bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An analysis of China’s strategy in combating the coronavirus pandemic with the 3H framework
Authors: Yu Eddie
Published: April 2021

Purpose

This paper attempts to theorise about China’s strategy in combating the coronavirus pandemic with an embryonic framework - 3H (Heart-Head-Hand) framework. By adopting a descriptive approach, the paper introduces the case of coronavirus outbreak in China and how the public health administration coped with it. The 3H framework has been applied to analyse China’s strategy, and the framework’s assumptions are initially tested.

Design/methodology/approach

The pandemic case is created based on credible reports, press releases from different respected sources, World Health Organization (WHO) statistics, interview transcripts and broadcasting stations’ video clippings. Interpretive analysis with pragmatism approach has been conducted in analysing the data and information collected. Triangulation, wherever possible, has been done to validate the data and information.

Findings

As an exploratory study, its findings show that 3H framework distinguishes the effectiveness of a country’s strategy and practice for combating the pandemic. Countries, which failed to observe the assumed principles of 3H domains tend to have much more infected cases and deaths.

Originality/value

The 3H framework conceptualised a holistic management approach and its assumptions have been initially tested with this pandemic case. The framework shows its predictability value for a country’s pandemic management effectiveness.
Learning in multi-team systems: a qualitative study of learning triggers, readiness to learn and learning processes
Authors: Sessa Valerie I. , Francavilla Jessica L. , London Manuel , Wanamaker Marlee
Published: April 2021

Purpose

Multi-team systems (MTSs) are expected to respond effectively to complex challenges while remaining responsive and adaptable and preserving inter-team linking mechanisms. The leadership team of an MTS is expected to configure and reconfigure component teams to meet the unique needs of each situation and perform. How do they learn to do this? This paper, using a recent MTS learning theory as a basis, aims to begin to understand how MTSs learn and stimulate ideas for future research.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors use two case studies to address research questions. The first case was a snapshot in time, while the second case occurred over several months. Interviews, documents and participant observation were the data sources.

Findings

As suggested by theory, findings support the idea that learning triggers, the timing of the triggers and readiness to learn (RtL) affect the type of learning process that emerges. The cases showed examples of adaptive and generative team learning. Strong and clear triggers, occurring during performance episodes, led to adaptive learning. When RtL was high and triggers occurred during hiatus periods, the associated learning process was generative.

Originality/value

Using an available theoretical model and case studies, the research describes how MTS readiness to learn and triggers for learning affect MTS learning processes and how learning outcomes became codified in the knowledge base or structure of the MTS. This provides a framework for subsequent qualitative and quantitative research.
The study of diffusion characteristics of soil bentonite to control contaminant transport
Authors: Mahallei Hamed , Badv Kazem
Published: April 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to assess sand-bentonite liners (SBL) which could be used as hydraulic barriers with a controllable quality, relatively low cost and easy operation in solid waste landfills.

Design/methodology/approach

These barriers have been used successfully in various applications and have attracted much attention in a short period of time. The only precautionary use of SBLs is related to the change of their hydraulic properties in high alkaline chemical environments. The main reason for this phenomenon is the presence of high ion exchange minerals in bentonite. By exposure to these environments, it is also laid open to degradation of the montmorillonite microstructure leads to change in hydraulic behavior. Three different compounds were used for laboratory-scale SBL, and diffusion was considered as the dominant mechanism of contamination transmission in these liners. Chlorine ion has been used as pollutant, and its diffusion coefficient was determined in the tested SBLs.

Findings

The sample’s diffusion coefficient for the first experiment containing 3% bentonite and 97% Semnan sand were 2.5 × 10^(−9) (m^2/s) and 2.44 × 10 ^(−9) (m^2/s), respectively. Similarly, for two samples with 6% bentonite and 94% Semnan sand, this parameter was equal to 2.17 × 10 ^(−9) (m^2/s) and 2.22 × 10 ^(−9) (m^2/s) and for two samples with 3% agglacial clay, 12% bentonite and 85% Semnan sand was 5.55 × 10 ^(−10) (m^2/s) and 6.11 × 10 ^(−10) (m^2/s). These values correspond to the range reported in previous studies. Also, it was observed that with comparing the diffusion coefficients of test, it was concluded that with increasing bentonite, the molecular diffusion decreases significantly.

