bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Phage-antibiotic synergy: cell filamentation is a key driver of successful phage predation
Authors: Bulssico Julián , Papukashvili Irina , Espinosa Leon , Gandon Sylvain , Ansaldi Mireille
Published: November 2022

Phages are promising tools to fight antibiotic-resistant bacteria, and as for now, phage therapy is essentially performed in combination with antibiotics. Interestingly, combined treatments including phages and a wide range of antibiotics lead to an increased bacterial killing, a phenomenon called phage-antibiotic synergy (PAS), suggesting that antibiotic-induced changes in bacterial physiology alter the dynamics of phage propagation. Using single-phage and single-cell techniques, each step of the lytic cycle of phage HK620 was studied inE. colicultures treated with either ciprofloxacin or cephalexin, two filamentation-inducing antibiotics. In the presence of sublethal doses of antibiotics, multiple stress tolerance and DNA repair pathways are triggered following activation of the SOS response. One of the most notable effects is the inhibition of bacterial division. As a result, a significant fraction of cells forms filaments that stop dividing but have higher rates of mutagenesis. Antibiotic-induced filaments become easy targets for phages due to their enlarged surface areas, as demonstrated by fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry techniques. Adsorption, infection and lysis occur more often in filamentous cells compared to regular-sized bacteria. In addition, the reduction in bacterial numbers caused by impaired cell division may account for the faster elimination of bacteria during PAS. We developed a mathematical model to capture the interaction between sublethal doses of antibiotics and exposition to phages. This model shows that the induction of filamentation by sublethal doses of antibiotics can amplify the replication of phages and therefore yield PAS. We also use this model to study the consequences of PAS on the emergence of antibiotic resistance. A significant percentage of hyper-mutagenic filamentous bacteria are effectively killed by phages due to their increased susceptibility to infection. As a result, the addition of even a very low number of bacteriophages produced a strong reduction of the mutagenesis rate of the entire bacterial population. We confirm this prediction experimentally using reporters for bacterial DNA repair. Our work highlights the multiple benefits associated with the combination of sublethal doses of antibiotics with bacteriophages.
The direct interaction with transcriptional factor TEAD4 implied a straightforward regulation mechanism of tumor suppressor NF2
Authors: Hu Liqiao , Wu Mengying , He Lingli , Yuan Liang , Yang Lingling , Zhao Bin , Zhang Lei , He Xiaojing
Published: November 2022

As an output effecter of Hippo signaling pathway, the transcription factor TEAD and co-activator YAP play crucial functions in promoting cell proliferation and organ size. The tumor suppressor NF2 has been shown to activate LATS1/2 kinases and interplay with Hippo pathway to suppress YAP-TEAD complex. But, whether and how NF2 could directly regulate TEAD remains unknown. We identified a direct link and physical interaction between NF2 and TEAD4. NF2 interacted with TEAD4 through its FERM domain and the C-terminal tail, and decreased protein stability of TEAD4 independently of LATS1/2 and YAP. Furthermore, NF2 inhibited TEAD4 palmitoylation and retained the cytoplasmic translocation of TEAD4, resulting in ubiquitination and dysfunction of TEAD4. Moreover, the interaction with TEAD4 is required for NF2 function to suppress cell proliferation. These findings revealed a new role of NF2 as a binding partner and inhibitor of the transcription factor TEAD, and would shed light on an alternative mechanism of how NF2 functions as a tumor suppressor through the Hippo signaling cascade.
Structure and charge analysis of a cyclic aluminium hydride:cyclo-1,5-bis-μ-dimethylamino-3,7-di-μ-hydrido-2,4,6,8-tetrakis(dimethylaluminium)
Authors: Corfield Peter W. R. , Schrier Joshua
Published: November 2022

The title compound, [Al4(CH3)8(C2H7N)2H2], crystallizes as eight-membered rings with –(CH3)2Al–(CH3)2N–(CH3)2Al– moieties connected by single hydride bridges. In the X-ray structure, the ring has a chair conformation, with the hydride H atoms being close to the plane through the four Al atoms. An optimized structure was also calculated by all-electron density functional theory (DFT) methods, which agrees with the X-ray structure but gives a somewhat different geometry for the hydride bridge. Charges on the individual atoms were determined by valence shell occupancy refinements usingMoProand also by DFT calculations analyzed by several different methods. All methods agree in assigning a positive charge to the Al atoms, negative charges to the C, N, and hydride H atoms, and small positive charges to the methyl H atoms.
Structural insights into the effects of glycerol on ligand binding to cytochrome P450
Authors: Bukhdruker Sergey , Varaksa Tatsiana , Orekhov Philipp , Grabovec Irina , Marin Egor , Kapranov Ivan , Kovalev Kirill , Astashkin Roman , Kaluzhskiy Leonid , Ivanov Alexis , Mishin Alexey , Rogachev Andrey , Gordeliy Valentin , Gilep Andrei , Strushkevich Natallia , Borshchevskiy Valentin
Published: November 2022

