bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
COT-7 Online supports for opening of the tumor treating field
Authors: Sadahiro Hirokazu , Sugimoto Kazutaka , Nomura Sadahiro , Ishihara Hideyuki
Published: December 2021

Background: EF-14 trial showed the efficacy of tumor treating fields (TTF), and TTF was approved as a standard therapy for glioblastoma in Japan. In TTF opening, Device Support Specialist (DSS) explains how to use it for the patient and the family. Because there is no DSS in Yamaguchi prefecture, DSS has to come to our hospital across other prefectures. On the other hand, COVID-19 is still spreading and it is sometimes tough to move from a big city to countryside. Here, we would present the experiences of TTF opening with online DSS support. Method: From June 2020, Zoom was used for 4 patients, and from June 2021, iPad/Face-Time was used for one patient. TTF was introduced via online DSS support with direct support from our nurse in our out clinic. After that, initial times of TTF change were performed via online DSS support in patient’s home. Two patients who used Zoom had trouble to connect to internet, however finally completed with relative helps.Conclusion: Online medicine should be absolutely spreading in country sides. Now, we change from Zoom to iPad, because the old patients in country sides were hard to use internet utility. We should make efforts to provide patients more brief methods of online support.
COT-12 Clinical feature of end-stage glioblastomas
Authors: Saito Norihiko , Hirai Nozomi , Kushida Naoki , Sato Sho , Hiramoto Yu , Fujita Satoshi , Nakayama Haruo , Hayashi Morito , Ito Keisuke , Iwabuchi Satoshi
Published: December 2021

Glioblastoma is the most common and most aggressive primary brain tumor. Even with optimal treatment, tumors repeatedly recur and grow, eventually invading the entire brain. Few studies have evaluated the pathogenesis and pathophysiology of terminal glioblastoma. In this study, we describe the pathological characteristics of 26 glioblastoma cases (including 18 autopsy cases) that were analyzed from initial treatment to confirmation of death at our hospital. The mean age of the 26 patients was 60.7 years, and mean overall survival was 16.7 months. The interval of clinical symptoms from coma to death was 36.2 days, and the interval from onset of respiratory depression to death was 12 days. Steroids and antiepileptic drugs were often continued after completion of active treatment. Psychiatric symptoms and central fever were observed in patients with intrathecal dissemination, and disease progression was rapid in these patients. These patients presented with a variety of symptoms, including psychiatric symptoms, headache, neck pain, and central fever. In addition, a case of diffuse infiltration from the brain parenchyma to the periventricular area in a patient treated with bevacizumab suggested a possible change in the form of recurrence. In the terminal stage of glioblastoma, hypoxemia due to disturbance of the respiratory center results in progression from impaired consciousness to death. Because convulsive seizures are rare when patients are close to death, continuation of antiepileptic drugs may not be necessary. Although many patients develop local recurrences, new treatments may change the mode of recurrence or alter tumor cell characteristics. The number of patients receiving home care and end-of-life care has recently been increasing because of medical improvements, such as home care. Further study of the pathophysiology of glioblastoma may yield better end-of-life care.
COT-16 Development of automatic lesion extraction application using artificial intelligence for the purpose of simplifying tumor volume measurement of meningioma
Authors: Hirayama Ryuichi , Iwata Takamitsu , Yamada Shuhei , Kuroda Hideki , Nakagawa Tomoyoshi , Kijima Noriyuki , Okita Yoshiko , Kagawa Naoki , Kishima Haruhiko
Published: December 2021

BACKGROUND: With the widespread use of MRI equipment and brain scans, opportunities to perform follow-up examinations for meningiomas have increased. On the other hand, an objective evaluation index for meningiomas characterized by slow changes on imaging has not been established. To establish a volume-based evaluation index for meningoceles, we are developing an application for automatic lesion extraction using artificial intelligence as a highly reproducible tumor volume measurement technique that enables large volume image data processing. METHODS: In this study, 195 patients with meningioma who underwent contrast-enhanced MRI imaging at Osaka University Hospital were included. The images were manually extracted by three neurosurgeons and used as supervised data. deeplabV3 was used as the learning network. All the supervised data were randomly divided into training (80%) and testing (20%) data, and the application was constructed by deep learning and validation with 5-fold cross-validation. The matching rate of the area of the region automatically extracted by the device against the test data and the mean square error rate of the calculated tumor volume were used as indices of the product measurement performance. RESULTS: The matching rate using the automatic extraction application for the correct data(Dice index) was 91.5% on average. The mean squared error rate of the tumor volume calculated from these extracted regions was 8.84%. CONCLUSION: We consider that this application using artificial intelligence has a certain degree of validity in terms of the accuracy of extracted lesions. In the future, it is necessary not only to improve the performance of the equipment but also to clarify the clinical significance of the new imaging biomarkers based on tumor volume that can be obtained from these lesion extraction techniques.
COT-28 Questionnaire Survey Regarding Working Condition of the Members Belongs to the Japan Society for Neuro-Oncology (JSNO) by the Gender Equality and Diversity Committee of the JSNO, 2021
Authors: Fujiamaki Takamitsu , Tamura Kaoru , Abe Tatsuya , Nakada Mitsutoshi , Higuchi Akiko , Watanabe Yuko , Nagane Motoo
Published: December 2021

