bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Direct and indirect effects of servant and ethical leadership styles on employee creativity: mediating role of organizational citizenship behavior
Authors: Hanaysha Jalal Rajeh , Kumar V.V. Ajith , In'airat Mohammad , Paramaiah Ch.
Published: July 2022

Purpose

This research mainly aims to test the impact of two leadership styles (ethical and servant leadership) on employee creativity; and to determine whether organizational citizenship behavior (OCB) mediates the relationships between them.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper relied on a quantitative research approach with a sample of 213 staff from public universities in the United Arab Emirates. In this paper, the partial least square approach (PLS-SEM) was employed in order to verify the proposed hypotheses.

Findings

The outcomes confirmed that OCB has a positive impact on employee creativity. Additionally, the findings indicated that ethical leadership positively affected OCB and employee creativity. It was also confirmed that servant leadership has a significant positive impact on OCB and employee creativity. Finally, the findings revealed that OCB fully mediates the linkages among servant and ethical leadership and employee creativity.

Originality/value

This paper acknowledges the existing gaps in the prior literature, and enables us to understand clearly about the significance of ethical as well as servant leadership in affecting employee creativity via OCB as a mediator.
Co-worker support and community of practice: the role of concern for team member and preference for teamwork
Authors: Dutta Anjali , Rangnekar Santosh
Published: July 2022

Purpose

The aim of this article is to empirically investigate the effect of co-worker support on communities of practice with a sequential mediating effect of concern for team members and preference for teamwork.

Design/methodology/approach

The data of 216 were gathered from respondents employed as full-time personnel in public and private sector organizations in India using a survey questionnaire. Confirmatory factor analysis, structured equation modelling and regression analysis were applied to test the formulated hypothesis. Hayes PROCESS macro model was also used to estimate the indirect effects with bootstrap resamples.

Findings

The study's findings revealed the mediating effect of concern for team members and preference for teamwork on the relationship between co-worker support and communities of practice in a sequential manner. The total and direct consequence of co-worker support on communities of practice was also substantial.

Originality/value

This article offers an understanding of the process through which co-worker support is related to communities of practice. This study is the first of its type, basically in the Indian context to the best of the authors’ knowledge.
The impact of research and development (R&D) on economic growth: new evidence from kernel-based regularized least squares
Authors: Minviel Jean-Joseph , Ben Bouheni Faten
Published: July 2022

Purpose

Research and development (R&D) is increasingly considered to be a key driver of economic growth. The relationship between these variables is commonly examined using linear models and thus relies only on single-point estimates. Against this background, this paper provides new evidence on the impact of R&D on economic growth using a machine learning approach that makes it possible to go beyond single-point estimation.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors use the kernel regularized least squares (KRLS) approach, a machine learning method designed for tackling econometric models without imposing arbitrary functional forms on the relationship between the outcome variable and the covariates. The KRLS approach learns the functional form from the data and thus yields consistent estimates that are robust to functional form misspecification. It also provides pointwise marginal effects and captures non-linear relationships. The empirical analyses are conducted using a sample of 101 countries over the period 2000–2020.

Findings

The estimates indicate that R&D expenditure and high-tech exports positively and significantly influence economic growth in a non-linear manner. The authors also find a positive and statistically significant relationship between economic growth and greenhouse gas emissions. In both cases, the effects are higher for upper-middle-income and high-income countries. These results suggest that a substantial effort is needed to green economic growth. Internet access is found to be an important factor in supporting economic growth, especially in high-income and middle-income countries.

Practical implications

This paper contributes to underlining the importance of investing in R&D to support growth and shows that the disparity between countries is driven by the determinants of economic growth (human capital in R&D, high-tech exports, Internet access, economic freedom, unemployment rate and greenhouse gas emissions). Moreover, since the authors find that R&D expenditure and greenhouse gas emissions are positively associated with economic growth, technological progress with green characteristics may be an important pathway for green economic growth.

Originality/value

This paper uses an innovative machine learning method to provide new evidence that innovation supports economic growth.
Qualifying water-based electrode dispersions for the inkjet printing process: a requirements analysis
Authors: Kolb Cara Greta , Lehmann Maja , Kriegler Johannes , Lindemann Jana-Lorena , Bachmann Andreas , Zaeh Michael Friedrich
Published: July 2022

Purpose

This paper aims to present a requirements analysis for the processing of water-based electrode dispersions in inkjet printing.

Design/methodology/approach

A detailed examination of the components and the associated properties of the electrode dispersions has been carried out. The requirements of the printing process and the resulting performance characteristics of the electrode dispersions were analyzed in a top–down approach. The product and process side were compared, and the target specifications of the dispersion components were derived.

Findings

Target ranges have been identified for the main component properties, balancing the partly conflicting goals between the product and the process requirements.

Practical implications

The findings are expected to assist with the formulation of electrode dispersions as printing inks.

Originality/value

Little knowledge is available regarding the particular requirements arising from the systematic qualification of aqueous electrode dispersions for inkjet printing. This paper addresses these requirements, covering both product and process specifications.
Micro and macroclimatic constraints on the activity of a vulnerable tortoise: A mechanistic approach under a thermal niche view
Authors: Lara‐Reséndiz Rafael A. , Miles Donald B. , Rosen Philip C. , Sinervo Barry
Published: July 2022

Thermal constraints imposed by the environment limit the activity time of ectotherms and have been a central issue in ecophysiology. Assessing these restrictions is key to determining the vulnerability of species to changing thermal niches and developing conservation strategies.