New antitubercular drugs are vital due to the spread of resistant strains. Carbethoxyhexyl imidazole (CHImi) inhibits cytochrome P450 CYP124, which is a steroid-metabolizing enzyme that is important for the survival ofMycobacterium tuberculosisin macrophages. The available crystal structure of the CYP124–CHImi complex reveals two glycerol molecules in the active site. A 1.15 Å resolution crystal structure of the glycerol-free CYP124–CHimi complex reported here shows multiple conformations of CHImi and the CYP124 active site which were previously restricted by glycerol. Complementary molecular dynamics simulations show coherence of the ligand and enzyme conformations. Spectrophotometric titration confirmed the influence of glycerol on CHImi binding: the affinity decreases more than tenfold in glycerol-containing buffer. In addition, it also showed that glycerol has a similar effect on other azole and triazole CYP124 ligands. Together, these data show that glycerol may compromise structural–functional studies and impede rational drug-design campaigns.
A configuration taxonomy based on business process orientation: evidence from organizations in Indonesia
Authors: ER Mahendrawathi , Nurkasanah Ika , Pratama Annisa Rizki
Published: November 2022

Purpose

This study aims to develop a taxonomy of organizations according to business process orientation (BPO) maturity and investigate the difference between clusters in terms of performance outcome.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey of various organizations in Indonesia is conducted. The main variables are critical practices (CPs) as the measurement variables of BPO maturity and performance outcome. Cluster analysis is performed to obtain an empirical taxonomy of the organizations. ANOVA test is used to test if there are statistically different performance outcomes across different clusters.

Findings

Cluster analysis resulted in six archetypes labeled according to their characteristics: Beginners, Non-technical, Domestics, IT laggards, Excellers, and Champions. The ANOVA test results show that the archetypes with high CPs tend to have high perceived performance results.

Research limitations/implications

This study is limited because the authors use a single dataset from organizations in Indonesia. Further study involving more organizations will be beneficial to validate and enrich the taxonomy of organizational archetypes.

Practical implications

Results of the study can be used as a benchmarking tool by organizations to identify their positions against other organizations and set their areas for improvement. It can also help them identify a roadmap for improvement that will benefit their organization.

Originality/value

Using the CPs as a measure of BPO enables the authors to identify supplier orientation and information and technology (IT) implementation as the primary differentiators within the taxonomy. The use of IT differentiates the bottom, middle and top clusters.
Analysis of COVID-19 Gov PK app user reviews to determine online privacy concerns of Pakistani citizens
Authors: Yaqub Ussama , Saleem Tauqeer , Zaman Salma
Published: November 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the reaction of Pakistani citizens toward online privacy in the context of the Pakistan Government's COVID-19 app privacy breach.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors implemented supervised and unsupervised machine learning methods, that is, topic modeling and sentiment analysis on Google app store user review data.

Findings

There was no visible concern shown by the citizens toward the COVID-19 app privacy breach, even though it was well highlighted in the news. Other studies have also indicated that concern for online privacy remains low in developing countries, which aligns with the findings of this paper.

Originality/value

Globally COVID-19 apps have been a cause of concern in terms of public privacy. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this paper is the first in the Pakistani context to show the impact of a well-document privacy breach of a government COVID-19 app.
Discretionary impacts of the risk management committee attributes on firm performance: do board size matter?
Authors: Karim Sitara , Vigne Samuel A. , Lucey Brian M. , Naeem Muhammad Abubakr
Published: November 2022

Purpose

While there is an increased demand from various corporate stakeholders on the need for public companies to have risk management frameworks as well as a stand-alone risk management committee to mitigate risks and simultaneously improve performance, this study investigates the effects of the risk management committee attributes on firm performance, and the role of board size is highlighted on this relationship in Malaysian listed companies.

Design/methodology/approach

Both accounting- and market-based performance measures have been used for measuring performance. A dynamic model using the generalized method of moments (GMM) has been employed to control for potential endogeneity, simultaneity and unobserved heterogeneity.

Findings

The findings reveal that risk management committee attributes such as size, independence and meetings negatively affect book-based performance measures and positively affect market-based performance measures. Moreover, board size positively moderates the risk management committee attributes and performance relationship. The study embraces the predictions of agency theory and resource dependence theory.

Practical implications

The findings are practically significant for Bursa Malaysia, Securities Commission Malaysia to assess the compliance of the Corporate Governance Code (MCCG, 2017) and for academia to further explore significant relationships in other emerging economies.

Originality/value

The paper contributes to multiple aspects: first, it studies the impact of risk management committee attributes on firm performance; second, it investigates the moderating effect of board size on RMC–performance relationship; in the end, the study employs dynamic modeling for estimation process to avoid dynamic endogeneity considered a main econometric problem for CG–performance relationships.
Identification of corrosion formation in CORTEN steel using acousto-ultrasonic approach and deep learning
Authors: Barile Claudia , Casavola Caterina , Pappalettera Giovanni , Paramsamy Kannan Vimalathithan
Published: November 2022

Purpose

The acousto-ultrasonic approach is used for propagating stress waves through different configurations of CORTEN steel specimens. The propagated waves are recorded and analysed by piezoelectric sensors. The purpose of the study is to study the characteristics of the CORTEN steel by analysing the propagated waves.

