bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Developing critical geopolitical awareness in management education
Authors: Belhoste Nathalie , Dimitrova Anna
Published: July 2023

The impact of geopolitics on business activities is an undeniable reality, as reflected in the fact that a growing number of companies consider geopolitical risks as a substantial risk to their cross-border operations. Against this background, this article advocates developing the critical geopolitical awareness of management learners to allow them to better understand the risks and challenges posed by the rapidly changing and highly uncertain external environment. After explaining the specificities of the critical geopolitical approach, we discuss three selected case studies that show how it can be applied to complex crisis situations in which companies can become involved. We then highlight how developing critical geopolitical awareness could be beneficial to management learners as part of an incremental critical learning process. The latter is presented as a three-step process, aiming to: (a) increase knowledge of the international and local context by using the triangular framework of analysis (space-power-representations), which provides a deeper understanding of the external environment and how the strategies of both state- and non-state actors may affect business activities; (b) enrich traditional political risk models with a relational and multiscale approach to geopolitical risk; and (c) reconsider the role of corporate leaders and companies as (geo)political actors.
Survival of the social? Effects of intra-party cooperation on MP renomination
Authors: Bucher Jan
Published: July 2023

Parties are the nucleus of modern parliaments. Therefore it is crucial to understand cooperation and competition within parties. In most parliaments, we can observe some form of cooperation, like cosponsorship. In this paper, cosponsorship is used to identify the relationships of MPs within their parliamentary party group, and to infer whether this relational position has an effect on their reselection. Are better embedded and connected MPs more likely to be reselected? Do peers matter in reselection? This question is also of theoretical interest in the light of competing principals (Carey, 2007). The empirical analysis first replicates the model of MP renomination by Baumann et al. (2017), adding a new data set from the German Bundestag, used to provide the relational independent variables of cosponsorship centrality. The key finding of the analysis is that cosponsorship closeness is a significant predictor of MP reselection and can be seen as a compelling complement to the model by Baumann et al. With cooperation shown to be significant when it comes to renomination, the understanding of peer-induced competition, competing principals theory can be further developed to aid our understanding of MP cooperation and competition, delegation, agency and collective principals in modern parties.
Lexical tonal effects in code-switching: A comparative study of Cantonese, Mandarin, and Vietnamese switching with English
Authors: Li Katrina Kechun , Nguyen Li , Bryant Christopher , Yoo Kayeon
Published: July 2023

Aims and objectives:

Previous research has revealed much about the syntactic and social variables conditioning code-switching (i.e., the alternation between two or more languages in a discourse or utterance); however, little is known about the phonological effects. Our work explores this area by asking two main questions: (1) Does lexical tone affect code-switching between a tonal language and a non-tonal language? and (2) Is this effect (or lack thereof) observable cross-linguistically?

Methodology:

We examine natural code-switching production between Cantonese and English, Mandarin and English, and Vietnamese and English. We use a semi-automatic natural-language processing method to process and extract relevant variables, including tonal categories at switch points.

Data and analysis:

Data include transcribed natural speech from three bilingual corpora: the HLVC corpus (Cantonese/English, 25 speakers), the SEAME corpus (Mandarin/English, 20 speakers), and the CanVEC corpus (Vietnamese/English, 45 speakers). We use logistic mixed-effects models to examine tonal effects, taking into account other factors such as frequency and grammatical category.

Findings/conclusion:

We found a robust tonal effect in Cantonese/English, a less robust effect in Mandarin/English, and no effect in Vietnamese/English. This indicates there is a tonal effect in code-switching between a tonal and a non-tonal language, but this effect is language-dependent. We also found a specific T3 ‘step-up’ pattern at Cantonese-English switch points and offered some possible phonological explanations.

Originality:

This is the first study that systematically investigates tonal effects in code-switching across different language pairs, using comparable data and methods. Our finding of a Cantonese-English T3 ‘step-up’ pattern is also a novel discovery that hitherto has not been documented.

Significance/implications:

Theoretically, our findings support Clyne’s ‘facilitation theory’ in code-switching at a prosodic level. Empirically, we nevertheless emphasised the complexity of different prosodic features and social variables in play, thereby rejecting the idea of ‘predicting’ code-switching solely based on linguistic factors.
Constructing authority in the digital age: Comparing book reviews of professional and amateur critics
Authors: Koreman Rian , Verboord Marc , Janssen Susanne
Published: July 2023

How do cultural critics in the digital age convince audiences that their writings are valuable? What discursive strategies do they employ to construct their authority? And which differences can we see between professional critics working in institutionalized media and amateur critics contributing to online platforms? This article presents an in-depth analysis of book reviews by different critics to answer these questions. The results indicate that long-standing critical strategies are still largely intact: both professional and amateur critics construct authority by analyzing the book, contextualizing the book and discussing its reception, suggesting that amateurs have adopted to a large degree the skill sets of professionals. At the same time, amateur critics distinguish themselves by a pronounced presence of their personal experience in their reviews. This could point to a new way of constructing authority.
Ageing and unruliness: Articulations of gaga feminism in representations of ageing, gender and sexuality
Authors: De Vuyst Sara , De Graeve Katrien
Published: July 2023

