bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of Maintaining Immunosuppression After Kidney Allograft Failure on Mortality and Retransplantation
Authors: Balakrishnan Suryanarayanan , Smith Byron , Bentall Andrew , Kukla Aleksandra , Merzkani Massini , Stegall Mark , Schinstock Carrie
Published: December 2022

Background.

Few studies have addressed immunosuppression management after allograft failure (AF). Immunosuppression withdrawal to minimize complications must be balanced with the risk of sensitization and potentially reduced retransplantation. We aimed to determine relationships between immunosuppression, death, sensitization, and retransplantation among patients with AF.

Methods.

We performed a single-center retrospective study of patients transplanted from October 2007 to May 2017 with AF. We collected data on demographics, immunosuppression, calculated panel reactive antibody (cPRA) levels, death, retransplantation, and dialysis. Cox regression models were used to evaluate factors associated with death and retransplantation.

Results.

From October 2007 to May 2017, 1354 solitary ABO-compatible transplants were performed, of which 97 failed. Ten percent of patients received a preemptive retransplant. Among those who returned to dialysis (n = 87), 35% died, 25% received another transplant, and 30% remained on dialysis. After AF, 46% of patients discontinued immunosuppression. The cPRA was unchanged if immunosuppression was maintained, but immunosuppression discontinuation was associated with increased cPRA from a median (interquartile range) of 18 (0–99) to 96 (88.5–100.0; P = 0.003). Age at failure (hazard ratio, 1.1; confidence interval, 1.0-1.1) and cardiovascular disease were associated with death (hazard ratio, 2.9; confidence interval, 1.2-7.0) in multivariate analysis. Importantly, immunosuppression maintenance was not associated with increased death or retransplantation despite the increase in cPRA that occurred when immunosuppression was discontinued.

Conclusions.

Kidney transplant recipients with AF have a high mortality rate after dialysis initiation. Although immunosuppression withdrawal was associated with increased cPRA, it was not associated with reduced retransplantation. Therefore, it is reasonable to discontinue immunosuppression after AF despite sensitization if retransplantation is delayed.
Mitochondrial biology and dysfunction in secondary mitochondrial disease
Authors: Baker Megan J. , Crameri Jordan J. , Thorburn David R. , Frazier Ann E. , Stojanovski Diana
Published: December 2022

Mitochondrial diseases are a broad, genetically heterogeneous class of metabolic disorders characterized by deficits in oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS). Primary mitochondrial disease (PMD) defines pathologies resulting from mutation of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) or nuclear genes affecting either mtDNA expression or the biogenesis and function of the respiratory chain. Secondary mitochondrial disease (SMD) arises due to mutation of nuclear-encoded genes independent of, or indirectly influencing OXPHOS assembly and operation. Despite instances of novel SMD increasing year-on-year, PMD is much more widely discussed in the literature. Indeed, since the implementation of next generation sequencing (NGS) techniques in 2010, many novel mitochondrial disease genes have been identified, approximately half of which are linked to SMD. This review will consolidate existing knowledge of SMDs and outline discrete categories within which to better understand the diversity of SMD phenotypes. By providing context to the biochemical and molecular pathways perturbed in SMD, we hope to further demonstrate the intricacies of SMD pathologies outside of their indirect contribution to mitochondrial energy generation.
Anti-correlated Feature Selection Prevents False Discovery of Subpopulations in scRNAseq
Authors: Tyler Scott R , Guccione Ernesto , Schadt Eric E
Published: December 2022

While sub-clustering cell-populations has become popular in single cell-omics, negative controls for this process are lacking. Popular feature-selection/clustering algorithms fail the null-dataset problem, allowing erroneous subdivisions of homogenous clusters until nearly each cell is called its own cluster. Using 45,348 scRNAseq analyses of real and synthetic datasets, we found that anti-correlated gene selection reduces or eliminates erroneous subdivisions, increases marker-gene selection efficacy, and efficiently scales to 245k cells without the need for high-performance computing.
Room-temperature serial synchrotron crystallography of the human phosphatase PTP1B
Authors: Sharma Shivani , Ebrahim Ali , Keedy Daniel A.
Published: December 2022

Room-temperature X-ray crystallography provides unique insights into protein conformational heterogeneity, but obtaining sufficiently large protein crystals is a common hurdle. Serial synchrotron crystallography (SSX) helps to address this hurdle by allowing the use of many medium- to small-sized crystals. Here, a recently introduced serial sample-support chip system has been used to obtain the first SSX structure of a human phosphatase, specifically protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) in the unliganded (apo) state. In previous apo room-temperature structures, the active site and allosteric sites adopted alternate conformations, including open and closed conformations of the active-site WPD loop and of a distal allosteric site. By contrast, in our SSX structure the active site is best fitted with a single conformation, but the distal allosteric site is best fitted with alternate conformations. This observation argues for additional nuance in interpreting the nature of allosteric coupling in this protein. Overall, our results illustrate the promise of serial methods for room-temperature crystallography, as well as future avant-garde crystallography experiments, for PTP1B and other proteins.
An online reliable local trajectory planner for quadrotors
Authors: Tong Chunming , Liu Zhenbao , Zhao Wen , Wang Baodong , Cheng Yao , Wang Jingyan
Published: December 2022

Purpose

This paper aims to propose an online local trajectory planner for safe and fast trajectory generation that combines the jerk-limited trajectory (JLT) generation algorithm and the particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm. A trajectory switching algorithm is proposed to improve the trajectory tracking performance. The proposed system generates smooth and safe flight trajectories online for quadrotors.

