bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Police officers' perception of community support for policing: implications for well-being
Authors: Keaton Jacquelyn , Black Kristen Jennings , Houdmont Jonathan , Beck Emma , Roddy David , Chambers Johnathon , Moon Sabrina
Published: September 2023

Purpose

Community-police relations have gained increasing public attention during the past decade. The purpose of the present study was to better understand the relationship between perceived community support and police officer burnout and engagement.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were gathered via online survey from 117 officers from a city police department in the Southeastern United States.

Findings

Community support was negatively correlated with burnout and positively correlated with engagement. Moreover, multiple regression analyses showed that community support explained significant incremental variance in most dimensions of burnout and engagement, above and beyond demographic factors and community stressors. Qualitative results showed that police officers had mixed perceptions of how they were viewed by the general public, with more negative than positive responses. However, officers felt more positively perceived in their own communities, but concerns were raised that national events affected the perceptions of officers even in positive relationships with their communities. Finally, officers felt that public perceptions impacted their job satisfaction, job performance and personal lives.

Practical implications

The results have practical implications for how to encourage positive interactions between officers and their community, with recommendations for both law enforcement leaders and civilians.

Originality/value

This study is one of the few that highlights the officers' perspective on how public perceptions affect their work. This is important in understanding how to maximize quality community interactions while minimizing conditions that would increase burnout.
The nexus between herding behavior and spillover: evidence from G7 and BRICS
Authors: Gouta Sarra , BenMabrouk Houda
Published: September 2023

Purpose

This study aims at exploring the nexus between herding behavior and the spillover effect in G7 and BRICS stock markets.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors used the dynamic connectedness approach TVP-VAR model of Antonakakis et al. (2019) to capture the spillovers across different markets. Moreover, to explore herding behavior, the authors used a modified version of the CSAD measure of Chang et al. (2000) including extreme market movements. Finally, to study the link between these two phenomena, the authors estimated a DCC-GARCH model.

Findings

The results show that herding behavior exists in the American market and some BRICS markets. Furthermore, spillover between G7 and BRICS increases in times of crisis. Moreover, the authors find a dynamic conditional correlation between herding behavior and spillovers both in the short and long run. The authors conclude that in times of crisis, the transmission of shocks between markets is more frequent, fuelling uncertainty and pushing investors to suppress their own beliefs and follow the general market trends.

Originality/value

This paper uses the TVP-VAR model to explore the spillover effect and the DCC-GARCH model to explore the connectedness between herding behavior and the spillover effect in G7 and BRICS countries in both the short and long run.
Institutional plurality and a fractured organizational self
Authors: Macaulay Charles D.T. , Woulfin Sarah
Published: September 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to explore the plurality of logics composing an organizational field and how that plurality affects a sport governing body's (SGB) sense of self. The authors sought to determine what logics exist in a specific field and how they interact according to Kraatz and Block's (2017) types of organizational responses. Finally, the authors explore how an organization's responses affect organizational outcomes.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors analyzed 476 unique organizational web pages and documents and 293 news media articles from four news outlets. The authors conduct a content analysis informed by Gioia et al.’s (2013) method to explore the website data to understand the logics of the field. The authors analyze the media articles for media accounts of events and determine how logics inform an SGB's actions (Cocchairella and Edwards, 2020).

Findings

The authors find institutional plurality leads to a fractured organizational sense of self, resulting in poor outcomes. The authors' findings suggest Kraatz and Block's (2017) as well as other previously theorized strategies do not lead to an organization reconciling competing logics. Rather, the strategies employed led to outcomes harming the organization's legitimacy and financial well-being.

Originality/value

There are several calls within the broader management field and the sport management field to address institutional plurality (Kraatz and Block, 2017; Robertson et al., 2022). Unlike previous research studies, this study finds detrimental effects of plurality on an organization. The authors discuss the strength of the strategies employed and why the strategies failed.
Strategic scenario planning in practice: eight critical applications and associated benefits
Authors: Mortlock Lance , Osiyevskyy Oleksiy
Published: September 2023

Purpose

Organizations face challenges in volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous (VUCA) environments. It is vital to manage the change’s rate and magnitude in new and different ways to stay competitive. This study focuses on the phenomenon of scenario planning that can help organizations proactively plan for, react and adapt to VUCA forces if and when they occur.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on an extensive academic and practitioner literature review, we posit that corporate scenario planning involves eight different practical applications and associated benefits. These include risk identification, assessing uncertainty, organizational learning, options analysis, strategy validation and testing, complex decision-making, strategic nimbleness and innovation. We offer a novel typology and propose a more complete and holistic model of the scenario planning application and its intended outcomes. Mini-case studies from various sectors illustrate the process. The model demonstrates the relationship between different benefit-driven applications - inputs, process and output benefits – and identifies opportunities for further research.

Findings

A previous typology study classified “what” and “why” related scenario planning research and literature. However, the why or associated benefits were not broken down at any level of detail, representing a gap in explaining the actual value of this management tool. The current study proposes a novel “why” focused typology of scenario planning benefits based on an extensive literature review. The novel typology adorned several benefits of scenario planning in an integrated model explained using systems theory. These benefits included risk, uncertainty, options analysis, strategic flexibility, complex decision-making, strategy testing and validation, innovation and organizational learning.

