bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Variant SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccines confer broad neutralization as primary or booster series in mice
Authors: Wu Kai , Choi Angela , Koch Matthew , Elbashir Sayda , Ma LingZhi , Lee Diana , Woods Angela , Henry Carole , Palandjian Charis , Hill Anna , Jani Hardik , Quinones Julian , Nunna Naveen , O’Connell Sarah , McDermott Adrian B , Falcone Samantha , Narayanan Elisabeth , Colpitts Tonya , Bennett Hamilton , Corbett Kizzmekia S , Seder Robert , Graham Barney S , Stewart-Jones Guillaume BE , Carfi Andrea , Edwards Darin K 
Published: April 2021

AbstractSevere acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the causative agent of a global pandemic. Safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines are now available, including mRNA-1273, which has shown 94% efficacy in prevention of symptomatic COVID-19 disease. However, the emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants has led to concerns of viral escape from vaccine-induced immunity. Several variants have shown decreased susceptibility to neutralization by vaccine-induced immunity, most notably B.1.351 (Beta), although the overall impact on vaccine efficacy remains to be determined. Here, we present the initial evaluation in mice of 2 updated mRNA vaccines designed to target SARS-CoV-2 variants: (1) monovalent mRNA-1273.351 encodes for the spike protein found in B.1.351 and (2) mRNA-1273.211 comprising a 1:1 mix of mRNA-1273 and mRNA-1273.351. Both vaccines were evaluated as a 2-dose primary series in mice; mRNA-1273.351 was also evaluated as a booster dose in animals previously vaccinated with mRNA-1273. The results demonstrated that a primary vaccination series of mRNA-1273.351 was effective at increasing neutralizing antibody titers against B.1.351, while mRNA-1273.211 was effective at providing broad cross-variant neutralization. A third (booster) dose of mRNA-1273.351 significantly increased both wild-type and B.1.351-specific neutralization titers. Both mRNA-1273.351 and mRNA-1273.211 are being evaluated in pre-clinical challenge and clinical studies.
In situ X-ray absorption spectroscopic studies of photocatalytic oxidation of As(III) to less toxic As(V) by TiO2 nanotubes
Authors: Hsiung T.-L. , Wei L.-W. , Huang H.-L. , Tuan Y.-J. , Wang H. Paul 
Published: April 2021

Arsenic in groundwater caused the black-foot disease (BFD) in many countries in the 1950–1960s. It is of great importance to develop a feasible method for removal of arsenic from contaminated groundwater in BFD endemic areas. Photocatalytic oxidation of As(III) to less toxic As(V) is, therefore, of significance for preventing any arsenic-related disease that may occur. By in situ synchrotron X-ray absorption spectroscopy, the formation of As(V) is related to the expense of As(III) disappearance during photocatalysis by TiO2 nanotubes (TNTs). Under UV/Vis light irradiation, the apparent first-order rate constant for the photocatalytic oxidation of As(III) to As(V) is 0.0148 min−1. It seems that As(III) can be oxidized with photo-excited holes while the not-recombined electrons may be scavenged with O2 in the channels of the well defined TNTs (an opening of 7 nm in diameter). In the absence of O2, on the contrary, As(III) can be reduced to As(0), to some extent. Cu(II) (CuO), as an electron acceptor, was impregnated on the TNTs surfaces in order to gain a better understanding of electron transfer during photocatalysis. It appears that As(III) can be oxidized to As(V) while Cu(II) is reduced to Cu(I) and Cu(0). The molecular-scale data are very useful in revealing the oxidation states and interconversions of arsenic during the photocatalytic reactions. This work has implications in that the toxicity of arsenic in contaminated groundwater or wastewater can be effectively decreased via solar-driven photocatalysis, which may facilitate further treatments by coagulation.
OnePlus: Crossing the Chasm in the Smartphone Market
Authors: Sawhney Mohanbir , Goodman Pallavi 
Published: April 2021

