurant Brands International, McDonald's, Domino's Pizza Group and Subway.

Findings

The findings reveal that four interlinked themes, namely, strategic corporate commitment, a focus on supply chains, policies on specific categories of animals and food products, and auditing, illustrated the selected companies approach to animal welfare. The authors also raise a number of issues about the selected companies' approaches to animal welfare including the aspirational nature of their commitments, the emphasis on regular audits, the role of external assurance in the reporting process, the role of animal welfare pressure groups and campaigns, and the impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Research limitations/implications

The paper's empirical material is drawn from the corporate websites of five fast-food companies, but the paper has theoretical and practical implications and provides a platform for future research.

Originality/value

The paper offers a simple review of the way five major fast-food companies have addressed the issue of animal welfare.
Linkage between TPM, people management and organizational performance
Authors: Bashar Abul , Hasin Ahsan Akhtar , Jahangir Nadim
Published: December 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore an empirical investigation of the linkage between total productive maintenance (TPM), people management (PEM) and organizational performance in the apparel industry of Bangladesh. This study also explores the direct and mediating effect of TPM on organizational performance.

Design/methodology/approach

Empirical data were collected using a close-ended structured questionnaire from 227 small, medium and large-scale garment manufacturing industries. The causal relationships between PEM, TPM and organizational performance were examined using structural equation modeling.

Findings

The findings of this study have provided significant evidence that the PEM has both direct and indirect impact (through TPM) on organizational performance. The results of the analysis also indicated that TPM has direct and mediating effects on operational performance.

Research limitations/implications

Data for measuring PEM practices and organizational performance were collected from the same source, assuming that PEM practices are uniform across the organization. Therefore, response bias is not unexpected.

Originality/value

This study explores the interdimensional linkage between PEM, TPM and organizational performance and argues based on the empirical data in the context of the apparel industry in Bangladesh. The apparel industry is a complex manufacturing system synchronizing man, machine and material. The findings provide empirical evidence that employee engagement and practice of TPM will enhance the operational performance of the apparel industries.
Creating hospitable service systems for refugees during a pandemic: leveraging resources for service inclusion
Authors: Finsterwalder Jörg , Kabadayi Sertan , Fisk Raymond P. , Boenigk Silke
Published: December 2020

Purpose

The overarching goal of this paper is to increase awareness among researchers and practitioners that refugees are disproportionally impacted by COVID-19, which increases their suffering. Second, it extends a recently introduced transformative refugee service experience framework by integrating and conceptualizing refugees' resource and service inclusion during a pandemic. Third, it explores lessons learned and implications from the COVID-19 pandemic for the future of service research and practice.

Design/methodology/approach

This study synthesizes approaches on refugees, resources and transformative service research to develop an extended framework for addressing one of society's pressing issues during and after pandemics.

Findings

Recognizing refugees as providing resources rather than just needing or depleting resources can enable more inclusion. It facilitates refugees' integration into society by drawing on their skills and knowledge. This requires hospitable refugee service systems that enable service inclusion and opportunities for refugee resource integration.

Research limitations/implications

This article focuses on one vulnerable group in society. However, the extended framework presented warrants broader application to other contexts, such as subsistence marketplaces.

Practical implications

Managers of service businesses and public policymakers should create more inclusive and hospitable service systems for refugees. This may result in redesigning services, changing consumer behavior and reformulating public policy.

Social implications

Better inclusion and integration of refugees and their resources should increase their individual well-being, reduce social issues in society, increase overall societal well-being and productivity.

Originality/value

This article presents a novel extended framework for service scholars and service providers to increase resource and service inclusion of refugees in a disaster context.
Use of employee assistance programs to manage stress in policing: the effects of perceived adequacy of assistance and opportunity for promotion
Authors: Ceka Erica , Ermasova Natalia
Published: December 2020

Purpose

This study investigates the relationship between police officer's willingness to use Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and their perceptions about stress and help-seeking in policing, considering the effect of gender and ethnicity in this association.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey of 431 Illinois police officers is used to measure officer's perceptions about help-seeking and organizational stressors. The conditional PROCESS modeling (Hayes, 2012) was employed to analyze the hypothesized mediation model. The ANOVA test was used to determent the effect of gender and ethnicity on organizational stressors in policing.

