bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An identity conflict perspective on female expatriate work adjustment
Authors: Yu Lu , Ren Hong
Published: May 2021

Purpose

This study aims to develop a model for female expatriate work adjustment from the identity conflict perspective.

Design/methodology/approach

This is a theoretical paper that focuses on integrating the existing literature and proposing new constructive relationships.

Findings

We study female expatriates' adjustment processes in the work domain from the identity conflict perspective. Specifically, we categorize female expatriates' identities in the work domain into their gender identity and a work-related role identity cluster and propose that when gender identity is salient, unsupportive national and organizational cultures will lead to gender–work role identity conflicts and eventually result in maladjustment in the work domain.

Originality/value

First, we suggest that female expatriates' work role identities can form a cluster that includes expatriate role, managerial role and occupational role identity. We further theorize how the gender role identity and the work-related role identity cluster of female expatriates interact to influence how they adjust to their work. Second, we explore two contingency factors – host organizational culture and host national culture–and explain how they influence the interaction between female expatriates' gender identity and work-related role identities. Finally, we introduce the concept of gender–work role identity conflict and theorize how it serves as the underlying mechanism linking female expatriate identity patterns and work adjustment.
Construction of structural dimensions of organizational human capital competitive advantage
Authors: Guo Wenchen , Chen Mengxin
Published: May 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to clarify the factors that affect the formation of organizational human capital competitive advantage (OHCCA) and construct its structural dimensions.

Design/methodology/approach

This research method adopted grounded theory using 20 interviews of managers from 10 companies. Relevant literature was reviewed to conduct open coding, Axial coding and selective coding to ensure OHCCA concept and dimensions.

Findings

Studies have shown that OHCCA formation of results from investment and collaboration of three levels: organization, teams and departments and employees. OHCCA formation is composed of three dimensions of organizational human capital investment: planning, practice and stock.

Research limitations/implications

This research enriches the organizational human capital and competitive advantage theories.

Practical implications

The practical significance is to provide theoretical and practical guidance for organizations in creating OHCCAs.

Originality/value

This research is the first to propose and define the OHCCA concept and construct a three-dimensional structure model. Furthermore, this research has revealed the leading factors that affect OHCCA's formation process.
Relational climates moderate the effect of openness to experience on knowledge hiding: a two-country multi-level study
Authors: Banagou Maria , Batistič Saša , Do Hien , Poell Rob F.
Published: May 2021

Purpose

Understanding employee knowledge hiding behavior can serve organizations in better implementing knowledge management practices. The purpose of this study is to investigate how personality and work climate influence knowledge hiding, by examining the respective roles of openness to experience and relational (specifically, communal sharing and market pricing) climates.

Design/methodology/approach

Multilevel modeling was used with two distinct samples, one from Vietnam with 119 employees in 20 teams and one from The Netherlands with 136 employees in 32 teams.

Findings

In both samples, the hypothesized direct relationship between openness and knowledge hiding was not found. In the Vietnamese sample, only the moderating effect of market pricing climate was confirmed; in the Dutch sample, only the moderating effect of communal sharing climate was confirmed. The findings of the Vietnamese sample suggest that people with a high sense of openness to experience hide knowledge less under low market pricing climate. In the Dutch sample, people with high openness to experience hide knowledge less under high communal sharing climate. The authors conclude that, in comparison with personality, climate plays a stronger role in predicting knowledge hiding behavior.

Research limitations/implications

Small sample size and self-reported data might limit the generalizability of this study’s results.

Practical implications

The paper highlights how organizational context (relational climate) needs to be taken into account in predicting how personality (openness to experience) affects knowledge hiding.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to a better understanding of the knowledge hiding construct by extending the set of known antecedents and exploring the organizational context in which such phenomena happen.
Reckoning with the barriers to Lean implementation in Northern Indian SMEs using the AHP-TOPSIS approach
Authors: Saini Sachin , Singh Doordarshi
Published: May 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to recognize critical barriers for Lean manufacturing practices implementation in small and medium enterprises (SMEs) focusing in the context of a developing economy. The advancement of SMEs is of utmost important for a surge in exports while competing with other countries and these barriers have to be given due importance as they play a major role in stalling the overall development of SMEs.

Design/methodology/approach

In this present investigation, 26 barriers to Lean implementation in SMEs have been identified after an extensive study of the literature available on the subject. After that, the influential barriers were investigated through the Analytical hierarchy process-Technique of order preference by similarity to ideal solution (AHP-TOPSIS) method using priority weightage given to them by different experts in their industries. The ranking given to the barriers is based on the AHP-TOPSIS method and has been validated by the sensitivity analysis.

Findings

The investigation reveals that for the successful implementation of Lean manufacturing practices, the will of the management, individual will power and contribution of the people matter a lot apart from other barriers such as flexibility, expertise of the people, resources and resistance offered by the people to new programs. The solutions for overcoming these barriers are also provided in this study and a model has been suggested for the same.

