bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Myocardial infarction with non-obstructive coronary arteries: a single-center retrospective study by sex and race
Authors: Esin Ghenekaro , Hsueh Christine , Breen Thomas , Gitto Mauro , Katz Miriam , Gulati Martha , Capers Quinn , Reynolds Harmony R. , Volgman Annabelle S. , Altin S. Elissa
Published: June 2023

Background

In myocardial infarction with non-obstructive coronary arteries (MINOCA), there are limited patient-level data on outcomes by sex and race.

Objective

Assess baseline demographics and 3-year outcomes by sex and race for MINOCA patients.

Methods

Patients admitted to a single center with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) between January 1, 2012 and December 31, 2018, were identified by chart and angiographic review. The primary outcome was nonfatal MI with secondary outcomes including non-fatal cerebrovascular accident (CVA), chest pain readmission, and repeat coronary angiography.

Results

During the study period, 304 patients were admitted with MINOCA. The cohort was predominantly female (66.4%), and women were significantly older (64.6 vs. 59.2). One-sixth of the total population were Black patients, and nearly half of Black patients (47.2%) were male. Prior CVA (19.7%) and comorbid anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder (41.1%) were common. Rates of non-fatal myocardial infarction (MI) were 6.3% without difference by sex or race. For secondary outcomes, rates of CVA were 1.7%, chest pain readmission were 22.4%, and repeat angiography were 8.9%. Men were significantly more likely to have repeat angiography (13.7% vs. 6.4%), and Black patients more likely to be readmitted for angina (34.0% vs. 19.1%). Over one-quarter of patients underwent repeat stress testing, with 8.9% ultimately undergoing repeat angiograms and low numbers (0.7%) undergoing revascularization. Men were more likely to be referred for a repeat angiogram (13.7% vs. 6.4%, p=0.035). In multivariate analysis, Black race (OR 2.31 [95% CI (1.06-5.03)] was associated with an increased risk of readmission for angina, while female sex was associated with decreased odds of repeat angiography (OR 0.36 [95% CI (0.14-0.90)] and current smoking was associated with increased odds of repeat angiography (OR 4.07 [95% CI (1.02-16.29)] along with hyperlipidemia (OR 4.65 [95% CI (1.22-17.7)].

Conclusion

White women presented more frequently with MINOCA than White men, however Black men are equally as affected as Black women. Rates of non-fatal MI were low without statistical difference by sex or race.
Implementation and effectiveness outcomes of Community Health Advocacy Teams to improve long-lasting insecticide net distribution and use in six districts in Ghana: a one-group pre-post-test study
Authors: Glozah Franklin N. , Tabong Philip Teg-Nefaah , Bazant Eva , Asampong Emmanuel , Hornuvo Ruby , Nwameme Adanna , Peprah Nana Yaw , Chandi Gloria M. , Adongo Philip Baba , Dako-Gyeke Phyllis
Published: June 2023

Malaria remains a leading cause of illness and death especially among children and pregnant women in Ghana. Despite the efforts made by the National Malaria Elimination Programme (NMEP), including distribution of Long-Lasting Insecticide Nets (LLIN) to households through periodic Point Mass Distribution (PMD) campaigns and continuous channels (antenatal, schools and postnatal), there is a gap between access and use of LLINs in Ghana. An effective and functional community-based group that would seek to improve the effectiveness of LLIN distribution before, during, after PMD Campaigns and continuous distribution at the community level could help address this gap. This paper assesses the implementation outcomes and short-term effectiveness of the pilot implementation of co-created community health advocacy teams (CHAT) intervention in Ghanaian communities to plan and implement campaigns to increase LLIN use. The study employed a one-group pre-post study design and measured implementation outcomes (acceptability, appropriateness, and feasibility) and effectiveness outcomes (LLIN awareness, LLIN access, willingness to purchase LLIN, and LLIN use) among 800 community households. The CHAT intervention was implemented for four months across six districts in the Eastern and Volta regions of Ghana. The data were downloaded directly from REDCap and analyzed statistically (descriptive and McNemar test of association) using SPSS 22 software. After the implementation period, the majority of respondents in all six districts indicated that the CHAT intervention was acceptable (89.8%), appropriate (89.5%), and feasible (90%). Also, there was a significant association between baseline and end-line assessment on all four effectiveness outcome measures. Household members’ awareness of, access to, willingness to purchase, and use of LLINs increased significantly over the four-month period that the CHAT intervention was implemented. The study concludes that CHAT is an acceptable, appropriate, and feasible intervention for supporting the National Malaria Programme in LLIN PMD and for engaging in Social and Behaviour Change Communication activities through the continuous channels of distribution. Additionally, the CHAT demonstrates short-term effectiveness outcomes in terms of creating LLIN awareness, providing access to LLIN, and encouraging Ghanaian community members to be willing to purchase and use LLINs. Although the activities of CHAT members were largely voluntary, integration into the existing primary health care system will make it sustainable.
Airborne infection risk in venues with different ventilation strategies – a comparison between experimental, numerical and analytical approaches
Authors: Geisler S. Mareike , Lausch Kevin , Hehnen Felix , Schulz Isabell , Kertzscher Ulrich , Kriegel Martin , Paschereit Christian Oliver , Schimek Sebastian , Hasirci Ümit , Brockmann Gerrid , Moter Annette , Senftleben Karolin , Moritz Stefan
Published: June 2023

The COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated that reliable risk assessment of venues is still challenging and resulted in the indiscriminate closure of many venues worldwide. Therefore, this study used an experimental, numerical and analytical approach to investigate the airborne transmission risk potential of differently ventilated, sized and shaped venues. The data were used to assess the effect size of different mitigation measures and to develop recommendations.

In general, positions in the near field of an emission source were at high risk in all ventilation systems studied, while the risk of infection from positions in the far field varied depending on the ventilation strategy. Occupancy rate, airflow rate, residence time, SARS-CoV-2 virus variants, a high activity level and face masks affected the individual and total infection risk in all venues. The total infection risk was lowest for the displacement ventilation case and highest for the naturally ventilated venue. Therefore, in our study, a properly designed displacement ventilation system is the most effective ventilation strategy to keep airborne transmission and the number of secondary cases low, compared to mixing or natural ventilation.
Heartbeat-evoked neural response abnormalities in generalized anxiety disorder during peripheral adrenergic stimulation
Authors: Verdonk Charles , Teed Adam R. , White Evan J. , Ren Xi , Stewart Jennifer L. , Paulus Martin P. , Khalsa Sahib S.
Published: June 2023

Hyperarousal symptoms in generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) are often incongruent with the observed physiological state, suggesting that abnormal processing of interoceptive signals is a characteristic feature of the disorder. To examine the neural mechanisms underlying interoceptive dysfunction in GAD, we evaluated whether adrenergic modulation of cardiovascular signaling differentially affects the heartbeat evoked potential (HEP), an electrophysiological marker of cardiac interoception, during concurrent electroencephalogram and functional magnetic resonance imaging (EEG-fMRI) scanning. Intravenous infusions of the peripheral adrenergic agonist isoproterenol (0.5 and 2.0 micrograms, μg) were administered in a randomized, double-blinded and placebo-controlled fashion to dynamically perturb the cardiovascular system while recording the associated EEG-fMRI responses. During the 0.5 μg isoproterenol infusion, the GAD group (n=24) exhibited significantly larger changes in HEP amplitude in an opposite direction than the HC group (n=24). In addition, the GAD group showed significantly larger absolute HEP amplitudes than HC during saline infusions, when cardiovascular tone did not increase. No significant group differences in HEP amplitude were identified during the 2.0 μg isoproterenol infusion. Using analyzable blood oxygenation level dependent fMRI data from participants with concurrent EEG-fMRI data (21 GAD and 21 HC), we found that the aforementioned HEP effects were uncorrelated with fMRI signals in the insula, ventromedial prefrontal cortex, dorsal anterior cingulate cortex, amygdala, and somatosensory cortex, brain regions implicated in cardiac signal processing according to prior fMRI studies. These findings provide additional evidence of dysfunctional cardiac interoception in GAD and identify neural processes at the electrophysiological level that may be independent from blood oxygen level–dependent responses during peripheral adrenergic stimulation.
Efficacy of multilevel exercise programmes with different intensities on development and metabolic homeostasis in overweight and obese children: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Zhao Yimin , Liu Chao , Wang Jiaxing , Liu Yangong , Yu Haiyi , Chang Tianqi , Fan Chenyu , Wang Wenxiu , Li Yueying , Wang Hu , Xue Yuzhou , Zhao Wei , Ren Chuan , Cui Ligang , Feng Xinheng , Huang He , Fan Dongwei , Yao Xiang , Han Tongyan , Huang Tao , Xu Ming
Published: June 2023

Background

The prevalence of childhood obesity is rapidly increasing worldwide. Exercise has been suggested as the primary approach to manage body weight, but an effective exercise program tailored for school-age children is still lacking.

Objective

This trial aims to evaluate the efficacy of a novel multilevel (children, families, and schools)-coordinated exercise programmes with different intensities on adiposity and development among overweight and obese school-age children. It also aims to elucidate the complex interplays between the exercise interventions, multi-omic biomarkers, development, and metabolic homeostasis.

Methods

This is a multilevel –coordinated two-stage randomized double-blind controlled trial, comprising 366 overweight and obese children aged between 8 and 12 years from two elementary schools in Beijing, China. The novel multilevel exercise programs involve families and schools monitoring children’s exercise and diet via a specially designed smartphone application. The children will be randomly assigned to receive three school-based exercise programmes (exercise intervention stage), namely low-intensity exercise, moderate-intensity exercise, and intermittent vigorous exercise, for 12 weeks, followed by a 9-month post-intervention follow-up (follow-up stage). The primary outcomes of this trial are the changes in adiposity, development, and metabolic homeostasis during the two stages. The secondary outcomes include but are not restricted to genomics and changes in blood metabolomics, gut microbiota, and exercise performance.

