bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Addressing the need for patient-friendly medical communications: adaptation of the 2019 recommendations for the management of MPS VI and MPS IVA
Authors: Bruce Iain A. , Ezgü Fatih S. , Kampmann Christoph , Kenis Vladimir , Mackenzie William , Stevens Bob , Walker Robert , Hendriksz Christian
Published: March 2022

Background

Patients are the most important stakeholders in the care of any disease and have an educational need to learn about their condition and the treatment they should receive. Considering this need for patient-focused materials, we present a directed approach for mucopolysaccharidosis (MPS) VI and MPS IVA, a pair of rare, inherited diseases that affects multiple organs and parts of the body. Independent guidelines on the treatment of these diseases were recently published, providing evidence- and expertise-driven recommendations to optimize patient management. However, while healthcare providers may have the training and knowledge to understand these guidelines, patients and their caregivers can find the technical content challenging. Hence, we aimed to develop plain language summaries (PLS) of the MPS VI and MPS IVA guidelines with patients as the primary audience.

Results

A review of the guidelines by an expert team identified six domains of information relevant to patients: The multidisciplinary team, regular tests and check-ups, disease-modifying and supportive treatments, general anesthetics, ear-nose-throat/respiratory care, and surgeries. This information was adapted into a series of infographics specific to either MPS VI or MPS IVA, designed to appeal to patients and clearly present information in a concise manner.

Conclusions

The use of patient-friendly materials, like the infographics we have developed, has the potential to better inform patients and engage them in their care. We issue a “call to arms” to the medical community for the development of similar PLS materials in rare diseases intended to inform and empower patients.
Arginase 1 Deficiency: using genetic databases as a tool to establish global prevalence
Authors: Catsburg C. , Anderson S. , Upadhyaya N. , Bechter M.
Published: March 2022

Background/objective

Arginase 1 Deficiency (ARG1-D) is a rare inherited metabolic disease with progressive, devastating neurological manifestations with early mortality and high unmet need. Information on prevalence is scarce and highly variable due to limited newborn screening (NBS) availability, variability of arginine levels in the first days of life, and high rates of misdiagnosis. US birth prevalence was recently estimated via indirect methods at 1.1 cases per million live births. Due to the autosomal recessive nature of ARG1-D we hypothesize that the global prevalence may be more accurately estimated using genetic population databases.

Methods

MEDLINE and EMBASE were systematically searched for previously reported disease variants. Disease variants in ARG1-D were annotated wherever possible with allele frequencies from gnomAD. Ethnicity-specific prevalence was calculated using the Hardy–Weinberg equation and applied to generate country-specific carrier frequencies for 38 countries. Finally, documented consanguinity rates were applied to establish a birth prevalence for each country.

Results

133 of 228 (58%) known causative alleles were annotated with ethnic-specific frequencies. Global birth prevalence for ARG1-D was estimated at 2.8 cases per million live births (country-specific estimates ranged from 0.92 to 17.5) and population prevalence to be 1.4 cases per million people (approximately 1/726,000 people). Birth prevalence estimates were dependent on population demographics and consanguinity rate.

Conclusion

Birth prevalence of ARG1-D based on genetic database analysis was estimated to be more frequent than previous NBS studies have indicated. There was a higher degree of confidence in North American and European countries due to availability of genetic databases and mutational analysis versus other regions. These findings suggest the need for greater disease education around signs and manifestations of ARG1-D, as well as more widespread testing and standardization of screening for this severe disease in order to appropriately identify patients prior to disease progression.
An unusual cause of failure in Zenith Alpha Abdominal endograft
Authors: Berchiolli Raffaella N. , Marconi Michele , Bargellini Irene , Bertagna Giulia , Adami Daniele , Mocellin Davide M. , Cioni Roberto , Ferrari Mauro , Troisi Nicola
Published: March 2022

Background

Graft disruption is an unusual complication of the endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR).

Case presentation

A 71-year-old man underwent standard EVAR with Zenith Alpha Abdominal endograft. Follow-up examinations revealed an initial significant sac shrinkage. At 24 months, duplex ultrasound (DUS) scan and computed tomography showed increase of the sac diameter associated with complete disconnection of the suprarenal stent-graft from the main body without evidence of endoleak. A standard relining with a thoracic endograft was performed between the suprarenal stent and the main body of the previous graft. At 6 months DUS revealed sac shrinkage.

Conclusions

This report demonstrates an uncommon cause of endograft failure with suprarenal stent disconnection from main body and highlights the need for continuous follow-up in patients undergoing EVAR.
Development and application of “Special defibrillator for teaching and training”
Authors: Xing Liping , Wu Shujing , Zhong Xuemei , Duan Zhisheng , Wang Fengzhen , Liu Zhiyou , Nie Liang , Xie Hongying
Published: March 2022

Background

To provide an economical and practical defibrillator for first aid teaching and training, to reduce the cost of teaching and training, increase teaching and training equipment, provide trainees with more hands-on training sessions, and improve first aid capabilities.

