bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Shades of blue in financing: transforming the ocean economy with blue bonds
Authors: Mathew Joywin , Robertson Claire
Published: June 2021

Purpose

To provide an overview of how blue bonds can have a transformative impact on the blue- and ocean-based economies.

Design/methodology/approach

This article provides an overview of what a blue bond is, the process for issuing a blue bond, the transformative effects blue bonds can have on ocean economies, and the areas ocean economies should focus on to attract investors and catalyze investment into their ocean economies.

Findings

This article concludes blue bonds present an opportunity to not only achieve strong financial returns but to also contribute to a meaningful environmental and social impact on ocean economies. As the public and private sectors develop initiatives to catalyze investment into ocean initiatives, it is likely the investment community will eagerly adopt blue bonds into the suite of sustainable finance products, driving greater investment into ocean economies and supporting the health of our oceans.

Practical implications

One of the key constraints for blue-bond growth is the lack of familiarity to this product among market participants. Unlike its other ESG-labeled counterparts, blue bonds are not regulated by a set of principles such as those prescribed by the International Capital Markets Association (ICMA). Clarifying the alignment of globally recognized standards such as the ICMA principles and its correlation to blue financing may help ocean industries to achieve greater recognition within the sustainable bond market framework and can make the market aware of important characteristics of ocean industries, including differing risks and opportunities.

Originality/value

Practical guidance from experienced lawyers in ESG bonds and blue economy initiatives.
Unlocking Covid-19 knowledge sharing within North West Universities
Authors: Edghiem Farag , Guo Xiuli , Bridge Carl , McAreavey Martin
Published: June 2021

Purpose

Based on initial observation, this paper aims to explore the current practices of collaborative knowledge sharing (KS) between North West Universities and highlight new avenues of future relevant research.

Design/methodology/approach

A netnographic observation was conducted to unveil the current practices of KS between North West Universities.

Findings

The paper concludes that there is little or no evidence of collaborative KS practices amongst North West Universities in response to the present Covid-19 transition.

Practical implications

This paper provides useful, practical insight that may assist decision-makers to establish KS initiatives within North West Universities and beyond. A strategy is also proposed to nurture collaborative KS amongst North West Universities and within wider work-applied management practice.

Originality/value

This paper presents an unconventional conceptualisation of KS practices amid the present Covid-19 pandemic with the fresh perspective of North West England Universities.
International new ventures’ international performance: a matter of network entrepreneurial orientation and network management activities
Authors: Ripollés Maria , Blesa Andreu
Published: June 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to demostrate that commitment to developing knowledge sharing, coordination, adaptation and resolving potential conflict results in idiosyncratic relational assets for firms, which increases the benefits that international new ventures (INVs) can obtain from their networking activity.

Design/methodology/approach

To test the theoretical model, a survey was conducted among a sample of INVs. The data obtained were examined with structural equation modelling using the maximum likelihood estimation procedure in linear structural relations software.

Findings

The results showed positive effects of network entrepreneurial orientation (EO) on knowledge sharing, coordination, adaptation and resolving potential conflict, but only network coordination showed a positive effect on international performance.

Research limitations/implications

The study introduces and extends EO to the network level and shows that it contributes to INVs’ international performance through its influence on the development of coordination activities among networked firms.

Practical implications

The results provide guidance for building INVs’ networks. Entrepreneurs will find orientations about which partners could be more valuable to them.

Originality/value

Little research has addressed the study of network management activities to create a network structure. This paper reveals how firms’ volition and commitment to networking helps us to understand, in a fine-grained manner, how INVs gain benefits from their social networks. Additionally, EO at the network level is also studied, and arguments are proposed showing its relationships with the aforementioned relational activities based on the fact that entrepreneurial-oriented partners are supposed to be more active in networking.
The effects of perceived quality differences between the traditional classroom and online distance learning on student satisfaction: evidence from COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia
Authors: Istijanto
Published: June 2021

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the aspects of perceived quality differences that influence student satisfaction when the mode of learning is changed from the traditional classroom to online distance learning because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Design/methodology/approach

This study used an online survey for data collection by distributing online questionnaires to students at a private university in Indonesia. Convenience sampling was applied as the sample method. A total of 253 valid questionnaires were acquired, and all items were recorded on the seven-point comparative scale. Exploratory factor analysis was adopted to identify the dimensions of perceived quality. Then, multiple regression analysis was used to examine the impacts of these dimensions on student satisfaction.

Findings

Four dimensions of perceived quality differences were identified, namely, the perceived quality of the campus facilities, learning process, teaching staff and administrative staff. Regression analysis results proved that the perceived differences in the quality dimensions between the traditional classroom and online distance learning had positive and significant effects on student satisfaction.

Research limitations/implications

As a result of using a convenient sample, this study exhibited a limited sample and context. Therefore, the generalizability of these findings is limited. Future research can use a stratified sample with more diverse categories of respondents.

Practical implications

The findings of this study will help universities that plan to change the mode of learning from traditional classroom to online distance learning. Higher education institutions can gain a deep understanding of these perceived quality attributes that have significant impacts on student satisfaction.

