bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The effects of consumer esports videogame engagement on consumption behaviors
Authors: Abbasi Amir Zaib , Asif Muhammad , Hollebeek Linda D. , Islam Jamid Ul , Ting Ding Hooi , Rehman Umair 
Published: December 2020

Purpose
This study aims to propose a model for predicting consumers’ esports videogame engagement on their ensuing consumption behaviors, which remains nebulous to date.

Design/methodology/approach
After approaching esports consumers in different gaming zones in Pakistan, this paper collected data from 364 videogame-based esports consumers. This paper deployed SmartPLS 3.2.8 software to perform the partial least squares-structural equation modeling-based analyzes.

Findings
The structural model results show that consumers’ affective and behavioral esports videogame engagement positively affects their consumption behavior, including heightened community engagement, purchase intent, coproduction, word-of-mouth and new player recruitment. However, while consumers’ cognitive esports engagement was found to positively impact community engagement, new player recruitment and coproduction, it failed to predict consumers’ esports-related purchase intent or word-of-mouth behaviors.

Practical implications
The findings reveal that a strategic focus on consumers’ esports game engagement will enable practitioners to nurture desirable consumer behaviors, including enhanced purchase intent, coproduction, word-of-mouth and new player recruitment behaviors, thus warranting consumer engagement’s strategic value as a key esports gaming metric.

Originality/value
Empirical research into the role of consumers’ esports videogame engagement on their ensuing consumption behaviors remains scant to date. Based on this gap, this study offers a timely contribution by exploring and validating a model that gauges the effect of consumers’ cognitive, emotional and behavioral esports videogame engagement on their community engagement, purchase intention, coproduction, word-of-mouth and new player recruitment. It, thus, offers important insight into the rapidly advancing field of digital esports games.
Distinct carbon fractions drive a generalisable two‐pool model of fungal necromass decomposition
Authors: See Craig R. , Fernandez Chris W. , Conley Anna M. , DeLancey Lang C. , Heckman Katherine A. , Kennedy Peter G. , Hobbie Sarah E. 
Published: December 2020

Abstract

Fungi represent a rapidly cycling pool of carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) in soils. Understanding of how this pool impacts soil nutrient availability and organic matter fluxes is hindered by uncertainty regarding the dynamics and drivers of fungal necromass decomposition.

Here we assessed the generality of common models for predicting mass loss during fungal necromass decomposition and linked the resulting parameters to necromass substrate chemistry. We decomposed 28 different types of fungal necromass in laboratory microcosms over a 90‐day period, measuring mass loss on all types, and N release on a subset of types. We characterised the initial chemistry of each necromass type using: (a) fibre analysis methods commonly used for plant tissues, (b) initial melanin and nitrogen (N) concentrations and (c) Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy to assess the presence of bonds associated with common biomolecules.

We found universal support for an asymptotic model of decomposition, which assumes that fungal necromass consists of an exponentially decomposing ‘fast’ pool, and a ‘slow’ pool that decomposes at a rate approaching zero. The strongest predictor of the fast pool decay rate (k) was the proportion of cell soluble components, though initial N concentration also predicted k, albeit more weakly. The size of the slow pool was best predicted by the acid non‐hydrolysable fraction, which was positively correlated with melanin‐associated aromatics. Nitrogen dynamics varied by necromass type, ranging from net N release to net immobilisation. The maximum quantity of N immobilised was inversely related to cell soluble contents and k, as positively related to FTIR spectra associated with cell wall polysaccharides.

Collectively, our results indicate that the decomposition of fungal necromass in soils can be described as having two distinct stages that are driven by different components of substrate C chemistry, with implications for rates of N availability and organic matter accumulation in soils.

