bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Does ethnicity count when contextualizing the low proportion of women in STEM in Serbia?
Authors: Lendák-Kabók Karolina
Published: December 2020

Purpose

The aim of this article is to explore the perceptions of women in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields in two ethnic groups (majority Serb and minority Hungarian) in a multiethnic region – Vojvodina, in Serbia – from an intersectional perspective.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative study was implemented, capitalizing on in-depth, semi-structured interviews with university faculty members from two ethnic groups working in a multiethnic region of Serbia (Vojvodina) in the STEM field of studies. Intersectionality as a theoretical approach was applied to reveal the interconnectedness between gender, ethnicity and field of studies.

Findings

The intersectional analysis indicates that minority Hungarian women are more conservative and less inclusive toward other women in STEM, thus they continue to build and enforce gender-based stereotypes. Their lack of inclusiveness is due to having had to overcome a situation of “double jeopardy” (Almquist, 1975) when building a career in STEM, being both members of an ethnic minority and women in STEM. Majority Serb women have adopted masculine patterns of behavior, try to blend in, and become “one of the boys” (Powell and Sang, 2015) in order to diminish the gender penalty and be seen as equal to men. Both minority and majority women agreed that deeply rooted gender stereotypes prevent women from choosing a career in STEM and identified the need for more inclusive education programs at all levels and for more female role models in STEM.

Originality/value

The study contributes by increasing understanding of ethnic minority and majority women's issues in STEM studies in Serbia from an intersectional perspective. It may be relevant to policy makers and contribute to the development of policy recommendations that steer more women in general and ethnic minority women specifically toward STEM, with the ultimate goal of enabling Serbia to develop not only socially but also economically. The paper contributes to the limited research on the STEM-related career experiences of ethnic minority Hungarian women and majority Serb women in Serbia and in the Western Balkans in general.
Two-layer nanofluid flow and heat transfer in a horizontal microchannel with electric double layer effects and magnetic field
Authors: Zhao Qingkai , Xu Hang , Tao Longbin
Published: December 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the immiscible two-layer heat fluid flows in the presence of the electric double layer (EDL) and magnetic field. The effects of EDL, magnetic field and the viscous dissipative term on fluid velocity and temperature, as well as the important physical quantities, are examined and discussed.

Design/methodology/approach

The upper and lower regions in a horizontal microchannel with one layer being filled with a nanofluid and the other with a viscous Newtonian fluid. The nanofluid flow in the lower layer is described by the Buongiorno’s nanofluid model with passively controlled model at the boundaries. An appropriate set of non-dimensional quantities are used to simplify the nonlinear systems. The resulting coupled nonlinear equations are solved by using homotopy analysis method.

Findings

The present work demonstrates that increasing the EDL thickness and Hartmann number can restrain the fluid flow. The Brinkmann number has a significant role in the enhancement of heat transfer. It is also identified that the influence of EDL effects on microflow cannot be ignored.

Originality/value

The effects of viscous dissipation involved in the heat transfer process and the body force because of the EDL and the magnetic field are considered in the thermal energy and momentum equations for both regions. The detailed derivation procedure of the analytical solution for electrostatic potential is provided. The analytical solutions can lead to improved understanding of the complex microfluidic systems.
Marketing of vending channels: a case of French university campuses
Authors: Stoyanov Dobromir
Published: December 2020

Purpose

This study identifies the conventional elements of the vending marketing mix and how they vary across academic segments in the context of a typical French university.

Design/methodology/approach

To determine the elements of the vending marketing mix, the author conducts interviews with international industry experts and undertake 170 direct observations at various universities to verify the differences between the marketing mix proposals of dissimilar target markets.

Findings

The results reveal significant variances across all elements of the marketing mix, with distribution characteristics being the most frequently adapted element across various markets, followed by promotion- and product-related parameters, while pricing characteristics are most commonly standardised.

Research limitations/implications

Vending operators should pay particular attention to marketing decisions related to the product assortment length, selection of appropriate locations, availability of smart payment options and feedback communication channels. The results reveal significant variances across all elements of the marketing mix indicating that vending operators apply strategies to reach different market segments. However, there is a high degree of standardisation within vending channels.

Originality/value

Though vending channels are an important retail format, prior studies do not investigate their marketing mixes. This is the first attempt to empirically establish the conventional elements of the vending marketing mix and to measure its variation across customer segments.
Theorising the impact of COVID-19 on the fraud victimisation of older persons
Authors: Cross Cassandra
Published: December 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to understand how COVID-19 may alter the vulnerability levels of older persons, and how this may change their potential for fraud victimisation. This is particularly focused on the government’s use of isolation, restrictions on activity and physical distancing to combat the virus.