Originality/value

To the author’s best knowledge, this study is the first to address the effect of changing modes of learning from traditional classroom to online distance learning because of the COVID-19 pandemic on student satisfaction in the Indonesian context.
Awareness towards cybercrime among secondary school students: the role of gender and school management
Authors: Verma Mudit Kumar , Kushwaha Shyam Sundar
Published: June 2021

Purpose

The study aims to determine the cybercrime awareness among secondary school students with reference to their gender and school management type.

Design/methodology/approach

For the purpose, a sample of 100 students from secondary schools situated in Lucknow city, state of Uttar Pradesh, India was selected. To obtain initial data from the respondents and to determine the cybercrime awareness categories a five-point Likert type cybercrime awareness rating scale exclusively constructed to fulfil the purpose of this study was used to determine the cybercrime awareness in five categories viz; excellent, high, above average, average, below average and low cybercrime awareness. Further, “t” test was used to analyse the difference between the means of groups.

Findings

Results revealed that gender (male and female) and type of school management (government and self-finance) are not significant predictors of cybercrime awareness among secondary school students.

Research limitations/implications

This study is limited to the government and self-finance English medium schools of Lucknow city, state of Uttar Pradesh, India.

Practical implications

Policymakers, various societies involved in investigating cyber behavior/child computer interaction/safer communities, etc. should consider that school management is not a predictor of cybercrime along with gender and can look for other possible visible and latent factors affecting cybercrime awareness among students while formulating a policy or designing a course/prevention program for secondary school students.

Social implications

School administration should consider the existing gender and school management roles of the present scenario to make effective policies for the students and providing them effective cybercrime prevention programs and activities. Also, parents can adequately understand the role of school management type and gender of their belongings to understand their cybercrime awareness and take necessary measures accordingly.

Originality/value

The paper is focused on the cybercrime awareness of secondary school students and how their gender and school management type affects their cybercrime awareness. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is first of its kind which investigates the role of school management in cybercrime awareness of the students. As the education sector is depending more and more on the cyber world, this paper is of the great significance for the safety of education sector, organizations and communities involved in making the policies and designing the curriculum to avoid students being a victim of cybercrime and to make education sector a safer community.
Research on optimization sparse method for capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducer array: heuristic algorithm
Authors: Zhang Tian , Zhang Wendong , Shao XingLing , Wu Yang
Published: June 2021

Purpose

Because of the small size and high integration of capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducer (CMUT) component, it can be made into large-scale array, but this lead to high hardware complexity, so the purpose of this paper is to use less elements to achieve better imaging results. In this research, an optimized sparse array is studied, which can suppress the side lobe and reduce the imaging artifacts compared with the equispaced sparse array with the same number of elements.

Design/methodology/approach

Genetic algorithm is used to sparse the CMUT linear array, and Kaiser window apodization is added to reduce imaging artifacts, the beam pattern and peak-to-side lobe ratio are calculated, point targets imaging comparisons are performed. Furthermore, a 256-elements CMUT linear array is used to carry out the imaging experiment of embedded mass and forearm blood vessel, and the imaging results are compared quantitatively.

Findings

Through the imaging comparison of embedded mass and forearm blood vessel, the feasibility of optimized sparse array of CMUT is verified, and the purpose of reducing the hardware complexity is achieved.

Originality/value

This research provides a basis for the large-scale CMUT array to reduce the hardware complexity and the amount of calculation. At present, the CMUT array has been used in medical ultrasound imaging and has huge market potential.
Outcomes of a randomized quality improvement trial for high‐risk Veterans in year two
Authors: Chang Evelyn T. , Yoon Jean , Esmaeili Aryan , Zulman Donna M. , Ong Michael K. , Stockdale Susan E. , Jimenez Elvira E. , Chu Karen , Atkins David , Denietolis Angela , Asch Steven M. ,   PACT Intensive Management (PIM) Demonstration Sites, PIM National Evaluation Center, and PIM Executive Committee
Published: June 2021

Objective

The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) conducted a randomized quality improvement evaluation to determine whether augmenting patient‐centered medical homes with Primary care Intensive Management (PIM) decreased utilization of acute care and health care costs among patients at high risk for hospitalization. PIM was cost‐neutral in the first year; we analyzed changes in utilization and costs in the second year.

Data sources

VHA administrative data for five demonstration sites from August 2013 to March 2019.

Data sources

Administrative data extracted from VHA's Corporate Data Warehouse.

Study design

Veterans with a risk of 90‐day hospitalization in the top 10th percentile and recent hospitalization or emergency department (ED) visit were randomly assigned to usual primary care vs primary care augmented by PIM. PIM included interdisciplinary teams, comprehensive patient assessment, intensive case management, and care coordination services. We compared the change in mean VHA inpatient and outpatient utilization and costs (including PIM expenses) per patient for the 12‐month period before randomization and 13‐24 months after randomization for PIM vs usual care using difference‐in‐differences.