In prevailing Western media discourses, older women’s anger and resistance are often portrayed as a result of the physical and mental decline inherently associated with ageing. These representations reinforce the image of older women as vulnerable subjects who are weak, frail and excluded from society. This article proposes an alternative reading of expressions of unruliness related to ageing, gender and sexuality in Western media and visual culture through the lens of Halberstam’s concept of gaga feminism. The aim is to explore how gaga feminism’s aesthetics of collapse, creative anarchy and experimentation can construct new constellations of ageing, sexuality and gender. We have conducted a critical, contextualised reading of a selection of cultural artefacts that express various elements of a gaga aesthetic. Our analysis reflects on the three central principles of gaga, specifically (1) new forms of social relations and sexualities, (2) more fluid articulations of gender and (3) creative anarchy; and on what they can mean for an anti-ageist project in media and visual culture. In this way, this article offers insights into the creative and unruly ways in which ageism, heteronormativity and sexism can be subverted and destabilised in representations.
Platform rules as privacy tools: The influence of screenshot accountability and trust on privacy management
Authors: Shore Alexis , Prena Kelsey
Published: July 2023

Society has normalized the use of the screenshot feature to surreptitiously capture and share private digital messages. While screenshots have utilitarian purposes, we provide evidence that this feature enables violations of interpersonal privacy expectations. In addition, we extend communication privacy management (CPM) theory beyond its interpersonal limitations to include platforms as privacy rulemakers through explicit cues and embedded trust. We conducted a 2(Accountability cue: present or absent) × 3(Platform trust: high, low, control) between-subjects experiment to understand their conditional impact on control over and disclosure of personal and co-owned information within a proposed digital messaging platform ( N = 307). Our experimental results showcase the power of a screenshot accountability cue and platform trust on privacy perceptions and management within messaging platforms. Implications for design against the screenshot feature are discussed.
Informal interorganizational business relationships, satisfaction, and firm performance: Case of Arab Maghreb countries
Authors: Toumi Said , Su Zhan
Published: July 2023

Understanding how informal relationships such as Wasta operate in different cultures is necessary for multinationals to thrive. However, studies on the effect of such networks on multinationals' activities in Arab countries remain limited. The aim of this study is to examine the effect of informal inter-organizational business relationships on the satisfaction and performance of firms in Arab Maghreb countries. This research is based on a self-administered survey with 534 procurement managers from Morocco ( n = 220), Algeria ( n = 148) and Tunisia ( n = 166). We used structural equations to test our hypotheses. The results showed that Wasta has almost the same effect on interorganizational relationship in the three Maghreb countries. Specifically, Mojamala (affection) does not influence the satisfaction of the B2B relationship within the three counties under study, while Hamola (reciprocity) and Somah (trust) positively influence this relationship. The analysis showed that the negative side of Somah has a negative influence on satisfaction only in Algeria. The results also showed that satisfaction positively influences the performance of Maghrebian B2B partners. These results show that the phenomenon of Wasta is rooted in the cultures of the Maghreb countries and underscore the need to conduct further studies to understand it and to raise awareness among multinationals that plan to do business with the local partners or those who are planning to relocate. Implications for IB, theory and policy are discussed together with the study’s limitations and suggestions for future research. Through this study, we contribute to the development of research on cross-culture management by showing the effect of Wasta as a cultural phenomenon on business relations in the Maghreb countries. Our research is the first to investigate the effect of the informal interorganizational relationship on the satisfaction and performance of B2B partners.
Introduction to the special issue ‘Return of the nation: Education in an era of rising nationalism and populism’
Authors: Piattoeva Nelli , Viseu Sofia , Wirthová Jitka
Published: July 2023

This Special Issue of the European Educational Research Journal (Special Issue) contributes to the ongoing debate on the relationship between education, nationalism and populism to enhance scholarly understanding of the construction and maintenance of nationalism. The special issue consists in total of six original articles that cover different sources, spaces and forms of nationalism: banal and virulent, strategic and habitual, reproduced by state actors and power elites versus individuals or groups who echo, subvert or extend the official narratives and nationalism as both nested in topographical spaces as well as in topological relations. It foregrounds the specificity of nationalism as a discursive-material-affective practice that unfolds contextually. The articles highlight, for instance, the relationships between nationalism and other `isms’ (populism, religious conservatism and authoritarianism) and the evolving processes such as climate emergency, improving recognition of indigenous rights, ambiguous expertisation or ubiquitous digitalisation. Overall, for the sociologies of education, the special issue highlights the importance of exploring both how education reproduces nationalism and how nationalism (as a strategy, practice, discourse, place-building and position-legitimating or affect) intervenes in and takes advantage of education.
The inducible prostaglandin E synthase (mPGES-1) in neuroinflammatory disorders
Authors: Sluter Madison N , Li Qianqian , Yasmen Nelufar , Chen Yu , Li Lexiao , Hou Ruida , Yu Ying , Yang Chao-Yie , Meibohm Bernd , Jiang Jianxiong
Published: July 2023

