bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Feedback-related EEG dynamics separately reflect decision parameters, biases, and future choices
Authors: Kirschner Hans , Fischer Adrian G. , Ullsperger Markus
Published: May 2021

Optimal decision making in complex environments requires dynamic learning from unexpected events. To speed up learning, we should heavily weight information that indicates state-action-outcome contingency changes and ignore uninformative fluctuations in the environment. Often, however, unrelated information is hard to ignore and can potentially bias our learning. Here we used computational modelling and EEG to investigate learning behaviour in a modified probabilistic choice task that introduced two types of unexpected events that were irrelevant for optimal task performance, but nevertheless could potentially bias learning: pay-out magnitudes were varied randomly and, occasionally, feedback presentation was enhanced by visual surprise. We found that participants’ overall good learning performance was biased by distinct effects of these non-normative factors. On the neural level, these parameters are represented in a dynamic and spatiotemporally dissociable sequence of EEG activity. Later in feedback processing the different streams converged on a central to centroparietal positivity reflecting a final pathway of adaptation that governs future behaviour.
Spatial organization of chromosomes leads to heterogeneous chromatin motion and drives the liquid- or gel-like dynamical behavior of chromatin
Authors: Salari Hossein , Stefano Marco Di , Jost Daniel
Published: May 2021

Chromosome organization and dynamics are involved in regulating many fundamental processes such as gene transcription and DNA repair. Experiments unveiled that chromatin motion is highly heterogeneous inside cell nuclei, ranging from a liquid-like, mobile state to a gel-like, rigid regime. Using polymer modeling, we investigate how these different physical states and dynamical heterogeneities may emerge from the same structural mechanisms. We found that the formation of topologically-associating domains (TADs) is a key driver of chromatin motion heterogeneity. In particular, we demonstrated that the local degree of compaction of the TAD regulates the transition from a weakly compact, fluid state of chromatin to a more compact, gel state exhibiting anomalous diffusion and coherent motion. Our work provides a comprehensive study of chromosome dynamics and a unified view of chromatin motion enabling to interpret the wide variety of dynamical behaviors observed experimentally across different biological conditions, suggesting that the ‘liquid’ or ‘solid’ behaviour of chromatin are in fact two sides of the same coin.
Dimension-Selective Attention and Dimensional Salience Modulate Cortical Tracking of Acoustic Dimensions
Authors: Symons Ashley E. , Dick Fred , Tierney Adam T.
Published: May 2021

Some theories of auditory categorization suggest that auditory dimensions that are strongly diagnostic for particular categories - for instance voice onset time or fundamental frequency in the case of some spoken consonants - attract attention. However, prior cognitive neuroscience research on auditory selective attention has largely focused on attention to simple auditory objects or streams, and so little is known about the neural mechanisms that underpin dimension-selective attention, or how the relative salience of variations along these dimensions might modulate neural signatures of attention. Here we investigate whether dimensional salience and dimension-selective attention modulate cortical tracking of acoustic dimensions. In two experiments, participants listened to tone sequences varying in pitch and spectral peak frequency; these two dimensions changed at systematically different rates. Inter-trial phase coherence (ITPC) and EEG signal amplitude at the rates of pitch and spectral change allowed us to measure cortical tracking of these dimensions. In Experiment 1, tone sequences varied in the size of the pitch intervals, while the size of spectral peak intervals remained constant. Neural entrainment to pitch changes was greater for sequences with larger compared to smaller pitch intervals, with no difference in entrainment to the spectral dimension. In Experiment 2, participants selectively attended to either the pitch or spectral dimension. Neural entrainment was stronger in response to the attended compared to unattended dimension for both pitch and spectral dimensions. These findings demonstrate that bottom-up and top-down attentional mechanisms enhance the cortical tracking of different acoustic dimensions within a single sound stream.
New integrable (2+1)- and (3+1)-dimensional shallow water wave equations: multiple soliton solutions and lump solutions
Authors: Wazwaz Abdul-Majid
Published: May 2021

Purpose

This study aims to develop two integrable shallow water wave equations, of higher-dimensions, and with constant and time-dependent coefficients, respectively. The author derives multiple soliton solutions and a class of lump solutions which are rationally localized in all directions in space.

Design/methodology/approach

The author uses the simplified Hirota’s method and lump technique for determining multiple soliton solutions and lump solutions as well. The author shows that the developed (2+1)- and (3+1)-dimensional models are completely integrable in in the Painlené sense.

Findings

The paper reports new Painlevé-integrable extended equations which belong to the shallow water wave medium.

Research limitations/implications

The author addresses the integrability features of this model via using the Painlevé analysis. The author reports multiple soliton solutions for this equation by using the simplified Hirota’s method.

Practical implications

The obtained lump solutions include free parameters; some parameters are related to the translation invariance and the other parameters satisfy a non-zero determinant condition.

Social implications

The work presents useful algorithms for constructing new integrable equations and for the determination of lump solutions.

