bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Identification of DIR1-dependant cellular responses required for guard cell systemic acquired resistance
Authors: David Lisa , Kang Jianing , Nicklay Josh , Dufrense Craig , Chen Sixue
Published: June 2021

After localized invasion by bacterial pathogens, systemic acquired resistance (SAR) is induced in uninfected plant tissues, resulting in enhanced defense against a broad range of pathogens. Although SAR requires mobilization of signaling molecules via the plant vasculature, the specific molecular mechanisms remain elusive. The lipid transfer protein-defective in induced resistance 1-1 (DIR1-1) was identified in Arabidopsis thaliana by screening for mutants that were defective in SAR. Here we demonstrate that stomatal response to pathogens is altered in systemic leaves by SAR, and this guard cell SAR defense requires DIR1. Using a multi-omics approach, we have determined potential SAR signaling mechanisms specific for guard cells in systemic leaves by profiling metabolite, lipid, and protein differences between guard cells in wild type and dir1-1 mutant during SAR. We identified two 18C fatty acids and two 16C wax esters as putative SAR-related molecules dependent on DIR1. Proteins and metabolites related to amino acid biosynthesis and response to stimulus were also changed in guard cells of dir1-1 compared to wild type. Identification of guard cell-specific SAR-related molecules may lead to new avenues of genetic modification/molecular breeding for disease resistant plants.

One-sentence summary

DIR1 affects many biological processes in stomatal guard cells during systemic acquired resistance (SAR), as revealed by multi-omics, and it may function through transporting two 18C fatty acids during SAR.
A cookbook for the investigation of coordination polymers by transition metal K-edge XMCD
Authors: N'Diaye Adama , Bordage Amélie , Nataf Lucie , Baudelet François , Moreno Thierry , Bleuzen Anne
Published: June 2021

In order to disentangle the physical effects at the origin of transition metal K-edge X-ray magnetic circular dichroism (XMCD) in coordination polymers and quantify small structural distortions from the intensity of these signals, a systematic investigation of Prussian blue analogs as model compounds is being conducted. Here the effects of the temperature and of the external magnetic field are tackled; none of these external parameters modify the shape of the XMCD signal but they both critically modify its intensity. The optimized experimental conditions, as well as a reliable and robust normalization procedure, could thus be determined for the study of the intrinsic parameters. Through an extended discussion on measurements on other XMCD-dedicated beamlines and for other coordination compounds, we finally provide new transition metal K-edge XMCD users with useful information to initiate and successfully carry out their projects.
Effect of benefits and risks on customer's psychological ownership in the service industry
Authors: Lee In-Tae , Choi Jinyong , Kim Sangyoo
Published: June 2021

Purpose

The authors investigate the antecedents of psychological ownership from the customers' perspective by applying employee psychological ownership (EPO) to human resource management.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors conducted questionnaires on utilitarian benefits, hedonic benefits, perceived risk, customer satisfaction, customer trust and customers' psychological ownership (CPO) on 205 people. They verified their hypotheses using structural equation modeling analysis.

Findings

The authors found that customer trust positively influences CPO, but customer satisfaction does not. Instead, customer satisfaction indirectly affects CPO through the mediating effects of customer trust. They also found that utilitarian and hedonic benefits positively influence customer satisfaction and confidence, but perceived risk negatively influences it.

Research limitations/implications

This study contributes to the service marketing literature by empirically confirming that customers have psychological ownership, such as employees, and by incorporating benefits, risk, trust and CPO into a comprehensive framework.

Practical implications

Marketers should formulate service strategies that strengthen customers' perceptions of utilitarian and hedonic benefits and avoid customers' perceived risk, which is expected to exert a significant CPO-enhancing effect.

Originality/value

In the service context, customers are perceived as partial employees. The authors empirically explored the role of perceived benefits and risks in enhancing CPO via customer satisfaction and trust by applying EPO concepts. Strengthening perceived benefits and avoiding perceived risk were verified as critical drivers of CPO in the service context. The results of this study confirm that customer trust is required for customers to feel CPO.
A computational analysis on convective heat transfer for impinging slot nanojets onto a moving hot body
Authors: Coşanay Hakan , F. Oztop Hakan , Selimefendigil Fatih
Published: June 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to perform computational analysis on the steady flow and heat transfer due to a slot nanojet impingement onto a heated moving body. The object is moving at constant speed and nanoparticle is included in the heat transfer fluid. The unsteady flow effects and interactions of multiple impinging jets are also considered.

Design/methodology/approach

The finite volume method was used as the solver in the numerical simulation. The movement of the hot body in the channel is also considered. Influence of various pertinent parameters such as Reynolds number, jet to target surface spacing and solid nanoparticle volume fraction on the convective heat transfer characteristics are numerically studied in the transient regime.