Discussion

This trial has been approved by the ethics committee of Peking University Third Hospital (ethnic approval number 2021-283-08). The findings of this trial will help establish specialized multilevel coordinated school-based exercise programmes for overweight and obese school-age children in China and quantitatively and qualitatively evaluate the efficacy of the novel interventions.

Trial registration

This trial was prospectively registered at ClinicalTrials.gov with the identifier ofNCT04984005on July 21, 2021.
Neural signatures of visual awareness independent of post-perceptual processing
Authors: Cohen Michael A. , Dembski Cole , Ortego Kevin , Steinhibler Clay , Pitts Michael
Published: June 2023

What are the neural processes associated with perceptual awareness that are distinct from pre-conscious sensory encoding and post-perceptual processes such as reporting an experience? Here, we used electroencephalography (EEG) and a no-report visual masking paradigm with parametric manipulations of stimulus visibility to search for neural signatures associated with perceptual awareness independent from both early sensory processing and subsequent reporting. Specifically, we manipulated the time between stimuli and subsequent masks in a linear manner (i.e., 17ms, 33ms, 50ms, 67ms, and 83ms) such that observers’ awareness of the stimuli increased in anon-linearfashion (i.e., stimuli were never seen at the two shortest time intervals, always seen at the two longest intervals, and seen approximately 50% of the time at the intermediate interval). Moreover, we manipulated the task across blocks to create separate report and no-report conditions. Overall, we found one neural signal that was closely associated with perceptual awareness, independent from the task: a fronto-central event-related potential (ERP), from ∼250-300ms, that we refer to as the N2. In contrast, earlier ERP signals were linked with the linear manipulation of stimulus strength regardless of visibility, while later candidate signatures, such as P3b and temporal generalization of decoding, were present in the report condition but absent in the no-report condition suggesting a closer association with task performance than perceptual awareness. Taken together, these findings inform current debates regarding theories of consciousness and offer new avenues for exploring the neural mechanisms supporting conscious processing.

Significance statement

What differentiates conscious and unconscious processing in the brain? Here, we identify an electrophysiological signature of perceptual awareness using a combination of visual psychophysics and electroencephalography (EEG). In addition, we used a newly developed “no-report” paradigm, in which observers did not report anything about their perceptual experience to separate neural signals associated with consciousness from those associated with the act of reporting (i.e., memory, motor planning, etc.). Using this no-report paradigm was critical because several other candidate signatures of conscious processing were present when observers reported their experiences but completely disappeared when observers did not report their experiences. These findings open the door to future research interested in the neural mechanisms associated of conscious processing.
Identifying gastric cancer molecular subtypes by integrating DNA-based hierarchical classification strategy and clinical stratification
Authors: Yang Binyu , Liu Siying , Xie Jiemin , Tang Xi , Guan Pan , Zhu Yifan , Xia Li C.
Published: June 2023

Background

Molecular subtyping has been introduced to better understand the genetic landscape of gastric cancer (GC), but current subtyping methods only had limited success because of the mixed use of molecular features, a lack of strategy optimization, and the limited availability of GC samples. The community urgently calls for a precise, and easily adoptable subtyping method to enable DNA-based early screening and treatment.

Methods

Based on TCGA subtypes, we developed a novel classifier, termed Hierarchical DNA-based Classifier for Gastric Cancer Molecular Subtyping (HCG), leveraging all DNA-level alterations as predictors, including gene mutations, copy number aberrations and methylations. By adding the closely related esophageal adenocarcinomas (EA) dataset, we expanded the TCGA GC dataset for training and testing HCG (n=453). We optimized HCG with three hierarchical strategies evaluated by their overall accuracy using Lasso-Logistic regression, and by their clinical stratification capacity using multivariate survival analysis. We used difference tests to identify subtype-specific DNA alteration biomarkers based on HCG defined subtypes.

Results

Our HCG classifier achieved an overall AUC score of 0.95 and significantly improved the clinical stratification of patients (overall p-value=0.032). 25 subtype-specific DNA alterations were identified by difference tests, including high level of mutations inSYNE1,ITGB4andCOL22A1genes for the MSI subtype, high level of methylations ofALS2CL,KIAA0406andRPRD1Bgenes for the EBV subtype.

