bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A thematic analysis of library association policies on services to persons with disabilities
Authors: Hill Heather
Published: July 2021

Purpose

Library association policies and guidelines are important to study because they reflect consensus values of the profession. As such, they can shape the association, itself, and set the tone for the values of its individual members in their professional practice. From the titles alone, these documents proclaim themselves to be guides for the development of individual library policy. Additionally, as library and information science (LIS) graduate education programs are accredited by national associations, LIS schools pay attention to association policies and guidelines to help shape professional and continuing education. In these ways, they have a role in shaping professional ideology around a topic. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

The services to persons with disabilities policies from three national-level LIS organizations were analyzed through a thematic analysis.

Findings

The guidelines speak to a shared understanding of disability and accessibility around the themes of library staff, library policies and library resources and services. While not surprising, additional themes around disability context and legislation show a shared understanding of accessibility that is much broader than what the legislation requires.

Originality/value

An analysis of guidelines on services to persons with disabilities from the American Library Association (ALA), Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) and Canadian Federation of Library Associations (CFLA) is of interest because of the ways these organizations intersect. The ALA and ALIA have reciprocal agreements so that students in LIS education programs are recognized as equivalents. Second, the ALA accredits library education programs in Canada. Given these intersecting relationships, the guidelines-shared notions of accessibility become of high interest.
The effect of green HRM practices on green competitive advantage of manufacturing firms
Authors: Muisyo Paul Kivinda , Qin Su , Ho Thu Hau , Julius Mercy Muthoni
Published: July 2021

Purpose

The rising public concern for the natural environment is compelling business entities to revise their business models toward green management. Most manufacturing firms have realized that green innovation is a critical factor that drives their success. However, green human resource scholars have overlooked this research line despite the potential contribution it can advance in green management scholarship. This paper empirically models the extent to which green innovation culture (GIC) moderates the relationship between green human resource management (GHRM) and green competitive advantage (GCA). The paper has two-fold objectives. First, to investigate the effects of GHRM and GIC on the firm's GCA and second, to model the extent to which GIC moderates the link between GHRM practices and GCA of manufacturing firms in Zhejiang Province of China.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from 324 Chinese employees from the manufacturing sector. The authors captured data from all levels of the organization. The authors made three models equations: two direct and one interactive. The authors then applied structural equation modeling (SEM) using AMOS 24 to test the study models and hypothesis.

Findings

The findings suggest that GHRM practices, which include recruitment and selection, training and development (green abilities); performance management and reward and compensation (green motivation); and employee involvement and leadership (green opportunities) have a significant positive effect on the firms GCA. The findings also indicate that firms that GIC, which include green product innovation (GPDI) and green process innovation (GPRI), promotes the firm's GCA. The paper further reveals that firms that combine GHRM and GIC attain higher GIC than those which practice GHRM only.

Originality/value

This paper draws a roadmap on how the top management in manufacturing firms can drive the firm's operations toward a higher GCA. It's the pioneer paper to suggest the combination of GHRM and GCI for enhanced GCA.
Organizational identity, professional identity salience and internal auditors’ assessments of the severity of internal control concerns
Authors: Burt Ian , Libby Theresa
Published: July 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to examine whether increasing the salience of the internal auditor’s professional identity, defined by the expectations of their professional group, increases internal auditors’ judgments of the severity of internal control concerns when their organizational identity is high.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper tests the hypothesis using a laboratory experiment with internal auditors as participants.

Findings

The results support the hypothesis that professional identity salience moderates the relation between organizational identity and the assessed severity of identified internal control weaknesses. Increasing the salience of professional identity results in a more severe assessment of identified internal control weaknesses when organizational identity is high than when it is low.

Originality/value

Prior research in the lab and in the field provides mixed results about the impact of organizational identity on internal auditors’ judgments of the severity of identified internal control concerns. This paper contributes to the discussion on this issue. In addition, the results have implications for the debate about the benefits and costs of in-house versus out-sourced internal audit functions.
Effect of nucleation layer thickness on reducing dislocation density in AlN layer for AlGaN-based UVC LED
Authors: Samsudin Muhammad Esmed Alif , Yusuf Yusnizam , Zainal Norzaini , Abu Bakar Ahmad Shuhaimi , Zollner Christian , Iza Michael , DenBaars Steven P.
Published: July 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate the influence of AlN nucleation thickness in reducing the threading dislocations density in AlN layer grown on sapphire substrate.

Design/methodology/approach

In this work, the effect of the nucleation thickness at 5 nm, 10 nm and 20 nm on reducing the dislocation density in the overgrown AlN layer by metal organic chemical vapor deposition was discussed. The AlN layer without the nucleation layer was also included in this study for comparison.

Findings

By inserting the 10 nm thick nucleation layer, the density of the dislocation in the AlN layer can be as low as 9.0 × 108 cm−2. The surface of the AlN layer with that nucleation layer was smoother than its counterparts.