Findings

Findings suggest police officer's willingness to use EAP is shaped by the perceived negative effect of stress on promotion through the mediator, confidence in their departments to receive adequate assistance, with noticeable gender and ethnic differences. The analysis demonstrated that female police officers feel stressed because of unfair promotional opportunities and poor relationships with supervisors. Female police officers are less willing to apply for the EAP services to mitigate stress than male police officers. The findings reveal that ethnicity is a significant predictor of the police officers' willingness to apply for EAP services to mitigate stress.

Research limitations/implications

The current study is limited by its focus on only one police department located in the Illinois, USA. This may limit the generalizability of the results. The cross-sectional nature of data used to draw conclusions and variation in departments' characteristics and compositions could influence results.

Practical implications

The research has practical implications for those who are interested to understand organizational stressors and perceptions on help-seeking in policing. This study provides suggestions for police administrators to make effort in creating more sensitive working environment to reduce stressors for female police officers and representatives of ethnic groups.

Originality/value

The research unveils the significance of officer's confidence in their departments in modifying their willingness to use EAP, revealing the effect of organizational stressors on confidence. The study adds empirical evidence to existing research on impact of gender and ethnicity on their willingness to use EAP.
From where does my support come? Unpacking the contribution of support for police
Authors: Schantz April D. , Coxe Stefany , Bruk-Lee Valentina
Published: December 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this research is to explore the structure and impact of police officers' social support network on health and well-being. Social integration promotes opportunities for regular positive experiences and a set of stable, socially rewarded roles within one's work and life domains. Identifying the structure and impact areas of police officers' social support network provide guidance for initiatives in improving psychological health for the department and individual officers.

Design/methodology/approach

Survey of 162 police officers' sources of support provided a holistic representation of their social network across seven sources. Principle component analyses were conducted to explore the structure of one's social network. Multiple regression analyses were conducted to examine overall impact of one's social support network and relative contributions of support sources in terms of increased well-being and reduced strain.

Findings

A three-component structure of social support was partially supported. Overall models of the impact of one's social support network related to increased well-being and reduced strain was supported. Relative contributions of support sources show different patterns based on outcome of interest.

Practical implications

Provides guidance for addressing the psychological well-being needs for officers holistically. In other words, treating officers as whole beings, whose system of support and psychological health is integrated, not piecemeal.

Originality/value

Examination of principle effects of support provides a parsimonious approach to considering the holistic value of one's support system, apart from specific stressors or conditions.
State policy in low-cost housing provision in Southeast Asian developing countries: a systematic review
Authors: Ebekozien Andrew , Abdul-Aziz Abdul-Rashid , Jaafar Mastura
Published: December 2020

Purpose

Studies showed that policy influences housing provision. The review of these policies in the Southeast Asia's is possibly not yet adequate because of recent gap in housing demand-supply across the region. This review evaluates the state policy in low-cost housing (LCH) provision in Southeast Asian developing countries reported in published studies.

Design/methodology/approach

An electronic search (ScienceDirect, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar) was conducted using the following search terms: “Low-Cost Housing policy in Southeast Asia.” Reference list of identified studies was scanned to identify more studies. Studies published between 1991 and 2020 that focused either on the region or country within the region were selected. An independent reviewer extracted data from the studies using a standardised form and 27 studies were included in this review.

Findings

LCH developing countries experience, encumbrances and measures to mitigate LCH demand-supply gap in Southeast Asia were the issues addressed from the reviewed. Findings from the studies indicate that the level of lax state policy and enforcement of LCH varies across nations.