Originality/value

First time in the literature, the relationship between input, process and output benefits of scenario planning is explained using systems theory. The novel typology proposed illustrates the practical applications of scenario planning in one complete model.
Genetic testing: When is information too much?
Authors: Marks Jonathan
Published: September 2023

In this guest editorial, the author addresses some of the challenges DNA self‐analysis poses in anthropology.
Making assessment protocols workable: Navigating transparency and person‐centredness in Norwegian reablement
Authors: Jensen Maya Christiane Flensborg , Vabø Mia
Published: September 2023

Western welfare states are facing great challenges as they strive to optimise their health and social systems in response to the realities of an ageing population. Many countries put a stake on reablement services—short‐term rehabilitative interventions aiming to help older people regain functional capacity. To ensure a person‐centred approach and outcome measures, service providers are recommended to follow a protocol designed for the dual purpose. In this article, we explore how reablement staff perceive and work around these person‐centred assessment protocols. Departing from the perspective that standards never operate in isolation, but in social settings already infused with values and interests, we explore the various kinds of work involved in aligning the protocol with ongoing day‐to‐day assessment practices. The article demonstrates that professionals continuously engage in processes of tinkering to navigate between different values and concerns: they tinker with workflows (articulation work), with clients (identity transformation work) and with protocols (editing work). Exploring the different forms and intensity of tinkering enables us to discuss the practical and moral difficulties inherent in making assessment protocols workable.
Infrahyoid flap—a good substitute for free flaps in oral reconstruction during the COVID‐19 pandemic
Authors: Chow Tam‐Lin , Fung Siu‐Chung , Tsui Calvin K. P. , Lim Jeren Jin Mun
Published: September 2023

Aim

During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic, experts have recommended simplifying the process of reconstruction following the extirpation of head and neck cancer by favouring the use of pedicled flaps over free flaps. This approach reduces the duration of the operation and mitigates the risk of free flap failure, which can be exacerbated by the hypercoagulopathy state seen in infected patients. We aim to contribute our experience with the pedicled infrahyoid flap, a procedure not previously reported in Hong Kong.

Patients and Methods

We conducted a retrospective study including patients who underwent infrahyoid flap reconstruction following resection of oral cavity cancer. Data for a total of nine patients were retrospectively retrieved from the hospital's computerised systems, and these patients were evaluated for demographic information, clinicopathologic parameters as well as oral function and reconstruction outcomes.

Results

Among the nine infrahyoid flaps used, eight were myocutaneous flaps and one was a muscle flap. The dimensions of the flap skin ranged from 24.0 to 46.72 cm2. All of the flaps, with the exception of one case that experienced epidermolysis of the flap skin, exhibited complete survival. Fortunately, the epidermolysis healed without complications, such as the development of an orocutaneous fistula. The average time required for flap harvesting was approximately 1 hour. All nine patients were able to resume oral feeding and achieved satisfactory speech outcomes. Seven of these patients survived without any tumour recurrence, but unfortunately, two patients died due to lung metastases.

Conclusions

The infrahyoid flap proves to be a viable alternative to free flaps for the repair of medium‐sized oral defects, especially in compromised patients and during the COVID‐19 pandemic.
Why does operating profitability predict returns? New evidence on risk versus mispricing explanations
Authors: Ahmed Anwer , Neel Michael , Safdar Irfan
Published: September 2023

This study develops new evidence on risk versus mispricing explanations of the well‐known profitability premium. First, we examine whether exposure to expected downside risk is a plausible explanation. We find that high profitability is associated with both lower ex ante and ex post probabilities of future price crashes. Thus, less profitable firms exhibit greater downside risk than highly profitable firms, making a downside risk explanation implausible. Although this fact is overlooked by the market in general, it is anticipated by options traders; we find that put options of low profitability firms are relatively more expensive. Simultaneously, these firms do not exhibit greater probability of jumps, indicating that volatility(risk)‐based explanations for the profitability premium are unlikely to be descriptive. Second, we find that the sticky‐expectations model of Bouchaud et al. (2019, The Journal of Finance, 74, 639–674) only partially explains the profitability premium. While on average, analysts' forecast revisions correct in the same direction as recent profitability, the profitability premium still exhibits a strong relationship to the non‐sticky component of analysts' forecast revisions. Third, institutional investors trade profitability‐based signals but do so with a delay, likely contributing to the premium. Overall, our evidence favours the explanation that the profitability premium is related to investor mispricing of potential downside risk and provides greater clarity on recent findings in the literature.
Brain structural covariance network features are robust markers of early heavy alcohol use
Authors: Ottino‐González Jonatan , Cupertino Renata B. , Cao Zhipeng , Hahn Sage , Pancholi Devarshi , Albaugh Matthew D. , Brumback Ty , Baker Fiona C. , Brown Sandra A. , Clark Duncan B. , de Zambotti Massimiliano , Goldston David B. , Luna Beatriz , Nagel Bonnie J. , Nooner Kate B. , Pohl Kilian M. , Tapert Susan F. , Thompson Wesley K. , Jernigan Terry L. , Conrod Patricia , Mackey Scott , Garavan Hugh
Published: September 2023

Background and Aims

Recently, we demonstrated that a distinct pattern of structural covariance networks (SCN) from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)‐derived measurements of brain cortical thickness characterized young adults with alcohol use disorder (AUD) and predicted current and future problematic drinking in adolescents relative to controls. Here, we establish the robustness and value of SCN for identifying heavy alcohol users in three additional independent studies.