Originality/value

This manuscript discussed the influence of nucleation thickness and its possible mechanism in reducing dislocations density in the AlN layer on sapphire. The authors believe that the finding will be of interest to the readers of this journal, in particular those who are working on the area of AlN.
The role of growth temperature on the indium incorporation process for the MOCVD growth of InGaN/GaN heterostructures
Authors: Yusof Ahmad Sauffi , Hassan Zainuriah , Ould Saad Hamady Sidi , Ng Sha Shiong , Ahmad Mohd Anas , Lim Way Foong , Che Seliman Muhd Azi , Chevallier Christyves , Fressengeas Nicolas
Published: July 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effect of growth temperature on the evolution of indium incorporation and the growth process of InGaN/GaN heterostructures.

Design/methodology/approach

To examine this effect, the InGaN/GaN heterostructures were grown using Taiyo Nippon Sanso Corporation metal-organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) SR4000-HT system. The InGaN/GaN heterostructures were epitaxially grown on 3.4 µm undoped-GaN (ud-GaN) and GaN nucleation layer, respectively, over a commercial 2” c-plane flat sapphire substrate. The InGaN layers were grown at different temperature settings ranging from 860°C to 820°C in a step of 20°C. The details of structural, surface morphology and optical properties were investigated using X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM), atomic force microscopy and ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectrophotometer, respectively.

Findings

InGaN/GaN heterostructure with indium composition up to 10.9% has been successfully grown using the MOCVD technique without any phase separation detected within the sensitivity of the instrument. Indium compositions were estimated through simulation fitting of the XRD curve and calculation of Vegard’s law from UV-Vis measurement. The thickness of the structures was determined using the Swanepoel method and the FE-SEM cross-section image.

Originality/value

This paper report on the effect of MOCVD growth temperature on the growth process of InGaN/GaN heterostructure, which is of interest in solid-state lighting technology, especially in light-emitting diodes and solar cell application.
Sexual assault investigations and the factors that contribute to a suspect's arrest
Authors: Markey James , Scott Thomas , Daye Crystal , Strom Kevin J.
Published: July 2021

Purpose

Sexual assault investigations present uniquely challenging circumstances to detectives, and a small proportion result in arrest. Improving sexual assault investigations requires expanding the evidence base to improve our understanding of how these investigations unfold and the factors associated with positive case outcomes, including the likelihood that an offender is arrested.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors abstracted data on 491 adult sexual assaults investigated by five large and midsized law enforcement agencies to describe the characteristics of sexual assault investigations and to explain the relationships between these characteristics and the likelihood that a suspect is arrested.

Findings

Overall, detectives move swiftly to investigate sexual assaults but tend to miss investigative opportunities that increase the likelihood of an arrest, like locating and processing the crime scene or pursuing interviews with key witnesses and leads. Sexual assaults typically lack physical evidence that can be used to identify and lead to an arrest of a suspected offender; when this evidence is present, the case is more likely to result in an arrest. Delayed reporting of the crime to law enforcement decreases the likelihood of a suspect being arrested, but the mechanisms are unclear.

Originality/value

Few studies have used a detailed data abstraction process for a large sample of cases from multiple law enforcement agencies to understand sexual assault investigations and their case outcomes. The results can improve practitioners' and researchers' understanding of sexual assault investigations, including those factors that increase the likelihood of a suspect's arrest.
Government commitment to tourism and hospitality sector during COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Allaberganov Azizbek , Preko Alexander , Mohammed Iddrisu
Published: July 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to explore the tourism policy commitment of the government of Uzbekistan to bring back the tourists and sustain the tourism and hospitality sector during the Covid-19 pandemic. The study employed qualitative documentary research methodology using the thematic analysis with the support of the Nvivo 12 to analyze Google news articles published in the English language. The results demonstrated that the government of Uzbekistan employed a variety of policies and measures geared towards tourists and businesses during the pandemic. Mainly, the government showed confidence and trust in its policies by providing financial compensation to tourists if they get the Covid-19 infection, improved sanitary conditions and travel restrictions to prevent the spread of the virus. In terms of businesses, the government was dedicated to restoring and mitigating the adverse outcomes of Covid-19 in the tourism and hospitality sector by providing subsidies and certification that the company is following the sanitary protocols. The findings of this study illustrate that the government of Uzbekistan should continue feeding the media with the information related to strategies implemented towards reviving the tourism and hospitality sector, which will build the confidence of the tourists and businesses during the pandemic period.
The Closed Door: A Democratic Problem in the Post‐Political Careers of Cabinet Ministers
Authors: Hjelmar Ulf , Pedersen Lene H. , Pedersen Rasmus T.
Published: July 2021

At the end of their political career, some politicians pass through ‘a revolving door’, while others face ‘a closed door’, in the sense that they have difficulty finding a job after their incumbency. Based on in‐depth interviews with 15 Danish ex‐ministers, this study shows how a minister's specialized skills, knowledge and networks related to the decision‐making processes of government are considered by the ministers themselves to be important contextual factors that can lead to a revolving‐door scenario for an ex‐minister. Conversely, political profiling and a negative celebrity effect are key mechanisms that are considered to lead to a closed‐door career outcome for ex‐ministers. This closed door career outcome may discourage people from seeking a political career in the first place, and it may result in politicians continuing in politics after having lost the motivation that originally inspired their political career. Thus, the closed door phenomenon constitutes a potential democratic problem, knowledge of which is therefore an important addition to our knowledge on the democratic problems linked to the exit side of political careers.
COVID‐19, precarity and loneliness
Authors: Schwartz Susan
Published: July 2021

