bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Improving leader effectiveness: impact on employee engagement and retention
Authors: Moore Jeffrey R. , Hanson William
Published: August 2022

Purpose

Fixing problems in an organization often involves developing managers in order to increase leader effectiveness. This paper aims to discuss the aforementioned issue.

Design/methodology/approach

Data collection includes multiple surveys and small group interviews. Analysis uses rigorous coding methods to construct a model of critical organizational values and behaviors essential for leadership effectiveness. The authors bring “theory to practice” by applying complexity leadership concepts in the authors’ intervention strategy.

Findings

Findings are categorized into three parts: identifying critical culture value gaps, applying complexity concepts to a scenario-based training intervention, and identifying intervention outcomes. Outcomes include transformed work environment led by leaders who respect others, share decision-making and enable employees to be interdependent.

Research limitations/implications

This explanatory case study contributes to research by applying complexity leadership theory to create a practical consulting intervention.

Practical implications

This work provides a template and process for managers using complexity leadership to inform their client interventions.

Originality/value

This case study identifies value shortfalls in a manufacturing plant, documents a scenario-based training intervention which develops managers to build organizational trust. Results include reducing turnover, improving job satisfaction and increasing production.
Challenges for financial institutes in implementing robust customer due diligence in Pakistan
Authors: Sultan Nasir , Mohamed Norazida
Published: August 2022

Purpose

This study aims to investigates the challenges faced by Pakistani financial institutes (FIs) and regulators in implementing robust customer due diligence measures.

Design/methodology/approach

The study adopted a qualitative technique. Twenty-five semi-structured interviews with chief compliance officers and regulators were conducted.

Findings

The study concluded that the main challenges are name screening, obsolete nature and quality of databases and undocumented, unregistered and unregulated portions of the economy and society. In addition, identification and verification of high-profile customers and beneficial owners, lack of specialised staff and cost of compliance are the significant challenges faced by FIs in Pakistan.

Originality/value

The Pakistani financial sector is less researched on anti-money laundering front, especially concerning customer due diligence. Further, the social, cultural and economic norms of the Indian sub-continent are more or less the same. Therefore, the study findings could be generalised to the region.
Personalities shaping travel behaviors: post-COVID scenario
Authors: Terzić Aleksandra , Petrevska Biljana , Demirović Bajrami Dunja
Published: August 2022

Purpose

This study aims to offer insights into a sounder understanding of tourist behavior and travel patterns by systematically identifying psychological manifestations reflected in the basic human value system in the pandemic-induced environment.

Design/methodology/approach

A large random sample (49,519 respondents from 29 European countries), generated from the core module Round 9 of the European Social Survey, was used. A post-COVID-19 psychological travel behavior model was constructed by using 12 variables within two opposing value structures (openness to change versus conservatism), shaping specific personalities.

Findings

Four types of tourists were identified by using K-means cluster analysis (risk-sensitive, risk-indifferent, risk-tolerant and risk-resistant). The risk-sensibility varied across the groups and was influenced by socio-demographic characteristics, economic status and even differed geographically among nations and traveling cultures.

Research limitations/implications

First, data were collected before the pandemic and did not include information on tourism participation. Second, the model was fully driven by internal factors – motivation. Investigation of additional variables, especially those related to socialization aspects, and some external factors of influence on travel behaviors during and after the crisis, will provide more precise scientific reasoning.

Originality/value

The model was upgraded to some current constructs of salient short-term post-COVID-19 travel behavior embedded in the core principles of universal human values. By separating specific segments of tourists who appreciate personal safety and conformity, from those sharing the extensive need for self-direction and adventure, the suggested model presents a strong background for predicting flows in the post-COVID-19 era.
A predicament of oxygen supply system at an Indian hospital during COVID-19
Authors: Singh Ankit , Kulkarni Meenal , Poojari Avinash
Published: August 2022

Research methodology

This case is based on a project carried out in a tertiary care hospital of the Northeastern region of India for a period of eight months and is written by Dr Ankit Singh, Dr Meenal Kulkarni and Mr Avinash Poojari. The case was developed with the help of the hospital’s management team, disguised on request as Mr Raghugopal Ramalinga (Chief Hospital Administrator), Mr Suresh Kumar (Chief Engineer), Ms Linney Krubah (Chief Nursing Superintendent), Dr Premanand Ale (Chief Medical Superintendent) and Mr Srikrishna Shukla (Chief Finance Officer).

Case overview/synopsis

This case is about Trident Hospital, which faces issues pertaining to oxygen supply. Oxygen supply at Trident Hospitals is through three options as highlighted in the case, but due to the lack of preventive maintenance and no risk assessment done for the crucial medical oxygen, interruptions and additional work for the staff became a common phenomenon. The existing situation can lead to patient harm or death and can attract medico-negligence suit against the hospital, threatening the overall existence of the hospital. The hospital administrator is currently viewing the problem from only the cost perspective, which is a high-risk and a short-term approach.

