bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
How TikTok leads users to flow experience: investigating the effects of technology affordances with user experience level and video length as moderators
Authors: Zhao Hongying , Wagner Christian
Published: July 2022

Purpose

Although the short-video-based application TikTok and its AI-enhanced technology have achieved enormous success and reshaped the user experience, few studies have focused on the user experience in the TikTok context. This study adopts a technology affordance theory lens to identify the main mechanisms contributing to the user experience in the short-video platform context while including user experience level and video length as moderating effects.

Design/methodology/approach

This study collected 401 valid questionnaires from TikTok users and used the structural equation modeling approach to examine the proposed research model.

Findings

Three technology affordances (perceived effortlessness, perceived recommendation accuracy, and perceived recommendation serendipity) contribute to TikTok users' optimal flow experience. Multi-group analysis results further indicate that individuals react differently to the same stimuli as their experience level increases. Finally, video length critically influences the impact of technology affordances on users' cognitive responses.

Originality/value

As a burgeoning industry, the mechanisms enabling short-video platforms to engage users remain unclear to practitioners and researchers. Thus, this study's technology affordance lens provides necessary insights into how TikTok's innovative and advanced technologies contribute to user flow experience from a context-dependent perspective. Furthermore, given that most existing studies have neglected possible variations in user preferences when investigating the effects of technology, this study enriches the existing literature by employing user experience level and video length as moderators.
Explaining individual job performance in work from home (WFH) arrangements
Authors: Danilova Kjersti Berg , Ulfsten Andreas , Eikebrokk Tom Roar , Iden Jon , Johannessen Trond Vegard , Johanson Daniel
Published: July 2022

Purpose

This study investigates which factors are conducive to individual job performance in large-scale work from home (WFH) arrangements that rely on the current generation of technology, such as information and communications platforms.

Design/methodology/approach

The researchers proposed a research model based on research on WFH arrangements. The model was tested based on a survey of 1,183 respondents who engaged in large-scale WFH arrangements during an extensive national COVID-19 lockdown.

Findings

The proposed research model explains 41% of the variance in individual job performance in WFH arrangements. The findings show that the strongest positive predictors for job performance are home office quality and the reach and communication quality of information and communications platforms. A sense of professional isolation was found to have a negative impact.

Originality/value

This study is based on a unique situation of large-scale mandatory WFH arrangements that are comparable to a natural experiment, and it is one of the first studies to conduct an extensive exploration of WFH that relies on the current generation of digital technology.
Political skill and cross-cultural adjustment among self-initiated expatriates: the role of host employer's psychological contract fulfillment
Authors: Koveshnikov Alexei , Wechtler Heidi , Moeller Miriam , Dejoux Cecile
Published: July 2022

Purpose

Using social influence theory, this study examines the relationship between self-initiated expatriates' (SIE) political skill, as a measure of their social effectiveness, and cross-cultural adjustment (CCA). It also tests whether the host employer's psychological contract (PC) fulfillment mediates this relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

Partial least square structural equation modeling (covariance-based SEM) technique is employed to analyze a sample of 209 SIEs.

Findings

The study finds SIEs' political skill positively and significantly associated with SIEs' work-related adjustment. The relationship with interactional adjustment is only marginally significant. It also finds that SIEs' PC fulfillment mediates the relationship between SIEs' political skill and work-related adjustment. The mediation is marginally significant for the relationship between SIEs' political skill and general living adjustment.

Originality/value

The study adds to the literature on expatriates' skills and CCA by theorizing and testing the hitherto unexplored role of SIEs' political skill in their work and non-work CCA. It also theorizes and examines the host employer's PC fulfillment as a mediating mechanism, through which SIEs' political skill facilitates their CCA. Finally, it advances the literature on political skill by testing the construct's application in the cross-cultural and non-work domain.
Effects of inventive capabilities on new product development performance: the knowledge combination view
Authors: Xu Luyun , Yin Xin , Gong Hong , Zeng Deming
Published: July 2022

Purpose

A firm's inventions provide technical information for product planning and technical support for new product development (NPD). In the knowledge-based theory, inventing is regarded as a process of knowledge combination. This paper aims to classify the firm's inventive capabilities based on the combinatorial view and investigate the effects of inventive capabilities on NPD performance.

Design/methodology/approach

Four types of inventive capabilities are identified concerned with the knowledge used to combine in the inventive activities. By utilizing a dataset of 572 firms from China's automotive manufacturing industry, the roles of different inventive activities in the generation of new inventions are compared. Then the effects of different inventive capabilities on NPD performance are empirically examined by using negative binomial regression analysis.

Findings

The time series for the number of patented inventions derived from different types of combinations generally exhibits a steady upward trend, and the number of patents derived from recombination is much higher. The empirical results demonstrate that the inventive capabilities associated with reused recombination and creative recombination exhibit positive effects on NPD performance, and the inventive capabilities associated with novel combination and original combination exhibit non-linear effects on NPD performance.

