bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Rhinoceros serum labile plasma iron and associated redox potential: interspecific variation, sex bias and iron overload disorder disconnect
Authors: Roth Terri L , Philpott Megan , Wojtusik Jessye
Published: March 2022

A consequence of the poaching crisis is that managed rhinoceros populations are increasingly important for species conservation. However, black rhinoceroses (BR; Diceros bicornis) and Sumatran rhinoceroses (SR; Dicerorhinus Sumatrensis) in human care often store excessive iron in organ tissues, a condition termed iron overload disorder (IOD). IOD research is impeded by the challenge of accurately monitoring body iron load in living rhinoceroses. The goals of this study were to (i) determine if labile plasma iron (LPI) is an accurate IOD biomarker and (ii) identify factors associated with iron-independent serum oxidative reduction potential (ORP). Serum (106 samples) from SRs (n = 8), BRs (n = 28), white rhinoceros (n = 24) and greater one-horned rhinoceros (GOH; n = 16) was analysed for LPI. Samples from all four species tested positive for LPI, and a higher proportion of GOH rhinoceros samples were LPI positive compared with those of the other three species (P < 0.05). In SRs, the only LPI-positive samples were those from individuals clinically ill with IOD, but samples from outwardly healthy individuals of the other three species were LPI positive. Serum ORP was lower in SRs compared with that in the other three species (P < 0.001), and iron chelation only reduced ORP in the GOH species (P < 0.01; ~5%). Serum ORP sex bias was revealed in three species with males exhibiting higher ORP than females (P < 0.001), the exception being the SR in which ORP was low for both sexes. ORP was not associated with age or serum iron concentrations (P ≥ 0.05), but was positively correlated with ferritin (P < 0.01). The disconnect between LPI and IOD was unanticipated, and LPI cannot be recommended as a biomarker of advanced rhino IOD. However, data provide valuable insight into the complex puzzle of rhinoceros IOD.
Extracting reliable empirical Green's functions using weighted cross-correlation functions of ambient seismic noise in west-central and southern Brazil
Authors: Shirzad Taghi , Safarkhani Mahsa , Assumpção Marcelo S
Published: March 2022

Ambient seismic noise is now routinely used to study the Earth's interior. For an isotropic homogeneous medium, the basic assumption to extract seismic phases from a station pair is that the sources of seismic noise are distributed in such a way that there is a uniform energy flux around the station pair. In general, however, some particular azimuthal directions may dominate the energy flux, which directly affects the extracted interstation empirical Green's function (EGF). To solve this problem, we analysed synthetic cross-correlation functions (CCFs) from seismic pulses propagated in isotropic and anisotropic heterogeneous half-space media towards a station pair under the assumptions of uniformly and non-uniformly distributed sources of noise. A reliable EGF signal can be extracted by applying three processing steps: (1) normalizing the number of repeated stationary sources, (2) normalizing the energy of each excited source and (3) selecting coherent CCFs in the final stacking. In this way, three different classes of station pairs were identified based on the number of CCFs used in the stacking procedure. We introduced and applied a new method based on weighted root-mean-square stacking (WRMS) to the CCFs of more than 33 months of ambient noise recorded from January 2016 to September 2018 at 75 broad-band stations in West-Central Brazil. In the case of non-uniform distribution of source of noise, simple classical linear stacking of CCFs produces distorted EGFs. However, the waveform extracted by the WRMS method is very similar to the Rayleigh waves excited by an earthquake (on 2017 January 3) near one receiver observed at the other receiver. Moreover, synthetic tests and a comparison between extracted and earthquake signals show that although the WRMS method can extract the main part of the signal that is propagated on the shortest path, it cannot recover the energy parts propagated on multipath. Despite the N–W directionality in the geometry of the array, the rose-diagram results indicate no significant spatial variations in the energy level of EGFs extracted by the WRMS stacking, whereas the EGFs extracted by the classical linear stacking indicate the extreme directionality of energy flow in different period ranges. Rayleigh wave group and phase velocity tomographic maps resolved by the EGFs derived from the WRMS method indicate a clear boundary along the Asuncion and Rio Grande Arches between the Chaco-Paraná and the Paraná basins at the shorter period, while the tomographic maps in the same periods which were calculated by other stacking methods cannot clearly separate basins and arcs. Our tomographic maps at longer periods indicate variations of Moho depth and lithospheric velocities.
Determinants of cryptococcal antigen (CrAg) screening uptake in Kampala, Uganda: An assessment of health center characteristics
Authors: Srishyla Diksha , Saemisch Gabriel , Turya Fred , Nalintya Elizabeth , Jjunju Samuel , Kagimu Enock , Rutakingirwa Morris K , Skipper Caleb P , Boulware David R , Meya David B , Rajasingham Radha
Published: March 2022