Research limitations/implications

This work was devoted to the evaluation of obstacles in the introduction of Lean practices and prioritizing them. But it was limited to the medium- and small-scale organizations located in Northern India. Further studies can expand the scope to the large-scale units in the field. Moreover, the scope of this study was confined to the manufacturing sector. Future studies can extend it to the non-manufacturing environments such as the service sector, health care, etc. This investigation was based on the judgments of industry experts and academicians. Another approach such as Viekriterijumsko kompromisno rangiranje can be used for future investigations.

Originality/value

This study is significant when keeping in mind the contribution of SMEs to a country’s economy, especially in the Indian context.
Community of practice: converting IT graduate students into specialists via professional knowledge sharing
Authors: Stanca Liana , Dabija Dan-Cristian , Păcurar Elena
Published: May 2021

Purpose

The paper aims to highlight how an applied learning framework or “community of practice” (CoP) combined with a traditional theoretical course of study enables the identification of teaching-learning processes which facilitate knowledge transfer from practitioners to graduate information technology (IT) students for quicker integration in the labour market.

Design/methodology/approach

CoPs are identified based on cluster analysis according to Kolb’s Learning Style Inventory (1984), with data obtained through a survey. Empirical research is applied to the CoP developed within a non-formal learning framework, principal new actors being IT specialists linked to graduate IT students and teachers on a traditional university course. Graduate IT students can gain knowledge of the ideal employee and the social and emotional skills needed to integrate with the IT labour market.

Findings

The K-Means algorithm helps to identify clusters of graduate IT students displaying necessary knowledge acceptance behaviour to convert them into specialists. The results of the cluster analysis show different learning styles of the labour force, providing an overview of candidate selection methods and the knowledge, skills and attitudes expected by users.

Research limitations/implications

Although the research adds value to the existing literature on learning styles and the knowledge and core skills needed by IT specialists, it was limited to an emerging market.

Originality/value

The study provides a preliminary overview of graduate IT students’ attitudes from an emerging market to the re-engineering of academic learning contexts to facilitate professional knowledge transfer, converting them into IT practitioners and integrating them in the labour market of an emerging economy.
Promoting environmental sustainability: the influence of knowledge of eco-labels and altruism in the purchase of energy-efficient appliances
Authors: Waris Idrees , Dad Malik , Hameed Irfan
Published: May 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to extend the theory of planned behavior (TPB) and understand consumers' purchase intention of energy-efficient appliances (EEA) from the perspective of pro-environmental behavior. This study focuses on knowledge of eco-labels (KEL) and altruism for the consumers' purchase intention of EEA.

Design/methodology/approach

This study employed a quantitative method. Data of the participants were collected through the purposive sampling technique. A total of 373 valid responses were received with a response rate of 82.88%. Partial least square (SEM) has been used for the analysis of data.

Findings

The findings of the study reveal that altruism and KEL in the extended model of TPB promote the purchase of EEA in Pakistan. Further, the results indicate that altruism was the key predictor that leads to the consumption of environmentally friendly appliances.

Practical implications

Eco-labels are important sources that provide specific products related information to consumers. Further, eco-labeling serves to guide consumers' regarding the processes of products' consumption and disposals. Secondly, the positive influence of altruism implies the fact that people have the willingness to contribute to the betterment of the environment and human well-being. Therefore, marketers and policymakers should initiate campaigns that primarily target altruistic consumers and emphasize the importance of the purchase of EEAs that can reduce environmental pollution.

Originality/value

This study would help to understand consumer purchase intention for EEA and contribute to the literature of environmental management. The results of this study would serve to provide guidelines to policymakers and marketers regarding the consumption of environmentally friendly products (EFP).
Effect of propolis on glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Mosallanezhad Zahra , Clark Cain , Bahreini Fatemeh , Motamed Zahra , Mosallanezhad Abdolhamid , Hosseini Seyedeh Fatemeh , Shaban-Khalaf Aneseh , Sohrabi Zahra
Published: May 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to investigate the efficacy of propolis on glycemic indices in type 2 diabetic patients.

Design/methodology/approach

Web of science (ISI), Embase, Scopus and PubMed were systematically searched to find randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing the effects of propolis intake on glycemic controls in type 2 diabetic patients, from inception up to September 1, 2020. A random-effects model was used to pool weighted mean difference (WMD). Meta-regression was performed to detect the potential sources of inter-study heterogeneity.

Findings

Seven trials were included in the meta-analysis. Compared to controls, propolis intake significantly improved serum fasting blood sugar (FBS) (WMD = −13.62 mg/dl, 95% CI = [−23.04, −4.20], P = 0.005, I2 = 58.5%) and hemoglobin A1C (HbA1c) (WMD = −0.52%, 95% CI = [−0.86, −0.18], P = 0.002, I2 = 64.0%). In contrast, receiving propolis did not change serum insulin (WMD = −1.46 (uIU/ml), 95% CI = [−2.94, 0.02], P = 0.05, I2 = 75.0%) and homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) (WMD = −0.98 (%), 95% CI = [−2.00, 0.04], P = 0.06, I2 = 82.3%) compared to controls.

