bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
IPSE, a Parasite-Derived, Host Immunomodulatory Infiltrin Protein, Alleviates Resiniferatoxin-Induced Bladder Pain
Authors: Ishida Kenji , Mbanefo Evaristus C. , Le Loc , Lamanna Olivia , Pennington Luke F. , Finkel Julia C. , Jardetzky Theodore S. , Falcone Franco H. , Hsieh Michael H.
Published: June 2020

The transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily V member 1 (TRPV1) receptor is an important mediator of nociception and its expression is enriched in nociceptive neurons. TRPV1 signaling has been implicated in bladder pain and is a potential analgesic target. Resiniferatoxin is the most potent known agonist of TRPV1. Acute exposure of the rat bladder to resiniferatoxin has been demonstrated to result in pain-related freezing and licking behaviors that are alleviated by virally encoded IL-4. The interleukin-4-inducing principle ofSchistosoma mansonieggs (IPSE) is a powerful inducer of IL-4 secretion, and is also known to alter host cell transcription through a nuclear localization sequence-dependent mechanism. We previously reported that IPSE ameliorates ifosfamide-induced bladder pain in an IL-4- and nuclear localization sequence-dependent manner. We hypothesized that pre-administration of IPSE to resiniferatoxin-challenged mice would dampen pain-related behaviors. IPSE indeed lessened resiniferatoxin-triggered freezing behaviors in mice. This was a nuclear localization sequence-dependent phenomenon, since administration of a nuclear localization sequence mutant version of IPSE abrogated IPSE’s analgesic effect. In contrast, IPSE’s analgesic effect did not seem IL-4-dependent, since use of anti-IL-4 antibody in mice given both IPSE and resiniferatoxin did not dramatically affect freezing behaviors. RNA-Seq analysis of resiniferatoxin- and IPSE-exposed bladders revealed differential expression of TNF/NF-κb-related signaling pathway genes.In vitrotesting of IPSE uptake by urothelial cells and TRPV1-expressing neuronal cells showed uptake by both cell types. Thus, IPSE’s nuclear localization sequence-dependent therapeutic effects on TRPV1-mediated bladder pain may act on TRPV1-expressing neurons and/or may rely upon urothelial mechanisms.
Learning the synaptic and intrinsic membrane dynamics underlying working memory in spiking neural network models
Authors: Li Yinghao , Kim Robert , Sejnowski Terrence J.
Published: June 2020

Recurrent neural network (RNN) model trained to perform cognitive tasks is a useful computational tool for understanding how cortical circuits execute complex computations. However, these models are often composed of units that interact with one another using continuous signals and overlook parameters intrinsic to spiking neurons. Here, we developed a method to directly train not only synaptic-related variables but also membrane-related parameters of a spiking RNN model. Training our model on a wide range of cognitive tasks resulted in diverse yet task-specific synaptic and membrane parameters. We also show that fast membrane time constants and slow synaptic decay dynamics naturally emerge from our model when it is trained on tasks associated with working memory (WM). Further dissecting the optimized parameters revealed that fast membrane properties and slow synaptic dynamics are important for encoding stimuli and WM maintenance, respectively. This approach offers a unique window into how connectivity patterns and intrinsic neuronal properties contribute to complex dynamics in neural populations.
Relative wealth and inequality associate with health in a small-scale subsistence society
Authors: Jaeggi Adrian V. , Blackwell Aaron D. , Rueden Christopher von , Trumble Benjamin C. , Stieglitz Jonathan , Garcia Angela R. , Kraft Thomas S. , Kaplan Hillard , Gurven Michael
Published: June 2020

In high-income countries, relative wealth and inequality may affect health by causing psychosocial stress. We test this hypothesis in a small-scale subsistence society, the Tsimane. We associated relative household wealth (n=1003) and community-level wealth inequality (n=35, Gini=0.15 – 0.43) with a range of psychosocial and health outcomes (depressive symptoms [n=663], social conflicts [n=393], nonsocial problems [n=390], social support [n=392], cortisol [n=828], BMI [n=9378], blood pressure [n=1614]), self-rated health [n=809], morbidities [n=3140]) controlling for absolute wealth, age, sex, community size, distance to town and relevant random effects. Relative wealth and inequality were associated with self-rated health and morbidity, especially respiratory disease, the leading cause of mortality in the Tsimane. Inequality was also associated with higher blood pressure. However, psychosocial stress did not mediate these associations, suggesting other mechanisms. These findings are consistent with socio-economic hierarchies affecting some health outcomes in any society, while others might be exacerbated in high-income countries.
A scenario modeling pipeline for COVID-19 emergency planning
Authors: Lemaitre Joseph C. , Grantz Kyra H. , Kaminsky Joshua , Meredith Hannah R. , Truelove Shaun A. , Lauer Stephen A. , Keegan Lindsay T. , Shah Sam , Wills Josh , Kaminsky Kathryn , Perez-Saez Javier , Lessler Justin , Lee Elizabeth C.
Published: June 2020

