bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
P643 Patient perspectives and expectations in inflammatory bowel disease: a systematic review
Authors: Balram B , Al Khoury A , Bessissow T , Afif W , Gonczi L , Abreu M , Lakatos P L
Published: May 2021

Background

In this systematic review, our objective was to assess inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patient preferences and perspectives relating to their disease diagnosis, treatment, knowledge needs and telemedicine.

Methods

This study was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines (PRISMA). Four databases and conference proceedings were searched between January 1, 1980, and May 1, 2020. The methodological quality of the included studies was assessed using the Standards for reporting qualitative research checklist.

Results

Our search identified 240 citations and 52 studies met the inclusion criteria. The major expectations of the patients are symptomatic and pain control, quality of life and normal endoscopy. Patients’ main concerns are access to information and healthcare, and shared decision making. At the time of diagnosis, patients expressed a greater need for knowledge about their IBD, preferentially by their treating gastroenterologist. The main treatment expectations in active disease are efficacy, safety and convenience. Patients are willing to accept relatively high risks of complications from medical therapy to avoid a permanent ostomy and to achieve durable remission. Patients are more interested in disease monitoring, research and development during the time of remission. Telemedicine and self-management with supervised e-health tools are feasible and acceptable amongst IBD patients.

Conclusion

This systematic review demonstrates that IBD patients expect more information about their disease process, shared decision making and symptom control. Further research is needed to help align patient and physician expectations in order to improve the quality of care provided to IBD patients.
P646 The Loss of Productivity in Employment and Education Associated to Inflammatory Bowel Diseases: A Pilot Study of the Patient’s Perception
Authors: Nieves-Jimenez H , Solis-Pomales C , Ortiz-Domenech S , Marrero-Concepcion F , Marrero-Irizarry J , Torres E A
Published: May 2021

Background

Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBD) impact vocational, educational, and psychosocial aspects of a patient’s life and may cause patients to miss work or school or underperform. This study describes loss of productivity in Hispanics with IBD in the workplace and educational settings, along with the patient’s perception.

Methods

Patients with IBD attending a tertiary care clinic were given a self-administered survey related to loss of productivity in employment and education. The questionnaire acquired qualitative and quantitative data about the patients’ past and present work and educational settings. Productivity was determined by the number of absences or early leaves from school or work due to disease manifestations. The patient’s perception regarding psychological aspects of their condition was assessed. Descriptive statistics were used for sociodemographic data, perceptions regarding their condition, and clinical history as captured by the questionnaire. This study is approved by the MSC IRB.

Results

100 patients (M/F: 50/50, CD/UC: 72/28, age range: 18–61, mean age: 29.78 ± 9.81) participated. 45 participants were working, 16 were studying, and 25 were working and studying. 89% of those working had to leave early or miss work due to disease manifestations and, among those, 51% had more than two absences in a given month. During their school years, 100% had absences or had to leave class early because of the disease. 61% said that their condition has a negative effect in their daily lives. Furthermore, 61% perceived their disease affects moderately to severely their daily life. However, 61% expressed that their disease has minimal or no effect on their self-esteem, 75% denoted that their disease does not impact their familial relationships and 74% indicated that they manage their disease with a positive mindset. There was no significant association between sex (p=0.71) or diagnosis (p=0.31) and perception of disease severity.

Conclusion

Work and study absences due to IBD manifestations were frequently reported in the study, translating into decreased productivity. Perception of disease severity was independent of diagnosis and sex. A majority perceived that IBD affected daily life moderately to severely. Strategies to improve work and study conditions may result in improved productivity.
P666 Frequency and outcome of SARS-CoV2 infection in patients with inflammatory bowel disease on different biological therapy
Authors: Resál T , Farkas K , Molnár T
Published: May 2021

Background

Since almost its 1 year outbreak declared by the World Health Organization on 11th March 2020, COVID-19 pandemic still cannot be controlled successfully. Inflammatory bowel disease potentially elevates the risk of infections, independently from the age, while disease activity and medical treatment(s) can increase the risk as well. Based on international data, in total, 4% receives the infection. Furthermore, 1.8% of the patients on biologic therapy needs intensive therapeutic care and 1% passes away.

Methods

This was an observational, questionnaire based study, carried out in Hungary, between February and March 2021. Our questionnaire consisted of 45 questions, that surveyed the impact of the pandemic among IBD patients, and the severity and outcome of the infection. Participants were on biologic therapy. Our aim was to determine the frequency and outcome of SARS-CoV2 infection in patients with inflammatory bowel disease on different biological therapy.

Results

In total, 387 respondents completed the questionnaire, and 47 participants (12%) developed COVID-19 infection. 66.9% of them were receiving anti-TNF inhibitor, 16.8% vedolizumab, 12.1% ustekinumab, and 4.1% tofacitinib. Based on our cohort, different biologic therapies didn’t elevate the risk of infection (p=0.3486), nor the hospitalization rate (p=0.277). No one was in ICU or ventilator, and nobody passed away. Furthermore, 38.3% suspended the current biologic therapy, but it didn’t decrease the rate of hospitalization (p=0.533), however, it didn’t cause flare-ups either in the primary disease (p=0.415). Based on our cohort, neither vitamin supplementations meant protection against the infection (p=0.117), only regular mask wearing seems to protect patients with IBD (p=0.009).

