bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessing the quality of bibliographic data sources for measuring international research collaboration
Authors: Nguyen Ba Xuan , Luczak-Roesch Markus , Dinneen Jesse David , Larivière Vincent
Published: September 2022

Measuring international research collaboration (IRC) is essential to various research assessment tasks but the effect of various measurement decisions, including which data sources to use, has not been thoroughly studied. To better understand the effect of data source choice on IRC measurement, we design and implement a data quality assessment framework specifically for bibliographic data by reviewing and selecting available dimensions and designing appropriate computable metrics, and then validate the framework by applying it to four popular sources of bibliographic data: Microsoft Academic Graph, Web of Science (WoS), Dimensions, and the ACM Digital Library. Successful validation of the framework suggests it is consistent with the popular conceptual framework of information quality proposed by Wang and Strong (1996) and adequately identifies the differences in quality in the sources examined. Application of the framework reveals that WoS has the highest overall quality among the sets considered; and that the differences in quality can be explained primarily by how the data sources are organized. Our study comprises a methodological contribution that enables researchers to apply this IRC measurement tool in their studies and makes an empirical contribution by further characterizing four popular sources of bibliographic data and their impact on IRC measurement.
Revision of the genus Chordodes (Gordiida, Nematomorpha) from Africa. II. Ultrastructural redescription of C. africanus Sciacchitano, 1933, C. hawkeri Camerano 1902; C. sandoensis, Sciacchitano 1937; C. schoutedeni, Sciacchitano 1933 and reinterpretation of Chordodes butensis Sciacchitano, 1937
Authors: ZANCA FERNANDA , SCHMIDT-RHAESA ANDREAS , DE VILLALOBOS CRISTINA , ACHIORNO CECILIA
Published: September 2022

We reinvestigate five African species of the genus Chordodes in order to certify the taxonomic descriptions and verify the species status. By scanning electron microscopy, we demonstrate characteristic cuticular patterns for the species Chordodes africanus, C. hawkeri, C. sandoensis and C. schoutedeni. The fifth species, C. butensis, is synonymized with C. africanus, because no differences were detected.
A new endoparasitic gregarine genus, Stomatocystis indica gen. nov., sp. nov. (Apicomplexa: Sporozoea: Stomatophorinae) from the seminal vesicles of an Indian earthworm (Annelida: Oligochaeta) Amynthas diffringens Baird
Authors: BANDYOPADHYAY PROBIR K. , MITRA AMLAN KUMAR , GÖÇMEN BAYRAM
Published: September 2022

During the exploration of acephaline gregarines from oligochaete hosts in India, unique forms were obtained from the seminal vesicles of the earthworm, Amynthas diffringens Baird in Midnapore of West Bengal and are being proposed as a new genus Stomatocystis gen. nov. under the subfamily Stomatophorinae Bhatia, 1930. This gregarine possess oblong body, a mucron transformed into a sucker, complex myocyte and navicular oocysts with truncated ends, thereby justifying its inclusion under the subfamily Stomatophorinae of the family Monocystidae. By possessing, at the anterior end of the body, a crater-like sucker, rimmed by a collar (4.8–7.1 µm), inside of which are parallel protoplasmic ridge-like processes (8.3–10.5 µm in length) which are separated by furrows (1.1–1.6 µm spaced apart), the gregarine can not be assigned to any of the 10 genera under the subfamily Stomatophorinae. Gamonts are oblong. Length and width of gamonts range from 44.0–96.0 (70.5 ± 1.1) µm and 29.0–59.0 (44.0 ± 1.2) µm respectively. Length and width of nucleus range from 11.5–20.0 (17.0 ± 1.1) µm and 9.5–15.0 (13.0 ± 1.2) µm respectively. Gametocysts are ovoidal and their diameter (GD) ranges from 72.0–102.0 (90.0 ± 1.9) µm. Oocysts navicular. Length and width of oocysts range from 7.9–11.0 (9.0 ± 1.1) µm and 3.0–4.0 (3.7 ± 1.1) µm respectively. This species is described as Stomatocystis indica gen. nov., sp. nov. in this paper.
The Australian Genera of Mymaridae (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea)
Authors: LIN NAI-QUAN , HUBER JOHN T. , La SALLE JOHN
Published: September 2022

The genera of Mymaridae occurring in Australia are keyed and a diagnosis for each is given. Forty-five nominal genera are recognized, including three new ones: Kompsomymar Lin and Huber, gen. nov., with type species K. bicoloratum Lin and Huber, sp. nov., Cleruchoides Lin and Huber, gen. nov., with type species C. noackae Lin and Huber, sp. nov., and Parastethynium Lin and Huber, gen. nov., with type species Parastethynium maxwelli (Girault), comb. nov. from Stethynium. The Australian genera are placed in twelve informal groups. Three new generic synonymies are proposed: Haplochaeta, syn. nov. under Cleruchus, Idiocentrus, syn. nov. under Paranaphoidea, and Nesetaerus syn. nov. under Australomymar. Twenty-six new combinations, are proposed: Allanagrus aurum (Girault), A. gladius (Girault) and A. mayeri (Girault) from Stethynium; Arescon nigriceps (Girault) from Anthemus; Australomymar gressitti (Doutt) from Nesetaerus and A. incerta (Girault) from Polynemoidea; Ceratanaphes laplacei (Girault) and C. wallacei (Girault) from Erythmelus; Cleruchus schilleri (Girault) and C. tintoreti (Girault) from Erythmelus, and Cleruchus mandibularis (Noyes and Valentine) from Haplochaeta; Erythmelus emersoni (Girault) from Anthemus; Gonatocerus aureinotum (Dodd), G. bellus (Girault), G. centaurus (Girault), G. citriscapus (Girault), G. flavipes (Girault), G. gigas (Girault), G. ignipes (Girault), G. iona (Girault); G. mirus (Girault), and G. prometheus (Girault) from Ooctonus; Mimalaptus victoriae (Girault) from Dicopus; Paranaphoidea harveyi (Girault) from Erythmelus; Pseudanaphes lincolni (Girault) and P. particoxae (Girault) from Polynemoidea. The species occurring in Australia are listed for each genus and their type localities are given.
The thread-legged bugs (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Reduviidae: Emesinae) of Lord Howe and Norfolk Islands
Authors: TATARNIC NIKOLAI J. , CASSIS GERASIMOS
Published: September 2022

