bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Virological characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 BA.2 variant
Authors: Yamasoba Daichi , Kimura Izumi , Nasser Hesham , Morioka Yuhei , Nao Naganori , Ito Jumpei , Uriu Keiya , Tsuda Masumi , Zahradnik Jiri , Shirakawa Kotaro , Suzuki Rigel , Kishimoto Mai , Kosugi Yusuke , Kobiyama Kouji , Hara Teppei , Toyoda Mako , Tanaka Yuri L , Butlertanaka Erika P , Shimizu Ryo , Ito Hayato , Wang Lei , Oda Yoshitaka , Orba Yasuko , Sasaki Michihito , Nagata Kayoko , Yoshimatsu Kumiko , Asakura Hiroyuki , Nagashima Mami , Sadamasu Kenji , Yoshimura Kazuhisa , Kuramochi Jin , Seki Motoaki , Fujiki Ryoji , Kaneda Atsushi , Shimada Tadanaga , Nakada Taka-aki , Sakao Seiichiro , Suzuki Takuji , Ueno Takamasa , Takaori-Kondo Akifumi , Ishii Ken J , Schreiber Gideon ,   The Genotype to Phenotype Japan (G2P-Japan) Consortium, Sawa Hirofumi , Saito Akatsuki , Irie Takashi , Tanaka Shinya , Matsuno Keita , Fukuhara Takasuke , Ikeda Terumasa , Sato Kei
Published: February 2022

Soon after the emergence and global spread of a new severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Omicron lineage, BA.1 (ref1, 2), another Omicron lineage, BA.2, has initiated outcompeting BA.1. Statistical analysis shows that the effective reproduction number of BA.2 is 1.4-fold higher than that of BA.1. Neutralisation experiments show that the vaccine-induced humoral immunity fails to function against BA.2 like BA.1, and notably, the antigenicity of BA.2 is different from BA.1. Cell culture experiments show that BA.2 is more replicative in human nasal epithelial cells and more fusogenic than BA.1. Furthermore, infection experiments using hamsters show that BA.2 is more pathogenic than BA.1. Our multiscale investigations suggest that the risk of BA.2 for global health is potentially higher than that of BA.1.
Bile Acid Restrained T Cell Activation Explains Cholestasis Aggravated Hepatitis B Virus Infection
Authors: Ding Chujie , Hong Yu , Che Yuan , He Tianyu , Wang Yun , Zhang Shule , Wu Jiawei , Xu Wanfeng , Hou Jingyi , Cao Lijuan , Hao Haiping
Published: February 2022

Cholestasis is a common complication of Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) infection, characterized by increased intrahepatic and plasma bile acid levels. Cholestasis was found negatively associated with hepatitis outcome, however; the exact mechanism by which cholestasis impact on anti-viral immunity and impede HBV clearance remains elusive. Here, we found that cholestatic mice are featured with dysfunctional T cell response, and bile acids inhibit the activation and metabolic reprogramming of CD4+ T cells. Mechanistically, bile acids disrupt intracellular calcium homeostasis via inhibiting mitochondria calcium uptake and elevating cytoplasmic Ca2+ concentration of CD4+ T cells, leading to STIM1 and ORAIL1 decoupling and impaired store-operated Ca2+ entry which is essential for NFAT signaling and T cell activation. Moreover, in a transgenic mouse model of HBV infection, it was confirmed that cholestasis compromised T cells activation resulting in poor viral clearance. Collectively, our results suggest that bile acids play pivotal roles in anti-HBV infection via controlling T cells activation and metabolism, and that targeting regulation of bile acids may be a therapeutic strategy for host virus defense.
TiDeTree: A Bayesian phylogenetic framework to estimate single-cell trees and population dynamic parameters from genetic lineage tracing data
Authors: Seidel Sophie , Stadler Tanja
Published: February 2022

The development of a multicellular organism is governed by an elaborate balance between cell division, death, and differentiation. These core developmental processes can be quantified from single-cell phylogenies. Here we present TiDeTree, a Bayesian phylogenetic framework for inference of time-scaled single-cell phylogenies and population dynamic parameters such as cell division, death, and differentiation rates from genetic lineage tracing data. We show that the performance of TiDeTree can be improved by incorporating multiple sources of additional independent information into the inference. Finally, we apply TiDeTree to a lineage tracing dataset to estimate time-scaled phylogenies, cell division, and apoptosis rates. We envision TiDeTree to find wide application in single-cell lineage tracing data analysis which will improve our understanding of cellular processes during development. The source code of TiDeTree is publicly available at https://github.com/seidels/tidetree.
Dynamic S-acylation of STIM1 is required for store-operated Ca2+ entry
Authors: Kodkandla Goutham , West Savannah J , Wang Qiaochu , Tewari Ritika , Zhu Michael X. , Akimzhanov Askar M. , Boehning Darren
Published: February 2022

