bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Detecting cell type from single cell RNA sequencing based on deep bi-stochastic graph regularized matrix factorization
Authors: Lan Wei , Chen Jianwei , Chen Qingfeng , Liu Jin , Wang Jianxin , Chen Yi-Ping Phoebe
Published: May 2022

The application of fruitful achievement of single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq) technology has generated huge amount of gene transcriptome data. It has provided a whole new perspective to analyze the transcriptome at single-cell level. Cluster analysis of scRNA-seq is an efficient approach to reveal unknown heterogeneity and functional diversity of cell populations, which could further assist researchers to explore pathogenesis and biomarkers of diseases. In this paper, we propose a new cluster method (DSINMF) based on deep matrix factorization to detect cell type in the scRNA-seq data. In our method, the feature selection is used to reduce redundant features. Then, the imputation method is utilized to impute dropout events. Further, the dimension reduction is utilized to reduce the impact of noise. Finally, the deep matrix factorization with bi-stochastic graph regularization is employed to cluster scRNA-seq data. To evaluate the performance of DSINMF, eight datasets are used as test sets in the experiment. The experimental results show DSINMF outperformances than other state-of-the-art methods in clustering performance.
Quantifying Visual Acuity for Pre-Clinical Testing of Visual Prostheses
Authors: Spencer Martin , Kameneva Tatiana , Grayden David B. , Burkitt Anthony N. , Meffin Hamish
Published: May 2022

Visual prostheses currently restore only limited vision. More research and pre-clinical work are required to improve the devices and stimulation strategies that are used to induce neural activity that results in visual perception. Evaluation of candidate strategies and devices requires an objective way to convert measured and modelled patterns of neural activity into a quantitative measure of visual acuity.

This study presents an approach that compares evoked patterns of neural activation with target and reference patterns. A d-prime measure of discriminability determines whether the evoked neural activation pattern is sufficient to discriminate between the target and reference patterns and thus provide a quantified level of visual perception in the clinical Snellen and MAR scales. The measure was accurate in providing an estimate of the perceivable feature sizes in scaled standardized “C” and “E” optotypes.

The approach was used to assess the visual acuity provided by two alternative stimulation strategies applied to simulated retinal implants with different phosphene sizes and electrode pitch configurations. It was found that when there is substantial overlap in neural activity generated by different electrodes, an estimate of acuity based only upon electrode pitch is incorrect; our proposed method gives an accurate result in these circumstances.

Quantification of visual acuity using this approach in pre-clinical development will allow for more rapid and accurate prototyping of improved devices and neural stimulation strategies.
TOB is an effector of the hippocampus-mediated acute stress response
Authors: Youssef Mohieldin , Hamada Hiro Taiyo , Lai Esther Suk King , Kiyama Yuji , Eltabbal Mohamed , Kiyonari Hiroshi , Nakano Kohei , Kuhn Bernd , Yamamoto Tadashi
Published: May 2022

Stress affects behavior and involves critical dynamic changes at multiple levels ranging from molecular pathways to neural circuits and behavior. Abnormalities at any of these levels lead to decreased stress resilience and pathological behavior. However, temporal modulation of molecular pathways underlying stress response remains poorly understood. Transducer of ErbB2.1, known as TOB, (TOB1) is involved in different physiological functions, including cellular stress and immediate response to stimulation. In this study, we investigated the role of TOB in the brain’s stress machinery at molecular, neural circuit, and behavioral levels. Interestingly, TOB protein levels increased after mice were exposed to acute stress. At the neural circuit level, functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) suggested that intra-hippocampal and hippocampal-prefrontal connectivity were dysregulated in Tob knockout (Tob-KO) mice. Electrophysiological recordings in hippocampal slices showed increased postsynaptic AMPAR-mediated neurotransmission, accompanied by decreased GABA neurotransmission and subsequently altered Excitatory/Inhibitory balance after Tob deletion. At the behavioral level, Tob-KO mice show abnormal, hippocampus-dependent, contextual fear conditioning and extinction, and depression-like behaviors. On the other hand, increased anxiety observed in Tob-KO mice is hippocampus-independent. At the molecular level, we observed decreased stress-induced LCN2 expression and ERK phosphorylation, as well as increased MKP-1 expression. This study suggests that TOB serves as an important modulator in hippocampal stress signaling machinery. In summary, we show a molecular pathway and neural circuit mechanism by which TOB deletion contributes to expression of pathological stress-related behavior.
3D-multiple immunoimaging using whole male organs in rice
Authors: Araki Saori , Tamotsu Hinako , Komiya Reina
Published: May 2022