We generate an explicit tortoise model of thermal constraints at both micro and macroclimate scales based on thermophysiology parameters and environmental operative temperatures during a biologically significant period. As a study model, we use a vulnerable species of gopher tortoise Gopherus evgoodei, whose primary habitat is the tropical dry forests in northwestern Mexico.

Our mechanistic model is based on a monitoring of 5 years of environmental operative temperatures (Te). Here, we use the hours of activity (ha) and hours of thermal restriction (hr), calculated from the voluntary temperature range of G. evgoodei with respect to Te, to project and compare the thermal constraints across space and time. In addition, this model was projected using a pessimistic climate change scenario for 2070 (RCP 8.5).

The results show that the period of activity of G. evgoodei, predicted by ha and hr, is limited by the frequency and availability of Te and differs significantly throughout the year and among years. In addition, under the RCP 8.5 scenario, we predict that hr will increase considerably and exceed the critical value (3.1 hr) placing this species as highly vulnerable.

We discuss and compare the period of potential activity, thermoregulation strategies, and costs and benefits with other Gopherus species. Finally, we identify critical areas throughout its range to develop management strategies for protecting this Mexican endemic tortoise.

Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.
Findings from long‐term monitoring studies of Micronesian mangrove forests with special reference to carbon sequestration and sea‐level rise
Authors: Fujimoto Kiyoshi , Ono Kenji , Tabuchi Ryuichi , Lihpai Saimon
Published: July 2022

This paper summarizes the forest dynamics and carbon sequestration abilities of, as well as the influences of sea‐level rise on, Micronesian mangrove forests as revealed from long‐term studies (more than 25 years). Monitoring surveys of the permanent plots in the area's major mangrove communities revealed that the tree density decreased, while aboveground biomass increased. However, in the Rhizophora stylosa community characterized by densely developed stilt roots, the aboveground biomass temporarily decreased due to a decrease in old stilt roots, but it increased again by generating a large amount of new stilt roots. The highest aboveground biomass was estimated to be 895 Mg ha−1, which is the highest value of all the existing ground survey data from the tropics. Mangrove peat was deposited in the entire mangrove area, but its thickness differed according to the forest community, which indicated that the belowground stored carbon also differed depending on the community. In recent years, a rise in sea level exceeding 5 mm year−1 was observed in this region, and surface erosion occurred in the Bruguiera gymnorrhiza and Sonneratia alba communities. On the other hand, in the R. stylosa and Rhizophora apiculata communities, the ground level rose due to the accumulation of mangrove peat. The temporal decrease in old stilt roots and the accelerated increase in new stilt roots observed in the R. stylosa community may also be an effect of sea‐level rise. Long‐term monitoring surveys in mangrove forests are thus effective in quickly catching the effects of sea‐level rise.
Post‐COVID‐19 recovery for African economies: Lessons for digital financial inclusion from Kenya and Uganda
Authors: Mugume Regean , Bulime Enock W. N.
Published: July 2022

As coronavirus disease‐2019 (COVID‐19) and other restrictions intensified, individuals, businesses and governments turned to mobile digital platforms to reduce the financial costs and mitigate the risk of spreading the virus within the population. Drawing on lessons from Kenya and Uganda, our study examines the drivers of digital financial inclusion as a pathway for financing post‐COVID‐19 recovery. We find that digital financial inclusion is higher in middle‐aged male digital users with more SIM cards registered in their names. Results also show that users who trust mobile money agents were likely to use more digital financial platforms than others. Based on these results, we recommend the need for government to strengthen the National Identification Systems and consumer protection policies to increase trust in digital financial services. Additionally, financial sector players such as mobile network operators and commercial banks need to innovate and roll out customized digital financial products for the marginalized/unbanked population such as women, the elderly and the youth.
Discrepancies in glycemic metrics derived from different continuous glucose monitoring systems in adult patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Zhou Yongwen , Mai Xiaodong , Deng Hongrong , Yang Daizhi , Zheng Mao , Huang Bin , Xu Linlin , Weng Jianping , Xu Wen , Yan Jinhua
Published: July 2022

Background

Continuous glucose monitoring systems have been widely used but discrepancies among various brands of devices are rarely discussed. This study aimed to explore differences in glycemic metrics between FreeStyle Libre (FSL) and iPro2 among adults with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM).

Methods

Participants with T1DM and glycosylated hemoglobin of 7%–10% were included and wore FSL and iPro2 for 2 weeks simultaneously. Datasets collected on the insertion and detachment day, and those with insufficient quantity (<90%) were excluded. Agreements of measurement accuracy and glycemic metrics were evaluated.