Many cell surface stimuli cause calcium release from endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stores to regulate cellular physiology. Upon ER calcium store depletion, the ER-resident protein STIM1 physically interacts with plasma membrane protein Orai1 to induce calcium release-activated calcium (CRAC) currents that conduct calcium influx from the extracellular milieu. Although the physiological relevance of this process is well established, the mechanism supporting the assembly of these proteins is incompletely understood. Earlier we demonstrated a previously unknown post-translational modification of Orai1 with long chain fatty acids, known as S-acylation. We found that S-acylation of Orai1 is dynamically regulated in a stimulus-dependent manner and essential for its function as a calcium channel. Here we show that STIM1 is also rapidly and transiently S-acylated at cysteine 437 upon ER calcium store depletion. S-acylation of STIM1 is required for the assembly of STIM1 into puncta with Orai1 and full CRAC channel function. Together with the S-acylation of Orai1, our data suggest that stimulus-dependent S-acylation of CRAC channel components Orai1 and STIM1 is a critical mechanism facilitating CRAC channel assembly and function.
Acceptance of product placement in social networking sites: the mediating role of materialism
Authors: Wijesundara Tharaka , Kumara Samantha
Published: February 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine the predictors of product placement acceptance in social networking sites (SNSs) and the mediating role of consumer materialism in the relationship between SNSs usage frequency and product placement acceptance.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey was conducted with a structured questionnaire for a sample of 327 SNSs users in Sri Lanka. The collected data were analyzed using partial least squares–structural equation modeling with Smart PLS to test the hypotheses derived.

Findings

The results of this study revealed that SNSs usage frequency and consumer materialism positively predict the acceptance of product placement in SNSs and materialism partially mediates the relationship between SNSs usage frequency and product placement acceptance in SNSs.

Originality/value

This study fills the gap in the existing literature by finding the factors that predict the acceptance of product placement in SNSs and the mediation effect of consumer materialism in the relationship between SNSs usage frequency and acceptance of product placement in SNSs.
Quality of hire: expanding the multi-level fit employee selection using machine learning
Authors: Shet Sateesh , Nair Binesh
Published: February 2022

Purpose

Organizational psychologists and human resource management (HRM) practitioners often have to select the “right fit” candidate by manually scouting data from various sources including job portals and social media. Given the constant pressure to lower the recruitment costs and the time taken to extend an offer to the right talent, the HR function has to inevitably adopt data analytics and machine learning for employee selection. This paper aims to propose the “Quality of Hire” concept for employee selection using the person-environment (P-E) fit theory and machine learning.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors demonstrate the aforementioned concept using a clustering algorithm, namely, partition around mediod (PAM). Based on a curated data set published by the IBM, the authors examine the dimensions of different P-E fits and determine how these dimensions can lead to selection of the “right fit” candidate by evaluating the outcome of PAM.

Findings

The authors propose a multi-level fit model rooted in the P-E theory, which can improve the quality of hire for an organization.

Research limitations/implications

Theoretically, the authors contribute in the domain of quality of hire using a multi-level fit approach based on the P-E theory. Methodologically, the authors contribute in expanding the HR analytics landscape by implementing PAM algorithm in employee selection.

Originality/value

The proposed work is expected to present a useful case on the application of machine learning for practitioners in organizational psychology, HRM and data science.
Prioritisation of resilience criteria and performance indicators for road emergencies crisis response: an analytic hierarchy process (AHP) approach
Authors: Aziz Zeeshan , Alzaabi Ebrahim , Syazli Fathi Mohamad
Published: February 2022

Purpose

This paper aims to develop a crisis readiness framework for road traffic crisis response for law enforcement agencies in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Design/methodology/approach

A Delphi method was used that combined questionnaire-based survey and the analytical hierarchy process to collect quantitative and qualitative data from an expert panel of crisis readiness professionals on how they prioritise and weigh the different strategic criteria, sub-criteria and performance indicators in the context of law enforcement agencies’ traffic response.

Findings

The findings of this paper resulted in the identification, ranking and validation of ten key dimensions of crisis readiness clustered into three distinct sets of priority rankings: response planning, resources, training and coordination; information management and communication and risk and hazard assessment; and early warning, legal and institutional frameworks, recovery initiation and property protection. The results additionally established the relative priority of sub-criteria for each criterion and validated a broad set of key performance indicators (KPIs) for the top six ranked criteria.

Research limitations/implications

The findings are based on a single case study focused on a specific area of operation within crisis response and one group of organisations of the UAE police sector. This potentially places a constraint on the wider generalisation of the findings to different operational areas and agencies, as they may have different priorities or organisational conditions that have implications for the framework application and the relative importance of certain criteria and sub-criteria.

Practical implications

This paper provides strategic guidance in the form of a prioritised list of criteria, sub-criteria and KPIs that can direct efforts to optimise different dimensions of crisis readiness at a strategic and operational level.

