bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Deep Learning for Predicting 16S rRNA Gene Copy Number
Authors: Miao Jiazheng , Chen Tianlai , Misir Mustafa , Lin Yajuan
Published: November 2022

Background

Culture-independent 16S rRNA gene metabarcoding is a commonly used method in microbiome profiling. However, this approach can only reflect the proportion of sequencing reads, rather than the actual cell fraction. To achieve more quantitative cell fraction estimates, we need to resolve the 16S gene copy numbers (GCN) for different community members. Currently, there are several bioinformatic tools available to estimate 16S GCN, either based on taxonomy assignment or phylogeny.

Method

Here we develop a novel algorithm, Stacked Ensemble Model (SEM), that estimates 16S GCN directly from the 16S rRNA gene sequence strings, without resolving taxonomy or phylogeny. For accessibility, we developed a public, end-to-end, web-based tool based on the SEM model, named Artificial Neural Network Approximator for 16S rRNA Gene Copy Number (ANNA16).

Results

Based on 27,579 16S rRNA gene sequence data (rrnDB database), we show that ANNA16 outperforms the most commonly used 16S GCN prediction algorithms. The prediction error range in the 5-fold cross validation of SEM is completely lower than all other algorithms for the 16S full-length sequence and partially lower at 16S subregions. The final test and a mock community test indicate ANNA16 is more accurate than all currently available tools (i.e., rrnDB, CopyRighter, PICRUSt2, & PAPRICA). SHAP value analysis indicates ANNA16 mainly learns information from rare insertions.

Conclusion

ANNA16 represents a deep learning based 16S GCN prediction tool. Compared to the traditional GCN prediction tools, ANNA16 has a simple structure, faster inference speed without precomputing, and higher accuracy. With increased 16S GCN data in the database, future studies could improve the prediction errors for rare, high-GCN taxa due to current under sampling.
Functional diversification despite structural congruence in the HipBST toxin-antitoxin system ofLegionella pneumophila
Authors: Lin Jordan D. , Stogios Peter J. , Abe Kento T. , Wang Avril , MacPherson John , Skarina Tatiana , Gingras Anne-Claude , Savchenko Alexei , Ensminger Alexander W.
Published: November 2022

Toxin-antitoxin (TA) systems are abundant genetic modules in bacterial chromosomes and on mobile elements. They are often patchily distributed and their physiological functions remain poorly understood. Here, we characterize a TA system inLegionella pneumophilathat is highly conserved acrossLegionellaspecies. This system is distantly related toEscherichia coliHipBST and we demonstrate that it is a functional tripartite TA system (denoted HipBSTLp). We identify HipBSTLphomologs in diverse taxa, yet in the Gammaproteobacteria these are almost exclusively found inLegionellaspecies. Notably, the toxin HipTLpwas previously reported to be a pathogenic effector protein that is translocated byL. pneumophilainto its eukaryotic hosts. Contrary to this, we find no signal of HipTLptranslocation beyond untranslocated control levels and make several observations consistent with a canonical role as a bacterial toxin. We present structural and biochemical insights into the regulation and neutralization of HipBSTLp, and identify key variations between this system and HipBSTEc. Finally, we show that the target of HipTLpis likely not conserved with any characterized HipA or HipT toxin. This work serves as a unique comparison of a TA system across bacterial species and illustrates the molecular diversity that exists within a single TA family.
Multi-environment analysis enhances genomic prediction accuracy of agronomic traits in sesame
Authors: Sabag Idan , Bi Ye , Peleg Zvi , Morota Gota
Published: November 2022

Sesame is an ancient oilseed crop containing many valuable nutritional components. Recently, the demand for sesame seeds and their products has increased worldwide, making it necessary to enhance the development of high-yielding cultivars. One approach to enhance genetic gain in breeding programs is genomic selection. However, studies on genomic selection and genomic prediction in sesame are limited. In this study, we performed genomic prediction for agronomic traits using the phenotypes and genotypes of a sesame diversity panel grown under Mediterranean climatic conditions over two growing seasons. We aimed to assess the accuracy of prediction for nine important agronomic traits in sesame using single- and multi-environment analyses. In single-environment analysis, genomic best linear unbiased prediction, BayesB, BayesC, and reproducing kernel Hilbert spaces models showed no substantial differences. The average prediction accuracy of the nine traits across these models ranged from 0.39–0.79 for both growing seasons. In the multi-environment analysis, the marker-by-environment interaction model, which decomposed the marker effects into components shared across environments and environment-specific deviations, improved the prediction accuracies for all traits by 15%–58% compared to the single-environment model, particularly when borrowing information from other environments was made possible. Our results showed that single-environment analysis produced moderate-to-high genomic prediction accuracy for agronomic traits in sesame. The multi-environment analysis further enhanced this accuracy by exploiting marker-by-environment interaction. We concluded that genomic prediction using multi-environmental trial data could improve efforts for breeding cultivars adapted to the semi-arid Mediterranean climate.
Environmental microbes promote phenotypic plasticity inDrosophilareproduction and sleep behavior
Authors: Téfit Mélisandre A. , Budiman Tifanny , Dupriest Adrianna , Yew Joanne Y.
Published: November 2022

