bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Transition points: well-being and disciplinary identity in the first years of doctoral studies
Authors: Gonzalez John A. , Kim Heeyun , Flaster Allyson
Published: February 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine doctoral students’ developmental trajectories in well-being and disciplinary identity during the first three years of doctoral study.

Design/methodology/approach

This study relies on data from a longitudinal study of PhD students enrolled at a large, research-intensive university in the USA. A group-based trajectory modeling approach is used to examine varying trajectories of well-being and disciplinary identity.

Findings

The authors find that students’ physical health, mental health and disciplinary identity generally decline during the first few years of doctoral study. Despite this common downward trend, the results suggest that six different developmental trajectories exist. Students’ backgrounds and levels of stress, psychological needs satisfaction, anticipatory socialization experiences and prior academic success predict group membership.

Originality/value

Although there is emergent evidence of a mental health crisis in graduate education scant evidence exists about the way in which well-being changes over time as students progress through their doctoral studies. There is also little evidence of how these changes might be related to academic processes such as the development of disciplinary identity. This study reported varying baseline degrees of well-being and disciplinary identity and offers that stress and unmet psychological needs might be partially responsible for varying trajectories.
Leading an effective change strategy
Authors: Sansom Rachael
Published: February 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to advise leaders on how to manage an effective change strategy through times of crisis and uncertainty.

Design/methodology/approach

Gathered from past experience managing change through a business.

Findings

Fresh and effective change requires solid infrastructure, a well-thought-out plan and the ability to adapt, strategise and innovate on a near day-to-day basis.

Originality/value

This is a unique perspective from a huge organisational change.
Overtourism and employment outcomes for the tourism worker: impacts to labour markets
Authors: Walmsley Andreas , Koens Ko , Milano Claudio
Published: February 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to undertake an ideal-typical analysis of the implications of overtourism on employment at the level of the destination.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper offers a theoretical analysis that uses as a starting point a traditional labour market model to explore the employment implications of a labour demand shock as a result of overtourism at a destination level. Although a theoretical exploration, examples are provided offering empirical support for the theoretical propositions.

Findings

Overtourism may lower nominal and real wages, further deepen divisions in an already divided labour market (particularly between local and migrant workers), increase productivity without its benefits accruing to the worker and result in deterioration of working conditions. The study also sets tourism employment within a broader politico-economic framework of neoliberalism.

Research limitations/implications

This study offers scope for further empirical testing of hypothesized relationships. It also provides a platform to adopt and adapt the theoretical propositions to suit different contexts.

Originality/value

This study uses overtourism as an ideal-type, combined with an analysis of the labour market to theorise the impacts of a labour demand shock.
The intervention of strategic innovation practices in between regulations and sustainable business growth: a holistic perspective for Malaysian SMEs
Authors: Islam Ariful , Wahab Sazali Abd
Published: February 2021

Purpose

SMEs that manage more sustainability focused initiatives into their core business strategy can possibly benefit from lower expenses, reduced threats and new business opportunities, but in Malaysia most of the SMEs are still far off in terms of adapting to a sustainable business growth outline from a holistic point of view. Hence, this study aims to serve deeper understanding about a strategic innovation focused sustainable growth model on basis of multidisciplinary QBL-QHIM theoretical perspectives where strategic innovation practices intervene in between desired growth and government support (regulations).

Design/methodology/approach

This conceptual investigation embraces a newly emerged concern of sustainable business growth in SMEs, considering ranges of literature reviews from the disciplines of management and entrepreneurship. The study also systematically explores the concepts of regulations, strategic innovation practices on basis of QBL and QHIM theories to adjust the sustainable business growth model from a holistic angle.

Findings

The outcomes show that multidisciplinary QBL-QHIM conjunction within the interrelationships of the selected constructs holds the potential for innovation focused business growth in a more sustainable, comprehensive and holistic manner. The study also detects that exploitative-explorative innovation practices can possibly mediate in between suitable regulations and sustainable business growth of SMEs, considering supportive external environment.

Research limitations/implications

Researches are encouraged to test the proposed model.

Practical implications

The study indicates a conceptual configuration for policy makers as well as entrepreneurs to ensure sustainable business growth for SMEs. The outcomes of the study also provide useful direction on decision-making process of owner or manager considering social, economic, environmental and spiritual aspects of daily operations.

Social implications

The conceptual model may possibly able to generate more social values, considering a holistic angle into business activities.

Originality/value

The conceptualization is a unique attempt, considering developing regions to extend the current understanding of strategic innovation focused sustainable growth process of SMEs from a holistic angle.
The nexus between entrepreneurial orientation and performance: enabling roles of absorptive capacity
Authors: Raisal Ismail , Tarofder Arun Kumar , Ilmudeen Aboobucker
Published: February 2021

Purpose

Developing countries’ economic growth very much depend on the successful performance of entrepreneurial-oriented firms. Entrepreneurial orientation (EO) is a valuable conjecturer of firm success. This study mainly focuses on analyzing the effect of EO on the firm performance (FP) with the mediating role of absorptive capacity (ACAP).

Design/methodology/approach

To test the hypothetical model, we collected 226 valid responses from senior managers of small and medium enterprises (SMEs). The structural equation modeling technique is performed and research hypotheses are validated.

