bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Risk-sensitive learning is a winning strategy for leading an urban invasion
Authors: Breen Alexis J , Deffner Dominik
Published: March 2023

In the unpredictable Anthropocene, a particularly pressing open question is how certain species invade urban environments. Sex-biased dispersal and learning arguably influence movement ecology, but their joint influence remains unexplored empirically, and might vary by space and time. We assayed reinforcement learning in wild-caught, temporarily-captive core-, middle- or edge-range great-tailed grackles—a bird species undergoing urban-tracking rapid range expansion, led by dispersing males. We show: across populations, both sexes initially perform similarly when learning stimulus-reward pairings, but, when reward contingencies reverse, male—versus female—grackles finish ‘relearning’ faster, making fewer choice-option switches. How do male grackles do this? Bayesian cognitive modelling revealed male grackles’ choice behaviour is governed more strongly by the ‘weight’ of relative differences in recent foraging payoffs—i.e., they show more pronounced risk-sensitive learning. Confirming this mechanism, agent-based forward simulations of reinforcement learning—where we simulate ‘birds’ based on empirical estimates of our grackles’ reinforcement learning—replicate our sex-difference behavioural data. Finally, evolutionary modelling revealed natural selection should favour risk-sensitive learning in hypothesised urban-like environments: stable but stochastic settings. Together, these results imply risk-sensitive learning is a winning strategy for urban-invasion leaders, underscoring the potential for life historyandcognition to shape invasion success in human-modified environments.
Comparative landscape of genetic dependencies in human and chimpanzee stem cells
Authors: She Richard , Fair Tyler , Schaefer Nathan K. , Saunders Reuben A. , Pavlovic Bryan J. , Weissman Jonathan S. , Pollen Alex A.
Published: March 2023

Comparative studies of great apes provide a window into our evolutionary past, but the extent and identity of cellular differences that emerged during hominin evolution remain largely unexplored. We established a comparative loss-of-function approach to evaluate whether changes in human cells alter requirements for essential genes. By performing genome-wide CRISPR interference screens in human and chimpanzee pluripotent stem cells, we identified 75 genes with species-specific effects on cellular proliferation. These genes comprised coherent processes, including cell cycle progression and lysosomal signaling, which we determined to be human-derived by comparison with orangutan cells. Human-specific robustness toCDK2andCCNE1depletion persisted in neural progenitor cells, providing support for the G1-phase length hypothesis as a potential evolutionary mechanism in human brain expansion. Our findings demonstrate that evolutionary changes in human cells can reshape the landscape of essential genes and establish a platform for systematically uncovering latent cellular and molecular differences between species.
PDIVAS: Pathogenicity predictor for Deep-Intronic Variants causing Aberrant Splicing
Authors: Kurosawa Ryo , Iida Kei , Ajiro Masahiko , Awaya Tomonari , Yamada Mamiko , Kosaki Kenjiro , Hagiwara Masatoshi
Published: March 2023

Deep-intronic variants often cause genetic diseases by altering RNA splicing. However, these pathogenic variants are overlooked in whole-genome sequencing analyses, because they are quite difficult to segregate from a vast number of benign variants (approximately 1,500,000 deep-intronic variants per individual). Therefore, we developed the Pathogenicity predictor for Deep-Intronic Variants causing Aberrant Splicing (PDIVAS), an ensemble machine-learning model combining multiple splicing features and regional splicing constraint metrics. Using PDIVAS, around 27 pathogenic candidates were identified per individual with 95% sensitivity, and causative variants were more efficiently prioritized than previous predictors in simulated patient genome sequences. PDIVAS is available athttps://github.com/shiro-kur/PDIVAS.
Multiscale integration of human and single-cell variations reveals unadjuvanted vaccine high responders are naturally adjuvanted
Authors: Mulè Matthew P. , Martins Andrew J. , Cheung Foo , Farmer Rohit , Sellers Brian , Quiel Juan A. , Jain Arjun , Kotliarov Yuri , Bansal Neha , Chen Jinguo , Schwartzberg Pamela L. , Tsang John S.
Published: March 2023

Advances in multimodal single cell analysis can empower high-resolution dissection of human vaccination responses. The resulting data capture multiple layers of biological variations, including molecular and cellular states, vaccine formulations, inter- and intra-subject differences, and responses unfolding over time. Transforming such data into biological insight remains a major challenge. Here we present a systematic framework applied to multimodal single cell data obtained before and after influenza vaccination without adjuvants or pandemic H5N1 vaccination with the AS03 adjuvant. Our approach pinpoints responses shared across or unique to specific cell types and identifies adjuvant specific signatures, including pro-survival transcriptional states in B lymphocytes that emerged one day after vaccination. We also reveal that high antibody responders to the unadjuvanted vaccine have a distinct baseline involving a rewired network of cell type specific transcriptional states. Remarkably, the status of certain innate immune cells in this network in high responders of the unadjuvanted vaccine appear “naturally adjuvanted”: they resemble phenotypes induced early in the same cells only by vaccination with AS03. Furthermore, these cell subsets have elevated frequency in the blood at baseline and increased cell-intrinsic phospho-signaling responses after LPS stimulationex vivoin high compared to low responders. Our findings identify how variation in the status of multiple immune cell types at baseline may drive robust differences in innate and adaptive responses to vaccination and thus open new avenues for vaccine development and immune response engineering in humans.
Validity of European-centric derived cardiometabolic polygenic risk scores in multi-ancestry populations
Authors: Topriceanu Constantin-Cristian , Chaturvedi Nish , Mathur Rohini , Garfield Victoria
Published: March 2023

