bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An analysis of the relationship between ICT infrastructure and international tourism demand in an emerging market
Authors: Nguyen Quyet , Nguyen Cong Van
Published: November 2022

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the impact of the existing information and communication technology (ICT) infrastructure and the development of the destination’s ICT on the tourism demand of international tourists in an emerging economy, Vietnam.

Design/methodology/approach

Using time-series data from 1995 to 2019, this study applies vector error correction model to analyse the impact of ICT infrastructure in the short- and long term.

Findings

The results of analysis show that although ICT infrastructure does not affect the number of international tourists in the short term, it positively contributes to tourism development in the long term. In addition, the results also show that in the short term, consumer prices have a negative impact on tourist arrivals while having a positive effect in the long run.

Research limitations/implications

This study only considers the impact of ICT infrastructure on the whole without going into each factor reflecting different aspects of the ICT infrastructure. Moreover, this research only stops at the pre-pandemic period, so it has not shown the role of ICT infrastructure in travel and tourism demand during severe pandemic periods.

Practical implications

The research results are an essential basis to support the Vietnamese Government’s strategy to pursue an accelerated investment policy in ICT infrastructure, especially investment in the tourism and hotel industries. On the other hand, the research results also create more motivation and confidence for managers and operators of destinations in Vietnam to invest in ICT infrastructure and apply ICT in management.

Originality/value

This study adds to the literature on tourism–ICT linkages in an emerging tourism market directly between ICT infrastructure and international arrivals with a dynamic time series–based approach that considers the dynamics in the tourist demand identification model. In addition, this study used consumer price index to assess the impact of price on tourist demand instead of using the exchange rate or using the relative prices between the origin and destination countries.
Corporate social responsibility as a catalyst of circular economy? A case study perspective in Agri-food
Authors: Morea Donato , Fortunati Simona , Cappa Francesco , Oriani Raffaele
Published: November 2022

Purpose

This study aims to analyze how, under the stakeholder theory, corporate social responsibility (CSR) might favor the emergence of circular economy (CE) in the Agri-food sector, which is a relevant context, as it is technologically dynamic and requires paying attention to all the stakeholders.

Design/methodology/approach

An exploratory, qualitative research design has been adopted to study the phenomenon in detail, as it facilitates the understanding of complex phenomena such those under investigation and helps enrich existing theory with new insights from real-world cases to add theoretical generalizations to the existing body of research in the field.

Findings

The results of this study highlight that companies adopting CSR models are oriented toward circularity.

Practical implications

This study provides useful indications to managers and policymakers as to how to favor the two approaches (CSR and CE) and benefit all the stakeholders.

Originality/value

While there is wide scholarly and managerial interest toward CSR and CE, previous research has mainly analyzed CE and CSR as two independent phenomena. Therefore, there is a lack of understanding about how the two areas are linked. Following previous studies that have started to theoretically argue an interconnection between CSR and CE, in this research, it has been empirically investigated, and further explored theoretically, whether CSR can implicitly encourage the emergence of CE approaches.
The second COVID-19 coronavirus wave and its implications for stress, anxiety, and depression among Indian adults
Authors: Sharma Praveen Kumar , Kumra Rajeev
Published: November 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this paper was to investigate the prevalence rates of stress, depression and anxiety and their sociodemographic factors linked with the Indian population following the second round of COVID-19 in India.

Design/methodology/approach

A cross-sectional study was carried out using an online questionnaire. In total, 505 individuals participated through convenience sampling. To measure anxiety, depression and stress, the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-21), a 21-statement self-reported questionnaire, was used.

Findings

Multiple regression analyses were performed to evaluate the sociodemographic characteristics associated with depression, stress and anxiety. Results indicated salary/allowances reduction and alcohol consumption were associated with depression. Multiple regression also indicated that salary/allowances reduction, smoking status and alcohol consumption were associated with stress. In addition, this research also showed that chronic disease, salary/allowances reduction, smoking status and alcohol consumption were associated with anxiety.

Research limitations/implications

During the second COVID-19 wave in India, various individuals were affected. Anxiety, depression and stress were common among Indians after the second wave of COVID-19. Along with other actions to restrict the development of COVID-19, the Indian Government and mental health specialists must pay close attention to the inhabitants' mental health. More large-scale studies on various occupations should be conducted, and new mental health factors should be included.

Originality/value

This study provides empirical insights related the sociodemographic factors and stress, anxiety and depression.
Female directors and working capital management: aggressive vs. conservative strategy
Authors: Guizani Moncef , Abdalkrim Gaafar
Published: November 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to analyze the impact of board gender diversity (BGD) on working capital management (WCM) decision by scrutinizing different positions covered by female board directors.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses a panel data regression model with fixed effect estimations and the generalized method of moments (GMM) to determine the impact of BGD on WCM strategy. This study uses a panel data analysis for 277 non-financial firms listed on Bursa Malaysia over the period from 2011 to 2019.