Findings

The findings show that the strong causal relations exit between EO, ACAP and FP. In brief, EO was found to be a predictor of ACAP, and ACAP has a strong positive impact on FP. Moreover, ACAP substantiated to be a mediator between EO and FP.

Research limitations/implications

A notable ramification of this finding is that for SMEs to enhance their performance via EO, the presence of ACAP as a mediator is essential.

Practical implications

The findings of this study can be used as a basis to consider EO to increase firms' level of ACAP and to enhance FP. As a whole, the findings offer pragmatic insights for SMEs and pertinent stakeholders.

Originality/value

So far, little is known about the interrelationship between EO, ACAP and FP. Importantly, the mediating role of ACAP between EO and FP has remained unexplored. This study fills this gap in the existing literature.
Competition for space in a structured landscape: The effect of seed limitation on coexistence under a tolerance‐fecundity trade‐off
Authors: D’Andrea Rafael , O’Dwyer James P.
Published: February 2021

Life‐history trade‐offs are important coexistence mechanisms in plant communities. In particular, a trade‐off between seed quality and seed output may explain coexistence among species with a wide variety of seed sizes in heterogeneous landscapes with varying degrees of local stresses such as shade, drought and browsing.

Under spatially implicit formulations of the tolerance‐fecundity trade‐off, species diversity is only bounded by community size and environmental heterogeneity. However, these formulations leave unanswered the question of how dispersal limitation, an important aspect of real communities, impacts the ability of the tolerance‐fecundity trade‐off to support coexistence.

Here we show using stochastic cellular automata that coexistence under the tolerance‐fecundity trade‐off in a spatially structured landscape is strongly modulated by the interactions between the spatial scales of species dispersal and environmental variability. Specifically, coexistence in a patchy landscape is higher under short dispersal scales relative to the scale of environmental variation. These conditions allow species to segregate spatially and thus avoid interspecific competition.

In addition to dispersal limitation, coexistence under the tolerance‐fecundity trade‐off is promoted by a sharp drop in tolerance as local environmental stress increases, a high overall seed output across species, local homogeneity in environmental conditions and weak age structure in fertility. In particular, coexistence is much higher when species have full tolerance to stress levels below a threshold and zero tolerance above that threshold, with nothing in between. This steep gradient contributes to coexistence because it maximizes niche separation between similar species.

Synthesis. When plants compete for space, dispersal limitation and landscape spatial structure can conspire to boost coexistence and diversity. Our results show that the tolerance‐fecundity trade‐off is a strong niche differentiation mechanism when species experience a well‐defined distinction between suitable and unsuitable environments, and supports higher diversity when dispersal scales are shorter than the scales of variation in the environment. We conclude that the trade‐off is more likely to be a relevant coexistence mechanism in the context of large‐scale environmental variation, such as topography, than small‐scale variation, such as in litter cover and canopy shading.
Negative density dependence in the mortality and growth of tropical tree seedlings is strong, and primarily caused by fungal pathogens
Authors: Hazelwood Kirstie , Beck Harald , Paine C. E. Timothy
Published: February 2021

Natural enemies have been implicated as agents of negative density dependence (NDD) in tropical forests, but their relative contributions to NDD, and thus to the maintenance of diversity, are largely unknown.

We monitored the rates of survival and relative growth rates on seedlings for 10 years in tropical moist forest in Manu National Park, Peru. We then experimentally manipulated the plots to exclude fungal pathogens, insects, small mammals and large mammals for an additional 31 months to assess the influence of these natural enemies on density‐dependent interactions among tropical seedlings.

Fungal pathogens made the most important contribution to NDD. The application of fungicide led to lower mortality rates, faster growth rates and decreased species diversity. Other taxa of natural enemies had at most minor effects on seedling performance.

Synthesis. We conclude that fungal pathogens are the strongest contributors to the widely observed NDD that occurs among seedlings. Moreover, the presence of fungal pathogens augments the species diversity of seedlings, indicating their critical contribution to the maintenance of species coexistence and the structure of tropical tree communities.
Who does and doesn't pay taxes?
Authors: Advani Arun
Published: February 2021

We use administrative tax data from audits of self‐assessment tax returns to understand what types individuals are most likely to be non‐compliant. Non‐compliance is common, with one‐third of taxpayers underpaying by some amount, although half of aggregate under‐reporting is done by just 2 per cent of taxpayers. Third‐party reporting reduces non‐compliance, while working in a cash‐prevalent industry increases it. However, compliance also varies significantly with individual characteristics: non‐compliance is higher for men and younger people. These results matter for measuring inequality, for understanding taxpayer behaviour, and for targeting audit resources.
Is Animal Welfare Promoting Hornless Cattle? Assessing Consumer’s Valuation for Milk from Gene‐edited Cows under Different Information Regimes
Authors: Kilders Valerie , Caputo Vincenzina
Published: February 2021