The cyclooxygenase (COX)/prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) signaling pathway has emerged as a critical target for anti-inflammatory therapeutic development in neurological diseases. However, medical use of COX inhibitors in the treatment of various neurological disorders has been limited due to well-documented cardiovascular and cerebrovascular complications. It has been widely proposed that modulation of downstream microsomal prostaglandin E synthase-1 (mPGES-1) enzyme may provide more specificity for inhibiting PGE2-elicited neuroinflammation. Heightened levels of mPGES-1 have been detected in a variety of brain diseases such as epilepsy, stroke, glioma, and neurodegenerative diseases. Subsequently, elevated levels of PGE2, the enzymatic product of mPGES-1, have been demonstrated to modulate a multitude of deleterious effects. In epilepsy, PGE2participates in retrograde signaling to augment glutamate release at the synapse leading to neuronal death. The excitotoxic demise of neurons incites the activation of microglia, which can become overactive upon further stimulation by PGE2. A selective mPGES-1 inhibitor was able to reduce gliosis and the expression of proinflammatory cytokines in the hippocampus following status epilepticus. A similar mechanism has also been observed in stroke, where the overactivation of microglia by PGE2upregulated the expression and secretion of proinflammatory cytokines. This intense activation of neuroinflammatory processes triggered the secondary injury commonly observed in stroke, and blockade of mPGES-1 reduced infarction size and edema, suppressed induction of proinflammatory cytokines, and improved post-stroke well-being and cognition. Furthermore, elevated levels of PGE2have been shown to intensify the proliferation of glioma cells, mediate P-glycoprotein expression at the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and facilitate breakdown of the BBB. For these reasons, targeting mPGES-1, the central and inducible enzyme of the COX cascade, may provide a more specific therapeutic strategy for treating neuroinflammatory diseases.
Generic drug labeling: Recent developments since Pliva, Inc. v. Mensing
Authors: Lief Hannah
Published: July 2023

The Hatch-Waxman Amendments to the Food, Drug, & Cosmetic Act requires generic drug manufacturers to match their labeling to the bioequivalent brand-name drug. The decision in PLIVA, Inc. v. Mensing reinforced the liability implications when there is a lack of safety information on brand-name drugs by holding the brand-name drug manufacturer liable for failing to fully inform consumers of the relevant safety risks associated with a particular drug. Following this decision, the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 introduced a new process for generic drug manufacturers to update their safety information independent of its bioequivalent brand-name drug.
‘I can’t remember how many I killed. . .’: Child soldiers and memory work in YouTube
Authors: Bräuchler Birgit
Published: July 2023

The way conflicts are remembered is crucial for the prevention of future violence, and digital technologies play increasing roles in processes of remembering. This article looks at memory work conducted in a YouTube video featuring two former child soldiers in Maluku, Eastern Indonesia, and their story from mutual hatred and war to friendship and peace. Analysing and comparing the video and the related English and Indonesian video commentaries, this article asks how the Moluccan violence is remembered, how that memory travels and how it is translated and received among different audiences. It investigates how connectivity and creativity open up new memory spaces and how, within these digital spaces, transcultural memory tropes and political and cultural contexts of social media users can both solidify hegemonic memory narratives and transform traumatic memories into hope and peace.
Race against time: “9/11: One Day in America” and the amnesia of America’s archive
Authors: Hallgren Liz
Published: July 2023

I engage in a discourse analysis of National Geographic’s docuseries “9/11: One Day in America” to argue that the series’ multi-layered effort at commemoration, geared as a long-awaited “full” telling of the 9/11 story, but committed to honoring a specific group of victims and survivors, is enabled by a disorienting temporality that raises questions about the role of national memorials and archives at this moment. Temporality is essential to the development of narrative, and with narrative a central element in the making of memory worlds, temporality cannot be underestimated as a key factor in how memories take shape. “One Day” depends on structural instantiations of time to develop its narrative as authentic memory, reflecting a paradoxical linear yet circular pattern that simultaneously authenticates and undermines the veracity of the story it tells. “One Day” transports viewers into lower Manhattan and through the events of 9/11 via a vividly illustrated timeline. But while a linear version of time in “One Day” supports the telling of survivor stories and the memorialization of the dead, the overarching effect of the timeline for viewers is circular, transporting viewers back in time to 2001 and a state of fear and confusion, forcing collective memory to exist in a repetitive temporality that excuses a turn away from history and consequences. The resulting circular mechanism for commemoration allows cultural institutions, like the ones represented in “One Day,” to emphasize the past at the expense of more critical understandings of both history and the future.
Role of perioperative immunotherapy in localized renal cell carcinoma
Authors: Kaur Jasmeet , Patil Goutham , Geynisman Daniel M. , Ghatalia Pooja
Published: July 2023