In this paper I discuss Jungian psychological work of the trauma and loss experienced in reaction to COVID‐19 with a man who represents a clinical composite. The issues of precarity, a concept used by the philosopher Judith Butler, are combined with the notions of lack and absence of French psychoanalyst André Green. The psychological and societal situation of precarity aroused the man’s childhood issues that were long repressed. The loneliness, isolation and death from COVID‐19 mirrored his personal and the collective responses to the disaster from this global pandemic. He felt on the edge of collapse as what he knew of his world crashed and he found himself unable to cope. The subsequent Jungian work taking place through the virtual computer screen was taxing and restorative simultaneously for both analyst and analysand.
Adolescents coping with the COVID‐19 pandemic: ‘every day is like another Sunday’
Authors: Tyminski Robert
Published: July 2021

COVID‐19 has upended the way analysts and psychotherapists practice. Many use the phone for their sessions, many are using video platforms, and many use a combination of the two. Work with adolescents is very challenging in this new modality because of the loss of in‐person connection and immediate non‐verbal cues. The public health restrictions put in place to manage COVID‐19 spread are at odds with the adolescent tasks of adventuring, experimenting and gaining new experiences. In addition, increased anxieties about infection, contamination and invasion are often manifest and adolescents can regress in the face of them. Using seminal ideas from Bion, this article looks at two process examples from adolescent boys who struggled with parts of themselves that felt disturbing and unacceptable. The author discusses the clinical exchanges in detail and offers ideas about the difficulty of creating psychic space when working virtually.
Clinical experiences during the COVID‐19 pandemic
Authors: Agnello Irene , Giubellini Chiara
Published: July 2021

Most of the clinical experiences discussed in this article arose from monthly Zoom meetings at Rome’s Italian Centre of Analytical Psychology (CIPA). We set up a discussion group in April 2020, one month after lockdown began in Italy, and these monthly online meetings continue to this day. All senior analysts and analysts‐in‐training at Rome’s CIPA, whose backgrounds range from child and adolescent psychotherapy to adult psychotherapy and analysis, to sandplay therapy and medicine and psychiatry, have been participating in these meetings. The group discussions focus on the present time and its impact on us, as well as on our relationships with patients. By further developing these reflections during the lockdown in Italy (9 March ‐ 3 May 2020), it is fair to ask whether a sense of unreality, depersonalization, or derealization has occurred, either in the therapist or patient, and if so, whether it is possible that therapists miss the human contact more than clients. We will mainly refer to clinical and personal experiences as our most precious guidelines.
U1 small nuclear ribonucleoprotein is essential for early larval development in silkworm, Bombyx mori
Authors: Zhang Xiaoqian , Yang Dehong , Yang Xu , Zhang Xinran , Zhang Yong , Huang Yongping , Zhang Shengxiang , Liu Zulian
Published: July 2021

U1 small nuclear ribonucleoproteins (U1 snRNP) associates with 5ʹ splice sites in the form of ribonucleoprotein particles and is highly conserved among species. The physiological functions of U1 snRNP in a lepidopteran model insect Bombyx mori is mostly unknown. Here, we showed that U1 snRNP plays an important role in the development of silkworm. Knockout of U1 snRNP in silkworm showed either delayed or stationary 1st instar larva development compared with the wild‐type group. U1 snRNP deletion mutants exhibited abnormal cellular phenotypes with enlarged cell nucleus, scant cytoplasm and enlarged nuclei. RNA‐seq analysis revealed that genes involved in metabolic pathway, biosynthesis of secondary metabolites and steroid hormone biosynthesis were significantly affected by U1 snRNP depletion. Taken together, our study suggests that U1 snRNP homeostasis plays an important role in silkworm development.
Interval between symptom onset and diagnosis among patients with autoimmune rheumatic diseases in a multi‐ethnic Asian population
Authors: Xiang Ling , Low Andrea Hsiu Ling , Leung Ying Ying , Fong Warren , Gandhi Mihir , Yoon Sungwon , Lau Tang Ching , Koh Dow Rhoon , Thumboo Julian
Published: July 2021

Aim

The interval between symptom onset and diagnosis (pre‐diagnosis interval) can at times be longer than is ideal in patients with autoimmune rheumatic diseases (ARDs). In this study, we aimed to characterize this interval and to identify its associated factors.

Method

We characterized pre‐diagnosis interval into 4 intervals: Interval #1 between symptom onset and first visit to healthcare professionals; Interval #2 between first visit to healthcare professionals and rheumatology referral; Interval #3 between rheumatology referral and first rheumatology assessment; and Interval #4 between first rheumatology assessment and diagnosis. Median regression models were used to identify factors associated with longer pre‐diagnosis interval and Interval #1.