Cryptococcal antigen (CrAg) screening and pre-emptive antifungal therapy for people with CD4 cell counts <100 cells/μl are recommended by the World Health Organization and several national HIV guidelines. We sought to evaluate CrAg screening program implementation across Uganda, in relation to health center level and distance from the capital. We conducted a cross-sectional study of 22 health centers across southern Uganda from April to June 2019. We reviewed laboratory records regarding number of CD4 cell count tests performed, proportion of outpatients with CD4 counts <200 cells/μl, and number of CrAg screening tests performed. We administered surveys to health center staff to understand barriers to advanced HIV care. We observed no significant difference in health center level and performance of CrAg screening; with each subsequent health center level, there was 1.17-fold (95% CI: 0.92–1.41) higher odds of CrAg screening performed per level. CrAg screening uptake was not associated with distance from the capital city (odds ratio = 0.96, 95% CI: 0.89–1.04). Qualitative data from surveys indicated that limitations to uptake of CrAg screening were secondary to dysfunctional CD4 machines, lack of provider awareness of CrAg screening guidelines, and inadequate/intermittent supply of CrAg tests. There were no significant associations between CrAg screening uptake and level of health center or distance of health center from the capital city. We identified systemic barriers to CrAg screening related to inadequate CD4 testing, insufficient knowledge regarding national screening guidelines, and irregular laboratory testing supplies.

Lay summary

The objective of this study was to evaluate cryptococcal antigen (CrAg) screening program implementation in Uganda, by type of healthcare center and by distance from the capital city. CrAg screening uptake was not associated with distance from the capital city, or the type of healthcare center.
Determining the seismic age of the young open clusterα Per using δ Scuti stars
Authors: Pamos Ortega David , García Hernández Antonio , Suárez Juan Carlos , Pascual Granado Javier , Barceló Forteza Sebastià , Rodón José Ramón
Published: March 2022

In this work, we aim at constraining the age of the young open cluster Melotte 20, known as α Per, using seismic indices. The method consists of the following steps: (1) Extract the frequency content of a sample of stars in the field of an open cluster. (2) Search for possible regularities in the frequency spectra of δ Sct stars candidates, using different techniques, such as the Fourier transform, the autocorrelation function, the histogram of frequency differences and the échelle diagram. (3) Constrain the age of the selected stars by both the physical parameters and seismic indices by comparing them with a grid of asteroseismic models representative of δ Sct stars. (4) Find possible common ages between these stars to determine the age of the cluster. We performed the pulsation analysis with MultiModes, a rapid, accurate and powerful open-source code, which is presented in this paper. The result is that the age of α Per could be between 96 and 100 Myr. This is an improvement over different techniques in the past. We therefore show that space astroseismology is capable of taking important steps in the dating of young open clusters.
X-ray selected narrow-line active galactic nuclei in the COSMOS field: Nature of optically dull active galactic nuclei
Authors: Fitriana Itsna K , Murayama Takashi
Published: March 2022

X-ray emission detection in a galaxy is one of the efficient tools for selecting active galactic nuclei (AGNs). However, many X-ray-selected AGNs are not easily selected as AGNs by their optical emission. These galaxies, so-called optically dull (OD) AGNs, are fascinating since their X-ray emission is bright even though the AGN signature in the optical regime is absent. In a deep multiwavelength survey over 2 deg2 of the Cosmic Evolution Survey (COSMOS) field, we have looked for the OD AGNs using photometric, spectroscopic, and X-ray data. We identified 310 non-broad line sources with optical spectra as AGNs using X-ray selection up to redshift z ∼ 1.5. We inspected the spectra to check for any AGN signature in their optical emission lines: [Ne v] forbidden emission line, Mass Excitation diagram (MEx), color excitation diagram (TBT), and excess in [O ii] emission line. Finally, we found 48 AGNs that show AGN signatures in the optical spectrum, classified as narrow-line AGN, and 180 AGNs that did not show any AGN signature as the OD AGN sample. Simple explanations of the nature of OD AGNe are a bright host galaxy that dilutes the AGN light or dust materials obscuring the AGN light. We found that the bright host galaxy dilution explains nearly $70\%$ of our OD AGN sample. At the same time, the dust material obscuration is unlikely to be the main reason. By estimating the Eddington ratio, we also found that 95 out of 180 of our OD AGNs have a lower accretion rate, (λEdd) ≲ 10−2, than the typical AGN value. We expected the lower accretion rate sources that suffer from neither host galaxy dilution nor obscuration to have radiatively inefficient flow (RIAF) in their accretion disk. Finally, nine sources have been identified to be most likely hosts of the RIAF disk.
Lattice Lindblad simulation
Authors: Hayata Tomoya , Hidaka Yoshimasa , Yamamoto Arata
Published: March 2022

We perform real-time lattice simulation of an open quantum system based on the Schwinger–Keldysh path integral representation of the Lindblad formalism. Although the real-time simulation generally suffers from the sign problem, a few exceptional cases exist. We focus on a sign-problem-free system of a non-relativistic spinless fermion and analyze the time evolution under driving and dissipation.
Patient Experiences of Self-Management for Chronic Low Back Pain: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Bourke Maurice John , Ferguson Diarmaid , Cooke Mary
Published: March 2022

Objective

Chronic low back pain (CLBP) is a lifelong condition causing disability and distress. One aim of treatment is to enhance self-management. To date, self-management interventions have had limited effectiveness. A greater understanding of self-management for CLBP has the potential to improve future interventional trials. The purpose of this study was to identify the experience of CLBP self-management for patients attending outpatient physical therapy and assess how the experience of CLBP self-management changes over time.