Findings

It is found that the flow field and heat transfer becomes very complicated due to the interaction of multiple impinging jets with the movement of the hot body in the channel. Higher heat transfer rates are achieved with higher values of Reynolds number while the inclusion of nanoparticles resulted in a small impact on flow friction. The middle jet was found to play an important role in the heat transfer behavior while jet and moving body temperatures become equal after t = 80.

Originality/value

Even though some studies exist for the application of jet impingement heat transfer for a moving plate, the configuration with a solid moving hot body on a moving belt under the impacts of unsteady flow effects and interactions of multiple impinging jets have never been considered. The results of the present study will be helpful in the design and optimization of various systems related to convective drying of products, metal processing industry, thermal management in electronic cooling and many other systems.
Blue and red in financial documents: the influence on attentional mechanisms and behavior
Authors: Ceravolo Maria Gabriella , Farina Vincenzo , Fattobene Lucrezia , Graziano Elvira Anna , Leonelli Lucia , Raggetti GianMario
Published: June 2021

Purpose

This study investigates whether colors red or blue in financial disclosure documents (Key Investor Information Documents – KIIDs) affect attention distribution toward the visual stimulus and the perception of financial attractiveness of the products.

Design/methodology/approach

In order to observe and measure financial consumers' visual attention, the unobtrusive methodology of eye-tracking is used on a sample of nonprofessional investors, applying an ecological protocol, through a cross-sectional design.

Findings

Financial information processing and visual attention distribution are influenced by the color of the KIID document, as red seems to attract attention, proxied by gazing behavior, more than blue. Red color, compared to blue, is also observed to push investors to rate the products as less financially attractive, especially when the product Risk Reward Profile is high.

Practical implications

The findings highlight the role of the basic visual properties of documents conveying financial information, prompting to investigate the unconscious and automatic mechanisms of individual's attention and its influence on decision making.

Originality/value

Using the eye-tracking tool, this study bridges neuroscience, color research, marketing and finance and provides new knowledge on the underlying neural mechanisms of financial consumers' behavior.
Surviving trust from conflict in the construction industry: an interaction between conflict handling behaviors, behavioral outcomes, conflict and trust
Authors: Wang Yousong , Liu Fangfang , Zhang Yangbing , Gong Enqin
Published: June 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to reveal the role of conflict management in the process of trust development. Specifically, this study investigates how the salience of conflict varies with different conflict-handling behaviors and behavioral outcomes and how the variation of the salience of conflict influences the trust development between contracting parties.

Design/methodology/approach

A questionnaire survey was undertaken to collect data from 310 experienced project practitioners. Hierarchical regression analysis and bootstrapping with a structural equation model were mainly used to test the hypotheses.

Findings

This paper finds that the relational degree of conflict handling behaviors can influence the salience of conflict and furthermore to influence trust between contracting parties, with this relationship mediated by the behavioral outcomes; however, all these relationships are contingent on the stage where relational conflict handling behaviors are adopted and the specific type of outcomes the behaviors result in.

Practical implications

This study provides some specific directions for the practitioners to conduct relational conflict handling behaviors and generate positive outcomes to keep trust developing between contracting parties in conflictual situations.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the knowledge of inter-organizational trust development as well as conflict management, by investigating the relationship between conflict and trust in a direction, which is less examined and revealing the process of conflict management, where the conflict handling behaviors influence behavioral outcomes to further manage conflict, in trust development.
STEM doctoral mentoring: a call for a conscious, culturally responsive journey
Authors: Sanczyk Anna , Merriweather Lisa R. , Howell Cathy D. , Douglas Niesha C.
Published: June 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this research study was to explore U.S. STEM faculty’s perceptions of culturally responsive mentoring underrepresented doctoral students in STEM programs. The research question that guided this study was “How do STEM doctoral faculty mentors engage in culturally responsive mentoring?

Design/methodology/approach

A case study research design was used and included findings from an embedded case drawn from a larger ongoing study. Six STEM faculty participants provided in-depth insights into the dynamic nature of the culturally responsive mentoring journey through semi-structured interviews that were analyzed using thematic analysis. The theoretical framework for this research study was grounded in the ideas posited by culturally responsive pedagogy.

Findings

The findings revealed three themes related to the mentoring journeys experienced by the faculty fellows: an academic journey, an intentional journey, and a subliminal journey.

Research limitations/implications

The findings of this research provide significant contribution to the current literature on mentoring and point to the importance of continuous, structured research efforts to increase the quality of mentoring for URM students in doctoral STEM programs.

Practical implications

STEM faculty could benefit from participating in mentor training framed by culturally responsive pedagogy. Future research is needed to explore the mentor training needs of STEM faculty in other environments, including contexts outside the United States.