Immunotherapy has proven effective in metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC). The current standard of treatment in localized RCC is partial or complete nephrectomy. However, after surgery, there is a high recurrence rate and survival rates ranging from 53% to 85% depending on the stage of disease at presentation. Given clinical response to immunotherapies in metastatic RCC, these therapies are being tested as monotherapy and in combination with vascular endothelial growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors in the (neo)adjuvant setting. Here we describe the current landscape of these treatments in localized RCC.
Safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics of an anti-LAG-3 antibody SHR-1802 in patients with advanced solid tumors: a phase I dose-escalation and dose-expansion study
Authors: Deng Ting , Liu Zhigang , Han Zhengquan , Zhou Huan , Liu Rui , Li Yijing , Li Shaorong , Xiu Peng , Wang Shuni , Zhang Yiping , Ba Yi
Published: July 2023

Background:

Lymphocyte-activation gene 3 (LAG-3), a checkpoint molecule contributing to immune suppressive microenvironment, is regarded as a promising target in cancer treatment. SHR-1802 is a novel anti-LAG-3 monoclonal antibody.

Objectives:

To evaluate the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and antitumor activity of SHR-1802.

Design:

A phase I dose-escalation and expansion trial of SHR-1802 in patients with advanced solid tumors.

Methods:

Patients with confirmed advanced solid tumors who failed previous standard-of-care or for whom no effective therapy was available were enrolled to receive SHR-1802 once every 21-day cycle. Dose escalation was performed in an accelerated titration design followed by a 3 + 3 scheme at escalating doses from 0.3 to 10 mg/kg. On the basis of results from dose-escalation phase, one or two dose levels were expanded to establish the recommended phase II dose (RP2D). The primary end points were dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) and RP2D.

Results:

Between 01 July 2020, and 07 September 2021, 28 patients were enrolled. No DLTs were observed, and all doses investigated were well tolerated. Treatment-related adverse events occurred in 20 patients (71.4%), all grade 1 or 2, with the most common ones being anemia (14.3%), asthenia (14.3%), electrocardiogram QT prolonged (14.3%), followed by increased blood fibrinogen (10.7%), infusion-related reaction (10.7%), and hypoalbuminemia (10.7%). No adverse event-related discontinuation occurred. Three patients died from adverse events, but none of the deaths were deemed related to study treatment. SHR-1802 exposure enhanced with the increasing doses in a greater than dose-proportional manner over the investigated dose range. The disease control rate was 32.0% (95% CI 14.9%–53.5%). The median progression-free survival was 2.0 months (95% CI 1.2–6.1).

Conclusions:

SHR-1802 demonstrated a tolerable safety profile and preliminary antitumor activity in patients with advanced solid tumors. Further studies with larger sample size and in combination forms are warranted for future clinical application.

Registration ClinicalTrials.gov:

NCT04414150
Language Access for Families With Limited English Proficiency: Why Does It Matter?
Authors: Bennett Sheryl , Squires Allison P. , McCabe Ellen
Published: July 2023

This manuscript guides school nurses in addressing the unique needs of U.S. school-aged students and families with limited English proficiency (LEP). Owing to the increasing ethnic and racial diversity in U.S. K–12 schools, school nurses will likely encounter children and families with LEP. Students with LEP may be part of a family which immigrated to this country as permanent residents, are refugees, or asylum seekers. Some may be from migrant families who move throughout the region or country for work. School health services, including nursing services, may be the first and only health resource to which these children have consistent access. The availability and importance of language access services are highlighted, as well as tips for school nurses to advocate for language access resources, training for effective communication, understanding the legal landscape, and addressing cultural beliefs that influence health behaviors. Advocacy toward identifying the distinctive needs of families with LEP aims to help school nurses target equitable health outcomes.
Increased rate of significant findings on brain MRI during the early stage of the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Wagner Matthias W , Jadkarim Dalia , Rajani Nikil K , Biswas Asthik , Olatunji Richard , Law Wyanne , Vidarsson Logi , Amirabadi Afsaneh , Ertl-Wagner Birgit B
Published: July 2023

Objectives

To assess the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the proportion of abnormal paediatric neuroimaging findings as a surrogate marker for potential underutilisation.

Methods

Consecutive paediatric brain MRIs performed between March 27th and June 19th 2019 (Tbaseline) and March 23rd and June 1st 2020 (Tpandemic) were reviewed and classified according to presence or absence and type of imaging abnormality, and graded regarding severity on a 5-point Likert scale, where grade 4 was defined as abnormal finding requiring non-urgent intervention and grade 5 was defined as acute illness prompting urgent medical intervention. Non-parametric statistical testing was used to assess for significant differences between Tpandemic vs. Tbaseline.