Conclusion

Based on our cohort, more IBD patients develop the infection in Hungary, compared to international data, however, the outcome of the infection is more favourable. It seems, that the different biological treatments don’t affect the infection rate, and neither elevates the hospitalization rate. In generally, there is no need to suspend the current biologic therapy, however, it should be a matter of individual judgment. After all, we claim that mask-wearing still seems to be the most effective form of prevention.
P668 Does biotin deficiency play a role in the pathogenesis of Inflammatory Bowel Disease? Preliminary results of a cross-sectional study
Authors: Erbach J , Arnold A , Bonn F , Stein J M , Schröder O , Aksan A
Published: May 2021

Background

Biotin, a water-soluble B-vitamin, has been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties. A biotin-deficient diet was recently shown to induce a colitis-like phenotype in mice, alleviated by biotin substitution. Mice with DSS colitis showed biotin deficiency and significantly reduced levels of SDMT, a protein involved in biotin absorption. Oral biotin substitution reversed DSS colitis and induced remission by inhibiting NF-κB, a transcription factor that hinders inflammatory cytokine expression and plays a role in intestinal barrier integrity and IBD. We investigated for the first time a possible clinical role of biotin status in IBD.

Methods

In a comparative, cross-sectional study, serum samples of IBD patients were compared with samples of 80 healthy blood donors (40f;18-65y). CBC, albumin and hsCRP were determined by standard tests and samples assessed for presence/absence of inflammation (serum hsCRP, cutoff <5mg/L). Since its known that serum biotin levels does not accurately reflect biotin status, serum 3-hydroxyisovaleryl carnitine (3HIAc) levels were determined by LC-MS/MS.

Results

138 IBD patients (67f;72 CD/66 UC;42.5±14.3y) were enrolled. Of these, 83/138 had inflammation (39f;43CD/40UC;42.5±14.6y) and 55/138 no inflammation (28f;29CD/26UC;42.5±13.9y). In IBD patients, mean serum 3HIAc levels were significantly higher vs. controls but similar with vs. without inflammation (Table 1). The reference serum 3HIAc level was calculated as 11.0–27.3 nmol/L from controls; biotin deficiency was defined as >27.3 nmol/L 3HIAc (90thPC), since no validated cut-off exists. Biotin deficiency in IBD patients was significantly greater than in controls (Table 1).

Conclusion

High serum 3HIAc levels were associated with IBD. In line with preclinical studies, biotin deficiency was more pronounced in IBD patients than controls. No relation was found with inflammatory activity or disease type. Our findings suggest that biotin may have a bigger role than thought in IBD; whether as a cause or effect in IBD pathogenesis warrants investigation. Routine assessment and correction of biotin status may ameliorate IBD and help maintain intestinal integrity.

Table 1: 3-hydroxyisovaleryl carnitine levels and biotin deficiency
Classification performance of clinical risk scoring in suspected acute coronary syndrome beyond a rule-out troponin profile
Authors: Khan Ehsan , Lambrakis Kristina , Blyth Andrew , Seshadri Anil , Edmonds Michael J R , Briffa Tom , Cullen Louise A , Quinn Stephen , Horsfall Matthew , Morton Erin , French John K , Papendick Cynthia , Nelson Adam J , Chew Derek P
Published: May 2021

Aims

High-sensitivity cardiac troponin strategies can provide risk stratification in patients with suspected acute coronary syndrome (ACS) in the emergency department (ED). This study evaluated whether clinical risk scoring improves the classification performance of a rule-out profile in suspected ACS.

Methods and results

Patients presenting to ED with suspected ACS as part of the RAPID-TnT trial randomized to the intervention arm were included. Results ≥5 ng/L were available for all participants in this analysis. We evaluated the Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) risk score, History ECG Age Risk factors Troponin (HEART) score, and Emergency Department Assessment of Chest pain Score (EDACS) in addition to a rule-out profile based on the 0/1-h high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T protocol (<5 ng/L or ≤12 ng/L and a change of <3 ng/L at 1-h) using test performance parameters focusing on low-risk groups to identify the primary endpoint (TIMI ≤ 1, HEART ≤ 3, EDACS < 16). Primary endpoint was a composite of type 1/2 myocardial infarction (MI) at index presentation and all-cause mortality or type 1/2 MI at 30 days. A total of 3378 participants were enrolled between August 2015 and April 2019 of which 108 were ineligible/withdrew consent (intervention arm: n = 1638). Sensitivity, specificity, negative predictive value (NPV), and area under the curve (AUC) of the rule-out profile was 94.4%, 76.8%, 99.6%, and 0.86, respectively with 72.9% identified as ‘low-risk’. Adding the clinical risk scores did not improve the sensitivity, NPV, or AUC with significantly lower specificity and ‘low-risk’ classified participants.

