bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Follow the breath: mindfulness as travelling pedagogy
Authors: Low Remy
Published: February 2022

Purpose

This article considers the ethical and political significance of mindfulness by treating it as a pedagogy – that is, as a way of cultivating particular human capacities in response to a specific situation. It puts forward an approach for evaluating its implications not by recourse to a predetermined moral meter, but by locating it within specific historical and geographical contexts as mediated biographically by individual teachers.

Design/methodology/approach

Drawing on Edward Said's concept of “traveling theory”, this article proposes an approach called “travelling pedagogy” that sensitises the researcher to how the interplay of temporal, spatial, and biographical factors shape reiterations of any pedagogy. It then uses this conceptual framework to explore how mindfulness has been taught by three of its prominent proponents: Thich Nhat Hanh, Jon Kabat-Zinn, and bell hooks.

Findings

The exploration of how mindfulness has been taught by the three prominent teachers featured in this article demonstrates how its ethico-political implications transform under varied conditions of urgency faced by these teachers, respectively: war and militarisation; scientific legitimacy; racialised and gendered capitalism. This points to how a historical approach might add nuance to the discussions and debates on mindfulness beyond overgeneralised hype on the one hand, and sweeping “McMindfulness” critiques on the other.

Originality/value

This article proposes a new conceptual framework for evaluating the ethical and political significance of mindfulness – and indeed any form of pedagogy – by tracking it at the nexus of history, geography, and biography. By conceiving of mindfulness as a travelling pedagogy, it also counsels a more worldly consideration of its implications beyond beatific celebration and patrician contempt.
Congregating as a social phenomenon; the social glue that binds
Authors: MacCarthy Martin , Morgan Ashlee , Lambert Claire
Published: February 2022

Purpose

This study aims to consolidate and hone existing spectating and crowd theory. This is achieved by marrying socio-cultural ideas and concepts from related disciplines.

Design/methodology/approach

This conceptual review examines what people do when they congregate at an event, and in doing so, answers the question of what they forgo when denied a crowd. Concepts are teased from the literature as to what happens during participatory congregation (in company,in situ), punctuated by relegation without it.

Findings

Related concepts are organised into a typology. The metamodel is the essence of the paper and includes four themes: (1) identity construction, (2) interacting with others, (3) producing and co-producing the event and (4) the allure of tribalism.

Research limitations/implications

The paper is conceptual and therefore a typology (not a taxonomy). This implies that while it is likely transferable, it is not generalisable. It is manual and subjective, as opposed to objective and automatic. Notwithstanding future research implications, it is intended to inform those considering running virtual events.

Practical implications

Event organisers are informed as to the “what” and “why” of running community events. It encourages a more circumspect, humanistic view that events are not merely a source of revenue.

Social implications

This review contributes a macro understanding of human nature, complementing a micro understanding of crowd behaviour.

Originality/value

Virtual event management is a relatively new and burgeoning field. Prior to the Pandemic an event without a crowd was almost inconceivable.
Manager see manager do: the impact of geographic herding on corporate social responsibility
Authors: Nofsinger John , Patterson Fernando M. , Shank Corey
Published: February 2022

Purpose

The authors examine how local firms, regardless of industry, influence each other's corporate policies. The authors argue that there are two motives for why local firms may have similar corporate social responsibility (CSR) policies. First, the peer effect argues that a firm's chief executive officer (CEO) will likely interact regularly with fellow CEOs of local firms, especially those of similar size, influencing each other's firm to make similar decisions. Second, firms may believe that CSR policies can be used to attract local talent. That is, if there are many firms in the area, employees may elect to work for the firm that treats their employees better or shares their values. Thus, to compete for labor resources, local firms will herd in similar CSR policies.

Design/methodology/approach

Through regression analysis, the authors compare a firm's CSR policies to the policies of other firms in the geographic area (within 100 miles).

Findings

The authors find support for the peer effect hypothesis, as local firms of the same size positively and significantly affect a firm's own CSR score. In contrast, local firms of different sizes have a negative relationship. The combination of CSR scores being related to the CSR scores of similar sized firms and not to other size firms suggest that the peer effect dominates the labor pool effect.

Originality/value

Through regression analysis, the authors compare a firm's CSR policies to the policies of other firms in the geographic area.
Influencing factors of outsourcing in construction projects: a holistic perspective
Authors: Ma Danfeng , Chen Yongqiang , Fu Yongcheng , Meng Chao
Published: February 2022

Purpose

This study aims to first identify influencing factors of outsourcing decisions in construction projects systematically and further to unravel the interactions of these influencing factors from a holistic perspective.

Design/methodology/approach

This study concerns the design and analysis of two-stage studies, where, at the first stage, a systematic literature review and 48 semi-structured interviews with senior practitioners in construction firms were conducted to identify influencing factors in outsourcing decisions in construction projects. At the second stage, the decision-making and trial evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL) method was employed to explore the interactions between influencing factors and pathways of outsourcing decisions.