Originality/value

In this study, three laboratory samples with different percentages of bentonite, clay and sand were considered and the results obtained from the laboratory were compared with the results obtained from numerical modeling.
The short‐term economywide impacts of COVID‐19 in Africa: Insights from Ethiopia
Authors: Aragie Emerta , Taffesse Alemayehu Seyoum , Thurlow James
Published: April 2021

The COVID‐19 impact on the global economy combined with partial lockdown measures in Ethiopia represents a large, unprecedented shock to the country's economy. The social accounting matrix (SAM) multiplier model, built on the most up‐to‐date SAM (2017) for Ethiopia, shows that the country suffered a 14.3% loss in GDP (Birr 43.5 billion or US$1.9 billion) during the lockdown period compared to the no‐COVID case during the same period. Nearly two‐thirds of the losses come from the services sector. Although no direct restrictions were imposed on the agriculture sector, which is the primary means of livelihood for most, the sector faces a 4.7% loss in output due to its linkages with the rest of the economy. We find dissimilar income and poverty effects across households by income quintile and level of urbanization. The study also considers two recovery scenarios and generates relevant insights on the potential impacts of COVID‐19 by the end of 2020. The earmarked relief and recovery plan resources can only help the economy to recover if targeted in an efficient way towards sectors most affected by COVID‐19, and further resources are mobilized to support strategic sectors—those with the highest economywide multiplier effects—and vulnerable communities.
Role of controlling shareholders on the performance of efficient African banks
Authors: Ladime Jonas , Brahmana Rayenda Khresna
Published: April 2021

This study aims to investigate the moderating role of controlling shareholders on the relationship between bank efficiency and bank performance by considering a sample of 298 African banks for the 2006–2015 period. We use panel corrected standard error of Beck and Katz with robust standard error and country effect clustered. Our findings reveal three important findings. First, efficiency has a positive relationship with performance. Second, family‐owned and foreign‐owned banks have outperformed their peers. Third, there is a moderating effect of controlling shareholders on the bank efficiency–performance nexus; however, the moderating effect is small. Our findings support the alignment hypothesis of agency theory. Practitioners should consider controlling shareholders in examining the performance of efficient banks.
Contested Subjects of Human Rights: Trans‐ and Gender‐variant Subjects of International Human Rights Law
Authors: Duffy Sandra
Published: April 2021

Gendered identities and gender variance have become a regular subject of the discourse of the United Nations human rights protection mechanisms. This article explores the manner in which gender identities are discussed, constructed, and regulated by the international human rights law system. Through use of postcolonial and feminist theoretical lenses, it argues that the emergence of multiple gendered identities into the legal mainstream has required the United Nations human rights bodies to expand their concepts of gender and to develop a new vocabulary and jurisprudence of gender variance. The article examines the language used in the construction of gendered subjects and its relationship to dynamics of state and postcolonial power. It also introduces the concept of the ‘cisgender matrix’ to international human rights law, expressing the hierarchical social privilege given to binary, stable gendered identities over gender‐variant ones.
How Stakeholders React to Issues with Risk Implications: Extending a Relational Perspective of Issues Management
Authors: Zhan Mengqi Monica , Zhao Xinyan
Published: April 2021

Extending the relational perspective of strategic issues management, this study investigates the relational outcomes of potential risks associated with organizational issues and explores the moderators of the risk perception and relational outcomes relationships. The results from a between‐subjects factorial experiment (N = 297) revealed that stakeholders' perceived risks led to negative word‐of‐mouth (NWOM) intentions. Furthermore, fear and anger amplified the relationship between perceived risks and NWOM intentions, whereas efficacy‐enhancing communication alleviated the negative relationship between perceived risks and organization–public relationships. Crisis and issue managers are recommended to mitigate stakeholders' negative emotions and use efficacy‐enhancing communication to help stakeholders interpret the risks.
The Meishan pig genome reveals structural variation‐mediated gene expression and phenotypic divergence underlying Asian pig domestication
Authors: Zhou Rong , Li Shang‐Tong , Yao Wen‐Ye , Xie Chun‐Di , Chen Zhiqiang , Zeng Zhi‐Jie , Wang Di , Xu Kui , Shen Zhao‐Ji , Mu Yulian , Bao Wenbin , Jiang Wenkai , Li Ruiqiang , Liang Qiqi , Li Kui
Published: April 2021

There are wide genomic and phenotypic differences between Asian and European pig breeds, yet the current reference genome is the European Duroc pig genome. A high‐quality pig genome is lacking for genetic analysis of agricultural traits in Asian pigs. Here, using a hybrid approach, a high‐quality reference genome (MSCAAS v1) for the Asian Meishan breed is assembled with a contig N50 size of 48.05 Mb. MSCAAS v1 outperforms the Duroc genome as a reference genome for Asian breeds. Genomic comparison reveals 49,103 structural variations (SVs) between Meishan and Duroc, 4.02% of which are Asian‐specific SVs (AP‐SVs). Notably, a 30‐Mb hotspot for AP‐SVs on chromosome X enriched for genes associated with Asian‐pig‐specific phenotypes is present in Asian domestic pig breeds, but absent in Asian wild boars, suggesting that Asian domestic breeds share a common ancestor. Interbreed transcriptomics reveals transcriptional suppression roles of AP‐SVs in multiple tissues. Finally, transcriptional regulation in the intron of IGF2R is reported, as genomic SV (274‐bp deletion) in Tibetan pig limits its growth compared to domestic pig breeds. In summary, this study provides insights regarding the genetic changes underlying pig domestication and presents a benchmark‐setting resource for the utilization of agricultural valuable loci in Asian pigs.
Neurometabolic alterations in the nucleus accumbens of smokers assessed with 1H magnetic resonance spectroscopy: The role of glutamate and neuroinflammation
Authors: Steinegger Colette A. , Zoelch Niklaus , Hock Andreas , Henning Anke , Engeli Etna J.E. , Seifritz Erich , Hulka Lea M. , Herdener Marcus
Published: April 2021

Tobacco use is one of the leading causes of premature death and morbidity worldwide. For smokers trying to quit, relapse rates are high, even after prolonged periods of abstinence. Recent findings in animal models highlight the role of alterations in glutamatergic projections from the prefrontal cortex onto the nucleus accumbens (NAc) in relapse vulnerability. Moreover, inflammatory responses in the NAc have been reported during withdrawal.