In early 2016, after the success of its first two smartphones, the OnePlus One and OnePlus 2, China-based startup smartphone maker OnePlus was deciding how to build on its early success and grow into a global contender in the highly competitive smartphone market. Technology enthusiasts and geeks had flocked to purchase the first two generations of its smartphones and expectations were high for the company's next product. The company's founders, Pete Lau and Carl Pei, faced the challenge of broadening the appeal of OnePlus to address the mainstream market without alienating its core customer base.
“Crossing the chasm” from the early adopters to the mainstream market involved addressing three interrelated questions: First, what segments should OnePlus target as it sought to grow beyond its loyal fan base? Second, what value proposition and positioning strategy should it adopt to appeal to these target customers? Finally, what distribution and marketing communications strategy should it employ to make best use of its limited financial resources? A key consideration in formulating its strategy was to stay true to the company's culture and mission of “Never Settle” by charting its own course and not emulating the strategies of much larger competitors like Apple, Samsung, LG, and HTC.
Cristo Rey St. Martin College Preparatory School: Promoting a Culture of Continuous Improvement
Authors: Berger Gail , Howard Liz 
Published: April 2021

Cristo Rey St. Martin College Preparatory (CRSM), a school with a unique educational model, has built a culture of accountability and student achievement. Founded in 2004 with a mission of serving “young people of limited economic means,” the school had a rocky start. It was plagued with student failure, high teacher turnover, and a total lack of accountability on the part of both students and teachers. In 2008, a new principal, Michael Odiotti, was hired to turn around the school. During his early years as principal, Mr. Odiotti faced many challenges, including poor academic results, lack of discipline, the threat of bankruptcy, and insufficient employers to support the school's work-study program. By 2018, the school had overcome some of these obstacles, and its metrics were exemplary. The question CRSM currently faces is how it can bolster a new culture of continuous improvement to avoid complacency while continuing to push accountability to achieve even greater results.
This case (though it may stand on its own) is a continuation of the events described in “Creating a Culture of Empowerment and Accountability at St. Martin de Porres High,” Cases #5-410-755(A) and (B) (KEL514 and KEL515) (Kellogg School of Management, 2010).
Global Aircraft Manufacturing, 2002–2011
Authors: Brown Jennifer , Garthwaite Craig 
Published: April 2021

At the dawn of the twenty-first century, Boeing and Airbus, the leading manufacturers of large aircraft, were locked in a battle for market share that drove down prices for their new planes. At about the same time, the two industry heavyweights began developing new aircraft families to address the future market needs they each projected.
Aircraft take many years to develop, so by the time the new planes made their inaugural flights, significant changes had occurred in the global environment. First, emerging economies in the Asia-Pacific region and elsewhere were growing rapidly, spawning immediate and long-term demand for more aircraft. At the same time, changes to the market for air travel had created opportunities for new products. These opportunities had not gone unnoticed by potential new entrants, which were positioning themselves to compete against the market leaders.
In October 2007, the Airbus superjumbo A380 made its first flight. The A380 carried more passengers than any other plane in history and had been touted as a solution to increased congestion at global mega-hub airports. Four years later the Boeing 787, a smaller long-range aircraft, was launched to service secondary cities in a point-to-point network.
The case provides students with an opportunity to analyze the profit potential of the global aircraft manufacturing industry in 2002 and in 2011. Students can also identify the actions of participants that weakened or intensified the pressure on profits within the industry.
Audio format (.mp3 file) available with purchase of PDF. Contact cases@kellogg.northwestern.edu for access.
A refined method for estimating the number of earthworm chaetae in carnivore feces
Authors: Tsukada Hideharu , Nishikawa Yuka , Shimada Haruka , Hijikata Koji , Minami Masato 
Published: April 2021