Polygenic risk scores (PRSs) provide an individual level estimate of genetic risk for any given disease. Since most PRSs have been derived from genome wide association studies (GWAS) conducted in populations of White European ancestry, their validity in other ancestry groups remains unconfirmed. This is especially relevant for cardiometabolic diseases which are known to disproportionately affect people of non-European ancestry. Thus, we aimed to evaluate the performance of PRSs for glycaemic traits (glycated haemoglobin, type 1, and type 2 diabetes mellitus), cardiometabolic risk factors (body mass index, hypertension, high- and low-density lipoproteins, and total cholesterol and triglycerides) and cardiovascular diseases (CVDs, including stroke and coronary artery disease) in people of White European, South Asian, and African Caribbean ethnicity in the UK Biobank. Whilst the PRSs incorporated some GWAS data from multi-ethnic population, the vast majority originated from White Europeans. Except for hypertension and stroke, PRSs derived mostly from European populations had an overall better performance in White Europeans compared to South Asians and African Caribbeans. Thus, multi-ancestry GWAS data are needed to generate ancestry stratified PRSs to tackle health inequalities.
Characteristics of dynamic assessments of word reading skills and their implications for validity: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Wood Emily , Biggs Kereisha , Molnar Monika
Published: March 2023

Dynamic assessments (DAs) of word reading skills demonstrate strong criterion reference validity with word reading measures (WRMs). However, DAs vary in the skills they assess, their format and administration method, and the type of words and symbols used in test items. These characteristics may have implications on assessment validity. To compare validity of DAs of word reading skills on these factors of interest, a systematic search of five databases and the grey literature was conducted. We identified 35 studies that met the inclusion criteria of evaluating participants aged 4-10, using a DA of word reading skills and reporting a Pearson’s correlation coefficient as an effect size. A random effects meta-analysis with robust variance estimation and subgroup analyses by DA characteristics was conducted. There were no significant differences in mean effect size based on administration method (computer vs. in-person) or symbol type (familiar vs. novel). However, DAs that evaluate phonological awareness or decoding (vs. sound-symbol knowledge), those that use a graduated prompt format (vs. test-teach-retest), and DAs that use nonwords (vs. real words) demonstrated significantly stronger correlations with WRMs. These results inform selection of DAs in clinical and research settings, and development of novel, valid DAs of word reading skills.
Structure determination of a bis[4-(di-n-butylamino)phenyl](pyridin-3-yl)borane tetramer highlighting a unique geometric conformation of the core 16-membered ring
Authors: Lovstedt Alex , Dempsey Stephen H. , Kass Steven R.
Published: March 2023

The tetramer of bis(4-di-n-butylaminophenyl)(pyridin-3-yl)borane [systematic name: 2λ4,4λ4,6λ4,8λ4-tetrabora-1,3,5,7(1,3)-tetrapyridinacyclooctaphane-11,31,51,71-tetrakis(ylium)], C132H192B4N12, was synthesized unexpectedly and crystallized. Its structure contains an unusual 16-membered ring core made up of four (pyridin-3-yl)borane groups. The ring adopts a conformation with pseudo-S
4 symmetry that is very different from the two other reported examples of this ring system. Density functional theory (DFT) computations indicate that the stability of the three reported ring conformations is dependent on the substituents on the B atoms, and that the pseudo-S
4 geometry observed in the bis(4-dibutylaminophenyl)(pyridin-3-yl)borane tetramer becomes significantly more stable when phenyl or 2,6-dimethylphenyl groups are attached to the boron centers.
Psychometric analysis of Integrated Digital Library User Success (IDLUS) Scale in academic digital library environment
Authors: Iqbal Memoona , Rafiq Muhammad
Published: March 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to execute the application of confirmatory factor analysis in structural equation modeling, to investigate the reliability and validity of the proposed integrated digital library user success (IDLUS) scale in academic digital library computing information system in the area of information management and systems.

Design/methodology/approach

The study analyzed 355 valid responses (MPhil and PhD) from the largest and oldest public sector university in Pakistan. Sample selection was calculated through a stratified random sampling technique from the four faculties of the University of the Punjab. The instrument was constructed based on the available two digital library and information system success models. The first model is Jung’s (1997) digital library user success model that is further composed of flow model (1977), end user computing satisfaction model (1987) and Joshi’s overall user satisfaction model (1990). Similarly, the second model is DeLone and McLean’s reformulated information system success (2003) theory. The question items used a five-point Likert scale and executed regression weights, standardized regression weights, convergent validity, variance extracted, construct reliability and discriminant validity to infer results.

