bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The interdependence imperative: business strategy, complementarities, and economic policy
Authors: Yang Mu-Jeung 
Published: March 2021

Abstract An enduring idea in economics and management sciences is that successful business strategies exploit complementarities across management practices within a firm. From this complementarity perspective, the success of business strategy requires utilizing a variety of interdependencies across management practices. Navigating large arrays of possible interdependencies implies that strategic decision-making is often conducted under high complexity and uncertainty. This paper provides an introduction to the conceptual foundations of complementarities in business strategy, and its implications for strategic decision-making and managerial learning. Against this backdrop, I outline issues of measurement and data collection for strategy practices, drawing on recent measurement efforts by academic researchers as well as national statistical agencies. The last part of the paper discusses how increased large-scale data collection on firm activity complementarities and strategy practices can inform a variety of policy areas, such as antitrust policy and merger review, industrial and innovation policy, tax policy, and public–private partnerships.
Active prey selection in developing larvae of Atlantic bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus) in spawning grounds of the Gulf of Mexico
Authors: Shiroza Akihiro , Malca Estrella , Lamkin John T , Gerard Trika , Landry Michael R , Stukel Michael R , Laiz-Carrión Raúl , Swalethorp Rasmus 
Published: March 2021

AbstractBluefin tuna spawn in restricted areas of subtropical oligotrophic seas. Here, we investigate the zooplankton prey and feeding selectivity of early larval stages of Atlantic bluefin tuna (ABT, Thunnus thynnus) in larval rearing habitat of the Gulf of Mexico. Larvae and zooplankton were collected during two multi-day Lagrangian experiments during peak spawning in May 2017 and 2018. Larvae were categorized by flexion stage and standard length. We identified, enumerated and sized zooplankton from larval gut contents and in the ambient community. Ciliates were quantitatively important (up to 9%) in carbon-based diets of early larvae. As larvae grew, diet composition and prey selection shifted from small copepod nauplii and calanoid copepodites to larger podonid cladocerans, which accounted for up to 70% of ingested carbon. Even when cladoceran abundances were &lt;0.2 m−3, they comprised 23% of postflexion stage diet. Feeding behaviors of larvae at different development stages were more specialized, and prey selection narrowed to appendicularians and primarily cladocerans when these taxa were more abundant. Our findings suggest that ABT larvae have the capacity to switch from passive selection, regulated by physical factors, to active selection of presumably energetically optimal prey.
Daily temperature cycles promote alternative splicing of RNAs encoding SR45a, a splicing regulator in maize
Authors: Li Zhaoxia , Tang Jie , Bassham Diane C , Howell Stephen H. 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Elevated temperatures enhance alternative RNA splicing in maize (Zea mays) with the potential to expand the repertoire of plant responses to heat stress. Alternative RNA splicing generates multiple RNA isoforms for many maize genes, and here we observed changes in the pattern of RNA isoforms with temperature changes. Increases in maximum daily temperature elevated the frequency of the major modes of alternative splices (AS), in particular retained introns and skipped exons. The genes most frequently targeted by increased AS with temperature encode factors involved in RNA processing and plant development. Genes encoding regulators of alternative RNA splicing were themselves among the principal AS targets in maize. Under controlled environmental conditions, daily changes in temperature comparable to field conditions altered the abundance of different RNA isoforms, including the RNAs encoding the splicing regulator SR45a, a member of the SR45 gene family. We established an “in protoplast” RNA splicing assay to show that during the afternoon on simulated hot summer days, SR45a RNA isoforms were produced with the potential to encode proteins efficient in splicing model substrates. With the RNA splicing assay, we also defined the exonic splicing enhancers that the splicing-efficient SR45a forms utilize to aid in the splicing of model substrates. Hence, with rising temperatures on hot summer days, SR45a RNA isoforms in maize are produced with the capability to encode proteins with greater RNA splicing potential.
Simplified Universal Grading of Lumbar Spine MRI Degenerative Findings: Inter-Reader Agreement of Non-Radiologist Spine Experts
Authors: Miskin Nityanand , Isaac Zacharia , Lu Yi , Makhni Melvin C , Sarno Danielle L , Smith Timothy R , Zampini Jay M , Mandell Jacob C 
Published: March 2021

Abstract

Objective
1) To describe a simplified multidisciplinary grading system for the most clinically relevant lumbar spine degenerative changes. 2) To measure the inter-reader variability among non-radiologist spine experts in their use of the classification system for interpretation of a consecutive series of lumbar spine magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examinations.