Collections from Lord Howe and Norfolk Islands include three new species and one new locality record of emesine reduviid bugs. From Lord Howe Island Emesopsis cirratus n. sp. the first record of this genus from Lord Howe and Atisne reidi n. sp. are described. Ploiaria weiri n. sp. is described from Norfolk Island. This paper brings the emesine fauna of Lord Howe Island to eight species in six genera and three tribes, and that of Norfolk Island to four species in four genera and three tribes. Our findings support the hypothesis that many invertebrate species are limited in their distributions on these islands, and provide evidence of altitudinal segregation among sisterspecies of the genus Atisne.
Key to the soldiers of Angularitermes Emerson with a new species from Brazilian Amazonia (Isoptera: Termitidae: Nasutitermitinae)
Authors: CARRIJO TIAGO F. , ROCHA MAURICIO M. , CUEZZO CAROLINA , CANCELLO ELIANA M.
Published: September 2022

An identification key based on characters of the soldier caste is provided for species of Angularitermes. Soldiers of previously described species in the genus, A. clypeatus, A. nasutissimus, A. orestes, A. pinocchio and A. tiguassu, are illustrated along with a new species, Angularitermes coninasus, n. sp., that is described and illustrated from soldier and worker castes. Samples of the new species were collected from epigeal nests at the Brazilian Amazon rainforest. The soldier of A. coninasus, n. sp. is distinguished from its congeners by having a short conical frontal tube, much wider at its base.
Cancer amoenus Herbst, 1799, a junior subjective synonym of Atelecyclus undecimdentatus (Herbst, 1783) (Crustacea: Decapoda: Brachyura: Atelecyclidae)
Authors: LOW MARTYN E. Y. , NG PETER K. L.
Published: September 2022

Schram & Ng (2012: 666) remarked that the name Cancer amoenus Herbst, 1799, “has been forgotten and the identity of the species unresolved for two centuries”, and commented briefly that this species is synonymous with Atelecyclus undecimdentatus (Herbst, 1783). We herein provide the necessary explanations for this synonymy.
Ahaetulla nasuta anomala (Annandale, 1906) (Squamata: Colubridae), resurrected as a valid species with marked sexual dichromatism
Authors: MOHAPATRA PRATYUSH P. , DUTTA S. K. , KAR NILADRI B. , DAS ABHIJIT , MURTHY B. H. C.K , DEEPAK V.
Published: September 2022

In this paper we resolve the taxonomic confusion related to Ahaetulla nasuta anomala (Annandale, 1906). On the basis of molecular and morphological data, we remove it from the synonymy of Ahaetulla nasuta (Lacépède, 1789) and reinstate it as a valid species—Ahaetulla anomala. This species is sexually dichromatic, males are green and females are brown in colour. Though the brown morph morphologically resembles Ahaetulla pulverulenta (Duméril, Bibron & Duméril, 1854) there are significant morphological and genetic differences between these two species. Additional information on taxonomy, natural history and distribution of the species is provided.
MicroRNA in the diagnosis of lung cancer: An overview of ten systematic reviews
Authors: Hua Jinyong , Liu Jing , Ma Mingxia , Xie Linsen , Tian Jinhui
Published: September 2022

Objective

To provide theoretical support for clinical diagnosis of lung cancer through an overview of systematic reviews (SRs) of the diagnostic value of miRNA.

Methods

We searched PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library to collect SRs of the diagnostic value of microRNA for lung cancer until April 2021. A comprehensive database search was carried out, screened, and extracted information independently by two researchers, to compare and analyze the sensitivity and specificity of relevant literatures. The ROBIS tool was applied to assess the risk of bias of included SRs and meta-analysis.

Results

A total of 10 SRs were included the results of risk of bias assessment by ROBIS tool showed: 10 SRs completely matched the four questions of phase one. In phase two, nine SRs were low risk of bias in the including criteria field; one study was uncertain; nine SRs were low risk of bias, one study was uncertain in the literature search and screening field; nine SRs were low risk of bias in the data abstraction and quality assessment field, one SR was high; and 10 SRs were low risk of bias in the data synthesis field. In the phase three of comprehensive risk of bias results, 8 studies were low risk, one was high risk, and one study was uncertain. MiRNA had a pooled sensitivity of 0.77 (95% CI: 0.73–0.81) and specificity of 0.81 (95% CI: 0.79–0.84). The summarized area under the SROC curve was 0.86 (95% CI: 0.83–0.89), and combined diagnostic odds ratio was 14.68 (10.87–19.81). The sensitivity and specificity of multiple MicroRNA was 0.80 (0.73–0.85) and 0.80 (0.76–0.83); the sensitivity and specificity of single MicroRNA was 0.74 (0.69–0.79) and 0.83 (0.80–0.88).