Originality/value

This study extends understanding of STEM faculty's knowledge, dispositions, and abilities of culturally responsive mentoring and emphasizes the need for ongoing professional development training in this area.
Attenuating international financial shocks: the role of capital controls
Authors: Zehri Chokri
Published: June 2021

Purpose

By reinforcing monetary policy independence, reducing international financing pressures and avoiding high-risk takings, capital controls strengthen the stability of the financial system and then reduce the volatility of capital inflows. The objective of this study was to conduct an empirical examination of this hypothesis. This topic has received strong support in the theoretical literature; however, empirical work has been quite limited, with few empirical studies that provide direct empirical support to this hypothesis.

Design/methodology/approach

This study analyzed quarterly data of 32 emerging economies over the period between 2000 and 2015 and proposes two methods to identify capital control actions. Using panel analysis, Autoregressive Distributed Lag and local projections approaches.

Findings

This study found that tighter capital controls may diminish monetary and exchange rate shocks and reduce capital inflows volatility. Furthermore, capital controls respond counter-cyclically to monetary shocks. Under capital controls, countries with floating exchange rate regimes have more potential to buffer monetary shocks. We also found that capital controls on inflows are more effective for reducing the volatility of capital inflows compared to capital controls on outflows.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the question of the effectiveness of capital controls in attenuating the effects of international shocks and reducing the volatility of capital flows. Previous studies have mostly focused on the role of macroprudential regulation; however, there is a lack of systematic effects of capital controls on monetary and exchange rate policies. To our knowledge, this is the first preliminary study to suggest that capital controls may buffer monetary and exchange rate shocks and reduce the volatility of capital inflows. This study investigates the novel notion that capital controls allow for a notable counter-cyclical response of monetary and exchange rate policies to international financial shocks.
Detection and prevention of black-hole and wormhole attacks in wireless sensor network using optimized LSTM
Authors: Pawar Mohandas V. , J. Anuradha
Published: June 2021

Purpose

This study aims to present a novel system for detection and prevention of black hole and wormhole attacks in wireless sensor network (WSN) based on deep learning model. Here, different phases are included such as assigning the nodes, data collection, detecting black hole and wormhole attacks and preventing black hole and wormhole attacks by optimal path communication. Initially, a set of nodes is assumed for carrying out the communication in WSN. Further, the black hole attacks are detected by the Bait process, and wormhole attacks are detected by the round trip time (RTT) validation process. The data collection procedure is done with the Bait and RTT validation process with attribute information. The gathered data attributes are given for the training in which long short-term memory (LSTM) is used that includes the attack details. This is used for attack detection process. Once they are detected, those attacks are removed from the network using the optimal path selection process. Here, the optimal shortest path is determined by the improvement in the whale optimization algorithm (WOA) that is called as fitness rate-based whale optimization algorithm (FR-WOA). This shortest path communication is carried out based on the multi-objective function using energy, distance, delay and packet delivery ratio as constraints.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper implements a detection and prevention of attacks model based on FR-WOA algorithm for the prevention of attacks in the WSNs. With this, this paper aims to accomplish the desired optimization of multi-objective functions.

Findings

From the analysis, it is found that the accuracy of the optimized LSTM is better than conventional LSTM. The energy consumption of the proposed FR-WOA with 35 nodes is 7.14% superior to WOA and FireFly, 5.7% superior to grey wolf optimization and 10.3% superior to particle swarm optimization.

Originality/value

This paper develops the FR-WOA with optimized LSTM detecting and preventing black hole and wormhole attacks from WSN. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first work that uses FR-WOA with optimized LSTM detecting and preventing black hole and wormhole attacks from WSN.
Understanding SME suppliers' response to supply chain finance: a transaction cost economics perspective
Authors: de Goeij Christiaan , Gelsomino Luca Mattia , Caniato Federico , Moretto Antonella Maria , Steeman Michiel
Published: June 2021

Purpose

Reverse factoring (RF) is one of the most prevalent supply chain finance (SCF) solutions. This study challenges the view that suppliers accept financially attractive reverse factoring offers (RFOs) and reject financially unattractive ones. Specifically, it focuses on small and medium enterprise (SME) suppliers and how transaction cost economics (TCE) factors affect their decision.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors study eight cases of RFOs, interviewing suppliers, buyers and financial service providers (FSPs) and using several sources of private and publicly available secondary data.

Findings

In five out of eight RFOs, suppliers either accepted unattractive offers or rejected attractive ones. Bounded rationality and opportunism seem to explain such misalignment, while asset specificity and frequency play a minor role in decisions.

Research limitations/implications

The study shows the need for further investigation linking analytical assessment of SCF benefits with qualitative factors.

Practical implications

SME suppliers cannot assume an RFO will benefit them. They must critically evaluate their buyers' offers, ideally with self-awareness towards how the abovementioned factors might affect their decisions. For buyers and banks, this study gives clear insights on how to approach SME suppliers to avoid rejection of financially attractive RFOs.