Principal findings

Both PIM patients (n = 1902) and usual care patients (n = 1882) had a mean of 5.6 chronic conditions. PIM patients had a greater number of primary care visits compared to those in usual care (mean 4.6 visits/patient/year vs 3.7 visits/patient/year, p < 0.05), but ED visits (p = 0.45) and hospitalizations (p = 0.95) were not significantly different. We found a small relative increase in outpatient costs among PIM patients compared to those in usual care (mean difference + $928/patient/year, p = 0.053), but no significant differences in mean inpatient costs (+$245/patient/year, p = 0.97). Total mean health care costs were similar between the two groups during the second year (mean difference + $1479/patient/year, p = 0.73).

Conclusions

Approaches that target patients solely based on the high risk of hospitalization are unlikely to reduce acute care use or total costs in VHA, which already offers patient‐centered medical homes.
Changes in body mass index, glycosylated hemoglobin A1C, blood pressure, and LDL‐cholesterol among type 2 diabetes patients in Malaysia: A population‐based longitudinal study
Authors: Wan Kim Sui , Moy Foong Ming , Mustapha Feisul Idzwan , Ismail Mastura , Hairi Noran Naqiah
Published: June 2021

Background

This study aimed to describe changes in body mass index, glycosylated hemoglobin A1C, blood pressure, and low‐density lipoprotein (LDL)‐cholesterol among type 2 diabetes patients in Malaysia.

Methods

A five‐year retrospective cohort study was conducted using data from the National Diabetes Registry. Type 2 diabetes patients aged ≥18 years and had ≥2 clinical audits between 2013 and 2017 were included in the analysis. The first audit information formed the baseline characteristics, and the last audit information was used for comparison. Individualized A1C, blood pressure, and LDL‐cholesterol goals were adapted from Malaysian Clinical Practice Guidelines on Type 2 Diabetes Management 2020, American Diabetes Association 2020, and European Association for the Study of Diabetes 2019.

Results

Of the 18 341 patients, 55.8% were female and 64.9% Malay ethnicity. The baseline mean age was 59.3 ± 10.6 years. During an average of 2.5 person‐years of follow‐up, the mean body mass index dropped by 0.16 kg/m2 to 27.9 kg/m2, A1C increased by 0.16% to 8.0%, systolic blood pressure increased by 1.4 mm Hg to 136.2 mm Hg, diastolic blood pressure decreased by 1.0 mm Hg to 77.3 mm Hg and LDL‐cholesterol reduced by 0.12 mmol/L to 2.79 mmol/L, P < 0.001 for all. Out of eight categories of individualized goals, most patients achieved the A1C goal of ≤8.0%. The new LDL‐cholesterol goal of <1.4 mmol/L was least likely to be achieved.

Conclusions

The body mass index, A1C, blood pressure, and LDL‐cholesterol performance remained suboptimal. Standards of care for these clinical parameters remain to be achieved by the majority of diabetes patients.
Proximal splenic embolisation versus distal splenic embolisation for management of focal distal arterial injuries of the spleen
Authors: Venn Georgina A. , Clements Warren , Moriarty Heather , Goh Gerard S.
Published: June 2021

Introduction

To compare the outcomes of proximal (pSAE) versus distal (dSAE) splenic artery embolisation for management of focal distal arterial splenic injuries secondary to blunt splenic trauma.

Method

Ethical approval was granted by the hospital research and ethics committee, Project 389/19. All patients who underwent splenic artery embolisation secondary to blunt abdominal trauma from 1 January 2009 to 1 January 2019 were reviewed. Patients with a tandem embolisation (both proximal and distal embolisations) or those with no acute vascular injury on angiography were excluded. Patient demographics, injury type/ AAST grade (2018 classification), technique of embolisation and outcomes were collected. Complications and splenectomy rates up to 30 days were recorded.

Results

136 out of 232 patients had an embolisation performed for a distal vascular injury including active arterial bleeding, pseudoaneurysm or arteriovenous fistula. Mean age was 41 (range 16–84). Mean AAST grade was 4 (range 3–5). Mean Injury Severity Score was 22. pSAE was performed in 79.4% (n = 108) and dSAE in 20.6% (n = 28). Major complications occurred in 12 patients (pSAE n = 12, 11.1%; dSAE n = 0, P > 0.05); 6 pSAE required splenectomy (n = 6, 5.6%). There was no significant difference in outcomes between the two groups or when based on AAST grading.

