bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of CEO and COO overconfidence on the firm's inventory leanness
Authors: Kim Bowon , Na Jaeseog
Published: August 2021

Purpose

This study examines whether the behavioral attributes, such as overconfidence, of chief executive officers (CEO) and chief operating officers (COO) affect firm's inventory leanness. If they do, how are they interacting with each other? Moreover, incorporating market competition into the analysis, this study explores how the competition moderates the relationship between managerial overconfidence and inventory leanness.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a large panel data of US manufacturing firms between 1998 and 2015, this study measures top managers' overconfident characteristics using stock option information. Then, a panel regression analysis is adopted to test the effects of managerial overconfidence on inventory leanness. Moreover, a moderation model is applied to investigate the interaction effects of market competition.

Findings

Firms with overconfident COOs (CEOs), other circumstances being equal, increase (decrease) the inventory leanness as the market becomes more competitive.

Practical implications

The study suggests that firms should understand top managers' behavioral characteristics to manage inventory efficiently. Collectively, CEOs (COOs) tend to increase (decrease) inventory levels due to their overconfidence as the market gets competitive. Firms should establish a systematic process to be reviewed by diverse stakeholders to deal with managerial overconfidence.

Originality/value

This study is an exploratory study that examines whether and how top management's behavioral attribute relates to a firm's operations performance. It underlines that CEO and COO's overconfident characteristics determine the inventory leanness when market competition is considered. Numerous studies on firm-level strategies emphasized the top managers' overconfidence as a key factor. However, behavioral characteristics at the top management level have rarely been studied in operations management fields. Based on the results, scholars could compare and understand the effects of CEO and COO overconfidence to provide insights into inventory management.
Network well-being from a balanced centricity perspective
Authors: Groven Fabian , Odekerken-Schröder Gaby , Zwakhalen Sandra , Hamers Jan
Published: August 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to explore how tensions and alignments between different actors’ needs in a transformative services network affect balanced centricity, which is an indicator of well-being. Balanced centricity describes a situation in which all network actors’ interests and needs are fulfilled simultaneously. In such cases, all actors are better off, which increases both individual actors’ and overall actor-network well-being.

Design/methodology/approach

The empirical study takes place in nursing homes in which in-bed baths represent co-created service encounters that affect the well-being of focal actors (i.e. patients), frontline service employees (i.e. nurses) and transformative service mediators (i.e. family members), who have potentially competing needs. Using a qualitative, phenomenological approach, the study inductively explores and deductively categorizes actors’ personal experiences to gain deep, holistic insights into the service network and its complex web of actor interdependencies.

Findings

The resulting conceptual model of balanced centricity identifies actors’ lower-order needs as different manifestations of the psychological needs for autonomy, competence and relatedness. If actors’ needs are aligned, their psychological needs can be satisfied, which facilitates balanced centricity. If actors exhibit competing needs though, balanced centricity is impeded.

Practical implications

This study establishes actors’ psychological needs as the origin of tensions/alignments in multi-actor networks that impede/contribute to balanced centricity. Transformative service providers should try to address all actors’ psychological needs when co-creating services to achieve network well-being.

Originality/value

This study adopts a novel, multi-actor perspective and thereby presents a conceptual model that contributes to the understanding of balanced centricity. Future research could test this model in other transformative service settings.
The role of dynamic capability on a business model in knowledge-intensive firms
Authors: Bonyadi Naeini Ali , Jalilian Ahmadkalaei Seyedeh Hoda
Published: August 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify the dynamic capabilities (DCs) affecting the business models (BMs) in knowledge-intensive firms (KIFs). This paper also examines how much these DCs affect the BMs.

Design/methodology/approach

The research methodology included examining a research framework based on a literature review followed by a survey of KIFs. A sample of 214 KIFs was obtained and structured equation modeling analysis using two-stage partial least squares–artificial neural network approach was conducted to test the proposed hypotheses.

Findings

This study shows that managerial, innovation, intellectual capital, information technology, integration and knowledge-based DCs influence the BM in KIFs. The results indicate that “the human development” aspect of managerial DC has the most significant impact on the BM efficiency, and innovation DC has the greatest influence on BM innovation.

Practical implications

Identifying DCs affecting the BM in KIFs provides practical results for managers and researchers in KIFs.

Originality/value

The present research uses for the first time a PLS–ANN approach in identifying the affecting DCs the BM in KIFs; examines its impact on the efficiency and innovation aspects of the BM; and enriches the literature on DCs and the BM, especially in the field of KIF.
Adaptations to first-tier suppliers’ relational anti-slavery capabilities
Authors: Emberson Caroline , Pinheiro Silvia Maria , Trautrims Alexander
Published: August 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine how first-tier suppliers in multi-tier supply chains adapt their vertical and horizontal relationships to reduce the risk of slavery-like practices.

Design/methodology/approach

Using Archer’s morphogenetic theory as an analytical lens, this paper presents case analyses adduced from primary and secondary data related to the development of relational anti-slavery supply capabilities in Brazilian–UK beef and timber supply chains.

Findings

Four distinct types of adaptation were found among first-tier suppliers: horizontal systemisation, vertical systemisation, horizontal transformation and vertical differentiation.