Methods

Developing a special teaching defibrillator with the same structure and operation configuration as the clinical medical emergency defibrillator. The appearance, structure and operating accessories of the two defibrillators are the same. The difference between the defibrillator and the clinical medical emergency defibrillator are as follows: the clinical medical emergency defibrillator can be energized, and there are expensive electronic accessories and defibrillation accessories for charging and discharging in the machine. When discharging, the electrode plate has current discharged into the human body; the power plug of the “special defibrillator for teaching and training” is a fake plug. When the power is plugged in, no current enters the body and the machine. There are no expensive electronic accessories and defibrillation accessories for charging and discharging, and no current is discharged during discharge. Then compare the teaching effect of the special defibrillator for teaching and training and the clinical medical emergency defibrillator (including operation score and attitude after training).

Results

The scores of defibrillator operation in the experimental group of junior college students (87.77 ± 4.11 vs. 83.30 ± 4.56, P < 0.001) and the experimental group of undergraduate students (90.40 ± 3.67 vs. 89.12 ± 3.68, P = 0.011) were higher than those in the corresponding control group; The attitude of junior college students in the experimental group and undergraduate students in the experimental group after training was more positive than that of the corresponding control group (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

The special defibrillator for teaching and training can save the purchase cost of teaching equipment, increase teaching and training resources, and improve the trainee’s defibrillation ability, defibrillation confidence and defibrillation security.
Targeting PD-1/PD-L1 pathway in myelodysplastic syndromes and acute myeloid leukemia
Authors: Yang Xingcheng , Ma Ling , Zhang Xiaoying , Huang Liang , Wei Jia
Published: March 2022

Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML) are clonal hematopoietic stem cell diseases arising from the bone marrow (BM), and approximately 30% of MDS eventually progress to AML, associated with increasingly aggressive neoplastic hematopoietic clones and poor survival. Dysregulated immune microenvironment has been recognized as a key pathogenic driver of MDS and AML, causing high rate of intramedullary apoptosis in lower-risk MDS to immunosuppression in higher-risk MDS and AML. Immune checkpoint molecules, including programmed cell death-1 (PD-1) and programmed cell death ligand-1 (PD-L1), play important roles in oncogenesis by maintaining an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. Recently, both molecules have been examined in MDS and AML. Abnormal inflammatory signaling, genetic and/or epigenetic alterations, interactions between cells, and treatment of patients all have been involved in dysregulating PD-1/PD-L1 signaling in these two diseases. Furthermore, with the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway activated in immune microenvironment, the milieu of BM shift to immunosuppressive, contributing to a clonal evolution of blasts. Nevertheless, numerous preclinical studies have suggested a potential response of patients to PD-1/PD-L1 blocker. Current clinical trials employing these drugs in MDS and AML have reported mixed clinical responses. In this paper, we focus on the recent preclinical advances of the PD-1/PD-L1 signaling in MDS and AML, and available and ongoing outcomes of PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitor in patients. We also discuss the novel PD-1/PD-L1 blocker-based immunotherapeutic strategies and challenges, including identifying reliable biomarkers, determining settings, and exploring optimal combination therapies.
Squamous cell carcinoma around a subperiosteal implant in the maxilla and the association of chronic mechanical irritation and peri-implantitis: a case report
Authors: Watanabe Takuma , Kawahara Dai , Inoue Ryo , Kato Tomoki , Ishihara Noboru , Kamiya Hidemichi , Bessho Kazuhisa
Published: March 2022

Background

As carcinogenic risk factors, environmental factors can be classified into physical, biological, and chemical factors. Subperiosteal implants (SIs) are associated with complications, such as framework exposure, infection, and fistula formation. A current hypothesis suggests that chronic mechanical irritation could be a co-factor in carcinogenesis, while peri-implantitis might be an initiating or promoting agent in the development of oral mucosal cancer. Herein, we report a case of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) around a maxillary SI associated with chronic mechanical irritation and peri-implantitis as physical and biological factors, respectively.

Case presentation

A 74-year-old male patient presented with severe mobility of the SI and an undermined ulcer with induration, accompanied by a palatal fistula and the exposure of the metal framework. The SI had been placed on the maxilla for the occlusal reconstruction of the molar area 20 years ago. An incisional biopsy of the ulcer revealed SCC (cT4aN2cM0). Neoadjuvant chemotherapy was initiated, followed by bilateral neck dissection and partial resection of the maxilla with SI removal. Energy-dispersive X-ray analysis suggested that the SI was fabricated using pure titanium, and titanium was absent in the specimen. Scanning electron microscopy of the SI in contact with the SCC showed a few microcracks, suggesting pitting corrosion.