Results

A total of 40 498 paired data were included. Compared with the values from FSL, significantly higher median value was observed in iPro2 (147.6 [106.2, 192.6] vs. 144.0 [100.8, 192.6] mg/dl, p < 0.001) and the largest discordance was observed in hypoglycemic range (median absolute relative difference with iPro2 as reference value: 25.8% [10.8%, 42.1%]). Furthermore, significant differences in glycemic metrics between iPro2 and FSL were also observed in time in range (TIR) 70–180 mg/dl (TIR, 62.8 ± 12.4% vs. 58.8 ± 12.3%, p = 0.004), time spent below 70 mg/dl (4.4 [1.8, 10.9]% vs. 7.2 [5.4, 13.3]%, p < 0.001), time spent below 54 mg/dl (0.9 [0.3, 4.0]% vs. 2.6 [1.3, 5.6]%, p = 0.011), and coefficient of variation (CV, 38.7 ± 8.5% vs. 40.9 ± 9.3%, p = 0.017).

Conclusions

During 14 days of use, FSL and iPro2 provided different estimations on TIR, CV, and hypoglycemia‐related parameters, which needs to be considered when making clinical decisions and clinical trial designs.
Genesis of Pyroxenite Veins in the Zedang Ophiolite, Southern Tibetan Plateau
Authors: XU Xiangzhen , XIONG Fahui , ZOHEIR Basem , YAN Jinyu , ZHANG Boyang , GAO Jian , YANG Jingsui
Published: July 2022

Understanding the nature of parental melts for pyroxenite veins in supra‐subduction zone (SSZ) ophiolites provides vibrant constraints on melt infiltration processes operating in subduction zones. The Zedang ophiolitic massif in the eastern Yarlung–Zangbo suture zone in Tibet consists of mantle peridotites and a crustal section of gabbro, diabase, and basalt. Veins of two pyroxenite varieties cut the southern part of the Zedang massif. These pyroxenite rocks have different geochemical characteristics, where the first variety (type‐I) has relatively higher contents of SiO2 (51.82–53.08 wt%), MgO (20.08–23.23 wt%), and ΣPGE (3.42–13.97 ppb), and lower Al2O3 (1.59–2.28 wt%) and ΣREE (1.63–2.94 ppm). The second pyroxenite variety (type‐II) is characterized by SiO2 (45.44–49.61 wt%), MgO (16.68–19.78 wt%), Al2O3 (4.24–8.77 wt%), ΣPGE (14.46–322.06 ppb), and ΣREE (5.82–7.44 ppm). Pyroxenite type‐I shows N‐MORB‐like chondrite‐normalized REE patterns. Zircon U‐Pb ages of pyroxenite type‐I (194 ± 10 Ma), associated ophiolitic gabbro (135.3 ± 2.0 Ma), and plagiogranite (124.2 ± 2.3 Ma) evidently imply episodic evolution of the Zedang ophiolites. The mineralogical and geochemical characteristics of the investigated pyroxenites can be explained by subduction‐initiated hydrous melting of metasomatized sub‐arc mantle, later overprinted by sub‐slab mantle melting triggered by upwelling asthenosphere during the Jurassic–Early Cretaceous times. The geochemical variations in pyroxenite vein composition, coupled with age differences amongst the other ophiolite units, may correspond to intermittent emplacement of pyroxenite dikes and isotropic gabbroic intrusions where the geodynamic setting progressed from arc maturation and slab rollback to slab tearing and delamination.
Autism and self‐harm: A population‐based and discordant sibling study of young individuals
Authors: Stark Isidora , Rai Dheeraj , Lundberg Michael , Culpin Iryna , Nordström Selma Idring , Ohlis Anna , Magnusson Cecilia
Published: July 2022

Objective

Self‐harm among young autistic individuals is a clinical challenge, and the risk of premature death by suicide is strongly increased in this group. Using the advantage of total‐population and family‐based data, we investigated whether autism per se is a risk factor for self‐harm independently of psychiatric comorbidities and how it differs from self‐harm in non‐autistic individuals.

Methods

We used The Stockholm Youth Cohort, a total‐population register study, including all residents in Stockholm County aged 0–17 years between 2001 and 2011.Study participants were followed from age 10 to 27 for hospital admissions because of self‐harm. We used modified Poisson regression to calculate relative risks (RR) using robust standard error to derive 95% confidence intervals (CI).

Results

In all, 410,732 individuals were included in the cohort (9,070 with a diagnosis of autism). Autistic individuals had a fivefold increased adjusted relative risk of self‐harm (RR 5.0 [95% CI 4.4–5.6]). The risk increase was more pronounced for autism without intellectual disability and particularly high for self‐cutting 10.2 [7.1–14.7] and more violent methods 8.9 [5.2–15.4]. The association between autism and self‐harm was independent of, but clearly exacerbated by comorbid psychiatric conditions. It was of similar magnitude as risks linked to these conditions per se, and not explained by shared familial factors.