Originality/value

The findings contribute to NPD literature by investigating the effects of different inventive capabilities on NPD performance. This study also provides guidelines for manufacturing managers to improve NPD performance by building appropriate inventive capabilities.
Online customer reviews: insights from the coffee shops industry and the moderating effect of business types
Authors: Tao Shuting , Kim Hak-Seon
Published: July 2022

Purpose

This study aims to explore the hidden connectivity among words by semantic network analysis, further identify salient factors accounting for customer satisfaction of coffee shops through analysis of online reviews and, finally, examine the moderating effect of business types of coffee shops on customer satisfaction.

Design/methodology/approach

Two typical major procedures of big data analytics in the hospitality industry were adopted in this research: one is data collection and the other is data analysis. In terms of data analysis, frequency analysis with text mining, semantic network analysis, CONCOR analysis for clustering and quantitative analysis with dummy variables were performed to dig new insights from online customer reviews both qualitatively and quantitatively.

Findings

Different factors were extracted from online customer reviews contributing to customer satisfaction or dissatisfaction, and among these factors, the brand-new factor “Sales event” was examined to be significantly associated with customer satisfaction. In addition, the moderating effect of business types on the relationship between “Value for money” and customer satisfaction was verified, indicating differences between customers from different types of coffee shops.

Research limitations/implications

The present study broadened the research directions of coffee shops by adopting online customer reviews through relative analytics. New dimensions such as “Sales event” and detailed categorization of “Coffee quality”, “Interior” and “Physical environment” were revealed, indicating that even new cognition could be generated with new data source and analytical methods. The industry professionals could develop their decision-making based on information from online reviews.

Originality/value

The present study used online reviews to understand coffee shop costumer experience and satisfaction through a set of analytical methods. The textual reviews and numeric reviews were concerned simultaneously to unearth qualitative perception and quantitative data information for customers of coffee shops.
X‐ray‐based machine vision technique for detection of internal defects of sterculia seeds
Authors: Xue Qilong , Miao Peiqi , Miao Kunhong , Yu Yang , Li Zheng
Published: July 2022

An online machine learning system based on X‐ray nondestructive quality evaluation technique was developed to detect internal defects of boat‐fruited sterculia seed. The X‐ray images of boat‐fruited sterculia seed were first acquired by the detection system. Then, a boat‐fruited sterculia seed net (BSSNet) was trained to identify the defective boat‐fruited sterculia seeds based on the X‐ray images. The BSSNet was evaluated with the accuracy, precision, specificity, and sensitivity as 94.64%, 93.51%, 92.37%, and 96.64%, respectively. Further, three classical CNN models including VGG16, Resnet, and Inception were trained on the same dataset with accuracy of 95.71%, 94.29%, and 94.64%, respectively. Compared with the classical CNN models, the BSSNet achieved similar or higher accuracy in X‐ray images classification. Finally, an independent dataset containing 200 X‐ray images was used to validate the performance of the BSSNet and obtained an accuracy of 96.5%. The results presented above demonstrated that this classification method has a great potential for industrial applications.

Practical Application

An X‐ray online detection system integrated with a machine vision model was used to evaluate the quality of boat‐fruited sterculia seed. A low‐power x‐ray detection system can detect internal defects of the object and ensure safety in the production process. The developed machine vision can sort the boat‐fruited sterculia seed with an accuracy of 96.5%. The proposed nondestructive detection system showed a good potential to be used in industrial applications.
Comparative evaluation of encapsulation using β‐cyclodextrin versus freeze‐drying for better retention and stabilizing of black Périgord truffle (Tuber melanosporum) aroma
Authors: Phong Win Nee , Al‐Salami Hani , Gibberd Mark R. , Dykes Gary A. , Payne Alan D. , Coorey Ranil
Published: July 2022

This study aimed to develop a novel technique to retain and stabilize compounds contributing to truffle aroma by encapsulation using β‐cyclodextrin. Two experiments were conducted. In the first experiment, the key volatile profile and microbial population of products resulting from three different encapsulation methods, namely direct mixing method (M1), direct mixing followed by ethanol addition method (M2), and paste method (M3), were compared with untreated truffles (positive control) over a 90‐day period. The M2‐derived product was the least optimal for retaining key volatile compounds despite showing the lowest microbial population. There was no significant difference in the volatile profile of products derived from M1 and M3 on day 0. However, it was observed that the M3‐derived product could retain its volatile profile better than the M1‐derived product by day 90. M3 was compared with freeze‐drying in the second experiment. Freeze‐dried truffles showed an overall higher relative percentage of volatiles than the M3‐derived product on day 0. However, by day 90, some volatile changes occurred in the freeze‐dried truffles but not in the M3‐derived product. The findings indicate that while freeze‐drying could adequately conserve truffle volatiles, the encapsulation of volatile compounds in β‐cyclodextrin could improve the volatile stability of truffle products and allow for longer storage times. Microbes were found in all encapsulated truffle products and freeze‐dried truffles on days 0 and 90, suggesting the need to explore the possibility of incorporating a decontamination step in the process prior to either encapsulation or freeze‐drying.

