bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Application of recurrence dynamic analysis to running-in state recognition
Authors: Peng Minglong , Zhou Yuankai , Zuo Xue
Published: June 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study the dynamic features of friction coefficient during running-in state based on recurrence analysis, so as to recognize the running-in state of crankshaft journal bearings.

Design/methodology/approach

The friction coefficient was measured in the friction experiments and the dynamic features are analyzed by recurrence plots (RPs), unthreshold recurrence plots (URPs) and recurrence quantification analysis.

Findings

During the running-in process, RPs have gone through disrupted patterns, drift patterns and homogeneous patterns successively. URP shows that the phase trajectory spirals in the disrupted pattern gradually converge in the drift pattern and remain stable in the homogeneous pattern. Three independent measures, recurrence rate, entropy and laminarity, are chosen to characterize friction coefficient from the perspective of point, diagonal line and vertical line structures of the RPs.

Originality/value

The results provide a feasible way to monitor the running-in process and recognize the running-in state.
Do economic, social and political globalization affect terrorism? Fresh evidence from international panel data
Authors: Rajput Sheraz Mustafa , Khoso Noor Ahmed , Sial Tariq Aziz , Dakhan Sarfraz Ahmed , Syed Hassan Ali
Published: June 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the impact of economic, social and political globalizations on the incidents of global terrorism.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors apply negative binomial regressions model because the variable is event count. The sample size covers 195 countries from 1990 to 2017.

Findings

There is strong evidence that the higher level of economic and social integrations internationally lead to a reduction in terrorist activities. However, the results relating to political globalization are inconsistent. Comparing the top 20 most affected countries with the full sample, the authors find a negative association between economic globalization and terrorism, whereas social and political globalization is found to be statistically insignificant. Finally, the evidence holds firmly pre-9/11 attacks on World Trade Centre.

Research limitations/implications

This paper suffers through the lack of consensus on a unique and consistent definition of terrorism. The definition of terrorism varies across time and countries. Furthermore, there is a variation among the main databases of terrorism, which could potentially affect the reliability of findings.

Practical implications

This paper provides policymakers with a policy recommendation that the economic and social integration across countries should be encouraged, as it might decrease the number of terrorist events taking place worldwide. In addition, the benefits of economic development generated through global integration must be fairly distributed across societies as an effort to decrease motivation of disgruntles population to involve in terrorism.

Originality/value

This paper contributes empirically to the existing literature through investigating the impact of economic, social and political globalizations on the incidents of terrorism worldwide.
Tackling post-pandemic challenges with digital technologies: an empirical study
Authors: Khan Syed Abdul Rehman , Yu Zhang , Umar Muhammad , Lopes de Sousa Jabbour Ana Beatriz , Mor Rahul S.
Published: June 2021

Purpose

This study aims to examine the impact of Covid-19 on social and eco-environmental sustainability. It will also investigate the effect of advanced technologies in the post-pandemic era.

Design/methodology/approach

To get the robust findings, GMM (Generalized Method of Moments) modeling is employed on the panel data of 50 countries across the globe.

Findings

The outcomes indicate that gross fixed capital, logistical operations, knowledge spillover are positive, while Covid-19 is negatively associated with international trade. The results also revealed that Covid-19 spurs poverty and vulnerable employment, while the fertility rate increase creates pressure on economic growth. Also, fossil fuel and energy consumption contribute to carbon emission, while green and advanced technologies may mitigate the environment's adverse effects.

Originality/value

This study is the first of its kind to provide a solution to the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic in the post-pandemic environment. Furthermore, researchers, managers and legislators can use this article's findings to formulate relevant policies for post-pandemic.
Phase-field simulations of isomorphous binary alloys subject to isothermal and directional solidification
Authors: Allen Jeffrey B.
Published: June 2021

Purpose

In this work, with a goal to ultimately forward the advancement of additive manufacturing research, the author applies the Wheeler-Boettinger-McFadden model through a progressive series of increasingly complex solidification problems illustrating the evolution of both dendritic as well as columnar growth morphologies. For purposes of convenience, the author assumes idyllic solutions (i.e. the excess energies associated with mixing solid and liquid phases can be neglected).

Design/methodology/approach

In this work, the author applied the phase-field model through a progressive series of increasingly complex solidification problems, illustrating the evolution of both dendritic as well as columnar growth morphologies. Beginning with a non-isothermal treatment of pure Ni, the author further examined the isothermal and directional solidification of Cu–Ni binary alloys.

Findings

(1) Consistent with previous simulation results, solidification simulations from each of the three cases revealed the presence of parabolic, dendrite tips evolving along directions of maximum interface energy. (2) For pure Ni simulations, changes in the anisotropy and noise magnitudes resulted in an increase of secondary dendritic branches and changes in the direction of propagation. The overall shape of the primary structure tended also to elongate with increased anisotropy. (3) For simulations of isothermal solidification of Ni–Cu binary alloys, the development of primary and secondary dendrite arm formation followed similar patterns associated with a pure substance. Calculations of dendrite tip velocity tended to increase monotonically with increasing anisotropy in accordance with previous research. (4) Simulations of directional solidification of Ni–Cu binary alloys with a linear temperature profile demonstrated the presence of cellular dendrites with relatively weak side-branching. The occurrence of solute trapping was also apparent between the primary dendrite columns. Dendrite tip velocities increased with increasing cooling rate.