Conclusion

Self‐harm severe enough to present to medical services is as common in autistic youth as in those with depression or ADHD. Potentially more lethal methods are more likely to be used of autistic self‐harmers.
No evidence for the simultaneous induction of structural and chemical defences in spiny southern African savanna trees
Authors: Wigley Benjamin J. , Coetsee Corli , Mawoyo Kuzivakwashe A. , Fritz Hervé
Published: July 2022

It is still not well established whether plant chemical and physical defence traits can be simultaneously induced in savanna trees and how this would affect plant nutritional quality. Here, we use a long‐term mammalian herbivore exclosure experiment in a dystrophic semi‐arid African savanna to test how chemical (condensed tannins [CTs] and total polyphenols [TPs]) and structural (spines and thorns) defences are affected by herbivore exclusion in five common savanna woody species. We also tested whether nutritional quality interacted with either physical or chemical defences after protected trees were reintroduced to herbivores. Trees that remained available to herbivores did not increase CTs and TPs, rather these were found to be higher without mammalian herbivory in some species. In contrast, herbivory resulted in a significant induction of structural defences (i.e. longer and thicker spines) and at the same time, improved nutritional quality (i.e. higher available crude protein and lower C:N ratios) for some species. We found that the plant defence traits of the treatment which previously excluded herbivores were mostly similar to the control, which both differed from the exclosure, suggesting that legacies of herbivore exclusion on plant defence traits are mostly short‐lived.
How does climate change affect the evidence we need for agricultural development?
Authors: Lipper Leslie , Puri Jyotsna , Cavatassi Romina , McCarthy Nancy
Published: July 2022

Evidence‐based knowledge has been a critical element for designing effective investments into agricultural transformation, particularly in recent years. Now, however, climate change alters the nature of the knowledge and supporting evidence needed. That leads to the main question we address in this article – how climate change affects the evidence needed to support agricultural transformation. We look at the issue through the lens of the multilateral development banks, and in particular the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). We suggest three major approaches to addressing the shortfalls in the current evidence base: (1) better synthesis of information that is currently available to increase its utility in designing new investments, (2) improving the information we gather to better provide the evidence base on why and how transformative changes occur, and (3) much greater attention to mechanisms to help bridge the research/policy divide.
Low diversity of fishes in high elevation Afrotromontane streams renders them unsuitable for biomonitoring
Authors: Raburu Phillip O. , Masese Frank O. , Mwasi Benjamin N.
Published: July 2022

Most of the rivers in the Afrotropics emerge from forested uplands that are prime for human activities, including crop farming, grazing and settlement. However, streams draining these areas have a low diversity of fishes, which limits their use as indicators of water quality and ecological status. Here, we developed macroinvertebrate‐ and fish‐based indices of biotic integrity and evaluated their responses to human activities in the Sondu‐Miriu River, Kenya. Overall, water quality declined downstream because of the cumulative effects of human activities. The upper reaches had poor fish diversity with at most three species, but macroinvertebrate communities were diverse on the entire gradient of the river. Metrics that have been used to develop indices of biotic integrity in the Lake Victoria basin were selected and evaluated for responsiveness to various forms of human disturbance along the river. The poor diversity of fishes in the upper reaches limited the number of metrics that could be developed and evaluated. The fish index was only successfully applied in the middle and lower reaches where fish diversity was high. However, macroinvertebrates were diverse and sensitive to human activities on the entire gradient of the river. This study shows that for biomonitoring, macroinvertebrate communities offer a better alternative to fishes in high elevation Afromontane streams that harbour poor fish assemblages.
Invasive mechanical ventilation in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome receiving extracorporeal support: a narrative review of strategies to mitigate lung injury
Authors: Zochios V. , Brodie D. , Shekar K. , Schultz M. J. , Parhar K. K. S.
Published: July 2022

Veno‐venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation is indicated in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome and severely impaired gas exchange despite evidence‐based lung protective ventilation, prone positioning and other parts of the standard algorithm for treating such patients. Extracorporeal support can facilitate ultra‐lung‐protective ventilation, meaning even lower volumes and pressures than standard lung‐protective ventilation, by directly removing carbon dioxide in patients needing injurious ventilator settings to maintain sufficient gas exchange. Injurious ventilation results in ventilator‐induced lung injury, which is one of the main determinants of mortality in acute respiratory distress syndrome. Marked reductions in the intensity of ventilation to the lowest tolerable levels under extracorporeal support may be achieved and could thereby potentially mitigate ventilator‐induced lung injury and theoretically patient self‐inflicted lung injury in spontaneously breathing patients with high respiratory drive. However, the benefits of this strategy may be counterbalanced by the use of continuous deep sedation and even neuromuscular blocking drugs, which may impair physical rehabilitation and impact long‐term outcomes. There are currently a lack of large‐scale prospective data to inform optimal invasive ventilation practices and how to best apply a holistic approach to patients receiving veno‐venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, while minimising ventilator‐induced and patient self‐inflicted lung injury. We aimed to review the literature relating to invasive ventilation strategies in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome receiving extracorporeal support and discuss personalised ventilation approaches and the potential role of adjunctive therapies in facilitating lung protection.
IGFBP5 antisense and short hairpin RNA (shRNA) constructs improve erectile function by inducing cavernosum angiogenesis in diabetic mice
Authors: Ock Jiyeon , Suh Jun‐Kyu , Hong Soon‐Sun , Kang Ju‐Hee , Yin Guo Nan , Ryu Ji‐Kan
Published: July 2022

Background

The incidence of diabetic erectile dysfunction (ED) is rapidly increasing, and due to the severe angiopathy caused by diabetes, current drugs are ineffective at treating ED. Insulin‐like growth factor‐binding protein 5 (IGFBP5) promotes cell death and induces apoptosis in various cell types.

Objectives

To evaluate the effectiveness of IGFBP5 knockdown in improving erectile function in diabetic mice.