Research limitations/implications

Findings and recommendations of this paper were based on systematically reviewed literature but does not compromise the robustness regarding state policy in low-cost housing provision in Southeast Asian developing countries. Thus, exploratory sequential mixed methods approach has been recommended as part of the implications for future research.

Practical implications

As part of the practical implications, this paper highlights the mechanism behind the success of Singapore LCH policy and transferability of the model to the developing countries within and outside the region, and open up the possibility to adopt these policies.

Originality/value

This study is probably the first systematic review on low-cost housing in Southeast Asia.
Using social network analysis to measure transactive memory systems
Authors: King Kylie , Sweet Tracy
Published: December 2020

Purpose

This study aims to explore how social networks could be used in the measurement of transactive memory systems (TMS) or other team constructs and provide motivation for future analyses of TMS measurement.

Design/methodology/approach

TMSs describe the structures and processes that teams use to share information, work together and accomplish shared goals. This paper proposes the use of social network analysis in measuring TMS. This is accomplished by describing the creation and administration of a TMS network instrument and evaluating the relation of the proposed network measures, previous measures of TMS and performance.

Findings

Findings include that proposed network measures perform similarly to previously proposed, frequently used measures of TMS.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is among the first papers to propose network measures for the evaluation of TMS.
Time series metagenomic sampling of the Thermopyles, Greece, geothermal springs reveals stable microbial communities dominated by novel sulfur‐oxidizing chemoautotrophs
Authors: Meziti A. , Nikouli E. , Hatt J. K. , Konstantinidis K. T. , Kormas K. A.
Published: December 2020

Geothermal springs are essentially unaffected by environmental conditions aboveground as they are continuously supplied with subsurface water with little variability in chemistry. Therefore, changes in their microbial community composition and function, especially over a long period, are expected to be limited but this assumption has not yet been rigorously tested. Toward closing this knowledge gap, we applied whole metagenome sequencing to 17 water samples collected between 2010 and 2016 from the Thermopyles sulfur‐rich geothermal springs in central Greece. As revealed by 16S rRNA gene fragments recovered in the metagenomes,Epsilonproteobacteria‐related operational taxonomic units (OTUs) dominated most samples and grouping of samples based on OTU abundances exhibited no apparent seasonal pattern. Similarities between samples regarding functional gene content were high, with all samples sharing >70% similarity in functional pathways. These community‐wide patterns were further confirmed by analysis of metagenome‐assembled genomes (MAGs), which showed that novel species and genera of the chemoautotrophicCampylobacteralesorder dominated the springs. These MAGs carried different pathways for thiosulfate or sulfide oxidation coupled to carbon fixation pathways. Overall, our study showed that even in the long term, functions of microbial communities in a moderately hot terrestrial spring remain stable, presumably driving the corresponding stability in community structure.
Does trade in services improve African participation in global value chains?
Authors: Okah Efogo Françoise
Published: December 2020

This research documents facts and offers an empirical appraisal of the contribution of trade in services for African participation in global value chains. It adopts a comparative approach among flows, service categories and positions in a global value chain, using data for a panel of 36 sub‐Saharan African countries from 2000 to 2017. The empirical analysis, using generalized method of moments in system, leads to three main results on the trade in services and global value chain nexus in Africa. First, the relationship is linear and positive. Secondly, exportations of services have a lower effect than importations of services, whatever the position in a global value chain. Thirdly, some services have a positive outcome on both backward and forward participation in global value chains, while others have a one‐sided effect. Those results give African countries tools to set a comprehensive and rationalized strategy to deepen and upgrade their participation in global value chains using trade in services.
Motives behind community participation: Evidence from natural and artefactual field experiments in Sri Lanka
Authors: Shoji Masahiro , Aoyagi Keitaro , Kasahara Ryuji , Sawada Yasuyuki
Published: December 2020