Originality/value

The present meta-analysis demonstrated that propolis intake significantly reduces serum FBS and HbA1c in diabetic patients but does not alter serum insulin and HOMA-IR. Further large-scale RCT’s are needed to approve these effects.
The Role of Peer Effects in Corporate Employee Welfare Policies
Authors: Rind Asad Ali , Akbar Saeed , Boubaker Sabri , Lajili‐Jarjir Souad , Mollah Sabur
Published: May 2021

This paper investigates the role of peer effects in the employee welfare policies of organizations. Using US panel data for a sample of 11,451 firm‐year observations from 1996 to 2017, we find that firms’ employee welfare decisions are driven by their peers and show that peer firms play a significant role in defining corporate employee welfare policies. Our findings are robust to various sensitivity checks, including alternative definitions of employee welfare, alternative peer proxies and several identification strategies. Our additional analysis shows that herding behaviour is prevalent in followers, who mimic leaders’ behaviour, but we do not find any such relationship for industry leaders. Further, we show evidence suggesting that mimetic and normative isomorphic pressures are driving the peer effects. Finally, we examine the economic consequences of peer mimicking in employee welfare policies and show that it improves focal firms’ value and innovation. Our findings on firms’ peer effects and herding behaviour have policy implications.
Congruence of opioid prescriptions and dispensing using electronic records and claims data
Authors: Nataraj Nisha , Zhang Kun , Strahan Andrea E. , Guy Gery P.
Published: May 2021

Objective

To quantify discrepancies between opioid prescribing and dispensing via the percentage of patients with Electronic Medical Record (EMR) prescriptions who subsequently filled the prescription within 90 days, defined as congruence, and compared opioid congruence with related medications.

Data sources

Deidentified data from the IBM MarketScan Explorys Claims‐EMR Dataset.

Study design

In this retrospective, observational study, we examined congruence for commonly prescribed controlled substances—opioids, stimulants, and benzodiazepines. Congruence was stratified by age group and sex.

Data collection/extraction methods

Continuously enrolled adults aged 18‐64 years with an EMR encounter (excluding inpatient settings) and ≥ 1 prescription for selected classes between 1/1/2016 and 10/2/2017.

Principal findings

During the study period, 1,353,478 adults had ≥1 EMR encounter. Patients with stimulants prescriptions had the highest congruence (83%) corresponding to 7151 claims for 8,635 EMR prescriptions, followed by opioids (66%; 62,766/95,690) and benzodiazepines (64%; 30,181/47,408). Chi‐square testing showed congruence differed by age group within opioids (P < .0001) and benzodiazepines (P < .0001) and was higher among females within benzodiazepines (P < .0001).

Conclusions

These findings demonstrate that relying on claims data alone for opioid prescribing measures might underestimate actual prescribing magnitude by as much as one‐third in these data. Combined EMR and claims data can help future research better understand characteristics associated with congruence or incongruence between prescribing and dispensing.
Successful treatment of triple EGFR mutation T785A/L861Q/H297_E298 with afatinib
Authors: Longo Vito , Catino Annamaria , Montrone Michele , Pizzutilo Pamela , Pesola Francesco , Marech Ilaria , Capone Iolanda , Prelaj Arsela , Galetta Domenico
Published: May 2021

Patients with non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and uncommon epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation are characterized by high heterogeneity, and globally considered to have a worse prognosis than patients with the two common mutations; exon 19 deletion, and exon 21 L858R. Nevertheless, some uncommon mutations do confer sensitivity to tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) which is comparable with common mutations. In particular, some compound EGFR mutations seem to be characterized by a favorable prognosis. Unfortunately, the rarity of complex EGFR mutations results in difficult clinical decision‐making. Herein, to the best of our knowledge, we report the first case of an NSCLC patient with an EGFR triple mutation containing T785A/L861Q/H297_E298 who was successfully treated with afatinib.
KIN17 promotes tumor metastasis by activating EMT signaling in luminal‐A breast cancer
Authors: Huang Qiyuan , Zahid Kashif Rafiq , Chen Jinsi , Pang Xiangxiong , Zhong Meifeng , Huang Hongling , Pan Weifeng , Yin Jingxin , Raza Umar , Zeng Jiamin , Zhu Xinhong , Zeng Tao
Published: May 2021

Background

Breast cancer (BC), the most common cause of cancer death in women, overtook lung cancer as the leading cause of cancer worldwide in 2020. Although many studies have proposed KIN17 as a biomarker of tumorigenesis in different cancer types, its role in tumor metastasis, particularly in BC metastasis, has been underexplored. This study aimed to explore the role of KIN17 in BC metastasis.

Methods

Survival analyses was performed to identify the association between KIN17 expression and BC patient survival in silico. Using lentivirus constructs, we developed bidirectional KIN17 expression (KD, knockdown; OE, overexpression) cellular models of luminal‐A (Lum‐A) breast cancer MCF‐7 cells. We performed in vitro wound healing, transwell with and without Matrigel assays, and in vivo tail‐vein metastasis assay to evaluate the migration and invasion abilities of MCF‐7 with stable KIN17 knockdown or overexpression. Western blotting was performed to compare the changes in protein expression.

