bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
CRISPR-enhanced human adipocyte “browning” as cell therapy for metabolic disease
Authors: Tsagkaraki Emmanouela , Nicoloro Sarah , De Souza Tiffany , Solivan-Rivera Javier , Desai Anand , Shen Yuefei , Kelly Mark , Guilherme Adilson , Henriques Felipe , Ibraheim Raed , Amrani Nadia , Luk Kevin , Maitland Stacy , Friedline Randall H. , Tauer Lauren , Hu Xiaodi , Kim Jason K. , Wolfe Scot A. , Sontheimer Erik J. , Corvera Silvia , Czech Michael P.
Published: October 2020

Obesity and type 2 diabetes (T2D) are associated with poor tissue responses to insulin1,2, disturbances in glucose and lipid fluxes3–5and comorbidities including steatohepatitis6and cardiovascular disease7,8. Despite extensive efforts at prevention and treatment9,10, diabetes afflicts over 400 million people worldwide11. Whole body metabolism is regulated by adipose tissue depots12–14, which include both lipid-storing white adipocytes and less abundant “brown” and “brite/beige” adipocytes that express thermogenic uncoupling protein UCP1 and secrete factors favorable to metabolic health15–18. Application of clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) gene editing19,20to enhance “browning” of white adipose tissue is an attractive therapeutic approach to T2D. However, the problems of cell-selective delivery, immunogenicity of CRISPR reagents and long term stability of the modified adipocytes are formidable. To overcome these issues, we developed methods that deliver complexes of SpyCas9 protein and sgRNAex vivoto disrupt the thermogenesis suppressor geneNRIP121,22with near 100% efficiency in human or mouse adipocytes.NRIP1gene disruption at discrete loci strongly ablated NRIP1 protein and upregulated expression of UCP1 and beneficial secreted factors, while residual Cas9 protein and sgRNA were rapidly degraded. Implantation of the CRISPR-enhanced human or mouse brown-like adipocytes into high fat diet fed mice decreased adiposity and liver triglycerides while enhancing glucose tolerance compared to mice implanted with unmodified adipocytes. These findings advance a therapeutic strategy to improve metabolic homeostasis through CRISPR-based genetic modification of human adipocytes without exposure of the recipient to immunogenic Cas9 or delivery vectors.
Multiscale and multimodal reconstruction of cortical structure and function
Authors: Turner Nicholas L. , Macrina Thomas , Bae J. Alexander , Yang Runzhe , Wilson Alyssa M. , Schneider-Mizell Casey , Lee Kisuk , Lu Ran , Wu Jingpeng , Bodor Agnes L. , Bleckert Adam A. , Brittain Derrick , Froudarakis Emmanouil , Dorkenwald Sven , Collman Forrest , Kemnitz Nico , Ih Dodam , Silversmith William M. , Zung Jonathan , Zlateski Aleksandar , Tartavull Ignacio , Yu Szi-chieh , Popovych Sergiy , Mu Shang , Wong William , Jordan Chris S. , Castro Manuel , Buchanan JoAnn , Bumbarger Daniel J. , Takeno Marc , Torres Russel , Mahalingam Gayathri , Elabbady Leila , Li Yang , Cobos Erick , Zhou Pengcheng , Suckow Shelby , Becker Lynne , Paninski Liam , Polleux Franck , Reimer Jacob , Tolias Andreas S. , Reid R. Clay , da Costa Nuno Maçarico , Seung H. Sebastian
Published: October 2020

We present a semi-automated reconstruction of L2/3 mouse primary visual cortex from 3 million cubic microns of electron microscopic images, including pyramidal and inhibitory neurons, astrocytes, microglia, oligodendrocytes and precursors, pericytes, vasculature, mitochondria, and synapses. Visual responses of a subset of pyramidal cells are included. The data are being made publicly available, along with tools for programmatic and 3D interactive access. The density of synaptic inputs onto inhibitory neurons varies across cell classes and compartments. We uncover a compartment-specific correlation between mitochondrial coverage and synapse density. Frequencies of connectivity motifs in the graph of pyramidal cells are predicted quite accurately from node degrees using the configuration model of random graphs. Cells receiving more connections from nearby cells exhibit stronger and more reliable visual responses. These example findings illustrate the resource’s utility for relating structure and function of cortical circuits as well as for neuronal cell biology.
Multi-objective TMA management optimization using the point merge system
Authors: Cecen Ramazan Kursat
Published: October 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to provide conflict-free operations in terminal manoeuvre areas (TMA) using the point merge system (PMS), airspeed reduction (ASR) and ground holding (GH) techniques. The objective is to minimize both total aircraft delay (TD) and the total number of the conflict resolution manoeuvres (CRM).

