bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
QMS external quality auditors’ competency requirements: perspectives from accredited certification bodies in Malaysia
Authors: Ab Wahid Roslina , Tan Peck-Leong
Published: November 2022

Purpose

The purpose of the study is to identify the perceived lack of certain core knowledge, skills and attributes in external quality auditors (EQAs) that contributes to an audit process that does not add value for client organizations. This paper describes the development of a competency requirement framework for quality management system (QMS) EQAs that would improve their capability and audit performance.

Design/methodology/approach

A review of relevant international literature on auditor competence and education, clients' expectations on external auditors, explicit and implicit expectations based on ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 19011:2018, and current auditor capability was conducted to obtain insights into the present situation and requirements of the environment. A survey questionnaire was then utilized in the collection of data from 19 heads of certification and technical reviewers of accredited certification bodies (CBs) in Malaysia. Univariate and bivariate analysis were used in analyzing the data from respondents.

Findings

The overall results show that the most important components of knowledge for EQAs to possess are quality management principles, system and standards; risk management; and business process and operations management. In terms of skills, the most important skills for auditors are auditing and report writing and critical/analytical thinking, followed by communication/interpersonal/people/ICT and team management. Attributes such as integrity, being ethical, professional and objective are found to be most important in EQAs to be effective and add value to the audits. Based on the results, the competency requirement framework of EQAs was developed.

Originality/value

This paper presents the knowledge, skills, attitudes and experience needed by EQAs identified by the CBs which is then developed into a competency requirements framework for future auditor training. The resulting framework from the study can be used by accreditation bodies, CBs and training organizations to evaluate and improve the auditors' competence and audit performance in the future.
Forward and backward mixed-mode crack estimation using artificial neural network
Authors: Khademalrasoul Abdolghafour , Hatampour Zahra , Oulapour Masoud , Alavi Seyed Enayatollah
Published: November 2022

Purpose

In this manuscript, the authors aimed to demonstrate the influences of influential parameters in mixed-mode crack propagation phenomenon. The authors attempted to cover almost all surrounding issues of this subject as the authors know simulating of propagating cracks as internal strong discontinuity is a complicated issue.

Design/methodology/approach

In this manuscript, the authors demonstrated the influences of influential parameters in mixed-mode crack propagation phenomenon. The authors attempted to cover almost all surrounding issues of this subject as the authors know simulating of propagating cracks as internal strong discontinuity is a complicated issue. Furthermore, three different scenarios for crack growth are considered. In reality, edge-cracked plate, center-cracked plate and cracked plate in the presence of void and inclusion are studied. In fact, by designing suitable artificial neural network's (ANN) architectures all the three aforementioned conditions are trained and estimated through those architectures with very good agreement with input data. Also by conducting a series of sensitivity analysis, the most affecting factors in mixed-mode crack propagation in different situations are demonstrated. The obtained results are very interesting and useful for other researchers and also the authors hope the results would be cited by researchers.

Findings

The influential parameters on mixed-mode crack propagation were found in this paper.

Originality/value

The computer code using MATLAB was prepared to study the mixed-mode crack paths. Also using ANNs toolbox, the crack path estimation was investigated.
The moderating role of time perspective profiles in the association of workaholism, work engagement and perfectionism among Japanese employees
Authors: Eslami Armaghan , Kanai Atsuko , Matsumoto Miyuki
Published: November 2022

Purpose

First, this study aimed to investigate the association of time perspective (TP) profiles with work engagement and workaholism. Second, it tested TP profiles as the moderator of perfectionism with work engagement and workaholism relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

The sample of this study comprised 148 Japanese employees, and snowball sampling was used for data collection. The authors found the TP profiles in the first step using cluster analysis with five TP dimensions. Next, the authors tested workaholism and work engagement in three clusters. The two dimensions of perfectionistic strivings and perfectionistic concerns were extracted through the exploratory factor analysis of Sakurai and Ohtani's (1997) perfectionism measure. Further, their relationship with workaholism and work engagement was tested in the TP profiles using multiple group analysis in structural equation modeling (SEM).

Findings

Three TP profiles were found, which the authors named: Future (F), Hedonistic and Balanced. There was a significant difference between the three groups. Notably, working compulsively was significantly higher in the Future cluster in the three clusters. The moderator analysis results indicated that perfectionistic concerns positively affected workaholism in the Future cluster but not for the Balanced cluster.

Originality/value

To the best of authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to investigate the relationship between perspective profiles, workaholism and work engagement. The relationship between these factors can be a stepping stone for further research.
Organizational change capability: a scoping literature review and agenda for future research
Authors: Montreuil Véra-Line
Published: November 2022

Purpose

At a time when organizations are faced with increasing transformations, developing a strong change capability has become crucial to deal with the ever-changing environment. While in recent years, the literature on organizational change capability (OCC) has grown, the understanding of this construct remains overly underdeveloped. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to provide an in-depth synthesis of the evidence on OCC.

Design/methodology/approach

A scoping literature review was conducted on peer-reviewed articles published over the past two decades.