Originality/value

The paper presents an original work with newly developed integrable equations and shows useful findings of solitary waves and lump solutions.
Teacher job satisfaction in Taiwan: making the connections with teacher attitudes, teacher self-efficacy and student achievement
Authors: Tsai Po , Antoniou Panayiotis
Published: May 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to describe the findings of a study investigating the relationships between teacher attitudes to teaching mathematics, teacher self-efficacy, student achievement and teacher job satisfaction in Taiwan.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from 110 fifth grade primary school teachers and their students (n = 2,334) between 10 and 10 years old. A teacher questionnaire and a criterion-reference test in mathematics were distributed during the academic year 2016–2017. The data were analysed using confirmatory factor analysis and stepwise linear regression.

Findings

The results revealed that teacher attitudes to teaching mathematics, efficacy in classroom environment and student achievement in mathematics could, to some extent, explain variations in teacher job satisfaction. Of all the variables, teacher attitudes to teaching mathematics explained the largest portion of the variance in teacher job satisfaction.

Originality/value

These findings support the proposition that teacher attitudes to teaching mathematics affect teacher job satisfaction, which is in turn, translatable into enhanced teacher effectiveness. It is important to note that this study explores the impact of student achievement on teacher job satisfaction (and not the other way round), which is a relationship that remains under-researched and needs further investigation. Implications of the findings are discussed, and suggestions for further studies are provided.
To what extent is arbitration acceptable in individual labor disputes? A critique from a Jordanian law perspective
Authors: Alawamleh Kamal Jamal
Published: May 2021

Purpose

In several recent judgments, the Jordanian Court of Cassation has found that using arbitration to resolve individual labor disputes is null. The aforementioned approach which constituted a departure from the well-established former approach that the same court has followed has been confirmed by the new amendments that the Jordanian Arbitration Act has seen in 2018. In view of this, this study aims to highlight and critically analyze the above-mentioned court’s decisions and the new amendments pertaining to arbitration clauses from a Jordanian Labor Law perspective and the distinct characteristics rooted in it to find out the extent to which applying arbitration in such a context is acceptable or not.

Design/methodology/approach

To examine how effective are the approaches followed by the Jordanian courts and the legislator in ruling the unacceptability of arbitration clauses in individual labor contracts and to observe to what extent it has been successful in this relation, this work makes use of the secondary data available in this regard as the main method to complete such an examination and this includes the relevant different legislations, court’s decisions and jurisprudence. By critically analyzing and comparing the various data contained in these secondary data sources, this work will identify the problems associated with such approaches and accordingly bring up different recommendations and conclusions.

Findings

While the current author do largely agree with the conclusions that have been reached recently by the aforementioned courts, it is submitted that these courts and the legislator have not dealt with such a matter in an adequate and comprehensive manner as they should have spilled more ink on this area of law. Furthermore, this work argues that while the principles that necessitate arbitration shall be respected, the distinct characteristics of the labor law warrant a more careful approach than actually followed by the competent authorities.

Originality/value

Taking into consideration the recent different approaches followed by the Jordanian courts and legislator in ruling the unacceptability of arbitration clauses in individual labor contracts, it would not be a surprise to say that there is no comprehensive and updated scholarly work which has either examined such different approaches or addressed its implications. Accordingly, this work derives its originality and value from being the first and most updated work that examines and addresses such a thorny matter.
Impact of lean six sigma at pharmacy unit on hospital profitability before and during Covid-19 pandemic
Authors: Iswanto A. Heri
Published: May 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to compare the impact of lean six sigma (LSS) implementation carried out in a pharmaceutical unit on the profitability of outpatient and inpatient care before and during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Design/method/approach

The data were analyzed descriptively to see the development patterns in four periods: before implementation, during the implementation before the pandemic, during the pandemic and during the enforcement of new normal, in general, and by the length of stay (LOS).

Findings

The inventory purchase in the pharmaceutical unit dramatically decreased after implementation even during the pandemic and new normal wherein the pre-pandemic it decreased by 27%, during the pandemic 29% and in the new normal 37% compared to pre-LSS. The hospital deficit decreased after implementation before the pandemic by 26% and during the pandemic by 10% from the pre-LSS time. However, during the new normal, the deficit increased by 29%, indicating a diminished effect of LSS on the hospital profits.

Research limitations/implications

This research raised the possible implication that the implementation of LSS needed to be carried out in the entire hospital to have a large effect, especially on the inpatient care and long-term care installations.

Originality/value

This research provided empirical evidence regarding the effect of the Covid-19 pandemic on the ability of LSS at the unit level to provide efficiency at the unit level and the entire hospital at various levels of LOS.
Implementing asset data management in power companies
Authors: Gavrikova Elizaveta , Volkova Irina , Burda Yegor
Published: May 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to design a framework for asset data management in power companies. The authors consider asset data management from a strategic perspective, linking operational-level data with corporate strategy and taking into account the organizational context and stakeholder expectations.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors conducted a multiple case study based on a literature review and three series of in-depth interviews with experts from three Russian electric power companies.

Findings

The main challenge in asset data management for electric power companies is the increasing amount and complexity of asset data, which is frequently incomplete or inaccurately collected, hard to translate to managerial language, focused primarily on the operational level. Such fragmented approach negatively affects strategic decision-making. The proposed framework introduces a holistic approach, provides context and accountability for decision-making and attributes data flows, roles and responsibilities to different management levels.