Discussion

Chronic mechanical irritation due to the mobility of an improperly designed SI can be a physical factor, and prolonged peri-implantitis without regular maintenance can be a biological factor in carcinogenesis. Improperly designed main struts and a large masticatory force in the molar area resulted in deterioration of the retention and mobility of the SI. The screw and framework frequently moved on mastication and came in direct contact with the ulcer as chronic mechanical irritation. Bacterial invasion into the subperiosteal space expanded by the mobility of the metal framework led to peri-implantitis. The influence of chemical factors was considered relatively small in this case since the patient had no history of smoking or drinking, and titanium was absent in the specimen. Therefore, it is conceivable that SCC can arise owing to persistent inflammation caused by chronic mechanical irritation and peri-implantitis as physical and biological factors, respectively.
Higher dental care is positively associated with key prognosis factors in peritoneal dialysis patients: findings from a retrospective study
Authors: Hiramatsu Takeyuki , Okumura Shota , Iguchi Daiki , Kojima Hiroshi
Published: March 2022

Background

Oral disease may be increased in people with end-stage renal disease and associated with inflammation, cardiovascular disease, and mortality. Moreover, oral disease may be essential to decide the prognosis of peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients. However, only a few reports have explored the effects of dental care (DC) on cardiovascular diseases and mortality in PD patients. Thus, we aimed to investigate the association of DC with the prognosis of PD patients.

Methods

In this single-center, retrospective study, we enrolled 165 incident PD patients aged ≥ 20 years. We classified patients based on their dental care score, assessed using a self-reported questionnaire into the better dental care group (Group A, score ≥ 7) or the worse dental care group (Group B, score < 7). Demographic, clinical, hospitalization, hospital admission, comorbidities (including congestive heart failure, acute coronary syndrome, stroke, peripheral artery disease, and pneumonia), and mortality (including specific causes) data were extracted from the patient’s medical records. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA, Wilcoxon t-test, Kruskal–Wallis, Mann–Whitney U-test, chi-square test, Fisher’s exact test and multiple regression when appropriate. We compared the survival distributions among groups using the long-rank test.

Results

Of the 165 patients, 75 were allocated to group A and 90 to group B. PD patients with better dental care (group A) had significantly lower levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) and higher levels of serum albumin compared to PD patients with worse dental care (group B). Hospital admissions due to congestive heart failure, acute coronary syndrome, pneumonia, and peritonitis were also lower in group A than group B. Mortality rates due to congestive heart failure, acute coronary syndrome, pneumonia, and sepsis were lower in group A than in group B.

Conclusions

The study highlights the importance of good dental care, particularly for PD patients. Nephrologists and dental professions should design and implement oral health education strategies to improve PD patients’ dental care.
Grandparents in Italy: trends and changes in the demography of grandparenthood from 1998 to 2016
Authors: Cisotto Elisa , Meli Eleonora , Cavrini Giulia
Published: March 2022

In this article, we explore the last two decades of changes in the demography of grandparenthood in Italy, by means of a set of measures: the proportion of men and women becoming grandparents by age and time, the age at transition to grandparenthood and its crossing with a set of life events and the length of grandparenthood. We used data from the four waves of the Survey on Family and Social Subjects carried out by the Italian National Institute of Statistics in 1998, 2003, 2009 and 2016. Overall, the median age at which half of the population over 35 is made up of grandparents moved forward by at least 5 years during the two observed decades. The postponement of grandparenthood is evident in middle age: between 55 and 64 the ratio of grandparents to non-grandparents decreased significantly by about 10%. Overall, among people who had ever had children, the median age at the transition to grandparenthood advanced by three years from 1998 to 2016, both for men (59 to 62) and women (54 to 57). This difference is greater than that observed for age at parenthood and equal to the advantage gained in terms of life expectancy at age 60. Thus, despite increasing life expectancy, because of the postponement of grandparenthood, the shared period of life for grandparents and grandchildren has not increased, but rather remained stable.
The interactive functional biases of manual, language and attention systems
Authors: Serrien Deborah J. , O’Regan Louise
Published: March 2022

Hemispheric lateralisation is a fundamental principle of functional brain organisation. We studied two core cognitive functions—language and visuospatial attention—that typically lateralise in opposite cerebral hemispheres. In this work, we tested both left- and right-handed participants on lexical decision-making as well as on symmetry detection by means of a visual half-field paradigm with various target–distractor combinations simultaneously presented to opposite visual fields. Laterality indexes were analysed using a behavioural metrics in single individuals as well as between individuals. We observed that lateralisation of language and visuospatial attention as well as their relationship generally followed a left–right profile, albeit with differences as a function of handedness and target–distractor combination. In particular, right-handed individuals tended towards a typical pattern whereas left-handed individuals demonstrated increased individual variation and atypical organisation. That the atypical variants varied as a function of target–distractor combination and thus interhemispheric communication underlines its dynamic role in characterising lateralisation properties. The data further revealed distinctive relationships between right-handedness and left-hemispheric dominance for language together with right-hemispheric dominance for visuospatial processing. Overall, these findings illustrate the role of broader mechanisms in supporting hemispheric lateralisation of cognition and behaviour, relying on common principles but controlled by internal and external factors.
Public perceptions of predictive testing for rheumatoid arthritis compared to breast cancer and early-onset Alzheimer’s disease: a qualitative study
Authors: Singhal Juhi , Wells Imogen , Simons Gwenda , Wöhlke Sabine , Raza Karim , Falahee Marie
Published: March 2022

Background

There is increasing research focus on prediction and prevention of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Information about risk of RA is increasingly available via direct-to-consumer testing. However, there is limited understanding of public perceptions around predictive testing for RA. This study explores public perceptions of predictive testing for RA in comparison to breast cancer (BC) and early-onset Alzheimer’s disease (AD).