Research limitations/implications

This study draws attention to the socially situated nature of corporate action, moving beyond the rationalistic discourse that underpins existing research studies of multi-tier, socially sustainable, supply chain management. Cross-sector comparison highlights sub-country and intra-sectoral differences in both institutional setting and the approaches and outcomes of individual corporate actors’ initiatives. Sustainable supply chain management theorists would do well to seek out those institutional entrepreneurs who actively reshape the institutional conditions within which they find themselves situated.

Practical implications

Practitioners may benefit from adopting a structured approach to the analysis of the necessary or contingent complementarities between their, primarily economic, objectives and the social sustainability goals of other, potential, organizational partners.

Social implications

A range of interventions that may serve to reduce the risk of slavery-like practices in global commodity chains are presented.

Originality/value

This paper presents a novel analysis of qualitative empirical data and extends understanding of the agential role played by first-tier suppliers in global, multi-tier, commodity, supply chains.
Stereotactic ablative radiotherapy for hepatocellular carcinoma: A systematic review and meta‐analysis of local control, survival and toxicity outcomes
Authors: Shanker Mihir D. , Moodaley Pereshin , Soon Wei , Liu Howard Y. , Lee Yoo Young , Pryor David I.
Published: August 2021

There is a growing body of literature supporting the use of stereotactic ablative body radiotherapy (SABR) in the management of primary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This systematic review and meta‐analysis of the current published evidence for SABR for HCC assessed the impact of treatment dose, fractionation and tumour size on the outcomes of local control (LC), overall survival (OS) and toxicity. A systematic search was independently performed by two authors for articles published in peer‐reviewed journals between January 2005 and December 2019. A DerSimonian and Laird random effects model was used to assess pooled results. A multivariate meta‐regression analysis incorporated the effect of explanatory variables (radiation dose in EQD2[10], fractionation and tumour size) on outcomes of OS, LC and toxicity. Forty‐nine cohorts involving 2846 HCC patients with 3088 lesions treated with SABR were included. Pooled 1‐, 2‐ and 3‐year LC rates were 91.1% (95% confidence interval [CI] 88.3–93.2), 86.7% (95% CI 82.7–89.8) and 84.2% (95% CI 77.9–88.9) respectively. Pooled 1‐, 2‐ and 3‐year OS rates were 78.4% (95% CI 73.4–82.6), 61.3% (55.2–66.9) and 48.3% (95% CI 39.0–57). Population‐weighted median grade 3 toxicity rates were 6.5% (IQR 3.2–16) and mean grade 4/5 rates were 1.4% (IQR 0–2.1). Within EQD2[10] ranges of 40 to 83.33 Gy corresponding to common dose‐fractionation regimens of 30–50 Gy in 5 fractions, there was a multivariate association between superior LC and OS with increasing EQD2[10], with a proportionately smaller increase in grade 3 toxicity and no association with grade 4/5 toxicity. Stereotactic ablative body radiotherapy is a viable treatment option for HCC with high LC rates and low rates of reported grade 3/4 toxicity. Increasing EQD2[10] was associated with improvements in LC and OS with a comparatively smaller increase in toxicity. Prospective randomised trials are warranted to define optimal patient selection and dose‐fractionation regimens.
Towards reproducible metabarcoding data: Lessons from an international cross‐laboratory experiment
Authors: Zaiko Anastasija , Greenfield Paul , Abbott Cathryn , von Ammon Ulla , Bilewitch Jaret , Bunce Michael , Cristescu Melania E. , Chariton Anthony , Dowle Eddy , Geller Jonathan , Ardura Gutierrez Alba , Hajibabaei Mehrdad , Haggard Emmet , Inglis Graeme J. , Lavery Shane D. , Samuiloviene Aurelija , Simpson Tiffany , Stat Michael , Stephenson Sarah , Sutherland Judy , Thakur Vibha , Westfall Kristen , Wood Susanna A. , Wright Michael , Zhang Guang , Pochon Xavier
Published: August 2021

Advances in high‐throughput sequencing (HTS) are revolutionizing monitoring in marine environments by enabling rapid, accurate and holistic detection of species within complex biological samples. Research institutions worldwide increasingly employ HTS methods for biodiversity assessments. However, variance in laboratory procedures, analytical workflows and bioinformatic pipelines impede the transferability and comparability of results across research groups. An international experiment was conducted to assess the consistency of metabarcoding results derived from identical samples and primer sets using varying laboratory procedures. Homogenized biofouling samples collected from four coastal locations (Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the USA) were distributed to 12 independent laboratories. Participants were asked to follow one of two HTS library preparation workflows. While DNA extraction, primers and bioinformatic analyses were purposefully standardized to allow comparison, many other technical variables were allowed to vary among laboratories (amplification protocols, type of instrument used, etc.). Despite substantial variation observed in raw results, the primary signal in the data was consistent, with the samples grouping strongly by geographical origin for all data sets. Simplepost hocdata clean‐up by removing low‐quality samples gave the best improvement in sample classification for nuclear 18S rRNA gene data, with an overall 92.81% correct group attribution. For mitochondrialCOIgene data, the best classification result (95.58%) was achieved after correction for contamination errors. The identified critical methodological factors that introduced the greatest variability (preservation buffer, sample defrosting, template concentration, DNA polymerase, PCR enhancer) should be of great assistance in standardizing future biodiversity studies using metabarcoding.
How Long does a Generation Last? Assessing the Relationship Between Infinite and Finite Horizon Dynamic Models*
Authors: Guerrazzi Marco
Published: August 2021