Gender Equality and Diversity Committee (“Women and Diversity in Neuro-oncology - WING”) of the Japan Society for Neuro-oncology (JSNO) was established in November 2020 with the aim of supporting and providing better opportunities for diverse members including women in JSNO. In order to achieve this goal, the JSNO and WING planned to conduct a questionnaire survey of all members in the fall of 2021 to investigate the actual situation of members. The targets of this study were clinicians, basic researchers, nurses and allied health professionals including medical social workers. The survey is conducted after obtaining the approval of the Ethics Committee and Academic Committee of the JSNO. Method: As of September 26, this questionnaire is currently underway online and anonymously. The questionnaire includes questions on work environment, home environment (including childcare and nursing care) for understanding work-life balance, existence of problems related to career development, support measures considered necessary, and expectations for WING. Results: As the results of the questionnaire were not available at the time of writing this abstract. However at the presentation we will present the statistical analysis of the survey. Various comparisons of the questionnaire items common to those of the Japan Neurosurgical Society and the Japan Pediatric Society, which were conducted several years before this survey. Conclusion: Respect for diversity is increasingly important in the field of neuro-oncology. Surveys are important for the future success of our diverse community, and we believe that this survey will be an important milestone.
COT-29 The Japan Brain Tumor Alliance: Achievements in 2020–2021: highlights for neuro-oncologists and healthcare professionals
Authors: Nomura Keiko , Gatellier Laureline , Yamaguchi Shuji , Kato Shigeo , Tagawa Hisato
Published: December 2021

Brain tumors are a major shock at diagnosis for patients and their families, and the journey is hectic, impacted in various and complex ways, including acute and chronic episodes. The Japan Brain Tumor Alliance is a non-profit organisation, established in 2006 to support patients and their families. As our key activity, JBTA offers nation-wide patient support through patient-gathering meetings with and without health care professionals to openly share needs, issues and concerns, partly summarized and shared in the scientific field (Gatellier, 2021, OT Journal, vol 55 no.3, 257–259; Gatellier, 2021, MASCC Annual Meeting). JBTA actively collaborates with the International Brain Tumor Alliance, with recent outcome of an international survey featuring the brain-tumor patient and caregiver experience during COVID-19 pandemic (Voisin et al., 2020, Neuro-oncology advances, 2(1), vdaa104). As part of collaboration with healthcare professionals in 2020–21, JBTA achievements include the review of clinical guidelines (as part of Patient and Public Involvement activity), information-sharing events with the Japan Clinical Oncology Group and the seminar with a group including occupational therapists. In addition, to highlight patients’ needs and priorities to the neuro-oncology community, since March 2020, JBTA shares the Japanese translation of the monthly IBTA e-newsletter broadcasting the latest and most relevant scientific, community information and brain tumor-related events around the world to healthcare professionals and brain tumor patients and families in Japan. These enlightening events place JBTA in an ideal position to lead research in the direction most meaningful to brain tumor patients.
COT-30 Effect of tumor resection in 11C methionine accumulation area on survival in patients with glioblastoma
Authors: Ohmura Kazufumi , Ohwashi Etsuko , Ikegame Yuka , Takei Hiroaki , Miwa Kazuhiro , Yano Hirohito , Yokoyama Kazutoshi , Kumagai Morio , Shinoda Jun , Daimon Takashi , Nakayama Noriyuki , Iwama Toru
Published: December 2021

Aim: The amount of tumor excised in an area enhanced by contrast medium on magnetic resonance imaging strongly affects the survival time of patients with glioblastoma. We investigated the effect of the amount of tumor removal in the 11C methionine (MET) accumulation site on overall survival(OS). Methods: Twenty-six patients (15 male; mean age, 68.9 years) with a diagnosis of glioblastoma who underwent tumor resection at Kizawa Memorial Hospital between June 1, 2015 and August 30, 2021 underwent MET-positron emission tomography (MET-PET) before and after the operation. In a comparison of MET-PET before and after tumor resection, the tumor-to-normal (T/N) ratio reduction (ΔT/N), MET accumulation area reduction (MET-extent of resection [EOR]), and the residual MET accumulation volume (MET-residual tumor volume [RTV]) were calculated. The relationship between these MET-related parameters associated with tumor resection and OS was investigated via univariable analysis. Results: Univariate analysis revealed that ΔT/N was significantly associated with OS (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.98; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.97–0.99; p=0.02). MET-RTV was also significantly associated with OS (HR: 1.01; 95% CI: 0.98–1.02; p=0.73) Conversely, MET-EOR (HR: 0.99; 95% CI: 0.97–1.01; p=0.06) was not significantly associated with OS. Conclusions: Aggressive surgical resection of the MET accumulation site significantly prolongs survival in patients with glioblastoma.
Nitrogen sources (NO3− vs N2 fixation) inferred from bulk δ15N values of zooplankton from the deep water region of the Gulf of Mexico
Authors: Hernández-Sánchez Oscar Gabriel , Camacho-Ibar Víctor Froylan , Fernández Álamo María Ana , Herzka Sharon Z
Published: December 2021

