bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Examining year-end spending spikes in the European Economic Area: a comparative study of procurement contracts
Authors: McCue Clifford P. , Prier Eric , Lofaro Ryan J.
Published: March 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to analyze year-end spending practices in the European Economic Area (EEA) to baseline the pervasiveness of year-end spending spikes across countries in Europe.

Design/methodology/approach

The Tenders Electronic Daily dataset is used to descriptively analyze above-threshold procurement contracts by country, year and contract type from 2009 to 2018. Proportional distributions are employed to compare percentages of spend across quarters. Analyses are run within each country on the number of years displaying a fourth quarter spike, as well as within each country and contract type.

Findings

The results show that while spending spikes for above-threshold contracts in the final fiscal quarter are not consistent across all countries, patterns emerge when the data are disaggregated by country. The most populous nations in the EEA are more likely to have years with the highest proportion of fiscal spend occurring in the fourth quarter. Further, the type of contract makes a difference – services and supplies contracts are more likely to display fourth quarter spikes than works contracts.

Originality/value

This article provides the first analysis of the year-end spending spike across countries in Europe using procurement data, as well as the first to disaggregate by year and contract type. Findings support the literature on the presence of year-end spikes; such spikes exist even for above-threshold public procurement contracts.
How user behaviour is moderated by affective commitment on point of sale terminal
Authors: Oloveze Ambrose Ogbonna , Oteh Ogbonnaya Ukeh , Nwosu Hyginus Emeka , Obasi Ray Ozoemena
Published: March 2021

Purpose

Several e-payment technologies have diffused in Nigeria yet debit card usage on POS devices have not shown consumer confidence in its usage thereby affecting the cashless policy drive of the nation. The study considered an affective commitment of users as moderating their behaviours. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to investigate how user behaviour is moderated by an affective commitment on point of sale terminal.

Design/methodology/approach

Following the purpose of the study, the research design is a survey. The questionnaire was adapted from earlier studies and tested for reliability and validity using Cronbach’s alpha and content validity. Andrew F. Hayes process was used to analyse the moderation effect.

Findings

The finding revealed that affective commitment significantly moderates users’ ease of use of the device, their perceived usefulness of the device and their social image on their intentions to use the device.

Research limitations/implications

The findings implied that there is a need for the development of policies and strategies which should be directed towards the users of the device. Equally, the general conclusions on collective e-payment channels in a society should be discarded given that each e-payment channel can have different factors influencing it than the others. This is where customer-focused advertising and awareness campaign becomes very important.

Originality/value

This paper declares that the research work is not submitted anywhere for publication or for review. It was conducted by the authors who have given their consent for it to be submitted to Rajagiri management journal
Expression of CD1 molecules and colony‐stimulating factor 1 receptor in indeterminate cell histiocytosis
Authors: Kinoshita Manao , Ogawa Youichi , Honobe Akiko , Tomita Ozumi , Oishi Naoki , Shimada Shinji , Kondo Tetsuo , Kawamura Tatsuyoshi
Published: March 2021

Indeterminate cell histiocytosis (ICH) and Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) are rare histiocyte proliferating disorders with unknown etiologies. However, both tumor cells immunophenotypically share some features of Langerhans cells (LC), thereby expressing CD1a. Recent transcriptome analysis revealed that circulating CD1c+ myeloid dendritic cells are the potential precursor of LCH tumor cells. LC express CD1a as well as CD1c, but not CD1b. We discovered that both tumor cells express CD1c, but not CD1b, similar to LC. Moreover, like LC, both tumor cells express colony‐stimulating factor 1 receptor (CSF‐1R). Considering the crucial role of the interleukin (IL)‐34/CSF‐1R axis for the development and survival of LC, CSF‐1R on both tumor cells might facilitate their survival and proliferation in situ. These data provide additional evidence to support the fact that ICH and LCH share immunophenotypical features with LC. In addition, we hypothesized that tumor cells in ICH and LCH survive and proliferate through IL‐34‐mediated CSF‐1R signaling.
Anonymous Equity Research
Authors: DYER TRAVIS , KIM EUNJEE
Published: March 2021

Crowdsourced financial information platforms often allow content contributors to publish equity research anonymously. This study examines whether investors value or discount information in anonymous equity research. In the short window around research releases, we find that investors’ stock price reaction to anonymous research is muted in comparison to nonanonymous research. Consistent with credibility concerns influencing investor response, we document that this discount to anonymous research dissipates as the monitoring of content contributors intensifies and as authors develop a reputation for high‐quality reporting. In addition, we perform a content analysis on the research reports and find that the muted market reaction to anonymous equity research is robust to controlling for textual attributes of information content, further supporting our inference that investors’ are concerned about the credibility of anonymous equity research.
What do New Zealanders value at work and is it changing?
Authors: Amankwah Majoreen , Boxall Peter
Published: March 2021