This note aims at assessing the temporal relationship that exists between the time reference of dynamic models with infinite and finite horizon. Specifically, comparing the optimal inter‐temporal plans arising from an infinite horizon model and a 2‐period overlapping generations model in their stationary equilibria, I suggest way to assess the number of time periods of the former that form a time unit of the latter. Relying on an argument grounded on consumption smoothing, I show that the theoretical length of a generation is an increasing function of the discount factor of the optimising agent. Moreover, from an empirical point of view, I give evidence that this analysis corroborates the well‐documented nexus that links demographic developments and the path of interest rates, and it offers interesting insights for the calibration of discount rates in computational models.
Systematic review: radiomics for the diagnosis and prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Harding‐Theobald Emily , Louissaint Jeremy , Maraj Bharat , Cuaresma Edward , Townsend Whitney , Mendiratta‐Lala Mishal , Singal Amit G. , Su Grace L. , Lok Anna S. , Parikh Neehar D.
Published: August 2021

Background

Advances in imaging technology have the potential to transform the early diagnosis and treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) through quantitative image analysis. Computational “radiomic” techniques extract biomarker information from images which can be used to improve diagnosis and predict tumour biology.

Aims

To perform a systematic review on radiomic features in HCC diagnosis and prognosis, with a focus on reporting metrics and methodologic standardisation.

Methods

We performed a systematic review of all full‐text articles published from inception through December 1, 2019. Standardised data extraction and quality assessment metrics were applied to all studies.

Results

A total of 54 studies were included for analysis. Radiomic features demonstrated good discriminatory performance to differentiate HCC from other solid lesions (c‐statistics 0.66‐0.95), and to predict microvascular invasion (c‐statistic 0.76‐0.92), early recurrence after hepatectomy (c‐statistics 0.71‐0.86), and prognosis after locoregional or systemic therapies (c‐statistics 0.74‐0.81). Common stratifying features for diagnostic and prognostic radiomic tools included analyses of imaging skewness, analysis of the peritumoural region, and feature extraction from the arterial imaging phase. The overall quality of the included studies was low, with common deficiencies in both internal and external validation, standardised imaging segmentation, and lack of comparison to a gold standard.

Conclusions

Quantitative image analysis demonstrates promise as a non‐invasive biomarker to improve HCC diagnosis and management. However, standardisation of protocols and outcome measurement, sharing of algorithms and analytic methods, and external validation are necessary prior to widespread application of radiomics to HCC diagnosis and prognosis in clinical practice.
Correlation of foetal body weight by coronet width measurement using ultrasonography in prepartum cows: a pilot study
Authors: Tani M , Tani C , Tasaki H , Harumoto S , Yoshimatsu R , Ito S , Koutaka T , Hattori N , Moritomo Y , Osawa T
Published: August 2021

This study aimed to clarify the effectiveness of foetal body weight estimation by measuring foetal coronet width using transrectal ultrasonography in beef cows during near‐term pregnancy. A characteristic ‘gull wing’ pattern was obtained from the foetal coronet cross‐section from the dewclaw side using ultrasonography. This pattern was matched to the bone surface of the distal part of the middle phalanx. Then, the relationship between coronet width and body weight at birth of 22 Japanese Brown calves was analysed and a high correlation coefficient of 0.8965 (P < 0.001) was obtained. In conclusion, the coronet width of the fetus is depicted as a ‘gull wing’ hyperechoic structure and can be measured by ultrasonography per rectum during near‐term pregnancy. This technique may be a useful tool to identify high‐risk cows with dystocia before calving. High foetal coronet values may predispose cattle to dystocia.
Propagule availability drives post‐wildfire recovery of peatland plant communities
Authors: Shepherd Harry E. R. , Catford Jane A. , Steele Magda N. , Dumont Marc G. , Mills Robert T. E. , Hughes Paul D. M. , Robroek Bjorn J. M.
Published: August 2021

Question

Northern peatlands are increasingly threatened by wildfire. Severe peatland wildfires can provide opportunities for new non‐peatland species to colonise post fire. Changes in plant colonisation could lead to longer‐term shifts in community composition, compromising recovery of peatland structure and function. Understanding the process of post‐fire recovery can thus inform restoration action and help restore peatland vascular plant communities. In this study, we ask: what drives initial vascular plant recovery following a peatland wildfire?

Location

Stalybridge moors, England (commonly referred to as the Saddleworth moors).

Methods

We used a series of vegetation surveys and seed germination experiments to identify the composition of vascular plant community one‐year post fire, along with potential propagule sources. We combined this with plant trait data and, using a series of null models, compared observed community trait values against random species assemblages.

Results

Our data suggests that plant species are able to arrive at the burned site through multiple non‐exclusive recolonisation pathways. This includes colonisation through the soil seed bank, along with dispersal from surrounding unburned peatland and non‐peatland vegetation. The composition and structure of the recolonised communities was largely determined by the ability of species to reach the post‐fire site from these donor communities. This resulted in a post‐fire community composed of species possessing lower seed masses relative to the wider pool of potential colonisers.

