Identification Of Drivers Research Articles

A Method of Identifying Personalized Car-Following Characteristics for Adaptive Cruise Control System

Although it’s very common nowadays to experience onboard adaptive cruise control systems (ACCS), most of them are initialized with fixed parameters and little consideration is taken to adapting to different drivers. In order to improve the ride comfort and operation familiarity of drivers when using the ACCS, driver’s personalized car-following (CF) characteristics should be considered in ACCS developments. In this paper, an ACCS framework with CF characteristics identification and application is designed, where the desired safety margin (DSM) model is utilized to describe driver’s CF behaviors. In view of the limited performance of on-board computers, a simple method for CF characteristics identification from the sight of driver’s physiology and psychology mechanism is proposed, which tries to estimate DSM model parameters on the basis of CF data. With the proposed method, the CF data under manual driving are collected and filtered for the identification of drivers’ response time, upper and lower limits of DSM and sensitivity factors for acceleration and deceleration iteratively. And the latest iteration results of DSM model parameters would then be applied into the ACCS when it’s enabled. Several naturalistic driving tests are adopted for the verification whose results support that, the proposed method could perform well in identifying drivers’ CF characteristics online by collecting and analyzing manual driving data with a much smaller resource consumption when compared with genetic algorithm (GA). Besides, with the increase of CF data volume, the identified results are also becoming more and more stable and robust. Therefore, the proposed ACCS framework is able to imitate different drivers.

REDH: A database of RNA editome in hematopoietic differentiation and malignancy.

The conversion of adenosine (A) to inosine (I) through deamination is the prevailing form of RNA editing, impacting numerous nuclear and cytoplasmic transcripts across various eukaryotic species. Millions of high-confidence RNA editing sites have been identified and integrated into various RNA databases, providing a convenient platform for the rapid identification of key drivers of cancer and potential therapeutic targets. However, the available database for integration of RNA editing in hematopoietic cells and hematopoietic malignancies is still lacking. We downloaded RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) data of 29 leukemia patients and 19 healthy donors from National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database, and RNA-seq data of 12 mouse hematopoietic cell populations obtained from our previous research were also used. We performed sequence alignment, identified RNA editing sites, and obtained characteristic editing sites related to normal hematopoietic development and abnormal editing sites associated with hematologic diseases. We established a new database, "REDH", represents RNA editome in hematopoietic differentiation and malignancy. REDH is a curated database of associations between RNA editome and hematopoiesis. REDH integrates 30,796 editing sites from 12 murine adult hematopoietic cell populations and systematically characterizes more than 400,000 edited events in malignant hematopoietic samples from 48 cohorts (human). Through the Differentiation, Disease, Enrichment, and knowledge modules, each A-to-I editing site is systematically integrated, including its distribution throughout the genome, its clinical information (human sample), and functional editing sites under physiological and pathological conditions. Furthermore, REDH compares the similarities and differences of editing sites between different hematologic malignancies and healthy control. REDH is accessible at http://www.redhdatabase.com/ . This user-friendly database would aid in understanding the mechanisms of RNA editing in hematopoietic differentiation and malignancies. It provides a set of data related to the maintenance of hematopoietic homeostasis and identifying potential therapeutic targets in malignancies.

The main competences of the project manager: a bibliographic pairing analysis

This study aims to identify the main lines of studies currently carried out and to identify the main competences of the project manager. The project manager's understanding of the most recent academic research scenarios can influence further academic research. This study offers an analytical understanding of the current lines of research on the topic of competence of the project manager. Considering that the identification of the main drivers that drive the most recent studies, such as theories, authors and works related to the subject of project manager competencies, are important, a bibliographic pairing analysis was carried out. A bibliometric study makes it possible to unite diverse bibliographic data with statistical analyses. The main results were the observation that the most current studies still observe referring to the project manager, the technical competences, the identification of the main competences and the definition of seven groups of competences and their respective representativeness in the current researches. The contributions of this study focus on the identification of current lines of study related to project managers' competencies, on the finding that there is an important movement towards soft skills and hard skills studies, and on the identification of the project manager's main competencies.