Originality/value

This contribution analyses financial attractiveness of RFOs in conjunction with qualitative factors, including rejected RFOs and without assuming that RFOs are financially attractive for suppliers. This is original and relevant for both research and practice, since it extends the understanding of the supplier response to RFOs, thanks to the consideration of TCE factors.
Analyzing the operational barriers of government-supported healthcare supply chain
Authors: Dixit Anuj , Routroy Srikanta , Dubey Sunil Kumar
Published: June 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to develop a methodology for the identification, categorization and prioritization of operational government-supported healthcare supply chain barriers (GHSCBs).

Design/methodology/approach

This study develops a theoretical background for identifying and segregating relevant GHSCBs and proposes a 5W2H (a Toyota production system) with fuzzy DEcision MAking Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL) embedded approach to quantify the causal–effect relationships among the identified operational GHSCBs.

Findings

Seven GHSCBs (i.e. uncertainty of demand management, lack of continuous improvement and learning, lack of deadline management, lack of social audit, warehousing equipment unavailability, human resource shortage and inadequate top level monitoring) were identified as significant cause group where the government, top management and decision-makers of government-supported healthcare supply chain (GHSC) have to put efforts.

Research limitations/implications

The results obtained are specific to the GHSC of Indian perspective, which could be extended to global context. However, the proposed approach can be a base and provide a platform to understand and analyze the interactions among GHSCBs.

Practical implications

The proposed methodology will show the appropriate areas for allocating efforts and resources to mitigate the impact of GHSCBs for successful implementation of healthcare supply chain.

Originality/value

According to best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first study of operational barrier for GHSC in India in specific. The use of 5W2H embedded fuzzy DEMATEL approach for the development and analysis of the theoretical framework of Indian GHSCBs is unique in barrier literature.
Perceived usability of local government (LG) financial statements by local councillors: comparative study of Finland and Germany
Authors: Haustein Ellen , Lorson Peter C. , Oulasvirta Lasse Olavi , Sinervo Lotta-Maria
Published: June 2021

Purpose

This paper studies the usability of LG financial statements as perceived by local councillors. By drawing on a comparative view of two countries with different periods of accrual accounting use in the public sector, the authors investigate how local councillors assess the usability of LG financial statements in order to question accounting reform success. Determinants that influence the usability assessment are explored.

Design/methodology/approach

Exploratory design: data were collected from questionnaires with 24 local councillors from five Finnish local governments (LGs) and 30 local councillors from six German LGs. An adjusted variant of the system usability scale was analysed with descriptive statistics and non-parametric group comparisons.

Findings

In both countries, the usability assessment of financial statements seems to be positive, indicating a successful reform process. In Finland, where the accrual government accounting reform has had a longer time to settle in, councillors seem to assess usability only partially better than German councillors. Several determinants of the usability assessment were detected, such as size and debt level of the LG as well as local councillors' gender, political orientation and education. Generally, councillors need more assistance and training in using financial statements.

Originality/value

The study is the first to conduct a quantitative assessment of the usability of LG financial statements as perceived by councillors. The system usability scale was adjusted to a public sector reporting context. The paper adopts a transnational comparative approach.
Does CFO accounting expertise matter to corporate social responsibility disclosure in 10-Ks?
Authors: Guo Jun , Kim Sungsoo , Yu Yang , Kim Jung Yeun (June)
Published: June 2021

Purpose

The study aims to understand the role of accountant in corporate social responsibility (CSR) practice.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study, the authors examine whether and how chief financial officer (CFO) accounting expertise and previous work experience influence voluntary CSR disclosure, using textual analysis and natural language processing (NLP) techniques. The authors find that firms' CFOs with accounting expertise disclose more CSR issues in their 10-K reports. Overall, this study provides evidence of the impact of CFOs' professional and personal attributes on voluntary CSR disclosure in corporate annual reports. This study has important implications to investors and policy makers in the context of CSR disclosure regulations in annual reports.

Findings

Overall, this study provides evidence of the impact of CFOs' professional and personal attributes on voluntary CSR disclosure in corporate annual reports. This study has important implications to practitioners and policy makers in the context of CSR disclosure regulations in annual reports.

Research limitations/implications

There is an inherent limitation of textual analysis as the tool tries to read key words from the text.

Practical implications

This finding is useful for policy maker and investors as CSR is known to have impact on the share price.

Originality/value

This paper is the first attempt to find out accountants' role in CSR activities, which has not been examined in the prior literature.
Cost efficiency, innovation and financial performance of banks in Indonesia
Authors: Khalifaturofi'ah Sholikha Oktavi
Published: June 2021

Purpose

This study aims to examine the effect of financial innovation, financial ratios, cost efficiency and good corporate governance on the financial performance of banks in Indonesia.

Design/methodology/approach

The data in this study are in the form of annual financial statements of conventional banks in Indonesia. The effect of cost efficiency, innovation and financial performance of banks in Indonesia is expected to be evident in 2009–2018. The research method used is the panel regression method.