Research limitations/implications

The limitations of our study lie in the exploratory nature of case study research and limited generalization of the observed cases. However, the authors used multiple sources of evidence to ensure validity and generalization of the results. This article is a first step toward further understanding of the issues of transformation in power companies and other asset intensive businesses.

Originality/value

The novelty of the framework lies in the scope, focus and detailed treatment of asset data management in electric power companies.
Advancing open government data portals: a comparative usability evaluation study
Authors: Wang Di , Richards Deborah , Bilgin Ayse Aysin , Chen Chuanfu
Published: May 2021

Purpose

To address the key problem of lack of use in the advancement of open government data (OGD) portals from the aspect of good usability, which is an essential prerequisite to the acceptance and usage of a portal, this paper aims to develop a usability framework including design principles and criteria for OGD portals and to discover problems in the present usability design.

Design/methodology/approach

This study builds the usability framework by extending usability principles for general websites to address the specific needs of OGD portals. Criteria for each principle are developed accordingly based on the literature. A comparative heuristic evaluation involving five expert evaluators and 13 Chinese province-level OGD portals has been carried out to test the capability of the usability framework.

Findings

A usability framework with 24 principles and 63 criteria has been built. The heuristic evaluation shows OGD portals performed better in meeting general principles than the OGD portals specific ones. Insufficient help functions weakened OGD portals' usability. Similarities and differences were found of Chinese OGD portals compared with similar studies in the United States.

Originality/value

This paper proposed a usability framework for OGD portals and proved its capability in recognizing usability problems and its causes by carrying out a comparative heuristic evaluation in China. By comparing the evaluation results with other studies in the United States, the findings and lessons learnt in this study can thus be shared across international borders.
Above‐ and below‐ground complementarity rather than selection drive tree diversity–productivity relationships in European forests
Authors: Jing Xin , Muys Bart , Bruelheide Helge , Desie Ellen , Hättenschwiler Stephan , Jactel Hervé , Jaroszewicz Bogdan , Kardol Paul , Ratcliffe Sophia , Scherer‐Lorenzen Michael , Selvi Federico , Vancampenhout Karen , van der Plas Fons , Verheyen Kris , Vesterdal Lars , Zuo Juan , Van Meerbeek Koenraad
Published: May 2021

Biodiversity experiments have identified both complementarity and selection as important drivers of the relationship between biodiversity and ecosystem functioning. However, their relative importance in above‐ and below‐ground ecosystem compartments of mature forests remains yet to be explored.

We adopted a trait‐based approach to partition biodiversity effects in above‐ and below‐ground complementarity and selection. This approach was based on canopy and root traits measured in single‐ and mixed‐species plots in mature forests across a European latitudinal gradient.

We assessed the relative importance of above‐ and below‐ground selection and complementarity in driving the relationship between tree species diversity and above‐ground wood production. We used the expected values (based on the values measured in monocultures) of leaf area index (LAI) and fine root biomass as proxies for above‐ and below‐ground selection, whereas canopy packing and rooting depth variability were used as proxies for above‐ and below‐ground complementarity.

Our results showed that tree species richness–wood production relationships were driven by above‐ and below‐ground complementarity (i.e. canopy packing and rooting depth variability), rather than selection. The proxies for selection were found to have a positive effect on wood production but were not affected by tree species richness.

We concluded that above‐ground‐ but also the largely neglected below‐ground complementarity drives biodiversity–productivity relationships in mature forests. Our findings suggest that choosing tree species with complementary above‐ and below‐ground traits should be considered in afforestation and forest management to promote tree diversity and productivity in European forests.
Experiences of students with visual impairments in higher education: barriers and facilitators
Authors: Firat Tahsin
Published: May 2021

This study explored the factors that facilitate and complicate the higher education process for students with visual impairments (VI). The participants were six university students with VI and eight academics/faculty members who instruct these students together with other students. Data were collected through semi‐structured interviews and were analysed using content analysis methods. The students with VI stated that they face barriers related to lack of materials, difficulty obtaining lecture notes, poor academic support, reader‐related problems, insufficient library sources, and access to and within the university. Positive facilitators reported by the students were mainly related to personal factors, as well as peer and academic support. The academics demonstrated limited awareness of the barriers faced by students with VI, and the academic support available to these students was found to be insufficient as well. The results indicate that there are considerable barriers to university education for students with VI.
The effects of vertically integrated care on health care use and outcomes in inpatient rehabilitation facilities
Authors: Sood Neeraj , Shier Victoria , Huckfeldt Peter J. , Weissblum Lianna , Escarce José J.
Published: May 2021

Objective

To understand the effects of receiving vertically integrated care in inpatient rehabilitation facilities (IRFs) on health care use and outcomes.

Data Sources

Medicare enrollment, claims, and IRF patient assessment data from 2012 to 2014.