The microbiome has been hypothesized as a driving force of phenotypic variation in host organisms that is capable of extending metabolic processes, altering development, and in some cases, conferring novel functions that are critical for survival (1-5). Only a few studies have directly shown a causal role for the environmental microbiome in altering host phenotypic features. To directly assess the extent to which environmental microbes induce variation in host life history traits and behavior, we inoculated axenicDrosophilawith microbes isolated from two different field sites and generated two populations with distinct bacterial and fungal profiles. We show that microbes isolated from environmental sites with modest abiotic differences induce large variation in host reproduction, fatty acid levels, stress tolerance, and sleep behavior. Importantly, clearing microbes from each experimental population removed the phenotypic differences. The results support the causal role of environmental microbes as drivers of host phenotypic variation and potentially, rapid adaptation and evolution.
Transcriptional programs controlling lineages specification of mandibular epithelium during tooth initiation
Authors: Shao Fan , Phan An-Vi , Van Otterloo Eric , Cao Huojun
Published: November 2022

Tooth development starts with formation of the dental lamina, a localized thickening of the maxillary and mandibular epithelium, at specific location of oral cavity. How this dental lamina is specified within the continuous naïve maxillary and mandibular epithelium, remains as a critical and unresolved question. To identify potential genes and transcriptional regulatory networks that controlling dental lamina formation, we utilized single-cell Multiome-seq and Laser Microdissection coupled RNA-seq to profile gene expression and open chromatin of mandibular epithelium during tooth initiation. We comprehensively identified transcription factors (TFs) and signaling pathways that are differentially expressed among different domains (including dental lamina) along dorsal-ventral axis of mandibular epithelium. Specifically, we foundSox2andTfap2a/Tfap2bforming two complementary domains along the dorsal-ventral axis of mandibular epithelium. Furthermore, dental lamina specific or enriched TFs such asPitx1, Pitx2andZfp536are presented around the interface ofSox2andTfap2a/Tfap2b. We also identified correlation between signaling pathways and domain specific TFs. Through computational analysis of single-cell Multiome-seq dataset, we identified potential key/driver TFs and core transcriptional regulatory networks (TRNs) for lineages (oral, dental, skin) specification during tooth initiation. Our computational analysis also reveals a potential cross repression interactions between different groups of TFs (i.e.Pitx1/Pitx2andTfap2a/Tfap2b) that might be essential for dental lamina specification.
How to Develope a Novel 3D Printed Integral Customized Anatomical Acetabular Prosthesis in Hip Arthroplasty for Crowe Type II and III Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip?
Authors: Zhang Heng , Ma Xiaodong , Cheng Zengjing , Li Xuanxuan , Zhou Jiansheng , Zhao Jianning
Published: December 2022

Background

The acetabular pathomorphology in patients with Crowe type II and III developmental dysplasia of the hip(DDH)often present complicated changes, which bring challenges to the anatomical reconstruction of acetabulum in total hip arthroplasty (THA). The objective of this study was to develope a novel 3D printed integral customized acetabular prosthesis, which provides a promising way to reconstruct the acetabulum with higher accuracy and efficiency by digital softwares, compared with previous 3D printing model method.

Methods

15 patients (18 hips) with end-stage hip osteoarthritis due to Crowe type II/III DDH who underwent primary cementless THA from January 2015 to November 2021 were included. The 15 patients consisted of 3 men (3 hips) and 12 women (15 hips) with an average age of 53.89 ± 8.48 years (range from 32 to 69 years). The novel 3D printed integral customized acetabular prosthesis was designed by the model method and software method respectively. The indicators of the cup size, the volume and superficial area of bone defect, the inclination and anteversion of acetabular cup, the horizontal and vertical distance of hip center and working time were compared between two methods.

Results

There were statistically significant difference between the software group and model group on the volume and superficial area of bone defect as well as working time (t = 2.397, 2.707,138.509, P < 0.05). The mean anteversion and inclination of acetabular cup in the software group and model group were(15.17±0.52)°,(40.24±0.58)°and (33.79 ±13.43)°, (30.50 ±11.03)°respectively, the difference was statistically significant (t = 5.859, 3.767, P < 0.05).There were no statistically significant difference between the software group and model group on cup size, the horizontal and vertical distance of hip center(t =1.458,0.114, 1.712, P > 0.05)

Conclusions

The application of digital softwares could design and develope the novel 3D printed integral customized anatomical acetabular prosthesis in THA for □Crowe type II and III DDH with high accuracy and efficiency.
Different tissues in the maternal-fetal interface harbor distinct microbiomes showing associations related to their anatomical position or function
Authors: Li Xiaopeng , Jiang Wei , Dai Lijuan , Liu Guihong , Yu Bolan , Fang Min
Published: December 2022