We tested four alternative hypotheses concerning the motivations behind the participation by rural households in community work: public goods investment, production network formation, risk‐sharing network formation, and pure altruism. We used a unique dataset from an irrigation project in Sri Lanka under a natural experimental situation where a significant portion of irrigated land was allocated through a lottery mechanism. In addition, we elicited the level of altruism using the dictator game. By combining these data, we showed that community participation patterns fit the motive to form risk‐sharing networks better than the other major motives. Only a few studies have empirically investigated the process of risk‐sharing network formation, and our analysis fills the gap in the literature.
Prophylactic antibiotics for preventing genital tract infection in women undergoing surgical procedures for incomplete abortion: a systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomised controlled trials
Authors: Islam N , Furuya‐Kanamori L , Mahmood S , Thalib L
Published: December 2020

Background

Findings about the effect of prophylactic antibiotics in preventing genital tract infection (GTI) associated with surgical procedures used for incomplete abortions are conflicting. Some reported a decrease in infection associated with the use of antibiotic prophylaxis, whereas others found no significant reduction in GTI.

Objective

To synthesise systematically the evidence on the effect of prophylactic antibiotics compared with placebo in women undergoing surgical procedures for incomplete abortion.

Search strategy

In February 2020, PubMed, Embase and Cochrane Central for Register of Controlled Trials were searched for relevant published randomised controlled trials.

Selection criteria

Randomised controlled trials reporting GTI following surgical procedures for incomplete abortion and comparing antibiotic prophylaxis with placebo.

Data collection and analysis

Meta‐analysis using inverse variance heterogeneity model included subgroup and sensitivity analyses determined a priori were conducted. The quality of evidence was assessed using Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE).

Main results

A total of 16 178 women who participated in 24 eligible randomised controlled trials published between 1975 and 2019 were included. Pooled estimates showed the risk of GTI following surgical procedures after incomplete abortion was significantly lower among those who had prophylactic antibiotics (relative risk [RR] = 0.72; 95% CI 0.58–0.90; I2 = 49%). There was no significant effect of antibiotics in women in low‐ and middle‐income countries (three studies, 3579 participants, RR = 0.90; 95% CI 0.50–1.62; I2 = 63%), but it was clinically and statistically significant among women high‐income countries (21 studies, 12 599 participants, RR = 0.67; 95% CI 0.53–0.84; I2 = 44%), with a strong level of evidence as assessed by GRADE.

Conclusion

This study provides evidence that antibiotic prophylaxis is beneficial in reducing post‐abortion GTI among women undergoing surgical procedures for incomplete abortion. More studies are needed from low‐ and middle‐income countries.

Tweetable abstract

Prophylactic antibiotics after incomplete abortion are effective in reducing GTI. More studies are needed from low‐ and middle‐income countries.
The protective effect of Protaetia brevitarsis seulensis against CCl4‐induced hepatotoxicity in rats
Authors: Lee Kwang Yeon , Bae In Young
Published: December 2020

The present study was performed to investigate the protective effect of Protaetia brevitarsis seulensis (Kolbe) against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)‐induced liver damage and coagulation disturbances in rats, in comparison to silymarin. Rats were orally pre‐treated with P. brevitarsis larvae and silymarin at a dose of 300 mg/kg once daily for 5 days, and then a single dose of CCl4 (4 mL/kg i.p.). P. brevitarsis larvae showed significant hepatoprotection by reducing the liver enzymes (AST, ALT and ALP) activity levels that had been raised by CCl4 administration. In addition, P. brevitarsis larvae significantly restored prothrombin time (PT) and activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) values to nearly silymarin level, which were abnormalized after CCl4 administration. The histopathological results of liver tissues treated with P. brevitarsis larvae supported the serum biochemical results, indicating improved liver functions. The current study showed that P. brevitarsis larvae have potential against CCl4‐induced liver damage and coagulation disorders.
Identification ofCollimonasgene loci involved in the biosynthesis of a diffusible secondary metabolite with broad‐spectrum antifungal activity and plant‐protective properties
Authors: Akum Fidele N. , Kumar Ravi , Lai Gary , Williams Catherine H. , Doan Hung K. , Leveau Johan H.J.
Published: December 2020