This study interrogates the Work Orientation module of the International Social Survey Programme (ISSP) across three waves (1997, 2005 and 2015) to understand the job values of New Zealanders. It finds that men and women are more similar than different in their job values, that full‐timers are more concerned with income and career prospects than part‐timers, and that higher education tends to raise expectations of having an interesting job and a high level of pay. New Zealanders have become somewhat more altruistic at work, confirming the image of the ‘helpful Kiwi’, but their job values have not shifted much across these surveys and are similar to those of employees in other developed countries. The broad pattern is that a vital extrinsic factor, job security, and the intrinsic quality of work out‐rank the value of the extrinsic factors of high income and career prospects for New Zealanders.
Feeling solastalgia: A study of the effects of changing climate in rural India
Authors: Kumar Pawan , Kumar Narsingh , Sarthi Pradhan Parth
Published: March 2021

Rural communities are dependent on their native environment for supporting their customs, traditions, and other rural activities. This study attempts to understand the effects of the changing climate on rural individuals by investigating their feelings and experiences of perceived changes in the home environment and village life. Thirty‐four in‐depth interviews were conducted during the months of May–June 2019 in two districts—Gaya and Jehanabad of South Bihar, India. The findings reveal that the rural population have experienced changes in climate such as a rise in the incidence of heatwaves, erratic rainfall patterns, delay in monsoon onset, early drying of water resources, and loss of particular tree and bird species. Worries and uncertainties of the rural population have emerged from the experiences of involuntary separation from traditional farm activities, forced adaptation strategies, loss of cultural and religious practices, and reduced self‐worth in coping with the deteriorating environment. The changing climate instigates feelings of emotional distress, resulting in adverse mental health and psychological well‐being outcomes. It is concluded that the changing climate is responsible for the loss of traditional village customs and nature‐related cultural practices, subsequently inducing solastalgia among the rural population.
The effect of respiratory activity, non‐invasive respiratory support and facemasks on aerosol generation and its relevance to COVID‐19
Authors: Wilson N. M. , Marks G. B. , Eckhardt A. , Clarke A. M. , Young F. P. , Garden F. L. , Stewart W. , Cook T. M. , Tovey E. R.
Published: March 2021

Respirable aerosols (< 5 µm in diameter) present a high risk of SARS‐CoV‐2 transmission. Guidelines recommend using aerosol precautions during aerosol‐generating procedures, and droplet (> 5 µm) precautions at other times. However, emerging evidence indicates respiratory activities may be a more important source of aerosols than clinical procedures such as tracheal intubation. We aimed to measure the size, total number and volume of all human aerosols exhaled during respiratory activities and therapies. We used a novel chamber with an optical particle counter sampling at 100 l.min‐1 to count and size‐fractionate close to all exhaled particles (0.5–25 µm). We compared emissions from ten healthy subjects during six respiratory activities (quiet breathing; talking; shouting; forced expiratory manoeuvres; exercise; and coughing) with three respiratory therapies (high‐flow nasal oxygen and single or dual circuit non‐invasive positive pressure ventilation). Activities were repeated while wearing facemasks. When compared with quiet breathing, exertional respiratory activities increased particle counts 34.6‐fold during talking and 370.8‐fold during coughing (p < 0.001). High‐flow nasal oxygen 60 at l.min‐1 increased particle counts 2.3‐fold (p = 0.031) during quiet breathing. Single and dual circuit non‐invasive respiratory therapy at 25/10 cm.H2O with quiet breathing increased counts by 2.6‐fold and 7.8‐fold, respectively (both p < 0.001). During exertional activities, respiratory therapies and facemasks reduced emissions compared with activities alone. Respiratory activities (including exertional breathing and coughing) which mimic respiratory patterns during illness generate substantially more aerosols than non‐invasive respiratory therapies, which conversely can reduce total emissions. We argue the risk of aerosol exposure is underappreciated and warrants widespread, targeted interventions.
Questioning the utility of round spermatid injections in men with non‐obstructive azoospermia
Authors: Barda Shimi , Mano Roy , Lehavi Ofer , Kleiman Sandra E. , Yossepowitch Ofer , Azem Foad , Hauser Ron , Dekalo Snir
Published: March 2021

Background

Data on who among the infertile male population may benefit from round spermatid injections (ROSI) are lacking.

Objective

To determine the probability of finding round spermatids suitable for ROSI in men with non‐obstructive azoospermia (NOA) in whom no spermatozoa were retrieved at testicular sperm extraction.

Materials and methods

Four‐hundred fifty‐seven consecutive men with azoospermia underwent testicular sperm extraction. Clinical examination included age, secondary sexual characteristics, testicular size, reproductive hormone estimation, karyotyping, and Y chromosome microdeletion analyses. Histologic examination was performed, and histologic classification was determined by the most advanced spermatogenetic cell identified in the combined histologic and cytologic examination.

Results

Of the 457 azoospermic men, 342 were diagnosed with NOA, and 148 (148/342, 43%) had mixed atrophy on histopathology and retrievable spermatozoa. No spermatozoa were found in 194/342 men with NOA (57%). Histopathology diagnosed 145/194 (75%) of them with Sertoli cell only, 45/194 (23%) with spermatocyte maturation arrest, and 4/194 (2%) with spermatid maturation arrest.

