bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Exploring the factors influencing adoption of health-care wearables among generation Z consumers in India
Authors: Nayak Bishwajit , Bhattacharyya Som Sekhar , Kumar Saurabh , Jumnani Rohan Kumar
Published: December 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to identify the major factors influencing the adoption of health-care wearables in generation Z (Gen Z) customers in India. A conceptual framework using push pull and mooring (PPM) adoption theory was developed.

Design/methodology/approach

Data was collected from 208 Gen Z customers based on 5 constructs related to the adoption of health-care wearables. Confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modelling was used to analyse the responses. The mediation paths were analysed using bootstrapping method and examination of the standardized direct and indirect effects in the model.

Findings

The study results indicated that the antecedent factors consisted of push (real-time health information availability), pull (normative environment) and mooring (decision self-efficacy) factors. The mooring factor (MOOR) was related to the push factor but not the pull factor. The MOOR, in turn, was related to the switching intention of Gen Z customers for health wearables adoption.

Research limitations/implications

The research study extended the literature related to the PPM theory in the context of the adoption of health wearables among Gen Z customers in India.

Practical implications

The study outcome would enable managers working in health wearable organizations to understand consumer behaviour towards health wearables.

Social implications

The use of health wearables among Gen Z individuals would lead to future generations adopting a healthy lifestyle resulting in an effective workforce and better economy.

Originality/value

This was one of the few studies which have explored the PPM theory to explore the factors for the adoption of health wearables among Gen Z customers in India.
Consuming in a crisis: pandemic consumption across consumer segments and implications for brands
Authors: Basu Meheli , Swaminathan Vanitha
Published: December 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to understand how the Covid-19 pandemic has changed consumers’ perceptions of outdoor consumption categories, such as retail shopping, eating out, public events and travel and how these perceptions may impact businesses in these domains in the long term. Further, this research aims to understand demographic effects on outdoor consumption inhibition during the current pandemic and discuss how businesses can use these insights to rebrand their offerings and evolve after the pandemic.

Design/methodology/approach

Data collected by CivicScience, a survey-based consumer intelligence research platform, during April–July 2020 forms the basis of the preliminary analysis, where the chi-square test has been used to examine significant differences in consumer attitudes between different age groups, income groups and genders. Further, a social media analysis of conversations around outdoor consumption activities is undertaken to understand the rationale behind these demographics-based attitude differences.

Findings

Results lend varying degrees of support to the hypothesized consumer attitudes toward outdoor consumption activities during the Covid-19 pandemic. As the pandemic wore on, older (vs younger), female (vs male) consumers and lower (vs higher) income-group consumers had reportedly higher inhibition toward different outdoor activities. Older individuals were significantly less likely to shop, dine and attend public events than younger individuals. Lower-income consumers were significantly less likely to dine and travel than higher-income consumer consumers. Female consumers were significantly less likely to shop and travel than male consumers. Social media scan of conversations suggests that differences in perceived health and financial risks may have resulted in demographics-based differences in outdoor consumption activities.

Research limitations/implications

This study contributes to the literature by understanding demographic differences in consumer participation in outdoor activities. One limitation is that due to the time-sensitive nature of the pandemic research, further studies could not be conducted to understand the implications of other variables, beyond demographics that influence consumer behavior during a crisis. A future research direction is to understand how other psychological variables or traits, influence health and financial risk-taking behavior during a similar crisis.

Originality/value

The principal contribution of the present research is that it tests the risk-taking theory in the context of outdoor consumption during the Covid-19 pandemic. The present research has implications for businesses as they continue to evolve during and post Covid-19.
Risk management processes used in determining project feasibility in the property development process early stages by Australia/New Zealand property developers
Authors: Moorhead Matthew , Armitage Lynne , Skitmore Martin
Published: December 2021

Purpose

The purpose is to examine the risk management processes and methods used in determining project feasibility in the early stages of the property development process by Australia/New Zealand property developers, including Monte Carlo simulation, Bayesian models and real option theory embedded in long-term property development and investment decision-making as instruments for providing flexibility and managing risk, uncertainty and change.

Design/methodology/approach

A questionnaire survey of 225 Australian and New Zealand trader developers, development managers, investors, valuers, fund managers and government/charities/other relating to Australia/New Zealand property development companies' decision-making processes in the early stages of the development process prior to site acquisition or project commencement – the methods used and confidence in their organisations' ability to both identify and manage the risks involved.

Findings

Few of the organisations sampled use sophisticated methods; those organisations that are more likely to use such methods for conducting risk analysis include development organisations that undertake large projects, use more risk analysis methods and have more layers in their project approval process. Decision-makers have a high level of confidence in their organisation's ability to both identify and manage the risks involved, although this is not mirrored in their actual risk management processes. Although the majority of property developers have a risk management plan, less than half have implemented it, and a third need improvement.