The human placenta was thought to be sterile in healthy pregnancies which has been challenged by the development of DNA sequence-based techniques, although it is still open to controversy. Nonetheless, little is known whether different parts of fetal appurtenances contain district microbiome profiles. Here, DNA 16S rRNA sequencing was performed of the amniotic fluid cells (AC), amnion membrane (AM), the placenta of fetal surface (remove the amniotic membrane, PL), maternal blood (MB), and umbilical cord blood (UCB) at V3-V4 hypervariable region from participants with cesarean delivery. Then sequence raw data were followed by taxonomic classification at 97% similarity and diversity analysis at the genus level. The differences and associations among the five tissues were analyzed. At the phylum composition level, the most abundant microorganisms were Proteobacteria in all five tissues, and followed by Firmicutes in AC, AM, and MB groups, Actinobacteria in UCB and Bacteroidetes in PL, respectively. As the maternal-fetal barrier, PL and AM had the lower OUT number and weaker co-occurrence network compared with the other three tissues. At the beta diversity clustering level, the microbiota constituents in the MB and UCB were highly similar; the microbiota profiles of PL and AM were also remarkably alike; AC was immensely different from those two clusters. Therefore, the five tissues were distinctly separated into three clusters. Our study reveals that different pregnancy-related anatomical sites harbor unique microbial compositions and show different degrees of correlation with other tissues.
How absorptive capacity influences project performance
Authors: Dultra-de-Lima Ronaldo Gomes , Brito Luiz Artur Ledur
Published: November 2022

Purpose

The absorptive capacity (AC) leads to firm performance and influences the development and evolution of capabilities and routines, but the influence of AC in projects remains unclear. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the effect of AC on project performance (PP) in the construction industry of Sao Paulo State, Brazil.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors conducted a survey questionnaire with project managers and collected 157 responses in the construction sector. They also used confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and multiple linear regression techniques to assess the data.

Findings

The study provides empirical evidence that realized absorptive capacity (RAC) has a direct and indirect positive effect on PP. Conversely, the potential absorptive capacity (PAC) only indirectly impacts PP through project management practices (PMPs). PAC and RAC positively influence PMPs that in turn positively influence PP. The findings reinforce the relevance of AC to the development of internal knowledge for processes and routines, thereby enhancing PP.

Practical implications

The findings provide practical implications: the AC influences PP by refining and adapting routines. Moreover, the consistent application of accepted practices is not enough for PP, but the ability to adapt, adjust and transform the relevant knowledge into routines.

Originality/value

This paper provides empirical evidence that the knowledge application of PMPs improves organizational performance through PP. However, despite what the literature has discussed, this paper proved that AC has no effect as a moderating factor between PMPs and performance; however, AC's role significantly impacts PP through PMPs.
Operation recovery: a feasibility study of an 8 week exercise and lifestyle programme within an Irish first episode psychosis service
Authors: Kearns Murphy Claire , Kemps Louise , McDonough Catherine , McDonough Suzanne
Published: December 2022

Purpose

Early interventions focusing on exercise and lifestyle are important for individuals with a diagnosis of psychosis due to increased risk of poor physical health and reduced life expectancy. This study aims to test the feasibility of a multicomponent lifestyle intervention for individuals with first episode psychosis (FEP).

Design/methodology/approach

Individuals attending an Irish FEP service were invited to engage in an eight-week programme including individual and group exercise sessions, group educational sessions and one dietician consultation. Physical activity, physical health, mental health, cognition and personal goals measures were completed pre- and post-intervention and analysed using descriptive statistics. Feasibility data was collected via a non-standardised participant questionnaire and informal data on completion of measures and engagement with the programme.

Findings

Ten participants with a diagnosis of FEP completed the intervention. Participants were satisfied with the intervention and adherence rates were high for weekly individual gym sessions but lower for group exercise and education sessions. Mean time spent engaging in physical activity increased and sedentary behaviours decreased. Participants indicated increased readiness for change with 90% moving to the action or maintenance stages of change. Participants attained 74% of their personal goals. There were no changes in average body mass index, cognition or mental health. Data relating to blood pressure, blood tests and steps was missing or incomplete.

Originality/value

This study indicates an eight-week exercise and lifestyle programme is feasible and acceptable in a clinical setting. Recommendations relating to satisfaction, clinical markers and resource requirements are made for future studies.
Intelligent prediction of wear life of automobile brake pad based on braking conditions
Authors: Cao Jingyu , Bao Jiusheng , Yin Yan , Yao Wang , Liu Tonggang , Cao Ting
Published: December 2022

Purpose

To avoid braking accidents caused by excessive wear of brake pad, this study aims to achieve online prediction of brake pad wear life (BPWL).

Design/methodology/approach

A simulated braking test bench for automobile disc brake was used. The correlation and mechanism between the three braking condition parameters of initial braking speed, braking pressure and initial braking temperature and the tribological performance were analyzed. The different artificial neural network (ANN) models of wear loss were discussed. Genetic algorithm was used to optimize the ANN model. The structure scheme of the online prediction system of BPWL was discussed and completed.

Findings

The results showed that the braking conditions were positively correlated with the wear loss, but negatively correlated with the friction coefficient. The prediction accuracy of back propagation (BP) ANN model was higher. The model was optimized by genetic algorithm, and the average deviation of prediction results was 4.67%. By constructing the online monitoring system of automobile braking conditions, the online prediction of BPWL based on the ANN model could be realized.