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has caused strain on health systems worldwide due to its high mortality rate and the large portion of cases requiring critical care and mechanical ventilation. During these uncertain times, public health decision makers, from city health departments to federal agencies, sought the use of epidemiological models for decision support in allocating resources, developing non-pharmaceutical interventions, and characterizing the dynamics of COVID-19 in their jurisdictions. In response, we developed a flexible scenario modeling pipeline that could quickly tailor models for decision makers seeking to compare projections of epidemic trajectories and healthcare impacts from multiple intervention scenarios in different locations. Here, we present the components and configurable features of the COVID Scenario Pipeline, with a vignette detailing its current use. We also present model limitations and active areas of development to meet ever-changing decision maker needs.
Easing social distancing index after COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Chen Sam Li-Sheng , Yen Amy Ming-Fang , Lai Chao-Chih , Hsu Chen-Yang , Chen Hsiu-Hsi
Published: June 2020

Context

Easing social distancing (ESD) is a global public health issue in post-pandemic period of COVID-19 and requires a simple index for real time assessment.

Objective

We aimed to develop a simple index for ESD to quantify the impacts of social distancing for reducing confirmed infected cases, optimal triage and care of patients for recovery, and critical care capacity for reducing death from COVID-19.

Design, Setting, and Participants

Data on the retrospective cohort of 185 countries with reported numbers on confirmed cases, recovery, and death from COVID-19 were retrieved from publicity available repository. Up to May 31, a total of 5,844,136 confirmed cases, 2,639,961 recovered, and 327,487 deaths were reported globally.

Main Outcome Measures

The ESD index measured by cumulative number of COVID-19 cases and recovery and case-fatality rate.

Results

We developed a simple index for the guidance of easing social distancing (ESD). If the ESD index is less than 1, ESD would be considered. The global ESD index declined from 3.87 at peak in March to 1.35 by the end of May, consisting of 56.76% countries/regions (105/185) with the ESD lower than one.

Conclusion and Relevance

This simple ESD index provides a quantitative assessment on whether and when to ease social distancing from local to global community.
Using the LIST model to Estimate the Effects of Contact Tracing on COVID-19 Endemic Equilibria in England and its Regions
Authors: Moran Rosalyn J. , Billig Alexander J. , Cullen Maell , Razi Adeel , Daunizeau Jean , Leech Rob , Friston Karl J.
Published: June 2020

Governments across Europe are preparing for the emergence from lockdown, in phases, to prevent a resurgence in cases of COVID-19. Along with social distancing (SD) measures, contact tracing – find, track, trace and isolate (FTTI) policies are also being implemented. Here, we investigate FTTI policies in terms of their impact on the endemic equilibrium. We used a generative model – the dynamic causal ‘Location’, ‘Infection’, ‘Symptom’ and ‘Testing’ (LIST) model to identify testing, tracing, and quarantine requirements. We optimised LIST model parameters based on time series of daily reported cases and deaths of COVID-19 in England— and based upon reported cases in the nine regions of England and in all 150 upper tier local authorities. Using these optimised parameters, we forecasted infection rates and the impact of FTTI for each area—national, regional, and local. Predicting data from early June 2020, we find that under conditions of medium-term immunity, a ‘40%’ FTTI policy (or greater), could reach a distinct endemic equilibrium that produces a significantly lower death rate and a decrease in ICU occupancy. Considering regions of England in isolation, some regions could substantially reduce death rates with 20% efficacy. We characterise the accompanying endemic equilibria in terms of dynamical stability, observing bifurcation patterns whereby relatively small increases in FTTI efficacy result in stable states with reduced overall morbidity and mortality. These analyses suggest that FTTI will not only save lives, even if only partially effective, and could underwrite the stability of any endemic steady-state we manage to attain.
PROGNOSTIC VALUE OF COMORMIDITY FOR SEVERITY OF COVID-19: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW AND META-ANALYSIS STUDY
Authors: Fathi Mobina , Vakili Kimia , Sayehmiri Fatemeh , Mohamadkhani Ashraf , Hajiesmaeili Mohammadreza , Rezaei-Tavirani Mostafa , Eilami Owrang
Published: June 2020

Background & Aim

With the increase in the number of COVID-19 infections, global health is facing insufficient sources; this study aimed to provide additional data regarding the clinical characteristics of patients diagnosed with COVID-19 and in particular to analyze the factors associated with disease severity, unimprovement and mortality.

Methods

82 studies were included in the present meta-analysis that all of them have been published before May 1, 2020 and were found by searching through the databases Scopus and MEDLINE. The selected papers were studied and analyzed by employing the version 14 of stata software. It should be noted that, we employed I2statistics for testing and verifying heterogeneity.