Originality/value

This research, particularly the section devoted to directional solidification of binary alloys, describes a novel numerical framework and platform for the parametric analysis of various microstructural related quantities, including the effects due to changes in temperature gradient and cooling rate. Both the evolution of the phase and concentration are resolved.
The mediating role of fairness on the effectiveness of strategic performance measurement systems
Authors: Baird Kevin , Su Sophia Xia , Nuhu Nuraddeen
Published: June 2021

Purpose

This study examines the mediating role of the fairness of performance appraisal on the association between the extent of use of strategic performance measurement systems (SPMSs) with SPMS effectiveness.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected using an online survey distributed to 656 Australian middle and lower level managers.

Findings

The findings reveal that informational fairness mediates the association between SPMSs (link to value drivers and the use of multidimensional performance measures) with performance-related outcomes; procedural fairness mediates the association between SPMSs (link to strategy and the use of multidimensional performance measures) with staff-related outcomes and distributive fairness mediates the association between the use of SPMSs (all three types) with both performance and staff-related outcomes.

Originality/value

The study provides a unique insight into the importance of fairness (the distributive, informational and procedural fairness of the performance appraisal system) in mediating the associations between the extent of use of SPMSs and SPMS effectiveness. The findings contribute to the human resource management (HRM) “black box” literature by providing an insight into the behavioural mechanism through which a specific human resource management practice (i.e. the SPMS) influences organisational performance.
Scenarios for end-of-life (EOL) electric vehicle batteries in China
Authors: Volan Tainara , Vaz Caroline Rodrigues , Uriona-Maldonado Mauricio
Published: June 2021

Purpose

The paper concludes with showing that in the most optimistic scenario, end-of-life (EOL) batteries will account for 86% of energy storage for wind and 36% for solar PV in 2040.

Design/methodology/approach

With the growing demand for electric vehicles (EVs), the stock of discarded batteries will increase dramatically if no action is taken for their reuse or recycling. One potential avenue is to reuse them as energy storage systems (ESS) to mitigate the intermittent generation of renewable energy such as solar PV and wind. In a sense, the reliability for solar PV and wind energy can increase if energy storage systems become economically more attractive, making solar and wind systems more attractive through economies of scale.

Findings

The paper concludes with showing that in the most optimistic scenario, EOL batteries will account for 86% of energy storage for wind and 36% for solar PV in 2040.

Originality/value

The projection of scenarios can contribute to the information of policies, standards and identification of environmental promotion and promotion related to efficient management for EOL batteries.
A systematic mapping of BIM and digital technologies for architectural heritage
Authors: Mansuri Lukman E. , Patel D.A. , Udeaja Chika , Makore Busisiwe Chikomborero Ncube , Trillo Claudia , Awuah Kwasi Gyau Baffour , Jha Kumar Neeraj
Published: June 2021

Purpose

Across the architecture, engineering and construction industry, the application of building information modelling (BIM) as a digital technology for architectural heritage is becoming increasingly relevant. However, scholarly research on the application of BIM for architectural heritage is still in its infancy stage and the research gaps and future directions of this research area are still unclear. This paper therefore aims to fill this gap by using a systematic and robust review using a mixed-method approach to show the gaps of research for BIM and architectural heritage and point to new directions for future works.

Design/methodology/approach

The study includes a quantitative scientometric analysis and mapping and a qualitative study. A total of 354 articles related to BIM and architectural heritage were analysed using a combination of quantitative and qualitative tools. The qualitative study consists of a systematic literature review supported by data collected from stakeholder and training workshops on digital technologies and BIM for heritage.

Findings

Findings from this study reveal the gaps in the field of heritage and BIM research according to retrieved articles from different countries and journals. Furthermore, emerging domains for future research were identified and these included: as-built modelling and 3D reconstruction; conservation, preservation and management; documentation; maintenance and restoration; virtual technology and simulation.

Originality/value

The common research challenges were identified as an integrated outcome of the findings revealed from the scientometric mapping and qualitative review and resulted in key BIM and heritage research priority recommendations relevant to researchers within this field.
The structure of food taste in 21st century Britain
Authors: Atkinson Will
Published: June 2021

This paper draws on the concepts and tools of Pierre Bourdieu to construct a comprehensive model of the contemporary British “food space.” It uses multiple correspondence analysis to unearth a space structured in two key dimensions revolving around the lean and the rich. A host of supplementary variables are available to examine the relationship, or homology, between food tastes and broader alimentary dispositions, including orientations toward shopping, ethics and cooking. Indicators of social position reveal the structuring of the space by economic and cultural capital as well as gender, but also, updating and nuancing Bourdieu's own model for 1970s’ France, by age, region, ethnicity and religion. Finally, the paper examines the relationship between position in the food space and physical, mental and existential wellbeing, demonstrating that orientation toward the less healthy and the less rich, corresponding with few resources, is, in some cases, accompanied by not only hunger and deprivation but profound worry and misery.
Emergency responder willingness to respond during disasters: A literature review
Authors: Knezek Erick B. , Vu Thevu , Lee Jim
Published: June 2021