Results

Among 259 patients (median age = 52.0 [41.6‐61.9] years, 71% female, rheumatoid arthritis [n = 75], axial spondyloarthritis [axSpA] [n = 40] and psoriatic arthritis [n = 35]), median pre‐diagnosis interval was 11.5 (4.7‐36.0) months. Interval #1 (median = 4.9 months) was significantly longer than Intervals #2‐#4 (median = 0.3, 1.5, and 0.0 months, respectively). Patients with axSpA had significantly longer pre‐diagnosis interval (median = 38.7 months) and Interval #1 (median = 26.6 months) than patients with the other ARDs. Median regression suggested that patients referred from specialty care had significantly longer pre‐diagnosis interval (median difference = 7.7 months) and Interval #1 (median difference = 6.4 months) compared to those referred from primary care.

Conclusion

A long pre‐diagnosis interval was observed among patients with ARDs (especially axSpA), due largely to a long interval between symptom onset and the first visit to healthcare professionals. This highlights the importance of interventions targeting patients prior to their first visit to healthcare professionals in reducing pre‐diagnosis interval.
Length–mass relationships of Australian aquatic invertebrates
Authors: Dekanová Vladimíra , Venarsky Michael Patrick , Bunn Stuart Edward
Published: July 2021

Length–mass relationships for macroinvertebrates are used in many ecological studies; however, few length–mass relationships are available for Australian freshwater macroinvertebrates. In this study, we generated 22 new length–mass relationships from 2148 specimens spread across four orders, nine families, three subfamilies, 12 genera and two species. We also qualitatively compare our length–mass equations with others from Australia, New Zealand, North America and Europe.
Examining the potential preventability of adverse fetal/neonatal outcomes associated with severe maternal morbidity
Authors: Lawton Beverley , MacDonald Evelyn Jane , Filoche Sara , Stanley James , Meeks Maggie , Stone Peter , Storey Francesca , Geller Stacie E.
Published: July 2021

Background

Severe maternal morbidity (SMM) occurs in 1–2% of pregnancies. Despite the knowledge that a SMM event can contribute to poor fetal/neonatal outcomes, little is known about the preventability of these adverse outcomes.

Aims

To examine adverse fetal/neonatal outcomes associated with SMM to determine if these outcomes were potentially preventable.

Materials and Methods

A New Zealand national retrospective cohort study examining cases of SMM with an adverse fetal/neonatal outcome. Maternity and initial neonatal care were explored by multidisciplinary panels utilising a preventability tool to assess whether the fetal/neonatal harm was potentially preventable. Adverse fetal/neonatal outcomes were defined as fetal or early neonatal death, Apgar score <7 at five minutes, admission to neonatal intensive care unit or special care baby unit and neonatal encephalopathy.

Results

Of 85 cases reviewed, adverse fetal/neonatal outcome was deemed potentially preventable in 55.3% of cases (n = 47/85). Preventability was related to maternal antenatal/peripartum care (in utero) in 39% (n = 33/85), to initial neonatal care (ex utero) in 36% (n = 29/80), and to both maternal and neonatal care in 20% (16/80) of cases. Main contributors to potential preventability were factors related to healthcare providers, particularly lack of recognition of high risk, delayed or failure to diagnose, and delayed or inappropriate treatment.

Conclusions

Multidisciplinary panels found that over half of adverse fetal/neonatal harm associated with SMM was potentially preventable. The novel approach of examining both maternal and neonatal care identifies opportunities to improve fetal/neonatal outcomes associated with SMM at multiple points on the perinatal continuum of care.
Treatment threshold for intra‐operative hypotension in clinical practice—a prospective cohort study in older patients in the UK
Authors: Wickham A. J. , Highton D. T. , Clark S. , Fallaha D. , Wong D. J. N. , Martin D. S. ,   the Research and Audit Federation of Trainees*
Published: July 2021

Intra‐operative hypotension frequently complicates anaesthesia in older patients and is implicated in peri‐operative organ hypoperfusion and injury. The prevalence and corresponding treatment thresholds of hypotension are incompletely described in the UK. This study aimed to identify prevalence of intra‐operative hypotension and its treatment thresholds in UK practice. Patients aged ≥ 65 years were studied prospectively from 196 UK hospitals within a 48‐hour timeframe. The primary outcome was the incidence of hypotension (mean arterial pressure <65 mmHg; systolic blood pressure reduction >20%; systolic blood pressure <100 mmHg). Secondary outcomes included the treatment blood pressure threshold for vasopressors; incidence of acute kidney injury; myocardial injury; stroke; and in‐hospital mortality. Additionally, anaesthetists providing care for included patients were asked to complete a survey assessing their intended treatment thresholds for hypotension. Data were collected from 4750 patients. Hypotension affected 61.0% of patients when defined as mean arterial pressure <65 mmHg, 91.3% of patients had >20% reduction in systolic blood pressure from baseline and 77.5% systolic blood pressure <100 mmHg. The mean (SD) blood pressure triggering vasopressor therapy was mean arterial pressure 64.2 (11.6) mmHg and the mean (SD) stated intended treatment threshold from the survey was mean arterial pressure 60.6 (9.7) mmHg. A composite adverse outcome of myocardial injury, kidney injury, stroke or death affected 345 patients (7.3%). In this representative sample of UK peri‐operative practice, the majority of older patients experienced intra‐operative hypotension and treatment was delivered below suggested thresholds. This highlights both potential for intra‐operative organ injury and substantial opportunity for improving treatment of intra‐operative hypotension.
Control of myopia using orthokeratology lenses in Scandinavian children aged 6 to 12 years. Eighteen‐month data from the Danish Randomized Study: Clinical study Of Near‐sightedness; TReatment with Orthokeratology Lenses (CONTROL study)
Authors: Jakobsen Trine Moldrup , Møller Flemming
Published: July 2021

Purpose

To investigate the efficacy of myopia control defined by axial elongation and safety of orthokeratology lenses (OKL) in a Scandinavian (Danish) population.