Practical implications

Property development organisations should incorporate more modern and sophisticated models of risk analysis to determine the uncertainty of, and risk in, a change of input variables in their financial viability appraisals. Practical application includes using such multiple techniques as what-if scenarios and probability analysis into feasibility processes and utilise these specific techniques in the pre-acquisition stages of the property development process and, specifically, in the site acquisition process to support decision-making, including a live risk register and catalogue of risks, including identification of and plans for mitigation of project risks, as a form of risk management.

Originality/value

First study to examine the extent of the decision-making methods used by property developers in the pre-acquisition stage of the development process.
A paradigm shift in corporate social responsibility: India’s transition from mandatory regime to the COVID-19 era
Authors: Bhatia Aparna , Dhawan Amandeep
Published: December 2021

Purpose

This study aims to examine the pattern of corporate social responsibility expenditure (CSRE) incurred by Indian companies after the inception of Companies Act 2013. It also highlights the resultant change brought in the corporate social responsibility (CSR) spends of the companies because of COVID-19 pandemic.

Design/methodology/approach

The CSR index provided by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs under Companies (CSR Policy) Rules 2014, is adopted to measure the extent of CSRE made by top 30 Indian companies listed on Bombay Stock Exchange. To study the pattern of CSRE in various domains mentioned in the CSR index, the study is conducted over four points of time. Three alternative years since the commencement of the Companies Act 2013 i.e. 2014–2015, 2016–2017 and 2018–2019 have been taken up. Additionally, the financial year 2019–2020 is included as it marks the inception of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Findings

The findings show that the CSRE made by companies is increasing every year over all points of time taken in the study. In addition to this, Indian companies have voluntarily contributed a substantial amount towards COVID-19 relief over and above the required mandatory limits.

Practical implications

The gradual increase in CSR contributions even above the mandated amount and voluntary contribution towards COVID-19 relief by Indian companies implies that the nature of CSR in India is still philanthropic.

Originality/value

The study contributes to the CSR literature after the implementation of the mandatory CSR provisions in India and in the wake of the global pandemic caused by COVID-19 as so far there is no such study available in the extant literature.
Condition‐dependent seminal fluid gene expression and intergenerational paternal effects on ejaculate quality
Authors: Simmons Leigh W. , Ng Soon Hwee , Lovegrove Maxine
Published: December 2021

There is increasing evidence to show that the environment experienced by fathers can have intergenerational paternal effects on the phenotype of offspring. Paternal effects can be mediated by ejaculate traits beyond the genes carried by sperm, for example through methylation of DNA during spermatogenesis, or non‐sperm components of the ejaculate such as small RNAs or seminal fluid proteins (sfps).

Theory suggests that ejaculate‐mediated paternal effects can have important evolutionary consequences, especially if they exhibit condition‐dependent expression. Here we use the nutritional geometry approach to explore condition dependence in ejaculate traits and intergenerational paternal effects in the cricketTeleogryllus oceanicus.

We fed males one of 24 chemically defined diets that varied in macronutrient concentration and the ratio of protein (P) to carbohydrate (C). We measured paternal expenditure on testes and accessory gland growth, and the expression of three sfp genes that are known to impact sperm viability and the survival of embryos to hatching. We also measured the hatching success and reproductive phenotypes of adult offspring.

We found linear effects of P and C on testes and accessory gland mass, and linear and correlated effects of P and C on the expression of two sfp genes. Paternal diet had no effect on the survival of embryos to hatching.

There were significant intergenerational effects of paternal diet on the viability of sperm produced by sons, but no paternal effects on the expression of sfp genes in sons or fecundity in daughters.

Our data suggest that ejaculate quality can have a significant non‐genetic component determined by the paternal environment, which holds important implications for the evolutionary maintenance of variation in heritable male fitness.

A freePlain Language Summarycan be found within the Supporting Information of this article.
Experiences and perceptions of ageing among older First Nations Australians: A rapid review
Authors: Yashadhana Aryati , Howie Adam , Veber Madelene , Cullen Patricia , Withall Adrienne , Lewis Ebony , McCausland Ruth , Macniven Rona , Andersen Melanie
Published: December 2021

Objective

To identify and describe articles reporting the experiences and perceptions of ageing among older First Nations Australians.

Methods

Following rapid review and PRISMA guidelines, we searched five databases for peer‐reviewed articles published prior to October 2019 that reported qualitative accounts of ageing among older (≥ 45 years) First Nations Australians. Data were extracted and synthesised thematically.

Results

Twenty‐one articles were included in the final synthesis. Priorities in ageing highlighted the role of Elders, family, community, culture and connection to ancestral lands. Experiences and perceptions of ageing reflected cultural marginalisation in aged and health care services, and highlighted the importance of cultural identity, resilience and survival as key to ageing well.