AbstractGenerally, earthworm chaetae in feces are counted to estimate the contribution of earthworms to carnivore diets. In this study, we compared three methods: (1) a part of the wet fecal sample soaked in alcohol to attain 100% humidity was directly extracted, (2) after removing the extra alcohol from the wet sample maintained at 100% humidity was extracted, and (3) the entire wet fecal sample was homogenized and a random part was extracted to detect the number of earthworm chaetae in fecal samples by focusing on sensitivity, precision, and efficiency. The third method yielded the best results in terms of sensitivity and accuracy in detecting chaetae, but the second highest and moderate results in terms of efficiency and treatment time. This method was used to analyze the fecal samples of Japanese badgers and raccoon dogs. The size of earthworm chaetae recovered from the feces differed significantly between species and seasons, especially in spring, suggesting that the Japanese badgers and raccoon dogs may feed mainly on different earthworm families in spring. Therefore, a refined method was proposed in this study to quantitatively and efficiently detect earthworm chaetae in carnivore feces.
Leaf trait variability explains how plant community composition changes under the intense pressure of deer herbivory
Authors: Wakatsuki Yuki , Nishizawa Keita , Mori Akira S. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractThere is growing evidence indicating that intraspecific trait variation (ITV) plays a prominent role in determining plant community composition. In this study, we investigated the significance of ITV in identifying the processes that shape the development of forest understory plant communities in an area in which excessive herbivory by overabundant deer populations has been an issue. We measured functional traits (height, leaf area, leaf mass per area, leaf dry matter content, and leaf toughness) of 13 forest floor plant species growing in two contrasting sites in which deer were overabundant or had been completely excluded, respectively, and examined the relationships between species dominance and interspecific trait variation and ITV. We detected variations in the trait plasticity of size and morphological features among species, reflecting species‐specific strategies in response to herbivory and consequently observed marked differences in species composition and diversity at the two sites. Notably, small stature and less costly leaves were identified as important traits that enable plants to persist under conditions of intense deer herbivory probably because such plants are less exposed to herbivory and simultaneously optimize carbon assimilation. In contrast, large‐sized plants with costly leaves tended to dominate the plant community in the absence of deer herbivory, as these plants would tend to gain a competitive advantage with respect to the acquisition of space and light. The findings of this study indicate that a focus on ITV represents a promising approach for determining the general ecological patterns of plant communities responding to environmental disturbance.
Bring in the experts? Citizen preferences for independent experts in political decision‐making processes
Authors: BERTSOU ERI 
Published: April 2021

AbstractDo citizens welcome the involvement of independent experts in politics? Theoretical and empirical work so far provides conflicting answers to this question. On the one hand, citizens may demand expert involvement in political decision‐making processes in order to ensure efficient and effective governance solutions. On the other hand, citizens can be distrustful of experts and reject the unaccountable and non‐transparent nature of expert‐based governance. This note investigates citizen preferences for the involvement of experts in different stages of political processes and across ‘hard’ and ‘easy’ political issues. Results show that, in the absence of explicit output information, respondents prefer independent experts over national elected representatives in the policy design and implementation stages, across political issues. For the crucial stage of decision making, respondents show no difference in their evaluation of processes that delegate decisions to experts or to elected representatives, with the exception of environmental policy, where expert decision making is preferred. These findings are relevant for ongoing discussions on how to incorporate independent experts in political decision making in a way that citizens find legitimate and on how to address increased citizen dissatisfaction with the representative democratic functions performed by political parties, governments and politicians.
Validating the Mandarin version of the Memorial delirium assessment scale in general medical hospital patients
Authors: Hu Ching‐Ho , Chiu Yu‐Chuan , Liu Shen‐Ing , Ko Kai‐ting 
Published: April 2021

AbstractIntroductionDelirium is a common neuropsychiatric condition in the general hospital population. Thus, the goal of the present study is to extend the use of diagnostic tools for delirium by developing and validating a Mandarin version of the Memorial Delirium Assessment Scale (MDAS).MethodsParticipants were sampled from two general Mackay Memorial Hospital locations in Taipei and Danshui. Board‐certified psychiatrists assessed patients using the MDAS, confusion assessment method (CAM), and Mini‐Mental State Examination (MMSE). Another consultation‐liaison psychiatrist confirmed the diagnosis of delirium. We assessed the reliability and validity of the MDAS, and the receiver operating characteristic curve was used to determine the optimal cut‐off point for identifying delirium.ResultsOf the 61 patients assessed, 29 were diagnosed with delirium. The mean MDAS score was 16.7 for delirium patients and 4.1 for nondelirium patients. The MDAS has good internal consistency, with a Cronbach's alpha coefficient of 0.912. Interrater reliability was 0.996 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.992–0.998). The diagnostic cut‐off value for the Mandarin version of the MDAS was 9, with a high sensitivity (93.1%) and specificity (96.9%). Factor analysis revealed a two‐factor structure; these factors accounted for 58.37% and 14.42% of the variance. A high correlation was found between the MDAS and the CAM scores (r = −0.849, p < .001) as well as the MMSE (r = −0.875, p < .001).DiscussionThe Mandarin MDAS exhibited good reliability and validity for assessing general hospital patients.
A consistent version of distance covariance for right‐censored survival data and its application in hypothesis testing
Authors: Edelmann Dominic , Welchowski Thomas , Benner Axel 
Published: April 2021

