bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A conceptual construction management curriculum model grounded in scientometric analysis
Authors: Posillico John J. , Edwards David J. , Roberts Chris , Shelbourn Mark
Published: June 2022

Purpose

This research aims to present a conceptual model for construction management programme curriculum development from the perspective of higher education institutes (HEIs) and aims to engender wider polemic debate and stimulate new insight into current higher education practice.

Design/methodology/approach

The overarching epistemology adopts both interpretivist and pragmatist philosophical stances, couched within grounded theory, to critically analyse extant literature on construction management curriculum development. Inductive reasoning forms the basis of new emergent theory that maps curriculum development and highlights the external and internal factors impacting upon such.

Findings

Research findings illustrate that the prevailing body of knowledge lacks a cohesive nucleus of research on construction management curriculum development. Rather, bespoke curriculum development research predominates in uncommunicative silos. Premised upon these findings, the conceptual curriculum model developed defines and delineates the universal internal factors (e.g. student marketplace, course leadership and academic precedents) and external factors (e.g. accreditation, construction industry and professional bodies) that impact upon curriculum development. Identification of these factors provides a sound basis upon which further research can be propagated to enhance curriculum development and unify the current disparate approaches adopted.

Originality/value

This novel research highlights the lack of a cohesive agenda for curriculum development within mainstream construction management literature and based upon this, a conceptual model for future empirical analysis and testing is presented.
CARES and crime
Authors: Henke Alexander Robert , Hsu Linchi
Published: June 2022

Purpose

The US signed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act in March 2020 to alleviate the harsh economic effects of the pandemic and related shutdowns. A substantial part of the bill expanded and increased unemployment insurance payments, where a growing area of research estimates strong anti-poverty effects. The authors examine the effect of these policies on crime.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors use new event study and difference-in-differences techniques to estimate the effect of increasing unemployment insurance payments on property crime and violent crime. Then, the authors estimate the effect of expanded unemployment qualification programs on crime. The authors use a rich set of controls including unemployment, contemporaneous policies and mobile device tracking data to estimate the degree to which people stayed at home.

Findings

They find that increasing unemployment insurance payments decreased crime by 20%, driven by a 24% decrease in property crime. The authors also find suggestive evidence that expanding unemployment qualifications decreases crime.

Practical implications

The authors find a new and substantial benefit of expanded unemployment insurance beyond their antipoverty effects.

Originality/value

To the authors' knowledge, this is the first study that directly examines the impact of the CARES Act on crime.
Evaluation of two longitudinal faculty leadership training programs: behavioral change and institutional impact
Authors: Mayowski Colleen A. , Norman Marie K. , Proulx Chelsea N. , Hamm Megan E. , Martin Mary K. , Zellers Darlene F. , Rubio Doris M. , Levine Arthur S.
Published: June 2022

Purpose

Building leadership skills among faculty in academic medicine is essential, yet professional development programs focused on leadership are not always attentive to the needs of faculty on diverse career pathways or at differing career stages—nor are they often rigorously assessed. Evaluations commonly focus on participant satisfaction and short-term learning but not behavior change and institutional impact, which are difficult to assess but arguably more meaningful. Given the substantial time and money invested in these programs, more rigorous evaluation is critical.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors evaluated an intensive, shared leadership-focused training program for early-career and mid-career faculty, offered by the University of Pittsburgh’s School of Medicine over the course of a year. They administered a pre/post-program assessment of confidence in key skill areas, and conducted semi-structured interviews with 21 participants between 1–4 years after program completion.

Findings

Participants in both programs showed statistically significant improvement (p < 0.001) on every item measured in the pre/post-test. Analysis of the interviews revealed indications of substantial behavior change as well as institutional impact. The evaluation also suggested particular benefits for female professionals.

Originality/value

The authors conducted a long-term assessment of leadership training focused on career pathway and career stage and found that it (a) prompted both positive behavioral change and institutional impact and (b) suggested benefits for female faculty in particular, which could potentially help to eliminate gender-based disparities in leadership in academic medical centers.
A systematic literature review of service-related research on refugees
Authors: Subramanian Ilayaraja , Finsterwalder Jörg , Hall C. Michael
Published: June 2022

Purpose

This study aims to systematically review and conceptualise service-related research on refugees to identify gaps in the literature, derive future research avenues and stimulate interdisciplinary research and practice to improve well-being of refugees.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses a systematic literature review (SLR) of 102 journal articles published or available online from 2010 to 2020.

Findings

Ten themes are identified across the three phases of the refugees’ service journey (entry, transition and exit). Most of the articles focus on the exit phase. One-third of the literature analyses refugees’ access and adaptation to health-care services. The dearth of research on other refugee services reflects the failure to attend to all aspects of service provision across all phases of the refugee service journey.

Research limitations/implications

While the ten themes across the three phases require scholars’ and practitioners’ attention, different aspects of the SLR’s findings necessitate further investigation. To reinvigorate research and practice, and stimulate interdisciplinary collaboration, a novel Communities of Practice approach is suggested.

Practical implications

Practitioners and policymakers should place more focus on the entry and transition phases of the refugee service journey.