In greenhouse and field trials, a bacterial mixture ofCollimonas arenaeCal35 andBacillus velezensisFZB42, but not Cal35 alone or FZB42 alone, was able to protect tomato plants from challenge with the soilborne fungal pathogenFusarium oxysporumf.sp.lycopersici(Fol). To identify genes and mechanisms underlying this property in Cal35, we screened a random transposon insertion library for loss of function and identified two mutants that were impaired completely or partially in their ability to halt the growth of a wide range of fungal species. In mutant 46A06, the transposon insertion was located in a biosynthetic gene cluster that was predicted to code for a hybrid polyketide synthase–non‐ribosomal peptide synthetase, while mutant 60C09 was impacted in a gene cluster for the synthesis and secretion of sugar repeat units. Our data are consistent with a model in which both gene clusters are necessary for the production of an antifungal compound we refer to as carenaemins. We also show that the ability to produce carenaemin contributed significantly to the observed synergy between Cal35 and FZB42 in protecting tomato plants fromFol. We discuss the potential for supplementingBacillus‐based biocontrol products withCollimonasbacteria to boost efficacy of such products.
Lung adenocarcinoma initially presenting as Trousseau's syndrome treated successfully with pembrolizumab: A case report
Authors: Nakano Yuta , Koide Naohiko , Koyama Yoshinori , Nitta Kazuhito , Koizumi Tomonobu
Published: December 2020

A 60‐year‐old woman was urgently admitted to our hospital because of vertigo and left hemiplegia. Laboratory examination showed thrombocytopenia, high levels of D‐dimer and carcinoembryonic antigen. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed multiple bilateral cerebral infarctions. Chest computed tomography (CT) showed an irregularly shaped tumor in the upper lobe of the left lung and mediastinal node swelling. The histopathological findings revealed adenocarcinoma negative for anaplastic lymphoma kinase fusion gene, sensitive epidermal growth factor receptor mutations. A diagnosis of lung adenocarcinoma initially presenting as arterial thromboembolism was made, and she was treated with direct oral anticoagulant (DOAC). Subsequently, pembrolizumab therapy was initiated because tumor cells were positive for programmed cell death protein 1 (PD‐L1;60%), and resulted in reduction of the tumor with normalization of the platelet count and d‐dimer. The treatment has been continued for over one year without any recurrence of the disease or thromboembolism.
Executive and Social Functioning Across Development in Children and Adolescents With Prenatal Alcohol Exposure
Authors: Rockhold Madeline N. , Krueger Alyssa M. , de Water Erik , Lindgren Christopher W. , Sandness Kristin E. , Eckerle Judith K. , Schumacher Mariah J. , Fink Birgit A. , Boys Christopher J. , Carlson Stephanie M. , Fuglestad Anita J. , Mattson Sarah N. , Jones Kenneth L. , Riley Edward P. , Wozniak Jeffrey R.
Published: December 2020

Background

Prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) is linked to a variety of neurodevelopmental challenges, including social functioning (SF) and executive functioning (EF) deficits. These deficits present differently across developmental stages from preschool age to adolescence.

Methods

The post hoc analyses described here were conducted on data from 83 preschool‐age children with PAE (early childhood group; ages 2.5 to 5.0) and 95 adolescents (49 with PAE, 46 controls; ages 8 to 16). Each child completed EF tasks as part of several prior studies. Parents completed social and communication inventories about their child’s abilities. Thirty‐three participants from the early childhood group returned for a 4‐year follow‐up and completed both SF and EF measures.