Conclusions

Histopathologically identified round spermatids without spermatozoa were rare in men with NOA. Only very few of them are likely to reap the benefits of ROSI, thus presenting the need to reconsider its actual clinical value.
The magnitude of “all‐inclusive energy packages” in the UK student housing sector
Authors: Alamel Alexis
Published: March 2021

With the growing number of students in higher education, the student housing market has been becoming increasingly competitive and diversified. This intensification has led housing providers to supply all‐inclusive energy packages (i.e., the inclusion of electricity, gas, and water in the rent cost) to their tenants as a selling point. By connecting the geographies of students and energy, this paper aims to assess the magnitude of all‐inclusive energy packages and its effects on students’ residential choices. Based on an online survey distributed to students at Loughborough University (UK), the paper shows that 80% of housing occupied by students is energy‐inclusive. These rental commodities are strongly considered by students, particularly new university entrants, in their housing choices, 70% of whom considered all‐inclusive rent to be an important factor in their residential choice. Furthermore, it is demonstrated that all‐inclusive energy packages are extensively provided throughout the student housing market: from the low‐energy efficient houses in multiple occupancy to the newly developed purpose‐built student accommodation. Finally, the paper underpins how providing energy‐inclusive rent tends to produce energy inequities by shielding some students from being in fuel poverty.
A research agenda for geographies of everyday intergenerational encounter
Authors: Yarker Sophie
Published: March 2021

This paper calls for a research agenda that attends to the geographies of everyday intergenerational encounter that occur informally in communities. Using the theoretical framing of social infrastructure and encounter, it argues that we need to better understand the potential of the everyday, mundane, and often fleeting social interactions we have in the everyday shared spaces of our neighbourhoods, and that it is these interactions that can have the biggest impact on intergenerational relations. This argument is made in response to a lack of research on “naturally occurring” intergenerational encounters when compared to a more well‐established body of research on intentional intergenerational practice and design. To demonstrate the value of attending to encounters of the everyday, the paper draws on a body of research within social and cultural geography on intercultural encounters that points to the value of “everyday civics” in contributing to community cohesion in the context of cultural diversity.
Advances in understanding the pathogenesis of hereditary macrothrombocytopenia
Authors: Collins Janine , Astle William J. , Megy Karyn , Mumford Andrew D. , Vuckovic Dragana
Published: March 2021

Low platelet count, or thrombocytopenia, is a common haematological abnormality, with a wide differential diagnosis, which may represent a clinically significant underlying pathology. Macrothrombocytopenia, the presence of large platelets in combination with thrombocytopenia, can be acquired or hereditary and indicative of a complex disorder. In this review, we discuss the interpretation of platelet count and volume measured by automated haematology analysers and highlight some important technical considerations relevant to the analysis of blood samples with macrothrombocytopenia. We review how large cohorts, such as the UK Biobank and INTERVAL studies, have enabled an accurate description of the distribution and co‐variation of platelet parameters in adult populations. We discuss how genome‐wide association studies have identified hundreds of genetic associations with platelet count and mean platelet volume, which in aggregate can explain large fractions of phenotypic variance, consistent with a complex genetic architecture and polygenic inheritance. Finally, we describe the large genetic diagnostic and discovery programmes, which, simultaneously to genome‐wide association studies, have expanded the repertoire of genes and variants associated with extreme platelet phenotypes. These have advanced our understanding of the pathogenesis of hereditary macrothrombocytopenia and support a future clinical diagnostic strategy that utilises genotype alongside clinical and laboratory phenotype data.
Serious incidents in testicular torsion management in England, 2007–2019: optimizing individual and training factors are the key to improved outcomes
Authors: Menzies‐Wilson Richard , Folkard Samuel S. , Sevdalis Nick , Green James S.A.
Published: March 2021

Objectives

To establish the healthcare factors that contribute to testicular torsion adverse events (orchidectomies) and 'near misses'. The secondary objective was to identify areas suitable for impactful quality improvement initiatives to be undertaken by National Health Service (NHS) healthcare providers nationally.

Materials and Methods

This was a retrospective record review and analysis, carried out in four phases. We applied the well‐validated London Protocol patient safety incident analysis framework to all eligible serious incidents related to testicular torsion submitted by English NHS Trusts over a 12‐year period to the Strategic Executive Information System database. Clinical reviewers established the incident population (Phase 1), were trained and piloted the feasibility of using the London Protocol (Phase 2), applied the protocol and themed the identified contributing factors linked to adverse events (orchidectomies) and near‐misses (Phase 3), and reviewed the evidence for improvement interventions (Phase 4).

Results

Our search returned 992 serious incidents, of which 732 were eligible for study inclusion and analysis. Of those, 137 resulted in orchidectomies, equivalent to one serious incident resulting in orchidectomy per month, and 595 were near misses. Factors contributing to all incidents were: individual staff/training (38%); team (18%); work environment (16%); task and technology (14%); and institutional context (13%). Subgroup analysis of incidents resulting in orchidectomies vs near misses demonstrated a different pattern of factors, with individual staff/training factors significantly more prominent: individual/training (88%); work environment (8%); and task and technology (1%). No evidenced improvement interventions were found in the literature.