Conclusions

Our review suggests that mainstream ageing frameworks do not fully reflect the priorities of older First Nations Australians. This has important implications for ageing policy and the design and delivery of culturally safe aged and health care services.
Acquired palmoplantar keratoderma associated with primary biliary cholangitis: Complete and persistent resolution after ursodeoxycholic acid treatment
Authors: March‐Rodriguez Alvaro , Marcantonio Orianna , Olmos‐Alpiste Ferran , Pujol Ramon M.
Published: December 2021

A 57‐year‐old woman presenting an acquired and persisting palmoplantar keratoderma associated with primary biliary cholangitis is reported. Treatment with oral ursodeoxycholic acid was prescribed, and a complete and persistent resolution of skin lesions was noted. This observation seems to support that acquired palmoplantar keratoderma is an uncommon cutaneous manifestation of primary biliary cholangitis.
Fetal central nervous system anomalies according to RT‐PCR and trimester of maternal infection with Zika virus: A prospective cohort study
Authors: Gutiérrez‐Sánchez Luz Ángela , Becerra‐Mojica Carlos Hernán , Rojas Mario Augusto , Díaz‐Martínez Luis Alfonso , Pérez Vera Luis Alfonso , Contreras García Gustavo Adolfo , Pinilla García Luz Stella
Published: December 2021

Introduction

In October 2015, an epidemic of Zika began in Colombia’s geographic areas with a high population of mosquitoes of the genus Aedes. We aimed to describe the fetal brain ultrasound findings in pregnant women with active symptoms or a history of symptoms suggestive of Zika virus (ZIKV) infection.

Material and methods

Eligible pregnant women were tested with reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) for ZIKV and followed prospectively using detailed anatomic ultrasound and transvaginal neurosonography to detect structural anomalies of the fetal central nervous system (CNS).

Results

A total of 115 symptomatic women with a positive ZIKV RT‐PCR and 55 with a negative ZIKV RT‐PCR were enrolled in the study; CNS compromise of the fetus occurred in 22% and 17%, respectively (p = 0.255). Callosal dysgenesis (14.5%) was the most frequent anomaly of the CNS, followed by microcephaly (13.6%) and neuronal migration disorders (8.3%). When symptomatic ZIKV RT‐PCR‐positive women were categorized by trimester of infection, CNS anomalies were present in 40% of first‐trimester infections, compared with 21% and 7% in second‐ and third‐trimester infections (p = 0.002). CNS anomalies were also more severe in first–trimester‐infected fetuses than in second– and third–trimester‐infected fetuses. The high prevalence of CNS anomalies in fetuses of symptomatic ZIKV RT‐PCR negative women suggests a high rate of false‐negative cases and an even higher prevalence of CNS anomalies than observed in this study.

Conclusions

The prevalence of fetal CNS anomalies was higher than previously reported in the literature for both symptomatic RT‐PCR‐positive and ‐negative pregnant women. Corpus callosum anomalies, microcephaly, neuronal migration disorders, and brain parenchymal hyperechogenicities were the most frequent CNS anomalies detected. In addition, CNS anomalies were more frequent and severe in infected fetuses during the first trimester of pregnancy than during the second or third trimester.
The use of cerium oxide nanoparticles in liver disorders: A double‐sided coin?
Authors: Attia Noha , Rostom Dina M. , Mashal Mohamed
Published: December 2021

Being recognized as the first antioxidant nanoparticles (NPs) proposed for medicine, cerium oxide NPs (CeO2NPs) have recently gained tremendous attention for their vast biomedical applications. Nevertheless, inconsistent reports of either medical benefits or toxicity have created an atmosphere of uncertainty hindering their clinical utilization. Like other NPs advocated as a promising protective/therapeutic option, CeO2NPs are sometimes questioned as a health threat. As CeO2NPs tend to accumulate in the liver after intravenous injection, liver is known to represent the key tissue to test for their therapeutic/toxicological effects. However, more research evidence is still needed before any conclusions can be elicited about the mechanisms by which CeO2NPs could be harmful or protective/therapeutic to the liver tissue. A proper understanding of such discrepancies is warranted to plan for further modifications to mitigate any side effects. Therefore, in this MiniReview, we tried to demonstrate the two sides of the same coin, CeO2NPs, within the liver context. As well, we highlighted a few promising strategies by which the negatives of CeO2NPs could be diminished while enhancing all the positives.
Crosstalk between epithelial sodium channels (ENaC) and basolateral potassium channels (Kir4.1/Kir5.1) in the cortical collecting duct
Authors: Isaeva Elena , Bohovyk Ruslan , Fedoriuk Mykhailo , Shalygin Alexey , Klemens Christine A. , Zietara Adrian , Levchenko Vladislav , Denton Jerod S. , Staruschenko Alexander , Palygin Oleg
Published: December 2021

Background and Purpose

Inwardly rectifying K+ (Kir) channels located on the basolateral membrane of epithelial cells of the distal nephron play a crucial role in K+ handling and BP control, making these channels an attractive target for the treatment of hypertension. The purpose of the present study was to determine how the inhibition of basolateral Kir4.1/Kir5.1 heteromeric K+ channel affects epithelial sodium channel (ENaC)‐mediated Na+ transport in the principal cells of cortical collecting duct (CCD).