Results

Both the early childhood and adolescent groups with PAE showed deficits in SF and EF. There was a relationship between SF and EF within the adolescent PAE group that was not present in the adolescent control group or the early childhood PAE group. However, at the 4‐year follow‐up (Mage = 8.45), participants originally in the early childhood PAE group also demonstrated this relationship.

Conclusions

These findings support previous research on EF/SF deficits in adolescents with PAE while also addressing a gap in the literature concerning early childhood research on this topic. Additionally, these findings suggest that the relationship between EF and SF deficits may strengthen throughout development. This line of research highlights potential sensitive periods for SF and EF training in children with PAE and suggests that fetal alcohol spectrum disorders programs consider targeting EF training as a component of social skill interventions.
Wood ants prefer conifers to broadleaved trees in mixed temperate forests
Authors: Sondej Izabela , Domisch Timo , Finér Leena , Czechowski Wojciech
Published: December 2020

Wood ants, species of the subgenusFormicas. str., are one of the most important groups of insects in forest ecosystems due to their high abundance and activity.

We assessed the foraging pressure ofFormica polyctenaandFormica rufa, two dominant wood ant species in the Białowieża Forest. In addition, we compared coniferous and mixed stands in these respects.

In mixed standsF. polyctenavisited more trees per plot thanF. rufa.F. polyctenamight forage a larger area due to higher population sizes, which further confirms higher foraging pressure ofF. polyctenain comparison withF. rufa.

In our study area, host trees of the ant–aphid mutualism were larger in diameter than nonhost trees. The ants also preferred trees situated closer to their nests. In both mixed and coniferous stands, the most visited tree species was Norway spruce. Thus, we can conclude that Norway spruce seems to be preferred by the ant. The decline of living spruce in the Białowieża Forest may endanger their food source and impact the vitality of ant colonies.
Implementation of a guideline of early administration of tranexamic acid for severe primary postpartum haemorrhage: a retrospective comparative study
Authors: Watkins Leah , Kearney Lauren , Kynn Mary , Hodgman Caitlin , Nugent Rachael
Published: December 2020

Background

Since the WOMAN trial, intravenous tranexamic acid (TXA) has been increasingly used in severe postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) but research evaluating use in high‐income settings is limited.

Aims

To assess whether implementation of a new guideline involving early administration of 1 g intravenous TXA in active PPH with blood loss ≥ 1000 mL, was associated with a change in maternal morbidity.

Materials and Methods

Retrospective study of all singleton, term, vaginal births from November 2016 to June 2019 with a PPH of ≥1000 mL, before and after hospital adoption of a guideline recommending early (within three hours of birth) administration of TXA for women with active PPH ≥ 1000 mL. Univariate analysis assessed the impact of this guideline implementation on a primary outcome of maternal morbidity, defined as one or more of haemoglobin < 90 g/L, administration of blood products, hysterectomy or intensive care admission. Secondary outcomes were adverse events related to administration of TXA, use of an intrauterine balloon or postpartum iron infusion.

Results

There was no difference in morbidity (odds ratio (OR) 0.86, 95% CI 0.57–1.29, P = 0.46) or postpartum iron infusion (OR 1.44, 95% CI 0.92–2.27, P = 0.11), but there was a reduction in the use of intrauterine balloon tamponade after the implementation of the TXA guideline (OR 0.33, 95% CI 0.16–0.67, P < 0.01).