Methods

Four focus groups with 21 members of the public were conducted using hypothetical vignettes about predictive testing for each disease. Transcripts of focus group proceedings were analysed inductively using thematic analysis.

Results

Thematic analysis of the data produced three key themes: decision-making factors, consequences, and consumer needs. Factors suggested that might influence decision-making about predictive testing included family history, fear, and perceived severity and treatability of the illness. RA was perceived to be less severe and more treatable than BC/AD. Potential consequences of predictive testing across all diseases included lifestyle modification, planning for the future and discrimination by employers or insurers. Predictive testing for RA was perceived to have less potential for negative psychological consequences than other diseases. Participants highlighted that individuals undertaking predictive testing should be signposted to appropriate support services and receive information on the accuracy of predictive testing. It was suggested that strategies to mitigate concerns regarding communication and confidentiality of risk results are required.

Conclusions

The findings of this study reflect public misunderstandings regarding RA that may impact the uptake of and responses to predictive testing, and key informational needs of individuals considering a predictive test. Predictive strategies should be accompanied by awareness-raising initiatives and informational resources.
Wavelet estimation and nonstretching NMO correction
Authors: Sheng Hanlin , Wu Xinming , Zhang Bo
Published: March 2022

Normal-moveout (NMO) correction is an important step applied to common-midpoint (CMP) gathers for subsequent stacking. However, conventional NMO correction methods often suffer from the problem of NMO stretching, which nonlinearly increases with offsets and decreases with zero-offset traveltime. The NMO stretching can be quantified by frequency distortion, so stretching is confined mainly to large offsets and shallow times. To solve this problem, we have proposed a wavelet-based method with the following four steps. First, we estimate a wavelet from the CMP gather by using the NMO stretching appearing in the conventional NMO correction. Second, we deconvolve the original CMP gather based on the estimated wavelet. This step of removing the wavelet from the CMP gather is helpful for the next steps of NMO velocity scan and NMO correction. Third, we apply an improved NMO correction to the deconvolved CMP gather and obtain flattened reflectivities. Finally, we convolve the flattened and deconvolved gather with the estimated wavelet back to obtain an NMO-corrected gather without stretching artifacts. In our method, by using a deconvolved CMP gather, we are able to calculate a high-resolution semblance velocity spectrum that benefits from the NMO velocity picking. In addition, applying the NMO correction to the deconvolved CMP gather, instead of the original gather, is helpful in reducing the NMO stretching related to the wavelet distortion. Tests on synthetic and field data find that our new NMO correction method can estimate an accurate seismic wavelet and obtain an NMO-corrected gather without NMO stretching. Reducing the NMO stretching can significantly improve the resolution of shallow layers at far offsets and preserve the spectral bandwidth.
Continuity and Change in U.S. Children's Family Composition, 1968–2017
Authors: Fomby Paula , Johnson David S.
Published: March 2022

We document changes in U.S. children's family household composition from 1968 to 2017 with regard to the number and types of kin that children lived with and the frequency of family members' household entrances and departures. Data are from the U.S. Panel Study of Income Dynamics (N = 30,412). Children experienced three decades of increasing instability and diversification in household membership, arriving at a state of “stable complexity” in the most recent decade. Stable complexity is distinguished by a decline in the number of coresident parents; a higher number of stepparents, grandparents, and other relatives in children's households; and less turnover in household membership compared with prior decades, including fewer sibling departures. College-educated households with children were consistently the most stable and least diverse. On several dimensions, household composition has become increasingly similar for non-Hispanic Black and White children. Children in Hispanic households are distinct in having larger family sizes and more expected household entrances and departures by coresident kin.
Scaling of maneuvering performance in baleen whales: larger whales outperform expectations
Authors: Segre Paolo S. , Gough William T. , Roualdes Edward A. , Cade David E. , Czapanskiy Max F. , Fahlbusch James , Kahane-Rapport Shirel R. , Oestreich William K. , Bejder Lars , Bierlich K. C. , Burrows Julia A. , Calambokidis John , Chenoweth Ellen M. , di Clemente Jacopo , Durban John W. , Fearnbach Holly , Fish Frank E. , Friedlaender Ari S. , Hegelund Peter , Johnston David W. , Nowacek Douglas P. , Oudejans Machiel G. , Penry Gwenith S. , Potvin Jean , Simon Malene , Stanworth Andrew , Straley Janice M. , Szabo Andrew , Videsen Simone K. A. , Visser Fleur , Weir Caroline R. , Wiley David N. , Goldbogen Jeremy A.
Published: March 2022