Conclusion

MiRNA is a promising biomarker for the diagnosis of lung cancer in Chinese population, with advanced sensitivity and specificity. It provides a faster and less invasive assessment of lung cancer than other markers that require histopathological analysis. We should improve the reliability of the conclusion. The construction of diagnosis for lung cancer provides reliable evidence support.
The Credibility of Communication in a Pandemic
Authors: Guo Liang
Published: September 2022

Social distancing measures are typically recommended to contain the spread of infectious diseases. To improve the public's voluntary compliance, governments and health authorities seek to publicize timely information about the pandemic. Yet social planners may exaggerate or downplay their private information about the disease's severity to elicit their preferred level of social distancing. This is because the relative weight they assign to the costs of isolation over public health may be unbalanced, and people may not fully consider how their social distancing may influence others’ infection risk. Consequently, messages and claims about the pandemic may be distrusted. The author investigates whether and when communication can be fully or partially credible despite apparent incentives for misrepresentation. The author finds that a government would communicate truthfully in equilibrium if and only if the disease severity levels are not too close to each other in the public's prior belief. Nevertheless, an increasing difference between the severity levels need not enhance the credibility of communication. Greater communication credibility may hurt social welfare. Moreover, as the government becomes more concerned about the costs of social distancing, its equilibrium messages may become more or less trustworthy. The article’s results can benefit social planners and users of their messages (e.g., analysts, researchers, investors).
Essential Components for Math Instruction: Considerations for Students With Extensive Support Needs
Authors: Root Jenny , Saunders Alicia , Jimenez Bree , Gilley Deidre
Published: September 2022

In this article, we focus on pairing instructional approaches with a strong evidence base in math with evidence-based practices for students with extensive support needs. To do so we draw on two sources. We use the 2021 Practice Guide from the Institution for Education Sciences (Fuchs et al., 2021). In addition, we use identified evidence-based practices specific for teaching mathematics to students with extensive support needs (Root et al., 2021; Spooner et al., 2017). We describe considerations for implementation of these practices identified by the IES practice guide by describing how to implement them with learners with ESN using additional evidence-based practices and supports.
The Sociological Role of Empathy in the Classroom
Authors: Wynn Colleen E. , Ziff Elizabeth , Snyder Allison H. , Schmidt Kamryn T. , Hill Lauryn L.
Published: September 2022

Teaching during a global pandemic has prompted many discussions about how faculty can best support students and create classrooms where deep learning and engagement occur. In this conversation, we argue there is a role for empathy in college classrooms. We present data from interviews with faculty at a small, Midwestern, teaching-focused university during the fall of 2020. We map these perspectives onto the empathy paths framework and suggest that the therapeutic and instrumental paths are most useful for understanding empathy in the classroom. We also discuss why it is important for faculty to think about empathy and the role sociology can play in these conversations. Finally, we present a series of empathetic practices individual faculty can incorporate into their pedagogy and structural supports that departments and universities can provide to help faculty engage in empathetic practices in the classroom.
Asynchronous bipartite containment control of second-order multi-agent systems under switching topologies
Authors: Li Chen , Xia Hong , Zhu Hongtao
Published: September 2022

This paper investigates the bipartite containment control problem for second-order multi-agent systems (MASs) via asynchronous sampling under switching topologies, where the relationships of both competition and cooperation exist among agents. Under asynchronous setting, each agent only receives its neighbors’ information at its own clock which is independent of the others’. The objective of bipartite containment control is to make the followers converge to a convex hull containing each leader’s trajectory as well as its opposite trajectory, which is the same as it in modulus but different in sign. First, the bipartite control problem is transformed into the converge problem of the product of infinite time-varying row stochastic matrices. Then, based on the theoretical tools including graph theory, nonnegative matrix theorem, and composition of binary relation, a sufficient condition is obtained for the bipartite containment control problem. It is shown that with proper parameters, the bipartite containment control can be achieved if the union of topology graphs related to any time intervals with given length has a directed spanning forest. Finally, the validity of the theoretical result under asynchronous sampling is demonstrated by a numerical simulation.
How political connections affect entrepreneurial risk-taking in SMEs: A symmetric assessment and a configurational approach
Authors: Zhang Jing A. , Bai Tao , O’Kane Conor
Published: September 2022

Drawing on resource dependency theory and the resource-absorbing perspective of risk-taking, this article examines how political connections provide firms with opportunities to gain government funding support to enhance financial slack, which can in turn benefit their entrepreneurial risk-taking. We employ both symmetrical (partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM)) and configurational approaches (fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA)) using a sample of 202 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in China. Our results from PLS-SEM suggest government financial funding support and financial slack play sequential mediating roles in the relationship between political connections and entrepreneurial risk-taking. The results of fsQCA further highlight the importance of political connections and financial slack as core conditions for entrepreneurial risk-taking and uncover the multiple pathways through which political connections influence entrepreneurial risk-taking. These findings advance our understanding of how entrepreneurial risk-taking in SMEs may require configurations of different resources.
Prediction of shear deformation and thickness gradients in deep-draw forming of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene
Authors: Yeager Michael , Parker Jason C , Kubiak Damian , Shaw Wesley S , Bogetti Travis A
Published: September 2022

Ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) composite armor offers a high level of lightweight protection. In the manufacturing of complex curvature UHMWPE based protective materials, UHMWPE composites are transformed from flat sheet stock to a near net shape complex curvature preform through deep-draw forming. The development of a deep-draw forming process model is critical for predicting UHMWPE sheet deformation during processing and knowing the fiber orientations at each location in the entire final part. This work introduces a robust methodology to model the deep-draw forming process. The model is validated by comparing critical output with experimental results for multiple UHMWPE materials and over a range of part thicknesses. A hemispherical geometry is used to demonstrate the methodology. A homogenization strategy for grouping sheets is presented and validated, which is critical for keeping computational times manageable. The influence of the material in-plane shear response, a critical model input, is investigated. The model developed in this work represents a valuable tool for selecting deep-draw forming parameters and accelerates the evaluation of new and emerging UHMWPE materials for application in manufacturing complex curvature protective armor.
Distributed robust output feedback control of uncertain fractional-order reaction-diffusion systems
Authors: Zhao Ailiang , Li Junmin , Lei Yanfang , Fan Aili
Published: September 2022

This article focuses on the problem of distributed robust stabilization for a class of uncertain fractional-order reaction–diffusion systems (FRDS) by using two distributed output feedback control strategies: pointwise control based on collocated pointwise measurements and piecewise control based on collocated piecewise measurements. First, the corresponding distributed robust feedback controllers are designed based on the two measurement methods. Then, based on the Lyapunov direct method, Mittag-Leffler (M-L) function, and linear matrix inequality technique (LMI), sufficient conditions for the Mittag-Leffler stability of the closed-loop system are obtained in terms of linear matrix inequalities, respectively. Finally, numerical studies are given to verify the effectiveness of the robust distributed controllers designed in this article.
Advocating to Put Policy in Place
Authors: Roberts Julia Link
Published: September 2022

Advocacy is important in order to have policy that establishes best practices at the local, state, and national levels. Planning an advocacy initiative includes setting the goal, crafting the advocacy message, having a point person for coordinating communication, researching the individual or group that can make the decision to put the initiative in place and determine when that could happen, and identifying others to share interest in the advocacy goal. If and when decisions are made to establish policy or regulation, it is key for advocates to stay alert and continue to advocate for best practices.
Quadcopter stabilization using hybrid controller under mass variation and disturbances
Authors: Kumar Sanjay , Dewan Lillie
Published: September 2022

This paper proposes a hybrid sliding mode control with backstepping with Proportional–Integral–Derivative sliding surface (PID-SMCBS) flight position control strategy for a quadcopter. A proposed controller makes the Quadcopter follow the desired trajectory and tends to improve the Quadcopter’s rotational and translation position performance (in terms of fast transient response, high accuracy with reduced chattering effect). It is robust as compared to existing control approaches SMC-BS and PIDSMC as it mitigates the effect of the disturbance (aerodynamic effect, sensor noise, external noise, and wind noise) and mass variation (uncertainty). The Lyapunov stability theory proves that all the states retain and reach the sliding surface.
Convergence performance of flexural wave in the unconventional acoustic black hole
Authors: Bao Yue , Liu Xiandong , Shan Yingchun
Published: September 2022

Two-dimensional traditional acoustic black hole (ABH) embedded in the plate has been recognized as a highly effective tool for wave energy harvesting, which enables wave trajectories to converge into a confined area. Traditional ABH is a rotational symmetrical circular indentation, and the residual thickness platform is always located in the center. This type of ABH has been widely investigated in previous study. However, the discussion on the structure configuration and layout of the residual thickness platform is rare. In this paper, two types of unconventional ABHs embedded in the plate are proposed and studied, namely “Heteromorphic ABH” and “Eccentric ABH,” which represent that the shape of indentation is no longer a circle and the inner platform is not located in the center, respectively. These unconventional ABHs can also converge the flexural wave, but the focalization phenomenon is obviously distinct from that of the traditional ABH. The converging performances are characterized through the ray-tracing method based on the geometrical acoustic method. The validation of calculated results is conducted using the finite element simulation. Moreover, the effects of ABH geometric parameters are investigated in detail. The unconventional ABH demonstrates the multiplicity in structure and shows the potential of the flexible manipulation for flexural waves.
Visit Intention Via Mobile App Usage in Pandemic Alleviation: Influences of Regulatory Focus and Risk
Authors: Yi Xiao (Shannon) , Kim Hwang , Luo Xiaoyan , Wan Lisa C.
Published: September 2022

This study examines the relationship between pandemic alleviation and tourists’ intention to visit tourist and hospitality sites. It identifies that tourists’ regulatory focus affects their risk perception in visiting tourist and hospitality sites via mobile app usage during the stage of pandemic alleviation. Mixed methods that combine quantitative modeling and experiment were adopted. A total of six sets of panel data of mobile app usage in South Korea during and after the first wave of the pandemic was analyzed, supported by an experimental study to test the causal effect. Results reveal an increasing intention to engage in on-site hospitality and tourism activities in the alleviating period of a pandemic wave. This tendency is stronger for promotion-focused (vs. prevention-focused) tourists. The experimental study also confirms that risk perception mediates the relationship between pandemic alleviation and visit intention. This research provides insights for facilitating the recovery of the travel and hospitality industry.