Design/methodology/approach

To investigate the attenuation in acoustic wave propagation due to the corrosion formation in CORTEN steel specimens and to train a neural network model to classify the attenuated acoustic waves automatically.

Findings

Due to the corrosion formation in CORTEN steel specimens, attenuation is observed in amplitude, energy, counts and duration of the propagated waves. When the waves are analysed in their time-frequency characteristics, attenuation is observed in their frequency and spectral energy.

Originality/value

The corrosion formation in CORTEN steel can automatically be analysed by using the acousto-ultrasonic approach and the trained deep learning neural network.
Evaluating the effects of indoor air quality on teacher performance using artificial neural network
Authors: Alzahrani Hamdan , Arif Mohammed , Kaushik Amit Kant , Rana Muhammad Qasim , Aburas Hani M.
Published: November 2022

Purpose

A building's Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) has a direct impact on the health and productivity on its occupants. Understanding the effects of IAQ in educational buildings is essential in both the design and construction phases for decision-makers. The purpose of this paper is to outline the impact air quality has on occupants' performance, especially teachers and students in educational settings.

Design/methodology/approach

This study aims to evaluate the effects of IAQ on teachers' performances and to deliver air quality requirements to building information modelling-led school projects. The methodology of the research approach used a quasi-experiment through questionnaire surveys and physical measurements of indoor air parameters to associate correlation and deduction. A technical college building in Saudi Arabia was used for the case study. The study developed an artificial neural network (ANN) model to define and predict relationships between teachers' performance and IAQ.

Findings

This paper contains a detailed investigation into the impact of IAQ via direct parameters (relative humidity, ventilation rates and carbon dioxide) on teacher performance. Research findings indicated an optimal relative humidity with 65%, ranging between 650 to 750 ppm of CO2, and 0.4 m/s ventilation rate. This ratio is considered optimum for both comfort and performance

Originality/value

This paper focuses on teacher performance in Saudi Arabia and used ANN to define and predict the relationship between performance and IAQ. There are few studies that focus on teacher performance in Saudi Arabia and very few that use ANN in data analysis.
The coloration of polyester fabric with Prangos ferulacea natural dye: new approaches toward a cleaner production
Authors: Khajeh Mehrizi Mohammad , Jokar Mostafa , Shahi Zahra
Published: November 2022

Purpose

Natural colorants are believed to be safe because of their nontoxic, noncarcinogenic and biodegradable nature, and also, the demand for natural dyes is steadily increasing. This study aims to investigate the dyeing of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) fabrics under cold plasma and ultraviolet (UV) radiation conditions with Prangos ferulacea.

Design/methodology/approach

In the first, some PET fabrics were modified using UV radiation and some others by cold plasma (oxygen/argon), and then the dyeing of fabrics with the natural dye was done (100°C/130°C) without using metallic mordant. Dyeability (color strengths) of the treated samples, colorfastness to washing, light and rubbing, water absorption time, crease recovery angle, air permeability and mechanical behavior were investigated.

Findings

The maximum color strength (k/s = 4.87) was achieved for the fabric exposed to UV radiation for 2 h and then dyed with Prangos ferulacea at 130 °C. The results indicated that the dyed fabric showed acceptable colorfastness (very good–excellent) properties in washing and rubbing fastness except for colorfastness to light (moderate). The strength and the angle of crease recovery of treated and dyed samples have increased, while the time of water absorption and air permeability have decreased.

Originality/value

The surface modification of PET (UV radiation and plasma treatment) provides a new idea to improve the dyeability of PET with Prangos ferulacea natural dye without using metallic mordant.
Analyzing the champions league teams via decision models
Authors: Gökgöz Fazıl , Yalçın Engin
Published: November 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the performance of the Champions League teams using the entropy-integrated Multi Attribute Ideal-Real Comparative Analysis (MAIRCA) and super-slack-based data envelopment analysis for the 2012–2022 period.

Design/methodology/approach

This study consists of two sections. First, this study uses the entropy-integrated MAIRCA approach, which is a novel multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) technique developed by Gigović, to measure the performance of Champions League clubs. Second, this study proceeds with the super-slack-based DEA to evaluate the efficiency of the Champions League clubs.

Findings

As per the empirical results, Real Madrid is found to be the best-performing club over the past 10 years in terms of financial and sportive performance. Over the analyzed period, teams from the five Major Leagues of Europe perform better.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, performance measurement studies in football have focused on either DEA or MCDM. This study aims to present novelty for football literature by evaluating holistically both the sportive and financial dimensions. This paper also analyzes Champions League teams from the perspective of both MCDM and super-slack-based DEA methods.
Effects of anthropogenic disturbance on group densities of Thomas' langurs (Presbytis thomasi) within a lowland tropical forest, north Sumatra
Authors: Hankinson Emma , Korstjens Amanda H. , Hill Ross A. , Wich Serge A. , Slater Helen D. , Abdullah Abdullah , Supradi Supradi , Marsh Christopher D. , Nijman Vincent
Published: November 2022