Design and Setting

Cross‐sectional and longitudinal studies using data from the Pediatric Imaging, Neurocognition and Genetics (PING) study (n = 400, age range = 14–22 years), the National Consortium on Alcohol and Neurodevelopment in Adolescence (NCANDA) (n = 272, age range = 17–22 years) and the Human Connectome Project (HCP) (n = 375, age range = 22–37 years).

Cases

Cases were defined based on heavy alcohol use patterns or former alcohol use disorder (AUD) diagnoses: 50, 68 and 61 cases were identified. Controls had none or low alcohol use or absence of AUD: 350, 204 and 314 controls were selected.

Measurements

Graph theory metrics of segregation and integration were used to summarize SCN.

Findings

Mirroring our prior findings, and across the three data sets, cases had a lower clustering coefficient [area under the curve (AUC) = −0.029, P = 0.002], lower modularity (AUC = −0.14, P = 0.004), lower average shortest path length (AUC = −0.078, P = 0.017) and higher global efficiency (AUC = 0.007, P = 0.010). Local efficiency differences were marginal (AUC = −0.017, P = 0.052). That is, cases exhibited lower network segregation and higher integration, suggesting that adjacent nodes (i.e. brain regions) were less similar in thickness whereas spatially distant nodes were more similar.

Conclusion

Structural covariance network (SCN) differences in the brain appear to constitute an early marker of heavy alcohol use in three new data sets and, more generally, demonstrate the utility of SCN‐derived metrics to detect brain‐related psychopathology.
Reconstruction of plantar surgical defects with synthetic dermal matrix and split‐thickness skin grafts: A case series and functional podiatry outcomes
Authors: Gil‐Pallares Pedro , González‐Moure Carlota , Mosquera‐Fernández Abián , Rosende‐Maceiras Laura , Usero‐Bárcena Teresa , Peña‐López Sandra , Figueroa‐Silva Olalla , Suárez‐Amor Óscar , Taboada‐Paz Laura , Monteagudo Benigno , de las Heras‐Sotos Cristina
Published: September 2023

Reconstruction of surgical defects after wide local excision of acral melanoma on the sole should allow patients to walk and bear weight. Moreover, certain options such as local transposition flaps can compromise follow‐up. We present a case series of surgical defects on weight‐bearing areas of the sole reconstructed using a synthetic dermal matrix and a split‐thickness skin graft. This approach prevents surrounding tissue displacement and results in good functional outcomes assessed by baropodometry and computer‐based podoscopy.
Feasibility and efficacy of newly developed eco‐friendly, automatic washer for endoscope using electrolyzed alkaline and acidic water
Authors: Fukuda Akiko , Tominaga Tetsuro , Matsumoto Takamune , Nonaka Takashi , Kosai Kosuke , Yanagihara Katsunori , Inoue Takumi , Irie Hiromi , Miyoshi Yoshiaki , Sugio Tomomi , Sakai Takatoshi , Sakae Eiji , Hamada Masahisa , Matsumoto Keitaro , Nagayasu Takeshi
Published: September 2023

Introduction

As well as preventing nosocomial and healthcare‐associated infections, a reliable and eco‐friendly washer for medical equipment would also be safe for the global environment. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of a newly developed automatic washing system (Nano‐washer) that uses electrolyzed water and ultrasonication without detergent for washing endoscopes.

Methods

Patients who underwent laparoscopic lobectomy or laparoscopic colectomy at Nagasaki University between 2018 and 2022 were included. A total of 60 cases of endoscope use were collected and classified according to endoscope washing method into the Nano‐washer group (using no detergent) (n = 40) and the manual washing group (n = 20). Protein and bacterial residues were measured before and after washing, using absorbance spectrometry and 16S rRNA polymerase chain reaction. The effectiveness of protein and bacterial removal and endoscope surface damage after washing were compared under specular vision between the groups.

Results

Nano‐washer did not use detergent unlike manual washing. There was no difference in demographic or clinical characteristics between the groups except for the presence of comorbidities in the lobectomy group (Nano‐washer, 85%; manual washing, 40%, P = .031). Compared with the manual washing group, residual protein levels in the Nano‐washer group were significantly reduced after washing (lobectomy, 0.956 mg/mL vs 0.016 mg/mL, P < .001; colectomy, 0.144 mg/mL vs 0.002 mg/mL, P = .008). Nano‐washer group showed a significant reduction in bacteria between before and after lobectomy (9437 copies/cm2 vs 4612 copies/cm2, P = .024).