Practical Application

A technique to capture and stabilize compounds responsible for truffle aroma by encapsulation using β‐cyclodextrin was developed and compared with freeze‐drying in this study. The overall finding suggests that while freeze‐drying of truffle could sufficiently preserve volatiles, encapsulating truffle volatiles with β‐cyclodextrin may improve its stability, extending its shelf life, which can be applied in the development of a natural truffle ingredient that can be applied in food product development.
Mortality and adverse events of hemoadsorption with CytoSorb® in critically ill patients: A systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Heymann Marc , Schorer Raoul , Putzu Alessandro
Published: July 2022

Background

The effects and safety of extracorporeal hemoadsorption with CytoSorb® in critically ill patients with inflammatory conditions are controversial.

Methods

We performed a systematic review with meta‐analysis and trial sequential analysis (TSA) of randomized‐controlled trials to assess the mortality and safety of CytoSorb® therapy in critically ill patients with inflammatory conditions. Electronic databases were searched up to April 2022. The primary outcome was mortality at longest follow‐up and secondary outcomes included various adverse event (AE) outcomes. Conflict of interest and funding of each trial were assessed. We calculated relative risk (RR) and 95% confidence interval (CI).

Results

Fourteen published (n = 764) and 4 unpublished (n = 111) trials were included. Eight trials were performed in medical ICU patients and 10 in complex cardiac surgery. Ten trials had significant industrial funding or an author conflict of interest. Hemoadsorption with CytoSorb® was associated with higher mortality at latest follow‐up (16 trials, n = 807, 120 of 402 [29.85%] patients in the CytoSorb® group vs. 98 of 405 [24.20%] patients in the control group, RR = 1.24 [95% CI, 1.04–1.49], p = .02, [TSA‐adjusted CI, 0.92–1.68]) and at 30‐days or in‐hospital (11 trials, n = 727; RR = 1.41 [95% CI, 1.06–1.88], p = .02, [TSA‐adjusted CI, 0.44–4.62]). Only one trial reported the definition of adverse event, while detailed results were reported in 3 trials; the risk of adverse events was not higher with CytoSorb®. Certainty of evidence ranged from low to very low.

Conclusion

Low certainty of evidence showed that the use of CytoSorb® might increase mortality in critically ill patients with inflammatory conditions. Adverse events were frequent but underreported and not systematically evaluated. Industrial funding and conflict of interest were common. Considerable uncertainty about the findings does not allow firm conclusions and suggests a need for high‐quality randomized trials to clarify mortality and adverse events related to CytoSorb®.

Editorial Comment

Hemoadsorption with CytoSorb® have been used in critically ill patients despite lack of high quality data from RCTs suggesting any patient‐important benefits. The findings from this systematic review and meta‐analysis suggests an increased risk of adverse events including mortality. With no apparent benefits and at the same time risk of harm, use of hemoadsorption with CytoSorb® in daily clinical practice cannot be recommended at this time.
Tension‐free inguinal hernia repair with transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block in elderly high‐risk patients
Authors: Demir Halit Batuhan , Atalay Alev , Uc Can , Fırat Özgür , Ersin Sinan
Published: July 2022

Background

Inguinal hernia repair is still being studied today because it is one of the most commonly performed surgical procedures in the world and is used in people of all ages. Although many centers use spinal anesthetic to treat inguinal hernias, complications such as hypotension from peripheral vasodilation, delayed mobilization from paralysis, urine retention and post‐spinal headache might occur. Regional blocks are a significant component of multimodal anaesthesia that promotes postoperative recovery. Transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block is a regional anesthetic block technique that is effective on the parietal peritoneum, skin, and anterior abdominal wall.

Methods

This study aimed to show that TAP block administration may be done safely without the use of an extra anesthetic treatment, especially in older patients who may experience complications from general or spinal anesthesia. Without either general, spinal or epidural anesthetic, we conducted a tension‐free — Lichtenstein — inguinal hernia repair operation with only TAP block application. This retrospective case‐control study received ethics committee approval (decision number 21‐5T/108). Between September and December 2019, patients who underwent elective Lichtenstein hernia repair in our clinic were evaluated retrospectively.

Results

We think that inguinal hernia repair can be safely performed with only TAP block and that TAP block application has fewer anaesthesia‐related complications such as postspinal headache and urinary retention compared with spinal anaesthesia, and that it can be used as an alternative to spinal anaesthesia in patients who cannot tolerate general anaesthesia.