Absenteeism of first responders during emergency events is considered a significant issue in disaster response, which is caused by two primary reasons: inability or unwillingness to report to work. This study provides a review of literature related to emergency responders’ willingness to respond (WTR) to a disaster. In this review, the history of the genesis, myth and reality periods of WTR research was described. A compilation and analysis of 14 perception studies involving 33,849 respondents on emergency responder WTR was conducted. Weighted averages method was used to perform descriptive statistical analysis of the compiled surveys. Results showed that, on average, 72.1% of the emergency responders sorted by disaster and 75.1% sorted by role reported they are willing to respond to a disaster. Negative consequences, including concern of home damage, concern for family, and risk to self are the primary barriers to WTR. In contrast, preparedness and a sense of professional duty act as facilitators to WTR.
Effect of demographics and ethnicity on laser retinopexy in preventing retinal detachment in a tertiary eye hospital in 812 eyes
Authors: Moussa George , Samia‐Aly Emma , Ch'ng Soon Wai , Lett Kim Son , Mitra Arijit , Tyagi Ajai K , Sharma Ash , Andreatta Walter
Published: June 2021

Purpose

To investigate different baseline characteristics, clinical indications, repeat retinopexy rate, and 6‐month detachment rate of primary laser retinopexy across different ethnicities.

Method

Retrospective, single‐centre, consecutive comparative study, looking at all patients who had primary laser retinopexy between January 2017 and 2020. Multivariate Cox survival [reporting hazard ratio (HR)] and binary logistic regression (reporting odds ratio) analyses were performed to investigate differences between ethnicities with age, gender, operator level (vitreoretinal or general ophthalmologist) and high myopia status (≤−6.0 Dioptres) as covariates.

Results

We report on 812 patients in three ethnicities: Black [69 (8.5%)], South Asian [SA, 156 (19.2%)] and White [587 (72.3%)] with overall 6‐month detachment rate of 31 (3.8%). Rate for subsequent retinopexies was Black: 12 (17.4%), SA: 15 (9.6%) and White: 131 (22.3%), p = 0.002. Multivariate Cox survival regression analysis found no difference in detachment rate between ethnicities. South Asian (SA) had lower repeat retinopexy rate than White patients [HR, 0.40 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.22–0.71, p = 0.002)]. Multivariate binary logistic regression found that Black and SA patients compared with White, have the following: (i) higher proportion of round holes relative to horseshoe tears [OR, 2.31 (95% CI, 1.19–4.49, p = 0.014) and OR, 2.06 (95% CI, 1.25–3.40), p = 0.004, respectively] and (ii) higher proportion of high myopia [OR, 2.99 (95% CI, 1.20–7.46, p = 0.019) and OR, 2.35 (95% CI, 1.11–4.96), p = 0.025, respectively]. Ethnic minorities were younger than White patients: SA [43, interquartile range (IQR), 28–61], Black (49, IQR, 35–57) and White (61, IQR, 54–67 years, p < 0.001) and had more indirect and 360 retinopexy compared with slit lamp (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

We demonstrate a significant difference in baseline characteristics, retinal tear morphology and treatment course between the ethnic groups. Further studies are necessary to investigate the genetic and biological differences that may influence these variations and may help to allow for more targeted health care.
A five amino acids deletion in NKCC2 of C57BL/6 mice affects analysis of NKCC2 phosphorylation but does not impact kidney function
Authors: Moser Sandra , Sugano Yuya , Wengi Agnieszka , Fisi Viktoria , Lindtoft Rosenbaek Lena , Mariniello Marta , Loffing‐Cueni Dominique , McCormick James A. , Fenton Robert A. , Loffing Johannes
Published: June 2021

Aim

The phosphorylation level of the furosemide‐sensitive Na+‐K+‐2Cl− cotransporter (NKCC2) in the thick ascending limb (TAL) is used as a surrogate marker for NKCC2 activation and TAL function. However, in mice, analyses of NKCC2 phosphorylation with antibodies against phosphorylated threonines 96 and 101 (anti‐pT96/pT101) give inconsistent results. We aimed (a) to elucidate these inconsistencies and (b) to develop a phosphoform‐specific antibody that ensures reliable detection of NKCC2 phosphorylation in mice.

Methods

Genetic information, molecular biology, biochemical techniques and mouse phenotyping was used to study NKCC2 and kidney function in two commonly used mouse strains (ie 129Sv and in C57BL/6 mice). Moreover, a new phosphoform‐specific mouse NKCC2 antibody was developed and characterized.

Results

Amino acids sequence alignment revealed that C57BL/6 mice have a strain‐specific five amino acids deletion (ΔF97‐T101) in NKCC2 that diminishes the detection of NKCC2 phosphorylation with previously developed pT96/pT101 NKCC2 antibodies. Instead, the antibodies cross‐react with the phosphorylated thiazide‐sensitive NaCl cotransporter (NCC), which can obscure interpretation of results. Interestingly, the deletion in NKCC2 does not impact on kidney function and/or expression of renal ion transport proteins as indicated by the analysis of the F2 generation of crossbred 129Sv and C57BL/6 mice. A newly developed pT96 NKCC2 antibody detects pNKCC2 in both mouse strains and shows no cross‐reactivity with phosphorylated NCC.