Identification of spatial distribution and drivers for grasshopper populations based on geographic detectors

Grasshoppers are important elements for supporting ecosystem services which make it important to understand their spatial distribution characteristics to reduce outbreaks, implement effective control while minimizing non-target impacts. The spatial software package Geographical Detector (GD) was used to rank the interaction and effects of 19 environmental factors on the distribution of grasshopper species were quantified in four types of steppes in Northwestern, China. Results showed that the distribution of the insect was mainly influenced by elevation (q = 0.44). Among the factor interactions, elevation ∩ average annual precipitation (q = 0.795) was the strongest, followed by elevation ∩ soil available nitrogen (q = 0.722). Temperate meadow steppe and temperate steppe were identified as the areas at greatest risk for grasshopper’s occurrence. This research shows that the Geographical Detector could be provided a useful tool to identify the driving forces for grasshopper distribution. Our research also offers a new method to more broadly understand the interactions between different drivers to explain the distribution of other insects.

Trade openness, globalization, and natural resources management: The moderating role of economic complexity in newly industrialized countries

Enhancing resource efficiency is the primary concern for industrialized countries. Climate susceptibility motivates the development and identification of resource efficiency drivers. Although the existing literature is evident on the factors influencing resource consumption, the role of economic complexity and trade openness is under-explored. Therefore, the study anticipates the short and long-run impact of trade openness, economic complexity, economic growth, and globalization in newly industrialized countries (NICs) from 1990 to 2019. The study utilized the Cross-section Augmented Autoregressive Distributed Lag (CS-ARDL) model to overcome the concerns of cross-section dependence and slope heterogeneity along with the Augmented Mean Group estimates to validate the outcomes. The results reveal that trade openness, globalization, and economic growth are negative, while economic complexity positively affects the material footprints in the NICs. The moderation effect of trade openness and economic complexity significantly affects resource consumption in the long run, whereas its effect is negligible in the short run. These findings signify that trade in industrialized countries is responsible for the excessive usage of materials in the region; however, resource depletion is meticulous if industrial processes are augmented with complex products. The findings imply that economic complexity neutralizes the negative consequences of globalization and revising the trade policies in the newly industrialized region could help to reduce resources consumption.

LGG-10. TREATMENT-RELATED MYELODYSPLASTIC SYNDROME FOLLOWING CHEMOTHERAPY FOR PEDIATRIC LOW-GRADE GLIOMA

Abstract Treatment-related myeloid neoplasms are rare though well-defined secondary malignancies associated with prior cytotoxic treatment, (particularly alkylating agents and topoisomerase inhibitors). They are rarely associated with primary central nervous system tumours and have historically carried a very poor prognosis. Pediatric low-grade gliomas (pLGG) are the most common CNS tumours of childhood, and up to 50% of patients will require adjuvant therapy. This has traditionally consisted of low-dose metronomic chemotherapy, although the advent of genomic profiling and identification of molecular drivers of pLGG means novel targeted therapies are changing this paradigm. There has only been a single reported case of treatment-related myeloid leukaemia secondary to pLGG treatment. We present a novel case of a 17-year-old girl with treatment-related myelodysplastic syndrome following chemotherapeutic treatment for pLGG. The patient was initially diagnosed at age 4 with a metastatic pilomyxoid astrocytoma (primary suprasellar lesion with spinal metastases) and received first-line treatment with a vincristine and carboplatin regimen. She had disease progression at age 7 and received second-line treatment with thioguanine, procarbazine, lomustine and vincristine. Following further progression at age 16, a biopsy of the suprasellar mass showed a pilocytic astrocytoma with a KIAA1549-BRAF fusion. Prior to commencing a targeted treatment as third-line therapy, she was noted to have a macrocytic anaemia, which subsequently evolved to a bicytopenia. Bone marrow analysis showed a hypocellular marrow with an abnormal myeloid clone with a chromosomal 1q gain, consistent with a diagnosis of treatment-related myelodysplastic syndrome. Germline analysis was negative for bone marrow failure predisposition gene abnormalities. She is currently undergoing workup for bone marrow transplant. Given the poor prognosis of treatment-related myeloid neoplasms, this case represents an important note of caution when choosing appropriate therapy for pLGG, especially given the evolving role for targeted treatments in this disease with otherwise very favourable long-term survival.