Experimental Approach

The effect of fluoxetine, amitriptyline and recently developed Kir inhibitor, VU0134992, on the activity of Kir4.1, Kir4.1/Kir5.1 and ENaC were tested using electrophysiological approaches in CHO cells transfected with respective channel subunits, cultured polarized epithelial mCCDcl1 cells and freshly isolated rat and human CCD tubules. To test the effect of pharmacological Kir4.1/Kir5.1 inhibition on electrolyte homeostasis in vivo and corresponding changes in distal tubule transport, Dahl salt‐sensitive rats were injected with amitriptyline (15 mg·kg−1·day−1) for 3 days.

Key Results

We found that inhibition of Kir4.1/Kir5.1, but not the Kir4.1 channel, depolarizes the cell membrane, induces the elevation of intracellular Ca2+ concentration and suppresses ENaC activity. Furthermore, we demonstrate that amitriptyline administration leads to a significant drop in plasma K+ level, triggering sodium excretion and diuresis.

Conclusion and Implications

The present data uncover a specific role of the Kir4.1/Kir5.1 channel in the modulation of ENaC activity and emphasize the potential for using Kir4.1/Kir5.1 inhibitors to regulate electrolyte homeostasis and BP.
An independent in‐depth analysis proposing adjusted Global Initiative on Asthma Step 1–2 treatment suggestions
Authors: Larenas‐Linnemann Désirée , Navarrete‐Rodríguez Elsy Maureen , Luna‐Pech Jorge A. , Benítez Rosaura , Cano‐Salas Maria Carmen , Del Rio‐Navarro Blanca E. , García‐Ramírez Ulises Noel , Gochicoa Laura , López‐Estrada Erika del Carmen , Ortega‐Martell José Antonio , Salas Hernández Jorge
Published: December 2021

The Global Initiative on Asthma (GINA) strategy included major changes for the treatment of mild asthma in the 2020 version that are even taken to the next level in 2021, leaving a preferred track with only rescue therapy with inhaled corticosteroid and formoterol (ICS‐FORM) for steps 1–2 in 12+ years old. It has been questioned how solid the evidence behind these recommendations is. We decided to independently conduct an in‐depth analysis of published evidence based on a comprehensive evaluation of original articles and related appendices and publications, including quality of evidence and risk of bias per article. We first defined the major asthma treatment goals and proceeded to review how these were met in publications referenced in the main asthma guidelines. For patients with GINA (2021) Step 1 characteristics, the analysis supports GINA's decision to avoid SABA monotherapy and to prefer ICS‐FORM rescue with an alternative ICS rescue every time a SABA is used for ≥12 years, even though evidence is extrapolated from step 2 patients. For 6‐ to 11‐year‐olds, we propose to consider ICS‐FORM rescue as an alternative, as its use has been approved in this age group, be it not as rescue medication. For patients with GINA 2021 Step 2 characteristics, our proposal slightly differs from GINA 2021. We propose to continue avoiding the separate use of SABA, using ICS rescue whenever a fast‐acting bronchodilator is taken (even with ICS maintenance). Also, the superiority of ICS‐FORM rescue over classical step 2 treatment is not uniform and year‐long experience is lacking. Consequently, for now, both treatment options seem equal: ICS‐FORM rescue or ICS maintenance with SABA (+ICS) rescue. For 6‐ to 11‐year‐olds, ICS rescue every time a SABA is used has the advantage of lower total ICS dose; as alternative we suggest ICS‐FORM rescue. The best treatment option depends on patient characteristics and treatment goals. Recommendations should be reviewed as soon as new evidence becomes available.
Successful treatment of knee erythromelalgia with topical oxymetazoline
Authors: Altemir Arcadi , Iglesias-Sancho Maribel , Barrabés-Torrella Cristina , Sanchez-Regaña Manuel , Salleras-Redonnet Montse
Published: December 2021

Erythromelalgia is an infrequent syndrome with a profound impact on quality of life. Its management is usually challenging and multiple treatments have been reported with variable response rates. To the best of our knowledge, we present the first case of erythromelalgia successfully treated with topical oxymetazoline.
High DHEAS in girls and metabolic features throughout pubertal maturation
Authors: Pereira Ana , Merino Paulina M. , Santos Jose L. , Iñiguez German , Cutler Gordon B. , Corvalan Camila , Mericq Veronica
Published: December 2021

Context

An association between premature adrenarche and metabolic syndrome at presentation has been described. Our aim was to assess whether the presence of high dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEAS [HD]) at the adrenarche determines the risk of metabolic syndrome during puberty, taking into account body mass index (BMI) and birth weight.

Design

Prospective observational.

Patients

Five hundred four girls from the Growth and Obesity Chilean Cohort Study were followed from birth through puberty. At age ~7, subjects were classified by DHEAS concentrations into the HD (>75th percentile) or normal DHEAS (ND, ≤75th percentile) subgroups.

Measurements

Anthropometrics, semiannual clinical pubertal staging and hormonal and metabolic levels. The relationships among DHEAS at age ~7, metabolic syndrome, and each of its components independently, were analyzed by linear and logistic regression models during puberty and 1‐year postmenarche, adjusted by confounders.