The spatiotemporal regulation of proteins and RNAs is essential for the precise development of reproductive tissues in many organisms. The anther, a significant part of the male reproductive organ in plants, contains the somatic cell layers named the anther wall and germ cells located inside. The cell-to-cell communication between the soma and germ cells in the development of male and female tissues is reported, although the mechanism remains unknown in plants. Here, we successfully developed a simple 3D-organ-immunoimaging technique, which distinguishes each single cell from the four somatic cell layers and germ cells without the need for transformation, embedding, sectioning, or clearing in rice. The 3D-immunostaining method is also applicable to the intracellular localization of meiosis-specific proteins in meiocytes—namely MEL1, a germ cell-specific Argonaute in the cytoplasm, and ZEP1, a pachytene marker on meiotic chromosomes. Our study suggests that the 3D-multiple immunostaining method with single-cell and intracellular resolution will contribute to the organ-level elucidation of comprehensive molecular mechanisms and non-cell-autonomous systems.
Actin limits egg aneuploidies associated with female reproductive aging
Authors: Dunkley Sam , Mogessie Binyam
Published: May 2022

Aging-related centromeric cohesion loss underlies premature separation of sister chromatids (PSSC) and egg aneuploidy in reproductively older females. Here we show that F-actin maintains chromatid association after cohesion deterioration in aged eggs. F-actin disruption in aged mouse eggs exacerbated PSSC, while its removal in young eggs induced extensive chromatid separation events generally only seen in advanced reproductive ages. In young eggs containing experimentally reduced cohesion, F-actin removal accelerated PSSC in a microtubule dynamics-dependent manner, suggesting that actin counteracts chromatid-pulling spindle forces. Consistently, F-actin stabilization restricted PSSC even when cohesion was acutely depleted by targeted protein degradation. We conclude that actin mitigates PSSCs arising from age-related cohesion depletion by limiting microtubule-driven chromatid separation. This is supported by a spindle-specific disruption of F-actin in aged mammalian eggs.

One-Sentence Summary

Actin counteracts microtubule-based pulling forces to reduce the effects of chromosome cohesion loss in aged mammalian eggs.
Raw diffraction data are our ground truth from which all subsequent workflows develop
Authors: Helliwell John R.
Published: May 2022

Defining best practice in science is challenging. International consensus is facilitated by the International Science Council via its members such as the International Union of Crystallography (IUCr). The crystallographic community has many decades of tradition linking articles with the underpinning data, and is admired across all sciences accordingly. Crystallography has always been at the forefront of harnessing new technology in the service of consensus. Technology has provided new vast data-archiving opportunities, allowing the preservation of raw diffraction data, along with article and database depositions of a model's coordinates and associated structure factors. The raw diffraction data, which can now be preserved, are the ground truth from which all subsequent workflows develop. Journal editorial boards provide a practical forum for setting the criteria to decide if a study's files are truly the version of record. Within that, reality involves a variance of reasonable workflows. But what is a reasonable variance? Workflows must be detailed carefully by authors in explaining what they have done. There is a great, and increasing, diversity of macromolecular crystallography analyses, and yet an increased constraint on how much can be written in an article about the workflow used. Raw data provide the ultimate reproducibility evidence. A part of reproducibility and replicability is using an agreed vocabulary; the meaning of words such as precision and accuracy and, more recently, the confidence of a protein structure prediction should feature in approaching `truth'.
Mitigation themes in supply chain research during the COVID-19 pandemic: a systematic literature review
Authors: Qrunfleh Sufian , Vivek Shiri , Merz Russ , Mathivathanan Deepak
Published: May 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to understand the themes and direction of supply chain mitigation and resilience research during the COVID-19 pandemic by conducting a systematic literature review (SLR) of supply chain mitigation literature since pandemic.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses the Web of Science (WoS) Database to analyze the contribution in supply chain mitigation literature by authors, themes in supply chain mitigation and the citing articles. An investigation based on bibliometric approach for the SLR represents the bibliographic data of over 530 publications between the years 2020–2021. Additionally, the article also develops graphical visualizations of the bibliographic data analyzed using the R-program Bibliometrix to ascertain the top sources, authors, keywords and conceptual themes.

Findings

Most strategies in the existing literature focused on reactive approaches to supply chain disruption and current mitigation literature has not evolved in parallel to the changing macro environment leaving a wide gap in considering vaccines as a supply chain mitigation strategy. Hence, this study identifies the potential need to focus on building proactive supply chain mitigation strategies preferably by studying the role of vaccines in mitigating supply chains.