A free Plain Language Summary can be found within the Supporting Information of this article.
Artificial construction of the biocoenosis of deep‐sea ecosystem via seeping methane
Authors: Sun Xumei , Yang Junyi , Zheng Minhui , Zhang Xiaobo 
Published: December 2020

SummaryDeep‐sea ecosystems, such as cold seeps and hydrothermal vents, have high biomass, even though they are located in the benthic zone, where no sunlight is present to provide energy for organism proliferation. Based on the coexistence of the reduced gases and chemoautotrophic microbes, it is inferred that the energy from the reduced gases supports the biocoenosis of deep‐sea ecosystems. However, there is no direct evidence to support this deduction. Here, we developed and placed a biocoenosis generator, a device that continuously seeped methane, on the 1000‐m deep‐sea floor of the South China Sea to artificially construct a deep‐sea ecosystem biocoenosis. The results showed that microorganisms, including bacteria and archaea, appeared in the biocoenosis generator first, followed by jellyfish and Gammaridea arthropods, indicating that a biocoenosis had been successfully constructed in the deep sea. Anaerobic methane‐oxidizing archaea, which shared characteristics with the archaea of natural deep‐sea cold seeps, acted as the first electron acceptors of the emitted methane; then, the energy in the electrons was transferred to downstream symbiotic archaea and bacteria and finally to animals. Nitrate‐reducing bacteria served as partners to complete anaerobic oxidation of methane process. Further analysis revealed that viruses coexisted with these organisms during the origin of the deep‐sea biocoenosis. Therefore, our study mimics a natural deep‐sea ecosystem and provides the direct evidence to show that the chemical energy of reduced organic molecules, such as methane, supports the biocoenosis of deep‐sea ecosystems.
The impact of government bond purchases by the central banks in Japan, the United States, and the United Kingdom
Authors: Nakazawa Masahiko 
Published: December 2020

AbstractThis paper analyzes the impact on financial markets of purchases of government bonds under the zero lower bound on interest rates. Using data of amount of government bonds purchased by the central banks which are categorized by remaining maturity as reported in Nakazawa and Yano (2014) “Portfolio rebalancing effects of open market operations after the global financial crisis: Evaluation through the construction of the data of purchases of government bonds categorized by remaining maturity,” KIER Discussion Paper Series, Kyoto Institute of Economic Research, Kyoto University (forthcoming, in Japanese), we compare impacts for Japan, the United States, and the United Kingdom. The analysis finds that all three countries had a significant rise in share prices as a result of purchases of government bonds with long remaining maturity by the central banks. The results imply that the quality of capital markets plays a key role in escaping from the global financial crisis.
Health system integration with physician specialties varies across markets and system types
Authors: Machta Rachel M. , D. Reschovsky James , Jones David J. , Kimmey Laura , Furukawa Michael F. , Rich Eugene C. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractObjectiveTo examine system integration with physician specialties across markets and the association between local system characteristics and their patterns of physician integration.Data SourcesData come from the AHRQ Compendium of US Health Systems and IQVIA OneKey database.Study DesignWe examined the change from 2016 to 2018 in the percentage of physicians in systems, focusing on primary care and the 10 most numerous nonhospital‐based specialties across the 382 metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) in the US. We also categorized systems by ownership, mission, and payment program participation and examined how those characteristics were related to their patterns of physician integration in 2018.Data Collection/Extraction MethodsWe examined local healthcare markets (MSAs) and the hospitals and physicians that are part of integrated systems that operate in these markets. We characterized markets by hospital and insurer concentration and systems by type of ownership and by whether they have an academic medical center (AMC), a 340B hospital, or accountable care organization.Principal FindingsBetween 2016 and 2018, system participation increased for primary care and the 10 other physician specialties we examined. In 2018, physicians in specialties associated with lucrative hospital services were the most commonly integrated with systems including hematology‐oncology (57%), cardiology (55%), and general surgery (44%); however, rates varied substantially across markets. For most specialties, high market concentration by insurers and hospital‐systems was associated with lower rates of physician integration. In addition, systems with AMCs and publicly owned systems more commonly affiliated with specialties unrelated to the physicians’ potential contribution to hospital revenue, and investor‐owned systems demonstrated more limited physician integration.ConclusionsVariation in physician integration across markets and system characteristics reflects physician and systems’ motivations. These integration strategies are associated with the financial interests of systems and other strategic goals (eg, medical education, and serving low‐income populations).
Analysis of hair color and texture for forensic examinations
Authors: Funes David S. H. , Bridge Candice 
Published: December 2020