Study Design

We estimated within‐IRF differences in health care use and outcomes between IRF patients admitted from hospitals vertically integrated with the IRF (parent hospital) vs patients admitted from other hospitals. For hospital‐based IRFs, the parent hospital was defined as the hospital that owned the IRF and co‐located with the IRF. For freestanding IRFs, the parent hospital(s) was defined as the hospital(s) that was in the same health system. We estimated models for freestanding and hospital‐based IRFs and for fee‐for‐service (FFS) and Medicare Advantage (MA) patients. Dependent variables included hospital and IRF length of stay, functional status, discharged to home, and hospital readmissions.

Data Extraction Methods

We identified Medicare beneficiaries discharged from a hospital to IRF.

Principal Findings

In adjusted models with hospital fixed effects, our results indicate that FFS patients in hospital‐based IRFs discharged from the parent hospital had shorter hospital (−0.7 days, 95% CI: −0.9 to −0.6) and IRF (−0.7 days, 95% CI: −0.9 to −0.6) length of stay were less likely to be readmitted (−1.6%, 95% CI: −2.7% to −0.5%) and more likely to be discharged to home care (1.4%, 95% CI: 0.7% to 2.0%), without worse patient clinical outcomes, compared to patients discharged from other hospitals and treated in the same IRFs. We found similar results for MA patients. However, for patients in freestanding IRFs, we found little differences in health care use or patient outcomes between patients discharged from a parent hospital compared to patients from other hospitals.

Conclusions

Our results indicate that receiving vertically integrated care in hospital‐based IRFs shortens institutional length of stay while maintaining or improving health outcomes.
Metagenomics: A viable tool for reconstructing herbivore diet
Authors: Chua Physilia Y. S. , Crampton‐Platt Alex , Lammers Youri , Alsos Inger G. , Boessenkool Sanne , Bohmann Kristine
Published: May 2021

Metagenomics can generate data on the diet of herbivores, without the need for primer selection and PCR enrichment steps as is necessary in metabarcoding. Metagenomic approaches to diet analysis have remained relatively unexplored, requiring validation of bioinformatic steps. Currently, no metagenomic herbivore diet studies have utilized both chloroplast and nuclear markers as reference sequences for plant identification, which would increase the number of reads that could be taxonomically informative. Here, we explore how in silico simulation of metagenomic data sets resembling sequences obtained from faecal samples can be used to validate taxonomic assignment. Using a known list of sequences to create simulated data sets, we derived reliable identification parameters for taxonomic assignments of sequences. We applied these parameters to characterize the diet of western capercaillies (Tetrao urogallus) located in Norway, and compared the results with metabarcoding trnL P6 loop data generated from the same samples. Both methods performed similarly in the number of plant taxa identified (metagenomics 42 taxa, metabarcoding 43 taxa), with no significant difference in species resolution (metagenomics 24%, metabarcoding 23%). We further observed that while metagenomics was strongly affected by the age of faecal samples, with fresh samples outperforming old samples, metabarcoding was not affected by sample age. On the other hand, metagenomics allowed us to simultaneously obtain the mitochondrial genome of the western capercaillies, thereby providing additional ecological information. Our study demonstrates the potential of utilizing metagenomics for diet reconstruction but also highlights key considerations as compared to metabarcoding for future utilization of this technique.
Beyond taxonomy: Validating functional inference approaches in the context of fish‐farm impact assessments
Authors: Laroche Olivier , Pochon Xavier , Wood Susanna A. , Keeley Nigel
Published: May 2021

Characterization of microbial assemblages via environmental DNA metabarcoding is increasingly being used in routine monitoring programs due to its sensitivity and cost‐effectiveness. Several programs have recently been developed which infer functional profiles from 16S rRNA gene data using hidden‐state prediction (HSP) algorithms. These might offer an economic and scalable alternative to shotgun metagenomics. To date, HSP‐based methods have seen limited use for benthic marine surveys and their performance in these environments remains unevaluated. In this study, 16S rRNA metabarcoding was applied to sediment samples collected at 0 and ≥1,200 m from Norwegian salmon farms, and three metabolic inference approaches (Paprica,Picrust2andTax4Fun2)evaluated against metagenomics and environmental data. While metabarcoding and metagenomics recovered a comparable functional diversity, the taxonomic composition differed between approaches, with genera richness up to 20× higher for metabarcoding. Comparisons between the sensitivity (highest true positive rates) and specificity (lowest true negative rates) of HSP‐based programs in detecting functions found in metagenomic data ranged from 0.52 and 0.60 to 0.76 and 0.79, respectively. However, little correlation was observed between the relative abundance of their specific functions. Functional beta‐diversity of HSP‐based data was strongly associated with that of metagenomics (r ≥ 0.86 forPapricaandTax4Fun2) and responded similarly to the impact of fish farm activities. Our results demonstrate that although HSP‐based metabarcoding approaches provide a slightly different functional profile than metagenomics, partly due to recovering a distinct community, they represent a cost‐effective and valuable tool for characterizing and assessing the effects of fish farming on benthic ecosystems.
Stigmatization of people with alcohol use disorders: An updated systematic review of population studies
Authors: Kilian Carolin , Manthey Jakob , Carr Sinclair , Hanschmidt Franz , Rehm Jürgen , Speerforck Sven , Schomerus Georg
Published: May 2021

Background

We summarize research on the public stigmatization of persons with alcohol use disorder (AUD) in comparison with other mental health conditions and embed the results into a conceptual framework of the stigma process.