Results

82 papers were finally chosen for this meta-analysis, including 74855 infected patients (35673 men, 31140 women). The mean age of the patients was 56.49. The results indicate the prevalence of fever 79.84 (95% CI: 75.22-84.13), cough 59.53 (95% CI: 55.35-63.65), fatigue or myalgia 33.46 (95% CI: 28.68-38.40), dyspnea 31.48 (95% CI: 25.75-37.49) and diarrhea 10.71 (95% CI: 8.20-13.49). The prevalence of the most common comorbidities were hypertension 25.10 (95% CI: 19.91-30.64), diabetes 13.48 (95% CI: 10.61-16.62), cardiovascular diseases 8.94 (95% CI: 6.99-11.10), and chronic kidney disease 3.27 (95% CI: 2.22-4.47).

Conclusion

The results of this study are seriously needed to effectively monitor the health of people with comorbidities (hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease, coronary heart disease, and chronic kidney disease) to prevent the development of COVID-19 infection.

Highlights

The most prevalent risk factors among patients with COVID-19 were hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and chronic kidney disease.

The most common symptoms among individuals who had COVID-19 infection were fever, cough, fatigue or myalgia, dyspnea, and diarrhea.

The mean age of the patients with COVID-19 infection was 56.49.

If the patient is an elderly male with underlying diseases, he is more likely to have severe disorders or even face to death.
SARS-CoV-2 Viral Load Predicts COVID-19 Mortality
Authors: Pujadas Elisabet , Chaudhry Fayzan , McBride Russell , Richter Felix , Zhao Shan , Wajnberg Ania , Nadkarni Girish , Glicksberg Benjamin , Houldsworth Jane , Cordon-Cardo Carlos
Published: June 2020

The need for reliable and widely available SARS-CoV-2 testing is well recognized, but it will be equally necessary to develop quantitative methods that determine viral load in order to guide patient triage and medical decision making. We are the first to report that SARS-CoV-2 viral load at the time of presentation is an independent predictor of COVID-19 mortality in a large patient cohort (n=1,145). Viral loads should be used to identify higher-risk patients that may require more aggressive care and should be included as a key biomarker in the development of predictive algorithms.
REALM: AO-based localization microscopy deep in complex tissue
Authors: Siemons Marijn E. , Hanemaaijer Naomi A.K. , Kole Maarten H.P. , Kapitein Lukas C.
Published: June 2020

Performing Single-Molecule Localization Microscopy (SMLM) in complex biological tissues, where sample-induced aberrations hamper detection and localization, has remained a challenge. Here we establish REALM (Robust and Effective Adaptive Optics in Localization Microscopy), which corrects aberrations of ≤1 rad RMS using 297 frames of blinking molecules to improve single-molecule localization. We demonstrate this method by resolving the periodic cytoskeleton of the axon initial segment at 50 μm depth in brain tissue.
GIWAXS-SIIRkit: scattering intensity, indexing and refraction calculation toolkit for grazing-incidence wide-angle X-ray scattering of organic materials
Authors: Savikhin Victoria , Steinrück Hans-Georg , Liang Ru-Ze , Collins Brian A. , Oosterhout Stefan D. , Beaujuge Pierre M. , Toney Michael F.
Published: June 2020

Grazing-incidence wide-angle X-ray scattering (GIWAXS) has become an increasingly popular technique for quantitative structural characterization and comparison of thin films. For this purpose, accurate intensity normalization and peak position determination are crucial. At present, few tools exist to estimate the uncertainties of these measurements. Here, a simulation package is introduced called GIWAXS-SIIRkit, where SIIR stands for scattering intensity, indexing and refraction. The package contains several tools that are freely available for download and can be executed in MATLAB. The package includes three functionalities: estimation of the relative scattering intensity and the corresponding uncertainty based on experimental setup and sample dimensions; extraction and indexing of peak positions to approximate the crystal structure of organic materials starting from calibrated GIWAXS patterns; and analysis of the effects of refraction on peak positions. Each tool is based on a graphical user interface and designed to have a short learning curve. A user guide is provided with detailed usage instruction, tips for adding functionality and customization, and exemplary files.
The next frontier: using space as management strategy - an exploratory study
Authors: Storvang Pia , Nguyen Bang
Published: June 2020

Purpose

More and more companies use physical space as a way to enhance creativity, create change and stimulate interaction. The purpose of this paper is to investigate how space affects this interrelationship and explores how space can support organizational strategy.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a qualitative approach, this study explores three cases from an educational, a cultural and an industrial setting to illustrate how space can be used to support an organization’s policy and help its strategic intentions.