Conclusion

No significant difference was observed between proximal and distal embolisation techniques for blunt trauma patients with a distal vascular injury in terms of technical and clinical success.
Regime Complexity and Complex Foreign Policy: China in International Development Finance Governance
Authors: Wang Hongying
Published: June 2021

This paper examines China’s involvement in the governance of international development finance (IDF), analyzes its approach to the IDF regime complex, and explains its strategic policy incoherence. It shows that in recent decades China has actively engaged with the elemental IDF regimes at multiple levels – global, regional, cross‐regional, subregional, and bilateral. It argues that the Chinese government has been strategically incoherent in its policy toward IDF governance, lending support to competing models and norms. China’s ‘forum linking’ strategy with regard to multilateral development banks has enhanced international cooperation while its unconventional bilateral development assistance programs have facilitated ‘forum shopping’ by the recipient countries, thus undermining the traditional IDF framework. There are multiple sources of China’s strategic policy incoherence. Besides the country’s multiple identities and complex interests, this paper highlights the impact of the fragmented nature of the regime complex and Chinese perception of this fragmentation.
Settling with Autonomy after Civil Wars: Lessons from Aceh, Indonesia
Authors: Fujikawa Kentaro
Published: June 2021

Autonomy arrangements short of secession have been popular among international actors as a solution to deadly self‐determination conflicts. However, the number of peace agreements incorporating autonomy, while clearly eliminating the possibility of secession, is limited in practice. According to the literature, this is because: (1) ethnic rebels are too weak militarily to extract substantial concessions from national governments; and (2) because the governmental offer of autonomy is not credible to rebels. Drawing upon the single case study of Aceh, this research examines how warring parties overcome these two obstacles and successfully settle ethnonational conflicts through autonomy. First, although ethnonational conflicts do not tend to be costly over a single year, they often last for decades, and the accumulation of this cost over years can be substantial. In light of this long‐term cost, national governments have incentives to offer substantial concessions to stop the conflict from persisting indefinitely. Second, rebels could sign the agreement if they perceive that their autonomy is internationally guaranteed in the long term. It is imperative for international policy makers to consider these points when they try to help resolve ethnonational conflicts through autonomy.
The Negotiation of a Feminist Sisterhood in the Pacific – Two Recent Cases of Intersectional Alliance Building
Authors: Alver Jane
Published: June 2021

An in‐depth analysis of two case studies – the Pacific Feminist Forum and the We Rise Coalition reveals the importance of alliance building in creating a form of ‘negotiated sisterhood’. Actors and activities in the gender equality civil society space play a role to push governments to make a diversity‐inclusive Pacific gender equality agenda. Working together as a regional alliance increases the impact of advocacy for including feminist voices in dialogues with regional institutions. A key lesson is that cross movement groups such as the women’s movement and gay and lesbian movements have different causes but can identify shared goals and engage in joint planning without excluding differences. This paper sheds new light on negotiating intersectional Pacific feminisms across difference, contributing ideas to mobilise more advocates for gender equality and inclusion in the Pacific.
Standardization of a SNP panel for parentage verification and identification in the domestic cat (Felis silvestris catus)
Authors: de Groot M. , Anderson H. , Bauer H. , Bauguil C. , Bellone R. R. , Brugidou R. , Buckley R. M. , Dovč P. , Forman O. , Grahn R. A. , Kock L. , Longeri M. , Mouysset‐Geniez S. , Qiu J. , Sofronidis G. , van der Goor L. H. P. , Lyons L. A.
Published: June 2021

The domestic cat (Felis silvestris catus) is a valued companion animal throughout the world. Over 60 different cat breeds are accepted for competition by the cat fancy registries in different countries. Genetic markers, including short tandem repeats and SNPs, are available to evaluate and manage levels of inbreeding and genetic diversity, population and breed structure relationships, and individual identification for forensic and registration purposes. The International Society of Animal Genetics (ISAG) hosts the Applied Genetics in Companion Animals Workshop, which supports the standardization of genetic marker panels and genotyping for the identification of cats via comparison testing. SNP panels have been in development for many species, including the domestic cat. An ISAG approved core panel of SNPs for use in cat identification and parentage analyses is presented. SNPs (n = 121) were evaluated by different university‐based and commercial laboratories using 20 DNA samples as part of the ISAG comparison testing procedures. Different SNP genotyping technologies were examined, including DNA arrays, genotyping‐by‐sequencing and mass spectroscopy, to select a robust and efficient panel of 101 SNPs as the ISAG core panel for cats. The SNPs are distributed across all chromosomes including two on the X chromosome and an XY pseudo‐autosomal sexing marker (zinc‐finger XY; ZFXY). A population study demonstrated that the markers have an average polymorphic information content of 0.354 and a power of exclusion greater than 0.9999. The SNP panel should keep testing affordable while also allowing for the development of additional panels to monitor health, phenotypic traits, hybrid cats and highly inbred cats.
Histology of some major immune system organs in Lake Van fish Alburnus tarichi (Güldenstädt, 1814) (Cyprinidae)
Authors: Kaptaner Burak , Aykut Handan , Doğan Emine , Bostancı Müşerref
Published: June 2021