Conclusions

Our results highlight propagule availability as a driver of post‐wildfire vascular plant recovery. This provides opportunities for new non‐peatland species to colonise, potentially driving changes in the direction of vegetation recovery. Ensuring the availability of peatland species following a wildfire could therefore be key to the immediate recovery of these systems.
Aktuelle Konzepte zu ektopen Lymphknoten‐Einschlüssen unter besonderer Berücksichtigung nodaler Nävi
Authors: Müller Cornelia Sigrid Lissi , Müller Stephan G. , Vogt Thomas , Pföhler Claudia
Published: August 2021

Einschlüsse ektopen Gewebes in Lymphknoten sind recht häufige Befunde in Dermatopathologie und allgemeiner Pathologie. In den Lymphknoten finden sich glanduläre und nicht‐glanduläre Epithelien, aber auch melanozytäre Nävi. Meist handelt es sich um Zufallsbefunde ohne Relevanz. Bei der Beschreibung morphologischer Befunde ist es allerdings wichtig, solche benignen Einschlüsse von metastatischen Absiedlungen bestimmter Organtumoren sicher abzugrenzen. Biopsien des „Wächterlymphknotens“ und Lymphknotendissektionen sind heute Standard in der klinischen Onkologie und haben erhebliche Auswirkungen auf den Behandlungsverlauf. Nodale Einschlüsse müssen korrekt bestimmt werden, um eine Über‐ oder Unterbehandlung der Patienten zu vermeiden. Hinzu kommt, dass die Entstehung solcher Einschlüsse noch nicht ausreichend geklärt ist. Derzeit existieren zwei Konzepte ‐ die Theorie der benignen Metastasen und die Theorie der unterbrochenen Migration. Allerdings konnte bisher keine der beiden Theorien die folgenden Fragen beantworten: Warum finden wir mehr nodale Nävi bei Melanompatienten, bei denen eine Biopsie des Wächterlymphknotens vorgenommen wurde, als bei Patienten ohne Melanom? Und warum gibt es in tiefen viszeralen Lymphknoten keine nodalen Nävi? Wir geben hier einen umfassenden Überblick über nodale Einschlüsse und präsentieren eine Theorie der Pathogenese nodaler Nävi, um die obengenannten Fragen zu beantworten.
Psychogenic nonepileptic seizures treated as epileptic seizures in the emergency department
Authors: Lehn Alexander , Watson Emily , Ryan Elizabeth G. , Jones Maryon , Cheah Vince , Dionisio Sasha
Published: August 2021

Objectives

We aimed to estimate the rate of psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES) among patients presenting to an emergency department with presumed seizures. We also wanted to identify factors that can assist health care professionals in determining whether these events are likely to be epileptic or nonepileptic.

Methods

We performed two retrospective audits on patients who were treated for seizures in the department of emergency medicine at the Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane, Australia. Exploratory analyses and logistic regressions were conducted to investigate the characteristics of the presentations and the relationships between our variables of interest.

Results

In the group of all presentations with presumed seizures over a 3‐month period (n = 157), a total of 151 presentations (96.2%) presentations were given a primary diagnosis of epileptic seizures. Of these 151 presentations, only 84 (55.6%) presented with epileptic seizures and 40 (26.5%) actually presented with PNES. In the group of patients who presented with prolonged and/or multiple events (n = 213) over a 1‐year period, 196 (92.0%) were treated as epileptic seizures. Of these 196 presentations, only 85 (43.4%) presented with epileptic seizures and 97 (49.5%) actually presented with PNES. Several factors were identified to help risk stratify between epileptic seizures and PNES: Duration of events and of the postictal phase, number of events, presence of a structural brain pathology, mental health history, lactate levels and presence of tongue bite, incontinence, and/or vomiting.

Significance

A large proportion of people who present to emergency departments with events resembling epileptic seizures actually have PNES rather than epilepsy—particularly those patients who present with prolonged and/or multiple events. The rate of misdiagnosis was high. Efforts need to be made to recognize patients with psychogenic nonepileptic seizures earlier and diagnose them correctly to avoid unnecessary iatrogenic harm and to provide adequate treatment.
Employment impacts of the COVID‐19 pandemic across metropolitan status and size
Authors: Cho Seung Jin , Lee Jun Yeong , Winters John V.
Published: August 2021

We use individual‐level data from the United States Current Population Survey to examine effects of the COVID‐19 pandemic on employment losses across metropolitan area status and population size. Job losses spiked in April 2020, and partially recovered in subsequent months. Non‐metropolitan and metropolitan areas of all sizes experienced significant employment losses, but the impacts were much larger in large metropolitan areas. The COVID‐19 infection rate was initially higher in large metropolitan areas and this is a significant factor explaining the higher early employment losses in large metropolitan areas. However, higher job losses for large metropolitan areas persisted through summer and fall 2020 even after COVID‐19 infection rates became higher in less populous areas. We find evidence of persistent effects of early COVID‐19 infection rates on later employment.
Permeability Decline by Clay Fines Migration around a Low‐Salinity Fluid Injection Well
Authors: Cihan Abdullah , Petrusak Robin , Bhuvankar Pramod , Alumbaugh David , Trautz Robert , Birkholzer Jens T.
Published: August 2021