Design/methodology/approach

First, the PSO algorithm method can obtain the optimal set of target points near the path points obtained by the global path searching. The JLT generation algorithm generates multiple trajectories from the current position to the target points that conform to the kinetic constraints. Then, the generated multiple trajectories are evaluated to pick the obstacle-free trajectory with the least cost. A trajectory switching strategy is proposed to switch the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) to a new trajectory before the UAV reaches the last hovering state of the current trajectory, so that the UAV can fly smoothly and quickly.

Findings

The feasibility of the designed system is validated through online flight experiments in indoor environments with obstacles.

Practical implications

The proposed trajectory planning system is integrated into a quadrotor platform. It is easily implementable onboard and computationally efficient.

Originality/value

The proposed local planner for trajectory generation and evaluation combines PSO and JLT generation algorithms. The proposed method can provide a collision-free and continuous trajectory, significantly reducing the required computing resources. The PSO algorithm locally searches for feasible target points near the global waypoint obtained by the global path search. The JLT generation algorithm generates trajectories from the current state toward each point contained by the target point set. The proposed trajectory switching strategy can avoid unnecessary hovering states in flight and ensure a continuous and safe flight trajectory. It is especially suitable for micro quadrotors with a small payload and limited onboard computing power.
From house to home: exploring the spatial expression of social identity on traditional Shiraz houses
Authors: Moqadam Sadrodin , Nubani Linda
Published: December 2022

Purpose

The present study, based on a comparative analysis of several historic houses in Shiraz, presents a new perspective on uncovering the role of the social lives of homeowners in the formation of the spatial configurations of their houses.

Design/methodology/approach

Twelve plans were selected and analyzed using space syntax techniques. The spatial characteristics were compared mathematically using integration, intelligibility and axial synergy.

Findings

The results of the research showed that spatial configurations reflected the social identity of their homeowners as well as their cultural and private beliefs. The results further highlighted the syntactical differences between different types of one courtyard houses, two courtyard houses and three courtyard houses. While privacy was maintained across all housing layouts, centralized one-courtyard typography had the highest synergy while the three-courtyard typology had the highest intelligibility.

Originality/value

This research advances the use of space syntax approach in the design of contemporary housing by recognizing the socio-cultural values of its occupants.
How to encourage students continue learning English on podcast? The perspectives of stimulus-organism-response and interest driven creator theory
Authors: Chen Min Ching , Chan Tak-Wai , Chen Yu Hsin
Published: December 2022

Purpose

Podcasting is a new mobile technology application for language learning. Drawing upon the stimulus–organism–response model and the interest driven creator (IDC) theory from e-learning, this study aims to develop and test an integrative conceptual framework. This study investigates contextual and environmental stimuli effects (content richness [CR], self-directed learning [SDL] and situational interest [SI]) from a podcast English learning context on learners’ experience states (cognitive absorption [CA], pleasure [PL] and arousal [AR]) and their subsequent responses (continuance learning intention [CLI]).

Design/methodology/approach

Using 416 valid responses from five universities located in North Taiwan, data analysis is performed using a structural equation model.

Findings

The results show that most of the interest factor stimuli (CR, SDL and SI) have significant impacts on learners’ experiences (CA, PL and AR), which in turn affect their CLI.

Practical implications

The findings provide useful insights for English show podcasters and operators to invest in establishing learners’ interest factor and stimulating experiences to improve their CLI.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to a better understanding of students who use contextual factors of podcast English learning and how these factors influence their CLI via a framework of stimulus–organism–response and the IDC theory.
The relationship between management control systems and innovativeness in start-ups: evidence for product, business model, and ambidextrous innovation
Authors: Endenich Christoph , Lachmann Maik , Schachel Hanna , Zajkowska Joanna
Published: December 2022

Purpose

This paper aims to analyze the relationship between the use of management control systems (MCSs) and innovativeness in start-ups pursuing product innovation (PI), business model innovation (BMI) or ambidextrous innovation (both PI and BMI ).

Design/methodology/approach

This paper reports on survey data collected at 143 European start-ups using a structured questionnaire sent to a member of the top management team at each firm.

Findings

The authors find that the control levers and their interdependencies associated with increased innovativeness significantly differ between the different forms of innovation.

Practical implications

The study provides important guidance for entrepreneurs so that they can effectively support their innovation agenda with the MCSs tailored to their needs.