Conclusions

HCG is an accurate and robust classifier for DNA-based GC molecular subtyping with high-performing clinical stratification capacity. The training and test datasets and analysis programs of HCG are available athttps://github.com/labxscut/HCG.
Increasing the reliability of functional connectivity by predicting long-scan functional connectivity based on short-scan functional connectivity: model exploration, explanation, validation, and application
Authors: Hu Bo , Yu Ying , Li Yu-Ting , Wu Ke , Wang Xiao-Tian , Yan Lin-Feng , Wang Wen , Cui Guang-Bin
Published: June 2023

Functional connectivity (FC) is a widely used imaging parameter of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). However, low reliability has been a concern among researchers, particularly in small-sample-size studies. Previous studies have shown that FC based on longer fMRI scans was more reliable, therefore, a feasible solution is to predict long-scan FCs using existing short-scan FCs. This study explored three different generalized linear models (GLMs) using the human connectome project (HCP) dataset. We found that the GLM based on individual short-scan FC could effectively predict long-scan individual FC value, while GLMs based on whole-brain FCs and dynamic FC performed better in predicting long-scan summed FC value of whole brain. The models were explained through visualization of weights in models. Besides, the differences in three GLMs could be explained as differences in distribution features of FC matrices predicted by them. Results were validated in different datasets, including the Consortium for Reliability and Reproducibility (CoRR) project and our local dataset. These models could be applied to improve the test-retest reliability of FC and to improve the performance of connectome-based predictive models (CPM). In conclusion, we developed three GLMs that could be used to predict long-scan FC from short-scan FC, and these models were robust across different datasets and could be applied to improve the test-retest reliability of FC and the performance of CPM.
Hippo Signaling Modulates the Inflammatory Response of Chondrocytes to Mechanical Compressive Loading
Authors: Cai Xiaomin , Warburton Christopher , Perez Olivia F. , Wang Ying , Ho Lucy , Finelli Christina , Ehlen Quinn T. , Wu Chenzhou , Rodriguez Carlos D. , Kaplan Lee , Best Thomas M. , Huang Chun-Yuh , Meng Zhipeng
Published: June 2023

Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is a degenerative disease resulting from mechanical overload, where direct physical impacts on chondrocytes play a crucial role in disease development by inducing inflammation and extracellular matrix degradation. However, the signaling cascades that sense these physical impacts and induce the pathogenic transcriptional programs of KOA remain to be defined, which hinders the identification of novel therapeutic approaches. Recent studies have implicated a crucial role of Hippo signaling in osteoarthritis. Since Hippo signaling senses mechanical cues, we aimed to determine its role in chondrocyte responses to mechanical overload. Here we show that mechanical loading induces the expression of inflammatory and matrix-degrading genes by activating the nuclear factor-kappaB (NFκB) pathway in a Hippo-dependent manner. Applying mechanical compressional force to 3-dimensional cultured chondrocytes activated NFκB and induced the expression of NFκB target genes for inflammation and matrix degradation (i.e., IL1β and ADAMTS4). Interestingly, deleting the Hippo pathway effector YAP or activating YAP by deleting core Hippo kinases LATS1/2 blocked the NFκB pathway activation induced by mechanical loading. Consistently, treatment with a LATS1/2 kinase inhibitor abolished the upregulation of IL1β and ADAMTS4 caused by mechanical loading. Mechanistically, mechanical loading activates Protein Kinase C (PKC), which activates NFκB p65 by phosphorylating its Serine 536. Furthermore, the mechano-activation of both PKC and NFκB p65 is blocked in LATS1/2 or YAP knockout cells, indicating that the Hippo pathway is required by this mechanoregulation. Additionally, the mechanical loading-induced phosphorylation of NFκB p65 at Ser536 is blocked by the LATS1/2 inhibitor Lats-In-1 or the PKC inhibitor AEB-071. Our study suggests that the interplay of the Hippo signaling and PKC controls NFκB-mediated inflammation and matrix degradation in response to mechanical loading. Chemical inhibitors targeting Hippo signaling or PKC can prevent the mechanoresponses of chondrocytes associated with inflammation and matrix degradation, providing a novel therapeutic strategy for KOA.
Prevalence of mild behavioral impairment among a Chinese cohort of elderly with mild cognitive impairment and subjective cognitive impairment
Authors: Pan Yining , Song You-qiang , Chu Leung wing , Shea Yat-fung
Published: June 2023

Introduction

Mild behavioural impairment (MBI) describes later-life onset of sustained and meaningful neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS) of any degree of severity before the onset of dementia or even the onset of cognitive symptoms. To our knowledge, there was only one study conducted in China and it only included non-dementia patients but did not differentiate among the cognitive groups.

Methods

A total of 88 subjects (28 cognitively normal, 15 subjective cognitive impairment, and 45 mild cognitive impairment) were recruited from Memory Clinic from 1st August 2020 through 16th Dec 2021. Inclusion criteria were that subjects should be of Chinese Han ethnicity. MBI was diagnosed according to the International Society to Advance Alzheimer’s Research and Treatment - Alzheimer’s Association (ISTAART-AA) criteria. MBI-checklist (MBI-C) score was either self-rated or informant-rated. NPI severity of 0 was defined as having a score of 0 for all Neuropsychiatric Inventory Questionnaire (NPI-Q) questions. NPI severity of 1 was given when the subject had a maximum score of 1-3. NPI severity of 2 referred to a subject having a score of four or over for at least one question. This cross-sectional study aimed to 1) calculate the prevalence of MBI among SCI/CN and MCI subjects in the Chinese population; 2) compare the performance of MBI-C and NPI-Q scales in MBI case ascertainment.