Methods
ATS multidisciplinary and collaborative standardized grading of spinal stenosis, foraminal stenosis, lateral recess stenosis, and facet arthropathy was developed. Our institution’s picture archiving and communication system was searched for 50 consecutive patients who underwent non-contrast MRI of the lumbar spine for chronic back pain, radiculopathy, or symptoms of spinal stenosis. Three fellowship-trained spine subspecialists from neurosurgery, orthopedic surgery, and physiatry interpreted the 50 exams using the classification at the L4–L5 and L5–S1 levels. Inter-reader agreement was assessed with Cohen’s kappa coefficient.

Results
For spinal stenosis, the readers demonstrated substantial agreement (κ = 0.702). For foraminal stenosis and facet arthropathy, the three readers demonstrated moderate agreement (κ = 0.544, and 0.557, respectively). For lateral recess stenosis, there was fair agreement (κ = 0.323).

Conclusions
A simplified universal grading system of lumbar spine MRI degenerative findings is newly described. Use of this multidisciplinary grading system in the assessment of clinically relevant degenerative changes revealed moderate to substantial agreement among non-radiologist spine physicians. This standardized grading system could serve as a foundation for interdisciplinary communication.
Effects of Abdominal Binders on Postoperative Pain and Functional Recovery: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Sun Xin , Wei Qingchuan , Fu Chenying , Zhang Qing , Liang Zejun , Peng Lihong , Chen Li , He Chengqi , Wei Quan 
Published: March 2021

AbstractObjectiveThis study aimed to assess the effectiveness of abdominal binders (ABs) on postoperative pain and functional recovery in patients receiving abdominal surgery.MethodsThe Pubmed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and PEDro databases were searched for clinical trials published up to November 30, 2019. Randomized controlled trials that compared the effects of wearing an AB to not wearing an AB in participants after abdominal surgery were included. The primary outcomes were pain, pulmonary function, and physical function, as assessed by the visual analog scale score, a spirometry device, and the 6-minute walk test, respectively. The registration number of this review in PROSPERO is CRD42020165303.ResultsFourteen trials involving 1,317 participants were included. Pooled estimates for the visual analog scale score and the 6-minute walk test showed significant differences between the AB group and the control group, especially on the fourth day following surgery (mean difference [MD] = -2.82, 95% confidence interval [CI] = -3.41 to -2.22; P &lt; 0.00001; MD = 50.97 meters, 95% CI = 39.99–61.95 m; P &lt; 0.00001). However, no significant differences were found in pulmonary function (forced vital capacity [FVC]: MD = 0.01, 95% CI = -0.29 to -0.32; P = 0.94; forced expiratory volume during the first second [FEV1]: MD = -0.05, 95% CI = -0.24 to 0.14; P = 0.63; FEV1/FVC: MD = 3.14, 95% CI = -2.78 to 9.06; P = 0.30).ConclusionABs probably improve postoperative pain and physical function, especially on the fourth day or more following abdominal surgery, but they have no effects on pulmonary function.
Adapting a Traumatic Brain Injury Goals-of-Care Decision Aid for Critically Ill Patients to Intracerebral Hemorrhage and Hemispheric Acute Ischemic Stroke
Authors: Goostrey Kelsey J. , Lee Christopher , Jones Kelsey , Quinn Thomas , Moskowitz Jesse , Pach Jolanta J. , Knies Andrea K. , Shutter Lori , Goldberg Robert , Mazor Kathleen M. , Hwang David Y. , Muehlschlegel Susanne 
Published: March 2021

Objectives:
Families in the neurologic ICU urgently request goals-of-care decision support and shared decision-making tools. We recently developed a goals-of-care decision aid for surrogates of critically ill traumatic brain injury patients using a systematic development process adherent to the International Patient Decision Aid Standards. To widen its applicability, we adapted this decision aid to critically ill patients with intracerebral hemorrhage and large hemispheric acute ischemic stroke.