Originality/value

This research contributes to a growing literature that shows the positive role of MCSs in innovative and entrepreneurial processes. It adds to the understanding of the multifaceted nature of innovation and the crucial importance of BMI and ambidextrous innovation for the success of start-ups.
Using gay models in mainstream media: an expanded match-up hypothesis perspective
Authors: Chinchanachokchai Sydney , Hanson-Rasmussen Nancy , Faber Ronald J.
Published: December 2022

Purpose

To be successful, brands should incorporate diversity in their advertising strategy. One way is to demonstrate their support for the LGBTQI community in mainstream media. This study aims to examine situational factors that affect the responses to gay presenters in mainstream media.

Design/methodology/approach

Two experimental studies were conducted in a 2 (luxury vs value brand) × 2 (gay vs heterosexual presenters) between-subjects design. Study 1 explores the interaction effects, whereas Study 2 introduces perceived congruence between the presenters and the product as a mediator.

Findings

The results show that using gay presenters in luxury brand ads leads to a more positive attitude toward the advertisement and higher product evaluation than using heterosexual presenters, whereas using heterosexual presenters to represent a value brand leads to a higher attitude and product evaluation than using gay presenters.

Practical implications

Nowadays, there is a greater need for inclusiveness and diversity in advertising. Brands need to pay attention to various underrepresented groups and adapt their strategy accordingly. This study shows that in appropriate situations, gay presenters can improve the image of a brand among heterosexual as well as gay consumers.

Originality/value

Expanding the match-up hypothesis theory, this work shows that a match can include not just an individual endorser but also the social category the endorser represents and stereotypical beliefs associated with that group.
Fraud detection using fraud triangle theory: evidence from China
Authors: Rahman Md Jahidur , Jie Xu
Published: December 2022

Purpose

This study aims to explore the relationship between fraud triangle theory (FTT) and the accounting fraud phenomenon in all listed companies in China.

Design/methodology/approach

The CSMAR database is used as the sample, including 16,063 data of all listed companies in Shanghai and Shenzhen markets for the 2010–2020 period. The authors also use quantitative methods, such as regression analysis, to investigate the relationship between five variables (cover three elements of FTT) and fraud occurrence.

Findings

Results show that leverage and liquidity ratios positively affect fraud detection, whereas return on net equity, audit size and independent director percentage negatively affect fraud detection.

Originality/value

This study enriches theoretical research on the causes of accounting fraud in China and is of great significance to the sound development of China’s capital market.
Understanding knowledge transfer and knowledge management through social learning
Authors: Ting Ding Hooi
Published: December 2022

Purpose

Using social learning theory and the model of innovation diffusion, this study aims to provide reflections on how new information and knowledge can be shared and adopted by farmers in collectivist rural areas.

Design/methodology/approach

Firstly, the researcher selected 76 farmers from four rural villages in Perak, Malaysia, and, using semi-structured, probing interviews, explored the underlying factors that contribute to information and knowledge transfer. Secondly, the researcher analysed 452 questionnaires to validate the qualitative interview findings. Thirdly, the researcher analysed 487 questionnaires after nine months to determine whether differences had occurred in knowledge acceptance and adoption.

Findings

Social learning and local integration play prevalent roles in information and knowledge spread among individuals. However, the data also suggest that care must be taken to ensure that the knowledge spread does not jeopardise the prevailing collective structure; rather, it must begin with innovators who show evidence of improved yield.

Practical implications

The findings suggest strategies for researchers and practitioners to transfer knowledge to farming communities using innovators and the social learning process.

Social implications

Members of a collectivist society often find it difficult to deviate from the norm; therefore, understanding how local integration, sequencing of information and knowledge spread can be accomplished through proper protocols and ethics is important.

Originality/value

While prior research has produced insights into knowledge management among individuals, the field still lacks a comprehensive understanding of the germinal stages of how individuals initiate norm-breaking behaviour while continuing to adhere to societal norms.
When should bees be flower constant? An agent‐based model highlights the importance of social information and foraging conditions
Authors: Hayes Lucy , Grüter Christoph
Published: December 2022

Many bee species show flower constancy, that is, a tendency to visit flowers of one type during a foraging trip. Flower constancy is important for plant reproduction, but the benefits of constancy to bees is unclear. Social bees, which often use communication about food sources, show particularly strong flower constancy.

We aimed to better understand the benefits of flower constancy in social bees and how these benefits depend on foraging conditions. We hypothesised that sharing social information increases the benefits of flower constancy because social foragers share information selectively about high‐quality food sources, thereby reducing the need to sample alternatives.

We developed an agent‐based model that allowed us to simulate bee colonies with and without communication and flower constancy in different foraging environments. By varying key environmental parameters, such as food source numbers and reward size, we explored how the costs and benefits of flower constancy depend on the foraging landscape.

Flower constancy alone performed poorly in all environments, while indiscriminate flower choice was often the most successful strategy. However, communication improved the performance of flower constant colonies considerably in most environments. This combination was particularly successful when high‐quality food sources were abundant and competition was weak.