Social implications

Lack of research and engagement with the first two phases of the refugee journey might come at the expense of refugees. More service support is needed to buffer the journey from homeland to host country.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this SLR on refugee-related services is the first of its kind from a service research perspective.
Productivity gap and expatriate utilization
Authors: Lee Sooyoung , Whang Unjung , Nahm Sihoon , Oh Chang Hoon
Published: June 2022

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate how the gap between a multinational enterprise’s (MNE) productivity and that of its competitor determines the utilization of expatriate managers in its foreign subsidiaries.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors first develop a formal analytical model where expatriate managers are relatively more reliable and expensive while local managers are prone to job-hopping. The authors then test the predictions of the analytical model using subsidiary-level data of Korean MNEs.

Findings

The findings show a positive relationship between the productivity gap and the share of expatriate managers in a foreign subsidiary. The empirical findings also show that the job position (middle versus top managers) is another key determinant of the utilization of expatriate managers.

Originality/value

The results of this paper are consistent with the literature that finds that MNEs choose a governance structure that minimizes the hazard of opportunism in their subsidiaries, yet the paper reveals a novel aspect of the determinants of expatriate utilization.
Sand mining and land-based livelihood security in two selected districts in the Central Region of Ghana
Authors: Anokye Nana Amma , Mensah John Victor , Potakey Harriet Muriel Dzifa , Boateng Janet Serwah , Essaw David Wellington , Tenkorang Emmanuel Yamoah
Published: June 2022

Purpose

Globally, rapid urbanisation characterised by increasing demand for housing and infrastructure needs has resulted in sand mining. In Ghana, sand mining can create or destroy the livelihoods of people in urban and rural areas. This paper examines the interaction between sand mining and land-based livelihood security in Awutu Senya District (ASD) and Awutu Senya East Municipality (ASEM).

Design/methodology/approach

Based on pragmatism philosophy, the study used a mixed methods approach to collect quantitative data and qualitative data from 431 household heads, ten core staff of the Assemblies, five traditional leaders, two tipper truck drivers' associations and ten farmer groups. Statistical Product and Service Solutions, version 21 and NVivo 12 facilitated quantitative data analysis and qualitative data analysis, respectively.

Findings

The study revealed that sand mining had different consequences on land-based livelihood security. Some block makers and truck drivers acknowledged positive effects of sand mining on their livelihoods while the majority of the household respondents and other key informants claimed that sand mining had negative effects on their livelihoods.

Research limitations/implications

This paper focuses on two selected local government areas in Ghana. Therefore, the results may be generalised on the country with caution because local government areas have different characteristics. Further research is needed to contact the customers of sand in Accra.

Originality/value

This study provides new insight into the connections between sand mining and people's livelihood security in two local government areas. It also introduces a novel idea of collaboration among stakeholders to address negative effects associated with unsustainable sand mining.
Variable relationships between trait diversity and avian ecological functions in agroecosystems
Authors: Peña Rocío , Schleuning Matthias , Miñarro Marcos , García Daniel
Published: June 2022

The diversity of traits within animal assemblages has been shown to affect the magnitude of animal‐provided ecological functions. However, little is known about how consistent trait diversity effects are across ecological functions and ecosystems. More importantly, the importance of trait diversity in driving ecosystem functioning, relative to other components of biodiversity, has rarely been assessed. It also remains unclear how environmental gradients filter trait diversity and, ultimately, modulate ecological functions.

Here, we test how different biodiversity components (i.e., trait diversity, phylogenetic diversity and abundance) affect the magnitude of avian seed dispersal and insect predation along large environmental gradients. We sampled frugivorous and insectivorous birds and their ecological functions across gradients of forest cover and fruit and insect abundances in woodland pastures and apple orchards in Northern Spain. We measured 6 morphological traits and compiled phylogenetic information on 43 bird species. We used Structural Equation Models to disentangle the effects of environmental gradients and biodiversity components on ecological functions.

We found that different avian functions in the same agroecosystem were controlled by different biodiversity components. While seed dispersal was positively driven by bird abundance in woodland pastures, insect predation responded positively to trait and phylogenetic diversity. The positive effects of trait diversity on insect predation were, on the other hand, consistent across woodland pastures and apple orchards.

Our results also pinpointed forest cover and resource availability as filters of the different components of avian diversity, suggesting that environmental gradients condition the effects of biodiversity on avian ecological functions.

Our findings reveal variable effects of trait diversity on two different avian ecological functions, but consistent effects on the same function across agroecosystems. Consolidating the generalities of trait diversity effects will require further multi‐function studies, as well as a unifying framework for animal‐driven functions that integrates the causal links between environmental gradients, the different biodiversity components, and ecological functions.

Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.
Bacteriophages vehiculate a high amount of antibiotic resistance determinants of bacterial origin in the Orne River ecosystem
Authors: Sagrillo Charlène , Changey Frédérique , Bellanger Xavier
Published: June 2022

Aquatic environments are important dissemination routes of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) from and to pathogenic bacteria. Nevertheless, in these complex matrices, identifying and characterizing the driving microbial actors and ARG dissemination mechanisms they are involved in remain difficult. We here explored the distribution/compartmentalization of a panel of ARGs and mobile genetic elements (MGEs) in bacteria and bacteriophages collected in the water, suspended material and surface sediments from the Orne River ecosystem (France). By using a new bacteriophage DNA extraction method, we showed that, when packaging bacterial DNA, bacteriophages rather encapsidate both ARGs and MGEs than 16S rRNA genes, i.e. chromosomal fragments. We also show that the bacteria and bacteriophage capsid contents in ARGs/MGEs were similarly influenced by seasonality but that the distribution of ARGs/MGEs between the river physical compartments (water vs. suspended mater vs. sediment) is more impacted when these markers were carried by bacteria. These demonstrations will likely modify our understanding of the formation and fate of transducing viral particles in the environment. Consequently, they will also likely modify our estimations of the relative frequencies of the different horizontal gene transfer mechanisms in disseminating antibiotic resistance by reinforcing the roles played by environmental bacteriophages and transduction.
Comparative effects of vacuum or conventional frying on the polyphenol chemistry and in vitro colon cancer stem cell inhibitory activity of purple‐flesh potatoes
Authors: Stewart Lauriel , Indukuri Vijaya Varma , Charepalli Venkata , Chrisfield Benjamin J. , Anantheswaran Ramaswamy C. , Lambert Joshua D. , Vanamala Jairam K. P.
Published: June 2022

Potatoes are an important food crop that undergo postharvest storage, reconditioning, and cooking. Colored‐flesh varieties of potatoes are rich in phenolic acids and anthocyanins. Previous studies have suggested that purple‐flesh potatoes can inhibit colon cancer cells in vitro and reduce colon carcinogenesis in vivo. Vacuum frying (VF), as an alternative to conventional frying (CF), reduces fat content and may promote polyphenol retention in potato chips. We examined the impacts of reconditioning (storing at 13°C for 3 weeks following the 90‐day cold storage at 7°C) and frying method on phenolic chemistry and in vitro colon cancer stem cell (CCSC) inhibitory activity of purple‐flesh potato chips. We found that reconditioned chips exhibited higher total phenolic content (TPC) than nonreconditioned chips. We found that VF chips had lower TPC than CF chips. We observed no interaction between treatments. We found that VF chips had 27% higher total monomeric anthocyanin levels than CF chips, and observed a significant interaction between treatments. We found that VF chips had higher concentrations of caffeic acid (42%–72% higher), malvidin (46%–98% higher), and pelargonidin (55%–300% higher) than CF chips. We found that reconditioning had no effect. We found that VF chips had greater in vitro CCSC inhibitory activity than CF chips. Our results suggest that VF can improve the phytochemical profile and health‐related functionality of purple‐flesh potato chips, but additional studies are needed to determine if these results translate to the in vivo situation.

Practical Application

Our current study shows that vacuum frying of purple‐flesh potato chips results in higher levels of total monomeric anthocyanins and concentrations of specific polyphenols as compared to chips produced by conventional frying. These differences correlated with better in vitro colon cancer stem cell inhibitory activity. Although additional in vivo studies are needed, our current results suggest that it may be possible for potato processors to improve the health‐related functionality of purple‐flesh potato chips through the use of vacuum frying.
Integrating Land Use Planning and Water Management in U.S. Cities: A Literature Review
Authors: Stoker Philip , Albrecht Tamee , Follingstad Gretel , Carlson Eric
Published: June 2022

This literature review covers the research and practice related to the integration of land use planning and water management in the United States (U.S.). Research articles are the primary source of information for this review, but reports published by consultancies, public utilities, municipalities, and advisory groups are also included. This review presents strategies to better integrate the two professions. We describe each strategy and provide examples that have been published in the literature. Strategies are divided into legal strategies which would require either federal, state, or local governments to pass new legislation, and strategies that could be implemented in the absence of new laws. This review is intended to be a resource for researchers, students, and practitioners seeking to advance the quality and effectiveness of land use planning and water management in the U.S.
Fraction of inspired oxygen during general anesthesia for non‐cardiac surgery: Systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Høybye Maria , Lind Peter C. , Holmberg Mathias J. , Bolther Maria , Jessen Marie K. , Vallentin Mikael F. , Hansen Frederik B. , Holst Johanne M. , Magnussen Andreas , Hansen Niklas S. , Johannsen Cecilie M. , Enevoldsen Johannes , Jensen Thomas H. , Roessler Lara L. , Klitholm Maibritt P. , Eggertsen Mark A. , Caap Philip , Boye Caroline , Dabrowski Karol M. , Vormfenne Lasse , Henriksen Jeppe , Karlsson Mathias , Balleby Ida R. , Rasmussen Marie S. , Pælestik Kim , Granfeldt Asger , Andersen Lars W.
Published: June 2022

Background

Controversy exists regarding the effects of a high versus a low intraoperative fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2) in adults undergoing general anesthesia. This systematic review and meta‐analysis investigated the effect of a high versus a low FiO2 on postoperative outcomes.

Methods

PubMed and Embase were searched on March 22, 2022 for randomized clinical trials investigating the effect of different FiO2 levels in adults undergoing general anesthesia for non‐cardiac surgery. Two investigators independently reviewed studies for relevance, extracted data, and assessed risk of bias. Meta‐analyses were performed for relevant outcomes, and potential effect measure modification was assessed in subgroup analyses and meta‐regression. The evidence certainty was evaluated using GRADE.