Findings

Findings show that the IDLUS scale has excellent validity and reliability estimates.

Research limitations/implications

The study has theoretical implications for researchers and practical implications for information system developers.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this scale is the first-ever effort to measure the digital library user success in the context of Higher Education Commission-National Digital Library of Pakistan. Therefore, there was a dire need to conduct the psychometric analysis of the scale to examine the model fit statistics on the current sample in the particular cultural norms. Scale is based upon human factors taken from various Web success and information system success models from the fields of human–computer interaction information systems and computer-mediated communication.
Micro-credentials and the role of evidence: increasing the potential for learner-centeredness, inclusivity and an expansive model of assessment and credentialing
Authors: Reed Anne
Published: March 2023

Purpose

This paper examines the innovative potential of micro-credentials which, arguably, is compromised if not for a particular attribute of the digital format: evidence. Evidence allows for an artifact of learning (e.g. project, writing sample) to be included in a digital micro-credential. Micro-credentials that include evidence can support individualized learning; elucidate learners' qualifications; and make assessment and credentialing processes more inclusive.

Design/methodology/approach

This conceptual paper explores the subject of higher education micro-credentials which are increasingly being offered as formal (albeit smaller and digital), credit-bearing credentials, far removed from the Open Digital Badge movement from which they originated. This paper presents a case for safeguarding the qualities of micro-credentials that allow for innovative practice, before micro-credentials become entirely subsumed into conventional assessment and credentialing practices.

Findings

A review of the literature indicates that evidence, when used effectively, can support the innovative potential of micro-credentials. This subject is examined from the perspective of three categories of evidence, which are identified and illustrated through specific examples from the literature.

Originality/value

This paper fulfills a need to address the features of micro-credentials that, if used effectively, can challenge traditional assessment and credentialing paradigms. Evidence is rarely discussed in the literature and has not been thoroughly examined from this perspective. Additionally, faculty who develop and implement micro-credentials face numerous challenges when attempting to include evidence in micro-credentials. This paper explores those challenges and offers several recommendations for practice.
The impact of cultural dimensions on project management performance
Authors: Battistella Cinzia , Bortolotti Thomas , Boscari Stefania , Nonino Fabio , Palombi Giulia
Published: March 2023

Purpose

Diverse cultures may make people behave differently and this, in turn, can impact project management. While the relationship between culture and project success has been widely explored, there is a need of addressing the gap in the relationship between culture and project management performance outcomes, that is, the performance in implementing project management processes and practices. The purpose of this paper is to investigate this gap by studying the role of cultural dimensions on project management performance.

Design/methodology/approach

An explorative survey including 200 observations relating to the experiences of project managers with a big experience on projects involving many different national cultures has been conducted to collect primary data on the relationship between the nationality observed and the project management performance outcomes shown. Nationality has been used as a proxy to link individual cultural dimensions and project management performance.

Findings

The results of this paper show that individualism impacts project dynamics and project control positively. Moreover, masculinity impacts project dynamics positively, and uncertainty avoidance impacts project control negatively. When recognized, different cultural dimensions can drive project management performance outcomes. The increasing awareness on this topic can be a valid instrument to control the cultural effect and take advantage of it to enhance project success.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the theory of project management by recognizing linkages between cultural dimensions and project management performance. Moreover, this study overcomes the concept of nationality, focusing on individuals and their unique set of cultural dimensions.
Contagious crowds and rational faithfuls: a club theory approach
Authors: Animashaun Jubril Olayinka
Published: March 2023

Purpose

This study investigates the observed resurgence in religious beliefs seen across many societies during the COVID-19 pandemic. Using the economic theory of religious clubs, the author models religious participation during the pandemic as a mechanism for alleviating the financial distress associated with the health distress from the pandemic.

Design/methodology/approach

Using data from the COVID-19 National Longitudinal Phone Survey (NLPS) in Nigeria, the author investigates the economic motivation for religious intensity during the COVID-19 pandemic. To address endogeneity concerns, the author exploits geographic variables of temperature and longitudes as sources of COVID-19 risk.

Findings

Overall, health distress stimulates religious intensity. Consistent with the economic theory of religious clubs, adverse health shocks stimulate financial distress, and the effect is stronger among religious participants. Similarly, people see God and not the government as a source of protection against COVID-19.

Research limitations/implications

The study’s model sees religious organizations as public goods providers, especially when governments and markets are inefficient.

Practical implications

The study’s recommendations support an expanded role for religious networks in healthcare delivery and more public funding to attenuate the post-pandemic resurgence of social violence in economically distressed regions.

Social implications

Despite the research interest in the COVID-19 pandemic, the long-term implications, many of which relate to social behavior adjustments that cause individuals to identify more closely with their social group, need greater understanding. Suppose religious intensity is linked to economic distress. In that case, this is a major source of worry for countries whose economies are subject to higher fluctuations and where the governments and markets are inefficiently organized. These regions may be more susceptible to a resurgence in religious fundamentalism associated with the economic shocks from the pandemic. Consequently, these regions would require more public funding to attenuate the potential for costly activities like organized violence, suicide attacks and terrorist activities in the aftermath of the pandemic.