Materials and methods

Diabetes was induced by injecting streptozotocin (STZ) intraperitoneally into male 8‐week‐old C57BL/6 mice. Eight weeks after diabetes induction, mice were divided into four groups: a nondiabetic control group and three STZ‐induced diabetic mice groups, which were administered intracavernous injections of phosphate buffered saline, scrambled control shRNA, or shRNA targeting mouse IGFBP5 (shIGFBP5) lentivirus particles. Two weeks later, we measured erectile function by electrically stimulating the bilateral cavernous nerve. To mimic diabetic angiopathy, primary cavernous endothelial cells (MCECs) from healthy mice were cultured and treated with glucose.

Results

IGFBP5 expression in MCECs or cavernous tissues were significantly increased under diabetic conditions, and knockdown of IGFBP5 induced MCECs angiogenic activity under high‐glucose conditions. STZ‐induced diabetic mice had reduced erectile function, but shIGFBP5 treatment resulted in significant improvements (to 90% of the nondiabetic control group level). Furthermore, in diabetic mice, numbers of cavernous endothelial cells, pericytes, and neuronal cells were increased by shIGFBP5 treatment, which also increased eNOS Ser1177 phosphorylation, decreased permeability and apoptosis of cavernous endothelial cells. In addition, IGFBP5 was found to mediate the AKT, ERK, p38 signaling pathways.

Discussion and conclusion

Knockdown of IGFBP5 improved erectile function in diabetic mice by promoting cell proliferation and reducing apoptosis and permeability. Local inhibition of IGFBP5 expression may provide a new treatment strategy for diabetic ED and other ischemic vascular or neurological diseases.
Short‐term outcomes following development of a dedicated pelvic exenteration service in a tertiary centre
Authors: Traeger Luke , Bedrikovetski Sergei , Oehler Martin K. , Cho Jonathan , Wagstaff Marcus , Harbison Jack , Lewis Mark , Vather Ryash , Sammour Tarik
Published: July 2022

Background

Pelvic exenteration surgery (PE) offers potentially curative resection for locally advanced malignancy but is associated with significant complexity and morbidity. Specialised teams are recommended to achieve optimal patient outcomes. This study aims to analyse short‐term outcomes at a tertiary setting before and after creating a dedicated PE service.

Methods

Patients undergoing PE between 2008 and October 2021 at the Royal Adelaide Hospital and St. Andrews Hospital in South Australia were included, with prospective data collection since June 2017. Patients operated on prior and post the creation of the PE service were compared via univariate analyses.

Results

In total, 113 patients were included, with a significant increase in volume of cases post creation of the PE service, (n = 46 pre versus n = 67 post). There were significant differences in the type of neoadjuvant therapy and patient co‐morbidity, with more advanced disease stage and a higher likelihood of bone involvement (P < 0.05) in the latter period. An increased proportion of patients had flap reconstruction (40.3 versus 33.9%, P = 0.010) as well as lateral lymph node dissection (13.4 versus 2.2%, P = 0.046). Despite this, peri‐operative outcomes such as urosepsis (11.9 versus 28.3%, P = 0.028) and Clavien‐Dindo grade of complications grade improved. R0 resections were achieved in 93.9% of curative cases (93.9 versus 84.2%, P = 0.171).

Conclusion

The development of a PE service significantly improved short term patient outcomes, despite the inclusion of patients with more advanced disease and comorbidity.
Timing of referral to outpatient palliative care for patients with haematologic malignancies
Authors: Patel Sameer , Hoge Geordyn , Fellman Bryan , Kaur Sharanpreet , Heung Yvonne , Bruera Eduardo , Hui David
Published: July 2022

Outpatient palliative‐care facilitates timely supportive‐care access; however, there is a paucity of studies on the timing of referral in the outpatient setting for patients with haematologic malignancy. We examined the trend in timing of outpatient palliative‐care referrals over a 10‐year period in patients with haematologic malignancies at our comprehensive cancer centre. We included consecutive patients with a diagnosis of haematologic malignancy who were seen at our outpatient palliative‐care clinic between 1 January 2010 and 31 December 2019. We collected data on patient characteristics, symptom burden and supportive‐care interventions at outpatient palliative‐care consultation. The primary outcome was time from outpatient palliative‐care consultation to death or last follow‐up. In all, 384 patients were referred by leukaemia (n = 143), lymphoma (n = 213), and stem cell transplant (n = 28) services. The median time from outpatient palliative‐care referral to death was 3.4 years (IQR 2.4–5.3) with a significant increase in both the number of referrals per year (p = 0.047) and the timing of referral between 2010 and 2019 (p = 0.001). Patients with haematologic malignancies were referred in a timely fashion to our outpatient palliative‐care clinic, with earlier and greater numbers of referrals over time.
Upregulation of HIF‐1α contributes to complement activation in transplantation‐associated thrombotic microangiopathy
Authors: Qi Jiaqian , Pan Tingting , You Tao , Tang Yaqiong , Chu Tiantian , Chen Jia , Fan Yi , Hu Shuhong , Yang Fei , Ruan Changgeng , Wu Depei , Han Yue
Published: July 2022