Practical implications

This article helps the reader to understand the scientific research in terms of contributions in supply chain mitigation research since pandemic. Though, the time frame considered limits the connection the findings to previous work on supply chain disruptions and mitigation, it offers an understanding of the various mitigation themes evolved in light of mitigating the supply chain disruptions as one caused by the current pandemic. Further, this research helps us understand how businesses can help reduce the social consequences by preventing the disruptions and helping life normalize during this ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Originality/value

This is the first of its kind contribution offering a SLR of supply chain mitigation strategies during the COVID-19 pandemic identifying the focal themes in current literature and establishing the need for future venues of research studying the role of vaccines in supply chain mitigation strategies.
Dynamic incentives for inhibiting private sectors' opportunistic effort diversion in infrastructure PPP projects: an optimal control perspective
Authors: Wang Dan-Yi , Wang Xueqing
Published: May 2022

Purpose

An optimal control model is built considering the private sector's opportunistic effort diversion and reciprocal effort improvement, while a numerical study is conducted to draw some managerial implications.

Design/methodology/approach

In infrastructure PPP projects, private sectors may opportunistically divert part of their effort from the current projects to other projects to allocate their limited human resources. Nevertheless, this effort diversion can be inhibited by dynamic incentives since the private sectors reciprocally exert greater effort into the current projects when receiving the dynamic incentives. This article investigates how the government specifies the output standard that the private sector should meet and offers dynamic incentives to mitigate the private sector's opportunistic effort diversion.

Findings

The output standard for the private sector to acquire the dynamic incentives should be specified as the output level corresponding to the private sector's optimal long-run stationary equilibrium (OLSE) effort level, which decreases with its reciprocal preference level but increases with its effort-diverting level. The optimal dynamic incentives comprise an initial incentive and a periodic OLSE incentive, which declines with the reciprocal preference level but improves with the effort-diverting level. Besides, the numerical study reveals that the government should distinguish whether the bidders have high effort-diverting levels and, if so, should focus on their reciprocal preference levels and decline the bidders with low reciprocal preference to avoid utility loss.

Originality/value

This article provides a theoretical model combining opportunistic behavior with reciprocal preference through an optimal control lens, thus embedding the problem of incentive design into a broader socioeconomic framework.
Help, I am not coping with my job! – A work-life balance strategy for the Eswatini construction industry
Authors: Aghimien Douglas , Aigbavboa Clinton Ohis , Thwala Wellington Didibhuku , Chileshe Nicholas , Dlamini Bhekinkosi Jabulani
Published: May 2022

Purpose

This paper presents the findings of assessing the strategies required for improved work-life balance (WLB) of construction workers in Eswatini. This was done to improve the work-life relationship of construction workers and, in turn, improve the service delivery of the construction industry in the country.

Design/methodology/approach

The study adopted a quantitative research approach using a questionnaire administered to construction professionals in the country. The data gathered were analysed using frequency, percentage, Mann–Whitney U test, exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA).

Findings

The findings revealed that the level of implementation of WLB initiatives in the Eswatini construction industry is still low. Following the attaining of several model fitness, the study found that the key strategies needed for effective WLB can be classified into four significant components, namely: (1) leave, (2) health and wellness, (3) work flexibility, and; (4) days off/shared work.

Practical implications

The findings offer valuable benefits to construction participants as the adoption of the identified critical strategies can lead to the fulfilment of WLB of the construction workforce and by extension, the construction industry can benefit from better job performance.

Originality/value

This study is the first to assess the strategies needed for improved WLB of construction workers in Eswatini. Furthermore, the study offers a theoretical platform for future discourse on WLB in Eswatini, a country that has not gained significant attention in past WLB literature.
A comparative review of hospitality and tourism innovation research in academic and trade journals
Authors: Cao Anqi , Shi Fangfang , Bai Billy
Published: May 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this review paper is to identify the themes of hospitality and tourism innovation research published in academic and trade journals between 2010 and 2020, to explore the common and different areas of interest between academia and the industry and to examine the trends of innovation research themes during this period to suggest future research directions.

Design/methodology/approach

The EBSCO Hospitality and Tourism Index was used as the data source. Co-word analysis was conducted via the Leximancer software to identify key areas of interest in hospitality and tourism innovation. Trends in hospitality and tourism innovation over the ten-year period were revealed by a time-dimension analysis.

Findings

This study produced a conceptual map demonstrating focal points and trends in hospitality and tourism innovation. Trade journals were found to be dominated by product innovation driven by technological development, while academic journals covered more topics, such as employee innovation, sustainable innovation, leadership innovation and user generated content (UGC). Academia was shown to follow in the footsteps of industry in publication on several topics. Furthermore, academic interest in certain topics, such as hotel service innovation, UGC and social media, lasted several years.

Practical implications

This study can facilitate knowledge transfer between academia and the industry. It also provides directions for future research based on historical and comparative analysis.

Originality/value

This research extends the scope of existing review studies by including articles published by trade journals. It also adds a time dimension, which helps to unveil the evolution process of hospitality and tourism innovation research and practice.
The effect of enabling organizational control on employees’ affective commitment: evidence from French firms
Authors: Zeshan Muhammad , de La Villarmois Olivier , Rasool Shahid
Published: May 2022

Purpose

This paper aims to find out the impact of enabling organizational control on employee affective organizational commitment. Moreover, based on self-determination theory, this paper also explains the process through which this relationship works.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper has adopted an explanatory study using a cross-sectional design. Data was collected from the alumni of a business school in France using a survey strategy. Structural equation modeling has been used to validate the measure and to test the hypotheses.