Originality/value

The research results not only have important theoretical significance for the study of BPWL but also have practical value for guiding the maintenance and replacement of automobile brake pads and avoiding the occurrence of braking accidents.
Exploring the metaverse in the digital economy: an overview and research framework
Authors: Cheng Xusen , Zhang Shuang , Fu Shixuan , Liu Wanxin , Guan Chong , Mou Jian , Ye Qiongwei , Huang Caiming
Published: December 2022

Purpose

Metaverse is a virtual application spawned by digital technology that is becoming increasingly relevant to our lives. However, for the opportunities created and challenges posed by the metaverse, its important elements and future evolution trend remain largely unknown. Thus, this paper aims to understand the current status of metaverse research and its future research directions.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on the analysis of the literature data on the metaverse both in English and Chinese using Latent Dirichlet allocation (LDA) topic modeling and bibliometrics, this study discussed the related research and development trend of the metaverse. The authors first defined the concept of the metaverse and analyzed 1,378 English articles from seven publishers and 590 Chinese articles from the CNKI database. Following that, the authors summarized three important themes from the current studies: virtual world, metaverse technologies and metaverse applications. Finally, a framework of future directions on metaverse research was proposed.

Findings

The review found that during the rapid development of the metaverse, opportunities and challenges coexisted. In the virtual world, metaverse technologies drive the implementation of application scenarios, and in turn, applications promote the improvement of technologies. The interrelationship between technology and application lays the foundation for the development of the metaverse. Future metaverse research will generate different research directions.

Originality/value

This review provides a valuable, systematic perspective for individuals who want to understand the metaverse. The conceptual framework on metaverse research proposed in this paper offers a comparison of literature analysis from domestic and international perspectives and brings new insights into the development of the metaverse.
Women living with HIV, diabetes and/or hypertension multi-morbidity in Uganda: a qualitative exploration of experiences accessing an integrated care service
Authors: Van Hout Marie Claire Annette , Zalwango Flavia , Akugizibwe Mathias , Namulundu Chaka Moreen , Bigland Charlotte , Birungi Josephine , Jaffar Shabbar , Bachmann Max , Murdoch Jamie
Published: December 2022

Purpose

Women experience a triple burden of ill-health spanning non-communicable diseases (NCDs), reproductive and maternal health conditions and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in sub-Saharan Africa. Whilst there is research on integrated service experiences of women living with HIV (WLHIV) and cancer, little is known regarding those of WLHIV, diabetes and/or hypertension when accessing integrated care. Our research responds to this gap.

Design/methodology/approach

The INTE-AFRICA project conducted a pragmatic parallel arm cluster randomised trial to scale up and evaluate “one-stop” integrated care clinics for HIV-infection, diabetes and hypertension at selected primary care centres in Uganda. A qualitative process evaluation explored and documented patient experiences of integrated care for HIV, diabetes and/or hypertension. In-depth interviews were conducted using a phenomenological approach with six WLHIV with diabetes and/or hypertension accessing a “one stop” clinic. Thematic analysis of narratives revealed five themes: lay health knowledge and alternative medicine, community stigma, experiences of integrated care, navigating personal challenges and health service constraints.

Findings

WLHIV described patient pathways navigating HIV and diabetes/hypertension, with caregiving responsibilities, poverty, travel time and cost and personal ill health impacting on their ability to adhere to multi-morbid integrated treatment. Health service barriers to optimal integrated care included unreliable drug supply for diabetes/hypertension and HIV linked stigma. Comprehensive integrated care is recommended to further consider gender sensitive aspects of care.

Originality/value

This study whilst small scale, provides a unique insight into the lived experience of WLHIV navigating care for HIV and diabetes and/or hypertension, and how a “one stop” integrated care clinic can support them (and their children) in their treatment journeys.
The effects of public service motivation, risk propensity and risk perception on defensive decision-making in public administrations
Authors: Schäfer Fabienne-Sophie , Hirsch Bernhard , Nitzl Christian
Published: November 2022

Purpose

Drawing on the literature on public service motivation, the authors investigate the relationship between public service motivation and defensive decision-making. Further, the authors explore risk propensity and risk perception as potential antecedents of defensive decision-making.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on survey data from 144 German public financial managers of municipalities and federal agencies, the authors find no significant direct relationship between public service motivation and defensive decision-making.

Findings

However, the authors can show that risk propensity fully mediates the relationship between public service motivation and defensive decision-making. The findings also indicate that beyond the public service motivation and individual risk propensity of public financial managers, their risk perception does influence their decision making.