A novel proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H‐MRS) protocol was applied in humans to measure molar concentrations for glutamate, its sum with glutamine (Glx), and myoinositol plus glycine (mI + Gly) in the NAc (19 smokers, 20 matched controls). Smokers were measured at baseline and during withdrawal and satiation.

No difference between groups or smoking states was found for glutamate or Glx, but, in smokers, stronger craving and more severe nicotine dependence were associated with lower baseline glutamate and Glx levels, respectively. Interestingly, mI + Gly concentrations were higher during withdrawal than baseline and correlated negatively with nicotine dependence severity and pack years of smoking.

The lack of glutamatergic changes between groups and smoking states may imply that glutamate homeostasis is not significantly altered in smokers or that changes are too small for detection by 1H‐MRS. Moreover, the observed increase in mI + Gly may imply that neuroinflammatory processes occur in the NAc during nicotine withdrawal. These findings shed light on neurobiological relapse mechanisms in smokers and may provide the opportunity to develop more effective treatment options targeting the glutamate and neuroinflammation system.
Leadership and surgical training part 1: preparing to lead the way?
Authors: Barnes Tracey , Rennie Sarah C.
Published: April 2021

Every day surgeons lead teams on the wards, in clinics and operating theatres, but most trainees and some surgeons do not consider themselves as leaders. Leadership skills are increasingly important for surgeons, who need knowledge of organizational structure and policy, management strategy and team dynamics to deliver and improve health care in resource‐constrained environments. The Royal Australasian College of Surgeons recognizes leadership as one of 10 core surgical competencies but leadership curricula within surgical training programmes are not well defined. There is limited opportunity for formal leadership training and development prior to becoming a consultant.
Gamifying health literacy: how can digital technology optimize patient outcomes in surgery?
Authors: Davaris Myles T. , Bunzli Samantha , Dowsey Michelle M. , Choong Peter F.
Published: April 2021

The digital age is entrenched in our society, with constant innovation driving change in the way clinicians and patients manage their health concerns. Health literacy is emerging as an important modifiable factor that can affect clinical and patient outcomes, yet traditional forms of patient education have shown mixed results. Digital media and technologies, the concept of gamification as a means to improve patient health literacy, and its potential for misuse will be explored in this review, in the context of a digital, gamified tool that could support patients along their surgical journey.
Quality‐of‐life outcomes after operative management of primary and secondary lymphoedema: a systematic review
Authors: Tang Nicholas S. J. , Ramakrishnan Anand , Shayan Ramin
Published: April 2021

Background

Lymphoedema is an incurable and progressive disease that affects not only physical function but overall quality of life. Surgical treatment options for the management of lymphoedema are being increasingly performed. This study aims to review post‐operative health‐related quality of life (HRQOL) following surgical treatment of lymphoedema.

Methods

A systematic search of the PubMed and Medline databases was performed from the date of their inception until September 2018 to evaluate HRQOL following different surgical options for the treatment of lymphoedema.

Results

One hundred and thirteen articles were identified. Twenty‐one articles were included in the final review, comprising a total of 736 patients. HRQOL improvements appear to be sustained for at least 6–12 months post‐operatively. In particular, major benefits were noted in the domains based around physical functioning. Patient satisfaction similarly mirrors HRQOL improvements, following an initial dip in the immediate post‐operative period.

Conclusion

All surgical treatment modalities for the management of lymphoedema confer significant HRQOL improvements across a diverse range of health domains, with this critical outcome of surgery an important pre‐operative consideration. Recommendations for ongoing research are suggested.
Microvascular reconstruction of head and neck defects in the elderly
Authors: Every James , Subramaniam Narayana , Dawson Rebecca , Ch'ng Sydney , Low Tsu‐Hui (Hubert) , Palme Carsten E. , Clark Jonathan , Wykes James
Published: April 2021

Background

Microvascular free‐flap reconstruction of the head and neck is a common technique utilized across many ages. The purpose of this study was to identify if advanced age or comorbidity was associated with worse post‐operative outcomes in patients undergoing free‐flap reconstruction.

Methods

A retrospective analysis was performed on 344 consecutive patients undergoing free‐flap surgery of the head and neck. Demographic, clinical and pathological factors were considered along with Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) scores and American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) status. Logistic regression analysis was used to investigate the association of age, CCI or ASA with post‐operative complications.

