bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prediction of Antibiotic Resistance Evolution by Growth Measurement of All Proximal Mutants of Beta-Lactamase
Authors: Feng Siyuan , Wu Zhuoxing , Liang Wanfei , Zhang Xin , Cai Xiujuan , Li Jiachen , Liang Lujie , Lin Daixi , Stoesser Nicole , Doi Yohei , Zhong Lan-lan , Liu Yan , Xia Yong , Dai Min , Zhang Liyan , Chen Xiaoshu , Yang Jian-Rong , Tian Guo-bao
Published: April 2022

The antibiotic resistance crisis continues to threaten human health. Better predictions of the evolution of antibiotic resistance genes could contribute to the design of more sustainable treatment strategies. However, comprehensive prediction of antibiotic resistance gene evolution via laboratory approaches remains challenging. By combining site-specific integration and high-throughput sequencing, we quantified relative growth under the respective selection of cefotaxime or ceftazidime selection in ∼23,000 Escherichia coli MG1655 strains that each carried a unique, single-copy variant of the extended-spectrum β-lactamase gene blaCTX-M-14 at the chromosomal att HK022 site. Significant synergistic pleiotropy was observed within four subgenic regions, suggesting key regions for the evolution of resistance to both antibiotics. Moreover, we propose PEARP and PEARR, two deep-learning models with strong clinical correlations, for the prospective and retrospective prediction of blaCTX-M-14 evolution, respectively. Single to quintuple mutations of blaCTX-M-14 predicted to confer resistance by PEARP were significantly enriched among the clinical isolates harboring blaCTX-M-14 variants, and the PEARR scores matched the minimal inhibitory concentrations obtained for the 31 intermediates in all hypothetical trajectories. Altogether, we conclude that the measurement of local fitness landscape enables prediction of the evolutionary trajectories of antibiotic resistance genes, which could be useful for a broad range of clinical applications, from resistance prediction to designing novel treatment strategies.
Alport syndrome and autosomal dominant tubulointerstitial kidney disease frequently underlie end-stage renal disease of unknown origin—a single-center analysis
Authors: Leenen Esther , Erger Florian , Altmüller Janine , Wenzel Andrea , Thiele Holger , Harth Ana , Tschernoster Nikolai , Lokhande Shanti , Joerres Achim , Becker Jan-Ulrich , Ekici Arif , Huettel Bruno , Beck Bodo , Weidemann Alexander
Published: April 2022

Background

The prevalence of end-stage renal disease of unknown etiology in adult patients is globally high and accounts for almost 20% of all dialysis patients. Recent studies have suggested that the percentage of adult patients with a causal genetic variant has been underestimated so far. Despite severe prognostic and therapeutic implications, awareness about prevalence and manifestations of genetic kidney diseases in adult renal patients is still limited.

Methods

We recruited 58 individuals from 39 families at our transplantation center, fulfilling at least one of the following criteria: (i) unclear etiology of kidney disease, (ii) clinically suspected genetic kidney disease and (iii) positive family history for nephropathies. The cohort consisted of patients waitlisted for kidney transplantation and patients in the follow-up after transplantation. Detailed documentation of family history and phenotype was obtained before initiating gene panel sequencing of 479 nephropathy-associated genes.

Results

With this study design, a molecular genetic diagnosis was established in one-third of all patients. Mutations in the collagen COL4A genes, and mutations in MUC1 and UMOD were the most frequent among all detected causal variants. Overall, rare genetic variants were detected in more than half of all cases.

Conclusion

The combination of detailed phenotyping prior to next-generation sequencing diagnostics was highly efficient. Elucidating the underlying genetic causes in a cohort of adult renal patients has considerable clinical impact on medical management.
Anatomic–Topographic Investigation of the Branches of the Dorsal Ramus of Thoracic Spinal Nerves
Authors: Koutp Amir , Sadoghi Patrick , Petritsch Johanna , Skias Christoph , Grechenig Peter , Andrianakis Alexandros , Feigl Georg C
Published: April 2022

Introduction

Percutaneous radiofrequency facet denervation (PRFD) by thermocoagulation is a useful treatment for nonspecific thoracic pain syndrome. To guarantee that maximal thermal lesion is applied to the nerve, it is essential to have precise knowledge of the topography of the thoracic dorsal branches of the spinal nerves. This special anatomy was investigated, and the results were compared with the existing technique for PRFD, where the active needle tip is placed in the junction of the superior articular process and the transverse process.

Methods

Twenty thoracic spines of cadavers (10 females and 10 males) embalmed according to Thiel’s method were bilaterally dissected. After careful removal of skin and subcutaneous fat tissue, the lateral and medial branches were traced centrally. In addition, the articular branch to the thoracic facet joint was traced peripherally. The distance of the medial branch to the inferior articular process at the level of the nerve passing the superior costotransverse ligament was measured.

Results

The dorsal branch bifurcates into lateral and medial branches medial to the superior costotransverse ligament. The medial branch runs laterally first to pass in between two parts of the intertransverse ligament running dorsally and to turn medially superficial to this ligament. The zygapophysial branch always originated from the medial branch passing the inferior articular process laterally by running caudally to turn medially and send branches to the capsule of the zygapophyseal joint. The distance of the medial branch lateral to the inferior articular process was constantly 3 mm.