Findings

The results of this study reveal that there is a positive relationship between enabling organizational controls and employee affective organizational commitment. Moreover, this study also shows that this relationship is mediated by the satisfaction of the need for autonomy.

Practical implications

This study serves as a guide for the management to achieve organizational goals as well as employees’ organizational commitment.

Originality/value

This study enriches the literature in the field of organizational theory by showing the positive effect of enabling organizational control on employees’ affective commitment.
IS capabilities, supply chain collaboration and quality performance in services: the moderating effect of environmental dynamism
Authors: Teng Teng , Tsinopoulos Christos , Tse Ying Kei
Published: May 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to explore the effects that information systems (IS) capabilities can have on supplier collaboration and customer collaboration and on quality performance in service contexts. In addition, the study examines how supply chain collaboration influences quality performance under various levels of environmental dynamism.

Design/methodology/approach

The conceptual model for this study is designed on the basis of the resource-based view (RBV) and dynamic capabilities view (DCV). A survey of 156 UK service firms was conducted and the data analyzed to test theoretical model using the structural equation modeling method. Furthermore, the moderating effect of environmental dynamism was investigated.

Findings

The results show that IS capabilities are positively associated with supply chain collaboration. Both supplier collaboration and customer collaboration are positively related to quality performance. Supplier collaboration has a positive effect on customer collaboration. Environmental dynamism significantly moderates the relationship between customer collaboration and quality performance, but no moderating effect on the relationship between supplier collaboration and quality performance.

Originality/value

This study takes a step toward quelling concerns about the business value of IS, contributing to the development and validation of the measurement of IS capabilities in the service supply chain context. The study deepens our understanding of supply chain collaboration by making a distinction between supplier collaboration and customer collaboration and investigating the correlation of supplier collaboration and customer collaboration. The findings extend the empirical application of RBV and DCV. In addition, this study’s findings direct service firms to develop IS capabilities that can enhance specific kinds of supply chain collaboration activities, thereby enabling improved quality performance.
The relationship between multicultural efficacy and culturally responsive classroom management self-efficacy
Authors: Taylor Shalise , Wendt Jillian
Published: May 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to determine if the components of multicultural efficacy (experience with diversity, attitude toward diversity, and efficacy) were predictors of culturally responsive classroom management self-efficacy (CRCMSE) among K-12 teachers.

Design/methodology/approach

Following a correlation design, survey data was collected from full-time classroom teachers working in a large public-school division in Virginia and analyzed using hierarchical multiple regression analysis.

Findings

The results indicated that experience with diversity and efficacy are significant predictors of CRCMSE. Attitude toward diversity was not a statistically significant predictor of CRCMSE.

Originality/value

The findings are noteworthy considering the increasing diversity among K-12 students in the U.S. and the need to better support students of color with culturally responsive practices.
Understanding the adoption of cryptocurrencies for financial transactions within a high-risk context
Authors: Dabbous Amal , Merhej Sayegh May , Aoun Barakat Karine
Published: May 2022

Purpose

Cryptocurrencies such as bitcoins represent a novel method of conducting financial transactions and exchanging money. However, their adoption by the general public remains low. Within countries facing financial distress and characterized by a high level of risk, cryptocurrency adoption might offer opportunities for countering crises. The purpose of this study is to explore the factors that influence individuals' adoption of cryptocurrencies for financial transactions within a high-risk context.

Design/methodology/approach

To do so, it presents a behavioral model, which is tested using data collected from a survey of 255 respondents residing in Lebanon. The causal relationships between the different factors and individuals' willingness to use cryptocurrencies were then analyzed through Structural Equation Modeling.

Findings

Findings show that financial technology awareness and social influence contribute to reducing perceived risk and increasing individuals' willingness to use cryptocurrencies, while individuals' risk aversion and the presence of regulatory support increase the perceived risk of cryptocurrencies.

Originality/value

The study is among the first to use a human-centered approach to understanding cryptocurrency adoption and takes place within a country that is facing a deep financial crisis. Its outcomes contribute to existing theories of cryptocurrency adoption and provide policymakers with insight into how adoption is unfolding namely in developing countries.
Higher education quality assurance in Uruguay: balance and perspective of a delayed policy
Authors: Martínez Larrechea Enrique , Chiancone Adriana
Published: May 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe and interpret the atypical case of Uruguay related to quality assurance, evaluation and accreditation of Higher Education in Uruguay.