Dinitrogen (N2) fixation is an important source of new N in oceanic oligotrophic waters, but its contribution has not been quantified in the central and southern Gulf of Mexico (GM), where mesoscale anticyclonic (ACE) and cyclonic eddies (CE) influence NO3− availability for phytoplankton. We investigated the temporal and spatial variation in zooplankton δ15N values as a proxy for baseline nitrogen sources and estimated the contribution of N2 fixation and subsurface nitrate to secondary production. Copepods, euphausiids and two size classes of zooplankton were collected from 0 to 200 m during five cruises. Zooplankton δ15N values were higher during winter due to wind-driven deepening of the mixed layer, reflecting NO3− transport toward the surface. There was a higher estimated contribution of N2 fixation during the highly stratified summer months. Zooplankton δ15N values from ACEs were significantly lower than in CE, associated with a deepening of the 25.5 isopycnal and lower depth-integrated [NO3−]. N2 fixation contributed 60–80% of the N in ACEs. Some stations within the Bay of Campeche showed higher δ15N values due to NO3− transport to the euphotic layer due to a semipermanent CE, regional upwelling and river discharge. Our results highlight the importance of fixed nitrogen over an extensive region of theGM.
Refurbishing Democracy: More Direct, More Deliberative, and Younger
Authors: Pearse Harry
Published: December 2021

What would it mean to (better) integrate children into democratic life? This essay attempts to dispel some potential reservations and explore the grounds for including children in deliberative and/or electoral processes. Across the world, public satisfaction with democracy is at historic lows, with young people particularly dissatisfied, both in absolute terms and relative to older cohorts at the same age. The situation is not terminal; the overall number of democracies has declined slightly over the past two decades, but the world’s most established democracies have stayed largely intact and are relatively stable. That said, to be successful in the long term, a political system must be seen to be working, and if people’s dissatisfaction with democracy is allowed to fester, their belief and trust in it will drain away. To ensure this does not happen, (representative) democracy—which, in institutional terms, has remained largely unchanged for the past 50–100 years—will need to renew itself. This could take various forms. But one option—and the focus of this essay—is to bring young people or children into the democratic arena, and deliberative democratic processes, in particular.
Fear of Reinjury Following Surgical and Nonsurgical Management of Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury: An Exploratory Analysis of the NACOX Multicenter Longitudinal Cohort Study
Authors: Filbay Stephanie , Kvist Joanna
Published: December 2021

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to compare fear and certainty of reinjury between follow-up time points and treatment groups (no anterior cruciate ligament [ACL] reconstruction [no ACLR], pre-ACLR, post-ACLR) and to identify prognostic factors for fear of reinjury at 3 and 12 months following injury or ACLR.

Methods

An exploratory analysis of the Natural Corollaries and Recovery After ACL-injury multicenter longitudinal cohort study was conducted. Patients (n = 275) with primary ACL injury and 15 to 40 years of age received usual care (initial physical therapist–supervised rehabilitation, before considering ACLR). Fear of reinjury (as measured with the Anterior Cruciate Ligament Quality of Life instrument [ACL-QOL] item 31 and the Anterior Cruciate Ligament Return to Sport After Injury instrument [ACL-RSI] item 9) and certainty of reinjury (as measured with the Knee Self-Efficacy Scale item D2) were evaluated at baseline and at 3, 6, and 12 months following ACL injury or ACLR. Comparisons were performed with linear mixed models. Linear regression assessed potential prognostic factors (age, sex, preinjury activity, baseline knee function, baseline general self-efficacy, and expected recovery time) for fear of reinjury (ACL-QOL item 31) at the 3- and 12-month follow-up assessments.

Results

Fear of reinjury was common regardless of ACL treatment. Fear of reinjury decreased between 3 and 6 months and 3 and 12 months (mean difference: ACL-QOL = 9 [95% CI = 2 to 15]; ACL-RSI = 21 [95% CI = 13 to 28]) after injury. This improvement was not observed in patients who later underwent ACLR, who reported worse fear of reinjury at 3 months (ACL-QOL = 10 [95% CI = 3 to 18]) and at 12 months (ACL-RSI = 22 [95% CI = 2 to 42]) postinjury compared with those who did not proceed to ACLR. Following ACLR, fear of reinjury decreased between the 3- and 12-month follow-up assessments (ACL-QOL = 10 [95% CI = 4 to 16]; ACL-RSI = 12 [95% CI = 5 to 19]). Greater baseline general self-efficacy was associated with reduced fear of reinjury at 12 months after injury (adjusted coefficient = 1.7 [95% CI = 0.0 to 3.5]). Female sex was related to more fear of reinjury 3 months after ACLR (−14.5 [95% CI = −25.9 to −3.1]), and better baseline knee function was related to reduced fear of reinjury 12 months after ACLR (0.3 [95% CI = 0.0 to 0.7]).