Design/methodology/approach

The mixed integer linear programming (MILP) is used for both single and multi-objective optimization approaches to solve aircraft sequencing and scheduling problem (ASSP). Compromise criterion and ε-constraint methods were included in the methodology. The results of the single objective optimization approach results were compared with baseline results, which were obtained using the first come first serve approach, in terms of the total number of the CRM, TD, the number of aircraft using PMS manoeuvres, ASR manoeuvres, GH manoeuvres, departure time updates and on-time performance.

Findings

The proposed single-objective optimization approach reduced both the CRM and TD considerably. For the traffic flow rates of 15, 20 and 25 aircraft, the improvement of CRM was 53.08%, 41.12% and 32.6%, the enhancement of TD was 54.2%, 48.8% and 31.06% and the average number of Pareto-optimal solutions were 1.26, 2.22 and 3.87, respectively. The multi-objective optimization approach also exposed the relationship between the TD and the total number of CRM.

Practical implications

The proposed mathematical model can be implemented considering the objectives of air traffic controllers and airlines operators. Also, the mathematical model is able to create conflict-free TMA operations and, therefore, it brings an opportunity for air traffic controllers to reduce frequency occupancy time.

Originality/value

The mathematical model presents the total number of CRM as an objective function in the ASSP using the MILP approach. The mathematical model integrates air traffic controllers’ and airline operators’ perspective together with new objective functions.
Responsibilities of archivist now and in the future as the result of COVID – 19; Case of ICA-SUV
Authors: Netshakhuma Nkholedzeni Sidney
Published: October 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to examine the strategies for the preservation of archival materials in the International Council on Archives Section on University and Research Institution Archives (ICA SUV) by the members and to make recommendations for the digital archival preservation to continue its accessibility during the national lockdown because of COVID–19.

Design/methodology/approach

This study is based on the survey conducted on the ICA SUV members during the national lockdown. The study used a survey research methodology through e-mails as data collection instruments.

Findings

The key findings revealed that most of the sections on university and research institution archives lack digitization preservation strategies and most of their records are not accessible online, as most of their collections are still preserved manually through the paper-based system; furthermore, archivists are not fully trained on digital management. The paper recommends universities to develop preservation strategies to migrate records from the paper-based system to electronic records management system.

Research limitations/implications

The population of the study comprised ICA SUV members, who responded to the survey. Therefore, the sample size and geographical spread were inadequate for generalization of the findings. In conclusion, the study demonstrated that accessibility of the archives was dependent on the quality of digitized archives.

Practical implications

This study demonstrates that the development of a preservation strategy enhances access to archival materials during the national lockdown because of COVID–19.

Social implications

This paper highlights the plight of university archives and reiterates the need for urgent digitization of their archives of universities all over the world.

Originality/value

To the best of author’s knowledge, this paper appears to be the first to review the responsibilities of archivists now and in the future as the result of COVID–19. This study is confirmed to be on the positive side of COVID–19 and change the archive sector by adapting to information communication technology.
Finite element method for analyzing effects of porous baffle on liquid sloshing in the two-dimensional tanks
Authors: Gao Hangduo , Yin Zhao , Liu Jun , Zang Quansheng , Lin Gao
Published: October 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the liquid sloshing behaviors in two-dimensional tanks with various porous baffles under the external excitation.

Design/methodology/approach

Adopting the finite element method (FEM) and control variable method to study the impacts of the height, length, number, location, shape, porous-effect parameter of the porous baffle, the external load frequency and the shape of the tank on the liquid sloshing response.

Findings

The amplitude of the free surface can be reduced effectively when the baffle opening is appropriate. The anti-sway ability of the system increases in pace with the baffle’s height growing. Under the same conditions, the shapes of the baffles have an important effect on improving the anti-sway ability of the system.

Originality/value

As there exist the differences of the velocity potential between each side of the porous baffle, which means that there are two different velocity potentials at a point on the porous baffle, the conventional finite element modeling technologies are not suitable to be applied here. To deal with this problem, the points on the porous baffle are regarded as two nodes with the same coordinate to model and calculate.
Influence of premixed dual metal sulfides on the tribological performance of copper-free brake friction materials
Authors: R. Vijay , S. Manoharan , S. Nagarajan , D. Lenin Singaravelu
Published: October 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to deals with the effect of premixed dual metal sulfides (tin disulfide + iron disulfide) as a replacement for antimony trisulfide on the tribological performance of brake friction materials.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study, brake friction materials were developed by using premixed dual metal sulfides as a replacement for antimony trisulfide in the formulation. The brake friction materials were developed in the form of standard brake pads as per the industrial practice. Thermal stability was measured for varying ingredients and developed brake pads using thermogravimetric analysis. The physical, mechanical and thermal properties of the developed brake pads were tested as per the industrial standards. The tribological properties were analyzed using the Chase test as per SAE J661. Worn surface analysis was done using a scanning electron microscope.

Findings

The experimental results indicate that the brake pads filled with premixed dual metal sulfides had good thermal stability, physical, chemical and mechanical properties with stable friction and less wear rate due to better lubrication preventing friction undulations.