Migration of clay fines can be a concern when less saline fluids are injected into brine‐saturated sandstone formations containing clays. If the salinity near fluid injection wells decreases below a critical value, the clay fines near the injection may detach, start migrating, and finally clog the pores. This effect can cause permeability decline near the well and may rapidly reduce the well injectivity. The focus of this work is on evaluating the impacts of clay fines migration on permeability decline in the field, using a numerical model and pressure buildup data collected during successive variable‐rate water injections in a deep sandstone reservoir. The numerical model accounts for the mixing of low‐salinity water with native brine and the migration of clay fines with the detachment and pore‐clogging processes. The model interpretation of the pressure buildup data implies that the observed reduction in well injectivity is mainly associated with the clay fines migration and related pore clogging near the well. The model reasonably well represents the pressure buildup data during the injections. Our simulations demonstrate that the permeability near the well can rapidly decline within the first hour of injection. The measured pressure buildup in post‐injection periods appears to decay more rapidly, compared to the simulation results of the model that assume irreversible permeability damage. This raises the question whether the permeability damage may be partly reversible near the well by backflow of brine after the injection of low‐salinity water.
Tetracycline‐levofloxacin versus amoxicillin‐levofloxacin quadruple therapies in the second‐line treatment of Helicobacter pylori infection
Authors: Hsu Ping‐I , Tsay Feng‐Woei , Kao John Y. , Peng Nan‐Jing , Chen Yan‐Hua , Tang Sheng‐Yeh , Kuo Chao‐Hung , Kao Sung‐Shuo , Wang Huay‐Min , Wu I‐Ting , Shie Chang‐Bih , Chuah Seng‐Kee , Wu Deng‐Chyang ,   the Taiwan Acid‐related Disease, Microbiota (TARD‐M) Consortium
Published: August 2021

Background

The Maastricht V/Florence Consensus Report recommends amoxicillin‐fluoroquinolone triple or quadruple therapy as a second‐line treatment for Helicobacter pylori infection. An important caveat of amoxicillin‐fluoroquinolone rescue therapy is poor eradication efficacy in the presence of fluoroquinolone resistance. The study aimed to investigate the efficacies of tetracycline‐levofloxacin (TL) quadruple therapy and amoxicillin‐levofloxacin (AL) quadruple therapy in the second‐line treatment of H. pylori infection.

Methods

Consecutive H. pylori‐infected subjects after the failure of first‐line therapies were randomly allocated to receive either TL quadruple therapy (tetracycline 500 mg QID, levofloxacin 500 mg QD, esomeprazole 40 mg BID, and tripotassium dicitrato bismuthate 300 mg QID) or AL quadruple therapy (amoxicillin 500 mg QID, levofloxacin 500 mg QD, esomeprazole 40 mg BID, and tripotassium dicitrato bismuthate 300 mg QID) for 10 days. Post‐treatment H. pylori status was assessed 6 weeks after the end of therapy.

Results

The study was early terminated after an interim analysis. In the TL quadruple group, 50 out of 56 patients (89.3%) had successful eradication of H. pylori infection. Cure of H. pylori infection was achieved only in 39 of 52 patients (69.6%) receiving AL quadruple therapy. Intention‐to‐treat analysis showed that TL quadruple therapy achieved a markedly higher eradication rate than AL quadruple therapy (95% confidence interval: 4.8% to 34.6%; p = 0.010). Further analysis revealed that TL quadruple therapy had a high eradication rate for both levofloxacin‐susceptible and resistant strains (100% and 88.9%). In contrast, AL quadruple therapy yielded a high eradication for levofloxacin‐susceptible strains (90.9%) but a poor eradication efficacy for levofloxacin‐resistant strains (50.0%). The two therapies exhibited comparable frequencies of adverse events (37.5% vs 21.4%) and drug adherence (98.2% vs 94.6%).

Conclusions

Ten‐day TL quadruple therapy is more effective than AL quadruple therapy in the second‐line treatment of H. pylori infection in a population with high levofloxacin resistance.
Naissance, disparition et remplacement d'un dispositif de réglementation transnationale des questions sociales au Bangladesh
Authors: KANG Youbin
Published: August 2021

Cinq ans après la catastrophe du Rana Plaza, qui a causé la mort de 1 133 ouvriers du secteur de l'habillement en 2013, la plus haute juridiction du Bangladesh a abrogé l'Accord sur la sécurité incendie et bâtiments au Bangladesh, programme multipartite destiné à renforcer la protection des travailleurs de la branche. Dans cette analyse, fondée sur des documents d'archive et des observations ethnographiques, l'autrice montre que cette tentative de réglementation transnationale prometteuse a certes amélioré la sécurité dans les usines, mais qu'elle n'a jamais été complètement institutionnalisée sur le terrain. Un manque d'adhésion des employeurs, des travailleurs et des autorités expliquerait cet échec.
Conflicto y relaciones laborales en los servicios de taxi y de limpieza viaria en China: una normalización fallida
Authors: ZHANG Hao , FRIEDMAN Eli
Published: August 2021