Ecosystems around the globe are facing irreversible impacts due to climate change, habitat destruction, hunting, and an ever‐increasing human population. Estimating densities of species across their geographical range helps us to understand natural variation and anthropogenic effects on species densities and to assess the effectiveness of existing conservation measures. Various methods have been used to produce accurate and precise population density estimates, each with associated limitations. Acoustic surveys for species producing loud calls have become common due to their ease of use, low cost, and reduced timescale. Relative to many other mammal taxa, primate species have been studied extensively, producing a wealth of data on socioecology and behavior, but for most species, density estimates over large geographical ranges are still lacking. We used an acoustic spatial capture–recapture model to estimate group density of unhabituated Thomas' langurs (Presbytis thomasi), a primate endemic to the Indonesian island of Sumatra, over a 60 km2 area of lowland dipterocarp forest. We then assessed if vegetation structure and distance from human habitation affected density estimates. Estimates of group density differed almost threefold between survey locations (from 2.79 to 8.08 groups/km2); there was no clear relationship with forest structure, but there was a significantly positive relationship between group density and distance from human habitation, with an increase of 0.38 groups/km2 for every km of distance. Although large‐scale logging within the Sikundur region ceased ~30 years ago, the impacts of logging continue to have detrimental effects on the species within the area.
Does the diffusion of information and communication technologies affect the shadow economy in Africa?
Authors: Adalbert Abraham Ghislain Melingui Bate
Published: November 2022

This paper aims to analyze the effect of information and communication technology (ICT) diffusion on the shadow economic activities in Africa for the period from 2000 to 2015. To this end, we use a panel data model on a sample of 48 countries. The results obtained show that the diffusion of ICTs, especially mobile telephony and the Internet, negatively and significantly affect the size of the shadow economy in Africa. The level of education, capital stock, economic growth, and financial development also contribute to reducing the size of the informal economy in Africa. However, our results suggest that informal activities are motivated by the abundance of natural resources and migrant remittances. Robustness checks are done through the system generalized method of moments and a change in the measurement of the shadow economy confirms the validity of the results. We recommend to decision‐makers to implement public policies facilitating the access and the use of new telecommunications tools and services and to improve the institutional framework to encourage private economic agents to invest in formal activities.
Dancing at the end of the world? Psychoanalysis, climate change and joy
Authors: Dodds Joseph
Published: November 2022

This paper attempts to join the dots between psychoanalytic and post‐psychoanalytic perspectives in relation to climate change and the ecological crisis and to begin a discussion on the role of joy in sustaining ourselves in the face of the global catastrophe. There is a vital expanding psychoanalytic literature addressing itself to the environmental crisis but a striking absence on joy and what stands in its way. This paper explores what psychoanalysis has to offer in the context of planetary emergency and also asks psychoanalysis to look beyond itself and reimagine what it can be. Joy involves a simultaneous affirmation of both our uniqueness and our togetherness, not only as humans but with all forms of life and the web of life itself. If we were to allow ourselves to actually enjoy our lives, we just might fight harder against our extinction.
Indigenous Pedagogies in a Global World and Sustainable Futures
Authors: Carpena‐Méndez Fina , Virtanen Pirjo Kristiina , Williamson Karla Jessen
Published: November 2022

The relationship between Indigenous learning systems and sustainability pedagogies has not been sufficiently elaborated despite the recognition of Indigenous peoples as stewards of the world's biological, cultural and linguistic diversity. Indigenous pedagogies are intergenerational, relational, and land‐based. This special section addresses intergenerational efforts to regenerate local biocultural knowledge in settings that extend beyond the classroom and proposes that educators support these processes by cultivating relational learning through new sensory, perceptive, and affective capacities throughout life.
A clue to the etiology of disorders of sex development from identity‐by‐descent analysis in dogs with cryptic relatedness
Authors: Szydlowski Maciej
Published: November 2022

Disorders of sex development (DSDs) are discrepancies between sex chromosomes and phenotypical sex. Quite common forms of DSD in canine populations include testicular and ovotesticular XX DSDs with a normal set of sex chromosomes. The objective of this study was to identify genes and putative harmful variants for canine XX DSDs. I have reanalyzed data from the whole‐genome sequencing of 11 XX DSD French Bulldogs and six XX DSD American Staffordshire Terriers. Identity‐by‐descent analysis revealed cryptic relatedness in affected French Bulldogs. Causative genes were sought in chromosomal segments shared identical‐by‐descent by close relatives. In French Bulldogs, the reanalysis identified 19 regions of importance with a total length of just 65.9 Mb. Variant filtering within the regions implicated AKAP2, PIWIL1, POLR3A and SH2D4B as genes that may be involved in individual cases of testicular and ovotesticular XX DSD in French Bulldogs and American Staffordshire Terriers.
‘I could no longer cope at home’: Experiences of clients and families in residential aged care within the context of Australia's aged care reforms
Authors: Monro Cathy , Mackenzie Lynette , O'Loughlin Kate , Low Lee‐Fay , Du Toit Sanetta Henrietta Johanna
Published: November 2022

Objectives

Since 2012, Australia has been undertaking major aged care reforms, moving from a previously service provider‐focussed approach to a more consumer‐oriented policy direction. There is limited research examining consumer perspectives of residential care in the reform environment particularly with respect to both clients and their families. This study explores the lived experiences of clients and families in residential aged care facilities amid the reform implementation process.