Highlights

Mobile app use records reflect visit intention to tourist sites in the pandemic. Perceived risk mediates the effect of pandemic alleviation on visit intention. Promotion-focused people show higher visit intention when pandemic waves abate. A mixed-method approach was adopted to examine the aforementioned effects.
Modeling of 0-D heat release rate of heavy-duty diesel engine based on classification algorithm
Authors: Liu Xiaoyang , Yao Chong , Chen Jiayao , Song Enzhe
Published: September 2022

With the shortage of fossil fuel and the strengthening of emission regulations, the control strategy using in-cylinder pressure signals has caused extensive concern. Modeling the combustion heat release rate is an indispensable work along with the in development of the diesel combustion control hardware-in-loop system. Based on the analysis of experimental data, four combustion modes are proposed in this paper. The Wiebe-based functions developed for each combustion mode are given. According to experimental launch data, the combustion mode is classified automatically using the multi-classification support vector machine algorithm. The LM-Chaos algorithm based on function parameter identification is proposed. The results show that HRR shape is mainly related to the rate of premixed combustion and diffusion combustion under different operating conditions, and the variation of HRR directly affects the structure of Wiebe-based function. Different combustion modes can be simulated by selecting the starting time of combustion, the duration of combustion phases and the co-existence time of combustion phases. This method can simulate the heat release curves of various working conditions and improve the fitting of heat release curves of long combustion time by adding error function.
The Cognitive and Language Profile of Dementia with Lewy Bodies
Authors: Macoir Joël
Published: September 2022

Dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) is a major neurocognitive disorder (MNCD) that is primarily characterized by motor, cognitive, and behavioral symptoms. Although not dominant in the clinical portrait of DLB, impairments affecting language processing have been reported. It is sometimes challenging to differentiate DLB from Alzheimer’s disease and dementia associated with Parkinson’s disease in clinical practice. Therefore, a better comprehension of the typical clinical presentation of DLB may be useful to ease the medical diagnosis. In this article, current data on cognitive and language disorders in DLB are reported, with special attention paid to their primary or secondary functional origin. The main elements that should be considered for the neuropsychological and speech-language assessment of individuals with possible or proven DLB are also highlighted. Additional studies are needed, especially for language impairment, to obtain a more accurate portrait of the clinical presentation of DLB and characterize its progression.
A Bayesian adaptive design for clinical trials of rare efficacy outcomes with multiple definitions
Authors: Golchi Shirin , Willard James J , Pullenayegum Eleanor , Bassani Diego G , Pell Lisa G , Thorlund Kristian , Roth Daniel E
Published: September 2022

Introduction:

Bayesian adaptive designs for clinical trials have gained popularity in the recent years due to the flexibility and efficiency that they offer. We consider the scenario where the outcome of interest comprises events with relatively low risk of occurrence and different case definitions resulting in varying control group risk assumptions. This is a scenario that occurs frequently for infectious diseases in global health research.

Methods:

We propose a Bayesian adaptive design that incorporates different case definitions of the outcome of interest that vary in stringency. A set of stopping rules are proposed where superiority and futility may be concluded with respect to different outcome definitions and therefore maintain a realistic probability of stopping in trials with low event rates. Through a simulation study, a variety of stopping rules and design configurations are compared.

Results:

The simulation results are provided in an interactive web application that allows the user to explore and compare the design operating characteristics for a variety of assumptions and design parameters with respect to different outcome definitions. The results for select simulation scenarios are provided in the article.

Discussion:

Bayesian adaptive designs offer the potential for maximizing the information learned from the data collected through clinical trials. The proposed design enables monitoring and utilizing multiple composite outcomes based on rare events to optimize the trial design operating characteristics.
The female chief communication officer: An exploration into her leadership traits
Authors: Murphy Breann
Published: September 2022

This study uses leadership theory, specifically leadership styles, to explore the leadership traits female Chief Communication Officers (CCOs) believe they exhibit. A qualitative, phenomenological design is used to conduct in-depth interviews with female CCOs for this exploration. This study found female CCOs believe they exhibit a combination of transactional (managerial) and transformational (relationship-building) leadership traits, as well as leadership traits that are not necessarily associated with either leadership style, such as being a constant learner and having humility. Additionally, these women identify these leadership traits as strengths or areas for improvement, emphasizing their desire to be effective leaders.
Differences in lethality and diffusion of Covid-19 in countries using different kinds of vaccines
Authors: Carta Mauro Giovanni , Orrù Germano , Peracchia Ambra , Cossu Giulia , Velluzzi Fernanda , Atzori Laura , Ferreli Caterina , Ivan Aviles Gonzalez Cesar , Romano Ferdinando , Littera Roberto , Puxeddu Roberto , Chessa Luchino , Firinu Davide , Del Giacco Stefano , Restivo Angelo , Deidda Simona , Scano Alessandra , Coghe Ferdinando , Minerba Luigi , Manconi Maria , Saba Luca
Published: September 2022

