bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Shareholder heterogeneity, board dicisionmaking process and ambidextrous corporate innovation: evidence from China
Authors: Wu Lidong , Wang Qingyun , Xue Kunkun
Published: September 2022

Purpose

Shareholder heterogeneity reflects the interactive relationship between shareholder groups of different industries and ownership types. This paper aims to discuss the impact of shareholder heterogeneity on ambidextrous corporate innovation.

Design/methodology/approach

Combining questionnaire and database data, this study empirically analyzes the internal mechanisms of the impact of shareholder heterogeneity on ambidextrous corporate innovation.

Findings

The authors find that shareholder heterogeneity can promote ambidextrous corporate innovation and that board’s decision-making processes play an intermediary role. Specifically, shareholder industry-type heterogeneity promotes ambidextrous corporate innovation by improving procedural rationality in board’s decision-making process, and shareholder ownership-type heterogeneity promotes ambidextrous corporate innovation by improving political behavior in board’s decision-making process. The analysis of the impact degree shows that shareholder industry-type heterogeneity has a greater impact on exploitation innovation, while shareholder ownership-type heterogeneity has a greater impact on exploratory innovation. In addition, the research also shows that shareholder groups dominated by industry-type heterogeneity have an impact on corporate innovation by shaping an engaged board with higher procedural rationality and lower political behavior. Shareholder groups dominated by ownership-type heterogeneity have an impact on corporate innovation by shaping a contested board with higher political behavior and lower procedural rationality.

Originality/value

This study not only enriches the research on shareholder heterogeneity and corporate innovation in the context of transformation but also provides an analytical framework for research on board’s decision-making process.
Avoiding the burst pipeline post-COVID-19: drivers of female academic careers in Australia
Authors: Sharafizad Fleur , Brown Kerry , Jogulu Uma , Omari Maryam
Published: September 2022

Purpose

Literature around the careers of female academics is targeted mainly toward identifying and examining career progression inhibitors, while the drivers appear largely unexplored. This paper aims to contribute to contemporary knowledge by identifying drivers to the career progression of female academics in Australia. With COVID-19 currently impacting the careers of female academics this knowledge can assist universities and human resource (HR) professionals in developing policies and practices to better facilitate female academic career progression.

Design/methodology/approach

Empirically this paper draws on a qualitative study of 18 male and 29 female academics, as well as nine senior university stakeholders. The authors employed semi-structured interviews and a novel methodology, Draw, Write, Reflect.

Findings

In line with attribution theory, senior stakeholders mainly identified organisational efforts, including leadership, gender equity endeavours, recruitment and promotion approaches, as well as a construct known as “relative to opportunity considerations”, as drivers of female academics’ career progression. Female academics, however, largely attributed their career progression to personal factors, such as family support, informal mentoring, and determination and persistence.

Practical implications

The findings have implications for universities and HR practices seeking to facilitate female academic career progression. Implementation of the drivers identified may enhance female academics’ abilities to progress their careers.

Originality/value

By focussing on the drivers of, rather than the barriers to, female academic careers, the research is novel in its identification of a previously unexplored mismatch between organisational attribution and individual attribution of career progression drivers thereby advancing knowledge of gender differences in academic careers.
Attrition in entry-level ticket sales positions: a survival analysis
Authors: Pierce David Allen , Wanless Elizabeth , Popp Nels , Sattler Liz , Shreffler Megan
Published: September 2022

Purpose

Sport ticket sales is often positioned as a “foot in the door” to the sport industry due to ample job opportunities, but anecdotal reports of high turnover raise questions of the efficacy of recruitment, training and retention efforts in sport sales. The purpose of this study was to determine attrition levels among entry-level ticket sales personnel, observe whether entry-level sales positions lead to other non-selling positions within sport organizations and determine if education and market related variables are related to job tenure.

Design/methodology/approach

LinkedIn profiles were analyzed for 1,122 entry-level ticket salespeople listed in media guides between 2015 and 2019 in the “Big Four” North American professional sports leagues. Names were obtained from 26 NBA, 21 MLB, 20 NHL and 12 NFL teams. Survival analysis provided defection rates and demonstrated the relationship between those rates and key variables.

Findings

One in every four entry-level ticket salespeople defected within the first year and one in every two defected within 26 months. Only 8% moved on from ticket sales to a non-sales role within the sport industry. Increases in cost of living, working for an NFL team and having sport industry experience prior to taking a sales position decreased the likelihood of defecting, while increased distance between the salesperson's university and the team's location increased the likelihood of defecting.

Originality/value

This study applies survival analysis to a sport human relations context to understand turnover in a specific occupational discipline and establishes the turnover rate for sport sales positions.
Rural tourism development between community involvement and residents’ life satisfaction: Tourism Agenda 2030
Authors: Jia Yanju , Liu Rui , Li Ang , Sun Fengzhi , Yeh Ronnie
Published: September 2022

Purpose

Aiming to investigate the direct and indirect effects of community involvement on residents’ life satisfaction, this study builds a conceptual framework through the mediation effect of perceived impacts and trust in government based on social exchange theory. The moderating effect of place attachment among these variables is proposed and empirically examined.

Design/methodology/approach

The conceptual model and causal relationships were estimated by adopting structural equation modeling, a serial mediation and moderation analysis. A total of 362 valid questionnaire data from residents in five rural tourism communities of China were collected and used for data analysis.