Methods

This qualitative study used constructivist grounded theory. Patients with CLBP who were attending an outpatient physical therapy department were recruited using convenience sampling. Each participant attended a semistructured interview. These were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim. The data were coded and thematically analyzed by the lead researcher. Recruitment continued until data saturation. Participants reviewed preliminary themes for validation.

Results

Six subthemes emerged from 9 interviews: (1) self-doubt, (2) coping day to day, (3) independent discovery, (4) developing resilience, (5) health care: opportunity and threat, and (6) living with pain differently. Two themes took on greatest significance. Self-doubt appeared most strongly and was prevalent in all experiences. However, living with pain differently appeared in those who had developed a level of pain acceptance. These themes formed a conceptual model, “Fluctuating Uncertainty.”

Conclusion

The experience of CLBP self-management is one of fluctuating self-doubt. Self-doubt is the predominant experience and is characterized by the perception of pain as a threat and low pain self-efficacy. During times of greater clarity, individuals develop strategies that increase pain self-efficacy and reinforce the perception of pain without threat. These are features of learning to live well with pain.

Impact

CLBP is a lifelong condition requiring self-management. The current study characterizes the self-management strategies used by patients attending physical therapy. The fluctuating nature of these strategies is dependent upon perception of pain and pain self-efficacy.

Lay Summary

People with CLBP who self-manage their pain fluctuate between attempting to control pain and learning to live with pain. People who understand their condition develop wider-ranging self-management strategies.
Should Central Banks Issue Digital Currency?
Authors: Keister Todd , Sanches Daniel
Published: March 2022

We study how introducing a central bank digital currency affects equilibrium allocations and welfare in an environment where both currency and bank deposits are used in exchange. We highlight an important policy tradeoff: while a digital currency tends to improve efficiency in exchange, it may also crowd out bank deposits, raise banks’ funding costs, and decrease investment. We derive conditions under which targeted digital currencies, which compete only with physical currency or only with bank deposits, raise welfare. If such targeted currencies are infeasible, we illustrate the policy tradeoffs that arise when issuing a single, universal digital currency.
Risk Assessment of Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion Access in Degenerative Spinal Conditions
Authors: Singh Kern , Cha Elliot D.K. , Lynch Conor P. , Nolte Michael T. , Parrish James M. , Jenkins Nathaniel W. , Jacob Kevin C. , Patel Madhav R. , Vanjani Nisheka N. , Pawlowski Hanna , Prabhu Michael C. , Myers Jonathan A.
Published: March 2022

Study Design:

This was a retrospective cohort study.

Objective:

Develop an evidence-based preoperative risk assessment scoring system for patients undergoing anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF).

Summary of Background Data:

ALIF may hold advantages over other fusion techniques in sagittal restoration and fusion rates, though it introduces unique risks to vascular and abdominal structures and thus possibly increased risk of operative morbidity.

Methods:

Primary, 1 or 2-level ALIFs were identified in a surgical registry. Baseline characteristics were recorded. Axial magnetic resonance imagings at L4–L5 and L5–S1 were reviewed for vascular confluence/bifurcation or anomalous structures, and measured for operative window size/slope. To assess favorable outcomes, a clinical grade was calculated: (clinical grade=blood loss×operative duration), higher value indicating poorer outcome. To establish a risk scoring system, a base risk score algorithm was established and stratified into 5 categories: high, high to intermediate, intermediate, intermediate to low, and low. Modifiers to base risk score included age, body mass index, operative level, history of bone morphogenic protein use, calcified vasculature, spondylolisthesis grade, working window size and slope, and abnormal vasculature. Modifiers were weighted for contribution to surgical risk. A total risk score was calculated and evaluated for strength of association with clinical outcome grades by Pearson correlation coefficient.

Results:

A total of 65 patients were included. Mean clinical outcome grade was 5.6, mean total risk score 21.3±21.5. Multilevel procedures (L4–S1) mean total risk score was 57.3±7.8. L4–L5 mean total risk score was 23.6±5.2; L5–S1 mean total risk score 8.3±6.6. Correlation analysis demonstrated a significant and strong relationship (|r|=0.753; P<0.001) between total risk scores and clinical outcome grades.

Conclusion:

Calculated ALIF risk scores significantly correlated with operative duration and blood loss. This scoring system represents a potential framework to facilitate clinical decision-making and risk assessment for potential ALIF candidates with degenerative spinal pathologies.
A Multicenter Evaluation of the Seraph 100 Microbind Affinity Blood Filter for the Treatment of Severe COVID-19
Authors: Chitty Stephen A. , Mobbs Sarah , Rifkin Brian S. , Stogner Steven W. , Lewis Michael S. , Betancourt Jaime , DellaVolpe Jeffrey , Abouzahr Fadi , Wilhelm Andrew M. , Szerlip Harold M. , Parikh Amay , Gaeta Robert M. , Rivera Ian , Park Caroline , Levi Benjamin , Anesi George L. , Alcover Karl C. , Arnold Thomas B. , Howard Jeffrey T. , Sharma Kumar , Pratt Kathleen P. , Stewart Ian J. , Chung Kevin K. ,   for the PURIFY Investigators
Published: March 2022

OBJECTIVES:

The Seraph100 Microbind Affinity Blood Filter (Seraph 100) (ExThera Medical, Martinez, CA) is an extracorporeal therapy that can remove pathogens from blood, including severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. The aim of this study was to evaluate safety and efficacy of Seraph 100 treatment for COVID-19.