Originality/value

The study makes three contributions to the literature. First, the authors contribute to the relatively small amount of research on the risk-taking behaviour of public managers by explaining the indirect impact of PSM on their risk-taking behaviour. Second, this paper furthers the understanding of the influence of risk perception and risk propensity on decision-making and enhances the models of Sitkin and Pablo (1992) and Sitkin and Weingart (1995). Third, the paper also contributes to the call for more international research on German public administrations.
Health belief and behaviour: an analysis of the predictors for receiving COVID-19 vaccines in Malaysia
Authors: Tan Consilz , Liew Chee Yoong
Published: November 2022

Purpose

The paper examines the ‘Intention to Receive the COVID-19 Vaccines’ or IRV from three perspectives: the health belief model, behavioural economics, and institutional quality.

Design/methodology/approach

This study provides quantitative analysis by applying Chi-squared test of contingencies, paired sample t-tests, exploratory factor analysis, and multiple linear regression (stepwise method) on the data collected from 591 respondents mainly from Malaysia.

Findings

The results show that Perceived Benefits, Perceived Barriers, Perceived Susceptibility, Herding, and Institutional Quality play roles as predictors of IRV. Perceived Benefits play the most crucial role among the predictors and Perceived Barriers is the least important predictor. People have the herding mentality after being exposed to information encouraging such behaviour.

Originality/value

This study reveals that the respondents changed their behaviour in different circumstances when exposed to information that incorporates the effect of herding. Herding mentality, the effectiveness of government authorities, and regulatory quality have become important factors in enriching public health policies and the effectiveness of interventions.
Let us get contextual: critical realist case studies in supply chain management
Authors: Bille Amanda , Hendriksen Christian
Published: December 2022

Purpose

This study aims to explain the value of using critical realist case research in supply chain management (SCM). While positivist case research focuses on generalizable law-like rules, and interpretivist research explores social meaning, critical realist case research seeks to make objective explanations that are bound by the case context. This study demonstrates how a critical realist synthesis of causal reasoning and contextual complexity allows for stronger theorizing in SCM.

Design/methodology/approach

This study highlights the possibilities of conducting critical realist case research in SCM by investigating philosophical perspectives in existing literature.

Findings

Based on existing literature, this study identifies which parts of contemporary SCM research will benefit from the critical realist perspective. This study also contends that supply chain scholars can use critical realist case research to develop new types of contextualized middle-range theories.

Research limitations/implications

This study proposes to complement the qualitative SCM toolbox with critical realist case research to further refine the development of novel theories. This will benefit not only researchers but also managers, as it opens the doors to new and inspiring research.

Originality/value

This study takes an important step toward establishing critical realist case studies as a key methodology in SCM. While other scholars have introduced critical realism as a paradigmatic approach in SCM, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first article that develops a qualitative critical realist case research approach.
Genetic diversity of rodent species sold in South African pet shops
Authors: Shivambu Ndivhuwo , Shivambu Tinyiko C. , Downs Colleen T. , Willows‐Munro Sandi
Published: November 2022

Murid rodents are considered globally important invasive species, yet they are still sold in the pet trade. Little is known about the genetic diversity of traded rodents, and many species are incorrectly identified in the pet trade. We used mitochondrial gene regions to assess the taxonomy and genetic diversity of 149 rodents sold in pet shops across eight South African provinces. We identified a total of 112 specimens as Mus musculus, while 31 were Rattus norvegicus, and six were identified as the southern African endemic, southern multimammate mouse Mastomys coucha. Phylogenetic analyses revealed that the three species were monophyletic. Mus musculus and R. norvegicus showed higher levels of genetic diversity, with 19 unique mtDNA haplotypes recovered for M. musculus and eight haplotypes for R. norvegicus. KwaZulu‐Natal, Western Cape and Gauteng Provinces had the most unique haplotypes than other provinces. Our findings showed that non‐native species are widely distributed in the South African pet trade industry, while M. coucha was not widely traded, although recorded in three provinces. This suggests that most provinces comply with the trade regulations on native species, but the threat of invasive rodents to South Africa's unique biodiversity is highlighted.
Decline of the marabou stork (Leptoptilos crumenifer) in West Africa and the need for immediate conservation action
Authors: Gula Jonah , Barlow Clive R.
Published: November 2022

The marabou stork (Leptoptilos crumenifer) is widespread and generally abundant in East and Southern Africa, but recent research has found range loss indicative of a population decline in West Africa in recent decades. In the absence of population data, we conducted an in‐depth review of the status of the marabou in the region using a plethora of sources together comprising the largest database on the occurrence of the species. Despite caveats and coarseness of the assessment, we estimate the range loss at 52% in West Africa, including extirpation of approximately 64% of known nesting colonies since 2000. The resulting fragmentation has left a metapopulation of likely no more than 100 breeding pairs in The Gambia and Benin and an unknown number of breeders in Cameroon. Knowledge gaps about marabou population ecology in West Africa are significant and prevent an empirical assessment of regional extinction probability. Therefore, we recommend immediate field surveys, especially for breeding colonies, and research into threats and population dynamics. We also recommend the West African metapopulation be listed as regionally critically endangered and that a working group be formed comprising stakeholders from across the region to aid in assessing threats and implementing research and conservation action.
Daily and seasonal activity patterns of the dorcas gazelle, scimitar‐horned oryx, north‐African ostrich and canids in an arid habitat
Authors: Meliane Mohamed Khalil , Petretto Marie , Saidi Amira , Chetoui Abdelkader , Gilbert Tania , Nasri‐Ammar Karima
Published: November 2022