Conclusions

Addition of clinical risk scores to rule-out profile did not demonstrate improved classification performance for identifying the composite of type 1/2 MI at index presentation and all-cause mortality or type 1/2 MI at 30 days.

Clinical trials registration

URL: https://www.anzctr.org.au. Reg. No. ACTRN12615001379505.
Prognostic impact of non-culprit chronic total occlusion over time in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention
Authors: Milasinovic Dejan , Mladenovic Djordje , Zaharijev Stefan , Mehmedbegovic Zlatko , Marinkovic Jelena , Jelic Dario , Zobenica Vladimir , Radomirovic Marija , Dedovic Vladimir , Pavlovic Andrija , Dobric Milan , Stojkovic Sinisa , Asanin Milika , Vukcevic Vladan , Stankovic Goran
Published: May 2021

Aims

Previous studies indicated that a chronic total occlusion (CTO) in a non-infarct-related artery is linked to higher mortality mainly in the acute setting in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Our aim was to assess the temporal distribution of mortality risk associated with non-culprit CTO over years after STEMI.

Methods and results

The study included 8679 STEMI patients treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Kaplan–Meier cumulative mortality curves for non-culprit CTO vs. no CTO were compared with log-rank test, with landmarks set at 30 days and 1 year. Adjusted Cox regression models were constructed to assess the impact of non-culprit CTO on mortality over different time intervals. Tests for interaction were pre-specified between non-culprit CTO and acute heart failure and left ventricular ejection fraction. The primary outcome variable was all-cause mortality, and the median follow-up was 5 years. Non-culprit CTO was present in 11.6% of patients (n = 1010). Presence of a CTO was associated with increased early [30-day adjusted hazard ratio (HR) 1.91, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.54–2.36; P < 0.001] and late mortality (5-year adjusted HR 1.66, 95% CI 1.42–1.95; P < 0.001). Landmark analyses revealed an annual two-fold increase in mortality in patients with vs. without a CTO after the first year of follow-up. The observed pattern of mortality increase over time was independent of acute or chronic LV impairment.

Conclusions

Non-culprit CTO is independently associated with mortality over 5 years after primary PCI for STEMI, with a constant annual two-fold increase in the risk of death beyond the first year of follow-up.
Naive 𝔸1-Homotopies on Ruled Surfaces
Authors: Balwe Chetan , Sawant Anand
Published: May 2021

We explicitly describe the $\mathbb{A}^1$-chain homotopy classes of morphisms from a smooth henselian local scheme into a smooth projective surface, which is birationally ruled over a curve of genus $> 0$. We consequently determine the sheaf of naive $\mathbb{A}^1$-connected components of such a surface and show that it does not agree with the sheaf of its genuine $\mathbb{A}^1$-connected components when the surface is not a minimal model. However, the sections of the sheaves of both naive and genuine $\mathbb{A}^1$-connected components over schemes of dimension $\leq 1$ agree. As a consequence, we show that the Morel–Voevodsky singular construction on a smooth projective surface, which is birationally ruled over a curve of genus $> 0$, is not $\mathbb{A}^1$-local if the surface is not a minimal model.
Energy content of intact and heat-treated dry extruded-expelled soybean meal fed to growing pigs
Authors: Koo Bonjin , Adeshakin Olumide , Nyachoti Charles Martin
Published: May 2021

An experiment was performed to evaluate the energy content of extruded-expelled soybean meal (EESBM) and the effects of heat treatment on energy utilization in growing pigs. Eighteen growing barrows (18.03 ± 0.61 kg initial body weight) were individually housed in metabolism crates and randomly allotted to one of three dietary treatments (six replicates per treatment). The three experimental diets were the following: a corn-soybean meal-based basal diet and two test diets with simple substitution of a basal diet with intact EESBM or heat-treated EESBM (heat-EESBM) at a 7:3 ratio. Intact EESBM was autoclaved at 121 °C for 60 min to make heat-treated EESBM. Pigs were fed the experimental diets for 16 d, including 10 d for adaptation and 6 d for total collection of feces and urine. Pigs were then moved into indirect calorimetry chambers to determine 24-h heat production and 12-h fasting heat production. The energy content of EESBM was calculated using the difference method. Data were analyzed using the Mixed procedure of SAS with the individual pig as the experimental unit. Pigs fed heat-EESBM diets showed lower (P < 0.05) apparent total tract digestibility of dry matter (DM), gross energy, and nitrogen than those fed intact EESBM. A trend (P ≤ 0.10) was observed for greater heat increments in pigs fed intact EESBM than those fed heat-EESBM. This resulted in intact EESBM having greater (P < 0.05) digestible energy (DE) and metabolizable energy (ME) contents than heat-EESBM. However, no difference was observed in net energy (NE) contents between intact EESBM and heat-EESBM, showing a tendency (P ≤ 0.10) toward an increase in NE/ME efficiency in heat-EESBM, but comparable NE contents between intact and heat-EESBM. In conclusion, respective values of DE, ME, and NE are 4,591 kcal/kg, 4,099 kcal/kg, and 3,189 kcal/kg in intact EESBM on a DM basis. It is recommended to use NE values of feedstuffs that are exposed to heat for accurate diet formulation.
Assessment of Ovarian Function in Phase III (Neo)Adjuvant Breast Cancer Clinical Trials: A Systematic Evaluation
Authors: Cui Wanyuan , Francis Prudence A , Loi Sherene , Hickey Martha , Stern Catharyn , Na Lumine , Partridge Ann H , Loibl Sibylle , Anderson Richard A , Hutt Karla J , Keogh Louise A , Phillips Kelly-Anne
Published: May 2021