Results

Girls with HD at 7 years exhibited higher BMI, more central fat and higher serum androgen and insulin like growth factor (IGF)‐I levels throughout puberty. Also, girls with HD had a greater prevalence of hyperglycemia at B2 and B4 breast stages, and of low HDL at B4. At 1 year after menarche, HD girls had a higher prevalence of metabolic syndrome, and those with BMI > 1 SD score had a higher metabolic score and insulin levels than ND girls with similar BMI.

Conclusions

Our observations suggest that girls with HD at the age of adrenarche may be at greater risk for metabolic syndrome at adolescence, especially in those who are overweight or obese. Our results emphasize the importance of lifestyle interventions for childhood overweight and obesity among girls with HD.
Rare and de novo duplications containing TCF20 are associated with a neurodevelopmental disorder
Authors: Lévy Jonathan , Cogan Guillaume , Maruani Anna , Maillard Arnaud , Dupont Céline , Drunat Séverine , Rachid Myriam , Atzori Paola , Delorme Richard , Jeyarajah Sabatini , Isidor Bertrand , Pichon Olivier , Moradkhani Kamran , Verloes Alain , Tabet Anne‐Claude
Published: December 2021

Transcriptor co‐activator factor 20 gene (TCF20) encodes a nuclear chromatin‐binding protein involved in regulation of gene expression. In human pathology, pathogenic variants or deletions in TCF20 were identified in patients with developmental delay, variable intellectual disability and behavioral impairment (OMIM: 618430). The shared core phenotype includes developmental delay, hypotonia, motor delay, autism spectrum disorders, neurobehavioral anomalies, neurological features such as ataxia, seizures, movement disorders, structural brain anomalies, craniofacial features and various congenital anomalies. Most pathogenic variants are loss‐of‐function variants. Duplication including TCF20 was suspected to cause a neurodevelopmental disorder (NDD) with mirror traits compared to patients with TCF20 deletions. In the present study, we report three patients from three unrelated families with NDD with a de novo duplication at 22q13.2 encompassing TCF20. We propose that the TCF20 duplication could be involved in a new 22q13.2 microduplication syndrome with high penetrance, enlarging the genotype–phenotype knowledge of TCF20‐associated NDDs.
Path Guiding Using Spatio‐Directional Mixture Models
Authors: Dodik Ana , Papas Marios , Öztireli Cengiz , Müller Thomas
Published: December 2021

We propose a learning‐based method for light‐path construction in path tracing algorithms, which iteratively optimizes and samples from what we refer to as spatio‐directional Gaussian mixture models (SDMMs). In particular, we approximate incident radiance as an online‐trained 5D mixture that is accelerated by a D‐tree. Using the same framework, we approximate BSDFs as pre‐trained D mixtures, where is the number of BSDF parameters. Such an approach addresses two major challenges in path‐guiding models. First, the 5D radiance representation naturally captures correlation between the spatial and directional dimensions. Such correlations are present in, for example parallax and caustics. Second, by using a tangent‐space parameterization of Gaussians, our spatio‐directional mixtures can perform approximate product sampling with arbitrarily oriented BSDFs. Existing models are only able to do this by either foregoing anisotropy of the mixture components or by representing the radiance field in local (normal aligned) coordinates, which both make the radiance field more difficult to learn. An additional benefit of the tangent‐space parameterization is that each individual Gaussian is mapped to the solid sphere with low distortion near its centre of mass. Our method performs especially well on scenes with small, localized luminaires that induce high spatio‐directional correlation in the incident radiance.
An improved iliac lymph node method for production of monoclonal antibodies
Authors: Kobayashi Tomoe , Namba Masumi , Kohno Mayumi , Koyano Takayuki , Sado Yoshikazu , Matsuyama Makoto
Published: December 2021

Monoclonal antibodies have been applied in a wide range of biological and medical studies since the advent of cell fusion technology. Although cell fusion techniques have been improved by using myelomas and reagents, researchers still find it difficult to produce monoclonal antibodies because of the long protocols, high costs, and low efficiency of obtaining hybridomas. To solve these problems, we first developed an iliac lymph node method in 1995 using rats. In this method, an antigen emulsion is injected intramuscularly into the tail base, and then B lymphocytes are isolated from the enlarged iliac lymph nodes. This method is approximately 10 times more productive than the conventional spleen method. Here, we present further improvements to the iliac lymph node method to render it easily applicable in both mice and rats. We found that the frequency of hybridomas secreting specific antibodies was over five times higher using the electro cell fusion method than using the polyethylene glycol (PEG) fusion method. This frequency using the iliac lymph node method with electro cell fusion is at least 50 times higher than that using the traditional spleen method, thereby leading to the reduction in the number of mice or rats to be sacrificed. In addition, only a single injection for immunization is necessary for the iliac lymph node method, opposed to three for the spleen method. Therefore, this method is rapid, inexpensive, and ethical for producing monoclonal antibodies.
Assessing the risk of thromboembolism in cancer patients receiving immunotherapy
Authors: Goel Abhishek , Khorana Arjun , Kartika Thomas , Gowda Sonia , Tao Derrick L. , Thawani Rajat , Shatzel Joseph J.
Published: December 2021