North Africa's megafauna has developed behavioural adaptations to reduce energetic and fitness costs under harsh arid land conditions. Animal behaviour and activity patterns are difficult to study in the wild, but remote camera traps provide a solution to collecting data without the presence of a researcher influencing outcomes. Here, we report results from a study comprising over 20,382 camera‐trap days during a 34‐month period in Dghoumes National Park, Tunisia. We aimed to evaluate temporal activity patterns and their overlap and explore opportunities for niche partitioning. Our focal species were the reintroduced scimitar‐horned oryx, north‐African ostrich, dorcas gazelles and extant regional top‐order predators, African wolf and red fox. We found differences in activity patterns between seasons across the focal species, with the most noticeable change being an increase in dawn activity from 1% to 33% between winter and summer for the red fox. Consequently, higher summer temperatures limit opportunities for temporal niche partitioning and push focal species towards dawn‐time activity peaks resulting in higher intra‐guild overlap values at dawn. Arid antelopes have physiological adaptations that enable them to better exploit ecological resources in hotter time periods than the carnivores, and this reduces inter‐guild overlap during summer days.
Early introduction of peanut reduces peanut allergy across risk groups in pooled and causal inference analyses
Authors: Logan Kirsty , Bahnson Henry T. , Ylescupidez Alyssa , Beyer Kirsten , Bellach Johanna , Campbell Dianne E. , Craven Joanna , Du Toit George , Clare Mills E. N. , Perkin Michael R. , Roberts Graham , van Ree Ronald , Lack Gideon
Published: November 2022

Background

The Learning Early About Peanut allergy (LEAP) study has shown the effectiveness of early peanut introduction in prevention of peanut allergy (PA). In the Enquiring About Tolerance (EAT) study, a statistically significant reduction in PA was present only in per‐protocol (PP) analyses, which can be subject to bias.

Objective

The aim of this study was to combine individual‐level data from the LEAP and EAT trials and provide robust evidence on the bias‐corrected, causal effect of early peanut introduction.

Method

As part of the European Union‐funded iFAAM project, this pooled analysis of individual pediatric patient data combines and compares effectiveness and efficacy estimates of oral tolerance induction among different risk strata and analysis methods.

Results

An intention‐to‐treat (ITT) analysis of pooled data showed a 75% reduction in PA (p < .0001) among children randomized to consume peanut from early infancy. A protective effect was present across all eczema severity groups, irrespective of enrollment sensitization to peanut, and across different ethnicities. Earlier age of introduction was associated with improved effectiveness of the intervention. In the pooled PP analysis, peanut consumption reduced the risk of PA by 98% (p < .0001). A causal inference analysis confirmed the strong PP effect (89% average treatment effect relative risk reduction p < .0001). A multivariable causal inference analysis approach estimated a large (100%) reduction in PA in children without eczema (p = .004).

Conclusion

We demonstrate a significant reduction in PA with early peanut introduction in a large group of pooled, randomized participants. This significant reduction was demonstrated across all risk subgroups, including children with no eczema. Furthermore, our results point to increased efficacy of the intervention with earlier age of introduction.
Prepregnancy body mass index and risk of childhood asthma
Authors: Rosenquist Natalie A. , Richards Megan , Ferber Jeannette R. , Li De‐Kun , Ryu So Young , Burkin Heather , Strickland Matthew J. , Darrow Lyndsey A.
Published: November 2022

Background

Growing evidence suggests that maternal obesity may affect the intrauterine environment and increase a child's risk of developing asthma. We aim to investigate the relationship between prepregnancy obesity and childhood asthma risk.

Methods

Cohorts of children enrolled in Kaiser Permanente Northern California integrated healthcare system were followed from birth (2005–2014) to age 4 (n = 104,467), 6 (n = 63,084), or 8 (n = 31,006) using electronic medical records. Child's asthma was defined using ICD codes and asthma‐related prescription medication dispensing. Risk ratios (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) for child's asthma were estimated using Poisson regression with robust error variance for (1) prepregnancy BMI categories (underweight [<18.5], normal [18.5–24.9], overweight [25–29.9], obese 1 [30–34.9], and obese 2/3 [≥35]) and (2) continuous prepregnancy BMI modeled using cubic splines with knots at BMI category boundaries. Models were adjusted for maternal age, education, race, asthma, allergies, smoking, gestational weight gain, child's birth year, parity, infant sex, gestational age, and child's BMI.

Results

Relative to normal BMI, RRs (95%CIs) for asthma at ages 4, 6, and 8 were 0.91 (0.75, 1.11), 0.95 (0.78, 1.16), and 0.97 (0.75, 1.27) for underweight, 1.06 (0.99, 1.14), 1.08 (1.01, 1.16), and 1.03 (0.94, 1.14) for overweight, 1.09 (1.00, 1.19), 1.12 (1.03, 1.23), 1.03 (0.91, 1.17) for obese 1, and 1.10 (0.99, 1.21), 1.13 (1.02, 1.25), 1.14 (0.99, 1.31) for obese 2/3. When continuous prepregnancy BMI was modeled with splines, child's asthma risk generally increased linearly with increasing prepregnancy BMI.