Originality/value

This paper makes an original contribution in identifying the key criteria and performance indicators of crisis readiness for road traffic situations. The findings contribute a comprehensive strategic readiness framework that supports planning and decision-making for the development of organisational capacities that can enhance response times of police to road traffic crises. This framework ranks dimensions of crisis readiness and key sub-criteria in order of priority and validates the key components of crisis readiness that can support practitioners to structure, standardise and benchmark key processes and elements of crisis response.
Moving Koha library catalogue into linked data using the LODRefine
Authors: Mandal Sukumar , Saha Sujan
Published: February 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate connected data through the use of open-source technology. It demonstrates the transformation process from library bibliographic data to linked data, which allows for easy searching across numerous collections of information.

Design/methodology/approach

In generating this file, a high-level operating system such as Ubuntu, which is based on the LAMP architecture, is used. It is required to use open-source strategies in building the relevant information. LODRefine is being used to convert all of Koha's bibliographic data into linked data that is now available on the Web. This framework has been conceptualized and formulated based on linked data principles and search algorithms accordingly.

Findings

Linked data services have been made publicly available to library users by using a variety of different forms of data. Information may be sought quickly and easily using this interface built on numerous search structures. Aside from that, it also meets the needs of users who use the linked data search mechanism to find information. Through modern scripts and algorithms, it is now possible for library users to easily search the linked data enables services.

Originality/value

This paper demonstrates how quickly and easily related data from bibliographic details may be developed and generated using a spreadsheet. The entire procedure culminates in the presence of specialists in the library setting. A further advantage of the SPARQL system is that it allows visitors to group distinct concepts and aspects using independent URIs and URLs instead of the SPARQL endpoint.
What does 40 years of regional and business competitiveness in tourism research reveal?
Authors: Correa Cynthia C. , Ferreira João J.
Published: February 2022

Purpose

This study aims to analyze the existing empirical literature on regional and business competitiveness in tourism to identify and classify the main themes in this knowledge domain and suggest a future research agenda.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors identified the main themes in the existing research and research gaps through a systematic review of 62 empirical studies from 1980 to 2020.

Findings

The literature review allowed the authors to identify three main themes: cooperation networks, business strategies and regional development. A conceptual model is developed based on this typology, and a future research agenda is proposed.

Originality/value

Despite the diverse contributions of the literature on the value of tourism for destinations' competitiveness, there is a lack of empirical evidence of companies’ competitiveness in the tourism sector and tourist destinations. The present study contributes to the systematic evidence of these practices and identifies relevant factors for policy making to improve tourist destinations’ competitiveness.
Online classes for higher education in Bangladesh during the COVID-19 pandemic: a perception-based study
Authors: Rouf Md. Abdur , Hossain Mohammad Sharif , Habibullah Md. , Ahmed Tanvir
Published: February 2022

Purpose

The main purpose of this paper is to find out the perception of different respondents' groups related to the factors that influence the online learning for higher education in Bangladesh during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey through a structured questionnaire was conducted to gather qualitative information from the 250 respondents (university students, faculty members and administrative officers) in Bangladesh. A questionnaire has been used for collecting primary data, which have been selected using the justification method under the non-probability sampling technique.

Findings

The findings of this study indicated that majority of the respondents told that online classes could be more challenging than the traditional classroom because of the technological constraints, digital divide, insufficient data pack to access the material to attend the class, poor connectivity, lack of device, poor learning environment, technophobia, delayed response and incapability of the teacher to handle efficiently the material and communication machineries.

Research limitations/implications

Due to time restriction and the COVID-19 pandemic, the study was constrained only to Dhaka region in Bangladesh.

Practical implications

The outcomes of the work can be supportive to the governing bodies and proprietors of the higher schooling organizations who are forecasting to adopt online education as a consistent movement in the future.

Originality/value

At last, based on outcomes, investigators have presented some recommendations that can be taken into consideration at policy level. The study would help universities to comply with the pressing need to impart experiential learning through online education during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Multifunctional finishing of cotton using zinc oxide and silicon dioxide nanoparticles along with DMDHEU
Authors: Singh Aakanksha , Chakraborty J.N.
Published: February 2022

Purpose

This study aims at evaluating the properties of cotton fabric after nanofinishing using zinc oxide and silicon dioxide nanoparticles along with dimethylol dihydroxyethylene urea (DMDHEU).

Design/methodology/approach

DMDHEU recipes was optimized by Box-Behnken Design before using it with nanoparticles. These nanoparticles were synthesized by sol gel technique and applied to the fabric by pad-dry-cure method. The treated samples were evaluated for functional properties such as self-cleaning, antibacterial and ultraviolet (UV) protection properties.

Findings

Due to the use of DMDHEU, crease recovery property was obtained. The results showed good antibacterial property against S-aureus (gram positive) bacteria and E-coli (gram negative). UV protection property of combined nano-finished samples showed good results, as they showed very low transmission of UV-irradiation when exposed to UV-rays compared to single nanoparticle finished samples. Self-cleaning property of finished cotton was found to be good even after five washing cycles.