Conclusion

People who had ACLR reported worse fear of reinjury before surgery than those who did not proceed to ACLR. Different prognostic factors for fear of reinjury were identified in people treated with ACLR and those treated with rehabilitation alone.

Impact

Fear of reinjury is a concern following ACL injury. Clinicians should evaluate and address reinjury fears. These results may assist in identifying individuals at risk of fear of reinjury following surgical and nonsurgical management of ACL injury.
Primer of COVID-19 Vaccines for the Perioperative Physician
Authors: Lynch Lisa R. , Clifford Hugo , Ko Riva , Hache Manon , Sun Wellington
Published: December 2021

Dr. Emanuel Papper, the founding chairman of the Department of Anesthesiology at Columbia University, was passionate about research, training, and innovation. At an event held in his honor on March 20, 2021, experts came together to discuss the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and its myriad challenges. Dr. Wellington Sun, MD, of Vaxcellerant LLC, an expert in infectious disease and vaccine research and development, presented a “Primer of COVID-19 vaccines for the perioperative physician.” Operation Warp Speed was successful in producing multiple efficacious and safe vaccines for use in the United States and around the globe. Their development and authorization for emergency use occurred in an unprecedented timespan of <1 year. Technology such as V-SAFE has helped to accrue extensive postdevelopment safety data that will be utilized for licensure of these vaccines. The COVID-19 vaccine success is tempered by the knowledge that severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 continues its natural selection of variants that threaten the efficacy of vaccines. Important questions remain regarding the future of the COVID-19 pandemic, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 variants, successful vaccination strategies, and preparedness for future pandemics.
COVID-19: A Catalyst for Transforming Randomized Trials
Authors: Lee Jennifer J. , Price Jerri C. , Jackson William M. , Whittington Robert A. , Ioannidis John P.A.
Published: December 2021

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic incited a global clinical trial research agenda of unprecedented speed and high volume. This expedited research activity in a time of crisis produced both successes and failures that offer valuable learning opportunities for the scientific community to consider. Successes include the implementation of large adaptive and pragmatic trials as well as burgeoning efforts toward rapid data synthesis and open science principles. Conversely, notable failures include: (1) inadequate study design and execution; (2) data reversal, fraud, and retraction; and (3) research duplication and waste. Other challenges that became highlighted were the need to find unbiased designs for investigating complex, nonpharmaceutical interventions and the use of routinely collected data for outcomes assessment. This article discusses these issues juxtaposing the COVID-19 trials experience against trials in anesthesiology and other fields. These lessons may serve as a positive catalyst for transforming future clinical trial research.
The COVID-19 Healthcare Personnel Study (CHPS): Overview, Methods, and Preliminary Findings
Authors: DiMaggio Charles , Abramson David , Susser Ezra S. , Hoven Christina W. , Chen Qixuan , Andrews Howard F. , Herman Daniel , Kreniske Jonah , Ryan Megan , Susser Ida , Thorpe Lorna E. , Li Guohua
Published: December 2021

Introduction:

The COVID-19 Healthcare Personnel Study (CHPS) was designed to assess adverse short-term and long-term physical and mental health impacts of the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on New York’s physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants.

Methods:

Online population-based survey. Survey-weighted descriptive results, frequencies, proportions, and means, with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). Odds ratios (ORs) for association.

Results:

Over half (51.5%; 95% CI: 49.1, 54.0) of respondents worked directly with COVID-19 patients; 27.3% (95% CI: 22.5, 32.2) tested positive. The majority (57.6%; 95% CI: 55.2, 60.0) reported a negative impact on their mental health. Negative mental health was associated with COVID-19 symptoms (OR=1.7, 95% CI: 1.3, 2.1) and redeployment to unfamiliar functions (OR=1.3, 95% CI: 1.1, 1.6).

Conclusions:

A majority of New York health care providers treated COVID-19 patients and reported a negative impact on their mental health.
Using Facial Recognition Tools for Health Assessment
Authors: Boczar Daniel , Avila Francisco R. , Carter Rickey E. , Moore Pamela A. , Giardi Davide , Guliyeva Gunel , Bruce Charles J. , McLeod Christopher J. , Forte Antonio Jorge
Published: December 2021

The number of applications for facial recognition technology is increasing due to the improvement in image quality, artificial intelligence, and computer processing power that has occurred during the last decades. Algorithms can be used to convert facial anthropometric landmarks into a computer representation, which can be used to help identify nonverbal information about an individual's health status. This article discusses the potential ways a facial recognition tool can perform a health assessment. Because facial attributes may be considered biometric data, clinicians should be informed about the clinical, ethical, and legal issues associated with its use.
Environmental nucleic acids: a field-based comparison for monitoring freshwater habitats using eDNA and eRNA
Authors: Littlefair Joanne E. , Rennie Michael D. , Cristescu Melania E.
Published: December 2021