Complexity academic level

Students pursuing full time/part time/diploma programme in health-care management, hospital administration/hospital operations; and undergraduate and post-graduate level students.
Race, work history, and the employment recidivism relationship
Authors: Kolbeck Simon G. , Bellair Paul E. , Lopez Steven
Published: August 2022

Recent studies have found that race, work history, postprison employment, and recidivism are intertwined, suggesting that race and work history may shape the employment–recidivism relationship in nuanced, yet underexplored ways. Additionally, the literature has yet to settle on what kinds of employment patterns matter most for recidivism. These issues are especially important to resolve given contemporary concerns about mass incarceration and racial disparities among citizens returning from prison. To investigate these questions, we analyze administrative prison records, unemployment insurance (UI) quarterly data, and a recidivism follow‐up documenting multiple failures for approximately eight years. Frailty models, which address unobserved heterogeneity among those prone to multiple recidivism events, reveal that establishing a recent work history unlocks the protective effect of employment, and that the relationship between postprison employment and recidivism does not vary by race. We also find that being sporadically employed is as protective as being more consistently employed. Our findings imply that employment contributes to racial disparities in recidivism via racialized barriers to labor market participation rather than via differential effects. Our results further suggest that addressing barriers to employment, especially for those with no work history and those facing racialized barriers to labor market entry, could significantly reduce recidivism.
Clinical utility of technetium‐99m‐labelled leukocyte scan in diagnosis of vascular infections
Authors: Vasquez Leon , Ong QiHao , Zaman Zubayr , Allen Berry , Khashram Manar
Published: August 2022

Introduction

The diagnosis of vascular graft infections and infected aneurysms via conventional methods such as computed tomography (CT) and ultrasound (US) can often be challenging. Nuclear medicine imaging techniques can detect infection in these difficult cases. We aim to evaluate the diagnostic value of technetium‐99m‐labelled leukocyte scans in diagnosing vascular graft infections in our centre.

Methods

There were 164 patient‐scans identified over a 16‐year period. The electronic clinical records, laboratory findings and radiology of these patients were reviewed. An adapted case definition of infection was defined using the criteria proposed by the Management of Aortic Graft Infection Collaboration. There were 43 patients identified to have vascular indications and had sufficient information to be divided into infected and non‐infected groups. Imaging and reports of the leucocyte scans in these patients were analysed to calculate specificity and sensitivity.

Results

Overall sensitivity of leucocyte scans to detect vascular infection was 78.1% and specificity of 81.8% with a positive likelihood ratio of 4.30 and negative likelihood ratio of 0.27. Two false positives in patients with aortic grafts; one patient possibly had concurrent gastrointestinal infection and continued antibiotic treatment. The other patient had persistent uptake around an endoleak and was treated with lifelong antibiotics for aortic vascular graft infection on the basis of the leucocyte scan; no other clinical or laboratory evidence was found to fulfil the case definition of the vascular graft infection.

Conclusion

Technetium‐99m‐labelled leukocyte scan can be a useful adjuvant test in diagnosing suspected vascular infections in this uncommon presentation.
Comparing invasive and noninvasive faecal sampling in wildlife microbiome studies: A case study on wild common cranes
Authors: Turjeman Sondra , Pekarsky Sasha , Corl Ammon , Kamath Pauline L. , Getz Wayne M. , Bowie Rauri C. K. , Markin Yuri , Nathan Ran
Published: August 2022

In ecological and conservation studies, responsible researchers strive to obtain rich data while minimizing disturbance to wildlife and ecosystems. We assessed if samples collected noninvasively can be used for faecal microbiome research, comparing microbiota of noninvasively collected faecal samples to those collected from trapped common cranes at the same sites over the same periods. We found significant differences in faecal microbial composition (alpha and beta diversity), which likely did not result from noninvasive sample exposure to soil contaminants, as assessed by comparing bacterial oxygen use profiles. Differences might result from trapped birds' exposure to sedatives or stress. We conclude that if all samples are collected in the same manner, comparative analyses are valid, and noninvasive sampling may better represent host faecal microbiota because there are no trapping effects. Experiments with fresh and delayed sample collection can elucidate effects of environmental exposures on microbiota. Further, controlled tests of stressing or sedation may unravel how trapping affects wildlife microbiota.
An overview of the relationship between juvenile idiopathic arthritis and potential environmental risk factors: Do early childhood habits or habitat play a role in the affair?
Authors: Koker Oya , Aliyeva Ayten , Sahin Sezgin , Adrovic Amra , Yildiz Mehmet , Haslak Fatih , Gunalp Aybuke , Barut Kenan , Kasapcopur Ozgur
Published: August 2022

Aim

The current study was undertaken to evaluate the influence of breastfeeding on the development and outcome measures of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). The second aim was to determine the consequences of particular sociodemographic and sociocultural characteristics and nutritional behavior of early childhood on JIA.

Methods

The study includes the patients diagnosed with JIA and regularly followed up at the Department of Pediatric Rheumatology in Istanbul University‐Cerrahpasa. The comparison group consisted of healthy subjects and patients with juvenile systemic lupus erythematosus (jSLE). A face‐to‐face survey method was conducted with the parents of the participants between February 1, 2021, and September 1, 2021.