Despite their enormous size, whales make their living as voracious predators. To catch their much smaller, more maneuverable prey, they have developed several unique locomotor strategies that require high energetic input, high mechanical power output and a surprising degree of agility. To better understand how body size affects maneuverability at the largest scale, we used bio-logging data, aerial photogrammetry and a high-throughput approach to quantify the maneuvering performance of seven species of free-swimming baleen whale. We found that as body size increases, absolute maneuvering performance decreases: larger whales use lower accelerations and perform slower pitch-changes, rolls and turns than smaller species. We also found that baleen whales exhibit positive allometry of maneuvering performance: relative to their body size, larger whales use higher accelerations, and perform faster pitch-changes, rolls and certain types of turns than smaller species. However, not all maneuvers were impacted by body size in the same way, and we found that larger whales behaviorally adjust for their decreased agility by using turns that they can perform more effectively. The positive allometry of maneuvering performance suggests that large whales have compensated for their increased body size by evolving more effective control surfaces and by preferentially selecting maneuvers that play to their strengths.
Developments in functional imaging of the placenta
Authors: Clark Alys , Flouri Dimitra , Mufti Nada , James Joanna , Clements Eleanor , Aughwane Rosalind , Aertsen Michael , David Anna , Melbourne Andrew
Published: March 2022

The placenta is both the literal and metaphorical black box of pregnancy. Measurement of the function of the placenta has the potential to enhance our understanding of this enigmatic organ and serve to support obstetric decision making. Advanced imaging techniques are key to support these measurements. This review summarises emerging imaging technology being used to measure the function of the placenta and new developments in the computational analysis of these data. We address three important examples where functional imaging is supporting our understanding of these conditions: fetal growth restriction, placenta accreta, and twin-twin transfusion syndrome.
Correlated sequence signatures are present within the genomic 5′UTR RNA and NSP1 protein in coronaviruses
Authors: Sosnowski Piotr , Tidu Antonin , Eriani Gilbert , Westhof Eric , Martin Franck
Published: March 2022

The 5′UTR part of coronavirus genomes plays key roles in the viral replication cycle and translation of viral mRNAs. The first 75–80 nt, also called the leader sequence, are identical for genomic mRNA and subgenomic mRNAs. Recently, it was shown that cooperative actions of a 5′UTR segment and the nonstructural protein NSP1 are essential for both the inhibition of host mRNAs and for specific translation of viral mRNAs. Here, sequence analyses of both the 5′UTR RNA segment and the NSP1 protein have been done for several coronaviruses, with special attention to the betacoronaviruses. The conclusions are: (i) precise specific molecular signatures can be found in both the RNA and the NSP1 protein; (ii) both types of signatures correlate between each other. Indeed, definite sequence motifs in the RNA correlate with sequence motifs in the protein, indicating a coevolution between the 5′UTR and NSP1 in betacoronaviruses. Experimental mutational data on 5′UTR and NSP1 from SARS-CoV-2 using cell-free translation extracts support these conclusions and show that some conserved key residues in the amino-terminal half of the NSP1 protein are essential for evasion to the inhibitory effect of NSP1 on translation.
The association between FOXO3a rs4946936 gene polymorphism and the levels of FOXO3a among chronic granulocytic leukemia patients treated with imatinib mesylate
Authors: Wardhani Shinta Oktya , Susianti Hani , Rahayu Puji , Yueniwati Yuyun Prabowowati , Fajar Jonny Karunia
Published: March 2022

Background: The gene FOXO3a has been elucidated to govern the development of chronic granulocytic leukemia (CGL). Moreover, it has been suggested that the levels of FOXO3a in circulation are affected by the FOXO3a rs4946936 gene polymorphism. However, no study has assessed the correlation between the FOXO3a rs4946936 gene polymorphism and the levels of FOXO3a. The objective of this study was to assess the association between the FOXO3a rs4946936 gene polymorphism and the levels of FOXO3a in CGL patients treated with imatinib mesylate. 

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from February 2019 to February 2020. The genotyping of FOXO3a rs4946936 gene polymorphism was conducted using PCR-RFLP, and the levels of FOXO3a were assessed using ELISA. The association between the FOXO3a rs4946936 gene polymorphism and the levels of FOXO3a were assessed using multiple logistic regression. 

Results: A total of 60 CGL patients were assessed in our study. Among them, the CC, CT, and TT genotypes of the FOXO3a rs4946936 gene polymorphism were 35.0%, 48.3%, and 16.7% respectively. Our calculation revealed that elevated levels of FOXO3a were found in CGL patients with the CC genotype of the FOXO3a rs4946936 gene polymorphism. While we failed to clarify the association between either the CT or the TT genotype of FOXO3a rs4946936 gene polymorphism and the levels of FOXO3a. 