The teleostean immune system is variable between and within taxa in terms of morphology. Accordingly, in the current study, the histology of some immune organs (thymus, kidney and spleen) of Lake Van fish (Alburnus tarichi) was investigated. For this purpose, the tissues from eight mature fish were fixed and embedded in paraffin wax, and then the sections were stained with haematoxylin and eosin, Mallory’s triple, periodic acid‐Schiff and Alcian blue (pH of 2.5) for histologic examinations. In the thymus, no clear discrimination of the cortex and medulla was observed. Lymphoid cells within a reticulo‐epithelial network were the predominant cell type in the thymus. The other components in the thymus were macrophages and myoid, mast‐like, plasma‐like, cystic cells, Hassall’s corpuscles, and single or multiple epithelial cystic structures. In the kidney, the head kidney, a major haematopoietic site, consisted of lymphoid and non‐lymphoid zones within a reticular network. Cells exhibiting mitotic figures were also detected in the haematopoietic tissue of the head kidney. Haematopoietic tissue was also found in the trunk kidney dispersed amongst the excretory components. The spleen was composed of red and white pulp. The red pulp comprised abundant erythrocytes, whilst the white pulp contained leucocytes with a reticular network. Ellipsoids were also determined in the white pulp. Melanomacrophage centres were found in all of the examined lymphoid tissues of the fish. These findings, which were reported, herein, for the first time will provide reference knowledge for future studies of this anadromous fish.
Gene‐based association analysis identified a novel gene associated with systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Ding Xian , Cai Minglong , Wang Sun , Yang Qingqing , Zheng Xiaodong , Zuo Xianbo , Liu Shengxiu
Published: June 2021

Objective

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a complex autoimmune disease with strong genetic predisposition. Genome‐wide association studies (GWAS) of SLE have identified more than 50 robust susceptibility loci. However, traditional individual SNP‐based GWAS have made it difficult to identify variants with small effects. Moreover, variants revealed by GWAS only explain a limited disease heritability, suggesting that many susceptibility genes remain uncovered.

Methods

We first curated the published SLE GWAS data from 1047 SLE patients and 1205 healthy controls of Chinese ancestry and performed a gene‐based association study. Then quantitative reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR) was conducted to verify novel genes identified above.

Results

Gene‐based association study identified 10 SLE‐associated genes, nine of which were reported by previous GWAS, the other one, ILRUN, is a newly identified gene and was further validated by qRT‐PCR. Gene expression analysis of Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) datasets also showed that the expression of ILRUN in patients with SLE was lower than that in normal subjects.

Conclusion

In this study, gene‐based association study and qRT‐PCR identified that ILRUN is a novel susceptibility gene of SLE. ILRUN may regulate inflammation and antiviral response through its effect on the transcription of type I interferons )I‐IFN, and participate in the pathogenesis of SLE.
Fault lines for unrest in the Pacific: Youth, livelihoods and land rights in driving and mitigating conflict
Authors: Craney Aidan
Published: June 2021

Instances of civil unrest and disorder have pockmarked the mainly peaceful functioning of multiple Pacific states in recent decades. This paper examines factors which can be seen as fault lines for predicting and mitigating such unrest, with a particular focus on Fiji and Solomon Islands. Drawing on data collected through interviews with youth advocates and activists, it becomes clear that the common justification of ‘ethnic tensions’ for past unrest and fears of future unrest being necessitated by a ‘youth bulge’ oversimplifies the complexity of factors that lead to disorder. Issues of land rights, uncertain livelihood futures and public perceptions of inequality provide more salient framings for understanding why citizens engage in unrest. Indeed, it is perceptions of injustice and inequality which may well prove to be the greater indicator of the likelihood of any future destabilisation.
Laparoscopic repair for primary epigastric hernia containing falciform ligament: A case report and review of literature
Authors: Takada Satoshi , Ueno Yuhei , Higashi Yuki , Nishijima Koji , Futagami Fumio
Published: June 2021

Falciform ligament herniation is a rare type of epigastric hernia. We report a case of a primary epigastric hernia containing a falciform ligament repaired using nonabsorbable barbed suture under laparoscopic surgery. A 74‐year‐old woman presented with discomfort in the upper abdomen. Physical examination revealed a 3‐cm non‐tender mass, and abdominal computed tomography revealed epigastric hernia with an incarcerated falciform ligament. By observation with a laparoscope, the fascial defect was single and 1.0 cm in diameter, thus sutured repair was selected. At 4 months follow‐up, she had no complications or recurrence. The laparoscopic approach is useful for diagnosis and deciding a repair method of an epigastric hernia. The barbed suture closure system is convenient and effective for intracorporeal hernial defect closing. Both primary and incisional falciform ligament herniation have been reported in the past, and we reviewed six cases, including our case.
Multivariate Bayesian clustering using covariate‐informed components with application to boreal vegetation sensitivity
Authors: Scharf Henry R. , Raiho Ann M. , Pugh Sierra , Roland Carl A. , Swanson David K. , Stehn Sarah E. , Hooten Mevin B.
Published: June 2021

Climate change is impacting both the distribution and abundance of vegetation, especially in far northern latitudes. The effects of climate change are different for every plant assemblage and vary heterogeneously in both space and time. Small changes in climate could result in large vegetation responses in sensitive assemblages but weak responses in robust assemblages. But, patterns and mechanisms of sensitivity and robustness are not yet well understood, largely due to a lack of long‐term measurements of climate and vegetation. Fortunately, observations are sometimes available across a broad spatial extent. We develop a novel statistical model for a multivariate response based on unknown cluster‐specific effects and covariances, where cluster labels correspond to sensitivity and robustness. Our approach utilizes a prototype model for cluster membership that offers flexibility while enforcing smoothness in cluster probabilities across sites with similar characteristics. We demonstrate our approach with an application to vegetation abundance in Alaska, USA, in which we leverage the broad spatial extent of the study area as a proxy for unrecorded historical observations. In the context of the application, our approach yields interpretable site‐level cluster labels associated with assemblage‐level sensitivity and robustness without requiring strong a priori assumptions about the drivers of climate sensitivity.
A Bayesian nonparametric approach for inferring drug combination effects on mental health in people with HIV
Authors: Jin Wei , Ni Yang , Rubin Leah H. , Spence Amanda B. , Xu Yanxun
Published: June 2021