Findings

Three focuses for outsourcing decisions are outlined, revealing that outsourcing restrictions, strategic needs and cost objectives need to be considered in outsourcing decisions. In addition, the finding contributes to the integration of transaction costs perspective and capability perspective by unravelling the mechanism of how different factors work together.

Practical implications

This study outlines 18 influencing factors and three sequential focuses for outsourcing decision-making, providing a clearer understanding of each factor’s contribution for decision-makers.

Originality/value

Most of the existing studies stressed the net effect of individual outsourcing factors from a single logic and paid little attention to their complex causal relationship. This study develops a holistic perspective of the influencing factors of outsourcing in construction projects by contending the overall knowledge of outsourcing and analyzing the causal relationship between them.
The dark side of projectification: a systematic literature review and research agenda on the negative aspects of project work and their consequences for individual project workers
Authors: Aguilar Velasco Maria Magdalena , Wald Andreas
Published: February 2022

Purpose

Project work usually has a positive connotation and is considered innovative and modern. However, many project workers suffer from chronic stress, work overload and burnout. This study aims to integrate the determinants of the negative aspects of project work and their implications for individuals involved in projects.

Design/methodology/approach

A systematic review was used to analyze 290 papers from various disciplines to identify the most used theories, determinants of the negative aspects of project work and the consequences of these aspects for project participants' work-related and overall well-being.

Findings

Based on the findings of the review, this paper develops a multi-level framework that includes determinants at the levels of society, organizations, projects and individuals and discusses opportunities for further research. The findings show that socio-psychological theories and occupational health theories are the dominant theories used in research. The most frequently studied individual outcomes are affective symptoms and work-related outcomes. Detrimental individual outcomes are mostly associated with psychosocial work factors.

Originality/value

The study contributes to the literature by providing a comprehensive review of research on the negative aspects of project work and their implications for project workers. The multi-level framework can serve as a guide for future research and provides important insights for practitioners.
Resisting pulling the plug: the role of CEO regulatory focus and board independence in store closure activity
Authors: Iglesias Jose Luis Castro
Published: February 2022

Purpose

Although being fired up about changes such as firm expansion, chief executive officers (CEOs) have a hard time with changes that involve divesting businesses or downsizing operations. This study aims to examine how a particular psychological process – regulatory focus – serves as a managerial exit barrier in the context of store closings in the US retail industry. This study also examines how a particular corporate governance mechanism, the board of directors, moderates the relationship between CEO regulatory focus and divestment activity.

Design/methodology/approach

This study content-analyzed letters to shareholders to measure the regulatory focus of retail CEOs and used negative binomial regression to test the effect of the CEO’s regulatory focus and board independence on store closure activity.

Findings

The two motivation orientations – promotion and prevention – focuses have distinct effects on store closure decisions. As predicted, promotion-focused CEOs, who value attainment and growth, resist “pulling the plug.” Conversely, prevention-focused CEOs, who are more sensitive to losses, are more inclined to close stores. Independent boards decrease the CEOs’ resistance to “pull the plug” only when necessary, which is the case when CEOs have less vigilant tendencies.

Research limitations/implications

This study contributes to the strategy and marketing literature. It examines an individual-level antecedent of store closure decisions and responds to the call for research on the effect of regulatory focus on divestment decisions.

Practical implications

Leaders themselves can be a source of resistance to change. The findings suggest the importance of boards hiring CEOs psychologically aligned with the firms’ strategic priorities. Promotion-focused CEOs may be a better fit for companies engaged in growth and acquisition. By contrast, prevention-focused CEOs may be a better fit for firms involved in retrenchment and restructuring. Independent boards still have the power to influence CEO decisions in the case of a misfit, as the findings suggest.

Originality/value

This study examines divestment decisions during the “retail apocalypse” and provides empirical evidence for the existence of managerial exit barriers, first introduced by Michael Porter.
Wear behaviors at different temperatures of ZrO2 reinforced A356 matrix composites produced by mechanical alloying method
Authors: Şimşek Doğan , Özyürek Dursun , Salman Serdar
Published: February 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this study, the tribological behaviors at different temperatures of aluminium matrix composites (AMCs) with different amounts of ZrO2 added were investigated.

Design/methodology/approach

Aluminium graphite (A356/2 wt% graphite (solid lubricant)) composite powders prepared by adding four different amounts (3 wt%, 6 wt%, 9 wt% and 12 wt%) of Zirconia (ZrO2) to the matrix were mechanically alloyed for 4 h. Wear tests were conducted at five different temperatures (20 °C, 100 °C, 180 °C, 260 °C and 340 °C) and for three different sliding distances (53 m, 72 m and 94 m) on the pin-on-disc type wear tester.

Findings

Results of the study showed that the highest hardness and density value were measured for 12% ZrO2 added AMC material. Wear test results showed that weight loss increases with increasing temperature; weight loss decreases at all temperatures with the increasing amount of reinforcement in the matrix.