Conclusion

Nano‐washer is a promising, effective, and eco‐friendly automatic washing device that is safer and more efficient than manual washing.
Administration of oxathridine, a first‐in‐class histamine‐3 receptor partial agonist in healthy male volunteers: Central nervous system depression and pseudo‐hallucinations
Authors: Dijkstra Francis M. , Zuiker Rob G. J. A. , Heuberger Jules A. A. C. , Kanhai Kawita M. S. , De Kam Marieke , Duvauchelle Thierry , Lecomte Jeanne‐Marie , Labeeuw Olivier , Landais Laurent , Ligneau Xavier , Robert Philippe , Capet Marc , Schwartz Jean‐Charles , van Gerven Joop M. A.
Published: September 2023

Aims

To characterise the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics (PK) and pharmacodynamics (PD) of single ascending doses of oxathridine, a first‐in‐class histamine‐3 receptor partialagonist, in healthy male volunteers.

Methods

A randomised, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled study including the NeuroCart, consisting of a battery of drug sensitive neurophysiological tests, was performed. Oxathridine was administered orally as an aqueous solution. After dosing, safety and NeuroCart tests (adaptive tracking [AT], body sway [BS], saccadic peak velocity [SPV], smooth pursuit [SP] eye movements, VAS according to Bond and Lader, VAS according to Bowdle [VAS B&L, Bowdle], pharmaco‐electroencephalogram [pEEG], Sustained Attention to Response Task [SART]) were performed at set times.

Results

  Forty volunteers completed the study. Given doses were: 0.5, 2.5, 5, 0.25 and 1.5 mg. At 5 mg, unacceptable and unanticipated adverse events (AEs) of (orthostatic) hypotension and pseudo‐hallucinations were reported. Statistically significant effects ([CI]; p‐value) of 2.5 mg and 5 mg oxathridine were observed on AT ([−8.28, −1.60]; p = 0.0048), ([−8.10, −1.51]; p = 0.00530), BS ([0.6, 80.2]; p = 0.0455), ([5.9, 93.1]; p = 0.0205) and SPV ([−59.0, −15.9]; p = 0.0011), ([−43.9, −1.09]; p = 0.0399), respectively. Oxathridine 5 mg significantly increased all three VAS Bowdle subscale scores; VAS external ([0.183, 0.476]; p = <.0001), VAS internal ([0.127, 0.370]; p = 0.0001) and VAS feeling high ([0.263, 0.887]; p = 0.0006).

Conclusion

NeuroCart tests indicated central nervous system (CNS) depressant effects. Oxathridine also unexpectedly caused pseudohallucinations. Although this led to the decision to stop further development of oxathridine, these observations suggest that the H3R system could be an interesting new target for the development of novel antipsychotics.
Physician personal breastfeeding experience and clinical care of the breastfeeding dyad
Authors: Hoyt‐Austin Adrienne E. , Phillipi Carrie A. , Lloyd‐McLennan Allison M. , King Beth A. , Sipsma Heather L. , Flaherman Valerie J. , Kair Laura R.
Published: September 2023

Background

Prior research suggests that physicians' personal experience with breastfeeding may influence their attitudes toward breastfeeding. This phenomenon has not been explored in well‐newborn care physician leaders, whose administrative responsibilities often include drafting and approval of hospital breastfeeding and formula supplementation policies.

Methods

We conducted a mixed‐methods study, surveying physicians in the Better Outcomes through Research for Newborns (BORN) network. We examined physician attitudes toward recommending breastfeeding and their breastfeeding experience. Qualitative analysis was conducted on responses to the question: “How do you think your breastfeeding experience influences your clinical practice?”

Results

Of 71 participants, most (92%) had a very positive attitude toward breastfeeding with 75% of respondents reporting personal experience with breastfeeding. Of these, 68% had a very positive experience, 25% had a somewhat positive experience, and 6% had a neutral experience. Four themes emerged with respect to the effect of breastfeeding experience on practice: (1) empathy with breastfeeding struggles, (2) increased knowledge and skills, (3) passion for breastfeeding benefits, and (4) application of personal experience in lieu of evidence‐based medicine, particularly among those who struggled with breastfeeding.

Conclusions

Well‐newborn care physician leaders reported positive attitudes about breastfeeding, increased support toward breastfeeding persons, and a perception of improved clinical lactation skills. Those who struggled with breastfeeding reported increased comfort with recommending formula supplementation to their own patients. Medical education about evidence‐based breastfeeding support practices and provision of lactation support to physicians has the potential to affect public health through improved care for the patients they serve.
The longitudinal contribution of mapping to arithmetic: Do numeral knowledge, inhibition or analogical reasoning matter?
Authors: Liu Kaichun , Qu Haoping , Yang Yawei , Yang Xiujie
Published: September 2023

Background

Recent studies have revealed the association between mapping and arithmetic (Ferres‐Forga et al., J. Numer. Cogn., 8, 2022, 123; LeFevre et al., J. Numer. Cogn., 8, 2022, 1).

Aim

The underlying mechanism remains unclear.

Materials & Methods

The current study recruited 118 kindergarten children and followed up on them three times at 6‐month intervals. They completed measures to assess mapping skills (T1), non‐verbal IQ (T1), numeral knowledge (T2), inhibitory control (T2), analogical reasoning (T2) and arithmetic (T3).