Originality/value

This paper explains the influence of premixed dual metal sulfides as a replacement for antimony trisulfide in brake pads formulation to enhance the tribological performance by preventing friction undulations.

Peer review

The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/ILT-04-2020-0144/
Mechanical behaviour and interface evaluation of hybrid MIM/PBF stainless steel components
Authors: Mehmeti Aldi , Penchev Pavel , Lynch Donal , Vincent Denis , Maillol Nathalie , Maurath Johannes , Bajolet Julien , Wimpenny David Ian , Essa Khamis , Dimov Stefan
Published: October 2020

Purpose

The paper reports an investigation into the mechanical behaviour of hybrid components produced by combining the capabilities of metal injection moulding (MIM) with the laser-based powder bed fusion (PBF) process to produce small series of hybrid components. The research investigates systematically the mechanical properties and the performance of the MIM/PBF interfaces in such hybrid components.

Design/methodology/approach

The MIM process is employed to fabricate relatively lower cost preforms in higher quantities, whereas the PBF technology is deployed to build on them sections that can be personalised, customised or functionalised to meet specific technical requirements.

Findings

The results are discussed, and conclusions are made about the mechanical performance of such hybrid components produced in batches and also about the production efficiency of the investigated hybrid manufacturing (HM) route. The obtained results show that the proposed HM route can produce hybrid MIM/PBF components with consistent mechanical properties and interface performance which comply with the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) standards.

Originality/value

The manufacturing of hybrid components, especially by combining the capabilities of additive manufacturing processes with cost-effective complementary technologies, is designed to be exploited by industry because they can offer flexibility and cost advantages in producing small series of customisable products. The findings of this research will contribute to further develop the state of the art in regards to the manufacturing and optimisation of hybrid components.
Building an OER program based on stakeholder feedback
Authors: Petrich Marisa
Published: October 2020

Purpose

This study aims to outline a library-led open educational resource (OER) training program for faculty and an assessment of barriers to OER adoption on campus. This study examines program assessment data (including faculty-reported needs to increase the likelihood of OER adoption) and analyzes a community-focused outreach strategy for a new OER program.

Design/methodology/approach

This program took a user-centered approach to developing campus support services for OER that specifically sought to address local needs and challenges. It intentionally incorporated strategies related to faculty motivation and satisfaction.

Findings

Although this faculty incentive program did not require OER adoption, a high number of voluntary OER adoptions occurred and participants showed interest in sharing information about OER across campus. Information about barriers to adoption informed future services.

Practical implications

This paper presents an adaptable model to launch new OER services and encourage a culture of using affordable course materials.

Originality/value

This project gathered information and identified collaborators to help build a sustainable, community-oriented OER program. The program focused early efforts on collecting and incorporating stakeholder feedback rather than moving directly to strategies focused on adopting or creating OER. It offers a model for other libraries to follow in creating sustainable practices.
Does corporate social responsibility initiative restrain young people from irregular migration in sub-Saharan Africa? Evidence from Nigeria’s oil-producing communities
Authors: Uduji Joseph Ikechukwu , Okolo-Obasi Elda Nduka
Published: October 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to critically examine the multinational oil companies’ (MOCs) corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives in Nigeria. Its special focus is to investigate the impact of the global memorandum of understanding (GMoU) on irregular migration urge of rural youths in the oil-producing communities.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper adopts a survey research technique, aimed at gathering information from a representative sample of the population, as it is essentially cross-sectional, describing and interpreting the current situation. A total of 2,100 households were sampled across the Niger Delta region of Nigeria.

Findings

The results from the use of a combined propensity score matching and logit model indicate that GMoU model has made significant impact in dissuading young people from irregular migration drive.

Practical implications

This implies that if the MOCs increase the CSR intervention on young development initiatives that focus on creation of jobs and provision of financial and other resources that support local entrepreneurs, the push factors that compel youth irregular migration in sub-Saharan Africa would be deterred.

Social implications

The fight against irregular migration of African youths and subsequent demise by sea, deserts and along the Mediterranean route can only succeed if cluster development boards of GMoUs are able to draw on young people to participate fully in the CSR intervention plans and programmes.

Originality/value

This research adds to the literature on multinational enterprises’ CSR initiatives in sub-Saharan Africa and rationale for demands for social projects by host communities. It concludes that business has an obligation to help in solving problems of public concern.
A learner-centric model of learning organizations
Authors: Akella Devi
Published: October 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to contribute by placing the missing “learner agent” within the entire process of learning. To understand under what social conditions, it is possible to develop autonomous learners who are conscious of self, able to reflect on their identities, roles and responsibilities, to learn and develop professionally, in alignment with the organizational goals and objectives.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper uses empirical data from a higher educational institution to provide insights on how it might be possible to intervene to incorporate workspaces which allow learner agent reflection resulting in individual and organizational learning processes, devoid of power exercises and manipulation strategies.