Results

Fewer paediatric MRI brains were performed during Tpandemic compared to Tbaseline (12.2 vs 14.7 examinations/day). No significant difference was found between the two time periods regarding sex and age (Tbaseline: 557 females (44.63%), 7.95 ± 5.49 years, Tpandemic: 385 females (44.61%), 7.64 ± 6.11 years; p = 1 and p = .079, respectively). MRI brain examinations during Tpandemic had a higher likelihood of being abnormal, 41.25% vs. 25.32% ( p<.0001). Vascular abnormalities were more frequent during Tpandemic (11.01% vs 8.01%, p = .02), congenital malformations were less common (8.34% vs 12.34%, p = .004). Severity of MRI brain examinations was significantly different when comparing group 4 and group 5 individually and combined between Tbaseline and Tpandemic ( p = .0018, p < .0001, and p <.0001, respectively).

Conclusions

The rate of abnormality and severity found on paediatric brain MRI was significantly higher during the early phase of the pandemic, likely due to underutilisation.
Hospital admissions attributed to adverse drug reactions in tertiary care in Uganda: burden and contributing factors
Authors: Asio Lillian , Nasasira Marble , Kiguba Ronald
Published: July 2023

Background:

Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) contribute to the burden of disease globally and of particular concern are ADR-related hospital admissions.

Objectives:

This study sought to determine the burden, characteristics, contributing factors and patient outcomes of ADRs that were the primary diagnosis linked to hospital admission among inpatients in Uganda.

Design:

We conducted a cross-sectional secondary analysis of data from a prospective cohort study of adult inpatients aged 18 years and older at Uganda’s Mulago National Referral Hospital from November 2013 to April 2014.

Methods:

We reviewed clinical charts to identify inpatients with an ADR as one of the admitting diagnoses and, if so, whether or not the hospital admission was primarily attributed to the ADR. Logistic regression was used to determine factors associated with hospital admissions primarily attributed to ADRs.

Results:

Among 762 inpatients, 14% had ADRs at hospital admission and 7% were primarily hospitalized due to ADRs. A total of 235 ADRs occurred among all inpatients and 57% of the ADRs were the primary diagnosis linked to hospital admission. The majority of ADRs occurred in people living with HIV and were attributed to antiretroviral drugs. HIV infection [aOR (adjusted odds ratio) = 2.97, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.30–6.77], use of antiretroviral therapy (aOR = 5.46, 95% CI: 2.56–11.68), self-medication (aOR = 2.27, 95% CI: 1.14–4.55) and higher number of drugs used (aOR = 1.13, 95% CI: 1.01–1.26) were independently associated with hospital admissions attributed to ADRs.

Conclusion:

Antiretroviral drugs were often implicated in ADR-related hospital admissions. HIV infection (whether managed by antiretroviral therapy or not), self-medication and high pill burden were associated with hospital admissions attributable to ADRs. The high HIV burden in Sub-Saharan Africa increases the risk of ADR-related hospitalization implying the need for emphasis on early detection, monitoring and appropriate management of ADRs associated with hospital admission in people living with HIV.
Case report: A novel biallelic FTO variant causing multisystem anomalies with severe epilepsy, widening the spectrum of FTO syndrome
Authors: Mayman Naomi , Wei Jiangbo , Cai Shangjun , Soman Rohan , Raynes Hillary , La Vega-Talbott Maite , He Chuan , Naidich Thomas , Raju G. Praveen , Kathiresu Nageshwaran Sathiji
Published: July 2023

The fat mass and obesity-associated gene ( FTO) codes for a DNA/RNA demethylase. Pathological variants in this gene are rare, with only three reports in the literature, all with mutations in the catalytic domain. We report the first biallelic human variant in fat mass and obesity-associated gene (c.287G>C, p.Arg96Pro/R96P) outside the catalytic site, causing numerous abnormalities across multiple organ systems, affecting respiratory, cardiovascular, and neurological function. Biochemical assays of cells with the patient’s variant were performed to further quantify the effect of the variant on function. Loss-of-function resulting from the patient’s R96P missense variant was demonstrated with in vitro biochemical characterization of demethylase activity, resulting in a 90% reduction in function of the fat mass and obesity-associated protein compared to wild-type. Our findings demonstrate a novel fat mass and obesity-associated gene non-catalytic site variant with a unique patient phenotype of bilateral multifocal epilepsy and multisystem congenital anomalies.
Feminism Not for All? The Discourse Around White Feminism Across Five Social Media Platforms
Authors: Borah Porismita , Ghosh Shreenita , Suk Jiyoun , Mini Darshana Sreedhar , Sun Luhang
Published: July 2023