La privatización de los servicios municipales en las ciudades chinas a partir de los años noventa desencadenó una oleada de huelgas a partir de la década de 2000 que impulsó un proceso de normalización de las condiciones de trabajo. Los autores analizan el caso de los servicios de limpieza viaria y de taxi de las ciudades de Wenzhou y Guangzhou y constatan tres estrategias de normalización de las administraciones locales: la sindicación, la aplicación de políticas públicas y la consolidación sectorial. Los resultados han sido poco concluyentes y los conflictos persisten. Los autores proponen un esquema para comparar las estrategias identificadas con las históricamente institucionalizadas en Occidente.
Comparing the effectiveness of shade measurement by intraoral scanner, digital spectrophotometer, and visual shade assessment
Authors: Czigola Alexandra , Róth Ivett , Vitai Viktória , Fehér Dóra , Hermann Péter , Borbély Judit
Published: August 2021

Objective

Trios3 (3Shape, Denmark) intraoral scanner is complete with a tooth shade measurement function, but there is limited information about its efficacy. This in vivo study aimed to evaluate this function in relation to visual and spectrophotometric shade determination.

Materials and Methods

Ten dental students from Semmelweis University determined tooth shade for 10 volunteers using Vita A1‐D4 (VC) and Vita Linearguide 3D‐Master (LG) guides, Vita Easyshade spectrophotometer (ES) and Trios 3 intraoral scanner (TR). First and last patient was always the same (Patient R). Intrapersonal repeatability was calculated. Four selected shades of each tooth were presented to student, supervisor, and patient to select best match. Selection percentages were calculated. The supervisor's best match was the reference (∆E00).

Results

Median ∆E00 of Patient R: TR 1.09; VC 1.5; ES 2.35; LG 3.1. The percentages of best match: VC 16.7%.; TR 21.64%; ES 26.58%; LG 34.08%. Median ∆E00 of students' and supervisor's best match: LG 2.73; ES 4.29; TR 4.29; VC 16.35. TR was the most repeatable. The most “best‐match shade tabs” were selected using LG. VC shade tabs was the least consistent with the examined teeth.

Conclusions

TR can be used for shade selection with a 3D‐Master tooth color system with visual verification.

Clinical Significance

Correct tooth shade determination is one of the most important step in making esthetic restorations. New shade matching systems have been developed to surpass the visual method of shade determination. There are new intraoral scanners with built‐in shade measurement functions. Digital shade determination methods are more independent from the environmental circumstances, and with intraoral scanners, it is easy to measure the tooth shade by taking a digital impression at the same time. These new devices may be a reliable alternative method for shade selection with visual verification.
Voluntary disclosure of Sustainable Development Goals in mandatory non‐financial reports: The moderating role of cultural dimension
Authors: Pizzi Simone , Del Baldo Mara , Caputo Fabio , Venturelli Andrea
Published: August 2021

The Directive 2014/95/EU represents one of the main innovations introduced by the European Commission to encourage large companies to disclose their contribution to sustainable development. Since its introduction, the Directive 2014/95/EU has put into motion an intense debate about its effectiveness. Academics and policymakers agreed on the need to rethink mandatory non‐financial reporting to enhance the contribution to the 2030 Agenda. In fact, despite a quantitative increase in the overall number of non‐financial reports published yearly in Europe, only a limited number of companies explicitly disclose information about their contribution to the SDGs. In this sense, the disclosure of information about SDGs is driven by factors related to institutional and organizational dynamics. Building on a sample of 873 Public Interest Entities, an empirical analysis was conducted to fill the theoretical gap about the enabling role covered by cultural factors on SDG reporting. The analysis revealed that companies operating in institutional contexts characterized by long‐term orientation and an adequate degree of balance between indulgence and restraints are more oriented to disclose their contributions to the SDGs. Our insights underlined the need to consider cultural dimensions in policymaking and standard‐setting to encourage large companies to voluntarily disclose their contribution to 2030 Agenda.
Ontario dentists' ease to discuss sensitive health issues with their patients: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Huynh Christine , Aldossri Musfer A. , Quiñonez Carlos R. , Manson Heather , Singhal Sonica
Published: August 2021

Objectives

With consistent calls for a more integrated approach to improve the healthcare system's effectiveness, the scope of practice for dentists has expanded; dentists are now seen to positively intervene to address several sensitive health issues among their patients. However, it is not clear how comfortable dentists feel in doing so. This study endeavored to assess self‐perceived ease of dentists to discuss various sensitive health issues and if their socio‐demographics influence their ease.

Methods

A self‐administered online survey was sent to Ontario dentists (n = 9975) to assess their self‐perceived ease in discussing five sensitive health issues with their patients: eating disorders, substance abuse, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), sexual behaviors, and physical abuse. Ordinal logistic regressions were performed along with descriptive analyses.

Results

The response rate was 9.3%. Over 50% of participants indicated difficulty discussing STIs, sexual behaviors and physical abuse. Younger dentists, female practitioners, dentists practicing in private settings, and those practicing in rural areas perceived more difficulty to discuss all five health issues. Place of training was also a significant predictor: internationally trained dentists perceived it easier to discuss eating disorders, substance abuse, and physical abuse while Canadian trained were more at ease to discuss STIs and sexual behaviors.