Malignancy has long been implicated with hypercoagulability, leading to an increased rate of both venous and arterial thromboembolic events (VTE and ATE). Immunotherapy has established itself as a cornerstone of modern cancer therapy by promoting antitumor immune responses, though there have been some suggestions that immune‐related adverse events could include increased rates of VTE and ATE. In this review, we examine the available evidence regarding the use of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) and thrombosis. First, we describe the potential mechanisms by which ICIs might lead to thrombophilia given the overlap between the immune system, coagulation cascade, and platelet adhesion and activation. In addition, while there are some preclinical data evaluating immunotherapy‐associated ATEs in animal models, there is a paucity of evidence exploring potential mechanism of VTEs in ICIs. Second, we review the incidence of ATE and VTE in patients receiving ICIs in the published literature. Finally, we discuss current limitations in understanding, areas of conflicting evidence, and approaches to further investigation.
Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation modulates cortical–subcortical connectivity in sensorimotor network
Authors: Chen Jing , Fan Yanzi , Wei Wei , Wang Luoyu , Wang Xiaoyu , Fan Fengmei , Jia Zejuan , Li Mengting , Wang Jinhui , Zou Qihong , Chen Bing , Lv Yating
Published: December 2021

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) holds the ability to modulate the connectivity within the stimulated network. However, whether and how the rTMS targeted over the primary motor cortex (M1) could affect the connectivity within the sensorimotor network (SMN) is not fully elucidated. Hence, in this study, we investigated the after‐effects of rTMS over left M1 at different frequencies on connectivity within SMN. Forty‐five healthy participants were recruited and randomly divided into three groups according to rTMS frequencies (high‐frequency [HF], 3 Hz; low‐frequency [LF], 1 Hz; and SHAM). Participants received 1‐Hz, 3‐Hz or sham stimulation and underwent two functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scanning sessions before and after rTMS intervention. Using resting‐state functional connectivity (FC) approach, we found that high‐ and low‐frequency rTMS had opposing effects on FC within the SMN, especially for connectivity with subcortical regions (i.e., putamen, thalamus and cerebellum). Specifically, the reductions in connectivity between cortical and subcortical regions within cortico‐basal ganglia thalamo‐cortical circuits and the cognitive loop of cerebellum, and increased connectivity between cortical and subdivisions within the sensorimotor loop of cerebellum were observed after high‐frequency rTMS intervention, whereas the thalamus and cognitive cerebellum subdivisions exhibited increased connectivity, and sensorimotor cerebellum subdivisions showed decreased connectivity with stimulated target after low‐frequency stimulation. Collectively, these findings demonstrated the alterations of connectivity within SMN after rTMS intervention at different frequencies and may help to understand the mechanisms of rTMS treatment for movement disorders associated with deficits in subcortical regions such as Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease and Tourette's syndrome.
Balanced hierarchical max margin matrix factorization for recommendation system
Authors: Ravakhah Mahdi , Jalali Mehrdad , Forghani Yahya , Sheibani Reza
Published: December 2021

Matrix factorization (MF) is one of the most important regression analysis methods used in recommendation systems. Max margin matrix factorization (MMMF) is a variant of MF which transforms the regression analysis problem into a single multi‐class classification problem, and then learns a multi‐class max margin classifier to achieve to a better error rate. One drawback of multi‐class MMMF is its bias towards class with small sample size. Therefore, hierarchical MMMF (HMF) which uses some two‐class MMMF problems in a hierarchical manner for multi‐class classification was proposed. Each two‐class MMMF of HMF is learned on the basis of thresholded training data which is too imbalanced for some two‐class MMMFs. Meanwhile, all training data is used in each two‐class MMMF. In the test phase of HMF, an imbalanced tree is used to estimate rating. Each node of this tree is a learned two‐class MMMF. In this paper, we propose a balanced HMF, which constructs a balanced tree with minimum depth. Each node of this tree is a learned two‐class MMMF on the basis of a part of data which is selected such that to be more balanced than that of the traditional HMF. Moreover, each part of data in our proposed balanced HMF does not have overlap with all previous parts of data. Therefore, the overall training data used in each step of balanced HMF is smaller than that of in the traditional HMF. Experimental results on real datasets show that training time, test time and error rate of our proposed balanced HMF is better than those of the traditional HMF.
RETRACTED: An efficient deep learning‐based video captioning framework using multi‐modal features
Authors: Varma Soumya , James Dinesh Peter
Published: December 2021

