bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The APP procedure for estimating the Cohen's effect size
Authors: Chen Xiangfei , Trafimow David , Wang Tonghui , Tong Tingting , Wang Cong
Published: September 2021

Purpose

The authors derive the necessary mathematics, provide computer simulations, provide links to free and user-friendly computer programs, and analyze real data sets.

Design/methodology/approach

Cohen'sd, which indexes the difference in means in standard deviation units, is the most popular effect size measure in the social sciences and economics. Not surprisingly, researchers have developed statistical procedures for estimating sample sizes needed to have a desirable probability of rejecting the null hypothesis given assumed values for Cohen'sd, or for estimating sample sizes needed to have a desirable probability of obtaining a confidence interval of a specified width. However, for researchers interested in using the sample Cohen'sdto estimate the population value, these are insufficient. Therefore, it would be useful to have a procedure for obtaining sample sizes needed to be confident that the sample. Cohen'sdto be obtained is close to the population parameter the researcher wishes to estimate, an expansion of thea prioriprocedure (APP). The authors derive the necessary mathematics, provide computer simulations and links to free and user-friendly computer programs, and analyze real data sets for illustration of our main results.

Findings

In this paper, the authors answered the following two questions: The precision question: How close do I want my sample Cohen'sdto be to the population value? The confidence question: What probability do I want to have of being within the specified distance?

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first paper for estimating Cohen's effect size, using the APP method. It is convenient for researchers and practitioners to use the online computing packages.
RSBY: delivering health insurance through public-private contracting
Authors: Maurya Dayashankar , Srivastava Amit Kumar , Mukherjee Sulagna
Published: September 2021

Learning outcomes

The central lesson to be learned from studying the case is to understand the challenges and constraints posed by contextual conditions in designing contracts in public–private partnerships (PPP) for financing and delivering health care in emerging economies such as India.

Case overview/synopsis

Perverse incentives, along with contextual conditions, led to extensive opportunistic behaviors among involved agencies, limiting the effectiveness of otherwise highly regarded innovative design of the program.

Complexity academic level

India’s “Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana” or National Health Insurance Program, launched in 2007 provided free health insurance coverage to protect millions of low-income families from getting pushed into poverty due to catastrophic health-care expenditure. The program was implemented through a PPP using standardized contracts between multiple stakeholders from the public and private sector – insurance companies, hospitals, intermediaries, the provincial and federal government.

Supplementary materials

Teaching Notes are available for educators only.

Subject code

CSS: 10 Public Sector Management.
Do green women influencers spur sustainable consumption patterns? Descriptive evidences from social media influencers
Authors: Yıldırım Seda
Published: September 2021

Purpose

The adoption of digitalization and sustainability is key phenomenon that has changed perception and behaviors of people recently. As there is a rising power of digital communication by social media platforms, there is higher interaction between people globally. In addition, consumers can influence each other to adopt new consumption pattern. At this point, this paper aims to examine the role of green women influencers on promoting sustainable consumption patterns via social media platforms.

Design/methodology/approach

This study employed qualitative research method. The study included four top-lists for green/sustainable social media influencers as a sample case. Then, the data were analyzed by descriptive content analysis. To determine the role of green women influencers in sustainable consumption, this study used classification and categorization technique through descriptive content analysis.

Findings

The study indicates that green women are seen as a primary social media influencer because of promoting sustainable consumption patterns in general. Especially, green women have more power to change consumption patterns via digital platforms. Green women social media influencers, who are micro-celebrities, share primary contents such as sustainable fashion, green foods, sustainable travel, sustainable lifestyle, conscious choices, green cosmetics and zero waste life to promote sustainable consumption patterns. Women social media influencers are much more effective than men influencers to transform society's consumption behaviors into sustainable consumption patterns.

Research limitations/implications

The study provides some qualitative findings based on the selected four top-listed green social media influencers by different social media platforms. Future studies can find out different results based on different sample cases and employ quantitative research methodology.

Practical implications

The study suggests policymakers to cooperate with green women social media influencers to achieve sub-targets of 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Especially, it is suggested to cooperate with micro-celebrities or Internet celebrities to promote sustainable consumption patterns.

Originality/value

The study proves that women social media influencers have the essential role in promoting green/sustainable consumption patterns via digital platforms. In addition, green women influencers can guide their followers to adopt sustainable consumption patterns.
Segmenting local residents by perceptions of tourism impacts in Sapa, Vietnam: a cluster analysis
Authors: Nguyen Van Huy
Published: September 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to employ social exchange and social representation theories to explain Kinh and Ethnic minorities’ perceptions toward tourism development in Sapa. A cluster analysis is used to segment their perceptions based on tourism impacts.

Design/methodology/approach

The primary data collection involved a survey with local residents in Sapa, Vietnam.

Findings

The results from cluster analysis separate 357 local residents into three clusters which are supporters, pessimists and neutralists. The supportive cluster comprises mainly young, female and less-educated respondents who support tourism development because of their employment and income; however, the pessimistic cluster which mostly consists of highly educated and elder respondents show more concerns about tourism development. Demographic profiles of respondents are classified in each cluster, so that policymakers can put forward specific policy for each ethnic group.