Functional Impact of Protein–RNA Variation in Clinical Cancer Analyses

Comprehensive molecular characterization of tumors aims to uncover cancer vulnerabilities, drug resistance mechanisms, and biomarkers. Identification of cancer drivers was suggested as the basis for patient-tailored therapy, and transcriptomic analyses were proposed to reveal the phenotypic outcome of cancer mutations. With the maturation of the proteomic field, studies of protein–RNA discrepancies suggested that RNA analyses are insufficient to predict cellular functions. In this article we discuss the importance of direct mRNA–protein comparisons in clinical cancer studies. We make use of the large amount of data generated by the Clinical Proteomic Tumor Analysis Consortium, which includes protein and mRNA expression analyses from the exact same samples. Analysis of protein–RNA correlations showed marked differences among cancer types, and highlighted the protein–RNA similarities and discrepancies among functional pathways and drug targets. Additionally, unsupervised clustering of the data based on protein or RNA showed substantial differences in tumor classification and the cellular processes that differentiate between clusters. These analyses show the difficulty to predict protein levels from mRNAs, and the critical role of protein analyses for phenotypic tumor characterization.

Understanding drivers of intrafirm coopetition: perspective of corporate groups

PurposeCoopetition is ubiquitous in the economy, but managing effectively this type of relationship between firms remains a challenge for many organizations. This paper investigates the coopetition within corporate groups and focus on factors that determine the simultaneous competition and cooperation between subsidiaries therein.Design/methodology/approachDrawing on a dataset of 121 corporate groups listed on the Warsaw Stock Exchange (WSE), this paper theoretically advances and empirically validates the impact of 18 factors which determine the coopetition relationship.FindingsThis study's findings confirm the importance of an organizational design among external and internal drivers of intrafirm coopetition. However, the role of an environmental uncertainty as a driver of intrafirm coopetition is not proven. Furthermore, the paper finds that internal determinants explain the phenomenon of coopetition between subsidiaries within a corporate group more than determinants related to the environment.Originality/valueThe paper contributes to the coopetition theory by empirical identification of drivers of intrafirm coopetition and advances the corporate groups studies by exploring internal relationships (cooperation and competition) and the determinants therein.

A Systematic Review and Statistical Analysis of Factors Influencing the Cost-Effectiveness of Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation for Symptomatic Severe Aortic Stenosis.

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is a disruptive technology recommended for patients with symptomatic severe aortic stenosis (sSAS). Despite being available for over 15 years in Europe, with an extensive volume of clinical and economic evaluations across all surgical risk groups, there is little evidence on the identification of the key drivers of TAVI's cost-effectiveness. This study sought to identify these factors and quantify their role. A systematic literature review was conducted to identify published economic evaluations of TAVI. This was supplemented by health technology assessment reports. The primary outcome was the likelihood of TAVI being found cost-effective. Secondary outcomes of TAVI being dominant, and the incremental health benefits of TAVI were also explored. Forty-two studies, reporting 65 unique analyses, were identified. TAVI was found to be cost-effective and dominant in 74% and 20% of analyses, respectively. The latest generation balloon-expandable TAVI device (SAPIEN 3) was more likely to be found cost-effective, as was TAVI use in low-risk populations and when performed via transfemoral access route. There was heterogeneity in the approach taken to economic modelling, which may also influence estimates of cost-effectiveness. Analyses that found TAVI to be dominant always compared it to surgery and usually considered the latest generation balloon-expandable TAVI device. Largest health benefits were observed for the inoperable risk group. For patients with sSAS, TAVI is typically a cost-effective treatment option. There are important differences by device generation, risk group and access route. It is crucial to consider these differences when appraising the health economic evidence-base for TAVI.

Genome-wide CRISPR/Cas9 screening identifies a targetable MEST-PURA interaction in cancer metastasis.