Conclusion

Our work reveals a hitherto unappreciated, but essential, strain difference in the amino acids sequence of mouse NKCC2 that needs to be considered when analysing NKCC2 phosphorylation in mice. The new pNKCC2 antibody circumvents this technical caveat.
Umbrella review of 42 systematic reviews with meta‐analyses: the safety of proton pump inhibitors
Authors: Salvo Elizabeth M. , Ferko Nicole C. , Cash Sarah B. , Gonzalez Ailish , Kahrilas Peter J.
Published: June 2021

Background

Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are widely used to treat and prevent acid‐related disorders. Despite high efficacy, PPI safety has been increasingly scrutinised. However, no comprehensive review summarising investigations of various adverse events is available.

Aims

To perform an umbrella review to comprehensively assess associations between adverse events and PPI use.

Methods

In accordance with PRISMA, an umbrella review of systematic reviews with meta‐analyses was conducted. PubMed and EMBASE were searched from 2015 to July 2019. AMSTAR 2 and GRADE were used to assess quality and certainty of evidence. Author‐reported quality assessments were also reviewed.

Results

Forty‐two systematic reviews with meta‐analyses, supported predominantly by observational evidence, were included. The most comprehensive studies reported statistically significant associations with PPI use for several outcomes, including: fractures (eg, hip; RR = 1.20; 95% CI = 1.14‐1.28; n = 2 103 800), kidney disease (eg, acute kidney injury; RR = 1.61; 95% CI = 1.16‐2.22; n = 2 396 640), infections (eg, Clostridioides difficile; OR = 1.99; 95% CI = 1.73‐2.30; n = 356 683), gastric cancer (OR = 2.50; 95% CI = 1.74‐3.85; n = 943 070) and gastrointestinal events (eg, fundic gland polyps; OR = 2.46; 95% CI = 1.42‐4.27; n = 40 218). No associations with non‐gastric cancers, or neurological disease were concluded, with conflicting evidence for cardiovascular outcomes. Certainty based on GRADE was very low for most outcomes.

Conclusions

This review identified several published associations between PPIs and adverse outcomes, however, further investigation is needed to understand their clinical significance and the likelihood of causal relationship. If higher quality evidence is generated substantiating the potential risks, it may be necessary for clinicians to consider alternative treatment strategies, especially when PPI efficacy is suboptimal.
Systematic review and network meta‐analysis: efficacy of licensed drugs for abdominal bloating in irritable bowel syndrome with constipation
Authors: Nelson Alfred D. , Black Christopher J. , Houghton Lesley A. , Lugo‐Fagundo Nahyr Sofía , Lacy Brian E. , Ford Alexander C.
Published: June 2021

Background

Although bloating is a highly prevalent and troublesome symptom in irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS‐C), treatment is empirical with no specific guidelines for its management.

Aim

To conduct a pairwise and network meta‐analysis, using a frequentist approach, of Food and Drug Administration‐licensed drugs for IBS‐C comparing their efficacy for abdominal bloating as a specific endpoint.

Methods

We searched the medical literature through December 2020 to identify randomised controlled trials (RCTs) in IBS‐C, with abdominal bloating reported as a dichotomous assessment. Efficacy of each drug was reported as a pooled relative risk (RR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) to summarise effect of each comparison tested. Treatments were ranked according to their P‐score.

Results

We identified 13 eligible RCTs, containing 10 091 patients. Linaclotide 290 µg o.d., lubiprostone 8 µg b.d., tenapanor 50 mg b.d. and tegaserod 6 mg b.d. were all superior to placebo for abdominal bloating in patients with IBS‐C, in both pairwise and the network meta‐analyses. Linaclotide demonstrated the greatest improvement in abdominal bloating in both pairwise and network meta‐analysis (RR of failure to achieve an improvement in abdominal bloating = 0.78; 95% CI 0.74‐0.83, number needed to treat = 7, P‐score 0.97). Indirect comparison revealed no significant differences between individual drugs.

Conclusions

We found all licensed drugs for IBS‐C to be superior to placebo for abdominal bloating. Linaclotide appeared to be the most efficacious at relieving abdominal bloating. Further research is needed to assess long‐term efficacy of these agents and to better understand the precise mechanism of improving bloating.
Longitudinal follow‐up study: effect of psychological co‐morbidity on the prognosis of inflammatory bowel disease
Authors: Fairbrass Keeley M. , Gracie David J. , Ford Alexander C.
Published: June 2021

Background

Psychological co‐morbidity is more common in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), compared with the general population, but little is known about the cumulative effect of increasing psychological burden on disease behaviour.

Aims

To examine the effect of psychological co‐morbidity on inflammatory bowel disease in a longitudinal follow‐up study.

Methods

We collected complete demographic, symptom and psychological co‐morbidity data (anxiety, depression and somatisation scores) at baseline from adults with IBD in biochemical remission (faecal calprotectin <250 µg/g). Objective markers of disease activity, including glucocorticosteroid prescription or flare of disease activity, escalation of therapy, hospitalisation or intestinal resection, were reviewed ≥2 years of follow‐up. We performed multivariate Cox regression, controlling for patient characteristics and follow‐up duration, to examine cumulative effect of psychological co‐morbidities on subsequent IBD behaviour.