Background

Loss of ovarian function is a recognized adverse effect of chemotherapy for breast cancer and of great importance to patients. Little is known about the ovarian toxicity of newer cancer treatments. This study examined whether breast cancer clinical trials include assessment of the impact of trial interventions on ovarian function.

Methods

Eligible trials were phase III (neo)adjuvant trials of pharmacologic treatments for breast cancer, recruiting between June 2008 and October 2019, which included premenopausal women. MEDLINE, EMBASE, Clinicaltrials.gov, and EudraCT were searched. Data were extracted from trial publications, protocols, databases, and a survey sent to all trial chairs. Tests of statistical significance were 2-sided.

Results

Of 2354 records identified, 141 trials were eligible. Investigational treatments included chemotherapy (36.9%), HER2 targeted (24.8%), endocrine (12.8%), immunotherapy (7.8%), cyclin-dependent kinase 4/6 inhibitors (5.0%), and poly-ADP-ribose polymerase inhibitors (2.8%). Ovarian function was a prespecified endpoint in 13 (9.2%) trials. Forty-five (31.9%) trials collected ovarian function data, but only 33 (23.4%) collected posttrial-intervention data. Common postintervention data collected included menstruation (15.6%), pregnancy (13.5%), estradiol (9.9%), and follicle-stimulating hormone levels (8.5%). Only 4 (2.8%) trials collected postintervention anti-müllerian hormone levels, and 3 (2.1%) trials collected antral follicle count. Of 22 trials investigating immunotherapy, cyclin-dependent kinase 4/6 inhibitors, or poly-ADP-ribose polymerase inhibitors, none specified ovarian function as an endpoint, but 4 (18.2%) collected postintervention ovarian function data.

Conclusions

The impact of pharmacologic interventions on ovarian function is infrequently assessed in phase III breast cancer (neo)adjuvant trials that include premenopausal women. Trialists should consider inclusion of ovarian function endpoints when designing clinical trials, given its importance for informed decision making.
Chemical post-processing of magneto-hydrodynamical simulations of star-forming regions: robustness and pitfalls
Authors: Ferrada-Chamorro Simón , Lupi Alessandro , Bovino Stefano
Published: May 2021

A common approach to model complex chemistry in numerical simulations is via post-processing of existing magneto-hydrodynamic simulations, relying on computing the evolution of chemistry over the dynamic history of a subset of particles from within the raw simulation. Here, we validate such a technique, assessing its ability to recover the abundances of chemical species, using the chemistry package krome. We also assess, for the first time, the importance of the main free input parameters, by means of a direct comparison with a self-consistent state-of-the-art simulation in which chemistry was directly coupled to hydrodynamics. We have found that the post-processing is highly reliable, with an accuracy at the per cent level, even when the most relaxed input parameters are employed. In particular, our results show that the number of particles used does not affect significantly the average properties, although it suppresses the appearance of possibly important spatial features. On the other hand, the choice of the integration time-step plays a crucial role. Longer integration time-steps can produce large errors, as the post-processing solution will be forced towards chemical equilibrium, a condition that does not always necessarily apply. When the interpolation-based reconstruction of chemical properties is performed, the errors further increase up to a factor of ∼2. Concluding, our results suggest that this technique is extremely useful when exploring the relative quantitative effect of different chemical parameters and/or networks, without the need of re-running simulations multiple times, but some care should be taken in the choice of particles sub-sample and integration time-step.
About the modelling of the SED for the inner boundary of protoplanetary discs at the lower stellar mass regime
Authors: Morales-Gutiérrez Sebastián , Nagel Erick , Barragan Oscar
Published: May 2021

In order to improve the physical interpretation about innermost dusty regions in protoplanetary discs around brown dwarf (BD), and even very low mass star (VLMS), we present a grid of models taking into account two different sets: (i) The set called standard model, that simulates an axisymmetric dusty disc with an inner curved wall. (ii) The perturbed one called non-standard where the axisymmetry of the inner edge has been broken. We have achieved a fitting for the disc structure able to explain the spectral energy distribution (SED). As the main condition, we assume that the changes of the inner wall geometry in the tongue-like shape depend on the Rayleigh–Taylor instability (R-TIns) generated in the inner disc edge. For each object, we parametrize the shape of the inner wall to find a time-dependent model that enables us to explain the photometric near-Infrared variability and connect the changes on the inner disc structure with the amplitude of such variability. We re-analysed photometric measurements from near to mid-infrared wavelengths of a sample of 6 BDs and one VLMS in different cloud associations which were previously studied by other authors. We also show that the flux change calculated between the non-standard and the standard configurations models the observed variability in LRLL 1679. The magnitude changes due to these fluctuations slightly depend on the wavelength and they can present differences of up to 0.9 mag. We suggest that if the R-TIns persist enough time, the features in the protoplanetary inner disc, e.g. inner holes or gaps evolve.
Magnetic dynamos in white dwarfs – I. Explaining the dearth of bright intermediate polars in globular clusters
Authors: Belloni Diogo , Schreiber Matthias R , Salaris Maurizio , Maccarone Thomas J , Zorotovic Monica
Published: May 2021