Methods

We conducted a systematic search using Embase, MEDLINE, PubMed and PsycINFO (via Ovid), and Web of Science for population‐based studies on the public stigma in AUD and at least 1 other mental health condition, published between October 1, 2010 and December 20, 2020, thus including all studies published since the last systematic review on this topic. The study is registered with PROSPERO (registration number: CRD42020173054).

Results

We identified 20,561 records, of which 24 met the inclusion criteria, reporting results from 16 unique studies conducted in 9 different countries. Compared to substance‐unrelated mental disorders, persons with AUD were generally less likely to be considered mentally ill, while they were perceived as being more dangerous and responsible for their condition. Further, the public desire for social distance was consistently higher for people with AUD. We found no consistent differences in the public stigma toward persons with AUD in comparison with other substance use disorders.

Conclusion

The stigmatization of persons with AUD remains comparatively high and is distinct from that of other substance‐unrelated disorders.
Identification of quantitative trait loci associated with calmness and gentleness in honey bees using whole‐genome sequences
Authors: Guichard M. , Dainat B. , Eynard S. , Vignal A. , Servin B. ,   the Beestrong Consortium, Neuditschko M.
Published: May 2021

The identification of quantitative trait loci (QTL) through genome‐wide association studies (GWAS) is a powerful method for unravelling the genetic background of selected traits and improving early‐stage predictions. In honey bees (Apis mellifera), past genetic analyses have particularly focused on individual queens and workers. In this study, we used pooled whole‐genome sequences to ascertain the genetic variation of the entire colony. In total, we sampled 216 Apis mellifera mellifera and 28 Apis mellifera carnica colonies. Different experts subjectively assessed the gentleness and calmness of the colonies using a standardised protocol. Conducting a GWAS for calmness on 211 purebred A. m. mellifera colonies, we identified three QTL, on chromosomes 8, 6, and 12. The two first QTL correspond to LOC409692 gene, coding for a disintegrin and metalloproteinase domain‐containing protein 10, and to Abscam gene, coding for a Dscam family member Abscam protein, respectively. The last gene has been reported to be involved in the domestication of A. mellifera. The third QTL is located 13 kb upstream of LOC102655631, coding for a trehalose transporter. For gentleness, two QTL were identified on chromosomes 4 and 3. They are located within gene LOC413669, coding for a lap4 protein, and gene LOC413416, coding for a bicaudal C homolog 1‐B protein, respectively. The identified positional candidate genes of both traits mainly affect the olfaction and nervous system of honey bees. Further research is needed to confirm the results and to better understand the genetic and phenotypic basis of calmness and gentleness.
Association of inbreeding and regional equine leucocyte antigen homozygosity with the prevalence of insect bite hypersensitivity in Old Kladruber horse
Authors: Vostry L. , Vostra‐Vydrova H. , Citek J. , Gorjanc G. , Curik I.
Published: May 2021

Inbreeding depression is the reduction of performance caused by mating of close relatives. In livestock populations, inbreeding depression has been traditionally estimated by regression of phenotypes on pedigree inbreeding coefficients. This estimation can be improved by utilising genomic inbreeding coefficients. Here we estimate inbreeding depression for insect bite hypersensitivity (IBH) prevalence, the most common allergic horse disease worldwide, in Old Kladruber horse. In a deep pedigree with 3214 horses (187 genotyped), we used a generalised linear mixed model with IBH phenotype from 558 horses examined between 1996 and 2009 (1368 records). In addition to the classical pedigree information, we used the single‐step approach that enabled joint use of pedigree and genomic information to estimate inbreeding depression overall genome and equine leucocyte antigen (ELA) class II region. Significant inbreeding depression was observed in all models fitting overall inbreeding coefficients (odds ratio between 1.018 and 1.074, P < 0.05) with the exception of Kalinowski’s new inbreeding (P = 0.0516). The increase of ELA class II inbreeding was significantly associated with increased prevalence of IBH (odds ratio 1.018; P = 0.027). However, when fitted jointly with the overall inbreeding coefficient, the effect of ELA class II inbreeding was not significant (odds ratio 1.016; P = 0.062). Overall, the higher ELA class II and/or overall inbreeding (pedigree or genomic) was associated with increased prevalence of IBH in Old Kladruber horses. The single‐step approach provides an efficient use of all the available pedigree, genomic, and phenotype information for estimation of overall and regional inbreeding effects.
Siberian cats help in solving part of the mystery surrounding golden cats
Authors: Beauvois H. , Dufaure de Citres C. , Gache V. , Abitbol M.
Published: May 2021