Results

Among 218 participants, 48 (22.0%) had one, 13 (6.0%) two and nine (4.1%) three psychological co‐morbidities at baseline. Following multivariate Cox regression analysis, glucocorticosteroid prescription or flare, and escalation of medical therapy were significantly higher among those with two (hazard ratio [HR] = 3.18; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.44‐7.02, and HR = 2.48; 95% CI 1.03‐5.93, respectively) or three (HR = 3.53; 95% CI 1.26‐9.92, and HR = 8.19; 95% CI 2.88‐23.23, respectively) psychological co‐morbidities. Occurrence of at least one endpoint of interest was significantly higher with increasing psychological co‐morbidity (HR = 1.74; 95% CI 1.07‐2.82 for one, HR = 2.47; 95% CI 1.12‐5.46 for two and HR = 4.93; 95% CI 1.84‐13.17 for three psychological co‐morbidities).

Conclusions

Individuals with IBD in biochemical remission experienced a worse disease course with increasing psychological co‐morbidity at baseline.
Retrospective review of patients treated for cyclic vomiting syndrome with topiramate
Authors: Mooers Harrison , Srivastava Sonali , Garacci Emma , Venkatesan Thangam
Published: June 2021

Background

Practice guidelines recommend topiramate as second‐line treatment for the prevention of moderate‐severe cyclic vomiting syndrome (CVS) in adults. However, data are limited to small studies in children.

Aim

To characterise the response to topiramate as prophylactic therapy in adults with CVS.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective review of patients with CVS. Clinical characteristics, number of CVS episodes, emergency department (ED) visits, and hospitalisations the year before and after initiating topiramate were recorded. Response was defined as a global improvement in symptoms or >50% reduction in the number of CVS episodes, ED visits or hospitalisations.

Results

Sixty‐five percent (88/136) of patients responded to topiramate in an intent‐to‐treat analysis. There was a significant decrease in the annual number of CVS episodes (18.1 vs 6.2, P < 0.0001), CVS‐related ED visits (4.3 vs 1.6, P = 0.0029), and CVS‐related hospitalisations (2.0 vs 1.0, P = 0.035). Logistic regression revealed that higher doses of topiramate, longer use of topiramate (≥12 months) and topiramate as monotherapy were associated with a response to treatment. Anxiety was associated with non‐response to topiramate. Fifty‐five percent of patients experienced side effects, and 32% discontinued the medication as a result. The most common side effects were cognitive impairment (13%), fatigue (11%) and paresthesia (10%). This represented a refractory group with topiramate being initiated in patients (92%) who had failed treatment with tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs).

Conclusions

Topiramate may be an effective second‐line prophylaxis for patients with moderate‐severe CVS, but its use is limited by side effects. Efforts to develop better‐tolerated therapies for CVS are warranted.
Assessment of droplet digital polymerase chain reaction for measuring BCR‐ABL1 in chronic myeloid leukaemia in an international interlaboratory study
Authors: Scott Stuart , Cartwright Ashley , Francis Sebastian , Whitby Liam , Sanzone A. Pia , Mulder André , Galimberti Sara , Dulucq Stephanie , Mauté Carole , Lauricella Calogero , Salmon Matthew , Rose Susan , Willoughby Josh , Boeckx Nancy , Pallisgaard Niels , Maier Jacqueline , Leibundgut Elisabeth O. , Zizkova Hana , Ling Goh Liuh , Duong Chinh , Tang Wing F. , Ma Edmond , Shivakumar Yogesh , Beppu Lan , Bhagavatula Prasanthi , Chantry Andrew
Published: June 2021

Measurement of BCR activator of RhoGEF and GTPase ‐ABL proto‐oncogene 1, non‐receptor tyrosine kinase (BCR‐ABL1) mRNA levels by reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RTqPCR) has been critical to treatment protocols and clinical trials in chronic myeloid leukaemia; however, interlaboratory variation remains a significant issue. Reverse transcriptase droplet digital PCR (RTddPCR) has shown potential to improve testing but a large‐scale interlaboratory study is required to definitively establish this. In the present study, 10 BCR‐ABL1‐positive samples with levels ranging from molecular response (MR)1·0–MR5·0 were tested by 23 laboratories using RTddPCR with the QXDX BCR‐ABL %IS kit. A subset of participants tested the samples using RTqPCR. All 23 participants using RTddPCR detected BCR‐ABL1 in all samples to MR4·0. Detection rates for deep‐response samples were 95·7% at MR4·5, 78·3% at MR4·7 and 87·0% at MR5·0. Interlaboratory coefficient of variation was indirectly proportional to BCR‐ABL1 level ranging from 29·3% to 69·0%. Linearity ranged from 0·9330 to 1·000 (average 0·9936). When results were compared for the 11 participants who performed both RTddPCR and RTqPCR, RTddPCR showed a similar limit of detection to RTqPCR with reduced interlaboratory variation and better assay linearity. The ability to detect deep responses with RTddPCR, matched with an improved linearity and reduced interlaboratory variation will allow improved patient management, and is of particular importance for future clinical trials focussed on achieving and maintaining treatment‐free remission.
COVID‐19 and immunothrombosis: emerging understanding and clinical management
Authors: Shaw Rebecca J. , Bradbury Charlotte , Abrams Simon T. , Wang Guozheng , Toh Cheng‐Hock
Published: June 2021