Results

This review included 25 original trials investigating the effect of a high (mostly 80%) versus a low (mostly 30%) FiO2. Risk of bias was intermediate for all trials. A high FiO2 did not result in a significant reduction in surgical site infections (OR: 0.91, 95% CI 0.81–1.02 [p = .10]). No effect was found for all other included outcomes, including mortality (OR = 1.27, 95% CI: 0.90–1.79 [p = .18]) and hospital length of stay (mean difference = 0.03 days, 95% CI −0.25 to 0.30 [p = .84). Results from subgroup analyses and meta‐regression did not identify any clear effect modifiers across outcomes. The certainty of evidence (GRADE) was rated as low for most outcomes.

Conclusions

In adults undergoing general anesthesia for non‐cardiac surgery, a high FiO2 did not improve outcomes including surgical site infections, length of stay, or mortality. However, the certainty of the evidence was assessed as low.
Frail patients having vascular surgery during the early COVID‐19 pandemic experienced high rates of adverse perioperative events and amputation
Authors:   Australian and New Zealand Vascular Trial Network (ANZVTN), Aitken Sarah J. , Allard Bernard , Altaf Nishath , Atkinson Noel , Aziz Omar , Battersby Ruth , Benson Ruth , Chambers Jennifer L. , Charlton Gabriella , Coleman Chloe , Dawson Joseph A. , Dean Anastasia , Dhal Bedanta S. , Fitridge Robert , Gan John , Hanna Joseph , Hattam Andrew T. , Hein Martin , Hon Kay , Khoo Samantha , Kilby Joseph , Kuang Beatrice , Leong Kai Wen , Lim Eunice , Liu Ju‐wei N. , McClure David N. , Mehta Shreya , Moss Jana‐Lee , Muller Juanita , Musicki Korana , Nandhra Sandip , Papanikolas Michael J , Pineda Fernando Picazo , Pond Franklin , Ravintharan Nandhini , Richards Toby , Saeed Hani , Selvaraj Christopher N. , Singh Gurkirat , Sivakumaran Yogeesan , Stavert Bethany M. , Suthers Elizabeth , Tang Robert , Varley Vincent C. , Vasudevan Thodur M. , Vo Uyen G. , Wagner Timothy , Wang Judy , Wong Jackie
Published: June 2022

Background

Frailty predicts adverse perioperative outcomes and increased mortality in patients having vascular surgery. Frailty assessment is a potential tool to inform resource allocation, and shared decision‐making about vascular surgery in the resource constrained COVID‐19 pandemic environment. This cohort study describes the prevalence of frailty in patients having vascular surgery and the association between frailty, mortality and perioperative outcomes.

Methods

The COVID‐19 Vascular Service in Australia (COVER‐AU) prospective cohort study evaluates 30‐day and six‐month outcomes for consecutive patients having vascular surgery in 11 Australian vascular units, March–July 2020. The primary outcome was mortality, with secondary outcomes procedure‐related outcomes and hospital utilization. Frailty was assessed using the nine‐point visual Clinical Frailty Score, scores of 5 or more considered frail.

Results

Of the 917 patients enrolled, 203 were frail (22.1%). The 30 day and 6 month mortality was 2.0% (n = 20) and 5.9% (n = 35) respectively with no significant difference between frail and non‐frail patients (OR 1.68, 95%CI 0.79–3.54). However, frail patients stayed longer in hospital, had more perioperative complications, and were more likely to be readmitted or have a reoperation when compared to non‐frail patients. At 6 months, frail patients had twice the odds of major amputation compared to non‐frail patients, after adjustment (OR 2.01; 95% CI 1.17–3.78), driven by a high rate of amputation during the period of reduced surgical activity.

Conclusion

Our findings highlight that older, frail patients, experience potentially preventable adverse outcomes and there is a need for targeted interventions to optimize care, especially in times of healthcare stress.
Analysis of surgical mortality in rural South Australia: a review of four major rural hospital in South Australia
Authors: Liu Jianliang , Ting Ying Yang , Trochsler Markus , Reid Jessica , Anthony Adrian , Maddern Guy
Published: June 2022

Background

One‐third of Australia's population reside in rural and remote areas. This audit aims to describe all‐causes of mortality in rural general surgical patients, and identify areas of improvement.

Methods

This is a retrospective multi‐centre study involving four South Australian hospitals (Mt Gambier, Whyalla, Port Augusta, and Port Lincoln). All general surgical inpatients admitted from June 2014 to September 2019 were analysed to identify all‐cause of mortality.

Results

A total of 80 mortalities were recorded out of 26 996 admissions. The overall mortality rate of 0.3% was the same as the 2020 Victorian state‐wide Audit of Surgical Mortality. No mortality was secondary to trauma. Mean age was 79 ± 11 years and ASA was 3.9 ± 1. Malignancy was associated in over a third of cases (41.2%), mostly colorectal and pancreatic. Most cases were related to general surgical subspecialties: colorectal (51.3%), upper gastrointestinal (21.3%), hepatopancreaticobiliary (13.8%); however, there were also vascular (6.3%) and urology (3.8%) cases. The most common causes of mortality were large bowel obstruction (13.4%), ischemic bowel (10.4%), and small bowel obstruction (7.5%). Majority of mortality were beyond the surgeon's control (73.8%). Of the 21 potentially preventable mortalities, 42.9% were attributed to aspiration pneumonia and decompensated heart failure. Only one (1.3%) mortality case was due to pulmonary embolism.