Metastasis is one of the most lethal hallmarks of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), yet the mechanisms remain unclear due to a lack of reliable experimental models and systematic identification of key drivers. There is urgent need to develop useful therapies for this lethal disease. A genome-wide CRISPR/Cas9 screening, in combination with gene profiling of highly invasive and metastatic ESCC sublines, as well as PDX models, was performed to identify key regulators of cancer metastasis. The Gain- and loss-of-function experiments were taken to examine gene function. Protein interactome, RNA-seq, and whole genome methylation sequencing were used to investigate gene regulation and molecular mechanisms. Clinical significance was analyzed in tumor tissue microarray and TCGA databases. Homology modeling, modified ELISA, surface plasmon resonance and functional assays were performed to identify lead compound which targets MEST to suppress cancer metastasis. High MEST expression was associated with poor patient survival and promoted cancer invasion and metastasis in ESCC. Mechanistically, MEST activates SRCIN1/RASAL1-ERK-snail signaling by interacting with PURA. miR-449a was identified as a direct regulator of MEST, and hypermethylation of its promoter led to MEST upregulation, whereas systemically delivered miR-449a mimic could suppress tumor metastasis without overt toxicity. Furthermore, molecular docking and computational screening in a small-molecule library of 1,500,000 compounds and functional assays showed that G699-0288 targets the MEST-PURA interaction and significantly inhibits cancer metastasis. We identified the MEST-PURA-SRCIN1/RASAL1-ERK-snail signaling cascade as an important mechanism underlying cancer metastasis. Blockade of MEST-PURA interaction has therapeutic potential in management of cancer metastasis. This work was supported by National Key Research and Development Program of China (2021YFC2501000, 2021YFC2501900, 2017YFA0505100); National Natural Science Foundation of China (31961160727, 82073196, 81973339, 81803551); NSFC/RGC Joint Research Scheme (N_HKU727/19); Natural Science Foundation of Guangdong Province (2021A1515011158, 2021A0505030035); Key Laboratory of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes of China (2021KSYS009).

Subjects and Subject-Subject Relations in Book Culture: Historical and Theoretical Aspects

The analysis of subject-subject relations, the identification and characterization of which this article is devoted to, is of great importance for the further development of theoretical and methodological aspects of book culture, its complete and in-depth study in various historical periods, identification of trends, scale, drivers and conditions for its development, disclosure and strengthening of its communicative nature. The article aims to formulate the main theoretical aspects of the manifestations of subjectivity and subject-subject relations in book culture with an emphasis on the historical and regional context. There is presented book culture as an extensive system of interacting subjects of book publishing, book distribution and reading, which have books as the main object. In the context of book culture, the article, for the first time, gives working definitions of the terms “subject” and “subject-subject relations”. The author names the universal properties of subjects, which are activity, dedication, initiative, responsibility, ability and readiness to transform the world and oneself. There are specified the subjects, the most significant and widespread subject-subject relations that are generated in book culture and form its fundamental ties, including those that were characteristic of the Russian Empire. The article presents the most active subjects of the book culture of Siberia and the Far East in the pre-revolutionary period, both individual and collective. The author indicates the dependence of tasks, pace, directions, scale, results of the development of book culture on its subjects.

Novel mapping tool to identify drivers in persistent atrial fibrillation: first clinical experience

