bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prevalence and risk factors associated with SARS-CoV-2 infections among veterinary practitioners and dogs patients, June-August 2020, Lagos, Nigeria
Authors: Shorunke Folajimi O. , Okolocha Emmanuel C. , Kia Grace S. , Usman Aishat , Akano Oluseyi , Awosanya Emmanuel J. 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Background
Lagos State is the epicenter of COVID-19 in Nigeria, having the highest number of cases and death. Veterinary practitioners play an important role in public health and risk exposure to SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19 while attending to animal patients and owners. We determined the prevalence of covid-19 among veterinary practitioners and their dog patients in Lagos, and the associated risk factors during the lockdown.

Methods
We administered questionnaires, reviewed clinical records and conducted serological test to determine the COVID-19 status of 112 veterinary practitioners and 154 dog patients and to assess the associated factors in nine veterinary clinics or hospitals between June to August 2020. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, bivariate and multivariate analyses at 5% significant level.

Result
The mean age of participants was 37.5±10.5 and 66 (58.9%) were male. COVID-19 cases among the veterinary practitioners and dogs were 29 (25.9%) and 3 (2%), respectively. Predictors of COVID-19 cases among veterinary practitioners were contact with a SARS-CoV-2 infected dog (AOR: 25.42; CI 4.73-136.66); being a veterinary doctor working during the lockdown (AOR: 6.11; CI 1.56-24.00) and not disinfecting examination table after attending to dogs (AOR: 12.43; CI 1.39-110.99).

Conclusion
Veterinary practitioners and dogs in Lagos were exposed to SARS-COV-2 virus during the COVID-19 lockdown. Contact with SARS-CoV-2 infected dogs, being a veterinary doctor working during the lockdown and not disinfecting examination tables after clinical examination were predictors of COVID-19 cases among veterinary practitioners in Lagos State. Strict Infection, Prevention and Control measures are recommended in veterinary practice.
Feasibility of non-invasive recording of somatosensory evoked potential in pigs
Authors: Hoareau Guillaume L. , Peters Angela , Hilgart David , Iversen Marta , Clark Gregory , Zabriskie Matthew , Rieke Viola , Floyd Candace , Shah Lubdha 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Background
Non-invasive measurement of somatosensory-evoked potentials (SEP) in a large animal model is important to translational cognitive research. We sought to develop a methodology for neurophysiological recording via a transcranial electroencephalography (EEG) cap under an effective sedative regimen with dexmedetomidine, midazolam, and butorphanol that will produce sedation instead of anesthesia while not compromising data quality.

Results
Pigs received intramuscular dexmedetomidine, midazolam, and butorphanol for SEP assessment with peroneal nerve stimulation. Semi-quantitative sedation assessment was performed after the animal was sufficiently sedated and 30 min later, during the transcranial SEP recording. SEP data were analyzed with commercial software. Binary qualitative analysis of the recording was categorized by an experienced neurophysiologist. All four animals had adequate surface SEP recordings. Animals received 43 [21–47] mcg/kg of dexmedetomidine, 0.3 [0.2–0.3] mg/kg of midazolam, and 0.3 [0.3–0.3] mg/kg of butorphanol IM. All treatments resulted in moderate to deep sedation (Baseline median sedation score 11.5 [11–12]; median score at 30 min: 11.5 [10.5–12]). Heart rate (median [range]) (55 [49–71] beats per minute), respiratory rate (24 [21–30] breaths per minute), and hemoglobin oxygen saturation (99 [98–100]%) and body temperature (37.7 [37.4–37.9] °C) remained within clinically acceptable ranges. There were no undesirable recovery incidents.

Conclusions
In this pilot study, we demonstrate the feasibility of SEP recording via a transcranial EEG cap under an effective sedative regimen in pigs. Our approach will expand the use of a large animal model in neurotranslational research.
MEN4, the MEN1 Mimicker: A Case Series of three Phenotypically Heterogenous Patients With Unique CDKN1B Mutations
Authors: Seabrook Amanda , Wijewardene Ayanthi , De Sousa Sunita , Wong Tang , Sheriff Nisa , Gill Anthony J , Iyer Rakesh , Field Michael , Luxford Catherine , Clifton-Bligh Roderick , McCormack Ann , Tucker Katherine 
Published: March 2022

Abstract

Context
Germline CDKN1B pathogenic variants result in multiple endocrine neoplasia type 4 (MEN4), an autosomal dominant hereditary tumor syndrome variably associated with primary hyperparathyroidism, pituitary adenoma, and duodenopancreatic neuroendocrine tumors.