Originality/value

In this study, nanofinishing of cotton fabric with zinc oxide and silicon dioxide nanoparticles along with DMDHEU was studied to achieve promising functional properties with long durability of nanofinishing not studied earlier.
International Biological Flora:Ginkgo biloba
Authors: Lin Han‐Yang , Li Wen‐Hao , Lin Chen‐Feng , Wu Hao‐Ran , Zhao Yun‐Peng
Published: February 2022

This account presents information on all aspects of the biology ofGinkgo bilobaL. (Ginkgo, Maidenhair tree) that are relevant to understanding its ecological characteristics. The main topics are presented within the standard framework of theInternational Biological Flora: distribution, habitat, communities, responses to biotic factors, responses to environment, structure and physiology, phenology, reproductive and seed characters, herbivores and disease, history, conservation and global heterogeneity.

Globally, Ginkgo survives a wide range of mean annual temperature (−3.3 to 23.3°C) and annual precipitation (34–3925 mm) conditions, according to a meta‐analysis. It prefers a warm, humid, open‐canopy and a well‐drained environment. The species shows strong tolerance to drought, freezing, fire, air pollution, heavy metals and low‐level salt, whereas it is intolerant to long‐time shade and waterlogging. Six Ginkgo trees even survived the atom bomb in Hiroshima, Japan, during World War II.

Ginkgo is susceptible to few diseases. Those occurring in nursery seedlings and juvenile trees involve stem rot and leaf blight. The former is caused byMacrophomina phaseoli, which could lead to a mortality rate of 5%–12% (up to 31.8%) for seedlings. This disease can be mitigated by a 4‐h shading treatment and applying organic fertilisers. The pathogens inducing leaf blight includeAlternaria alternata,Colletotrichum gloeosporioidesandPestalotia ginkgo, which may infect 100% juvenile trees in some regions. The application of 45% carbendazim or 50% Tuzet can effectively prevent leaf blight.

Ginkgo bilobais one of the world’s most distinctive trees with an important position in plant evolution and human society. It is a tall deciduous dioecious tree native to China. Refugial populations were identified in three glacial refugia located in eastern, southern and south‐western China, respectively, with a patchy distribution pattern and a small population size. It typically grows along flood‐disturbed streamsides in warm‐temperate deciduous (and evergreen mixed) broadleaved forests. Ginkgo may have been introduced repeatedly out of China since the sixth century. It has been planted as a landscape tree world‐wide, except in Antarctica. Ginkgo is also of great value for edible nuts, herbal medicine, religion and art. It is a natural and cultural symbol of China.
Evidence of local adaptation in litter flammability of a widespread fire‐adaptive pine
Authors: Kane Jeffrey M. , Gallagher Michael R. , Varner J. Morgan , Skowronski Nicholas S.
Published: February 2022

Fire is a strong ecological and evolutionary driver of plant species and terrestrial ecosystem dynamics. Numerous studies have shown that plant species vary widely in their flammability and associated traits that coincide with clear strategies of persistence in fire‐prone ecosystems. Yet, intraspecific variation and phenotypic plasticity in plant flammability has received substantially less attention. Some evidence has demonstrated high plasticity in flammability among populations in species adapted to low‐frequency, high severity fire regimes which suggests the capacity of local adaptation; however, intraspecific variability of species in high‐frequency, low severity fire regimes has not been conducted. Given that frequent fire‐adaptive species tend to produce fast‐flammable litter that is associated with survival following fire, we hypothesized that these species would have highly conserved leaf traits with low variation in litter flammability.

We used an existing common garden study to test our hypothesis inPinus rigida(pitch pine) with source populations that span most of its distribution in eastern North America. We examined both phenotypic and genotypic variation as well as phenotypic plasticity (relative distance plasticity index) inP. rigidaleaf traits and litter flammability among populations grown in situ (population) and the same populations grown in a common garden or provenance study (provenance).

Phenotypic and genotypic variation in fuel traits and litter flammability differed among source locations. Phenotypic plasticity in litter flammability among source locations were associated with fuel trait plasticity and biogeographic factors. Populations located in warmer and drier climates with presumably more frequent historical fire regimes were associated with greater plasticity in physical litter traits and their resulting flammability.

Synthesis. Our study demonstrates the utility of common garden experiments to examine intraspecific variation and phenotypic plasticity in litter flammability. Our results indicate that litter flammability inPinus rigidahas the capacity for local adaptation. We hypothesize that intraspecific variation in plant flammability provides ecologically and evolutionary relevant information and that other frequent fire‐adaptive species will similarly demonstrate local adaptation in plant flammability.
New food safety challenges of viral contamination from a global perspective: Conventional, emerging, and novel methods of viral control
Authors: Ezzatpanah Hamid , Gómez‐López Vicente M. , Koutchma Tatiana , Lavafpour Farnoush , Moerman Frank , Mohammadi Mohammad , Raheem Dele
Published: February 2022