Results

We found that KIN17 expression was associated with poor overall survival (OS), relapse‐free survival (RFS), distant metastasis‐free survival (DMFS) and post‐progression survival (PPS), particularly in Lum‐A breast cancer patients. Later, we found that KIN17 knockdown inhibited migration and invasion of MCF‐7 cells via regulating EMT‐associated signaling pathways in vitro and decreases metastatic spread of the disease in vivo. In contrast, KIN17 overexpression promoted migration and invasion of MCF‐7 cells in vitro and increased the metastatic spread of the disease in vivo.

Conclusions

Overall, our findings provide preliminary data which suggests KIN17 of importance to target in metastatic Lum‐A patients.
The vulnerability of native and invasive conifer seedlings to simulated warming in north‐western Patagonia
Authors: Acheritobehere Laura M. , Orellana Ivonne A. , Raffaele Estela
Published: May 2021

On the context that climate change could increase opportunities of colonisation and spreading for invasive species, we examined whether or not exotic species will respond better than native species to warming effect. We analysed its effect on the water potential (Ψ) of Austrocedrus chilensis and Pseudotsuga menziesii seedlings, native and exotic conifers, respectively. We hypothesise that the native species will show more negative Ψ values than the exotic seedlings in warming conditions. A field experiment was set up in two sites in A. chilensis forests in north‐western Patagonia. In each site, 14 blocks were installed, each consisting of an Open Top Chamber (OTC), which increases temperature by 2°C, and a control plot at current environmental temperature. In 7 blocks, 23 seedlings of P. menziesii were planted in each OTC and 23 in each control plot. In the remaining 7 blocks, A. chilensis seedlings were planted in the same way. Micro‐environmental variables and Ψpd and Ψmd were measured over two growing seasons (2014–2015 and 2015–2016); the turgor threshold of each species was also estimated. The data were analysed by MLGM with repeated measures. Our study showed that warming caused a decrease in air and soil humidity, resulting in a reduction in the water potential of both species at predawn and midday. The most negative water potential values were always recorded in the OTC conditions, and the significant differences between sites could be explained by different tree densities and water consumption. In all plots, A. chilensis Ψ values were found to be more negative than those of P. menziesii, but in the warming scenario, this difference was stronger. Moreover, although neither of the species was favoured by the OTC conditions, A. chilensis could be at higher risk than P. menziesii in the mesic site (MA) in a climate warming scenario.
Classification of forest and shrubland vegetation in Mediterranean Turkey
Authors: Kavgacı Ali , Balpınar Neslihan , Öner Hafize Handan , Arslan Münevver , Bonari Gianmaria , Chytrý Milan , Čarni Andraž
Published: May 2021

Questions

What are the main vegetation types of forest and shrubland vegetation at the alliance level in Mediterranean Turkey? What is their syntaxonomical position? Can we integrate them into the European vegetation classification system? Which environmental factors are the main drivers of the floristic differentiation of vegetation types?

Location

Southern and western Turkey.

Methods

We collected 4,717 vegetation plots of forest and shrubland vegetation in Mediterranean Turkey and performed an unsupervised classification of this data set. We described vegetation types based on the classification results, expert knowledge and information from the literature. We defined diagnostic species and prepared distribution maps for each vegetation type. To support the interpretation of the vegetation types, we determined the most important environmental variables using canonical correspondence analysis.

Results

The studied vegetation was divided into 21 types related to three vegetation belts: (a) thermo‐ and meso‐mediterranean, comprising coniferous (Pinus brutia, Pinus pinea) and sclerophyllous forests, as well as macchia, garrigue and phrygana; (b) supra‐mediterranean, comprising Pinus nigra subsp. pallasiana forests, thermophilous deciduous forests dominated by various oak species and Ostrya carpinifolia, and forests dominated by temperate species such as Fagus orientalis; and (c) oro‐mediterranean, comprising forests and shrublands dominated by Abies cilicica, Cedrus libani, Juniperus excelsa and Juniperus communis subsp. nana. Elevation was identified as the main environmental driver of the vegetation pattern. Among climatic variables, the most important are the mean temperatures (annual and of driest, coldest, and warmest quarters), minimum temperature of winter, precipitation of warmest and driest quarters and precipitation seasonality. These factors indicate the decreasing effect of the Mediterranean climate with increasing elevation.

Conclusions

The vegetation of Mediterranean Turkey is arranged along climatic gradients depending on elevation and the distance from the Mediterranean Sea. Most vegetation types in this area correspond to the syntaxa accepted in EuroVegChecklist, while others were described as new.
Influence of parity and infant age on maternal self‐efficacy, social support, postpartum anxiety, and postpartum depression in the first six months in the Maritime Provinces, Canada
Authors: Dol Justine , Richardson Brianna , Grant Amy , Aston Megan , McMillan Douglas , Tomblin Murphy Gail , Campbell‐Yeo Marsha
Published: May 2021

Background

After giving birth, women experience significant changes related to maternal self‐efficacy and social support and are at risk of experiencing postpartum anxiety and depression.

