bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Rethinking the role of reading assessments for real learning
Authors: Francois Chantal , Hood Mia
Published: August 2021

Purpose

Scholars who advocate for equity-oriented educational practices have argued that the accountability era in the USA, now in place for two decades, has failed in its intended goal to improve student performance for traditionally marginalized student populations. This study aims to use a sociocultural lens to trace how a century-old conceptualization of reading – that discrete skills comprise comprehension and that multiple-choice questions can measure mastery of those skills – predominates today’s standardized reading tests.

Design/methodology/approach

This essay draws on the authors’ collective experiences as literacy educators, school leaders and researchers.

Findings

The authors critique two beliefs rooted in Eurocentric thinking borne from a long-held conceptualization of reading – that logical reasoning and the right background knowledge can promote achievement on standardized tests. The authors link the critique to their lived experiences and situate test design features in the broader sociopolitical educational landscape. Then, by presenting examples from an urban public high school, the authors encourage educational leaders to revisit the potential of authentic assessments as complex and meaningful activities that foster the critical thinking necessary for participating in democracy.

Practical implications

Committing to authentic assessments takes the work characteristic of transformative school leadership, especially serving diverse student populations: A clear and ambitious vision that centers social justice and cultural relevance, frequent, shared opportunities for professional growth and shared norms for instructional practice and student growth.

Originality/value

This essay encourages educational leaders, researchers and policymakers to revisit the potential of authentic assessments as tasks that can surpass external measures in informing teachers about how students’ develop their literacy in school.
Customer captivity, negative word of mouth and well-being: a mixed-methods study
Authors: Furrer Olivier , Yu Kerguignas Jie , Landry Mikèle
Published: August 2021

Purpose

When customers feel that they have no choice but to stay with their current provider to obtain a service that they need, they feel captive. This study aims to investigate customer captivity as a type of vulnerability and evaluate its effects on customers’ service evaluation and word-of-mouth (WOM) behavior, as well as to identify solutions that reduce customers’ feelings of captivity and improve their well-being.

Design/methodology/approach

This sequential, quantitative–qualitative, mixed-methods study draws from a survey of 1,017 customers and a qualitative analysis of 20 in-depth semi-structured interviews. Moderated mediation analysis is used to test the quantitative hypotheses; a thematic analysis explores the qualitative data.

Findings

The results of the quantitative study show that captivity emotions and price unfairness perceptions are two manifestations of customer captivity, which directly and indirectly affect service evaluations and WOM behavior. The findings of the qualitative study highlight how captive customers use emotional support-seeking negative word-of-mouth (NWOM) as a solution to reduce their captivity emotions and improve their well-being, by reinforcing their social ties and regaining a sense of control.

Research limitations/implications

This study advances transformative service research by demonstrating how captivity affects customers’ well-being and customer vulnerability literature by investigating captivity as a type of vulnerability. It contributes to service marketing literature by identifying customer captivity as a boundary condition for generic service evaluation models.

Practical implications

Captive customers seek emotional support and consequently spread NWOM. Therefore, it is critical for service providers to reduce customers’ captivity feelings and implement adequate solutions to prevent NWOM and decrease the risk of negative impacts on their profitability.

Originality/value

Any customer can become vulnerable, due to contextual circumstances. This study focuses on customer captivity as a type of vulnerability and proposes adapted solutions to improve customers’ well-being.
Change starts with me: an impact evaluation of a multiprofessional leadership programme to support primary care networks in the South East of England
Authors: Jackson Carolyn , Manley Kim , Vibhuti Mayur
Published: August 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to present the impact evaluation findings from a multiprofessional leadership programme commissioned in the South East of England to support primary care networks (PCNs) to lead system improvement together. It identifies programme impact at micro and meso system levels; a leadership impact continuum that can be used by individuals and teams to evidence impact of improvements in PCN practices; the learning and development strategies that were effective and proposes implications for other networks.

Design/methodology/approach

Mixed methods underpinned by practice development methodology were used to explore the impact of the programme on two practitioner cohorts across 16 PCNs. Data were collected at the start, mid-point and end of the eight-month programme.

Findings

Results illustrate an innovative approach to collective leadership development. A continuum of impact created with participants offers insight into the journey of transformation, recognising that “change starts with me”. The impact framework identifies enablers, attributes and consequences for measuring and leading change at micro, meso and macro levels of the health-care system. Participants learned how to facilitate change and collaboratively solve problems through peer consulting which created a safe space for individuals to discuss workplace issues and receive multiprofessional views through action learning. These activities enabled teams to present innovative projects to commissioners for service redesign, enabling their PCN to be more effective in meeting population health needs. The authors believe that this programme may provide a model for other PCNs England and other place-based care systems internationally.

Originality/value

This study offers insight into how to enable a journey of transformation for individuals and PCN teams to enhance team effectiveness and collective leadership for system-wide transformation required by the National Health Service Long Term Plan (2019).