Due to its ability to achieve genetic engineering goals without transgene modifications, gene‐editing is fast becoming a predominant genetic‐engineering breeding technique and a range of food‐related applications have already been developed. Yet, it remains unclear whether consumers would perceive gene‐edited food products differently from so‐called first‐generation genetic engineering or from genetic modification, and how information about its benefits might alter consumer choice. Focusing on a recent gene‐editing application in animal production, the genetic dehorning of dairy cows, this study uses data from a survey of 1,000 US consumers to determine: (i) consumer willingness‐to‐pay for milk from cows that have been gene‐edited to be hornless; and (ii) consumers’ response to information about how the gene‐editing technology works, how it differs from genetic modification, and its benefits for animal welfare. Information treatments utilise videos to maximise respondents’ understanding. Results from parametric and semi‐parametric choice models suggest that: (i) information on animal welfare has the strongest effect on consumer willingness‐to‐pay for milk produced from conventionally and genetically dehorned cows; and (ii) that providing respondents with more information leads to an increasingly wider spread of the preference distributions in the positive and negative domain uncovering a further polarisation of preferences and confirming the heterogeneous impact of information on preferences.
Assessment of the Hydrogeochemical Characteristics of Groundwater Resources at some Wadis in the East of El Minia Governorate, Eastern Desert, Egypt
Authors: HABIBAH Alzahraa Abo , DAHAB Kamal , SHABANA Ashraf , KAMH Samir , IBRAHIM Hekmat
Published: February 2021

The El Minia governorate lies within the Nile Valley, surrounded by calcareous plateaus to the east and west. The present study focuses on the hydrogeochemistry of the Eocene limestone aquifer at some wadis in the east El Minia governorate, Eastern Desert, Egypt. Hydrogeologically, two main aquifers are encountered in the study area, namely the Maghagha marly limestone and the Samalut chalky limestone aquifers. The Maghagha aquifer is composed of alternating layers of marly limestone and shale with thicknesses ranging from 3.49 m to 177.05 m and a groundwater depth ranging from 8.5 m to 59.27 m which reflects low groundwater potentiality. The groundwater salinity representing this aquifer ranges from 603.5 mg/L to 978.5 mg/L, reflecting fresh water type. Samalut aquifer is made up of chalky, cavernous and fractured limestone with thickness ranging from 30 m to 205 m and groundwater depth ranging from 9 m to 86.77 m, which indicates good groundwater potential. The groundwater salinity of the concerned aquifer ranges from 349.7 mg/L to 2043.9 mg/L, reflecting fresh to possibly brackish water types. Groundwater in the study area is of meteoric water origin; recent recharge is mainly controlled through the presence of fractures and their densities. The majority of groundwater samples in the study area are suitable for drinking and irrigation purposes.
Is social support pre‐treatment associated with prognosis for adults with depression in primary care?
Authors: Buckman Joshua E. J. , Saunders Rob , O’Driscoll Ciaran , Cohen Zachary D. , Stott Joshua , Ambler Gareth , Gilbody Simon , Hollon Steven D. , Kendrick Tony , Watkins Edward , Wiles Nicola , Kessler David , Chari Nomsa , White Ian R. , Lewis Glyn , Pilling Stephen
Published: February 2021

Objective

Depressed patients rate social support as important for prognosis, but evidence for a prognostic effect is lacking. We aimed to test the association between social support and prognosis independent of treatment type, and the severity of depression, and other clinical features indicating a more severe illness.

Methods

Individual patient data were collated from all six eligible RCTs (n = 2858) of adults seeking treatment for depression in primary care. Participants were randomized to any treatment and completed the same baseline assessment of social support and clinical severity factors. Two‐stage random effects meta‐analyses were conducted.

Results

Social support was associated with prognosis independent of randomized treatment but effects were smaller when adjusting for depressive symptoms and durations of depression and anxiety, history of antidepressant treatment, and comorbid panic disorder: percentage decrease in depressive symptoms at 3–4 months per z‐score increase in social support = −4.14(95%CI: −6.91 to −1.29). Those with a severe lack of social support had considerably worse prognoses than those with no lack of social support: increase in depressive symptoms at 3–4 months = 14.64%(4.25% to 26.06%).

Conclusions

Overall, large differences in social support pre‐treatment were associated with differences in prognostic outcomes. Adding the Social Support scale to clinical assessments may be informative, but after adjusting for routinely assessed clinical prognostic factors the differences in prognosis are unlikely to be of a clinically important magnitude. Future studies might investigate more intensive treatments and more regular clinical reviews to mitigate risks of poor prognosis for those reporting a severe lack of social support.
The equine graying with age mutation of the STX17 gene: A copy number study using droplet digital PCR reveals a new pattern
Authors: Nowacka‐Woszuk J. , Mackowski M. , Stefaniuk‐Szmukier M. , Cieslak J.
Published: February 2021