Conclusion

This is the first study to our knowledge to systematically analyse and classify factors that are associated with loss of a testicle and related near‐miss incidents in patients presenting with testicular torsion. In England, a significant number of orchidectomies occur annually as a consequence of healthcare serious incidents. In order to improve outcomes, we propose clinical support to aid the diagnosis of torsion, improved national clinical guidelines, development of specific standard operating procedures and (in the longer term) more exposure of trainees and medical students to urology to improve the testicular salvage rate.
Screen time use impacts low‐income preschool children's sleep quality, tiredness, and ability to fall asleep
Authors: Waller Nicole A. , Zhang Nanhua , Cocci Adrienne H. , D'Agostino Crystal , Wesolek‐Greenson Sarah , Wheelock Kevin , Nichols Lauren P. , Resnicow Ken
Published: March 2021

Background

Sleep is increasingly recognized as a vital part of health. Screen time has been linked to sleep quality in children. The purpose of this study was to analyze associations between screen time and sleep characteristics among low‐income preschoolers.

Methods

A total of 1,700 preschool‐aged children participated in this study at 50 federally and state‐funded preschool centers in Michigan. Baseline measurement for an ongoing longitudinal intervention trial was obtained for cross‐sectional use. At baseline, parents reported the number of hours their child spent engaging in screen time on a typical week day and weekend. An aggregate measure of total screen time was created. Parents reported on the quality of their child's sleep, how often they were tired during the day, and whether they had difficulty falling asleep. A mixed model linear regression was created to analyze data.

Results

Controlling for child's age, race, and parental income, children who engaged in more screen time were significantly more likely to have more trouble falling or staying asleep, be tired during the day, and had worse quality of sleep (P values = .004, .006 and .001, respectively). Spearman correlations of screen time, sleep variables and demographics show parents of Black children reported significantly higher weekly screen time than parents of non‐Black children (r = 0.23, P < .001) and that tiredness was associated with Black race (r = 0.15, P < .001), Hispanic/Latino ethnicity (r = −0.14, P < .001), and parental education (r = 0.06, P = .016).

Conclusion

This report confirms prior associations between screen time and sleep reported in other pediatric populations. Further research is needed to confirm these results in other populations using more rigorous measures of screen time, sleep, and physical activity, as well as longitudinal assessments. Despite these limitations, findings suggest that interventions to help parents limit children's screen time and impact their sleep health merit investigation.
Current status of diagnostic and therapeutic colonoscopy in Japan: The Japan Endoscopic Database Project
Authors: Saito Yutaka , Kodashima Shinya , Matsuda Takahisa , Matsuda Koji , Fujishiro Mitsuhiro , Tanaka Kiyohito , Kobayashi Kiyonori , Katada Chikatoshi , Horimatsu Takahiro , Muto Manabu , Ohtsuka Kazuo , Oda Ichiro , Kato Masayuki , Kida Mitsuhiro , Hoteya Shu , Yamamoto Hironori , Ryozawa Shomei , Iwakiri Ryuichi , Kutsumi Hiromu , Kato Mototsugu , Haruma Ken , Fujimoto Kazuma , Iishi Hiroyasu , Ogata Haruhiko , Uemura Naomi , Kaminishi Michio , Tajiri Hisao , Inoue Haruhiro
Published: March 2021

Objectives

The Japan Endoscopy Database Project was initiated to develop the world’s largest endoscopy data repository. This study describes the first phase of the colonoscopy project in Japan.

Methods

Data were aggregated offline by integrating information from the endoscopy database software from January 2015 through March 2017. The study population included all patients who underwent colonoscopy at eight centers.

Results

A total of 31,395 patients who underwent 38,497 colonoscopy procedures were registered. The majority of procedures were performed for screening (n = 14,156), followed by fecal immunochemical test positivity (n = 3960), abdominal symptoms (n = 3864), post‐colorectal surgery surveillance (n = 3431), post‐endoscopic treatment surveillance (n = 3757), thorough pre‐treatment examination (n = 2822), and therapeutic purposes (n = 6507). In the screening group, advanced cancers, early cancers, and adenomas were diagnosed endoscopically in 2.1%, 1.3%, and 28.7% of cases, respectively, while in the fecal immunochemical test‐positive group, they were diagnosed in 2.5%, 1.9%, and 41.6% of cases, respectively. The incidence of complications was 0.177% and 0.152% in the screening and fecal immunochemical test‐positive groups, respectively. The therapeutic procedures included 1446 cold forceps polypectomy procedures, 4770 cold snare polypectomy procedures, 368 hot biopsies, 2998 hot snare polypectomy procedures, 9775 endoscopic or piecemeal endoscopic mucosal resections, and 1660 endoscopic submucosal dissections. A total of 173 procedure‐related complications (0.82%) occurred in 21,017 therapeutic procedures performed in 15,744 patients.