Golden cats have been appreciated since the beginning of the cat fancy. Golden is a modification of the tabby coat. In the Siberian breed, a specific golden phenotype, named sunshine, has been described. Sunshine tabby cats exhibit a warm tone of tabby, a pink nose lacking the black lining and a large light cream area around the nose. Pedigree analyses revealed an autosomal recessive inheritance pattern. A single candidate region was identified by genome‐wide association study (GWAS) and homozygosity mapping. Within that region, we identified CORIN (Corin, serine peptidase) as a strong candidate gene, since CORIN variants have been identified in mice and tigers with a golden phenotype and CORIN has been described as a modifier of the ASIP (Agouti Signaling Protein) pathway. A homozygous CORIN:c.2383C>T missense variant was identified in sunshine tabby cats. Segregation of the variant was consistent with recessive inheritance. The variant was also found in three Kurilian bobtail cats and in two ToyBob cats from the 99 Lives dataset but genotyping of 106 cats from 13 breeds failed to identify carriers in cats from other breeds. The CORIN:c.2383C>T variant was predicted to change an arginine to a cysteine at position 795 in the protein: CORIN:p.(Arg795Cys). Finally, hair observation in Siberian cats was consistent with elongated ASIP signaling as golden hair showed a large yellow band instead of the short subapical one usually observed in agouti hair. These results support an association of the Siberian sunshine modification with the CORIN:c.2383C>T variant. The Siberian cat has helped us to decipher one of the golden phenotypes observed in cats and we propose that the CORIN:c.2383C>T variant represents the wbSIB (Siberian recessive wideband) allele in the domestic cat.
The curvilinear effect of professional faultlines on team innovation: The pivotal role of professional identity threat
Authors: Mitchell Rebecca , Boyle Brendan , Snell Lanchi
Published: May 2021

Past research into team faultlines has provided important insights, however, as with other aspects of compositional diversity, findings are somewhat ambiguous. This suggests the need to examine more complex and interactive effects. We draw on theorising in social categorisation and subgroups to argue that, under specific circumstances, a positive relationship between professional faultlines and innovation may exist beyond moderate (threshold) faultline strength. We posit that below this threshold, weaker faultlines have no positive impact on innovation. Further, we argue that this curvilinear relationship will be contingent on professional identity threat, such that, only when teams are characterised by identity threat will strong faultlines have a U‐shaped impact on innovation. Thus, we build and investigate a model in which professional faultlines have a contingent curvilinear (U‐shaped) effect on innovation, moderated by professional identity threat. Based on quantitative data from two surveys completed by leaders and members from 70 UK healthcare teams, our analyses support our hypothesised moderated curvilinear model.
TET1 upregulation drives cancer cell growth through aberrant enhancer hydroxymethylation of HMGA2 in hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Shirai Kiyokazu , Nagae Genta , Seki Motoaki , Kudo Yotaro , Kamio Asuka , Hayashi Akimasa , Okabe Atsushi , Ota Satoshi , Tsutsumi Shuichi , Fujita Takanori , Yamamoto Shogo , Nakaki Ryo , Kanki Yasuharu , Osawa Tsuyoshi , Midorikawa Yutaka , Tateishi Keisuke , Ichinose Masao , Aburatani Hiroyuki
Published: May 2021

Ten‐eleven translocation 1 (TET1) is an essential methylcytosine dioxygenase of the DNA demethylation pathway. Despite its dysregulation being known to occur in human cancer, the role of TET1 remains poorly understood. In this study, we report that TET1 promotes cell growth in human liver cancer. The transcriptome analysis of 68 clinical liver samples revealed a subgroup of TET1‐upregulated hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), demonstrating hepatoblast‐like gene expression signatures. We performed comprehensive cytosine methylation and hydroxymethylation (5‐hmC) profiling and found that 5‐hmC was aberrantly deposited preferentially in active enhancers. TET1 knockdown in hepatoma cell lines decreased hmC deposition with cell growth suppression. HMGA2 was highly expressed in a TET1high subgroup of HCC, associated with the hyperhydroxymethylation of its intronic region, marked as histone H3K4–monomethylated, where the H3K27‐acetylated active enhancer chromatin state induced interactions with its promoter. Collectively, our findings point to a novel type of epigenetic dysregulation, methylcytosine dioxygenase TET1, which promotes cell proliferation via the ectopic enhancer of its oncogenic targets, HMGA2, in hepatoblast‐like HCC.
Moving scope technique for guidewire insertion during endoscopic ultrasound‐guided hepaticogastrostomy
Authors: Ueno Saori , Ogura Takeshi , Higuchi Kazuhide
Published: May 2021

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Efficacy of elobixibat as bowel preparation agent for colonoscopy: Prospective, randomized, multi‐center study
Authors: Yamaguchi Daisuke , Hidaka Hidenori , Matsunaga Takuya , Akutagawa Takashi , Tanaka Yuichiro , Jubashi Amane , Takeuchi Yuki , Tsuruoka Nanae , Sakata Yasuhisa , Miyahara Koichi , Tominaga Naoyuki , Kawakubo Hiroharu , Takamori Ayako , Shimoda Ryo , Noda Takahiro , Ogata Shinichi , Tsunada Seiji , Esaki Motohiro
Published: May 2021

Background and Aim

Elobixibat is a novel ileal bile acid transporter inhibitor. This study aimed to compare the efficacy, tolerability, and safety of the combination of elobixibat and 1 L of polyethylene glycol formulation containing ascorbic acid (PEG‐Asc) solution versus the combination of sodium picosulfate and 1‐L PEG‐Asc solution as bowel preparation for colonoscopy.