Results

Our results showed that the prevalence of MBI was 7% in CN/SCI group and 11.1% in MCI group assessed by MBI-C. The prevalence of NPS (severity >0) was 69% in CN/SCI group and 72.7% in MCI group assessed by NPI-Q. Spearman’s correlation test showed that the correlations of MBI and NPI severity were significant in overall subjects (correlation coefficient=0.3460, p=0.0011) and MCI group (correlation coefficient=0.3710, p=0.0131), and showing a trend of significance in CN/SCI group (correlation coefficient=0.3040, p=0.0503). However, Cohen’s kappa test showed that MBI-C and NPI-Q scale had only slight agreement in the overall and the both cognitive groups (overall: κ=0.0101; CN/SCI: κ=0.0667; MCI: κ=0.0917).

Conclusion

In conclusion, prevalence of MBI is around 7-11% among CN/SCI and MCI subjects in the Chinese population. MBI-C and NPI-Q were different tools and the former should be relied on to detect MBI. Further studies should validate an optimal cut-off score on MBI-C for each cognitive group in the Chinese population.
Ablation ofMaxexpression induces meiotic onset in sexually undifferentiated germ cells
Authors: Suzuki Ayumu , Uranishi Kousuke , Nishimoto Masazumi , Mizuno Yosuke , Mizuno Seiya , Takahashi Satoru , Eisenman Robert N. , Okuda Akihiko
Published: June 2023

Meiosis is a specialized type of cell division that occurs only in germ cells physiologically. We have previously demonstrated that MYC-associated factor X (MAX) is involved in blocking ectopic and precocious meiotic onsets in embryonic and germline stem cells, respectively, as a central component of the PRC1 subtype PRC1.6. In this study, we investigated the role of theMaxgene in germ cellsin vivo. Our data revealed that mitotically active germ cell-specific disruption ofMaxwas coupled to meiotic onset in male and female germ cells. However, suchMax-null germ cells did not undergo meiotic processes progressively, but were stalled at its relatively early stages and eventually eliminated by apoptosis. Our data also revealed thatMax, which is generally known as an obligate heterodimerization partner for MYC and MXD transcription factors, showed high expression in sexually undifferentiated male and female germ cells, but female germ cells exhibited an abrupt decline in its expression at the timing of or immediately prior to physiological meiotic onset. Moreover, computational analyses identified the regulatory region that supported high levels ofMaxexpression in sexually undifferentiated germ cells.
A single DPE core promoter motif contributes toin vivotranscriptional regulation and affects cardiac function
Authors: Sloutskin Anna , Itzhak Dekel , Vogler Georg , Ideses Diana , Alter Hadar , Shachar Hadar , Doniger Tirza , Frasch Manfred , Bodmer Rolf , Duttke Sascha H , Juven-Gershon Tamar
Published: June 2023

Transcription is initiated at the core promoter, which confers specific functions depending on the unique combination of core promoter elements. The downstream core promoter element (DPE) is found in many genes related to heart and mesodermal development. However, the function of these core promoter elements has thus far been studied primarily in isolated,in vitroor reporter gene settings.tinman(tin) encodes a key transcription factor that regulates the formation of the dorsal musculature and heart. Pioneering a novel approach utilizing both CRISPR and nascent transcriptomics, we show that a substitution mutation of the functionaltinDPE motif within the natural context of the core promoter results in a massive perturbation of Tinman’s regulatory network orchestrating dorsal musculature and heart formation. Mutation of endogenoustinDPE reduced the expression oftinand distinct target genes, resulting in significantly reduced viability and an overall decrease in adult heart function. We demonstrate the feasibility and importance of characterizing DNA sequence elementsin vivoin their natural context, and accentuate the critical impact a single DPE motif has duringDrosophilaembryogenesis and functional heart formation.
Can elevated plasma Adiponectin and Ghrelin counteract inflammation in the aging heart?
Authors: Nahar Harsika , Chandan Shivanshu
Published: June 2023

The adaptability of the heart helps in sustaining its function under severe pressure overload conditions, including myocardial infarction and heart failure. Immune response and inflammatory changes are among the adaptive changes the heart relies on when challenged with stress or pressure stimuli. However, the immune system homeostasis declines with advancing age and increases the susceptibility to develop heart failure. Dissecting the inflammatory changes associated with age could develop novel rejuvenating therapies for an aging population. The older mice show tremendous cardiac adaptations with advancing age. However, how the old heart adapts and survives the chronic stress that increases with age are unclear. The potential involvement of inflammatory alterations in older heart has not been recognized previously.