Findings

The results of this study show that female directors fulfilling either monitoring or executive positions increase the investment in working capital (WC), suggesting a conservative WCM. Precisely, results from this study are consistent with the embedded risk aversion traits of female executives and, hence, preserve high level of investment in WC, which allows superior levels of liquidity to meet firms’ financial commitments. The results also show that Malaysia commitment to gender equality is a key moderator in the female directors – firm WCM relation. The authors find that when the level of gender equality is greater, female directors support firms in adopting aggressive WCM strategies.

Practical implications

This study’s findings provide insights for corporate decision-makers in helping them to determine the board’s design in term of roles and composition that enhances the efficiency of WC. The results also provide guidelines for policymakers and regulators to formulate strategies that support more female board representation. In this way, firms should appoint more female directors on their boards to ensure prudent WC decisions. Moreover, given that female directors are an important determinant of a firm’s WC policy, investors and various internal or external monitoring groups need to factor boardroom gender diversity into their investing, hiring and monitoring mechanisms.

Originality/value

While prior research has examined the effect of BGD on firm performance, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first to investigate the effect of BGD on the WCM decision.
From the periphery to the centre: a bibliometric review of global virtual teams as a new ordinary workplace
Authors: Tavoletti Ernesto , Taras Vas
Published: November 2022

Purpose

This study aims to offer a bibliometric analysis of the already substantial and growing literature on global virtual teams (GVTs).

Design/methodology/approach

Using a systematic literature review approach, it identifies all articles in the Web of Science from 1999 to 2021 that include the term GVTs (in the title, the abstract or keywords) and finds 175 articles. The VOSviewer software was applied to analyze the bibliometric data.

Findings

The analysis revealed three dialogizing research clusters in the GVTs literature: a pioneering management information systems and organizational cluster, a general management cluster and a growing international management and behavioural studies cluster. Furthermore, it highlights the most cited articles, authors, journals and nations, and the network of strong and weak links regarding co-authorships and co-citations. Additionally, this study shows a change in research patterns regarding topics, journals and disciplinary approaches from 1999 to 2021. Finally, the analysis illustrates the position and centrality in the network of the most relevant actors.

Practical implications

The findings can guide management practitioners, educators and researchers to the most meaningful clusters of publications on GVTs, and help navigate and make sense of the vast body of the available literature. The importance of GVTs has been growing in the past two decades, and Covid-19 has accelerated the trend.

Originality/value

This study provides an updated and comprehensive systematic literature review on GVTs. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, it is also the first systematic literature review and bibliometry on GVTs. It concludes by suggesting future research paths.
Food waste in Indonesian hospitals: a systematic review
Authors: Diana Rian , Martianto Drajat , Baliwati Yayuk Farida , Sukandar Dadang , Hendriadi Agung
Published: November 2022

Purpose

This systematic review (SR) aims to investigate plate waste quantity, determinant factors, and food waste costs in Indonesian hospitals.

Design/methodology/approach

This SR was conducted by searching for articles published on the Web of Science, PubMed, Emerald insight, ScienceDirect and hand-searching on nationally accredited journals in Indonesia which consist of 29 journals in nutrition, environment and public health. The inclusion criteria in this review were peer-reviewed articles, original research, research locations in hospitals in Indonesia and articles in English or Bahasa (Indonesian language).

Findings

There were 21 studies (17 observational studies and 4 experimental studies) included in this systematic review. Results from 17 observational studies showed that the median plate waste was 27.6% (14.8%–88.7%). High plate waste was found in this review, particularly in pediatric patients and patients who receive liquid diet orally. Staple food and vegetables have a high contribution to patients’ plate waste. Economic costs of plate waste were $0.07–$0.5 per capita per day. Determinant factors of patient’s plate waste were patient clinical conditions, food taste and environmental conditions of hospital food service. Results from four experimental studies showed that meal replacement and smaller food portion intervention could reduce significant plate waste. Nevertheless, there is no conclusive evidence for food waste reduction intervention because of small intervention studies in Indonesia.

Research limitations/implications

There was a high disparity in the quantity of plate waste and economic costs between studies included in this review.

Practical implications

Improving food sensory and adjusting food portions particularly for staple food and vegetables can be done as a way to reduce patient’s plate waste.

Originality/value

This SR is the first review of Indonesian hospital plate waste.
Impact case or impact washing? An analysis of investors’ strategies to influence corporate behavior
Authors: Diener Joel
Published: November 2022

Purpose

This paper aims to substantiate the premise that the very task of socially responsible investment (SRI) today is to achieve impact. Based on extensive empirical studies on how different strategies deliver on this impact premise, it recommends changing the current strategy mix from a focus on exclusion to shareholder engagement.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on an extensive review of the SRI literature, various SRI strategies are theoretically evaluated. Subsequently, an example of a bank that applies a sophisticated engagement strategy is presented.