Originality/value

Prompted by the observation of the increase in religious identity through religious intensity during the pandemic, the author contributes by developing theoretically-based hypotheses that are incentive-compatible to provide a rational justification for the observation. The author empirically validates the hypothesis by taking advantage of the COVID-19 National Survey in Nigeria by specifically using survey rounds 4 and 7 which have more comprehensive religious items included.

Peer review

The peer review history for this article is available at:https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/IJSE-11-2022-0719
Efficient operation and maintenance (O&M) framework in managing stratified residential properties
Authors: Che-Ghani Nor Zaimah , Myeda Nik Elyna , Ali Azlan Shah
Published: March 2023

Purpose

To achieve efficient operation and maintenance (O&M) management, this study seeks to identify critical success factors (CSFs) affecting service delivery factors of O&M services at stratified residential buildings. The purpose of this study is to yield measurable data for developing an effective O&M framework to enhancing its performance. In future research, this study will further investigate the relationship between the CSF and service performance factors.

Design/methodology/approach

This study adopts a combination of qualitative and quantitative techniques that yields conclusive study findings while improving the research’s validity and dependability. Two series of instruments were conducted in an effort to refine the efficient O&M framework variables. Instruments used in addressing the research gap were a questionnaire survey and focus group discussion (FGD). Analysis of data was completed via the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) programme for quantitative data and thematic analysis for qualitative data.

Findings

This study concludes that the CSFs directly affect the performance of O&M. Questionnaire survey and FGD findings have refined the CSF into three main categories, namely, building characteristics, O&M management and community participation. FGD experts further suggested that service performance factors can be measured against SERVQUAL service qualities such as reliability, tangible, responsiveness, assurance and empathy.

Research limitations/implications

Future research may consider the inclusion of financial elements in the O&M service delivery.

Originality/value

This study presents a fresh insight into the CSFs that construct an efficient O&M framework through rigorous steps of data collection and analysis. This study proposes impactful guidance for policymakers, practitioners and residents on the significance of all parties’ involvement to support the management of residential buildings, where the current practice of O&M constantly faces complex issues. This study derives novice strategies that should correspond to the growing issues and challenges in managing residential buildings. The deeper insight into the role of O&M represents a direction for the future development of facilities management progress and stratified residential building sectors.
Digital accounting systems and information technology in the public sector: mutual interaction
Authors: Alsharari Nizar Mohammad , Ikem Fidelis
Published: March 2023

Purpose

This study aims to explain the mutual interaction between digital accounting systems and information technology in public sector transformation, Jordan Customs.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper adopts an interpretive case study approach. This study uses the triangulation method of data collection, including interviews, observations, documents and archival records. It responds to the recent call by Myers and Newman (2007, p. 1) as “The qualitative interview is one of the most important data gathering tools in qualitative research, yet it has remained an unexamined craft in IS research.”

Findings

This paper concludes that the digital accounting systems and information technology are inextricably linked; each leads to the other. The interaction process between digital accounting systems and information technology helps identify and recognize the dynamics that have been manifested between them. The relationships between the information technology and digital accounting dynamics at the inherent organizational and accounting levels are both recursive and have two-way, with the two concepts inextricably interwoven.

Research limitations/implications

The specificity of location and organization type in the case study impede the generalization of the findings. Digital accounting systems bind organizations to fundamental choices about how their accounting activities should be organized as unquestioned choices. This paper thus has important implications for academics and practitioners on accounting systems and information technology in responding to recent calls to bridge the gap between the extra- and intraorganizational levels of analysis.

Originality/value

The originality of this research is that dealing with digital government development and accounting systems and rules does not limit one to tackling only technical issues. These two pivotal digitalization and accounting reforms can lead to accounting changes and new organizational approaches, thus affecting public organizations’ economic and political lives. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this paper is one of the few case studies in the information technology and accounting literature to analyze organizations’ digitalization issues when changing their way of doing as influenced by information technology.
Grain size responsive uniaxial tensile behavior of polycrystalline nanocopper under different temperatures and strain rates
Authors: Kumar Rajat , Gupta Mahesh Kumar , Rai Santosh Kumar , Panwar Vinay
Published: March 2023

Purpose

The changes in tensile behavior of polycrystalline nanocopper lattice with changes in temperature, average grain size (AGS) and strain rate, have been explored. The existence of a critical AGS has also been observed which shows that the Hall–Petch relationship behaves inversely.

Design/methodology/approach

Nanoscale deformation of polycrystalline nanocopper has been done in this study with the help of an embedded atom method (EAM) potential. Voronoi construction method has been employed for creating four polycrystals of nanocopper with different sizes. Statistical analysis has been used to examine the observations with emphasis on the polycrystal size effect on melting point temperature.