Findings

The results indicate that residents’ community involvement directly influences their life satisfaction and indirectly through perceived benefits and trust in government. Place attachment is also found to moderate the effect of community involvement on residents’ life satisfaction.

Originality/value

This study tests the effect of community involvement on residents’ life satisfaction that evolves from linking community involvement to perceived tourism impacts and trust in government to increase life satisfaction within the rural tourism context. It simultaneously detects place attachment as a moderating variable. The findings of this study can provide valuable insights for rural tourism managers to improve residents’ life satisfaction.
Exaggerated hypoxic vascular breakdown in aged brain due to reduced microglial vasculo‐protection
Authors: Halder Sebok K. , Milner Richard
Published: September 2022

In a recent study of young mice, we showed that chronic mild hypoxia (CMH, 8% O2) triggers transient blood–brain barrier (BBB) disruption, and that microglia play an important vasculo‐protective function in maintaining BBB integrity. As hypoxia is a common component of many age‐related diseases, here we extended these studies to aged mice and found that hypoxia‐induced vascular leak was greatly amplified (5‐fold to 10‐fold) in aged mice, being particularly high in the olfactory bulb and midbrain. While aged mice showed no obvious difference in the early stages of hypoxic angiogenic remodeling, the compensatory increase in vascularity and vessel maturation was significantly delayed. Compared with young brain, microglia in the normoxic aged brain were markedly activated, and this was further increased under hypoxic conditions, but paradoxically, this correlated with reduced vasculo‐protection. Microglial depletion studies showed that microglial still play an important vasculo‐protective role in aged brain, but interestingly, partial attenuation of microglial activation with minocycline resulted in fewer vascular leaks and reduced loss of endothelial tight junction proteins. Taken together, these findings suggest that increased BBB disruption in hypoxic aged mice can be explained both by a delayed vascular remodeling response and reduced microglial vasculo‐protection. Importantly, they show that overly activated microglia in the aged brain are less effective at maintaining vascular integrity, though this can be improved by reducing microglial activation with minocycline, suggesting therapeutic potential for enhancing BBB integrity in the hypoxia‐predisposed elderly population.
Natural history and biomarkers of retinal dystrophy caused by the biallelic TULP1 variant c.148delG
Authors: Majander Anna , Sankila Eeva‐Marja , Falck Aura , Vasara Laura Kristiina , Seitsonen Sanna , Kulmala Maarit , Haavisto Anna‐Kaisa , Avela Kristiina , Turunen Joni A.
Published: September 2022

Purpose

To report clinical features and potential disease markers of inherited retinal dystrophy (IRD) caused by the biallelic c.148delG variant in the tubby‐like protein 1 (TULP1) gene.

Methods

A retrospective observational study of 16 IRD patients carrying a homozygous pathogenic TULP1 c.148delG variant. Clinical data including fundus spectral‐domain optical coherence tomography (SD‐OCT) were assessed. A meta‐analysis of visual acuity of previously reported other pathogenic TULP1 variants was performed for reference.

Results

The biallelic TULP1 variant c.148delG was associated with infantile and early childhood onset IRD. Retinal ophthalmoscopy was primarily normal converting to peripheral pigmentary retinopathy and maculopathy characterized by progressive extra‐foveal loss of the ellipsoid zone (EZ), the outer plexiform layer (OPL), and the outer nuclear layer (ONL) bands in the SD‐OCT images. The horizontal width of the foveal EZ showed significant regression with the best‐corrected visual acuity (BCVA) of the eye (p < 0.0001, R2 = 0.541, F = 26.0), the age of the patient (p < 0.0001, R2 = 0.433, F = 16.8), and mild correlation with the foveal OPL‐ONL thickness (p = 0.014, R2 = 0.245, F = 7.2). Modelling of the BCVA data suggested a mean annual loss of logMAR 0.027. The level of visual loss was similar to that previously reported in patients carrying other truncating TULP1 variants.

Conclusions

This study describes the progression of TULP1 IRD suggesting a potential time window for therapeutic interventions. The width of the foveal EZ and the thickness of the foveal OPL‐ONL layers could serve as biomarkers of the disease stage.
The efficacy and safety of adding on or switching to peginterferon α‐2b in HBeAg‐positive chronic hepatitis B patients with long‐term entecavir treatment: a multicentre randomised controlled trial
Authors: Hu Qiankun , Qi Xun , Yu Yiqi , Gao Yueqiu , Zhang Xinxin , Wang Qianqian , Zhang Xueyun , Zhuo Yunhui , Li Jing , Zhang Jiming , Chen Liang , Huang Yuxian
Published: September 2022

Background & Aims

The strategies of adding on or switching to peginterferon (PEG‐IFN) improved the serological response rates in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) who had previously experienced treatment with nucleos(t)ide analogues. However, robust data on which combination strategy is more effective remain lacking.

Methods

In this multicentre, parallel, open‐label, randomised, controlled trial, patients with HBeAg‐positive CHB who were treated with entecavir ≥2 years, and had hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) <3000 IU/ml, HBeAg <200S/CO and HBV DNA <50 IU/ml were randomly assigned in a 1:1:1 ratio to add on PEG‐IFN, switch to PEG‐IFN or continue entecavir monotherapy for 48 weeks. The primary endpoint was HBeAg seroconversion at week 48.