Visual understanding has become more significant in gathering information in many real‐life applications. For a human, it is a trivial task to understand the content in a visual, however the same is a challenging task for a machine. Generating captions for images and videos for better understanding the situation is gaining more importance as they have wide application in assistive technologies, automatic video captioning, video summarizing, subtitling, blind navigation, and so on. The visual understanding framework will analyse the content present in the video to generate semantically accurate caption for the visual. Apart from the visual understanding of the situation, the gained semantics must be represented in a natural language like English, for which we require a language model. Hence, the semantics and grammar of the sentences being generated in English is yet another challenge. The captured description of the video is supposed to collect information of not just the objects contained in the scene, but it should also express how these objects are related to each other through the activity described in the scene, thus making the entire process a complex task for a machine. This work is an attempt to peep into the various methods for video captioning using deep learning methodologies, datasets that are widely used for these tasks and various evaluation metrics that are used for the performance comparison. The insights that we gained from our premiere work and the extensive literature review made us capable of proposing a practical, efficient video captioning architecture using deep learning which that will utilize the audio clues, external knowledge and attention context to improve the captioning process. Quantum deep learning architectures can bring about extraordinary results in object recognition tasks and feature extraction using convolutions.
Fisheries management on Lake Victoria at a crossroads: Assessing fishers’ perceptions on future management options in Uganda
Authors: Mpomwenda Veronica , Kristófersson Daði Mar , Taabu‐Munyaho Anthony , Tómasson Tumi , Pétursson Jón Geir
Published: December 2021

Fishers’ perceptions on the state of fisheries and the applicable fisheries management system in Lake Victoria (LV), Uganda, were assessed. Fisheries management in the lake is currently at a crossroads. The government abolished a co‐management system in November 2015 and installed the military to temporary enforce management. The objective of this study was to explore how fishers envisage future management options by assessing past management regimes and analysing perceptions of alternative regimes. A total of 273 semi‐structured interviews at six selected landing sites on LV in Uganda were conducted. Fishers targeted two dominant species, Nile perch, Lates niloticus (L.), mainly on motorised vessels representing the commercial fishers and dagaa, Rastrineobola argentea (Pellegrin), using both motorised and paddled vessels. The dominance of motorised fishing vessels depicted a consequence of the army operations and represents government priority to protect rather than regulate commercial fishing operations. Fishers mainly perceived regulations they knew about as effective, strongly opposed local governments as a management entity and assigned management to fisher groups as expected. The results support a management regime of key resource users organised by common interest groups to participate in decision‐making and combined government structures to regulate and enforce sustainable fisheries measures.
The varying use of online supplier portals in auto parts‐automotive value chains and its implications for learning and upgrading: The case for the Mexican and Turkish suppliers
Authors: Sancak Merve
Published: December 2021

This article examines the use of online supplier portals (OSPs) in managing lead firm–supplier relations in global auto parts‐automotive value chains (AACs) from suppliers’ point of view, and the implications of OSP usage for upgrading prospects of suppliers from middle‐income countries. The research is based on interviews with representatives of 33 auto parts suppliers and stakeholders of the auto parts‐automotive industry from Turkey and Mexico. The article has three main findings. Firstly, the use of OSPs is not the same across AACs and depends on the existing governance structures in these chains. Secondly, OSPs are used more in AACs with loose governance structures while their usage decreases as supplier–buyer coordination increases, which contrasts the mainstream expectations. Thirdly, the use of OSPs is not transforming the governance structures or implications of these structures for suppliers but rather reinforces the existing dynamics in these aspects.
Inhibition of phenolics on the in vitro digestion of noodles from the view of phenolics release
Authors: Wang Ruibin , Li Ming , Wu Gang , Hui Xiaodan , Tu Juncai , Brennan Margaret A. , Guo Boli , Brennan Charles S.
Published: December 2021

The inhibition mechanism of buckwheat phenolics on in vitro starch digestion was investigated using extruded noodles with buckwheat starch and phenolic extract (0.50%–2.00%). The cooking quality and reducing sugar released during in vitro digestion were studied, and the extractable phenolic content along digestion was also monitored to reveal a dose–effect relationship between reducing sugar released and the release of phenolics. Noodles containing increased phenolics released less reducing sugar (230–188 mg g−1) during digestion. Cooking and digestion made phenolics more extractable, and most of the phenolics were released at the end of the gastric phase (85.6%–94.8%) compared with during the small intestinal digestion. The IC50 of buckwheat phenolic extract (0.102 mg mL−1) was four times that of acarbose (0.032 mg mL−1). The inhibitory mechanism was further analysed using molecular docking, in which the activity of α‐amylase was inhibited by phenolics that bind with active sites of α‐amylase through hydrogen bonds and hydrophobic interaction. Phenolics interacting with starch and the released phenolics can both explain the reduction in starch digestion.
Phytochemicals and bioactivities of Goji (Lycium barbarum L. and Lycium chinense Mill.) leaves and their potential applications in the food industry: a review
Authors: Lei Zilun , Chen Xianqiang , Cao Fuliang , Guo Qirong , Wang Jiahong
Published: December 2021

Goji leaves, including Lycium barbarum L. and Lycium chinense Mill. leaves, have been used as traditional Chinese medicine materials for nourishing kidneys and enhancing eyesight but are mostly discarded at present. The nutritional composition of Goji leaves is similar to that of Goji berries even some components are more plentiful in the former, such as flavonoids. This paper firstly reviews the main phytochemicals of Goji leaves. Also, updated information on the biological activities of Goji leaves is narrated. Based on the long use history and existing bioactivity data on Goji leaves, we propose their potential applications in the food industry and encourage further investigation on Goji leaves.
Detecting the presence of supernumerary teeth during the early mixed dentition stage using deep learning algorithms: A pilot study
Authors: Mine Yuichi , Iwamoto Yuko , Okazaki Shota , Nakamura Kentaro , Takeda Saori , Peng Tzu‐Yu , Mitsuhata Chieko , Kakimoto Naoya , Kozai Katsuyuki , Murayama Takeshi
Published: December 2021

Background

Supernumerary teeth are a common anomaly and are frequently observed in paediatric patients. To prevent or minimize complications, early diagnosis and treatment is ideal in children with supernumerary teeth.