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: None. Background Developing ablation strategies beyond pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) in persistent atrial fibrillation (persAF) is still a challenge. To date, few diagnostic tools have allowed identification of potential drivers during AF, with questionable results. There is a need for a tool that allows to consistently display and detect EGMs and identify optimal ablations targets. A novel mapping tool can provide algorithmic detection of ablation targets based on EGM properties specific to relatively stable localized rotational activations. Objective Describing an initial series of patients (pts) where Ockham mapping was used during AF to identify ablation targets and treat PersAF. Methods PersAF pts presenting in AF for were mapped using an ultra-high density mapping system (RHYTHMIA). A novel PersAF mapping feature (Ockham) was used to detect ablation targets by calculating local cycle length (LCL) and local spread of activation time within that LCL (Duty Cycle) for consistent EGMs. A scatterplot tool (F1 A) was used to identify regions of consistent (relatively stable) local activation. Among these areas, those with fast CL and high DC (>90%) were used to guide the optimal PVI line placement. Additionally, during remapping the same approach was used to target ablation beyond PVI.RF was delivered at 40-45 W via a StablePointTM IntallaNav OI catheter aiming at the maximum impedance drop (30 ohms).Durable PVI was verified by EGM visualization. In case of ongoing AF at the end of the procedure patients were monitored for 48 h before eventual cardioversion. Follow-up was by Holter every 3 months (more if symptoms). Data are median [IQR]. Results The novel mapping tool was used on 31 PersAF pts (68±9.5 years, 71% male, 20 De Novo).A median of 41228 [32789-46512] EGMs was collected before PVI. After PVI, 3 de novo pts had AF terminate into AT. Additional targets were identified in the other ones from a second post-PVI map. 81% of the extra-venous potential drivers identified on the post-PVI maps were already present on the pre-PVI map, supporting the reproducibility of the tool. Pts had a median of 3 [1-4.25] extra-PV drivers targets. Across all pts, following PVI and targeted ablation, there was progressive AF organization demonstrated by global activation slowing (a rightward shift of CL; F1 B), which in approximately half of the patients formed bi-modal curves clustered around 2 discrete CL values. Acutely, 88% of patients had AF terminate to SR or AT. At 10 months [5.75-13] follow-up, 3 (15%) patients had recurrence of persAF, and 2 (10%) patients had AT recurrences. No complication occurred. Discussion This clinical experience demonstrates that this tool can identify limited, but highly selective, reproducible extra-PV AF drivers. Since PersAF pts have high variability in arrhythmogenic sites, this novel tool allows efficient identification of ablation targets based on EGM properties for an individualized approach to ablation beyond PVI.

Lexical analysis improves the identification of contextual drivers and farm typologies in the assessment of transitions to agroecology through TAPE – A case study from rural Nicaragua

CONTEXTThe Tool for Agroecological Performance Evaluation (TAPE) has been developed to assess the degree of transition to agroecology (Step 1) and the agroecological performance (Step 2) of family farms. However, while methods and indicators for Steps 1 and 2 are well established, the phases of system characterization (Step 0) and the delineation of typologies (Step 1-bis) are not prescribed nor standardised. This results in highly heterogeneous, unstructured and narrative information, subject to the background of the field enumerator. Analytical methods are needed to deal with these, in order to arrive at relevant domains of recommendations for policy and development. OBJECTIVEWe assessed whether lexical analysis improves the ability of TAPE to elucidate: i) how household characteristics and contextual factors influence such agroecological transitions, ii) whether a high degree of transition to agroecology (Step 1) translates into better agroecological performances (Step 2), and iii) whether data from Step 0 could improve the delineation of transition typologies. METHODSWe considered 29 rural households located in separate localities across three regions of Nicaragua and analysed the results of applying TAPE to assess their agroecological transition and performance, combining descriptive and lexical analysis. Iramuteq software was used for lexical analysis, including descendent hierarchical classification by Reinert's method and co-occurrence networks. A corpus text based on information provided by desk review and unstructured interviews during Step 0 was used for system description and identification of context variables; while a matrix of categorical variables based on data from Steps 1, 2 and 0 was used to identify agroecological transition typologies. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONSLexical analysis allowed to summarize data, describe farm systems and identify context drivers (Step 0) and patterns from highly heterogeneous, subjective information. The assessment of agroecological transition (Step 1) and performance (Step 2) indicates that the farms studied were at least in transition to agroecology. Farm-level indicators of agroecological transition were more advanced than community-level indicators. Using Reinert's method we identified two main groups, that cluster seven classes of farms, representing different policy and development intervention targets. The differences detected between farms managed by women or men highlight the relevance of including gender perspective on TAPE analyses. SIGNIFICANCEWe show that lexical analysis was useful to deal with unstructured, narrative data describing systems and contexts, and for identifying agroecology recommendation domains based on local actors's perspectives.