Contribution to Impact
Meta-choices in ranking knowledge-based organizations
Authors: Daraio Cinzia , Iazzolino Gianpaolo , Laise Domenico , Coniglio Ilda Maria , Di Leo Simone
Published: August 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to address the issue of knowledge visualization and its connection with performance measurement from an epistemological point of view, considering quantification and measurement not just as technical questions but showing their relevant implications on the management decision-making of knowledge-based organizations.

Design/methodology/approach

This study proposes a theoretical contribution that combines two lines of research for identifying the three main meta-choices problems that arise in the multidimensional benchmarking of knowledge-based organizations. The first is the meta-choice problem related to the choice of the algorithm used (Iazzolino et al., 2012; Laise et al., 2015; Daraio, 2017a). The second refers to the choice of the variables to be included in the model (Daraio, 2017a). The third concerns the choice of the data on which the analyses are carried out (Daraio, 2017a).

Findings

The authors show the interplay existing among the three meta-choices in multidimensional benchmarking, considering as key performance indicators intellectual capital, including Human Capital, Structural Capital and Relational Capital, and performances, evaluated in financial and non-financial terms. This study provides an empirical analysis on Italian Universities, comparing the ranking distributions obtained by several efficiency and multi-criteria methods.

Originality/value

This study demonstrates the difficulties of the “implementation problem” in performance measurement, related to the subjectivity of results of the evaluation process when there are many evaluation criteria, and proposes the adoption of the technologies of humility related to the awareness that we can only achieve “satisficing” results.
Enhancing brand experience in the online social media network context: a contingency perspective
Authors: Marmat Geeta
Published: August 2021

Purpose

Marketing and branding literature has provided important insights into the context, environment and individual factors that shape customer brand experience. However, a holistic view on context and environmental influence on enhancing brand experience, specifically in the online social media network context, has not been considered. In addition, main focus of the previous research is on antecedent and consequence of brand experience rather strategy for enhancing brand experience. This paper aims to propose a contingency model for enhancing brand experience to provide a more holistic framework in the uncertain and complex nature of online social media network.

Design/methodology/approach

The proposed framework is based on previous literature that is identified and integrated to propose effectiveness of the contingent determinants on brand experience in different interactional circumstances.

Findings

The proposed framework implies that brand characteristics and interactive complexities of online social media networks cause contingency to the marketers or brands’ strategic attempt in delivering superior brand experience in online social media network context. These forces are as follows: online social media network characteristic (interactivity); brands’ co-creation characteristics (consumers’ and stakeholders’ participation); brand’s technical and operational competency (brands’ knowledge, ease of interactive platform); internal human resource characteristics (employees’ behaviour, brands culture, brands reputation); and customer interactive characteristics (customer demographic characteristics, customer motivation, customer attitude). These identified forces can be optimized to formulate strategies in the interactive medium for enhancing brand experience.

Research limitations/implications

This paper proposes a contingency model as well as research propositions that need to be validated and confirmed empirically. While narrowing down the current identified gap in brand experience literature by proposing a novel perspective to the concept, this research broadens and deepens understanding of the concept of brand experiences, how it is linked to the context and contextual factors. This contingency framework elucidates the resources that marketers, practitioners can use to enhance, limit or maintain all the dimensions within brand experience.

Originality/value

A holistic view on context and environmental influence on enhancing brand experience, specifically in the online social media network context, has not been considered so far. Although literature demonstrates the positive outcome of brand experience, little attention has been paid to enhancing customer brand experience, specifically in the context of online social media networks with various complex forces acting and influencing the way customers experience a brand.
Animosity leads to boycott and subsequent reluctance to buy: evidence from Sino Indian disputes
Authors: Verma Pranay
Published: August 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate if animosity outbreaks against China result in a consumer’s reluctance to buy Chinese goods. It further studies the relationship of consumer animosity upon boycott and reluctance to buy (RTB).

Design/methodology/approach

A descriptive research design was applied by using the self-administered survey method for collecting data from 473 participants, mostly working graduates from the metropolitan city of Delhi in India. Thereafter, the measurement model was checked by confirming the reliability and validity of the constructs followed by checking for the strength and direction of the proposed hypothesis of the structural model (using SPSS 23 and AMOS 20) and to validate the proposed model developed based on the regret theory.

Findings

All the three types of animosity tend to negatively influence the buying behavior. When markets mature, consumers become concerned about their country’s civil status and boycott goods from hostile countries or places. Through this research, it is possible to find consequences of animosity on Chinese goods consumption, which is RTB. Boycott mediates the animosity relationship with RTB. The regret theory implies that individuals hold self-blame for taking an alternative decision. Domestic market players like local retailers, merchandisers, importers avoiding importing products originating from offending countries would be the managerial implications.