Nucleic acids released by organisms and isolated from environmental substrates are increasingly being used for molecular biomonitoring. While environmental DNA (eDNA) has received attention recently, the potential of environmental RNA as a biomonitoring tool remains less explored. Several recent studies using paired DNA and RNA metabarcoding of bulk samples suggest that RNA might better reflect “metabolically active” parts of the community. However, such studies mainly capture organismal eDNA and eRNA. For larger eukaryotes, isolation of extra-organismal RNA will be important, but viability needs to be examined in a field-based setting. In this study we evaluate (a) whether extra-organismal eRNA release from macroeukaryotes can be detected given its supposedly rapid degradation, and (b) if the same field collection methods for eDNA can be applied to eRNA. We collected eDNA and eRNA from water in lakes where fish community composition is well documented, enabling a comparison between the two nucleic acids in two different seasons with monitoring using conventional methods. We found that eRNA is released from macroeukaryotes and can be filtered from water and metabarcoded in a similar manner as eDNA to reliably provide species composition information. eRNA had a small but significantly greater true positive rate than eDNA, indicating that it correctly detects more species known to exist in the lakes. Given relatively small differences between the two molecules in describing fish community composition, we conclude that if eRNA provides significant advantages in terms of lability, it is a strong candidate to add to the suite of molecular monitoring tools.
Cell free extrachromosomal circular DNA is common in human urine
Authors: Lv Wei , Pan Xiaoguang , Han Peng , Wang Ziyu , Yuan Hao , Feng Weijia , Wang Qingqing , Qu Kunli , Xu Zhe , Li Yi , Zheng Tianyu , Lin Ling , Liu Chengxun , Liu Xuemei , Li Hanbo , Amund Henriksen Rasmus Henrik , Bolund Lars , Lin Lin , Jin Xin , Yang Huanming , Zhang Xiuqing , Regenberg Birgitte , Luo Yonglun
Published: December 2021

Cell free extrachromosomal circular DNA (eccDNA) is evolving as a potential biomarker in liquid biopsies for disease diagnosis. In this study, an optimized next generation sequencing-based Circle-Seq method was developed to investigate urinary cell free eccDNA (ucf-eccDNA) from 28 adult healthy volunteers (mean age = 28, 19 males/ 9 females). The genomic distributions and sequence compositions of ucf-eccDNAs were comprehensively characterized. Approximately 1.2 million unique ucf-eccDNAs are identified, covering 14.9% of the human genome. Comprehensive characterization of ucf-eccDNAs show that ucf-eccDNAs contain higher GC content than flanking genomic regions. Most eccDNAs are less than 1000 bp and present four pronounced peaks at 203, 361, 550 and 728 bp, indicating the association between eccDNAs and the numbers of intact nucleosomes. Analysis of genomic distribution of ucf-eccDNAs show that eccDNAs are found in all chromosomes but enriched in chromosomes i.e. chr.17, 19 and 20 with high density of protein-codding genes, CpG islands, SINE and simple repeat elements. Lastly, analysis of sequence motif signatures at eccDNA junction sites reveal that direct repeats (DRs) are commonly found, indicating a potential role of DRs in eccDNA biogenesis. This work underscores the deep sequencing analysis of ucf-eccDNAs and provides a valuable reference resource for exploring potential applications of ucf-eccDNA as diagnostic biomarkers of urogenital disorders in the future.

Significance Statement

Extrachromosomal circular DNA (eccDNA) is an important genetic element and a biomarker for disease diagnosis and treatment. In this study, we conduct a comprehensive characterization of urinary cell free eccDNA (ucf-eccDNA) in 28 heathy subjects. Over one million ucf-eccDNAs are identified. Ucf-eccDNAs are characterized as high GC content. The size of most ucf-eccDNAs is less than 1000 bp and enriched in four peaks resembling the size of single, double, triple, and quadruple nucleosomes. The genomic distribution of ucf-eccDNAs is enriched in generic regions, protein-coding genes, Alu, CpG islands, SINE and simple repeats. Sequence motif analysis of ucf-eccDNA junctions identified simple direct repeats (DRs) commonly presented in most eccDNAs, suggesting potential roles of DRs in eccDNA biogenesis.
Neuron particles capture network topology and behavior from single units
Authors: Gupta Gaurav , Rhodes Justin , Kiani Roozbeh , Bogdan Paul
Published: December 2021

While networks of neurons, glia and vascular systems enable and support brain functions, to date, mathematical tools to decode network dynamics and structure from very scarce and partially observed neuronal spiking behavior remain underdeveloped. Large neuronal networks contribute to the intrinsic neuron transfer function and observed neuronal spike trains encoding complex causal information processing, yet how this emerging causal fractal memory in the spike trains relates to the network topology is not fully understood. Towards this end, we propose a novel statistical physics inspired neuron particle model that captures the causal information flow and processing features of neuronal spiking activity. Relying on synthetic comprehensive simulations and real-world neuronal spiking activity analysis, the proposed fractional order operators governing the neuronal spiking dynamics provide insights into the memory and scale of the spike trains as well as information about the topological properties of the underlying neuronal networks. Lastly, the proposed model exhibits superior predictions of animal behavior during multiple cognitive tasks.
Robust Single-cell Matching and Multi-modal Analysis Using Shared and Distinct Features Reveals Orchestrated Immune Responses
Authors: Zhu Bokai , Chen Shuxiao , Bai Yunhao , Chen Han , Mukherjee Nilanjan , Vazquez Gustavo , McIlwain David R , Tzankov Alexandar , Lee Ivan T , Matter Matthias S , Golstev Yury , Ma Zongming , Nolan Garry P , Jiang Sizun
Published: December 2021