Findings

This review shows that while research largely treats change capacity, change capability and change competency as synonymous, these terms should be interpreted differently since they do not refer to the same organizational phenomenon.

Research limitations/implications

Although this review focus on the past two decades, this article offers an examination of the latest knowledge on OCC and provides a non-exhaustive set of research avenues. This review also proposes a change maturity framework that can help scholars to conduct more informed investigations.

Practical implications

The proposed framework can help practitioners to better understand how an organizational potential for change can transform into a change capability, which in turn can evolve into a change competency.

Originality/value

This review extends prior work by clarifying ambiguities around some constructs in the management field that are fundamental to building sound theories.
Can price discrimination improve the performance of online retail platforms?
Authors: Liu Min , Anwar Sajid
Published: November 2022

Online retail platforms are the core of online retail activities, but due to increased competition among the platforms, traditional sources of revenue such as the membership and transaction fees alone cannot guarantee platform profitability. Thus, platform enterprises are looking for other sources of revenue. In this article, we focus on the role of value‐added services fees charged by platforms. Specifically, we show that price discrimination exercised by platform enterprises in value‐added services fees can increase the user access scale, platform profit as well as the social welfare.
Disability and the (dysbiotic) gut: Sensing, tasting and knowing with food
Authors: Kolářová Kateřina , Stöckelová Tereza , Senft Lukáš
Published: November 2022

This article offers insights into eating practices, conceptualising and making of ‘good’ food by people living with chronic disease. Based on ethnographic research focussing on people with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis and undefined IBD) in the Czech Republic, we explore what it would mean to conceptualise disability from the non‐normative gut. We trace the practices of tinkering with foods and one’s body, and ways of learning to sense (with) dysbiotic guts that people with IBD develop. Departing from the established notions of digestion and metabolism as universal biological processes, people with IBD create an embodied crip archive of knowledge through their eating practices, ways of making and sensing food and metabolic sampling. Most importantly, these practices offer, as we argue, new pathways into exploring crip embodiments as a place from which to acknowledge and do more‐than‐human collaboration, heath and ecologies.
Cost–benefit of antenatal glucocorticoid therapy: There is still much more to learn
Authors: Nathanielsz Peter W.
Published: November 2022

Linked article: This is a mini commentary on Sacco et al., pp.325–333 in this issue. To view this article visit https://doi.org/10.1111/1471-0528.17316
Maternal and perinatal outcomes following a diagnosis of Hodgkin lymphoma during or prior to pregnancy: A systematic review
Authors: Houlihan Orla A. , Buckley Daire , Maher Gillian M. , McCarthy Fergus P. , Khashan Ali S.
Published: November 2022

Background

The initial peak incidence of Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) occurs during reproductive years.

Objectives

Synthesise published literature on the relationship between HL and maternal and perinatal outcomes.

Search strategy

Systematic search of PubMed/Medline, Cochrane Library, Scopus, Embase and Science Direct from inception to June 2022, supplemented by hand‐searching reference lists.

Selection criteria

Two reviewers independently reviewed titles, abstracts and full‐text articles. Published studies containing original data were eligible.

Data Collection and Analysis

Two reviewers independently extracted data and appraised study quality. Outcomes for pregnant women with a previous/current diagnosis of HL were compared separately with women never diagnosed with HL. Where data permitted, meta‐analyses of odds ratios and proportions were performed. Certainty of evidence was determined using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) framework.

Main results

Of the 5527 studies identified, 33 met the inclusion criteria. In the groups with HL before pregnancy and HL during pregnancy, adjusted odds ratios were not statistically significant for congenital malformation (aOR 1.7, 95% CI 0.9–3.1, and aOR 1.84, 95% CI 0.81–4.15, respectively), preterm birth (PTB) (aOR 0.99, 95% CI 0.65–1.51, and aOR 6.74, 95% CI 0.52–88.03, respectively) and miscarriage (aOR 0.78, 95% CI 0.55–1.10, and aOR 0.38, 95% CI 0.05–2.72, respectively). The aORs for all other outcomes were not statistically significant, except for blood transfusion (aOR 1.38, 95% CI 1.05–1.82) and venous thromboembolism (VTE) (aOR 7.93, 95% CI 2.97–21.22) in the group for HL during pregnancy. The proportion of anaemia was also increased in this group (69%, 95% CI 57%–80% vs 4%, 95% CI 4%–5%, respectively). The GRADE certainty of findings ranged from low to very low.