Our findings help explain why social bees tend to be more flower constant than solitary bees and suggest that flower constancy can be an adaptive strategy in social bees. Simulations suggest that anthropogenic changes of foraging landscapes will have different effects on the foraging performance of bees that vary in flower constancy.
Kinetic modulation of bacterial hydrolases by microbial community structure in coastal waters
Authors: Abad Naiara , Uranga Ainhoa , Ayo Begoña , Arrieta Jesús Maria , Baña Zuriñe , Azúa Iñigo , Artolozaga Itxaso , Iriberri Juan , González‐Rojí Santos J. , Unanue Marian
Published: December 2022

In this study, we hypothesized that shifts in the kinetic parameters of extracellular hydrolytic enzymes may occur as a consequence of seasonal environmental disturbances and would reflect the level of adaptation of the bacterial community to the organic matter of the ecosystem. We measured the activities of enzymes that play a key role in the bacterial growth (leucine aminopeptidase, β‐ and α‐glucosidases) in surface coastal waters of the Eastern Cantabrian Sea and determined their kinetic parameters by computing kinetic models of distinct complexity. Our results revealed the existence of two clearly distinct enzymatic systems operating at different substrate concentrations: a high‐affinity system prevailing at low substrate concentrations and a low‐affinity system characteristic of high substrate concentrations. These findings could be the result of distinct functional bacterial assemblages growing concurrently under sharp gradients of high‐molecular‐weight compounds. We constructed an ecological network based on contemporaneous and time‐delayed correlations to explore the associations between the kinetic parameters and the environmental variables. The analysis revealed that the recurring phytoplankton blooms registered throughout the seasonal cycle trigger the wax and wane of those members of the bacterial community able to synthesize and secrete specific enzymes.
Modelling the switch from hail insurance to antihail nets
Authors: Rogna Marco , Schamel Günter , Weissensteiner Alex
Published: December 2022

We analyse the impact of the antihail net promotion on the actuarial soundness of the hail insurance market. Specifically, we present a simple model showing that, in the presence of an imperfect insurance market, incentives for antihail nets could cause low‐risk farmers to exit the insurance market more likely than high‐risk ones. This induces a typical adverse selection problem. The theoretical model predictions are corroborated by an empirical investigation. Based on a fixed‐effect conditional logit regression, we show that a higher per‐hectare output value and a location strongly affected by hail both increase the chance that a plot is hedged through antihail nets.
The functional implications of pronotum microstructure on surface friction in beetles
Authors: Mun Saeromi , Kim Jiyeong , Lee Jonghyuk , Sim Jeehyun , Lee Won Jun
Published: December 2022

Biomimicry is a discipline that seeks solutions from nature by imitating biological functions or structures, and numerous species have become objects of biomimicry for various purposes. This study analyzed the pronotum microstructure of two Coleopteran species (Onthophagus japonicus and Dorcus titanus) to evaluate their function and role in the movement. Optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to examine the surface biological traits and microstructural characteristics, respectively. Based on the SEM images and microstructure size information (width, distance, and length), we created a geometrical surface that mimicked the beetle's rough pronotum surface and conducted a finite element analysis to explore the influence of microstructure on surface friction. Both D. titanus and O. japonicus had rough surfaces, and O. japonicus had setae in its microstructure pit. Finite analysis showed that an insect surface mimicking concave and convex surfaces required less force than a plain surface, indicating that beetles might improve their body movement and antifouling function through microstructures during movement in dense complexes. The biological and mechanical characteristics of beetles are the focus of extensive research in the field of biological engineering due to their potential utility in numerous domains, including ecology and industry. Thus, further studies on biological engineering research are needed to further understand of application of beetles' characteristics.
The topological nature of tag jumping in environmental DNA metabarcoding studies
Authors: Rodriguez‐Martinez Saul , Klaminder Jonatan , Morlock Marina A. , Dalén Love , Huang Doreen Yu‐Tuan
Published: December 2022

Metabarcoding of environmental DNA constitutes a state‐of‐the‐art tool for environmental studies. One fundamental principle implicit in most metabarcoding studies is that individual sample amplicons can still be identified after being pooled with others—based on their unique combinations of tags—during the so‐called demultiplexing step that follows sequencing. Nevertheless, it has been recognized that tags can sometimes be changed (i.e., tag jumping), which ultimately leads to sample crosstalk. Here, using four DNA metabarcoding data sets derived from the analysis of soils and sediments, we show that tag jumping follows very specific and systematic patterns. Specifically, we find a strong correlation between the number of reads in blank samples and their topological position in the tag matrix (described by vertical and horizontal vectors). This observed spatial pattern of artefactual sequences could be explained by polymerase activity, which leads to the exchange of the 3′ tag of single stranded tagged sequences through the formation of heteroduplexes with mixed barcodes. Importantly, tag jumping substantially distorted our data sets—despite our use of methods suggested to minimize this error. We developed a topological model to estimate the noise based on the counts in our blanks, which suggested that 40%–80% of the taxa in our soil and sedimentary samples were likely false positives introduced through tag jumping. We highlight that the amount of false positive detections caused by tag jumping strongly biased our community analyses.
Sanders Foods: Planning for Success—An Instructional Case*
Authors: Spraakman Gary , Maharaj Gajindra , Nguyen Emily Hoang
Published: December 2022