The ability to align individual cellular information from multiple experimental sources, techniques and systems is fundamental for a true systems-level understanding of biological processes. While single-cell transcriptomic studies have transformed our appreciation for the complexities and contributions of diverse cell types to disease, they can be limited in their ability to assess protein-level phenotypic information and beyond. Therefore, matching and integrating single-cell datasets which utilize robust protein measurements across multiple modalities is critical for a deeper understanding of cell states, and signaling pathways particularly within their native tissue context. Current available tools are mainly designed for single-cell transcriptomics matching and integration, and generally rely upon a large number of shared features across datasets for mutual Nearest Neighbor (mNN) matching. This approach is unsuitable when applied to single-cell proteomic datasets, due to the limited number of parameters simultaneously accessed, and lack of shared markers across these experiments. Here, we introduce a novel cell matching algorithm, Matching with pARtIal Overlap (MARIO), that takes into account both shared and distinct features, while consisting of vital filtering steps to avoid sub-optimal matching. MARIO accurately matches and integrates data from different single-cell proteomic and multi-modal methods, including spatial techniques, and has cross-species capabilities. MARIO robustly matched tissue macrophages identified from COVID-19 lung autopsies via CODEX imaging to macrophages recovered from COVID-19 bronchoalveolar lavage fluid via CITE-seq. This cross-platform integrative analysis enabled the identification of unique orchestrated immune responses within the lung of complement-expressing macrophages and their impact on the local tissue microenvironment. MARIO thus provides an analytical framework for unified analysis of single-cell data for a comprehensive understanding of the underlying biological system.
Horizontal gene transfer facilitates the spread of extracellular antibiotic resistance genes in soil
Authors: Kittredge Heather A. , Dougherty Kevin M. , Evans Sarah E.
Published: December 2021

Antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) are ubiquitous in the environment and pose a serious risk to human and veterinary health. While many studies focus on the spread of live antibiotic resistant bacteria throughout the environment, it is unclear whether extracellular ARGs from dead cells can transfer to live bacteria to facilitate the evolution of antibiotic resistance in nature. Here, we inoculate antibiotic-free soil with extracellular ARGs (eARGs) from dead Pseudeononas stutzeri cells and track the evolution of antibiotic resistance via natural transformation – a mechanism of horizontal gene transfer involving the genomic integration of eARGs. We find that transformation facilitates the rapid evolution of antibiotic resistance even when eARGs occur at low concentrations (0.25 μg g-1 soil). However, when eARGs are abundant, transformation increases substantially. The evolution of antibiotic resistance was high under soil moistures typical in terrestrial systems (5%-30% gravimetric water content) and was only inhibited at very high soil moistures (>30%). While eARGs transformed into live cells at a low frequency, exposure to a low dose of antibiotic allowed a small number of transformants to reach high abundances in laboratory populations, suggesting even rare transformation events pose a risk to human health. Overall, this work demonstrates that dead bacteria and their eARGs are an overlooked path to antibiotic resistance, and that disinfection alone is insufficient to stop the spread of antibiotic resistance. More generally, the spread of eARGs in antibiotic-free soil suggests that transformation allows genetic variants to establish at low frequencies in the absence of antibiotic selection.

Importance

Over the last decade, antibiotics in the environment have gained increasing attention because they can select for drug-resistant phenotypes that would have otherwise gone extinct. To counter this effect, bacterial populations exposed to antibiotics often undergo disinfection. However, the release of extracellular antibiotic resistance genes (eARGs) into the environment following disinfection can promote the transfer of eARGs through natural transformation. This phenomenon is well-documented in wastewater and drinking water, but yet to be investigated in soil. Our results directly demonstrate that eARGs from dead bacteria are an important, but often overlooked source of antibiotic resistance in soil. We conclude that disinfection alone is insufficient to prevent the spread of ARGs. Special caution should be taken in releasing antibiotics into the environment, even if there are no live antibiotic resistant bacteria in the community, as transformation allows DNA to maintain its biological activity past microbial death.
Recurrence quantification analysis of Q&A behavior from the perspective of explicit and tacit knowledge – an empirical study based on Zhihu's hashtags
Authors: Feng Xin , Wang Xu , Wang Tianjiao
Published: December 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this research is to investigate the time structure characteristics of collaborative knowledge production behaviors in Q&A (question-and-answer) communities for explicit and tacit knowledge, and systematically investigate the supply side and the demand side of knowledge production.

Design/methodology/approach

Taking Zhihu as the research object, using the methods of recurrence plot and recurrence quantification analysis, this paper analyzes the recursive characteristics of the motion trajectories of the three behavioral sequences of questioning, answering, and discussion, qualitatively and quantitatively analyzing the generation and evolution mechanism of explicit and tacit knowledge.