Conclusion

Rural general surgical mortalities occur in older, comorbid patients. Rural surgeons should be equipped to manage basic subspeciality conditions. To further reduce mortalities, clear protocols to prevent aspiration pneumonia and resuscitation associated fluid overload are needed.
Women with polycystic ovary syndrome are burdened with multimorbidity and medication use independent of body mass index at late fertile age: A population‐based cohort study
Authors: Kujanpää Linda , Arffman Riikka K. , Pesonen Paula , Korhonen Elisa , Karjula Salla , Järvelin Marjo‐Riitta , Franks Stephen , Tapanainen Juha S. , Morin‐Papunen Laure , Piltonen Terhi T.
Published: June 2022

Introduction

This population‐based follow‐up study investigated the comorbidities, medication use, and healthcare services among women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) at age 46 years.

Material and methods

The study population derived from the Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1966 and consisted of women reporting oligo/amenorrhea and hirsutism at age 31 years and/or a PCOS diagnosis by age 46 years (n = 246) and controls without PCOS symptoms or diagnosis (n = 1573), referred to as non‐PCOS women. The main outcome measures were self‐reported data on symptoms, diagnosed diseases, and medication and healthcare service use at the age of 46 years.

Results

Overall morbidity risk was increased by 35% (risk ratio [RR] 1.35, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.16–1.57) and medication use by 27% [RR 1.27, 95% CI 1.08–1.50) compared with non‐PCOS women, and the risk remained after adjusting for body mass index. Diagnoses with increased prevalence in women with PCOS were migraine, hypertension, tendinitis, osteoarthritis, fractures, and endometriosis. PCOS was also associated with autoimmune diseases and recurrent upper respiratory tract infections and symptoms. Interestingly, healthcare service use did not differ between the study groups after adjusting for body mass index.

Conclusions

Women with PCOS are burdened with multimorbidity and higher medication use, independent of body mass index.
Formant‐invariant voice and pitch representations are pre‐attentively formed from constantly varying speech and non‐speech stimuli
Authors: Di Dona Giuseppe , Scaltritti Michele , Sulpizio Simone
Published: June 2022

The present study investigated whether listeners can form abstract voice representations while ignoring constantly changing phonological information and if they can use the resulting information to facilitate voice change detection. Further, the study aimed at understanding whether the use of abstraction is restricted to the speech domain or can be deployed also in non‐speech contexts. We ran an electroencephalogram (EEG) experiment including one passive and one active oddball task, each featuring a speech and a rotated speech condition. In the speech condition, participants heard constantly changing vowels uttered by a male speaker (standard stimuli) which were infrequently replaced by vowels uttered by a female speaker with higher pitch (deviant stimuli). In the rotated speech condition, participants heard rotated vowels, in which the natural formant structure of speech was disrupted. In the passive task, the mismatch negativity was elicited after the presentation of the deviant voice in both conditions, indicating that listeners could successfully group together different stimuli into a formant‐invariant voice representation. In the active task, participants showed shorter reaction times (RTs), higher accuracy and a larger P3b in the speech condition with respect to the rotated speech condition. Results showed that whereas at a pre‐attentive level the cognitive system can track pitch regularities while presumably ignoring constantly changing formant information both in speech and in rotated speech, at an attentive level the use of such information is facilitated for speech. This facilitation was also testified by a stronger synchronisation in the theta band (4–7 Hz), potentially pointing towards differences in encoding/retrieval processes.
Evaluation of carbon nanotubes‐hydroxyapatite nanocomposites as bioactive implant coats radiated by near infrared laser
Authors: Ibrahim Yomna , Kamoun Elbadawy , Abdel Moaty Maha , Mohy El Din Mona
Published: June 2022

This study aimed to evaluate carbon nanotubes‐hydroxyapatite nanocomposites as bioactive titanium implant coats and to assess the effect of near‐infrared radiation on these nanocomposites. Carbon nanotubes were acid‐functionalized, and hydroxyapatite was prepared by the wet‐chemical precipitation method. Both precursors were used to prepare the carbon nanotubes‐hydroxyapatite nanocomposites in two concentrations of hydroxyapatite (0.5 and 1 wt.%). The formed nanocomposites were characterized and used to coat silanized titanium discs and cylinders. Half the specimens of each group were radiated by near‐infrared laser, then wettability and shear bond strength were tested for all specimens. Bioactivity was tested by monitoring the formation of calcium phosphate compounds after soaking in simulated body fluid. A significant increase in wettability and bond strength was found in the radiated coats compared to the non‐radiated ones with the 1% hydroxyapatite group showing the highest values followed by 0.5% hydroxyapatite then the carbon nanotubes group. The two‐way ANOVA test showed that both the difference in material and the laser treatment have had a statistically significant contribution to the increase in wettability and bond strength. The radiated groups also contributed to the formation of more calcium phosphate crystals of larger sizes and higher degrees of crystallinity.
Untangling social–ecological interactions: A methods portfolio approach to tackling contemporary sustainability challenges in fisheries
Authors: Lindkvist Emilie , Pellowe Kara E. , Alexander Steven M. , Drury O'Neill Elizabeth , Finkbeiner Elena M. , Girón‐Nava Alfredo , González‐Mon Blanca , Johnson Andrew F. , Pittman Jeremy , Schill Caroline , Wijermans Nanda , Bodin Örjan , Gelcich Stefan , Glaser Marion
Published: June 2022