Conclusions

The first phase of the Japan Endoscopy Database Project established the proportions of the diagnostic and therapeutic colonoscopy procedures, and complication rates in real‐world settings.
Insulin resistance in type 1 diabetes managed with metformin (INTIMET): Study protocol of a double‐blind placebo‐controlled, randomised trial
Authors: Snaith Jennifer R. , Samocha‐Bonet Dorit , Evans Jennifer , Liu Zhixin , Kowalski Greg , Bruce Clinton , Holmes‐Walker Deborah J. , Greenfield Jerry R.
Published: March 2021

Background

Insulin resistance is an under‐recognised metabolic defect and cardiovascular risk factor in Type 1 diabetes. Whether metformin improves hepatic, muscle or adipose tissue insulin sensitivity has not been studied in adults with Type 1 diabetes. We initiated the INTIMET study (INsulin resistance in Type 1 diabetes managed with METformin), a double‐blind randomised, placebo‐controlled trial to measure the effect of metformin on tissue‐specific insulin resistance in adults with Type 1 diabetes.

Methods

We will study 40 adults aged 20–55 years with Type 1 diabetes (HbA1c 80 mmol/mol [9.5%], fasting C‐peptide <0.3 nmol/L) and 20 age‐, gender‐ and body mass index (BMI)‐matched controls. Insulin sensitivity will be determined by the two‐step hyperinsulinaemic‐euglycaemic clamp method with deuterated glucose to document liver, muscle and adipose insulin sensitivity. Subjects with Type 1 diabetes will be randomised to metformin extended‐release 1500 mg daily or matched placebo for 26 weeks. The primary outcome is change in hepatic insulin sensitivity, assessed by change in basal rate of appearance (Ra) of glucose and suppression of endogenous glucose production (EGP) during the low‐dose stage of the clamp.

Conclusion

The INTIMET study is the first clinical trial to quantify the impact of metformin on liver, muscle and adipose insulin resistance in adults with Type 1 diabetes. This study may identify factors that predict an individual's response to metformin in Type 1 diabetes. Trial Registration: ACTRN12619001440112.
Hypoglycaemia and diabetes‐specific quality of life in adolescents with type 1 diabetes
Authors: Coolen Manon , Aalders Jori , Broadley Melanie , Aanstoot Henk‐Jan , Hartman Esther , Hendrieckx Christel , Nefs Giesje , Pouwer Frans
Published: March 2021

Aims

To examine whether frequency, perceived severity and fear of hypoglycaemia are independently associated with diabetes‐specific quality of life in adolescents with type 1 diabetes.

Methods

Cross‐sectional self‐reported data on demographics, frequency and perceived severity of both self‐treated and severe hypoglycaemia, fear of hypoglycaemia (Hypoglycaemia Fear Survey—Child version) and diabetes‐specific quality of life (Pediatric Quality of Life Diabetes Module; PedsQL‐DM) were obtained from the project ‘Whose diabetes is it anyway?’. Hierarchical regression analyses were performed for the total scale and recommended summary scores of the PedsQL‐DM as dependent variables; independent variables were entered in the following steps: (1) age, gender and HbA1c, (2) frequency of hypoglycaemia, (3) perceived severity of hypoglycaemia and (4) fear of hypoglycaemia.

Results

Adolescents (12–18 years; n = 96) completed questionnaires. In the first three steps, female gender (p < 0.05), higher HbA1c (p < 0.05), higher frequency of severe hypoglycaemia (p < 0.05) and higher perceived severity of severe (p < 0.05) and self‐treated hypoglycaemia (p < 0.001) were significantly associated with lower diabetes‐specific quality of life (β ranging from 0.20 to 0.35). However, in the final model only fear of hypoglycaemia was significantly associated with QoL (p < 0.001). Adolescents with greater fear reported lower diabetes‐specific quality of life, with 52% explained variance. This pattern was observed across subdomains of diabetes‐specific quality of life.

Conclusions

Fear of hypoglycaemia was the only factor independently associated with diabetes‐specific quality of life, whereas frequency and perceived severity of hypoglycaemia were not. These findings highlight the importance of awareness and assessment of fear of hypoglycaemia in clinical practice.
Patient and paramedic experiences with a direct electronic referral programme for focused hypoglycaemia education following paramedic service assist‐requiring hypoglycaemia in London and Middlesex County, Ontario, Canada
Authors: Liu Selina L. , Sibbald Shannon L. , Rosa Andrew , Mahon Jeffrey L. , Carter Dustin R. , Peddle Michael , Spaic Tamara
Published: March 2021

Aims

Hypoglycaemia is a common treatment consequence in diabetes mellitus. Prior studies have shown that a large proportion of people with paramedic assist‐requiring hypoglycaemia prefer not to be transported to hospital. Thus, these episodes are “invisible” to their usual diabetes care providers. A direct electronic referral programme where paramedics sent referrals focused hypoglycaemia education at the time of paramedic assessment was implemented in our region for 18 months; however, referral programme uptake was low. In this study, we examined patient and paramedic experiences with a direct electronic referral programme for hypoglycaemia education postparamedic assist‐requiring hypoglycaemia, including barriers to programme referral and education attendance.

Methods

We surveyed paramedics and conducted semistructured telephone interviews of patients with paramedic‐assisted hypoglycaemia who consented to the referral programme and were scheduled for an education session in London and Middlesex County, Canada.

Results

Paramedics and patient participants felt that the direct referral programme was beneficial. A third of paramedics who responded to our survey used the referral programme for each encounter where they treated patients for hypoglycaemia. Patients felt very positive about the referral programme and their paramedic encounter; however, they described embarrassment, guilt and prior negative experience as key barriers to attending education.