To verify if lethality and diffusivity of Covid-19 correlated with percentage of people vaccinated in different countries and whether results on these indicators were comparable under different types of vaccines. A linear regression analysis was conducted between vaccines/inhabitant, new cases/inhabitants and ratio deaths/cases. A comparison between the three indicators was carried out in countries subdivided by kind of vaccine. The proportion of vaccinations/inhabitants correlates negatively with proportion of deaths × 100 cases ( R = −3.90, p < 0.0001), but didn’t on incidence of new cases. Countries with prevalence of mRNA vaccines were similar to others on incidence of new cases; but a lower lethality of Sars-Cov2 was found than in countries with prevalence of viral vehicle vaccines ( F = 6.064, p = 0.0174) but didn’t against countries with prevalence of inactivated vaccines. The higher is the proportion of vaccine/inhabitant in a given country, the less is the fraction of infected people who die.
Zieve Syndrome: A Clinical Triad, or Perchance a Quartet?
Authors: Reyes Jonathan Vincent M. , Ahmad Saad , Majeed Hafsa , Kandoth Eugenio , Lieber Joseph J.
Published: September 2022

Zieve syndrome presents with a triad of hemolytic anemia, unexplained jaundice, and hyperlipidemia secondary to alcohol use/alcohol-induced liver injury, highlighting hemolytic anemia as the hallmark feature. Zieve syndrome is more common than originally perceived as its incidence is estimated to be 1 in 1600 admissions, but its mechanism is still poorly understood. This is a case of a 29-year-old man who developed Zieve syndrome shortly after admission for pancreatitis secondary to alcohol use disorder. Early diagnosis is important to reduce unnecessary tests and interventions. Further studies should be considered to evaluate the association between Zieve syndrome and pancreatitis.
Assessment of Anatomic Restoration and Clinical Outcomes Between Medial and Lateral Meniscal Allograft Transplantation
Authors: Jeong Ho Won , Kim Joo Sung , Nam Hee Seung , Noh Gwon Seok , Lee Yong Seuk
Published: September 2022

Background:

Proper anatomic restoration is an important consideration for meniscal allograft transplantation (MAT), even with the different anatomica characteristics between the medial meniscus and lateral meniscus.

Purpose/Hypothesis:

The purpose of this study was to assess the accuracy of anatomic restoration in medial and lateral MAT (MMAT and LMAT) procedures and to compare their outcomes. We hypothesized that (1) the anatomic differences between the medial and lateral menisci will mean a less accurate anatomic restoration for MMAT and (2) clinical outcomes after MMAT will be inferior compared with LMAT.

Study Design:

Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods:

We retrospectively evaluated 20 patients who underwent MMAT using the bone plug technique and 21 patients who underwent LMAT using the keyhole technique at a single institution from July 2014 to June 2019. Demographic data, previous surgeries, and concomitant procedures were recorded, as were lower limb alignment and osteoarthritis grade on radiographs. Using preoperative and follow-up magnetic resonance imaging, the meniscal position, rotation, extrusion, and intrameniscal signal intensity were evaluated. Clinical outcomes were evaluated using the International Knee Documentation Committee and Lysholm scores.

Results:

The mean follow-up was 41.15 ± 18.86 and 45.43 ± 21.32 months for the MMAT and LMAT patients, respectively. Concomitant procedures were performed in 90% of MMATs and 15% of LMATs. There was no significant difference between the native and postoperative root positions after LMAT; however, for MMAT, the position of the anterior root was located significantly posteriorly ( P = .002) and medially ( P = .007) compared with preoperatively. In addition, the allograft medial meniscus was restored in a more internally rotated position ( P = .029). MMATs also exhibited significantly increased meniscal extrusion compared with LMATs (posterior horn, P < .001; midbody, P = .027; anterior horn, P = .006). However, there was no significant difference between the 2 groups at final follow-up in intrameniscal signal intensity or clinical scores.

Conclusion:

LMAT showed higher accuracy than MMAT in restoring meniscal position and rotation, and there was less meniscal extrusion. However, clinical scores improved after both LMAT and MMAT compared with preoperative values, and midterm clinical outcomes were similar. The small anatomical errors seen in the MMAT technique were not clinically relevant at midterm follow-up.
Comparison of Open Versus Arthroscopic Repair for Subscapularis Tendon Tears With or Without Concomitant Supraspinatus Tendon Tears
Authors: Gedikbas Mete , Ozturk Tahir , Erpala Fırat , Zengin Eyup Cagatay
Published: September 2022

Background:

The literature comparing open and arthroscopic repair of subscapularis tendon (ST) tears is insufficient.

Purpose:

To compare the clinical results of open versus arthroscopic repair of ST tears with or without concomitant supraspinatus tears.

Study Design:

Retrospective cohort study.

Methods:

We retrospectively evaluated 70 patients treated for isolated ST tears and ST tears with concomitant supraspinatus tendon tears at a single center between 2011 and 2019. Patients were divided into 2 groups: those who underwent open ST repairs (group O) and those with an arthroscopic ST repair (group A). Range of motion (ROM), liftoff and belly-press tests, and Constant-Murley (CM) scores were included in the pre- and postoperative functional evaluations. The minimal clinically important difference was calculated using the anchor-based method for changes in CM score. Tear size was evaluated according to the Lafosse classification. The categorical data were assessed using the Pearson chi-square, Fisher exact, and Fisher-Freeman-Halton tests. The parametric and nonparametric data were evaluated using the Student t test and Mann-Whitney U test, respectively. The dependent groups (for nonnormally distributed data) were evaluated using the Wilcoxon signed rank test.