Design/methodology/approach

To do so, a Higher Education conceptual framework is developed, focusing on quality assurance and formulating some “hypotheses” (conjectural ways of thinking within a qualitative tradition). The method to collect data includes the use of document observation, secondary information from official databases and interviews with an intentional sample of 10 experts and key informants. The analysis is developed through some conceptual dimensions emerging from the precedent sources (public policy and the role of the state, changes in the system of science, technology and innovation linked to Higher Education, the influence of the regional integration process and the weak public demand for quality assurance).

Findings

The paper also presents and discusses the atypical country’s experience regarding the lack of a national quality assurance policy and the structural dynamic of delaying main transformations by adopting graduate changes.

Research limitations/implications

The study analyzes the recent process of Higher Education policies oriented to quality assurance in the two decades and a half between 1996 and 2021, focusing especially on the recent years (2019–2020).

Practical implications

The findings indicate that the Higher Education system needs to update its structure and shape, withdrawing fragmentation and consolidating a national system able to promote quality. The paper offers some inputs to strategic planning and debate.

Social implications

Reforming Higher Education is key to change the social logic of High School, which still operates as a social selective mechanism, mainly oriented to the professional application rather than to knowledge production or management.

Originality/value

The paper contributes to the political and academic debate through some conceptual categories emerging from the study. The previous description of academic literature about Uruguay Higher Education quality assurance (QA) did not include either the new situation created by the approval of contradictory laws or the interpretation of this public policy arranged as a “structural dynamic of delay of the main transformations by adopting graduate and incremental changes”. Whether any originality could be found in the paper, it would be this way of interpreting the process of QA in Uruguay.
Do primary HR functions model work in emerging economies? Sustainable compact perspective for Bangladeshi RMG industry
Authors: Khan Md. Rahat , Roy Sanjoy Kumar
Published: May 2022

Purpose

The International Labour Organization’s (ILO) sustainable compact is evident for many labor-intensive industries in emerging economies. This study aims to develop a sustainable human resource (HR) practice model for a labor-intensive industry from the evidence of the Bangladeshi ready-made garments (RMG) sector.

Design/methodology/approach

The study tests the factors identified from the literature for model validation. A total of 22 HR function items were used in a survey of 800 randomly selected respondents from the RMG sector in Bangladesh. The factor analysis (both exploratory and confirmatory) techniques were applied to explore and validate the model.

Findings

The study findings reveal that the factory management and policymakers should focus on sustainable HR practices for the betterment of a labor-intensive industry. In detail, the staffing function involves strategic HR planning, recruitment and selection and perfect employee placement; training and development functions entail proper organizational orientation, various training and development programs and employees’ career management and growth; the motivation function necessitates job design, fairness in the appraisal, practicing good organizational citizenship behavior with sound rewarding system and compensation packages; and finally, the maintenance function entails healthy and safe working environment, good communication and relationship management.

Originality/value

The study is original in developing a sustainable HR practice model with the alignment of ILO’s three inter-linked sustainability compact for a labor-intensive industry from an emerging economy perspective. The study’s outcomes will be a torchbearer for any labor-intensive industry’s sustainable HR practice from an emerging economy across the globe.
Electronic health records using a resource advantage theory perspective: an interdisciplinary literature review
Authors: Malhan Amit , Manuj Ila , Pelton Lou , Pavur Robert
Published: May 2022

Purpose

Warren Buffett asserted that the greatest issue confronting American business and the economy is rising health-care costs, which have risen to 17% of gross domestic product. Public policymakers, health-care providers and other stakeholders grapple with cost-containment and increased health-care delivery efficiencies. There exists a paucity of theory-driven research addressing how information technologyvis-à-viselectronic health records (EHR) may supply a managerial mechanism for increasing bottom-line hospital performance, thereby attaining competitive advantage.

Design/methodology/approach

A systematic interdisciplinary literature review motivated by resource advantage theory (RAT) offers a conceptual foundation for analyzing the financial, informational and physical workflows that are core elements of supply chain management in a hospital.

Findings

RAT links how EHR impacts profitability, competitive advantage and macromarketing factors in hospital supply chains. The literature review provides a research synthesis of the implementation and adoption of EHR to reveal its impact on a hospital’s competitive advantage. Although legislative initiatives like the 2009 Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act and the Affordable Care Act encourage EHR adoption, there remains a reluctance for hospitals to do so.