DESIGN:

Retrospective cohort study.

SETTING:

Nine participating ICUs.

PATIENTS:

COVID-19 patients treated with Seraph 100 (n = 53) and control patients matched by study site (n = 53).

INTERVENTION:

Treatment with Seraph 100.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS:

At baseline, there were no differences between the groups in terms of sex, race/ethnicity, body mass index, and need for mechanical ventilation. However, patients in the Seraph 100 group were younger (median age, 54 yr; interquartile range [IQR], 41–65) compared with controls (median age, 64 yr; IQR, 56–69; p = 0.009). Charlson comorbidity index scores were lower in the Seraph 100 group (2; IQR, 0–3) compared with the control group (3; IQR, 2–4; p = 0.006). Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II scores were also lower in Seraph 100 subjects (12; IQR, 9–17) compared with controls (16; IQR, 12–21; p = 0.011). The Seraph 100 group had higher vasopressor-free days with an incidence rate ratio of 1.30 on univariate analysis. This difference was not significant after adjustment. Seraph 100-treated subjects were less likely to die compared with controls (32.1% vs 64.2%; p = 0.001), a difference that remained significant after adjustment. However, no difference in mortality was observed in a post hoc analysis utilizing an external control group. In the full cohort of 86 treated patients, there were 177 total treatments, in which only three serious adverse events were recorded.

CONCLUSIONS:

Although this study did not demonstrate consistently significant clinical benefit across all endpoints and comparisons, the findings suggest that broad spectrum, pathogen agnostic, blood purification can be safely deployed to meet new pathogen threats while awaiting targeted therapies and vaccines.
Inspiratory Airway Resistance in Respiratory Failure Due to COVID-19
Authors: Nezami Bijan , Tran Hai V. , Zamora Kevin , Lowery Peter , Kantrow Stephen P. , Lammi Matt R. , deBoisblanc Bennet P.
Published: March 2022

OBJECTIVES:

To measure inspiratory airflow resistance in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) due to COVID-19.

DESIGN:

Observational cohort of a convenience sample.

SETTING:

Three community ICUs.

SUBJECTS:

Fifty-five mechanically ventilated patients with COVID-19.

INTERVENTIONS:

Measurements of ventilatory mechanics during volume control ventilation.

MEASUREMENTS:

Flow-time and pressure-time scalars were used to measure inspiratory airways resistance.

RESULTS:

The median inspiratory airflow resistance was 12 cm H2O/L/s (interquartile range, 10–16). Inspiratory resistance was not significantly different among patients with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease compared with those without a history of obstructive airways disease (median 12.5 vs 12 cm H2O/L/s, respectively; p = 0.66). Survival to 90 days among patients with inspiratory resistance above 12 cm H2O/L/s was 68% compared with 60% for patients below 12 cm H2O/L/s (p = 0.58). Inspiratory resistance did not correlate with C-reactive protein, ferritin, Pao
2/Fio
2 ratio, or static compliance.

CONCLUSIONS:

Inspiratory airflow resistance was normal to slightly elevated among mechanically ventilated patients with ARDS due to COVID-19. Airways resistance was independent of a history of obstructive airways disease, did not correlate with biomarkers of disease severity, and did not predict mortality.
Six-Month Impairment in Cognition, Mental Health, and Physical Function Following COVID-19–Associated Respiratory Failure
Authors: Maley Jason H. , Sandsmark Danielle K. , Trainor Alison , Bass Geoffrey D. , Dabrowski Cian L. , Magdamo Brigid A. , Durkin Bridget , Hayes Margaret M. , Schwartzstein Richard M. , Stevens Jennifer P. , Kaplan Lewis J. , Mikkelsen Mark E. , Lane-Fall Meghan B.
Published: March 2022

OBJECTIVES:

To determine the prevalence and extent of impairments impacting health-related quality of life among survivors of COVID-19 who required mechanical ventilation, 6 months after hospital discharge.

DESIGN:

Multicenter, prospective cohort study, enrolling adults 18 years old or older with laboratory-confirmed severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection who received mechanical ventilation for 48 hours or more and survived to hospital discharge. Eligible patients were contacted 6 months after discharge for telephone-based interviews from March 2020 to December 2020. Assessments included: Montreal Cognitive Assessment-Blind, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Impact of Event Scale-6, EuroQOL 5 domain quality-of-life questionnaire, and components of the Multidimensional Dyspnea Profile.

SETTING:

Two tertiary academic health systems.

PATIENTS:

Of 173 eligible survivors, a random sample of 63 were contacted and 60 consented and completed interviews.