Originality/value

In this paper, the tribological properties of aluminium matrix composites produced by the mechanical alloying method by adding different amounts of ZrO2 were determined by simulating the tribological properties at different loads and temperatures.
Comparing outsourcing-outlook of manufacturing firms and logistics service providers in India and DACH countries
Authors: Maditati Dhanavanth Reddy , Kummer Sebastian , Munim Ziaul Haque , Schramm Hans-Joachim
Published: February 2022

Purpose

According to the logistics performance index, emerging countries such as India are lagging behind developed countries such as Germany, Austria and Switzerland (DACH region). The purpose of this study is to compare and understand the differences in logistics outsourcing outlook in the two regions by considering both manufacturing firms (M-firms) and logistics service providers’ (LSPs) perspectives.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey targeting both LSPs and M-firms in DACH and India is conducted. A total of 96 responses were analyzed by using the chi-square test to investigate the differences and alignments in outsourcing motivation, relationship and governance between firms within and across regions.

Findings

M-firms in India bear strategic motivations behind outsourcing and those in DACH incline towards costs. LSPs in both regions align with the motivations of M-firms. M-firms in India rely more on LSPs by transferring the ownership of outsourced tasks, as compared to DACH. Both M-firms and LSPs in DACH claim a high level of ownership. However, firms in DACH and India do not differ significantly in terms of outsourcing engagements they seek.

Research limitations/implications

The findings may only be generalized to large firms in India and DACH.

Practical implications

The findings of this study help managers enhance their understanding of the differences between M-firms and LSPs, and also across countries. LSPs in DACH, if they wish to operate successfully in India, will have to adapt to the M-firms strategic motivations and offer higher dependency.

Originality/value

This study is novel, as it investigates differences between India and DACH countries while also including both manufacturers’ and logistics service providers’ perspectives.
Pro-environmental behaviours of management students in times of the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Bugdol Marek , Szklarczyk Dariusz
Published: February 2022

Purpose

The main objective of the conducted research was to find out various manifestations of pro-environmental behaviours (PEBs) amongst students of extramural programmes forced to stay at home during the lockdown period.

Design/methodology/approach

In order to identify manifestations of PEBs during the lockdown, the authors conducted research with the participation of students of various management extramural programmes in a Polish university. The primary research method was diary, supplemented by literature review and analysis of curriculum content.

Findings

Pro-sanitary behaviours that dominated during the pandemic period were aimed at protecting individuals from contracting the virus and resulted from legal regulations. No clear and regular differences in PEBs were observed amongst the respondents with respect to their age, gender or familiarity with management systems used in their respective workplaces. Student-employees acquire little knowledge of PEBs during their studies. A serious barrier to the development of PEBs is the lack of access to knowledge that would clearly indicate the causes of environmental degradation.

Practical implications

Based on the obtained results, a list of recommendations for educational practices was developed. The list emphasises the importance of drawing students' attention to PEBs in the household environment.

Originality/value

The conducted research was another project focussed in general on environmental behaviours and aimed in particular at exploring how mandatory social distancing influenced people's PEBs. The paper also highlights some limitations of the diary method used to identify people's behaviours in the pandemic context.
Huns, Nuns, & Guns: A WebQuest
Authors: Dorn Chad Michael , Espinosa Carlos
Published: February 2022

The cost of war is extremely high. Human, monetary, and physical resources are all used in abundance during war. World War I was no exception. This war of attrition forced governments to devise means of convincing people on the home front to continue fighting the war. This WebQuest is designed to be used as a separate activity or in conjunction with a lesson on the years of deadlock during WWI.
Revolution: In the Hearts and Minds of People
Authors: Roedding Amy Lynn
Published: February 2022

This is a lesson set, or mini-unit, for students in grades 7 – 9 focused on the concept of revolutions. It follows a learning cycle format. This lesson set takes approximately four to five days to teach.
Herbivory may mediate the effects of nutrients on the dominance of alien plants
Authors: Li Yanjun , Gao Yingzhi , van Kleunen Mark , Liu Yanjie
Published: February 2022

Numerous studies have highlighted the roles of nutrient availability and fluctuations therein for invasion success of alien plants. Many others also highlighted the role of herbivores in invasion success. However, how herbivory and the level and fluctuations in nutrient availability interact in driving alien plant invasion into native communities remains largely unexplored.

We grew eight invasive alien species as target species in pot‐mesocosms with five different synthetic native communities in a three‐factorial design with two levels of nutrient availability (low vs. high), two levels of nutrient fluctuation (constant vs. pulsed) and two levels of above‐ground insect herbivory (with vs. without herbivores). As natural communities have both specialist and generalist herbivores, we simulated this using both a generalist and a specialist herbivorous grasshopper.

The relative biomass production of the alien target plants to the total biomass production (i.e. alien biomass/total biomass) decreased in response to an increase in nutrient availability, but increased in response to the presence of herbivores. Furthermore, we found indications that the dominance of the alien target species may depend on interactions of herbivory with changes in nutrient availability and nutrient fluctuations, although these interactions were only marginally significant.

Our multi‐trophic multi‐species experiment suggests that herbivory could mediate the interactive effect of nutrient enrichment and variability in nutrient supply on invasion of alien plants into native communities. Therefore, we recommend that studies testing the effects of resources on plant invasion should also consider interactive effects of other trophic levels.

Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.
HR analytics: An emerging field finding its place in the world alongside simmering ethical challenges
Authors: Edwards Martin R. , Charlwood Andy , Guenole Nigel , Marler Janet
Published: February 2022

HR analytics is an emerging field attracting substantial practitioner and academic attention. This article introduces the special issue on HR Aanalytics for the HRMJ. Several recent reviews in the area have struggled to find HR analytics research in the published literature and a key aim of this special issue is to show case high quality analytic projects and cutting‐edge analytic techniques to contribute to this emerging subfield of HRM. Before considering the papers in the special issue, we reflect on two key challenges in the area: First, HR analytics is not a recognized keyword, this makes it difficult to categorise and identify HR analytics research in the field. Second, there are a growing number of reviews of a field that has a limited range of recognised examples of empirical papers to draw on. We discuss the difficulties and potential political sensitivities for practitioners seeking to publish ‘within firm’ HR analytics projects. We also consider the growing recognition that organisations engaging in HR analytics projects have a range of ethical challenges to deal with going forward.
A high‐quality functional genome assembly of Delia radicum L. (Diptera: Anthomyiidae) annotated from egg to adult
Authors: Sontowski Rebekka , Poeschl Yvonne , Okamura Yu , Vogel Heiko , Guyomar Cervin , Cortesero Anne‐Marie , van Dam Nicole M.
Published: February 2022

Belowground herbivores are overseen and underestimated, even though they can cause significant economic losses in agriculture. The cabbage root fly Delia radicum (Anthomyiidae) is a common pest in Brassica species, including agriculturally important crops, such as oilseed rape. The damage is caused by the larvae, which feed specifically on the taproots of Brassica plants until they pupate. The adults are aboveground‐living generalists feeding on pollen and nectar. Female flies are attracted by chemical cues in Brassica plants for oviposition. An assembled and annotated genome can elucidate which genetic mechanisms underlie the adaptation of D. radicum to its host plants and their specific chemical defences, in particular isothiocyanates. Therefore, we assembled, annotated and analysed the D. radicum genome using a combination of different next‐generation sequencing and bioinformatic approaches. We assembled a chromosome‐level D. radicum genome using PacBio and Hi‐C Illumina sequence data. Combining Canu and 3D‐DNA genome assembler, we constructed a 1.3 Gbp genome with an N50 of 242 Mbp and 6 pseudo‐chromosomes. To annotate the assembled D. radicum genome, we combined homology‐, transcriptome‐ and ab initio‐prediction approaches. In total, we annotated 13,618 genes that were predicted by at least two approaches. We analysed egg, larval, pupal and adult transcriptomes in relation to life‐stage specific molecular functions. This high‐quality annotated genome of D. radicum is a first step to understanding the genetic mechanisms underlying host plant adaptation. As such, it will be an important resource to find novel and sustainable approaches to reduce crop losses to these pests.
The risk of intrauterine exposure to SARS‐CoV‐2 in female COVID‐19 patients: A comprehensive review
Authors: Zhu Guo‐hua , Liu Lu , Huang Xi‐xi , Li Da‐jin , Zhu Yi‐zhun , Lu Xin , Du Mei‐rong
Published: February 2022

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) is a new type of coronavirus that has caused fatal infectious diseases and global spread. This novel coronavirus attacks target cells through the interaction of spike protein and angiotensin‐converting enzyme II (ACE2), leading to different clinical symptoms. However, for a successful pregnancy, a well‐established in‐uterine environment includes a specific immune environment, and multi‐interactions between specific cell types are prerequisites. The immune‐related changes in patients infected with novel coronavirus could interfere with the immune microenvironment in the uterus, leading to fetal loss. We first reviewed the intrauterine environment in the normal development process and the possible pregnancy outcome in the infection state. Then, we summarized the immune response induced by SARS‐CoV‐2 in patients and analyzed the changes in ACE2 expression in the female reproductive system. Finally, the present observational evidence of infection in pregnant women was also reviewed.
Absent fourth heart sound as a marker of adverse events in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy with sinus rhythm
Authors: Sakai Chieko , Kawasaki Tatsuya , Kawamata Hirofumi , Harimoto Kuniyasu , Shiraishi Hirokazu , Matoba Satoaki
Published: February 2022

Background

Patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) in sinus rhythm commonly show the fourth heart sound (S4). The lack of S4 may be a marker of impaired atrial function in HCM patients with sinus rhythm.

Methods and Results

This retrospective study consisted of 47 patients with HCM who had undergone phonocardiography and a cardiopulmonary exercise test. The primary outcome was a composite of cardiac death, stroke, hospitalization for worsening heart failure, and newly developed atrial fibrillation (AF). S4 was detected in 38 of 43 patients with sinus rhythm (88%). Peak oxygen consumption was the highest in 38 sinus rhythm patients with S4 (23.6 ± 5.6 mL/kg/min), middle in five sinus rhythm patients without S4 (19.3 ± 6.7 mL/kg/min), and lowest in four patients with AF (15.7 ± 3.3 mL/kg/min, p = 0.01). After a median of 40.5 months, the incidence of the primary outcome was higher in patients without S4 than in those with S4 (33% vs. 8%; hazard ratio, 6.17; 95% confidence interval, 1.02 – 37.4; p = .04) and higher in sinus rhythm patients without S4 than in those with S4 (60% vs. 8%; hazard ratio, 12.05; 95% confidence interval, 2.31 – 71.41; p = .007).