Results

The results showed that mapping accounted for significant variance in arithmetic ability over and above age, gender and non‐verbal IQ. Furthermore, analogical reasoning played an important role in the relationship between mapping and mathematics ability.

Discussion

The findings suggest the association between mapping and mathematics ability prior to formal schooling.

Conclusion

Analogical reasoning, rather than numeral knowledge or inhibitory control, may drive that association in young children.
Biological variation in thyroid function tests in older adults and clinical implications
Authors: Riis Johannes , Westergaard Louise , Karmisholt Jesper , Andersen Stine Linding , Andersen Stig
Published: September 2023

Objective

Interpreting thyroid function tests can be challenging due to inherent variation, and the need for tests rises with age. While age‐related changes in thyrotropin (TSH) levels are known, the biological variation in older adults remains unclear.

Design

We recruited nineteen 65–99‐year‐old (older adults) without thyroid disease for monthly blood sampling for 1 year.

Patients and Measurements

Serum was stored at −20C°, and TSH, total thyroxine (TT4) and total triiodothyronine (TT3) were analysed in random order in a single batch for each participant. Results were compared to test results from 15 euthyroid men aged 24–53 years (younger adults) collected previously using a similar methodology.

Results

Interindividual coefficients of variation in older/younger adults were 46.7%/44.0% for TSH, 12.7%/19.5% for TT4 and 14.6%/22.4% for TT3. Intraindividual coefficients of variation (CVI) were 19.0%/25.4% for TSH, 5.5%/10.8% for TT4 and 6.9%/13.2% for TT3. The index of individuality was below 0.6 for all hormones in all age groups. The number of samples required to determine the homoeostatic set‐point at 10% precision in older adults was 14–21 for TSH and 2 for TT4 and TT3. TT4 in older adults was the only parameter in any group with comparable CVI between individuals (p = .22).

Conclusions

CVI for TT4 and TT3 was halved in older compared to younger adults with two tests of TT4 needed to describe the individual set‐point. Similar CVI between older adults caused TT4 to provide a reliable estimate of thyroid function, and the added value of measuring thyroxine could improve clinical practice.
Operation mercury: Impacts of national‐level armed forces intervention and anticorruption strategy on artisanal gold mining and water quality in the Peruvian Amazon
Authors: Dethier Evan N. , Silman Miles R. , Fernandez Luis E. , Espejo Jorge Caballero , Alqahtani Sarra , Pauca Paúl , Lutz David A.
Published: September 2023

Artisanal and small‐scale gold mining (ASGM), a wealth‐generating industry in many regions, is nonetheless a global challenge for governance and a threat to biodiversity, public health, and ecosystem integrity. In 2019, the Peruvian government mobilized a targeted, large‐scale armed intervention against illegal ASGM, which has caused deforestation and water resource degradation in this Tropical Biodiversity Hotspot. Before the intervention, the extent of waterbodies created by mining (mining ponds) was increasing by 33%–90%/year; after, they decreased by 4%–5%/year in targeted zones. Mining activity indicators showed 70%–90% abandonment. New mining activity accelerated in nearby areas outside the targeted area (pond area increases: 42%–83%; deforestation increases +3–5 km2/year). Far from intervention zones, mining remained stable during the study period. Our analysis demonstrates that targeted, large‐scale government intervention can have positive effects on conservation by stopping illegal mining activity and shifting it to permitted areas, thereby setting the stage for governance. Continued conservation efforts must further address the impacts of informal mining while (1) limiting environmental degradation by legal mining; (2) remediating former mining areas to reduce erosion and enable reforestation or alternative uses of the landscape; and (3) sustaining such efforts, as some miners began to return to intervention areas when enforcement relaxed in 2022.
The sound of silence? Listening to localisation at the World Humanitarian Summit
Authors: Kelly Max , Pardy Maree , McGlasson Mary Ana
Published: September 2023

Based on research with key stakeholders, this paper draws on theories of organisational and political listening to analyse the critical emergence of ‘localisation’ during the 2016 World Humanitarian Summit. The central focus is the two‐year pre‐summit consultation process, engaging 23,000‐plus people, mainly from the Global South, and organised specifically to bring different views and experiences to the task of reforming the global humanitarian agenda. This research explores ‘voice and listening’ during the consultations, investigating how these were framed by, and have framed, power differentials within the humanitarian system. The consultations were a unique event, evoking optimism among participants that change might be possible. However, the space to speak, and the listening that occurred, struggled to breach the political sphere. The ‘Grand Bargain’, some interviewees claim, amounted to a re‐silencing. Notably, the localisation debate happened when a largely coherent message from the Global South and allies emerged, making unmet but heard claims on powerful actors.
The stress clot: Mid‐cavitary variant takotsubo cardiomyopathy with left ventricular thrombus
Authors: Vukomanovic Damir , Hajek Kyle , Unzek Samuel , Gopalan Radha , Mookadam Farouk
Published: September 2023