Conclusion

This exploratory study identified that a large proportion of dentists are not comfortable discussing sensitive health issue with their patients. There are numerous opportunities for intervention in Canadian dental curriculums, continuing education programs, and communication practices to support dentists' discussions with patients about these important health concerns.
Development of a versatile copper‐responsive gene expression system in the plant‐pathogenic fungus Fusarium graminearum
Authors: Kim Sieun , Park Jiyeun , Kim Dohun , Choi Soyoung , Moon Heeji , Young Shin Ji , Kim Jung‐Eun , Son Hokyoung
Published: August 2021

Fusarium graminearum is an important plant‐pathogenic fungus that causes Fusarium head blight on wheat and barley, and ear rot on maize worldwide. This fungus has been widely used as a model organism to study various biological processes of plant‐pathogenic fungi because of its amenability to genetic manipulation and well‐established outcross system. Gene deletion and overexpression/constitutive expression of target genes are tools widely used to investigate the molecular mechanism underlying fungal development, virulence, and secondary metabolite production. However, for fine‐tuning gene expression and studying essential genes, a conditional gene expression system is necessary that enables repression or induction of gene expression by modifying external conditions. Until now, only a few conditional expression systems have been developed in plant‐pathogenic fungi. This study proposes a new and versatile conditional gene expression system in F. graminearum using the promoter of a copper‐responsive gene, designated F. graminearum copper‐responsive 1 (FCR1). Transcript levels of FCR1 were found to be greatly affected by copper availability conditions. Moreover, the promoter (PFCR1), 1 kb upstream of the FCR1 open reading frame, was sufficient to confer copper‐dependent gene expression. Replacement of a green fluorescent protein gene and FgENA5 promoter with a PFCR1 promoter clearly showed that PFCR1 could be used for fine‐tuning gene expression in this fungus. We also demonstrated the applicability of this conditional gene expression system to an essential gene study by replacing the promoter of FgIRE1, an essential gene of F. graminearum. This enabled the generation of FgIRE1 suppression mutants, which allowed functional characterization of the gene. This study reported the first conditional gene expression system in F. graminearum using both repression and induction. This system would be a convenient way to precisely control gene expression and will be used to determine the biological functions of various genes, including essential ones.
Stress and quality of life of intensive care nurses during the COVID‐19 pandemic: Self‐efficacy and resilience as resources
Authors: Peñacoba Cecilia , Catala Patricia , Velasco Lilian , Carmona‐Monge Francisco Javier , Garcia‐Hedrera Fernando J. , Gil‐Almagro Fernanda
Published: August 2021

Background

Health care workers employed in the COVID‐19 emergency are at a high risk of stress.

Aims and objectives

To explore the mediating roles of self‐efficacy and resilience between stress and both physical and mental quality‐of‐life components in intensive care nurses during the COVID‐19 pandemic.

Design

Cross‐sectional survey design.

Methods

The stress subscale (depression, anxiety, and stress scale in Spanish Scale, DASS‐21), the summary components (physical and mental) of health‐related quality of life (SF‐36), the general self‐efficacy scale (GSES), and the resilience scale (RS‐14) were administered in 308 intensive care nurses. Serial multiple mediator models were used.

Results

There was a significant indirect effect of levels of perceived stress on both physical and mental health components through self‐efficacy and resilience. Specifically, greater perception of self‐efficacy was associated with a lower perception of stress and greater resilience, while higher resilience was associated with greater physical and mental health (B = −0.03; SE = 0.02; 95% confidence interval [CI] = [−0.07, −0.01]; B = −0.03, SE = 0.01, 95% CI = [−0.07, −0.01], respectively). It was observed that self‐efficacy alone also mediates the relationship of the perception of stress on the components of physical and mental health (B = −0.07; SE = 0.05; 95% CI = [−0.18, −0.03]; B = −0.09; SE = 0.04; 95% CI = [−0.17, −0.24], respectively). However, resilience alone was not a significant mediator of these associations.

Conclusions

It can be concluded that stress is linked to the physical and mental health components related to quality of life through self‐efficacy and resilience.

Relevance to clinical practice

These psychological resources would allow the nursing staff to maintain a good quality of life despite high levels of stress. These findings have implications for future research in terms of both model testing and clinical application.
Admixture may be extensive among hyperdominant Amazon rainforest tree species
Authors: Larson Drew A. , Vargas Oscar M. , Vicentini Alberto , Dick Christopher W.
Published: August 2021

Admixture is a mechanism by which species of long‐lived plants may acquire novel alleles. However, the potential role of admixture in the origin and maintenance of tropical plant diversity is unclear. We ask whether admixture occurs in an ecologically important clade ofEschweilera(Parvifolia clade, Lecythidaceae), which includes some of the most widespread and abundant tree species in Amazonian forests.

Using target capture sequencing, we conducted a detailed phylogenomic investigation of 33 species in the Parvifolia clade and investigated specific hypotheses of admixture within a robust phylogenetic framework.

We found strong evidence of admixture among three ecologically dominant species,E.coriacea,E.wachenheimiiandE.parviflora, but a lack of evidence for admixture among other lineages. Accepted species were largely distinguishable from one another, as was geographic structure within species.