We performed a screen of genes and proteins from RNA-seq and proteome profiles for regulators of cardiac inflammation in the old heart. We identified several pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory factors that belong to several immune response pathways. The inflammatory mediator plasma leptin levels increase at 3 months and decrease in the 18 months older mice. We found that the activated inflammatory gene program is associated with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction and vice-versa in the old mice. We also observed that elevated plasma levels of adiponectin and ghrelin are associated with reduced inflammatory molecules, including leptin, in these animals. We speculate that the induction of adiponectin and ghrelin secretion and downregulation of leptin secretion appears to encounter the elevated inflammatory gene program observed in the aging heart.
Flexibility of learning in complex worlds
Authors: Leimar Olof , Quiñones Andrés E , Bshary Redouan
Published: June 2023

Learning to adjust to changing environments is an important aspect of behavioral flexibility. Here we investigate the possible advantages of flexible learning rates in volatile environments, using learning simulations. We compare two established learning mechanisms, one with fixed learning rates and one with flexible rates that adjust to volatility. We study three types of ecological and experimental volatility: transitions from a simpler to a more complex foraging environment, reversal learning, and learning set formation. For transitions to a complex world, we use developing cleaner fish as an example, having more types of client fish to choose between as they become adult. There are other similar transitions in nature, such as migrating to a new and different habitat. Performance in reversal learning and in learning set formation are commonly used experimental measures of behavioral flexibility. Concerning transitions to a complex world, we show that both fixed and flexible learning rates perform well, losing only a small proportion of available rewards in the period after a transition, but flexible rates perform better than fixed. For reversal learning, flexible rates improve the performance with each successive reversal, because of increasing learning rates, but this does not happen for fixed rates. For learning set formation, we find no improvement in performance with successive shifts to new stimuli to discriminate for either flexible or fixed learning rates. Flexible learning rates might thus explain increasing performance in reversal learning, but not in learning set formation. We discuss our results in relation to current ideas about behavioral flexibility.
The fine-scale recombination rate variation and associations with genomic features in a butterfly
Authors: Palahí i Torres Aleix , Höök Lars , Näsvall Karin , Shipilina Daria , Wiklund Christer , Vila Roger , Pruisscher Peter , Backström Niclas
Published: June 2023

Recombination is a key molecular mechanism that has profound implications on both micro- and macroevolutionary processes. However, the determinants of recombination rate variation in holocentric organisms are poorly understood, in particular in Lepidoptera (moths and butterflies). The wood white butterfly (Leptidea sinapis) shows considerable intraspecific variation in chromosome numbers and is a suitable system for studying regional recombination rate variation and its potential molecular underpinnings. Here, we developed a large whole-genome resequencing data set from a population of wood whites to obtain high-resolution recombination maps using linkage disequilibrium information. The analyses revealed that larger chromosomes had a bimodal recombination landscape, potentially caused by interference between simultaneous chiasmata. The recombination rate was significantly lower in subtelomeric regions, with exceptions associated with segregating chromosome rearrangements, showing that fissions and fusions can have considerable effects on the recombination landscape. There was no association between the inferred recombination rate and base composition, supporting a limited influence of GC-biased gene conversion in butterflies. We found significant but variable associations between the recombination rate and the density of different classes of transposable elements, most notably a significant enrichment of short interspersed nucleotide elements in genomic regions with higher recombination rate. Finally, the analyses unveiled significant enrichment of genes involved in farnesyltranstransferase activity in recombination coldspots, potentially indicating that expression of transferases can inhibit formation of chiasmata during meiotic division. Our results provide novel information about recombination rate variation in holocentric organisms and have particular implications for forthcoming research in population genetics, molecular/genome evolution, and speciation.
Stress and resilience in British Indian parents with an autistic child: a comparative study with white British and Indian parents
Authors: Stagg Steven , Kodakkadan Fathima , Rajan Santhosh Kareepadath
Published: June 2023

Purpose

This study aims to examine the levels of stress and resilience in a sample of British Indian parents bringing up a child with autism.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 52 British Indian parents took part in a survey that included measures of stress, resilience, support and child adaptive functioning. Results were compared to a sample of white British (n = 120) and Indian parents (n = 120).

Findings

The British Indian parents recorded higher levels of stress and less perceived social support than their white British counterparts. British Indian parents took longer to register concern about their child’s development and sought a diagnosis at a later age than the white British group. The delay in concern and diagnosis was similar to that found in the India group.

Originality/value

The research suggests that British Indian parents are disadvantaged in social support and mental well-being compared to white British parents and may face similar community pressures to parents bringing up a child in India.
A post-occupancy evaluation of in-house facilities management service quality and user satisfaction in multi-tenanted office buildings in Ghana
Authors: Tannor Oliver , Appau Williams Miller , Attakora-Amaniampong Elvis
Published: June 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to explore user satisfaction with in-house facility management (FM) services in multi-tenanted office buildings in Accra, Ghana using a post-occupancy evaluation (POE) approach.