Conclusions

Rates of most adverse pregnancy outcomes among women with a previous/current HL diagnosis are not increased significantly compared with the general pregnant population. Women with HL diagnosed during pregnancy may have a higher PTB rate and increased likelihood of VTE, anaemia and blood transfusion; however, small study numbers and the low to very low GRADE certainty of findings preclude firm conclusions.
Aridity mediates the effect of wood extraction on the reproductive output of an endemic disturbance‐adapted woody species (Cenostigma microphyllum, Leguminosae) in the Caatinga dry forest
Authors: Oliveira Willams , Cruz‐Neto Oswaldo , Silva Jéssica Luiza S. , Tabarelli Marcelo , Lopes Ariadna Valentina
Published: November 2022

Chronic anthropogenic disturbances and climate change have been recognized as drivers of biological reorganization across human‐modified tropical landscapes, also negatively affecting the reproductive output of some plant species. Here, we investigated to what extent these drivers affect the reproductive output of Cenostigma microphyllum, a disturbance‐adapted tree species endemic to the Caatinga dry forest. The production of flowers/inflorescence, fruits and seeds was estimated for 105 plants (≥3 cm diameter at soil height) across 11 forest stands (20 × 50 m each), covering gradients of chronic disturbances (e.g. goat and livestock herbivory; wood extraction; and removal of non‐timber forest products) and aridity at the Catimbau National Park. We documented that when the drivers were analysed in isolation, the fruit‐set was positively associated with increased wood extraction, and the fruit‐set and total number of seeds/plots were reduced under increasing aridity. We also verified a complex interaction between wood extraction and aridity emerged. In forest stands, the combination of high levels of aridity and wood extraction leads to a decrease in the fruit‐set and total number of seeds/plots. Conversely, the fruit‐set and total number of seeds/plots increased in stands exposed to lower aridity but high levels of wood extraction. Our results suggest that chronic disturbances and aridity affect plant fitness in a complex way including both negative and positive effects on attributes related to plant reproductive performance, which could result in both proliferation and population decline in the same landscape. Although C. microphyllum benefits from anthropogenic disturbances and is considered a disturbance‐adapted species, it apparently does not benefit from increases in aridity, which is an expected future scenario for the Caatinga dry forest.
Bet v 1‐independent sensitization to major allergens in Fagales pollen: Evidence at the T‐cell level
Authors: Polak Dominika , Vollmann Ute , Grilo Joao , Bogdanov Ivan V. , Aglas Lorenz , Ovchinnikova Tatiana V. , Ferreira Fatima , Bohle Barbara
Published: November 2022

Background

In birch‐dominated areas, allergies to pollen from trees of the order Fagales are considered to be initiated by the major birch pollen allergen Bet v 1. However, the sensitizing activity of Bet v 1‐homologs in Fagales pollen might be underestimated. Allergen‐specific T‐cells are crucial in the sensitization process. The T‐cell response to major allergens from alder, hazel, oak, hornbeam, chestnut, beech, and chestnut pollen has not yet been analyzed. Here, we characterized the cellular cross‐reactivity of major allergens in Fagales pollen with Bet v 1.

Methods

T‐cell‐lines (TCL) were established from allergic individuals with Aln g 1, Car b 1, Ost c 1, Cor a 1, Fag s 1, Cas s 1, and Que a 1, and tested for reactivity with Bet v 1 and synthetic overlapping 12‐mer peptides representing its primary sequence. Aln g 1‐specific TCL was additionally tested with Aln g 1‐derived peptides and all allergens. IgE‐competition experiments with Aln g 1 and Bet v 1 were performed.

Results

T‐cell‐lines initiated with Fagales pollen allergens varied strongly in their reactivity with Bet v 1 and by the majority responded stronger to the original stimulus. Cross‐reactivity was mostly restricted to the epitope Bet v 1142–153. No distinct cross‐reactivity of Aln g 1‐specific T‐cells with Bet v 1 was detected. Among 22 T‐cell epitopes, Aln g 1 contained two immunodominant epitopes. Bet v 1 inhibited IgE‐binding to Aln g 1 less potently than Aln g 1 itself.

Conclusion

The cellular cross‐reactivity of major Fagales pollen allergens with Bet v 1 was unincisive, particularly for Aln g 1, most akin to Bet v 1. Our results indicate that humoral and cellular responses to these allergens are not predominantly based on cross‐reactivity with the major birch pollen allergen but suggest a Bet v 1‐independent sensitization in individuals from birch tree‐dominated areas.
The impact of robotic‐assisted transperineal biopsy of the prostate on erectile function
Authors: Trotsenko Pawel , Walter Manuel , Engesser Christian Hermann , Nicola Keller , Viktor Alargkof Anagnostou , Winkel David Jean , Breit Hanns‐Christian , Meyer Anja , Seifert Hans Helge , Wetterauer Christian
Published: November 2022

Background

Prostate biopsy represents one of the most frequently performed urologic procedures worldwide and therefore presupposes knowledge on potential effects like on the erectile function, especially in extensive or repeated biopsies. The robotic‐assisted biopsy system (Mona Lisa) offers a minimal invasive approach via only two incision points ensuring maximal accuracy combined with protection of the neurovascular bundle of the prostate.

Objective

Our purpose was to analyse the impact of robotic‐assisted transperineal biopsy of the prostate on the erectile function.

Methods

Our prospective study analyses the outcomes of 210 patients, who had undergone minimal‐invasive, transperineal robotic‐assisted biopsy of the prostate at the University Hospital Basel from January 2020 to March 2022 and provided sufficient data. Of these, 157 (74.8%) were included in final analysis.