Conclusions

The current technique of PRFD at the thoracic spine targets the medial branch distal to the separation of the articular branch, rendering the lesion ineffective at denervating the zygapophyseal joint. For selective thermocoagulation of the articular branches of the thoracic zygapophyseal joint, a new technique should be developed. We propose an anatomically informed needle position that can now be confirmed clinically.
Agency Conflicts and Investment: Evidence from a Structural Estimation
Authors: Elkamhi Redouane , Kim Daniel , Jo Chanik , Salerno Marco
Published: April 2022

We develop a dynamic capital structure model to study how agency conflicts between managers and shareholders affect the joint determination of financing and investment decisions. We show that there are two agency conflicts with opposing effects on a manager’s choice of investment: first, the consumption of private benefits channel leads managers not only to choose a lower optimal leverage, but also to underinvest, and second, compensation linked to firm size may lead managers to overinvest. We fit the model to the data and show that the average firm slightly overinvests, younger CEOs invest more than older ones, while CEOs with longer tenure overinvest more than CEOs with shorter tenure. (JEL G12, G31, G32)
SIZE-SPECIFIC DOSE ESTIMATES IN FETAL COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY
Authors: Kobayashi Masanao , Nishihara Yusei , Haba Tomonobu , Matsunaga Yuta , Minami Kazuyuki , Asada Yasuki
Published: April 2022

During fetal computed tomography (CT) imaging, because of differences in the pregnancy period and scanning conditions, different doses of radiation are absorbed by the fetus. We propose a correction coefficient for determining the fetal size-specific dose estimate (SSDE) from the CT dose index (CTDI) displayed on the console at tube voltages of 80–135 kVp. The CTDIs corresponding to pregnant women and fetuses were evaluated using a Monte Carlo (MC) simulation, and the ratio of these CTDIs was defined as the Fetus-factor. When the effective diameter of a fetus was approximately 10 cm, the Fetus-factor was 1.0. The estimated pregnant SSDE was multiplied by the Fetus-factor to estimate the fetal SSDE, which was compared with the fetal dose obtained by the MC simulation of the image of the fetal CT examination. The fetal dose could be estimated with an error of 31.5% in fetal examinations conducted using helical CT.
Effect of Delayed Umbilical Cord Clamping on Hemodynamic Instability in Preterm Neonates below 35 Weeks
Authors: Tewari Vishal Vishnu , Saurabh Sumeet , Tewari Dhruv , Gaurav Kumar , Kunwar Bishwo Raj Bahadur , Khashoo Rishabh , Tiwari Neha , Yadav Lakshmi , Bharti Urmila , Vardhan Shakti
Published: April 2022

Introduction

Delaying umbilical cord clamping facilitates postnatal transition in neonates but evidence on its effect in reducing hemodynamic instability in preterm neonates is inconclusive.

Aims

To evaluate delayed cord clamping (DCC) in reducing the incidence of hemodynamic instability in preterm neonates below 35 weeks gestational age admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit.

Methods

Neonates between 25 weeks and 34 weeks and 6 days gestation were enrolled. Hemodynamic and respiratory parameters were monitored over 48 h. Hemodynamic instability was defined as persistent tachycardia and/or hypotension necessitating therapy.

Results

The DCC cohort included 62 neonates with an equal number in the non-DCC group. The birth weight [mean ± standard deviation (SD)] was 1332.90 ± 390.05 g and the gestational age (mean ± SD) was 31.64 ± 2.52 weeks. Hemodynamic instability was noted in 18/62 (29%) neonates in the DCC cohort and 29/62 (46.7%) in the non-DCC group; relative risk (RR) 0.62 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.38–0.99] (p = 0.023). The duration of inotrope requirement in the DCC cohort (mean ± SD) was 38.38 ± 16.99 h compared to 49.13 ± 22.90 h in the non-DCC cohort (p = 0.090). Significantly higher systolic, diastolic and mean arterial pressures were noted from 6 h to 48 h in the DCC cohort (p < 0.001). The severity of respiratory distress and FiO2 requirement was also less in the first 24 h. There was no difference in the incidence of patent ductus arteriosus, late-onset sepsis or mortality.