BIPOC scholars have criticized that feminism and feminist activism have often failed to include race, class, and intersectional identities in the feminist agenda. Using theoretical concepts from framing, rhetoric, and cross-platform activism, we examine (a) the discourse in social media posts around white feminism and (b) the platform differences of this content across five different social media platforms: Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Reddit, and YouTube. The methodology we use is a combination of computational text analysis approaches and content analysis. Our study highlights the voice of those who felt marginalized by the feminist movement including the uprising of #MeToo. We find pockets of conversations on topics such as experiences of People of Color or Women of Color; critique of white feminism, experiences of LGBTQ+ communities, and Black experiences. These posts predominantly used techniques to persuade the audience with reason, facts, and logic. The most common framing technique used was acknowledgment. Moreover, our findings show multiple differences across the five social media platforms.
Sociodemographic effects on pandemic fatigue are multifaceted and context-specific: A longitudinal analysis of physical distancing adherence
Authors: Leach Damon , Morris Keeley J , Fiecas Mark B , Tarr Gillian AM
Published: July 2023

Background:

Pandemic fatigue emerged early during the COVID-19 pandemic and remains a concern as new variants emerge and ongoing public health measures are needed to control them. A wide range of factors can affect pandemic fatigue, but empiric research indicating which may be most important to adherence in specific populations is lacking.

Design & Methods:

We conducted a longitudinal study of changes in physical distancing in two cohorts: adults living with children <18 years and adults ≥50 years old. Six types of non-work, non-household contacts were ascertained at six times from April to October 2020. We used generalized estimating equations Poisson regression to estimate the one-week change in contact rate and how this differed based on sociodemographic characteristics.

Results:

The rate of all contact types increased during the middle of the study period and decreased toward the end. Changes in contact rates over time differed according to several sociodemographic characteristics, including age, gender, race/ethnicity, education, household composition, and access to transportation. Furthermore, the factors influencing the rate of change in contact rates differed by the type or setting of the contact, for example contacts as a result of visiting another person’s home versus during a retail outing.

Conclusions:

These results provide evidence for potential mechanisms by which pandemic fatigue has resulted in lower physical distancing adherence.
Bacteriophage Therapy for Pan-Drug-Resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa in Two Persons With Cystic Fibrosis
Authors: Hahn Andrea , Sami Iman , Chaney Hollis , Koumbourlis Anastassios C. , Del Valle Mojica Coralee , Cochrane Claire , Chan Benjamin K. , Koff Jonathan L.
Published: July 2023

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is an important monogenic disease that affects more than 70 000 people worldwide. Defects of the CF transmembrane conductance regulator gene lead to dehydrated viscous secretions that result in chronic bacterial colonization. This leads to frequent recurrent lung infections called pulmonary exacerbations, lung inflammation, and resulting structural lung damage called bronchiectasis. Pseudomonas aeruginosa in particular is a common pathogen in persons with CF associated with increased pulmonary exacerbations, long-term lung function decline, and reduced survival. In addition, P. aeruginosa commonly develops antibiotic resistance and forms biofilms, making it difficult to treat. Here, we report the details of two patients with CF with pan-drug-resistant P. aeruginosa who were treated with a novel therapeutic strategy, bacteriophages. These cases highlight the need for further research and development of this treatment modality, including pediatric clinical trials.
“You Are Responsible for Your Own Safety”: An Intersectional Analysis of Mask-Wearing During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Kaul Vasundhara , Palmer Zachary D.
Published: July 2023

The response to the COVID-19 pandemic in the US has been heavily criticized for its reliance on people’s voluntary uptake of health protective behaviors like mask-wearing. Such voluntary approaches to public health crises assume individuals are altruistic and will put the good of the community before themselves. However, social groups operate in distinct ways and have different motivations. Since ideas of individualism in the US are both gendered and racialized, we adopt an intersectional approach to examine how both race and gender interact to shape mask-wearing behaviors. Using a survey of 1,269 adults in the US, we find that white women are less likely to wear a mask than Latinas and Black women but observe no differences amongst men. Our data suggest that these differences arise because white women are more likely to approach mask-wearing as a personal choice, whereas Latinas and Black women are more likely to take a collectivist approach and view mask-wearing as a social responsibility. We highlight the importance of adopting an intersectional approach to understand true variability in health protective behaviors. We also draw attention to the importance of developing community-specific public health messaging that resonates with its members’ norms and experiences.
Employer Branding: A Critical Review and Future Research
Authors: Saini Gordhan K.
Published: July 2023