Meeting the objectives of sustainable fisheries management requires attention to the complex interactions between humans, institutions and ecosystems that give rise to fishery outcomes. Traditional approaches to studying fisheries often do not fully capture, nor focus on these complex interactions between people and ecosystems. Despite advances in the scope and scale of interactions encompassed by more holistic methods, for example ecosystem‐based fisheries management approaches, no single method can adequately capture the complexity of human–nature interactions. Approaches that combine quantitative and qualitative analytical approaches are necessary to generate a deeper understanding of these interactions and illuminate pathways to address fisheries sustainability challenges. However, combining methods is inherently challenging and requires understanding multiple methods from different, often disciplinarily distinct origins, demanding reflexivity of the researchers involved. Social–ecological systems’ research has a history of utilising combinations of methods across the social and ecological realms to account for spatial and temporal dynamics, uncertainty and feedbacks that are key components of fisheries. We describe several categories of analytical methods (statistical modelling, network analysis, dynamic modelling, qualitative analysis and controlled behavioural experiments) and highlight their applications in fisheries research, strengths and limitations, data needs and overall objectives. We then discuss important considerations of a methods portfolio development process, including reflexivity, epistemological and ontological concerns and illustrate these considerations via three case studies. We show that, by expanding their methods portfolios, researchers will be better equipped to study the complex interactions shaping fisheries and contribute to solutions for sustainable fisheries management.
Measuring consumer‐based brand equity of prestigious mass brands using masstige mean score scale
Authors: Singh Balgopal
Published: June 2022

This study aimed to explore the two aspects of the masstige mean score scale (MMSS) in the mobile payment system (MPS) context. The aspects included measuring the masstige value of MPS and validating MMSS as a measure while predicting the brand equity of prestigious mass brands. The research framework was developed by synthesizing the past literature on masstige marketing and brand equity theory. Responses were obtained using a survey of 438 mobile payment application users in India using a structured questionnaire. Masstige mean value of MPS brands was obtained through MMSS. Covariance‐based structure equation modelling established the association between masstige value obtained through MMSS and overall brand equity (OBE). Non‐compensatory data analysis method, artificial neural network (ANN), was used to predict the brand equity of prestigious mass brands with MMSS items as predictors. The analysis of masstige mean value indicated the existence of mass prestige for MPS brands. Furthermore, the path analysis indicated that the masstige value positively contributed to OBE. The ANN's predictive analysis established that MMSS items as predictors are 93% accurate in predicting brand equity for prestigious mass brands. The validation of the prestigiousness of the technology‐based fintech MPS would be helpful to brand managers to target prestige‐seeking consumers and charge a high price for premium and customized services. In addition, the methodology promulgated to predict CBBE of prestigious mass brands based on MMSS items would be helpful to managers in determining brand equity of prestigious mass brands in the emerging economies. This study is the first to empirically validate the MMSS as a measure of brand equity for prestigious mass brands. It would help future researchers propagate the use of MMSS in the study of brand equity in varied contexts; also, this study significantly contributes to the literature on masstige explaining the masstige value of MPS brands in emerging markets.
3Dimaging of supraspinal inputs to the thoracic and lumbar spinal cord mapped by retrograde tracing and light‐sheet microscopy
Authors: Lu Tao , Shinozaki Munehisa , Nagoshi Narihito , Nakamura Masaya , Okano Hideyuki
Published: June 2022

The supraspinal inputs play a major role in tuning the hindlimb locomotion function. While most research on spinal cord injury (SCI) with rodents is based on thoracic segments, the difference in connectivity of the supraspinal centers to the thoracic and lumbar cord is still unknown. Here, we combined retrograde tracing and 3D imaging to map the connectivity of supraspinal neurons projecting to thoracic (T9‐vertebral) and lumbar (T13‐vertebral) spinal levels in adult female mice. We dissected the difference in connections of corticospinal neurons (CSNs), rubrospinal neurons, and reticulospinal neurons projecting to thoracic and lumbar cords. The ratio of double‐labeled neurons is higher in T13‐vertebral projection CSNs and parvocellular part of the red nucleus (RPC) than in T9‐vertebral projection. Using the Cre‐DIO system, we precisely targeted CSNs projecting to T9‐vertebral or T13‐vertebral. We found that abundant axon branches communicated with the red nucleus and reticular formation and distributed from cervical gray matter to the lumbar cord. Their collateral branches showed a distinct innervation pattern in thoracic and lumbar gray matters and a similar distribution pattern in the cervical spinal cord. These results revealed the difference in connectivity between the thoracic and lumbar projection supraspinal centers and clarified the collateralization of thoracic/lumbar projection CSNs throughout the brain and spinal cord. This study highlights brain‐spinal cord neural networks and the complexity of the axon terminals of spinal projection CSNs, which could contribute to the development of targeted therapeutic strategies connecting CST fibers and hindlimb function recovery.