Findings

The findings demonstrate how space can be used to enhance organizational strategy and demonstrate how closely the creation of space can be related to the development of that strategy. Specifically, the study finds that the “’space-organizational strategy’ link has three uses: “Space as an organizational meeting place” in the University campus, (2) “Space as a network organization” in the culture and production center and (3) “Space as a cell organization” in the private manufacturing company.

Originality/value

The study will show that the design and operationalization of spaces can influence management and organizational strategy because space influences relations between people and that organizations can use space to support their strategic intentions seems to have been overlooked in the literature.
Public servants coping with competing demands on their agency in client relationships
Authors: Tuominen Tiina , Hasu Mervi
Published: June 2020

Purpose

This paper analyzes how public servants who work with young people discursively cope with competing demands on their agency, defined as their orientation toward and capabilities to influence their clients. Previous studies revealed how public servants treat their clients when facing competing demands but paid less attention to how public servants define their agency.

Design/methodology/approach

Micro-level discourse analysis is applied to analyze how public servants represent their agency in client relationships, drawing on interviews with nine individuals in a Finnish city who work with young people lacking jobs or school placements.

Findings

Instead of describing their agency coherently, the interviewees applied several discourses to represent their agency differently in relation to different demands. This ability to navigate contradictory discourses is discussed as reflexive discursive coping strategy, which enables public servants to maintain a positive image of their agency despite tensions at work.

Research limitations/implications

Although the method does not allow direct generalizations, it reveals discursive strategies likely to be found in many contemporary public organizations.

Practical implications

The study indicates a need to better acknowledge and nurture the multifaceted nature of agency to improve service quality.

Originality/value

The findings deepen the view on tensions in public servants' work and show that diverse discourses not only create anxiety but also help individuals dealing with contradictory work.
SDG 4 in higher education: challenges and opportunities
Authors: Ferguson Therese , Roofe Carmel Geneva
Published: June 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this case study is to focus on the role of higher education in the realisation of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4, discussing both challenges and opportunities. Drawing on the example of The University of the West Indies (UWI) School of Education (SOE) (Mona Campus in Jamaica), this paper illustrates how higher education can move SDG 4 forward in a realistic and significant way.

Design/methodology/approach

Drawing on the literature and case study experiences implementing education for sustainable development-related activities within a SOE, opportunities and challenges regarding SDG 4 and higher education institutions (HEIs) are identified and outlined. The SOE at the UWI campus is used as an illustrative case study to highlight the ways in which HEIs can drive SDG 4 through teaching, programme and course development, research and outreach activities.

Findings

Based on the literature examined, along with the case study, the paper argues that HEIs must help to shape and lead the SDG 4 agenda by being integrally involved and no longer watching from the side lines. A framework to aid HEIs in achieving outcomes associated with SDG 4 is then proffered. The intent is that this will not only help shape discourse but also shape actions, as the demand for higher education increases across the globe.

Originality/value

This paper uses a Caribbean regional HEI as the basis for the framework proposed to aid HEIs in achieving SDG 4 outcomes. This brings to the fore discourse from the global south, as space that is often missing from the discussion.
Implementation of evidence-based practices for early childhood social learning: a viewpoint on the role of teacher attitudes
Authors: Kallitsoglou Angeliki
Published: June 2020

Purpose

Despite their documented benefits, evidence-based practices (EBPs) for early childhood social learning are not systematically implemented. Teachers are key players in the implementation process of intervention programs and instructional practices. This is a viewpoint about teachers’ attitudes towards EBPs and their role in the successful implementation of EBPs for early childhood social learning.

Design/methodology/approach

The viewpoint draws on theoretical models of intervention implementation and innovation adoption to explore the importance of individual factors for EBPs implementation and to inform the understanding of the relationship between teachers’ attitudes and EBPs implementation in the context of early childhood social learning. Additionally, it is informed by the literature on research-informed teaching to identify novel opportunities of cultivating positive views towards EBPs for early childhood social learning.

Findings

According to implementation science, in addition to macro-level social and organisation factors, micro-level individual factors that pertain to professionals’ attitudes towards EBPs are related to successful adoption and implementation of EBPs in organisations. Hence, it is important that the investigation of the adoption and implementation of EBPs for early childhood social learning considers the role of teachers’ attitudes towards EBPs. A conceptual model is proposed to explain that research-informed teaching could contribute to fostering positive attitudes towards EBPs for early childhood social learning by raising awareness of the value and potential of research to transform pedagogy.