Conclusion

Even hernia surgery can be very challenging in patients with advanced age and comorbidities. We wanted to show the feasibility of the TAP block method as an alternative to anaesthesia in such patients.
A new ex‐situ machine perfusion device. A preliminary evaluation using a model of donors after circulatory death pig livers
Authors: Ghinolfi Davide , Melandro Fabio , Patrono Damiano , Lai Quirino , De Carlis Riccardo , Camagni Stefania , Gambella Alessandro , Ruberto Franco , De Simone Paolo
Published: July 2022

We herein describe a new ex‐situ machine perfusion device as a “technology spotlight” using a model of donors after circulatory death liver grafts procured from slaughterhouse pigs. Fourteen pig liver grafts were included. The device allowed stable perfusion in both hypothermic (n = 6) and normothermic (n = 8) conditions and no technical failure was observed. During perfusion, perfusate and bile samples were collected to assess liver metabolism and viability. An integrated adsorption device showed efficient removal of inflammatory cytokines during treatment. This preliminary experience represents the starting point for further investigations on the potential clinical benefits of cytokines and other inflammatory mediators adsorption during machine perfusion.
Developing a woman‐centered, inclusive definition of positive childbirth experiences: A discussion paper
Authors: Leinweber Julia , Fontein‐Kuipers Yvonne , Karlsdottir Sigfridur Inga , Ekström‐Bergström Anette , Nilsson Christina , Stramrood Claire , Thomson Gill
Published: July 2022

Introduction

A positive childbirth experience promotes women’s health, both during and beyond the perinatal period. Understanding what constitutes a positive childbirth experience is thus critical to providing high‐quality maternity care. Currently, there is no clear, inclusive, woman‐centered definition of a positive childbirth experience to guide practice, education, and research.

Aim

To formulate an inclusive woman‐centered definition of a positive childbirth experience.

Methods

A six‐step process was undertaken: (a) Key concepts associated with a positive childbirth were derived from a rapid literature review; (b) The key concepts were used by interdisciplinary experts in the author group to create a draft definition; (c) The draft definition was presented to clinicians and researchers during a European research meeting on perinatal mental health; (d) The authors integrated the expert feedback to refine the working definition; (e) A revised definition was shared with women from consumer groups in six countries to confirm its face validity; and (f) A final definition was formulated based on the women’s feedback (n = 42).

Results

The following definition was formulated: “A positive childbirth experience refers to a woman’s experience of interactions and events directly related to childbirth that made her feel supported, in control, safe, and respected; a positive childbirth can make women feel joy, confident, and/or accomplished and may have short and/or long‐term positive impacts on a woman’s psychosocial well‐being.”

Conclusions

This inclusive, woman‐centered definition highlights the importance of provider interactions for facilitating a positive childbirth experience. Feeling supported and having a sense of control, safety, and respect are central tenets. This definition could help to identify and validate positive childbirth experience(s), and to inform practice, education, research, advocacy, and policy‐making.
A rhodamine B‐based colorimetric chemosensor for sensitive and selective detection of Cu2+: Test strip analysis and density functional theory
Authors: Heo Jae Sung , Gil Dongkyun , Lee Jae Jun , Kim Cheal
Published: July 2022

We designed a rhodamine B‐based colorimetric chemosensor BHSO ((Z)‐3′,6′‐bis(diethylamino)‐2‐(2‐(((8‐hydroxy‐2,3,6,7‐tetrahydro‐1H,5H‐pyrido[3,2,1‐ij]quinolin‐9‐yl)methylene)amino)ethyl)spiro[isoindoline‐1,9′‐xanthen]‐3‐one) for detecting Cu2+. In the presence of Cu2+, BHSO caused a colour variation from colourless to bright orange. The limit of detection for Cu2+ towards BHSO was 0.73 μM. The binding of BHSO to Cu2+ was analysed as a 1:1 ratio through a Job plot and electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry. BHSO can detect readily Cu2+ with a test strip by colorimetric variation. The detecting process of Cu2+ by BHSO was represented by ultraviolet‐visible titration, electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry, proton nuclear magnetic resonance titration, Job plot and density functional theory calculations.
What drives spatially varying ecological relationships in a wide‐ranging species?
Authors: Pease Brent S. , Pacifici Krishna , Kays Roland , Reich Brian
Published: July 2022

Aim

Decades of research on species distributions has revealed geographic variation in species‐environment relationships for a given species. That is, the way a species uses the local environment varies across geographic space. However, the drivers underlying this variation are contested and still largely unexplored. Niche traits that are conserved should reflect the evolutionary history of a species whereas more flexible ecological traits could vary at finer scales, reflecting local adaptation.

Location

North America.

Methods

We used mammal observations during a 5‐year period from the iNaturalist biodiversity database and a local ensemble modelling approach to explore spatial variation in American black bear (Ursus americanus) relationships with eight ecological correlates. We tested four biologically driven hypotheses to explain the patterns of local adaptation. We evaluated non‐stationarity in ecological relationships using a Stationarity Index and tested predictive performance using an independent, national‐level animal occurrence data set.

Results

We documented considerable spatial non‐stationarity in all eight environmental relationships, with the greatest spatial variation occurring in bear's relationship to climatic factors. Notably, the greatest variation in environmental relationships tended to occur along the current boundaries of the species' range, potentially representing the ecological limits to the species geographic range. We additionally documented that spatial variation in relationships with land cover and anthropogenic factors were best explained by niche conservatism at the subspecies level, whereas climatic relationships were better explained by local adaptation.