Originality/value

Consumer boycott is not unheard of in a Sino Indian context, but it lacks empirical research. This paper addresses perceived hostilities between two emerging super powers by applying the regret theory.
Teaching assistants' facilitators and barriers to effective practice working with children with ADHD: a qualitative study
Authors: Greenway Charlotte W. , Rees Edwards Alison
Published: August 2021

Attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) rates have increased in recent years, resulting in the need for more classroom support. In Wales, support for many pupils with ADHD is provided by the 16,157 teaching assistants (TAs) employed by local authorities. This qualitative study interviewed 15 primary school TAs to answer three questions concerning their feelings about their job, and the facilitators and barriers to their work with children with ADHD. Using thematic analysis, the researchers identified 10 themes: positive feelings, negative effects, a need for change, support, improvement over time, one‐to‐one relationship, lack of support, negativity towards ADHD, classroom environment, and poor knowledge and experience with ADHD. This study illustrates the TAs' love for their job and the importance of positive relationships. It also highlights a lack of support for TAs and negativity towards ADHD. Implications of the study and recommendations for the future are discussed.
The Impact of Choosing Wisely Interventions on Low‐Value Medical Services: A Systematic Review
Authors: CLIFF BETSY Q. , AVANCEÑA ANTON L.V. , HIRTH RICHARD A. , LEE SHOOU‐YIH DANIEL
Published: August 2021

Policy Points

Dissemination of Choosing Wisely guidelines alone is unlikely to reduce the use of low‐value health services.

Interventions by health systems to implement Choosing Wisely guidelines can reduce the use of low‐value services.

Multicomponent interventions targeting clinicians are currently the most effective types of interventions.

Context

Choosing Wisely aims to reduce the use of unnecessary, low‐value medical services through development of recommendations related to service utilization. Despite the creation and dissemination of these recommendations, evidence shows low‐value services are still prevalent. This paper synthesizes literature on interventions designed to reduce medical care identified as low value by Choosing Wisely and evaluates which intervention characteristics are most effective.

Methods

We searched peer‐reviewed and gray literature from the inception of Choosing Wisely in 2012 through June 2019 to identify interventions in the United States motivated by or using Choosing Wisely recommendations. We also included studies measuring the impact of Choosing Wisely on its own, without interventions. We developed a coding guide and established coding agreement. We coded all included articles for types of services targeted, components of each intervention, results of the intervention, study type, and, where applicable, study quality. We measured the success rate of interventions, using chi‐squared tests or Wald tests to compare across interventions.

Findings

We reviewed 131 articles. Eighty‐eight percent of interventions focused on clinicians only; 48% included multiple components. Compared with dissemination of Choosing Wisely recommendations only, active interventions were more likely to generate intended results (65% vs 13%, p < 0.001) and, among those, interventions with multiple components were more successful than those with one component (77% vs 47%, p = 0.002). The type of services targeted did not matter for success. Clinician‐based interventions were more effective than consumer‐based, though there is a dearth of studies on consumer‐based interventions. Only 17% of studies included a control arm.

Conclusions

Interventions built on the Choosing Wisely recommendations can be effective at changing practice patterns to reduce the use of low‐value care. Interventions are more effective when targeting clinicians and using more than one component. There is a need for high‐quality studies that include active controls.
Kitchen Window Feminism: Sarah Macnaughtan, Wartime Care and the Authority of Experience in the South African and First World Wars
Authors: Soja Taylor
Published: August 2021

Sarah Macnaughtan, a wealthy novelist, used volunteer care work to claim the legitimacy of her wartime experience in the South African and First World Wars and to assert women's rights in the early twentieth‐century British empire. Macnaughtan framed her caregiving experiences in both inherently domestic terms – ‘from a kitchen window’ – and as a justification for women's suffrage and participation in public life. Her example loosens a persistent binary between trained nurses and untrained wartime volunteers and highlights the importance of precedents set in the British empire to the feminist politics and caring practices of the First World War.
The Joint Influence of Information Push and Value Relevance on Investor Judgments and Market Efficiency
Authors: ELLIOTT W. BROOKE , GALE BRIAN T. , HOBSON JESSEN L.
Published: August 2021

We use experimental markets to examine how pushing investment information and the value relevance of that information interact to influence investors’ value estimate accuracy and market price efficiency. Developments in technology allow information to be pushed to investors anytime and anywhere. However, in addition to value‐relevant information, pushed information often includes information that is irrelevant for assessing firm value. Drawing on psychology theory, we find that pushing information has divergent effects depending on the value relevance of the information. Pushing only value‐relevant information increases investors’ processing of the information and leads to more accurate value estimates and market prices than when not pushed. In contrast, pushing a mix of value‐relevant and value‐irrelevant information reduces investors’ processing of value‐relevant information, leading to less accurate value estimates and market prices due to poorer acquisition and integration of information than when not pushed or when only value‐relevant information is pushed. Collectively, our results reveal a dark side to push technologies, particularly with the growing presence of value‐irrelevant information.
Social media, socialization, and pursuing legitimation of police violence*
Authors: Cheng Tony
Published: August 2021