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Cover Image for this issue:https://doi.org/10.1111/jnc.15414
Association of social jetlag and eating patterns with sleep quality and daytime sleepiness in Japanese high school students
Authors: Sasawaki Yuh , Inokawa Hitoshi , Obata Yukiko , Nagao Suzune , Yagita Kazuhiro
Published: June 2022

A high prevalence of excessive daytime sleepiness and poor sleep quality has been reported in adolescents, but the effects of social jetlag on sleep quality and daytime sleepiness are unclear. Therefore, we assessed the association of sleep and eating patterns with daytime sleepiness and sleep quality among a total of 756 Japanese high school students. Participants completed the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index to evaluate sleep quality, the Pediatric Daytime Sleepiness Scale to evaluate daytime sleepiness, and an 8‐day sleep diary. Data on average sleep duration, social jetlag, midsleep on free days sleep corrected, and the differences in the first and last meal timing between school days and non‐school days were obtained from participants' sleep diaries. The results reveal that social jetlag is associated with differences in the first meal timing between school days and non‐school days, and that social jetlag of more than 2 hr is associated with extremely poor sleep quality and excessive daytime sleepiness in Japanese high school students. Our findings suggest that reducing social jetlag to within a 2‐hr window is important to prevent poor sleep quality and excessive daytime sleepiness for this population.
Comparative evaluation of host immune response and cytokine signature pertaining to Th1 and Th2 immune arms in serum and tissue among patients of acute localised vs. chronic disseminated dermatophytosis
Authors: Patel Nayan , Padhiyar Jigna , Singh Ragini , Bloch Afroz , Babaria Sneha
Published: June 2022

Background

India is witnessing an epidemic of dermatophytosis. The role of host immune response against fungi in chronicity and dissemination is topic of ongoing research. We conducted cross‐sectional comparative study to determine the difference in Th1 (IFN‐γ) and Th2 (IL4) response in serum and tissue between acute and localised vs. chronic and disseminated cases.

Methods

Patients (18–60 years) were divided in two groups—group A (n = 114, BSA <5%, single anatomic site, duration <6 months, n = 118) and group B (n = 107 BSA >10%, > one anatomic site, duration >12 months, n = 118). Clinical parameters along with serum levels of IgE, IL‐4 and IFN‐γ and expression of IL4 and IFN‐γ in dermal infiltrate were compared between group.

Results

Trichophyton mentagrophytes complex was commonest causative fungi. Serum levels of IgE were significantly higher (median A‐539.2, B‐2901.0, p < .001) whereas levels IL‐4(median A‐21.3, B‐20.4, p < .001) and IFN‐γ(median A‐9.6, B‐5.1, p < .001) were significantly lower in chronic cases. Expression of IL‐4 was observed in most biopsy specimens in both groups without any difference in intensity of staining. Expression of IFN‐γ was not detected in all but one specimen across both the groups. Severe itching (OR:0.050, CI:0.018, 0.139, p < .001), sign of topical steroid abuse (OR:0.203,CI:0.077, 0.537; p = .001), ↓IFN‐γ (OR:4.683, CI:1.634, 13.418; p = .004) correlated significantly and independently with chronic dermatophytosis.

Conclusion

Our study shows chronic and disseminated cases of dermatophytosis differ immunologically in terms of higher IgE, and lower IL4 and IFN‐γ. Expression of IL4 is present in tissue of both acute, localised and chronic disseminated cases. Expression of IFN‐γ cannot be established in our study.
WEE1 kinase inhibitor MK‐1775 sensitizes oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma cells to radiation irrespective of TP53 status
Authors: Al‐Jamaei Aisha Hussein , de Visscher Jan G. A. M. , Subramanyam V. Ramadugula , Forouzanfar Tymour , Sminia Peter , Doulabi Behrouz Zandieh , Helder Marco N.
Published: June 2022

Objective

Oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma (OTSCC) frequently harbors non‐functional p53 and depends on G2/M checkpoint mediated by WEE1. WEE1 suppression has been identified as a promising anti‐tumor strategy. This study investigated the capacity of WEE1 kinase inhibitor (MK‐1775) and its underlying mechanisms in enhancing radiation responses of OTSCC cells in vitro.

Materials and methods

WEE1 kinase expression and its downstream target (CDK1) were investigated in OTSCC versus normal oral tissue. A synergistic combination of MK‐1775 with radiation on OTSCC cell lines with different p53 statuses was assessed by viability assay. The radio‐sensitizing effects of MK‐1775 on apoptosis, cell cycle, DNA damage, and mitotic entry were also determined.

Results

Irradiation enhanced CDK1 expression in all tested cell lines, though the effect was far more pronounced in p53 mutated cell lines. MK‐1775 exhibited inhibitory effects against the survival of all cell lines and enhanced their response to the radiation. These effects were strongly elicited by induction of apoptosis and lethal mitosis, but less likely by abrogation of radiation‐induced G2 arrest.