This case describes the second‐generation importer Sanders Foods, which requires improved profitability. A new CFO has been hired to improve profits and thereby increase the market value of the firm for a possible future sale. The firm's strategy, although still completely valid, has not been carried out as intended. The board of directors has reaffirmed the firm's strategy. The CFO and CEO have developed a five‐year plan to implement the strategy; the plan has been approved by the board. The task for the CFO is to develop a bottom‐up budget for next year that accomplishes the first year of the plan. The operational improvements to achieve the existing strategy with the next year's budget will be demanding, which means it will likely need to be frequently updated with forecasts. Students will be tested on their knowledge and skills in implementing a committed budget, complete with a process for forecasts.
Antimicrobial effect of grape seed extract as a potential intracanal medicament combined with Nd:YAG laser
Authors: Fakhri Elaheh , Samadi Kafil Hossein , Naghizadeh Mahdieh , Eslami Hosein , Sefidan Fatemeh Yeganeh
Published: December 2022

This study evaluated the antimicrobial efficacy of grape seed extract medicament combined with Nd:YAG laser, against Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans biofilms. Root canals infected with 4‐week‐old biofilms were divided into five groups (n = 11): calcium hydroxide, 6.5% GSE, Nd:YAG laser (1064 nm, 1.5 w, 15 Hz and 100 mj) and 6.5% GSE followed by Nd:YAG laser and normal saline (control). Dentin chips were collected using Gates–Glidden and cultured to obtain colony‐forming units. Statistical analysis was performed using Kruskal–Wallis and Mann–Whitney U test. GSE showed higher antibacterial activity against all species investigated compared to Ca(OH)2. However, the lowest microbial count was obtained using a combination of GSE and Nd:YAG laser (p < 0.001). No significant difference in the susceptibility of tested pathogens to each of the protocols was observed (p > 0.05). Application of Nd:YAG laser following GSE medicament is efficient against endodontic biofilms; also, GSE can be considered as an alternative to Ca(OH)2 dressing.
Managing work and nonwork responsibilities when labour protection is weak: The role of family supportive supervisor behaviours
Authors: Straub Caroline , Beham Barbara , Fayad Maryanne , Ramadan Nadia
Published: December 2022

Knowledge concerning the reconciliation of work and life in developing countries with weak labour protection and little governmental support (e.g. statutory work–life support) is still very limited. In this mixed‐method study, we explore how employees manage their work and nonwork responsibilities in Lebanon—a developing country with poor national and organisational work–life support. Findings from a qualitative study of 10 blue‐ (BC),10 white‐collar (WC) workers and 10 HR professionals from companies in various industries identified contextual challenges and strategies to reconcile work and nonwork responsibilities. In a quantitative study based on a survey of 269 employees, we examined the effect of family supportive supervisor behaviour (FSSB) for different groups of workers and explored one potential mechanism of FSSB, namely, schedule fit. Results show that FSSB increases employees' perceptions of schedule fit, which, in turn, minimises their work–life conflict (WLC). We also found that BC workers seem to benefit more from FSSB than WC workers. We inform work–life research on less supportive contexts and offer practical recommendations for HR managers to operate successfully within these environments.
What causes house prices to fluctuate? Evidence from South Korea
Authors: Lee Jinwoong , Ann Jihee , Park Cheolbeom
Published: December 2022

In this study, we build a structural vector autoregressive model of the housing market with supply and demand shocks to determine the main causes of house price movements in South Korea. We include housing permits, basic housing demand, and the growth rates of real housing prices in the model. Changes in house prices are decomposed into three structural components: housing supply shocks, shocks to basic housing demand, and shocks to housing market‐specific demand. We find that the main driver of the movements in house prices is housing market‐specific demand shocks, and these are associated with beliefs regarding future house prices and the real estate market, as measured by the Consumer Sentiment Indices for the housing market, rather than credit conditions or financial variables such as interest rates or stock returns.
Moderating Role of Cost Accounting Information Quality on the Relationship Between the COVID‐19 Pandemic and Budgeting in Public Hospitals
Authors: Pavlatos Odysseas , Kostakis Hara
Published: December 2022

Based on new public management, information processing theory and contingency theory, this study investigates the impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic on budgeting in public hospitals, focusing on budget use. The research hypotheses were tested using a survey of 82 responses from hospital CFOs. The results show that the organisations that were most affected by the pandemic increased their use of budgets for planning, resource allocation and control, compared to those that were less affected. This study also highlights the moderating role of cost accounting information quality in the relationship between crises and budget use. We find that public hospitals that have been most affected by the pandemic and have simultaneously better cost accounting information have increased their use of budgets for planning, resource allocation and cost control more than those whose costing system does not provide superior cost data.
Impact of monitoring approaches on data quality in clinical trials
Authors: Andersen Jeppe Ragnar , von Sehested Christoffer , Byrjalsen Inger , Popik Sara , Follin Anne Bo , Bihlet Asger Reinstrup
Published: December 2022

Aims

Source data verification (SDV) has been reported to account for up to 25% of the budget in clinical trials (CT) and cost‐benefit of SDV has been questioned. Guidelines for risk‐based monitoring (RBM) were published in 2013 by agencies and in 2016, ICH‐GCP‐E6‐(R2) added a requirement for risk‐based approaches. This report will perform a comparison of the impact of RBM vs classic monitoring (CM) on data quality (defined as accuracy of data reporting from source data to final trial data) and expected impact on costs of CTs.