Results:

Group O included 34 patients, and group A included 36 patients. The mean age was 62.9 years, and the mean follow-up period was 66.7 months. Even though group O exhibited a significantly better preoperative CM score (53.7 ± 4.6 vs 48.9 ± 6.8 [mean ± SD]; P = .001), group A had a significantly better postoperative CM score (88.7 ± 4.7 vs 84.6 ± 2.9; P < .001). Our measurements revealed a minimal clinically important difference of 11.5 points for the CM score. Group A had significantly greater postoperative ROM in abduction (153° vs 143.9°; P = .005) and forward elevation (159.1° vs 149.7°; P = .005), as well as significantly greater postoperative improvement in positive belly-press test results ( P = .028). Complications occurred in 4 patients in group O and in 1 patient in group A.

Conclusion:

The study findings indicated that arthroscopic ST repair was more advantageous than open repair in terms of ROM and functional outcomes.
Heart Rate Variability Biofeedback for Substance Use Disorder: Health Policy Implications
Authors: Wieman Sarah T. , Eddie David
Published: September 2022

Substance use disorder (SUD) exacts massive individual and public health burdens, in part because of its relapsing nature. First-line SUD treatments aim to strengthen affective and cognitive control to help individuals override impulses to use alcohol and other drugs, yet automatic physiological processes compromised by SUD interact with affective states and the environment, compromising effortful cognitive control and undermining attempts to avoid substance use. While existing first-line SUD treatments may indirectly help offset these vulnerabilities, none target them. Heart rate variability biofeedback (HRVB) involves rhythmic breathing that directly targets these deficits, complementing first-line SUD treatments. HRVB has evolved from a clinic-based treatment to an ambulatory intervention utilizing wearable biosensors and smartphone applications with capacity for just-in-time support of affective and behavioral self-regulation. There is evidence supporting the efficacy of HRVB for SUD, but more research is needed to fully assess HRVB's potential to support SUD recovery and inform policy.
Increasing Stress Resilience in Difficult Times: Integrating Proven Practices from Biofeedback and Psychotherapy
Authors: Steffen Patrick R. , Bartlett Derek
Published: September 2022

People across the country are experiencing significant levels of stress across most areas of life, including economic (jobs and inflation), health (epidemics), social and relationship issues, and international conflicts and political strife. People want to cope better but the amount of information available on stress management is staggering, confusing, and sometimes contradictory. Drawing from empirically supported intervention research that integrates biofeedback and psychotherapy approaches, three simple practices can help clients build stress resilience: balancing life demands with equanimity, becoming more aware but less worried, and actively engaging in flexible coping strategies. These three practices are straightforward to learn and easy to do as part of daily life. Although these approaches are typically administered individually in psychotherapeutic settings, there is significant potential in using a community approach to intervention. Most importantly, these techniques are proven, cheap, and have no side effects and can be easily administered using online website instruction and smartphone assessment technology.
Efficacy and safety of cilta-cel in patients with progressive multiple myeloma after exposure to other BCMA-targeting agents
Authors: Cohen Adam D. , Mateos María-Victoria , Cohen Yael C. , Rodriguez-Otero Paula , Paiva Bruno , van de Donk Niels W. C. J. , Martin Thomas , Suvannasankha Attaya , De Braganca Kevin C. , Corsale Christina , Schecter Jordan M. , Varsos Helen , Deraedt William , Wang Liwei , Vogel Martin , Roccia Tito , Xu Xiaoying , Mistry Pankaj , Zudaire Enrique , Akram Muhammad , Nesheiwat Tonia , Pacaud Lida , Avivi Irit , San-Miguel Jesus
Published: September 2022

B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA)–targeting therapies, including bispecific antibodies (BsAbs) and antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), are promising treatments for multiple myeloma (MM), but disease may progress after their use. CARTITUDE-2 is a phase 2, multicohort study evaluating the safety and efficacy of cilta-cel, an anti-BCMA chimeric antigen receptor T therapy, in various myeloma patient populations. Patients in cohort C progressed despite treatment with a proteasome inhibitor, immunomodulatory drug, anti-CD38 antibody, and noncellular anti-BCMA immunotherapy. A single cilta-cel infusion was given after lymphodepletion. The primary end point was minimal residual disease (MRD) negativity at 10−5. Overall, 20 patients were treated (13 ADC exposed; 7 BsAb exposed; 1 in the ADC group also had prior BsAb exposure). Sixteen (80%) were refractory to prior anti-BCMA therapy. At a median follow-up of 11.3 months (range, 0.6-16.0), 7 of 20 (35%) patients were MRD negative (7 of 10 [70.0%] in the MRD-evaluable subset). Overall response rate (95% confidence interval [CI]) was 60.0% (36.1-80.9). Median duration of response and progression-free survival (95% CI) were 11.5 (7.9—not estimable) and 9.1 (1.5—not estimable) months, respectively. The most common adverse events were hematologic. Cytokine release syndrome occurred in 12 (60%) patients (all grade 1-2); 4 had immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome (2 had grade 3-4); none had parkinsonism. Seven (35%) patients died (3 of progressive disease, 4 of adverse events [1 treatment related, 3 unrelated]). Cilta-cel induced favorable responses in patients with relapsed/refractory MM and prior exposure to anti-BCMA treatment who had exhausted other therapies. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as NCT04133636.
Effective treatment of low-risk acute GVHD with itacitinib monotherapy
Authors: Etra Aaron , Capellini Alexandra , Alousi Amin , Al Malki Monzr M. , Choe Hannah , DeFilipp Zachariah , Hogan William J. , Kitko Carrie L. , Ayuk Francis , Baez Janna , Gandhi Isha , Kasikis Stelios , Gleich Sigrun , Hexner Elizabeth , Hoepting Matthias , Kapoor Urvi , Kowalyk Steven , Kwon Deukwoo , Langston Amelia , Mielcarek Marco , Morales George , Özbek Umut , Qayed Muna , Reshef Ran , Rösler Wolf , Spyrou Nikolaos , Young Rachel , Chen Yi-Bin , Ferrara James L. M. , Levine John E.
Published: September 2022