Every day, police departments across America are executing stops, summonses, arrests, and increasingly, tweeting. Although scholarship has focused on how social media democratizes news production and information sharing for activist movements, it has yet to explore how police leverage these attributes to advance institutional interests. I argue that, beyond digital surveillance or community engagement, social media provides police with the technological capacity to pursue both daily socialization of online audiences to their worldview and legitimation in the aftermath of contested police violence. I provide evidence by adopting a qualitative approach to “big data” sources analyzing 1) all 3,167 tweets posted by the New York Police Department in 2018; 2) the 778 Twitter replies to their most contested fatal shooting that year; and 3) a sample of 139 news articles covering this shooting over a year afterward. As public scrutiny toward police intensifies, social media represents an independent channel for police to publicize information unfiltered by traditional mass media. These findings have implications for police accountability and the episodes of police violence that do—and do not—elevate into national controversies.
Life lessons: Examining sources of racial and ethnic disparity in federal life without parole sentences*
Authors: Johnson Brian D. , Spohn Cassia , Kimchi Anat
Published: August 2021

Alongside capital punishment, sentences to life without the possibility of parole are one of the most distinctive aspects of the American system of criminal punishment. Unlike the death penalty, though, almost no empirical work has examined the decision to impose life imprisonment. The current study analyzes several years of recent federal sentencing data (FY2010–FY2017) to investigate underlying sources of racial disparity in life without parole sentences. The analysis reveals disparities in who receives life imprisonment, but it finds these differences are attributable mostly to indirect mechanisms built into the federal sentencing system, such as the mode of conviction, mandatory minimums, and guidelines departures. Both Black and Hispanic offenders are more likely to be eligible for life sentences under the federal guidelines, but conditional on being eligible, they are not more likely to receive life sentences. Findings are discussed in relation to ongoing debates over racial inequality and the growing role that life imprisonment plays in American exceptionalism in punishment.
Can Economic Experiments Contribute to a More Effective CAP?
Authors: Lefebvre Marianne , Barreiro‐Hurlé Jesus , Blanchflower Ciaran , Colen Liesbeth , Kuhfuss Laure , Rommel Jens , Šumrada Tanja , Thomas Fabian , Thoyer Sophie
Published: August 2021

In order to keep pace with the evolution of the objectives and means of the EU's Common Agricultural Policy, evaluation tools also need to adapt. A set of tools that have proved highly effective in other policy fields is economic experiments. These allow the testing of a new policy before its implementation, provide evidence of its specific effects, and identify behavioural dimensions that can influence policy outcomes. We argue that agricultural policy should be subject to economic experiments, providing examples to illustrate how they can inform CAP design. We identify the additional efforts needed to establish further proof‐of‐concept, by running more – and more robust – experiments related to the CAP. This can happen only by integrating experimental evaluation results within the policy cycle and addressing ethical and practical challenges seriously. To do so, researchers would benefit from a concerted European effort to promote the methodology across the EU; organise the replication in time and across Europe of experiments relevant for the CAP; and build a multi‐national panel of farmers willing to participate in experiments. Steps are being taken in this direction by the Research Network of Economics Experiments for CAP evaluation (REECAP).
Retrospective case–control study on the outcomes of early minimally invasive pleural lavage for pleural empyema in oncology patients
Authors: Girotti Paolo Nicola Camillo , Tschann Peter , Di Stefano Paolo , Möschel Martin , Hübl Nikolaus , Königsrainer Ingmar
Published: August 2021

Background

Oncology patients carry a substantial risk of developing pleural empyema. Here, we report the preliminary results of our early video‐assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) lavage strategy in cases of empyema occurring in patients undergoing (radio‐) chemotherapy.

Methods

This was a retrospective case–control study comparing early VATS lavage (test group, current therapy since January 2018, n = 46) versus VATS pleurectomy (historical control; before January 2018, n = 46).

Results

Five patients in the control group and one in the test group developed recurrence of empyema within 30 days. Complications were more severe and more frequently observed in the historical control group than in the test group (30/46 vs. 12/46 CI: 5%–95%, p = < 0.05). Early VATS lavage saved operating time, allowed a shorter ICU stay (2.6 days CI: 5%–95% vs. 5.1 days CI: 5%–95%, p = ns) and an earlier hospital discharge (6.1 days CI: 5%–95% vs. 13.5 days CI: 5%–95%, p < 0.05). Moreover, radio and/or chemotherapy could be reinitiated earlier (15 ± 20.5 days CI: 5%–95% vs. 40 ± 12 days CI: 5%–95%, p < 0.05).