Findings

The study has found that the key stress values (i.e. elastic modulus, yield stress and ultimate tensile stress) are significantly influenced by the considered parameters. The increase in strain rate is observed to have an increasing impact on mechanical properties, whereas the increase in temperature degrades the mechanical properties. In-depth analysis of the deformation mechanism has been studied to deliver real-time visualization of grain boundary motion.

Originality/value

This study provides the relationship between required grain size variations for consecutive possible variations in mechanical properties and may help to reduce the trial processes in the synthesis of polycrystalline copper based on different temperatures and strain rates.
Experimental investigations into additive manufacturing of styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene block copolymers using solvent cast 3D printing technique
Authors: Kumar Arun , Pandey Pulak Mohan , Jha Sunil , Banerjee Shib Shankar
Published: March 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to discuss the successful 3D printing of styrene–ethylene–butylene–styrene (SEBS) block copolymers using solvent-cast 3D printing (SC-3DP) technique.

Design/methodology/approach

Three different Kraton grade SEBS block copolymers were used to prepare viscous polymer solutions (ink) in three different solvents, namely, toluene, cyclopentane and tetrahydrofuran. Hansen solubility parameters (HSPs) were taken into account to understand the solvent–polymer interactions. Ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy was used to analyze transmittance behavior of different inks. Printability of ink samples was compared in terms of shape retention capability, solvent evaporation and shear viscosity. Dimensional deviations in 3D-printed parts were evaluated in terms of percentage shrinkage. Surface morphology of 3D-printed parts was investigated by scanning electron microscope. In addition, mechanical properties and rheology of the SC-3D-printed SEBS samples were also investigated.

Findings

HSP analysis revealed toluene to be the most suitable solvent for SC-3DP. Cyclopentane showed a strong preferential solubility toward the ethylene–butylene block. Microscopic surface cracks were present on tetrahydrofuran ink-based 3D-printed samples. SC-3D-printed samples exhibited high elongation at break (up to 2,200%) and low tension set (up to 9%).

Practical implications

SC-3DP proves to be an effective fabrication route for complex SEBS parts overcoming the challenges associated with fused deposition modeling.

Originality/value

To the best of authors’ knowledge, this is the first report investigating the effect of different solvents on physicomechanical properties of SC-3D-printed SEBS block copolymer samples.
Epidemiological study of antifungal‐resistant dermatophytes isolated from Japanese patients
Authors: Hiruma Junichiro , Noguchi Hiromitsu , Shimizu Tatsuya , Hiruma Masataro , Harada Kazutoshi , Kano Rui
Published: March 2023

An epidemiological study of antifungal drug‐resistant dermatophytes was conducted as a follow‐up to our 2020 survey. Dermatophytes were isolated in 2022 from the same dermatology clinics as in the previous study. In total, 288 Trichophyton interdigitale and Trichophyton rubrum clinical isolates were obtained from 288 human cases of dermatophytosis in Tokyo, Saitama, Shizuoka, and Kumamoto, Japan. Four strains were found to be resistant to terbinafine (TRF) and susceptible to itraconazole (ITZ), luliconazole (LCZ), and ravuconazole (RVZ), and three other strains were found to be resistant to ITZ and susceptible to TRF, LCZ, and RVZ. We determined the sequences of the squalene epoxidase (SQLE)‐encoding gene in the three TRF‐resistant T. rubrum strains, and found that two strains harbored L393F missense mutations, and one strain harbored a F397L missense mutation. The results of the present study indicated that the prevalence of TRF‐resistant dermatophytes has not increased since 2020. However, TRF‐resistant T. interdigitale (L393F mutation) was isolated for the first time, indicating that attention should be paid to the presence of TRF‐resistant T. interdigitale in the future. We also examined for the first time the epidemiology of ITZ‐resistant T. rubrum in Japanese patients. Although the number of ITZ‐resistant strains was not large, the results confirmed that ITZ‐resistant T. rubrum strains do exist in Japanese patients.
Whole‐exome sequencing of secondary tumors arising from nevus sebaceous revealed additional genomic alterations besides RAS mutations
Authors: Kim Yoon‐Seob , Park Gyeong Sin , Chung Yeun‐Jun , Lee Ji Hyun
Published: March 2023