Objective
To report the phenotype of 3 unrelated cases each with a unique germline CDKN1B variant (of which 2 are novel) and compare these cases with those described in the current literature.

Design/Methods
Three case studies, including clinical presentation, germline, and tumor genetic analysis and family history.

Setting
Two tertiary University Hospitals in Sydney, New South Wales, and 1 tertiary University Hospital in Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia.

Outcome
Phenotype of the 3 cases and their kindred; molecular analysis and tumor p27kip1 immunohistochemistry.

Results
Family A: The proband developed multiglandular primary hyperparathyroidism, a microprolactinoma and a multifocal nonfunctioning duodenopancreatic neuroendocrine tumor. Family B: The proband was diagnosed with primary hyperparathyroidism from a single parathyroid adenoma. Family C: The proband was diagnosed with a nonfunctioning pituitary microadenoma and ectopic Cushing’s syndrome from an atypical thymic carcinoid tumor. Germline sequencing in each patient identified a unique variant in CDKN1B, 2 of which are novel (c.179G &gt; A, p.Trp60*; c.475G &gt; A, p.Asp159Asn) and 1 previously reported (c.374_375delCT, p.Ser125*).

Conclusions
Germline CDKN1B pathogenic variants cause the syndrome MEN4. The phenotype resulting from the 3 pathogenic variants described in this series highlights the heterogenous nature of this syndrome, ranging from isolated primary hyperparathyroidism to the full spectrum of endocrine manifestations. We report the first described cases of a prolactinoma and an atypical thymic carcinoid tumor in MEN4.
Restoration of DNA integrity and the cell cycle by electric stimulation in planarian tissues damaged by ionizing radiation
Authors: Davidian Devon , LeGro Melanie , Barghouth Paul G. , Rojas Salvador , Ziman Benjamin , Maciel Eli Isael , Ardell David , Escobar Ariel L. , Oviedo Néstor J. 
Published: March 2022

ABSTRACT
Exposure to high levels of ionizing γ radiation leads to irreversible DNA damage and cell death. Here, we establish that exogenous application of electric stimulation enables cellular plasticity and the re-establishment of stem cell activity in tissues damaged by ionizing radiation. We show that subthreshold direct current stimulation (DCS) rapidly restores pluripotent stem cell populations previously eliminated by lethally γ-irradiated tissues of the planarian flatworm Schmidtea mediterranea. Our findings reveal that DCS enhances DNA repair, transcriptional activity, and cell cycle entry in post-mitotic cells. These responses involve rapid increases in cytosolic Ca2+ concentration through the activation of L-type Cav channels and intracellular Ca2+ stores, leading to the activation of immediate early genes and ectopic expression of stem cell markers in post-mitotic cells. Overall, we show the potential of electric current stimulation to reverse the damaging effects of high-dose γ radiation in adult tissues. Furthermore, our results provide mechanistic insights describing how electric stimulation effectively translates into molecular responses capable of regulating fundamental cellular functions without the need for genetic or pharmacological intervention.
Leg Dominance Does Not Influence Maximal Force, Force Steadiness, or Motor Unit Discharge Characteristics
Authors: PETROVIC IVANA , AMIRIDIS IOANNIS G. , HOLOBAR ALES , TRYPIDAKIS GEORGIOS , KELLIS ELEFTHERIOS , ENOKA ROGER M. 
Published: March 2022

ABSTRACT

Purpose
The aim of our study was to compare maximal force, force steadiness, and discharge characteristics of motor units in tibialis anterior during contractions with the dorsiflexors of the dominant and nondominant legs at low-to-moderate target forces and three ankle angles.

Methods
Twenty young adults performed maximal and submaximal isometric contractions (5%, 10%, 20%, 40%, and 60% of maximal voluntary contraction (MVC)) with the dorsiflexors of the dominant and nondominant legs at three ankle angles (75°, short length; 90°, intermediate length; 105°, long length). High-density EMG signals from the tibialis anterior muscle of each leg were recorded.