Results

Elderly patients (≥75 years) had a higher overall complication rate (odds ratio (OR) 1.7, P = 0.04) that was restricted to medical complications (OR 2.1, P = 0.05) and not surgical complications (OR 1.4, P = 0.14). Reconstructions of defects from cutaneous malignancy predominated in the elderly cohort (48% versus 29%, P < 0.01), but there was no difference in complication rate when cutaneous or mucosal subgroups were separated by age. ASA IV status was weakly associated with surgical complications (OR 3.89, P = 0.053), but CCI and elderly age were not associated with any outcome. Median length of stay was similar between age groups.

Conclusion

Free‐flap reconstruction in older patients was associated with increased medical complications, and surgical complications were weakly associated with ASA status. Advanced age or comorbidity should not preclude microvascular reconstruction, but comorbid status should be optimized pre‐operatively and factors predisposing to medical complications minimized where possible.
Ileal pouch–anal anastomosis in the elderly: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Pedersen Karina E. , Jia Xue , Holubar Stefan D. , Steele Scott R. , Lightner Amy L.
Published: April 2021

Aim

Despite good overall outcomes in most patients undergoing ileal pouch–anal anastomosis (IPAA), there is still hesitation about performing an IPAA in older patients due to the comorbidity burden and concern about incontinence. The aim of this work was to identify short‐ and long‐term outcomes in older patinets undergoing IPAA to determine the perioperative safety and long‐term functional success of IPAA in older patients.

Method

A literature search was performed for all publications on IPAA in adults aged ≥50 years that reported short‐ and long‐term outcomes. Data extraction included demographics, 30‐day outcomes, long‐term functional outcomes and pouch failure. Data were further separated by age group (50–65 and ≥65 years). Outcomes were compared between age groups. Study quality and risk of bias was assessed using the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale.

Results

Of 1053 publications reviewed, 13 full papers were included in the analysis. The overall 30‐day morbidity and mortality rates were 47.3% and 1.3%, respectively. Thirty‐day postoperative rates of small bowel obstruction and pelvic sepsis were 7.6% and 9.9%, respectively. After a median follow‐up time of 62 months, rates of pouchitis, incontinence and pouch failure were 13.9%, 17.5% and 7.5%, respectively. There was no statically significant difference in rates of short‐ or long‐term functional outcomes based on age 50–65 versus ≥65 years.

Conclusion

Increasing age did not increase the rate of short‐ or long‐term outcomes, including pouch failure. These data suggest that the decision for IPAA construction should not be based on age alone.
How is the education component of pulmonary rehabilitation delivered in practice––Is it patient‐centred?
Authors: Roberts Nicola J. , Kidd Lisa , Kirkwood Kim , Cross Jane , Partridge Martyn R.
Published: April 2021

Objectives

Pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) involves a significant component of education, but little has been published on what educational content is covered or how it is delivered. This survey study set out to investigate how PR education is delivered in practice.

Methods

A survey was designed to investigate the current educational delivery and which topics respondents reported should be included in a PR programme. The survey was sent to 11 Scottish PR Action group regional leads.

Results

Nine completed the questionnaire (81.8%). Education was reported to be predominately group‐based and face‐to‐face (n = 9, 100%) consisting of between 6 and 12 sessions. Most educational topics lasted 15 min or less, some topic areas were not consistently covered. The educational content was variable and not personalised to individual needs. Three health areas undertook informal literacy assessment at baseline assessment and when tailoring COPD plans. Often attendance at educational sessions was not needed to ‘complete’ PR.

Conclusions

Content and delivery of educational topics were varied, and no consistent outcome measure to assess the effectiveness of education was used.

Practice implications

Education needs to be delivered in a patient‐centred way tailoring for literacy skills using a range of different teaching approaches and aids.
Leadership and Leader Development: Perspectives from Museum and Academic Library Professionals
Authors: Johnson Julie I. , Sobczak Patricia D.
Published: April 2021

This article examines museum and academic library professionals’ perceptions of leadership, leader development, and the nature of leader development opportunities available to them. We compare these perceptions based on functional positions of staff as senior, middle, or non‐managers, which facilitates a deeper understanding of the data. Analysis reveals there are significant differences in the perception of leadership and leader practices between managers (senior and middle) and non‐managers; this gap is prevalent in both museums and academic libraries. There are also significant differences with respect to what leader development activities are available to whom and who is selected for these activities. Results point to the need for more intentional, equitable, and focused efforts to develop leader capacity so that museums and libraries are better positioned to meet current and future societal challenges. Finally, we provide some suggestions for future practice and research.
Fire and functional traits: Using functional groups of birds and plants to guide management in a fire‐prone, heathy woodland ecosystem
Authors: Rainsford Frederick W. , Kelly Luke T. , Leonard Steve W. J. , Bennett Andrew F.
Published: April 2021

Aim

Many dry forests and woodlands worldwide are fire‐prone and support bird and plant communities shaped by fire. Changes in fire regimes, including the time between fires, have important implications for population trajectories. We studied the responses of bird and plant communities of heathy woodlands to time since the last fire, a key measure underpinning fire management, to evaluate whether current management strategies will enhance conservation of multiple taxa.