In the last two and half decades, employer branding as a discipline has grown significantly in terms of literature, events and awards. Also, according to various surveys and reports, employer branding has consistently appeared as one of the top human resource/talent trends in the last 5 years. The relationship between employer and employee has observed a paradigm shift in a dynamic and competitive talent market, and the standardised employee value proposition is longer valued. Increased use of social media, multiple communication platforms and the proliferation of third-party employer branding (TPEB) have posed new challenges for communicating an organisation’s employer brand. This article reviews significant literature to identify key emerging research themes and propose future research questions. Also, we make critical comments on the improper use of employer branding terminology and academic and practice silos.
Future of Employer Branding in the Era of Bard, ChatGPT, Metaverse and Artificial Intelligence
Authors: Pandey Neeraj
Published: July 2023

There is a war for talent among organisations. Today current and prospective talented employees have multiple forms of employment opportunities. In such a scenario, employer branding becomes critical for acquiring skilled talent for the growth of any organisation, including for startup firms. The new age platforms like Bard, ChatGPT, metaverse and artificial intelligence provide opportunities for practising employer branding in novel and immersive ways. The study proposes a framework for organisations to help them align with the futuristic employer branding activities using these latest tools and platforms. The study also provides research agenda for scholars working in the ‘future of employer branding’ domain.
Employer Branding and COVID-19: A Job Demand–Resource Model for Employee Attraction and Retention in Health Sector
Authors: Zoheb Mohammad , Ahamad Faiz
Published: July 2023

The healthcare sector includes a gamut of products and services, from manufacturing medical equipment/drugs and managing medical insurance to providing medical services. Professionals, including doctors, nurses, biomedical engineers, clinicians and other allied healthcare professionals, form the bulk of the human resources in the healthcare sector. During the COVID-19 pandemic, these workers were at the forefront of delivering preventive, palliative and curative health services. During this time, health sector employees faced enormous challenges at work, resulting in burnout and, thus, a higher rate of resignation. With burnout reported among healthcare professionals, the already overburdened health system had started crumbling and desperately needed human resources. Moreover, job seekers were reluctant to apply to the health sector during the COVID-19 pandemic. Thus, a dual challenge exists for healthcare organisations to attract and retain new employees. To overcome these challenges, companies in the healthcare industry need to brand themselves as one of the best employers, which could help attract and retain job seekers. Hence, this article proposes a theoretical model for attracting and retaining job seekers in the health sector based on the job demands–resources model. This article also suggests some propositions that could be later empirically tested.
Positive peace and environmental sustainability: Local evidence from Afghanistan and Nepal
Authors: Simangan Dahlia , Bose Srinjoy , Candelaria John Lee , Krampe Florian , Kaneko Shinji
Published: July 2023

Climate and other forms of global environmental change are transforming the security landscape where peace and conflict manifest. Given that most studies on the relationship between peace and the environment focus on (the absence of) violent conflicts or negative peace, this study seeks to identify environmental security issues at the local or community levels using the concept of positive peace. A thematic analysis of focus group discussions from Afghanistan and Nepal, two countries with histories of violent conflict and vulnerable to climate change, reveals non-violent security issues that could undermine resilience to conflict and environmental change. In Afghanistan, local communities view poor water quality and inequitable water distribution as outstanding issues related to government inaction. In Nepal, local communities perceive threats of wild animals and agricultural problems as prominent issues linked to inadequate government support. These findings confirm the value of positive peace in illuminating and contextualizing the relationship between peace and environmental sustainability. This integrated framework can contribute to a more holistic approach toward climate security and environmental peacebuilding.
Proteomic analysis identifies subgroups of patients with active systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Su Kevin Y. C. , Reynolds John A. , Reed Rachel , Da Silva Rachael , Kelsall Janet , Baricevic-Jones Ivona , Lee David , Whetton Anthony D. , Geifman Nophar , McHugh Neil , Bruce Ian N. ,   the MASTERPLANS and BILAG-BR consortia
Published: July 2023

Objective

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a clinically and biologically heterogenous autoimmune disease. We aimed to investigate the plasma proteome of patients with active SLE to identify novel subgroups, or endotypes, of patients.

Method

Plasma was collected from patients with active SLE who were enrolled in the British Isles Lupus Assessment Group Biologics Registry (BILAG-BR). The plasma proteome was analysed using a data-independent acquisition method, Sequential Window Acquisition of All theoretical mass spectra mass spectrometry (SWATH-MS). Unsupervised, data-driven clustering algorithms were used to delineate groups of patients with a shared proteomic profile.

Results

In 223 patients, six clusters were identified based on quantification of 581 proteins. Between the clusters, there were significant differences in age (p = 0.012) and ethnicity (p = 0.003). There was increased musculoskeletal disease activity in cluster 1 (C1), 19/27 (70.4%) (p = 0.002) and renal activity in cluster 6 (C6) 15/24 (62.5%) (p = 0.051). Anti-SSa/Ro was the only autoantibody that significantly differed between clusters (p = 0.017). C1 was associated with p21-activated kinases (PAK) and Phospholipase C (PLC) signalling. Within C1 there were two sub-clusters (C1A and C1B) defined by 49 proteins related to cytoskeletal protein binding. C2 and C6 demonstrated opposite Rho family GTPase and Rho GDI signalling. Three proteins (MZB1, SND1 and AGL) identified in C6 increased the classification of active renal disease although this did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.0617).