Findings

It is shown that there are indeed severe differences in the effects of exclusion, positive approaches and shareholder engagement. Impact-oriented investment products should use engagement strategies.

Practical implications

By providing an empirically based rationale for shareholder engagement, this article gives those who practice it a moral and economic justification. Instead of having to defend why there are seemingly unethical companies in their portfolio, they can go on the offense and counter that the “pure” role models are actually “impact washers”.

Social implications

By emphasizing the primacy of the impact of investment products, the transmission mechanism of the capital market to create positive change for the environment and society is strengthened. This should lead to improvements in both areas.

Originality/value

While there are some other studies that examine investor impact in some way, they often do so in a context that is unrelated of sustainable investments. This study structures the empirical evidence on the effectiveness of exclusion, positive approaches and shareholder engagement and provides a recommended course of action for investors and policymakers.
Tourism as a transformative economic agent in regional Australia: a case study of operators' use of social media
Authors: Vlasich Eliza , Lee Diane , Archer Catherine
Published: November 2022

Purpose

This study utilises a case study approach to explore how local tourism providers in the Shire of Collie, Western Australia (Collie), a coal-mining region, use social media to promote the providers' businesses and the destination.

Design/methodology/approach

Semi-structured interviews with 11 local, small business tourism providers were conducted. These interviews explored the use of social media from local tourism providers' perspectives.

Findings

The findings show that local tourism providers in Collie recognise the benefits of using social media for promotion, although there are some barriers when using social media. Barriers included insufficient time, difficulty in measuring the impact of social media and a lack of knowledge on how to use social media effectively. Participant benefits included reaching a wider audience and a “younger” demographic.

Research limitations/implications

As a small regional destination case study, a limited number of tourism businesses were included in the study. Therefore, this study utilised Dickman's 5 A's of a successful tourism destination to encapsulate a robust representation of tourism businesses.  

Social implications

This study details the experiences of local tourism providers in a rural destination, providing insight into using social media to market a rural tourist destination. The study provides a methodology for application to other rural tourist destinations, particularly emerging tourism destinations, in order to understand how local tourism providers use social media.

Originality/value

This study provides insights on local tourism providers' perspectives by detailing their experiences in a town and region transforming their tourism offering. The introduction of small-scale renewable energy sees mining communities' economic landscape changing. Further, opportunities for employment within the coal mining sector are declining and there is a need to develop new industry to support the economy. Tourism is an integral part of this transition in Collie. This study offers insights into how local tourism providers are adapting and utilising social media to promote the town's newly established tourism offerings.
Pitfalls in the statistical analysis of microbiome amplicon sequencing data
Authors: Boshuizen Hendriek C , te Beest Dennis E
Published: November 2022

Microbiome data are characterized by several aspects that make them challenging to analyse statistically: they are compositional, high dimensional and rich in zeros. A large array of statistical methods exist to analyse these data. Some are borrowed from other fields, such as ecology or RNA‐sequencing, while others are custom‐made for microbiome data. The large range of available methods, and which is continuously expanding, means that researchers have to invest considerable effort in choosing what method(s) to apply. In this paper we list 14 statistical methods or approaches that we think should be generally avoided. In several cases this is because we believe the assumptions behind the method are unlikely to be met for microbiome data. In other cases we see methods that are used in ways they are not intended to be used. We believe researchers would be helped by more critical evaluations of existing methods, as not all methods in use are suitable or have been sufficiently reviewed. We hope this paper contributes to a critical discussion on what methods are appropriate to use in the analysis of microbiome data.
Whole‐genome assembly and annotation for the little yellow croaker (Larimichthys polyactis) provide insights into the evolution of hermaphroditism and gonochorism
Authors: Xie Qing‐Ping , Zhan Wei , Shi Jian‐Zhi , Liu Feng , Niu Bao‐Long , He Xue , Liu Meng , Wang Jing , Liang Qi‐Qi , Xie Yue , Xu Peng , Wang Xu , Lou Bao
Published: November 2022