Findings

The empirical findings reveal the crucial role of learner agents, and positive outcomes associated with learning that happens be an autonomous choice and process, with minimal structural influence. The relevance of reflection, personal identity, social conditions, dialogic third spaces and transformation opportunity structures in developing lifelong learners, learning societies and democratic learning organizations is emphasized.

Research limitations/implications

This study suggests plausible directions in which the model of learning organizations can move forward, in the form of designing transformation structures or workspaces where learner agents have the opportunity to reflect on their tacit knowledge, job responsibilities and functions in an autonomous manner to generate learning, which is democratic and un-contested in nature.

Originality/value

The significance of learner agent in the entire learning process is demonstrated, to place forward a learner-centric model of learning organization where structure and agency harmoniously merge to form one common ground, where individual learning becomes organizational learning with no hidden power dynamics. Empirical evidence is provided to demonstrate how learning can be a win–win situation for all organizational groups.
Design of experiments in the service industry: results from a global survey and directions for further research
Authors: Antony Jiju , Viles Elisabeth , Torres Alexandre Fonseca , Fernandes Marcelo Machado , Cudney Elizabeth A.
Published: October 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to critically evaluate the current status of Design of experiments (DoE) in the service industry or non-manufacturing processes in the manufacturing sector. This involves the identification of critical success factors and challenges in the use of DoE in the context of the service industry as well as the key skills needed for its successful applications.

Design/methodology/approach

In order to identify the critical success factors and challenges, an online survey instrument was developed and distributed across Six Sigma Black Belts (SSBB), Six Sigma Master Black Belts (SSMBB), process improvement champions, continuous improvement professionals, DoE experts and specialists as well as academics who are involved in DoE research and applications.

Findings

A total of 109 participants from over 20 countries responded to the study. One of the first findings of the study is that over 40% of the process improvement professionals in the service sector do not have any hands-on experience with the application of DoE. Further, this study highlights the following critical factors for successful DoE applications: dedicating adequate resources in terms of time, budget and people for the experiment; getting a clear understanding of the problem at hand; securing a reliable and validated measurement system for measuring the response or quality characteristics of interest; and identifying input independent variables, which influence the quality characteristics during the brainstorming stage. Some respondents also mention the importance of having training or education in DoE as a critical success factor. At the same time, the lack of adequate planning to experimentation, mathematical knowledge and statistical reasoning remains as challenge to be solved.

Research limitations/implications

As data were collected at an individual level, inter-reliability, which measures the consistency of judgements on a particular survey item, could not be gauged. Moreover, due to low sample size across some continents, an intercontinental comparative study on the extent of the application of DoE across various continents could not be performed.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first global survey carried out to understand the status of DoE in the service industry. The results of the global study can be used to encourage quality, continuous improvement and process improvement professionals in the service sector to drive wider acceptance of one of the most powerful tools in the Six Sigma toolkit for problem-solving scenarios. Moreover, senior managers in the service industry can take away some of the key benefits, challenges and success factors in the implementation of DoE.
Late‐life reproduction in an insect: Terminal investment, reproductive restraint or senescence
Authors: Jehan Charly , Sabarly Camille , Rigaud Thierry , Moret Yannick
Published: October 2020

The terminal investment, reproductive restraint or senescence theories may explain individual late‐life patterns of reproduction. The terminal investment hypothesis predicts that individuals increase reproductive allocation late in life as prospects for future survival decrease. The other two hypotheses predict reduced reproduction late in life, but for different reasons. Under the Reproductive Restraint hypothesis, individuals restrain their reproductive effort to sustain future survival and gain more time for reproducing, whereas under the Senescence process, reproduction is constrained because of somatic deterioration. While these hypotheses imply that reproduction is costly, they should have contrasted implications in terms of survival after late reproduction and somatic maintenance.

Testing these hypotheses requires proper consideration of the effects of age‐dependent reproductive effort on post‐reproduction survival and age‐related somatic functions. We experimentally tested these three hypotheses in females of the mealworm beetle, Tenebrio molitor, an iteroparous and income breeder insect. We manipulated their age‐specific allocation into reproduction and observed the effects of this manipulation on their late‐life fecundity, post‐reproduction survival and immunocompetence as a measurement of somatic protection.

We found that females exhibit age‐related decline in fecundity and that this reproductive senescence is accelerated by a cost of early reproduction. The cost of reproduction had no significant effect on female longevity and their ability to survive a bacterial infection, despite that some immune cells were depleted by reproduction. We found that female post‐infection survival deteriorated with age, which could be partly explained by a decline in some immune parameters. Importantly, females did not increase their reproductive effort late in life at the expense of their late‐life post‐reproduction survival.

Late‐life reproduction in T. molitor females is senescing and not consistent with a terminal investment strategy. Rather, our results suggest that females allocate resources according to a priority scheme favouring longevity at the expense of reproduction, which is in line with the reproductive restraint hypothesis.