Although combination antiretroviral therapy (ART) with three or more drugs is highly effective in suppressing viral load for people with HIV (human immunodeficiency virus), many ART agents may exacerbate mental health‐related adverse effects including depression. Therefore, understanding the effects of combination ART on mental health can help clinicians personalize medicine with less adverse effects to avoid undesirable health outcomes. The emergence of electronic health records offers researchers' unprecedented access to HIV data including individuals' mental health records, drug prescriptions, and clinical information over time. However, modeling such data is challenging due to high dimensionality of the drug combination space, the individual heterogeneity, and sparseness of the observed drug combinations. To address these challenges, we develop a Bayesian nonparametric approach to learn drug combination effect on mental health in people with HIV adjusting for sociodemographic, behavioral, and clinical factors. The proposed method is built upon the subset‐tree kernel that represents drug combinations in a way that synthesizes known regimen structure into a single mathematical representation. It also utilizes a distance‐dependent Chinese restaurant process to cluster heterogeneous populations while considering individuals' treatment histories. We evaluate the proposed approach through simulation studies, and apply the method to a dataset from the Women's Interagency HIV Study, showing the clinical utility of our model in guiding clinicians to prescribe informed and effective personalized treatment based on individuals' treatment histories and clinical characteristics.
The nonsmokers’ and smokers’ pathways in lung adenocarcinoma: Histological progression and molecular bases
Authors: Okudela Koji , Matsumura Mai , Arai Hiromasa , Woo Tetsukan
Published: June 2021

There could be two carcinogenetic pathways for lung adenocarcinoma (LADC): the nonsmokers’ pathway and the smokers’ pathway. This review article describes the two pathways with special reference to potential relationships between histological subtypes, malignant grades, and driver mutations. The lung is composed of two different tissue units, the terminal respiratory unit (TRU) and the central airway compartment (CAC). In the nonsmokers’ pathway, LADCs develop from the TRU, and their histological appearances change from lepidic to micropapillary during the progression process. In the smokers’ pathway, LADCs develop from either the TRU or the CAC, and their histological appearances vary among cases in the middle of the progression process, but they are likely converged to acinar/solid at the end. On a molecular genetic level, the nonsmokers’ pathway is mostly driven by EGFR mutations, whereas in the smokers’ pathway, approximately one‐quarter of LADCs have KRAS mutations, but the other three‐quarters have no known driver mutations. p53 mutations are an important factor triggering the progression of both pathways, with unique molecular alterations associated with each, such as MUC21 expression and chromosome 12p13‐21 amplification in the nonsmokers’ pathway, and HNF4α expression and TTF1 mutations in the smokers’ pathway. However, investigation into the relationship between histological progression and genetic alterations is in its infancy. Tight cooperation between traditional histopathological examinations and recent molecular genetics can provide valuable insight to better understand the nature of LADCs.
Lack of GD3 synthase (St8sia1) attenuates malignant properties of gliomas in genetically engineered mouse model
Authors: Ohkawa Yuki , Zhang Pu , Momota Hiroyuki , Kato Akira , Hashimoto Noboru , Ohmi Yuhsuke , Bhuiyan Robiul H. , Farhana Yesmin , Natsume Atsushi , Wakabayashi Toshihiko , Furukawa Keiko , Furukawa Koichi
Published: June 2021

High expression of gangliosides GD3 and GD2 is observed in human gliomas. The functions of GD3 and GD2 in malignant properties have been reported in glioma cells in vitro, but those functions have not yet been investigated in vivo. In this study, we showed that deficiency of GD3 synthase (GD3S, St8sia1) attenuated glioma progression and clinical and pathological features in a platelet‐derived growth factor B‐driven murine glioma model. Lack of GD3S resulted in the prolonged lifespan of glioma‐bearing mice and low‐grade pathology in generated gliomas. Correspondingly, they showed reduced phosphorylation levels of Akt, Erks, and Src family kinases in glioma tissues. A DNA microarray study revealed marked alteration in the expression of various genes, particularly in MMP family genes, in GD3S‐deficient gliomas. Re‐expression of GD3S restored expression of MMP9 in primary‐cultured glioma cells. We also identified a transcription factor, Ap2α, expressed in parallel with GD3S expression, and showed that Ap2α was critical for the induction of MMP9 by transfection of its cDNA and luciferase reporter genes, and a ChIP assay. These findings suggest that GD3S enhances the progression of gliomas by enhancement of the Ap2α‐MMP9 axis. This is the first report to describe the tumor‐enhancing functions of GD3S in vivo.
Accuracy of computer‐assisted, template‐guided implant placement compared with conventional implant placement by hand—An in vitro study
Authors: Schneider David , Sax Caroline , Sancho‐Puchades Manuel , Hämmerle Christoph H.F. , Jung Ronald Ernst
Published: June 2021

Objectives

To compare free‐hand to computer‐assisted implant planning and placement (CAIPP) regarding planned to achieved implant position.