Results

The mean age of the JIA cohort (n = 324) was 12.2 ± 4.7 years, with a female ratio of 64.8%. The breastfeeding rate differed from the control groups (253 healthy subjects and 88 patients with jSLE) but was higher with a value of 94.8%. There was no difference between the groups (P = .097, P = .064) or within the subgroups of JIA (P = .12) regarding breastfeeding duration. Cow's milk introduction time (P = .02, P = .0001), household pet‐keeping (P = .001), income level (P = .0001), maternal literacy (P = 0.013) made a statistical difference vs the control groups.

Conclusion

No relationship was established between the rate or duration of breastfeeding and the development or severity of JIA. The early introduction of cow's milk was found to be higher in the patient cohorts. The income level and maternal literacy appeared to be relevant with the high disability and damage scores, and frequent relapse rates. Secondhand smoking, higher in JIA, may prompt the basis of primary preventable strategies in JIA.
Prognostic factors for long‐term survival following complete resection by lobectomy in stage I non‐small cell lung cancer
Authors: Galata Christian , Messerschmidt Antje , Kostic Marko , Karampinis Ioannis , Roessner Eric , El Beyrouti Hazem , Schneider Thomas , Stamenovic Davor
Published: August 2022

Background

The aim of this study was to evaluate predictors for long‐term overall survival (OS) in patients with stage I non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Methods

All patients undergoing complete resection by lobectomy for stage I NSCLC between October 2012 and December 2015 at a single center were included. Univariable and multivariable Cox regression analyses were performed to identify prognostic factors.

Results

A total of 92 patients were included. Univariable and multivariable Cox regression analyses revealed preoperative neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR, p = 0.005), preoperative diffusion capacity of the lungs for carbon monoxide (DLCO, p = 0.010) and forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1, p = 0.041) as well as male gender (p = 0.026) as independent prognostic factors for OS. Combining the calculated cutoff values for FEV1 (<73.0%) and NLR (>3.49) into one parameter resulted in a highly significant difference in survival times when stratified by this variable.

Conclusions

Recently, much emphasis has been put on the prognostic importance of blood biomarkers in NSCLC. In our study, NLR was an independent factor for OS, as were baseline characteristics such as DLCO, FEV1, and gender. Further studies on the association of biomarkers for systemic inflammation and lung function parameters with respect to patient survival are warranted.
Morphological and functional relationship between the orbital gland and olfaction in Upupa epops (hoopoe) and Bubulcus ibis (cattle egret)
Authors: Al‐Nefeiy Fatma A. , Shawki Nahed A. , Mahmoud Fatma A.
Published: August 2022

This study used both anatomical and histological techniques to investigate the orbital gland's topographic relationship with the surrounding system, using the hoopoe and cattle egret as biological models. Hoopoe has a spindle‐shaped lacrimal gland that is suspended on the lateral edge of the frontal bone, whereas cattle egret has a tiny lacrimal gland that is embedded posteriorly within the periorbital fascia. The hoopoe's lacrimal gland has a single duct that runs parallel to the nasolacrimal duct and opens into the posterior nostril hole. In the cattle egret, the tubule‐alveolar secretory components comprise neutral and acid glycosaminoglycan. In addition, the Harderian gland is found in both these species, but their draining ducts differ; the Harderian gland of the hoopoe opens into the anterodorsal to the conjunctival fornix, whereas the Harderian gland of the egret opens anteriorly. In both hoopoe and egret, the secretions of Harderian gland include neutral and acid glycosaminoglycan. The Harderian gland is categorized as type II in hoopoe and type I in cattle egrets. The present results concluded that both orbital glands of two bird species studied play an essential role in eye health, where cleaning and lubrication of the cornea surface. Furthermore, the lacrimal gland's location and secretory features may strengthen the olfactory sensitivity of hoopoe, which relies heavily on scent to locate their food, whereas egret relies heavily on visual cues.
A splice site variant inTCTN3underlies an atypical form of orofaciodigital syndrome IV
Authors: Hussain Shabir , Nawaz Shoaib , Khan Hammal , Acharya Anushree , Schrauwen Isabelle , Ahmad Wasim , Leal Suzanne M.
Published: August 2022

Orofaciodigital syndrome (OFD) is clinically heterogeneous and is characterized by abnormalities in the oral cavity, facial features, digits, and central nervous system. At least 18 subtypes of the condition have been described in the literature. OFD is caused by variants in several genes with overlapping phenotypes. We studied a consanguineous Pakistani family with two affected siblings with an atypical form of OFD type 4 (OFD4). In addition to the typical features of OFD4 that include limb defects and growth retardation, the siblings displayed rare features of scaphocephaly and seizures. Exome sequencing analysis revealed a novel homozygous splice site variant c.257‐1G>A inTCTN3that segregated with disease. This homozygous splice site variant inTCTN3is most likely the underlying cause of the atypical form of OFD4 observed in this family. Our results contribute to the phenotypic spectrum ofTCTN3associated ciliopathies and will facilitate better clinical diagnosis.
Health, well‐being and quality of life in aged care: Validation of theoretical domains to inform a person‐centred outcomes measurement framework
Authors: Taylor Susan , Walton Rebecca , Martini Angelita
Published: August 2022

Objectives

The constructs of health, well‐being and quality of life are not routinely understood or measured for people accessing aged care services. This study aimed to identify and validate theoretical domains of health, well‐being and quality of life for recipients of care, their informal carers and staff, and inform the development of a person‐centred outcomes measurement framework.