Aim

This study aimed to apply convolutional neural network (CNN)–based deep learning to detect the presence of supernumerary teeth in children during the early mixed dentition stage.

Design

Three CNN models, AlexNet, VGG16‐TL, and InceptionV3‐TL, were employed in this study. A total of 220 panoramic radiographs (from children aged 6 years 0 months to 9 years 6 months) including supernumerary teeth (cases, n = 120) or no anomalies (controls, n = 100) were retrospectively analyzed. The CNN performances were assessed according to accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, and area under the ROC curves for a cross‐validation test dataset.

Results

The VGG16‐TL model had the highest performance according to accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, and area under the ROC curve, but the other models had similar performance.

Conclusion

CNN‐based deep learning is a promising approach for detecting the presence of supernumerary teeth during the early mixed dentition stage.
Effectiveness of technology‐based interventions on psychological morbidities, quality of life for informal caregivers of stroke survivors: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Chin Wei Jien , Ho Yun Ling Selina , Ramazanu Sheena , Itoh Sakiko , Klainin‐Yobas Piyanee , Wu Xi Vivien
Published: December 2021

Aims

To evaluate the effectiveness of technology‐based interventions in reducing psychological morbidities such as depressive symptomology, anxiety, burden and improving quality of life and self‐efficacy in informal caregivers of stroke survivors.

Design

A systematic review and meta‐analysis.

Data Sources

An extensive search was systematically undertaken at CENTRAL, PubMed, Embase, Scopus, CINHAL, Web of Science and PsycInfo until January 2021. Grey literature and dissertations were searched in Google Scholar, ProQuest & Scholarbank@NUS. Studies involving registered trials were retrieved from Clinicaltrials.gov and CENTRAL, respectively.

Review Methods

Two reviewers independently screened the trials, conducted quality appraisal and extracted the data. Quality of the studies included in the review was assessed using Cochrane Risk of bias tool. Meta‐analysis was conducted using RevMan 5.4. Narrative synthesis was performed for studies where results could not be pooled statistically. The results were reported abiding Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses guidelines.

Results

This review included 15 trials with a total of 1276 informal caregivers of stroke survivors. Eleven trials were included in the meta‐analysis. Subgroup analyses revealed that technology‐based interventions with structured educational programs were statistically significant in reducing depressive symptoms (d = −0.27, 95% CI [−0.49 to −0.05], p = .02). Technology‐based interventions with structured educational programs <3‐month revealed significant effects (d = −0.31, 95% CI [−0.49 to −0.13], p = .0009). Results of narrative synthesis reported technology‐based intervention with face‐to‐face training minimized depressive symptoms of informal caregivers. Notably, there were no statistically significant effects on anxiety, burden, quality of life and self‐efficacy outcomes.

Conclusion

Technology‐based interventions had beneficial effects in alleviating depressive symptoms among informal caregivers.

Impact

Technology‐based interventions serve as a support mechanism for informal caregivers of stroke survivors who face time‐constrains. Further high‐quality randomized controlled trials are warranted to elucidate sustainability, optimal format and dosage of intervention.
Learning to eRead: A qualitative exploration of young children's developing eReader practices
Authors: Schmitt Kelly L. , Hurwitz Lisa B. , Nichols Deborah
Published: December 2021

Background

Previous eBook studies were primarily cross‐sectional surveys or experimental studies providing a snapshot of the impact of eBook reading on children's emergent literacy skills. Scholars have yet to characterize more fine grain developmental progressions in the use of eReaders and similar devices – that is, how children's eBook‐related practices evolve over time and what might be changing behaviourally over the course of repeated readings for any age group.

Objectives

This is the first study to characterize young children's (2 to 3 years) use of eReaders over the span of several months under semi‐naturalistic conditions.

Methods

Twenty five mothers and their 2.5‐ to 3.5‐year‐old child engaged in a series of documentation exercises and interviews around use of a novel eReader device. This study is exploratory and deductive in nature, and hypotheses were not set forth a priori.

Results and Conclusions

The results of the present study suggest that children develop increasing mastery of the affordances of eReaders as their device exposure increases. Over time, their ability to independently engage with devices rapidly increases. They transition from needing technical support from parents and high levels of encouragement to attend to literacy content over hotspots, to sometimes using the device independently, to considering the device a mainstay in their home – no longer a novelty.

Implications for practice and/or policy

The developmental usability patterns noted in this study extend our naturalistic understanding of young children's dexterity with digital devices and point to methodological approaches that might yield more ecologically valid findings in future studies.