The equine graying with age causative mutation in the syntaxin‐17 gene (STX17) has been known for over a decade, but proper genotyping of this variant remains challenging due to its molecular character (4.6‐kb tandem duplication). Precise information on gray mutation status is important for horse breeders and veterinarians, since gray homozygous horses are more prone to developing aggressive melanoma tumors than heterozygotes. Since recent studies have confirmed that droplet digital PCR is a valuable technique for copy number analysis, we decided to investigate whether this method can be used for accurate genotyping of the horse graying‐related variant and established the copy numbers of the 4.6‐kb fragment in the available cohort (n = 75) of gray and nongray horses of various breeds. Surprisingly, we found that our STX17 genotype results varied from what has been previously published, suggesting that gray phenotype is associated with the presence of six (GG) or four (Gg) copies of studied region. All the examined nongray horses (gg) have the two copies of these fragments. This new pattern and its inheritance were also confirmed by an analysis conducted for the Polish Warmblood horse family. We noted no further copy number variation in the entire tested samples set. Our study confirmed the usefulness and accuracy of droplet digital PCR for genotyping STX17 gene variant. Further studies on a broader range of materials are needed to fully understand the origin and molecular structure of the graying causative mutation in the horse STX17.
T‐wave heterogeneity in standard resting 12‐lead ECGs is associated with 90‐day cardiac mortality in women following emergency department admission: A nested case–control study
Authors: Monteiro Felipe R. , Rabelo Evangelista Ana B. , Nearing Bruce D. , Medeiros Sofia A. , Tessarolo Silva Fernanda , Pedreira Giovanna C. , Ullman Edward , Gervino Ernest V. , Verrier Richard L.
Published: February 2021

Background

We investigated whether T‐wave heterogeneity (TWH) can identify patients who are at risk for near‐term cardiac mortality.

Methods

A nested case–control analysis was performed in the 888 patients admitted to the Emergency Department (ED) of our medical center in July through September 2018 who had ≥2 serial troponin measurement tests within 6 hr for acute coronary syndrome evaluation to rule‐in or rule‐out the presence of acute myocardial infarction. Patients who died from cardiac causes during 90 days after ED admission were considered cases (n = 20; 10 women) and were matched 1:4 on sex and age with patients who survived during this period (n = 80, 40 women). TWH, that is, interlead splay of T waves, was automatically assessed from precordial leads by second central moment analysis.

Results

TWHV4‐6 was significantly elevated at ED admission in 12‐lead resting ECGs of female patients who died of cardiac causes during the following 90 days compared to female survivors (100 ± 14.9 vs. 40 ± 3.6 µV, p < .0001). TWHV4‐6 generated areas under the receiver‐operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC) of 0.933 in women (p < .0001) and 0.573 in men (p = .4). In women, the ROC‐guided 48‐µV TWHV4‐6 cut point for near‐term cardiac mortality produced an adjusted odds ratio of 121.37 (95% CI: 2.89–6,699.84; p = .02) with 100% sensitivity and 82.5% specificity. In Kaplan–Meier survival analysis, TWHV4‐6 ≥ 48 µV predicted cardiac mortality in women during 90‐day follow‐up with a hazard ratio of 27.84 (95% CI: 7.29–106.36, p < .0001).

Conclusion

Elevated TWHV4‐6 is associated with near‐term cardiac mortality among women evaluated for acute coronary syndrome.
Attitudes towards comparison of male and female genital cutting in a Swedish Somali population
Authors: Hanberger Adam , Essén Birgitta , Wahlberg Anna
Published: February 2021

Introduction

In Sweden, the law treats female genital cutting (FGC) differently from male genital cutting (MGC). However, the comparability of the medical, ethical, and legal aspects of genital cutting of girls and boys are increasingly discussed by scholars, although little is known about how practicing communities view these aspects. This study aimed to explore attitudes towards comparison of genital cutting of girls and boys among Swedish Somalis, and to investigate factors associated with considering the two practices to be comparable.

Material and methods

In a cross‐sectional questionnaire with 648 Swedish Somali men and women from four Swedish cities, descriptive statistics and logistic regression were used for the analysis.

Results

Among the Swedish Somalis, 10% considered FGC and MGC to be comparable practices. A majority (98%) of the participants thought FGC could cause long‐term health complications, but only 1% considered the physical health disadvantage of MGC would outweigh the physical health benefits. FGC was perceived to be a violation of children's rights by 60%, whereas this proportion for MGC was 3%. Individuals who had a dominant bridging social capital and those who expressed that performing FGC follows religion were more likely to think that FGC and MGC were comparable practices.

Conclusions

The increased global attention and emphasis on the comparability of genital cutting of boys and girls was not reflected in this study among Swedish Somalis. Rather, attitudes reflected the common description of the two practices in global public health campaigns, portraying FGC as a harmful practice violating children's rights, while describing MGC as a public health measure. Social interactions and separation of FGC from religion could explain why FGC and MGC were not considered comparable.
Parental and Child Self‐Efficacy Explaining Food Intake through Self‐Regulation: A Dyadic Prospective Study
Authors: Zarychta Karolina , Banik Anna , Kulis Ewa , Lobczowska Karolina
Published: February 2021

Background

According to social cognitive theory and socio‐ecological models, self‐efficacy and temptation‐related self‐regulation (the use of distraction or suppression) are modifiable predictors of health behaviors, such as food intake. Yet, there is limited evidence explaining how these factors are interlinked among parent‐child dyads. This study investigated indirect effects of parental and child self‐efficacy on food intake, via parental and child self‐regulation.

Methods

The prospective study (the baseline [T1] and the 10‐month follow‐up [T2]) enrolled 924 parent‐child dyads (1,848 individuals; 54.3% girls, aged 5–11 years, 88.9% mothers). Dyads were interviewed or completed self‐report measures. Path analyses with maximum likelihood estimation were conducted.