Methods

First, a rapid review to identify recurrent domains of health, well‐being and quality‐of‐life in aged care, using systematic searches of electronic databases, and review of grey literature, following the PRISMA guidelines. Second, establish content validity of identified domains using (a) Delphi technique with n = 134 aged care staff, care recipients and caregivers, and (b) comparability with categories within the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) and ICF Geriatric Core Set.

Results

From 972 records detected in the rapid review, 19 peer‐reviewed research articles and 27 grey literature sources were included in the content analysis. Twenty‐four domains and 109 concepts were identified, and health, quality of life, security and food and nutrition were ranked as the most important. One domain, cognition, linked to both the Geriatric Core Set and ICF, and 37% of domains and 39% of concepts were evident within the ICF.

Conclusions

This study identified and validated 24 important domains of health, well‐being and quality of life for the older person receiving care, their informal carers and staff. These domains can be used to guide the selection of outcome measures and facilitate person‐centred care and care planning.
Varicocoele‐associated male infertility: Cellular and molecular perspectives of pathophysiology
Authors: Arya Deepshikha , Balasinor Nafisa , Singh Dipty
Published: August 2022

Background

Varicocoele is a common risk factor associated with reduced male fertility potential. The current understanding of varicocoele pathophysiology does not completely explain the clinical manifestation of infertility. The present treatment options such as antioxidant supplementation and varicocoelectomy only help ≈35% of men to achieve spontaneous pregnancy.

Objective

This review aims to summarize the available knowledge on cellular and molecular alterations implicated to varicocoele‐associated male infertility and also highlights the new knowledge generated by “omics” technologies.

Materials and Methods

PubMed, MEDLINE, Cochrane and Google Scholar databases are searched using different combinations of keywords (varicocoele, infertile/fertile men with varicocoele, cellular changes, molecular mechanisms, proteome, epigenome, transcriptome and metabolome). A total of 229 relevant human and animal studies published till 2021 were included in this review.

Results

Current understanding advocates oxidative stress (OS) as a major contributory factor to varicocoele‐associated male infertility. Excessive OS causes alteration in testicular microenvironment and sperm DNA fragmentation, which further contributes to infertility. Molecular and omics studies have identified several promising biomarkers such as AAMP, SPINT1, MKI67 (genetic markers), sperm quality and function related protein markers, global sperm DNA methylation level (epigenetic marker), Hspa2, Protamine, Gadd7, Dynlt1 and Beclin1 (mRNA markers), PRDX2, HSPA, APOA2, YKL40 (seminal protein markers), total choline and PHGDH (metabolic markers).

Discussion

Mature spermatozoa harbours a plethora of molecular information in form of proteome, epigenome and transcriptome, which could provide very important clues regarding pathophysiology of varicocoele‐associated infertility. Recent molecular and omics studies in infertile men with varicocoele have identified several promising biomarkers. Upon further validation with larger and well‐defined studies, some of these biomarkers could aid in varicocoele management.

Conclusion

The present evidences suggest that inclusion of OS and sperm DNA fragmentation tests could be useful to the diagnostic workup for men with varicocoele. Furthermore, including precise molecular markers may assist in diagnostics and prognostics of varicocoele‐associated male infertility.
Temporal continuity and adjacent land use exert different effects on richness of grassland specialists and alien plants in semi‐natural grassland
Authors: Noda Akira , Yamanouchi Takashi , Kobayashi Kakeru , Nishihiro Jun
Published: August 2022

Aims

Grassland plant species diversity is affected by local, temporal and landscape environmental factors, but what is the relative importance of those factors? Understanding this is crucial for the effective conservation of grassland vegetation. We analyzed the factors affecting species richness to contribute to native species conservation and alien species management in grassland vegetation.

Location

Semi‐natural grasslands in Shiroi City, Chiba Prefecture, Japan.

Methods

The species composition in 36 grasslands was surveyed in 2014. Plants were classified as native grassland specialist, other native or alien species. Generalized Linear Models (GLM) were developed, with the number of species in each plant type as the response variable and local (habitat area, use of mowing management), landscape (adjacent land use, connectivity to other grassland habitats) and temporal (period for which the grassland has been preserved from development, i.e., temporal continuity) factors as explanatory variables. Other GLM were developed with the presence/absence of each species as a response variable and three factors as explanatory variables.

Results

Habitat area, use of mowing management and temporal continuity were most important in explaining the number of grassland specialist species and had significant positive effects on their richness. Species‐based analysis identified a significant positive effect of temporal continuity on grassland specialist species. By contrast, habitat area and adjacent land use were most related to alien species richness. The number of alien species was high in grasslands adjacent to farmlands or roads.