Problem

No studies have focused on the relationship between parity and infant age and their impact on psychosocial outcomes, particularly in a Canadian context.

Aim

To explore the relationship between parity and infant age on perceived maternal self‐efficacy, social support, postpartum anxiety, and postpartum depression.

Methods

Women from three Canadian provinces within the first 6 months postpartum completed standardized online questionnaires. Multivariate analysis of covariance was used to examine the primary aim.

Findings

A total of 561 women (56.5% primiparous, 55.1% infant 0‐3 months) participated. There were significant main effects for both parity (P < .001) and age of infant (P < .001), but no significant interaction (P = .463). Primiparous women had lower maternal self‐efficacy (P = .004) and higher postpartum anxiety (P = .000) than multiparous women. Women with younger infants had more perceived social support (P = .002). Women with older infants had higher levels of postpartum anxiety (P = .003) and depression (P = .000).

Discussion

The transition that women experience, independent of parity, within the first six months is dynamic with women of older infants experiencing more postpartum mental health concerns and less perceived social support. Our findings emphasize that postnatal support should extend beyond the typical six‐week follow‐up period.

Conclusions

Additional studies are warranted to determine ways to provide ongoing support throughout the first six months and beyond to improve maternal well‐being and address postpartum needs.
Mental health among pregnant women with COVID‐19–related stressors and worries in the United States
Authors: Liu Jihong , Hung Peiyin , Alberg Anthony J. , Hair Nicole L. , Whitaker Kara M. , Simon Jessica , Taylor Sherri K.
Published: May 2021

Background

Few studies have evaluated whether pandemic‐related stressors, worries, and social distancing have affected the mental health of pregnant women during the COVID‐19 pandemic.

Methods

Data came from an online survey of United States pregnant women (n = 715), conducted in May 2020. The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale and Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale were used to assess depressive symptoms, thoughts of self‐harm, and moderate or severe anxiety. Multiple logistic regressions were used to examine the associations of COVID‐19 experiences with mental health outcomes.

Results

Participants were racially diverse. The prevalence of adverse mental health outcomes was 36% for probable depression, 20% for thoughts of self‐harm, and 22% for anxiety. Women who reported family members dying from COVID‐19 had four times higher odds of having thoughts of self‐harm than women who did not experience family death. Depression was more prevalent among women who canceled or reduced medical appointments. Women were more likely to have worse mental health outcomes if they expressed worry about getting financial or emotional/social support, about their pregnancy, or about family or friends. Strict social distancing was positively associated with depression. A higher proportion of adults working from home was inversely associated with depression and thoughts of self‐harm.

Conclusion

High percentages of pregnant women had symptoms of depression or anxiety, suggesting an urgent need to screen and treat mental health conditions among pregnant women during the pandemic. Pandemic‐related risks and protective factors are relevant to developing tailored interventions to address the mental health of pregnant women during pandemic circumstances.
Ral GTPase–activating protein regulates the malignancy of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma
Authors: Yoshimachi Shingo , Shirakawa Ryutaro , Cao Mingxin , Trinh Duc Anh , Gao Pan , Sakata Natsumi , Miyazaki Kento , Goto Kota , Miura Takayuki , Ariake Kyohei , Maeda Shimpei , Masuda Kunihiro , Ishida Masaharu , Ohtsuka Hideo , Unno Michiaki , Horiuchi Hisanori
Published: May 2021

The small GTPases RalA and RalB are members of the Ras family and activated downstream of Ras. Ral proteins are found in GTP‐bound active and GDP‐bound inactive forms. The activation process is executed by guanine nucleotide exchange factors, while inactivation is mediated by GTPase‐activating proteins (GAPs). RalGAPs are complexes that consist of a catalytic α1 or α2 subunit together with a common β subunit. Several reports implicate the importance of Ral in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). However, there are few reports on the relationship between levels of RalGAP expression and malignancy in PDAC. We generated RalGAPβ‐deficient PDAC cells by CRISPR‐Cas9 genome editing to investigate how increased Ral activity affects malignant phenotypes of PDAC cells. RalGAPβ‐deficient PDAC cells exhibited several‐fold higher Ral activity relative to control cells. They had a high migratory and invasive capacity. The RalGAPβ‐deficient cells grew more rapidly than control cells when injected subcutaneously into nude mice. When injected into the spleen, the RalGAPβ‐deficient cells formed larger splenic tumors with more liver metastases, and unlike controls, they disseminated into the abdominal cavity. These results indicate that RalGAPβ deficiency in PDAC cells contributes to high activities of RalA and RalB, leading to enhanced cell migration and invasion in vitro, and tumor growth and metastasis in vivo.
Clinical significance of signal regulatory protein alpha (SIRPα) expression in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Koga Naomichi , Hu Qingjiang , Sakai Akihiro , Takada Kazuki , Nakanishi Ryota , Hisamatsu Yuichi , Ando Koji , Kimura Yasue , Oki Eiji , Oda Yoshinao , Mori Masaki
Published: May 2021