Results

A total of 153 patients were randomised into three treatment arms (50 in add‐on, 52 in switch‐to and 51 in monotherapy). Compared with continuous entecavir monotherapy, both add‐on and switch‐to strategies achieved higher rates of HBeAg seroconversion (18.0% vs. 2.0%, p = 0.007; 19.2% vs. 2.0%, p = 0.005, respectively), HBeAg loss (24.0% vs. 5.9%, p = 0.010; 23.1% vs. 5.9%, p = 0.013, respectively), HBsAg < 100 IU/ml (30.0% vs. 0%, p < 0.001; 34.6% vs. 0%, p < 0.001, respectively), and higher HBsAg reduction (−0.90 vs. −0.06 log10IU/ml, p < 0.001; −0.92 vs. −0.06 log10IU/ml, p < 0.001, respectively) at week 48. The efficacy was comparable between add‐on and switch‐to arms (p > 0.05). Adverse events were mainly related to PEG‐IFN but generally tolerable.

Conclusion

In patients with CHB who achieved virological response with long‐term entecavir, both adding on and switching to PEG‐IFN are alternative strategies resulting in higher rates of HBeAg seroconversion and HBsAg reduction than continuous entecavir.

Clinical trials registration

Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (www.chictr.org.cn, identifier: ChiCTR‐IPR‐17012055).
Early use and production of iron in the northern Shaanxi: A perspective on iron objects excavated from the Yuejiazhuang cemetery site
Authors: Zhang Mengyi , Sun Zhanwei , Chong Jianrong , Ma Jian
Published: September 2022

Yuejiazhuang is a cemetery site of Qin people in the Northern Shaanxi, China, and it is dated to the mid‐late Warring States Period. Ninety‐two iron objects were excavated from the Yuejiazhuang cemetery site, which provide an opportunity to understand the use and production of iron in the Northern Shaanxi. The metallurgical and statistical study has revealed that bloomery iron, cast iron, and steel made from cast iron were adopted in the Northern Shaanxi during the mid‐late Warring States Period. In the meanwhile, cast iron and steel made from cast iron became dominant in the Northern Shaanxi.
Development of the dorsal and anal fin in Kneria stappersii (Otomorpha: Gonorynchiformes)
Authors: Koch Ann‐Katrin , Moritz Timo , Thieme Philipp
Published: September 2022

The order Gonorynchiformes was repeatedly studied to gain new insights into the evolution of its sister‐taxon, the Otophysi, the most successful freshwater fish taxon worldwide. Previous ontogenetic studies of gonorynchiforms mainly focused on the anterior vertebral column to investigate the evolutionary origin of the Weberian apparatus. Herein, we highlight the ontogeny of a different skeletal complex, the dorsal and anal fins. We studied the development of the skeletal elements of both fins in the gonorynchiform Kneria stappersii. We gained new insights into the developmental and formation patterns of K. stappersii. We discuss these patterns as well as the development of certain elements like the fin stay in comparison to other gonorynchiforms and available otomorph data. In general, the fin development in K. stappersii is very similar to that of other gonorynchiforms and even otomorphs. Specific differences, however, reveal that much remains unknown about the evolution of median fin elements such as the fin stay.
Efficacy of pancreatic duct stenting to prevent postendoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography pancreatitis after covered self‐expandable metal stent deployment
Authors: Toyonaga Haruka , Hayashi Tsuyoshi , Yamazaki Hajime , Hama Kazuki , Iwano Kosuke , Nakamura Risa , Ando Ryo , Shimizu Takao , Ishii Tatsuya , Kin Toshifumi , Takahashi Kuniyuki , Katanuma Akio
Published: September 2022

Objectives

Although covered self‐expandable metal stents (CSEMSs) are associated with the risk of postendoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) pancreatitis due to pancreatic duct (PD) orifice obstruction, they are often used for biliary drainage treatment in malignant biliary obstruction (MBO). This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of PD stenting in preventing post‐ERCP pancreatitis after CSEMS implantation.

Methods

This retrospective cohort study analyzed 554 patients with transpapillary CSEMS for MBO. Patients with noninitial deployment, benign disease, CSEMS deployment above the papilla, surgically altered anatomy, uncovered self‐expandable metal stents, multiple thin self‐expandable metal stents, and unavailable procedure videos were excluded. Logistic regression analysis estimated the association between PD stenting and post‐ERCP pancreatitis incidence. We adjusted for age, sex, pancreatitis history, prophylactic rectal nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drug use, naïve papilla, MBO etiology, and prolonged biliary cannulation time.

Results

Among 554 patients, 67 (12.1%) experienced post‐ERCP pancreatitis. Post‐ERCP pancreatitis was recorded in 13.7% of patients in the non‐PD stenting and 4.3% in the PD stenting groups. Pancreatic duct stenting was associated with lower risks of post‐ERCP pancreatitis (odds ratio [OR] 0.28; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.099–0.79; P = 0.028). In multivariable analysis, the association between PD stenting and lower post‐ERCP pancreatitis incidence was consistent (OR 0.19; 95% CI 0.062–0.58; P = 0.0034).