Transplantation‐associated thrombotic microangiopathy (TA‐TMA) is a severe complication of haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Complement activation is involved in the development of TA‐TMA. However, the underlying mechanism is unclear. Therefore, 21 samples of TA‐TMA and 1:1 matched controls were measured for hypoxia‐inducible factor‐1α (HIF‐1α) and complement protein. The mechanism was investigated both in vitro and in vivo. In this study, we found that levels of HIF‐1α were significantly higher in TA‐TMA patients than that in non‐TA‐TMA controls. Upregulation of HIF‐1α induced an increase in membrane‐bound complement C3 and dysfunction of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) in vitro. Increasing HIF‐1α in vivo led to C3 and C5b‐9 deposition in the glomerular endothelial capillary complex, thrombocytopenia, anaemia, and increased serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels in wild‐type (WT) but not in C3−/− mice subjected to HSCT. High platelet aggregation in peripheral blood and CD41‐positive microthrombi in the kidney were also found in dimethyloxallyl glycine (DMOG)‐treated mice, recapitulating the TA‐TMA phenotype seen in patients. Comprehensive analysis, including DNA array, luciferase reporter assay, chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP)‐seq, and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR), revealed that HIF‐1α interacted with the promoter of complement factor H (CFH) to inhibit its transcription. Decreased CFH led to complement activation in endothelial cells.
Linking small‐scale fisheries co‐management to U.N. Sustainable Development Goals
Authors: Smallhorn‐West Patrick , Cohen Philippa J. , Phillips Michael , Jupiter Stacy D. , Govan Hugh , Pressey Robert L.
Published: July 2022

Small‐scale fisheries account for 90% of global fishers and 40% of the global catch. Effectively managing small‐scale fisheries is, therefore, crucial to progressing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Co‐management and community‐based fisheries management are widely considered the most appropriate forms of governance for many small‐scale fisheries. We outlined relationships between small‐scale fisheries co‐management and attainment of the SDGs, including evidence for impacts and gaps in dominant logic. We identified 11 targets across five SDGs to which small‐scale fisheries co‐management (including community‐based fisheries management) can contribute; the theory of change by which these contributions could be achieved; and the strength of evidence for progress toward SDG targets related to various co‐management strategies. Our theory of change links the 11 SDG targets by qualifying that progress toward some targets is contingent on others being achieved first. We then reviewed 58 case studies of co‐management impacts from the Pacific Islands––a region rich in local marine governance––to evaluate evidence of where, to what degree, and with how much certainty different co‐management strategies conferred positive impacts to each SDG target. These strategies included access restrictions, permanent area closures, periodic closures, and gear and species restrictions. Although many studies provide evidence linking multiple co‐management strategies to improvements in resource status (SDG 14.4), there was limited evidence of follow‐on effects, such as improvements in catch (SDG 2.3, 2.4), livelihoods (SDG 1.2), consumption (SDG 2.1), and nutrition (SDG 2.2). Our findings suggest that leaps of logic and assumptions are prevalent in co‐management planning and evaluation. Hence, when evaluating co‐management impacts against the SDGs, consideration of ultimate goals is required, otherwise, there is a risk of shortfalls between aspirations and impact.
The additive value of patch testing non‐commercial test substances and patients' own products in a clinic of occupational dermatology
Authors: Aalto‐Korte Kristiina , Pesonen Maria
Published: July 2022

Background

Commercial patch test substances do not cover all occupational contact allergens. Workplace materials and in‐house test substances are tested to complement the investigation of occupational skin disease (OSD).

Objectives

To quantify the additional value of testing workplace materials and non‐commercial in‐house test substances in the diagnosis of OSD.

Materials and Methods

Patients files of 544 patients patch tested at the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health in 2015–2019 were reviewed for occupation, diagnoses and patch test results.

Results

OSD was diagnosed in 353 (64.9%) of the patients. A total of 206 (37.9%) patients had occupational allergic contact dermatitis (OACD). In 19 (3.5%) patients, the only clues to the diagnoses of OACD were positive reactions to workplace materials, and in 20 (3.7%) patients, the diagnosis of OACD was based on commercially unavailable test substances. In 167 OACD cases diagnosed by commercial test substances, additional causes were found in 17 by testing patients' own and non‐commercial test substances. In 43 (7.9%) cases, positive reactions to workplace materials reinforced diagnoses based on commercial test substances. The overall additive value of testing own products was 16.7% (91 cases).

Conclusion

We would have missed 39 (18.9%) of our 206 OACD cases if we had solely used commercial test substances.
Accessibility and Inclusion for Families with Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders in Cultural Institutions
Authors: Hladik Libby , Meyer Robin , Allen Scott , BONNICI Sandra , Froelke Nicole A. , Romaniak Holly , Ougayour Yasmeena , Nelson Nicole , Alkhamees Abdullah K. , Davis Heather , Ausderau Karla K.
Published: July 2022

This project aimed to develop a comprehensive set of evaluation tools to assess the accessibility and inclusion of families with children on the autism spectrum in cultural institutions. A stakeholder team conducted interviews, reviewed museum artifacts, and observed museum programming. An evaluation toolkit was constructed by incorporating best practices from current literature and collected data. Tools were piloted and revised after being implemented in the museum context. The Toolkit to Increase Accessibility and Inclusion for Children on the Autism Spectrum and with Sensory Processing Differences in Cultural Institutions was developed with five unique tools, the Dimensions of Accessibility framework, and further resources to provide a self‐assessment of cultural institutions. The toolkit can be used broadly across many types of institutions and self‐assessment can lead to proactive development of public spaces, institutions, and programming that is accessible and inclusive of diverse groups of people, beyond families with children on the autism spectrum.
Women with alcohol dependence and FASD prevention
Authors: Evans Susan
Published: July 2022

Key Points

The claim “FASD is entirely preventable” is unrealistic.