Methods

Using a qualitative descriptive research methodology, individual interviews were conducted with clients and family members (n = 10) about their expectations and experiences of residential care. Participants were drawn from two not‐for‐profit aged care providers.

Results

Two broad themes emerged: (i) entering residential aged care and related issues, with subthemes including reasons for entering, decision‐making processes, choice of provider/facility and impact of entering care facilities; and (ii) expectations and experiences of care delivery, with subthemes including issues of staffing, service provision, communication and awareness of living in or through the reform environment. The discrepancy between the experiences of care delivered and expectations of initial and changing care needs being met was a major concern.

Conclusions

This study presents a snapshot of the expectations and experiences of both the client and the family cohorts in residential care under the reform conditions. Adequately addressing the relational and interpersonal elements of care delivery is critical in fulfilling the reforms' consumer‐oriented objectives.
Schooling in the University Town: The Racial Capitalist Foundations of Education
Authors: Serrano Carlos
Published: November 2022

This article focuses on how educational institutions are crucial sites for understanding how racial capitalism and anti‐Black violence are reproduced. Centring Chapel Hill, home of the University of North Carolina (UNC), and its neighbouring town of Carrboro as a university town built by racial capitalist and anti‐Black practices, I analyse how the university functions as a social reproductive force that structures the town and its local public education system. Building on my ethnographic research, Black studies literature, and Black geographic thought, I argue that the university partakes in the political, economic, and ideological restructuring of a community that enables hierarchical differences to be produced in schools in terms of how success is rooted with liberal notions of the individual and proximity to whiteness. Paying attention to these relationships challenges us to think about the need for the total eradication of oppression in all forms to truly have liberated educational spaces.
Epithelial lining fluid concentrations of ceftriaxone in children with community‐acquired pneumonia
Authors: Dong Yi‐Ning , Wang Ya‐Kun , Li Qian , Tang Bo‐Hao , van den Anker John , Hao Guo‐Xiang , Zheng Yi , Tian Li‐Yuan , You Dian‐Ping , Wu Yue‐E , Zhao Wei
Published: November 2022

Ceftriaxone is widely used in children with community‐acquired pneumonia. Currently, there are no available data regarding epithelial lining fluid (ELF) concentrations of ceftriaxone in children. Thus, blood and bronchoalveolar lavage fluids samples were collected by using an opportunistic sampling design, then we determined plasma and ELF concentrations in 22 children (0.5–11.7 years), with a total of 36 plasma and 22 ELF samples available for analysis. Ceftriaxone plasma and ELF concentrations ranged from 1.07 to 138.71 mg/L and from 0.61 to 26.69 mg/L, respectively. Ceftriaxone concentration in ELF was 12.18 ± 5.15 (mean ± standard deviation) times higher than that in plasma, ranging from 1.29 to 20.44.
The virtues of the exemplary moral leader. Lessons from Aristotle's ethics
Authors: Tholen Berry
Published: November 2022

Many contemporary theories on good leadership (e.g., ‘moral leadership’, ‘responsible leadership’, ‘authentic leadership’ or ‘transformational leadership’) emphasize the importance of intrinsic motivation in followers and of leading by example. This also involves a rejection of the use of power and manipulation as well as advocacy for virtues such as modesty and a concern for equality. By focusing on magnanimity (Aristotle's virtue of the great), we show that, contrary to what contemporary theories often claim, there are good reasons for exemplary leaders not to be modest, to point out their greatness in comparison with others, and to make use of external goods and incentives, particularly honor. This conceptual virtue ethical analysis results in specific lessons for the ethical manager who wants to lead by example and points to new questions for empirical research on the determinants of effective ethics management.
An Information Ratio-Based Goodness-of-Fit Test for Copula Models on Censored Data
Authors: Sun Tao , Cheng Yu , Ding Ying
Published: November 2022

Copula is a popular method for modeling the dependence among marginal distributions in multivariate censored data. As many copula models are available, it is essential to check if the chosen copula model fits the data well for analysis. Existing approaches to testing the fitness of copula models are mainly for complete or right-censored data. No formal goodness-of-fit (GOF) test exists for interval-censored or recurrent events data. We develop a general GOF test for copula-based survival models using the information ratio (IR) to address this research gap. It can be applied to any copula family with a parametric form, such as the frequently used Archimedean, Gaussian, and D-vine families. The test statistic is easy to calculate, and the test procedure is straightforward to implement. We establish the asymptotic properties of the test statistic. The simulation results show that the proposed test controls the type-I error well and achieves adequate power when the dependence strength is moderate to high. Finally, we apply our method to test various copula models in analyzing multiple real datasets. Our method consistently separates different copula models for all these datasets in terms of model fitness.
Can prior knowledge increase task complexity? – Cases in which higher prior knowledge leads to higher intrinsic cognitive load
Authors: Endres Tino , Lovell Oliver , Morkunas David , Rieß Werner , Renkl Alexander
Published: November 2022

Background & Aims

Cognitive load theory assumes that the higher the learner's prior knowledge (i.e., the more expert the learner), the lower the intrinsic cognitive load (complexity) experienced for a given problem. While this is the case in many scenarios, there can be cases in which the converse is also true, resulting in more expert learners reporting higher intrinsic cognitive load than novices for the same problem. This can occur in relation to problems involving complex systems (e.g., ecological systems), for which novices' problem representations may underestimate problem complexity and therefore report lower intrinsic load than experts. This finding is borne out in the current paper.