Conclusions

In this retrospective cohort study, early VATS lavage was found to have a beneficial effect especially on hospital stay and enabling an earlier restart of radio‐ and/or chemotherapy.
Do xerophytic and mesophytic perennial grasses differ in soil resource capture and allocation? A field 15N experiment
Authors: Reyes Maria Fernanda , Aguiar Martín R.
Published: August 2021

In rangelands, pattern and processes below‐ground are important for a complete understanding of their ecology. Recent studies in grass‐dominated communities in Europe, North America and South America indicate that root systems of several species may overlap their root systems. This may indicate that, in these communities, resource acquisition and allocation strategies could play a relevant role in community assemblage. Resources absorption and allocation may be related to ecological strategies relevant in an arid steppe. Here, we explore if coexisting xerophytic and mesophytic perennial grasses differ in resource absorption and allocation to below‐ and above‐ground portions. We conducted a field labelling experiment to trace 15N (nitrogen) to compare acquisition and relative below‐ and above‐ground nitrogen allocation among four perennial grass species. We worked with two mesophytic (fast‐growing) and two xerophytic (slow‐growing) species. Our hypothesis was that mesophytic species will allocate greater proportions of N and produce a higher amount of biomass than xerophytic species. The four species showed similar 15N concentration, which changed over time in roots, while it remained constant in leaves. On average, all species presented 0.9% 15N atom excess in roots and 1.1% in green leaves. Mesophytic species showed higher reproductive over total tiller ratio than xerophytic species. Bromus pictus reached 60% while Poa ligularis only 20%. In xerophytic species (Pappostipa speciosa and Pappostipa humilis), this ratio was close to 0%. Despite their differences in growth rates, these mesophytic and xerophytic grass species do not differ in the estimated nitrogen acquisition. Nevertheless, there are ecological trade‐offs between allocating resources to above‐ground leaf biomass and reproductive tillers which could be related to species organisation in the community.
Pre‐oxygenation with facemask oxygen vs high‐flow nasal oxygen vs high‐flow nasal oxygen plus mouthpiece: a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Lyons C. , McElwain J. , Coughlan M. G. , O’Gorman D. A. , Harte B. H. , Kinirons B. , Laffey J. G. , Callaghan M.
Published: August 2021

High‐flow nasal oxygen used before and during apnoea prolongs time to desaturation at induction of anaesthesia. It is unclear how much oxygenation before apnoea prolongs this time. We randomly allocated 84 participants to 3 minutes of pre‐oxygenation by one of three methods: 15 l.min‐1 by facemask; 50 l.min‐1 by high‐flow nasal cannulae only; or 50 l.min‐1 by high‐flow nasal cannulae plus 15 l.min‐1 by mouthpiece. We then anaesthetised and intubated the trachea of 79 participants and waited for oxygen saturation to fall to 92%. Median (IQR [range]) times to desaturate to 92% after pre‐oxygenation with facemask oxygen, high‐flow nasal oxygen only and high‐flow nasal oxygen with mouthpiece, were: 309 (208‐417 [107‐544]) s; 344 (250‐393 [194‐585]) s; and 386 (328‐498 [182‐852]) s, respectively, p = 0.014. Time to desaturation after facemask pre‐oxygenation was shorter than after combined nasal and mouthpiece pre‐oxygenation, p = 0.006. We could not statistically distinguish high‐flow nasal oxygen without mouthpiece from the other two groups for this outcome. Median (IQR [range]) arterial oxygen partial pressure after 3 minutes of pre‐oxygenation by facemask, nasal cannulae and nasal cannulae plus mouthpiece, was: 49 (36‐61 [24‐66]) kPa; 57 (48‐62 [30‐69]) kPa; and 61 (55‐64 [36‐72]) kPa, respectively, p = 0.003. Oxygen partial pressure after 3 minutes of pre‐oxygenation with nasal and mouthpiece combination was greater than after facemask pre‐oxygenation, p = 0.002, and after high‐flow nasal oxygen alone, p = 0.016. We did not reject the null hypothesis for the pairwise comparison of facemask pre‐oxygenation and high‐flow nasal pre‐oxygenation, p = 0.14.
What lessons can surgeons learn from sport? The reflections of a retired athlete
Authors: Tapper Richard
Published: August 2021

Surgery often looks to other domains of high performance such as the airline industry for ideas on how to improve surgical performance however little is written about what surgeons might learn from high performance sport. In this paper I offer some observations and ideas from my experience as an Olympic swimmer which I feel may be applicable to surgery and some thoughts on how these concepts might be introduced.
Vesicular monoamine transporter 2 (SLC18A2) regulates monoamine turnover and brain development in zebrafish
Authors: Baronio Diego , Chen Yu‐Chia , Decker Amanda R. , Enckell Louise , Fernández‐López Blanca , Semenova Svetlana , Puttonen Henri A. J. , Cornell Robert A. , Panula Pertti
Published: August 2021

Aim

We aimed at identifying potential roles of vesicular monoamine transporter 2, also known as Solute Carrier protein 18 A2 (SLC18A2) (hereafter, Vmat2), in brain monoamine regulation, their turnover, behaviour and brain development using a novel zebrafish model.

Methods

A zebrafish strain lacking functional Vmat2 was generated with the CRISPR/Cas9 system. Larval behaviour and heart rate were monitored. Monoamines and their metabolites were analysed with high‐pressure liquid chromatography. Amine synthesising and degrading enzymes, and genes essential for brain development, were analysed with quantitative PCR, in situ hybridisation and immunocytochemistry.