Originality/value

The extant literature precedes the relevant legislation, has incomplete data or focuses solely on patient outcomes.
Is small beautiful? An empirical analysis of land characteristics and rural household income in Vietnam
Authors: Van Phan Phuc , O'Brien Martin
Published: May 2022

Small and fragmented farmland parcels are widely believed to be major impediments to agricultural activities. In this study, instrumental variables models are constructed to estimate the influence of the farm size and the number of farmland plots on household welfare proxied by income and the asset index in Vietnam. The study exploits the panel data of households collected from the Vietnam Access to Resources Household Survey (VARHS) every second year in the period 2008–2014, capturing cultural, political and socioeconomic dimensions of rural Vietnam. A positive relationship was found between farm size and household economic welfare proxied by household per capita income and a household asset index; however, this relationship was negative for the number of land plots. The main conclusion from our analysis is that household welfare would be aided by land policies towards increasing the size of farmland and decreasing land fragmentation. However, our findings also indicate that to be effective, these land policies should be complemented by rural education, effective community development and encouragement of non‐farm employment activities.
Gendered Capital and Litigants in EU Equality Case‐Law
Authors: Alexandris Polomarkakis Konstantinos
Published: May 2022

This article problematises the gendered dimension of litigation in EU equality case‐law. Relying on feminist readings of Bourdieu's concept of capital, it introduces the notion of gendered capital as an explanatory framework to illustrate and evaluate the distinct experiences between women and men litigants in the legal field. The article puts this framework to the test by undertaking a macro‐level mixed‐methods study of 352 preliminary references on EU non‐discrimination law, drawing on the Equality Law in Europe: A New Generation database. The findings confirm the plausibility of this framework, with gendered capital varying depending on the period when and the Member State where the case was lodged, as well as on the ground of discrimination raised. As a result, by looking at the role of litigants’ gender in EU equality case‐law, this article joins the emerging field of mixed‐methods studies offering novel insights into the effectiveness of judicial decision‐making.
Using potential variable to study gene–gene and gene–environment interaction effects with genetic model uncertainty
Authors: Hu Xiaonan , Meng Zhen
Published: May 2022

One of the critical issues in genetic association studies is to evaluate the risk of a disease associated with gene–gene or gene–environment interactions. The commonly employed procedures are derived by assigning a particular set of scores to genotypes. However, the underlying genetic models of inheritance are rarely known in practice. Misspecifying a genetic model may result in power loss. By using some potential genetic variables to separate the genotype coding and genetic model parameter, we construct a model‐embedded score test (MEST). Our test is free of assumption of gene–environment independence and allows for covariates in the model. An effective sequential optimization algorithm is developed. Extensive simulations show the proposed MEST is robust and powerful in most of scenarios. Finally, we apply the proposed method to rheumatoid arthritis data from the Genetic Analysis Workshop 16 to further investigate the potential interaction effects.
Does placental abruption cause neonatal anemia?
Authors: Bruinsma Marieke A. W. , de Boer Marjon A. , Prins Sandra , Abheiden Carolien N. H.
Published: May 2022

Introduction

Placental abruption can result in serious perinatal morbidity and mortality. However, it is not clear whether placental abruption could lead to neonatal anemia, as a direct relation has not been described yet. The objective of this study is to investigate whether there is a relation between occurrence of placental abruption and neonatal anemia.

Material and Methods

All women with a clinical diagnoses of placental abruption between January 2016 and April 2021 in Amsterdam UMC, from both the VU University Medical Center and Amsterdam Medical Center, were included. Demographic data and delivery outcomes were collected retrospectively using the medical files. The primary outcome was neonatal anemia, defined as hemoglobin levels less than the fifth percentile for gestational age.

Results

A total of 65 mothers and 65 neonates were included in our study. Average gestational age was 30 + 5 weeks. Mean hemoglobin level of the neonates at birth was 16.5 g/dl (10.2 mmol/L) with hemoglobin levels comparable to the reference curve. Two neonates (3.6%) were diagnosed with anemia based on their hemoglobin level at birth, and six (9.2%) neonates received a blood transfusion within 24 h after birth.

Conclusions

With this study, we found that the hemoglobin levels of the neonates born after placental abruption are comparable to the reference curve and do not show more neonates than expected below the fifth percentile for gestational age. It remains unclear whether there is fetal blood loss during a placental abruption but our results suggest that at least a big amount of fetal blood is not lost, since we did not found a large number of anemic neonates. Severe neonatal anemia in the case of placental abruption does not need to be expected.
Robust Functional Principal Component Analysis via a Functional Pairwise Spatial Sign Operator
Authors: Wang Guangxing , Liu Sisheng , Han Fang , Di Chong-Zhi
Published: May 2022