Results

Mean (range) age, prostate volume, PSA and IIEF‐5 score at baseline were 63.8 years (46.1–83.6), 46.4 ml (9–310), 13.2 ng/ml (0.2–561), and 18.8 points (6–25), respectively. EF before and 1 month after intervention was assessed with the IIEF‐5 questionnaire for the whole cohort. No significant change of IIEF‐5 was observed for the whole cohort with a mean (± SD) decrease of 0.4 (± 3.1) points. Except for patients > 69 years, subgroup analysis revealed no change of IIEF‐5 in statistically significant manner for all subgroups. Number of biopsy cores (< 20 and ≥ 20), previous biopsies and active surveillance showed no significant influence.

Conclusion

Our results suggest that the minimally invasive and highly precise robotic technique can spare the erectile function without limiting the extent of biopsy and without compromising diagnostic accuracy.
Women's movements and female board representation
Authors: Neureiter Michael , Bhattacharya CB
Published: November 2022

Scholars know relatively little about the potential impact of women's movements on gender diversity in the corporate world. We aim to fill this gap in the literature by providing the first empirical analysis of the relationship between women's movements and female representation on boards of directors. Drawing on political process theory, we argue that the strength of a women's movement is positively associated with its ability to increase the number of women on corporate boards. Moreover, we posit that the effect of women's movements on female board representation is moderated by corporate opportunity structures, that is, attributes of firms that make them more or less receptive to social movement activities. Three firm characteristics are particularly relevant in the context of boardroom gender diversity: reputation‐seeking behavior, commitment to corporate social responsibility, and political orientation. Using firm‐fixed effects models to analyze data on more than 2000 companies from 10 countries over a period of 10 years, we find support for three of our four hypotheses. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.
How does ingroup identification predict forgiveness in post‐conflict societies? The role of conflict narratives
Authors: Uluğ Özden Melis , Baysu Gülseli , Leidner Bernhard
Published: November 2022

People's religious identity is often the central identity in many ethnopolitical conflicts. These identities in conflict contexts may be associated with how people see conflict and their willingness to forgive the outgroup members for their wrongdoings in the past. Study 1 (N = 287) tested how religious group identification in the Northern Irish context predicted forgiveness through the endorsement of dominant conflict narratives (i.e., terrorism and independence narratives) among Protestants and Catholics. We also tested how group membership may moderate these relationships. The results showed that among Protestants, higher Protestant identification predicted less forgiveness through higher endorsement of the terrorism narrative and less endorsement of the independence narrative. Among Catholics, on the other hand, higher Catholic identification predicted stronger endorsement of the independence narrative, and in turn, less forgiveness. Study 2 (N = 526) aimed to replicate the findings of Study 1 with a larger sample and extend them by testing the role of an alternative conflict narrative (i.e., the Northern Irish identity narrative). The results were largely replicated for the independence and terrorism narratives, and the Northern Irish identity narrative was associated with higher forgiveness across both groups. We discuss the results in terms of how ingroup identities and conflict narratives can become both facilitators of and barriers to peacebuilding in post‐conflict societies.
Clinical characteristics of fatal cocaine toxicity in Australia, 2000–2021
Authors: Darke Shane , Duflou Johan , Peacock Amy , Chrzanowska Agata , Farrell Michael , Lappin Julia
Published: November 2022

Introduction

With increased use, the number of cocaine‐related deaths has increased. We aimed to determine: (i) the toxicological profile of cocaine, metabolites and adulterants amongst three groups of cocaine‐related fatalities in which cocaine and/or metabolites were present in blood: (a) fatal toxicity, where cocaine only (CO) was present (n = 48), (b) multiple drug toxicity (MDT) where other drugs were present (n = 604), and (c) a comparison group of death from traumatic injury (TI, n = 232); (ii) the acute clinical presentation by group; and (iii) cardiovascular disease by group.

Methods

Retrospective study of cocaine‐related deaths in Australia, 2000–2021, from the National Coronial Information System.

Results

The parent drug cocaine was significantly more common, and had a higher median concentration, amongst the CO group (97.9%, 1.550 mg/L) than the MDT (68.9%, 0.09 mg/L) and TI (70.7%, 0.05 mg/L) groups respectively. Similarly large ratios between CO, MDT and TI were seen for benzoylecgonine (2.100, 0.510, 0.240 mg/L), methylecgonine (1.350, 0.140, 0.070 mg/L), lignocaine (1.200, 0.200, 0.150 mg/L) and levamisole (0.230, 0.045, 0.025 mg/L). The two toxicity groups had significantly higher proportions than the TI group for reports of sudden collapse, seizure, acute psychosis, hyperthermia and vomiting. In addition, CO had higher proportions than MDT and TI of sudden collapse. CO had significantly higher proportions of cardiomegaly and coronary artery disease than the TI group.