Research limitations/implications

The main limitation of this study is the high rate of incomplete responses in the questionnaires from ethnic minority groups.

Practical implications

Based on the findings of the study, implications are made for tourism planners and policymakers toward a future of more sustainable tourism development in the target context.

Originality/value

To the best of the author’s knowledge, this is the first study to segment the perceptions of Kinh and Ethnic minority groups toward tourism impacts in Sapa, Vietnam.
Assessing the outcomes of an active learning exercise
Authors: Gioiosa Marie Elaine , Kinkela Katherine
Published: September 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to propose an alternative approach to the think-pair-share active learning method and assess it for outcomes.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper evaluates student knowledge of the course content presented in the study (data analytics and artificial intelligence) using a pre- and post-test process with control (lecture-based) and test (active learning) groups. A mixed method approach was used. The quantitative portion included the test scores being analyzed statistically. The qualitative portion included analyzing the open-ended question on the post-test.

Findings

The results note that the active learning exercise improves student learning outcomes in a statistically significant manner (p < 0.001). The open-ended question on the post-test provides positive student feedback.

Originality/value

The active learning exercise used in this study offers an alternate approach to the “think” and “pair” portions of the think-pair-share method and determines whether learning outcomes are improved after implementation of the alternative method.
Culture, conflict and armed non-state actors: cultural heritage protection in a changing operating environment
Authors: Dunkley Mark
Published: September 2021

Purpose

This paper examines the implications, for States Parties, of the 1954 Convention safeguarding regime in the context of contemporary non-international armed conflict and ANSAs, with a general focus on the Middle East and in situ cultural property.

Design/methodology/approach

As the nature of conflict changes and armed forces become further engaged in supporting peacekeeping operations and deliver training to host nation security forces, and human security becomes an increasingly important function of military operations, the protection of cultural heritage (as an expression of a people's identity) becomes a significant contribution to individual operations.

Findings

International obligations to States Parties for the in situ protection of cultural heritage, under both International Humanitarian Law and HC54, become an ever increasing important responsibility for armed forces to help deliver.

Research limitations/implications

While NATO is increasingly focussed on the defence of western states parties from threats posed by the Russian Federation, and observing a commercially and military assertive China, a recent report issued by the Pentagon noted that the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) is regrouping in Iraq faster than in Syria and could regain territory in six to twelve months in the absence of sustained military pressure.

Practical implications

Preservation in situ is used by heritage professionals to refer to the protection of a cultural heritage asset in its original location while the in situ protection of cultural property is a cornerstone topic of the 1954 Hague Convention Special Protection category. The Convention was drafted with international armed conflict in mind but the initial signatories to the Convention had sufficient foresight to consider non-international armed conflict and its potential effect on in situ cultural property by parties to the conflict, including Armed Non-State Actors (ANSA)

Social implications

UN Security Council Resolution 2449 (December 2018) recognized the negative impact of the presence, violent extremist ideology and actions on stability in Syria and the region of both Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) and the Al-Nusrah Front (ANF). This includes not only the devastating humanitarian impact on civilian populations but also the unlawful destruction of cultural heritage.

Originality/value

ANSAs comprise individuals and groups that are wholly or partly independent of State governments and which threaten or use violence to achieve their goals, such as Islamic State. As such, the military operating environment has changed since 1954.
Monetary policy effects on equity returns: application of SVAR identified with high-frequency external instrument
Authors: Jang Woon Wook
Published: September 2021

The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of monetary policy on equity returns by applying an alternative econometric approach. Campbell and Ammer (1993) decomposed unexpected equity excess returns into three news components: risk premium news, real interest rate news and cash-flow news. The literature has determined the monetary policy (MP) effects on these news components. The authors propose an alternative MP shock identification approach to analyze the MP effects on the above-mentioned news components under a structural vector autoregression (SVAR) setup. Under this approach, one can apply an MP indicator in the SVAR, which helps forecast equity excess returns along with its external instruments for identification. Further, this study uses the various recently proposed measures of exogenous MP shocks and Fed information shocks as external instruments, and shows the different patterns of the news components' responses depending on the information in the applied instruments.
The effects of COVID-19 on small and medium-sized enterprises: empirical evidence from Jordan
Authors: Abuhussein Tala , Barham Husam , Al-Jaghoub Saheer
Published: September 2021

Purpose

The ongoing coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has resulted in sudden changes in the macro environment and market behaviour, making most enterprises urgently reconfigure their business models to cope with changes following the COVID-19 outbreak. This paper aims to present empirical data on the effects of the COVID-19 crisis on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), highlighting the initial conclusions regarding their crisis management. It presents factual data on how SMEs in Jordan can use entrepreneurship to combat uncertainty and promote new opportunities.