The evolutionary direction of gonochorism and hermaphroditism is an intriguing mystery to be solved. The special transient hermaphroditic stage makes the little yellow croaker (Larimichthys polyactis) an appealing model for studying hermaphrodite formation. However, the origin and evolutionary relationship between ofL. polyactisandLarimichthys crocea, the most famous commercial fish species in East Asia, remain unclear. Here, we report the sequence of theL. polyactisgenome, which we found is ~706 Mb long (contig N50 = 1.21 Mb and scaffold N50 = 4.52 Mb) and contains 25,233 protein‐coding genes. Phylogenomic analysis suggested thatL. polyactisdiverged from the common ancestor,L. crocea, approximately 25.4 million years ago. Our high‐quality genome assembly enabled comparative genomic analysis, which revealed several within‐chromosome rearrangements and translocations, without major chromosome fission or fusion events between the two species. Thedmrt1gene was identified as the male‐specific gene inL. polyactis. Transcriptome analysis showed that the expression ofdmrt1and its upstream regulatory gene (rnf183) were both sexually dimorphic.Rnf183, unlike its two paraloguesrnf223andrnf225, is only present inLarimichthysandLatesbut not in other teleost species, suggesting that it originated from lineage‐specific duplication or was lost in other teleosts.Phylogenetic analysis shows that the hermaphrodite stage in maleL. polyactismay be explained by the sequence evolution ofdmrt1. Decoding theL. polyactisgenome not only provides insight into the genetic underpinnings of hermaphrodite evolution, but also provides valuable information for enhancing fish aquaculture.
Path analysis of the impact of prenatal alcohol on adult vascular function
Authors: Kable Julie A. , Mehta Puja K. , Rashid Fauzia , Coles Claire D.
Published: November 2022

Background

The vascular system may be particularly vulnerable to prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE). Alterations in angiogenesis and epigenetic changes to vascular development have been implicated as a probable mechanism for this vulnerability.

Methods

We assessed the long‐term impact of prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) on adult vascular health using a prospective cohort first identified while in utero. Participants with no PAE (n = 37, mean age = 36.7 [SD = 1.6] years) were compared to participants with PAE (n = 51, mean age = 36.3 [SD = 1.7] years). Their vascular health was assessed by arterial blood pressure (BP) and peripheral arterial tonometry, which yields an index of endothelial function (reactive hyperemia index) and a measure of arterial stiffness (augmentation index). Blood samples were collected to assess cholesterol levels and insulin resistance (glucose, hemoglobin A1C, and insulin). Path analysis was used to examine the direct and indirect effects of PAE on vascular health after adjusting for other known physical outcomes.

Results

Participants with a history of PAE weighed less, trended towards being shorter, had smaller body mass, and had more alcohol‐related dysmorphic features than those without PAE. Path analysis suggested that the impact of PAE on BP was through its indirect relationships with height, body mass index, and dysmorphic features and resulted in protective effects relative to the Contrast group who were disproportionately overweight. PAE was also found to have a direct negative effect on endothelial function. An index of total alcohol‐related dysmorphic features was negatively had both a direct effect on arterial stiffness and an indirect effect on endothelial function.

Conclusions

Prenatal alcohol exposures' impact on vascular function is not independent of other common physical and environmental factors but endothelial function and arterial stiffness seemed most compromised after controlling for these other factors. Level of alcohol‐related dysmorphic features seems to be predictive of more adverse effects than endothelial function and vascular stiffness.
Effectiveness and safety of monoamine oxidase inhibitor treatment for bipolar depression versus unipolar depression: An exploratory case cohort study
Authors: Kim Thomas T. , Amsterdam Jay D.
Published: November 2022

Objective

Patients with bipolar disorder spend most of their clinical lifetime in the depressive phase of their illness. However, antidepressants are discouraged in the treatment of bipolar depression due to concerns over manic induction and drug ineffectiveness. Some reports suggest that monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) may be safe and effective compared to other antidepressants in treating bipolar depression. The present study compared the safety and effectiveness of MAOI therapy in patients with bipolar versus unipolar depression.

Methods

Data were collected from approximately 2500 clinical research charts of patients treated with MAOI therapy at a university mood disorder clinic between 1983 and 2015. A mixed‐effects model was created with patient entered as the random effect. The model included the primary diagnosis (i.e., either unipolar or bipolar depression) and other clinical covariates as fixed‐effect predictors.

Results

Patients with bipolar depression demonstrated lower post‐treatment clinical global impressions/severity scores versus patients with unipolar depression (p = 0.04). Neither group demonstrated a full syndromal manic or hypomanic episode. A higher proportion of patients with bipolar depression reported myoclonic tics and tremors, which may have resulted from concomitant lithium use. Amongst the covariates, only the number of prior antidepressant trials predicted poorer outcomes from MAOI therapy.

Conclusion

MAOIs may be more effective—and as safe—for patients with bipolar depression versus unipolar depression. Future studies should explore this possible advantage using a larger sample size.
The impact of COVID‐19 and associated policy responses on global food security
Authors: Balistreri Edward , Baquedano Felix , Beghin John C.
Published: November 2022