Main Conclusions

Based on these results, we propose that the current distribution of American black bear is determined by an evolutionary legacy of habitat relationships unique to each subspecies combined with more fine‐scale local adaptation to climatic conditions. This result suggests that black bears should be adaptable to climatic changes over the 21st century and that management of habitat and human‐bear relationships could be considered at the subspecies level.
Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) modulates motor execution in a limb reaching task
Authors: Zandonai Thomas , Bertucco Matteo , Graziani Nadia , Montani Veronica , Cesari Paola
Published: July 2022

The majority of human activities show a trade‐off between movement speed and accuracy. Here we tested 16 participants in a quick pointing action after 20 minutes (2 mA) of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) delivered at the supplementary motor area in a single‐blind crossover design study for testing the feedforward components in the control of action. tDCS stimuli were delivered in three randomized sessions of stimulations as anodal, cathodal and sham as a control. The task performed pre‐ and post‐tDCS stimulation, was to point as fast and as precise as possible with the big toe to targets having different sizes (2 and 8 cm; Width) and positioned at different distances (20 and 60 cm; Distance). An optoelectronic motion capture system was used to collect the kinematics of movement. The result indicates that individuals after receiving anodal stimulation decreased their movement time and increased their movement speed, while the opposite happened after receiving a cathodal stimulation. The scarcity of studies in this area invites us to plan a research that aims at the trade‐off especially in the clinical settings.
Prognostic significance of the clinical and radiological haemorrhagic transformation subtypes in acute ischaemic stroke: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: He Jinfeng , Fu Fangwang , Zhang Wenyuan , Zhan Zhenxiang , Cheng Zicheng
Published: July 2022

Background and purpose

The aim was to investigate the associations of haemorrhagic transformation (HT) and its clinical and radiological subtypes with functional outcome, mortality, early neurological deterioration (END) and neurological complications in patients with acute ischaemic stroke (AIS).

Methods

A systematic review and meta‐analysis of observational studies on the associations of overall HT, clinical HT subtypes (asymptomatic intracerebral haemorrhage [aICH] and symptomatic intracerebral haemorrhage [sICH]) or radiological HT subtypes (haemorrhagic infarction [HI‐1 or HI‐2] and parenchymal haemorrhage [PH‐1 or PH‐2]) with prognosis in patients with AIS was performed. PubMed, Web of Science and Embase were systematically searched. Random effects models were used to calculate pooled estimates.

Results

Fifty‐one studies with 100,510 patients were pooled in the meta‐analysis. Overall HT was associated with worse functional outcome (odds ratio [OR] 2.12, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.55–2.90), increased mortality (OR 1.87, 95% CI 1.52–2.30), END (OR 2.35, 95% CI 1.46–3.77), early‐onset seizures (OR 2.58, 95% CI 1.63–4.10) and post‐stroke epilepsy (OR 2.23, 95% CI 1.11–4.49). For clinical subtypes, sICH remained significantly associated with the aforementioned poor prognoses except post‐stroke epilepsy, and aICH was associated with worse functional outcome but was unrelated to mortality. For radiological subtypes, PH (especially PH‐2) was strongly associated with poor prognosis. HI‐2 was associated with worse functional outcome, and HI‐1 was associated with a lower risk of mortality and END.

Conclusions

Regardless of whether AIS patients undergo thrombolysis or thrombectomy, overall HT, sICH and PH (especially PH‐2) are associated with a substantially increased risk of worse functional outcome, mortality, END or neurological complications. The presence of aICH is related to worse functional outcome but is independent of increased mortality. HI‐2 impairs functional independence, and HI‐1 does not cause neurological impairment.
Social inequalities and gender differences in healthcare management of acute ischaemic stroke in France
Authors: Naouri Diane , Allain Samuel , Fery‐Lemonier Elisabeth , Wolff Valérie , Derex Laurent , Raynaud Philippe , Costemalle Vianney
Published: July 2022

Background and purpose

There are regional disparities in access to stroke units in France. Several studies have shown that living in disadvantaged areas is associated with a higher frequency of stroke, worse severity at presentation, increased level of dependency and higher mortality rates. However, few studies have explored the association between an individual's socioeconomic characteristics and stroke care. Our study aimed to determine if living standards are associated with stroke unit access for patients admitted to hospital for acute ischaemic stroke.

Methods

Using the EDP‐Santé French administrative database, all patients admitted to hospital for acute ischaemic stroke between 2014 and 2017 were selected. Acute ischaemic stroke corresponded to hospital stay with International Classification of Diseases 10th Revision codes I63 or I64 as the main diagnosis. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify if standard of living was associated with likelihood of admission to a stroke unit.

Results

In all, 14,123 acute care episodes were identified, corresponding to 335,273 episodes in the general population when appropriately weighted. Of these, 52.9% were admitted to a stroke unit. Being in the first (i.e., poorest) living standard quartile was associated with lower likelihood of admission to a stroke unit compared with the fourth (i.e., wealthiest) quartile, and was associated with a higher likelihood of paralysis and language disorder, and death at 1 year.