Location

Otway Ranges, south‐eastern Australia.

Methods

We surveyed birds and plants at 38 sites, stratified by an 80‐year post‐fire chronosequence, and modelled the responses of individual species, functional groups and community composition to fire history. Model outputs were used to evaluate the impacts of fire management as guided by (a) domains of tolerable fire intervals, a concept based on plant life history traits, and (b) the spatial arrangement of post‐fire age classes, a surrogate for animal habitats.

Results

Bird and plant communities both responded to time since fire. Notable relationships included the following: a high reporting rate of ground‐foraging birds and high cover and species richness of shrubs immediately after fire; and a gradual increase up to ~50 years and ~20 years post‐fire of birds that forage in the mid‐storey and facultative‐resprouting plants, respectively. Post‐fire age classes had distinct bird and plant assemblages. Tolerable fire intervals currently used by land managers (min 12–max 45 years between fires) encompassed the peak in richness of most plant functional groups but not the preferred habitat of lower‐mid‐storey foraging birds.

Main conclusions

Fire management based solely on birds or plants risks population declines in other biota. Use of functional groups can help guide strategic planning, such as spatial representation of post‐fire age classes across the landscape. Maintaining late‐successional vegetation will provide habitat for several groups of birds, while fire is needed at sufficient frequency to prevent loss of plants and ground‐foraging birds.
Language and socioemotional development in early childhood: The role of conversational turns
Authors: Gómez Esteban , Strasser Katherine
Published: April 2021

This study examines the role of language environment (number of conversational turns) in the development of socioemotional competencies between 18 and 30 months. The language environment of 43 infants and their social‐emotional competencies were measured at 18 months and again at 30 months. Multiple regressions showed a significant contribution of turns at 18 months on socioemotional competencies at 30 months, controlling for their initial levels, child vocalizations, maternal warmth, and social risk. Cross‐lagged analysis revealed that the direction of the longitudinal relation between turns and emotional competencies is more likely to go from turns to socioemotional development than the other way around. Implications for theory and research are discussed.
Industrialization of Developing Economies in the Global Economy with an Infectious Disease
Authors: Sato Hitoshi
Published: April 2021

Manufacturing has long been the center of industrialization strategies for poor developing countries. This article first investigates the effects of labor supply constraints on industrialization, which may have been caused by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19). Then, it examines how manufacturing automation could affect industrialized developing economies based on the premise that manufacturers may accelerate production automation in response to the COVID‐19 pandemic. The model predicts declines in developing economies' manufacturing competitiveness and a heterogeneous pattern of recovery from the COVID‐19 recession. In comparison, developing economies with large manufacturing bases would recover relatively quickly, whereas those with weaker manufacturing bases would suffer from a long‐term decline and manufacturing contraction trends (undesirable deindustrialization). Manufacturing automation can enhance economic welfare, causing a contraction in the unproductive nontradable good (service) sector. However, with low labor mobility, the welfare effect is ambiguous, thereby widening the wage gap between skilled and unskilled labor.
Diabetes technologies in people with type 1 diabetes mellitus and disordered eating: A systematic review on continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion, continuous glucose monitoring and automated insulin delivery
Authors: Priesterroth Lilli , Grammes Jennifer , Clauter Mona , Kubiak Thomas
Published: April 2021

Aims

In this systematic review, we aimed (1) to identify and describe research investigating the use of advanced diabetes technologies (continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion, CSII; continuous glucose monitoring, CGM; automated insulin delivery, AID) in people with type 1 diabetes (T1DM) and disordered eating and (2) to discuss potential (dis)advantages of diabetes technology use in this population, derived from previous research.

Methods

We conducted a systematic literature search in two electronic databases for English articles published between 2000 and 2020 addressing eating disorders and/or dysfunctional eating behaviours and diabetes technology use in children, adolescents and adults with T1DM (PROSPERO ID CRD42020160244).

Results

Of 70 publications initially identified, 17 were included. Overall, evidence on the use of diabetes technologies in people with T1DM and disordered eating is scarce. The majority of the studies reports findings on CSII in people with T1DM and dysfunctional eating behaviours or eating disorders. Findings predominantly stem from observational data and are, in most cases, secondary findings of the respective studies. Providing the greatest flexibility in diabetes management, CSII may have benefits in disordered eating. CGM data may complement the diagnostic process of disordered eating with a physiological indicator of insulin restriction (i.e. time spent in hyperglycaemia).