Conclusion: Our study identifies that the CC genotype of the FOXO3a rs4946936 gene polymorphism affects the elevated levels of FOXO3a in CGL patients treated with imatinib mesylate.
Role of English language in agricultural organisations
Authors: Bhar Sareen Kaur , Rafik-Galea Shameem
Published: March 2022

Background – The importance placed on having good English language proficiency and skills to secure employment in Malaysia is a well-known fact. However, very little is known about the role of the English language in multilingual organisations within the agricultural industry in Malaysia. As such, this study aimed to examine the employees’ perception of the use of the English language in a professional context particularly in the Malaysian agricultural and agricultural related sectors.

   

Methods – A concurrent triangulation design was used to quantitatively evaluate the data. A total of 320 questionnaires from employees of 10 agriculture and agriculture related companies were analysed.  Additionally, interviews were also conducted with 10 employers from the human resources department as they provided deep insights into the language matters of the organisations.  

   

Results – The employers and employees agree that English language proficiency has economic value and can play an important role at the workplace, as this skill can influence one’s career path in terms of employability and career progression.  

   

Conclusions - From the standpoint of employees, a more insightful idea on the influence of English on career development in the agricultural industry has been obtained. These findings have implications for learning outcomes of students, education system, and policymakers aspiring for the human capital which is needed for Malaysia to become a high income and developed nation.
The Embassy of Good Science – a community driven initiative to promote ethics and integrity in research
Authors: van Hoof Marc , Evans Natalie , Inguaggiato Giulia , Marušić Ana , Gordijn Bert , Dierickx Kris , van Zeggeren David , Dunnik Harald , Gesinn Alexander , Bouter Lex , Widdershoven Guy ,   EnTIRE and VIRT2UE consortia
Published: March 2022

The Embassy of Good Science (https://www.embassy.science) aims to improve research integrity and research ethics by offering an online, open, 'go-to' platform, which brings together all information on research integrity and research ethics relevant for researchers, and makes that information accessible, understandable, and appealing. It effectively organizes and describes research integrity and research ethics guidelines, educational materials, cases, and scenarios. The Embassy is wiki-based, allowing users to add -- when logged in with their ORCID researcher id -- new information, and update and refine existing information. The platform also makes the research integrity and research ethics community visible and accessible in pages dedicated to relevant initiatives, news and events. Therefore, the Embassy enables researchers to find useful guidance, rules and tools to conduct research responsibly. The platform empowers researchers through increased knowledge and awareness, and through the support of the research integrity and research ethics community. In this article we will discuss the background of this new platform, the way in which it is organized, and how users can contribute.
Sulfate-chloride sodium-magnesium mineral waters modulate neuroendocrine-immune complex and metabolism in healthy female rats
Authors: Popovych Daria , Badiuk Nataliya , Hrytsak Myroslava , Ruzhylo Sofiya , Mel’nyk Oksana , Zukow Xawery
Published: March 2022

Background. Earlier in an experiment on rats, we showed that newly created sulfate-chloride sodium-magnesium drinking mineral waters of Truskavets’ spa has a significant modulating effect on the parameters of metabolism and the autonomic nervous, endocrine and immune systems. In this study, we combined data obtained on the same animals, in line with the concepts of neuroendocrine-immune complex and functional-metabolic continuum. Materials and Methods. Experiment was performed on 50 healthy female Wistar rats 230-290 g divided into 4 groups. Animals of the first group remained intact, using tap water from drinking ad libitum. Rats of the second (control) group for 6 days administered a single tap water through the tube at a dose of 1,5 mL/100 g of body mass. The rats of the main groups received the water "Myroslava" and "Khrystyna". The object of the study were the metabolic, neuro-endocrine and immune parameters. Results. The method of discriminant analysis revealed 31 parameters, according to which all four groups of animals differ from each other. Classification accuracy is 100%. Conclusion. The newly created sulfate-chloride sodium-magnesium drinking mineral waters of Truskavets’ spa has both similar and specific effects on the neuroendocrine-immune complex and metabolism at healthy old female rats with weekly use. This provides a basis for preclinical studies.
Operational Distortion: Compound Effects of Short-Termism and Competition
Authors: Liu Xiaoyan , Schmidt William
Published: March 2022

Practitioners and academics alike have argued that a firm’s interest in its short-term capital market valuation (short-termism) is harmful to the firm’s long-term profit. Their argument is intuitive—when a firm exhibits short-termism, its decision making will cater to the short term at the expense of the long term. Some practitioners claim that the adverse effects of increased short-termism become particularly acute in competitive markets. However, there is little academic research that examines the compound effect of short-termism and competition on a firm’s operational choices and long-term profit. In this paper, we provide a rigorous analytical model to examine how short-termism and competition can interact to induce a firm to distort its capacity investment and affect its long-term profit. We model a firm that has private information about its market demand, which can be either high or low and is captured by the firm’s type. Signaling this private information can influence both the investor’s valuation and the competitor’s entry decision. We find that operational distortion can emerge not only when short-termism is large, but also when it is small. In fact, when short-termism is sufficiently small, both firm types will distort their operational decision by underinvesting in a pooling outcome. We show, however, that the impact of short-termism on a firm’s long-term profit is not monotonically negative, and a certain level of short-termism can be beneficial to a firm’s long-term profit. The positive impact of incremental short-termism is robust to alternative modeling assumptions, including the form of competition and the investor’s risk profile.