The claim “FASD is entirely preventable”—inasmuch as it leads to shame and stigma—is actually doing more harm than good.
Assisting hand use and self‐care bimanual performance of children with unilateral spastic cerebral palsy
Authors: Brandão Marina B. , Coster Wendy J. , Figueiredo Priscilla R. P. , Amaral Maíra F. , Gordon Andrew M. , Mancini Marisa C.
Published: July 2022

Aim

To examine the relationship between assisting hand use in bimanual activities and children's self‐care activities and task performance.

Method

We retrospectively analysed daily functioning (Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory [PEDI]) and bimanual performance (Assisting Hand Assessment [AHA]) data from the assessment of 112 children (mean age: 8 years 10 months [SD 2 years 1 month], range 3 years 7 months–17 years 4 months; 66 males, 46 females) with unilateral spastic cerebral palsy (CP). We used Rasch analysis to examine the relationship between individual item scores from the AHA and the self‐care items (functional skills, caregiver assistance) from the PEDI.

Results

Most self‐care functional skills and caregiver‐assisted tasks were located on the middle of the unidimensional continuum. These items showed similar levels of difficulty as the items from the AHA related to the effective coordination of two hands, appropriate pace, and use of the assisting hand to stabilize and release objects, as well as variations in arm movements.

Interpretation

The distribution of the PEDI self‐care and AHA items along the unidimensional continuum illustrates the relationship between assisting hand use and self‐care bimanual performance. Interpretation of the items' locations on the hierarchical unidimensional continuum may be helpful to therapists' clinical reasoning and suggest intervention goals to improve the hand function and daily functioning of children with unilateral spastic CP. Such an application needs further investigation.
Management of haemophilia A with inhibitors: A regional cross‐talk
Authors: Peyvandi Flora , Kavakli Kaan , El‐Beshlawy Amal , Rangarajan Savita
Published: July 2022

Introduction

The development of inhibitors with factor VIII (FVIII) replacement therapy is one of the most common and challenging complications of haemophilia A (HA) treatment, jeopardising treatment efficacy and predisposing patients to high risks of morbidity and mortality. The management of patients with inhibitors is particularly challenging in countries where resources are limited.

Aim

To provide a comprehensive summary of the management of HA with inhibitors while focusing on differences in practice between Western and non‐Western countries and how resource scarcity can impact HA management, leading to suboptimal outcomes in patients with inhibitors.

Methods

Summary of key evidence and regional expert opinion.

Results

We address, particularly, the diagnosis of and testing for inhibitors, as well as the epidemiology of inhibitors, including incidence, prevalence and disease burden. Secondly, we provide an overview of the current treatment landscape in HA with inhibitors regarding the eradication of inhibitors with immune tolerance induction and the treatment and prevention of bleeding with bypassing agents, non‐factor replacement agents and other experimental therapies. This is complemented with insights from the authors around the applicability of, and challenges associated with, such therapies in their settings of practice.

Conclusions

We conclude by proposing some key steps towards bridging the gaps in the management of HA with inhibitors in resource‐limited countries, including: (1) the collection of quality data that can inform healthcare reforms and policies; (2) improving disease knowledge among healthcare practitioners and patients with the aim of standardising disease management across centres and (3) working towards promoting equal access to HA care and therapies for everyone.
Computed tomography‐guided radiofrequency ablation of cervical intervertebral discs for the treatment of refractory cervicogenic headache: A retrospective chart review
Authors: Hu Jia‐Qi , Zhang Juan , Ru Bin , Cai Wen‐Jun , Liu Wen‐Long , Guo Ran , Ji Zhong‐Wei , Wan Quan , Xu Lang‐Hai , Cheng Yan , Zhang Jie , Li Shun
Published: July 2022

Objective

To evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of computed tomography (CT)‐guided radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of cervical intervertebral discs for the treatment of discogenic cervicogenic headache (CEH).

Background

Some patients with CEH experience no obvious therapeutic effect after conventional therapy, particularly patients with refractory CEH originating from abnormal cervical intervertebral discs. Treatment for this type of CEH remains poorly characterized.

Methods

Using a single intervention arm, pretest/posttest design, we retrospectively analyzed the data of patients who underwent CT‐guided RFA of cervical intervertebral discs for CEH at the Pain Medicine Center of Zhejiang Provincial People’s Hospital from January 2017 to April 2021. If conservative treatment failed in patients with discogenic CEH, we classified the patients as having refractory CEH and performed RFA of cervical intervertebral discs. We used a numeric rating scale (NRS) to assess pain intensity for 6 months. We also compared therapeutic outcome of patients with different characteristics.