Conclusion

Delaying umbilical cord clamping at birth by 60 s resulted in significantly lower hemodynamic instability in the first 48 h and higher blood pressure parameters.
Subtlety of Granulomatous Mycosis Fungoides: A Retrospective Case Series Study and Proposal of Helpful Multimodal Diagnostic Approach With Literature Review
Authors: Lenskaya Volha , de Moll Ellen H. , Hussein Shafinaz , Phelps Robert G.
Published: April 2022

Granulomatous mycosis fungoides (GMF) harbors a worse prognosis compared with classic MF and remains a significant diagnostic dilemma. We analyzed clinicopathologic, immunophenotypic, and molecular characteristics of GMF to develop a diagnostic algorithm. Our methodology involved a retrospective case series study of patients with GMF from our database between 2014 and 2020. A total of 8 patients with 9 biopsies of GMF were identified. Skin manifestations had variable clinical phenotype. Histologically, all cases demonstrated atypical CD4+ T-cell infiltrate with scant in 50% (n = 4), focal 37.5% (n = 3), and absent 25% (n = 2) epidermotropism. Granuloma formation was seen in 77.8% biopsies (n = 7) with sarcoid-type granulomas in 57.1% (n = 4) and granuloma annulare-like type in 42.9% (n = 3). In 66.7% of biopsies (n = 6), the CD4:CD8 ratio was >4:1 and 66.6% (n = 6) of biopsies showed ≥50% loss of CD7 expression. T-cell receptor gene rearrangement studies performed on biopsy sections were positive in all biopsies (n = 6), whereas peripheral blood T-cell receptor gene rearrangement studies did not identify clonality. In conclusion, GMF has subtle or absent epidermotropism and variable granulomatous reaction; thus, the diagnosis requires a multimodal approach, and our proposed algorithm provides a framework to approach this diagnostic challenge.
Combining Urinary Biomarker Data From Studies With Different Measures of Urinary Dilution
Authors: Kuiper Jordan R. , O’Brien Katie M. , Welch Barrett M. , Barrett Emily S. , Nguyen Ruby H. N. , Sathyanarayana Sheela , Milne Ginger L. , Swan Shanna H. , Ferguson Kelly K. , Buckley Jessie P.
Published: April 2022

Background:

Guidance is lacking for how to combine urinary biomarker data across studies that use different measures of urinary dilution, that is, creatinine or specific gravity.

Methods:

Among 741 pregnant participants from four sites of The Infant Development and Environment Study (TIDES) cohort, we assessed the relation of maternal urinary di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) concentrations with preterm birth. We compared scenarios in which all sites measured either urinary creatinine or specific gravity, or where measure of dilution differed by site. In addition to a scenario with no dilution adjustment, we applied and compared three dilution-adjustment approaches: a standard regression-based approach for creatinine, a standard approach for specific gravity (Boeniger method), and a more recently developed approach that has been applied to both (covariate-adjusted standardization method). For each scenario and dilution-adjustment method, we estimated the association between a doubling in the molar sum of DEHP (∑DEHP) and odds of preterm birth using logistic regression.

Results:

All dilution-adjustment approaches yielded comparable associations (odds ratio [OR]) that were larger in magnitude than when we did not perform dilution adjustment. A doubling of ∑DEHP was associated with 9% greater odds of preterm birth (OR = 1.09, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.91, 1.30) when applying no dilution-adjustment method, whereas dilution-adjusted point estimates were higher, and similar across all scenarios and methods: 1.13–1.20 (regression-based), 1.15–1.18 (Boeniger), and 1.14–1.21 (covariate-adjusted standardization).

Conclusions:

In our applied example, we demonstrate that it is possible and straightforward to combine urinary biomarker data across studies when measures of dilution differ.
Nonradiographic axial spondyloarthritis: expanding the spectrum of an old disease
Authors: Magrey Marina , Schwartzman Sergio , de Peyrecave Natasha , Sloan Victor S. , Stark Jeffrey L.
Published: April 2022

Nonradiographic axial spondyloarthritis (nr-axSpA) represents a distinct phenotype within the spectrum of axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA), which is characterized by a range of clinical manifestations. Despite a high disease burden that is comparable to ankylosing spondylitis (also known as radiographic axSpA), there is an unmet need to recognize and effectively manage patients with active nr-axSpA.

A targeted literature search was conducted in OVID (MEDLINE and Embase databases) to identify articles on nr-axSpA, including its definition, demographics, epidemiology, burden, diagnosis, clinical presentation, and treatment guidelines.

The lack of adequate epidemiological data and incomplete understanding of nr-axSpA among rheumatologists and nonrheumatologists contributes to delayed referrals and diagnosis. This delay results in a substantial burden on patients, physically and psychologically, and the healthcare system. Targeted therapies, such as biologics, including inhibitors of tumor necrosis factor or interleukin-17A, have been approved and utilized for the management of nr-axSpA, and other novel therapeutics with different mechanisms of action are in development. Raising awareness among US internists regarding the prevalence of nr-axSpA, disease burden, clinical presentation, diagnostic tools, and available treatments is important for improved disease management.

Future clinical investigations focusing on the development of markers that aid early diagnosis and predict treatment response may also improve the management of nr-axSpA. This review provides an overview of nr-axSpA with the aim of raising awareness of the disease among US internists, with an overarching goal to contribute toward the improved recognition and timely referral of these patients to rheumatologists for diagnosis and management.
Pharmacological Management of Primary Arterial Hypertension: A Century of Expert Opinions in Cecil Textbook of Medicine
Authors: Manu Peter , Rogozea Liliana M. , Ivanescu-Lint Andreea , Dan Gheorghe Andrei
Published: April 2022

Background:

Advances in drug therapy for primary (or essential) arterial hypertension have contributed to a significant decrease in the frequency and severity of strokes, coronary artery disease and heart failure, and chronic renal insufficiency.