Recently, Bahramian et al. investigated a large sample of globular clusters (GCs) and found that bright intermediate polars (IPs) are a factor of 10 less frequent in GCs than in the Galactic field. We theoretically investigate here this discrepancy based on GC numerical simulations. We found that, due to disruptive dynamical interaction, there is on average a reduction of only half of bright IP progenitors, which is clearly not enough to explain the observed deficiency. However, if the rotation- and crystallization-driven dynamo scenario recently proposed by Schreiber et al. is incorporated in the simulations, the observed rareness of bright IPs in GCs can be reproduced. This is because bright cataclysmic variables (CVs) in GCs are typically very old systems (≳10 Gyr), with white dwarfs that almost fully crystallized before mass transfer started, which does not allow strong magnetic fields to be generated. The observed mass density of bright IPs in GCs can be recovered if around one-third of the bright CVs dynamically formed through mergers have magnetic field strengths similar to those of IPs. We conclude that the observed paucity of bright IPs in GCs is a natural consequence of the newly proposed rotation- and crystallization-driven dynamo scenario.
The hen’s egg test for micronucleus induction (HET-MN): validation data set
Authors: Reisinger Kerstin , Fieblinger Dagmar , Heppenheimer Andreas , Kreutz Jürgen , Liebsch Manfred , Luch Andreas , Maul Katrin , Poth Albrecht , Strauch Pamela , Dony Eva , Schulz Markus , Wolf Thorsten , Pirow Ralph
Published: May 2021

The classical in vitro genotoxicity test battery is known to be sensitive for indicating genotoxicity. However, a high rate of ‘misleading positives’ was reported when three assays were combined as required by several legislations. Despite the recent optimisations of the standard in vitro tests, two gaps could hardly be addressed with assays based on 2D monolayer cell cultures: the route of exposure and a relevant intrinsic metabolic capacity to transform pro-mutagens into reactive metabolites. Following these considerations, fertilised chicken eggs have been introduced into genotoxicity testing and were combined with a classical read-out parameter, the micronucleus frequency in circulating erythrocytes, to develop the hen’s egg test for micronucleus induction (HET-MN). As a major advantage, the test mirrors the systemic availability of compounds after oral exposure by reflecting certain steps of Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, Excretion (ADME) without being considered as an animal experiment. The assay is supposed to add to a toolbox of assays to follow up on positive findings from initial testing with classical in vitro assays. We here report on a validation exercise, in which >30 chemicals were tested double-blinded in three laboratories. The specificity and sensitivity of the HET-MN were calculated to be 98 and 84%, respectively, corresponding to an overall accuracy of 91%. A detailed protocol, which includes a picture atlas detailing the cell and micronuclei analysis, is published in parallel (Maul et al. Validation of the hen’s egg test for micronucleus induction (HET-MN): detailed protocol including scoring atlas, historical control data and statistical analysis).
Prolonged Trachyte Storage and Unusual Remobilization at Piton de la Fournaise, La Réunion Island, Indian Ocean: Li, O, Sr, Nd, Pb and Th Isotope Study
Authors: Vlastelic I , Bachèlery P , Sigmarsson O , Koga K T , Rose-Koga E R , Bindeman I , Gannoun A , Devidal J -L , Falco G , Staudacher T
Published: May 2021