Results

Child self‐efficacy and distraction (T1) mediated between parental self‐efficacy (T1) and higher levels of child fruit and vegetable intake (T2). No significant mediating effects of suppression were found, nor indirect effects of parental self‐efficacy (T1) on energy‐dense food intake (T2).

Conclusion

Health promotion interventions aiming at changing fruit and vegetable intake among 5–11‐year‐old children should target enhancing parental and child self‐efficacy that may facilitate the use of self‐regulation and, in turn, healthy diet.
Does Trade Elasticity Vary Across Regimes? New Evidence from Korean Exports, Incorporating Regime Changes*
Authors: Kim Sei‐Wan , Choi Moon Jung
Published: February 2021

We examined whether the elasticities of Korean exports with respect to global GDP and to the exchange rate vary depending on exports’ expansionary or contractionary regimes. Our empirical analysis incorporated regime changes and cointegration into a multivariable smooth transition autoregressive vector error correction model. Our estimation results revealed asymmetries in the short‐run elasticities of Korea's exports between the two regimes, although their long‐run elasticities remain stable. The positive effect of global GDP on Korea's exports is inelastic during contractionary regimes but elastic in expansionary regimes. The effect of home currency appreciation is negative and elastic under expansionary regimes but positive and inelastic under contractionary regimes.
Long‐term lithium therapy and risk of chronic kidney disease in bipolar disorder: A historical cohort study
Authors: Pahwa Mehak , Joseph Boney , Nunez Nicolas A. , Jenkins Gregory D. , Colby Colin L. , Kashani Kianoush B. , Veldic Marin , Moore Katherine M. , Betcher Hannah K. , Ozerdem Aysegul , Cuellar‐Barboza Alfredo B. , McElroy Susan L. , Biernacka Joanna M. , Frye Mark A. , Singh Balwinder
Published: February 2021

Aims

Long‐term lithium therapy (LTLT) has been associated with kidney insufficiency in bipolar disorder (BD). We aimed to investigate the risk factors of chronic kidney disease (CKD) development and progression among BD patients receiving LTLT.

Methods

We included adult patients with BD on LTLT (≥1 year) who were enrolled in the Mayo Clinic Bipolar Biobank, Rochester, Minnesota. We reviewed electronic medical records to extract information related to lithium therapy and kidney‐related data to assess changes in the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). CKD severity was assessed based on eGFR.

Results

Among 154 patients who received LTLT, 41 patients (27%) developed CKD, of whom 20 (49%) patients continued lithium (continuers) and 19 (46%) discontinued it (discontinuers). The median time to stage 3 CKD development was 21.7 years from the start of Li treatment. Type‐2 diabetes mellitus and benzodiazepine use were independent predictors for CKD development in the survival analysis, after controlling for age. The subsequent CKD progression rate did not differ between continuers and discontinuers (mean GFR 48.6 vs. 44.1, p = 0.13) at the end of follow‐up duration (mean duration: 3.5 ± 4.4 years for continuers and 4.9 ± 5.3 years for discontinuers).

Conclusion

CKD was observed in one fourth of patients with BD receiving LTLT. There was no significant difference in the progression of CKD among Li continuers versus discontinuers, at the mean follow‐up duration of 4.2 years, after the CKD diagnosis. Progression of CKD could be influenced by existing comorbidities and may not necessarily be due to lithium alone.
Stopping exploitation: Properly remunerating healthcare workers for risk in the COVID‐19 pandemic
Authors: Giubilini Alberto , Savulescu Julian
Published: February 2021

We argue that we should provide extra payment not only for extra time worked but also for the extra risks healthcare workers (and those working in healthcare settings) incur while caring for COVID‐19 patients—and more generally when caring for patients poses them at significantly higher risks than normal. We argue that the extra payment is warranted regardless of whether healthcare workers have a professional obligation to provide such risky healthcare. Payment for risk would meet four essential ethical requirements. First, assuming healthcare workers do not have a professional obligation to take on themselves the risks, payments in the form of incentives would preserve autonomy in deciding what risks to take on oneself. Second, even assuming that healthcare workers do have a professional obligation to take on themselves the risks, payments for risk would create fair working conditions by avoiding exploitation. Third, payments for risk would make it more likely that public healthcare systems can discharge their institutional responsibility to provide healthcare in circumstances where healthcare workers may otherwise (perhaps legitimately) opt out. Fourth, payments for risk would guarantee an efficient healthcare system in pandemic situations. Finally, we address two likely objections that some might raise against our proposal, particularly with regard to incentives, namely that such payments or incentives can themselves be coercive and that they represent a form of undue inducement.
Reproductive genome editing interventions are therapeutic, sometimes
Authors: Palacios‐González César
Published: February 2021

In this paper I argue that some human reproductive genome editing interventions can be therapeutic in nature, and thus that it is false that all such interventions just create healthy individuals. I do this by showing that the conditions established by a therapy definition are met by certain reproductive genome editing interventions. I then defend this position against two objections: (a) reproductive genome editing interventions do not attain one of the two conditions for something to be a therapy, and (b) some reproductive genome editing interventions are therapeutic but in a nonstandard way. In the Conclusion I call for a more nuanced discussion of the nature of reproductive genome editing interventions.
Measurement bias and error correction in a two‐stage estimation for multilevel IRT models
Authors: Zhang Xue , Wang Chun
Published: February 2021