We show that hybridization may play a role in the evolution of the most widespread and ecologically variable Amazonian tree species. While admixture occurs among some species ofEschweilera, it has not led to widespread erosion of most species’ genetic or morphological identities. Therefore, current morphological based species circumscriptions appear to provide a useful characterization of the clade's lineage diversity.
Progress in soybean functional genomics over the past decade
Authors: Zhang Min , Liu Shulin , Wang Zhao , Yuan Yaqin , Zhang Zhifang , Liang Qianjin , Yang Xia , Duan Zongbiao , Liu Yucheng , Kong Fanjiang , Liu Baohui , Ren Bo , Tian Zhixi
Published: August 2021

Soybean is one of the most important oilseed and fodder crops. Benefiting from the efforts of soybean breeders and the development of breeding technology, large number of germplasm has been generated over the last 100 years. Nevertheless, soybean breeding needs to be accelerated to meet the needs of a growing world population, to promote sustainable agriculture and to address future environmental changes. The acceleration is highly reliant on the discoveries in gene functional studies. The release of the reference soybean genome in 2010 has significantly facilitated the advance in soybean functional genomics. Here, we review the research progress in soybean omics (genomics, transcriptomics, epigenomics and proteomics), germplasm development (germplasm resources and databases), gene discovery (genes that are responsible for important soybean traits including yield, flowering and maturity, seed quality, stress resistance, nodulation and domestication) and transformation technology during the past decade. At the end, we also briefly discuss current challenges and future directions.
Integrating dermatology services into a social pediatrics network: 8 years of experience in the RICHER (Responsive, Interdisciplinary/Intersectoral, Child/Community, Health, Education and Research) program
Authors: Rehmus Wingfield , Zarbafian Misha , Alobaida Saud , Bland Clea , Hanson Denise , McIntosh Gwyn , Pikksalu Kristina , Loock Christine
Published: August 2021

Social pediatric initiatives aim to improve health outcomes for vulnerable children by working in the community to empower families, to enhance protective factors that mitigate adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), and to deliver place‐based health care. In 2012, pediatric dermatology was added as a component of the Responsive, Interdisciplinary Intersectoral Child and Community Health Education and Research (RICHER) social pediatric program in Vancouver, BC. We share our experience with inclusion of pediatric dermatology in a well‐established social pediatric program as well as lessons we have learned in the first 8 years of our partnership. Partnership, bridging trust, knowledge sharing, empowerment, consistency, and flexibility were found to be central elements in the success of this endeavor.
Epidemiology of respiratory syncytial virus in Japan: A nationwide claims database analysis
Authors: Kobayashi Yasuhiro , Togo Kanae , Agosti Yasmeen , McLaughlin John M.
Published: August 2021

Background

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a major cause of hospitalization for bronchiolitis and pneumonia in infancy. In Japan, limited data are publicly available on RSV epidemiology and clinical characteristics among infants.

Methods

This retrospective study described RSV incidence, seasonality, patient characteristics, resource use, and clinical outcomes among Japanese children <2 years from January 2017 through December 2018. The RSV cases were identified using the Japanese Medical Data Center database.

Results

In the database, 9,711 and 8,509 RSV patients <2 years were identified in 2017 and 2018, respectively. Of these, 25% required hospitalization. Ninety percent of hospitalized patients did not have a known RSV risk factor. Nineteen percent of hospitalized patients experienced dehydration, and 12% had acute respiratory failure. Hospitalization lasted 1 week on average and 7% required some type of mechanical ventilation. The peak of hospitalizations occurred at 2 months. The incidence of RSV hospitalization in children <2 years was 23.2 per 1,000 person‐years, which increased to 35.4 per 1,000 for infants <6 months. This age group accounted for 40% of all RSV‐associated hospitalizations among children <2 years.

Conclusions

Roughly one‐fourth of all RSV patients <2 years were hospitalized. Ninety percent of these did not have an underlying risk condition. This underscores that RSV can cause serious disease among all young children. Three to four out of every 100 Japanese children <6 months were hospitalized for RSV, and this age group accounted for ~40% of all RSV‐associated hospitalizations. Novel and broad‐based RSV prevention strategies, especially those targeting young infants, are needed.
The mechanisms of silicon on maintaining water balance under water deficit stress
Authors: Wang Dan , Hou Lei , Zhang Li , Liu Peng
Published: August 2021

Water deficit stress severely threatens crop yield and numerous reports have shown silicon could enhance plants resistance to water deficit. One of the most important mechanisms is that silicon maintains the water balance. In this review, we summarized advanced research to elucidate the effect of silicon on plant water transport processes, including leaf water loss, vessel water transport, and root water uptake. In leaves, the deposition of silica phytolith on cuticle and stomata decreases transpirational water loss under water deficit stress. However, accumulating evidence suggest that silicon maintaining leaf water content is not through reducing water loss, but through osmotic adjustments, enhancing water transport and uptake. Enhancement of stem water transport efficiency by silicon is due to silica phytolith depositing in the cell wall of vessel tubes and pits, which support it avoiding to collapse and embolism, respectively. The improvement of root water uptake capacity by silicon acts as a key role in maintaining water balance. The underlying mechanisms include (i) enlargement of the root water uptake area, (ii) improvement of the water driving force, (iii) the prevention of water loss from root to soil, and (iv) the up‐regulation of aquaporin activity. This review provides three simple models to understand the mechanism of silicon on water balance and highlights the future research area.