Food‐ and waterborne viruses, such as human norovirus, hepatitis A virus, hepatitis E virus, rotaviruses, astroviruses, adenoviruses, and enteroviruses, are major contributors to all foodborne illnesses. Their small size, structure, and ability to clump and attach to inanimate surfaces make viruses challenging to reduce or eliminate, especially in the presence of inorganic or organic soils. Besides traditional wet and dry methods of disinfection using chemicals and heat, emerging physical nonthermal decontamination techniques (irradiation, ultraviolet, pulsed light, high hydrostatic pressure, cold atmospheric plasma, and pulsed electric field), novel virucidal surfaces, and bioactive compounds are examined for their potential to inactivate viruses on the surfaces of foods or food contact surfaces (tools, equipment, hands, etc.). Every disinfection technique is discussed based on its efficiency against viruses, specific advantages and disadvantages, and limitations. Structure, genomic organization, and molecular biology of different virus strains are reviewed, as they are key in determining these techniques effectiveness in controlling all or specific foodborne viruses. Selecting suitable viral decontamination techniques requires that their antiviral mechanism of action and ability to reduce virus infectivity must be taken into consideration. Furthermore, details about critical treatments parameters essential to control foodborne viruses in a food production environment are discussed, as they are also determinative in defining best disinfection and hygiene practices preventing viral infection after consuming a food product.
Effect of drying methods on Lactobacillus Rhamnosus GG microcapsules prepared using the complex coacervation method
Authors: Bi Huimin , Xu Yuqiao , Fan Fangyu , Sun Xue
Published: February 2022

Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) microcapsules prepared using the complex coacervation method were dried through spray and vacuum freeze drying. Physical properties, resistance to simulated gastrointestinal and bile salt conditions, and the stability of the LGG microcapsules during storage and heat treatment were estimated. Spray and vacuum freeze drying are suitable for LGG microcapsule preparation because of lower than 2.80% of the water content, and higher than 93.21% of the encapsulation efficiency. Under the simulated gastrointestinal condition, the survival rates of two kinds of microencapsulated LGG were over 96%. At 0.6% bile salt concentration, the survival rate of microencapsulated LGG subjected to spray drying was 110.89% higher than that of LGG subjected to vacuum freeze drying. In addition, the stability of the former was better than that of the latter during storage under low water activity condition (0.11). However, under high water activity condition (0.75), the two showed opposite results. The two kinds of microencapsulated LGG were completely inactivated after 4 weeks in 0.75 of water activity. The survival counts of microencapsulated LGG had no significant difference at −18°C after 8 weeks. After 8 weeks at 25°C and 4°C, the survival loss of microencapsulated LGG through drying and vacuum freeze drying was approximately 2 and 1 log CFU/g, respectively.

Practical Application

LGG is a kind of microorganism beneficial to the human body, but it is easy to inactivate and lose its physiological value. LGG microcapsules can improve the stability of LGG, prolong the release time, and expand its application range. The drying method will affect the properties of LGG microcapsules. So, the characteristics analysis of LGG microcapsules with different drying methods can provide a reference for the preparation and application of LGG microcapsules.
Improved molecular softness of tadalafil hapten enhancing antibody performance in immunoassay: Evidence from computational chemistry
Authors: Yang Jin‐Yi , Xie Mei‐Chan , Tan Xue‐Cai , Tian Yuan‐Xin , Wang Hong , Xu Zhen‐Lin , Yuan Ting‐Ting , Xiao Yi‐Mei , Shen Yu‐Dong
Published: February 2022

The tadalafil‐like compounds have appeared recently as adulterants in drinks and healthcare dietary supplements sourced from medicinal and edible food, which may cause illness and even death. In this work, the rationality of haptens was explored by computational chemistry and molecular simulation theories such as frontier molecular orbital (FMO)‐based softness (S), three‐dimensional (3D) structure, surface electrostatic potential (ESP), and lipophilic potential (LP). An antiserum from hapten H5 with the highest softness and maintaining the appropriate three‐dimensional (3D) structure showed the optimal immunoassay performance, indicating an increasing softness was a critical factor for effective hapten. Based on the antibody induced by hapten H5, an indirect competitive enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (icELISA) method for detecting multiple tadalafil‐like adulterants was established. The icELISA showed a limit of detection (LOD), 50% inhibition concentration (IC50), and a working range of 0.004–0.396, 0.89–4.27, and 0.094–16.71 ng/ml for tadalafil, amino tadalafil, acetamino tadalafil, nortadalafil, and N‐desmethyl ent‐tadalafil, respectively. The spiked recoveries of tadalafil‐like adulterants in samples ranged from 84.9% to 116.2%. The results of the icELISA and HPLC‐MS/MS methods had a good correlation for real samples with the R2 of 0.9955. Specially, this work not only provided a convenient immunoassay method for measuring tadalafil‐like adulterants in spirit drinks and dietary supplements in group‐screening manner, but also suggested that softness was likely to be a general theory for rational hapten design.