Methods

This multi‐center, randomized, observer‐blinded, non‐inferiority study recruited 210 outpatients who were assigned to either the elobixibat plus 1‐L PEG‐Asc group (group A) or the sodium picosulfate plus 1‐L PEG‐Asc group (group B). The quality of the bowel cleansing level was assessed by the Boston Bowel Preparation Scale (BBPS) and compared the bowel cleansing level between the groups. Data regarding bowel preparation time, patients’ tolerability, and adverse events were also analyzed.

Results

Data for 196 patients (99 in group A and 97 in group B) were analyzed finally. BBPS was comparable between group A and B (8.3 ± 0.9 vs. 8.3 ± 0.7; P = 0.88). Consequently, the adequate bowel preparation rate in groups A and B was 95.0% and 99.0%, respectively (−4.0%, 95% CI −9.3 to 1.5). Bowel preparation time in group A was similar to that in group B (348.2 ± 79.8 min vs. 330.8 ± 82.5 min; P = 0.13), whereas, sleep disturbance was significantly less frequent in group A than in group B (10.2% vs. 22.7%; P = 0.02).

Conclusions

The combination of elobixibat and 1‐L PEG‐Asc can be considered an alternative bowel preparation for colonoscopy considering the equivalent bowel cleansing effect and less frequent sleep disturbance. The Japan Registry of Clinical Trials (jRCTs41180026).
Predictors of motor outcome after childhood arterial ischemic stroke
Authors: Blackburn Emily , D’arco Felice , Devito Andrea , Ioppolo Roberta , Lorio Sara , Quirk Bernadine , Ganesan Vijeya
Published: May 2021

Aim

To identify clinical and radiological predictors of long‐term motor outcome after childhood‐onset arterial ischemic stroke (AIS) in the middle cerebral artery (MCA) territory.

Method

Medical records of 69 children (36 females, 33 males; median age at index AIS 3y 3mo, range: 1mo–16y) who presented to Great Ormond Street Hospital with first AIS in the MCA territory were reviewed retrospectively. Cases were categorized using the Childhood AIS Standardized Classification and Diagnostic Evaluation (CASCADE). Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and angiography were evaluated. An Alberta Stroke Program Early Computed Tomography Score (ASPECTS) was calculated on MRI. The Recurrence and Recovery Questionnaire assessed motor outcome and was dichotomized into good/poor.

Results

Eventual motor outcome was good in 49 children and poor in 20. There were no acute radiological predictors of eventual motor outcome. At follow‐up, CASCADE 3A (i.e. moyamoya) and Wallerian degeneration were significantly associated with poor motor outcome. In the multivariate analysis, younger age and CASCADE 3A predicted poor motor outcome.

Interpretation

In the context of recommendations regarding unproven and potentially high‐risk hyperacute therapies for childhood AIS, prediction of outcome could usefully contribute to risk/benefit analysis. Unfortunately, paradigms used in adults, such as ASPECTS, are not useful in children in the acute/early subacute phase of AIS.

What this paper adds

Adult paradigms, such as the Alberta Stroke Program Early Computed Tomography Score system, are not useful for predicting outcome in children.

Younger children tend to have a poorer long‐term prognosis than older children.

Moyamoya is associated with poor prognosis.
Echocardiographic evaluation of the Athlete’s heart
Authors: Albaeni Aiham , Davis John W. , Ahmad Masood
Published: May 2021

Cardiac response to prolonged, intense exercise induces phenotypic and physiologic adaptive changes that improve myocardial ability to meet oxygen demands. These adaptations, termed “athletes’ heart,” have been extensively studied. The importance of this entity arises from the increasing numbers of athletes as well as the drive for physical fitness in the general population leading to adaptive cardiac changes that need to be differentiated from life‐threatening cardiovascular diseases. A number of pathologic entities may share phenotypic changes with the athletes’ heart such as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, dilated cardiomyopathy, Marfan's syndrome, and arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy. Cardiologists need to be cognizant of these overlapping findings to appropriately diagnose diseases and prevent catastrophic outcomes especially in young and healthy individuals who may not show any symptoms until they engage in intense exercise. It is equally important to recognize and distinguish normal, exercise‐adaptive cardiac changes to provide accurate screening and guidance to young elite athletes. Echocardiography is a valuable modality that allows comprehensive initial evaluation of cardiac structures, function, and response to exercise. Several different echocardiographic techniques including M‐Mode, 2D echo, Doppler, tissue Doppler, color tissue Doppler, and speckle tracking have been used in the evaluation of cardiac adaptation to exercise. The following discussion is a review of literature that has expanded our knowledge of the athlete's heart.
Clonal resistance of rubber tree to Colletotrichum spp.
Authors: Antonio Gabriel Leonardi , Scaloppi Junior Erivaldo José , Fisher Ivan Herman , Furtado Edson Luis , Firmino Ana Carolina
Published: May 2021