Design/methodology/approach

This study involves an exploratory qualitative research design, drawing from 32 semi-structured interviews of key informants from Jordanian SMEs in different stages of the crisis. The different coping strategies of the SMEs and their effectiveness in the first six months of the pandemic are then compared.

Findings

The findings show how Jordanian SMEs have adapted to cope with the changes in the business environment because of COVID-19. These strategies include modifying their operations that is moving from an ordinary business model to more tentative digitalisation, improving internal communication and restructuring ad hoc organisational culture.

Originality/value

The study presents important and timely implications for managers of Jordanian SMEs and policymakers by increasing the sensitisation and awareness of SMEs’ coping mechanisms. It is the first study in management that empirically analyses the impact of COVID-19 on Jordanian SMEs.
An overview of tourism and hospitality scales: discussion and recommendations
Authors: Koc Erdogan , Yazici Ayyildiz Ahu
Published: September 2021

Purpose

Scales play an important role in researching and understanding a field. This study aims to explore scales developed in hospitality and tourism to identify the trends and the gaps in the scale development studies with a view to make scale development recommendations for future studies.

Design/methodology/approach

The study explores and analyses 253 scales developed from the perspectives of scope and methodology. The scales were first grouped into categories to identify trends and gaps in scale development to be able to make recommendations from the scope perspective. Then, for the methodology perspective, the scales were analysed according to various criteria such as sampling, reliability, validity and pilot testing reporting.

Findings

The study shows that while there are opportunities in some areas to develop newer scales, some areas appear to be saturated. It is important to note that all scales appear to be self-report scales which may result in the measurement of self-perceptions of people alone regarding a phenomenon. The study also pointed out some of the methodological shortcomings in the scales developed.

Research limitations/implications

The study has both theoretical and practical implications. From a theoretical implications perspective, the study identified the overlaps and the gaps in scale development and provided several new scale development ideas concerning their scopes/topics and methodologies. From a practical perspective, the study shed light on the extent which the scales are relevant and useable by the practitioners in the tourism and hospitality establishments.

Originality/value

The study is original as there is no collective review of hospitality and tourism scales. The study identifies the trends, gaps, overlaps and some of the weaknesses of the scales developed and offers several valuable recommendations for the future.
Understanding Muslim’s switching from cash to m-payments: based on push-pull-mooring framework
Authors: Yusfiarto Rizaldi , Sunarsih Sunarsih , Darmawan Darmawan
Published: September 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to explore a theoretical model using the push-pull-mooring framework which adopts both direct and moderating effects, in relation to building antecedents of Muslim switching intention (SI) from using cash to mobile payment (m-payment).

Design/methodology/approach

The data collected were 317 respondents, then processed using the partial least squares structural equation modeling approach (SEM-PLS). Furthermore, advanced PLS techniques such as PLS predict, blindfolding and importance-performance map analysis are used to verify the statistical analysis of findings.

Findings

This research underlines the importance of religious commitment factor when talking about Muslims SI to use m-payment. Moreover, the features of m-payment, such as enjoyment, efficiency, security and convenience, have contributed to the driving and attracting factors for Muslim individuals to switch from cash to m-payment.

Practical implications

Fundamentally it is highly recommended that the highest concentration of service provider strategies is always obeying the principles of Islamic finance, with regard to the Muslim community as their target market. Specific to the government, the distribution of supporting infrastructure and literacy of new technologies such as m-payment are still important points in an effort to create a cashless society.

Originality/value

The model in this study emphasizes the internal and external construction of a Muslim in relation to the behavior of SI from using cash to m-payment. Thus, the construction of the model that has been built is considered to bring more relevant factors to explain the m-payment adoption behavior of a Muslim from various perspectives.
Investigating various factors that affect students' adoption intention to technology-enhanced learning
Authors: Dubey Pushkar , Sahu Kailash Kumar
Published: September 2021

Purpose

Technology-enhanced learning (TEL), undoubtedly, creates a big difference in higher education students' knowledge and growth, which helps them become globally competitive in the job market eventually. The present study aims to investigate the effect of various factors, i.e. informational quality, compatibility, resource availability, subjective norms, subject interest, institutional branding and self-efficacy on students' adoption intention to TEL enrolled in different government and private educational institutes in Chhattisgarh state.

Design/methodology/approach

The primary data were collected from 600 students from different universities and colleges using purposive sampling technique with “criterion sampling”. Hierarchal multiple regression (stepwise) analysis was used on the collected data.

Findings

Results concluded that factors, i.e. compatibility, resource availability, subjective norms, subject interest and institutional branding are significantly and positively influencing students' adoption intention to TEL in Chhattisgarh, whereas self-efficacy and informational quality of TEL did not contribute significant effect for students' adoption intention.