INTERVENTIONS:

None.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS:

Mean age was 57 + 13 years and mean duration of invasive mechanical ventilation was 14 + 8.2 days. Six months post-discharge, 48 patients (80%; 95% CI, 68–88%) met criteria for post-intensive care syndrome (PICS), with one or more domains impaired. Among patients with PICS, 28 (47%; 95% CI, 35–59%) were impaired in at least 2 domains, and 12 (20%; 95% CI, 12–32%) impaired in all three domains. Significant symptoms of post-traumatic stress were present in 20 patients (33%; 95% CI, 23–46%), anxiety in 23 (38%; 95% CI, 27–51%), and depression in 25 (42%; 95% CI, 30–54%). Thirty-three patients (55%; 95% CI, 42–67%) had impairments in physical activity; 25 patients (42%; 95% CI, 30–54%) demonstrated cognitive impairment.

CONCLUSIONS:

Eighty percent of COVID-19 survivors who required mechanical ventilation demonstrated PICS 6 months after hospital discharge. Patients were commonly impaired in multiple PICS domains as well as coexisting mental health domains.
SIBLING CONCORDANCE IN SYMPTOM ONSET AND ATROPHY GROWTH RATES IN STARGARDT DISEASE USING ULTRA-WIDEFIELD FUNDUS AUTOFLUORESCENCE
Authors: Heath Jeffery Rachael C. , Thompson Jennifer A. , Lo Johnny , Lamey Tina M. , McLaren Terri L. , De Roach John N. , Azamanov Dimitar N. , McAllister Ian L. , Constable Ian J. , Chen Fred K.
Published: March 2022

Purpose:

To investigate concordance in symptom onset, area of dark autofluorescence (DAF), and growth rate (GR) between Stargardt disease siblings at an age-matched time point.

Methods:

In this retrospective longitudinal study of sibling pairs with identical biallelic ABCA4 variants, age at symptom onset, best-corrected visual acuity, atrophy area, and effective radius of DAF on ultra-widefield fundus autofluorescence were recorded. Absolute intersibling differences for both eyes were compared with absolute interocular differences using the Mann–Whitney test.

Results:

Overall 39 patients from 19 families were recruited. In 16 families, age-matched best-corrected visual acuity and DAF were compared between siblings. In 8 families, DAF GR was compared. The median (range) absolute difference in age at symptom onset between siblings was 3 (0–35) years. Absolute intersibling differences in age-matched best-corrected visual acuity were greater than interocular differences (P = 0.01). Similarly, absolute intersibling differences in DAF area and radius were greater than interocular differences (P = 0.04 for area and P = 0.001 for radius). Differences between absolute interocular and intersibling GR were not statistically significant (P = 0.44 for area GR and P = 0.61 for radius GR).

Conclusion:

There was significant discordance in age-matched best-corrected visual acuity and DAF beyond the expected limits of interocular asymmetry. Lack of significant intersibling differences in GR warrants further investigation.
OPHTHALMIC ARTERY OCCLUSION AS THE PRESENTING SIGN OF ACQUIRED IMMUNODEFICIENCY SYNDROME
Authors: Miller Charles G. , Carroll Robert M.
Published: March 2022

Background/Purpose:

The purpose of this study was to describe a case of severe occlusive vasculitis that led to a diagnosis of AIDS in a previously healthy middle-aged man.

Methods:

Multimodal imaging including widefield fundus photography, spectral domain optical coherence tomography, and widefield fluorescein angiography was performed.

Results:

A healthy 46-year-old man presented with sudden onset vision loss in his left eye with an afferent pupillary defect. His examination revealed signs of retinal vascular disease in both eyes, with an ophthalmic artery occlusion in his affected left eye and a hemiretinal vein occlusion in his asymptomatic right eye. An extensive medical workup was significant for HIV positivity; he was ultimately diagnosed with AIDS, and ocular findings were attributed to an associated occlusive vasculitis. He developed anterior segment neovascularization in the left eye for which he received intravitreal bevacizumab and panretinal photocoagulation. He ultimately required cyclophotocoagulation in the left eye for poorly controlled intraocular pressure in the setting of neovascular glaucoma.

Conclusion:

Although HIV is most classically associated with a retinal microangiopathy, testing should be considered in cases of occlusive retinal vasculitis because it is a rare cause of such findings.
Use of genomics to explore AMR persistence in an outdoor pig farm with low antimicrobial usage
Authors: Storey Nathaniel , Cawthraw Shaun , Turner Olivia , Rambaldi Margherita , Lemma Fabrizio , Horton Robert , Randall Luke , Duggett Nicholas A. , AbuOun Manal , Martelli Francesca , Anjum Muna F.
Published: March 2022

Food animals may be reservoirs of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) passing through the food chain, but little is known about AMR prevalence in bacteria when selective pressure from antimicrobials is low or absent. We monitored antimicrobial-resistant

Escherichia coli

over 1 year in a UK outdoor pig farm with low antimicrobial usage (AMU) compared to conventional pig farms in the United Kingdom. Short and selected long-read whole-genome sequencing (WGS) was performed to identify AMR genes, phylogeny and mobile elements in 385