Conclusions

The relative importance of temporal and spatial factors differs between native grassland specialists and alien species. Mowing is effective for the conservation of grassland specialists’ species diversity, particularly in historically old grasslands. However, it is necessary to pay attention to the invasion of alien species from adjacent residential or agricultural areas.
Healing trauma with interprofessional collaboration and trauma‐informed perinatal care: A qualitative case study
Authors: Horan Holly , Ryu Jean , Stone Jennifer , Thurston Lydia
Published: August 2022

Background

The interprofessional education collaborative (IPEC) core competencies (CCs) describe standards for effective interprofessional health care practice and education; these standards are updated periodically based on stakeholder feedback. The purpose of this project was to use a qualitative case study approach to describe one multiparous birth trauma survivor's fifth birth experience with an interprofessional birth care team (IBCT) and to juxtapose her experiences and perspectives with the IPEC core competencies (IPEC CCs). This approach enabled us to identify strengths and gaps in the standards for interprofessional health care education and practice specific to perinatal care.

Methods

One in‐depth, open‐ended, semi‐structured interview was conducted to elicit the participant's fifth birth experience. Information from her previous births and the IPEC CCs was used to design the interview guide, and we used independent, deductive, consensus coding to identify themes from verbatim transcripts.

Results

Three themes were identified: (a) Establishing a therapeutic patient‐provider relationship; (b) Prioritizing communication, respect, and knowledge in person‐centered care; and (c) Shared decision‐making as the crux of collaborative care. The participant's narrative elevated person‐centered, trauma‐informed care (TIC) principles as critical to effective interprofessional birth care and as essential threads for the IPEC CCs.

Conclusions

One survivor's positive experience after prior birth trauma illustrates the critical role IPEC CCs may play in collaborative perinatal care provided by IBCTs. In our analysis, we also identify the need to explicitly incorporate TIC principles and person‐centered language in health care competencies that support the standards for perinatal health care education and practice.
Tangible and digital materials for spatial play: Exploring the effects on parental talk and children's spatial reasoning
Authors: Antrilli Nick K. , Wang Su‐hua
Published: August 2022

Technology is transforming children's lived experience with spatial play. In particular, parents may interact with children differently depending on whether they play together with tangible or digital materials. The present research examined whether the medium for play (tangible or digital) affected kindergarten‐aged children's language experience during puzzle play and explored immediate effects on spatial reasoning. Sixty parent–child dyads played with a tangible or a digital set of tangram puzzles for 10 minutes; children received the Children's Mental Transformation Task (CMTT) before and after the play session. Their performance on the most challenging problems of the CMTT improved after tangible, but not digital, play. This effect was related to parental use of orientation and transformation words during the play session and unrelated to the success of puzzle completion. Moreover, we found that the digital interface, specifically the prescribed movements to use the app, affected parental use of deictic words (eg, here, there), and that this relation may be driven by children's production of a pointing‐like action. Together, these results shed light on the interaction between material for play, parent spatial talk and children's spatial reasoning.

Practitioner notes

What is already known

The use of touchscreen devices for play by children has become increasingly common.

Parents tend to engage children in device‐relevant talk more than task‐relevant talk when using electronic devices.

Hands‐on experience with tangible materials provides short‐term and long‐term benefits on children's spatial reasoning.

What this paper adds

With their parents, children at 5 to 6 years completed more puzzles of tangible materials than of digital materials; the design interface of the digital puzzles affected children's action experience.

Tangible materials invited parents to talk about orientation and transformation more than digital materials. The design interface that prompted children to produce pointing‐like gestures invited parents to use more deictic words (eg, here, there).

Children's spatial reasoning was elevated after playing with tangible (but not digital) puzzles. This elevation was related to parental talk about orientation and transformation.

Implications for practice and/or policy

This study sheds light on the considerations for parents and educators when choosing tangible or digital materials for children to engage in spatial play.

The results inform about design principles of educational technology for spatial learning by children at the kindergarten age.
Cluster‐based improvement rates for trust establishment models in single or distributed multi‐agent systems
Authors: Templeton Julian , Tran Thomas
Published: August 2022

Intelligent agents within open and dynamic multi‐agent systems are becoming increasingly capable in their decision‐making abilities and rely upon the notion of trustworthiness to determine which agents to interact with. To improve the overall performance of trust establishment models which trustees individually select and equip to improve their trustworthiness with trustors, while balancing the resources being spent, a cluster‐based trust establishment model update mechanism is proposed. This cluster‐based approach is applicable to robust trust establishment models which utilize dynamic improvement and disimprovement rate variables to adjust a trustee's behaviors toward trustors to improve or maintain trust with the trustor. By storing a single trust establishment model's dynamic improvement and disimprovement rate variables independently for each trustor and by clustering similar trustors together based on observed experiences, a model can more accurately update a trustee's behaviors toward trustors. Through simulated experiments comparing the performance of the existing integrated trust establishment (ITE) model with and without the cluster‐based approach, with varying trustor to trustee ratios to diversify the agent behaviors, the cluster‐based approach consistently improves a trustee's ability to fully meet a trustor's needs, for less resources than ITE, while minimizing the corresponding impact to the trustee's overall trust.
Protective roles of cytoplasmic p21Cip1/Waf1 in senolysis and ferroptosis of lung cancer cells
Authors: Koyanagi Akira , Kotani Hitoshi , Iida Yuichi , Tanino Ryosuke , Kartika Irna D. , Kishimoto Koji , Harada Mamoru
Published: August 2022

Objective

Therapy‐induced senescent cancer cells increase the expression of the cyclin‐dependent kinase inhibitors p16Ink4a and p21Cip1/Waf1. Given that p21 regulates not only the cell cycle but also cell death, we investigated the roles of p21 in cell death using a p16‐negative A549 human lung adenocarcinoma cell line.