La Réunion Island includes two major volcanic systems. About 0·5 Myr ago, Piton des Neiges volcano declined, while Piton de la Fournaise volcano grew on its flank. Since then the Piton de la Fournaise shield volcano has produced homogeneous lavas with chemical compositions transitional between alkali and tholeiitic basalts. In April 2007, the volcano emitted a very small volume of trachytic pumice during its largest historical eruption. We conducted a comprehensive petrological and geochemical study of the pumice to understand the occurrence of such silicic melt in the feeding system of this highly active basaltic volcano. Isotopes of Sr, Nd, Pb and O, together with trace elements, indicate that the trachyte is genetically related to the La Réunion mantle plume and derives from crystallization of a typical basalt. The trachyte chemistry records a long and complex history of differentiation and outgassing. The extensive depletion of moderately volatile elements (F, Cl, B, Cs, Cu, Li) and less volatile uranium is consistent with exsolution of dense fluids at depths of several kilometres. Lithium isotopes point to closed-system degassing during the very late stages of crystallization. U-series isotopes and radiogenic 208Pb*/206Pb* constrain the age of U loss to between 0·4 and 2·1 Ma. This age is as old as or older than the Piton de la Fournaise shield edifice. The 2007 trachyte could thus be a liquid remnant of an extinct volcano, such as Piton des Neiges or Les Alizés (Piton de la Fournaise proto-volcano). It could also result from partial melting of an old syenite intrusion or remobilization of interstitial melts not fully solidified. Thermal modelling indicates that the sustained heat flux from hot basaltic magmas rising from the mantle can maintain temperatures above 800 °C in the central feeding system, and prevent total solidification of magmas trapped in this hot core.
Phytophthora sojae apoplastic effector AEP1 mediates sugar uptake by mutarotation of extracellular aldose and is recognized as a MAMP
Authors: Xu Yuanpeng , Zhang Yunhuan , Zhu Jinyin , Sun Yujing , Guo Baodian , Liu Fan , Huang Jie , Wang Haonan , Dong Suomeng , Wang Yan , Wang Yuanchao
Published: May 2021

Diseases caused by Phytophthora pathogens devastate many crops worldwide. During infection, Phytophthora pathogens secrete effectors, which are central molecules for understanding the complex plant–Phytophthora interactions. In this study, we profiled the effector repertoire secreted by Phytophthora sojae into the soybean (Glycine max) apoplast during infection using liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry. A secreted aldose 1-epimerase (AEP1) was shown to induce cell death in Nicotiana benthamiana, as did the other two AEP1s from different Phytophthora species. AEP1 could also trigger immune responses in N. benthamiana, other Solanaceae plants, and Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana). A glucose dehydrogenase assay revealed AEP1 encodes an active AEP1. The enzyme activity of AEP1 is dispensable for AEP1-triggered cell death and immune responses, while AEP-triggered immune signaling in N. benthamiana requires the central immune regulator BRASSINOSTEROID INSENSITIVE 1-associated receptor kinase 1. In addition, AEP1 acts as a virulence factor that mediates P. sojae extracellular sugar uptake by mutarotation of extracellular aldose from the α-anomer to the β-anomer. Taken together, these results revealed the function of a microbial apoplastic effector, highlighting the importance of extracellular sugar uptake for Phytophthora infection. To counteract, the key effector for sugar conversion can be recognized by the plant membrane receptor complex to activate plant immunity.
A Broader View of Risk to Health Care Workers: Perspectives on Supporting Vulnerable Health Care Professional Households During COVID-19
Authors: Donroe Joseph H. , Rabin Tracy L. , Hsieh Evelyn , Schwartz Jeremy I.
Published: May 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted both that frontline workers face a new set of personal hazards in health care settings and that there are not well-established recommendations to address the broader risks to these workers and their families. Particularly vulnerable households include dual health care professional households, single-parent health care professional households, and households with health care professionals responsible for a high-risk family member (i.e., an older adult or immunocompromised person). While the demographics of these households are heterogeneous, it is expected that the professional and personal concerns specific to COVID-19 will be similar. These concerns include family safety, balancing full-time work with home-based schooling for children, the looming threat of illness to 1 or both partners, the potential of infecting high-risk family members, and the challenges of planning for the future during uncertain times. To elucidate these concerns in their department, the authors sought input from colleagues in dual health care professional households through an open-ended email communication. Respondents expressed a range of concerns centered on balancing professional and family responsibilities during the COVID-19 pandemic. In this commentary, the authors propose several recommendations in the areas of support networks, leadership and culture, and operations and logistics that health care institutions can adopt to minimize the burden on these vulnerable households during states of emergency. The successful implementation of these recommendations hinges on creating a work environment in which all health care providers feel comfortable voicing their concerns.
Why is my image noisy? A look into the terms contributing to a time-resolved X-ray microscopy image
Authors: Finizio Simone , Watts Benjamin , Raabe Jörg
Published: May 2021

Through Monte Carlo simulations, we investigate how various experimental parameters can influence the quality of time-resolved scanning transmission X-ray microscopy images. In particular, the effect of the X-ray photon flux, of the thickness of the investigated samples, and of the frequency of the dynamical process under investigation on the resulting time-resolved image are investigated. The ideal sample and imaging conditions that allow for an optimal image quality are then identifed.
Simulation and deep learning on point clouds for robot grasping
Authors: Wang Zhengtuo , Xu Yuetong , Xu Guanhua , Fu Jianzhong , Yu Jiongyan , Gu Tianyi
Published: May 2021

Purpose

In this work, the authors aim to provide a set of convenient methods for generating training data, and then develop a deep learning method based on point clouds to estimate the pose of target for robot grasping.

Design/methodology/approach

This work presents a deep learning method PointSimGrasp on point clouds for robot grasping. In PointSimGrasp, a point cloud emulator is introduced to generate training data and a pose estimation algorithm, which, based on deep learning, is designed. After trained with the emulation data set, the pose estimation algorithm could estimate the pose of target.