Practical Application

Rapid monitoring of tadalafil‐like adulterants in food samples is very necessary and important for consumers, regulatory agencies, and the food industry.
Genomic insights into the evolution of the critically endangered soft‐shelled turtle Rafetus swinhoei
Authors: Ren Yandong , Zhang Qiang , Yan Xiahui , Hou Dongmin , Huang Huiwen , Li Chunhui , Rao Dingqi , Li Yongxin
Published: February 2022

The 2019 death of the female Swinhoes soft‐shelled turtle (Rafetus swinhoei) individual in China put this species in a dire conservation state. To avoid the loss of genetic information from the female individual and facilitate the protection and preservation of R. swinhoei, we sequenced and assembled its draft chromosome‐level genome by combining BGISEQ short reads, Nanopore long reads, and Hi‐C sequencing reads. We characterized its potential ZZ/ZW sex determination system. Phylogeny and divergence time analyses indicated that R. swinhoei has a close relationship with Pelodiscus sinensis, and they shared a common ancestor ~54.4 Ma. Population history analyses indicated that R. swinhoei has the lowest heterozygosity among all turtles examined, and its population size has declined dramatically over the past 10 million years. Many core genes involved in autophagy and DNA damage response, such as Rab5a and Parp1, were under positive selection and/or evolving rapidly, and these genes may make important contributions to the long lifespan and evolutionary adaptation of R. swinhoei. The loss of several tooth‐related genes in turtle genomes explains the genetic basis of their toothless phenotype. This study not only provides a genomic resource for scientists to study the species using the strategy of comparative genomics, but also provides a data basis for us to find more potential R. swinhoei individuals in the wild.
Reciprocal associations between implicit attitudes and drinking in emerging adulthood
Authors: Paige Katie J. , Weigard Alexander , Colder Craig R.
Published: February 2022

Background

Implicit alcohol attitudes are considered important in the etiology of drinking, and theory posits reciprocal associations between them. Research testing reciprocal associations between implicit attitudes (using the Implicit Association Task, IAT) and drinking is limited by a failure to consider multiple processes influencing performance on the IAT and to disaggregate within‐ and between‐person effects. The current study addressed these limitations by using a diffusion model to analyze IAT data and Latent Curve Models with Structured Residuals to test reciprocal associations.

Methods

The sample included 314 emerging adults from the community (52% female; predominantly non‐Hispanic Caucasian (76%) or African American (15%)) assessed annually for three years. Differences between IAT conditions in the drift rate parameter of the EZ‐diffusion model (vΔ) were used as an alternative to traditional response‐time‐based indices from the IAT (d‐scores). Differences in drift rate have been found to index implicit attitudes effectively.

Results

Within‐person reciprocal associations were supported, but between‐person associations were not. Positive implicit alcohol attitudes (vΔ) were prospectively associated with heavy drinking, which was positively associated with subsequent positive implicit alcohol attitudes.

Conclusions

We found that positive implicit alcohol attitudes and heavy drinking reinforce each other in a negative cascade within individuals. The results highlight the importance of disaggregating within‐ and between‐person prospective effects when testing dual process models and suggest that the diffusion model may be a fruitful approach to enhance the construct validity of IAT assessed implicit attitudes.
Educational attainment and mortality in schizophrenia
Authors: Tesli Martin , Degerud Eirik , Plana‐Ripoll Oleguer , Gustavson Kristin , Torvik Fartein Ask , Ystrom Eivind , Ask Helga , Tesli Natalia , Høye Anne , Stoltenberg Camilla , Reichborn‐Kjennerud Ted , Nesvåg Ragnar , Næss Øyvind
Published: February 2022

Background

Individuals suffering from schizophrenia have a reduced life expectancy with cardiovascular disease (CVD) as a major contributor. Low educational attainment is associated with schizophrenia, as well as with all‐cause and CVD mortality. However, it is unknown to what extent low educational attainment can explain the increased mortality in individuals with schizophrenia.

Aim

Here, we quantify associations between educational attainment and all‐cause and CVD mortality in individuals with schizophrenia, and compare them with the corresponding associations in the general population.

Method

All Norwegian citizens born between January 1, 1925, and December 31, 1959, were followed up from January 1, 1990, to December 31, 2014. The total sample included 1,852,113 individuals, of which 6548 were registered with schizophrenia. We estimated hazard ratios (HR) for all‐cause and CVD mortality with Cox models, in addition to life years lost. Educational attainment for index persons and their parents were included in the models.

Results

In the general population individuals with low educational attainment had higher risk of all‐cause (HR: 1.48 [95% CI: 1.47–1.49]) and CVD (HR: 1.59 [95% CI: 1.57–1.61]) mortality. In individuals with schizophrenia these estimates were substantially lower (all‐cause: HR: 1.13 [95% CI: 1.05–1.21] and CVD: HR: 1.12 [95% CI: 0.98–1.27]). Low educational attainment accounted for 3.28 (3.21–3.35) life years lost in males and 2.48 (2.42–2.55) years in females in the general population, but was not significantly associated with life years lost in individuals with schizophrenia. Results were similar for parental educational attainment.