Conclusions

Paramedics and patients felt that direct referral for focused hypoglycaemia education postparamedic assist‐requiring hypoglycaemia was an excellent strategy. Despite this, referral programme participation was low and thus there remain ongoing barriers to implementation and attendance. Future iterations should consider how best to meet patient needs through innovative delivery methods.
Investment commitments in PTAs and MNCS in partner countries
Authors: Kim Soo Yeon
Published: March 2021

This paper analyzes the impact of investment commitments in preferential trade agreements (PTAs) on multinational firms' production networks. The analysis tests the hypothesis that strong investment commitments in PTAs encourage multinational firms to locate affiliates in agreement partners. Agreement countries are desirable locations for MNCS' production networks because PTAs reduce the costs of information concerning the host countries, provide a common regulatory framework for investment by way of the PTA, and embed investment in a larger package of trade liberalization that facilitates cross‐border movement of intermediate goods. The study employs an original dataset of investment provisions in PTAs that measures the liberalization, protection, and integration in investment activities, and another on the location of multinational firms' subsidiaries. An analysis of 317 PTAs supports the main hypothesis: strong investment commitments in PTAs are associated with a higher number of common MNC affiliates among partner countries, controlling for a host of political and economic factors. This paper contributes to the scholarship on multinational firms' behavior in the post‐agreement phase of PTAs and more broadly on the mapping of trade agreement provisions in key areas of global production.
A meta‐analysis of responses in floral traits and flower–visitor interactions to water deficit
Authors: Kuppler Jonas , Kotowska Martyna M.
Published: March 2021

Alterations in water availability and drought events as predicted by climate change scenarios will increasingly impact natural communities with effects already emerging at present. Water deficit leads to increasing physiological stress in plants, likely affecting floral development and causing changes in floral morphology, nectar and pollen production or scent. Understanding how these floral traits are altered by water deficit is necessary to predict changes in plant–pollinator interactions and how communities are impacted in the future. Here we employ a meta‐analysis approach to synthesize the current evidence of experimental water deficit on floral traits and plant–pollinator interactions. Furthermore, we explore experimental factors potentially increasing heterogeneity between studies and provide ideas how to enhance comparability between studies. In the end, we highlight future directions and knowledge gaps for floral traits and plant–pollinator interactions under water deficit. Our analysis showed consistent decreases in floral size, number of flowers and nectar volume to reduced water availability. Other floral traits such as the start of flowering or herkogamy showed no consistent pattern. This indicates that effects of reduced water availability differ between specific traits that are potentially involved in different functions such as pollinator attraction or efficiency. We found no general decreasing visitation rates with water deficit for flower–visitor interactions. Furthermore, the comparison of available studies suggests that increased reporting of plant stress severity and including more hydraulic and physiological measurements will improve the comparability across experiments and aid a more mechanistic understanding of plant–pollinator interactions under altered environmental conditions. Overall, our results show that water deficit has the potential to strongly affect plant–pollinator interactions via changes in specific floral traits. Linking these changes to pollination services and pollinator performance is one crucial step for understanding how changing water availability and drought events under climate change will alter plant and pollinator communities.
Physiological analysis of growth and development of winter carinata (Brassica carinata A. Braun)
Authors: Seepaul Ramdeo , Kumar Shivendra , Boote Kenneth J. , Small Ian M. , George Sheeja , Wright David L.
Published: March 2021

Brassica carinata is a non‐food, low‐carbon, none‐to‐low indirect land‐use change impact oilseed feedstock grown for sustainable biofuels, bioproducts, and high protein seed meal. Understanding carinata growth and development is critical to the development of best management practices for maximum productivity and profitability of double‐cropped farming systems. Field experiments were conducted during 2017–2018 (Year 1) and 2018–2019 (Year 2) winter–spring growing seasons in Quincy, Florida, to quantify the total aboveground dry matter accumulation (TDM), allocation, growth, nutrient uptake, and seed quality. The two carinata cultivars Avanza 641 and AX17012 accumulated 10826 and 9343 kg TDM ha−1 in Year 1 and 9655 and 10,642 kg TDM ha−1 in Year 2, respectively, at harvest maturity. The proportion of DM in the vegetative parts such as leaves and stems decreased, and the DM in reproductive structures such as silique walls and seeds increased with maturity. Seed yield (SY) was similar between cultivars but differed between years with Year 1 (2732 kg ha−1), producing 29% greater SY than Year 2 (1929 kg ha−1). Carinata primary stem has 17–20 leaf nodes, with 75%–88% of the axillary meristems producing primary and secondary branches. Crop growth rate (CGR) increased from vegetative to pod development for both cultivars in Year 1, while in Year 2, AX17012 and Avanza 641 attained maximum CGR at the pod development and bolting/flowering stages, respectively. Maximum seasonal nutrient uptake in leaves, stems, and siliques generally occurred in the early, mid, and late season, respectively, in both years. Seed weight, oil, monounsaturated fatty acids, C18:3, C20:1, and C22:1 concentrations increased with plant age, whereas protein, glucosinolate, polyunsaturated fatty acids, saturated fatty acids, C18:1, and C18:2 concentrations decreased with plant maturity. These results can be used for crop modeling to predict growth, development, and yield and aid in developing in‐season decision support tools.
Borehole Heat Exchangers—Addressing the Application Gap with Groundwater Science
Authors: Schincariol Robert A. , Raymond Jasmin
Published: March 2021