Findings

In experiment part, an experimental platform is built, which contains a six-axis industrial robot, a binocular structured-light sensor and a base platform with adjustable inclination. A data set that contains three subsets is set up on the experimental platform. After trained with the emulation data set, the PointSimGrasp is tested on the experimental data set, and an average translation error of about 2–3 mm and an average rotation error of about 2–5 degrees are obtained.

Originality/value

The contributions are as follows: first, a deep learning method on point clouds is proposed to estimate 6D pose of target; second, a convenient training method for pose estimation algorithm is presented and a point cloud emulator is introduced to generate training data; finally, an experimental platform is built, and the PointSimGrasp is tested on the platform.
SMEs innovating in collaborative networks: how does absorptive capacity matter for innovation performance in times of good partnership quality?
Authors: Benhayoun Lamiae , Ayala Néstor Fabián , Le Dain Marie-Anne
Published: May 2021

Purpose

We investigate the impact of Absorptive Capacity (ACAP) for SMEs embedded in Collaborative Networks (CNs) on innovation performance, considering the network stages and the influence of partnership quality.

Design/methodology/approach

We use a mixed methodology consisting of a qualitative than a quantitative phase. The first stage relies on an in-depth literature review and 22 interviews with 17 manufacturing SMEs having operated in collaborative innovation projects to characterize the potential and realized ACAP of such SMEs in the creation and operation stages of a CN. The second phase aims at testing four hypotheses through a hierarchical regression based on 74 responses to a survey involving SMEs with prior CN experience.

Findings

Our results explain how an SME’s ACAP in the creation stage affects its ACAP in the operation stage. We also demonstrate that this latter capability contributes positively to innovation performance in the CN. Furthermore, partnership quality was found to have counterproductive effects regarding potential ACAP.

Practical implications

We provide manufacturing SMEs with guidance to deploy ACAP throughout their collaborative experience and overcome the potential pitfalls of good partnership quality.

Originality/value

We operationalize ACAP of manufacturing SMEs to contribute to mutual innovation goals in CNs and uncover its properties. We explain how this dynamic capability accumulates over the CN stages to result in higher innovation performance and show how it helps in striking a balance between the “dark” and “virtuous” sides of partnership quality.
Social branding framework to address smoking among alternative peer crowd teens
Authors: Stalgaitis Carolyn Ann , Jordan Jeffrey Washington , Djakaria Mayo , Saggese Daniel J.
Published: May 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to describe the Social Branding framework, which uses lifestyle branding to change behaviour within psychographically-defined target audiences. Syke, a Social Branding programme to reduce cigarette use within the higher-risk alternative teen peer crowd in Virginia, USA, is presented as a case study with evaluation results.

Design/methodology/approach

Social Branding first creates an authentic lifestyle brand that appeals to a psychographically-defined audience. Once sociocultural authority is built, the lifestyle brand introduces tailored behavioural messaging using targeted messaging channels, relying on experiential marketing events and in-group influencers to align the desired behaviour with the audience’s social identity and values. The evaluation consisted of annual cross-sectional surveying (2011–2014; n = 2,266) on brand recall, liking, message comprehension and current smoking. Among those with recall, the prevalence of liking/comprehension categories (disliked and did not understand; liked or understood; liked and understood) and of smoking within categories was compared across years using chi-square tests. Multivariate logistic regression explored liking/comprehension as a predictor of smoking.

Findings

Recall, liking and comprehension were significantly higher in 2014 than in 2011, as was the proportion who both liked and understood Syke. Those who liked and understood Syke had half the odds of current smoking compared to those who disliked and did not understand it.

Originality/value

Syke reached, was liked by and was understood by the target audience. The Social Branding framework effectively appeals to and reaches higher-risk audiences, with learnings applicable to other behaviours and populations.
The name effect in customization service: the role of psychological ownership and self-threat
Authors: Kou Yan , Shuai Zhong , Powpaka Samart
Published: May 2021

Purpose

This study investigated the effect of adding a customer's name onto a standard product on the customer's product attitude from the perspective of the name-letter effect and psychological ownership theory.

Design/methodology/approach

A 2 × 2 experiment was conducted to test the name effect in customization services. The main effects, mediation effects and moderation effects were analyzed using SPSS 22.0 and PROCESS 2.16.3.

Findings

Adding customers' personal names onto a standard product positively affected their attitude toward the product, and these effects were mediated by psychological ownership. Furthermore, customers' responses were moderated by self-threat, whereby threatening customers' self-concept enhanced their attitude toward the product that had their name on it.

Originality/value

This study found a positive name effect that is applicable to customization services. It also identified mediating and moderating mechanisms underlying this effect. Therefore this study extends previous studies on customization services that have solely focusing on complex product personalization by focusing on a service that requires less effort and a more basic customization service. This study also extends previous findings about name-letter effects by focusing on the associations between an individual and an object that are induced by shared name letters and by studying how directly adding a personal name onto an object can influence these associations.
A look at university student service quality and satisfaction
Authors: Htang Ling Kee
Published: May 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate university students’ perception of service quality and satisfaction in a developing country to guide quality improvement.