AbstractDistance covariance is a powerful new dependence measure that was recently introduced by Székely et al. and Székely and Rizzo. In this work, the concept of distance covariance is extended to measuring dependence between a covariate vector and a right‐censored survival endpoint by establishing an estimator based on an inverse‐probability‐of‐censoring weighted U‐statistic. The consistency of the novel estimator is derived. In a large simulation study, it is shown that induced distance covariance permutation tests show a good performance in detecting various complex associations. Applying the distance covariance permutation tests on a gene expression dataset from breast cancer patients outlines its potential for biostatistical practice.
ImmunoCAP ISAC in food allergy diagnosis: a systematic review of diagnostic test accuracy
Authors: Maesa José‐María , Dobrzynska Agnieszka , Baños‐Álvarez Elena , Isabel‐Gómez Rebeca , Blasco‐Amaro Juan‐Antonio 
Published: April 2021

AbstractObjectiveTo assess the diagnostic test accuracy of the component‐resolved diagnosis device ImmunoCAP ISAC, compared with oral food challenge.DesignSystematic review reported according to the PRISMA‐DTA recommendations.Data sourcesMedline, Embase and Cochrane Library databases were searched from inception to May 2019 and updated in March 2021.Eligibility criteria for selecting studiesWe included diagnostic test accuracy studies comparing ISAC component results as the index test with oral food challenge as the reference test, in people of any age suspected of IgE mediated food allergy to milk, egg, peanut, shrimp, hake, apple, peach, kiwi, melon, walnut, hazelnut, wheat or pineapple. Risk of bias was evaluated using the QUADAS‐2 tool.ResultsWe screened 799 titles and included 11 studies – seven prospective and two retrospective cohort studies, two case–control studies. Included studies evaluated IgE to Gald1 (three studies, 300 participants, 140 with egg allergy), Bosd5 (three studies, 242 participants, 146 with milk allergy) and Arah1 or 2 (seven studies, 546 participants, 346 with peanut allergy). No studies were identified for other ISAC components. Risk of bias was high or unclear mainly due to inadequate blinding. Applicability was of high or unclear concern due to unclear thresholds, inappropriate exclusions and variable populations. Gald1 sensitivity ranged from 58 to 84%, specificity 87%–97%. Bosd5 sensitivity 24%–40%, specificity 94%–95%. Arah1 sensitivity 45%–91%, specificity 41%–93%. Arah2 sensitivity 70%–94%, specificity 75%–95%.ConclusionsDiagnostic test accuracy information for ISAC components was only available for milk, egg and peanut. Specificity is generally higher than sensitivity, which contrasts with the performance of skin prick and standard specific IgE tests for diagnosing food allergy. Higher quality information is needed to determine the clinical utility of ISAC for food allergy diagnosis.Systematic review registrationNot registered.
Food supply chain resilience and the COVID‐19 pandemic: What have we learned?
Authors: Hobbs Jill E. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractA year into the COVID‐19 pandemic, this paper reflects on the changes that occurred in agrifood supply chains in Canada and the United States. The sudden shift in food consumption patterns from food service to food retail required realignment of food supply chains. For the most part, food supply chains have performed remarkably well during the pandemic. Cross‐border food supply chains have continued to function effectively. The most significant disruptions emerged from workforce outbreaks of COVID‐19 in the meat processing sector and in fruit and vegetable production. The paper discusses supply chain resilience and argues that agrifood supply chains are characterized by several important differences that need to be taken into consideration when evaluating resilience. Economies of scale and scope offer economic efficiency advantages in normal times, while investments in adaptability and flexibility can enhance resilience for abnormal times. Potential long‐run changes within supply chains include increased automation and digitalization in food supply chains, while investments in infrastructure for online delivery services have permanently altered the food retailing landscape.
Update to agriculture, transportation, and the COVID‐19 crisis
Authors: Gray Richard S , Torshizi Mohammad 
Published: April 2021