Originality/value

There is a lack of research in the knowledge domain, especially in the field of TEL, in the state of Chhattisgarh. The different variables taken in the present study, such as informational quality, self-efficacy, institutional branding, subjective norms, resource availability, compatibility and subject interest of TEL, are the first of its kind where these variables are being examined on the students' adoption intention to TEL.
An introduction to the challenges of distributive equity in the English Premier League
Authors: Bishop Rory , Smith Aaron C.T. , Read Daniel
Published: September 2021

Purpose

This article provides a plain language commentary on the distributive equity structure of the English Premier League (EPL) with the aim of introducing sport business practitioners to a foundational challenge facing professional leagues as they grow financially with market opportunities, namely financial inequality between clubs.

Design/methodology/approach

Introducing and discussing data from seasons 2009/10–2018/19, the article reveals that despite maintaining a consistent distribution of the EPL prize fund over time, the financial imbalance within the league has grown throughout the period.

Findings

The EPL's financial distributive equity is exacerbated by growing imparity in the acquisition of sponsorship revenues, the distribution of broadcasting revenues and the implications of policies concerning financial fair play and parachute payments, leading to a problematic differential in the talent distribution and win–wage relationship experienced by the top six teams and the remainder.

Practical implications

The EPL's market-driven continuation of its revenue allocation policies has led to a broadening financial imbalance, in favour of the top clubs, which could paradoxically undermine the financial security of the teams and league. Sport business practitioners should be familiar with this fundamental challenge for sport leagues that accompanies financial growth.

Originality/value

Whilst the percentage difference in prize fund allocation between top and bottom clubs appears minor, there is a significant financial variation across the league, primarily due to the large increase in broadcasting income. This is compounded by positive feedback via the relative dominance of the top six clubs receiving the larger share allocated to higher finishing teams.
Shared leadership and team creativity: a team level mixed-methods study
Authors: Xie Lei , Han Soo Jeoung , Beyerlein Michael , Lu Jiacheng , Vukin Lillian , Boehm Rodney
Published: September 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to conduct two studies to investigate shared leadership and team creativity (TC) in leaderless short-term project teams (STPTs).

Design/methodology/approach

To answer the research question, this paper used a multi-level mixed-methods design. This paper analyzed video recordings, transcripts of STPTs’ collaboration and self-report surveys from an international engineering competition. In Study 1, this paper attempted to connect relation-oriented shared leadership (ROSL) and task-oriented shared leadership (TOSL) with TC by coding video recordings. In Study 2, this paper further investigated the proposed positive relationship between shared leadership and TC by surveying a sample of 166 students in 51 teams.

Findings

In Study 1, this paper found that shared leadership covaries with TC following a similar behavioral pattern. In Study 2, multi-level structural equation modeling results suggested that both TOSL and ROSL are positively correlated with TC.

Originality/value

In this mixed-methods multi-level research, this paper found that when the team’s shared leadership increases, their TC activity becomes frequent. This paper confirmed the qualitative finding by quantitatively investigated the relationship between shared leadership and creativity at the team level.
Epidemiology and clinical features of pustular psoriasis: A 15‐year retrospective cohort
Authors: Tosukhowong Theetouch , Kiratikanon Salin , Wonglamsam Patitta , Netiviwat Jaturon , Innu Tanawin , Rujiwetpongstorn Rujira , Tovanabutra Napatra , Chiewchanvit Siri , Kwangsukstith Chartchai , Chuamanochan Mati
Published: September 2021

Pustular psoriasis (PuP) is a rare variant of psoriasis with a unique immunopathogenesis, unlike its more prevalent plaque‐type counterpart. However, data available are limited due to its low prevalence. This study aimed to describe the demographic profile, precipitating factors, clinical presentations, and treatments among patients with different PuP subtypes from a 15‐year retrospective cohort study in Thailand. A total of 60 patients were included in this study. There was female predominance (73.3%) and mean age of onset was 38.1 ± 17.6 years. Generalized PuP (GPP) was the most prevalent subtype (80.0%), followed by acrodermatitis continua of Hallopeau (13.3%) and palmoplantar pustulosis (6.7%). Precipitating factors included corticosteroid withdrawal, upper respiratory tract infection, and pregnancy. One‐third of PuP occurred concomitantly with other psoriasis variants, especially the plaque type. The most prescribed systemic and topical treatments were oral acitretin (60.0%) and topical corticosteroids (98.3%), respectively. Only two patients were treated with narrow‐band ultraviolet B. In conclusion, four out of every five PuP patients in this center had GPP. Corticosteroid withdrawal, upper respiratory tract infection, and pregnancy are important precipitating factors. Coexistence with other psoriasis variants was identified in one out of every three patients. Acitretin remains the mainstay of systemic treatment.
The eco‐evolutionary dynamics of prior selfing rates promote coexistence without niche partitioning under conditions of reproductive interference
Authors: Katsuhara Koki R. , Tachiki Yuuya , Iritani Ryosuke , Ushimaru Atushi
Published: September 2021

Pollinator‐mediated reproductive interference can occur when two or more plant species share the same pollinators. Recent studies have suggested that prior autonomous selfing mitigates reproductive interference, potentially facilitating coexistence even in the absence of pollination niche partitioning (i.e. the pre‐emptive selfing hypothesis). However, whether the evolution of prior selfing promotes coexistence, in the context of the eco‐evolutionary dynamics of population size, selfing rates and inbreeding depression, remains poorly understood.