Findings

The results show that compared with the demand-side behavior sequence, the supply-side behavior sequence exhibits higher stability, complexity and periodicity. Compared with the tacit knowledge topics, the demand-side behavior sequence of the explicit knowledge topics shows stronger nonlinearity, and the supply-side behavior sequence shows lower complexity.

Originality/value

The research conclusions provide preliminary evidence for the effectiveness of the recurrence plot method in distinguishing different types of knowledge production behaviors and have important application value for the “crowdsourcing” knowledge generation and identification under the knowledge economy and the sustainable development of the socialized question-and-answer community.
Influence of national and regional level social capital on entrepreneurial activity
Authors: Cox Kevin C. , Lortie Jason , Dheer Ratan J.S.
Published: December 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate the influence that national levels of social capital have on entrepreneurial activity. Specifically, we argue that national and regional level social capital positively influences the ability of entrepreneurs to mobilize and access important resources thereby positively impacting the rate of entrepreneurship within nations and regions.

Design/methodology/approach

We advance a multilevel and multidimensional conceptualization of social capital. Then based on a dataset of 68 nations and 665 within-nation regions, we empirically evaluate the effects of social capital at the national and regional level in explaining differences in entrepreneurial activity across nations and regions using a combination of regression analysis and multilevel hierarchical linear modeling (HLM).

Findings

Our findings emphasize the importance of formulating a multilevel conceptualization of social capital for entrepreneurship research. We discuss the results, provide implications for public policy and suggest avenues for future research.

Originality/value

The overwhelming majority of entrepreneurship research focused on investigating the implications of social capital reside at the individual level of analysis. Our unique inquiry is an inaugural effort to consider this important implications at the macro and meso-level of analysis by examining both regional and national-level effects.
Aiming at a moving target: methodological reflections on the study of politics of citizen-centric governance in post-earthquake Nepal
Authors: Dhungana Nimesh
Published: December 2021

Purpose

The growing prominence of disaster research has also prompted vibrant discussions about the motivation and ethical conduct of disaster researchers. Yet, the individual researchers' aspirations and aims, together with the challenging and changing circumstances under which one undertakes disaster research have received relatively scant attention. Drawing on the author’s personal experience of becoming a disaster researcher under the unexpected humanitarian crisis following the 2015 Nepal earthquakes, this paper seeks to contribute to the debates surrounding the role of reflexivity and ethical sensitivity in doing disaster research under the climate of uncertainty.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper draws on the author’s reflections and vignettes to highlight the author’s experience of becoming a disaster researcher, and my trajectory of navigating the complex terrain of fieldwork.

Findings

The paper underscores how the process of becoming a disaster researcher was closely intertwined with and shaped by my concerns and care for the disaster-affected communities. The paper argues that doing contextually relevant and ethically sensitive research is not a static target. It demands constant reflexivity and improvisation, in response to the unpredictable real-world conditions of disasters. Instead of aiming to tame such uncertainty, disaster researchers may benefit from appreciating and embracing uncertainty as a major facet of its epistemological distinctiveness.

Originality/value

The paper contributes to the ongoing efforts in advancing methodological reflection and innovation in disaster research. In so doing, the paper is expected to aid early-career researchers who are often faced with ethical and practical dilemmas of doing fieldwork.
Comparison on effect mechanism of continuance usage between entertainment and knowledge apps: a qualitative analysis of online reviews
Authors: Shang Shanshan , Du Chenhui , Wu Jilan
Published: December 2021

Purpose

Continuance usage of mobile applications (apps) has attracted much attention from scholars and enterprises, while the extant research mainly focuses on continuance intention. The inner effect mechanism of the characteristics of apps is still unclear. Under the tenet of continuance usage behaviour, through analysis of characteristics derived from online reviews, this paper aims to establish an effective model and discloses the commonalities and differences between two mainstream apps, which are entertainment and knowledge apps.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors collected reviews of TikTok and Zhihu, which are typical representatives of entertainment and knowledge apps, respectively, from 2018 to 2020. They then derive effect factors and establish the effect model using grounded theory. A deep comparison is then conducted. They analysed the similarities and differences in the general effect model, internal effect mechanism and detailed characteristics of the two types of apps.

Findings

Entertainment app and knowledge apps share the same general effect mechanism; that is, the effect chain of characteristics to perceived value then finally to continuance usage behaviour. However, obvious differences also exist in detailed and specific effects between the two apps.

Originality/value

The present research is among the first to have a deep analysis of the comparison of entertainment apps and knowledge apps under the context of continuance usage behaviour. The findings contribute to understanding continuance usage behaviours. Suggestions are proposed on how to promote apps, which may benefit app managers.
The perceived role of the mosque library in Upper Egypt as an Islamic information institution
Authors: Mansour Essam
Published: December 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the perceived role of the mosque library in Upper Egypt as an Islamic information institution.

Design/methodology/approach

This study used a qualitative approach in the form of a structured interview, which was carried out between July and August of 2020. As possible, the researcher surveyed all mosques in Upper Egypt equipped with libraries (n = 57).