E. coli

isolates purified mainly from pig and some seagull faeces. Generally, low levels of antimicrobial-resistant

E. coli

were present, probably due to low AMU. Those present were likely to be multi-drug resistant (MDR) and belonging to particular Sequence Types (STs) such as ST744, ST88 or ST44, with shared clones (<14 Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) apart) isolated from different time points indicating epidemiological linkage within pigs of different ages, and between pig and the wild bird faeces. Although importance of horizontal transmission of AMR is well established, there was limited evidence of plasmid-mediated dissemination between different STs. Non-conjugable MDR plasmids or large AMR gene-bearing transposons were stably integrated within the chromosome and remained associated with particular STs/clones over the time period sampled. Heavy metal resistance genes were also detected within some genetic elements. This study highlights that although low levels of antimicrobial-resistant

E. coli

correlates with low AMU, a basal level of MDR

E. coli

can still persist on farm potentially due to transmission and recycling of particular clones within different pig groups. Environmental factors such as wild birds and heavy metal contaminants may also play important roles in the recycling and dissemination, and hence enabling persistence of MDR

E. coli

. All such factors need to be considered as any rise in AMU on low usage farms, could in future, result in a significant increase in their AMR burden.
Calcineurin-fusion facilitates Cryo-EM Structure Determination of a Family A GPCR
Authors: Xu Jun , Chen Geng , Wang Haoqing , Cao Sheng , Heng Jie , Deupi Xavier , Du Yang , Kobilka Brian K.
Published: March 2022

Advances in singe-particle cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) have made possible to solve the structures of numerous Family A and Family B G protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) in complex with G proteins and arrestins, as well as several Family C GPCRs. Determination of these structures has been facilitated by the presence of large extra-membrane components (such as G protein, arrestin, or Venus flytrap domains) in these complexes that aid in particle alignment during processing of the cryo-EM data. In contrast, determination of the inactive state structure of Family A GPCRs is more challenging due to the relatively small size of the seven transmembrane domain (7TM) and to the surrounding detergent micelle that, in the absence of other features, make particle alignment impossible. Here we describe an alternative protein engineering strategy where the heterodimeric protein calcineurin is fused to a GPCR by three points of attachment, the cytoplasmic ends of TM5, TM6 and TM7. This three-point attachment provides a more rigid link with the GPCR transmembrane domain that facilitates particle alignment during data processing, allowing us to determine the structures of the β2 adrenergic receptor (β2AR) in the apo, antagonist-bound, and agonist-bound states. We expect that this fusion strategy may have broad application in cryo-EM structural determination of other Family A GPCRs.
Managing conflicts to improve the retail networks in China: replication research with extensions
Authors: Chen Shu-Ching
Published: March 2022

Purpose

This study provides an insight into and a solution for the conflict among marketing channel members in China. It also examines the application of a Western channel conflict management (CM) model in China and suggests future research directions for CM of marketing channel members.

Design/methodology/approach

A replication research study with extensions was conducted following previous studies' suggestions. Using a Chinese sample, the author further evaluates a Western conceptual framework with hypothetical relationships of variables. Different from the original study using students in a simulated network environment, this study used channel members involved in actual network activities. Data were collected by a questionnaire survey and analyzed.

Findings

The results show CM of channel members in China and do not fully support the hypotheses in the Western model. This study identifies the determinants of an effective approach toward resolving conflicts among members from the perspectives of network outcomes, conflict types and management styles. The choice of CM style is imperative to member performance, especially for achieving specific network outcomes or CM goals.

Originality/value

This study contributes to existing studies of CM of marketing channel members by providing empirical evidence of managing conflict of members in the Chinese channel, revealing the effectiveness of CM of members with different cultural norms, providing managers with practical solutions to effectively manage conflicts among members and providing future research directions regarding this topic.
Intergroup dynamics in post-merger integration process
Authors: Thelisson Anne-Sophie , Meier Olivier
Published: March 2022

Purpose

Intergroup dynamics between the acquirer and the acquired are determinants of post-merger integration success. Mergers and acquisitions scholars call for the adoption of new reading prisms to gain deeper insights on post-merger integration dynamics as the failure rate of mergers remains high. In mobilizing works from social psychology to examine intergroup dynamics, this study aims to respond to this call by shedding light on the post-merger integration process. Typologies of integration processes do not take into account intergroup dynamics that operate within the new entity, which are influencing the decision-making process. To better understand how firms achieve a successful integration (symbiosis), the authors propose a processual analysis of intergroup dynamics in post-merger integration.

Design/methodology/approach

The research approach is a qualitative, longitudinal enquiry, which allows us to examine intergroup dynamics in two real-time merger case studies. The integration processes selected for this research include symbiotic integrations. Both integration processes were analyzed over two years, starting with the merger agreement.

Findings

This study sheds additional light on the triggers for achieving symbiosis integration by demonstrating the specific role and contribution of each of the parties (majority and minority) during the process. This study shows that post-merger is a process that follows different steps to reach symbiosis, involving majority/minority dynamics. The symbiosis implies minority innovation by adopting new business and organizational practices, mainly inspired by the standards and values of the minority. The study highlights innovation by the minority as a key element in achieving a symbiotic integration. This element can be understood by managers involved in managing the integration as a turning point in the integration process.