AbstractOne year into the largest economic and health event of the past 70 years, this paper considers how agricultural supply chains and agricultural transportation have been impacted by the COVID‐19 pandemic. Written as an update to Gray (2020), we are able to show that agricultural transportation systems have proven to be extremely robust and were able to innovate in real‐time to address challenges in the agricultural and food supply chains. We are also able confirm that most of the transportation components are well‐equipped to deal with the remainder of the pandemic and the recovery phase. Notably, innovation created new services, cost‐saving technologies, safety innovations, new institutions, networks, and channels of communication that operated effectively to address the pandemic. These changes are likely to remain in place post pandemic.
Design of intervention APP for children with autism based on visual cue strategy
Authors: Zhang Bingchen , Wang Yanqun 
Published: April 2021

AbstractWith the rise of the mobile Internet, APP treatment models for autism have also emerged. In China, there are not many applications of health education for children with autism. Its functions are mainly focused on prevention and improvement of knowledge. Many behavioral therapies include applying pressure to the invisible external pressure of autism to achieve appropriate stimulation and correction. This has brought great injustice to the wishes of the children. When children with autism strongly oppose this unfair behavior, it may lead to other extreme behaviors in children with autism. This article adopts the method of letting children with autism actually apply this APP for comprehensive intervention treatment, and let this APP combine with their daily courses: comprehensive sports training, speech training, cognitive training, game training, self‐care training. For courses such as art training and computer games, the children were evaluated for the first time before training, and then evaluated every 2 months. Data were collected to compare whether the children's background factors had a significant impact on the rehabilitation effect of comprehensive interventions. The results of the experiment proved that in the five assessments of perception, gross motor, fine motor, language and communication, cognition, the children had statistically significant differences in the three scores (P < 0.05). This also shows from the side that our APP has a certain effect on children with autism, and is of great strategic significance for adjuvant treatment of autism.
Histopathology after lidocaine/prilocaine cream administration for vulvar biopsy
Authors: Gonzalez Rafael , Dunn Andrew , Williams Logan , Weber Jeremy , Erkanli Alaattin , Havrilesky Laura J. , Selim Maria Angelica 
Published: April 2021

AbstractBackgroundCase series have described disruptive histopathologic changes following lidocaine/prilocaine cream anesthetic for biopsies.MethodsA study of histopathologic changes was performed following a randomized trial comparing topical lidocaine/prilocaine cream to 1% lidocaine injection anesthesia for vulvar biopsy. Histopathology was reviewed by two independent dermatopathologists blinded to the type of anesthetic. Specimens were scored on six histopathologic criteria described in the literature. Individual scores for each histopathologic feature and the total score across features were compared between the two groups using marginal models with generalized estimating equations.ResultsOf 37 specimens reviewed, 19 were randomized to lidocaine/prilocaine cream and 18 to 1% lidocaine. Subjects exposed to lidocaine/prilocaine had the following odds of histopathologic changes, relative to lidocaine‐exposed subjects: acantholysis (odds ratio 2.48; 95% confidence intervals [CI] 0.51, 12.06), clefting (2.42; 0.64, 9.14), pallor/necrosis (1.13; 0.28, 4.50), spongiosis (0.71; 0.18, 2.85), and papillary dermal edema (1.17; 0.41, 3.29). Total scores were not significantly different between treatment arms (risk ratio 0.98; 0.71, 1.35).ConclusionThis histopathologic analysis of a randomized trial between lidocaine/prilocaine cream and injected lidocaine as anesthesia for vulvar biopsy shows the absence of significant disruptive histopathologic features secondary to the type of anesthetic. Additional studies in different clinical contexts are warranted.