Study Question:

What are the milestones of the changes in the expert approach to the pharmacological management of arterial hypertension in the past century?

Study Design:

To determine the changes in the experts' approach to the management of arterial hypertension, as presented in a widely used textbook in the United States.

Data Sources:

The chapters presenting the management of arterial hypertension in the 26 editions of Cecil Textbook of Medicine published from 1927 through 2020.

Results:

The pharmacological management of arterial hypertension has had 3 overlapping eras in the timeframe subject to our investigation. In the empiric era (1927–1947), experts were recommending nonspecific interventions for sedation. The premodern era (1955–1963) relied on ganglion blockers, sympathetic blockers, and direct vasodilators. The modern era (1967–2020), which includes drugs used in current clinical practice, saw the introduction of diuretics (1967), beta-blockers (1971), alpha-blockers (1982), calcium channel blockers (1985), angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (1985), angiotensin receptor blockers (2000), and direct renin inhibitors (2008).

Conclusions:

The pharmacological management of arterial hypertension has been the focus of intense and successful research and development in the second half of the 20th century.
Integration of Patient-reported Outcome Measures in Pediatric Hematology: A Qualitative Methods Study
Authors: Graham Johann M.I. , Dong Selina X. , Kinahan Julia Y. , Sutherland Stephanie , Newhook Dennis , Hébert Yamilée V. , Klaassen Robert J.
Published: April 2022

Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) are self-reported questionnaires that allow patients and families to evaluate health-related experiences without influence or oversight from health care professionals. This study aimed to rate the relevance of existing PROMs for pediatric hematology patients, as identified by a recent systematic review, as well as to evaluate the receptivity of electronic PROM integration into clinical practice. Focus groups and interviews were conducted with children (10) and parents (19) impacted by nonmalignant hematological disorders, as well as with health care professionals (6). We observed strong support for the TranQol in thalassemia (100% for both parents [P] and children [C]); the Canadian Haemophilia Outcomes—Kids’ Life Assessment Tool (CHO-KLAT) (100% P, 75% C) and Haemophilia Quality of Life questionnaire (Haemo-QoL) (100% P and C) in hemophilia; the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL) Sickle Cell Module (75% P, 100% C); and the Kids ITP Tool in immune thrombocytopenia (100% P, 66.7% C). Generic tools such as the PedsQL Generic were met with mixed support. Electronic PROM integration received universal support. We obtained strong support for the integration of a web-based platform into clinical practice and a preference for disease-specific PROMs over generic PROMs. Future projects may explore the development of a child-friendly Canadian web-based platform to standardize quality-of-life evaluation within the clinical encounter.
Provision of Electroconvulsive Therapy During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Karl Sebastian , Schönfeldt-Lecuona Carlos , Sartorius Alexander , Grözinger Michael
Published: April 2022

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has had a marked impact on psychiatry. Capacity reductions also affected electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), even though ECT is an essential rather than an elective procedure. We sent a survey to all 197 clinics in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland with an ECT service between March and May 2021 to provide an overview of the changes made to ECT services in these countries during the acute phase of the COVID-19 pandemic. More than a quarter of the clinics (27.0%) reported a temporary suspension of all ECT treatments, and 28.2% of the clinics reported reductions of up to 75%. Maintenance ECT was suspended in 46.7% of the clinics and reduced by up to 75% in 30.6% of the clinics. At the time of the survey, 40.8% of the clinics still reported lower numbers of ECT treatments compared with the prepandemic situation. Reasons for the reduced number of ECT treatments included patient safety and testing measures, personnel shortages in the anesthesiology departments, and limited availability of rooms. The COVID-19 pandemic had and continues to have a marked negative impact on the provision of ECT in clinics in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. To avoid negative consequences for patients, ECT clinics should urgently take steps to provide ECT services without disruptions.
Electroconvulsive Therapy for Unipolar Depression in Older Adults
Authors: Morcos Nicholas , Strominger Julie
Published: April 2022

Objectives

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a safe and effective procedure in unipolar depression in older adults; however, less is known about clinical features and trajectories among patients who do not respond. In this retrospective, naturalistic study, we examine characteristics associated with ECT response among older adults with unipolar depression who received ECT over an 8-year period and describe long-term outcomes for nonresponders.

Methods

We retrospectively identified patients 65 years or older with major depressive disorder who were treated with ECT during an 8-year period. We reviewed demographic and clinical factors among patients who responded to ECT and those who did not. Clinic notes were reviewed for ECT nonresponders to determine Clinical Global Impressions scores in the 24 months after ECT treatment.

Results

We identified 140 patients meeting the inclusion criteria. Most patients (65%) responded to ECT. Fewer previous antidepressant trials, lower baseline Montreal Cognitive Assessment scores, and lower baseline Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale scores were associated with an increased likelihood of ECT response. Among the 49 (35%) nonresponders, another 12 (24.5%) responded to a variety of treatments within 2 years after ECT. There were no serious adverse effects of treatment.