Functional principal component analysis (FPCA) has been widely used to capture major modes of variation and reduce dimensions in functional data analysis. However, standard FPCA based on the sample covariance estimator does not work well if the data exhibits heavy-tailedness or outliers. To address this challenge, a new robust FPCA approach based on a functional pairwise spatial sign (PASS) operator, termed PASS FPCA, is introduced. We propose robust estimation procedures for eigenfunctions and eigenvalues. Theoretical properties of the PASS operator are established, showing that it adopts the same eigenfunctions as the standard covariance operator and also allows recovering ratios between eigenvalues. We also extend the proposed procedure to handle functional data measured with noise. Compared to existing robust FPCA approaches, the proposed PASS FPCA requires weaker distributional assumptions to conserve the eigenspace of the covariance function. Specifically, existing work are often built upon a class of functional elliptical distributions, which requires inherently symmetry. In contrast, we introduce a class of distributions called the weakly functional coordinate symmetry (weakly FCS), which allows for severe asymmetry and is much more flexible than the functional elliptical distribution family. The robustness of the PASS FPCA is demonstrated via extensive simulation studies, especially its advantages in scenarios with nonelliptical distributions. The proposed method was motivated by and applied to analysis of accelerometry data from the Objective Physical Activity and Cardiovascular Health Study, a large-scale epidemiological study to investigate the relationship between objectively measured physical activity and cardiovascular health among older women.
Biophysiological stress markers relate differently to grit and school engagement among lower‐ and higher‐track secondary school students
Authors: Hoferichter Frances , Raufelder Diana
Published: May 2022

Background

This study examines the relationship between adolescents’ biophysiological stress (i.e. cortisol, alpha‐amylase and oxidative stress) and the development of grit and school engagement over one school year.

Aims

The study aims to identify how objective stress affects grit and three dimensions of school engagement. Based on the conservation of resources (COR) theory, the study considers lower‐ and higher‐track school students and their genders.

Sample

The sample consists of secondary school students (N = 82; MAge = 13.71; SD = 0.67; 48% girls) from Germany.

Methods

Students participated in a questionnaire and a biophysiological study in the first semester (t1) of the school year and completed the same questionnaire at the end of the school year (t2). After conducting whole‐sample analysis, a multi‐group cross‐lagged panel model was calculated to identify differences among students at lower‐ and higher‐track schools.

Results

Whole‐sample analysis reveals that students who exhibit high levels of cortisol report lower cognitive school engagement at t2, whereas students who exhibit high levels of alpha‐amylase exhibit less grit at t2. Additionally, lower‐track students who exhibited high cortisol levels reported lower cognitive and emotional school engagement throughout the school year. Furthermore, higher‐track students with high oxidative stress levels reported lower grit and behavioural school engagement at t2.

Conclusions

Examining the relationship between biophysiological stress markers and grit and school engagement of students at lower‐ and higher‐track schools indicates that the educational context and its specific subculture shapes physiological stress reactions, which are related differently to grit and engagement dimensions.
Incorporating AI and learning analytics to build trustworthy peer assessment systems
Authors: Darvishi Ali , Khosravi Hassan , Sadiq Shazia , Gašević Dragan
Published: May 2022

Peer assessment has been recognised as a sustainable and scalable assessment method that promotes higher‐order learning and provides students with fast and detailed feedback on their work. Despite these benefits, some common concerns and criticisms are associated with the use of peer assessments (eg, scarcity of high‐quality feedback from peer student‐assessors and lack of accuracy in assigning a grade to the assessee) that raise questions about their trustworthiness. Consequently, many instructors and educational institutions have been anxious about incorporating peer assessment into their teaching. This paper aims to contribute to the growing literature on how AI and learning analytics may be incorporated to address some of the common concerns associated with peer assessment systems, which in turn can increase their trustworthiness and adoption. In particular, we present and evaluate our AI‐assisted and analytical approaches that aim to (1) offer guidelines and assistance to student‐assessors during individual reviews to provide better feedback, (2) integrate probabilistic and text analysis inference models to improve the accuracy of the assigned grades, (3) develop feedback on reviews strategies that enable peer assessors to review the work of each other, and (4) employ a spot‐checking mechanism to assist instructors in optimally overseeing the peer assessment process.

Practitioner notes

What is already known about this topic

Engaging students in peer assessment has been demonstrated to have various benefits. However, there are some common concerns associated with employing peer assessment that raise questions about their trustworthiness as an assessment item.

What this paper adds

Methods and processes on how AI and learning analytics may be incorporated to address some of the common concerns associated with peer assessment systems, which in turn, can increase their trustworthiness and adoption.

Implications for practice

Presentation of a systematic approach for development, deployment and evaluation of AI and analytics approaches in peer assessment systems.
The influence of implant design on implant stability in low‐density bone under guided surgical template in inexperienced surgeons: A pilot randomized controlled clinical trial using resonance frequency analysis
Authors: Supachaiyakit Pinmuk , Serichetaphongse Pravej , Chengprapakorn Wareeratn
Published: May 2022

Introduction

There are several factors that greatly influence implant stability with implant design being a paramount factor; however, few studies investigate its impact.

Aim

To investigate the implant stability in relation to two different implant designs, a cylindrical shaped single‐threaded design (CS/ST) and a tapered shaped double‐threaded design (TS/DT) using resonance frequency analysis over the first 8 weeks after implantation.