Among current state‐of‐the‐art estimation methods for multilevel IRT models, the two‐stage divide‐and‐conquer strategy has practical advantages, such as clearer definition of factors, convenience for secondary data analysis, convenience for model calibration and fit evaluation, and avoidance of improper solutions. However, various studies have shown that, under the two‐stage framework, ignoring measurement error in the dependent variable in stage II leads to incorrect statistical inferences. To this end, we proposed a novel method to correct both measurement bias and measurement error of latent trait estimates from stage I in the stage II estimation. In this paper, the HO‐IRT model is considered as the measurement model, and a linear mixed effects model on overall (i.e., higher‐order) abilities is considered as the structural model. The performance of the proposed correction method is illustrated and compared via a simulation study and a real data example using the National Educational Longitudinal Survey data (NELS 88). Results indicate that structural parameters can be recovered better after correcting measurement biases and errors.
Lamellarin 14, a derivative of marine alkaloids, inhibits the T790M/C797S mutant epidermal growth factor receptor
Authors: Nishiya Naoyuki , Oku Yusuke , Ishikawa Chie , Fukuda Tsutomu , Dan Shingo , Mashima Tetsuo , Ushijima Masaru , Furukawa Yoko , Sasaki Yuka , Otsu Keishi , Sakyo Tomoko , Abe Masanori , Yonezawa Honami , Ishibashi Fumito , Matsuura Masaaki , Tomida Akihiro , Seimiya Hiroyuki , Yamori Takao , Iwao Masatomo , Uehara Yoshimasa
Published: February 2021

The emergence of acquired resistance is a major concern associated with molecularly targeted kinase inhibitors. The C797S mutation in the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) confers resistance to osimertinib, a third‐generation EGFR‐tyrosine kinase inhibitor (EGFR‐TKI). We report that the derivatization of the marine alkaloid topoisomerase inhibitor lamellarin N provides a structurally new class of EGFR‐TKIs. One of these, lamellarin 14, is effective against the C797S mutant EGFR. Bioinformatic analyses revealed that the derivatization transformed the topoisomerase inhibitor‐like biological activity of lamellarin N into kinase inhibitor‐like activity. Ba/F3 and PC‐9 cells expressing the EGFR in‐frame deletion within exon 19 (del ex19)/T790M/C797S triple‐mutant were sensitive to lamellarin 14 in a dose range similar to the effective dose for cells expressing EGFR del ex19 or del ex19/T790M. Lamellarin 14 decreased the autophosphorylation of EGFR and the downstream signaling in the triple‐mutant EGFR PC‐9 cells. Furthermore, intraperitoneal administration of 10 mg/kg lamellarin 14 for 17 days suppressed tumor growth of the triple‐mutant EGFR PC‐9 cells in a mouse xenograft model using BALB/c nu/nu mice. Thus, lamellarin 14 serves as a novel structural backbone for an EGFR‐TKI that prevents the development of cross‐resistance against known drugs in this class.
Advanced colorectal cancer subtypes (aCRCS) help select oxaliplatin‐based or irinotecan‐based therapy for colorectal cancer
Authors: Takahashi Shin , Sakamoto Yasuhiro , Denda Tadamichi , Takashima Atsuo , Komatsu Yoshito , Nakamura Masato , Ohori Hisatsugu , Yamaguchi Tatsuro , Kobayashi Yoshimitsu , Baba Hideo , Kotake Masanori , Amagai Kenji , Kondo Hitoshi , Shimada Ken , Sato Atsushi , Yuki Satoshi , Okita Akira , Ouchi Kota , Komine Keigo , Watanabe Mika , Morita Satoshi , Ishioka Chikashi
Published: February 2021

Oxaliplatin (OX) and irinotecan (IRI) are used as key drugs for the first‐line treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). However, no biomarkers have been identified to decide which of the drugs is initially used. In this translational research (TR) of the TRICOLORE trial, the advanced colorectal cancer subtype (aCRCS) was analyzed as a potential biomarker for the selection of OX or IRI. We collected 335 (68.8%) formalin‐fixed, paraffin‐embedded (FFPE) primary tumor specimens from 487 patients registered in the TRICOLORE trial and performed direct sequencing and immunohistochemical staining of CRC‐related genes, comprehensive gene‐expression analysis, and genome‐wide methylation analysis. The progression‐free survival (PFS) of the IRI group was significantly better compared with the OX group in BRAF wild‐type (WT), PTEN‐positive, and aCRCS A1 patients. Among the molecular factors, aCRCS were only associated with the PFS of OX and IRI groups. The PFS of the IRI group was significantly better compared with the OX group in aCRCS A1 + B1 (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.58; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.41‐0.82; P = .0023). In contrast, the OX group had better PFS compared with the IRI group in aCRCS B2, although this was not statistically significant (HR = 1.66; 95% CI = 0.94‐2.96; P = .083). Nearly half of patients with mCRC (46.8%, aCRCS A1 + B1) respond well to IRI, while only about 18.5% (aCRCS B2) of patients with mCRC responded well to OX. In conclusion, the aCRCS might be a predictive factor for the clinical outcomes of OX‐based and IRI‐based therapies.
Outdoor pollen‐related changes in lung function and markers of airway inflammation: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Idrose Nur Sabrina , Walters E. Haydn , Zhang Jingwen , Vicendese Don , Newbigin Ed J. , Douglass Jo A. , Erbas Bircan , Lowe Adrian J. , Perret Jennifer L. , Lodge Caroline J. , Dharmage Shyamali C.
Published: February 2021

Background

Experimental challenge studies have shown that pollen can have early and delayed effects on the lungs and airways. Here, we qualitatively and quantitatively synthesize the evidence of outdoor pollen exposure on various lung function and airway inflammation markers in community‐based studies.