Hydrogeologists and mechanical engineers approach the design of geoexchange systems, and the associated borehole heat exchanger (BHE) fields, in different ways, each focusing on their knowledge areas. While these differences have created a strong research base, with well‐published innovations and designs that collectively allow for sustainable systems, industry has not embraced these recent advancements. Despite abundant research demonstrating how complex shallow groundwater flow and temperature conditions can influence BHE design and operation, the low‐temperature geothermal industry remains largely fixed on simple analytical codes and assumed uniform ground conditions. Geoexchange system inefficiencies become masked via reduced heat pump performance and increased electricity consumption. Similarly, interactions between BHE fields and infrastructure in urban areas are slow to manifest and are often unrealized due to a lack of field temperature data. While regulations that include hydrogeological factors have been developed in some jurisdictions, they are largely voluntary or rudimentary and can be unapplied in industry. Addressing this application gap may be unreasonable as designing and installing thermally efficient geoexchange systems can put them out of the cost envelope of competing heating and cooling systems. Perhaps for hydrogeologists, the way forward lies in the use of BHE's to facilitate contaminated sites remediation, an area we are familiar with, and one that allows for innovative technologies to reduce cost envelopes. Following that path, hydrogeologists can help improve system efficiencies while fully considering the dynamic nature of advective and thermal transport by groundwater.
Diabetes care provided by national standards can improve patients' self‐management skills: A qualitative study of how people with type 2 diabetes perceive primary diabetes care
Authors: Husdal Rebecka , Thors Adolfsson Eva , Leksell Janeth , Nordgren Lena
Published: March 2021

Background

The increasing incidence of type 2 diabetes mellitus [T2DM] has resulted in extensive research into the characteristics of successful primary diabetes care. Even if self‐management support and continuity are increasingly recognized as important, there is still a need for deeper understanding of how patients' experiences of continuity of care coincide with their needs for self‐management and/or self‐management support.

Objective

To gain a deeper understanding of how people with T2DM perceive Swedish primary diabetes care and self‐management support.

Methods

This qualitative study used focus groups as the means for data collection. Participants were identified through a purposive sampling method differing in age, sex, diabetes duration and latest registered glycated haemoglobin level. Twenty‐eight participants formed five focus groups. Qualitative content analysis was applied to interview transcripts.

Results

The main theme emerging from the focus group data was that diabetes care provided by national standards improved self‐management skills. Two themes that emerged from the analysis were (a) the importance of a clarification of structures and procedures in primary diabetes care and (b) health‐care staff ‘being there’ and providing support enables trust and co‐operation to enhance self‐management.

Conclusions

Individual patients' self‐management resources are strengthened if the importance of providing relational continuity, management continuity and informational continuity is considered. Patients also need assistance on ‘how’ self‐management activities should be performed.

Patient contribution

Prior to the study, one pilot focus group was conducted with patients to obtain their perspectives on the content of the planned focus groups; thus, patients were involved in both planning and conduct of the study.
Er3+/Yb3+ co‐doped oxyfluoro tellurite glasses: Analysis of optical temperature sensing based on up‐conversion luminescence
Authors: Dagupati Rajesh , Klement Róbert , Galusek Dušan
Published: March 2021

The effect of Yb3+ co‐doping on relaxation dynamics of excited states of Er3+ ion in oxyfluoro tellurite (TZYN) glasses was demonstrated employing excitation and luminescence spectroscopy. The up‐conversion luminescence spectra were studied as a function of temperature in the 298–633 K range, and fluorescence intensity ratio (FIR) for green bands due to the 2H11/2 → 4I15/2 and 4S3/2 → 4I15/2 transitions of Er3+ ion against temperature was determined. The temperature sensing performance of TZYN:Er3+/Yb3+ glasses was studied using the FIR technique up to 633 K. The maximum absolute (Sa) and relative (Sr) sensitivity of 0.00246 K−1 at 413 K and 0.72% K−1 at 323 K, respectively, were determined for TZYN:0.5Er3+ /1.0 Yb3+ glass.
Silver‐doped sol‐gel borate glasses: Dose‐dependent effect on Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms and keratinocyte function
Authors: Naseri Shiva , Griffanti Gabriele , Lepry William C. , Maisuria Vimal B. , Tufenkji Nathalie , Nazhat Showan N.
Published: March 2021