Design:
Prospective observational study.

Setting:
Two academic neurologic ICUs.

Subjects:
Twenty family members of patients in the neurologic ICU were recruited from July 2018 to October 2018.

Interventions:
None.

Measurements and Main Results:
We reviewed the existing critically ill traumatic brain injury patients decision aid for content and changed: 1) the essential background information, 2) disease-specific terminology to “hemorrhagic stroke” and “ischemic stroke”, and 3) disease-specific prognosis tailored to individual patients. We conducted acceptability and usability testing using validated scales. All three decision aids contain information from validated, disease-specific outcome prediction models, as recommended by international decision aid standards, including careful emphasis on their uncertainty. We replaced the individualizable icon arrays graphically depicting probabilities of a traumatic brain injury patient’s prognosis with icon arrays visualizing intracerebral hemorrhage and hemispheric acute ischemic stroke prognostic probabilities using high-quality disease-specific data. We selected the Intracerebral Hemorrhage Score with validated 12-month outcomes, and for hemispheric acute ischemic stroke, the 12-month outcomes from landmark hemicraniectomy trials. Twenty family members participated in acceptability and usability testing (n = 11 for the intracerebral hemorrhage decision aid; n = 9 for the acute ischemic stroke decision aid). Median usage time was 22 minutes (interquartile range, 16–26 min). Usability was excellent (median System Usability Scale = 84/100 [interquartile range, 61–93; with > 68 indicating good usability]); 89% of participants graded the decision aid content as good or excellent, and greater than or equal to 90% rated it favorably for information amount, balance, and comprehensibility.

Conclusions:
We successfully adapted goals-of-care decision aids for use in surrogates of critically ill patients with intracerebral hemorrhage and hemispheric acute ischemic stroke and found excellent usability and acceptability. A feasibility trial using these decision aids is currently ongoing to further validate their acceptability and test their feasibility for use in busy neurologic ICUs.
Physiologic Improvement in Respiratory Acidosis Using Extracorporeal Co 2 Removal With Hemolung Respiratory Assist System in the Management of Severe Respiratory Failure From Coronavirus Disease 2019
Authors: Akkanti Bindu , Jagpal Sugeet , Darwish Ribal , Saavedra Romero Ramiro , Scott L. Keith , Dinh Kha , Hussain Sabiha , Radbel Jared , Saad Mohamed A. , Enfield Kyle B. , Conrad Steven A. 
Published: March 2021

Objectives:
About 15% of hospitalized coronavirus disease 2019 patients require ICU admission, and most (80%) of these require invasive mechanical ventilation. Lung-protective ventilation in coronavirus disease 2019 acute respiratory failure may result in severe respiratory acidosis without significant hypoxemia. Low-flow extracorporeal Co
2 removal can facilitate lung-protective ventilation and avoid the adverse effects of severe respiratory acidosis. The objective was to evaluate the efficacy of extracorporeal Co
2 removal using the Hemolung Respiratory Assist System in correcting severe respiratory acidosis in mechanically ventilated coronavirus disease 2019 patients with severe acute respiratory failure.

Design:
Retrospective cohort analysis of patients with coronavirus disease 2019 mechanically ventilated with severe hypercapnia and respiratory acidosis and treated with low-flow extracorporeal Co
2 removal.

Setting:
Eight tertiary ICUs in the United States.

Patients:
Adult patients supported with the Hemolung Respiratory Assist System from March 1, to September 30, 2020.

Interventions:
Extracorporeal Co
2 removal with Hemolung Respiratory Assist System under a Food and Drug Administration emergency use authorization for coronavirus disease 2019.

Measurements and Main Results:
The primary outcome was improvement in pH and Paco
2 from baseline. Secondary outcomes included survival to decannulation, mortality, time on ventilator, and adverse events. Thirty-one patients were treated with Hemolung Respiratory Assist System with significant improvement in pH and Pco
2 in this cohort. Two patients experienced complications that prevented treatment. Of the 29 treated patients, 58% survived to 48 hours post treatment and 38% to hospital discharge. No difference in age or comorbidities were noted between survivors and nonsurvivors. There was significant improvement in pH (7.24 ± 0.12 to 7.35 ± 0.07; p < 0.0001) and Paco
2 (79 ± 23 to 58 ± 14; p < 0.0001) from baseline to 24 hours.