Signal regulatory protein alpha (SIRPα) is a type I transmembrane protein that inhibits macrophage phagocytosis of tumor cells upon interaction with CD47, and the CD47‐SIRPα pathway acts as an immune checkpoint factor in cancers. This study aims to clarify the clinical significance of SIRPα expression in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). First, we assessed SIRPα expression using RNA sequencing data of 95 ESCC tissues from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and immunohistochemical analytic data from our cohort of 131 patients with ESCC. Next, we investigated the correlation of SIRPα expression with clinicopathological factors, patient survival, infiltration of tumor immune cells, and expression of programmed cell death‐ligand 1 (PD‐L1). Overall survival was significantly poorer with high SIRPα expression than with low expression in both TCGA and our patient cohort (P < .001 and P = .027, respectively). High SIRPα expression was associated with greater depth of tumor invasion (P = .0017). Expression of SIRPα was also significantly correlated with the tumor infiltration of M1 macrophages, M2 macrophages, CD8+ T cells, and PD‐L1 expression (P < .001, P < .001, P = .03, and P < .001, respectively). Moreover, patients with SIRPα/PD‐L1 coexpression tended to have a worse prognosis than patients with expression of either protein alone or neither. Taken together, SIRPα indicates poor prognosis in ESCC, possibly through inhibiting macrophage phagocytosis of tumor cells and inducing suppression of antitumor immunity. Signal regulatory protein alpha should be considered as a potential therapeutic target in ESCC, especially if combined with PD‐1‐PD‐L1 blockade.
Queensland Alcohol‐related violence and Night‐time Economy Monitoring (QUANTEM): Rationale and overview
Authors: Miller Peter G. , Coomber Kerri , de Andrade Dominique , Livingston Michael , Puljević Cheneal , Vakidis Thea , Carah Nicholas , Taylor Nicholas , Burn Michele , Curtis Ashlee , Chikritzhs Tanya , Room Robin , Clough Alan , Najman Jake , Scott Debbie , Mayshak Richelle , Ferris Jason
Published: May 2021

This commentary introduces the special section on the outcomes of the Queensland Alcohol‐related violence and Night‐time Economy Monitoring project and outlines the political and policy context of the interventions put in place under the Queensland government's Tackling Alcohol‐Fuelled Violence strategy. The development of the strategy was informed by alcohol policy initiatives trialled in other major Australian cities over the past two decades. The articles in this special section examine the impact of the Tackling Alcohol‐Fuelled Violence policy stages on alcohol‐related harms and local economies across selected entertainment precincts (Safe Night Precincts). A rich array of data were utilised, including administrative health and justice data, data reflective of nightlife trading (i.e. foot traffic data, ID scanner data and live music performances) and street surveys. Findings have implications for research, policy and practice and demonstrate the need for comprehensive evaluations that can accommodate the complexities of modern alcohol policy in Australia.
Modality‐specific frequency band activity during neural entrainment to auditory and visual rhythms
Authors: Comstock Daniel C. , Ross Jessica M. , Balasubramaniam Ramesh
Published: May 2021

Rhythm perception depends on the ability to predict the onset of rhythmic events. Previous studies indicate beta band modulation is involved in predicting the onset of auditory rhythmic events (Fujioka et al., 2009, 2012; Snyder & Large, 2005). We sought to determine if similar processes are recruited for prediction of visual rhythms by investigating whether beta band activity plays a role in a modality‐dependent manner for rhythm perception. We looked at electroencephalography time–frequency neural correlates of prediction using an omission paradigm with auditory and visual rhythms. By using omissions, we can separate out predictive timing activity from stimulus‐driven activity. We hypothesized that there would be modality‐independent markers of rhythm prediction in induced beta band oscillatory activity, and our results support this hypothesis. We find induced and evoked predictive timing in both auditory and visual modalities. Additionally, we performed an exploratory‐independent components‐based spatial clustering analysis, and describe all resulting clusters. This analysis reveals that there may be overlapping networks of predictive beta activity based on common activation in the parietal and right frontal regions, auditory‐specific predictive beta in bilateral sensorimotor regions, and visually specific predictive beta in midline central, and bilateral temporal/parietal regions. This analysis also shows evoked predictive beta activity in the left sensorimotor region specific to auditory rhythms and implicates modality‐dependent networks for auditory and visual rhythm perception.
Effects of mixing tree species and water availability on soil organic carbon stocks are depth dependent in a temperate podzol
Authors: Fanin Nicolas , Maxwell Tania L. , Altinalmazis‐Kondylis Andreas , Bon Lucie , Meredieu Céline , Jactel Hervé , Bakker Mark R. , Augusto Laurent
Published: May 2021