Materials and Methods

Twenty‐eight implants were randomly allocated using computer‐generated random numbers into two groups and were placed as single tooth implant in the posterior arch in human jaw as specimens. iCAT™ CBCT scan (Hatfield, PA) was used to determine the bone density according to Misch's Bone classification. The osseotomy sites were prepared and implants were placed with guided surgical template by inexperienced surgeons which were prepared with the same implant planning software (3shape® implant studio). The implant stability was measured using the resonance frequency analysis Osstell® ISQ (Osstell AB, Sweden) on the implant level over the first 8 weeks at three different time intervals. A mean implant stability quotient (ISQ) value was recorded at each measurement time points. The first ISQ of each implant recorded at the time of implant placement were considered as baseline and were the so‐called primary stability.

Results

All 28 dental implants were analyzed. A similar pattern of implant stability changes was observed in both implant designs. A significant decreased was found at the first 4 weeks after implantation (p < 0.05) before ascending to maximum cumulative stability by the eighth week (p < 0.05). Between the two groups, TS/DT group had a higher mean ISQ values than that of the CS/ST group at all three observation periods but did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.69). Regarding different types of bone, TS/DT showed a significant difference in mean ISQ values in D4 bone. To date, all 28 implants are in function with no failure/and or complications.

Conclusions

The difference in implant design did not significantly influence the implant stability. TS/DT shows superiority over CS/ST when placed in D4 bone and offer a significant advantage due to their positive bounce back of the ISQ values by the eighth week after implant installation.

Clinical Trial Registration: TCTR20211020005.
Climate‐change vulnerability assessments of natural resources in U.S. National Parks
Authors: Michalak Julia L. , Lawler Joshua J. , Gross John E. , Agne Michelle C. , Emmet Robert L. , Hsu Hsin‐Wu , Griffey Vivian
Published: May 2022

Climate change poses significant challenges to protected area management globally. Anticipatory climate adaptation planning relies on vulnerability assessments that identify parks and resources at risk from climate change and associated vulnerability drivers. However, there is currently little understanding of where and how protected area assessments have been conducted and what assessment approaches best inform park management. To address this knowledge gap, we systematically evaluated climate‐change vulnerability assessments of natural resources in U.S. National Parks. We categorized the spatial scale, resources, methods, and handling of uncertainty for each assessment and mapped which parks have assessments and for what resources. We found that a few broad‐scale assessments provide baseline information—primarily regarding physical climate change exposure—for all parks and can support regional to national decisions. However, finer‐scale assessments are required to inform decisions for individual or small groups of parks. Only 10% of parks had park‐specific assessments describing key climate impacts and identifying priority resource vulnerabilities, and 37% lacked any regional or park‐specific assessments. We identify assessment approaches that match the scale and objectives of different protected area management decisions and recommend a multi‐scaled approach to implementing assessments to meet the information needs of a large, protected area network like the National Park system.
Influence of hepatic impairment on the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of the P2Y12 receptor antagonist selatogrel
Authors: Schilling Uta , Hsin Chih‐Hsuan , Delahaye Stephane , Krause Andreas , Wuelfrath Hauke , Halabi Atef , Dingemanse Jasper
Published: May 2022

Selatogrel is a potent and selective reversible P2Y12 receptor antagonist in development for early treatment of acute myocardial infarction via subcutaneous (s.c.) self‐injection. Selatogrel is almost exclusively eliminated via the hepatobiliary route. Hepatic impairment is associated with reduced drug clearance and primary hemostasis. This single‐center, open‐label study investigated the effect of mild and moderate hepatic impairment on pharmacokinetics (PK) and pharmacodynamics (PD) of a single s.c. dose of selatogrel (16 mg). The study included groups of eight subjects with mild and moderate hepatic impairment, and matched healthy control subjects. Compared to healthy subjects, exposure to selatogrel in subjects with mild and moderate hepatic impairment was 30% and 108% (maximum plasma concentration [Cmax]) and 47% and 212% (area under the concentration‐time curve from zero to infinity [AUC0–∞]) higher, respectively. Hepatic impairment was associated with lower clearance and volume of distribution, whereas plasma protein binding was not affected. Marked inhibition of platelet aggregation (IPA > 80%) was attained within 30 min in all subjects and hepatic impairment prolonged IPA duration. Area under the effect curve was 60% and 160% higher in subjects with mild and moderate hepatic impairment, respectively. PK/PD modeling identified a change in the relationship between exposure and IPA, with a steeper concentration‐effect relationship in healthy subjects compared to subjects with hepatic impairment. The combination of higher exposure and lower half‐maximum inhibitory concentration resulted in longer lasting effect. In conclusion, hepatic impairment alters the PK/PD relationship leading to prolonged effects. Therefore, dose adjustments may be warranted in subjects with moderate hepatic impairment.