Conclusions:
In this retrospective case series of 29 patients, we have demonstrated efficacy of extracorporeal Co
2 removal using the Hemolung Respiratory Assist System to improve respiratory acidosis in patients with severe hypercapnic respiratory failure due to coronavirus disease 2019.
Conditional prediction of consecutive tumor evolution using cancer progression models: What genotype comes next?
Authors: Diaz-Colunga Juan , Diaz-Uriarte Ramon 
Published: March 2021

AbstractAccurate prediction of tumor progression is key for adaptive therapy and precision medicine. Cancer progression models (CPMs) can be used to infer dependencies in mutation accumulation from cross-sectional data and provide predictions of tumor progression paths. However, their performance when predicting complete evolutionary trajectories is limited by violations of assumptions and the size of available data sets. Instead of predicting full tumor progression paths, here we focus on short-term predictions, more relevant for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. We examine whether five distinct CPMs can be used to answer the question “Given that a genotype with n mutations has been observed, what genotype with n + 1 mutations is next in the path of tumor progression?” or, shortly, “What genotype comes next?”. Using simulated data we find that under specific combinations of genotype and fitness landscape characteristics CPMs can provide predictions of short-term evolution that closely match the true probabilities, and that some genotype characteristics can be much more relevant than global features. Application of these methods to 25 cancer data sets shows that their use is hampered by a lack of information needed to make principled decisions about method choice. Fruitful use of these methods for short-term predictions requires adapting method’s use to local genotype characteristics and obtaining reliable indicators of performance; it will also be necessary to clarify the interpretation of the method’s results when key assumptions do not hold.
Modified Oxacillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus detected in neonatal intensive care patients
Authors: Gitman Melissa R. , Alburquerque Bremy , van de Guchte Adriana , Sullivan Mitchell J. , Obla Ajay , Polanco Jose , Chung Marilyn , Oussenko Irina , Smith Melissa L. , Samaroo Flora , Barackman Debbie , Altman Deena R. , Sordillo Emilia Mia , van Bakel Harm 
Published: March 2021

AbstractActive surveillance in our neonatal intensive care unit identified Staphylococcus aureus cultures from two infants with heterogeneity in methicillin resistance between isolated subclones lacking mecA and mecC. Whole-genome analysis of 4 modified (MODSA) and 4 methicillin-susceptible (MSSA) subclones for each culture identified either truncating mutations in the cyclic diadenosine monophosphate phosphodiesterase enzyme (GdpP), or a nonsynonymous substitution in penicillin binding protein 2 (PBP2). These cases highlight the difficulty in identifying non-mecA/non-mecC-mediated methicillin-resistance in clinical laboratories.
Quantification of the spread of SARS-CoV-2 variant B.1.1.7 in Switzerland
Authors: Chen Chaoran , Nadeau Sarah , Topolsky Ivan , Manceau Marc , Huisman Jana S. , Jablonski Kim Philipp , Fuhrmann Lara , Dreifuss David , Jahn Katharina , Beckmann Christiane , Redondo Maurice , Noppen Christoph , Risch Lorenz , Risch Martin , Wohlwend Nadia , Kas Sinem , Bodmer Thomas , Roloff Tim , Stange Madlen , Egli Adrian , Eckerle Isabella , Kaiser Laurent , Denes Rebecca , Feldkamp Mirjam , Nissen Ina , Santacroce Natascha , Burcklen Elodie , Aquino Catharine , de Gouvea Andreia Cabral , Moccia Maria Domenica , Grüter Simon , Sykes Timothy , Opitz Lennart , White Griffin , Neff Laura , Popovic Doris , Patrignani Andrea , Tracy Jay , Schlapbach Ralph , Dermitzakis Emmanouil T. , Harshman Keith , Xenarios Ioannis , Pegeot Henri , Cerutti Lorenzo , Penet Deborah , Blin Anthony , Elies Melyssa , Althaus Christian L. , Beisel Christian , Beerenwinkel Niko , Ackermann Martin , Stadler Tanja 
Published: March 2021