Conclusions

Most patients responded to ECT, many of whom had severe illness that had been refractory to numerous medication trials. Among nonresponders, a subset improved over time through a variety of treatments. However, most patients who did not respond to ECT had persistent depression after 2 years.
Preliminary Assessment of Pre–Electroconvulsive Therapy Evaluation Practices in European Countries
Authors: Medved Sara , Žaja Nikola , Gazdag Gabor , Lengvenyte Aiste , Mörkl Sabrina , Mucci Federico , Ristić Ivan , Jerotić Stefan , Regente Johannes Frederik , Ivanović Iva , Purišić Anela , Sasvary Ferdinand , Sivasanker Vimal , Ziblak Alper , Lookene Margus , Sienaert Pascal , Szczegielniak Anna , Trančik Pavel , Bećirović Elvir , Koutsomitros Theodoros , Grech Giovanni , Tapoi Cristiana , Radmanović Branimir , Ströhle Andreas , Bajs Janović Maja , Sartorius Norman
Published: April 2022

Objectives

Pre–electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) evaluation is an essential part of ECT preparation, a standard treatment in the psychiatric field. However, no routine pre-ECT evaluation has been published so far. This preliminary study aimed to explore different practices in pre-ECT evaluation across European countries.

Methods

The data were collected as a snowball sample approach using an online survey from September 2019 to April 2020. The final analysis included data from 18 clinics placed in 16 European countries.

Results

Regulations on the pre-ECT evaluation were found in 9 countries. All clinics reported doing complete blood count, serum electrolytes, and renal function analysis as a part of regular laboratory testing, alongside with a cardiovascular assessment. Ten clinics reported using psychiatric scales. Six clinics reported doing a cognitive assessment, of which all had regulations on the pre-ECT evaluation. Not one evaluation had the same sets of procedures and diagnostics.

Conclusions

The differences in assessment approaches mirror high variability of the pre-ECT evaluation practice across Europe. Cognitive assessment and objectification of psychiatric symptoms should be a regular part of the pre-ECT evaluation because of the monitoring of the most common adverse effect and observing the clinical response to ECT. Standardization of the pre-ECT evaluation and ECT in general would remove criticisms and opposition to the treatment, make it based on the best of our knowledge, and provide a method respectful of patients' best interests and rights.
Multiyear Evaluation of Maintenance Electroconvulsive Therapy in an Adult With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Catatonia, and Challenging Behavior
Authors: Bird Frank , Shah Ruchi , Williams Stacey , Shlesinger Andrew , Luiselli James K. , Wachtel Lee E.
Published: April 2022

We report the case of a 30-year-old man diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder who received electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) over a 4-year period to treat catatonia associated with life-threatening self-injury, aggression, major depression, and associated self-care, daily living, and communication skills deficits. A systematic schedule of maintenance ECT (m-ECT) was associated with elimination of challenging behavior, catatonic and depressive symptom remission, removal of protective equipment, and reduced dosages of psychotropic medications.
Calcium phosphate adjuvanted nanoparticles of outer membrane proteins of Salmonella Typhi as a candidate for vaccine development against Typhoid fever
Authors: Singh Yashpal , Saxena Anjani , Singh S. P. , Verma Manish Kumar , Kumar Arun , Kumar Avadhesh , Mrigesh Meena , Saxena Mumtesh Kumar
Published: April 2022

Introduction. The conventional adjuvants used in vaccines have limitations like induction of an imbalanced Th1 and Th2 immune response. To overcome this limitation, novel adjuvants and newer forms of existing adjuvants like calcium phosphate nanoparticles are being tested.

Hypothesis/Gap Statement. Calcium phosphate adjuvanted outer membrane proteins vaccine may work as an efficient, safe and cost effective vaccine against

Salmonella

Typhi.

Aim. Our goals were to evaluate the potential of calcium phosphate nanoparticles as an adjuvant using outer membrane proteins (Omps) of

Salmonella

Typhi as antigens for immune response, with montanide (commercially available adjuvant) as control, and its toxicity in rats.

Methodology. Calcium phosphate adjuvanted outer membrane proteins nanoparticles were synthesized and characterized. The efficacy of vaccine formulation in mice and toxicity assay were carried out in rats.

Results. The calcium phosphate nanoparticles varying in size between 20–50 nm had entrapment efficiency of 41.5% and loading capacity of 54%. The calcium phosphate nanoparticle-Omps vaccine formulation (nanoparticle-Omps) induced a strong humoral immune response, which was significantly higher than the control group for the entire period of study. In the montanide-Omps group the initial very high immune response declined steeply and then remained steady. The immune response induced by nanoparticle-Omps did not change appreciably. The cell mediated immune response as measured by lymphocyte proliferation assay and delayed type hypersensitivity test showed a higher response (P<0.01) for the nanoparticles-Omps group as compared to montanide-Omps group. The bacterial clearance assay also showed higher clearance in the nanoparticles-Omps group as compared to montanide-Omps group (approx 1.4%). The toxicity analysis in rats showed no difference in the values of toxicity biomarkers and blood chemistry parameters, revealing vaccine formulation was non-toxic in rats.