We constructed an individual‐based model to examine the conditions under which the evolution of prior selfing promotes coexistence in the context of mutual reproductive interference. In the model, two plant species compete by way of mutual reproductive interference, and both have the potential to evolve the capacity for prior autonomous selfing. We expected that purging of deleterious mutations might result in evolutionary rescue, assuming that the strength of inbreeding depression declines as the population selfing rate increases; this would enable inferior competitors to maintain population density through the evolution of prior selfing.

Our simulation demonstrated that evolution of prior selfing may promote coexistence, whereas reproductive interference in the absence of such evolution results in competitive exclusion. We found that lower pollinator availability is likely to favour rapid evolutionary shifts to higher prior selfing rates, thereby neutralising the negative effects of reproductive interference in both species. When the strength of inbreeding depression decreased with an increase in the population‐level selfing rate, moderate pollinator availability resulted in long‐term coexistence in which relative abundance‐dependent selection on the prior selfing rate served to intermittently maintain the population density of the inferior competitor.

Synthesis. We demonstrate that the evolution of prior selfing may increase population growth rates of inferior competitors and may consequently promote long‐term coexistence via an evolutionary rescue. This constitutes a novel mechanism explaining the co‐evolutionary coexistence of closely related plant species without niche partitioning, and is consistent with recent studies reporting that closely related species with mixed mating systems can co‐occur sympatrically, even under conditions of mutual reproductive interference.
Appraisal of national and international uterine fibroid management guidelines: a systematic review
Authors: Amoah A , Joseph N , Reap S , Quinn SD
Published: September 2021

Background

Guidelines standardise high‐quality evidence‐based management strategies for clinicians. Uterine fibroids are a highly prevalent condition and may exert significant morbidity.

Objectives

To appraise national and international uterine fibroid guidelines using the validated AGREE‐II instrument.

Selection strategy

Database search of PubMed and EMBASE from inception to October 2020 for all published English‐language uterine fibroid clinical practice guidelines.

Data collection and analysis

In all, 939 abstracts were screened for eligibility by two reviewers independently. Three reviewers used the AGREE‐II instrument to assess guideline quality in six domains. Recommendations were mapped to allow a narrative synthesis regarding areas of consensus and disagreement.

Main results

Eight national guidelines (AAGL, SOGC 2014, ACOG, ACR, SOGC 2019, CNGOF, ASRM and SOGC 2015) and one international guideline (RANZOG) were appraised. The highest scoring guideline was RANZOG 2001(score 56.5%). None of the guidelines met the a priori criteria for being high‐quality overall (score ≥66%). There were 166 recommendations across guidelines. There were several areas of disagreement and uncertainty. There were only three areas of consensus. Supporting evidence was not evident for many recommendations; 27.7% of recommendations were based on expert opinion only.

Conclusions

There is a need for high‐quality guidelines on fibroids given their heterogeneity across individuals and the large range of treatment modalities available. There are also areas of controversy in the management of fibroids (e.g. Ulipristal acetate, power morcellation), which should also be addressed in any guidelines. Future guidelines should be methodologically robust to allow high‐quality decision‐making regarding fibroid treatments.

Tweetable abstract

Current national fibroid guidelines have deficiencies in quality when appraised using the validated AGREE instrument.
Relationship between flavor and energy status in shiitake mushroom (Lentinula edodes) harvested at different developmental stages
Authors: Liu Qin , Hu Sujuan , Song Zhibo , Cui Xiao , Kong Weili , Song Kaibo , Zhang Yuting
Published: September 2021

To understand the relationship between flavor and energy, the flavor, energy, and enzyme activity related to energy metabolism in shiitake mushrooms harvested at different developmental stages were investigated. The results indicated that the adenosine triphosphate level increased significantly in developing mushrooms and was strongly correlated with the fresh weight. The levels of equivalent umami concentration (EUC), total aroma compounds, energy charge, adenosine triphosphatase, cytochrome c oxidase, and succinic dehydrogenase varied with maturity. In addition, a strong correlation was observed between aroma compounds, EUC, and energy status (p < 0.05). Our results suggest that the unique flavor of developing shiitake mushroom is closely related to energy. The findings may provide a new strategy to improve the flavor of mushrooms by regulating their energy levels.