Results

The 5‐bp deletion in exon 3 caused an early frameshift and was lethal within 2 weeks post‐fertilisation. Homozygous mutants (hereafter, mutants) displayed normal low locomotor activity during night‐time but aberrant response to illumination changes. In mutants dopamine, noradrenaline, 5‐hydroxytryptamine and histamine levels were reduced, whereas levels of dopamine and 5‐hydroxytryptamine metabolites were increased, implying elevated monoamine turnover. Consistently, there were fewer histamine, 5‐hydroxytryptamine and dopamine immunoreactive cells. Cellular dopamine immunostaining, in wild‐type larvae more prominent in tyrosine hydroxylase 1 (Th1)‐expressing than in Th2‐expressing neurons, was absent in mutants. Despite reduced dopamine levels, mutants presented upregulated dopamine‐synthesising enzymes. Further, in mutants the number of histidine decarboxylase‐expressing neurons was increased, notch1a and pax2a were downregulated in brain proliferative zones.

Conclusion

Lack of Vmat2 increases monoamine turnover and upregulates genes encoding amine‐synthesising enzymes, including histidine decarboxylase. Notch1a and pax2a, genes implicated in stem cell development, are downregulated in mutants. The zebrafish vmat2 mutant strain may be a useful model to study how monoamine transport affects brain development and function, and for use in drug screening.
Utility of progesterone receptor‐ires‐Cre to generate conditional knockout mice for uterine study
Authors: Namiki Takafumi , Kamoshita Maki , Kageyama Atsuko , Terakawa Jumpei , Ito Junya , Kashiwazaki Naomi
Published: August 2021

In mice, the conditional knockout strategy using the Cre‐loxP system is useful for various types of research. The Cre mouse line with progesterone receptor promoter (PgrCre) has been widely used to produce specific uterine gene‐deficient mice, but in the Cre line, endogenous Pgr gene is replaced by Cre recombinase gene, which makes the breeding of homozygous mice (PgrCre/Cre) difficult because they are infertile. Yang et al. (2013, https://10.1016/j.cell.2013.04.017) reported the generation of another PgriresCre mouse line that still has endogenous Pgr gene, and they inserted Cre recombinase downstream of the Pgr gene via an internal ribosome entry site (IRES). It is possible that this new PgriresCre line would be useful for uterine research as the mice can be bred as homozygotes (PgriresCre/iresCre). Herein, we confirmed the PgriresCre mice effectively directed recombination in the female reproductive tract and was capable of genetic alteration in the endometrium that enables the studies of its uterine function. Our findings demonstrate that the new PgriresCre mouse line is also useful for the generation of uterine‐specific knockout mice. The findings using PgriresCre mouse will contribute to the understanding of reproductive systems and diseases in humans and domestic animals.
Thrust faulting in glaciers? Re‐examination of debris bands near the margin of Storglaciären, Sweden
Authors: Monz Morgan E. , Hudleston Peter J. , Cook Simon J. , Zimmerman Troy , Leng Melanie J.
Published: August 2021

Thrust faulting has been suggested as a viable mechanism of debris transport at many glaciers, often inferred from the presence of up‐glacier dipping bands of debris that emerge at the ice surface to form ridges of basally derived material. However, modelling indicates that the development of thrust faults is mechanically inhibited because stresses are much lower than that required for shear failure, a prerequisite for thrust faulting, and field measurements fail to detect thrust‐related displacement. The mechanism for the emplacement of these ridges that appear at the surface of many polythermal valley glacier termini remains open to question. This study re‐examines the origin of debris ridges on the surface of Storglaciären, a polythermal valley glacier in northern Sweden, using field observations, ice microstructural analyses, sediment grain size analysis, stable isotope composition of the ice, and modelling. We find no evidence of discrete displacement across the debris bands that produce the ridges, nor do we find evidence that folding might be responsible. We propose that the bands originate at the base of the glacier by one of two mechanisms, perhaps in combination: (i) refreezing of meltwater near the thermal transition in basal ice, and (ii) injection into tensile fractures periodically opened at the base due to high fluid pressure and then freezing. In either case, separation from the base occurs due to high fluid pressure and freezing introduces ice below the debris bands, which are then transported forwards due to basal shear and upwards due to longitudinal compression, and revealed by surface ablation.
Recommendations for immunocytochemistry in lung cancer typing: An update on a resource‐efficient approach with large‐scale comparative Bayesian analysis
Authors: Elmas Hatice , Diel Roland , Önal Binnur , Sauter Guido , Stellmacher Florian , Welker Lutz
Published: August 2021

Objectives

The majority of lung cancer cases are of advanced stage and diagnosis is usually made using minimally invasive small biopsies and cytological specimens. The WHO 2015 classification recommends limiting immunocytochemistry (ICC) to lung cancer typing and molecular testing drives for personalised therapies. An algorithm using Bayes' theorem could be useful for defining antibody profiles. This study aims to assess the impact of different antibody profiles for cytological samples on the accuracy of lung cancer typing with a large‐scale Bayesian analysis.