Originality/value

This viewpoint draws on EBPs implementation science to identify important factors of EBPs adoption and implementation for early childhood social learning that have not been considered extensively and offers a conceptual framework to help understand how research-informed teaching could be an innovative avenue of promoting EBPs implementation in education.
Information sharing and the bane of information leakage: a multigroup analysis of contract versus noncontract
Authors: Wong Wai-Peng , Tan Kim Hua , Chuah Stephanie Hui-Wen , Tseng Ming-Lang , Wong Kuan Yew , Ahmad Shamraiz
Published: June 2020

Purpose

This study investigates information quality, information security technology and information sharing with moderation by information security culture and information leakage and how they all play out to influence supply chain performance for contract suppliers (Contract), noncontract suppliers (Noncontract) and pooled suppliers (Contract and Noncontract combined).

Design/methodology/approach

Multigroup analysis was deployed to compare the impact on Contract and Noncontract.

Findings

The finding on pooled suppliers confirmed the hypothesis that, in the multigroup analysis, information security culture negatively impacted the information quality–information sharing relationship of Contract.

Practical implications

The practical learning point is that Noncontract could still share information and perform and in some instances better than Contract. Noncontract suppliers are still workable.

Originality/value

Information security culture motivated Noncontract to share and perform better than Contract. This result presents a dilemma.
Conceptual-historical analytical research model: a means for applying history to contemporary marketing problems
Authors: McMullan Anthony , Dann Stephen
Published: June 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to present a new model of marketing analysis that is capable of using the embedded knowledge that sits untapped in the history of marketing thought to solve contemporary marketing problems – the conceptual-historical analytical research model (CHARM).

Design/methodology/approach

This paper outlines the evolution of historical analysis methods (HAM), along with critiques and enhancements of the prior processes offered by Savitt (1980), Nevett (1991) and Golder (2000). From these foundations, the paper outlines the components of the model of historical analysis, detailing the development of the analytical template design. It also details the four-step process of engaging structured revisits of past knowledge for contemporary problem-solving.

Findings

The CHARM for problem-solving in marketing is a knowledge-gathering system that informs marketing decisions addressing contemporary problems. This is achieved through the use of embedded knowledge from a corpus of historical texts.

Research limitations/implications

This paper provides a method for future researchers to apply for replicable examination of historical texts and to assist intercoder reliability for multi-author history projects through the application of structured templates.

Practical implications

The CHARM for problem-solving in marketing is a knowledge-gathering system that informs marketing decisions addressing contemporary problems. This is achieved through the use of embedded knowledge from a corpus of historical texts.

Originality/value

The CHARM process applies a systematic protocol for engaging qualitative sources for historical analysis through preset data collection templates, structured analysis frameworks and definitional understanding templates for improved replicability. This paper presents a new model of approaching historical analysis through a problem-solving lens, whereby historical sources become the foundations for the solution to a problem, rather than just the literature review that identifies the presence of gap.
Designing of an agility control system: a case of an Indian manufacturing organization
Authors: Singh Patel Bharat , Samuel Cherian , Sutar Goutam
Published: June 2020

Purpose

Agility is the ability of an organization to adjust its supply chain tactics and operations to respond quickly against altering business environments such as fluctuating demand pattern, supply chain disruption and global competition. An agile organization must possess a promising capability of swiftly responding to dynamic conditions while being cost-effective without compromising the efficiency. Such high-performance adaptability necessitates the role of supply chain managers to maximize the agility of the supply chain through the efficient use of input resources. Therefore, the purpose of this study to reveal a new decision support tool that would allow the key decision-makers to maximize the agility of the supply chain while deploying the input resources more effectively.

Design/methodology/approach

In present study, an integrated approach of popular analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and goal programming (GP) has been adopted as a potential solution methodology. AHP has been implemented to allocate the local and global weights to decision variables, whereas GP incorporates the AHP weights into the desired model.

Findings

It was found that the proposed decision support tool restricts the value of the decision variables for maximizing the agility and optimizing the usage of input resources. The results obtained from the model validate the objective of achieving targeted agility level within the available resource limitations.

Research limitations/implications

The decision support tool developed in the proposed study offers a systematic and effectively simple approach to supply chain managers with a goal of identifying the degree of focus under each decision variable in the respective manufacturing organizations.

Originality/value

A novel decision support tool has been developed known as an agility control system), which helps the decision-maker to achieve the required agility in the supply chain by controlling the decision variables.
Social support for academic entrepreneurship: definition and conceptual framework
Authors: Gubbins Marie , Harrington Denis , Hines Peter
Published: June 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to draw on literature underpinning social support to explore individual level considerations when designing social support systems for academic entrepreneurs.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper draws from literature in the fields of entrepreneurship, organisational support, stress and coping, and conservation of resources theory to conceptualise social support in an academic entrepreneurship setting.

Findings

Provides an expanded definition and a framework of social support. The definition signals the complex nature of delivering social support by considering mechanisms through which the concept is operationalised. These include the content of social support, relationships it occurs within, mode of delivery of support and finally outcomes of such support. A social support influencer pentagram is presented of elements that, together, or separately may affect how individuals seek, receive or perceive support in the academic entrepreneurship context. The framework may also have implications for organisations in other contexts.