Design/methodology/approach

The study uses a quantitative survey design. A new instrument has been developed to measure student perceived service quality. Data was collected from 182 undergraduate students enrolled in a five-year BEd course at the one University of Education in Myanmar.

Findings

A significant gender difference was found only in one of the service quality dimensions, hostel facilities. There was a significant difference in student satisfaction in the year of study. Apart from cafeteria and hostel facilities, students’ perceived-level of service quality was significantly different. All service quality dimensions were significantly correlated with student satisfaction. Significant relationships were found among intention to leave the university, trust in management and overall satisfaction with the university.

Research limitations/implications

This study uses data collected from undergraduate students studying at the one University of Education in Myanmar.

Practical implications

The study adds on to the service quality literature on higher education in developing countries, specifically in Myanmar. The students’ perceived service quality dimensions resulting from this study can be applied by universities to evaluate their performance.

Originality/value

The research findings presented in this paper fill the gap in the existing literature by providing empirical knowledge on service quality measurement and student satisfaction in the higher education context. The study is among the first studies of students’ perception of service quality and satisfaction in Myanmar.
Manufacturers’ tailored responses to powerful supply chain partners
Authors: Tao Zhexiong , Li Shanling , Ray Saibal , Rebolledo Claudia
Published: May 2021

Purpose

This study aims to investigate how relatively weaker manufacturers respond to the dominance of stronger suppliers and/or customers. The study also analyzes how the competitive intensity perceived by manufacturers moderates their responses to powerful chain partners.

Design/methodology/approach

Using hierarchical regression, data from 1,417 manufacturing companies sampled from the fifth and sixth versions of the International Manufacturing Strategy Survey were analyzed.

Findings

This study found that relatively weaker manufacturers often adopt exploration strategies to countervail the dominance of suppliers and adopt exploitation strategies to deal with more powerful customers. In dealing with both dominant suppliers and customers, relatively weaker manufacturers are prone to adopt exploration and exploitation strategies simultaneously and hence become ambidextrous. Furthermore, the link between dominance in supply chains and the exploration (exploitation) strategy is strengthened (weakened) as market competition perceived by manufacturers intensifies.

Originality/value

The contribution of this paper is multi-folds. First, this paper develops and test a novel theoretical model on how relatively weaker manufacturers create tailored strategies to defend their positions in the supply chain. Second, it integrates resource dependence theory and organizational learning theory to propose that relatively weaker manufacturers could use a unique configuration of exploration and exploitation strategies to counteract the dominance of their suppliers and customers. Third, it investigates supply chain power by considering the manufacturers’ upstream and downstream powerful partners together, rather than individually and fourth, it reveals that relationships linking supply chain power to manufacturers’ tailored strategies are contingent on competitive intensity.
Land use and elevation interact to shape bird functional and phylogenetic diversity and structure: Implications for designing optimal agriculture landscapes
Authors: Sreekar Rachakonda , Si Xingfeng , Sam Katerina , Liu Jiajia , Dayananda Salindra , Goodale Uromi , Kotagama Sarath , Goodale Eben
Published: May 2021

The conversion of rainforests into agriculture resulted in massive changes in species diversity and community structure. Although the conservation of the remaining rainforests is of utmost importance, identifying and creating a biodiversity‐friendly agriculture landscape is vital for preserving biodiversity and their functions.

Biodiversity studies in agriculture have often been conducted at low elevations. In this study, we compared the functional diversity (FD), phylogenetic diversity (PD) and community structure of birds along an interacting gradient of land use (protected rainforest, reserve buffer and agriculture) and elevation (low, middle and high) in Sri Lanka. Then, we measured the compositional change by identifying how ecological traits (dietary guild, vertical strata, body mass and dispersal ability) and conservation characteristics (forest dependence and threatened status) responded to land use types.

Elevation and land use interacted with each other to shape bird FD. Depending on the elevation, FD in agriculture was either higher or similar to forest. However, PD was similar across all elevation and land use types. Bird community structure in forest was functionally and phylogenetically clustered in comparison to agriculture. Insectivorous birds declined from forest to agriculture, and so did understorey and middle‐storey birds. But frugivorous and canopy birds did not change across land use types, while nectarivores, granivores and carnivores proliferated in agriculture. Forests were dominated by birds with low dispersal abilities, but birds in agriculture had more evenly distributed dispersal abilities. About half of all the individuals in agriculture were composed of forest species, several of which were threatened.

Synthesis and applications. Most farmers in Sri Lanka practice agriculture on small farms (c. 2 ha) and rely on services (e.g. pest control and pollination) provided by biodiversity for their livelihoods. Our results underline the important role of these heterogeneous agriculture landscapes in maintaining high functional diversity (FD) and harbouring several threatened species. While FD in agriculture was comparatively high, conservation decisions based on land use alone cannot be reliable, because land use effects were elevation dependent. Thus, priority setting exercises aimed at designing optimal agriculture landscapes should consider landscape features, in combination with elevation, to benefit both people and wildlife outside protected areas.