Conclusions

Pancreatic duct stenting could reduce the risk of post‐ERCP pancreatitis after CSEMSs.
Can endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography‐related procedures for resolving acute cholangitis be effectively and safely performed in patients with surgically altered anatomy? Comparison study to evaluate the timing of short‐type single‐balloon enteroscopy‐assisted endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography
Authors: Tanisaka Yuki , Mizuide Masafumi , Fujita Akashi , Jinushi Ryuhei , Shiomi Rie , Shin Takahiro , Hirata Dai , Terada Rie , Tashima Tomoaki , Mashimo Yumi , Ryozawa Shomei
Published: September 2022

Objectives

Balloon enteroscopy (BE)‐assisted endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)‐related procedures to resolve acute cholangitis (AC) in patients with surgically altered anatomy (SAA) are limited. There is a lack of evidence on whether the timing of BE‐assisted ERCP affects clinical outcomes in patients with AC. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical outcomes of short‐type single‐balloon enteroscopy (short SBE)‐assisted ERCP in patients with SAA and AC.

Methods

Patients with AC who underwent short SBE‐assisted ERCP procedures between September 2011 and April 2022 were retrospectively reviewed. The outcomes of procedures undergone at ≤24 h and >24 h were compared. The primary outcome was the length of stay (LOS).

Results

Overall, 56 patients underwent procedures at ≤24 h, and 58 patients at >24 h. The procedural success and adverse event rates of short SBE‐assisted ERCP were 87.7% (95% confidence interval [CI] 80.3–93.1%) and 4.4% (95% CI 1.4–9.9%), respectively. Patients with severe (Grade III) AC and systemic inflammatory response syndrome were more in early (at ≤24 h) ERCP groups. LOS and median time from ERCP procedures to discharge were shorter in the early group. Procedural success and adverse event rates between both groups had no significant differences. Multivariable linear regression analysis showed that ERCP performed at ≤24 h was associated with shorter LOS, while severe cholangitis and malignant biliary obstruction were associated with longer LOS.

Conclusions

Short SBE‐assisted ERCP is effective and safe in patients with SAA and AC. Early procedures seemed to attribute early improvement of general condition, thus shortening the LOS.
Depth profile of colloidal iron in the pore water of an Albic Podzol
Authors: Moens Claudia , Dondeyne Stefaan , Panagea Ioanna , Smolders Erik
Published: September 2022

Iron (Fe) colloids dominate the soil solution Fe and these colloids potentially act as vectors for nutrients and contaminants in soil. The question remains which factors, that is, gradients in soil chemical characteristics with depth or physical processes, cause vertical mobilisation and immobilisation of Fe colloids in soils. This question was addressed by characterising the change in concentration, size and composition of Fe colloids in a podzol profile and by relating these changes to soil properties along the profile. Pore waters were analysed with Flow Field Flow Fractionation (FlFFF‐UV‐ICP‐MS) to overcome the artefacts typically obtained when using filtration for fractionation. Pore water was obtained by centrifugation of field moist samples taken from an Albic Podzol. The samples were taken within a depth of 110 cm, at eight depths corresponding to different horizons. The pore water Fe concentration increased with depth and peaked at 66 μM in the E horizon just above the Bh horizon, beyond which, it sharply decreased to only 9 μM. The pore water Fe concentration correlated strongly with dissolved organic carbon (DOC). The high‐resolution size fractionation analysis with FlFFF suggested that the Fe colloids (<100 nm) in the pore water not only consisted of Fe‐organic carbon (OC) complexes, but also of mineral Fe colloids associated with organic matter (OM), as indicated by the colloid size (>5 nm) and by the relatively large Fe/OC ratio that exceeds the complexation capacity of natural OM. The smallest mineral Fe colloids dominated in the Ah1 horizon, while the larger mineral colloids increased with increasing depth, explaining the rise in total Fe towards the Bh horizon. This suggests that Fe complexation with OM and stabilisation of mineral Fe colloids with OM explain colloidal Fe in the pore water. The adsorption of the OM at the top of the Bs horizons is likely the primary mechanism of DOC retention in the Bh horizon. Below this depth, the concentration of DOC was very low, resulting in low Fe concentration in the pore water. The colloids (<100 nm) are considerably smaller than the soil pore size distribution and increase in size with depth, which suggests that straining was not a significant mechanism for colloid retention. This study demonstrates that OM plays a key role in the transport of Fe colloids in acid sandy soil.

Highlights

Depth profile of pore water Fe in a podzol is studied to investigate colloid migration processes

Pore water colloids are characterised by Flow Field Flow Fractionation

Fe colloids consist of complexes with OM and mainly larger mineral colloids

Natural OM plays a key role in the transport of Fe colloids in acid sandy soil
Examining the stability of emotional regulation and psychological distress for low‐income individuals: A latent transition analysis
Authors: Taylor Dalena Dillman , Starrett Angela , Carlson Ryan , Barden Sejal , Thompson Kaleb
Published: September 2022

Previous relationship education research has focused on investigating healthy relationships at the couple level, with limited research conducted on individual‐oriented relationship education programs for economically disadvantaged individuals. More specifically, there is a lack of research on how individual‐oriented relationship education programs contribute to changes in unique attributes of individuals who enroll in these programs and who would benefit most from relationship education programs. The primary aim of this study is to understand the stability of economically disadvantaged individuals' psychological distress and emotion regulation over two time points, comparing individuals randomly assigned to the relationship intervention using Prevention and Relationship Education's (PREP) Within My Reach (WMR) versus those assigned to a wait‐list control. Using a sample of 1129 economically disadvantaged individuals enrolled in the study, results indicated that the three‐class model for psychological distress and emotion regulation was the most appropriate for the latent transition analysis. Treatment group participants were more likely to transition to more adaptive models than their wait‐list control counterparts, although a small percentage of participants did transition to a less adaptive model. Implications, future directions, and limitations are discussed.
Self‐help friendliness in cancer care: A cross‐sectional study among self‐help group leaders in Germany
Authors: Ziegler Elâ , Nickel Stefan , Trojan Alf , Klein Jens , Kofahl Christopher
Published: September 2022