Samples, Methods & Results

In Study 1 with 118 participants from the Black Forest area in Germany, participants with higher levels of forestry and ecological expertise evaluated a problem relating to the restructuring of the Black Forest to adapt to climate change as more complex than did novices. In Study 2 (within‐subjects design, n = 66 primary‐school students), we conceptually replicated this finding in a domain more typical of cognitive load theory studies, mathematics. We found that higher prior knowledge also reduced the underestimation of the complexity of ‘tricky’, but frequently used, mathematics word problems.

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that cognitive load theory's assumptions about intrinsic load and prior knowledge should be refined, as there seems to exist a sub‐set of problem‐solving tasks for which the traditional relationship between prior knowledge and reported ICL is reversed.
Enabling national improvement in quality of care for renal colic
Authors: Finch William , Calvert Robert C. , Fowler Sarah , Hermans Louisa , Dickinson Andrew , Smith Daron
Published: November 2022

Objectives

To report the results of a clinical audit conducted by the British Association of Urological Surgeons (BAUS) of ureteric stone care pathways, with results reported with reference to national quality standards.

Patients and Methods

The BAUS conducted a clinical audit of all patients presenting as an emergency to 107 hospitals in England during November 2020 with ureteric stones. All patients were followed up until 31 March 2021 and the inpatient and outpatient management received was recorded.

Results

Data for 2192 patients across 117 units were submitted. The median (interquartile range [IQR]) number of patients per unit was 16 (9–27); 70% of patients were male and the median (IQR) patient age was 46 (34–59) years. Initial management was conservative treatment for 70% of patients. Overall, primary shockwave lithotripsy was performed in 34% of patients and primary ureteroscopy in 23% of cases when surgical intervention was required to treat the stone. However, 40% of patients in whom active intervention was appropriate underwent placement of a temporizing ureteric stent rather than undergo definitive surgical intervention at the outset. Female patients were less likely to have a computed tomography (CT) scan of the kidneys, ureters and bladder performed within 24 h of presentation (13% vs 7.3% for men [chi‐squared P = 0.01]) and to be given correct analgesia (66% vs 73% for men [chi‐squared P = 0.03]). Patients aged 60 years or older were also significantly less likely to be offered nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drug analgesia appropriately. In total, 87% of patients had their calcium measured within the last 2 years and 73% of patients had evidence of being offered stone prevention diet and fluid advice.

Conclusions

The audit demonstrates that the National Institute of Health and Care Excellence Quality Standards are both measurable and achievable. However, there was considerable variation in the delivery of these standards, including with regard to sex and age, highlighting inequalities for patient care across the UK.
Horizon scanning for potential invasive non‐native species across the United Kingdom Overseas Territories
Authors: Dawson Wayne , Peyton Jodey M. , Pescott Oliver L. , Adriaens Tim , Cottier‐Cook Elizabeth J. , Frohlich Danielle S. , Key Gillian , Malumphy Chris , Martinou Angeliki F. , Minchin Dan , Moore Niall , Rabitsch Wolfgang , Rorke Stephanie L. , Tricarico Elena , Turvey Katharine M. A. , Winfield Ian J. , Barnes David K. A. , Baum Diane , Bensusan Keith , Burton Frederic J. , Carr Peter , Convey Peter , Copeland Alison I. , Fa Darren A. , Fowler Liza , García‐Berthou Emili , Gonzalez Albert , González‐Moreno Pablo , Gray Alan , Griffiths Richard W. , Guillem Rhian , Guzman Antenor N. , Haakonsson Jane , Hughes Kevin A. , James Ross , Linares Leslie , Maczey Norbert , Mailer Stuart , Manco Bryan Naqqi , Martin Stephanie , Monaco Andrea , Moverley David G. , Rose‐Smyth Christine , Shanklin Jonathan , Stevens Natasha , Stewart Alan J. , Vaux Alexander G. C. , Warr Stephen J. , Werenkaut Victoria , Roy Helen E.
Published: November 2022