Conclusions

Our results indicate that while individuals with schizophrenia in general have lower educational attainment and higher mortality rates compared with the general population, the association between educational attainment and mortality is smaller in schizophrenia subjects than in the general population.
Impact of Investor Sentiment on Stock Returns*
Authors: Kim Youngkwang , Lee Kaun Y.
Published: February 2022

This study examines the relationship between investor sentiment and stock returns in two active but different Korean stock markets. Using daily KOSPI and KOSDAQ data, we construct an investor sentiment index that includes adjusted turnover rate, buy–sell imbalance, and relative strength index. We find that investor sentiment significantly affects stock returns, more so in the KOSDAQ with high individual participation. Company characteristics, including size and stock price, affect the relationship between investor sentiment and stock returns. Moreover, we introduce the relationship between mobile trading and investor sentiment, and demonstrate that mobile trading transforms irrational investors into informed, rational investors.
AllergoOncology: Danger signals in allergology and oncology: A European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (EAACI) Position Paper
Authors: Bergmann Christoph , Poli Aurélie , Agache Ioana , Bianchini Rodolfo , Bax Heather J. , Castells Mariana , Crescioli Silvia , Dombrowicz David , Ferastraoaru Denisa , Fiebiger Edda , Gould Hannah J. , Hartmann Karin , Izquierdo Elena , Jordakieva Galateja , Josephs Debra H. , Jutel Marek , Levi‐Schaffer Francesca , de las Vecillas Leticia , Lotze Michael T. , Osborn Gabriel , Pascal Mariona , Redegeld Frank , Rosenstreich David , Roth‐Walter Franziska , Schmidt‐Weber Carsten , Shamji Mohamed , Steveling Esther H. , Turner Michelle C. , Untersmayr Eva , Jensen‐Jarolim Erika , Karagiannis Sophia N.
Published: February 2022

The immune system interacts with many nominal ‘danger’ signals, endogenous danger‐associated (DAMP), exogenous pathogen (PAMP) and allergen (AAMP)‐associated molecular patterns. The immune context under which these are received can promote or prevent immune activating or inflammatory mechanisms and may orchestrate diverse immune responses in allergy and cancer. Each can act either by favouring a respective pathology or by supporting the immune response to confer protective effects, depending on acuity or chronicity. In this Position Paper under the collective term danger signals or DAMPs, PAMPs and AAMPs, we consider their diverse roles in allergy and cancer and the connection between these in AllergoOncology. We focus on their interactions with different immune cells of the innate and adaptive immune system and how these promote immune responses with juxtaposing clinical outcomes in allergy and cancer. While danger signals present potential targets to overcome inflammatory responses in allergy, these may be reconsidered in relation to a history of allergy, chronic inflammation and autoimmunity linked to the risk of developing cancer, and with regard to clinical responses to anti‐cancer immune and targeted therapies. Cross‐disciplinary insights in AllergoOncology derived from dissecting clinical phenotypes of common danger signal pathways may improve allergy and cancer clinical outcomes.
The appendix‐mucosal immunity and tolerance in the gut: consequences for the syndromes of appendicitis and its epidemiology
Authors: de Costa Alan
Published: February 2022

The cause of appendicitis is unknown. A review is presented across diverse sources relating to the biology of the appendix and its perturbations. A mechanistic model of the function of the appendix is presented, and its application to the syndromes and consequences of appendicitis is described.
Acalabrutinib CYP3A‐mediated drug–drug interactions: Clinical evaluations and physiologically based pharmacokinetic modelling to inform dose adjustment strategy
Authors: Chen Buyun , Zhou Diansong , Wei Hua , Yotvat Marmor , Zhou Li , Cheung Jean , Sarvaria Nicole , Lai Richard , Sharma Shringi , Vishwanathan Karthick , Ware Joseph
Published: February 2022

Aims

Clinical drug interaction studies with itraconazole and rifampicin have demonstrated that acalabrutinib is a sensitive substrate of CYP3A. A physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) model was developed based on the data of these studies. One of the active CYP3A metabolites, ACP‐5862, was identified but never studied in a drug interaction scenario. This study aims to evaluate both parent and metabolite exposure change with coadministration of moderate CYP3A inhibitors and its impact on safety and efficacy.

Methods

In an open label, randomized, 2‐period study, we investigated the effect of coadministration of fluconazole or isavuconazole on the pharmacokinetics of acalabrutinib. Bruton tyrosine kinase receptor occupancy and safety were compared between different treatments. Experimental data were compared to PBPK simulation results.

Results

Least square means of acalabrutinib maximum plasma concentration and area under the curve increased 1.37 (1.14–1.64) and 1.60 (1.45–1.77)‐fold in the presence of isavuconazole and 1.48 (1.10–1.98) and 2.16 (1.94–2.40)‐fold in the presence of fluconazole, respectively. For ACP‐5862, these values are 0.72 (0.63–0.82) and 0.91 (0.86–0.97) fold for isavuconazole and 0.65 (0.49–0.87) and 0.95 (0.91–0.99) fold for fluconazole coadministration. The PBPK model was able to recover acalabrutinib and ACP‐5862 PK profiles in the study. Bruton tyrosine kinase receptor occupancy change was minimal in the presence of isavuconazole. There were no deaths, serious adverse events (AEs), or subject discontinuation due to AEs in this study. Only mild (Grade 1) AEs were reported during the study, by 17% of the study population.