Methods

Sixty Danish children aged 6–12 years with myopia ranging from 0.5 to 4.75 dioptres (D) spherical component and refractive astigmatism ≤2.5 D in both eyes were randomly assigned to either OKL or single‐vision spectacles (SVS). Study duration was 18 months. Outcome measures were axial length (AL) measured with Lenstar LS900 (Haag‐Streit, Koeniz, Switzerland) and adverse events graded with Efron Grading Scale for Contact Lens Complications.

Results

Nineteen participants completed the 18‐month follow‐up in the OKL group and 28 in the SVS group. The average AL elongation in the OKL group was 0.24 mm smaller as compared to the SVS group (95% confidence interval 0.12–0.36, mixed model adjusted for baseline sex, age and AL). There were no fast progressors (>0.75 D/year) in the OKL group during the follow‐up period in contrast to 22% in the SVS group. No treatment‐requiring or vision‐threatening adverse events were observed.

Conclusion

Orthokeratology lenses reduced AL elongation in myopic Scandinavian children by 59%, with no treatment‐requiring or vision‐threatening adverse events. The results align with outcomes of previous clinical trials.
Shifting children’s attentional focus to emotions during art museum experiences
Authors: Korom Marta , Callaghan Bridget L. , VanTieghem Michelle , Silvers Jennifer A. , Choy Tricia , Kalter Jennifer , Blumenthal Emily , Tottenham Nim
Published: July 2021

Art exposure can influence children’s emotional growth, but little is known about tools that aid emotional development in art museums. We implemented attentional and social manipulations to test whether (1) modifications to unscripted instructions and (2) caregiver prompts shape children’s attentional focus towards either the emotional or elemental content (e.g., colour and medium) of paintings. These manipulations occurred within an on‐going art museum education programme. Afterwards, children’s (N = 60; ages 3–13 years) attentional focus towards emotions or elements was assessed by asking them to select words that best described the art. Children focused on emotion more, but the instructional manipulation successfully influenced word choices towards the targeted focus. Caregiver prompts also influenced focus towards the elements and away from emotions. These findings highlight that children’s attention to art’s emotional content can be altered by social context, which here was demonstrated within a museum programme.
Transcriptome analysis following neurotropic virus infection reveals faulty innate immunity and delayed antigen presentation in mice susceptible to virus‐induced demyelination
Authors: Ciurkiewicz Malgorzata , Floess Stefan , Beckstette Michael , Kummerfeld Maren , Baumgärtner Wolfgang , Huehn Jochen , Beineke Andreas
Published: July 2021

Viral infections of the central nervous system cause acute or delayed neuropathology and clinical consequences ranging from asymptomatic courses to chronic, debilitating diseases. The outcome of viral encephalitis is partially determined by genetically programed immune response patterns of the host. Experimental infection of mice with Theiler's murine encephalomyelitis virus (TMEV) causes diverse neurologic diseases, including TMEV‐induced demyelinating disease (TMEV‐IDD), depending on the used mouse strain. The aim of the present study was to compare initial transcriptomic changes occurring in the brain of TMEV‐infected SJL (TMEV‐IDD susceptible) and C57BL/6 (TMEV‐IDD resistant) mice. Animals were infected with TMEV and sacrificed 4, 7, or 14 days post infection. RNA was isolated from brain tissue and analyzed by whole‐transcriptome sequencing. Selected differences were confirmed on a protein level by immunohistochemistry. In mock‐infected SJL and C57BL/6 mice, >200 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were detected. Following TMEV‐infection, the number of DEGs increased to >700. Infected C57BL/6 mice showed a higher expression of transcripts related to antigen presentation via major histocompatibility complex (MHC) I, innate antiviral immune responses and cytotoxicity, compared with infected SJL animals. Expression of many of those genes was weaker or delayed in SJL mice, associated with a failure of viral clearance in this mouse strain. SJL mice showed prolonged elevation of MHC II and chemotactic genes compared with C57BL/6 mice, which presumably facilitates the induction of chronic demyelinating disease. In addition, elevated expression of several genes associated with immunomodulatory or –suppressive functions was observed in SJL mice. The exploratory study confirms previous observations in the model and provides an extensive list of new immunologic parameters potentially contributing to different outcomes of viral encephalitis in two mouse strains.
Post COVID‐19: a solution scan of options for preventing future zoonotic epidemics
Authors: Petrovan Silviu O. , Aldridge David C. , Bartlett Harriet , Bladon Andrew J. , Booth Hollie , Broad Steven , Broom Donald M. , Burgess Neil D. , Cleaveland Sarah , Cunningham Andrew A. , Ferri Maurizio , Hinsley Amy , Hua Fangyuan , Hughes Alice C. , Jones Kate , Kelly Moira , Mayes George , Radakovic Milorad , Ugwu Chinedu A. , Uddin Nasir , Veríssimo Diogo , Walzer Christian , White Thomas B. , Wood James L. , Sutherland William J.
Published: July 2021