Conclusions

This retrospective analysis showed a reduced use of intrauterine balloon but failed to show a benefit in maternal morbidity with early administration of TXA for severe postpartum haemorrhage in a high‐income setting.
Pattani or Patani: Memory, forgetting, history, and the conflict in Southern Thailand
Authors: Ockey James
Published: December 2020

The conflict in Southern Thailand has claimed over 7000 lives in the last 15 years, with no end it sight. The Thai state has consistently misinterpreted both the causes and the solutions to the problems. This article seeks to identify one cause for the conflict, through examining identity in the south through the lenses of collective memory and forgetting. By focusing on young activists at university, it demonstrates the ways that collective memory is generated through shared pilgrimages to sacred places, and shared activities in the pursuit of peace. It also explores the ways that shared memory is both created through debate, through sharing and even through hate speech on the internet, and discusses the ways that social media debates deepen collective memory in oppositional and dangerous ways. Finally, the article argues that until a place is found for local collective memories of Patani in the Thai national collective memory, long‐term peace will be impossible.
Predicting tropical tree mortality with leaf spectroscopy
Authors: Doughty Christopher E. , Cheesman Alexander W. , Riutta Terhi , Thomson Eleanor R. , Shenkin Alexander , Nottingham Andrew T. , Telford Elizabeth M. , Huaraca Huasco Walter , Majalap Noreen , Arn Teh Yit , Meir Patrick , Malhi Yadvinder
Published: December 2020

Do tropical trees close to death have a distinct change to their leaf spectral signature? Tree mortality rates have been increasing in tropical forests, reducing the global carbon sink. Upcoming hyperspectral satellites could be used to predict regions close to experiencing extensive tree mortality during periods of stress, such as drought. Here we show, for a tropical rainforest in Borneo, how imminent tropical tree mortality impacts leaf physiological traits and reflectance. We measured leaf reflectance (400–2500 nm), light‐saturated photosynthesis (Asat), leaf dark respiration (Rdark), leaf mass area (LMA), and % leaf water across five campaigns in a six‐month period during which there were two causes of tree mortality: a major natural drought and a co‐incident tree stem girdling treatment. We find that prior to mortality, there were significant (p < 0.05) leaf spectral changes in the red (650–700 nm), the NIR (1,000–1,400 nm), and SWIR bands (2,000–2,400 nm) and significant reductions in the potential carbon balance of the leaves (increased Rdark and reduced Asat). We show that the partial least squares regression technique can predict mortality in tropical trees across different species and functional groups with medium precision but low accuracy (r2 of .65 and RMSE/mean of 0.58). However, most tree death in our study was due to girdling, which is not a natural form of death. More research is needed to determine if this spectroscopy technique can be applied to tropical forests in general.
National differences in cost analysis of Afirma Genomic sequencing classifier
Authors: Ronen Ohad , Oichman Maya
Published: December 2020

Context

Thyroid nodules of indeterminate cytology can be subjected to molecular testing such as the Afirma Genomic Sequencing Classifier (GSC), thereby minimizing the number of unnecessary diagnostic surgeries.

Objective

This work aimed to evaluate and compare the cost of routine GSC testing of indeterminate thyroid nodules in different countries.

Design, Patients and Main Outcome Measures

The cost of diagnostic hemithyroidectomy of indeterminate thyroid nodules was calculated by performing a Monte Carlo simulation cost analysis on a Markov decision‐analytic model and then compared to that of GSC testing in the UK, Australia, USA, and Israel.

Results

Assuming that patients are treated by surgical resection and routine GSC testing is performed for all nodules of indeterminate significance, we found the GSC test to be more cost effective compared with diagnostic hemithyroidectomy when malignancy rates of thyroid nodules are less than 22.6%‐37.1%, depending on the country where the test is performed. Given the cost of a thyroidectomy in the UK, Australia and Israel, performing routine GSC tests on all Bethesda IV nodules is more expensive than routine diagnostic hemithyroidectomy and becomes cost effective for Bethesda III when the GSC cost is below 3,031‐3,087 USD. In comparison, in the USA, higher cost of thyroidectomy makes the GSC test cost effective for Bethesda III nodules at its current cost, but not for Bethesda IV nodules where it becomes cost effective under the price of 3,031 USD.

Conclusions

Different molecular testing and surgical costs in different countries should be considered when performing cost analysis. In addition, since different medical centres have different malignancy rates, personalized in‐house assessment of cost‐effectiveness is warranted.