Decoding Asian consumers' willingness to pay for organic food product: a configurational-based approach

PurposeThis study aims to examine the most influential drivers, both product-specific and consumer-specific, affecting Asian consumers' willingness to pay (WTP) for organic olive oil.Design/methodology/approachTo individuate the most influential drivers of WTP for organic products and to assess their effect, in terms of configurational paths and consumer profiles, this study sequentially employs explorative factor analysis approach and a fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis method. The survey is carried out in different areas of Asia (e.g. Pakistan, Vietnam and China).FindingsThe results suggest that Asian consumers' WTP for organic products is described by consumer-specific drivers (gender, occupation and household size) as well as product-specific drivers (product authenticity and sustainability, consumer ethnocentrism and food fraud risk perception).Originality/valueThe findings of the study permit the identification of different drivers that move consumers' WTP for organic olive oil. The study contributes to setting the ground for companies to propose and implement efficacious marketing strategies for organic olive oil in importing countries, such as Asia.

NetBID2 provides comprehensive hidden driver analysis

Many signaling and other genes known as “hidden” drivers may not be genetically or epigenetically altered or differentially expressed at the mRNA or protein levels, but, rather, drive a phenotype such as tumorigenesis via post-translational modification or other mechanisms. However, conventional approaches based on genomics or differential expression are limited in exposing such hidden drivers. Here, we present a comprehensive algorithm and toolkit NetBID2 (data-driven network-based Bayesian inference of drivers, version 2), which reverse-engineers context-specific interactomes and integrates network activity inferred from large-scale multi-omics data, empowering the identification of hidden drivers that could not be detected by traditional analyses. NetBID2 has substantially re-engineered the previous prototype version by providing versatile data visualization and sophisticated statistical analyses, which strongly facilitate researchers for result interpretation through end-to-end multi-omics data analysis. We demonstrate the power of NetBID2 using three hidden driver examples. We deploy NetBID2 Viewer, Runner, and Cloud apps with 145 context-specific gene regulatory and signaling networks across normal tissues and paediatric and adult cancers to facilitate end-to-end analysis, real-time interactive visualization and cloud-based data sharing. NetBID2 is freely available at https://jyyulab.github.io/NetBID.

Pharmaceutical Scientists’ Perspectives on Capacity Building in Pharmaceutical Sciences

With the anticipated health challenges brought by demographic and technological changes, ensuring capacity in underlying workforce in place is essential for addressing patients’ needs. Therefore, a timely identification of important drivers facilitating capacity building is important for strategic decisions and workforce planning. In 2020, internationally renowned pharmaceutical scientists (N = 92), largely from the academia and pharmaceutical industry, with mostly pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences educational background were approached (through a questionnaire) for their considerations on influencing drivers to facilitate meeting current capacity in pharmaceutical sciences research. From a global view, based on the results of the questionnaire, the top drivers were better alignment with patient needs as well as strengthening education – both through continuous learning and deeper specialisation. The study also showed that capacity building is more than simply increasing the influx of graduates. Pharmaceutical sciences are being influenced by other disciplines, and we can expect more diversity in scientific background and training. Capacity building of pharmaceutical scientists should allow flexibility for rapid change driven by the clinic and need for specialised science and it should be underpinned by lifelong learning.

Modeling LULC using Multi-Layer Perceptron Markov change (MLP-MC) and identifying local drivers of LULC in hilly district of Manipur, India

Identification and prediction of future land use and land cover (LULC) changes and their drivers are required for land resources management, formulation of better policy, practicing sustainable management strategies, and modeling future LULC. The present study has focused on the prediction of future LULC and assessment of local drivers of LULC change in the hill agroecosystem Senapati district of Manipur, Northeast India. The prediction of future LULC for 2029 was achieved based on LULC data of 1999, 2009, and 2019 satellite data using multi-layer perceptron Markov change (MLP-MC) of Land Change Modeler (LCM). The socio-economic survey and field observation were performed to identify local drivers of LULC changes in the study area. The total area covered by open and dense forests in 2029 was 69.06% of the total geographical area of the district, a slight increase from the 2019 assessment of 61.01 km2. The drivers of LULC were categorized by assigning rank. The proximate drivers directly influence land use dynamics, such as increases in the settlement area, firewood collection, and construction. The underlying drivers-population growth and poverty-have also indirectly influenced LULC change in the district. It was observed that the livelihoods of local communities depend on forest products and agriculture. Therefore, the study finding will help create a future LULC information database and identification of local drivers of LULC. It will encourage the communities to participate in proper land resource management and create awareness for the sustainable use of the land.