Such a priority scheme also shows that a relatively short‐lived insect can evolve life‐history strategies hitherto known only in long‐lived animals. This puts in perspective the role of longevity in the evolution of life‐history strategies.
The Size of Terroir: A Theoretical Note on Economics and Politics of Geographical Indications
Authors: Deconinck Koen , Swinnen Jo
Published: October 2020

Geographical indications (GI) certify the geographical origins of a product and delineate the specific area in which the certified product must be produced. Despite a large literature on the economics of GIs, few papers have explored the question of the optimal size of GI regions. This note presents a flexible conceptual framework to explore the economics and politics of the delimitation of a GI. The general framework describes the efficiency and distributional effects of the size of a GI and shows how this affects interest groups’ incentives to influence government decision‐making.
Chrysomya albicepsWiedemann (Diptera: Calliphoridae) colonising poisoned rabbit carcasses
Authors: Mashaly Ashraf , Al‐Khalifa Mohammed , Al‐Qahtni Abdullah
Published: October 2020

Chrysomia albicepsWiedemann (Diptera: Calliphoridae) is one of the first insects to colonise human and animal carrion and thus one of the most important insects in forensic entomology. Since the presence of these blow flies have been reported in most of the provinces in Saudi Arabia, we analyse the succession patterns ofC. albicepson decomposing rabbit carcasses injected with heroin or administered orally with alcoholic beverages. Samples of flies from the carcasses of heroin or alcohol‐treated and untreated rabbits were obtained for 15 days post mortem. A total of 1,297 and 1,426 flies were attracted to rabbit carcasses during the heroin and alcohol tests, respectively. The blow flies appeared in different developmental instars (larvae, pupae and adults), and at all stages of decomposition. Administration of higher concentrations of heroin or higher amounts of alcohol were generally associated with an increase in the number of blow flies drawn to rabbit carcasses (P < 0.05). The highest number of blow flies were attracted during the decay stage of decomposition, and the lowest during the fresh stage. In the case of medicolegal investigation, whenC. albicepsused as a forensic indicator, it is recommended that the impact of heroin or alcoholic beverages on the succession patterns be considered.
A deep active learning system for species identification and counting in camera trap images
Authors: Norouzzadeh Mohammad Sadegh , Morris Dan , Beery Sara , Joshi Neel , Jojic Nebojsa , Clune Jeff
Published: October 2020

A typical camera trap survey may produce millions of images that require slow, expensive manual review. Consequently, critical conservation questions may be answered too slowly to support decision‐making. Recent studies demonstrated the potential for computer vision to dramatically increase efficiency in image‐based biodiversity surveys; however, the literature has focused on projects with a large set of labelled training images, and hence many projects with a smaller set of labelled images cannot benefit from existing machine learning techniques. Furthermore, even sizable projects have struggled to adopt computer vision methods because classification models overfit to specific image backgrounds (i.e. camera locations).

In this paper, we combine the power of machine intelligence and human intelligence via a novel active learning system to minimize the manual work required to train a computer vision model. Furthermore, we utilize object detection models and transfer learning to prevent overfitting to camera locations. To our knowledge, this is the first work to apply an active learning approach to camera trap images.

Our proposed scheme can match state‐of‐the‐art accuracy on a 3.2 million image dataset with as few as 14,100 manual labels, which means decreasing manual labelling effort by over 99.5%. Our trained models are also less dependent on background pixels, since they operate only on cropped regions around animals.

The proposed active deep learning scheme can significantly reduce the manual labour required to extract information from camera trap images. Automation of information extraction will not only benefit existing camera trap projects, but can also catalyse the deployment of larger camera trap arrays.
Life tables for the diamondback moth (Plutella xylostella) in southeast Brazil indicate ants and spiders as leading mortality factors
Authors: Farias Elizeu S. , Santos Renata C. , Carmo Daiane G. , Soares João R. S. , Costa Thiago L. , Santos Abraão A. , Picanço Marcelo C.
Published: October 2020

The diamondback moth (DBM), Plutella xylostella (Lep.: Plutellidae), causes significant losses in Brassica crops. Leaf consumption by the larvae reduces plant yield and causes the contamination of heading brassicas. Chemical control usually provides unsatisfactory results due to the quickly developed resistance of DBM populations to insecticides. Thus, natural control by biotic factors (predators, parasitoids, and entomopathogens) is crucial and should be managed upon knowledge of their role as DBM regulators. The leading mortality factors of DBM across the annual seasons in southeast Brazil were investigated by conducting 57 field life tables for 2 years. The highest and lowest total mortalities of DBM occurred in winter (99.7%) and autumn (94%). Predation was the main mortality factor in all seasons. Marginal parasitism rates were higher in spring and lower in autumn, and Oomyzus sokolowskii (Hym.: Eulophidae) accounted for almost 90% of total parasitism. The highest mortalities by rainfall were recorded in spring (44.5%), while physiological death and infection caused low mortalities (≤ 6%) throughout the seasons. In addition, models were built to investigate the main predators acting on the DBM life stages; Araneae, Brachymyrmex bruchi, and Tetramorium simillimum (Hym.: Formicidae) were the predators associated with egg/L1 predation whereas Solenopsis saevissima, T. simillimum and Camponotus spp. (Hym.: Formicidae) were the ones responsible for L4/pupa predation. The L2/L3 stage was the least affected by predation, and the final model for this stage did not include any predator. In light of these findings, habitat manipulation and insecticide selectivity are discussed as measures to preserve the main predators and parasitoid.
Interpreting the results of clinical trials, embracing uncertainty: A Bayesian approach
Authors: Frost Steven A. , Alexandrou Evan , Schulz Luis , Aneman Anders
Published: October 2020