Conclusion. Calcium phosphate nanoparticles as adjuvant in vaccines is safe, have good encapsulation and loading capacity and induce a strong cell mediated, humoral and protective immune response.
Not another team assignment! Student perceptions towards teamwork at university management programs
Authors: Ramdeo Shalini , Balwant Paul , Fraser Simon Harold
Published: April 2022

Purpose

As group work is becoming more common in the classroom, teamwork as an andragogical tool continues to be problematic for students in management programs. The purpose of this paper is to determine how university students perceive teamwork and to identify teamwork problems along with potential solutions.

Design/methodology/approach

A triangulation mixed-methods approach was used. In study 1, qualitative data were gathered from a focus group comprising nine students. In study 2, quantitative data were gathered from an online survey completed by 127 students.

Findings

The data were analyzed using content analysis and ordinary least squares regression. The results indicated that free-rider experiences and peer evaluation are two key areas in determining dissatisfaction with teamwork. Teamwork challenges may be addressed via knowledgeable team leaders who balance task and relationship styles, equitable workloads, smaller team sizes, anonymous peer evaluations and the effective use of technology.

Practical implications

The findings are valuable to educators at tertiary-level institutions who utilize teamwork as an andragogical tool.

Originality/value

This study was designed to deepen understanding of university students' dissatisfaction with teamwork in Trinidad and Tobago and provide andragogical improvements that can be implemented to enhance the students' teamwork experience.
Contemporary leadership in hospitality: a review and research agenda
Authors: Huertas-Valdivia Irene , González-Torres Thais , Nájera-Sánchez Juan-José
Published: April 2022

Purpose

This paper aims to provide a comprehensive, structured, objective bibliometric review of the main leadership styles investigated in the hospitality industry from 1977 to 2021 (September) and depicts this field’s conceptual structure.

Design/methodology/approach

Bibliometric analysis techniques such as bibliographic coupling were used using several software applications (VOSviewer, BibExcel and Pajek, among others) to identify trends and research gaps in this literature. The paper provides an overview of the evolution of research activity on different leadership styles that yields important insights into research trends, most-researched themes, main authors and key journals.

Findings

A total of 287 publications on leadership from the Web of Science and Scopus databases were summarized. The number of studies on leadership has been growing since 2013, evincing persistent interest in the topic. Eleven main streams of leadership research in the hospitality literature were detected and characterized, with transformational and servant leadership emerging as the most common approaches. Possible evolution of the topics and future research lines were also identified.

Research limitations/implications

The findings can guide practitioners and scholars to further explore and implement emerging leadership styles in the hospitality sector. The paper also presents future research avenues to advance the field of leadership.

Originality/value

The current review provides a valuable framework for examining key leadership styles, understanding the most-researched styles and illustrating leadership's critical role in organizational and individual outcomes in hospitality businesses.
Restaurant frontline employees’ turnover intentions: three-way interactions between job stress, fear of COVID-19, and resilience
Authors: Chen Han , Qi Rui
Published: April 2022

Purpose

The COVID-19 pandemic intensifies the high turnover rate in the restaurant industry. Applying the conservation of resources (COR) theory, this study aims to examine the factors influencing US restaurant frontline employees’ organizational and occupational turnover intention with an emphasis on the three-way interactions between job stress, fear of COVID-19 (FC) and resilience.

Design/methodology/approach

A sample of 243 US restaurant frontline employees participated in this study. PROCESS macro was used for hypothesis testing.

Findings

Organizational turnover intention fully mediated the relationship between job stress and restaurant employees’ occupational turnover intention. FC intensified the positive relationship between job stress and organizational turnover intentions. Job stress, FC and resilience interacted to affect restaurant frontline employees’ organizational turnover intention such that when resilience is high, FC strengthened the positive relationship between job stress and organizational turnover intention, and the indirect effect of job stress on occupational turnover intention via organizational turnover intention.

Practical implications

Restaurants should take measures to reduce frontline employees’ fear and continue implementing practices to alleviate job stress during a crisis to reduce employees’ turnover intentions. Training on building employee resilience could also be provided by restaurant operators.

Originality/value

This study added to the limited knowledge of factors that are associated with restaurant employees’ organizational and occupational turnover intentions in the context of a global crisis and expanded the current knowledge of how fear and resilience may impact restaurant employees’ behavioral intentions.
Evaluating hiring incentives: evidence from Italian firms
Authors: Brunetti Irene , Martino Enrica Maria , Ricci Andrea
Published: April 2022

Purpose

This paper analyses the effect of a particular Active Labour Market Policy, the hiring incentives, on firms hiring policies. The effects of a programme on firms' behaviour have in fact rarely been evaluated.

Design/methodology/approach

The analysis is based on micro-data drawn from Rilevazione su Imprese Lavoro (RIL), conducted by Inapp in 2010, 2015 and 2018 on a representative sample of limited liability and partnership firms. The authors apply a policy evaluation framework to investigate the impact of the use of incentives in the short run. The authors infer the counterfactual policy scenario thanks to a survey question that asks about firms' behaviour in the absence of the incentives. The authors also control for firms' unobserved heterogeneity, including firm's fixed effects, and endogeneity issues, estimating a differences-in-differences model that exploit the longitudinal component of the RIL survey.