AbstractEfforts have been conducted to evaluate hair features empirically, for example, color; however, a review of current literature showed few studies investigating cortical texture analysis. The development of high‐resolution digital microscopes allows researchers to obtain more accurate measurements of hair features. In this study, digital microscopy was used to explore variance within the cortical texture, color, and density characteristics throughout hair strands. In this study, 20–25 naturally shed hairs from 12 individuals of different ancestries were collected. Measurements of three different features were collected: entropy texture measurements, that is, measurement of the randomness of pigment granules and cortical fusi; color distributions of the hairs via a red–green–blue (RGB) color model; and the calculation of the pigment density ratio using hue–saturation–value color model. Analysis of variance was performed on data collected from each analysis type to assess inter‐ and intra‐person variability. The F‐ratios obtained, which compares inter‐person to intra‐person variability, ranged from 9.29 to 69.24. Cortical texture and color measurements showed promising results in differentiating between inter‐person samples. Although density ratios showed the least potential for discrimination, it provided another level for differentiating inter‐person hair samples. The location that provided the best differentiation of strands from different donors could be made at a 20.0 mm distance from the strand's proximal end for all three features measured. The methods proposed in this study show the potential to quantify hair features that exhibit better differentiation of hair from different individuals.
Determination of some biological parameters of Capsodes infuscatus Brulle on summer asphodel (Asphodelus aestivus Brot.) in pastures of Canakkale Province
Authors: Özpınar Ali , Yazmış Efecan , Ali Baboo , Şahin Ali Kürşat 
Published: December 2020

AbstractThis study has been carried out in the years of 2016–2017 to determine biological parameters of Capsodes infuscatus Brulle (Hemiptera: Miridae) on asphodel (Asphodelus aestivus Broth.) in the pastures of Canakkale, Turkey. In order to determine the population fluctuation of C. infuscatus, counting was done twice in a week on leaves, stems and flowers of plants in two different locations in the pasture. It was determined that the C. infuscatus aestivates in dried asphodel stalks as eggs. The first nymphal stages can be seen at the end of February, while adult population ends at the end of May. It was observed that both the nymphal and adult stages of C. infuscatus were feeding together on A. aestivus from March to May. In 2016, an average of 7.86%, 57.26%, 8.72% and 34.12% C. infuscatus individuals were recorded on plant, leaves, stems and flowers, respectively. In 2017, an average of 22.08%, 67.5%, 15.0% and 17.56% C. infuscatus individuals were recorded on plant, leaves, stems and flowers, respectively. The mortality rates of C. infuscatus nymphal stages were 94.76% in grazing area and 95.77% in non‐grazing area. We concluded that C. infuscatus has potential for the biological control of A. aestivus.
Prothrombin complex concentrate vs. fresh frozen plasma in adult patients undergoing heart surgery – a pilot randomised controlled trial (PROPHESY trial)
Authors: Green L. , Roberts N. , Cooper J. , Agarwal S. , Brunskill S.J. , Chang I. , Gill R. , Johnston A. , Klein A. A. , Platton S. , Rossi A. , Sepehripour A. , Stanworth S. , Monk V. , O'Brien B. 
Published: December 2020

SummaryThere is equipoise regarding the use of prothrombin complex concentrate vs. fresh frozen plasma in bleeding patients undergoing cardiac surgery. We performed a pilot randomised controlled trial to determine the recruitment rate for a large trial, comparing the impact of prothrombin complex concentrate vs. fresh frozen plasma on haemostasis (1 h and 24 h post‐intervention), and assessing safety. Adult patients who developed bleeding within 24 h of cardiac surgery that required coagulation factor replacement were randomly allocated to receive prothrombin complex concentrate (15 IU.kg−1 based on factor IX) or fresh frozen plasma (15 ml.kg−1). If bleeding continued after the first administration of prothrombin complex concentrate or fresh frozen plasma administration, standard care was administered. From February 2019 to October 2019, 180 patients were screened, of which 134 (74.4% (95%CI 67–81%)) consented, 59 bled excessively and 50 were randomly allocated; 25 in each arm, recruitment rate 35% (95%CI 27–44%). There were 23 trial protocol deviations, 137 adverse events (75 prothrombin complex concentrate vs. 62 fresh frozen plasma) and 18 serious adverse events (5 prothrombin complex concentrate vs. 13 fresh frozen plasma). There was no increase in thromboembolic events with prothrombin complex concentrate. No patient withdrew from the study, four were lost to follow‐up and two died. At 1 h after administration of the intervention there was a significant increase in fibrinogen, Factor V, Factor XII, Factor XIII, α2‐antiplasmin and antithrombin levels in the fresh frozen plasma arm, while Factor II and Factor X were significantly higher in the prothrombin complex concentrate group. At 24 h, there were no significant differences in clotting factor levels. We conclude that recruitment to a larger study is feasible. Haemostatic tests have provided useful insight into the haemostatic changes following prothrombin complex concentrate or fresh frozen plasma administration. A definitive trial is needed to ascertain the benefits and safety for each.
Tracing the Links between Infrastructure‐Led Development, Urban Transformation, and Inequality in China’s Belt and Road Initiative
Authors: Apostolopoulou Elia 
Published: December 2020