Research limitations/implications

Future research should explore the content, delivery mode and timing of support sought and/or received and perceived as helpful and the types of relationships within which these might occur. The impact of this on academic entrepreneurship and variation of these inputs and outputs with respect to the types of actors involved should be considered. It underscores the need, in empirical research, for in-depth understanding of the context of each incident of support regardless of organisational context.

Practical implications

This paper illustrates the challenges of designing a supportive culture and the conceptual contribution forewarns policy makers of the need to design multi-faceted, flexible and adaptive social support systems.

Originality/value

This paper seeks to establish the value and complex nature of social support as a medium to encourage academic entrepreneurship by providing a broader definition of social support and a framework of elements that may affect whether individuals seek, receive or perceive support within the academic entrepreneurship setting. To our knowledge, it is one of the first papers in an academic entrepreneurship setting which recognises the dual separate paths [based on stress and coping theory (Lazarus and Folkman, 1984) and conservation of resources theory (Hobfoll, 1989)] from the perception of support and the objective support itself to entrepreneurial outcomes. The proposed framework also seeks to contribute to a greater understanding of the ways in which social systems might influence the success of an individual academic’s entrepreneurial endeavours and those of others with whom they interact. It also contributes to the wider social support literature by providing a better understanding of how individuals might break resource loss spirals (Hobfoll et al., 2018).
Exploring role of Indian workplace spirituality in stress management: a study of oil and gas industry
Authors: Saxena Anubhuti , Garg Naval , Punia B.K. , Prasad Asha
Published: June 2020

Purpose

The primary objective of the present study is to explore the relationship between workplace spirituality and work stress among offshore and onshore employees of the Indian oil and gas industry. The present study also tends to study the difference in the stress level of offshore and onshore employees of the Oil and Gas Industry.

Design/methodology/approach

The size of the sample for the present study was 202 respondents. It includes 128 onshore employees and 74 offshore employees of oil and gas companies. Respondents were mainly managers and supervisors working in various departments of Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC), Cairn India, Reliance India Ltd (RIL), Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd (BPCL) and Indian Oil and Gas Ltd (IOCL). Since the different level of stress is experienced by employees at different stages of the organizational structure, thus study selected population comprising of managers and supervisors since they are believed to face similar work stressors. A variety of statistical tools like mean, t-test, correlation and multi-regression is used for the analysis of collected data.

Findings

Results show that all six dimensions of workplace spirituality are significantly negatively correlated with stress for onshore employees. However, the sense of community and gratitude are found insignificantly associated with stress for offshore employees. Stressful offshore conditions and excessive specialization might not allow offshore employees to cherish the community at the workplace and also the virtue of gratefulness. The offshore employees might have a certain level of gratitude and community system, but it is not sufficient for the employees to perceive a lower level of work relates to stress. The result gives the impression that the normal working conditions (onshore workplace) provide adequate opportunity to workplace spirituality to transcend its impact on work stress.

Originality/value

This is one of the pioneer studies that examined the role of workplace spirituality and stress in stress management of offshore and onshore employees of Indian Oil and gas companies.
Stock market development and economic growth in Tanzania: an ARDL and bound testing approach
Authors: Kapaya Saganga Mussa
Published: June 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to contribute to empirical evidence by recognizing the importance of stock markets in the financial system and consequently its causality to economic growth and vice versa.

Design/methodology/approach

The study used the autoregressive distribute lag model (ARDL) with bound testing procedures, the sample covered quarterly time-series data from 2001q1 to 2019q2 in Tanzania.

Findings

The results suggest that stock market development have both negative and positive causality for both short-run dynamics and long-run relationship with economic growth. Economic growth is found to only cause and relate negatively to liquidity both in the short-run and in the long-run. The results show predominantly a unidirectional causality flow from stock market development to economic growth and finds partial causality flow from economic growth to stock market development, as represented by stock market turnover which proxied liquidity.

Originality/value

The use of quarterly data to reflect more realistically the dynamics of the variables because yearly data may sometimes cover-up specific dynamics that may be useful for prediction and policy planning. The study uses indices to capture general aspects within the stock market against economic growth as an intuitive way to aggregate the stock market development effects.
The Politics of Rule of Law Reform: From Delegation to Autonomy
Authors: Desai Deval
Published: June 2020