Conclusions

Results on possible (dis)advantages of diabetes technology use in people with T1DM and disordered eating are based on observational data, small pilot trials and anecdotical evidence from case reports. Prospective data from larger samples are needed to reliably determine potential effects of diabetes technology on disordered eating in T1DM.
Assessment of tolerance and resistance of inbred rice cultivars to combined infestations of rice water weevil and stemborers
Authors: Villegas James M. , Wilson Blake E. , Stout Michael J.
Published: April 2021

Plants possess defense‐related traits that both reduce injury from herbivores (resistance) and the amount of yield loss per unit injury (tolerance). Plant resistance and tolerance can be utilized in pest management programs. The rice water weevil, Lissorhoptrus oryzophilus Kuschel (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), is the most destructive early‐season pest of rice (Oryza sativa L., Poaceae) in the USA. Additionally, lepidopteran stemborers, particularly the invasive Mexican rice borer, Eoreuma loftini (Dyar) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae), are increasing in economic importance as pests of rice in Louisiana, USA. This study was conducted to evaluate both the resistance and tolerance of commonly grown inbred rice cultivars in Louisiana to combined infestations of rice water weevils and stemborers. Field experiments were established at the Rice Research Station in Crowley, LA, USA from 2017 to 2019. Eight commonly grown inbred cultivars were selected and pest infestation levels were manipulated using insecticidal seed treatments. The rice cultivar ‘Jupiter’ supported the highest numbers of immature rice water weevils, whereas weevil densities on other cultivars were intermediate. Low levels of stemborer injury were observed in ‘Cheniere’ and ‘Jazzman‐2’, which suggests that these cultivars express some resistance to stemborers, whereas high stemborer injury was observed in ‘Cocodrie, ‘CL151’, and ‘Mermentau’. Together, rice water weevil and stemborer infestations negatively affected rice yields, with losses up to 18%. However, differences among cultivars in overall yield losses were minimal. Comparisons of slopes of yield × weevil density relationships among cultivars revealed a greater decline, that is, yield loss per weevil, for Cheniere relative to Cocodrie. Our data suggest that plant resistance can serve as a valuable component of an integrated pest management program, particularly for stemborers.
Mobilising international student mobility: Exploring policy enactments in teacher education in Norway
Authors: Pedersen Tea Dyred
Published: April 2021

This article analyses the internationalisation of higher education through the lens of student mobility, by exploring how mobility is realised in contexts that are shaped by different needs, purposes and actors. Drawing on interview data, this article explores perceptions and practices of student mobility as understood and described by a range of actors in three teacher education programmes in Norway. Findings show that mobility is mainly understood in terms of its professional relevance for students’ future teaching practice, but that this understanding increasingly competes with both academic and bureaucratic purposes. These different understandings are, in turn, found to create tensions in enactments of mobility, notably with regard to how different types of mobility are approached, how faculty and staff engage with mobility, and how the mobility agenda is constrained by student demands for mobility. The analysis suggests that (a) both programme‐specific and more general contextual factors influence the enactments of mobility and that (b) the preconditions for internationalisation may vary across higher education contexts—a point that is rarely addressed by policymakers.
AMPK, metabolism, and vascular function
Authors: Rodríguez Claudia , Muñoz Mercedes , Contreras Cristina , Prieto Dolores
Published: April 2021

Adenosine monophosphate‐activated protein kinase (AMPK) is a cellular energy sensor activated during energy stress that plays a key role in maintaining energy homeostasis. This ubiquitous signaling pathway has been implicated in multiple functions including mitochondrial biogenesis, redox regulation, cell growth and proliferation, cell autophagy and inflammation. The protective role of AMPK in cardiovascular function and the involvement of dysfunctional AMPK in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease have been highlighted in recent years. In this review, we summarize and discuss the role of AMPK in the regulation of blood flow in response to metabolic demand and the basis of the AMPK physiological anticontractile, antioxidant, anti‐inflammatory, and antiatherogenic actions in the vascular system. Investigations by others and us have demonstrated the key role of vascular AMPK in the regulation of endothelial function, redox homeostasis, and inflammation, in addition to its protective role in the hypoxia and ischemia/reperfusion injury. The pathophysiological implications of AMPK involvement in vascular function with regard to the vascular complications of metabolic disease and the therapeutic potential of AMPK activators are also discussed.
Transcriptome and proteome analyses of the molecular mechanisms underlying changes in oil storage under drought stress in Brassica napus L.
Authors: Li Yangyang , Zhang Linxue , Hu Sheng , Zhang Jinfeng , Wang Lin , Ping Xiaoke , Wang Jia , Li Jiana , Lu Kun , Tang Zhanglin , Liu Liezhao
Published: April 2021

Rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) is the second most important oilseed crop in edible vegetable oil and bioenergy; however, drought stress generally causes a decrease in rapeseed yield and oil content, especially during the reproductive stage. In our study, we measured the oil and protein contents and gibberellic acid (GA) and abscisic acid (ABA) levels in seeds that were acquired on the 30th, 40th, and 50th days after flowering under control and drought treatments. RNA and protein libraries were constructed from the stressed seeds to perform transcriptome and proteome analyses, respectively. Our results demonstrated that the oil content decreased due to four primary mechanisms: downregulation of fatty acid biosynthesis‐associated genes and proteins; upregulation of fatty acid degradation‐associated genes and proteins; enhancement of protein storage due to changes in the abundances of relevant genes and proteins; and upregulation of Gly‐Asp‐Ser‐Leu (GDSL) gene expression, potentially as the result of upregulating the GA biosynthesis gene GA20ox3 and downregulating the GA inactivating gene GA2ox3 and thus an increase in GA content. During seed maturation, oil storage change may also relate to increasing ABA content as the upregulation of two members of NCED6 (9‐cis‐epoxycarotenoid dioxygenase) gene family involved in ABA biosynthesis, and the upregulation of genes involved in ABA signal transduction. These results will help to establish a foundation for breeding excellent varieties of rapeseed with high oil content for areas with frequent droughts to promote the supply of edible vegetable oil and biofuel.
Barriers to employment of Australian cancer survivors living with geographic or socio‐economic disadvantage: A qualitative study
Authors: Kemp Emma , Knott Vikki , Ward Paul , Freegard Suzana , Olver Ian , Fallon‐Ferguson Julia , Emery Jon , Christensen Chris , Bareham Monique , Koczwara Bogda
Published: April 2021

Background

Opportunities for cancer survivors’ employment can both reflect and perpetuate health inequities, as employment is an important social determinant of health. Socio‐economic and geographic disadvantage is associated with greater difficulty finding work, but little is known about work needs of Australian cancer survivors living with disadvantage.

Objective

This study examined survivor and health‐care professional (HCP) perspectives on barriers experienced by Australian cancer survivors experiencing disadvantage when attempting to remain at or return to work.

Method

Focus groups and individual interviews were held with cancer survivors (N = 15) and oncology and primary HCPs (N = 41), focusing on communities at risk of disadvantage. Participants were asked about employment barriers and facilitators in general and in the context of disadvantage. Themes were identified using framework analysis.

Results

Geographic and socio‐economic disadvantage resulted in specific individual‐ and system‐level barriers. These related to distance from treatment and support services and limited availability and suitability of work for survivors living with geographic disadvantage, and limited availability, security, and flexibility of work and previous unemployment for survivors living with socio‐economic disadvantage. Identified needs included system‐level changes such as public and workplace‐level education, legislative and policy changes, and better access to resources.

Conclusions

Cancer survivors living with disadvantage experience limited access to flexible employment opportunities and resources, further perpetuating their disadvantage. Promotion of health equity for cancer survivors living with disadvantage requires systemic changes to support attempts to remain at/return to work.

Patient or public contribution

This study included cancer survivors and HCPs as investigators, authors and participants.
Mapping the periapex anatomical pattern of teeth involved in sodium hypochlorite accidents: a cross‐sectional quasi‐experimental study
Authors: Souza E. M. , Campos M. G. , Rosas Aguilar R.
Published: April 2021

Aim

To determine the anatomical reasons for sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) accidents by testing whether this mishap is likely to occur in cases where the anatomical apex of the teeth fenestrates the overlying buccal cortical alveolar bone, allowing NaOCl to gain direct access to buccal soft tissues.

Methodology

Following a cross‐sectional, nonrandomized design, 13 patients who suffered unintentional NaOCl accidents whilst undergoing root canal treatment were included. After remission of symptoms, the root canals were fully irrigated with an innocuous radiopaque solution (saline diluted Claritrast 300) and subsequently CBCT scanned to create a 3D‐map of the periapex and tracking of the irrigant pathway throughout the periapical tissues. An extra group of five control patients, who underwent root canal treatment with no NaOCl accident, was also CBCT‐scanned after irrigation with the tracking radiopaque solution. The anatomical relationship of the cortical bone and the root apex, as well as the distribution of irrigation solution in the periapical tissue, was associated with patients undergoing a NaOCl accident or not, using a Fisher’s exact test.

Results

The frequency of teeth with apical cortical fenestration was significantly higher in the NaOCl accident‐positive group, compared to the negative (P < 0.001). All 13 accident‐positive patients had an anatomical apex in direct contact with the buccal soft tissue via fenestration of the overlying cortical bone and direct contact of the foramen with the soft tissues. The radiopaque solution was distributed in the soft tissue in these cases. In contrast, accident‐negative patients had no fenestration of the buccal cortical bone and the anatomical root apex was within the cancellous bone or within a bone‐confined periapical lesion. The radiopaque solution was also found in the cancellous bone or the periapical lesion, but patients had no manifestations of a NaOCl accident.