Practical Application

The unique flavor of shiitake mushroom, which has a significant impact on consumer preferences, is one of its key characteristics. This research paper provides a theoretical foundation for determining the optimal harvest period for shiitake mushrooms with high quality and a new strategy to improve the flavor of mushrooms by regulating their energy levels.
Lithium can mildly increase health during ageing but not lifespan in mice
Authors: Nespital Tobias , Neuhaus Brit , Mesaros Andrea , Pahl André , Partridge Linda
Published: September 2021

Lithium is a nutritional trace element, used clinically as an anti‐depressant. Preclinically, lithium has neuroprotective effects in invertebrates and mice, and it can also extend lifespan in fission yeast, C. elegans and Drosophila. An inverse correlation of human mortality with the concentration of lithium in tap water suggests a possible, evolutionarily conserved mechanism mediating longevity. Here, we assessed the effects of lithium treatment on lifespan and ageing parameters in mice. Lithium has a narrow therapeutic dose range, and overdosing can severely affect organ health. Within the tolerable dosing range, we saw some mildly positive effects of lithium on health span but not on lifespan.
The myometrial‐cervical ratio (MCR): Assessing the diagnostic accuracy of a novel ultrasound measurement in the diagnosis of adenomyosis
Authors: Mooney Samantha , Roberts Rebecca , McGinnes Dorothy , Ellett Lenore , Maher Peter , Ireland‐Jenkin Kerryn , Stone Kate
Published: September 2021

Background

Adenomyosis is histologically defined by the presence of endometrial glands and stroma in the myometrium. To date, there are no standardised ultrasound findings that reliably predict histological adenomyosis.

Aims

This study aimed to determine the diagnostic accuracy of a novel sonographic measurement for adenomyosis, the myometrial‐cervical ratio (MCR), when compared with histopathological diagnosis.

Materials and Methods

A single‐centre retrospective study was performed. The MCR was calculated from the pre‐operative ultrasound, and histopathology reviewed for each case. Accuracy data were analysed in the form of 2 × 2 tables. The discriminative value of the MCR was summarised with a receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve. Sub‐analysis examined the impact of fibroids, hormonal suppression, menopausal status, parity and indication for surgery.

Results

Between 1 January 2016 and 31 December 2018, 982 patients underwent hysterectomy for benign non‐obstetric indication and adequate pre‐operative ultrasound was available for 260. The MCR demonstrated limited diagnostic ability for adenomyosis (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) 0.58, 95% CI 0.51–0.65). However, when applied to cases with no uterine fibroid included in the MCR calculation (n = 133) there was a strong association between MCR and diagnosis of adenomyosis (odds ratio: 5.79, 95% CI: 2.15, 15.62, P = 0.001) with AUROC for this model 0.68 (95% CI: 0.59, 0.77). At an MCR cut‐point of 1.74, sensitivity is 67.16% and specificity is 66.15%, with 66.67% of samples correctly classified.

Conclusions

While diagnostic accuracy was suboptimal, the MCR outperforms traditional ultrasound diagnostic features of adenomyosis. The MCR may offer a simple imaging measurement for adenomyosis.
An extension of the theory of planned behaviour in predicting intention to reduce plastic use in the Philippines: Cross‐sectional and experimental evidence
Authors: Aruta John Jamir Benzon R.
Published: September 2021

The Philippines is the third‐largest contributor to plastic waste, which is an urgent global problem that cannot be addressed without individual and collective behaviour changes. In two studies, the present research examined the antecedents of intention to reduce plastic use in the Philippines. Using a cross‐sectional online survey, Study 1 (N = 245) investigated the influence of attitudes, perceived behavioural control, two types of norms (descriptive and prescriptive norms), gender, and the interaction effect between descriptive norms and gender on Filipinos’ intention to reduce plastic use. Latent variable path analysis revealed that attitudes, perceived behavioural control, prescriptive norms, but not descriptive norms, and gender (and their interaction), significantly predicted plastic reduction intention. Explicating the non‐significant prediction of descriptive norms and gender in Study 1, a 2 (low descriptive versus high descriptive norms) × 2 (males versus females) between‐subjects experiment was conducted in Study 2 (N = 280) to investigate the interaction between descriptive norms and gender on intention to reduce plastic use. Results revealed a significant interaction effect, with descriptive norms fostering intention to reduce plastic use among males, but not among females. Implications for policies towards environmental sustainability in non‐Western countries are discussed.
Excimer laser‐assisted corneal epithelial pattern ablation for corneal cross‐linking
Authors: Brekelmans Jurriaan , Dickman Mor M. , Verma Shwetabh , Arba‐Mosquera Samuel , Goldschmidt Ruth , Goz Alexandra , Brandis Alexander , Berendschot Tos T.J.M. , Saelens Isabelle E.Y. , Marcovich Arie L. , Scherz Avigdor , Nuijts Rudy M.M.A.
Published: September 2021

Purpose

To determine corneal cross‐linking (CXL) efficacy and chromophore penetration after excimer laser‐assisted patterned de‐epithelialization.

Methods

Two‐hundred‐twenty porcine eyes were de‐epithelialized ex vivo, either fully (mechanical; n = 88) or patterned (excimer laser; n = 132). Consecutively, corneas were impregnated with hypo‐ or hyperosmolar riboflavin (RF; n = 20, RF‐D; n = 40, respectively) or water‐soluble taurine (WST11; n = 40, and WST‐D; n = 40, respectively), or kept unimpregnated (n = 80). Sixty corneas were subsequently irradiated, inducing CXL, with paired contralateral eyes serving as controls. Outcome measurements included strip extensiometry to assess CXL efficacy, and spectrophotometry and fluorescence microscopy to determine stromal chromophore penetration.