Most clinical trials use null hypothesis significance testing with frequentist statistical inference to report P values and confidence intervals for effect estimates. This method leads to a dichotomisation of results as ‘significant’ or ‘non‐significant’. A more nuanced interpretation may often be considered and in particular when the majority of the confidence interval for the effect estimate suggests benefit or harm. In contrast to the frequentist dichotomised approach based on a P value, the application of Bayesian statistics allocates credibility to a continuous spectrum of possibilities and for this reason a Bayesian approach to inference is often warranted as it will incorporate uncertainty when updating our current belief with information from a new trial. The use of Bayesian statistics is introduced in this paper for a hypothetical sepsis trial with worked examples in the R language for Statistical Computing environment and the open‐source statistical software JASP. It is hoped that this general introduction to Bayesian inference stimulates some interest and confidence among clinicians to consider applying these methods to the interpretation of new evidence for interventions relevant to anaesthesia and intensive care medicine.
Streamlining and simplification of surgical stent fabrication for micro‐endodontic surgery
Authors: George Roy , Cameron Andrew , Meer Mohammed
Published: October 2020

Surgical stents allow clinicians to undertake micro‐endodontic surgical procedures with an increased level of accuracy. When planned in combination with cone‐beam computed tomography (CBCT) radiographic imaging, surgical stents can help accurately determine the point of entry of the surgical drill, minimise the size of the osteotomy, ensure accurate resection of the root/s and avoid vital anatomical structures. Fabrication of surgical stents can, however, be a complex and long‐drawn‐out process, adding to the cost of the surgery. This case report presents a relatively easy method of fabricating a surgical guide and showcases the benefits of a planned surgical guide in managing a periapical pathology with close proximity to the mental nerve canal.
Agricultural Productivity in Space: an Econometric Assessment Based on Farm‐Level Data
Authors: Baldoni Edoardo , Esposti Roberto
Published: October 2020

This work aims to investigate scale, scope and nature of spatial dependence of agricultural total factor productivity (TFP) by using farm‐level survey data. TFP is measured using transitive index numbers, and the spatial properties of TFP are assessed within a dynamic spatial panel data model designed to separate production fundamentals from productivity spillovers. Because of the statistical issues that typically affect spatial analyses based on survey data, a Bayesian model selection procedure is used to inspect the spatial properties of TFP at different aggregation levels and to search for the most appropriate spatial scale to conduct the investigation. The application concerns Italian FADN farm‐level data over the period 2008–2015 then aggregated at the NUTS3 level. Results suggest that agricultural productivity spillovers significantly occur though over a limited spatial range. The cumulated effects of the estimated diffusion mechanism are described through a set of spatial indicators and presented graphically.
A preclinical trial of perventricular pulmonary valve implantation: Pericardial versus aortic porcine valves mounted on self‐expandable stent
Authors: Kim Min‐Seok , Lee Whal , Kim Ki‐Bum , Lim Hong‐Gook , Kim Yong Jin
Published: October 2020

Perventricular pulmonary valve implantation (PPVI) of a xenograft valve can be a less invasive technique that avoids cardiopulmonary bypass in patients who require pulmonary valve replacement. We compared the hemodynamics, durability, and histologic changes between two different xenogenic valves (pericardial vs. aortic valve porcine xenografts) implanted into the pulmonary valve position using a PPVI technique and evaluated the safety and efficacy of PPVI as a preclinical study. In 18 sheep, pericardial (group porcine pericardial [PP], n = 9) or aortic valve (group porcine aortic valve [PAV], n = 9) xenogenic porcine valves manufactured as a stented valve were implanted using a PPVI technique. The porcine tissues were decellularized, alpha‐galactosidase treated, fixed with glutaraldehyde after space‐filler treatment, and detoxified to improve durability. Hemodynamic and immunohistochemical studies were performed after the implantation; radiologic and histologic studies were performed after a terminal procedure. All stented valves were positioned properly after the implantation, and echocardiography and cardiac catheterization demonstrated good hemodynamic state and function of the valves. All the anti‐α‐Gal IgM and IgG titers were below 0.3 optical density. Computed tomography of extracted valves demonstrated no significant differences in the degree of calcification between the two groups (P = .927). Microscopic findings revealed a minimal amount of calcification and no significant infiltration of macrophage or T‐cell in both groups, regardless of the implantation duration. The PPVI is a feasible technique. Both stented valves made of PP and PAV showed no significant differences in hemodynamic profile, midterm durability, and degree of degenerative dystrophic calcification.
COVID‐19 Increases Online Searches for Emotional and Health‐Related Terms
Authors: Du Hongfei , Yang Jing , King Ronnel B. , Yang Lei , Chi Peilian
Published: October 2020