Results
Maximal force (average dominant, 182.9 ± 64.5 N; nondominant, 179.0 ± 58.8 N) and the fluctuations in force, quantified as absolute (SD) and normalized amplitudes (coefficient of variation (CoV)), were similar between the two legs across the three ankle angles (average CoV for dominant, 1.5% ± 1.0%; nondominant, 1.7% ± 1.3%). The CoV for force for both legs decreased from 5% to 20% MVC force, and then it plateaued at 40% and 60% MVC force. EMG amplitude, mean discharge rate of motor units, discharge variability (interspike interval), and the variability in neural drive (filtered cumulative spike train) were similar between the two legs across the submaximal contractions.

Conclusions
MVC force and force steadiness were similar across ankle angles and target forces between the dominant and nondominant legs. The attributes that underlie the self-reported identification of a dominant leg were not associated with the force capacity or the control of force for the dorsiflexor muscles, at least during isometric contractions.
Early Changes of Hamstrings Morphology and Contractile Properties during 10 d of Complete Inactivity
Authors: FRANCHI MARTINO V. , SARTO FABIO , SIMUNIČ BOŠTIAN , PIŠOT RADO , NARICI MARCO V. 
Published: March 2022

ABSTRACT

Purpose
The hamstrings (HS) muscle group plays a fundamental role in maintaining knee stability, thus contributing to the prevention and rehabilitation of lower limb musculoskeletal injuries. However, little is known about HS structural and functional adaptations after periods of prolonged inactivity. Our purpose was to investigate the HS morphological and contractile properties changes during 10 d of bed rest (BR).

Methods
Ten young healthy males underwent a 10-d BR. HS cross-sectional area (CSA) (at 30%, 50%, and 70% of femur length) and biceps femoris long head (BFlh) architecture were assessed by ultrasound imaging after 0 d (BR0), 2 d (BR2), 4 d (BR4), 6 d (BR6), and 10 d (BR10) of BR, whereas BFlh contractile properties (radial twitch displacement [Dm] and contraction time [Tc]) were evaluated at the same time points by tensiomyography. HS muscle volume was assessed by magnetic resonance imaging at BR0 and BR10.

Results
A reduction in muscle volume was observed in BFlh (P = 0.002; Δ = −3.53%), biceps femoris short head (P = 0.002; Δ = −3.54%), semitendinosus (P = 0.002; Δ = −2.63%), semimembranosus (P = 0.002; Δ = −2.01%), and HS pooled together (P < 0.001; Δ = −2.78%). Early changes in CSA were detected at 30% femur length already at BR6 for BFlh (P = 0.009; Δ = −2.66%) and biceps femoris short head (P = 0.049; Δ = −1.96%). We also found a reduction in fascicle length at BR6 (P = 0.035; Δ = −2.44%) and BR10 (P < 0.001; Δ = −2.84%). Dm and Tc increased at BR2 (P = 0.010; Δ = 30.0%) and B10 (P = 0.019; Δ = 19.7%), respectively.

Conclusions
Despite being a nonpostural muscle group, HS exhibited a moderate reduction in muscle dimensions in response to a short unloading period. Small changes in BFlh fascicle length were also observed, accompanied by alterations in BFLh contractile properties. These HS modifications should not be ignored from a clinical perspective.
Trial-Period Technostress: A Conceptual Definition and Mixed-Methods Investigation
Authors: Maier Christian , Laumer Sven , Thatcher Jason Bennett , Wirth Jakob , Weitzel Tim 
Published: March 2022

Application abstract: A large number of electronic devices are rejected and returned to the seller in the first weeks of trial use, which costs organizations millions of dollars. We aimed to identify the causes behind those returns and find that stress during the trial period is a major contributing factor. Users are stressed as they need to learn how to use the electronic device, integrate it into their daily life, and take care of privacy issues. All that creates stress and makes users feel unhappy with using the electronic device so that they will send it back to the seller. In particular, we see in our results that individuals who are not innovative in using IT in general and have a low willingness to learn using the new electronic device tend to send back electronic devices in the first weeks of the trial period. When discussing those results with individuals who had sent back tablet devices, we see that stress in the trial period can even overwhelm positive thoughts. So, with our results, we conclude that stress in the trial period has many causes that are often responsible for returning electronic devices.
Optimal Picking Policies in E-Commerce Warehouses
Authors: Schiffer Maximilian , Boysen Nils , Klein Patrick S. , Laporte Gilbert , Pavone Marco 
Published: March 2022