Conclusions

The absence of S4 on phonocardiography was associated with impaired exercise tolerance and adverse cardiac events in HCM patients with sinus rhythm.
Prolonged ST segment and T‐wave alternans with torsade de pointes secondary to hypocalcemia due to hypoparathyroidism: A case report
Authors: Liu Jiang , Hou Hong , Xu Hui , Chen Yazhuo , Su Xiaoling
Published: February 2022

Hypoparathyroidism predisposes patients to hypocalcemia. Patients with hypoparathyroidism are thus at risk of electrocardiographic abnormalities, including T‐wave alternans. T‐wave alternans is poorly understood and lacks uniform diagnostic criteria. Its presence suggests myocardial electrical instability, and it has become an important sign for identifying patients at high risk of malignant arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death. We report a rare case of T‐wave alternans with torsade de pointes due to hypocalcemia. The etiology of T‐wave alternans may easily be overlooked. It should thus be thoroughly investigated to avoid misdiagnosis and poor outcomes.
Spying on the prior of the number of data clusters and the partition distribution in Bayesian cluster analysis
Authors: Greve Jan , Grün Bettina , Malsiner‐Walli Gertraud , Frühwirth‐Schnatter Sylvia
Published: February 2022

Cluster analysis aims at partitioning data into groups or clusters. In applications, it is common to deal with problems where the number of clusters is unknown. Bayesian mixture models employed in such applications usually specify a flexible prior that takes into account the uncertainty with respect to the number of clusters. However, a major empirical challenge involving the use of these models is in the characterisation of the induced prior on the partitions. This work introduces an approach to compute descriptive statistics of the prior on the partitions for three selected Bayesian mixture models developed in the areas of Bayesian finite mixtures and Bayesian nonparametrics. The proposed methodology involves computationally efficient enumeration of the prior on the number of clusters in‐sample (termed as ‘data clusters’) and determining the first two prior moments of symmetric additive statistics characterising the partitions. The accompanying reference implementation is made available in the R package fipp. Finally, we illustrate the proposed methodology through comparisons and also discuss the implications for prior elicitation in applications.
Better support for national than local system during the COVID‐19 pandemic in China
Authors: Xie Xiaona , Zhang Yue , Zhang Robert Jiqi , Ding Yi , Guo Yongyu
Published: February 2022

Individuals increase their support for social systems in response to the threat, panic, and uncertainty that characterized the COVID‐19 pandemic. This could be because a powerful social system can compensate for a lack of control at the individual level. However, the levels of public support for national versus local systems could be different in China. Two studies investigate whether people support the national more strongly than the local system during the COVID‐19 pandemic. Study 1 analyzed data of 3593 participants from China; the results showed that participants reported higher levels of support for the national system than the local. In Study 2, we further tested a possible moderator for it. With a sample of 275 participants, we found that the difference between public support for national and local systems in China was based on the perceived higher response efficacy with the national government. Implications for research on system justification and governmental pandemic responses were discussed.
Estimated Quadratic Inference Function for Correlated Failure Time Data
Authors: Yan Feifei , Liu Yanyan , Cai Jianwen , Zhou Haibo
Published: February 2022

An estimated quadratic inference function method is proposed for correlated failure time data with auxiliary covariates. The proposed method makes efficient use of the auxiliary information for the incomplete exposure covariates and preserves the property of the quadratic inference function method that requires the covariates to be completely observed. It can improve the estimation efficiency and easily deal with the situation when the cluster size is large. The proposed estimator which minimizes the estimated quadratic inference function is shown to be consistent and asymptotically normal. A chi-squared test based on the estimated quadratic inference function is proposed to test hypotheses about the regression parameters. The small-sample performance of the proposed method is investigated through extensive simulation studies. The proposed method is then applied to analyze the Study of Left Ventricular Dysfunction (SOLVD) data as an illustration.
TTP: From empiricism for an enigmatic disease to targeted molecular therapies
Authors: Graça Nuno A. G. , Joly Bérangère S. , Voorberg Jan , Vanhoorelbeke Karen , Béranger Nicolas , Veyradier Agnès , Coppo Paul
Published: February 2022