Conclusions

Higher prepregnancy BMI is associated with modestly increased childhood asthma risk.
Association of lipid accumulation products with testosterone deficiency in adult American men: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Liu Qiushi , Huang Yuanyuan , Wang Ming , Jiang Hui , Zhang Xiansheng
Published: November 2022

Purpose

Testosterone deficiency and changes in testosterone levels are important in men's health and may be associated with fat accumulation. In order to investigate the connection between testosterone and fat accumulation in adult males, we employed lipid accumulation product and compared it to triglyceride–glucose and Homeostasis Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance.

Materials and methods

An intersecting surface research of participators from 2013 to 2014 was carried out using National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, in addition, participants from 2015 to 2016 were selected. Using multivariate adjusted logistic regression, the connection between lipid accumulation product, testosterone levels, and testosterone insufficiency was investigated, smoothed curve fitting was calculated to integrate non‐linear relationships, and subgroup analysis was performed to identify sensitive populations.

Results

After removing all potential confounders, testosterone levels in 1651 subjects tended to decrease with increasing continuous variable lipid accumulation product (β = –0.49, 95% confidence interval [–0.77, –0.22], p = 0.0005) and adding the chance of testosterone deficiency (odds ratio = 1.01, 95% confidence interval [1.01, 1.01], p < 0.0001). In the lipid accumulation product quartile, testosterone levels decreased the most (β = –77.65, 95% confidence interval [–110.99, –44.31], p < 0.0001) and the risk of testosterone deficiency was highest (odds ratio = 2.76, 95% confidence interval [1.47, 5.20], p = 0.0016). The area under the curve values were 0.718 (95% confidence interval: 0.688–0.750) for lipid accumulation product, 0.723 (95% confidence interval: 0.689–0.756) for Homeostasis Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance, and 0.673 (95% confidence interval: 0.640–0.708) for triglyceride–glucose, with no statistical difference between lipid accumulation product and Homeostasis Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance comparisons. The cut‐off value of lipid accumulation product ≥52.408 predicted testosterone deficiency with good sensitivity and specificity.

Conclusion

Higher lipid accumulation product was linked to a higher incidence of testosterone loss and inadequate, especially in hypertensive and non‐smoker. Lipid accumulation product is a better predictor of testosterone deficiency than triglyceride–glucose and does not differ significantly from the Homeostasis Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance phase.
Confirm Rx insertable cardiac monitor for primary atrial fibrillation detection in high‐risk heart failure patients (Confirm‐AF trial)
Authors: Aktas Mehmet K. , Zareba Wojciech , Butler Javed , Younis Arwa , McNitt Scott , Brown Mary W. , Rao Nikhila , Rao Nilesh , Steinberg Jonathan , Chen Leway , Alexis Jeffrey D. , Vidula Himabindu , Goldenberg Ilan
Published: November 2022

Background

Patients with heart failure (HF) represent a large population of patients who are at high risk for complications related to undiagnosed atrial fibrillation (AF). However, currently there are limited modalities available for early AF detection in this high‐risk population. An implantable cardiac monitor (ICM) is inserted subcutaneously and can provide long‐term arrhythmia information via remote monitoring.

Methods and Results

Confirm‐AF is a prospective randomized, nonblinded, two arm, multicenter clinical trial to be performed in the United States, enrolling 477 patients with a history of HF hospitalization and left ventricular ejection fraction >35% from 30 medical sites. Patients will be randomized in a 2:1 fashion to undergo ICM implant with remote monitoring and symptom‐triggered mobile app transmissions versus (vs.) Non‐ICM management and follow‐up. The primary objective of this trial is to compare the time to first detection of AF lasting > 5 min using an Abbott ICM compared to non‐ICM monitoring in symptomatic HF patients. This article describes the design and analytic plan for the Confirm‐AF trial.

Conclusions

The Confirm‐AF trial seeks to accurately define the burden of AF in high‐risk HF patients with LVEF > 35% using an Abbott ICM. A finding showing significantly higher incidence of AF along with improved clinical outcomes with ICM monitoring is expected to have substantial clinical implications and may change the method of monitoring high‐risk HF patients.
No species loss, but pronounced species turnover in grasslands in the Northern Alps over 25 years
Authors: Schwaiger Helena , Lenzer Bernd , Essl Franz
Published: November 2022