Occurrence and behavioral rhythms of the endangered Acadian redfish (Sebastes fasciatus) in the Sambro Bank (Scotian Shelf)

The genus Sebastes is a morphologically and ecologically diverse genus of rockfish characterized by high longevity, late-maturity and low natural mortality. On the northwest Atlantic continental shelf, the Acadian redfish (Sebastes fasciatus) is the most common rockfish species above 300 m depth. This species has been widely exploited resulting in the depletion or collapse of most of its stocks. Management of long-lived species with intricate life-history characteristics is challenging and requires highly integrated biological and oceanographic monitoring, which allow the identification of environmental drivers and demographic and behavioral trends. The present study uses high-temporal resolution imaging and environmental data, acquired with an autonomous lander deployed for 10-months at the Sambro Bank Sponge Conservation Area (Scotian Shelf) to elucidate S. fasciatus temporal dynamics and behavioral trends in response to near-bed environmental conditions. S. fasciatus, mostly displayed passive locomotion and static behaviors, in common with other shelf-dwelling Sebastes species. Structural complexity provided by sponges positively influenced S. fasciatus presence. Fish used sponges to avoid being dragged by bottom currents. Hydrodynamics appear to act as a synchronizing factor conditioning its swimming behavior. S. fasciatus total counts exhibited a seasonal shift in rhythm’s phase likely reflecting changes in lifestyle requirements. This study provides new insights on S. fasciatus dynamics and behavior. Nonintrusive monitoring approaches, such as the one used in this study, will be key to monitor this threatened species populations. Especially, since it is expected that S. fasciatus will experience distribution shifts to higher latitudes due to future climate stressors.

Elucidating the Corneal Endothelial Cell Proliferation Capacity through an Interspecies Transcriptome Comparison.

The regenerative capacity of corneal endothelial cells (CECs) differs between species; in bigger mammals, CECs are arrested in a non-proliferative state. Damage to these cells can compromise their function causing corneal opacity. Corneal transplantation is the current treatment for the recovery of clear eyesight, but the donor tissue demand is higher than the availability and there is a need to develop novel treatments. Interestingly, rabbit CECs retain a high proliferative profile and can repopulate the endothelium. There is a lack of fundamental knowledge to explain these differences. Gaining information on their transcriptomic variances could allowthe identification of CEC proliferation drivers. In this study, human, sheep, and rabbit CECs are analyzed at the transcriptomic level. To understand the differences across each species, a pipeline for the analysis of pathways with different activities is generated. The results reveal that 52 pathways have different activity when comparing species with non-proliferative CECs (human and sheep) to species with proliferative CECs (rabbit). The results show that Notch and TGF-β pathways have increased activity in species with non-proliferative CECs, which might be associated with their low proliferation. Overall, this study illustrates transcriptomic pathway-level differences that can provide leads to develop novel therapies to regenerate the corneal endothelium.

Identification of key drivers for improving inventory management in pharmaceutical supply chains

Existing literature on optimizing inventory levels in pharmaceutical supply chains has focused on a limited set of drivers. However, the global supply chain disruptions produced by the Covid-19 pandemic demonstrated the need for a more nuanced picture of the inventory management drivers in this sector to identify profitable inventory configurations while fulfilling demands and safety margins. To address this gap in the literature, this paper identifies key drivers impacting inventory levels and develops a framework for assessing inventory configurations in pharmaceutical supply chains. The framework is tested using a single case study approach. The case study showed that while external and downstream supply chain factors were recognized as being critical to pursuing inventory reduction initiatives, internal factors prevailed when making inventory management decisions. The framework developed in this paper may assist practitioners in identifying the most important factors impacting inventory levels within a specific pharmaceutical supply chain configuration and is in use in the industry today.