Methods

Four online databases were searched: Medline, Web of Science, CINAHL and Google Scholar. The search strategy included terms relating to both exposure and outcomes. Inclusion criteria were human‐based studies published in English that were representative of the community. Additionally, we only considered cross‐sectional or short‐term longitudinal studies which investigated pollen exposure by levels or season. Study quality assessment was performed using the Newcastle‐Ottawa scale. Meta‐analysis was conducted using random‐effects models.

Results

We included 27 of 6551 studies identified from the search. Qualitative synthesis indicated associations between pollen exposure and predominantly type‐2 inflammation in both the upper and lower airways, but little evidence for lung function changes. People with ever asthma and/or seasonal allergic rhinitis (SAR) were at higher risk of such airway inflammation. Meta‐analysis confirmed a positive relationship between pollen season, eosinophilia and eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) in people with ever SAR but the results between studies were highly variable. Heterogeneity was reduced after further subgrouping by age, and the forest plots indicated that eosinophilic airway inflammation to outdoor pollen exposure increased with age.

Conclusion

Among people with ever asthma and ever SAR, exposure to increased ambient pollen triggers type‐2 upper and lower airway inflammation rather than a non‐specific or innate inflammation. These findings can lead to the formulation of specific pollen immunotherapy for susceptible individuals. Future research should be directed towards investigating lagged associations and effect modifications using larger and more generalized populations.

Systematic review registration

CRD42020146981 (PROSPERO).
Predictability of ab‐interno trabeculectomy success in the subsequent eye: A contralateral eye comparison study
Authors: Kiessling David , Rennings Corinna , Hild Matthias , Lappas Alexandra , Dietlein Thomas S. , Roessler Gernot F. , Widder Randolf A.
Published: February 2021

Background

To determine whether the outcome of the first eye may serve as a predictor for intraocular pressure (IOP)‐lowering effectiveness in the second eye following bilateral ab interno trabeculectomy.

Methods

This retrospective single‐centre study included 168 eyes from 84 participants, who underwent combined Trabectome surgery with phacoemulsification cataract surgery in a hospital setting. The clinical endpoint was defined as either ‘success’ or ‘failure’ based on four separate scores at the longest follow‐up time point: IOP at follow‐up <21 mm Hg (Score A) or IOP < 18 mm Hg (Score B), without re‐surgery and IOP reduction >20%; IOP ≤15 mm Hg without re‐surgery and IOP reduction ≥40% (Score C); and the sole absence of re‐surgery according to the discretion of the surgeon (Score D).

Results

No significant difference was observed between the outcomes of first and second eyes. The frequency of success in the second eye after effective surgery in the first eye significantly exceeded that after prior failure. Within our analysis, the probability calculations determined a 75% chance of success following prior success for Score A. If surgery in the first eye failed, the chance of success in the subsequent eye was 37%. The corresponding probabilities were 79% and 32% for Score B, 56% and 9% for Score C, and 99% and 50% for Score D.

Conclusion

The results of our study offer a useful tool to assess the success of subsequent eye surgeries based on the outcome in the initial eye, owing to the high predictive potential.
Identifying the possibilities and pitfalls of conducting IUCN Red List assessments from remotely sensed habitat information based on insights from poorly known Cuban mammals
Authors: Duncan Clare , Böhm Monika , Turvey Samuel T.
Published: February 2021

The International Union for Conservation of Nature's Red List of Threatened Species (RLS) is the key global tool for objective, repeatable assessment of species’ extinction risk status, and plays an essential role in tracking biodiversity loss and guiding conservation action. Satellite remote sensing (SRS) data sets on global ecosystem distributions and functioning show exciting potential for informing range‐based RLS assessment, but their incorporation has been restricted by low temporal resolution and coverage of data sets, lack of incorporation of degradation‐driven habitat loss, and noninclusion of assumptions related to identification of changing habitat distributions for taxa with varying habitat dependency and ecologies. For poorly known mangrove‐associated Cuban hutias (Mesocapromysspp.), we tested the impact of possible assumptions regarding these issues on range‐based RLS assessment outcomes. Specifically, we used annual (1985–2018) Landsat data and land‐cover classification and habitat degradation analyses across different internal time series slices to simulate range‐based RLS assessments for our case study taxa to explore potential assessment uncertainty arising from temporal SRS data set coverage, incorporating proxies of (change in) habitat quality, and assumptions on spatial scaling of habitat extent for RLS parameter generation. We found extensive variation in simulated species‐specific range‐based RLS assessments, and this variation was mostly associated with the time series over which parameters were estimated. However, results of some species‐specific assessments differed by up to 3 categories (near threatened to critically endangered) within the same time series, due to the effects of incorporating habitat quality and the spatial scaling used in RLS parameter estimation. Our results showed that a one‐size‐fits‐all approach to incorporating SRS information in RLS assessment is inappropriate, and we urge caution in conducting range‐based assessments with SRS for species for which habitat dependence on specific ecosystem types is incompletely understood. We propose novel revisions to parameter spatial scaling guidelines to improve integration of existing time series data on ecosystem change into the RLS assessment process.
Monitoring of C‐reactive protein decreases length of stay after laparoscopic total mesorectal excision for cancer: a prospective case‐matched study in 236 patients
Authors: Cazelles Antoine , Giacca Massimo , Monsinjon Marie , Hain Elisabeth , Frontali Alice , Panis Yves
Published: February 2021