AbstractBackgroundIn December 2020, the United Kingdom (UK) reported a SARS-CoV-2 Variant of Concern (VoC) which is now named B.1.1.7. Based on initial data from the UK and later data from other countries, this variant was estimated to have a transmission fitness advantage of around 40-80% [1, 2, 3].AimThis study aims to estimate the transmission fitness advantage and the effective reproductive number of B.1.1.7 through time based on data from Switzerland.MethodsWe generated whole genome sequences from 11.8% of all confirmed SARS-CoV-2 cases in Switzerland between 14 December 2020 and 11 March 2021. Based on these data, we determine the daily frequency of the B.1.1.7 variant and quantify the variant’s transmission fitness advantage on a national and a regional scale.ResultsWe estimate B.1.1.7 had a transmission fitness advantage of 43-52% compared to the other variants circulating in Switzerland during the study period. Further, we estimate B.1.1.7 had a reproductive number above 1 from 01 January 2021 until the end of the study period, compared to below 1 for the other variants. Specifically, we estimate the reproductive number for B.1.1.7 was 1.24 [1.07-1.41] from 01 January until 17 January 2021 and 1.18 [1.06-1.30] from 18 January until 01 March 2021 based on the whole genome sequencing data. From 10 March to 16 March 2021, once B.1.1.7 was dominant, we estimate the reproductive number was 1.14 [1.00-1.26] based on all confirmed cases. For reference, Switzerland applied more non-pharmaceutical interventions to combat SARS-CoV-2 on 18 January 2021 and lifted some measures again on 01 March 2021.ConclusionThe observed increase in B.1.1.7 frequency in Switzerland during the study period is as expected based on observations in the UK. In absolute numbers, B.1.1.7 increased exponentially with an estimated doubling time of around 2-3.5 weeks. To monitor the ongoing spread of B.1.1.7, our plots are available online.
COVID-19 risk score as a public health tool to guide targeted testing: A demonstration study in Qatar
Authors: Abu-Raddad Laith J. , Dargham Soha , Chemaitelly Hiam , Coyle Peter , Al Kanaani Zaina , Al Kuwari Einas , Butt Adeel A. , Jeremijenko Andrew , Kaleeckal Anvar Hassan , Latif Ali Nizar , Shaik Riyazuddin Mohammad , Rahim Hanan F. Abdul , Nasrallah Gheyath K. , Yassine Hadi M. , Al Kuwari Mohamed G. , Al Romaihi Hamad Eid , Al-Thani Mohamed H. , Al Khal Abdullatif , Bertollini Roberto 
Published: March 2021

AbstractBackgroundThe objective of this study was to develop a Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) risk score to guide targeted RT-PCR testing in Qatar.MethodsThe Qatar national COVID-19 testing database was analyzed. This database includes a total of 2,688,232 RT-PCR tests conducted between February 5, 2020-January 27, 2021. Logistic regression analyses were implemented to identify predictors of infection and to derive the COVID-19 risk score, as a tool to identify those at highest risk of having the infection. Score cut-off was determined using the receiving operating characteristic (ROC) curve based on maximum sum of sensitivity and specificity. The score’s performance diagnostics were assessed.ResultsLogistic regression analysis identified age, sex, and nationality as significant predictors of infection and were included in the risk score. The score’s scoring points were lower for females compared to males and higher for specific nationalities. The ROC curve was generated and the area under the curve was estimated at 0.63 (95% CI: 0.63-0.63). The score had a sensitivity of 59.4% (95% CI: 59.1%-59.7%), specificity of 61.1% (95% CI: 61.1%-61.2%), a positive predictive value of 10.9% (95% CI: 10.8%-10.9%), and a negative predictive value of 94.9% (94.9%-95.0%). The risk score derived early in the epidemic, based on data until only April 21, 2020, had a performance comparable to that of a score based on a year-long testing.ConclusionsThe concept and utility of a COVID-19 risk score were demonstrated in Qatar. Such a public health tool, based on a set of non-invasive and easily captured variables can have considerable utility in optimizing testing and suppressing infection transmission, while maximizing efficiency and use of available resources.