The COVID‐19 pandemic has been the most significant health crisis in recent global history. Early studies from Wuhan highlighted COVID‐19‐associated coagulopathy and a significant association with mortality was soon recognised. As research continues across the world, more evidence is emerging of the cross‐talk between the innate immune system, coagulation activation and inflammation. Immunothrombosis has been demonstrated to play a key role in the pathophysiology of severe COVID‐19, with extracellular histones and neutrophil extracellular traps detected in the plasma and cardiopulmonary tissues of critically ill patients. Targeting the components of immunothrombosis is becoming an important factor in the treatment of patients with COVID‐19 infection. Recent studies report outcomes of intermediate and therapeutic anticoagulation in hospitalised patients with varying severities of COVID‐19 disease, including optimal dosing and associated bleeding risks. Immunomodulatory therapies, including corticosteroids and IL‐6 receptor antagonists, have been demonstrated to significantly reduce mortality in COVID‐19 patients. As the pandemic continues, more studies are required to understand the driving factors and upstream mechanisms for coagulopathy and immunothrombosis in COVID‐19, and thus potentially develop more targeted therapies for SARS‐CoV‐2 infection, both in the acute phase and in those who develop longer‐term symptom burden.
Researching belonging with people with learning disabilities: Self‐building active community lives in the context of personalisation
Authors: Kaley Alexandra , Donnelly John Paul , Donnelly Lisa , Humphrey Sally , Reilly Steven , Macpherson Hannah , Hall Ed , Power Andy
Published: June 2021

Accessible Summary

We wanted to understand more about how people with learning disabilities are building active community lives to help belonging.

We spoke to 39 people from 29 different support organisations, 7 local authority representatives and 43 people with learning disabilities.

They said belonging was about having the time to connect with other people in “everyday” places, being part of a supportive network and having the right choice and information.

Belonging is like a cake. It needs the right ingredients. These ingredients include the right combination of people, places and times.

Because of cuts to funding, many people with learning disabilities lack the right support, choice and information to access their communities. This is not belonging.

Background

This journal article draws on findings from a research project that examined how people with learning disabilities and their allies were seeking to build a sense of belonging. We wanted to focus on the concept of “belonging” in the context of personalisation and reduced government social care funding. Specifically, we sought to understand how people with learning disabilities and their supporters were coming together to “self‐build” networks of support including friendship clubs and self‐advocacy groups to enable a greater sense of belonging in their local communities.

Methods

Qualitative interviews were conducted with seven local authority representatives across four case study areas in the UK, as well as 39 staff across 29 organisations providing a range of day and evening support and activities. We also talked to 43 people with learning disabilities across the four areas about their experiences.

Findings

Our findings demonstrate how belonging involves a complex configuration of actors, places, times, relationships and institutional roles (much like the ingredients in a cake). The ways in which belonging intersects with agency and choice was also identified as an important and novel finding of our study.

Conclusion

While belonging is often presented to people as a desirable and realisable outcome of social inclusion policies, cuts in funding and a lack of appropriate support frustrate people's desires to meaningfully belong with other people in their local community. This demonstrates the importance of supporting social environments that meet people's needs for social connectedness and belonging.
Combining MGMT promoter pyrosequencing and protein expression to optimize prognosis stratification in glioblastoma
Authors: Li Mingxiao , Dong Gehong , Zhang Weiwei , Ren Xiaohui , Jiang Haihui , Yang Chuanwei , Zhao Xuzhe , Zhu Qinghui , Li Ming , Chen Hongyan , Yu Kefu , Cui Yong , Song Lin
Published: June 2021

Pyrosequencing (PSQ) represents the golden standard for MGMT promoter status determination. Binary interpretation of results based on the threshold from the average of several CpGs tested would neglect the existence of the “gray zone”. How to define the gray zone and reclassify patients in this subgroup remains to be elucidated. A consecutive cohort of 312 primary glioblastoma patients were enrolled. CpGs 74‐81 in the promoter region of MGMT were tested by PSQ and the protein expression was assessed by immunohistochemistry (IHC). Receiver operating characteristic curves were constructed to calculate the area under the curves (AUC). Kaplan‐Meier plots were used to estimate the survival rate of patients compared by the log‐rank test. The optimal threshold of each individual CpG differed from 5% to 11%. Patients could be separated into the hypomethylated subgroup (all CpGs tested below the corresponding optimal thresholds, n = 126, 40.4%), hypermethylated subgroup (all CpGs tested above the corresponding optimal thresholds, n = 108, 34.6%), and the gray zone subgroup (remaining patients, n = 78, 25.0%). Patients in the gray zone harbored an intermediate prognosis. The IHC score instead of the average methylation levels could successfully predict the prognosis for the gray zone (AUC for overall survival, 0.653 and 0.519, respectively). Combining PSQ and IHC significantly improved the efficiency of survival prediction (AUC: 0.662, 0.648, and 0.720 for PSQ, IHC, and combined, respectively). Immunohistochemistry is a robust method to predict prognosis for patients in the gray zone defined by PSQ. Combining PSQ and IHC could significantly improve the predictive ability for clinical outcomes.
Megalocornea, anterior megalophthalmos, keratoglobus and associated anterior segment disorders: A review
Authors: Ong Aaron P. C. , Zhang Jie , Vincent Andrea L. , McGhee Charles N. J.
Published: June 2021