This paper was accepted by Victor Martínez-de-Albéniz, operations management.
Doing Well by Doing Good: Improving Retail Store Performance with Responsible Scheduling Practices at the Gap, Inc.
Authors: Kesavan Saravanan , Lambert Susan J. , Williams Joan C. , Pendem Pradeep K.
Published: March 2022

We estimate the causal effects of responsible scheduling practices on store financial performance at the U.S. retailer Gap, Inc. The randomized field experiment evaluated a multicomponent intervention designed to improve dimensions of work schedules—consistency, predictability, adequacy, and employee control—shown to foster employee well-being. The experiment was conducted in 28 stores in the San Francisco and Chicago metropolitan areas for nine months between November 2015 and August 2016. Intent-to-treat (ITT) analyses indicate that implementing responsible scheduling practices increased store productivity by 5.1%, a result of increasing sales (by 3.3%) and decreasing labor (by 1.8%). Drawing on qualitative interviews with managers and quantitative analyses of employee shift-level data, we offer evidence that the intervention improved financial performance through improved store execution. Our experiment provides evidence that responsible scheduling practices that take worker well-being into account can enhance store productivity by motivating additional employee effort and reducing barriers to employees adhering to the scheduled labor plan.

This paper was accepted by David Simchi-Levi, operations management.

Funding: This research was supported by generous grants from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, the Washington Center for Equitable Growth, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the Institute of International Education in collaboration with the Ford Foundation, the Center for Popular Democracy, the Suzanne M. Nora Johnson and David G. Johnson Foundation, and Gap, Inc.

Supplemental Material: The data files and online appendix are available at https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2021.4291 .
The Impact of Social Investing on Charitable Donations
Authors: An Jake , Briley Donnel , Danziger Shai , Levi Shai
Published: March 2022

We examine the impact of social investing on charitable donations using a unique data set consisting of investment behaviors and donation transactions for more than 10,000 customers of an investment app platform. We find that investors switching to a recently introduced social fund reduced their donations, mainly in charities supporting causes similar to those of the social fund. However, 79% of the investors that switched to the social fund did not donate before switching, so the social fund attracted more people to fund social causes. Still, because of the substitution effect, we estimate social funds have a positive effect on society only if their annual contributions to social causes are greater than 3.2% of the balance invested.

This paper was accepted by David Simchi-Levi, finance.

Funding: This work was supported by the Henry Crown Institute of Business Research and the Jeremy Coller Foundation.

Supplemental Material: Data files are available at https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2022.4339 .
Short-Selling Pressure and Workplace Safety: Curbing Short-Termism Through Stakeholder Interdependencies
Authors: Qian Cuili , Crilly Donal , Lin Yupeng , Zhang Keyuan , Zhang Rengong
Published: March 2022

We advance a multistakeholder framework that highlights the influence of stakeholders in tempering short-termist responses to capital market pressures. When firms face pressure from short sellers in the capital market, they sometimes shift attention to short-term stock performance and neglect critical investments that pay off in the long run. Relying on a quasi-natural experiment and establishment-level data on workplace injuries, we find that short-selling pressure causes an increase in employee injuries. Critically, however, the degree to which the response is short-termist depends on the salience of multiple stakeholders (analysts, shareholders, employees, and managers). We discuss the implications for understanding firms’ relations with their stakeholders and, particularly, how these stakeholders influence corporate responses to capital market pressures in ways that matter for long-term value creation. This study also contributes to strategy research by highlighting the downside of capital market deregulation.

Funding: Rengong Zhang acknowledges the financial support from the CityU Strategic Research Grant.

Supplemental Material: The online appendix is available at https://doi.org/10.1287/orsc.2022.1576 .
Finite Element Analysis of O-ring Performance Reinforced by a Metallic Core
Authors: Bahloul EL Mehdi EL , Diany Mohammed , Aissaoui Hicham , Boudaia Elhassan , Mabrouki Mustapha
Published: March 2022

This work presents a comparative analysis between a homogeneous O-ring and an another composed of the union of two materials. Two axisymmetric finite element models developed in this article using the ANSYS software study the seals behavior during their deformations. The results of the numerical model are compared with those of the analytical approach based on Hertz’s contact theory. The introduction of a metal core inside the elastomer O-ring can improve not only the seal’s resistance but also the maximum value of the contact pressure.
Complex amplitude field reconstruction in atmospheric turbulence based on deep learning
Authors: Tan Yehong , Hu Xuanyu , Wang Jian
Published: March 2022

In this paper, we use deep neural networks (DNNs) to simultaneously reconstruct the amplitude and phase information of the complex light field transmitted in atmospheric turbulence based on deep learning. The results of amplitude and phase reconstruction by four different training methods are compared comprehensively. The obtained results indicate that the training method that can more accurately reconstruct the complex amplitude field is to input the amplitude and phase pattern pairs into the neural network as two channels to train the model.
Systematically assessing microbiome–disease associations identifies drivers of inconsistency in metagenomic research
Authors: Tierney Braden T. , Tan Yingxuan , Yang Zhen , Shui Bing , Walker Michaela J. , Kent Benjamin M. , Kostic Aleksandar D. , Patel Chirag J.
Published: March 2022