Methods

Data on residual errors from four, large comparable randomised CTs were examined by post‐trial SDV. Observed discrepancies were analysed in the categories of “overall” data, “major efficacy” and “major safety”. In each category, the residual error rate was calculated as the number of discrepancies divided by the number of data‐fields verified.

Results

A total of 1 716 087 data points were verified using CM and 323 174 using RBM. The overall error rate was 0.40% for RBM and 0.37% for CM (P < 0.01). For major efficacy, defined by risk assessment, the error rate was 0.15% and 0.28% (P < 0.0001); in major safety, defined by risk assessment, the error rate was 0.49% and 0.67% (P = 0.15), both in favour of the RBM approach.

Conclusion

These empirical data, directly comparing RBM with CM, suggest that RBM improves data quality regarding data‐points of major importance to trial outcomes, efficacy and major safety. Overall, the RBM approach showed a correlation to reduced amount of data collection errors with major relevance for interpretation of study results and subject safety as well as reducing on‐site monitoring and data cleaning resources.
Information theory characteristics improve the prediction of lithium response in bipolar disorder patients using a support vector machine classifier
Authors: Tripathi Utkarsh , Mizrahi Liron , Alda Martin , Falkovich Gregory , Stern Shani
Published: December 2022

Aim

Bipolar disorder (BD) is a mood disorder with a high morbidity and death rate. Lithium (Li), a prominent mood stabilizer, is often used as a first‐line treatment. However, clinical studies have shown that Li is fully effective in roughly 30% of BD patients. Our goal in this study was to use features derived from information theory to improve the prediction of the patient's response to Li as well as develop a diagnostic algorithm for the disorder.

Methods

We have performed electrophysiological recordings in patient‐derived dentate gyrus (DG) granule neurons (from a total of 9 subjects) for three groups: 3 control individuals, 3 BD patients who respond to Li treatment (LR), and 3 BD patients who do not respond to Li treatment (NR). The recordings were analyzed by the statistical tools of modern information theory. We used a Support Vector Machine (SVM) and Random forest (RF) classifiers with the basic electrophysiological features with additional information theory features.

Results

Information theory features provided further knowledge about the distribution of the electrophysiological entities and the interactions between the different features, which improved classification schemes. These newly added features significantly improved our ability to distinguish the BD patients from the control individuals (an improvement from 60% to 74% accuracy) and LR from NR patients (an improvement from 81% to 99% accuracy).

Conclusion

The addition of Information theory‐derived features provides further knowledge about the distribution of the parameters and their interactions, thus significantly improving the ability to discriminate and predict the LRs from the NRs and the patients from the controls.
Contemplating IL‐6, a double‐edged sword cytokine: Which side to use for stroke pathology?
Authors: Monsour Molly , Croci Davide M. , Agazzi Siviero , Borlongan Cesar V.
Published: December 2022

Interleukin (IL)‐6 is a unique cytokine due to its dual signaling, with one pathway being pro‐inflammatory (trans) and the other homeostatic (classical). Both of these pathways have been implicated in neuroinflammation following stroke, with initial inflammatory mechanisms being protective and later anti‐inflammatory signaling promoting ischemic tissue recovery. IL‐6 plays a major role in stroke pathology. However, given these distinctive IL‐6 signaling consequences, IL‐6 is a difficult cytokine to target for stroke therapies. Recent research suggests that the ratio between the pro‐inflammatory binary IL6:sIL6R complex and the inactive ternary IL6:sIL6R:sgp130 complex may be a novel way to measure IL‐6 signaling at different time points following ischemic injury. This ratio may approximate functional consequences on individualized stroke therapies, allowing clinicians to determine whether IL‐6 agonists or antagonists should be used at specific time points.
An effective online platform for crowd classification of coastal wetland loss
Authors: Spatharioti Sofia Eleni , Boetsch Eliza , Eustis Scott , Gandhi Kutub , Rota Matt , Apte Archana , Cooper Seth , Wylie Sara
Published: December 2022

Wetland loss is increasing rapidly, and there are gaps in public awareness of the problem. By crowdsourcing image analysis of wetland morphology, academic and government studies could be supplemented and accelerated while engaging and educating the public. The Land Loss Lookout (LLL) project crowdsourced mapping of wetland morphology associated with wetland loss and restoration. We demonstrate that volunteers can be trained relatively easily online to identify characteristic wetland morphologies, or patterns present on the landscape that suggest a specific geomorphological process. Results from a case study in coastal Louisiana revealed strong agreement among nonexpert and expert assessments who agreed on classifications at least 83% and at most 94% of the time. Participants self‐reported increased knowledge of wetland loss after participating in the project. Crowd‐identified morphologies are consistent with expectations, although more work is needed to directly compare LLL results with previous studies. This work provides a foundation for using crowd‐based wetland loss analysis to increase public awareness of the issue, and to contribute to land surveys or train machine learning algorithms.
Spread the word: Sharing information on social media can stabilize conservation funding and improve ecological outcomes
Authors: Takashina Nao , Cheung Hubert , Miyazawa Mieko
Published: December 2022