Discussion and Conclusions

Compared to MDT and TI cases, CO cases had higher cocaine concentrations, higher concentrations of adulterants, higher levels of cardiovascular disease and were more likely to suddenly collapse.
Contrasting influence of seascape, space and marine reserves on genomic variation in multiple species
Authors: Benestan Laura , Loiseau Nicolas , Guérin Pierre‐Edouard , Pérez‐Ruzafa Angel , Forcada Aitor , Arcas Esther , Lenfant Philippe , Mallol Sandra , Goñi Raquel , Velez Laure , Mouillot David , Puebla Oscar , Manel Stéphanie
Published: November 2022

Marine reserves are being established worldwide to conserve and manage marine resources, and are also often assumed to conserve the evolutionary potential of marine populations. However, comparisons of genomic patterns inside and outside marine reserves in multiple species are scarce. Here, we aim to fill this gap by 1) comparing genomic variation in protected versus unprotected areas in a network of eight reserves in the Mediterranean Sea, and 2) disentangling the effect of seascape, space and marine reserves on this genomic variation in 1297 individuals from four species genotyped at more than 10 000 SNPs each. We report homogeneous patterns of local genetic diversity within and outside reserves in three of the four species (the white seabream Diplodus sargus, the striped red mullet Mullus surmuletus and the European spiny lobster Palinurus elephas). Surprisingly, the comber Serranus cabrilla shows lower genetic diversity in protected areas, highlighting an apparent conservation paradox that may be due to increased predation by protected fishes in the reserves. Multivariate analyses reveal that seascape factors (salinity, temperature and chlorophyll) and space exert a significant influence on genomic variation in some cases, while protection status has no detectable effect. Nevertheless, four marine reserves (Cabo de Palos, Cerbère‐Banyuls, Cap de Creus and Illes Columbretes) harbor singular genetic variation in one or two species. This pattern, observed in the four species, suggests that reserves contribute to preserve genetic variation locally. Our study illustrates that we can document key aspects of the genetic variation of marine species and their interaction with seascape factors, space and protection status in multiple species. It stresses the need for a multi‐species approach to inform marine conservation planning, opening up new perspectives at the community level.
Rapid recovery of boreal rove beetle (Staphylinidae) assemblages 16 years after variable retention harvest
Authors: Lee Seung‐Il , Langor David W. , Spence John R. , Pinzon Jaime , Pohl Gregory R. , Hartley Dustin J. , Work Timothy T. , Wu Linhao
Published: November 2022

Post‐harvest recovery of biodiversity is one of important goals in modern forestry. A variable retention (VR) approach has been of particular interest in North America because it promotes rapid faunal recovery, while minimizing negative lasting impacts of logging on the natural fauna. We studied responses of rove beetles (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae) to a broad range of retention harvests (2, 10, 20, 50 and 75% retention) in comparison to uncut controls as part of the Ecosystem Management Emulating Natural Disturbance (EMEND) experiment in the boreal mixedwood forest of western Canada. We sampled beetles using pitfall traps 1, 2, 11 and 16 years post‐harvest in replicated (n = 3) stands representing four cover types (deciduous‐dominated, deciduous with spruce understory, mixed and coniferous‐dominated). We collected 74 263 individuals distributed across 99 species (excluding Aleocharinae). Estimated species richness was highest in clear‐cuts until year 11, but by year 16 species richness was similar among treatments. Species composition initially varied strongly in relation to intensity of harvest treatments, but overall variation decreased with time, and by year 16, species composition overlapped among most treatment combinations. Assemblages recovered more quickly in early successional (deciduous‐dominated) than in late successional (mixed and conifer‐dominated) stands. Overall, our results show that rove beetle assemblages in stands harvested to all VR prescriptions converged more rapidly toward those in fire‐origin mature stands than did assemblages in clear‐cuts over the first 16 years post‐harvest. Thus, it demonstrates that even modest levels of forest retention can facilitate the recovery of staphylinid assemblages in managed landscapes.
Assembly of non‐native fishes in North Patagonian streams: Species occurrence and abundance respond to different spatial scales
Authors: Lallement Mailén Elizabeth , Rechencq Magalí , Zattara Eduardo Enrique
Published: November 2022

Ecological communities are structured by combinations of biotic and abiotic factors acting at different spatial scales. However, the relative influence of the different scale‐related variables on assemblage composition is poorly understood, despite being key to the effective and efficient management of fluvial ecosystems. We took advantage of the relatively recent and well‐studied history of salmonid introductions in Patagonia to evaluate if non‐native species show different patterns of association with abiotic factors depending on the spatial scale of the environmental filter. We used a hierarchical approach to characterised environmental variables at the basin and reach scales to assess their influence on the presence, abundance and structure of the salmonid assemblages in breeding streams. We saw no evidence that presence/absence patterns of salmonid distribution were driven by landscape variables, except for those basins with physical environmental barriers to colonisation. However, we did find evidence for relative abundances being influenced by climatic and geomorphological variables (e.g., precipitation and relief). Our results do not support a scenario in which any of the salmonid species modulates the distribution of the other species, suggesting that interference has played only a minor role in determining current fish distribution in fluvial systems of the region. Instead, current patterns of presence and abundance of salmonids are best explained as the product of environmental filters. Our findings contribute to our understanding of the ecology of individual species and provide insight into the mechanisms structuring fish assemblages in Southern Hemisphere's lotic systems.
Effects of early life mass mortality events on fish populations
Authors: Langangen Øystein , Ohlberger Jan , Stige Leif Christian , Patin Rémi , Buttay Lucie , Stenseth Nils Christian , Ono Kotaro , Durant Joël M.
Published: November 2022