Results

All tested chromophores induced significant CXL (p < 0.001), ranging from 7.6% to 14.6%, with similar stiffening for all formulations (p = 0.60) and both de‐epithelialization methods (p = 0.56). Light transmittance was significantly lower (p < 0.001) after full compared with patterned de‐epithelialization. Stromal chromophore penetration was comparable between fully and patterned de‐epithelialized samples, with full penetration in RD and RF‐D samples and penetration depths measuring 591.7 ± 42.8 µm and 592.9 ± 63.5 µm for WST11 (p = 0.963) and 504.2 ± 43.2 µm and 488.8 ± 93.1 µm for WST‐D (p = 0.669), respectively.

Conclusions

Excimer laser‐assisted patterned de‐epithelialization allows for effective CXL. Stromal chromophore concentration is, however, reduced, which may have safety implications given the need for sufficient UVA attenuation in RF/UVA CXL. The different safety profile of near‐infrared (NIR) may allow safe WST11/NIR CXL even with reduced stromal chromophore concentration values. In vivo studies are needed to evaluate the benefits and further assess safety of excimer laser‐assisted patterned de‐epithelialization for corneal CXL.
FGF13 enhances resistance to platinum drugs by regulating hCTR1 and ATP7A via a microtubule‐stabilizing effect
Authors: Yu Hang , Wang Handong , Qie Anran , Wang Jiaqi , Liu Yueping , Gu Guoqiang , Yang Jing , Zhang Hanqiu , Pan Wensen , Tian Ziqiang , Wang Chuan
Published: September 2021

Platinum‐based regimens are the most widely used chemotherapy regimens, but cancer cells often develop resistance, which impedes therapy outcome for patients. Previous studies have shown that fibroblast growth factor 13 (FGF13) is associated with resistance to platinum drugs in HeLa cells. However, the mechanism and universality of this effect have not been clarified. Here, we found that FGF13 was associated with poor platinum‐based chemotherapy outcomes in a variety of cancers, such as lung, endometrial, and cervical cancers, through bioinformatics analysis. We then found that FGF13 simultaneously regulates the expression and distribution of hCTR1 and ATP7A in cancer cells, causes reduced platinum influx, and promotes platinum sequestration and efflux upon cisplatin exposure. We subsequently observed that FGF13‐mediated platinum resistance requires the microtubule‐stabilizing effect of FGF13. Only overexpression of FGF13 with the ‐SMIYRQQQ‐ tubulin‐binding domain could induce the platinum resistance effect. This phenomenon was also observed in SK‐MES‐1 cells, KLE cells, and 5637 cells. Our research reveals the mechanism of FGF13‐induced platinum drug resistance and suggests that FGF13 can be a sensibilization target and prognostic biomarker for chemotherapy.
Dung or carrion? Sex and age determine resource attraction in dung beetles
Authors: Salomão Renato Portela , Cerqueira Leonardo Vilas‐Bôas M. P. , Gomes Andreza de Andrade Catunda , González‐Tokman Daniel , Maia Artur Campos Dália , Iannuzzi Luciana
Published: September 2021

1. Food choice may change depending on sex, age, and physiological condition due to nutritional requirements or because of mechanisms that promote food recognition. Among dung beetles, some species are attracted to both carrion and dung, but why males and females are more attracted to either resource remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate whether body size, physiological condition (body dry mass, lipid mass, muscle mass) and age (young, mature, old) affect resource attraction in males and females of two species of dung beetles, Dichotomius iannuzziae and D. gilletti.

2. This study was carried out in remnants of Atlantic Forest in Brazil. To evaluate resource attraction, pitfall traps baited with feces or carrion were installed in the remnants, and the beetles were categorized according to sex and age. Furthermore, beetles' physiological condition and body size were measured.

3. Population structure of D. iannuzziae differed according to bait type. Males of D. iannuzziae were more attracted to feces than carrion across all age classes. The same occurred among conspecific mature females, suggesting a sex‐specific reproductive preference for feces. Contrastingly, D. gilletti resource attraction did not vary with sex or age. For both species, neither body size nor physiological condition defined resource attraction, indicating that compensatory feeding due to nutrient requirements is unlikely.