Findings

The results show that financial innovation affects the financial performance of banks. Cost efficiency has a negative effect on the financial performance of banks. Financial ratio, which is proxied by the capital adequacy ratio (CAR) and loan to deposit ratio, has a positive effect on return on asset and net interest margin. Financial ratio, which is proxied by nonperforming loan and equity to total assets, has a negative effect on return on asset and return on equity. Good corporate governance (GCG), which is proxied by the proportion of managerial ownership (PMO), does not affect the financial performance of banks, whereas GCG, which is proxied by the proportion of independent board of directors, has a negative and significant effect on the financial performance of banks in Indonesia.

Practical implications

These results are a warning to bankers and the government to be cautious when formulating a strategy for the financial performance of banking.

Originality/value

Cost efficiency and financial innovation are important for the financial performance of banking. However, the possible impact of cost efficiency and financial innovation in Indonesia does not have a significant impact. The study uses static panel estimation techniques to analyze the data.
Study of awareness, adoption and experience of telemedicine technology services; perspectives during coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic crisis and associated economic lockdown in India
Authors: Bhattacharyya Som Sekhar , Mandke Prasad Vidyasagar
Published: June 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study the phenomenon of abrupt shift by both doctors and patients to telemedicine during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and associated economic lockdown in India. The study explored various drivers of telemedicine technology awareness, adoption and usage. These drives were studied from both the doctors and the patients’ perspectives using the Push–Pull–Mooring (PPM) theoretical model.

Design/methodology/approach

An exploratory qualitative research was carried out with 24 doctors and 32 patients. This research was conducted in major urban cities of India. It was carried out during the economic lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The data was collected based upon a semi-structured open-ended questionnaire using telephonic interviews. Once thematic saturation was achieved, thematic content analysis was conducted. Finally, the themes were classified and analyzed using the PPM theoretical model

Findings

The data analysis indicated that there was the presence of all three factors, namely, push, pull and mooring. For the doctors, pull and push factors were more substantive than mooring factors. Although for the patients push and mooring factors were more important and pressing than pull factors.

Research limitations/implications

This study was conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic and associated economic lockdown in India. The interview respondents were located only in urban India. Future studies could be conducted to explore similarities and differences in telemedicine adoption patterns during non-crisis times vis-a-vis crisis times in urban and rural settings.

Practical implications

The insights from this study could be used by medical service providers to leverage telemedicine technology to improve the business model, service delivery, pricing strategy, value proposition and behavioral characteristics. Patients on the other hand could gather perspectives regarding how best to use telemedicine technological services.

Originality/value

The authors provided an integrated perspective regarding telemedicine technology awareness, adoption and usage in an emerging economy of India during the critical times of the COVID-19 pandemic crisis and the associated prolonged economic lockdown. This was one of the first studies that applied PPM theory for telemedicine adoption
How do governance and relational rents evolve during the maturity stages of supply chains?
Authors: Cislaghi Tatiane Pellin , Wegner Douglas , Vieira Luciana Marques
Published: June 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyse how the use of governance mechanisms in buyer-supplier relationships in the supply chain (SC) are related to the maturity of relationships and the generation of relational rents.

Design/methodology/approach

Several studies have analysed interorganisational governance in SCs. However, to the best of the knowledge, no study has focussed on the use of different types of governance mechanisms through maturity stages in buyer-supplier relationships and as a consequence, its relational rents. The aim of this paper is to analyse how the use of governance mechanisms in buyer-supplier relationships in the SC are related to the maturity of relationships and the generation of relational rents. To achieve this goal, this paper carried out multiple case studies.

Findings

The results show that changes in the use of formal and informal governance mechanisms contribute to the generation of relational rents and relationship continuity. This paper identified that a reduction in power asymmetry by the buyer may allow for the greater use of informal governance mechanisms and greater relational rents. Moreover, the paper highlights that a relationship might advance or regress throughout the maturity stages, according to the commitment of the buyer to maintain the relationship with the supplier.

Research limitations/implications

The study has the limitation of having chosen polar case studies in the organic sector in Brazil to illustrate the theoretical discussion and propose a model to be tested via further research. This study considered institutional factors in the analysis that might not affect dyadic relationships in other sectors and countries.

Practical implications

As a managerial contribution, the results indicate that when the buyer uses both kinds of mechanisms complementarily and encourages the utilisation of informal mechanisms, relationships become more resilient to adverse events.

Social implications

The study also contributes towards valuing the role of organic farmers and encourages the government and business community to reflect on the challenges and opportunities in the sector.