Mass mortality events are ubiquitous in nature and can be caused by, for example, diseases, extreme weather and human perturbations such as contamination. Despite being prevalent and rising globally, how mass mortality in early life causes population‐level effects such as reduced total population biomass, is not fully explored. In particular for fish, mass mortality affecting early life may be dampened by compensatory density‐dependent processes. However, due to large variations in year‐class strength, potentially caused by density‐independent variability in survival, the impact at the population level may be high in certain years. We quantify population‐level impacts at two levels of mass mortality (50% and 99% additional mortality) during early life across 40 fish species using age‐structured population dynamics models. The findings from these species‐specific models are further supported by an analysis of detailed stock‐specific models for three of the species. We find that population impacts are highly variable between years and species. Short‐lived species that exhibit a low degree of compensatory density dependence and high interannual variation in survival experience the strongest impacts at the population level. These quantitative and general relationships allow predicting the range of potential impacts of mass mortality events on species based on their life history. This is critical considering that the frequency and severity of mass mortality events are increasing worldwide.
Climate‐driven stream‐flow impacts on bull trout metapopulation dynamics revealed by quantitative assessment of 22 years of tag–recapture data
Authors: Kaeding Lynn R. , Mogen Jim T.
Published: November 2022

Climate change has altered annual hydrologic cycles globally. Where stream flows are dominated by snow melt in western North America, climate change has resulted in peak flows that occur earlier in the runoff season and reduced flows during the non‐runoff season. Such changes can negatively affect the reproduction success and first‐year survival of stream‐dependent, autumn‐spawning salmonid fishes.

We annually sampled bull trout (Salvelinus confluentus Suckley) populations in the St. Mary River catchment in north‐central Montana, U.S.A. Bull trout (≥ age 3; n = 3,502) electrofished from six creeks during 1998–2018 were given passive integrated transponder tags and 739 (21.1%) of those fish were recaptured through 2019 (tag loss c. 4.5%). We used tag–recapture data to (1) determine the spatial extent of the bull trout metapopulation; (2) fit a Bayesian Jolly–Seber model to identify the temporal trends in the sizes, finite growth rates (λ), and apparent survival and detection probabilities of the three main populations; and (3) assess the statistical associations between λ and flow.

Bull trout movements among creeks defined the metapopulation's almost catchment‐wide spatial extent. Statistical correlations between λ and flow were clumped in the month × flow variable space at flow lags of 3–7 years, which corresponded with production of the dominant age classes in our tagged populations. Positive correlations occurred during June–September (the bull trout spawning season) and negative correlations during October–May (the embryo‐incubation period).

Declining spawning‐season flow could have degraded bull trout spawning habitat, whereas increasing incubation‐period flow could have physically disturbed embryos affecting their survival.

This study revealed associations between bull trout population dynamics and climate change as indexed by stream flow. Although the spawning habitats of these bull trout are protected within Glacier National Park and the occurrence of multiple local populations supports metapopulation persistence, that persistence is diminished because flow‐regime change has a strong negative influence on each population. Given the region's apparent climate trajectory, further decline in the bull trout metapopulation is anticipated.
Association of social participation (including inconsistent participation) with the progression of frailty among older adults: Community‐based cohort study in Japan
Authors: Yamada Takuya , Fukuda Yoshiharu , Kanamori Satoru , Sato Shinichiro , Nakamura Mutsumi , Nemoto Yuta , Maruo Kazushi , Takeda Noriko , Kitabatake Yoshinori , Arao Takashi
Published: November 2022

Aim

This study examined the relationship between continuity of social participation and progression of frailty among community‐dwelling older adults, by baseline frailty level.

Methods

This study was part of a 3‐year community‐based cohort study among adults aged ≥65 years, living independently in a rural municipality in Japan. Mail surveys were carried out in 2016, 2018 and 2019. This study involved 2799 participants who responded to the question about social participation in every survey. Frailty was evaluated by Kihon Checklist total scores. Social participation was categorized into consistent non‐participation, interrupted recent non‐participation, interrupted recent participation and consistent participation. We assessed the relationship between social participation and change in frailty scores using general linear regression analysis, stratifying the participants into groups by their frailty level at baseline.

Results

There was a smaller frailty score increase in the robust (β −0.61, 95% CI −0.99 to −0.22) and prefrail groups (β −0.73, 95% CI −1.18 to −0.27) for consistent participation than consistent non‐participation. Interrupted recent participation showed significant suppression in the prefrail group (β −0.96, 95% CI −1.60 to −0.32). Social participation had no clear effect on progression in the frail group.