Nevus sebaceous (NS) is a congenital hamartoma associated with an increased risk of secondary neoplasms in approximately 10%–20% of patients. However, additional genomic alterations underlying tumorigenesis in NS lesions have not been clarified. We performed whole‐exome sequencing of archived tumor tissues (n = 8; six basal cell carcinomas and two trichoepitheliomas) and matched germline tissues (n = 7) with from seven patients with secondary tumors arising from NS. We also analyzed NS lesions without secondary tumors (n = 8). Somatic mutations and copy number alterations (CNAs) were analyzed. We identified a median of 129 somatic mutations (corresponding to 2.6/Mb in target regions, range 26–336) for eight tumors, while a median of 118 somatic mutations (2.3/Mb, range 1–196) for eight NS lesions. Known RAS hotspot mutations were found in seven of the eight tumors (six for HRAS p.G13R and one for HRAS p.Q61R) and in six of the eight NS lesions (four for HRAS p.G13R, one for KRAS p.G12C, and one KRAS p.G12D). Except RAS mutations, several putative driver mutations were detected in tumors: TP53 p.F134L/p.R213*, MYCN p.P59L, OR2Z1 p.P167S, PTPN14 p.Q768*, and SMO p.W535L. As for CNAs, two tumors harbored copy‐loss in regions encompassing PTCH1 gene. However, eight NS lesions did not harbor both putative driver mutations and CNAs. In conclusion, our study revealed that secondary tumors arising from NS harbor known RAS hotspot mutations and additional genomic alterations, including putative driver mutations and PTCH1 copy‐loss. These results could help to define the high‐risk group for tumor development in patients with NS and provide evidence for prophylactic resection.
Does infrastructural development foster export upgrading in Africa?
Authors: Kamguia Brice , Ndjakwa Manuella , Tadadjeu Sosson
Published: March 2023

A growing body of literature highlights the importance of export sophistication for economic development. Given the newness of the literature on export sophistication, its determinants are under‐exploited. As a pioneer study, this paper attempts to fill this gap in the literature by examining the effect of infrastructure development on export sophistication. Based on a panel of 45 African countries over the period 2003–2016, the results of the different estimations show that infrastructure, including transport, electricity, ICT and access to water and sanitation, improves export sophistication in Africa. Our results also show that the effect of infrastructure varies at different intervals of the export sophistication distribution. Therefore, improved infrastructure would allow African countries to not only improve their export structure but also achieve sustainable and durable growth.
Large‐Scale metabolomics: Predicting biological age using 10,133 routine untargeted LC–MS measurements
Authors: Lassen Johan K. , Wang Tingting , Nielsen Kirstine L. , Hasselstrøm Jørgen B. , Johannsen Mogens , Villesen Palle
Published: March 2023

Untargeted metabolomics is the study of all detectable small molecules, and in geroscience, metabolomics has shown great potential to describe the biological age—a complex trait impacted by many factors. Unfortunately, the sample sizes are often insufficient to achieve sufficient power and minimize potential biases caused by, for example, demographic factors. In this study, we present the analysis of biological age in ~10,000 toxicologic routine blood measurements. The untargeted screening samples obtained from ultra‐high pressure liquid chromatography‐quadruple time of flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC‐ QTOF) cover + 300 batches and + 30 months, lack pooled quality controls, lack controlled sample collection, and has previously only been used in small‐scale studies. To overcome experimental effects, we developed and tested a custom neural network model and compared it with existing prediction methods. Overall, the neural network was able to predict the chronological age with an rmse of 5.88 years (r2 = 0.63) improving upon the 6.15 years achieved by existing normalization methods. We used the feature importance algorithm, Shapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP), to identify compounds related to the biological age. Most importantly, the model returned known aging markers such as kynurenine, indole‐3‐aldehyde, and acylcarnitines along with a potential novel aging marker, cyclo (leu‐pro). Our results validate the association of tryptophan and acylcarnitine metabolism to aging in a highly uncontrolled large‐s cale sample. Also, we have shown that by using robust computational methods it is possible to deploy large LC‐MS datasets for metabolomics studies to reduce the risk of bias and empower aging studies.
Wood trait trade‐offs in desert plants: A triangular model to understand intra‐ and interspecific variations along an aridity gradient
Authors: Melián Edgardo , Gatica Gabriel , Pucheta Eduardo
Published: March 2023

The hydraulic architecture of woody plants may show intra‐ and interspecific variations along aridity gradients as a result of wood trait trade‐offs, which depend on species‐specific abilities to withstand or evade drought. Plant hydraulic architecture can be defined as the set of different cell types involved in water transport through the soil–plant‐atmosphere continuum. At the present time, there are two models designed to understand trade‐offs among xylem wood functional traits, developed by Baas and Pratt, respectively. The first model presents a triangular trade‐off space where three main plant xylem functions are linked to each other to provide resistance to embolism in evolutionary time. The second model depicts xylem cell types associated with their main functions, namely vessel‐transport, parenchyma‐storage and fibre‐support. We propose here a new model considering the same relative xylem cell trait abundance for three desert species with different drought tolerance strategies along an aridity gradient of more than 300 mm. Hence, our model may account for both intra‐ and interspecific variations in wood traits for species from different localities along an aridity gradient. The tree Neltuma flexuosa showed little intraspecific variation in the medium drought resistance portion of the trade‐off space, suggesting this species is independent from rainfall. Larrea divaricata showed a similar low intraspecific variation, but the spatial location in the trade‐off space suggests it has a high tolerance to drought. The third species, Bulnesia retama, showed a higher intraspecific variation within the trade‐off space, changing its hydraulic architecture in more fibre area with increasing aridity. Our model seems to be a generalized tool to assess both intra‐ and interspecific variations in trade‐offs for hydraulic architecture among woody plants as a response to drought.
Trait profiles in difficult‐to‐treat asthma: Clinical impact and response to systematic assessment
Authors: Lin Tiffany , Pham Jonathan , Denton Eve , Lee Joy , Hore‐Lacy Fiona , Sverrild Asger , Stojanovic Stephanie , Tay Tunn Ren , Murthee Kavitha Garuna , Radhakrishna Naghmeh , Dols Monique , Bondarenko Janet , Mahoney Janine , O'Hehir Robyn E. , Dabscheck Eli , Hew Mark
Published: March 2023

Background

Multidisciplinary systematic assessment improves outcomes in difficult‐to‐treat asthma, but without clear response predictors. Using a treatable‐traits framework, we stratified patients by trait profile, examining clinical impact and treatment responsiveness to systematic assessment.