The 100th anniversary of the first description of Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (TTP) as a disease by Dr. Eli Moschcowitz approaches. For many decades, TTP remained mostly a mysterious fatal condition, where diagnosis was often post‐mortem. Initially a pentad of symptoms was identified, a pattern that later revealed to be fallible. Sporadic observations led to empiric interventions that allowed for the first impactful breakthrough in TTP treatment, almost 70 years after its first description: the introduction of plasma exchange and infusions as treatments. The main body of knowledge within the field was gathered in the latest three decades: patient registries were set and proved crucial for advancements; the general mechanisms of disease have been described; the diagnosis was refined; new treatments and biomarkers with improvements on prognosis and management were introduced. Further changes and improvements are expected in the upcoming decades. In this review, we provide a brief historic overview of TTP, as an illustrative example of the success of translational medicine enabling to rapidly shift from a management largely based on empiricism to targeted therapies and personalized medicine, for the benefit of patients. Current management options and present and future perspectives in this still evolving field are summarized.
Towards An Ordinary Life: Insights from a British story of social transformation, 1980–2001
Authors: Towell David
Published: February 2022

Background

In 2006, the United Nations agreed the Convention On the Rights Of Persons With Disabilities. Article 19, ‘Living independently and being included in the community’ sets out the ‘equal rights of all persons with disabilities to live in the community, with choices equal to others…’ A generation earlier, a small group of activists had come together at the invitation of the King's Fund—a major United Kingdom charity—to produce (in February 1980) the first pamphlet in an extensive series of contributions to improving the lives of people with learning disabilities. This became the An Ordinary Life initiative. I choose the generic word ‘initiative’. This was not a government policy change—in England we had to wait until 2001 for the White Paper Valuing People to catch up with progressive practice. It was not a project as usually understood, although it inspired many local projects across the country. Rather this first pamphlet became the common currency for the emergence of a social movement aspiring to end the institutionalisation of disabled people (in 1980 there were still more than 50,000 people with learning disabilities living their lives in British institutions and many more at risk of this when no longer able to rely on parental support) and ensure their right to live like others in the community.

The Narrative

My narrative here, writing as a participant, focuses on the period 1980–2001. It tells the story of how these activists—energised by scandal, international innovation and most importantly by personal experience—created a compelling vision of this better future, communicated this vision and helped to mobilise widespread action to deliver progress. It describes how good people were inventive in finding better ways of listening to people with learning disabilities and arranging ordinary housing and support to meet their aspirations. It considers how regional and national agencies created mutually‐reinforcing elements in the infrastructure necessary to strengthen the local capacities required for success.

Lessons

My account also offers an interpretive commentary on how transformative change was achieved. There was no grand plan. Emerging leaders, who appreciated the urgent need for change, inspired and learned from each other in ever‐expanding networks. Serendipity often played a part, strategy developed through experience and change proceeded by what has been called ‘scaling across’. Effectively the King's Fund and its allies created a system for continuous learning to support vision‐driven innovation. There are lessons here for meeting the unfinished business of achieving An Ordinary Life in the 2020s.
New class of benzothiophene morpholine analogues with high selectivity and affinity were designed and evaluated for anti‐drug addiction
Authors: Cai Jin , Wang Yuhong , Chen Xixi , Ji Min
Published: February 2022

To probe the mechanism of dopamine receptors in drug addiction and look for potential new methods for treating this disease, we have designed and synthesized benzothiophene morpholine analogues that were considered as dopamine D3 receptor‐selective ligands. Radioligand binding assay was used to determine the binding affinity of target compounds. Members of this class have great selectivity and binding affinity in D3 receptor. In addition, the ability of these compounds to mitigate the symptoms of addiction from opioids was investigated in animal behavior patterns, and we have found that two compounds (18a and 18d) have good affinity in the D3R and exhibit the efficacy of anti‐drug addiction in morphine‐dependent mice induced by naloxone.
Skin barrier function in nursing apprentices during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic
Authors: Babić Željka , Šakić Franka , Franić Zrinka , Macan Jelena
Published: February 2022

Background

Studies investigating simultaneous influence of personal and work‐related factors on skin health during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic are missing.

Objectives

To investigate the associations of skin hazards relevant for nursing apprentices with parameters of skin barrier function.

Methods

A total of 238 nursing apprentices attending the final year of education (median age 19 years) from vocational schools in Zagreb, Croatia, were enrolled in this study. We administered a questionnaire based on the Nordic Occupational Skin Questionnaire to the nursing apprentices, performed clinical examination of skin on the hands, and evaluated transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and stratum corneum (SC) pH on the dorsum of the hand.

Results

Around half of nursing apprentices had compromised hand skin barrier function, as indicated by TEWL values >25 g/m2/h (48%) and SC pH >5.5 (57%). Skin barrier was compromised in around 40% of nursing apprentices without clinically observed skin symptoms. Elevated SC pH was independent of ambient conditions associated with skin symptoms and female sex.

Conclusions

Measurement of SC pH was shown to be less sensitive to field conditions than TEWL, and should be employed more in the field studies. Strengthening of skin health promotion in healthcare workers and apprentices is needed in pandemic conditions.
Asthma, from mild to severe, is an independent prognostic factor for mild to severe Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19)
Authors: Kwok Wang Chun , Tam Anthony Raymond , Ho James Chung Man , Lam David Chi Leung , Tam Terence Chi Chun , Chan King Pui Florence , Wang Julie Kwan Ling , Ip Mary Sau Man , Hung Ivan Fan Ngai
Published: February 2022

Background

Chronic illnesses were reported to be poor prognostic factors associated with severe illness and mortality in Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) infection. The association with asthma, however, is limited and controversial, especially for mild asthma.