Aim

The aim of this study was to evaluate a discharge strategy driven by monitoring of C‐reactive protein (CRP) in a homogeneous group of patients undergoing laparoscopic total mesorectal excision with sphincter‐saving surgery for rectal cancer (TME).

Method

One hundred and thirteen patients who underwent a TME had CRP monitoring on postoperative day (POD) 5. Patients were discharged on POD 6 if the CRP level was ≤100 mg/L. Patients were matched (according to age, gender, body mass index, neoadjuvant pelvic irradiation and type of anastomosis) to 123 control patients who underwent the same operation with the same postoperative care but without CRP monitoring.

Results

Postoperative 3‐month overall [CRP group 62/113 (55%) vs controls 73/123 (59%); p = 0.487] and severe (i.e. Clavien–Dindo grade 3 and above) [CRP group 17/113 (15%) vs controls 19/123 (15%); p = 0.931] morbidity rates were similar between groups. Mean length of hospital stay (LHS) was significantly shorter in the CRP group (CRP group 9.7 ± 14 days vs controls 11.6 ± 7 days; p < 0.001). Discharge occurred on POD 6 in 55/113 (49%) patients from the CRP group vs 7/123 (6%) from the control group (p < 0.001). The rehospitalization rate [CRP group 19/113 (17%) vs controls 13/123 (11%); p = 0.177] was similar between groups. The CRP level on POD 5 had a diagnostic property to assess an anastomotic leakage with an area under the curve of 0.81.

Conclusion

In patients who underwent TME, a discharge strategy based on CRP monitoring significantly decreased LHS without increasing morbidity, mortality or rehospitalization rates.
On the effects of antitrust policy intervention in pricing strategies in a distribution channel
Authors: Yenipazarli Arda
Published: February 2021

In this article, we examine the economic and welfare ramifications of antitrust policy intervention in primary‐ and secondary‐line price discrimination in a distribution channel where downstream retailers are vertically related through a strategic upstream manufacturer. Particularly, we focus on a distribution channel where a manufacturer sells his product through retailers in two asymmetric markets. The markets are asymmetric along two dimensions: One exhibits a higher demand/profit potential than does the other; and one is a competitive market where two retailers engage in imperfect price competition, whereas the other is a captive market monopolized by one of the retailers. We characterize the effect of antitrust policy intervention in each form of third‐degree price discrimination on the pricing and selling mechanisms of channel members, consumers, and the channel profits (and hence on the total welfare) for varying degrees of asymmetry on demand potential between the two markets and the extent of product substitutability. We show that under practical demand and competition conditions, contrary to prior literature, antitrust policy intervention in secondary‐line discrimination always benefits the local retailer (the disfavored customer of the manufacturer) and yet is apt to result in a lose–win or lose–lose outcome in addition to a win–win outcome for the channel and society. Second, antitrust policy intervention in primary‐line discrimination so as to protect a localized retailer from the selective price cuts of a chain‐store retailer (rather than to protect competition) can actually result in a win–win outcome. Third, in the absence of antitrust policy intervention, consumers are always harmed by (discriminatory) pricing practices employed in a channel. Those and other findings contribute to the intense debate over the merits and goals of antitrust policy intervention in third‐degree price discrimination in distribution channels by shedding some light on the contractual relationships between manufacturers and retailers and economic forces at play.
Who aspires to higher education? Axes of inequality, values of education and higher education aspirations in secondary schools in Luxembourg and the Swiss Canton of Bern
Authors: Hadjar Andreas , Scharf Jan , Hascher Tina
Published: February 2021

This article reports a study that investigated secondary school students’ higher education aspirations (towards university studies, ISCED 6 and above) and how these differ between student groups as well as how these are impacted by values of education. Panel data of more than 300 secondary school students in two countries, Luxembourg and Switzerland (the Swiss Canton of Bern) was analysed. Schools are structured differently in the education systems of Luxembourg and the Swiss Canton of Bern. The results of our analysis show that students in the Luxembourgish sample more often aspire to higher education than in the Swiss sample. Disparities in higher education aspirations were also more pronounced in the Luxembourgish sample, boys and students from families of low socio‐economic status (SES) were less likely to aspire to higher education. While the effects of values of education are generally scarce, stimulation in terms of anticipated enjoyment and interest derived from participation in higher education seems to have a positive effect on higher education aspirations.