AbstractIn this paper, I explore the links between infrastructure‐led development, urban transformation and inequality in China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). I theorise the BRI as a spatial fix to the overaccumulation problems of Chinese capitalism and I pay particular attention to the role of urbanisation. By drawing on postcolonial geographies, my goal is to offer a relational analysis of divergent trajectories of socio‐spatial urban change driven by BRI projects in Athens, Colombo and London. My key argument is that urban transformation driven by the BRI signals the emergence of a new form of infrastructure‐led, authoritarian neoliberal urbanism. This engenders both new urban formations and new urban politics that, despite variegated expressions across different contexts, are reconfiguring urban space and are transforming the social geography of each city by creating, facilitating or exacerbating spatial fragmentation and social segregation.
Asthma and allergies correlate with mental health problems in preschool children
Authors: Edvinsson Sollander Sofia , Fabian Helena , Sarkadi Anna , Salari Raziye , Fält Elisabet , Dahlberg Anton , Feldman Inna , Durbeej Natalie 
Published: December 2020

AbstractAimTo explore the relations between asthma, allergies and mental health problems in preschool children, aged 3‐5 years.MethodsIn this cross‐sectional Swedish study, we used data on 4649 children in Uppsala municipality whose parents and preschool teachers had responded to questions measuring asthma and allergies, and the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) for assessment of mental health problems. Logistic regression models were used to explore the relations between asthma and allergies and mental health problems.ResultsChildren with asthma (8.5%) had elevated odds of having emotional symptoms as rated by parents (OR: 1.34; 1.02‐1.76) and teachers (OR: 1.44; 1.09‐1.91). According to parents’ ratings, these children also had elevated odds of showing mental health problems in general according to the SDQ total score (OR: 1.42; 1.05‐1.94). Children with food allergies or intolerance (4.4%) only had elevated odds of having emotional symptoms (OR: 1.64; 1.16‐2.33), as reported by parents. These results remained significant after adjustment for parental background factors.ConclusionPreschool children with asthma and food allergies or intolerance are at risk of having concurrent mental health problems. Mental health problems should be assessed in children with these disorders. Adequate support and/or referral to specialised services should be offered when needed.
The influence of Holocene forest dynamics on the chironomid fauna of a boreal lake (Flocktjärn, northeast Sweden)
Authors: Engels Stefan 
Published: December 2020