Methods

Senescence was induced by doxorubicin (DXR) or pemetrexed (PEM). The protein expression of p21 was examined by immunoblot. Cell death, reactive oxygen species (ROS) and lipid peroxidation were determined by flow cytometry. ABT‐263 and ABT‐737 were used as senolytic drugs. In vivo growth of A549 cells with different levels of p21 and their sensitivity to PEM were examined in xenograft models.

Results

DXR‐induced senescent A549 cells increased the expression of cytoplasmic p21, and the sensitivity to ABT‐263 was augmented in p21‐knockout A549 (A549‐KOp21) cells. A similar senolytic effect was observed when PEM was combined with ABT‐737. PEM alone induced a higher level of non‐apoptotic cell death, ferroptosis, in A549‐KOp21 cells than in A549 cells. Although there was no difference in the level of lipid peroxidation, ROS levels were higher in PEM‐treated A549‐KOp21 cells than in PEM‐treated A549 cells. A loss of p21 increased the sensitivity of A549 cells to PEM both in vitro and in vivo. A clinical database analysis showed that CDKN1Ahigh lung adenocarcinoma patients had a poorer prognosis compared to CDKN1Alow patients.

Conclusion

Cytoplasmic p21, which was increased in therapy‐induced senescent lung cancer cells, plays protective roles in senolysis and ferroptosis.
Prevalence of mortality in mammals: A retrospective study from wildlife rescue center of Nepal
Authors: Adhikari Binaya , Baral Kedar , Bhandari Shivish , Kunwar Ripu Mardhan , Subedi Suresh Chandra
Published: August 2022

To assess threats to the population of native mammals and their survival, we performed a retrospective study utilizing a rescue and rehabilitation database from Nepal. Based on a total number of 1013 cases involving six taxonomic families of mammals admitted over five years, the outcome (mortality and survivability) differed significantly among six taxa (χ2[df = 5, N = 1013] = 65.08, p < .001). The mortality rate was highest in Felidae (74%), followed by Herpestidae (69%), Viverridae (62%), Bovidae (50%), Cervidae (50%), and Cercopithecidae (38%). The outcome also differed significantly among the causes of admission (χ2[df = 9, N = 1013] = 241.48, p < .001). The prevalence of mortality was highest in the cases of gunshot and poisoning, followed by collision with a vehicle, diseases/infection, entanglement/trapped, injured by dogs/cats, abandoned/orphaned, injured by humans, unknown causes, and domestic/captivity issues. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed the significant influence of taxonomic family, age group, and cause of admission on the likelihood of mortality of the rescued mammals. The odds ratio of mortality was higher for carnivore taxa, and juveniles were more likely to succumb to death than adults. Our study provides important information associated with the mortality of rescued mammals, thereby assisting in the development and formulation of strategies for threat mitigation and an efficient rehabilitation process.
The policy landscape and challenges of disaster risk financing: navigating risk and uncertainty
Authors: Taylor Olivia G.
Published: August 2022

A more anticipatory, pre‐agreed response is a shared goal of many in the disaster management and humanitarian communities. This paper considers the emerging policy landscape of disaster risk financing (DRF), which is taken here to include mechanisms that allow agencies to act in advance of disasters occurring, as well as those that aim to respond earlier to disasters which have already happened. What they both have in common is no longer waiting for needs to become apparent before responding; however, this creates a challenge for practitioners because of the potential for acting erroneously. This paper provides a more cohesive way of understanding approaches in this policy area through the shared challenge of decision‐making under the condition of uncertainty. Drawing on expert interviews and science and technology studies theory, it sets out some recommendations on how practitioners can navigate risk and uncertainty better within DRF and in a more nuanced way.
Genetic tests for neurodevelopmental differences: Can we and should we?
Authors: Taylor Mark J.
Published: August 2022

This commentary is on the invited review by Navon on pages 1462–1469 of this issue.
Metabolic profile‐based subgroups can identify differences in brain volumes and brain iron deposition
Authors: Lumsden Amanda L. , Mulugeta Anwar , Mäkinen Ville‐Petteri , Hyppönen Elina
Published: August 2022

Aims

To evaluate associations of metabolic profiles and biomarkers with brain atrophy, lesions, and iron deposition to understand the early risk factors associated with dementia.