Conclusion

A low living standard was associated with lower likelihood of admission to a stroke unit as well as a greater chance of paralysis and aphasia at the end of hospitalization and a higher possibility of death at 1 year after stroke. Greater access to stroke units for disadvantaged people should be promoted.
Optimised protocol for the extraction of fish DNA from freshwater sediments
Authors: Thomson‐Laing Georgia , Howarth Jamie D. , Vandergoes Marcus J. , Wood Susanna A.
Published: July 2022

Monitoring fish is necessary for understanding population dynamics, tracking distribution patterns and evaluating conservation efforts. Molecular techniques targeting environmental DNA (eDNA) are now considered effective methods for detecting specific species or characterising fish communities. The analysis of DNA from lake‐surface sediments (sedDNA) can provide a time‐integrated sampling approach which reduces the variability sometimes observed in water samples. However, studies of sedDNA have had varying success in detecting fish. The present study aimed to determine the most effective extraction method for recovering fish DNA from lake‐surface sediments.

A literature review was undertaken to identify DNA extraction methods used previously on aquatic sediments targeting aquatic and terrestrial animals. Five methods with various modifications were tested to establish their ability to desorb extracellular DNA. Based on these results, two methods were selected and optimised, and the recovery of fish sedDNA characterised using droplet digital PCR assays targeting eel and perch (Anguilla australis, Anguilla dieffenbachii, Perca fluviatilis). A range of sediment masses (0.25–20 g) were assessed to establish the optimal amount required to accurately assess fish sedDNA.

The DNA extraction methods found to be most effective at recovering extracellular DNA spiked into small sediment masses (0.25 g) were the DNeasy PowerSoil DNA Isolation Kit (QIAGEN), and the ABPS protocol which involved an initial alkaline buffer extraction followed by the PowerSoil extraction kit. For larger sediment masses (>0.25 g) the ABPS protocol or the DNeasy PowerMax Soil Kit (QIAGEN) with an additional ethanol DNA concentration step (PMET protocol) yielded the highest concentrations of target genes across a range of lake sediments. Larger sediment masses (≤20 g was tested) increased the likelihood of detection of fish in sedDNA. Optimisation of the ABPS protocol was required (65°C incubation temperature, pooling of multiple PowerSoil extractions) to overcome technical challenges related to co‐precipitation of organic content in lake‐surface sediments. This optimised ABPS protocol was called the “Lakes ABPS protocol”.

We recommend the use of the Lakes ABPS protocol as it is cheaper than the PMET protocol. Additionally, after the first extraction step, the process can be automated on a DNA extraction robot, allowing for higher sample throughput. A mass of 10 g is suggested, although higher detection is achieved with more sediment, a suite of challenges, such as co‐precipitation of organic content, are encountered when the amount is increased.

This study highlights the complexity of the extraction and detection of fish sedDNA from lake sediment, especially when it has a high organic content. We have optimised a DNA extraction method to overcome some of these complexities that can be applied to a wide range of lake sediments.
Anti‐inflammatory properties of lemon‐derived extracellular vesicles are achieved through the inhibition of ERK/NF‐κB signalling pathways
Authors: Raimondo Stefania , Urzì Ornella , Meraviglia Serena , Di Simone Marta , Corsale Anna Maria , Rabienezhad Ganji Nima , Palumbo Piccionello Antonio , Polito Giulia , Lo Presti Elena , Dieli Francesco , Conigliaro Alice , Alessandro Riccardo
Published: July 2022

Chronic inflammation is associated with the occurrence of several diseases. However, the side effects of anti‐inflammatory drugs prompt the identification of new therapeutic strategies. Plant‐derived extracellular vesicles (PDEVs) are gaining increasing interest in the scientific community for their biological properties. We isolated PDEVs from the juice of Citrus limon L. (LEVs) and characterized their flavonoid, limonoid and lipid contents through reversed‐phase high‐performance liquid chromatography coupled to electrospray ionization quadrupole time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (RP‐HPLC–ESI‐Q‐TOF‐MS). To investigate whether LEVs have a protective role on the inflammatory process, murine and primary human macrophages were pre‐treated with LEVs for 24 h and then were stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). We found that pre‐treatment with LEVs decreased gene and protein expression of pro‐inflammatory cytokines, such as IL‐6, IL1‐β and TNF‐α, and reduced the nuclear translocation and phosphorylation of NF‐κB in LPS‐stimulated murine macrophages. The inhibition of NF‐κB activation was associated with the reduction in ERK1‐2 phosphorylation. Furthermore, the ability of LEVs to decrease pro‐inflammatory cytokines and increase anti‐inflammatory molecules was confirmed ex vivo in human primary T lymphocytes. In conclusion, we demonstrated that LEVs exert anti‐inflammatory effects both in vitro and ex vivo by inhibiting the ERK1‐2/NF‐κB signalling pathway.
How interactions between ADHD and schools affect educational achievement: a family‐based genetically sensitive study
Authors: Cheesman Rosa , Eilertsen Espen M. , Ayorech Ziada , Borgen Nicolai T. , Andreassen Ole A. , Larsson Henrik , Zachrisson Henrik , Torvik Fartein A. , Ystrom Eivind
Published: July 2022

Background

Children with ADHD tend to achieve less than their peers in school. It is unknown whether schools moderate this association. Nonrandom selection of children into schools related to variations in their ADHD risk poses a methodological problem.