Conclusions

Unsupervised proteomic analysis identifies clusters of patients with active SLE, that are associated with clinical and serological features, which may facilitate biomarker discovery. The observed proteomic heterogeneity further supports the need for a personalised approach to treatment in SLE.
Bacterial diversity and community characteristics of the sinus and dental regions in adults with odontogenic sinusitis
Authors: Wu Jianyou , Zheng Ming , Zhao Yan , Yin Weihong , Sima Yutong , Zhao Jinming , Wang Xiangdong , Lin Jiang , Zhang Luo
Published: July 2023

Background

The microbiome plays a crucial role in odontogenic sinusitis (OS); however, the bacterial characteristics of the sinuses and connected dental regions in OS are poorly understood. In this study, nasal secretion samples were collected from 41 OS patients and 20 simple nasal septum deviation patients, and oral mucosa samples from dental regions were collected from 28 OS patients and 22 impacted tooth extraction patients. DNA was extracted, and 16S rRNA sequencing was performed to explore the characteristics and structure of the microbiome in the sinuses and dental regions of OS patients.

Results

The alpha diversity of the oral and nasal microbiomes in OS patients was higher than that in controls. Principal coordinate analysis (PCoA) showed that oral samples clustered separately from nasal samples, and the beta diversity of oral and nasal samples in OS patients was higher than that in controls. The dominant phylum was Bacteroidetes in OS patients and Firmicutes in controls in both the oral and nasal cavity. The dominant genera in the oral microbiome and nasal microbiome of OS patients were similar, including Fusobacterium, Porphyromonas and Prevotella. Co-occurrence network analysis showed decreased microbial connectivity in the oral mucosa and nasal secretion samples of OS patients.

Conclusions

Odontogenic infection promotes structural and functional disorders of the nasal microbiome in OS. The interaction of dominant pathogens in the nasal and oral regions may promote the development of OS. Our study provides the microbiological aetiology of the nasal and connected dental regions in OS and is expected to provide novel insights into the diagnosis and therapeutic strategies for OS.
Functional training improves peak oxygen consumption and quality of life of individuals with heart failure: a randomized clinical trial
Authors: do Nascimento Daniela Meirelles , Machado Karina Costa , Bock Patrícia Martins , Saffi Marco Aurélio Lumertz , Goldraich Livia Adams , Silveira Anderson Donelli , Clausell Nadine , Schaan Beatriz D.
Published: July 2023

Background

Functional training may be an effective non-pharmacological therapy for heart failure (HF). This study aimed to compare the effects of functional training with strength training on peak VO2 and quality of life in individuals with HF.

Methods

A randomized, parallel-design and examiner-blinded controlled clinical trial with concealed allocation, intention-to-treat and per-protocol analyses. Twenty-seven participants with chronic HF were randomly allocated to functional or strength training group, to perform a 12-week physical training, three times per week, totalizing 36 sessions. Primary outcomes were the difference on peak VO2 and quality of life assessed by cardiopulmonary exercise testing and Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire, respectively. Secondary outcomes included functionality assessed by the Duke Activity Status Index and gait speed test, peripheral and inspiratory muscular strength, assessed by hand grip and manovacuometry testing, respectively, endothelial function by brachial artery flow-mediated dilation, and lean body mass by arm muscle circumference.

Results

Participants were aged 60 ± 7 years, with left ventricular ejection fraction 29 ± 8.5%. The functional and strength training groups showed the following results, respectively: peak VO2 increased by 1.4 ± 3.2 (16.9 ± 2.9 to 18.6 ± 4.8 mL.kg−1.min−1; p time = 0.011) and 1.5 ± 2.5 mL.kg−1.min−1 (16.8 ± 4.0 to 18.6 ± 5.5 mL.kg−1.min−1; p time = 0.011), and quality of life score decreased by 14 ± 15 (25.8 ± 14.8 to 10.3 ± 7.8 points; p time = 0.001) and 12 ± 28 points (33.8 ± 23.8 to 19.0 ± 15.1 points; p time = 0.001), but no difference was observed between groups (peak VO2: p interaction = 0.921 and quality of life: p interaction = 0.921). The functional and strength training increased the activity status index by 6.5 ± 12 and 5.2 ± 13 points (p time = 0.001), respectively, and gait speed by 0.2 ± 0.3 m/s (p  time = 0.002) in both groups.

Conclusions

Functional and strength training are equally effective in improving peak VO2, quality of life, and functionality in individuals with HF. These findings suggest that functional training may be a promising and innovative exercise-based strategy to treat HF.

Trial registration

NCT03321682. Registered date: 26/10/2017.