The standard primary treatment for acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) requires prolonged, high-dose systemic corticosteroids (SCSs) that delay reconstitution of the immune system. We used validated clinical and biomarker staging criteria to identify a group of patients with low-risk (LR) GVHD that is very likely to respond to SCS. We hypothesized that itacitinib, a selective JAK1 inhibitor, would effectively treat LR GVHD without SCS. We treated 70 patients with LR GVHD in a multicenter, phase 2 trial (NCT03846479) with 28 days of itacitinib 200 mg/d (responders could receive a second 28-day cycle), and we compared their outcomes to those of 140 contemporaneous, matched control patients treated with SCSs. More patients responded to itacitinib within 7 days (81% vs 66%, P = .02), and response rates at day 28 were very high for both groups (89% vs 86%, P = .67), with few symptomatic flares (11% vs 12%, P = .88). Fewer itacitinib-treated patients developed a serious infection within 90 days (27% vs 42%, P = .04) due to fewer viral and fungal infections. Grade ≥3 cytopenias were similar between groups except for less severe leukopenia with itacitinib (16% vs 31%, P = .02). No other grade ≥3 adverse events occurred in >10% of itacitinib-treated patients. There were no significant differences between groups at 1 year for nonrelapse mortality (4% vs 11%, P = .21), relapse (18% vs 21%, P = .64), chronic GVHD (28% vs 33%, P = .33), or survival (88% vs 80%, P = .11). Itacitinib monotherapy seems to be a safe and effective alternative to SCS treatment for LR GVHD and deserves further investigation.
Risk factors for severe infection and mortality in COVID-19 and monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance
Authors: Ho Matthew , Zanwar Saurabh , Buadi Francis K. , Ailawadhi Sikander , Larsen Jeremy , Bergsagel Leif , Binder Moritz , Chanan-Khan Asher , Dingli David , Dispenzieri Angela , Fonseca Rafael , Gertz Morie A. , Gonsalves Wilson , Go Ronald S. , Hayman Suzanne , Kapoor Prashant , Kourelis Taxiarchis , Lacy Martha Q. , Leung Nelson , Lin Yi , Muchtar Eli , Roy Vivek , Sher Taimur , Warsame Rahma , Fonder Amie , Hobbs Miriam , Hwa Yi L. , Kyle Robert A. , Rajkumar S. Vincent , Kumar Shaji
Published: September 2022

Two Letters to Blood address the risks of COVID-19 in populations with precursors of hematological disease. In the first article, Miller and colleagues report on whether clonal hematopoiesis of intermediate potential (CHIP) is associated with adverse outcomes with COVID-19, finding no association between CHIP and 28-day mortality while providing data indirectly linking IL-6 signaling and patient outcomes. In the second article, Ho and colleagues investigate the outcomes of patients with monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) with COVID-19, reporting that one-fourth had a severe infection and that on multivariable analysis, adverse outcomes are more likely if immunoparesis is present.
CMIC: predicting DNA methylation inheritance of CpG islands with embedding vectors of variable-length k-mers
Authors: Maruyama Osamu , Li Yinuo , Narita Hiroki , Toh Hidehiro , Au Yeung Wan Kin , Sasaki Hiroyuki
Published: September 2022

Background

Epigenetic modifications established in mammalian gametes are largely reprogrammed during early development, however, are partly inherited by the embryo to support its development. In this study, we examine CpG island (CGI) sequences to predict whether a mouse blastocyst CGI inherits oocyte-derived DNA methylation from the maternal genome. Recurrent neural networks (RNNs), including that based on gated recurrent units (GRUs), have recently been employed for variable-length inputs in classification and regression analyses. One advantage of this strategy is the ability of RNNs to automatically learn latent features embedded in inputs by learning their model parameters. However, the available CGI dataset applied for the prediction of oocyte-derived DNA methylation inheritance are not large enough to train the neural networks.

Results

We propose a GRU-based model called CMIC (CGI Methylation Inheritance Classifier) to augment CGI sequence by converting it into variable-length k-mers, where the length k is randomly selected from the range $$k_{\min }$$

k
min

to $$k_{\max }$$

k
max

, N times, which were then used as neural network input. N was set to 1000 in the default setting. In addition, we proposed a new embedding vector generator for k-mers called splitDNA2vec. The randomness of this procedure was higher than the previous work, dna2vec.

Conclusions

We found that CMIC can predict the inheritance of oocyte-derived DNA methylation at CGIs in the maternal genome of blastocysts with a high F-measure (0.93). We also show that the F-measure can be improved by increasing the parameter N, that is, the number of sequences of variable-length k-mers derived from a single CGI sequence. This implies the effectiveness of augmenting input data by converting a DNA sequence to N sequences of variable-length k-mers. This approach can be applied to different DNA sequence classification and regression analyses, particularly those involving a small amount of data.