Conservation needs adequate support and funding to address our ecological crises. People support conservation in different ways, from social media engagement to donating money. Various factors influence how people choose to support conservation, including social norms and ecological status. The rise of social media has provided people with an easy and low‐cost way to support conservation: sharing information online. How valuable is social media engagement and activism for conservation funding and outcomes? Here, we develop an evolutionary game‐theoretic framework to understand the complex interactions between individuals in the context of social media information sharing, conservation philanthropy, and how these interactions ultimately impact ecological outcomes. From a game theory perspective, we can consider donors to be hard‐cooperators, sharers of information on social media to be soft‐cooperators, and those who do nothing to be non‐cooperators. Our model shows that soft‐cooperators can help stabilize conservation funding flows and develop social norms. Supporting conservation through social media sharing can ultimately contribute to conservation success. Our study conceptualizes the complex decision‐making processes of conservation funding and affirms the importance and value of mobilizing all types of supporters in conservation.
Depth and temperature drive patterns of spatial overlap among fish thermal guilds in lakes across Ontario, Canada
Authors: Benoit David M. , Chu Cindy , Giacomini Henrique C. , Jackson Donald A.
Published: December 2022

Aim

The spatial distribution of ectotherms is strongly dependent on the temperature of their environments. In temperate lakes, fishes with different thermal optima can become spatially segregated during summer stratification. This habitat partitioning, or niche complementarity, may play a role in the coexistence of trophically similar species; however, the extent of partitioning is dependent on the resources available within each habitat. Although habitat partitioning of fish thermal guilds has been studied in individual lakes, broad‐scale patterns of spatial overlap and segregation are not yet understood. In this study, we explore the patterns and drivers of spatial overlap among thermal guilds (cold‐, cool‐, and warm‐water) at a broad scale.

Location

Ontario, Canada.

Methods

We built a multivariate regression tree to explore patterns and environmental drivers of spatial overlap in freshwater fishes across three thermal guilds from 438 lakes.

Results

We identified five clusters of lakes exhibiting different patterns of spatial overlap among the three thermal guilds. Temperature (growing degree days) and maximum lake depth were strong drivers of the spatial overlap patterns.

Main Conclusions

These findings provide a better understanding of broad‐scale patterns of spatial overlap and allow us to predict how spatial overlap, and ultimately species interactions and competition, may change under a warming climate.
IMPLICATED GAMING: CHOICE AND COMPLICITY IN LUDIC HOLOCAUST MEMORY
Authors: GLOUFTSIS TAMIKA
Published: December 2022

Holocaust memorial sites and institutions have begun to embrace new media and digital technologies as methods of communication, public engagement, and memorialization. Despite increasing numbers of interactive digital media projects focused on Holocaust education, there is a significant gulf between the topics addressed by digital Holocaust works and those conceptualized and studied at a higher level in scholarly Holocaust literature. Most notably, challenging questions regarding the categories of bystandership, complicity, and perpetration are largely ignored in favor of traditional victim‐focused narratives. I suggest that, in their eagerness to adopt virtual reality (VR) and mixed reality (MR) technologies, digital Holocaust memory projects have neglected the significant potential of nonimmersive video games to address questions regarding bystandership and complicity. By moving away from the perceptual immersion of VR and toward the ludic and simulative arguments of video games, digitally interactive Holocaust projects may be able to lessen the risks of over‐immersion and retraumatization that are antithetical to critical historical thinking and understanding. This article examines the 2013 game Papers, Please as an example of how video games can present sophisticated arguments about human agency, bystandership, and complicity. By placing players in a historical problem space laden with impossible moral choices, Papers, Please demonstrates the systemic forces that structure human behavior under extreme, violent, and authoritarian conditions. I argue that Holocaust‐based ludic digital media modeled after Papers, Please could explore bystandership and complicity in similarly nuanced and powerful ways, potentially touching on academic Holocaust concepts such as the “choiceless choices” of “the gray zone.” Addressing these topics in ludic historical media could help to bridge the gap between popular and scholarly understandings of the Holocaust in the twenty‐first century.
Nesting success and productivity of a declining European turtle dove (Streptopelia turtur) population in western France
Authors: Eraud Cyril , Lormée Hervé
Published: December 2022