The crisis generated by the emergence and pandemic spread of COVID‐19 has thrown into the global spotlight the dangers associated with novel diseases, as well as the key role of animals, especially wild animals, as potential sources of pathogens to humans. There is a widespread demand for a new relationship with wild and domestic animals, including suggested bans on hunting, wildlife trade, wet markets or consumption of wild animals. However, such policies risk ignoring essential elements of the problem as well as alienating and increasing hardship for local communities across the world, and might be unachievable at scale. There is thus a need for a more complex package of policy and practical responses. We undertook a solution scan to identify and collate 161 possible options for reducing the risks of further epidemic disease transmission from animals to humans, including potential further SARS‐CoV‐2 transmission (original or variants). We include all categories of animals in our responses (i.e. wildlife, captive, unmanaged/feral and domestic livestock and pets) and focus on pathogens (especially viruses) that, once transmitted from animals to humans, could acquire epidemic potential through high rates of human‐to‐human transmission. This excludes measures to prevent well‐known zoonotic diseases, such as rabies, that cannot readily transmit between humans. We focused solutions on societal measures, excluding the development of vaccines and other preventive therapeutic medicine and veterinary medicine options that are discussed elsewhere. We derived our solutions through reading the scientific literature, NGO position papers, and industry guidelines, collating our own experiences, and consulting experts in different fields. Herein, we review the major zoonotic transmission pathways and present an extensive list of options. The potential solutions are organised according to the key stages of the trade chain and encompass solutions that can be applied at the local, regional and international scales. This is a set of options targeted at practitioners and policy makers to encourage careful examination of possible courses of action, validating their impact and documenting outcomes.
Mast cell activation tests by flow cytometry: A new diagnostic asset?
Authors: Elst Jessy , van der Poorten Marie‐Line M. , Van Gasse Athina L. , De Puysseleyr Leander , Hagendorens Margo M. , Faber Margaretha A. , Van Houdt Michel , Passante Egle , Bahri Rajia , Walschot Mark , Mertens Christel , Bridts Chris H. , Sabato Vito , Ebo Didier G.
Published: July 2021

Since the late nineties, evidence has accumulated that flow‐assisted basophil activation test (BAT) might be an accessible and reliable method to explore the mechanisms governing basophil degranulation and diagnostic allowing correct prediction of the clinical outcome following exposure to the offending allergen(s) and cross‐reactive structures for different IgE‐dependent allergies and particular forms of autoimmune urticaria. Although the BAT offers many advantages over mediator release tests, it is left with some weaknesses that hinder a wider application. It is preferable to perform the BAT analysis within 4 h of collection, and the technique does not advance diagnosis in patients with non‐responsive cells. Besides, the BAT is difficult to standardize mainly because of the difficulty to perform large batch analyses that might span over several days. This article reviews the status of flow cytometric mast cell activation test (MAT) using passively sensitized mast cells (MCs) with patients' sera or plasma (henceforth indicated as passive MAT; pMAT) using both MC lines and cultured MCs in the diagnosis of IgE‐dependent allergies. In addition, this paper provides guidance for generating human MCs from peripheral blood CD34+ progenitor cells (PBCMCs) and correct interpretation of flow cytometric analyses of activated and/or degranulating cells. With the recent recognition of the mas‐related G protein‐coupled receptor X2 (MRGPRX2) occupation as a putative mechanism of immediate drug hypersensitivity reactions (IDHRs), we also speculate how direct activation of MCs (dMAT)—that is direct activation by MRGPRX2 agonists without prior passive sensitization—could advance paradigms for this novel endotype of IDHRs.
Sustainability of social–ecological systems: The difference between social rules and management rules
Authors: Chiaravalloti Rafael M. , Homewood Katherine , Dyble Mark
Published: July 2021

Most conservation and development initiatives assume that rules limiting resource extraction are necessary for ecological sustainability. While this is often true, in some social–ecological systems, unpredictable ecosystem dynamics and limited exploitation technology make it unlikely that people will overstep the ecological threshold, precluding the need for management rules. Here, two kinds of systems can emerge: open access systems in which individuals can meet their needs without cooperating with others, and a cooperative open access system in which social rules are required though management rules are not, because individuals need to cooperate to survive and to prevent erosion of cooperation by free‐riders. We provide three brief case studies illustrating cooperative open access: Pantaneiro fishers, Agta hunter‐gatherers, and Maasai pastoralists. We conclude that understanding these exceptions is pivotal for a better theoretical understanding of social–ecological systems, and can be valuable in building a strategic approach to conservation.
Infusion of hESC derived Immunity‐and‐matrix regulatory cells improves cognitive ability in early‐stage AD mice
Authors: Liu Jing , Hou Zongren , Wu Jun , Liu Kailun , Li Da , Gao Tingting , Liu Wenjing , An Bin , Sun Yun , Mo Fan , Wang Liu , Wang Yukai , Hao Jie , Hu Baoyang
Published: July 2021

Objectives

In this study, we administered immunity‐and‐matrix regulatory cells (IMRCs) via tail vein (IV) and intracerebroventricular (ICV) injection to 3‐month‐old 5×FAD transgenic mice to assess the effects of IMRC transplantation on the behaviour and pathology of early‐stage Alzheimer's disease (AD).