We analyze the impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic and associated policy responses on the global economy and food security in 80 low‐ and middle‐income countries. We use a global economy‐wide model with detailed disaggregation of agricultural and food sectors and develop a business‐as‐usual baseline for 2020 and 2021 called “But‐for‐COVID” (BfC). We then shock the model with aggregate income shocks derived from the IMF World Economic Outlook for 2020 and 2021. We impose total‐factor productivity losses in key sectors as well as consumption decreases induced by social distancing. The resulting shocks in prices and incomes from the CGE model simulations are fed into the USDA‐ERS International Food Security Assessment (IFSA) model to derive the impact of the pandemic on food security in these 80 countries. The main effect of the pandemic was to exacerbate the existing declining trend in food security. Food insecurity increases considerably in countries in Asia through income shocks rather than prices effects. We also review trade policies that were put in place to restrict imports and exports of food, and we evaluate their potential for further disruption of markets focusing on the food‐security implications.
Nurses' perspectives of pain assessment and management in dementia care in hospital
Authors: Tsai Yvette I‐Pei , Browne Graeme , Inder Kerry Jill
Published: November 2022

Objective

To explore nurses' perspectives and generate recommendations for nursing practice of pain assessment and management in dementia care in a hospital setting.

Methods

Semi‐structured face‐to‐face interviews were conducted with nurses who had experience in dementia care from two care units of a regional hospital. Data were analysed using six phases of reflexive thematic analysis.

Results

Eight nurses from two inpatient units of a local district hospital were interviewed. Five themes were identified: (1) ways of understanding, (2) practicality of pain assessment tools, (3) usefulness of pain scores, (4) analgesia use and (5) limitations to practice. Nurses perceived pain tools did not sufficiently help to assess pain in people with dementia, and adaptation was often needed when scoring pain. Overuse of analgesia, trial‐and‐error practice and delayed prescriptions for analgesia limited pain management effectiveness for people with dementia during hospitalisation.

Conclusions

Pain tools are preferably used as a complementary method in addition to nurses' intuitional judgement. Reporting pain via scores requires a more complete narrative description from the source of pain reports to allow clinicians to accurately report a persons' pain. Clinicians must minimise trial‐and‐error practice in analgesia by conducting comprehensive pain assessments. Health‐care organisations need to foster timely collaboration between clinicians to support nurses' practice limitations for effective analgesia administration in dementia care.
Congenital heart disease does not entail an increased risk for severe COVID‐19
Authors: Ekman‐Joelsson Britt‐Marie , Sunnegårdh Jan
Published: November 2022

Aim

To analyse the risk of developing serious disease or death due to COVID‐19 among patients who underwent heart surgery during childhood.

Methods

A retrospective combined register and patient file study. We identified all individuals who had undergone surgery for congenital heart disease in childhood between 1994 and 2019 in our Local Surgical Register that covers half of the Swedish population. This effort was cross‐tabulated with the diagnosis of COVID‐19 entered in the National Register of Diagnoses in Sweden from 1 March 2020 to 1 March 2021. Severe disease was defined as treatment at an intensive care unit (ICU).

Results

We identified 3950 individuals, and the median age at follow‐up was 16 years (1–44). A total of 32 patients were diagnosed with COVID‐19. Five of them were hospitalised for more than 2 days (5–32 days). Two adults required treatment at an ICU; both had additional comorbidity and one died. The corresponding number of ICU stays for this age range in Sweden was 2020 approximately 0.13/1000 person‐years, reported from The Swedish Intensive Care Registry.

Conclusions

There was no increased rate of severe COVID‐19 among individuals who had undergone surgery for congenital heart disease in childhood. Additional comorbidity is related to outcome.
Outpatient versus inpatient cervical ripening with a slow‐release dinoprostone vaginal insert in term pregnancies on maternal, neonatal, and birth outcomes: A systematic review
Authors: Mazzoli Ilenia , O'Malley Deirdre
Published: November 2022

Backgrounds

Outpatient induction of labor (IOL) is an alternative choice offered to pregnant women requiring cervical ripening. Outpatient IOL can provide solutions in terms of women empowerment, but most importantly promotes as normal labor as possible, within the medical context of the IOL. The objectives of this systematic review were to assess safety and effectiveness of cervical ripening performed with a slow‐release dinoprostone vaginal insert in term pregnancies in two settings: the outpatient (home) versus the inpatient (hospital).

Methods

The electronic databases Cinahl, Embase, Medline and Maternity and Infant Care were searched to detect studies that met the inclusion criteria. Both reviewers collected the data and assessed the quality of the studies and assessed the pooled odds ratio using a 95% confidence interval and a random‐effects model. Primary outcomes were linked to maternal and neonatal morbidity. Secondary outcomes were related to birth outcomes.

Results

No statistical difference was seen between the outpatient and inpatient setting in terms of maternal complications, neonatal morbidity, cesarean section, and labor onset <24 h. Women in the outpatient setting were significantly less likely to experience uterine hyperstimulation, and they were also significantly more likely to require oxytocin to augment or induce their labor than the women in the inpatient setting. Women in the outpatient setting were more satisfied with the cervical ripening experience.