Conclusion

This quasi‐experimental cross‐sectional clinical study suggests that, in addition to the presence of the extruded NaOCl solution, a patent foramen that fenestrates the cortical bone merging into the mucosal tissue might constitute a risk for the clinical manifestation of a NaOCl accident. Preoperative 3D scans aid in anticipating when an accident is likely to occur.
Does the Form 20‐F reconciliation help ensure the financial reporting quality of cross‐listed IFRS firms? A comparison with cross‐listed non‐IFRS firms
Authors: Lin Yi‐Hung , Huang Hua‐Wei , Dao Mai , Huang Ting‐Chiao
Published: April 2021

This paper investigates whether financial reporting quality improves or deteriorates after the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) decided to eliminate the Form 20‐F reconciliation requirement for foreign cross‐listed firms following International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). Using a difference‐in‐differences research design, we find that cross‐listed IFRS firms are less likely to restate financial statements after the SEC revoked their reconciliation requirement, as compared to cross‐listed non‐IFRS firms that still need to prepare the reconciliation. Moreover, such a reduction in the occurrence of financial restatements is more prominent when cross‐listed IFRS firms engage global industry‐specialist auditors and originate from common law countries. Together, this paper lends support to the elimination of the reconciliation requirement for cross‐listed IFRS firms and highlights the important roles of auditors and the legal environment in shaping financial reporting quality.
Why central banks announcing liquidity injections is more effective than forward guidance
Authors: Baumgärtner Martin , Klose Jens
Published: April 2021

We distinguish the announcement effects of conventional and unconventional monetary policy measures on macroeconomic variables using a high‐frequency data set that measures the impact of the European Central Bank's monetary policy decisions. For the period 2002 to 2019, we show that conventional and unconventional monetary policy measures differ considerably in their impact on inflation. While conventional measures show the expected response, that is, an interest rate cut increases inflation, unconventional measures appear to generally have no significant influence. However, this does not hold for quantitative easing, which is found to have a similar influence on inflation as the conventional interest rate changes.
Wastewater treatment technology selection using a hybrid multicriteria decision‐making method
Authors: Salamirad Amirhossein , Kheybari Siamak , Ishizaka Alessio , Farazmand Hadis
Published: April 2021

Various technological methods are available for industrial wastewater treatment (WWT), ranging from conventional to advanced treatment processes. It is therefore a complex exercise to select the most appropriate technology to treat the industrial wastewater in a particular situation. Many criteria can be considered in the decision‐making process; therefore, multicriteria decision‐making methods are especially appropriate for solving this problem. In this paper, we aim to select the most appropriate municipal WWT technology for agricultural usages. We propose a new hybrid methodology based on the best–worst method (BWM) and the behavioral technique for order of preference by similarity to the ideal solution (BTOPSIS). This new hybrid takes advantage of the benefits of both methods. The BWM incorporates consistency checks, while the BTOPSIS can model the risk behavior of the decision maker. Using the proposed methodology, we calculate the performance of seven WWT technologies using criteria categorized into sustainability dimensions (i.e., economic, social, and environmental). The results, based on different levels of decision makers’ loss aversion, indicate that energy consumption and an integrated fixed‐film activated sludge reactor are the most effective criterion and technology, respectively. The proposed new methodology is generic and can be employed for any multicriteria decision problems.
Predictors of clinical success after paroxysmal atrial fibrillation catheter ablation
Authors: Osorio Jose , Hunter Tina D. , Rajendra Anil , Zei Paul , Silverstein Joshua , Morales Gustavo
Published: April 2021

Introduction

Contact force (CF) guided ablation of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF) with stable catheter‐tissue contact optimizes clinical success and may increase an operator's ability to achieve pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) in a single encirclement. First pass PVI reduces procedure time but the relationship with long term clinical success is not well understood. This study evaluated patient characteristics and procedural details as predictors of 1‐year clinical success after PAF ablation, including first pass isolation.

Methods

Consecutive de novo PAF ablations were performed with a porous tip CF catheter in 2017 and 2018. All ablations used wide‐area circumferential ablation, with first pass isolation captured separately for the left and right pulmonary veins (PVs). CF was held between 10 and 20 g and the catheter was moved every 10–20 s. Radiofrequency energy was set at 40–45 W throughout the atrium. Patient characteristics and procedural details were tested for association with clinical success, defined as freedom from recurrent atrial tachyarrhythmia through 1 year.

Results

A total of 404 patients were included in the study. Clinical success at 1 year was 86.6%. Achieving first pass isolation on at least one ipsilateral PV pair was the most significant predictor of clinical success (p = .0126). After controlling for first pass isolation, only recurrence within the 90‐day blanking period was independently predictive (p = .0015). First pass isolation was not associated with early recurrence (p = .2454).

Conclusion

In a real‐world setting, first pass isolation was highly predictive of 12‐month clinical success after CF‐guided ablation in a PAF population.
Repositioning and extraction of stylet‐driven pacing leads with extendable helix used for left bundle branch area pacing
Authors: le Polain de Waroux Jean‐Benoit , Wielandts Jean‐Yves , Gillis Kris , Hilfiker Gabriela , Sorgente Antonio , Capulzini Lucio , Geerts Bert , Knecht Sébastien , Duytschaever Mattias , Tavernier René
Published: April 2021

Conventional stylet‐driven leads with extendable helix can be implanted successfully for left bundle branch area pacing (LBBAP) with a low acute complication rate. We report two cases in which lead repositioning after a first unsuccessful attempt to LBBAP was associated with fracture of the helix rotating mechanism and failure to fully extract the pacing lead.