Megalocornea and anterior megalophthalmos (megalocornea spectrum) disorders are typically defined by corneal diameter > 12.5 mm in the absence of elevated intraocular pressure. Clinical features overlap with keratoglobus but are distinct from buphthalmos and severe (globus) keratoconus. Megalocornea spectrum disorders and keratoglobus are primarily congenital disorders, often with syndromic associations; both can present with large and thin corneas, creating difficulty in diagnosis, however, only keratoglobus is typically progressive. Molecular genetics provide significant insight into underlying aetiologies. Nonetheless, careful clinical assessment remains intrinsic to diagnosis. Surgical management can be challenging due to the enlarged ciliary ring and weakened zonules in megalocornea spectrum disorders and the extreme corneal thinning of keratoglobus. In this review, the established literature on measurement of corneal diameter, diagnosis of megalocornea, anterior megalophthalmos and keratoglobus, differentiation from severe keratoconus, recent molecular genetics research and key surgical modalities in the management of these rare disorders are outlined and discussed.
Inverse Dynamics Filtering for Sampling‐based Motion Control
Authors: Xie Kaixiang , Kry Paul G.
Published: June 2021

We improve the sampling‐based motion control method proposed by Liu et al. using inverse dynamics. To deal with noise in the motion capture we filter the motion data using a Butterworth filter where we choose the cutoff frequency such that the zero‐moment point falls within the support polygon for the greatest number of frames. We discuss how to detect foot contact for foot and ground optimization and inverse dynamics, and we optimize to increase the area of supporting polygon. Sample simulations receive filtered inverse dynamics torques at frames where the ZMP is sufficiently close to the support polygon, which simplifies the problem of finding the PD targets that produce physically valid control matching the target motion. We test our method on different motions and we demonstrate that our method has lower error, higher success rates, and generally produces smoother results.
Prioritizing forest management actions to benefit marine habitats in data‐poor regions
Authors: Delevaux Jade M. S. , Stamoulis Kostantinos A.
Published: June 2021

Land‐use change is considered one of the greatest human threats to marine ecosystems globally. Given limited resources for conservation, we adapted and scaled up a spatially explicit, linked land–sea decision support tool using open access global geospatial data sets and software to inform the prioritization of future forest management interventions that can have the greatest benefit on marine conservation in Vanuatu. We leveraged and compared outputs from two global marine habitat maps to prioritize land areas for forest conservation and restoration that can maximize sediment retention, water quality, and healthy coastal/marine ecosystems. By combining the outputs obtained from both marine habitat maps, we incorporated elements unique to each and provided higher confidence in our prioritization results. Regardless of marine habitat data source, prioritized areas were mostly located in watersheds on the windward side of the large high islands, exposed to higher tropical rainfall, upstream from large sections of coral reef and seagrass habitats, and thus vulnerable to human‐driven land use change. Forest protection and restoration in these areas will serve to maintain clean water and healthy, productive habitats through sediment retention, supporting the wellbeing of neighboring communities. The nationwide application of this linked land–sea tool can help managers prioritize watershed‐based management actions based on quantitative synergies and trade‐offs across terrestrial and marine ecosystems in data‐poor regions. The framework developed here will guide the implementation of ridge‐to‐reef management across the Pacific region and beyond.
Prediction of underwater residual lung volume in healthy men and women
Authors: Cicone Zackary S. , Nickerson Brett S. , Esco Michael R.
Published: June 2021

Regression equations are commonly used to predict residual lung volume (RV) during underwater weighing when measurement is not practical. However, the equations currently available were derived from on‐land measures of RV and may account for changes in lung capacity during submersion, thus leading to inaccuracies in assessment of percent body fat (%BF). The purpose of this study was to (1) develop a new equation (RVNEW) for the prediction of underwater RV, (2) cross‐validate RVNEW and compare it to existing RV equations, and (3) compare the effects of RVNEW and existing equations on underwater %BF. One‐hundred seventy‐five healthy adults were recruited to complete simultaneous hydrostatic weighing and RV measurements. The sample was randomly divided into development (n = 131) and cross‐validation (n = 44) cohorts. Regression analysis in the development cohort resulted in the following equation: underwater RV = −3·419 + 0·026 × height (cm) + 0·019 × age (y) (p < 0·001; R2 = 0·53; SEE = 0·26). In the cross‐validation cohort, Bland‐Altman analysis revealed that the new equation provided the best overall agreement with underwater RV (bias ± 1·96 SD, 0·07 ± 0·5 L), while existing equations produced significantly different values from measured RV and wider limits of agreement. When used to calculate %BF, the new RV equation produced the strongest agreement with underwater %BF (−0·5% ± 3·8%), although all equations produced strong correlations (all r > 0·95) and limits of agreement ≤4·7%. The results of this study suggest that RVNEW may be more appropriate for RV estimation during hydrostatic weighing than existing equations. However, its applicability to populations outside the current study needs to be examined.
Supplier selection in the aftermath of a supply disruption and guilt: Once bitten, twice (not so) shy
Authors: Polyviou Mikaella , Rungtusanatham M. Johnny , Kull Thomas J.
Published: June 2021