Design/methodology/approach

The study assessed user satisfaction with FM service quality by using a POE of their perceptions about the attitude and courtesy of the FM personnel, the reliability of the FM services they provide, the responsiveness and the competence of the service providers. The study used walk-throughs and questionnaire surveys as the POE methods. One hundred and twenty-one users from 22 multi-tenanted office buildings, who have actively used the FM services for at least a year, were purposively sampled. The data was collected via a survey using a structured questionnaire. The data was analysed using descriptive statistics and principal component analysis in version 25 of statistical package for the social sciences.

Findings

The study revealed that users were dissatisfied with the quality of in-house FM services across all 15 services The results also showed that users’ satisfaction with the services is not affected by the differences in their age, gender, educational level, job role and number of years in the buildings. The results further demonstrated that the most critical factors that resulted in users’ dissatisfaction were electric facilities, building fabric maintenance, emergency coordination, waste management and the decoration of the buildings during festive seasons.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, the present study based on POE to assess user satisfaction with FM services for multi-tenant office buildings has, presumably, not been tackled before in Ghana. The results of the study are very essential to the owners of the buildings and facility managers in decision-making concerning the delivery of FM services. Building industry-wise, the results demonstrate the need for in-house FM managers in multi-tenanted office buildings in Ghana to adopt FM service delivery methods that increase user satisfaction. The results also call for further research into user satisfaction with outsourced FM services in multi-tenanted office buildings and further research on the use of the in-house strategy on other types of buildings to ascertain whether the dissatisfaction with FM is due to other factors such as the choice of FM strategy, the property type etc.
Exploring online consumer reviews of customized apparel products
Authors: Shin Eonyou , Kincade Doris H. , Han Jinhee
Published: June 2023

Purpose

Virtual try-on (VTO) technology with three-dimensional (3D) body scanning in a mobile application is a relatively new technique for selling custom-fit apparel. VTO involves scanning and measuring one's body and visualizing the fit of a garment on a 3D avatar. The purpose of this study is to explore consumers' experiences toward the custom-fit T-shirts and online mass customization (MC) services using the VTO technology found in online consumer reviews (OCRs).

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 297 OCRs were collected from the Amazon's Made for You site that uses VTO technology for the MC process. A qualitative content analysis, within a mixed method research process, was used to determine systematically the meanings within qualitative data with quantitative results. In the qualitative approach, combinations of two coding processes were employed, which were concept-driven (i.e., deductive/a priori) and data-driven (i.e., inductive/emergent) coding processes. In the quantitative approach, the prevalence of each coding in terms of its valence was calculated based on frequencies. Intercoder reliability reached 96 per cent.

Findings

In OCRs of customized apparel products and online MC services using VTO technology, consumers described expectations, perceived performance, dis/confirmation, dis/satisfaction, outcomes of dis/satisfaction and descriptive information. Those with expectations often expressed skepticism about the product and the MC process using VTO technology at the pre-consumption stage. In OCRs, they used four product dimensions and two service dimensions of perceived performance. Consumers had positive (negative) confirmation when the performance of the T-shirts and/or services worked better (worse) than their expectations. The OCRs also included dis/satisfaction with a product and/or service, its outcomes and descriptive information.

Originality/value

This study identified a resulting framework to identify the content in OCRs of the custom-fit T-shirts and online MC services that use VTO technology. This study extends the expectation confirmation theory by adding multiple dimensions (i.e., four product dimensions and two service dimensions) as well as more outcomes of dis/satisfaction (not limited to repurchase intentions). This study provides practical suggestions for online MC companies who are using or planning to use VTO technology on how to improve consumers' satisfaction with customized T-shirts using VTO technology.
Digitalization capability and sustainable performance in emerging markets: mediating roles of in/out-bound open innovation and coopetition strategy
Authors: Lee Min-Jae , Roh Taewoo
Published: June 2023

Purpose

Studies concentrating on digitalization and interconnected capabilities have increased over the past several decades. Digitalization capability and open innovation are perceived as sources of sustained competitiveness across disciplines. This study investigated how digitalization capability and coopetition strategy affect the sustainable performance of firms by exploring the role of internal and external factors in influencing the adoption and success of open innovation in emerging markets.

Design/methodology/approach

To test the hypothesis, the authors conducted a structural equation model analysis on 509 firm datasets from the hub cities in China, an innovative battlefield where multilateral cooperation and competition are interwoven for globalization, clean development and the enhancement of economic growth.

Findings

The authors found that a firm's digitalization capability positively impacts outbound/inbound open innovation, coopetition strategy and sustainable performance. This study’s results support a series of mediating effects through outbound/inbound open innovation and coopetition strategy. Also, it provides a nuanced understanding of how digitalization capability and open innovation can affect sustainable performance in emerging markets.