Conclusions

Consistent social participation might reduce the progression of frailty in robust and prefrail people. Inconsistent participation might also help to reduce progression in prefrail older adults. It is important for prefrail older adults to return to their social activities and continue to engage as long as possible, even if their participation was intermittent in the past. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2023; 23: 25–31.
Cell‐free and concentrated ascites reinfusion therapy versus large‐volume paracentesis for the treatment of cirrhotic patients with refractory ascites: A multicenter prospective observational study
Authors: Hanai Tatsunori , Kawaratani Hideto , Nagano Junji , Suii Hirokazu , Sakamaki Akira , Arase Yoshitaka , Nakanishi Hiroyuki , Kogiso Tomomi , Okubo Tomomi , Miwa Takao , Shimizu Shogo , Hige Shuhei , Atsukawa Masanori , Shimizu Masahito , Kurosaki Masayuki , Terai Shuji , Kagawa Tatehiro , Tokushige Katsutoshi , Yoshiji Hitoshi
Published: November 2022

Aim

Cell‐free and concentrated ascites reinfusion therapy (CART) and large‐volume paracentesis (LVP) with albumin infusion are useful for managing refractory ascites (RA). However, it remains unclear which therapy is more effective in patients with cirrhosis with RA.

Methods

From June 2018 to March 2022, 25 patients with RA treated with CART or LVP with albumin infusion were enrolled in this multicenter prospective observational study to investigate the number of abdominal paracenteses, albumin preparations used, and drainage volume during an 8‐week observation period.

Results

Among all patients at entry (median age, 63 years; 52% men; 60% Child–Pugh B and 40% Child–Pugh C), 92% were treated with furosemide (median, 20 mg/day), 92% with spironolactone (25 mg/day), and all with tolvaptan (7.5 mg/day). Patients with RA had a poor health‐related quality of life (HRQOL) and prominent ascites‐related symptoms. Four of the 20 eligible patients were treated with CART, 11 with LVP with albumin infusion, and five with their combination. The median number of paracenteses, total drainage volume, and albumin infusions were 1.5, 7.4 L, and 0, respectively, in the CART group; 5.0, 22.0 L, and 5.0, respectively, in the LVP group; and 5.0, 30.0 L, and 5.0, respectively in their combination group. The treatment effects did not differ significantly among the three groups regarding weight loss, liver function, renal function, electrolytes, and HRQOL. However, patients treated with CART had fewer paracenteses and albumin infusions than those treated with LVP.

Conclusions

CART and LVP have comparable therapeutic efficacy for RA in patients with cirrhosis.
Success in agenda setting through failure in policymaking: Exploring a new policy venue in the Polish European Semester 2012–2022
Authors: Szarfenberg Ryszard
Published: November 2022

The article presents the results of a case study based on participant observation of a policy venue which was established in Poland as part of the implementation of the European Semester (ES) in 2012. The long period (2012–2022) and the rich material collected by the insider in the studied venue (as a representative of over 30 civil society organisations affiliated to EAPN Poland) provide a unique opportunity to gain insight into the participation of social actors in the coordination of economic and social policy in the European Union after 2010. The main research question addressed in the article is: why did social actors gain influence on the agenda of the policy venue, but not on national social policy? Social actors participating in the European Semester in Poland, despite strong and competent representation in the policy venue under consideration, and despite their collaboration with other stakeholders, did not directly influence national poverty reduction policies. However, they strongly influenced the agenda of the policy venue, establishing poverty as a permanent item in the agenda of the subsequent ES cycles 2014–2019. The explanation of this course of action is the institutional framework of the policy venue studied in this article, the policy advocacy strategy adopted by the social actors within it in 2013–2015 and the institutional events triggered by the pandemic in 2020–2022.
A meta‐analysis examined the effect of intrawound vancomycin on surgical site wound infections in non‐spinal neurosurgical operation
Authors: Zeng Xiangwu , Yang Bo , Zhang Baiming , Xu Buxuan , Rong Congxue , She Jianhu , Guo Wanliang , Kong Jianlong , Liu Yangzi , Zhao Dianfan , Xu Xiuzhen
Published: November 2022

To assess the impact of intrawound vancomycin on surgical site wound infections in non‐spinal neurosurgical operations, we conducted a meta‐analysis. A thorough review of the literature up to September 2022 showed that 4286 participants had a non‐spinal neurosurgical operation at the start of the investigations; 1975 of them used intrawound vancomycin, while 2311 were control. Using dichotomous or contentious methods and a random or fixed‐effect model, odds ratios (OR) and mean difference (MD) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated to evaluate the impact of intrawound vancomycin on surgical site wound infections in non‐spinal neurosurgical operation. The intrawound vancomycin had significantly lower surgical site wound infections (OR, 0.28; 95% CI, 0.19‐0.40; P < .001) with low heterogeneity (I2 = 32%) compared with the control in non‐spinal neurosurgical operation. The intrawound vancomycin had significantly lower surgical site wound infections compared with control in non‐spinal neurosurgical operation. The low sample size of 2 out of 13 researches in the meta‐analysis calls for care when analysing the results.
Host phylogeny and elevation predict infection by avian haemosporidians in a diverse New Guinean bird community
Authors: Lau Geoffrey C. F. , Class Freeman Alexandra M. , Pulgarín‐R Paulo , Cadena Carlos Daniel , Ricklefs Robert E. , Freeman Benjamin G.
Published: November 2022

Aim

The biotic interactions hypothesis predicts that interactions between species are stronger at lower elevations compared to higher elevations. We tested whether this prediction is met by examining elevational patterns in avian haemosporidian infections in New Guinean birds.