Background

Peer support is increasingly recognized as crucial for improving health and psychosocial outcomes in oncological care. The integration of cancer self‐help groups (SHGs) into cancer care facilities has gained importance in recent years. Yet, there is a lack of knowledge of the extent and quality of cooperation between cancer care facilities and SHGs and their integration into routine care. The concept of self‐help friendliness (SHF) provides a feasible instrument for the measurement of cooperation and integration.

Methods

A cross‐sectional study across Germany investigates the experiences of 266 leaders of cancer SHGs concerning their cooperation with cancer care facilities based on the criteria for SHF. The participatory study was developed and conducted with representatives of the House of Cancer Self‐Help and the federal associations of cancer self‐help.

Results

According to the SHG leaders, about 80% of their members primarily find their way to an SHG via other patients and only less than 50% more or less frequently via hospitals or rehabilitation clinics. The quality of cooperation with cancer centres, hospitals and rehabilitation clinics, however, is rated as good to very good by more than 70% of the respondents. Nine out of 10 quality criteria for SHF are fully or at least partially implemented, the values vary between 53% and 87%. Overall, 58% of the SHG leaders feel well to be very well integrated into care facilities.

Conclusions

The results show a positive assessment of the involvement of SHGs in oncological care, but differences between inpatient and outpatient care and low referrals to SHGs are prominent. The concept of SHF is a feasible solution for a systematic and measurable involvement of SHGs.

Patient or Public Contribution

The perspectives and insight of patient representatives obtained through qualitative interviews were directly incorporated into this study. Representatives of cancer self‐help organizations were involved in the development of the questionnaire, reviewed it for content and comprehensibility, and further helped to recruit participants.
Do face‐to‐face interactions support 6‐month‐olds' understanding of the communicative function of speech?
Authors: Neff Mary Beth , Martin Alia
Published: September 2022

Infants by 6 months recognize that speech communicates information between third parties. We investigated whether 6‐month‐olds always expect speech to communicate or whether they also consider social features of communication, like how interlocutors engage with one another. A small sample of infants watched an actor (the Speaker) choose one of two objects to play with (the target). When the Speaker could no longer reach her target object, she turned to a new actor (the Listener) and said a nonsense word. During speech, the actors were either face‐to‐face, the Speaker was facing away from the Listener, or the reverse. When the actors had been face‐to‐face, infants looked longer when the Listener selected the non‐target object compared to the target. Infants looked equally regardless of what the Listener chose when either actor had been disengaged. Area‐of‐interest gaze coding suggests that infants were similarly interested in the interaction across conditions, but their pattern of attention to Speaker and Listener differed when the Listener was disengaged during speech. Although these experiments should be replicated with a larger sample, the findings provide initial evidence that 6‐month‐olds do not expect speech alone to communicate, but also attend to the social context in which speech is produced.
The potential for the evolution of thermally sensitive courtship behaviours in the treehopper, Enchenopa binotata
Authors: Sasson Daniel , Agali Uchechukwu , Brouk Rachel , Hercules Jacob , Kilmer Joey , Macchiano Anthony , Ola‐Ajose Abisiola , Fowler‐Finn Kasey
Published: September 2022

The ability of animals to adapt to warming will depend on the evolutionary potential of thermally sensitive traits. The number of studies measuring the quantitative genetics of a wide variety of thermally sensitive traits has steadily increased; however, no study has yet investigated the quantitative genetics of thermal sensitivity for courtship traits. Since courtship often precedes mating, the ability of these traits to respond to warming may impact reproduction and therefore population persistence. Here, we use classic quantitative genetics breeding design to estimate heritability of various aspects of the thermal sensitivity of courtship behaviours in the treehopper Enchenopa binotata. We generated individual‐level thermal courtship activity curves for males and females and measured levels of genetic variation in the thermal sensitivity of courtship activity. We found low heritability with 95% credible intervals that did not approach zero for most traits. Levels of genetic variation were highest in traits describing thermal tolerance. We also found some evidence for genetic correlations between traits within but not across sexes. Together, our results suggest that the range of temperatures over which these treehoppers actively court can evolve, although it remains unclear whether adaptation can happen quickly enough to match the speed of warming.
Thiopurine naivety at tacrolimus induction is a predictor of long‐term remission in patients with intractable ulcerative colitis who responded to tacrolimus
Authors: Takatsu Noritaka , Hisabe Takashi , Kishi Masahiro , Takeda Teruyuki , Yasukawa Shigeyoshi , Koga Akihiro , Kinjo Ken , Hirai Fumihito , Ueki Toshiharu , Yao Kenshi
Published: September 2022

Background

The short‐term efficacy of tacrolimus (Tac) for steroid‐dependent and steroid‐resistant refractory ulcerative colitis (UC) has been demonstrated; however, its long‐term outcomes have not been well documented. Thus, this study aimed to clarify the long‐term outcomes of patients who achieved Tac‐induced remission and identify its predictors.