Findings

The authors find that the use of at least one incentive scheme in 2017 is associated with an increase in the share of newly hired of about 0.07 percentage point in the short run. Moreover, hiring incentives have a small positive relationship with the share of both young workers and temporary contracts. Finally, these results are robust to endogeneity issues.

Originality/value

The analysis provides an updated evaluation of the effectiveness of hiring incentives in Italy by focusing on firms' behaviour rather than on the evolution of individual employment. It identifies the impact by using a rich set of econometric methods as well as counterfactual analysis.
Understanding customer's meaningful engagement with AI-powered service robots
Authors: Hlee Sunyoung , Park Jaehyun , Park Hyunsun , Koo Chulmo , Chang Younghoon
Published: April 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to empirically investigate what aspects of service robot interactions with customers can lead to meaningful outcomes in the view of customers. The study examines functional and emotional elements of AI service robots in terms of meaningful outcomes.

Design/methodology/approach

This study highlights AI service robots' meaningful outcomes as a viable research problem and proposes a research model utilizing the Stimulus-Organism-Response (SOR) framework. As an empirical approach, 260 datasets were collected from customers who have experience with AI service restaurants in China.

Findings

The study examines the functional and emotional elements of AI-powered service robots on the attitude of and meaningful outcomes for customers. The results showed that the emotional (perceived friendliness and perceived coolness) and functional (perceived safety and robot competence) attributes of human–robot interactions (HRI) significantly affect the attitude toward using service robots. Second, the attitude toward using service robots significantly influences the experiential outcome and instrumental outcome of meaningful engagement.

Research limitations/implications

This study highlights two elements (i.e. functional and emotional) of HRI effectiveness using two metrics: experiential and performance outcomes. Future studies should generalize the research findings of service robots in the current study using a larger quantity of data from various service fields.

Originality/value

As the first empirical study highlighting the customer experience with service robots, this study opens up a feasible research direction for the service industry to pursue in terms of conducting HRI studies from the view of customers. It identifies a research model pursuant to customers' experience with HRI in creating meaningful outcomes and it theoretically extends the SOR model to the hospitality study, focusing on the HRI issue.
The dynamic chain of innovation: bounded capabilities and complementarity in agribusiness
Authors: Zawislak Paulo Antonio , Reichert Fernanda Maciel , Barbieux Denise , Avila Ariane Mello Silva , Pufal Nathália
Published: April 2022

Purpose

The paper presents a framework – the Dynamic Chain of Innovation – to analyze the dynamics of innovation in agribusiness.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors adopt a theoretical review in developing the theoretical framework.

Findings

The boundedness of economic agents will not simply be complemented by acquiring any missing asset or resource on the market. In a more complex way, complementarity occurs through collaborative relationships, aimed at developing specific solutions, joint development, special orders, interaction with research institutions, among others.

Research limitations/implications

Given the theoretical nature of the study, it requires further development with empirical data that support the propositions made as future studies.

Originality/value

The dynamic chain of innovation framework starts from the very existence of incomplete economic agents. However, the authors sustain that the incompleteness is the result of bounded innovation capabilities in individual agents. Innovation, rather than emerging from simple market relations, ought to happen from relations established among bounded capabilities of incomplete agents along the chain or within the micro-links as a puzzle. The dynamics of innovation is thus based both on the boundedness and the complementarity of firms.
Reducing deviant consumer behaviour with service robot guardians
Authors: Dootson Paula , Greer Dominique A. , Letheren Kate , Daunt Kate L.
Published: April 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this research is to understand whether service robots can safeguard servicescapes from deviant consumer behaviour. Using routine activity theory, this research examines whether increasing the perceived humanness of service robots reduces customer intentions to commit deviant consumer behaviour and whether this negative relationship is mediated by perceived empathy and perceived risk of being caught.

Design/methodology/approach

Five hundred and fifty-three US residents responded to a hypothetical scenario that manipulated the humanness of a service agent (from self-service technology, to robot, to human employee) across seven conditions and measured the likelihood of deviant consumer behaviour, empathy towards the service robot, perceived risk of being caught and punished and negative attitudes towards robots.

Findings

The results indicate that replacing human service agents with different types of service robots does inadvertently reduce customer perceptions of capable guardianship (i.e. the human element that deters potential offenders from committing crimes) in the servicescape and creates conditions that allow customers to perpetrate more deviant consumer behaviour.

Practical implications

When investing in technology such as service robots, service providers need to consider the unintended cost of customer misbehaviour (specifically deviant consumer behaviour) in their return-on-investment assessments to optimise their asset investment decisions.