Location

YUS Conservation Area, Papua New Guinea.

Taxon

Birds and haemosporidia.

Methods

We collected blood samples from 2268 individuals of 66 bird species along a reef‐to‐ridgetop tropical elevational gradient covering ~3000 m of elevation. We used molecular methods to screen samples for haemosporidian parasites, and sequenced 70% of positive infections to determine the identity of parasite genera. We fit a phylogenetic generalized mixed‐effects model to test whether infection prevalence was higher at low elevations, as predicted by the biotic interactions hypothesis. Finally, we tested for phylogenetic signal in parasite prevalence and in host elevational distribution using Pagel's λ.

Results

Overall parasite prevalence was 45%. Infection prevalence decreased with elevation, though prevalence remained above ~30% even for high‐elevation communities between 2000 and 3000 m. We found strong phylogenetic signal in infection prevalence, but no phylogenetic signal in host elevational distribution. Nearly all sequenced infections (97%) were of Haemoproteus.

Main Conclusions

Our results are consistent with predictions arising from the biotic interactions hypothesis. However, phylogenetic relationships among hosts are a much better predictor of infection prevalence than is elevational position: closely related bird species tend to have similar infection prevalence regardless of the elevations where they live.
The 5D Cycle for Health Equity: Combining Black Feminism, Radical Imagination, and Appreciative Inquiry to Transform Perinatal Quality Improvement
Authors: Arrington Lauren A.
Published: November 2022

Too often, quality improvement initiatives are rooted in the health care system's oppressive structures and hierarchies. Transformative quality improvement models that embody the wisdom and liberatory potential of oppressed groups areneeded to address the alarming inequities within perinatal health. Inspired by experiences with Appreciative Inquiry, a possibility‐focused change model, and frustrated by the limits of traditional quality improvement, the author sought new approaches to perinatal quality improvement. Inquiry into Black feminist recommendations for perinatal quality improvement and the principles of radical imagination led to the creation of the 5D Cycle for Health Equity, which grounds Appreciative Inquiry's 5D cycle (define, discover, dream, design, deliver/destiny) in Black feminism and radical imagination. The 5D Cycle for Health Equity is an innovative approach to address health inequities by challenging oppressive quality improvement methods and health care structures. The cycle guides quality improvement collectives through a process that redefines harm and health equity; discovers new understandings of wellness across the past, present, and future; dreams of equitable care with the principles of antioppression and collectivity; designs solutions that embody the liberatory practices of oppressed groups; delivers solutions that strive to free everyone by freeing the most oppressed; and forges a new destiny. Midwives are well poised to use the 5D Cycle for Health Equity to disrupt structures of inequity and foster a health care system that supports the health and wellness of oppressed groups.
Dyadic Care Mobile Units: A Collaborative Midwifery and Pediatric Response to the COVID‐19 Pandemic
Authors: McGuinness Cara , Mottl‐Santiago Julie , Nass Melissa , Siegel Lillian , Onyekwu Onyemaechi C. , Cruikshank Alice , Forman Rosha , Weir Grace
Published: November 2022

Often dubbed the fourth trimester, the first 6 weeks of the postpartum period is a critical time that sets the stage for future health outcomes for both women and children. Leading maternal and child health advocates agree that intervention in the first 6 weeks of life is crucial. Although most new parents prioritize their newborn's well‐care, many postpartum patients do not attend appointments for themselves, missing critical opportunities for identification and treatment of leading causes of maternal morbidity and mortality. Racial disparities in rates of postpartum complications highlight the increased importance of close postpartum follow‐up for women of color. Barriers to attending routine postpartum visits were exacerbated by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic. Additionally, in traditional models of care, maternal‐infant dyads experience fragmented care across multiple departments and patient care settings and only 1 to 2 routine visits for the postpartum patient. To address the challenges of providing in‐person postpartum care during the COVID‐19 pandemic in Boston, the Midwifery Service, and the Pediatrics Department of Boston Medical Center partnered to launch a mobile postpartum clinic that provided comprehensive, high‐touch, dyadic care to postpartum patients and newborns in the first 6 weeks of life. Integrative mobile visits catered to the interplay of maternal and newborn health in the early postpartum period, providing an average of 3 visits to each dyad. This novel clinic concept addresses structural inequities by decreasing barriers to care and reimagines an ideal state of postpartum dyadic care with frequent visits addressing the complete needs of each postpartum patient and newborn. For more than 2 decades, maternal health advocates have been calling for change from health care birth systems to improve health care outcomes. This collaborative, interdepartmental initiative—conceived in the context of a pandemic—is an answer to that call.