In e-commerce warehouses, online retailers increase their efficiency by using a mixed-shelves (or scattered storage) concept, where unit loads are purposefully broken down into single items, which are individually stored in multiple locations. Irrespective of the stock keeping units a customer jointly orders, this storage strategy increases the likelihood that somewhere in the warehouse the items of the requested stock keeping units will be in close vicinity, which may significantly reduce an order picker’s unproductive walking time. This paper optimizes picker routing through such mixed-shelves warehouses. Specifically, we introduce a generic exact algorithmic framework that covers a multitude of picking policies, independently of the underlying picking zone layout, and is suitable for real-time applications. This framework embeds a bidirectional layered graph algorithm that provides the best known performance for the simple picking problem with a single depot and no further attributes. We compare three different real-world e-commerce warehouse settings that differ slightly in their application of scattered storage and in their picking policies. Based on these, we derive additional layouts and settings that yield further managerial insights. Our results reveal that the right combination of drop-off points, dynamic batching, the utilization of picking carts, and the picking zone layout can greatly improve the picking performance. In particular, some combinations of policies yield efficiency increases of more than 30% compared with standard policies currently used in practice. This paper was accepted by Chung Piaw Teo, optimization.
Managing Self-Confidence: Theory and Experimental Evidence
Authors: Möbius Markus M. , Niederle Muriel , Niehaus Paul , Rosenblat Tanya S. 
Published: March 2022

We use a series of experiments to understand whether and how people’s beliefs about their own abilities are biased relative to the Bayesian benchmark and how these beliefs then affect behavior. We find that subjects systematically and substantially overweight positive feedback relative to negative (asymmetry) and also update too little overall (conservatism). These biases are substantially less pronounced in an ego-free control experiment. Updating does retain enough of the structure of Bayes’ rule to let us model it coherently in an optimizing framework, in which, interestingly, asymmetry and conservatism emerge as complementary biases. We also find that exogenous changes in beliefs affect subjects’ decisions to enter into a competition and do so similarly for more and less biased subjects, suggesting that people cannot “undo” their biases when the time comes to decide. This paper was accepted by Axel Ockenfels, behavioral economics and decision analysis. Funding: Financial support from the National Science Foundation (NSF), Harvard University, and Wesleyan University is gratefully acknowledged. P. Niehaus received financial support from an NSF Graduate Research Fellowship. Supplemental Material: The data files are available at https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2021.4294 .
The Impact of Bribery Relationships on Firm Growth in Transition Economies
Authors: Jung Hyun Ju , Lee Seung-Hyun 
Published: March 2022

This study explores how bribery affects firm growth by focusing on the asymmetric dependence of firms on government resources and services. We conceptualize bribery as relationships through which bribery requests require firms to frequently interact with rent-seeking government officials. Through bribery relationships, such officials extort firms beyond the exchange of bribe money for preferential treatment, depriving acquiescing firms of time and effort and thereby imposing hidden costs that could be otherwise used for firm growth. We find that bribery relationships damage firm growth. Firm status such as introducing new products or not affects how rent-seeking government officials check on firms and calculate their extortion schemes in bribery relationships; bribery relationships damage firm growth more significantly for firms without new products. The damage of bribery relationships to firm growth is also contingent on institutional environments. Under pervasive corruption, firms in bribery relationships may increase their acquiescence to the extortion of rent-seeking government officials. In countries with high-quality governance, however, firms can depend on sound regulations and rules of law and government officials experience high moral costs of corruption. Thus, the negative effect of the bribery relationship on firm growth will be strengthened under pervasive corruption and weakened under high-quality governance. Using Business Environment and Enterprise Performance Survey and World Governance Indicators data for 28 Eastern European countries from 2002–2014, we demonstrate the multifaceted features of the bribery relationship and its interaction with country-level institutional environments. Supplemental Material: The online appendices are available at https://doi.org/10.1287/orsc.2022.1575 .
Testing availability, positioning, promotions, and signage of healthier food options and purchasing behaviour within major UK supermarkets: Evaluation of 6 nonrandomised controlled intervention studies
Authors: Piernas Carmen , Harmer Georgina , Jebb Susan A. 
Published: March 2022

Background
Governments are increasingly looking for policies to change supermarket environments to support healthier food purchasing. We evaluated 6 interventions within major United Kingdom grocery stores, including availability, positioning, promotions, and signage strategies to encourage selection of healthier products.