How can we understand the delegation of power and authority – for example, from a polity to an administrator ‐ in a world of fragmented governance? In this paper, I introduce the practices of contemporary ‘rule of law’ and ‘governance’ reform, which reframe this question in politically powerful ways. These practices are increasingly important in development contexts, and beyond. Practitioners begin with the assumption that some sort of administration occurs in the development contexts in which they work. They then focus on how to convene a political community in which to embed – and potentially legitimate ‐ that administration. They thereby reconfigure the question of delegation into one of autonomy – or managing the extent to and ways in which the administrative legal system self‐produces. In doing so, I argue that contemporary rule of law practitioners wield constitutional power under the rubric of workaday administrative reform. At the same time, they efface their political accountability.
Arcobacter butzleri: Up‐to‐date taxonomy, ecology, and pathogenicity of an emerging pathogen
Authors: Chieffi Daniele , Fanelli Francesca , Fusco Vincenzina
Published: June 2020

Arcobacter butzleri, recently emended to the Aliarcobacter butzleri comb. nov., is an emerging pathogen causing enteritis, severe diarrhea, septicaemia, and bacteraemia in humans and enteritis, stillbirth, and abortion in animals. Since its recognition as emerging pathogen on 2002, advancements have been made in elucidating its pathogenicity and epidemiology, also thanks to advent of genomics, which, moreover, contributed in emending its taxonomy. In this review, we provide an overview of the up‐to‐date taxonomy, ecology, and pathogenicity of this emerging pathogen. Moreover, the implication of A. butzleri in the safety of foods is pinpointed, and culture‐dependent and independent detection, identification, and typing methods as well as strategies to control and prevent the survival and growth of this pathogen are provided.
Robustness of linear mixed‐effects models to violations of distributional assumptions
Authors: Schielzeth Holger , Dingemanse Niels J. , Nakagawa Shinichi , Westneat David F. , Allegue Hassen , Teplitsky Céline , Réale Denis , Dochtermann Ned A. , Garamszegi László Zsolt , Araya‐Ajoy Yimen G.
Published: June 2020

Linear mixed‐effects models are powerful tools for analysing complex datasets with repeated or clustered observations, a common data structure in ecology and evolution. Mixed‐effects models involve complex fitting procedures and make several assumptions, in particular about the distribution of residual and random effects. Violations of these assumptions are common in real datasets, yet it is not always clear how much these violations matter to accurate and unbiased estimation.

Here we address the consequences of violations in distributional assumptions and the impact of missing random effect components on model estimates. In particular, we evaluate the effects of skewed, bimodal and heteroscedastic random effect and residual variances, of missing random effect terms and of correlated fixed effect predictors. We focus on bias and prediction error on estimates of fixed and random effects.

Model estimates were usually robust to violations of assumptions, with the exception of slight upward biases in estimates of random effect variance if the generating distribution was bimodal but was modelled by Gaussian error distributions. Further, estimates for (random effect) components that violated distributional assumptions became less precise but remained unbiased. However, this particular problem did not affect other parameters of the model. The same pattern was found for strongly correlated fixed effects, which led to imprecise, but unbiased estimates, with uncertainty estimates reflecting imprecision.

Unmodelled sources of random effect variance had predictable effects on variance component estimates. The pattern is best viewed as a cascade of hierarchical grouping factors. Variances trickle down the hierarchy such that missing higher‐level random effect variances pool at lower levels and missing lower‐level and crossed random effect variances manifest as residual variance.

Overall, our results show remarkable robustness of mixed‐effects models that should allow researchers to use mixed‐effects models even if the distributional assumptions are objectively violated. However, this does not free researchers from careful evaluation of the model. Estimates that are based on data that show clear violations of key assumptions should be treated with caution because individual datasets might give highly imprecise estimates, even if they will be unbiased on average across datasets.
Ketamine for rapid sequence intubation in adult trauma patients: A retrospective observational study
Authors: Baekgaard Josefine S. , Eskesen Trine G. , Moo Lee Jae , Ikast Ottosen Camilla , Bennett Gyldenkærne Katrine , Garoussian Jasmin , Ejlersgaard Christensen Rasmus , Sillesen Martin , King David R. , Velmahos George C. , Rasmussen Lars S. , Steinmetz Jacob
Published: June 2020

Background

In the trauma population, ketamine is commonly used during rapid sequence induction. However, as ketamine has been associated with important side effects, this study sought to compare in‐hospital mortality in trauma patients after induction with ketamine versus other induction agents.

Methods

We retrospectively identified adult trauma patients intubated in the pre‐hospital phase or initially in the trauma bay at two urban level‐1 trauma centers during a 2‐year period using local trauma registries and medical records. In‐hospital mortality was compared for patients intubated with ketamine versus other agents using logistic regression with adjustment for age, gender, Injury Severity Score (ISS), systolic blood pressure (SBP) < 90 mm Hg, and pre‐hospital Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score.