Methods

A territory wide retrospective study was conducted to investigate the association between asthma and the prognosis of COVID‐19. All patients with laboratory confirmed in Hong Kong for COVID‐19 from the 23 January to 30 September 2020 were included in the study. Severe diseases were defined as those who develop respiratory complications, systemic complications, and death.

Results

Among the 4498 patients included in the analysis, 165 had asthma, with 141 having mild asthma. Patients with asthma were significantly more likely to require invasive mechanical ventilation (incidence = 17.0% odds ratio [OR] = 4.765, p < 0.001), oxygen therapy (incidence = 39.4%, OR = 3.291, p < 0.001), intensive care unit admission (incidence = 21.2%, OR = 3.625, p < 0.001), and systemic steroid treatment (incidence = 34.5%, OR = 4.178, p < 0.001) and develop shock (incidence = 16.4%, OR = 4.061, p < 0.001), acute kidney injury (incidence = 6.1%, OR = 3.281, p = 0.033), and secondary bacterial infection (incidence = 56.4%, OR = 2.256, p < 0.001). They also had significantly longer length of stay. Similar findings were also found in patients with asthma of the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) steps 1 and 2 upon subgroup analysis.

Conclusions

Asthma, regardless of severity, is an independent prognostic factor for COVID‐19 and is associated with more severe disease with respiratory and systemic complications.
Optimal anesthetic conduct regarding immediate and short‐term outcomes after liver transplantation – Systematic review of the literature and expert panel recommendations
Authors: Chadha Ryan , Patel Dhupal , Bhangui Pooja , Blasi Annabel , Xia Victor , Parotto Matteo , Wray Christopher , Findlay James , Spiro Michael , Raptis Dimitri Aristotle ,   the ERAS4OLT.org Working Group
Published: February 2022

Background

In the era of enhanced recovery after surgery, there is significant discussion regarding the impact of intraoperative anesthetic management on short‐term outcomes following liver transplantation (LT), with no clear consensus in the literature.

Objectives

To identify whether or not intraoperative anesthetic management affects short‐term outcomes after liver transplantation.

Data Sources

Ovid MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus, Google Scholar, and Cochrane Central.

Methods

A systematic review following PRISMA guidelines was undertaken. The systematic review was registered on PROSPERO (CRD42021239758). An international expert panel made recommendations for clinical practice using the GRADE approach.

Results

After screening, 14 studies were eligible for inclusion in this systematic review. Six were prospective randomized clinical trials, three were prospective nonrandomized clinical trials, and five were retrospective studies. These manuscripts were reviewed to look at five questions regarding anesthetic care and its impact on short term outcomes following liver transplant. After review of the literature, the quality of evidence according to the following outcomes was as follows: intraoperative and postoperative morbidity and mortality (low), early allograft dysfunction (low), and hospital and ICU length of stay (moderate).

Conclusions

For optimal short term outcomes after liver transplantation, the panel recommends the use of volatile anesthetics in preference to total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA) (Level of Evidence: Very low; Strength of Recommendation: Weak) and minimum alveolar concentration (MAC) versus bispectral index (BIS) for depth of anesthesia monitoring (Level of Evidence: Very low; Strength of Recommendation: Weak). Regarding ventilation and oxygenation, the panel recommends a restrictive oxygenation strategy targeting a PaO2 of 70–120 mmHg (10–14 kPa), a tidal volume of 6–8 ml/kg ideal body weight (IBW), administration of positive end expiratory pressure (PEEP) tailored to patient intraoperative physiology, and recruitment maneuvers. (Level of evidence: Very low; Strength of Recommendation: Strong). Finally, the panel recommends the routine use of antiemetic prophylaxis. (Level of evidence: low; Strength of Recommendation: Strong).
COX‐2‐Hemmer: Keine präventive Wirkung gegen Hautkrebs
Authors: Yen Hsuan , Yen Hsi , Drucker Aaron M. , Han Jiali , Li Wen‐Qing , Li Tricia , Qureshi Abrar , Cho Eunyoung
Published: February 2022

Hintergrund

In einigen klinischen Studien war die Einnahme von Cyclooxygenase‐2 (COX‐2)‐Hemmern mit einem erniedrigten Hautkrebsrisiko bei Hochrisiko‐Patienten assoziiert.

Patienten und Methodik

Diese Studie sollte die Frage beantworten, ob die Einnahme von COX‐2‐Hemmern mit einem erniedrigten Risiko für Basalzellkarzinome (BCC), kutane Plattenepithelzellkarzinome (cSCC) oder Melanome assoziiert ist. Dafür haben wir die Daten aus drei prospektiven Kohortenstudien mit insgesamt 153 882 Teilnehmern auf die Einnahme von COX‐2‐Hemmern und das Risiko für Hautkrebs hin untersucht: die Nurses’ Health Study (NHS), die NHS II sowie die Health Professionals Follow‐up Study (HPFS). Mithilfe des Cox‐Proportional‐Hazard‐Modells wurden die multivariablen Hazard Ratios (HR) und die 95 %‐Konfidenzintervalle (95 %‐KI) für eine Assoziation der Einnahme von COX‐2‐Hemmern mit dem Risiko für BCC, cSCC und Melanom bestimmt. Die Daten wurden mittels eines Fixed‐Effects‐Modells zusammengefasst.