The abandonment of marginally productive habitats and the intensification of land use on productive sites have caused transformative changes in vegetation composition in Central Europe. In this study, after 25 years we resurveyed a total of 145 grassland relevés from the mid‐1990s in a grassland‐dominated valley of the Northern Alps of Upper Austria. We studied changes in richness and composition, and related these to underlying drivers. We found that the average species number in plots increased from 46 in the first survey period to 49 in the second one. Median species richness across sites significantly increased from 1995 to 2020 for Festuco‐Brometea (55–61 species) and Galio‐Urticetea (24–32 species), but did not show any significant change for the other classes. Further, we recorded substantial species turnover, with winners consisting mostly of species that prefer nutrient‐rich sites, while losers were predominantly species of nutrient‐poor sites. In particular, using Ellenberg Indicator Values for calculating community indices, we found an indication for ongoing eutrophication in vegetation types of nutrient‐poor vegetation classes (Festuco‐Brometea and Calluno‐Ulicetea), and in wet habitats (Scheuchzerio‐Caricetea fuscae). Community indices of wet habitats also showed clear signs of becoming more mesic. Thermophilization of community indices was evident across several vegetation classes. Further, alien species that were very rare in the mid‐1990s became more abundant in the resurveyed plots, although the level of invasion is still low. Finally, community values for nutrients of plots that are located in a protected area that has been established in 2014 did not increase significantly, while this was the case in plots outside the protected area, indicating that the management of the protected area has positive effects in halting eutrophication. We conclude that despite overall species richness changing only moderately between both surveys, substantial changes in community composition toward more nitrophilic and thermophilic conditions occurred.
Population pharmacokinetic modelling of tremelimumab in patients with advanced solid tumours and the impact of disease status on time‐varying clearance
Authors: Hwang Michael , Chia Yen Lin , Zheng Yanan , Chen Cecil Chi‐Keung , He Jimmy , Song Xuyang , Zhou Diansong , Goldberg Sarah B. , Siu Lillian L. , Planchard David , Peters Solange , Mann Helen , Krug Lee , Even Caroline
Published: December 2022

Aims

Tremelimumab, a cytotoxic T‐lymphocyte‐associated protein 4 human monoclonal antibody of the immunoglobulin G2 κ isotype, has been studied in oncology clinical trials as both monotherapy and in combination with durvalumab. This study characterized the pharmacokinetics of tremelimumab as monotherapy and in combination with durvalumab and evaluated the impact of patient covariates on pharmacokinetics.

Methods

A pooled‐analysis population pharmacokinetics model was built using NONMEM methodology. Pharmacokinetic data from 5 studies spanning different tumour types and therapy regimens were pooled for model development (956 patients). A dataset pooled from 4 additional studies was used for external validation (554 patients). Demographic and relevant clinical covariates were explored during model development.

Results

Tremelimumab exhibited linear pharmacokinetics, well described by a 2‐compartment model, with time‐varying clearance (0.276 L/day at baseline) associated primarily with therapy regimen and linked with changes in disease status. As monotherapy and combination therapy, tremelimumab clearance over 1 year increased by ~16% and decreased by ~17%, respectively. Pharmacokinetic behaviour was consistent across patient demographics and cancer subtypes. Patients with higher bodyweight and lower albumin levels at baseline had significantly higher clearance; however, no dosage adjustments are warranted. A flat dose (75 mg) was projected to provide comparable exposure to weight‐based dosing (1 mg/kg) in adults.

Conclusion

Tremelimumab exhibited linear pharmacokinetics but consistently opposite trends of time‐varying clearance as monotherapy and in combination with durvalumab. Baseline bodyweight and albumin were significant covariates, but conversion from weight‐based dosing at 1 mg/kg to flat dosing at 75 mg had no clinically relevant impact.
Does religiosity affect financing activity? Evidence from Indonesia
Authors: Wijaya Ibrahim Fatwa , Moro Andrea , Belghitar Yacine
Published: November 2022

We examine the role of religiosity on the financing activities in both Islamic and conventional banks in Indonesian provinces by using five different measures of religiosity: number of Islamic schools, hajj application, number of Islamic seminary schools, number of Mosques, and number of certified halal products. Based on regression analysis, the results show that both Islamic and conventional banks provide more financing in religious provinces. Religiosity also helps in reducing the volume of non‐performing financing. Our the results are still qualitatively valid after taking into account endogeneity issue that emanates from omitted variables (i.e., unobservable beliefs, ideas, and attitudes), and possible reverse causality between religiosity and the total amount of financing at the province level.
Whose work? Which markets? Rethinking work and markets in light of virtue ethics
Authors: Pinto‐Garay Javier , Scalzo Germán , Schlag Martin
Published: November 2022

Neo‐Aristotelian virtue ethics applied to work and business theory have received increasing attention due to Alasdair MacIntyre's philosophy. At the same time, this approach has been accused of being inapplicable, a romantic nostalgia for an ideal world far from the reality of today's markets. Moreover, the more this theory evolves, the bigger the gap seems to become, as if good work were at odds with its economic dimension. This paper aims to address this gap by explaining how MacIntyre's neo‐Aristotelianism conceives of the economic dimension of good work. In particular, we claim that it is consistent with MacIntyre's philosophy that said economic dimension of work can be defined in terms of excellence and virtue, particularly in accordance with the virtues of justice and unity of life. However, for these virtues of good work to be practicable, a reconsideration of market practices performed under the logic of giving and receiving is needed. Hence, defining and sustaining an economic dimension of good work in MacIntyre also depend on the possibility of market practices being defined as excellent.