Invasive non‐native species (INNS) are recognized as a major threat to island biodiversity, ecosystems, and economies globally. Preventing high‐risk INNS from being introduced is the most cost‐effective way to avoid their adverse impacts. We applied a horizon scanning approach to identify potentially INNS in the United Kingdom Overseas Territories (OTs), ranging from Antarctica to the Caribbean, and from the Pacific to the Atlantic. High‐risk species were identified according to their potential for arrival, establishment, and likely impacts on biodiversity and ecosystem function, economies, and human health. Across OTs, 231 taxa were included on high‐risk lists. The highest ranking species were the Asian green mussel (Perna viridis), little fire ant (Wasmannia auropunctata), brown rat (Rattus norvegicus), and mesquite tree (Prosopis juliflora). Shipping containers were identified as the introduction pathway associated with the most species. The shared high‐risk species and pathways identified provide a guide for other remote islands and archipelagos to focus ongoing biosecurity and surveillance aimed at preventing future incursions.
T1 mapping and reduced field‐of‐view DWI at 3.0 T MRI for differentiation of thyroid papillary carcinoma from nodular goiter
Authors: Yuan Letian , Zhao Peng , Lin Xiangtao , Yu Tianyi , Diao Ruiyuan , Ning Guqing
Published: November 2022

Background

Reduced field‐of‐view diffusion‐weighted imaging (rFOV‐DWI) could be proved to quantitatively identify papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) and there is no literature regarding the use of T1 mapping to distinguish nodular goiter (NG) from PTC.

Purpose

To compare T1 mapping with rFOV‐DWI in differentiating NG and PTC.

Study Type

Prospective study.

Populations

Ninety‐five hospitalized patients with thyroid nodules were included in the research.

Sequence

All subjects underwent T1‐weighted imaging, T2‐weighted imaging, rFOV‐DWI and T1‐mapping sequences.

Assessment

The apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and T1 values of each thyroid nodule were measured, respectively. According to pathological results, the thyroid nodules were divided into two groups: Group 1 (NG) and Group 2 (PTC).

Statistical Tests

An independent sample t test was used to evaluate the differences of ADC and T1 between the two groups. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to analyze the diagnostic efficiency of T1, ADC, Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data System (TI‐RADS) and T1 and ADC.

Results

The T1 and ADC values of nodular goiter were both higher than those of PTC (p < 0.05). The area under the ROC curve (AUC) values of T1 and ADC were significantly higher than that of T1 or ADC alone (p < 0.05). The AUC value of T1 and ADC was as same as that of TI‐RADS.

Conclusion

The combination of T1 mapping and rFOV‐DWI could effectively differentiate NG from PTC. And it has at least the same diagnostic value as the ultrasound‐based TI‐RADS classification.
Granulomatous secondary syphilis: Another diagnostic pitfall for the dermatopathologist
Authors: Jin Annie , McLarney Brett D. , Hsu Sylvia , Lee Jason B.
Published: November 2022

Syphilis is growing ever more prevalent in the United States with its incidence rising every year. Dermatopathologists need to maintain a high index of suspicion to avoid delayed diagnosis of this treatable disease. Accordingly, it is imperative to be aware of its myriad of presentations—including secondary syphilis with granulomatous inflammation. Most cases show aggregations of epithelioid histiocytes associated with plasma cells. Other patterns include an interstitial granuloma‐annulare‐like pattern, sarcoidal, and tuberculoid pattern. Immunohistochemical stains for Treponema pallidum may be negative, especially in late secondary or tertiary syphilis. We present a case of nodular secondary syphilis with granulomatous inflammation with negative T. pallidum staining.
Two cases of challenging cutaneous lymphoid infiltrates presenting in the context of COVID‐19 vaccination: A reactive lymphomatoid papulosis‐like eruption and a bona fide lymphoma
Authors: Bresler Scott C. , Menge Tyler D. , Tejasvi Trilokraj , Carty Shannon A. , Hristov Alexandra C.
Published: November 2022

COVID‐19 infection and vaccination may be associated with a wide variety of cutaneous and immune manifestations. Here, we describe two patients who presented with monoclonal cutaneous T‐cell infiltrates that showed cytologic and immunophenotypic features concerning for lymphoma shortly following COVID‐19 vaccination. In one case, the eruption completely resolved. The second patient showed initial resolution, but her disease recurred and progressed following a breakthrough SARS‐CoV‐2 infection. These cases suggest that immune stimulation following exposure to SARS‐Cov‐2 protein(s) in vaccine or infection may facilitate the development of a lymphoma or lymphoproliferative disorder in susceptible individuals. Moreover, they show that separating these cases from pseudolymphomatous reactive conditions is often challenging and requires close clinical correlation.
Slow development of vocal sequences through ontogeny in wild chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes verus)
Authors: Bortolato Tatiana , Mundry Roger , Wittig Roman M. , Girard‐Buttoz Cédric , Crockford Catherine
Published: November 2022