Methods

We performed latent class analysis using 12 traits on difficult‐to‐treat asthma patients undergoing systematic assessment at our institution. We examined Asthma Control Questionnaire (ACQ‐6) and Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (AQLQ) scores, FEV1, exacerbation frequency, and maintenance oral corticosteroid (mOCS) dose, at baseline and following systematic assessment.

Results

Among 241 patients, two airway‐centric profiles were characterized by early‐onset with allergic rhinitis (n = 46) and adult onset with eosinophilia/chronic rhinosinusitis (n = 60), respectively, with minimal comorbid or psychosocial traits; three non‐airway‐centric profiles exhibited either comorbid (obesity, vocal cord dysfunction, dysfunctional breathing) dominance (n = 51), psychosocial (anxiety, depression, smoking, unemployment) dominance (n = 72), or multi‐domain impairment (n = 12). Compared to airway‐centric profiles, non‐airway‐centric profiles had worse baseline ACQ‐6 (2.7 vs. 2.2, p < .001) and AQLQ (3.8 vs. 4.5, p < .001) scores. Following systematic assessment, the cohort showed overall improvements across all outcomes. However, airway‐centric profiles had more FEV1 improvement (5.6% vs. 2.2% predicted, p < .05) while non‐airway‐centric profiles trended to greater exacerbation reduction (1.7 vs. 1.0, p = .07); mOCS dose reduction was similar (3.1 mg vs. 3.5 mg, p = .782).

Conclusion

Distinct trait profiles in difficult‐to‐treat asthma are associated with different clinical outcomes and treatment responsiveness to systematic assessment. These findings yield clinical and mechanistic insights into difficult‐to‐treat asthma, offer a conceptual framework to address disease heterogeneity, and highlight areas responsive to targeted intervention.
Deep ethnography
Authors: Roekel Eva van
Published: March 2023

Studying atrocities poses many challenges for ethnographers, not least of which is how to represent violent experiences, which often exceed articulation. The atrocities perpetrated during the military dictatorship in Argentina are no exception. Yet, during my fieldwork in Buenos Aires, I found that the violence forcefully surfaced in many ethnographic encounters, as a result of my having accidentally absorbed my interlocutors’ psychoanalytic reasoning into my ethnographic praxis. Everyday psychoanalytic practices used among survivors and the relatives of the disappeared, such as catharsis and working through guilt, filtered through ongoing self‐reflections and served a crucial role in my emerging understanding of an Argentine “ethics of feelings.” I couple this shared psychoanalytic praxis with creative prose as one integral way of practicing an ethnography of violence. Communicating through words that instill rather than explain the vexed feelings engages readers with the indeterminateness of violence and psychic “depths” in Argentina. This way of doing anthropology is what I call deep ethnography—an emergent form of sensing, talking, thinking, and writing about feelings.
Dual processing approach to sedentary behavior and physical activity in the workplace
Authors: Jenkins Kailas , Phipps Daniel J. , Rhodes Ryan E. , Buchan Jena , Hamilton Kyra
Published: March 2023

Regular physical activity is an important health promoting behavior. Yet, many adults live sedentary lifestyles, especially during their workday. The current study applies an extended theory of planned behavior model, incorporating affective attitudes and instrumental attitudes, along with habit, to predict limiting sedentary behavior and physical activity within an office environment. Theory of planned behavior constructs and habit were assessed with an online survey on a sample of 180 full‐time office workers, with self‐reported behavior assessed 1 week later (Mage = 25.97, SDage = 10.24; 44 males, 134 females, and 2 nonbinary). Model fit was indicated by BRMSEA (M = 0.057, SD = 0.023), B γ^ (M = 0.984, SD = 0.010) and BCFI (M = 0.959, SD = 0.026), accounting for 46.1% of variance in intention, 21.6% of variance in sedentary behavior, and 17.4% of variance in physical activity behavior. A Bayesian structural equation model revealed direct effects of instrumental attitudes and perceived behavioral control on intention to limit sedentary behavior, direct effects of intention and perceived behavioral control on limiting sedentary behavior, and direct effects of perceived behavioral control and habit on engaging in physical activity. The current study indicates intentions to be active in the office are primarily driven by beliefs about the benefits of activity and individuals' perceived level of control, rather than normative or affective beliefs. As behavior was predicted by both intention and habit, findings also indicate office‐based activity is likely not always a consciously driven decision. These findings may have implications for improving activity levels in this highly sedentary population.
Perinatal psychiatric practitioner consultation program delivers rapid response to OB/GYN practitioners
Authors: Doering Jennifer J. , Wichman Christina L. , Laszewski Audrey , Kuehn Shelby , Ke Weiming
Published: March 2023