Materials and methods

Clinical‐grade human embryonic stem cell (hESC)‐derived IMRCs were produced under good manufacturing practice (GMP) conditions. Three‐month‐old 5×FAD mice were administered IMRCs via IV and ICV injection. After 3 months, the mice were subjected to behavioural tests and electrophysiological analysis to evaluate their cognitive function, memory ability and synaptic plasticity. The effect of IMRCs on amyloid‐beta (Aβ)‐related pathology was detected by thioflavin‐S staining and Western blot. Quantitative real‐time PCR, ELISA and immunostaining were used to confirm that IMRCs inhibit neuroinflammation. RNA‐seq analysis was performed to measure changes in gene expression and perform a pathway analysis in response to IMRC treatment.

Results

IMRC administration via tail vein injection significantly ameliorated cognitive deficits in early‐stage AD (5×FAD) mice. However, no significant change was observed in the characteristic pathology of AD in the ICV group. Plaque analysis revealed that IMRCs did not influence either plaque deposition or BACE1 expression. In addition, IMRCs inhibited inflammatory responses and reduced microglial activation in vivo.

Conclusions

We have shown that peripheral administration of IMRCs can ameliorate AD pathology and associated cognitive deficits.
Dental pulp stem cell‐derived exosomes alleviate cerebral ischaemia‐reperfusion injury through suppressing inflammatory response
Authors: Li Song , Luo Lihua , He Yan , Li Ruohan , Xiang Yangfan , Xing Zhenjie , Li Yejian , Albashari Abdullkhaleg Ali , Liao Xiangyan , Zhang Keke , Gao Liang , Ye Qingsong
Published: July 2021

Objectives

The study aimed to determine whether dental pulp stem cell‐derived exosomes (DPSC‐Exos) exert protective effects against cerebral ischaemia‐reperfusion (I/R) injury and explore its underlying mechanism.

Materials and Methods

Exosomes were isolated from the culture medium of human DPSC. Adult male C57BL/6 mice were subjected to 2 hours transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO) injury followed by 2 hours reperfusion, after which singular injection of DPSC‐Exos via tail vein was administrated. Brain oedema, cerebral infarction and neurological impairment were measured on day 7 after exosomes injection. Then, oxygen‐glucose deprivation–reperfusion (OGD/R) induced BV2 cells were studied to analyse the therapeutic effects of DPSC‐Exos on I/R injury in vitro. Protein levels of TLR4, MyD88, NF‐κB p65, HMGB1, IL‐6, IL‐1β and TNF‐α were determined by western blot or enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. The cytoplasmic translocation of HMGB1 was detected by immunofluorescence staining.

Results

DPSC‐Exos alleviated brain oedema, cerebral infarction and neurological impairment in I/R mice. DPSC‐Exos inhibited the I/R‐mediated expression of TLR4, MyD88 and NF‐κB significantly. DPSC‐Exos also reduced the protein expression of IL‐6, IL‐1β and TNF‐α compared with those of the control both in vitro and in vivo. Meanwhile, DPSC‐Exos markedly decreased the HMGB1 cytoplasmic translocation induced by I/R damage.

Conclusions

DPSC‐Exos can ameliorate I/R‐induced cerebral injury in mice. Its anti‐inflammatory mechanism might be related with the inhibition of the HMGB1/TLR4/MyD88/NF‐κB pathway.
Investigation of the prognostic value of psoas muscle area measurement in pediatric patients before liver transplantation: A single‐center retrospective study
Authors: Dag Nurullah , Karatoprak Sinan , Ozturk Mehmet , Karatoprak Nur Betul , Sigirci Ahmet , Yilmaz Sezai
Published: July 2021

Background: In this study, our aim is to investigate the prognostic value of psoas muscle area (PMA) evaluation before liver transplantation (LT) in pediatric patients.

Methods: Two hundred seventy‐six patients under 18 years of age who underwent LT between January 2012 and December 2019 were included in the study. The patients’ demographic, laboratory, clinical, and imaging data were scanned retrospectively. PMA was measured at the L4/5 level using computed tomography images. To determine reproducibility, a different radiologist evaluated 30 randomly selected patients.

Results: In patients with end‐stage liver disease (ESLD), PMA was significantly lower than in patients with acute liver failure (P < .001). In patients with ESLD, a weakly significant correlation was found between PMA and 1‐year survival after LT (r: .251,P = .030), hospitalization period (r: −.275,P = .039), and pediatric ESLD score (r: −.338,P < .001). Interobserver correlation was excellent (ICC: .941, 95% CI: .925, .971).