The development of the unique, hierarchical, and endless combinatorial capacity in a human language requires neural maturation and learning through childhood. Compared with most non‐human primates, where combinatorial capacity seems limited, chimpanzees present a complex vocal system comprising hundreds of vocal sequences. We investigated how such a complex vocal system develops and the processes involved. We recorded 10,929 vocal utterances of 98 wild chimpanzees aged 0–55 years, from Taï National Park, Ivory Coast. We developed customized Generalized non‐Linear Models to estimate the ontogenetic trajectory of four structural components of vocal complexity: utterance length, diversity, probability of panting (requiring phonation across inhalation and exhalation), and probability of producing two adjacent panted units. We found chimpanzees need 10 years to reach adult levels of vocal complexity. In three variables, the steepest increase coincided with the age of first non‐kin social interactions (2–5 years), and plateaued in sub‐adults (8–10 years), as individuals integrate into adult social life. Producing two adjacent panted units may require more neuromuscular coordination of the articulators, as its emergence and steepest increase appear later in development. These results suggest prolonged maturational processes beyond those hitherto thought likely in species that do not learn their vocal repertoire. Our results suggest that multifaceted ontogenetic processes drive increases in vocal structural complexity in chimpanzees, particularly increases in social complexity and neuro‐muscular maturation. As humans live in a complex social world, empirical support for the “social complexity hypothesis” may have relevance for theories of language evolution.

Research Highlights

Chimpanzees need around 10 years to develop the vocal structural complexity present in the adult repertoire, way beyond the age of emergence of every single vocal unit.

Multifaceted ontogenetic processes may drive increases in vocal structural complexity in chimpanzees, particularly increases in social complexity and neuro‐muscular maturation.

Non‐linear increases in vocal complexity coincide with social developmental milestones.

Vocal sequences requiring rapid articulatory change emerge later than other vocal sequences, suggesting neuro‐muscular maturational processes continue through the juvenile years.
Anti‐neurochondrin antibody as a biomarker in primary autoimmune cerebellar ataxia—a case report and review of the literature
Authors: Schwarzwald Anina , Salmen Anke , León Betancourt Alejandro Xavier , Diem Lara , Hammer Helly , Radojewski Piotr , Rebsamen Michael , Kamber Nicole , Chan Andrew , Hoepner Robert , Friedli Christoph
Published: November 2022

Background and purpose

Neuronal autoantibodies can support the diagnosis of primary autoimmune cerebellar ataxia (PACA). Knowledge of PACA is still sparce. This article aims to highlight the relevance of anti‐neurochondrin antibodies and possible therapeutical consequences in people with PACA.

Methods

This is a case presentation and literature review of PACA associated with anti‐neurochondrin antibodies.

Results

A 33‐year‐old man noticed reduced control of the right leg in May 2020. During his first clinic appointment at our institution in September 2021, he complained about gait imbalance, fine motor disorders, tremor, intermittent diplopia and slurred speech. He presented a pancerebellar syndrome with stance, gait and limb ataxia, scanning speech and oculomotor dysfunction. Within 3 months the symptoms progressed. An initial cerebral magnetic resonance imaging, June 2020, was normal, but follow‐up imaging in October 2021 and July 2022 revealed marked cerebellar atrophy (29% volume loss). Cerebrospinal fluid analysis showed lymphocytic pleocytosis of 11 x 103/L (normal range 0–4) and oligoclonal bands type II. Anti‐neurochondrin antibodies (immunoglobulin G) were detected in serum (1:10,000) and cerebrospinal fluid (1:320, by cell‐based indirect immunofluorescence assay and immunoblot, analysed by the EUROIMMUN laboratory). After ruling out alternative causes and neoplasia, diagnosis of PACA was given and immunotherapy (steroids and cyclophosphamide) was started in January 2022. In March 2022 a stabilization of disease was observed.

Conclusion

Cerebellar ataxia associated with anti‐neurochondrin antibodies has only been described in 19 cases; however, the number of unrecognized PACAs may be higher. As anti‐neurochondrin antibodies target an intracellular antigen and exhibit a mainly cytotoxic T‐cell‐mediated pathogenesis, important therapeutic implications may result. Because of the severe and rapid clinical progression, aggressive immunotherapy was warranted. This case highlights the need for rapid diagnosis and therapy in PACA, as stabilization and even improvement of symptoms are attainable.
Bycatch in the Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba) trawl fishery
Authors: Krafft Bjørn A. , Lowther Andrew , Krag Ludvig A.
Published: November 2022

Bycatch of nontarget species can contribute to overfishing and slow efforts to rebuild fish stocks. Controlling bycatch is fundamental to sustainable fishing and maintaining healthy populations of target species. The Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba) fishery is the largest volume fishery in the Southern Ocean. Understanding the significance of bycatch and its diversity is critical to managing this keystone species. Registered bycatch data from the Antarctic krill fishery in the southwest Atlantic sector of the Southern Ocean were analysed. Observers collected data following an internationally agreed method during the 2010–2020 fishing seasons, with a 20 (± 9) % coverage of fishing activity of Total catch of Antarctic krill which increased from 200,000 tonnes to 450,000 tonnes, with the greatest increase over the last 3 years. Except in 2010 (2.2%), the bycatch ratio was stable and ranged 0.1–0.3%. Fish dominated the bycatch, followed by tunicates and other crustaceans. Observer coverage was high, and bycatch levels were generally low across gear types. Given that accurate information on bycatch is important for sustaining developing fisheries, maintaining high observer coverage of this fishery will be important for detecting impacts from a warming climate and for moving back into historical fishing grounds.