Introduction

Screening and treatment initiation for perinatal psychiatric conditions is a recommended competency in OB/GYN practitioners, yet perinatal psychiatry is rapidly evolving. Practitioner‐to‐psychiatrist consultation programs have the potential to improve the management of psychiatric conditions in perinatal women. This study describes utilization of a statewide perinatal psychiatric consultation service by OB/GYN practitioners through examination of the volume, responsivity, content and outcomes of clinical inquiries, and satisfaction.

Methods

This quality improvement study describes the 460 telephone or e‐mail consultations requested by OB/GYN practitioners over 2 years and housed within a REDCap database. Data include the characteristics of consult users, month‐over‐month and total utilization, the patient's perinatal status, the reason for contact, current symptoms and medications, and the consulting psychiatrist recommendations. Practitioner satisfaction with consultation is also described.

Results

After completion of triage, the psychiatrist returned the practitioner's call ≤5 min in 59% of consultations. The most common inquiries were for pregnant (64%) women for depressive (51%) or anxiety (46%) symptoms with 47% of inquiries reporting the patient was currently taking a psychiatric medication. Had consultation not been available, referral to mental health (41%) or starting a medication (15%) were most often reported.

Conclusions

This perinatal psychiatric consultation service rapidly and effectively met the needs of practitioners practicing in OB/GYN settings across a state having a critical psychiatry shortage and varying urban and rural geography. Future recommendations include the assessment of direct patient outcomes, practitioner skill attainment, and long‐term cost savings of this perinatal psychiatric consultation model.
Combined oral contraceptive pill compared with no medical treatment in the management of polycystic ovary syndrome: A systematic review
Authors: Forslund Maria , Melin Johanna , Alesi Simon , Piltonen Terhi , Romualdi Daniela , Tay Chau Thien , Witchel Selma , Pena Alexia , Mousa Aya , Teede Helena
Published: March 2023

Objective

As part of the update of the International Evidence‐Based Guidelines for the Assessment and Management of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a systematic review was performed to inform evidence‐based recommendations.

Design

Systematic review. Only randomised controlled trial were included.

Patients

Women with PCOS; the use of combined oral contraceptive pills (COCP) was compared with no medical treatment.

Measurements

Outcomes were designed in collaboration with clinical experts, researchers, and consumers. Critical outcomes included hirsutism, irregular cycles, quality of life, body mass index (BMI), and weight.

Results

1660 publications were identified, but only four studies were included. No studies could be combined for meta‐analysis. COCP treatment improved cycle regularity compared with no medical treatment (100% vs. 0%, with low certainty of evidence). COCP showed no difference in improvement of hirsutism or BMI compared with placebo or lifestyle; a lower weight after COCP compared with no treatment (mean difference [MD] −8.0 (95% confidence interval, CI −11.67); −4.33 kg); and improvement in quality of life (MD 1.2 [95% CI 0.96]; 1.44), but these results were all very low certainty of evidence.

Conclusion

Results show that COCP benefit cycle regulation, but other benefits or potential adverse effects were only identified with very low certainty of evidence. The COCP is frontline medical treatment in PCOS, but this is still based on established efficacy in the broader general population. Our results show that research in PCOS is seriously lacking and should be prioritised to capture core reproductive, metabolic and psychological outcomes important in PCOS.
Combining Motion Matching and Orientation Prediction to Animate Avatars for Consumer‐Grade VR Devices
Authors: Ponton J. L. , Yun H. , Andujar C. , Pelechano N.
Published: March 2023

The animation of user avatars plays a crucial role in conveying their pose, gestures, and relative distances to virtual objects or other users. Self‐avatar animation in immersive VR helps improve the user experience and provides a Sense of Embodiment. However, consumer‐grade VR devices typically include at most three trackers, one at the Head Mounted Display (HMD), and two at the handheld VR controllers. Since the problem of reconstructing the user pose from such sparse data is ill‐defined, especially for the lower body, the approach adopted by most VR games consists of assuming the body orientation matches that of the HMD, and applying animation blending and time‐warping from a reduced set of animations. Unfortunately, this approach produces noticeable mismatches between user and avatar movements. In this work we present a new approach to animate user avatars that is suitable for current mainstream VR devices. First, we use a neural network to estimate the user's body orientation based on the tracking information from the HMD and the hand controllers. Then we use this orientation together with the velocity and rotation of the HMD to build a feature vector that feeds a Motion Matching algorithm. We built a MoCap database with animations of VR users wearing a HMD and used it to test our approach on both self‐avatars and other users' avatars. Our results show that our system can provide a large variety of lower body animations while correctly matching the user orientation, which in turn allows us to represent not only forward movements but also stepping in any direction.