Conclusion

These results demonstrate the efficacy of MK‐1775 in enhancing the radiation effect on OTSCC in vitro associated with a significant apoptotic death rate, identifying WEE1 inhibitor as a potent radiosensitizer in OTSCC irrespective of p53 mutational status.
Comparative analysis of wild‐type accessions reveals novel determinants of Arabidopsis seed longevity
Authors: Niñoles Regina , Planes Dolores , Arjona Paloma , Ruiz‐Pastor Carmen , Chazarra Rubén , Renard Joan , Bueso Eduardo , Forment Javier , Serrano Ramón , Kranner Ilse , Roach Thomas , Gadea José
Published: June 2022

Understanding the genetic factors involved in seed longevity is of paramount importance in agricultural and ecological contexts. The polygenic nature of this trait suggests that many of them remain undiscovered. Here, we exploited the contrasting seed longevity found amongst Arabidopsis thaliana accessions to further understand this phenomenon. Concentrations of glutathione were higher in longer‐lived than shorter‐lived accessions, supporting that redox poise plays a prominent role in seed longevity. However, high seed permeability, normally associated with shorter longevity, is also present in long‐lived accessions. Dry seed transcriptome analysis indicated that the contribution to longevity of stored messenger RNA (mRNAs) is complex, including mainly accession‐specific mechanisms. The detrimental effect on longevity caused by other factors may be counterbalanced by higher levels of specific mRNAs stored in dry seeds, for instance those of heat‐shock proteins. Indeed, loss‐of‐function mutant analysis demonstrated that heat‐shock factors HSF1A and 1B contributed to longevity. Furthermore, mutants of the stress‐granule zinc‐finger protein TZF9 or the spliceosome subunits MOS4 or MAC3A/MAC3B, extended seed longevity, positioning RNA as a novel player in the regulation of seed viability. mRNAs of proteins with putative relevance to longevity were also abundant in shorter‐lived accessions, reinforcing the idea that resistance to ageing is determined by multiple factors.
Pro‐inflammatory cytokines and cognitive dysfunction among patients with bipolar disorder and major depression
Authors: Huang Mao‐Hsuan , Chan Yee‐Lam E. , Chen Mu‐Hong , Hsu Ju‐Wei , Huang Kai‐Lin , Li Cheng‐Ta , Tsai Shih‐Jen , Bai Ya‐Mei , Su Tung‐Ping
Published: June 2022

Aim

Bipolar disorder and major depressive disorder (MDD) have been demonstrated to be associated with proinflammatory states and cognitive function deficits. We aimed to investigate the differences of cognitive function and proinflammatory cytokines between patients with bipolar I disorder (BDI), bipolar II disorder (BDII), and MDD.

Methods

Thirty‐seven patients with BDI, 33 with BDII, 25 with MDD, and 54 age‐, sex‐matched controls were enrolled. All patients had a clinical global impression‐severity scale ≤2. Serum levels of proinflammatory markers, including soluble interleukin‐6 receptor, C‐reactive protein, and soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor 1 (sTNF‐αR1) were measured. Performance in the Word List Memory Task (WLMT), Wisconsin Card Sorting Task (WCST), 2‐back task, Go/No‐Go task, and divided attention task was assessed.

Results

Patients with BDI had higher levels of sTNF‐αR1 than patients with MDD and controls (P < 0.001). Patients with BDI performed worse on WLMT, WCST, 2‐back task, divided attention_visual and divided attention_auditory tasks than the other three groups (all P < 0.05). Furthermore, sTNF‐αR1 levels were negatively correlated with cognitive function measured using the WLMT and divided attention_auditory (all P < 0.05).

Conclusions

Patients with BDI had higher levels of sTNF‐αR1 and cognitive function impairments than the remaining groups. Future studies are needed to explore the pathophysiology of sTNF‐αR1 in the contribution of cognitive alterations.
Metacognition and the effect of incentive motivation in two compulsive disorders: Gambling disorder and obsessive–compulsive disorder
Authors: Hoven Monja , de Boer Nina S. , Goudriaan Anna E. , Denys Damiaan , Lebreton Maël , van Holst Ruth J. , Luigjes Judy
Published: June 2022

Aims

Compulsivity is a common phenotype among psychiatric disorders, such as obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) and gambling disorder (GD). Deficiencies in metacognition, such as the inability to estimate one's performance via confidence judgments could contribute to pathological decision‐making. Earlier research has shown that patients with OCD exhibit underconfidence, while patients with GD exhibit overconfidence. Moreover, it is known that motivational states (e.g. monetary incentives) influence metacognition, with gain (respectively loss) prospects increasing (respectively decreasing) confidence. Here, we reasoned that OCD and GD symptoms might correspond to an exacerbation of this interaction between metacognition and motivation.

Methods

We hypothesized GD's overconfidence to be exaggerated during gain prospects, while OCD's underconfidence to be worsened in loss context, which we expected to see represented in ventromedial prefrontal cortex (VMPFC) blood‐oxygen‐level‐dependent activity. We tested those hypotheses in a task‐based functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) design (27 patients with GD, 28 patients with OCD, 55 controls). The trial is registered in the Dutch Trial Register (NL6171).

Results

We showed increased confidence for patients with GD versus patients with OCD, which could partly be explained by sex and IQ. Although our primary analyses did not support the hypothesized interaction between incentives and groups, exploratory analyses did show increased confidence in patients with GD specifically in gain context. fMRI analyses confirmed a central role for VMPFC in the processing of confidence and incentives, but no differences between the groups.

Conclusion

Patients with OCD and those with GD reside at opposite ends of the confidence spectrum, while no interaction with incentives was found, nor group differences in neuronal processing of confidence.