Results

A total of 343 trauma patients were included with a median ISS of 25 [17‐34]. The most frequently used induction agents were ketamine (36%) and propofol (36%) followed by etomidate (9%) and midazolam (5%). There was no difference in ISS or the presence of SBP <90 mm Hg according to the agent of choice, but the pre‐hospital GCS score was higher for patients intubated with ketamine (median 8 vs 5, P = .001). The mortality for patients intubated with ketamine was 18% vs 27% for patients intubated with other agents (P = .14). This remained statistically insignificant in the multivariable logistic regression analysis (odds ratio 0.68 [0.33‐1.41], P = .30).

Conclusions

We found no statistically significant difference in mortality among patients intubated in the initial phase post‐trauma with the use of ketamine compared with other agents (propofol, etomidate, or midazolam).
Editorial: risk assessment for chronic hepatitis B patients in the immune tolerant phase—both definition and selection matter
Authors: Hsu Yao‐Chun , Huang Yen‐Tsung
Published: June 2020

LINKED CONTENT

This article is linked to Lee et al paper. To view this article, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.15741.
From bargaining to alliance with patriarchy: The role of Taiwanese husbands in marriage migrants' civic organisations in Taiwan
Authors: Momesso Lara
Published: June 2020

This paper, by looking at the role of Taiwanese citizens in civic organisations for marriage migrants, explores how women's agency and negotiation occur not only against masculine dominance within patriarchal family arrangements, but also in alliance with it, when oppression is located somewhere beyond the family. In contrast to literature that depicts marriage migration as a women's and migrants' issue, this paper explores the role of Taiwanese citizens (often husbands in cross‐border marriages) in shaping the evolution of the phenomenon in both the private and public spheres. The aim of this paper is to fill a gap in empirical literature on marriage migration in Taiwan and East Asia, as well as contribute to feminist debates on women's agency in the context of masculine dominance. Building on ethnographic data collected through fieldwork in Taiwan, including in‐depth interviews and participant observation within civil society organisations for marriage migrants, this paper reveals how Taiwanese male citizens and Chinese female migrants responded to the challenges brought by their decision to engage in cross‐border unions by creating a new narrative that could explain their condition of shared oppression and by developing joint actions to address the structural discrimination they faced as cross‐border couples in Taiwan.
Clinical implementation of pharmacogenetics and model‐informed precision dosing to improve patient care
Authors: Mizuno Tomoyuki , Dong Min , Taylor Zachary L. , Ramsey Laura B. , Vinks Alexander A.
Published: June 2020

Providing maximal therapeutic efficacy without toxicity is a universal goal of rational drug therapy. However, substantial between‐patient variability in drug response often impedes such successful treatments and brings the necessity of tailoring drug dose to individual needs for more precise therapy. In many cases plenty of patient characteristics, such as body size, genetic makeup and environmental factors, need to be taken into consideration to find the optimal dose in clinical practice. A pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics (PK/PD) model‐informed approach offers integration of various patient information to provide an expectation of drug response and derive practical dose estimates to support clinicians' dosing decisions. Such an approach was pioneered in the late 1970s, but its broad clinical acceptance and implementation have been hampered by the lack of widespread computer technology, including user‐friendly software tools. This has significantly changed in recent years. With the advent of electronic health records (EHRs) and the ubiquity of user‐friendly software tools, we now experience a convergence of clinical information, pharmacogenetics, systems pharmacology and pharmacometrics, and technology. Advanced pharmacometrics research is now more appliable and implementable to improve health care. This article presents examples of successful development and implementation of pharmacogenetics‐guided and PK/PD model‐informed decision support to facilitate precision dosing, including the development of an EHR‐embedded decision support tool. Through the integration of clinical decision support tools in EHRs, clinical pharmacometrics support can be brought directly to the clinical team and the bedside.
An experimental study on the effects of gamified cooperation and competition on English vocabulary learning
Authors: Dindar Muhterem , Ren Lei , Järvenoja Hanna
Published: June 2020

Gamification has become a popular approach to blending learning with fun and enjoyable experiences. However, gamification research has been criticized for mostly focusing on game mechanics and related outcomes while paying little attention to the psychological processes that mediate the relationship between these mechanics and outcomes. Furthermore, the majority of existing gamification studies have focused on competitive game features. Thus, the full potential of cooperative gamification has yet to be explored. Given this background, the current study compared how gamified cooperation and competition impact task effort, learning achievement, motivation and social relatedness in English vocabulary learning with a mobile application. The study utilized Social Interdependence Theory to explicate the psychological processes in gamified cooperation and competition. 75 participants were randomly assigned to either the gamified cooperation or the gamified competition condition and studied English vocabulary for 14 days. No difference was observed between the conditions regarding task effort, learning achievement and motivation. However, social relatedness in the gamified cooperation group was significantly higher than in the gamified competition group. The current findings emphasize that the positive influence of gamified cooperation on creating meaningful connections amongst learners should not be ignored, even though it facilitates similar learning and motivational outcomes as gamified competition.