Conclusion

Our results demonstrate the impact of fluconazole and isavuconazole on the pharmacokinetics of acalabrutinib and ACP‐5862, and suggest that no dose adjustment is needed for concomitant administration with moderate CYP3A inhibitors. the current PBPK model can be used to propose dose adjustment for drug interactions via CYP3A.
A motivational model‐based virtual reality approach to prompting learners' sense of presence, learning achievements, and higher‐order thinking in professional safety training
Authors: Hwang Gwo‐Jen , Chang Chun‐Chun , Chien Shu‐Yun
Published: February 2022

Increasing learners' sense of presence is important in professional training, in particular, when aiming to foster their competences of making judgements and solving problems when facing real cases. However, in conventional training programmes, sometimes it is difficult to situate learners in real cases owing to several considerations, such as cost and potential danger. Scholars have indicated that the lack of opportunities to experience real contexts could seriously affect the training outcomes. To cope with this problem, the present study proposes a spherical video‐based virtual reality (SVVR)‐based professional training (SVVR‐PT) approach based on the attention, relevance, confidence and satisfaction (ARCS) model to situate learners in an authentic training environment to experience the process of solving practical cases before facing real cases. To evaluate the effectiveness of the approach, a true experiment was conducted in a hospital by randomly assigning 70 nurses to an experimental group learning with the SVVR‐PT approach and a control group learning with the conventional training approach. The experimental results show that the proposed approach outperformed the conventional approach in terms of promoting the learners' sense of presence and learning achievement as well as their problem‐solving tendency and critical‐thinking awareness. Moreover, the SVVR‐PT learners also showed higher technology acceptance than the conventional training group.

Practitioner notes

What is already known about this topic?

Spherical video‐based virtual reality (SVVR) immerses learners in an authentic environment that enables them to have more opportunities to experiment and practice.

Attention, relevance, confidence and satisfaction model has great potential in promoting learners' motivation and engagement.

What this paper adds?

A motivational model‐based virtual reality approach is proposed to facilitate learners' professional training performance.

In addition to promoting learners' training performance, the results claimed that the proposed approach could promote students' sense of presence, problem‐solving tendency and critical‐thinking awareness.

Implications for practice and/or policy

It is potentially worth using the motivational model‐based virtual reality approach in professional training to facilitate learners' performances and perceptions.

The proposed approach can further analyze and compare the effects of the cooperative learning strategy on learners' performance and recorded learning process.
Increasing learners' self‐efficacy beliefs and curiosity through a Frankenstein‐themed transmedia storytelling experience
Authors: Nagy Peter , Mawasi Areej , Eustice Kristi , Cook‐Davis Alison , Finn Ed , Wylie Ruth
Published: February 2022

Using Mary Shelley's Frankenstein as inspiration, this paper presents a Frankenstein‐themed transmedia storytelling experience, which encompasses simple hands‐on activities and an online narrative experience that allows students to model scientific work and engage in various science activities. The study aimed to test whether students can develop higher science and creative self‐efficacy beliefs, and a stronger science curiosity, by engaging in the transmedia experience that combined hands‐on and online narrative activities compared with participating in only hands‐on or online narrative experiences. Our paper presents findings from two classroom studies using survey findings. Results show that all three conditions (hands‐on, online game experience and transmedia) had a significant positive impact on learners' self‐efficacy beliefs and curiosity, but there was no additional benefit for the transmedia condition. Nevertheless, our work has various implications for learning sciences about the potential benefits and drawbacks of transmedia storytelling experiences. Our findings can help educators and researchers design and run transmedia storytelling projects.

Practitioner notes

What is already known about this topic

Transmedia storytelling is a popular and adaptable learning application.

Transmedia storytelling can be beneficial due to transfer of learning.

Transmedia storytelling may foster learners' engagement and knowledge acquisition.

What this paper adds

The paper presents a Frankenstein‐themed transmedia experience that combines digital and hands‐on activities and borrows several themes from Mary Shelley's Frankenstein; or, the Modern Prometheus.

Findings from this study show that transmedia storytelling can boost learners' science and creative self‐efficacy beliefs and science curiosity.

However, transmedia storytelling combining digital and hands‐on experiences is not more effective in bolstering self‐efficacy beliefs and curiosity than digital or hands‐on experiences alone.

Implications for practice and/or policy

Transmedia storytelling might have unintended consequences for learning because it may exhaust learners' cognitive resources.

Learners' transliteracy skills and competencies may influence what benefits they gain from partaking in transmedia storytelling experiences.

Educators need to take learners' transliteracy skills into consideration when they wish to design and/or use transmedia storytelling experiences for learning purposes.