Methods

We linked data on ADHD symptoms of inattention and hyperactivity and parent–child ADHD polygenic scores (PGS) from the Norwegian Mother, Father, and Child Cohort Study (MoBa) to achievement in standardised tests and school identifiers. We estimated interactions of schools with individual differences between students in inattention, hyperactivity, and ADHD‐PGS using multilevel models with random slopes for ADHD effects on achievement over schools. In our PGS analyses, we adjust for parental selection of schools by adjusting for parental ADHD‐PGS (a within‐family PGS design). We then tested whether five school sociodemographic measures explained any interactions.

Results

Analysis of up to 23,598 students attending 2,579 schools revealed interactions between school and ADHD effects on achievement. The variability between schools in the effects of inattention, hyperactivity and within‐family ADHD‐PGS on achievement was 0.08, 0.07 and 0.05 SDs, respectively. For example, the average effect of inattention on achievement was β = −0.23 (SE = 0.009), but in 2.5% of schools with the weakest effects, the value was −0.07 or less. ADHD has a weaker effect on achievement in higher‐performing schools. Schools make more of a difference to the achievements of students with higher levels of ADHD, explaining over four times as much variance in achievement for those with high versus average inattention symptoms. School sociodemographic measures could not explain the ADHD‐by‐school interactions.

Conclusions

Although ADHD symptoms and genetic risk tend to hinder achievement, schools where their effects are weaker do exist. Differences between schools in support for children with ADHD should be evened out.
Comparative genomic analysis illustrates evolutionary dynamics of multisubunit tethering complexes across green algal diversity
Authors: Phanprasert Yasinee , Maciszewski Kacper , Gentekaki Eleni , Dacks Joel B.
Published: July 2022

The chlorophyte algae are a dominant group of photosynthetic eukaryotes. Although many are photoautotrophs, there are also mixotrophs, heterotrophs, and even parasites. The physical characteristics of green algae are also highly diverse, varying greatly in size, shape, and habitat. Given this morphological and trophic diversity, we postulated that diversity may also exist in the protein components controlling intracellular movement of material by vesicular transport. One such set is the multisubunit tethering complexes (MTCs)—components regulating cargo delivery. As they span endomembrane organelles and are well‐conserved across eukaryotes, MTCs should be a good proxy for assessing the evolutionary dynamics across the diversity of Chlorophyta. Our results reveal that while green algae carry a generally conserved and unduplicated complement of MTCs, some intriguing variation exists. Notably, we identified incomplete sets of TRAPPII, exocyst, and HOPS/CORVET components in all Mamiellophyceae, and what is more, not a single subunit of Dsl1 was found in Cymbomonas tetramitiformis. As the absence of Dsl1 has been correlated with having unusual peroxisomes, we searched for peroxisome biogenesis machinery, finding very few components in Cymbomonas, suggestive of peroxisome degeneration. Overall, we demonstrate conservation of MTCs across green algae, but with notable taxon‐specific losses suggestive of unusual endomembrane systems.
Development of invasive pink salmon (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha Walbaum) eggs in a large Barents Sea river
Authors: Erkinaro Jaakko , Orell Panu , Pohjola Jan‐Peter , Kytökorpi Mikko , Pulkkinen Henni , Kuusela Jorma
Published: July 2022

The spawning and egg development of invasive pink salmon Oncorhynchus gorbuscha were investigated in the large River Teno in the Barents Sea area where they spawned for the first time on a large scale in 2021. The spawning period started in early August and egg development was rapid. All eggs were eyed by mid‐September and the first juveniles hatched in late September. In early October most eggs had hatched. Degree‐days in water temperature suggested that egg deposition had mostly taken place in early August. Early egg development is discussed in relation to possible consequences for survival.
Abscisic acid‐dependent PMT1 expression regulates salt tolerance by alleviating abscisic acid‐mediated reactive oxygen species production in Arabidopsis
Authors: He Qi Yu , Jin Jian Feng , Lou He Qiang , Dang Feng Feng , Xu Ji Ming , Zheng Shao Jian , Yang Jian Li
Published: July 2022

Phosphocholine (PCho) is an intermediate metabolite of nonplastid plant membranes that is essential for salt tolerance. However, how PCho metabolism modulates response to salt stress remains unknown. Here, we characterize the role of phosphoethanolamine N‐methyltransferase 1 (PMT1) in salt stress tolerance in Arabidopsis thaliana using a T‐DNA insertional mutant, gene‐editing alleles, and complemented lines. The pmt1 mutants showed a severe inhibition of root elongation when exposed to salt stress, but exogenous ChoCl or lecithin rescued this defect. pmt1 also displayed altered glycerolipid metabolism under salt stress, suggesting that glycerolipids contribute to salt tolerance. Moreover, pmt1 mutants exhibited altered reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation and distribution, reduced cell division activity, and disturbed auxin distribution in the primary root compared with wild‐type seedlings. We show that PMT1 expression is induced by salt stress and relies on the abscisic acid (ABA) signaling pathway, as this induction was abolished in the aba2‐1 and pyl112458 mutants. However, ABA aggravated the salt sensitivity of the pmt1 mutants by perturbing ROS distribution in the root tip. Taken together, we propose that PMT1 is an important phosphoethanolamine N‐methyltransferase participating in root development of primary root elongation under salt stress conditions by balancing ROS production and distribution through ABA signaling.
Plant invasion reconstructs soil microbial assembly and functionality in coastal salt marshes
Authors: Zhang Guangliang , Bai Junhong , Tebbe Christoph C. , Huang Laibin , Jia Jia , Wang Wei , Wang Xin , Yu Lu , Zhao Qingqing
Published: July 2022