Material and methods

Forty‐eight cast/bone models were mounted in mannequin heads. On each side, a tooth gap of different sizes was created. In the test group (T), study implants were placed using a CAD‐CAM guide based on virtual planning. In the control (C), free‐hand implant placement was performed. After CBCT scanning, the implant position was compared with the planned position. Descriptive statistics were applied, and ANOVA was used to identify differences between groups and gaps. (p < .05).

Results

In C, mean lateral deviations at the implant base amounted to 0.7 mm (max. 1.8) (large gap) and 0.49 mm (1.22) (small gap). In T, 0.18 mm (0.49) and 0.24 mm (0.52) were recorded. At the apex, 0.77 mm (2.04) (large gap) and 0.51 mm (1.24) (small gap) were measured in C, and 0.31 mm (0.83)/0.34 mm (0.93) in T. Mean vertical deviations in C measured 0.46 mm (1.26) (large gap) and 0.45 mm (1.7) (small gap). In T, 0.14 mm (0.44) and 0.28 mm (0.78) were recorded. Mean angular deviations of 1.7° (3.2°) were observed in C (large gap) and 1.36° (2.1°) (small gap). In T, mean values were 1.57° (3.3°) and 1.32° (3.4°). Lateral and vertical deviations were significantly different between groups (not gaps), angular between gaps (not groups).

Conclusions

CAIPP protocols showed smaller deviations irrespective of the size of the tooth gap. In C, the gap size had an influence on the error in angulation only.
Calcification sign for prediction of benignity in pulmonary nodules: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Zhou Cheng , Liu Xiao‐Bei , Gan Xiao‐Jing , Li Xing
Published: June 2021

Background

The calcification sign assessed by computed tomography appears to be a potential marker for benignities among patients diagnosed with pulmonary nodules (PNs). The following meta‐analysis has been purposefully designed to figure‐out the diagnostic value of the calcification signature as a way of identifying benignities from PNs.

Methods

Cochrane Library, Embase and PubMed were considered as a reference to obtain the required data from January 2000 until October 2020. Stata v12.0 was used as a standard tool for statistical assessment.

Results

Eleven retrospective studies were assessed via this meta‐analysis, which included 6136 PNs (1827 benign and 4309 malignant). The pooled diagnostic odd ratios, positive likelihood ratio (PLR), negative likelihood ratio (NLR), sensitivity and specificity were 6.79, 6.06, 0.89, 13% and 98%, respectively. The value obtained for the area under the curve was 0.65, showing moderate overall diagnostic accuracy. A significant heterogeneity was found while calculating the pooled sensitivity (I2 = 85.5%), specificity (I2 = 75.0%), PLR (I2 = 59.0%), NLR (I2 = 79.5%) and DOR (I2 = 100.0%) in the current analysis. Sub‐group analyses presented better PLR and specificity values for the study with a sample size ≥ 400. Deeks’ funnel plot asymmetry test detected no potential evidence of significant publication bias (p = 0.091).

Conclusions

Calcification signs have been identified as moderate regulators corresponding to overall diagnostic performance (via marking a distinct differentiation between malignant and benign) for PNs. However, the manifestation of the calcification sign had a good directive property for benign PNs.
Habitat covariates do not artificially cause a negative correlation between native and non‐native species richness
Authors: Beaury Evelyn M. , Finn John T. , Corbin Jeffrey D. , Bradley Bethany A.
Published: June 2021

When analyzing biotic resistance/diversity‐invasibility, including predictors of species richness may result in a false negative correlation between native and non‐native richness. However, reanalysis of vegetation surveys shows that the negative effect of native richness is statistically significant whether or not predictors of species richness are included.
Super bowl participation and the local economy: Evidence from the stock market
Authors: Du Rui , Zhang Junfu
Published: June 2021

This paper assesses the impact of a home team's participation in a major sporting event—the Super Bowl—on the local economy. Our identification strategy is to compare the winning and losing cities of the National Football League (NFL) conference championship games under the assumption of similar pre‐trends. We use the stock market performance of public companies headquartered in these cities to capture the changing prospects of local economies attributable to Super Bowl participation. The exogenous variation in football game outcomes allows for a straightforward difference‐in‐differences approach to identify the causal effect. We show that the post‐event trends in winning and losing cities diverge despite their similar trends before the end of the regular season. Our empirical results indicate that winning the NFL conference championship game, thus the opportunity to compete in the Super Bowl, has a positive, significant effect on the local economy, particularly the manufacturing and FIRE (finance, insurance, and real estate) sectors. A similar analysis of winning the Super Bowl, however, finds no further significant effect on the local economy.
Half the V by 120: A practical approach to the prevention of the dialysis disequilibrium syndrome
Authors: Genena Kareem H. , Ahmed Shahbaz , Szerlip Harold M. , Schwartz John C.
Published: June 2021