Methods

This study included patients with moderate‐to‐severe active UC who started receiving Tac at our hospital between July 2004 and December 2016. Short‐term treatment response was assessed using the Lichtiger index 3 months after starting Tac, and responding patients were further followed up to assess long‐term outcomes. The primary endpoint was the relapse‐free survival after Tac‐induced remission, and the secondary endpoint was the identification of factors associated with relapse after Tac‐induced remission.

Results

The cumulative relapse‐free survival rate at 10 years after Tac‐induced remission was 33.2%. Multivariate analysis revealed that being thiopurine naïve at Tac induction was associated with the absence of relapse (hazard ratio: 0.45; 95% confidence interval: 0.22–0.92).

Conclusions

Approximately one‐third of patients who achieved Tac‐induced remission maintained long‐term remission. Being thiopurine naïve at Tac induction was a predictor of the absence of relapse.
Association of muscular strength with total and central adiposity in adolescents with intellectual disability
Authors: Bertapelli F. , Pitetti K. , Guerra‐Junior G.
Published: September 2022

Background

It has been established that for youth without disabilities, muscular strength (MS) is negatively associated with total and central adiposity. However, this relationship has not been clearly established for youth with intellectual disability (ID). The purpose of this study was to examine the association of MS with total and central adiposity in adolescents with ID.

Method

Participants were 59 adolescents (40 males and 19 females: age 16.29 ± 1.66 years) with ID. Total and central adiposity were evaluated with dual‐energy x‐ray absorptiometry (DXA), body mass index (BMI), BMI z‐score, waist circumference (WC), and conicity index (C‐index). MS was evaluated with the score on the Bruininks–Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency (range, 0 to 42, with higher scores indicating better performance). Sex‐specific maturity offset equations were used to evaluate somatic maturity. Spearman's correlation coefficients and sequential multiple regression were used to examine associations between MS and adiposity.

Results

Muscular strength score was negatively associated with BMI (sr = −0.32; P < 0.05), percent body fat (%BF; total, trunk, android and gynoid regions) (sr = −0.51 to −0.58; P < 0.01), and android‐to‐gynoid fat ratio (sr = −0.29; P < 0.05). After control for somatic maturity and sex, regression analysis indicated that MS score explained 10%–17% of the variance in BMI, BMI z‐score, %BF (total, trunk, android and gynoid regions), WC, C‐index and android‐to‐gynoid fat ratio.

Conclusions

These findings suggest that MS is associated with DXA‐ and anthropometric‐determined total and central adiposity among adolescents with ID.
Cinnamon extract and sodium hypochlorite in the in vitro control ofFusarium oxysporumf. sp.lycopersiciandAlternaria alternatafrom tomato
Authors: Carmello Camila Rodrigues , Magri Márcia Maria Rosa , Cardoso Jean Carlos
Published: September 2022

Botanical fungicides are an interesting alternative for pathogen control and plant protection in sustainable production systems. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the potential of cinnamon for use in inhibiting pathogens in tomato crop. Three main strains ofFusarium oxysporumf. sp.lycopersiciand a strain ofAlternaria alternatawere grown in in vitro conditions, and later used for tests of antifungal effect of cinnamon extract, compared to sodium hypochlorite. As a result, complete growth inhibition of the three strains ofFusarium oxysporumf. sp.lycopersiciandAlternaria alternatawere achieved only when using sodium hypochlorite from a concentration of 3%, and a partial inhibition with the use of cinnamon extract. Both, cinnamon extract and sodium hypochlorite solution, at concentrations above 2%, reduced Mycelial Growth Speed Index values. Cinnamon extract demonstrated its antifungal potential, indicating the possibility of its use in the in vitro control of phytopathogenic fungi in tomato crops. In addition, this study also showed the main effects of cinnamon extract on hyphae and conidia of these phytopathogens.

[Correction added on 01 November 2022, after first online publication: The full form of 'MGRI' has been updated in the abstract of this version].
Incremental cost analysis of pediatric hospice care in rural and urban Appalachia
Authors: Svynarenko Radion , Cozad Melanie J. , Keim‐Malpass Jessica , Lindley Lisa C.
Published: September 2022

Purpose

Considering growing disparities in health outcomes between rural and urban areas of Appalachia, this study compared the incremental Medicaid costs of pediatric concurrent care (implemented by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act) versus standard hospice care.

Methods

Data on 1,788 pediatric hospice patients, from the Appalachian region, collected between 2011 and 2013, were obtained from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Incremental per‐patient‐per‐month (PPM) costs of enrollment in concurrent versus standard hospice care were analyzed using multilevel generalized linear models. Increments for analysis were hospice length of stay (LOS).

Results

For rural children enrolled in concurrent hospice care, the mean Medicaid cost of hospice care was $3,954 PPPM (95% CI: $3,223‐$4,684) versus $1,933 PPPM (95% CI: $1,357‐$2,509) for urban. For rural children enrolled in standard hospice care, the mean Medicaid cost was $2,889 PPPM (95% CI: $2,639‐$3,139) versus $1,122 PPPM (95% CI: $980‐$1,264) for urban. There were no statistically significant differences in Medicaid costs for LOS of 1 day. However, for LOS between 2 and 14 days, concurrent enrollment decreased total costs for urban children (IC = $−236.9 PPPM, 95% CI: $−421‐$−53). For LOS of 15 days or more, concurrent care had higher costs compared to standard care, for both rural (IC = $1,399 PPPM, 95% CI: $92‐$2,706) and urban children (IC = $1,867 PPPM, 95% CI: $1,172‐$2,363).