Research limitations/implications

The authors investigated symbiotic integration in specific industries; questions can arise about the extent to which findings are transferable to other mergers and acquisitions contexts.

Originality/value

This study advances the understanding of the dynamics between the majority and minority in adopting a processual and longitudinal analysis. On that point, this study gains insights on the “black box” that represents post-merger integration process.
Privileged core-state migrant entrepreneurs in Poland: an ethnic economy in reverse?
Authors: Girling Richard Andrew
Published: March 2022

Purpose

The study aims to explore migrant entrepreneurship in a hitherto overlooked demographic, namely, migrants who have moved away from core-states and towards an economically less developed area. In particular, the study aims to critically evaluate to what extent mainstream theories and findings regarding migrants' ethnic division of labour are applicable in such an “upside down” migratory context.

Design/methodology/approach

The study qualitatively analyses 41 privileged core-state (UK, USA and Germany, among others) migrant entrepreneurs who have migrated to Wroclaw, Poland, and positions these findings against a second subject group of 24 migrant entrepreneurs from periphery-states (namely, Ukraine and Belarus).

Findings

The study finds that, while the situations of the periphery-state subject group largely lend support to the mainstream literature of migrant entrepreneurship, for those from the core-states subject group it is an altogether different story, whereby these migrants were found to be less likely to employ co-ethnic labour and, instead, were more likely to opt for native, Polish labour.

Research limitations/implications

The study's findings begin to question the universality of migrant entrepreneurship theories which have been formulated within mainstream (semi-)periphery-to-core dominant-subordinate contexts. This, in turn, carries implications for policymakers outside of core-states who may need to carefully consider if such theories are applicable to their specific contexts.

Originality/value

This study not only helps to address a gap in the literature surrounding migrant entrepreneurship within Poland but also a gap within the wider literature in terms of migrant entrepreneurship outside of core-state contexts.
If tomorrow never comes: the impact of anxiety, materialism and attitude on consumption behavior in a pandemic
Authors: Mishra Anubhav , Indwar Radha Govind , Samu Sridhar
Published: March 2022

Purpose

This research aims to examine the impact of consumers’ anxiety on the three types of consumption activities (sharing, hoarding and regular buying) during the coronavirus pandemic. Further, it aims to investigate the moderating role of materialism on anxiety and how attitude toward the pandemic affects consumers’ consumption behavior.

Design/methodology/approach

An online survey was conducted to test the proposed research model. The data were analyzed using SmartPLS and PROCESS tools.

Findings

Higher levels of anxiety lead to less sharing and more hoarding of resources but do not impact consumers’ regular buying intentions. A positive attitude toward an external event such as lockdown and intrinsic materialism can help individuals to cope with the anxiety successfully. Furthermore, consumers are more likely to share and less likely to hoard when they develop a positive attitude toward pandemic.

Research limitations/implications

Future research can explore the role of health-efficacy and attitude toward health as coping strategy toward pandemic. A longitudinal research can explore the gradual changes in consumers’ attitudes and consumption behavior.

Practical implications

Governments, marketers and policymakers should focus on reducing consumers’ anxiety and to build a positive attitude toward pandemic to avoid the issues of hoarding and enable sharing of resources with others.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the literature on terror management theory and crisis management during a pandemic using a consumption context.
Realization path of social capital “exit from virtual to real”: evidence from China
Authors: Xu Shulin , Wan Xue , Li Yunfeng , Yan Jingrui
Published: March 2022

Purpose

How to realize social capital “exit from virtual to real” has become not only a hot issue that elicited economists' and the practice field's concern but also a key economic structure problem that the government has to solve urgently. The main purpose of this study is to explore effective methods for social capital to “exit from virtual to real”.

Design/methodology/approach

The study investigates the realization path of social capital's “exit from virtual to real” by using firm theory and data from the National Bureau of Statistics in China. Provincial panel data are also utilized to empirically test the impact of social capital's de-realization to virtual (or from virtual to real) on economic development and whether the path of social capital “from virtual to real” is valid.

Findings

This study analyzes the development status of social funds serving the real economy and the hazards of social funds' “exit from real to virtual,” which are mainly viewed as eroding the development of the real economy and causing operating difficulties. On the basis of firm theory, the internal motivation for why social funds flow to the real economy is explored from the perspectives of the needs of the real economy, price and profit. Moreover, this study designs a path for returning social capital to the real economy.

Practical implications

Overall, expanding aggregate demand while providing an effective supply and implementing a proactive fiscal policy that focuses on structural tax cuts while keeping margins in the virtual economy are appropriate for promoting the competitiveness of the real economy.