Materials and methods

Using data from 26 239 UK Biobank participants free from dementia and stroke, we assessed the associations of metabolic subgroups, derived using an artificial neural network approach (self‐organizing map), and 39 individual biomarkers with brain MRI measures: total brain volume (TBV), grey matter volume (GMV), white matter volume (WMV), hippocampal volume (HV), white matter hyperintensity (WMH) volume, and caudate iron deposition.

Results

In metabolic subgroup analyses, participants characterized by high triglycerides and liver enzymes showed the most adverse brain outcomes compared to the healthy reference subgroup with high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol and low body mass index (BMI) including associations with GMV (βstandardized −0.20, 95% confidence interval [CI] −0.24 to −0.16), HV (βstandardized −0.09, 95% CI −0.13 to −0.04), WMH volume (βstandardized 0.22, 95% CI 0.18 to 0.26), and caudate iron deposition (βstandardized 0.30, 95% CI 0.25 to 0.34), with similar adverse associations for the subgroup with high BMI, C‐reactive protein and cystatin C, and the subgroup with high blood pressure (BP) and apolipoprotein B. Among the biomarkers, striking associations were seen between basal metabolic rate (BMR) and caudate iron deposition (βstandardized 0.23, 95% CI 0.22 to 0.24 per 1 SD increase), GMV (βstandardized −0.15, 95% CI −0.16 to −0.14) and HV (βstandardized −0.11, 95% CI −0.12 to −0.10), and between BP and WMH volume (βstandardized 0.13, 95% CI 0.12 to 0.14 for diastolic BP).

Conclusions

Metabolic profiles were associated differentially with brain neuroimaging characteristics. Associations of BMR, BP and other individual biomarkers may provide insights into actionable mechanisms driving these brain associations.
Culture Wars & Corporate Dilemmas
Authors: Pope Patricia
Published: August 2022

Worldwide, more than 25 million unsafe abortions are still performed each year, making it the third leading cause of maternal death in the world.”∗

Corporations find themselves navigating an increasingly complicated web of social issues as they respond to recent U.S. Supreme Court rulings.
Phylogenetic composition of native island floras influences naturalized alien species richness
Authors: Bach Wilhelmine , Kreft Holger , Craven Dylan , König Christian , Schrader Julian , Taylor Amanda , Dawson Wayne , Essl Franz , Lenzner Bernd , Marx Hannah E. , Meyer Carsten , Pergl Jan , Pyšek Petr , van Kleunen Mark , Winter Marten , Weigelt Patrick
Published: August 2022

Islands are hotspots of plant endemism and are particularly vulnerable to the establishment (naturalization) of alien plant species. Naturalized species richness on islands depends on several biogeographical and socioeconomic factors, but especially on remoteness. One potential explanation for this is that the phylogenetically imbalanced composition of native floras on remote islands leaves unoccupied niche space for alien species to colonize. Here, we tested whether the species richness of naturalized seed plants on 249 islands worldwide is related to the phylogenetic composition of their native floras. To this end, we calculated standardized effect size (ses) accounting for species richness for three phylogenetic assemblage metrics (Faith's phylogenetic diversity (PD), PDses; mean pairwise distance (MPD), MPDses; and mean nearest taxon distance (MNTD), MNTDses) based on a phylogeny of 42 135 native island plant species and related them to naturalized species richness. As covariates in generalized linear mixed models, we included native species richness and biogeographical, climatic and socioeconomic island characteristics known to affect naturalized species richness. Our analysis showed an increase in naturalized species richness with increasing phylogenetic clustering of the native assemblages (i.e. native species more closely related than expected by chance), most prominently with MPDses. This effect, however, was smaller than the influence of native species richness and biogeographical factors, e.g. remoteness. Further, the effect of native phylogenetic structure (MPDses) on naturalized species richness was stronger for smaller islands, but this pattern was not consistent across all phylogenetic assemblage metrics. This finding suggests that the phylogenetic composition of native island floras may affect naturalized species richness, particularly on small islands where species are more likely to co‐occur locally. Overall, we conclude that the composition of native island assemblages affects their susceptibility to plant naturalizations in addition to other socioeconomic and biogeographical factors, and should be considered when assessing invasion risks on islands.
Consumer revolution in north‐western Germany: Material culture, global goods, and proto‐industry in rural households in the seventeenth to nineteenth centuries
Authors: Bovenkerk Henning , Fertig Christine
Published: August 2022

Existing scholarship on the early modern consumer revolution postulates a dichotomy between the classic pioneering countries of England and the Netherlands and the remaining parts of Europe, which were more stagnant. We contribute to this literature by analysing probate inventories in a rural area in north‐western Germany. We show that a closer look at these spaces, which had an intermediate level of development and integration into global markets, reveals a more gradual development and a discernible market evolution. Sumptuary laws may have somewhat slowed down the change in material culture in German regions, but the presence of towns and the proximity to the Netherlands had noticeably positive effects on consumer behaviour. The proto‐industrial orientation of local economies proved to be particularly important, as it led to the granting of access to global markets, in addition to greater availability of cash. We observe a delayed diffusion of the new consumer culture in intermediate European regions and argue for a more gradual view of the European consumer revolution.
APOE ε4 influences cognitive decline positively in APP and negatively in PSEN1 mutation carriers with autosomal‐dominant Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Almkvist Ove , Johansson Charlotte , Laffita‐Mesa Jose , Thordardottir Steinunn , Graff Caroline
Published: August 2022

Background and purpose

The aim was to investigate the effect of APOE ε4 allele on cognitive decline in adAD. Presence of the APOE ε4 allele reduces age of symptom onset, increases disease progression, and lowers cognitive performance in sporadic Alzheimer's disease (AD), while the impact of the APOE ε4 allele in autosomal‐dominant AD (adAD) is incompletely known.