Originality/value

Based on four propositions created by evaluating both the empirical data and previous literature, this paper proposes a buyer-supplier relationship maturity model rather than an overall SC maturity model. This paper also elaborated on the arguments of Dyer et al. (2018), proposing a causal explanation of how a relationship might advance or regress throughout the maturity stages, according to the commitment of the buyer to maintain the relationship with the supplier using governance mechanisms. This change in maturity stages, in turn, affects relational rents for the dyad.
Semen: A modulator of female genital tract inflammation and a vector for HIV‐1 transmission
Authors: Jewanraj Janine , Ngcapu Sinaye , Liebenberg Lenine J. P.
Published: June 2021

In order to establish productive infection in women, HIV must transverse the vaginal epithelium and gain access to local target cells. Genital inflammation contributes to the availability of HIV susceptible cells at the female genital mucosa and is associated with higher HIV transmission rates in women. Factors that contribute to genital inflammation may subsequently increase the risk of HIV infection in women. Semen is a highly immunomodulatory fluid containing several bioactive molecules with the potential to influence inflammation and immune activation at the female genital tract. In addition to its role as a vector for HIV transmission, semen induces profound mucosal changes to prime the female reproductive tract for conception. Still, most studies of mucosal immunity are conducted in the absence of semen or without considering its immune impact on the female genital tract. This review discusses the various mechanisms by which semen exposure may influence female genital inflammation and highlights the importance of routine screening for semen biomarkers in vaginal specimens to account for its impact on genital inflammation.
The management of women with ductal carcinoma in situ of the breast in Australia and New Zealand between 2007 and 2016
Authors: Omling Sofia , Houssami Nehmat , McGeechan Kevin , Zackrisson Sophia , Jacklyn Gemma , Walters David , Barratt Alexandra , Farber Rachel
Published: June 2021

Background

The incidence of detected ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) continues to increase and now accounts for 14% of all breast cancer, and 20%–25% of screen‐detected cases. Treatment trends of DCIS are important in order to inform the ongoing debate about possible overdiagnosis and overtreatment, but have not been investigated for over a decade in Australia and New Zealand. Against this background, we aimed to describe the temporal trends in management of DCIS in Australian and New Zealander women.

Methods

Using the BreastSurgANZ Quality Audit (BQA) database, we conducted a descriptive study of the trends of management of DCIS in Australia and New Zealand from 2007 to 2016. We assessed the frequency of surgical treatments, adjuvant therapies, and axillary surgery conducted in women with pure DCIS.

Results

There were 17 883 cases of pure DCIS in 2007–2016 in Australia and New Zealand recorded in the BQA database. The treatment patterns were consistent with no changes over time. The most common surgical treatment was breast‐conserving surgery (66%), followed by mastectomy (37%), and 36% of women with DCIS received sentinel node biopsy (SNB).

Conclusion

The clinical management of women diagnosed with DCIS in Australia and New Zealand, appears stable over time. A substantial proportion of women with DCIS receive SNB and this aspect of surgical care warrants further exploration to determine whether it represents appropriate care. These results, alongside the outcomes of the ongoing clinical trials on the management of DCIS, will help inform if any changes to best practice treatment are required.
Systematic review and meta‐analysis found that malnutrition was associated with poor cognitive development
Authors: Pizzol Damiano , Tudor Florina , Racalbuto Vincenzo , Bertoldo Alessandro , Veronese Nicola , Smith Lee
Published: June 2021

Aim

Malnutrition is a major public health issue that has been associated with high susceptibility for impaired brain development and mental functioning. However, to date studies on this topic have not been collated and appraised. This systematic review and meta‐analysis investigated the association between malnutrition and cognitive development.

Methods

We searched the MEDLINE, Scopus, CINAHL, Embase PsycINFO and Cochrane Library databases in English up to 8 December 2020. All studies reporting an association between nutritional status and cognitive development were included. p values of less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant and the results are reported as standardised mean differences (SMD), 95% confidence intervals (95%) and I2 statistics.

Results

We included 12 studies comprising 7,607 participants aged 1 to 12 years. Children with malnutrition had worse scores than controls for the Wechsler Intelligence Scale (SMD −0.40; 95% CI −0.60 to −0.20; p < 0.0001; I2 77.1%), the Raven's Coloured Progressive Matrices (SMD −3.75; 95% CI −5.68 to −1.83; p < 0.0001; I2 99.2%), visual processing (SMD −0.85; 95% CI −1.23 to −0.46; p 0.009; I2 11.0%) and short memory (SMD 0.85; 95% CI −1.21 to −0.49; p < 0.0001; I2 0%) tests.