The supply management literature assumes that supplier selection is devoid of emotions and unaffected by the history and experience associated with a previously‐selected supplier. In this paper, we relax these assumptions. Specifically, we consider the following sourcing opportunity: a sourcing professional had (alternatively, had not) recommended a critical‐component supplier that originated an avoidable (alternatively, unavoidable) supply disruption (aka, the “disrupted supplier”). In the aftermath of this supply disruption, the sourcing professional is asked to recommend a supplier for a new‐to‐beoutsourced critical component (i.e., one unrelated to the component whose flow was interrupted), taking into consideration the influence of guilt as an emotional reaction to the supply disruption. Analyses of data from 286 sourcing professionals participating in a scenario‐based, roleplaying experiment reveal that sourcing professionals experience higher levels of guilt when (a) they (versus their predecessor) had been responsible for selecting a disrupted supplier and (b) they deem the supply disruption to be controllable (versus uncontrollable) by the disrupted supplier. Guilt‐laden sourcing professionals are then more likely to recommend a riskier albeit more advantageous supplier for a new‐to‐be‐outsourced critical component. Our results provide the first evidence that prior supplier selection decisions gone awry influence future supplier selection decisions through the emotion of guilt. Moreover, they demonstrate that supply disruptions in one context have carryover effects on future sourcing decisions in unrelated contexts—an insight that is absent from the literature on supply disruptions.
All cases of cerebral palsy warrant genomic screening
Authors: Maclennan Alastair H
Published: June 2021

This commentary is on the original article by May et al. on pages 1448–1455 of this issue.
The diagnostic value of 2D‐speckle tracking echocardiography for identifying subclinical ventricular dysfunction in subjects with early repolarization pattern
Authors: Çöllüoğlu Tuğçe , Önalan Orhan , Çakan Fahri
Published: June 2021

Introduction

Early repolarization pattern (ERP) can exist a silent substrate for arrhytmic events in accordance with the previous studies which have shown there has been evidence of morphological changes in left ventricle (LV) in ERP subjects. Despite structural changes in ERP subjects, it has not exactly known whether a change in LV functional parameters occur in ERP. The aim of our study was to investigate LV functional parameters in ERP athletes evaluated by 2D‐ speckle tracking echocardiography (2D‐STE).

Method

In this study, athletes with ERP (n = 50) and athletes without ERP (n = 50) were recruited between April 2018 and September 2018. For each case, 2D‐ TTE and 2D‐ STE evaluation were performed by the same cardiologist.

Results

Left ventricle mean global longitudinal strain (GLS) (P < .001) and GLS at all apical chamber views (P < .001), longitudinal peak systolic strain rate (SRS) at A3C (P: .011), early diastolic strain rate (SRE) at A3C (P < .001) and late diastolic strain rate (SRA) at A3C (P: .034) in the ERP athletes were significantly lower than those in the athletes without ERP. LV basal segment circumferential SRS (P: .002) and SRE (P: .006) were significantly lower in ERP athletes compared to athletes without ERP. LV mechanical dispersion was significantly higher in ERP athletes compared to athletes without ERP (P < .001).

Conclusion

Our study suggests ERP can be more associated with impaired LV longitudinal function than circumferential function. In addition, both LV inferolateral region and basal segment can be more affected functionally in ERP athletes.
TRough versus AUC Monitoring of cyclosporine: A randomized comparison of adverse drug reactions in adult allogeneic stem cell recipients (TRAM study)
Authors: Kuijvenhoven Marianne A. , Wilhelm Abraham J. , Meijer Ellen , Janssen Jeroen J. W. M. , Swart Eleonora L.
Published: June 2021

Objective

To investigate the incidence and severity of adverse drug reactions of cyclosporine using AUC‐targeted therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) compared to trough level (Ctrough)‐targeted TDM in adult allogeneic stem cell recipients.

Methods

Blind, monocenter, intervention study. Subjects were 1:1 randomized into either an AUC group or a Ctrough group. Adverse drug reactions were accessed two and four weeks after start of treatment.

Results

Forty patients were included, resulting in 15 evaluable subjects (AUC group) and 13 evaluable subjects (Ctrough group). Grade two/three toxicity was observed in 46% (Ctrough group) versus 60% of subjects (AUC group) (P = .463). There was no significant difference between two and four weeks after start of cyclosporine for nausea (P = .142 resp. P = .122), renal dysfunction (P = .464 resp. P = 1.000), and hypomagnesemia (P = 1.000 resp. P = .411). Subjects in the AUC group reached the therapeutic goal earlier (72,7% versus 43,0% at third sampling point, P = .332) and were within the target range more consistently.

Conclusion

This study showed no reduction in incidence and severity of cyclosporine‐induced toxicity with AUC‐ versus trough level‐targeted TDM. Although modeled dosing based on AUC led to faster optimal target attainment, this did not result in less toxicity in the early days after transplantation.