Background

The COVID‐19 pandemic has powerfully shaped people’s lives. The current work investigated the emotional and behavioral reactions people experience in response to COVID‐19 through their internet searches. We hypothesised that when the prevalence rates of COVID‐19 increase, people would experience more fear, which in turn would predict more searches for protective behaviors, health‐related knowledge, and panic buying.

Methods

Prevalence rates of COVID‐19 in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia were used as predictors. Fear‐related emotions, protective behaviors, seeking health‐related knowledge, and panic buying were measured using internet search volumes in Google Trends.

Results

We found that increased prevalence rates of COVID‐19 were associated with more searches for protective behaviors, health knowledge, and panic buying. This pattern was consistent across four countries, the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia. Fear‐related emotions explained the associations between COVID‐19 and the content of their internet searches.

Conclusions

Findings suggest that exposure to COVID‐19 prevalence and fear‐related emotions may motivate people to search for relevant health‐related information so as to protect themselves from the pandemic.
Achieving Effective Remote Working During the COVID‐19 Pandemic: A Work Design Perspective
Authors: Wang Bin , Liu Yukun , Qian Jing , Parker Sharon K.
Published: October 2020

Existing knowledge on remote working can be questioned in an extraordinary pandemic context. We conducted a mixed‐methods investigation to explore the challenges experienced by remote workers at this time, as well as what virtual work characteristics and individual differences affect these challenges. In Study 1, from semi‐structured interviews with Chinese employees working from home in the early days of the pandemic, we identified four key remote work challenges (work‐home interference, ineffective communication, procrastination, and loneliness), as well as four virtual work characteristics that affected the experience of these challenges (social support, job autonomy, monitoring, and workload) and one key individual difference factor (workers’ self‐discipline). In Study 2, using survey data from 522 employees working at home during the pandemic, we found that virtual work characteristics linked to worker's performance and well‐being via the experienced challenges. Specifically, social support was positively correlated with lower levels of all remote working challenges; job autonomy negatively related to loneliness; workload and monitoring both linked to higher work‐home interference; and workload additionally linked to lower procrastination. Self‐discipline was a significant moderator of several of these relationships. We discuss the implications of our research for the pandemic and beyond.
An evaluation of online discussion relating to nonmedical use of prescription opioids within the UK
Authors: Hockenhull Joanna , Black Joshua C. , Bletz Alex , Margolin Zachary , Olson Rick , Wood David M. , Dart Richard C. , Dargan Paul I.
Published: October 2020

Aim

To identify and describe the nature of online discussion relating to prescription opioids within the UK.

Methods

We performed analysis of posts originating in the UK related to buprenorphine, hydrocodone, oxycodone and tramadol using Social Studio, a web‐monitoring platform. The study included posts published between January 2014 and December 2016. The data were cleaned to produce a final dataset consisting only of substantive mentions, which were then categorised by defined themes.

Results

The final dataset included a total of 17 361 substantive mentions (2936 buprenorphine, 2894 hydrocodone, 3826 oxycodone and 7705 tramadol). The most common theme for all 4 drugs was sharing experience or opinion comprising over 90% of mentions for each drug, while discussion related to polysubstance use was present in >1/4 of mentions across drug substances. Mentions related to diversion were more common for hydrocodone and oxycodone (8.1% [6.3–10.1 95% confidence interval] and 7.8% [6.5–9.2], respectively) than buprenorphine or tramadol (4.1 and 3.9% [3.5–4.3], respectively).

Conclusion

This investigation shows that there is substantial online discussion relating to a variety of nonmedical use (NMU) behaviours of prescription opioids within the UK, including for hydrocodone, which is not medically available. Web monitoring provides useful data and merits future investigation; this could include expansion to other categories of drugs and a more in‐depth analysis of motivations behind NMU, both of which could add timely evidence regarding the current situation in the UK and help inform public health interventions for NMU of prescription drugs.
Interstitial pneumonitis related to trastuzumab deruxtecan, a human epidermal growth factor receptor 2‐targeting Ab–drug conjugate, in monkeys
Authors: Kumagai Kazuyoshi , Aida Tetsuo , Tsuchiya Yoshimi , Kishino Yuki , Kai Kiyonori , Mori Kazuhiko
Published: October 2020