Findings

The most important collections of the mosque library were found to be books, rare books, Qur’anic interpretations, jurisprudential volumes, hadiths of the Prophet, biographies, orientalist books, references, manuscripts and bibliographies. The services provided are developing awareness, lending, indexing and abstracting. The activities practiced are hosting school students to visit the library, holding educational seminars and hosting scholars and thinkers. The lack of specialized classification schemes in organizing Islamic subjects, lack of financial allocations, failure to update collections and lack of digital technology were found to be significant challenges faced by mosque libraries in Upper Egypt.

Originality/value

The role of the mosque library extended to enhance the religious background of the worshipers and provide them with different and appropriate sources of information, not only regarding the Islamic religion but also regarding knowledge and other topics.
The effects of social marketing efforts in motivating unemployed adults' participation in skills training programmes in South Africa
Authors: Mayombe Celestin
Published: December 2021

Purpose

The concern in this article is that there is low interest in adult education and training (AET) programmes of the unemployed adults in developing countries. The purpose of the article is to determine the effects of social marketing efforts in motivating adult learners to acquire marketable skills for poverty reduction.

Design/methodology/approach

The study used the qualitative (semi-structured interviews) method for data collection from 12 adult learners and five managers of AET centres of South Africa. The qualitative method in the form of semi-structured interviews helped the researcher to present the data from the perspective of the centre managers and adult learners on how the AET centres used social marketing efforts in motivating to acquire and utilise skills in entrepreneurial ventures.

Findings

The findings reveal that the effects of social marketing efforts consisted of persuading adult learners to enrol for skills training programmes, to attract their engagement to acquire marketable skills and to form business groups or co-operatives as a means of transition from skills acquisition to entrepreneurial ventures. As elements of social marketing effort in the skills training delivery, the AET centres used teaching and learning approaches and motivated the adult learners to acquire skills.

Practical implications

From the social marketing perspective, the practical implication of the findings for the policy consists of demonstrating the importance of social marketing efforts in skills training programmes to reduce poverty amongst poor and unemployed adults. The findings demonstrate the need for coordinated campaign activities at AET centre regional levels to motivate the engagement of the unemployed adults; hence, they will become aware of the benefits of the skills training programmes to improve their lives.

Social implications

The lack of motivation is still the main barrier for participation in adult skills programmes, although there is significant progress made in many countries. In addition, social marketing efforts point to a need to promote, encourage and recognise participation from private sector for joint stakeholder cooperation.

Originality/value

This article is unique because it provides empirical findings on how to mitigate the barriers blocking adult participation in skills training programmes by using the social marketing efforts in motivating them to acquire marketable skills. The article contributes to the body of knowledge by determining the effects of the social marketing efforts in motivating adult learners to acquire marketable skills for poverty reduction. The efforts entail developing and implementing campaigns to motivate adult learners in their communities and stakeholder cooperation.
Vaccine hesitancy and implications on childhood immunisation in Malaysia
Authors: Abd Manaf Noor Hazilah , Omar Mohd Azahadi , Suib Fatin Husna
Published: December 2021

Purpose

The World Health Organization identified vaccine hesitancy as one of the ten threats to global health in 2019. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the implications and factors affecting parental decision on childhood immunisation in Malaysia.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper reviews literature on vaccine hesitancy and evaluation of factors affecting parental decision on childhood immunisation in Malaysia.

Findings

Vaccine hesitancy is a growing public health concern in Malaysia with factors such as influence of Internet and social media, personal choice and individual right, conspiracy theory, religious reasons and alternative medicine as among the influencing dynamics. An urban, educated demography operating within a postmodern medical paradigm compounds the diminishing value of vaccines.

Originality/value

This paper provides a comprehensive examination of vaccine hesitancy in Malaysia. Critical appraisal on personal choice over societal responsibility within an Asian/Muslim collectivist society has not been discussed in previous studies. The acceptance of homeopathy as an Islamic medicine alternative is peculiar to multi-ethnic, multi-cultural Malaysia.
Macroeconomic conditions are only an illusion, not the solution, to firm sustainability: unveiling the new dimension of stakeholder well-being
Authors: Younas Zahid Irshad , Khan Mahvesh , Al-Faryan Mamdouh Abdulaziz Saleh
Published: December 2021

Purpose

The purpose of the study is to explore the misconception that in developed countries, macroeconomic performance lead to sustainable firms or improves stakeholder well-being. The results may be the opposite or even worse.

Design/methodology/approach

This study examined this misconception using balanced panel data from 1,122 firms from different sectors of the US economy and data on macroeconomic performance from the World Bank.

Findings

The results of the one-step generalised method of moments indicate that most macroeconomic performance indicators had significant and negative impacts on firm sustainability and stakeholder well-being.

Practical implications

From a societal perspective, the results illustrate that the fruits of macroeconomic performance of the US economy do not reach stakeholders through firms’ sustainability. Thus, linking the economy’s macroeconomic performance with firm sustainability is vital for sustainably uplifting society and for stakeholder well-being.

Originality/value

From a policy perspective, this study reveals that the greater focus on macroeconomic performance in the USA over the past decades has resulted in lower firm sustainability because of the malfunctioning of social, economic, environmental and governance factors. This has negatively influenced stakeholder well-being in the country.