Conclusions

Cervical ripening with a slow‐release dinoprostone vaginal insert in term pregnancies in the outpatient setting appears as safe as the inpatient setting in terms of maternal, neonatal, and birth outcomes.
Brain volume in Tanzanian children with sickle cell anaemia: A neuroimaging study
Authors: Jacob Mboka , Kawadler Jamie M. , Murdoch Russell , Ahmed Magda , Tutuba Hilda , Masamu Upendo , Shmueli Karin , Saunders Dawn E. , Clark Chris A. , Kim Jinna , Hamdule Shifa , Makani Julie , Stotesbury Hanne , Kirkham Fenella J.
Published: November 2022

Brain injury is a common complication of sickle cell anaemia (SCA). White matter (WM) and cortical and subcortical grey matter (GM), structures may have reduced volume in patients with SCA. This study focuses on whether silent cerebral infarction (SCI), vasculopathy or anaemia affects WM and regional GM volumes in children living in Africa. Children with SCA (n = 144; aged 5–20 years; 74 male) and sibling controls (n = 53; aged 5–17 years; 29 male) underwent magnetic resonance imaging. Effects of SCI (n = 37), vasculopathy (n = 15), and haemoglobin were assessed. Compared with controls, after adjusting for age, sex and intracranial volume, patients with SCA had smaller volumes for WM and cortical, subcortical and total GM, as well as bilateral cerebellar cortex, globus pallidus, amygdala and right thalamus. Left globus pallidus volume was further reduced in patients with vasculopathy. Putamen and hippocampus volumes were larger in patients with SCA without SCI or vasculopathy than in controls. Significant positive effects of haemoglobin on regional GM volumes were confined to the controls. Patients with SCA generally have reduced GM volumes compared with controls, although some subcortical regions may be spared. SCI and vasculopathy may affect the trajectory of change in subcortical GM and WM volume. Brain volume in non‐SCA children may be vulnerable to contemporaneous anaemia.
Priority‐based encoding of triangle mesh connectivity for a known geometry
Authors: Dvořák Jan , Káčereková Zuzana , Vaněček Petr , Váša Libor
Published: November 2022

In certain practical situations, the connectivity of a triangle mesh needs to be transmitted or stored given a fixed set of 3D vertices that is known at both ends of the transaction (encoder/decoder). This task is different from a typical mesh compression scenario, in which the connectivity and geometry (vertex positions) are encoded either simultaneously or in reversed order (connectivity first), usually exploiting the freedom in vertex/triangle re‐indexation. Previously proposed algorithms for encoding the connectivity for a known geometry were based on a canonical mesh traversal and predicting which vertex is to be connected to the part of the mesh that is already processed. In this paper, we take this scheme a step further by replacing the fixed traversal with a priority queue of open expansion gates, out of which in each step a gate is selected that has the most certain prediction, that is one in which there is a candidate vertex that exhibits the largest advantage in comparison with other possible candidates, according to a carefully designed quality metric. Numerical experiments demonstrate that this improvement leads to a substantial reduction in the required data rate in comparison with the state of the art.
Establishment and characterization of adult human gastric epithelial progenitor‐like cell lines
Authors: Gao Yuan , Dong Ji , Qi Shuyue , Zhou Xin , Wu Xinglong , Wang Wendong , Wen Lu , Fu Wei , Tang Fuchou
Published: November 2022

Objective

Human gastric epithelial stem/progenitor cells are important for stomach homeostasis; however, the in vitro culture system of these cells remains immature. Although three‐dimensional (3D) organoid culture has fundamentally changed the in vitro study of gastrointestinal tract, its use is limited by inaccessible luminal compartment, and difficulties of imaging and manipulation. To overcome these limitations of 3D organoid culture system, we established adult human gastric epithelial progenitor‐like (hGEPL) cell lines using a novel robust monolayer cell culture system.

Materials and Methods

We established an in vitro gel‐based monolayer culture system for normal human adult gastric epithelium, and compared it with traditional two‐dimensional (2D) and 3D organoid culture systems using transcriptomics, immunofluorescence and cell viability experiments. At the same time, we used single‐cell transcriptomics to compare the differences of the hGEPL cells in conditioned medium (Cond.) and in chemically defined medium (Chem.), the two most common media for organoid culture, in maintaining the stemness and proliferative activity of hGEPL cells. Finally, we explored the role of key niche factors in inducing hGEPL cell differentiation.

Results

The hGEPL cells were similar to the in vivo gastric epithelial stem/progenitor cells, which could stably proliferate in culture for a long time. Based on the established culture system, we explored signalling pathways that were important for the homeostasis of hGEPL cells. We found that after blocking the WNT signalling pathway or activating the BMP signalling pathway, hGEPL cells could differentiate into mucous surface cells.