Pregnancy and the post‐partum period are known hypercoagulable states. Mid‐cavitary variant Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TCM) is uncommon and seen in only about 14% of all Takotsubo cases. Left ventricular thrombus (LVT) in the setting of mid‐cavitary TCM is extremely rare, occurring in approximately 1% of cases. We describe a case of a young female, 1‐week post‐partum, with an acute LVT in the setting of mid‐ventricular TCM, and we discuss the striking images and clinical management of this uncommon presentation.
Are democratic regime and the magnitude of the informal economy robust determinants of human impacts on the environment? An extreme bounds analysis
Authors: Vourvoulia Michaela , Kampas Athanasios
Published: September 2023

There is a vast body of literature dedicated to identifying the major drivers that explain human impacts on the environment. In this study, we utilize the STIRPAT framework to assess whether two controversial factors should be considered when examining how humans affect the environment. Specifically, we investigate whether the quality of the democratic regime and the size of the informal economy play significant roles in determining human impacts on the environment. To address this question, we employ the extreme bounds analysis (EBA) to characterize these drivers as either robust or fragile. Based on the findings of this paper, both variables are classified as fragile, suggesting that they may not fully explain human impacts on the environment. We have taken great care in interpreting the results.
Three cases of late‐onset post CAR‐T therapy isolated CNS relapse in R/R large B‐cell lymphoma
Authors: Zhu Huiying , Zhuang Zhe , Wang Wei , Zhao Danqing , Zhang Wei , Zhou Daobin , Zhang Yan
Published: September 2023

CD19‐chimeric antigen receptor T‐cell (CAR T‐cell) therapy has improved the outcomes of relapsed/refractory large B cell lymphoma significantly. However, about 50% of patients relapsed post‐CAR‐T therapy. Late relapse composed of 1/3 to 1/2 of CAR‐T cell therapy failure, with no previous reports of isolated relapse in immune‐privileged sites. Here, we report the first case series of late‐onset post CAR‐T cell therapy isolated central nervous system (CNS) relapses, in systemic relapsed/refractory large B cell lymphoma patients. With these cases, we suggest that additional CNS prophylaxis should be administrated for primary refractory patients on CAR‐T cell therapy with previous neurological involvements, multiple extra‐nodular lesions, and high CNS‐IPI score pre‐CAR, as well as early disappearance of circulating CAR‐T cells post infusion.
Hippocampal damage causes retrograde amnesia for objects' visual, but not odour, properties in male rats
Authors: Lacoursiere Sean G. , McAllister Brendan B. , Hadikin Crystal , Tschetter Wayne W. , Lehmann Hugo , Sutherland Robert J.
Published: September 2023

Damage to the hippocampus produces profound retrograde amnesia, but odour and object discrimination memories can be spared in the retrograde direction. Prior lesion studies testing retrograde amnesia for object/odour discriminations are problematic due to sparing of large parts of the hippocampus, which may support memory recall, and/or the presence of uncontrolled, distinctive odours that may support object discrimination. To address these issues, we used a simple object discrimination test to assess memory in male rats. Two visually distinct objects, paired with distinct odour cues, were presented. One object was associated with a reward. Following training, neurotoxic hippocampal lesions were made using N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate (NMDA). The rats were then tested on the preoperatively learned object discrimination problem, with and without the availability of odour or visual cues during testing. The rats were also postoperatively trained on a new object discrimination problem. Lesion sizes ranged from 67% to 97% of the hippocampus (average of 87%). On the preoperatively learned discrimination problem, the rats with hippocampal lesions showed preserved object discrimination memory when tested in the dark (i.e., without visual cues) but not when the explicit odour cues were removed from the objects. Hippocampal lesions increased the number of trials required to reach criterion but did not prevent rats from solving the postoperatively learned discrimination problem. Our results support the idea that long‐term memories for odours, unlike recall of visual properties of objects, do not depend on the hippocampus in rats, consistent with previous observations that hippocampal damage does not cause retrograde amnesia for odour memories.
Digital innovation and transformation capabilities in a large company
Authors: Gupta Shivam , Modgil Sachin , Bhushan Bharat , Kamble Sachin , Mishra Juhi
Published: September 2023

In a dynamic and quickly changing world, digital innovation and transformation can help enhancing organizational efficiency and have competitive advantage. In addition, the digital innovation and transformation can facilitate the development of a growth‐oriented culture of workforce. Therefore, this study aims at developing the digital innovation and transformation capabilities at large organization. The study uses a four‐layered process for driving the digital innovation and transformation in the case organization. The study positions the digital innovation and transformation mechanism through the lens of the dynamic capability view and institutional theories. The findings indicate the emergence of digital champions as change agents, a digital council as a monitoring channel, a digital core team as technological enablers and reverse mentoring as an innovative cultural dimension of change facilitating dynamic capabilities of the organization. In terms of institutional pressures, coercive and mimetic pressures emerged as major contributors to the advancement of the digital skill set and digital mindset of the experienced workforce especially, supported by Hofstede's cultural dimensions. Study further delineates the insights for practice, theory and policy. To this end, the study showcases the future scope of work at the case company, since it is an ongoing project on digital innovation and transformation to make organization and related infrastructure resilient, digital and innovative.
Synaptotagmin‐7 mediates cardiac hypertrophy by targeting autophagy
Authors: Sun Teng , Han Yu , Li Jia‐Lei , Wang Shuang , Jing Zhi‐Jie , Yan Zi , Zhou Lan , Zuo Lin , Yang Jun‐Li , Cao Ji‐Min
Published: September 2023