Borate‐based glasses have generated great interest for wound healing applications due to their ability to incorporate biologically therapeutic ions which can then be released at the site of repair attributable to their high dissolution rates. In this study, the anti‐bacterial activity and cytocompatibility of sol‐gel–derived silver‐doped borate glasses (AgBGs) of the compositional range (60)B2O3–(36)CaO–(4–x)P2O5–(x)Ag2O, where x = 0.0, 0.3, 0.5, and 1 (mol.%) were investigated, in vitro. The dose‐dependent anti‐bacterial activity of AgBGs was demonstrated against Pseudomonas aeruginosa under both planktonic conditions and pre‐formed biofilms, with up to 99.7% reduction in bacterial cell counts. Lower concentrations of ionic dissolution products from AgBGs were non‐toxic to keratinocytes, stimulating their growth and metabolic activity. Furthermore, compositions containing 0.3 and 0.5 mol.% Ag significantly accelerated the migration of keratinocytes at two different concentrations in an in vitro 2D wound healing model. In summary, these therapeutic AgBGs have demonstrated potential for accelerated wound healing.
The role of the Tm3+ concentration on CaMoO4 properties processed by microwave hydrothermal under stirring condition
Authors: Feldhaus Carla Marina Santos , Künzel Roseli , Li Máximo Siu , Marques Ana Paula de Azevedo
Published: March 2021

The compounds based on calcium molybdate (CaMoO4) are the subject of extensive research due to their excellent optical properties and a broad range of potential technological applications. In this work, we report a systematic study of CaMoO4:Tm3+ phosphors synthesized by coprecipitation and processed in a microwave‐hydrothermal system at low temperature (100°C) and stirring. The effect of the Tm3+ doping content (0%–12%) is studied in full detail to understand their role in the CaMoO4:Tm3+ morphological, structural, and luminescent properties. The X‐ray diffraction, Raman, and Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopic techniques revealed that all the prepared powders have a tetragonal crystal structure with a distinct density of cation vacancies and structural disorders. The band gap remains almost constant for doping levels lower than 8%, but it narrows strongly for powders doped with 12% Tm3+ ions. The designed phosphors have shown two emission bands in which intensity depends on the Tm3+ ions doping level. For doping levels lower than 2%, the photoluminescence profile displays a broad emission band peaking at 543 nm (green). For concentrations higher than 4%, the band centered at 543 nm decreases in intensity and the near‐infrared emission band at around 800 nm, assigned to 3F3, 3H4 → 3H6 transitions from Tm3+ ion, become more intense. The outcomes of this work reveal that appropriated Tm3+ ions doping levels can be applied to suppress the PL emission in the visible range and improve that in the near‐infrared region in CaMoO4‐based materials.
Fast response and high stability Mn–Co–Ni–Al–O NTC microbeads thermistors
Authors: Li Haibing , Zhang Huimin , Chang Aimin , Ma Xiuhua , Xie Juntao , Yang Linyu
Published: March 2021

Herein, Al‐doped Mn1.95Co0.21Ni0.84O4 (MCN)‐microbead structures were successfully prepared using in situ ink‐jet printing technology. The effects of the Al2O3 doping on the electrical properties of the MCN ceramic microbeads were discussed. The R25, B25/50, and Ea values of NTC ceramics thermistors were found to range from 14.14 × 103‒63.21 × 103 Ω, 3635‒3773 K, and 0.3133‒0.3252 eV, respectively. Notably, the ageing coefficient (ΔR/R) of the (Mn–Co–Ni–Al–O) MCNA ceramics was found to be <1.1%, compared to a value exceeding 4.2% for the undoped MCN microbeads. The thermal time constant of the doped microbeads was small, with a value of 33 ms, compared to 8 s for the MCN ceramic chip. In particular, the grain boundaries were determined to play an important role in the overall electric behaviour of the ceramics described here.
Improved hydration resistance of CaO granules via sol‐processed metal oxide protective layers
Authors: Li Bingrong , Wei Yaowu , Wang Jinhu , Chen Junfeng , Li Nan
Published: March 2021

Well‐sintered CaO granules with hydration resistance are very important for the manufacturing and application of CaO‐containing refractories. CaO granules with sol‐processed metal oxide protective layers were prepared by granulation and surface treatment. The obtained results indicated that the usage of nano sol greatly improved the hydration resistance of CaO granules, especially when the CaO granules were treated by alumina sol. The promoting effect of nano sols in the sintering processes improved the density of CaO granules. Nanoparticles reacted with lime at lower temperature and a new phase was formed uniformly in the treated layer, which promoted densification of the treated layer. The grain size of CaO granules in the treated layer was increased obviously with the promotion of sintering. Moreover, nanoparticles were favorable for the formation of direct bonding between CaO grains by decreasing the dihedral angle.
Online Shaming and the Ethics of Public Disapproval
Authors: Fritz James
Published: March 2021

This article illuminates an underappreciated tension between two desiderata for moral disapproval. First, moral disapproval should aspire to openness. This means, among other things, that it should aspire not to require silence from wronged parties. Second, moral disapproval should aspire to decency. This means, among other things, that it should not predictably cause psychological harm in a way that alienates or isolates people from their moral community. I illustrate the tension between these desiderata within the context of online shaming and then show how that conflict generalizes. The shape of the conflict is this: in many cases, justice requires us to allow for highly public disapproval about an offender, but the publicity of that disapproval predictably fosters psychological harm, alienation, and isolation. To explain why many cases share this character, I appeal to psychological and philosophical research on the connections between shame, humiliation, aggression, isolation, and depression.