Conclusions

The findings revealed that Medicaid costs for concurrent hospice care were highest among children in rural Appalachia. Future research on factors of high costs of rural care is needed.
Across disciplines, languages, and nations: Recent scholarship on Mary Wollstonecraft
Authors: Kirkley Laura
Published: September 2022

In the last 4 decades, Mary Wollstonecraft has been brought from the margins of Western literary history to assume her place as a feminist foremother, radical icon, and familiar meme. As the range of disciplinary responses to Wollstonecraft's writing expands, our knowledge is deepening of her intellectual landscapes and her local and transnational networks. Diversification of expertise has also led to closer, interdisciplinary scrutiny of her works, including texts that have previously suffered neglect because of their apparent irrelevance to her feminism. Researchers increasingly recognise her transnational outlook, and this recognition has prompted intersectional reflections on her feminist legacy in the wake of Brexit and Black Lives Matter. A growing body of criticism is also revising the longstanding myth of her posthumous invisibility after the publication of Godwin's Memoirs, drawing attention to the persistent engagement with her works by key thinkers during the nineteenth century as well as her multiple afterlives in translation.
Microbial drivers of plant richness and productivity in a grassland restoration experiment along a gradient of land‐use intensity
Authors: Abrahão Anna , Marhan Sven , Boeddinghaus Runa S. , Nawaz Ali , Wubet Tesfaye , Hölzel Norbert , Klaus Valentin H. , Kleinebecker Till , Freitag Martin , Hamer Ute , Oliveira Rafael S. , Lambers Hans , Kandeler Ellen
Published: September 2022

Plant–soil feedbacks (PSFs) underlying grassland plant richness and productivity are typically coupled with nutrient availability; however, we lack understanding of how restoration measures to increase plant diversity might affect PSFs. We examined the roles of sward disturbance, seed addition and land‐use intensity (LUI) on PSFs.

We conducted a disturbance and seed addition experiment in 10 grasslands along a LUI gradient and characterized plant biomass and richness, soil microbial biomass, community composition and enzyme activities.

Greater plant biomass at high LUI was related to a decrease in the fungal to bacterial ratios, indicating highly productive grasslands to be dominated by bacteria. Lower enzyme activity per microbial biomass at high plant species richness indicated a slower carbon (C) cycling. The relative abundance of fungal saprotrophs decreased, while pathogens increased with LUI and disturbance. Both fungal guilds were negatively associated with plant richness, indicating the mechanisms underlying PSFs depended on LUI.

We show that LUI and disturbance affect fungal functional composition, which may feedback on plant species richness by impeding the establishment of pathogen‐sensitive species. Therefore, we highlight the need to integrate LUI including its effects on PSFs when planning for practices that aim to optimize plant diversity and productivity.
Personalized Surgical Planning for Soft Tissue Sarcoma of the Popliteal Fossa with a Novel 3D Imaging Technique
Authors: Fang Xiang , Yuan Fang , Xiong Yan , Lei Senlin , Yuan Dechao , Zhou Yong , Zhang Wenli , Tu Chongqi , Duan Hong
Published: September 2022

Objective

Soft tissue sarcomas (STSs) arising from the popliteal fossa pose surgical challenges due to their proximity to critical neurovascular structures. This study aimed to investigate whether a novel 3D imaging technique highlighting these key anatomical structures could facilitate preoperative planning and improve surgical outcomes in STS.

Methods

This was a prospective, observational, pilot study. Between November 2019 and December 2020, 27 patients with STS of the popliteal fossa undergoing limb‐sparing procedures were enrolled and assigned to either a control or intervention group. Control patients underwent traditional preoperative planning with separate computed tomography angiography, magnetic resonance imaging, and magnetic resonance hydrography. In the intervention group, 3D images were generated from these images, the tumor and skeletomuscular and neurovascular structures were revealed in three dimensions, and this was visualized on the surgeon's smartphone or computer. Primary endpoints were surgical margins and complications. Secondary endpoints included operative time, blood loss, serum C‐reactive protein and interleukin‐6, length of in‐hospital stay, and limb function. Comparisons between groups were made using independent‐sample t‐tests for continuous data and the Mann–Whitney U and Fisher's exact tests for categorical data.

Results

There was a lower but not significantly different inadvertent positive margin rate (1/15 vs. 3/12, P = 0.294), significantly shorter hospital stay (P = 0.049), and less numbers ≥75th percentile of operative time (P = 0.037) and blood loss (P = 0.024) in the intervention group. Differences in surgical complications, operative time, blood loss, C‐reactive protein and interleukin‐6 levels on the second postoperative day, and limb functional scores were statistically insignificant.