Ergebnisse

In den Studien waren 16 142 Fälle von BCC, 1973 Fälle von cSCC und 631 Melanomfälle dokumentiert. Die jemals erfolgte Einnahme von COX‐2‐Hemmern war mit einem mäßig erhöhten Risiko für BCC assoziiert (multivariable HR 1,09; 95 % KI 1,05–1,14). Die Hazard Ratio war ähnlich für cSCC (multivariable HR 1,12; 95 % KI 1,00–1,27) und Melanome (multivariable HR 1,10; 95 % KI 0,89–1,38), erreichte jedoch keine statistische Signifikanz.

Schlussfolgerung

Eine jemals erfolgte Einnahme von COX‐2‐Hemmern war nicht mit einem erniedrigten Risiko für Hautkrebs assoziiert, sondern im Gegenteil mit einem mäßig erhöhten Risiko für Basalzellkarzinome.
Long‐term transmural drainage of pancreatic fluid collections with double pigtail stents following lumen‐apposing metal stent placement improves recurrence‐free survival in disconnected pancreatic duct syndrome
Authors: Pawa Rishi , Dorrell Robert , Russell Greg , Gilliam John , Mishra Girish , Pawa Swati
Published: February 2022

Objectives

Disconnected pancreatic duct syndrome (DPDS) is the most common cause of pancreatic fluid collection (PFC) recurrence. While long‐term transmural drainage with plastic stents is the preferred endoscopic approach, there is a paucity of literature on patients undergoing initial drainage with lumen‐apposing metal stents (LAMS). We describe our experience managing patients with DPDS.

Methods

A retrospective review of a prospectively maintained database (November 2015–September 2020) was performed looking at clinical outcomes and overall survival for patients undergoing endoscopic management of PFCs using LAMS. The primary outcome was to assess recurrence‐free survival in PFC patients with DPDS managed with or without double pigtail stents (DPS) replacement after LAMS removal.

Results

Of 96 patients with PFCs, 48 with DPDS were included in the study. The median follow‐up was 20.1 months. LAMS replacement with DPS was successful in 21/48 (43.8%) patients. Recurrence was seen in 1/21 (5%) patients with DPS replacement and 10/27 (37%) without DPS replacement. In multivariable models, a longer duration of LAMS placement was negatively associated with successful DPS replacement (odds ratio 1.33, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.11, 1.59, P = 0.0019) and successful LAMS replacement with DPS in patients with DPDS improved recurrence‐free survival (hazard ratio 0.09, 95% CI 0.01, 0.83, P = 0.033).

Conclusion

In patients with PFCs and DPDS, early replacement of LAMS with DPS improves the likelihood of successful long‐term transmural drainage and decreases recurrences.
Risk factors, neuroimaging correlates and prognosis of the motoric cognitive risk syndrome: A population‐based comparison with mild cognitive impairment
Authors: Yaqub Amber , Darweesh Sirwan K. L. , Dommershuijsen Lisanne J. , Vernooij Meike W. , Ikram Mohammad Kamran , Wolters Frank J. , Ikram Mohammad Arfan
Published: February 2022

Background and purpose

This study was undertaken to compare risk factors, neuroimaging characteristics and prognosis between two clinical prodromes of dementia, namely, the motoric cognitive risk syndrome (MCRS) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI).

Methods

Between 2009 and 2015, dementia‐free participants of the population‐based Rotterdam Study were classified with a dementia prodrome if they had subjective cognitive complaints and scored >1 SD below the population mean of gait speed (MCRS) or >1.5 SD below the population mean of cognitive test scores (MCI). Using multinomial logistic regression models, we determined cross‐sectional associations of risk factors and structural neuroimaging markers with MCRS and MCI, followed by subdistribution hazard models, to determine risk of incident dementia until 2016.

Results

Of 3025 included participants (mean age = 70.4 years, 54.7% women), 231 had MCRS (7.6%), 132 had MCI (4.4%), and 62 (2.0%) fulfilled criteria for both. Although many risk factors were shared, a higher body mass index predisposed to MCRS, whereas male sex and hypercholesterolemia were associated with MCI only. Gray matter volumes, hippocampal volumes, white matter hyperintensities, and structural white matter integrity were worse in both MCRS and MCI. During a mean follow‐up of 3.9 years, 71 individuals developed dementia and 200 died. Five‐year cumulative risk of dementia was 7.0% (2.5%–11.5%) for individuals with MCRS, versus 13.3% (5.8%–20.8%) with MCI and only 2.3% (1.5%–3.1%) in unaffected individuals.

Conclusions

MCRS is associated with imaging markers of neurodegeneration and risk of dementia, even in the absence of MCI, highlighting the potential of motor function assessment in early risk stratification for dementia.