Mixing tree species is a forest management strategy put forward to increase and stabilize primary productivity. Yet, little is known about soil organic carbon (SOC) storage in mixed species forests, particularly under water shortage. In this study, we used a tree diversity experiment in southwestern France to assess the interactive effects of water availability (via irrigation) and mixing tree species (monocultures of pine (Pinus pinaster) and birch (Betula pendula) versus mixed plots of pine‐birch and pine‐birch‐oak (Quercus robur)) on SOC stocks in the forest floor and across five mineral soil layers (0–5, 5–15, 15–30, 30–60 and 60–90 cm deep). We found that SOC stocks were negatively affected by irrigation in the forest floor due to an increase in decomposition rates. However, SOC stocks were positively influenced by both the mixing of tree species and irrigation in the mineral soil, particularly at the 15–30‐cm soil depth. This is because root niche partitioning in mixed plots and an increase in tree biomass in irrigated plots may have resulted in greater organic matter inputs through rhizodeposition and the incorporation of microbially‐derived compounds. These preliminary results indicate that SOC dynamics and its response to biotic and abiotic factors are strongly dependent on soil depth. Our data further highlight that the positive effect of mixing trees on SOC stocks was higher in irrigated plots, thereby contradicting the idea that tree mixture effects are expected to be greater when environmental conditions are harsher. We conclude that mixing tree species can increase SOC stocks in the short term in temperate forests, even if the exact mechanisms remain to be identified.

Highlights

Effects of mixing trees and increasing water availability on SOC are depth dependent.

Increase in SOC stocks occurred mainly at the mid‐soil depth (15–30 cm).

Effects of tree mixture on SOC were greater when soil water availability was high.
Disparate treatment outcomes according to presence of pathogenic mutations in West syndrome
Authors: Choi Han Som , Ko Ara , Kim Se Hee , Lee Seung‐Tae , Choi Jong Rak , Lee Joon Soo , Kim Heung Dong , Kang Hoon‐Chul
Published: May 2021

Objective

It has been known that West syndrome (WS) patients with an unknown etiology have better clinical outcomes than patients with an identified etiology of any kind. However, after the exponential discovery of genes with mutations responsible for developmental and epileptic encephalopathy (DEE), a significant proportion of patients with a previously unknown etiology have been reclassified as having a genetic etiology, requiring reinvestigation of this concept. Therefore, this study investigated clinical outcomes of WS patients with genetic and unknown etiologies.

Methods

Patients diagnosed with WS without structural or metabolic abnormalities were included in this study. The DEE gene panel, comprising 172 genes, was performed for all patients. All patients were treated using the same treatment protocol for vigabatrin and high‐dose prednisolone add‐on therapy. Favorable responders were defined as patients who were seizure‐free and whose electroencephalogram showed Burden of Amplitudes and Epileptiform Discharges scores of 2 or less.

Results

Of the 58 patients included in the study, 17 (29.3%) patients had an identified genetic etiology. There was no significant difference in rates of favorable response at 1 and 3 months after treatment, but significantly higher proportions of patients exhibited favorable responses among those with an unknown etiology at long‐term follow‐up (41.2% vs. 78.0%, p = .006 at 6 months; 29.4% vs. 65.9%, p = .011 at 1 year; 23.5 vs. 65.9%, p = .003 at 2 years). Moreover, the mental, psychomotor, and social age quotients of the patients with an identified genetic etiology were reduced to a significantly greater degree since diagnosis compared with those of the patients with an unknown etiology.

Significance

WS patients with genetic and unknown etiologies did not initially exhibit significantly different response rates to the vigabatrin and high‐dose prednisolone add‐on treatment. However, patients with a genetic etiology exhibited significantly higher relapse rates and significantly poorer long‐term responses.
Inmplode: A framework to interpret multiple related rule‐based models
Authors: Strecht Pedro , Mendes‐Moreira João , Soares Carlos
Published: May 2021

There is a growing trend to split problems into separate subproblems and develop separate models for each (e.g., different churn models for separate customer segments; different failure prediction models for separate university courses, etc.). While it may lead to better predictive models, the use of multiple models makes interpretability more challenging. In this paper, we address the problem of synthesizing the knowledge contained in a set of models without a significant loss of prediction performance. We focus on decision tree models because their interpretability makes them suitable for problems involving knowledge extraction. We detail the process, identifying alternative methods to address the different phases involved. An extensive set of experiments is carried out on the problem of predicting the failure of students in courses at the University of Porto. We assess the effect of using different methods for the operations of the methodology, both in terms of the knowledge extracted as well as the accuracy of the combined models.
Thermal acclimation increases the stability of a predator–prey interaction in warmer environments
Authors: Sohlström Esra H. , Archer Louise C. , Gallo Bruno , Jochum Malte , Kordas Rebecca L. , Rall Björn C. , Rosenbaum Benjamin , O’Gorman Eoin J.
Published: May 2021