4. Due to the changes in food quality and quantity as a consequence of forest loss, mammal extinction and landscape transformation, it is critical to understand how wild species respond to different scenarios of food availability.
Triadic family structures and their day‐to‐day dynamics from an adolescent perspective: A multilevel latent profile analysis
Authors: Xia Mengya , Bray Bethany C. , Fosco Gregory M.
Published: September 2021

Relationship structure (patterns of relative closeness among multiple family members) and dynamics (changes in relationship structures overtime) are two main aspects of family system functioning, yet empirical tests of these concepts lag behind theory. Recent growth in advanced methods for complex data structures makes it possible to empirically capture structures and dynamics within multiple family relationships overtime. To answer how relationship structure may fluctuate from day to day, this study used multilevel latent profile analysis (MLPA) as an innovative and feasible method to capture mother–father–adolescent (MFA) relationship structures and dynamics on a daily basis. Using daily adolescent reports of mother–father (MF), mother–adolescent (MA), and father–adolescent (FA) closeness from 144 two‐parent families for up to 21 days, we identified six day‐level MFA structures: Cohesive (33% of days; three close dyads), Mother‐Centered (9%; closer MF, average MA, less close FA), Adolescent‐Centered (4%; less close MF, closer MA and FA), MA‐Coalition (3%; closer MA, less close MF and FA), Disengaged (23%; three less close dyads), and Average (28%; three approximately average dyads). We identified five types of MFA dynamics at the family level: Stable Cohesive (35% of families; exhibited Cohesive structure most days), Stable Disengaged (20%; Disengaged structure most days), Stable MA‐Coalition (3%; MA‐Coalition structure most days), Stable Average (24%; Average structure most days), and Variable (17%; varied among multiple structures). Methodologically, daily diary designs and MLPA can be useful tools to empirically examine concrete hypotheses of complex, non‐linear processes in family systems. Substantive and methodological implications are discussed.
Taxonomic composition and lake bathymetry influence fatty acid export via emergent insects
Authors: Mathieu‐Resuge Margaux , Martin‐Creuzburg Dominik , Twining Cornelia W. , Parmar Tarn Preet , Hager Hannes H. , Kainz Martin J.
Published: September 2021

The ecological role of emergent aquatic insects from lakes in exporting dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) across the freshwater‐land interface is still poorly understood.

In this field study, we explored the seasonal biomass export of emergent insects from three subalpine lakes and investigated how lipids of emergent insects were related to lake bathymetry, lipids of organic matter in lake sediments (i.e., basal resources), and the taxonomic composition of insects.

The total lipid and PUFA fluxes of emergent insects were strongly related to taxonomy and lake bathymetry, but weakly associated with the PUFA content of the uppermost lake sediment layers. PUFA flux estimates of the dominant taxon, Chironomidae, from the shallowest lake (3 m depth; 125 g PUFA m−2 season−1) were considerably higher than those from the deepest lake (33 m depth; 56 g PUFA m−2 season−1), due to the higher per area biomass of emergent insects from this shallow lake. Insect taxonomy also affected the composition of PUFA transfer to land: Chironomidae were richer in ω‐6 PUFA, such as linoleic acid (18:2n‐6) and arachidonic acid (20:4n‐6), whereas Ephemeroptera and Trichoptera contained more ω‐3 PUFA, especially α‐linolenic acid (18:3n‐3) and eicosapentaenoic acid (20:5n‐3).

Our findings suggest that taxon‐specific differences in PUFA content and lake bathymetry jointly shape PUFA fluxes and thus the provisioning of emergent insects as dietary sources of physiologically important PUFA for riparian consumers.
No‐analogue associations in the fossil record of southern conifers reveal conservatism in precipitation, but not temperature axes
Authors: Brown Matilda J. M. , Brodribb Timothy J. , Jordan Gregory J.
Published: September 2021

Aim

Southern conifers have evolved under different evolutionary pressures compared with northern lineages, but in both regions these plants have undergone extensive extinction and range alteration over the Cenozoic (the last 66 Myr). It is not possible to observe the ecology of fossils directly, but indirect evidence of changes in bioclimatic envelopes can be derived from no‐analogue assemblages (i.e., groups of co‐occurring fossils that have climatically incongruous living relatives). We identify and examine the specific pairs of no‐analogue fossils within assemblages to disentangle the effects of climatic factors on past conifer extinctions and suggest which of these factors are likely to threaten southern conifer biodiversity in the future.

Location

Southern Hemisphere.

Time period

Cenozoic.

Major taxa studied

Conifers.

Methods

We use a recently developed method, “hyperoverlap”, to identify no‐analogue pairs of southern conifers. We characterize each pair in terms of temperature and precipitation and evaluate temporal patterns in no‐analogue pairs. These analyses represent a novel approach to studying both no‐analogue fossils and past changes in bioclimatic envelopes.

Results

We identified 240 no‐analogue pairs in the Cenozoic record of southern conifers. Most (75.4%) observations of no‐analogue pairs are likely to result from a change in the thermal (rather than hydrological) distribution between the fossil taxa and their extant counterparts, regardless of region or assemblage age. Thus, the fossil record shows some thermal lability, but strong hydrological stability in the tolerances of these plants. This implies that most southern conifers have inhabited wet climates through the Cenozoic, which is consistent with physiological evidence suggesting strong conservatism in drought tolerance.

Main conclusions

Southern conifers have adapted successfully to a wide range of temperatures, but future changes in rainfall are likely to pose the greatest threat to these plants, either directly or indirectly (e.g., through increased incidence of fire in mesic areas).