Conclusions

The novel 3D imaging technique facilitates complex preoperative planning and limb‐salvage surgical procedures for patients with STS of the popliteal fossa, and this may affect how surgical planning is performed in the future.
A real‐world retrospective observational study exploring NHS resource use in England for the management of moderate‐to‐severe atopic dermatitis in secondary care for children and adolescents
Authors: McPherson Tess , Cork Michael J. , Goodhead Charlotte , Michaelis Louise J. , Flohr Carsten , Petrovic Milos , Hennessy Liz , Rajkovic Ivana , Hudson Richard
Published: September 2022

Purpose

To describe secondary care health care resource utilization (HCRU) for children and adolescents with atopic dermatitis (AD).

Patients and Methods

This UK chart review of patients with moderate‐to‐severe AD was conducted in four National Health Service hospitals. Cohorts were defined by age (children 6–11 years, adolescents 12–17) at first consultation. Eligible patients were selected consecutively, starting with the most recently consulting patient. At least 12 months' data were abstracted from medical records. Data were collected on HCRU, demographics/clinical characteristics, treatment, and patient‐reported outcomes.

Results

Data were abstracted for 55 patients. Most patients (80%) had severe AD at first referral, a mean (SD) of 3.2 (10.7) patient‐reported flare episodes/patient/year‐of‐observation, and 18.5 (16.7) tests/scans/procedures/patient/year. Mean (SD) observation duration was 3.6 (1.8) years. Patients had tried mean (SD) 7.9 (5.3) treatments/patient/year of observation. Topical corticosteroids (TCS; 24.5% of prescriptions) were most frequently prescribed. Mean (SD) use of emollients/moisturizers, TCS, systemic corticosteroids, and systemic immunosuppressants was 30.9 (21.3), 21.1 (23.4), 1.7 (8.3), and 7.8 (8.2) months. There was a mean (SD) of 5.3 (2.9) consultations/patient/year‐of‐observation; 116 (10.7%) for flare. Most hospitalizations (87.5%) were for children; the 8/55 (15%) hospitalized patients (mean 2.0 hospitalizations/patient during observation period) spent 6.2 (SD: 5.1) nights in hospital/hospitalization. Earliest mean (SD) Children's Dermatology Life Quality Index score was 15.3 (7.2); latest was 12.9 (7.5).

Conclusion

Children and adolescents with moderate‐to‐severe AD had a high HCRU burden and small changes in quality of life, indicating that current treatments may provide suboptimal AD control in most cases.
UV Inactivation of Common Pathogens and Surrogates Under 222 nm Irradiation from KrCl* Excimer Lamps
Authors: Ma Ben , Bright Kelly , Ikner Luisa , Ley Christian , Seyedi Saba , Gerba Charles P. , Sobsey Mark D. , Piper Patrick , Linden Karl G.
Published: September 2022

Germicidal ultraviolet (UV) devices have been widely used for pathogen disinfection in water, air, and on food and surfaces. Emerging UV technologies, like the krypton chloride (KrCl*) excimer emitting at 222 nm, are rapidly gaining popularity due to their minimal adverse effects on skin and eyes compared with conventional UV lamps emitting at 254 nm, opening opportunities for UV disinfection in occupied public spaces. In this study, inactivation of seven bacteria and five viruses, including waterborne, foodborne and respiratory pathogens, was determined in a thin‐film aqueous solution using a filtered KrCl* excimer emitting primarily at 222 nm. Our results show that the KrCl* excimer can effectively inactivate all tested bacteria and viruses, with most microorganisms achieving more than 4‐log (99.99%) reduction with a UV dose of 10 mJ cm−2. Compared with conventional UV lamps, the KrCl* excimer lamp exhibited better disinfection performance for viruses but was slightly less effective for bacteria. The relationships between UV sensitivities at 222 and 254 nm for bacteria and viruses were evaluated using regression analysis, resulting in factors that could be used to estimate the KrCl* excimer disinfection performance from well‐documented UV kinetics using conventional 254 nm UV lamps. This study provides fundamental information for pathogen disinfection when employing KrCl* excimers.
Xylella fastidiosa subsp. paucaST53 exploits pit membranes of susceptible olive cultivars to spread systemically in the xylem
Authors: Montilon Vito , De Stradis Angelo , Saponari Maria , Abou Kubaa Raied , Giampetruzzi Annalisa , D'Attoma Giusy , Saldarelli Pasquale
Published: September 2022

Xylella fastidiosa subspecies pauca strain De Donno (XfDD) ST53 is the causal agent of olive quick decline syndrome, a severe disease first described in Apulia, Italy. Although the two local cultivars Cellina di Nardò and Ogliarola Salentina showed high susceptibility, traits of resistance to the bacterium were found in the cultivar Leccino. Previous studies in field‐grown olives suggested that vascular occlusions and anatomophysiological properties of the different cultivars played a role in the olive response to XfDD. The present investigation reports observations at the early stage of the infection on artificially inoculated olives. Electron microscope studies showed that XfDD exploits the pit membranes (PMs) of the susceptible cultivar Cellina di Nardò to spread systemically. In this cultivar, PMs were degraded upon XfDD infection, suggesting activity of bacterial cell wall‐degrading enzymes. Moreover, occluded vessels contained an amorphous electrondense matrix resembling gum. Conversely, in Leccino, occluded vessels were mainly filled by callose‐like granules that tightly entrapped XfDD cells. In addition, PMs from Leccino had a compact undegraded structure that was not permeable to XfDD. Our study suggests that exploitation of PMs is a key event in the infection process of X. fastidiosa subsp. pauca ST53 in susceptible olive cultivars.