Global warming over the next century is likely to alter the energy demands of consumers and thus the strengths of their interactions with their resources. The subsequent cascading effects on population biomasses could have profound effects on food web stability. One key mechanism by which organisms can cope with a changing environment is phenotypic plasticity, such as acclimation to warmer conditions through reversible changes in their physiology. Here, we measured metabolic rates and functional responses in laboratory experiments for a widespread predator–prey pair of freshwater invertebrates, sampled from across a natural stream temperature gradient in Iceland (4–18℃). This enabled us to parameterize a Rosenzweig–MacArthur population dynamical model to study the effect of thermal acclimation on the persistence of the predator–prey pairs in response to warming. Acclimation to higher temperatures either had neutral effects or reduced the thermal sensitivity of both metabolic and feeding rates for the predator, increasing its energetic efficiency. This resulted in greater stability of population dynamics, as acclimation to higher temperatures increased the biomass of both predator and prey populations with warming. These findings indicate that phenotypic plasticity can act as a buffer against the impacts of environmental warming. As a consequence, predator–prey interactions between ectotherms may be less sensitive to future warming than previously expected, but this requires further investigation across a broader range of interacting species.
Macrofollicular variant follicular thyroid tumors are DICER1 mutated and exhibit distinct histological features
Authors: Juhlin C Christofer , Stenman Adam , Zedenius Jan
Published: May 2021

Aims

DICER1 germline mutations cause DICER1 syndrome, in which multinodular goitre is a common feature. Recently, somatic DICER1 mutations have been reported in sporadic thyroid carcinomas, of which the newly described macrofollicular variant of follicular thyroid carcinoma (MV‐FTC) seems particularly enriched for this aberrancy. We report here histological and genetic findings in five follicular thyroid tumours with macrofollicular architecture (four carcinomas and one adenoma).

Methods and results

We have diagnosed five cases during a year‐long period at the Karolinska University Hospital, a tertiary thyroid cancer center with a catchment area of approximately 2.3 million inhabitants. Tumour DNA was interrogated using a commercially available massive parallel sequencing platform. All cases were female patients, ranging from 13 to 33 years at surgery. A single patient was a DICER1 syndrome carrier; the others were sporadic cases. All tumours displayed a macrofollicular architecture with a broad capsule. The MV‐FTCs displayed capsular invasion, but never vascular invasion. Areas with degenerative changes (microinfarctions) were noted in all cases, and focal papillary growth was observed in the majority. The Ki‐67 proliferation index was always above 4%. All cases displayed DICER1 gene mutations, of which four of five cases displayed RNase IIIb hot‐spot missense mutations adjoined by a second, deleterious variant in three of five tumouurs.

Conclusions

Macrofollicular variants of follicular thyroid tumours are predominantly found in younger females and are strongly linked to somatic DICER1 gene mutations. Histological features such as a broad tumorous capsule, focal infarctions and areas with papillae could constitute clues prompting further genetic analyses.
Rethinking Innocence Projects in England and Wales: Lessons for the Future
Authors: GREENWOOD HOLLY
Published: May 2021

This article draws on original empirical research to explore the rise and fall of innocence projects across England and Wales. Innocence projects are university‐based projects which seek to educate students, to assist the wrongly convicted and to contribute to research and reform within criminal justice. Thirty‐six projects were established between 2004 and 2014 under Innocence Network UK, but following the network's closure, projects appear to be gradually disappearing. Drawing on empirical evidence from key actors, this article argues that the decline of innocence projects resulted from both emerging tensions within the innocence project movement itself and through the external constraints of operating within a restrictive criminal appeal system. It will conclude by rethinking how surviving projects might play a valuable role in addressing miscarriages of justice in the current climate.
Stringiness of hyaluronic acid emulsions
Authors: Kibbelaar Heleen V. M. , Deblais Antoine , Velikov Krassimir P. , Bonn Daniel , Shahidzadeh Noushine
Published: May 2021

Objective

Cosmetic emulsions containing hyaluronic acid are ubiquitous in the cosmetic industry. However, the addition of (different molecular weight) hyaluronic acid can affect the filament stretching properties of concentrated emulsions. This property is often related to the “stringiness” of an emulsion, which can affect the consumer's choice for a product. It is thus very important to investigate and predict the effect of hyaluronic acid on the filament stretching properties of cosmetic emulsions.

Methods

Model emulsions and emulsions with low and high molecular weights are prepared and their filament stretching properties are studied by the use of an extensional rheometer. Two different stretching speeds are employed during the stretching of the emulsions, a low speed at 10 µm/s and a high speed at 10 mm/s. The shear rheology of the samples is measured by rotational rheology.

Results

We find that filament formation only occurs at high stretching speeds when the emulsion contains high molecular weight hyaluronic acid. The formation of this filament, which happens at intermediate states of the break‐up, coincides with an exponential decay in the break‐up dynamics. The beginning and end of the break‐up of high molecular weight hyaluronic acid emulsions show a power law behaviour, where the exponent depends on the initial stretching rate. At a lower stretching speed, no filament is observed for both high molecular weight and low molecular weight hyaluronic acid emulsions and the model emulsion. The emulsions show a power law behaviour over the whole break‐up range, where the exponent also depends on the stretching rate. No significant difference is observed between the shear flow properties of the emulsions containing different molecular weights hyaluronic acid.

Conclusion

In this work, we underline the importance of the molecular weight of hyaluronic acid on the elongational properties of concentrated emulsions. The filament formation properties, for example the stringiness, of an emulsion is a key determinant of a product liking and repeat purchase. Here, we find that high molecular weight hyaluronic acid and a high stretching speed are the control parameters affecting the filament formation of an emulsion.