Methods

A retrospective examination of 3419 consecutive smears and/or cytospins diagnosed over 2011‐2016 found 1960 primary lung cancer tumours: 972 adenocarcinomas (ADC), 256 squamous carcinomas (SQC), 268 neuroendocrine tumours (NET), and 464 non‐small cell cancer‐not otherwise specified (NSCC‐NOS). The a priori and a posteriori probabilities, before and after ICC using antibodies singly or in combination, were calculated for different lung cancer types.

Results

TTF‐1 or CK7 alone improved the a posteriori probabilities of correct cytological typing for ADC to 86.5% and 95.8%, respectively. For SQC, using p40 (∆Np63) or CK5/6 together with CK5/14 led to comparable results (78.3% and 90.3%). With synaptophysin or CD56 alone, improvements in a posteriori probabilities to 87.5 and 90.3% for the correct recognition of NET could be achieved.

Conclusions

Based on morphological and clinical data, the use of two antibodies appears sufficient for reliable detection of the different lung cancer types. This applies to diagnoses that were finalised following ICC both on a clinical or cytological basis and on a histological basis.
Multi‐decadal land use impacts across the vast range of an iconic threatened species
Authors: Devenish Christian , Lees Alexander C. , Collar Nigel J. , Marsden Stuart J.
Published: August 2021

Aim

To explore spatiotemporal changes in Hyacinth Macaw Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus distribution and the impacts of land use change over 25 years, across its vast range in central/eastern South America.

Location

Brazil, Bolivia and Paraguay, South America, covering almost 3 million km2.

Methods

We use a novel, multi‐temporal species distribution model, to combine both year‐specific occurrence records and land use/cover data in a single model that is subsequently projected over a land cover time series. We investigate changes in geographic range over 25 years and potential drivers of range extent at multiple spatial scales (10 and 30 km) and time‐lags (current and 10 years previously). We also assess protected area coverage and impacts from degazettement within the remaining range and highlight priority areas to search for undiscovered populations.

Results

The modelled range of the species increased by 75,000 km2 to over 500,000 km2 between 1995 and 2019, during which period agriculture and pasture increased by 600,000 km2 within the species' extent of occurrence. Habitat suitability was influenced most strongly by distribution of palms, forest cover and changes in pasture over 10 years and usually by predictors measured at larger spatial scales. Just 8% of the macaw's modelled range falls within protected areas, and more than 20,500 km2 of protected areas overlapping with the range have been degazetted in the last 40 years. We highlight key areas to search for undiscovered populations in under‐sampled and remote areas, especially led by community citizen science initiatives involving indigenous groups and protected area staff.

Main conclusions

Novel modelling methods, combining multi‐temporal occurrence records and land cover data, appropriate for small sample sizes per year, have revealed habitat dynamics and changes to the range of this threatened species over 25 years. The method may have wide applicability for a range of species, including elusive and poorly studied species.
The relationship between executive function, processing speed, and attention‐deficit hyperactivity disorder in middle childhood
Authors: Sabhlok Aditi , Malanchini Margherita , Engelhardt Laura E. , Madole James , Tucker‐Drob Elliot M. , Harden Kathryn Paige
Published: August 2021

Attention‐Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a heterogeneous disorder that is highly impairing. Early, accurate diagnosis maximizes long‐term positive outcomes for youth with ADHD. Tests of executive functioning (EF) are potential tools for screening and differential diagnosis of ADHD subtypes. However, previous research has been inconsistent regarding the specificity and magnitude of EF deficits across ADHD subtypes. Here, we advance knowledge of the EF‐ADHD relationship by using: (1) dimensional latent factor models of ADHD that captures the heterogeneity of expression, and (2) a comprehensive, reliable battery of EF tasks and modeling relationships with a general factor of EF ability. We tested 1548 children and adolescents (ages 7–15 years) from the Texas Twin Project, a population‐based cohort with a diverse socioeconomic and ethnic composition. We show that EF deficits were specific to the inattention domain of ADHD. Moreover, we found that the association between EF task performance and inattention was stable across sociodemographic groups. Our results demonstrate that failures of executive control are selectively manifested as covert inattentive symptoms, such as trouble with organization, forgetfulness, and distractedness, rather than overt symptoms, such as inappropriate talkativeness and interruption. Future research, utilizing a bifactor characterization of ADHD in clinical samples, is needed to further refine understanding of the nature of cognitive deficits in ADHD across the full range of symptom variation.
Is the search for cerebral palsy ‘cures’ a reasonable and appropriate goal in the 2020s?
Authors: Honan Ingrid , Finch‐Edmondson Megan , Imms Christine , Novak Iona , Hogan Amy , Clough Shannon , Bonyhady Bruce , McIntyre Sarah , Elliott Catherine , Wong Shirley , Bink Michael , Badawi Nadia
Published: August 2021