Conclusion

Normal cognitive development requires access to good and safe nutrition.
The earliest lacquerwares of China were discovered at Jingtoushan site in the Yangtze River Delta
Authors: Zhai Kuanrong , Sun Guoping , Zheng Yunfei , Wu Meng , Zhang Bingjian , Zhu Longguan , Hu Qi
Published: June 2021

In the Yangtze River Delta, natural lacquer has been used as coating and adhesive since the Neolithic. At Jingtoushan Neolithic site, the earliest, deepest buried prehistoric shell mound site discovered in China's coastal areas, where stratigraphic age lies between 7,800–8,300 cal BP, we discovered the earliest lacquerwares of China. The relics are a piece of dowelled wood and an oblate wooden stick. The black coatings on the two relics were studied by using non‐destructive infrared analysis, pyrolysis‐gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (Py‐GC/MS), and enzyme‐linked immune sorbent assay (ELISA), and the analysis determined that black coating on the two relics is natural lacquer. This discovery refreshes the history of natural lacquer used by humans in the Yangtze River Delta to more than 8,000 years ago and also complements the history of organic coatings used during the Neolithic period in China.
Dhx15 regulates zebrafish definitive hematopoiesis through the unfolded protein response pathway
Authors: Cai Yuanhua , Wang Jing , Jin Daqing , Liu Qiao , Chen Xianglei , Pan Lili , Li Yang , Wang Xuechun , Qian Feng , Wang Jiucun , Zhong Tao Peter , Wang Shaoyuan
Published: June 2021

Gene alterations are recognized as important events in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) progression. Studies on hematopoiesis of altered genes contribute to a better understanding on their roles in AML progression. Our previous work reported a DEAH box helicase 15 (DHX15) R222G mutation in AML patients, and we showed DHX15 overexpression is associated with poor prognosis in AML patients. In this work, we further study the role of dhx15 in zebrafish developmental hematopoiesis by generating dhx15−/− zebrafish using transcription activator‐like effector nuclease technology. Whole‐mount in situ hybridization (WISH) analysis showed hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells were dramatically perturbed when dhx15 was deleted. Immunofluorescence staining indicated inhibited hematopoietic stem/progenitor cell (HSPC) proliferation instead of accelerated apoptosis were detected in dhx15−/− zebrafish. Furthermore, our data showed that HSPC defect is mediated through the unfolded protein response (UPR) pathway. DHX15 R222G mutation, a recurrent mutation identified in AML patients, displayed a compromised function in restoring HSPC failure in dhx15−/−; Tg (hsp: DHX15 R222G) zebrafish. Collectively, this work revealed a vital role of dhx15 in the maintenance of definitive hematopoiesis in zebrafish through the unfolded protein respone pathway. The study of DHX15 and DHX15 R222G mutation could hold clinical significance for evaluating prognosis of AML patients with aberrant DHX15 expression.
Social inequality in incidence and mortality of malignant neoplasms of lip, oral cavity and pharynx: Is Costa Rica an international paradox?
Authors: Barboza Solís Cristina , Reyes‐Carmona Jessie , Fantin Romain
Published: June 2021

Objectives

Low socioeconomic position (SEP) has been associated with higher incidences and mortality of lip, oral cavity and pharynx (LOP) cancers in the vast majority of countries with available data. The origins of health inequalities in cancer are socioeconomic, although they vary by time and country. Evidence from Low‐and Middle‐income Countries (LMICs) remains scarce. This study aims to identify and describe socioeconomic inequalities in LOP cancers incidence and mortality in Costa Rica. The hypothesis tested is that people leaving in low‐SEP districts in Costa Rica have greater incidence and mortality rates of lip, oral cavity and pharynx cancers.

Methods

The 10th revision of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD‐10) was used to define cancer sites. Data come from a national population‐based Cancer Registry with 100% completeness to study incidence. Incidence rate included all new cases of LOP cancer diagnosed from January 1, 2011, and December 31, 2015, for a total of 2 798 517 individuals, 13 832 524 years of follow‐up and 601 LOP cases. Mortality rate was extracted from the National Death Index, including 2 739 733 individuals, 23 950 240 person‐years of follow‐up and 586 LOP cancer deaths, from January 1, 2010, to December 31, 2018. The 2011 Census (with 94% of Costa Rican inhabitants) was used to characterize the urbanicity and wealth of 477 districts. Survival models were performed for both incidence and mortality, allowing to consider existing competitive risks. Cox models were used for incidence, and parametric survival models based on a Gompertz distribution for mortality.

Results

The study found that people who lived in the most socioeconomically disadvantaged areas had lower probabilities of developing LOP cancers than people in the richest districts. The same pattern for mortality, however, was not significant.

Conclusions

The hypothesis that incidence and mortality of LOP cancers will show a positive social gradient was not confirmed in this study, contradicting the existing literature. This could be explained by the social distribution of risky health behaviours, more frequent in socially advantaged populations.
Incidence rates of occupational contact dermatitis in Denmark between 2007 and 2018: A population‐based study
Authors: Dietz Jojo B. , Menné Torkil , Meyer Harald W. , Viskum Sven , Flyvholm Mari‐Ann , Ahrensbøll‐Friis Ulrik , John Swen M. , Johansen Jeanne D.
Published: June 2021

Background

Recent population‐based studies on the incidence rates (IRs) of occupational contact dermatitis (OCD) are sparse.