Methods

Mutation carriers (MCs; n = 39) and non‐carriers (NCs; n = 40) from six adAD families harbouring a mutation in the APP (28 MCs and 25 NCs) or the PSEN1 genes (11 MCs and 15 NCs) underwent repeated cognitive assessments. A timeline of disease course was defined as years to expected age of clinical onset (YECO) based on history of disease onset in each family. The MC and NC groups were comparable with regard to demographics and prevalence of the APOE ε4 allele. The relationship between cognitive decline and YECO, YECO2, education, APOE, and APOE‐by‐YECO interaction was analysed using linear mixed‐effects models.

Results

The trajectory of cognitive decline was significantly predicted by linear and quadratic YECO and education in MCs and was determined by age and education in NCs. Adding APOE ε4 allele (presence/absence) as a predictor did not change the results in the MC and NC groups. The outcome also remained the same for MCs and NCs after adding the APOE‐by‐YECO interaction as a predictor. Analyses of APP and PSEN1 MCs separately showed favourable APOE‐by‐YECO interaction in APP (less steep decline) and unfavourable interaction in PSEN1 (steeper decline), linked to the APOE ε4 allele.

Conclusion

The APOE ε4 allele influences cognitive decline positively in APP and negatively in PSEN1 mutation carriers with adAD, indicating a possible antagonistic pleiotropy.
Establishment of interlaminar structure and crack propagation in carbon fiber reinforced epoxy composites by interleaving CNTs/PEK‐C film
Authors: Yao Jiawei , Li Hongfu , Wu Ying , Niu Kangmin
Published: August 2022

The synergistic combination of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and thermoplastic (TP) resin has shown the large potential in the improvement of fracture resistance for the epoxy matrix composites using the interleaving toughening method in recent years. The hybrid structure of CNTs and TP resin in interlayers affects directly the interlaminar structure and the resultant crack propagation path. In this work, the CNTs and thermoplastic polyetherketone‐cardo (PEK‐C) were used to prepare the interlayer of different structures to interleave the carbon fiber reinforced epoxy composites and the influence of hybrid structure on the interlaminar structure and the fracture toughness was investigated. The results showed that compared with the PEK‐C/CNTs uniformly hybrid interlayer, the sandwich interlayer produced better toughening effect in mode I interlaminar fracture toughness (GIC). The GIC was improved by 138.1% via PEK‐C/CNTs/PEK‐C sandwich interlayer, while only 49.7% via PEK‐C/CNTs hybrid interlayer. The sandwich interlayer resulted in the formation of the multilayered structure in the interlaminar region, facilitating the tortuous crack propagation path.
Topical liposomal amphotericin B gel treatment for cutaneous leishmaniasis caused by Leishmania major: a double‐blind, randomized, placebo‐controlled, pilot study
Authors: Horev Amir , Sagi Orli , Zur Eyal , Ben‐Shimol Shalom
Published: August 2022

Background

Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) topical treatments may have low efficacy, while systemic treatments have adverse effects (AEs) and high cost. Since treatment options for CL nowadays have numerous disadvantages, an alternative topical treatment is vastly needed. We assessed liposomal amphotericin B gel (LAmB gel) treatment efficacy and safety.

Methods

A randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trial. Adults with CL (PCR proven, ≤5 lesions) were randomized for 28 days with LAmB gel (cases) versus placebo gel (controls), followed by LAmB gel for 28 days (both groups). Lesion size, ulceration, induration, scarring, swelling, and AEs (pain, itch, erythema, discharge, fever, and urticaria) were assessed at days 1, 28, and 56. PCR was repeated at day 56.

Results

Thirteen patients (four cases, nine controls) with 39 lesions (11 cases, 28 controls) caused by Leishmania major (L. major) were randomized. Ulcer, induration, scarring, and swelling were noted in 18%, 91%, 0%, and 27% of cases, respectively, versus 86%, 89%, 7%, and 54% of controls, respectively. At day 28, improvement rates were low in both groups. Induration improved comparing LAmB gel treatment for 56 days versus 28 days. Ulceration, induration, and swelling improved comparing all patients at 56 days versus 28 days. PCR turned negative in three of four cases and eight of nine controls. Mild, only local, AEs were reported in <30% of the patients.

Conclusions

LAmB gel is safe and may be considered as an alternative topical treatment for CL caused by L. major. Further, larger‐scale studies are warranted to evaluate the long‐term impact of LAmB gel on the management of CL.