In the field of disability research and advocacy, the notion of ‘cures’ is contentious. Cerebral palsy (CP) is no exception. In this narrative review, we combine perspectives gained during community consultation undertaken for the Australian and New Zealand Cerebral Palsy Strategy, 2020 with those published in the scientific and grey literature to understand whether ‘cures for CP’ is a reasonable and appropriate goal. We frame these perspectives through the lens of several ethical principles central to the discussion. These include maintaining hope while also being realistic, sensitivity to sharply different viewpoints amongst people with disability and their families, and responding to community priorities, societal attitudes, and identity. Through this exploration of the literature and perspectives, we arrived at a definition of ‘cures for CP’ that is pluralized and focuses on functional improvement and/or symptom reduction whilst still acknowledging the potential for neural repair/regeneration strategies.
Firms and regional favouritism
Authors: Vu Tien Manh , Yamada Hiroyuki
Published: August 2021

Using an unbalanced panel of 539 Vietnamese districts from 2000 to 2010 and the corresponding politicians’ profiles, we examine firm behaviour in response to favouritism by top‐ranking politicians towards their districts of birth. Results show that the number of firms tend to increase in the home districts of politicians after they assume office. This favouritism is particularly pronounced for private domestic firms, construction firms and rural areas. However, state‐owned firms are indifferent. We discuss the non‐response of state‐owned firms, potential mechanisms and channels behind the statistical results.
Economic complexity, scientific productivity and income inequality in developing economies
Authors: Sepehrdoust Hamid , Tartar Mohsen , Gholizadeh Aliakbar
Published: August 2021

The state of income distribution in developing countries is important from an economic perspective, including per capita income, national savings, society's welfare and a socio‐political perspective for governments to attract public voters. Therefore, economic justice has always been a concern of governments because of its undeniable economic and social consequences. The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of macroeconomic variables such as economic complexity, scientific productivity and various economic, financial and political risks on the situation of income inequality in developing economies during the years 2000–2019, using an econometric Panel‐VAR method. The results showed that income inequality in selected middle‐income developing countries is moving towards better status due to an increase in scientific productivity and a reduction in economic, financial and political risks. While income inequality decreases as economic complexity increases above a certain threshold. The results of the analysis of variance decomposition showed that among the explanatory variables, the economic complexity has the largest share in describing the Gini coefficient as the index of income inequality distribution.
Comparison between conventional teaching and blended learning in preclinical fixed prosthodontic training: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Ab Ghani Siti Mariam , Abdul Hamid Nor Faharina , Lim Tong Wah
Published: August 2021

Introduction

Blended learning utilizes technology with reduced face‐to‐face time and promotes a student‐centred learning environment that excites the learning process. However, studies on blended learning in fixed prosthodontics is still lacking. This study aimed to compare students’ performance in easy and difficult level of fixed prosthodontic preclinical projects given by either blended learning or conventional teaching.

Methods

A cross‐sectional study was conducted on 72 s‐year dental students, who attended preclinical fixed prosthodontic training. Participants were randomly segregated into conventional teaching (n = 36) and blended learning (n = 36). All participants were evaluated for learning preferences using Visual‐Aural‐Read/Write‐Kinesthetic (VARK) questionnaire and performed a project as their baseline skill assessment. They performed another two preclinical projects (easy and difficult level) after the allocated teaching approach. Learning preferences were analysed using Fisher's exact test and performance in preclinical projects were analysed with an independent t test (significant at p < .05).

Results

The highest prevalence of learning preferences was the quad‐modal preferences (50.7%), which were visual, auditory, reading/writing and kinesthetic. There were no significant differences in baseline skills and learning preferences (p > .05) between groups. No significant differences found between both teaching approaches for easy (p = .319) and difficult projects (p = .339). In the blended learning group, no significant difference was found in both difficulty level of projects (p = .064).

Conclusion

The participants performed equally on both teaching approaches. However, blended learning for preclinical fixed prosthodontics is anticipated as the new norm of learning, especially in the current pandemic with reduced face‐to‐face time.
What's next? Career narratives of women university graduates in times of precarity
Authors: Simosi Maria , Daskalaki Maria , Rousseau Denise M.
Published: August 2021

Building on emerging research on women's careers and precarious employment, we conducted a longitudinal qualitative study of 16 young, educated women over two years in the Greek post‐crisis economy. Using the career construction theory, we trace their career trajectories and the subjective meanings attached to their career transitions. We find evidence of five career narratives, reflecting the trajectories followed and meanings attributed in pursuit of stable employment. In each narrative we observe situational constraints and coping responses as the women respond to threats to their professional identities. Each trajectory is more cyclical than linear, comprised of activities reflecting the goals pursued at the time. We observe the dysfunctional effects of persistent old career identities along with resilient adjustment and pursuit of new identities. Results advance our understanding of career decisions in the context of economic crisis. They also underscore the need to contextualize the study of career narratives over time as they change in accordance with shifting personal goals and opportunities.