Trastuzumab deruxtecan (T‐DXd: DS‐8201a) is an anti‐human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) Ab–drug conjugated with deruxtecan (DXd), a derivative of exatecan. The objective of this study was to characterize T‐DXd‐induced lung toxicity in cynomolgus monkeys. Trastuzumab deruxtecan was injected i.v. into monkeys once every 3 weeks for 6 weeks (10, 30, and 78.8 mg/kg) or for 3 months (3, 10, and 30 mg/kg). To evaluate the involvement of DXd alone in T‐DXd‐induced toxicity, DXd monohydrate was given i.v. to monkeys once a week for 4 weeks (1, 3, and 12 mg/kg). Interstitial pneumonitis was observed in monkeys given T‐DXd at 30 mg/kg or more. The histopathological features of diffuse lymphocytic infiltrates and slight fibrosis were similar to interstitial lung diseases (ILD)/pneumonitis related to anticancer drugs in patients, with an incidence that was dose‐dependent and dose‐frequency‐dependent. Monkeys receiving DXd monohydrate did not suffer lung toxicity, although the DXd exposure level was higher than that of DXd in the monkeys given T‐DXd. The HER2 expression in monkey lungs was limited to the bronchial level, although the lesions were found at the alveolar level. Immunohistochemical analysis confirmed that T‐DXd localization was mainly in alveolar macrophages, but not pulmonary epithelial cells. These findings indicate that monkeys are an appropriate model for investigating T‐DXd‐related ILD/pneumonitis. The results are also valuable for hypothesis generation regarding the possible mechanism of T‐DXd‐induced ILD/pneumonitis in which target‐independent uptake of T‐DXd into alveolar macrophages could be involved. Further evaluation is necessary to clarify the mechanism of ILD/pneumonitis in patients with T‐DXd therapy.
Multilayer weighted integrated self‐learning algorithm for automatic diagnosis of epileptic electroencephalogram signals
Authors: Zhao Jian , Zhao Di , Shi Lijuan , Kuang Zhejun , Jing Weipeng , Wang Huihui
Published: October 2020

Epilepsy is a common mental disorder that affects about 70 million people worldwide. Epileptic electroencephalogram (EEG) signal, an important means to judge epileptic seizure, needs neurologists' prior knowledge to mark manually. This marking method is time‐consuming and laborious. Currently, the existing automated diagnosis methods have achieved good results on one benchmark EEG dataset, most of which can achieve accuracy of more than 0.95. However, the method has limitations on the dataset, and the accuracy of the diagnosis results on another new dataset drops sharply to nearly 0.5. Aiming at the existing EEG signal diagnosis lacks stability and generalization ability, this paper proposed a multilayer‐weighted integrated self‐learning algorithm for different classifiers. For this algorithm, weighted voting was first conducted on the the diagnostic results by different classifiers to obtain a result, which was weighted again to produce the final diagnostic results. This algorithm improves the problem that the traditional self‐learning algorithm is greatly affected by data noise, which shows a strong stability in different data sets and in clinical epileptic EEG signal data detection, so as to reduce the workload of neurologists and provide support and assistance for the diagnosis and treatment of epilepsy. The experiment result shows that the algorithm can improve the stability and reliability of EEG automatic diagnosis of epilepsy. The accuracy and AUC area of its classification in two different public data sets and clinical data can reach 0.80 to 0.95.
Does liver biopsy accurately measure fibrosis in Fontan‐associated liver disease? A comparison of liver biopsy pre–combined heart and liver transplant and liver explant post‐transplant
Authors: Vaikunth Sumeet S. , Higgins John P. , Concepcion Waldo , Haeffele Christiane , Wright Gail E. , Chen Sharon , Lui George K. , Daugherty Tami
Published: October 2020

The accuracy of liver biopsy to stage fibrosis due to Fontan‐associated liver disease (FALD) remains unclear. We compared the results of biopsy pre–combined heart and liver transplantation (CHLT) to the results of whole liver explant. Liver biopsy and explants from 15 Fontan patients (ages 16‐49, median 28 years) were retrospectively reviewed. Staging was as follows: stage 0: no fibrosis, stage 1: pericellular fibrosis, stage 2: bridging fibrosis, and stage 3: regenerative nodules. There is no stage 4. Clinical characteristics including Model of End‐stage Liver Disease eXcluding INR and Varices, Ascites, Splenomegaly, and Thrombocytopenia (VAST) scores were collected, and descriptive statistics and Mann‐Whitney U tests were used to analyze the data. All patients had biopsies with at least bridging fibrosis, and all had nodularity on explant; transjugular biopsy never overestimated fibrosis. Explant showed higher‐grade fibrosis (stage 3) than pre‐CHLT biopsy (stage 2) in 6 of 15 patients and equal grade of fibrosis (stage 3) in 9 of 15 patients. Though clinical characteristics varied significantly, VAST score was ≥2 in all but two patients. Transjugular liver biopsy does not overestimate and can underestimate fibrosis in Fontan patients undergoing CHLT, likely due to the patchy nature of fibrosis in FALD.