Results

A total of 44 patients who underwent CT‐guided RFA of cervical intervertebral discs were enrolled and 41 of them were analyzed in the present study. The preoperative median (25th, 75th) NRS score was 4 (4, 5), and it was significantly reduced to 1 (0, 4) 6 months after RFA (p < 0.001). The number of patients with ≥50% of their pain relieved after 6 months was 28 of 41 (68%). No serious treatment‐related complications occurred in this study. Compared with single‐level RFA, multi‐level RFA shows greater effects on pain intensity reduction (p = 0.032) and pain relief rate (p = 0.047) of patients.

Conclusion

In patients who have discogenic CEH, CT‐guided RFA of the cervical intervertebral discs appears to be a promising treatment with no serious complications.
Urbanisation dampens the latitude‐diversity cline in ants
Authors: Perez Abe , Chick Lacy , Menke Sean , Lessard Jean‐Philippe , Sanders Nathan , Del Toro Israel , Meldgaard Niklas Sundebo , Diamond Sarah
Published: July 2022

The increase in species diversity from temperate to tropical regions is one of the most widespread patterns in biogeography. As humans continue to drastically modify natural habitats, land‐use changes such as the development of cities could potentially alter typical latitudinal diversity gradients. Cities could depress or enhance biodiversity through filtering, localised extirpations, or increasing niche availability, respectively.

To address these possibilities and the consequences for the latitudinal diversity gradient, we constructed a global dataset of urban species diversity (richness) and community composition across ~60° of absolute latitude and from 63 cities. We focused our study on ants, for which comparable urban and non‐urban diversity data are broadly available.

We found that urbanisation significantly dampened the latitude‐diversity cline. The effects of urbanisation varied with latitude: at lower latitudes, cities were relatively species poor and harboured distinct ant communities relative to nearby non‐urban communities. In higher latitude cities, both species richness and community composition were more similar to the surrounding non‐urban ant communities.

Our analyses suggest that the strongest impacts of urbanisation on ant diversity may be in the tropics, where biological diversity is already expected to experience the greatest risk of extinction in the face of climate change.
The efficacy of combined immunotherapy with Propes and Inflamafertin in adult patients with genetic deficiency of the folate cycle and selective deficiency of NK and NKT cells
Authors: Maltsev Dmitry , Stefanyshyn Volodymyr
Published: July 2022

The purpose of the present study is to evaluate the efficacy of combination immunotherapy with Propes and Inflamafertin in GDFC adults with natural killer (NK) and/or natural killer T‐lymphocyte (NKT) cell deficiency. This single‐centre, retrospective, controlled, non‐randomized clinical trial analysed medical records of 212 adult GDFC patients aged 19–50 years (study group [SG]). SG received Propes at a dose of 2 ml intramuscularly every other day at night for three consecutive months and Inflamafertin at a dose of 2 ml IM every other day at night for three consecutive months in rotation with Propes. The control group involved 34 patients with GDFC who followed the same age and gender distribution pattern but did not receive immunotherapy. The number of NK cells reached the lower limit of normal in 95 out of 131 patients (72% of cases) with baseline deficiency of these lymphocytes. The average number of NK cells in the blood of SG patients almost doubled during the 3‐month course of immunotherapy (P ˂ 0.05; Z ˂ Z0.05). However, it almost returned to initial levels 2 months following the discontinuation of the immunotherapeutic agents (P ˃ 0.05; Z ˃ Z0.05). Combination immunotherapy with Propes and Inflamafertin is an effective strategy for the treatment of immunodeficiency caused by GDFC in adult patients.
Gender differences in susceptibility to smoking among high school students
Authors: Santano‐Mogena Esperanza , Franco‐Antonio Cristina , Cordovilla‐Guardia Sergio
Published: July 2022

Aims

To analyse the degree of susceptibility to smoking according to gender in students between 12 and 16 years of age and study the role of factors associated with gender and the extended index of susceptibility to smoking.

Design

Cross‐sectional study.

Methods

Between November 2019 and March 2020, 12‐ to 16‐year‐old students were recruited from three educational centres in western Spain. Sociodemographic, environmental, social and personal variables were analysed. The value of the extended index of susceptibility to smoking was calculated, and the associations between the students' genders and smoking susceptibility were studied. Multinomial logistic regression was used to study associations between the independent variables and Expanded Susceptibility Index (ESSI) results. The roles of factors in this association were explored through mediation analysis.

Results

A total of 364 students participated in the study (53% females). A total of 79.3% of females and 61.4% of males presented a medium‐high level of the extended index of susceptibility. Females reported greater cigarette use (28% vs. 12.3%), hookah (19.9% vs 9.9%) and alcohol consumption (20.7% risk alcohol consumption). They obtained higher scores on the impulsivity scale in the urgency domain and the negative affect scale. Regardless of other factors, females showed more than double the smoking susceptibility (aOR: 2.05, 95% CI: 1.03–4.07, p = .041). Mediation analysis showed that gender had a total effect on the extended susceptibility index β = .023 (95% CI: 0.07–0.38, p = .01). The effect appeared to be mediated only by having smoking friends (0.08; 95% CI: 0.03–0.15, p = .001).

Conclusions

The greater susceptibility to smoking found in females may be related to a greater influence of smoking among friends.

Impact

These results show that smoking friends have a strong influence among adolescent females; therefore, developing preventive programmes with gender approaches aimed at reducing the influence of these environmental factors would be of interest.