The European Turtle Dove Streptopelia turtur is a trans‐Saharan migratory species that has been declining for decades. This study reports nesting habitat, nest‐site characteristics, nesting success (38.6%) and productivity (2.40 young per pair per season) of European Turtle Doves radiotracked in a deciduous forest of western France. A matrix population model based on our results suggests that the average productivity reported would need to be increased by about 0.18 additional young per pair to achieve a population growth rate equal to one. However, elasticity analysis suggests that increasing adult survival would have the highest impact on population growth compared with increased productivity or first‐year survival.
Nutritional composition of Sacha inchi (Plukenetia volubilis) according to cooking method and its application as an elder‐friendly drink
Authors: Kim Dah‐Sol , Iida Fumiko , Joo Nami
Published: December 2022

Sacha inchi (Plukenetia volubilis) can be a great source of nutrition for the elderly since it contains great conditions of bioactive substances such as antioxidants and essential amino acids. Therefore, this study aimed to set up an optimal pretreatment method of Sacha inchi and to develop viscous beverage products for the elderly. As a result, roasting Sacha inchi had a significant effect on improving the essential amino acid content and antioxidant ability rather than raw and boiled one. However, because ageing threatens to choke older people even if they drink non‐viscous water, a viscous roasted Sacha inchi breeze was developed for the elderly. Therefore, it was confirmed that all thickening agents used in this study could be applied as elder‐friendly foods suitable for Korean Industrial Standards, and the regression equation for viscosity changes according to thickenrs concentrations was ‘Y = 75 312X−35.394’ for xanthan gum, ‘Y = 61 413X−201.33’ for locust bean gum, ‘Y = 4200.7X−7.2438’ for carrageenan, and ‘Y = 999.85X + 3.141’ for gum arabic. In conclusion, this study can help prevent suffocation and improve nutritional imbalance by developing viscous drinks using Sacha inchi for the elderly with weak oesophageal muscles.
Chronic cardiovascular nursing care in Spanish primary care: A qualitative study
Authors: Lizcano‐Álvarez Angel , Esteban‐Hernández Jesús , Alameda‐Cuesta Almudena , Cid‐Expósito Gema , Palacios‐Ceña Domingo
Published: December 2022

Aims

We aimed to investigate the perspective of primary care nurses on their role with patients who have chronic cardiovascular disease and to identify cultural elements shared by nurses caring for people with chronic cardiovascular disease. In primary care, the role of the nurse is essential to promote self‐efficacy in cardiovascular self‐care. Individuals with chronic cardiovascular disease need to integrate the disease into their life, together with the health recommendations for management and follow‐up.

Methods

A qualitative, focused ethnographic study was conducted. Purposeful sampling was used to include nurses who were working in primary care during the study. Data collection took place between 20 January and 20 May 2014 and consisted of semi‐structured interviews. A thematic analysis was applied using the data.

Results

Eleven participants were included. Cardiovascular care forces nurses to reflect on their identity and role in primary care. The relationship between the nurse and people with chronic cardiovascular disease is a complex process, which may cause nurses to feel a sense of failure and monotony in their work.

Conclusions

Our findings may help to understand the role of the nurse and the care provided in patients with chronic cardiovascular disease.
Correlation between extended pelvic lymph node dissection and urinary incontinence at early phase after robot‐assisted radical prostatectomy
Authors: Lee Ken , Shiota Masaki , Takamatsu Dai , Ushijima Miho , Blas Leandro , Okabe Ayami , Kajioka Shunichi , Goto Shunsuke , Kinoshita Fumio , Matsumoto Takashi , Monji Keisuke , Kashiwagi Eiji , Inokuchi Junichi , Oda Yoshinao , Eto Masatoshi
Published: December 2022

Objectives

To investigate the impact of extended pelvic lymph node dissection (ePLND) on urinary incontinence (UI) at early post‐surgery robot‐assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP).

Methods

Patients who underwent RARP without cavernous nerve sparing were included between 2014 and 2019. Patient data were obtained prospectively. The associations between ePLND and postoperative urinary continence were defined as a maximum of one daily pad use. International prostate symptom score (IPSS) was examined. Expression of synaptophysin and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) in perilymph node adipose tissue (PLA) was evaluated by immunohistochemistry.

Results

In total, 186 and 163 patients underwent RARP with and without ePLND. Urinary continence rate at 1 month postoperatively among patients with ePLND was lower than those without ePLND (24.1% vs. 35.1%, p < 0.05), however, not significantly different at 3, 6, and 12 months after RARP (57.4 vs. 62.6%, 73.1 vs. 74.2%, and 83.0 vs. 81.2%, respectively). Total and voiding plus postvoiding IPSS scores at 1 month were higher in patients with ePLND than in those without ePLND (14.5 ± 0.5 vs. 13.6 ± 0.6, 7.0 ± 0.3 vs. 6.2 ± 0.4, respectively, p < 0.05). In univariate and multivariate analyses, larger prostate volume and ePLND were factors associated with an increased UI rate. Among patients who underwent ePLND, synaptophysin and TH‐positive nerve fibers were detected in PLA.

Conclusions

Detection of synaptophysin and TH‐immunopositive nerves suggested denervation of sympathetic and peripheral nerves caused by ePLND might be associated with a higher UI rate and poor urinary symptoms at an early stage after RARP.