Originality/value

The present study provides a nuanced understanding of how digitalization capability and in/out-bound open innovation can affect sustainable performance in emerging markets. The authors believe this model contributes to current knowledge by filling several research gaps, and this study’s findings offer valuable and practical implications for achieving open innovation and creating sustainable performance.
The effects of the (fentanyl‐fueled) drug overdose epidemic on medicolegal death investigation in the United States
Authors: Davis Gregory G. , Fligner Corinne L.
Published: June 2023

The evolving opioid epidemic in the United States, fueled by illicit fentanyl, has greatly increased deaths from illicit drug use. These nonnatural deaths require formal death investigation. The National Association of Medical Examiners states in its Forensic Autopsy Performance Standards that autopsy remains a necessary component for proper investigation of suspected acute overdose deaths. If a death investigation office lacks adequate resources to investigate all deaths under its jurisdiction while meeting expected standards, then that office may be forced to consider altering its protocols for investigation by changing the types of deaths investigated or the extent of its investigations. Drug death investigations take longer to complete because novel illicit drugs and mixtures of drugs complicate toxicological analyses, prolonging a family's wait for completion of a death certificate and autopsy report. Public health agencies must also wait for results, but some agencies have developed mechanisms for rapid notification of preliminary results to allow timely deployment of public health resources. The increased deaths have strained the resources of medicolegal death investigation systems throughout the United States. Given the significant workforce shortage of forensic pathologists, newly trained forensic pathologists are too few to meet the demand. Nevertheless, forensic pathologists (and all pathologists) must make time to present their work and themselves to medical students and pathology trainees to encourage an understanding of the importance of quality medicolegal death investigation and autopsy pathology and to provide a model that can encourage interest in a career in forensic pathology.
Does preoperative imaging for scalp non‐melanocytic skin cancer accurately predict invasion of the cranial vault? A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Rowse Benjamin M. , Yu Ann C. X. , Faulkner Harrison , Sandler Gideon , Howle Julie R. , Ch'ng Sydney , Rao Prashanth J. , Varey Alexander H. R.
Published: June 2023

Purpose

This study aimed to determine the diagnostic accuracy of CT and MRI in the preoperative detection of bone involvement for non‐melanoma skin cancers (NMSCs) located on the scalp. This study further aimed to evaluate the predictive value of these imaging modalities in determining the need for craniectomy and to identify gaps in the existing literature.

Methods

Electronic searches of the MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane and Google Scholar databases were performed for English language studies of any type. Studies reporting detection or exclusion of histopathologically confirmed bone involvement through preoperative imaging were identified according to PRISMA guidelines. Studies reporting dural involvement, non‐scalp tumours, and lacking tumour type(s) or outcome data were excluded. Outcomes were preoperative imaging result and histopathologically confirmed bone invasion. Meta‐analysis was performed and sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) were calculated (excluding case report and MRI data due to insufficient quality and quantity respectively).

Results

Four studies with a total of 69 patients were included in the final review, of which two studies totalling 66 patients were included in the meta‐analysis. Preoperative CT had a sensitivity of 38%, specificity of 98%, PPV of 90% and NPV of 73%.

Conclusions

The available data suggests that a preoperative CT finding of calvarial involvement by a scalp NMSC is likely to be real, but the absence of such a finding is unreliable. Current evidence suggests that preoperative imaging cannot exclude the necessity for craniectomy and future research is needed, particularly on the role of MRI.
Editorial: risk of renal function decline in patients with chronic hepatitis B virus infection treated with nucleos(t)ide analogues
Authors: Kozuka Ritsuzo , Enomoto Masaru , Kawada Norifumi
Published: June 2023

LINKED CONTENT

This article is linked to Lee et al paper. To view this article, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.17532
Letter: Mendelian randomization ‐ new perspective in inflammatory bowel disease and pancreatic cancer? Authors' reply
Authors: Massironi Sara , Viganò Chiara , Danese Silvio
Published: June 2023

LINKED CONTENT

This article is linked to Massironi et al papers. To view these articles, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.16949 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.17537
Letter: determining priorities for patients with faecal incontinence and irritable bowel syndrome—authors' reply
Authors: Goodoory Vivek C. , Ng Cho E. , Black Christopher J. , Ford Alexander C.
Published: June 2023

LINKED CONTENT

This article is linked to Goodoory et al papers. To view these articles, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.17465 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.17559
Creative therapy in health and disease: Inner vision
Authors: Khalil Radwa , Demarin Vida
Published: June 2023

Can we better understand the unique mechanisms of de novo abilities in light of our current knowledge of the psychological and neuroscientific literature on creativity? This review outlines the state‐of‐the‐art in the neuroscience of creativity and points out crucial aspects that still demand further exploration, such as brain plasticity. The progressive development of current neuroscience research on creativity presents a multitude of prospects and potentials for furnishing efficacious therapy in the context of health and illness. Therefore, we discuss directions for future studies, identifying a focus on pinpointing the neglected beneficial practices for creative therapy. We emphasize the neglected neuroscience perspective of creativity on health and disease and how creative therapy could offer limitless possibilities to improve our well‐being and give hope to patients with neurodegenerative diseases to compensate for their brain injuries and cognitive impairments by expressing their hidden creativity.