There is a notable lack of palaeoecological records, particularly quantitative palaeoenvironmental reconstructions, for northeast Sweden. Here I use a lake sediment record from lake Flocktjärn to reconstruct Holocene terrestrial vegetation change and lake ecosystem dynamics, and to study the relationship between these components of the environment. After a period in which the vegetation around the lake is characterized by boreal forest, thermophilous arboreal taxa such as Ulmus establish in the Flocktjärn area from 6000 cal. a BP onward. Picea becomes abundant from 2930 cal. a BP onward, in line with results from other records from the region. The chironomid fauna of the lake shows high turnover before 7700 cal. a BP, after which an assemblage dominated by taxa indicative of shallow, warm and relatively nutrient rich conditions establishes. A transition to chironomid taxa that are indicative of slightly lower temperatures and lower nutrient levels occurs at 5260 cal. a BP. A chironomid‐inferred mean July air temperature record shows unreliable inferences for the record pre‐dating 7700 cal. a BP, a Holocene Thermal Maximum with temperatures around 14 °C between 7700–5260 cal. a BP, and temperatures around 12.5 °C between 5260 cal. a BP and the present. A numerical comparison between upland vegetation change and chironomid faunal dynamics for the first time shows that either vegetation change directly impacted on the chironomid fauna of the lake, or alternatively an external factor impacted on both the terrestrial and the aquatic ecosystem, resulting in concurrent changes in both parts of the ecosystem. This novel evidence of ecosystem connectivity is of vital importance to landscape management, as ongoing climate and land use change is likely to lead to increased pressure on lake ecosystems.
First‐in‐human study of the cancer peptide vaccine TAS0313 in patients with advanced solid tumors
Authors: Kondo Shunsuke , Shimizu Toshio , Koyama Takafumi , Sato Jun , Iwasa Satoru , Yonemori Kan , Fujiwara Yutaka , Shimomura Akihiko , Kitano Shigehisa , Tamura Kenji , Yamamoto Noboru 
Published: December 2020

AbstractTAS0313, a novel cancer vaccine cocktail, was developed to overcome the disadvantages of previously developed short and long peptide vaccines; it comprises several long peptides targeting multiple cancer antigens. We evaluated TAS0313 monotherapy in Japanese patients with advanced solid tumors for which no other therapies were available. In the dose‐finding cohort, patients received TAS0313 (9 or 27 mg) on days 1, 8, and 15 of cycles 1 and 2, and then on day 1 of each subsequent 21‐day cycle. The primary objective was the evaluation of safety and tolerability. Secondary objectives were evaluation of efficacy, tumor responses, and immune activation (CTL, IgG, and tumor‐infiltrating lymphocyte [TIL] levels). The full analysis set contained 10 patients in the 9‐mg group and seven in the 27‐mg group. No dose‐limiting toxicities were reported in cycle 1. All adverse drug reactions (ADRs) were grade 1 or 2; the most common ADRs were injection site‐related events. The best response was stable disease in four of 17 patients. The median progression‐free survival (PFS) duration was 2.2 (95% confidence interval, 1.0‐2.3) months overall; patients with baseline low lymphocyte counts (≤750/μL) had shorter PFS. Compared with baseline, TILs were increased in five patients. Although CTLs, IgG, and TILs were induced, no correlative pattern with clinical outcomes was observed. The safety, tolerability, and induction of immune responses in patients with advanced solid tumors receiving TAS0313 were confirmed. Further evaluation of TAS0313’s efficacy as monotherapy or in combination with pembrolizumab is underway. The study is registered at www.clinicaltrials.jp (JapicCTI‐183824).
Sodium‐glucose co‐transporter‐2 inhibitors and all‐cause mortality: A meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Silverii Giovanni Antonio , Monami Matteo , Mannucci Edoardo 
Published: December 2020

AbstractThe present meta‐analysis is aimed at assessing the effects of sodium‐glucose co‐transporter‐2 (SGLT2) inhibitors on all‐cause mortality and differences across different trials and molecules of the class. We included all randomized clinical trials with a duration of treatment longer than 52 weeks, enrolling at least 100 patients in each arm, and comparing an SGLT2 inhibitor with any comparator or placebo. Out of 139, 235 and 145 items identified, 21 trials were selected, enrolling 39 593 and 30 771 patients in SGLT2 inhibitor and comparator arms, respectively, with a median duration of 104 weeks, and reporting 2474 and 2298 deaths for SGLT2 inhibitors and comparators, respectively. No relevant heterogeneity was found (I2 = 17%). Treatment with SGLT2 inhibitors was associated with a significant reduction in all‐cause mortality (MH‐OR [95% CI] 0.86 [0.81, 0.91] P < .00001). Meta‐regression analyses found a significant direct association of treatment effect only with the proportion of Asian subjects enrolled, and an inverse correlation with the proportion of Caucasian patients. In conclusion, SGLT2 inhibitors reduce all‐cause mortality in randomized controlled trials.