Evaluating the relationship between the human gut microbiome and disease requires computing reliable statistical associations. Here, using millions of different association modeling strategies, we evaluated the consistency—or robustness—of microbiome-based disease indicators for 6 prevalent and well-studied phenotypes (across 15 public cohorts and 2,343 individuals). We were able to discriminate between analytically robust versus nonrobust results. In many cases, different models yielded contradictory associations for the same taxon–disease pairing, some showing positive correlations and others negative. When querying a subset of 581 microbe–disease associations that have been previously reported in the literature, 1 out of 3 taxa demonstrated substantial inconsistency in association sign. Notably, >90% of published findings for type 1 diabetes (T1D) and type 2 diabetes (T2D) were particularly nonrobust in this regard. We additionally quantified how potential confounders—sequencing depth, glucose levels, cholesterol, and body mass index, for example—influenced associations, analyzing how these variables affect the ostensible correlation betweenFaecalibacterium prausnitziiabundance and a healthy gut. Overall, we propose our approach as a method to maximize confidence when prioritizing findings that emerge from microbiome association studies.
The influence of an all-female healthcare environment on mentorship and empowerment of female healthcare professionals
Authors: Munabi Naikhoba C. O. , Auslander Allyn , Xepoleas Meredith D. , Bunker Libby D. , Vangsness Kella L. , Koualla Sara , Magee Kathy S. , Magee William P. , Yao Caroline A.
Published: March 2022

Low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) have the greatest need for additional healthcare providers, and women outside the workforce help address the need. Women in healthcare need more mentorship and leadership training to advance their careers due to systemic barriers. This study evaluates how women working together on a medical team influences mentorship, leadership and empowerment. A single all-female volunteer team participating in a cleft surgery mission in Oujda, Morocco were surveyed before and after the mission. Statistical analysis with student’s t-test or chi-squared were performed. 95 female volunteers from 23 countries participated on this team and 85% completed surveys. Volunteers from high-income countries (32%) and LMICs (68%) had similar mission roles (p = 0.58). Experience as a mission volunteer (p = 0.47), team leader (p = 0.28), and educator (p = 0.18) were equivalent between cohorts. 73% of women had previously received mentorship but 98% wanted more. 75% had previously mentored others, but 97% wanted to be mentors. 73% of volunteers who had no prior mentorship found their first mentor during the mission. All participants found a long-term peer relationship and felt motivated to mentor women at home. 95% were inspired to pursue leadership positions, advance professionally, and continue working with other women. This population of female healthcare professionals overwhelmingly desired more mentorship than is felt to be available. An all-female healthcare environment appears to provide opportunities for mentorship and create lasting motivation to teach, lead, and advance professionally. Findings raise the potential that increasing visibility of female professionals may effectively empower women in healthcare.
A multi-proxy assessment of the impact of environmental instability on Late Holocene (4500-3800 BP) Native American villages of the Georgia coast
Authors: Garland Carey J. , Thompson Victor D. , Sanger Matthew C. , Smith Karen Y. , Andrus Fred T. , Lawres Nathan R. , Napora Katharine G. , Colaninno Carol E. , Compton J. Matthew , Jones Sharyn , Hadden Carla S. , Cherkinsky Alexander , Maddox Thomas , Deng Yi-Ting , Lulewicz Isabelle H. , Parsons Lindsey
Published: March 2022

Circular shell rings along the South Atlantic Coast of North America are the remnants of some of the earliest villages that emerged during the Late Archaic (5000–3000 BP). Many of these villages, however, were abandoned during the Terminal Late Archaic (ca 3800–3000 BP). We combine Bayesian chronological modeling with mollusk shell geochemistry and oyster paleobiology to understand the nature and timing of environmental change associated with the emergence and abandonment of circular shell ring villages on Sapelo Island, Georgia. Our Bayesian models indicate that Native Americans occupied the three Sapelo shell rings at varying times with some generational overlap. By the end of the complex’s occupation, only Ring III was occupied before abandonment ca. 3845 BP. Ring III also consists of statistically smaller oysters harvested from less saline estuaries compared to earlier occupations. Integrating shell biochemical and paleobiological data with recent tree ring analyses shows a clear pattern of environmental fluctuations throughout the period in which the rings were occupied. We argue that as the environment became unstable around 4300 BP, aggregation at villages provided a way to effectively manage fisheries that are highly sensitive to environmental change. However, with the eventual collapse of oyster fisheries and subsequent rebound in environmental conditions ca. post-3800 BP, people dispersed from shell rings, and shifted to non-marine subsistence economies and other types of settlements. This study provides the most comprehensive evidence for correlations between large-scale environmental change and societal transformations on the Georgia coast during the Late Archaic period.