The dialysis disequilibrium syndrome (DDS) results from osmotic shifts between the blood and the brain compartments. Patients at risk for DDS include those with very elevated blood urea nitrogen, concomitant hypernatremia, metabolic acidosis, and low total body water volumes. By understanding the underlying pathophysiology and applying urea kinetic modeling, it is possible to avoid the occurrence of this disorder. A urea reduction ratio (URR) of no more than 40%–45% over 2 h is recommended for the initial hemodialysis treatment. The relationship between the URR and Kt/V is useful when trying to model the dialysis treatment to a specific URR target. A simplified relationship between Kt/V and URR is provided by the equation: Kt/V = −ln (1 − URR). A URR of 40% is roughly equivalent to a Kt/V of 0.5. The required dialyzer urea clearance to achieve this goal URR in a 120‐min treatment can simply be calculated by dividing half the patient's volume of distribution of urea by 120. The blood flow rate and dialyzer mass transfer coefficient (K0A) required to achieve this clearance can then be plotted on a nomogram. Other methods to reduce the risk of DDS are reviewed, including the use of continuous renal replacement therapy.
Embryonic vocalizations mediate parental care in Masked Lapwings (Vanellus miles) but not Red‐capped Plovers (Charadrius ruficapillus)
Authors: Kostoglou Kristal N. , van Dongen Wouter F. D. , Weston Michael A.
Published: June 2021

Embryonic vocalizations in birds may enable communication between embryos and incubating parents but responses of parents to embryonic vocalizations have not been measured experimentally. In two ground‐nesting shorebirds, we compare parental care of eggs without embryonic vocalizations, those with natural embryonic vocalizations, and those in which we experimentally introduced embryonic vocalizations, while accounting for prevailing temperatures. We continuously recorded nests (one block of up to 24 h per nest) of two ground‐nesting shorebirds, the Red‐capped Plover Charadrius ruficapillus and Masked Lapwing Vanellus miles and quantified parental behaviours. We predict an increase in egg thermoregulation behaviours (time spent incubating or shading) and ‘fussing’ (a combination of rising and re‐settling, shuffling, orientation change and egg turning) when vocalizations were naturally present or when they were experimentally introduced in comparison to when no vocalizations were present (control). In Lapwings, the rate of fussing increased at the nest only when natural vocalizations were present; however, preening increased when natural or introduced vocalizations were present. Additionally, the frequency of bill to egg touches (inspections) increased only in the presence of introduced vocalizations. For Plovers, treatment had no influence on parental behavioural; however, the frequency of fussing, bill to egg touches and shell tossing increased with air temperature. For both species, there was no influence of the presence of the embryo’s vocalizations (natural or introduced) on the parent’s egg thermoregulation behaviours. Our results highlight that acoustic communication across the eggshell may occur and can influence parental care in shorebirds, but this appears to be species‐specific.
ATP/IL‐33‐triggered hyperactivation of mast cells results in an amplified production of pro‐inflammatory cytokines and eicosanoids
Authors: Jordan Paul M. , Andreas Nico , Groth Marco , Wegner Philine , Weber Franziska , Jäger Ute , Küchler Claudia , Werz Oliver , Serfling Edgar , Kamradt Thomas , Dudeck Anne , Drube Sebastian
Published: June 2021

IL‐33 and ATP are alarmins, which are released upon damage of cellular barriers or are actively secreted upon cell stress. Due to high‐density expression of the IL‐33 receptor T1/ST2 (IL‐33R), and the ATP receptor P2X7, mast cells (MCs) are one of the first highly sensitive sentinels recognizing released IL‐33 or ATP in damaged peripheral tissues. Whereas IL‐33 induces the MyD88‐dependent activation of the TAK1‐IKK2‐NF‐κB signalling, ATP induces the Ca2+‐dependent activation of NFAT. Thereby, each signal alone only induces a moderate production of pro‐inflammatory cytokines and lipid mediators (LMs). However, MCs, which simultaneously sense (co‐sensing) IL‐33 and ATP, display an enhanced and prolonged activation of the TAK1‐IKK2‐NF‐κB signalling pathway. This resulted in a massive production of pro‐inflammatory cytokines such as IL‐2, IL‐4, IL‐6 and GM‐CSF as well as of arachidonic acid‐derived cyclooxygenase (COX)‐mediated pro‐inflammatory prostaglandins (PGs) and thromboxanes (TXs), hallmarks of strong MC activation. Collectively, these data show that co‐sensing of ATP and IL‐33 results in hyperactivation of MCs, which resembles to MC activation induced by IgE‐mediated crosslinking of the FcεRI. Therefore, the IL‐33/IL‐33R and/or the ATP/P2X7 signalling axis are attractive targets for therapeutical intervention of diseases associated with the loss of integrity of cellular barriers such as allergic and infectious respiratory reactions.