Sustained cardiac hypertrophy damages the heart and weakens cardiac function, often leading to heart failure and even death. Pathological cardiac hypertrophy has become a central therapeutic target for many heart diseases including heart failure. However, the underlying mechanisms of cardiac hypertrophy, especially the involvement of autophagy program, are still ill‐understood. Synaptotagmin‐7 (Syt7), a multifunctional and high‐affinity calcium sensor, plays a pivotal role in asynchronous neurotransmitter release, synaptic facilitation, and vesicle pool regulation during synaptic transmission. However, little is known about whether Syt7 is expressed in the myocardium and involved in the pathogenesis of heart diseases. Here we showed that Syt7 was significantly upregulated in Ang II‐treated hearts and cardiomyocytes. Homozygous syt7 knockout (syt7−/−) mice exhibited significantly attenuated cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis and improved cardiac function. We further found that Syt7 exerted a pro‐hypertrophic effect by suppressing the autophagy process. In exploring the upstream mechanisms, microRNA (miR)‐93 was identified to participate in the regulation of Syt7 expression. miR‐93 protected hearts against Ang II‐induced hypertrophy through targeting Syt7‐autophagy pathway. In summary, our data reveal a new cardiac hypertrophy regulator and a novel hypertrophy regulating model composed of miR‐93, Syt7 and autophagy program. These molecules may serve as potential therapeutic targets in the treatment of cardiac hypertrophy and heart failure.
Spatial separation of larval sprat (Sprattus sprattus) and sardine (Sardina pilchardus) related to hydrographical characteristics in the North Sea
Authors: Munk Peter , Huwer Bastian , van Deurs Mikael , Kloppmann Matthias , Sell Anne
Published: September 2023

Clupeid fish species are widely distributed and of highly variable stock sizes. In the North Sea, the common clupeid species are herring (Clupea harengus) and sprat (Sprattus sprattus), but during recent decades, the generally more southerly distributed sardine (Sardina pilchardus) have been more frequently observed. Comparative studies of early life stages of small pelagic clupeids are scarce, and their abilities to co‐exist and relations to environmental characteristics are vastly understudied. We here investigated and compared distributional patterns of co‐occurring larval sprat and sardine in the North Sea, hypothesizing that they are separated into spatial niches linked to specific hydrographical characteristics. Sampling was carried out by a large ring‐net during standard fish surveys (IBTS Q3) in August 2018, 2019, and 2020. Sprat larvae were found widespread across the area of investigation, with the highest concentration in the central North Sea off the eastern and northern flanks of Dogger Bank, where abundances could reach 20 larvae/m2. Sardine larvae, on the other hand, showed their highest abundances in the Southern and German Bights. Distributions of the two species appeared complementary, and statistical correlations were indicative of separate hydrographical niches, where sardine larvae resided in relatively warmer and fresher water. The relative abundances of sardine versus sprat varied between years. Sardine larvae were especially abundant in 2020, twice as abundant as sprat, and observations indicate increasing importance of sardines in the North Sea.
Pilot studies of vonoprazan‐containing Helicobacter pylori eradication therapy suggest Thailand may be more similar to the US than Japan
Authors: Ratana‐Amornpin Sarita , Sanglutong Likasith , Eiamsitrakoon Thanee , Siramolpiwat Sith , Graham David Y. , Mahachai Varocha
Published: September 2023

Background

Vonoprazan‐containing Helicobacter pylori eradication is reliably effective in Japan. Its effectiveness in other countries remains unclear. Here, we examined vonoprazan‐H. pylori therapies in Thailand.

Materials and Methods

This was pilot study of four different vonoprazan containing therapies. Subjects were randomized to: 14‐day dual therapy (500 mg amoxicillin q.i.d. plus 20 mg vonoprazan b.i.d.), 14‐day triple therapy (amoxicillin 1 g b.i.d., slow release clarithromycin‐MR, 1 g daily plus vonoprazan 20 mg b.i.d.), 7‐day high‐dose vonoprazan triple therapy (amoxicillin 1 g b.i.d., clarithromycin‐MR 1 g daily and 60 mg vonoprazan once daily), and 14‐day vonoprazan triple therapy plus bismuth (amoxicillin 1 g b.i.d., clarithromycin‐MR 1 g daily, vonoprazan 20 mg b.i.d., and bismuth subsalicylate 1048 mg b.i.d.). Eradication was confirmed 4 weeks after therapy. Antimicrobial susceptibility and CYP3A4/5 genotyping were performed.