Conclusion: In children with ESLD, PMA evaluated before LT can be used as a negative prognostic factor.
Ischemic postconditioning improves the outcome of organs from donors after cardiac death in a pig liver transplantation model and provides synergistic protection with hypothermic machine perfusion
Authors: Jia Degong , Pan Qi , Zhang Yijie , Yu Yang , Song Zhanyu , Liu Yong feng , Jia Zhixing , Guo Shanshan , Cheng Ying
Published: July 2021

Aim

This study investigated whether ischemic postconditioning (IPO) improved the outcome of organs from donors after cardiac death and had a synergistic effect with hypothermic machine perfusion (HMP) in a pig liver transplantation model.

Methods

A donor after cardiac death (DCD) model was developed in 48 healthy Bama miniature pigs randomly divided into four groups: simple cold storage group (SCS group), IPO group, HMP group, HMP–IPO group. The levels of serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), total bilirubin, histopathological findings, apoptotic activity of hepatocytes, international normalized ratio (INR), tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α), and Malondialdehyde (MDA) were compared.

Results

All recipients in the SCS group died within 6 h after transplantation. The livers of the recipients in the IPO had 50% survival on day 5. HMP allowed 83.3% survival and HMP–IPO allowed 100% survival. After reperfusion, the recipients in the IPO and HMP–IPO group had lower ALT and total bilirubin levels, less Suzuki score, less apoptosis, and less injury to hepatocytes and biliary ducts and attenuated inflammatory response and oxidative load.

Conclusions

IPO improved the outcome of organs from donors after cardiac death and had a synergistic effect with HMP in the pig liver transplantation model.
Joint species distributions reveal the combined effects of host plants, abiotic factors and species competition as drivers of species abundances in fruit flies
Authors: Facon Benoit , Hafsi Abir , Charlery de la Masselière Maud , Robin Stéphane , Massol François , Dubart Maxime , Chiquet Julien , Frago Enric , Chiroleu Frédéric , Duyck Pierre‐François , Ravigné Virginie
Published: July 2021

The relative importance of ecological factors and species interactions for shaping species distributions is still debated. The realised niches of eight sympatric tephritid fruit flies were inferred from field abundance data using joint species distribution modelling and network inference, on the whole community and separately on three host plant groups. These estimates were then confronted the fundamental niches of seven fly species estimated through laboratory‐measured fitnesses on host plants. Species abundances depended on host plants, followed by climatic factors, with a dose of competition between species sharing host plants. The relative importance of these factors mildly changed among the three host plant groups. Despite overlapping fundamental niches, specialists and generalists had almost distinct realised niches, with possible competitive exclusion of generalists by specialists on Cucurbitaceae. They had different assembly rules: Specialists were mainly influenced by their adaptation to host plants, while generalist abundances varied regardless of their fundamental host use.
Controlled mechanical ventilation in equine anaesthesia: Classification of ventilators and practical considerations (Part 2)
Authors: Moreno‐Martinez F. , Senior J. M. , Mosing M.
Published: July 2021

Controlled mechanical ventilation (CMV) is routinely used in equine anaesthesia, with many different options available to facilitate the delivery of mechanical breaths. The complexity of equine respiratory pathophysiology and the wide range of devices available is described in the two parts of this scoping review. The second part of this review provides an overview of commercially available and hand‐made devices that can be used to deliver CMV in large animals. A short overview of basic physics for mechanical ventilation is given. Working principles are discussed and, where relevant, connected to the pathophysiological background of equine ventilation. The objective of this review is to demystify ventilation modes and ventilators used in equine anaesthesia over the last two decades. In addition, this review aims to provide a practical guide to what the anaesthetist needs to consider before using CMV, how CMV can be delivered and monitored, and which principles need to be applied are included. Comparison of the clinical effects between spontaneous breathing and CMV is included.
Estimation of elastic–plastic notch strains and stresses using artificial neural networks
Authors: Burghardt Ralf , Wächter Michael , Masendorf Lukas , Esderts Alfons
Published: July 2021

The prediction of fatigue lives of metallic components using the notch strain approach is based on local stresses and strains. These can be determined either by analytical approximation formulas such as Neuber's rule based on linear elastic stresses or by finite element analysis with elastic–plastic material behavior. The latter has the disadvantage of longer computation times.

This paper discusses a draft for application of artificial neural networks as an alternative approach for estimating uniaxial and multiaxial proportional elastic–plastic stresses and strains in notch roots based on linear elastic stresses. These networks are trained on results from elastic–plastic finite element analyses on flat bars notched on both sides and circumferentially notched shafts to predict local stresses. The resulting accuracy is compared to the analytical approximation formulas.

The research findings confirm that neural networks can estimate local stresses with similar scatter and better mean value compared to analytical formulas.
A hidden hand in corporate lobbying
Authors: Jiao Anqi
Published: July 2021

I investigate the role of institutional investors in firms’ lobbying activities. Firms with greater lobbying institutional ownership lobby more. Using a novel dataset with lobbying information on congressional bills, I show that institutional investors support portfolio firms by lobbying together on same bills. Bills lobbied by institutional investors are more likely to become laws and the passage of such bills leads to greater abnormal returns. Additional evidence suggests that institutional investors protect firms’ private political information by voting against shareholder proposals requesting additional lobbying disclosure. The findings have an important economic implication: financial institutions provide a helping hand in firms’ external governance related to law and politics.