Microbiologically driven ecosystem processes can be profoundly altered by alien plant invasions. There is limited understanding of the ecological mechanisms orchestrating different microbial constituents and their roles in emerging functional properties under plant invasions. Here, we investigated soil microbial communities and functions using high‐throughput amplicon sequencing and GeoChip technology, respectively, along a chronological gradient of smooth cordgrass invasion in salt marshes located in the Yellow River Estuary, China. We found a positive correlation between microbial diversity and the duration age of invasion, and both bacterial and fungal communities showed consistent changes with invasion. Soil microbial metabolic potential, as indicated by the abundance of microbial functional genes involved in biogeochemical cycling, decreased in response to invasion. As a consequence, declining soil microbial metabolisms as a result of plant invasion facilitated carbon accumulation in invaded salt marshes. Bacteria and fungi exhibited distinct contributions to assembly processes along the invasion gradient: bacterial communities were mainly driven by selection and dispersal limitation, while fungi were dramatically shaped by stochastic processes. Soil microbial‐mediated functions were taxon‐specific, as indicated by community–function relationships. This study demonstrates the distinct contributions of microbial constituents to microbial community assembly and functions and sheds light on the implications of plant invasion on microbiologically driven ecosystem processes in coastal wetlands.
Building a theoretical model for virtual interprofessional education
Authors: Azim Arden , Kocaqi Etri , Wojkowski Sarah , Uzelli‐Yilmaz Derya , Foohey Sarah , Sibbald Matt
Published: July 2022

Background

Virtual interprofessional education (IPE) has emerged as a promising alternative to traditional in‐person IPE. However, theoretical frameworks to support virtual interprofessional learning are not well established. Two theoretical frameworks emerged as relevant to virtual IPE: (1) the Canadian Interprofessional Health Collaborative (CIHC) interprofessional learning framework and (2) Dornan's Experience‐Based Learning Model (ExBL) of workplace learning. In this study, we sought to explore virtual IPE using both frameworks to develop new theoretical understandings and identify assumptions, gaps and barriers.

Methods

This was a qualitative study. Semi‐structured interviews were conducted with medical and nursing student participants (n = 14) and facilitators (n = 3) from virtual IPE workshops. Transcripts were analysed using directed content analysis methodology, informed by the CIHC and ExBL frameworks. Themes were explored using mind‐mapping transitional coding. Data collection and analysis were continued iteratively until themes with adequate conceptual depth, relevance and plausibility were identified.

Results

Three themes were identified: (1) a shift in the balance of personal and professional, (2) blunted sociologic fidelity and (3) uncertainty and threats to interpersonal connections. Professional distinctions and hierarchies are blurred virtually. This contributed to an increased sense of psychological safety among most learners and lowered the threshold for participation. Separation from workplace sociologic complexity facilitated communication and role clarification objectives. However, loss of immersion may limit deeper engagement. Interprofessional objectives that rely on deeper sociological fidelity, such as conflict resolution, may be threatened. Informal interactions between learners are hindered, which may threaten organic development of interprofessional relationships.

Conclusions

Role clarification and communication objectives are preserved in virtual IPE. Educators should pay close attention to psychological safety and sociologic fidelity—both to leverage advantages and guard against threats to connection and transferability. Virtual IPE may be well suited as a primer to in‐person activities or as scaffolding towards interprofessional workplace practice.
Chemosensory loss in COVID‐19
Authors: Xu Winnie , Sunavala‐Dossabhoy Gulshan , Spielman Andrew I.
Published: July 2022

The COVID‐19 pandemic caused by SARS‐CoV‐2 virus quickly spread globally, infecting over half a billion individuals, and killing over 6 million*. One of the more unusual symptoms was patients' complaints of sudden loss of smell and/or taste, a symptom that has become more apparent as the virus mutated into different variants. Anosmia and ageusia, the loss of smell and taste, respectively, seem to be transient for some individuals, but for others persists even after recovery from the infection. Causes for COVID‐19‐associated chemosensory loss have undergone several hypotheses. These include non‐functional or destroyed olfactory neurons and gustatory receptors or of their supporting cells, disruption of the signaling protein Neuropilin‐1, and disruption in the interaction with semaphorins, key molecules in the gustatory and olfactory axon guidance. The current paper will review these hypotheses and chart out potential therapeutic avenues.