Objectives

To determine the IRs of OCD and development thereof between 2007 and 2018 in known risk occupations.

Methods

Data on all recognized cases of OCD were used to calculate IRs as the number of recognized OCD cases per 10 000 workers per year. Asymptotic chi‐square test was used to compare the IRs between 2007‐2012 and 2013‐2018.

Results

The median age at notification of OCD was below 30 years for several of the examined occupations. Hairdressers and beauticians, bakers, dentists and dental assistants, and manufacturing of windmills had the highest overall IRs of OCD. We found a statistically significant increase in the IRs of OCD for child/nursery care workers.

Conclusions

The median age at notification of OCD was low for several of the occupations, signifying the need for further preventive strategies among young people. Based on the IRs of OCD, future preventive efforts should be directed at hairdressers and beauticians, bakers, dentists and dental assistants, and manufacturing of windmills. Furthermore, the statistically significant increase in IRs of OCD among child/nursery care workers highlights the need for further preventive strategies in this field.
Aligning actions with objectives in endangered species recovery plans
Authors: Weiss Katherine C. B. , Iacona Gwenllian D. , Tuñas Corzón Álex , Davis Olivia N. , Kemppinen Krista , Surrey Katie C. , Gerber Leah R.
Published: June 2021

To achieve conservation objectives for threatened and endangered species, managers must choose among potential recovery actions based on their efficacy. Yet, a lack of standardization in defining how conservation actions support recovery objectives can impede action efficacy and inhibit the efficient allocation of resources across species and projects. It is especially difficult to evaluate the effectiveness of actions in U.S. Endangered Species Act (ESA) recovery plans due to variation in how actions are described across different plans. To address this issue, we examined our ability to apply the internationally supported Conservation Measures Partnership (CMP) taxonomy to categorize existing ESA recovery plan action descriptions. Using ESA listed species in Arizona as a case study, we tested the feasibility of assigning CMP taxonomy categories to actions detailed in current recovery plans, and then used our assigned categories to assess the distribution of action categories. Pairs of researchers categorized and then compared levels of agreement between categories of recovery actions for 840 actions across 31 active recovery plans. Paired categorizations diverged for many of these actions, though confidence in action description assignments among pairs was highest in categorizing Research and Monitoring actions, which represented, on average, 53% (SD 0.9%) of actions with researcher agreement, and, on average, 42% (SD 0.08%) of classification among individual researchers. These results suggests that categorizable action descriptions most often correspond with Research and Monitoring objectives, and that other categories of actions required to delist species may be underrepresented in ESA recovery plans. We provide recommendations to support the application of the CMP taxonomy to current and future ESA recovery action descriptions using existing processes within the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Our recommendations provide a roadmap for standardizing the description of recovery actions to improve decision‐support for ESA‐listed species.
Valganciclovir prophylaxis extension from 3 to 6 months in high‐risk pancreas‐transplant recipients does not impact incidence of cytomegalovirus infection at 12 months
Authors: Jorgenson Margaret R. , Marka Nicholas , Leverson Glen E. , Smith Jeannina A. , Odorico Jon S.
Published: June 2021

Problem

Incidence and impact of CMV infection in pancreas‐transplant recipients (PTRs) in the valganciclovir prophylaxis era has not been completely elucidated.

Methods

Adult D+/R‐ PTRs were divided into a current era (1/1/2011‐12/31/17; 6‐month PPX) and a historic era (1/1/2003‐12/31/09; 3‐month PPX). Primary objective: effect of prophylaxis extension on the incidence of CMV infection. Secondary objective: impact of extension on valganciclovir‐related toxicity (leukopenia) and transplant outcomes.

Results

There were 177 D+/R‐ PTRs in the study period (historic:98, current:79). Prophylaxis extension resulted in significant reduction of CMV infection from 25.4% to 10.9% at 6 months, (57% reduction, p = .021). However, 1‐year rates of CMV infection (historic:31% vs current:36%) and end‐organ disease (historic:7.7% vs current:6.9%) were not different (p = .93). Prophylaxis extension significantly increased leukopenia (white blood cell count<3 K/uL) at 6 months (historic:9.5% vs current:28.6%, p = .018). On multivariable analysis prophylaxis extension was not associated with reduced rates of CMV infection (p = .99) or CMV end‐organ disease (p = .3). Additionally, there was no significant difference in rejection (p = .2), graft survival (p = .08), death‐censored graft survival(p = .07) or patient survival (p = .6).

Conclusions

Prophylaxis extension in D+/R‐ PTRs appears to delay time to first CMV but not reduce overall incidence. These findings suggest a hybrid approach, incorporating antiviral withdrawal and protocolized monitoring, may be needed to improve CMV‐related outcomes.