Originality/value

Moving beyond research on customer adoption and use, this research examines the unintended consequences that might arise when deploying service robots in a technology-infused service environment. Humanised service robots offer more guardianship than self-service technology but do not replace human employees in preventing deviant consumer behaviour, as they remain more capable of deterring customer misbehaviour.
Stock price prediction using improved extreme learning machine methods during the Covid-19 pandemic and selection of appropriate prediction method
Authors: Boru İpek Aslı
Published: April 2022

Purpose

Coronavirus disease (Covid-19) has created uncertainty in all countries around the world, resulting in enormous human suffering and global recession. Because the economic impact of this pandemic is still unknown, it would be intriguing to study the incorporation of the Covid-19 period into stock price prediction. The goal of this study is to use an improved extreme learning machine (ELM), whose parameters are optimized by four meta-heuristics: harmony search (HS), social spider algorithm (SSA), artificial bee colony algorithm (ABCA) and particle swarm optimization (PSO) for stock price prediction.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study, the activation functions and hidden layer neurons of the ELM were optimized using four different meta-heuristics. The proposed method is tested in five sectors. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Duncan's multiple range test were used to compare the prediction methods. First, ANOVA was applied to the test data for verification and validation of the proposed methods. Duncan's multiple range test was used to identify a suitable method based on the ANOVA results.

Findings

The main finding of this study is that the hybrid methodology can improve the prediction accuracy during the pre and post Covid-19 period for stock price prediction. The mean absolute percent error value of each method showed that the prediction errors of the proposed methods were all under 0.13106 in the worst case, which appears to be a remarkable outcome for such a difficult prediction task.

Originality/value

The novelty of this study is the use of four hybrid ELM methods to evaluate the automotive, technology, food, construction and energy sectors during the pre and post Covid-19 period. Additionally, an appropriate method was determined for each sector.
Staffing composition in large, US police departments: benchmarking workforce diversity
Authors: Wilson Jeremy M. , Grammich Clifford A.
Published: April 2022

Purpose

Policymakers have long suggested diversifying US police forces, which typically have white male majorities among officers. This article explores to what extent police diversity has changed over time in large agencies, as well as whether different diversity benchmarks may matter for agencies.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors draw data from the Law Enforcement Management and Administrative Statistics (LEMAS) survey for 358 agencies that had at least 100 full-time sworn officers in 1997 and 2016 and that reported officer demographic data to the LEMAS in both years. For a selection of 12 communities – three randomly chosen in each of the four US Census regions – the authors compare officer diversity to Census data on population diversity for different benchmarks.

Findings

There has been some increase in diversity but policing largely remains a white male profession. The authors find only limited variation in diversity by type of benchmark – e.g. total population, working population or recruiting-age population – a community considers. This suggests communities may wish to choose a benchmark they can best measure and seek to increase diversity by it, and research on workforce representation may not be sensitive to benchmark choice. The authors also suggest communities and their police organizations consider other ways to assess diversity, including those that illustrate a broader range of attributes and representation throughout the organization, and that they research and test alternative forms of measurement to gauge whether these findings hold for different modeling approaches.

Research limitations/implications

Our analysis is limited to the largest police agencies and to overall staffing level diversity metrics pertaining to sex, race and Hispanic origin. Still, we find many police agencies have room for greater diversity, which could draw more qualified workers and lead to better policing.

Originality/value

While there has been much attention to police diversity in recent decades, there have been few efforts to compare alternative measurement approaches. This research provides guidance to some initial measures, as well as further considerations communities may wish to make.
Business, Government and Policy‐making Capacity: UK Energy and Net Zero Transitions
Authors: Kuzemko Caroline
Published: April 2022

The UK government is responsible for meeting legally binding decarbonisation objectives, but it is not on track to meet its next Climate Change Act targets or the goal of Net Zero by 2050. The IPCC's Sixth Assessment Report is a stark reminder of the importance of all countries, particularly those historically responsible for greenhouse gas emissions, devising and implementing the innovative and just policy solutions required to lower emissions. Within this context, this article explores the UK's sustainable energy policy making, and why it is not on course to meet targets, through the lens of government‐business relations. It analyses government policy capacity, incumbent energy company influence, and how complex relations and dependencies have affected sustainable policy (non‐)decisions and outcomes. It reveals that an over‐reliance on incumbent energy companies in UK energy politics, although understandable given the need to provide affordable and secure energy, has contributed towards insufficient space for cheaper and more just clean energy solutions.
Daring to fail: Input‐oriented voting under supranational policy constraints
Authors: KONSTANTINIDIS NIKITAS , JURADO IGNACIO , DINAS ELIAS
Published: April 2022

Recent literature argues that with ever‐increasing levels of supranational constraints governments have less ‘room to manoeuvre’; therefore, voters will place less weight on policy outcomes in their voting decisions. The question that remains less explored is how voters fill this accountability gap. We argue that, in this context, voters may move away from outcome‐ to input‐oriented voting. Fulfilling their promises becomes less vital for incumbents as long as they exhibit effort to overturn an unpopular policy framework. We test this argument against a survey experiment conducted in the run‐up to the September 2015 election in Greece, where we find a positive impact of the incumbent's exerted effort to challenge the status quo of austerity on vote intention for SYRIZA – the senior coalition government partner at the time – despite the failed outcome of the government's bailout negotiations.