Results

One hundred H. pylori‐infected patients (mean age 54.3 ± 13 years, 51% men) were randomized. All were CYP3A4 extensive metabolizers. Cure rates with both 14‐day vonoprazan dual therapy and 14‐day triple therapy were low: 66.7%; 95% CI = 43–85% (14/21), and 59.3%; 95% CI = 39–78%) (16/27), respectively. In contrast, 7‐day high‐dose vonoprazan triple therapy and 14‐day vonoprazan triple plus bismuth proved effective 92.3%; 95% CI = 75%–99% (24/26) and 96.2%; 95% CI = 80%–100% (25/26), respectively.

Conclusion

Both 14‐day vonoprazan dual and triple therapy were ineffective for H. pylori eradication in Thailand. Higher dosage of vonoprazan, and/or the addition of bismuth may be required to achieve high H. pylori eradication rates. High‐dose vonoprazan triple therapy and vonoprazan triple therapy adding bismuth might be used as first‐line treatments in some regions with high efficacy irrespective of CYP3A4/5 genotype and clarithromycin resistance.
Say on Pay: Is It Needed? Does It Work?
Authors: O'Byrne Stephen F.
Published: September 2023

A leading compensation practitioner reviews “Say on Pay” rules, those corporate practices giving shareholders the right to vote on executive compensation. The assumption behind “Say on Pay” is that managers may be overpaid because directors fail to provide adequate oversight. O'Byrne questions this underlying assumption.

He provides substantial evidence that directors do a poor job overseeing executive pay and that directors have weak incentives to pursue shareholder interests in executive pay. He also finds that “Say on Pay voting is sensitive to differences in pay for performance, but so forgiving that extraordinary pay premiums are required to elicit a majority ‘no’ vote”; and “that three quarters of institutional investors have lower SOP voting quality… than the average investor and almost all have a short‐term focus, with much greater vote sensitivity to current year grant date pay premiums than to long‐term pay alignment and cost.”

The common corporate practice of providing competitive target compensation regardless of past performance leads to low alignment of pay and performance. Unfortunately, directors have little incentive to protect shareholder interests “because they are paid labor providers, just like management, not stewards of substantial personal capital.”
Internal Governance Does Matter to Equity Returns but Much More So During “Flights to Quality”
Authors: Brooke Peter G. , Docherty Paul , Psaros Jim , Seamer Michael
Published: September 2023

Although few doubt that good internal governance helps firms perform better, the statistical evidence is actually mixed because the positive effects of good corporate governance matters much more so at some times than others. The statistical link is strongest during “flights to quality,” when market sentiment turns bearish and pessimistic but weakens for long periods of time during bull markets and low market volatility. Using more than ten years' evidence from Australian firms, the authors show that internal governance is related to both firm value and performance and that firms with stronger governance are less risky, generate higher equity returns and perform significantly better during market downturns. When risk aversion is high, demand for well‐governed firms increases and investors discount the value of firms with potential agency conflicts. This time‐varying relationship between internal governance and returns may explain both the limited explanatory power of governance on firm value and the mixed empirical evidence reported in previous studies.

Firms with strong internal governance do earn significantly higher stock returns compared with firms with weak governance; but that also means that the value of governance is not fully incorporated into prices, thereby explaining the limited explanatory power of governance on firm value.
Predator‐induced defences under tropicalisation: A biogeographic approach
Authors: Fenberg Phillip B. , Beas‐Luna Rodrigo , Igić Boris , MacLean Moira A. , Paz‐García David A. , Raimondi Peter T. , Sones Jacqueline L. , Zarzyczny Karolina M. , Sanford Eric
Published: September 2023

Aim

The biogeography of predator‐induced defences is an understudied area of predator–prey dynamics. Range overlap with predators that induce the response and local demographics (e.g., prey abundances) are likely to be important factors for determining the biogeographic distribution of induced defences within species. However, with climate warming, range‐expanding warm‐water predators are increasingly preying upon temperate species. This is a consequence of a wider phenomenon known as tropicalisation. We aim to determine: (i) if individuals of a temperate barnacle with induced defences (‘bent morphs’) are primarily present where they co‐occur with range‐expanding warm‐water predators (muricid snails) and, (ii) if bent morphs are size‐structured within populations.

Location

North‐eastern Pacific rocky intertidal zone (~26–40° N).

Taxon

Tetraclita rubescens (Nilsson‐Cantell, 1931), Balanomorpha.

Methods

We use photoquadrats from sites across the range of T. rubescens to determine the biogeographic distribution of populations with bent morphs and to assess size‐structure. We use a combination of field surveys, literature, and museum occurrences to assess range overlap between cool and warm‐water predators of T. rubescens and their association with populations with bent morphs and abundance patterns of T. rubescens.

Results

Bent morphs are commonly found within the equatorward portion of the species' range (where abundances are highest), in populations overlapping with range‐expanding warm‐water predators. Bent morphs primarily occur within the smaller size classes.

Main conclusions

To be partly resilient to the effects of tropicalisation, temperate prey must acclimatise/adapt to altered predator–prey dynamics. Predator‐induced defences are one way to do this. We show that bent morphs within a temperate prey species (T. rubescens) are largely restricted to populations that overlap with large‐bodied and range‐expanding warm‐water predators. This is evidence for the partial resilience of T. rubescens to tropicalisation and provides the rationale for further exploration of the eco‐evolutionary consequences of tropicalisation in this study system and others.