Conclusion

Our culture system of hGEPL cells from adults is robust and easy to operate, and has the transformative potential of personalized and precision medicine, laying a solid foundation for studying the self‐renewal and differentiation potentials of gastric epithelial stem/progenitor cells as well as modelling of related gastric diseases.
Legacy effect of constant and diurnally oscillating temperatures on soil respiration and microbial community structure
Authors: Adekanmbi Adetunji Alex , Shu Xin , Zou Yiran , Sizmur Tom
Published: November 2022

Laboratory incubation studies evaluating the temperature sensitivity of soil respiration often use measurements of respiration taken at a constant incubation temperature from soil that has been pre‐incubated at the same constant temperature. However, such constant temperature incubations do not represent the field situation where soils undergo diurnal temperature oscillations. We investigated the legacy effects of constant and diurnally oscillating temperatures on soil respiration and soil microbial community composition. A grassland soil from the United Kingdom was either incubated at a constant temperature of 5°C, 10°C, or 15°C, or diurnally oscillated between 5°C and 15°C. Soil CO2 flux was measured by temporarily moving incubated soils from each of the above‐mentioned treatments to 5°C, 10°C or 15°C, such that soils incubated under every temperature regime had CO2 flux measured at each temperature. We hypothesised that, irrespective of measurement temperature, CO2 emitted from the 5°C to 15°C oscillating incubation would be most like the soil incubated at 10°C. The results showed that both incubation and measurement temperatures separately influence soil respiration. Oscillations between 5°C and 15°C resulted in significantly greater CO2 flux than constant incubations at 10°C or 5°C but were not significantly different from the 15°C incubation. The greater CO2 flux from soils previously incubated at 15°C, or oscillating between 5°C and 15°C, coincided with a depletion of dissolved organic carbon and a shift in the phospholipid fatty acid profile of the soil microbial community, consistent with stress associated with substrate depletion and microbial starvation when incubated at higher temperatures. Our results suggest that daily maximum temperatures are more important than daily minimum or daily average temperatures when considering the response of soil respiration to the diurnally asymmetric warming that is expected to occur as a result of climate change.
Contextual factors of advanced practice nursing development: A network analysis
Authors: Sevilla Guerra Sonia , Jean Emmanuelle , Kilpatrick Kelley , Zabalegui Adelaida , Martínez Gaitero Carlos
Published: November 2022

Aims

This study aimed to delineate the relationships between actors and contextual factors associated with the development of the advanced practice role in Catalonia.

Methods

A complementary data analysis was conducted based on the social network analysis (SNA) method. The primary study design was qualitative, descriptive and explanatory. Participants from diverse perspectives of practice, organization and external environment were engaged to participate in semi‐structured focus groups. Data collection was conducted between March and May 2016 in Catalonia, Spain. Participants were asked to report on various dimensions of the role development context: understanding of the role, felt needs, perceived outcomes, barriers and facilitators.

Results

Primary data analysis performed for 44 participants identified 71 related contextual factors associated with role development. Complementary network analysis revealed multiple relationships and agreements among participants and context‐related themes. Professional roles and disciplines clustered around topics show consensus and the significance of topics.

Conclusion

Understanding the level of interactions and consensus among participants and contextual factors will ultimately allow better insight into how complex contexts influence the development of advanced practice nursing in healthcare organizations. Significant, consensual contextual factors should be used to influence further development and implementation of new roles that affect patient care and outcomes.
Reporting and conducting patient journey mapping research in healthcare: A scoping review
Authors: Davies Ellen L. , Bulto Lemma N. , Walsh Alison , Pollock Danielle , Langton Vikki M. , Laing Robert E. , Graham Amy , Arnold‐Chamney Melissa , Kelly Janet
Published: November 2022

Aim

To identify how patient journey mapping is being undertaken and reported.

Design

A scoping review of the literature was undertaken using JBI guidance.

Data Sources

Databases were searched in July 2021 (16th–21st), including Ovid's Medline, Embase, Emcare and PsycINFO; Scopus; Web of Science Core Collection, the Directory of Open Access Journals; Informit and; ProQuest Dissertations and Theses Global.

Review Methods

Eligible articles included peer‐reviewed literature documenting journey mapping methodologies and studies conducted in healthcare services. Reviewers used Covidence to screen titles and abstracts of located sources, and to screen full‐text articles. A table was used to extract data and synthesize results.

Results

Eighty‐one articles were included. An acceleration of patient journey mapping research was observed, with 76.5% (n = 62) of articles published since 2015. Diverse mapping approaches were identified. Reporting of studies was inconsistent and largely non‐adherent with relevant, established reporting guidelines.

Conclusion

Patient journey mapping is a relatively novel approach for understanding patient experiences and is increasingly being adopted. There is variation in process details reported. Considerations for improving reporting standards are provided.