The use of resistant clones of rubber trees could constitute a strategy for managing anthracnose disease caused by Colletotrichum. To examine this possibility, three isolates of Colletotrichum CH93 (C. fructicola) and CH 102 and CH 130 (C. acutatum) were used as inoculum for 20 rubber clones planted in Brazil. These evaluations took place in both a laboratory and in a clonal garden. For inoculation in the laboratory, isolates CH93 (C. fructicola) and CH102 and CH130 (C. acutatum) were used. Inoculation of the clones was performed by placing a disc of PDA with mycelium from each isolate on leaf tissues of each clone. In the clonal garden, five samples were collected at random from 30 leaflets on three different plants. In the laboratory and in the clonal garden, the percentage of leaf area damaged by the fungus was evaluated digitally. Clones had varied reactions to the different isolates used in inoculations. In the laboratory tests, clones IAC 507, IAC 502 and PR 255 appeared most resistant, with no symptoms develop, regardless of the isolate used in the inoculation. Six days after inoculation, clones PB 235, RRIM 937 and PB 311 also had low levels of disease for some fungal isolates. In field evaluations, IAC 507 and IAC 505 showed no symptoms of anthracnose. The RRIM 600 clone, which is the most cultivated, proved to be susceptible to the disease. The results provide a basis for the development of more detailed research with clone IAC 507 and with those showing less disease in the laboratory and in the field, including clones RRIM 937, IAC 505, IAC 502 and IAC 503.
Patient perceptions of outcome measures in chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy: A study of the Inflammatory Rasch‐built Overall Disability Scale
Authors: White Daniel , Englezou Christina , Rajabally Yusuf A.
Published: May 2021

Background

Patients' perceptions of outcome measures used in chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) are unknown.

Methods

We performed a cross‐sectional evaluation of patient perceptions of the Inflammatory Rasch‐built Overall Disability Scale (I‐RODS) from 41 subjects with CIDP through a structured questionnaire. We assessed perceived hesitation to provide a response, item importance and relevance, understanding of specific items and factors affecting responses.

Results

Hesitation to provide a categorical answer was reported by 20% of subjects or more, for 5/24 (20.8%) items. Uncertainty was most frequent for “travel by public transport” (22.4%) and “catch an object (e.g., ball)” (24%). Six of 24 (25%) items were perceived as unimportant to their disease by at least a third of participants. Items most commonly perceived as unimportant were “travel by public transport” in 53.7%, “catch an object (e.g., ball)” in 61% and “dance” in 65.9%. Several items were frequently perceived as irrelevant. These included “move a chair” (39%), “do the dishes” (46.3%), “catch an object (e.g., ball)” (61%), “travel by public transport” (68.3%) and “stand for hours” (82.9%). The understanding of multiple items such as “read a book”, “sit on a toilet” and “take a shower” was found to be highly variable. Fatigue was perceived more commonly than mood (53.7% vs. 17.1%, p = 0.001), and more commonly in younger subjects (p = 0.037), as influencing responses to the I‐RODS.

Conclusions

Patient‐perceived uncertainty, unimportance, irrelevance and poor understanding of items, as well as fatigue and mood, impact on the value of the I‐RODS. Greater emphasis on individualized disability assessments requires consideration in future.
The clinical utility of a memory specialization index in epilepsy surgery patients with unilateral hippocampal sclerosis
Authors: Baxendale Sallie A. , Thompson Pamela J.
Published: May 2021

Objective

Although group studies provide some support for the material‐specific model of memory function, there are considerable individual variations in memory function in people with temporal lobe epilepsy, even in those with the same underlying pathology. In this proof‐of‐concept study, we examined the sensitivity and specificity of a single measure of an individual's relative strength for the encoding of verbal or visual learning.

Methods

Six hundred ninety‐two patients with left hemisphere language dominance and unilateral hippocampal sclerosis completed verbal and visual encoding tasks with similar test structures as part of their presurgical evaluation. Three hundred one patients had right hippocampal sclerosis (RHS), and 391 patients had left hippocampal sclerosis (LHS). A memory specialization index (MSI) was calculated by subtracting the Visual Learning z‐score from the Verbal Learning z‐score. A positive value on the MSI indicates a relative strength in verbal learning. A negative score indicates a relative strength in visual learning.

Results

Employing cut‐offs of ±1, the MSI had a positive predictive value of 71% (confidence interval [CI] 95% 0.64–0.77) for LHS and 64% (CI 95% 0.55–0.74) for RHS and was superior to the standalone z‐scores from the verbal and visual tests in each respect. In the LHS group, the MSI was significantly correlated with age and duration of epilepsy. Older patients who had a longer duration of epilepsy were more likely to demonstrate a similar level of impairment in both verbal and visual learning, with a decreasing discrepancy between the scores on the two tasks over time.

Significance

Our MSI provides a measure with high specificity for RHS. The pattern of strengths and weaknesses in visual and verbal encoding may evolve with age and duration of epilepsy, and clinicians should be aware of these factors when interpreting the lateralizing significance of test scores, particularly in a presurgical setting.