Originality/value

This study explores a topic, namely, social capital “exit from virtual to real,” that has received little attention. It provides an in-depth discussion of the following questions. (1) What is the current situation of social capital serving the real economy? (2) What kind of harm can social capital bring to society? What are the inherent barriers to the flow of social capital to the real economy? (3) At this stage, how can the effective transformation of social capital into the real economy be realized? The findings help in understanding the sustainable entrepreneurship concept, particularly in developing countries.
Effects of social capital of social networking site on social identity and continuous participant behavior
Authors: Wang Edward Shih-Tse , Lin Hung-Chou , Liao Yu-Ting
Published: March 2022

Purpose

The paper focuses on social capital as the characteristic of social groups that promote coordination; moreover, social identity plays a key role in the construction of group relationships. However, few research studies have looked at how the social capital of social networking sites (SNSs) is related to the social identity of its members. Drawing on social capital and social identity theory, this study investigated the effects of SNS social capital (shared language, social trust and network density) on social identity and continuous participation. The mediating role of social identity was also investigated.

Design/methodology/approach

In total, 444 SNS members volunteered to participate in this study. Structural equation modeling was applied to analyze a conceptual model.

Findings

The results revealed that SNS social trust and network density directly and significantly affected the social identity and continuous participation behavior of members. SNSs using a shared language positively affected social identity, but this was not directly associated with continuous participation behavior.

Originality/value

Because the network externalities of SNSs exert critical effects on user benefits, attracting continuous user participation remains one of the critical challenges for SNS administrators. Both the theoretical and practical implications of this study can aid SNS administrators in developing effective continuous participation strategies.

Peer review

The peer-review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/OIR-07-2021-0369
A multiobjective mathematical model to form the best team at sports clubs: team harmony and player performance objectives
Authors: Budak Gerçek , Kara İmdat
Published: March 2022

Purpose

Team coaches of sports clubs are highly concerned when forming the best team to win the upcoming match at the stage before that particular game. Even if a team squad is comprising of a limited number of players, the combination of them makes a complicated problem with a huge number of possible line-ups. This study aims to build a mathematical model to solve this problem with the objectives of maximum player performance and team harmony.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper proposes a novel approach of a multiobjective mathematical model on team harmony and player performance. Two objectives are chosen as these are the most important perspectives that define the best team. The model outputs are nondominated solutions of these two objectives.

Findings

These solutions are displayed to the team coach to decide the best team according to strategical, psychological and conditional preferences of him/her. A real-life example is demonstrated to show the model validity and interpretation of the results by using the technique for order preference by similarity to an ideal solution on a volleyball team formation problem.

Originality/value

This paper proposes a multiobjective mathematical model on team harmony and player performance to solve the team coach’s hard and complicated problem.
Bevacizumab plus dacomitinib combination therapy for L858R‐mutated metastatic lung adenocarcinoma: A report of two cases
Authors: Teng Chi‐Kang , Chen Chieh‐Lung , Chen Ting‐Han , Cheng Wen‐Chien , Tu Chih‐Yen
Published: March 2022

Dual inhibition of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and vascular endothelial growth factor pathways for the treatment for EGFR‐mutated, metastatic non‐small cell lung cancer is supported by previous randomized controlled trials. However, the use of second‐generation irreversible EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) dacomitinib in combination with antiangiogenic therapy has not been reported in the literature. Here, we report the case of a 73‐year‐old man who presented with hemoptysis and dyspnea on exertion and was diagnosed with right upper lung adenocarcinoma with pleural metastasis and L858R mutation. The second case is of a 60‐year‐old woman who presented with low back pain and was diagnosed with right lower lung adenocarcinoma with bone metastasis and L858R mutation. Both patients underwent first‐line therapy with the TKI dacomitinib in combination with bevacizumab. The first patient showed a nearly complete response, and the second patient showed a partial response after the combination therapy and no severe side effects.
The quality of nursing documentation and standardized nursing diagnoses in the children's hospital electronic nursing records
Authors: Nool Irma , Tupits Mare , Parm Lily , Hõrrak Eha , Ojasoo Merle
Published: March 2022

Aim

The aim of the paper is to compare the quality of nursing documentation in the Children's Hospital before and after the NANDA‐I nursing diagnoses training.

Methods

Research employed the interventional study design, and pre–post study design. Before and after the NANDA‐I nursing diagnoses training, 50 nursing records were analyzed in the interventional pre–post study, using D‐Catch instrument.

Results

The most often documented problem‐centered nursing diagnosis before training was anxiety and after the training, hyperthermia. The most common risk diagnoses before and after the training was risk of infection. Before the training, one health promotion diagnosis was determined in the nursing records, and after the training the number increased to four. The highest value was given to readability of the nursing documentation both before and after the training. The lowest score before the training was given to the quality determiners of the accurate nursing diagnoses and after the training given to the determiners of the results’ quantity. The sum score of documenting the nursing interventions was the most inconsistent before the training and after the training. The most consistent was the readability of the nursing records before and after the training. Statistically significant differences in the improvement of quality were revealed in all areas except for the readability of the nursing documentation and the quantity of nursing assessment.

Conclusions

The results of the study revealed that following the training, the quality of nursing documentation improved, the wording of the nursing diagnoses improved, and the number of accurate nursing diagnoses had increased.

Implications for Nursing Practice

Results of the research provide an overview of the importance of the training in improving the quality of nursing documentation and aid the educators in planning the trainings, focusing more on the challenges in the documentation.