Impact

Patient journey mapping is a rapidly growing approach for better understanding how people enter, experience and exit health services. This type of methodology has significant potential to inform new, patient centred models of care and facilitate clinicians, patients and health professionals to better understand gaps and strategies in health services. The synthesised results of this review alert researchers to options available for journey mapping research and provide preliminary guidance for elevating reporting quality.
Cholesterol‐conjugated siRNAs silence gene expression in mucosal dendritic cells in cervicovaginal tissue in mice
Authors: Basar Emre , Shum Bennett , Skaletz‐Rorowski Adriane , Wu Yichao , Nambiar Sandeep , Brockmeyer Norbert H.
Published: November 2022

Background

RNA interference (RNAi) provides a powerful way to investigate the role of genes in disease pathogenesis and modulate gene expression to treat disease. In 2018, the FDA approved patisiran, the first RNAi‐based drug, hence paving the way for a novel class of RNAi therapeutics.

Harnessing RNAi to inhibit vaginal HIV transmission requires effective gene silencing in immune cells, which remains difficult. Knockdown in accessible mucosal tissues may be easier than systemic gene silencing. Vaginally applied cholesterol‐conjugated small interfering RNAs (chol‐siRNAs) blocked herpes simplex virus transmission in mice without tissue damage or immunostimulation.

Objectives and methods

To investigate using flow cytometry, confocal microscopy, and quantitative imaging if chol‐siRNAs silence gene expression in vaginal immune cells in mice.

Results

Although chol‐siRNAs and lipoplexed‐siRNAs silence gene expression in dendritic cells (DCs) in vitro, most internalized siRNAs concentrate within multivesicular bodies, where they are inaccessible to the cellular RNAi machinery.

When applied intravaginally in vivo, chol‐siRNAs penetrate the vaginal mucosa, including the lamina propria, and are efficiently internalized by intraepithelial (IE) and lamina propria (LP) DCs, and CD11b+CD45+ cells, but not by T cells. Chol‐siRNAs induce partial gene silencing in IE and LP DCs throughout the genital mucosa in vivo but are inactive in F4/80+CD11b+ macrophages and T cells.

Conclusion

As mucosal DCs play an essential role for mucosal viral entry and dissemination, chol‐siRNAs could be harnessed to target various host factors that are critical for viral uptake, DC migration and trans‐infection of virions to T cells, hence allowing the development of a preventive vaginal HIV microbicide. Furthermore, chol‐siRNAs could help elucidate the pathways of HIV transmission and understand the immunologic function of DCs in the genital tract.
Validity and reliability of the Rosacea Area and Severity Index: A novel scoring system for clinical assessment of rosacea severity
Authors: Wienholtz Nita Katarina Frifelt , Thyssen Jacob P. , Christensen Casper Emil , Thomsen Simon Francis , Karmisholt Katrine Elisabeth , Jemec Gregor B. E. , Lomholt Hans B. , Heidenheim Michael , Simonsen Anne Birgitte , Sand Carsten , Vestergaard Christian , Kaur‐Knudsen Diljit , Ammitzbøll Elisabeth , Lørup Erik , Danielsen Anne G. , Strauss Gitte , Skov Lone , Andersen Peter H. , Hald Marianne , Idorn Luise W. , Ashina Messoud , Zachariae Claus , Egeberg Alexander
Published: November 2022

Background

Rosacea is a common chronic inflammatory facial skin disorder. Standardized evaluation of the severity and extent of rosacea is important for baseline assessment and treatment effect. The currently used Investigator's Global Assessment (IGA) is unspecific and fails to consider subtypes/phenotypes of rosacea and area involvement. The Rosacea Area and Severity Index (RASI) was developed to give a more nuanced evaluation of rosacea features in four facial skin areas adjusted to the relative importance of each area of the face to obtain an overall severity score.

Objectives

To validate RASI against the IGA and to assess the inter‐ and intraobserver reliability for RASI.

Methods

Sixteen dermatologists evaluated photographs of 60 adult patients with rosacea (3 photographs per patient, one from the front and one from each side). IGA and RASI scores were performed for interobserver reliability assessment. To determine intraobserver reliability, 14 dermatologists evaluated 10 other patients twice with at least 1 week interval.

Results

The IGA and RASI correlated well (Spearman correlation coefficient (SCC) = 0.75, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.72–0.78). Interobserver reliability was moderate for RASI and poor to moderate for IGA. Reliability was strongest for rhinophyma, followed by papules/pustules and erythema, and rather weak for telangiectasia. For area scores, interobserver reliability was strongest for cheeks, followed by nose, chin and forehead. We found a moderate‐to‐strong intraobserver agreement both for IGA and RASI.

Conclusions

We have designed a new practical tool to examine clinical severity of rosacea. RASI proved simple and reliable in scoring clinical severity of rosacea with an agreement comparable to the currently used IGA although RASI will provide a more nuanced view of the current rosacea extent and severity. We suggest that RASI is used in the daily clinical setting as well as in clinical studies assessing the efficacy of rosacea therapies.