Methods and findings
Nonrandomised controlled study designs were used, except for one intervention that was rolled out nationwide using a pre/post within-store design. Store-level weekly sales (units, weight (g), and value (£)) of products targeted in the interventions were used in primary analyses using multivariable hierarchical models and interrupted time series (ITS) analyses.
Stocking low fat chips next to regular chips was associated with decreases in sales of regular chips (units) in intervention versus control stores (−23% versus −4%; P = 0.001) with a significant level change in ITS models (P = 0.001). Increasing availability of lower energy packs of biscuits was associated with increased sales but reduced sales of regular biscuits in intervention versus control stores (lower energy biscuits +18% versus −2%; P = 0.245; regular biscuits −4% versus +7%; P = 0.386), although not significantly, though there was a significant level change in ITS models (P = 0.004 for regular biscuits). There was no evidence that a positioning intervention, placing higher fibre breakfast cereals at eye level was associated with increased sales of healthier cereal or reduced sales of regular cereal. A price promotion on seasonal fruits and vegetables showed no evidence of any greater increases in sales of items on promotion in intervention versus control stores (+10% versus +8%; P = 0.101) but a significant level change in ITS models (P < 0.001). A nationwide promotion using Disney characters was associated with increased sales of nonsugar baked beans (+54%) and selected fruits (+305%), with a significant level change in ITS models (P < 0.001 for both). Shelf labels to highlight lower sugar beverages showed no evidence of changes in purchasing of lower or higher sugar drinks. These were all retailer-led interventions that present limitations regarding the lack of randomisation, residual confounding from unmeasured variables, absolute differences in trends and sales between intervention versus control stores, and no independent measures of intervention fidelity.

Conclusions
Increasing availability and promotions of healthier alternatives in grocery stores may be promising interventions to encourage purchasing of healthier products instead of less healthy ones. There was no evidence that altering positioning within an aisle or adding shelf edge labelling is associated with changes in purchasing behaviours.

Trial registration
https://osf.io/br96f/.
Overnight admissions to a neonatal intensive care unit in Ethiopia are not associated with increased mortality
Authors: Mediratta Rishi P. , Rajamani Mallika , Ayalew Mulugeta , Shehibo Abdulkadir , Tazebew Ashenafi , Teklu Alemayehu 
Published: March 2022

Background
In 2019, 2.4 million neonates died globally, with most deaths occurring in low-resource settings. Despite the introduction of neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) in these settings, neonatal mortality remains high, and caring for sick neonates around the clock can be challenging due to limited staff and resources.

Objective
To evaluate whether neonatal intensive care admissions during daytime and overnight hours affects in-hospital neonatal mortality.

Methods
A retrospective case-control study was conducted using 2016 chart data at a University hospital in Ethiopia. Cases were defined as neonates who died in the NICU, and controls were defined as neonates who survived. Overnight hours were defined as 17:00 to 07:59, and day hours were defined as 08:00 to 16:59. Univariate and multivariate logistic regressions were used to investigate the relationship between time of admission and mortality, along with perinatal characteristics.

Results
A total of 812 neonates, 207 cases and 605 controls, met inclusion criteria. There were 342 admissions during the day and 470 overnight. Neonatal mortality (aOR 1.02, 95% CI [0.64–1.62], p = 0.93) was not associated with overnight admissions after controlling for maternal age, parity, C-section, birthweight, and gestational age, respiratory distress, and admission level of consciousness. Admission heart rate >160 (aOR 0.52, 95% CI [0.30–0.91], p = 0.02) was the only variable significantly associated with overnight admissions.

Conclusion
Being admitted overnight to the NICU in Gondar, Ethiopia was not associated with increased mortality, consistent with a constant level of care, regardless of the time of admission. Further qualitative and implementation research are needed to understand contextual factors that have affected these data.