Design/methodology/approach

In the absence of statistics, this paper examines what is currently known about older persons and fraud, as well as the recent knowledge of COVID-19-related fraud. On this basis, the paper hypothesises the conceivable changes to vulnerability that potentially expose older persons to fraud.

Findings

This paper argues that COVID-19 has not seen “new” fraudulent approaches, rather offenders have used COVID-19 as a context to their existing schemes. Further, the current response to COVID-19 can substantially increase the number of older persons experiencing levels of vulnerability, and therefore increase their fraud risk.

Research limitations/implications

The current paper applies existing knowledge into the current circumstances of COVID-19 and lays the foundations for empirical work to be conducted in this area.

Practical implications

This paper provides an impetus to target the well-being and connectivity of older persons, (regardless of the COVID-19 context), to reduce their vulnerability to fraud victimisation.

Social implications

This paper highlights the importance of connectivity for older persons, and the need to focus on overcoming social isolation and loneliness.

Originality/value

This paper is the first to hypothesise the effects of COVID-19 and its associated government responses to the overall vulnerability of older persons, with a focus on the potential for fraud victimisation.
Brand addiction: brand characteristics and psychological outcomes
Authors: Francioni Barbara , Curina Ilaria , Hegner Sabrina M. , Cioppi Marco
Published: December 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to empirically test the influence of brand characteristics on brand addiction, as well as the consumers’ behaviors caused by this construct.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper adopts a Web-based self-completion survey by achieving a total of 529 completed surveys. Then, structural equation modeling has been employed by using SPSS AMOS.

Findings

Results highlighted how the brand characteristics of self-expressiveness, innovativeness and authenticity have a positive influence on brand addiction; brand addiction leads consumers to feel emotions of irritability and to adopt obsessive and compulsive behaviors toward the brand.

Research limitations/implications

Even if the choice of using a survey’s sample composed of students attending an Italian University ensures good internal validity of research (owing to the homogeneous character), the results are not generalizable (except for this population group).

Practical implications

The study identified two different spheres of brand addiction (one connected to the brand’s characteristics and the other to the consumers’ psychological-behavioral outcomes), along with possible strategies firms could adopt to strengthen the possibilities to transform their customers into addicted ones and to avoid/reduce the negative consequences deriving from brand addiction.

Originality/value

The paper provides a response to the call for more studies into the brand addiction analysis by empirically testing possible antecedents and outcomes, thus enriching the existing quantitative research focused on this concept.
Classifying economics for the common good: a note on the links between sustainable development goals and JEL codes
Authors: Heikkilä Jussi T.S.
Published: December 2020

Purpose

This brief note sheds light on the links between Journal of Economic Literature (JEL) codes and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations.

Design/methodology/approach

Three alternative methods based on keyword overlap to establish links between SDGs and JEL codes are presented.

Findings

These simple linkages illustrate that the themes of SDGs have corresponding closely related JEL classification codes.

Research limitations/implications

The mappings presented in this note are based on simple keyword overlap and are therefore necessarily imperfect and incomplete. There is plenty of room for further development.

Practical implications

Despite the demonstrated possibility of linking SDGs to existing JEL codes, introducing a specific JEL code for each SDG would reduce search costs for those searching for economic research related to specific SDGs.

Originality/value

The first and preliminary attempt to link SDGs and JEL codes.
The link between financial stress index and economic activity: prominent Granger causalities across frequencies in Luxembourg
Authors: Bahramian Pejman , Saliminezhad Andisheh , Aker Şule
Published: December 2020

Purpose

In spite of the certain risk imposed by financial stress on the real economy, the relationship between financial stress and economic activity is complicated and underresearched, meaning that important gaps still remain in the authors’ understanding of this critical relationship. Therefore, the current study aims to answer the significant question regarding whether a stressful financial sector has predictive power on the real sector and vice versa. Hence, the study examines the causal interrelationship between financial stress index (FSI) and economic activity in Luxembourg as a sample country.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study, accompanying the time domain Granger causality framework of Hacker and Hatemi-J (2012), the authors utilize the spectral causality technique of Breitung and Candelon (2006), which is based on the study of Geweke (1982) and Hosoya (1991). This method enables the researcher to measure the degree of a particular variation in time series. Moreover, it allows considering the nonlinearities and causality cycles. The authors further apply the recent method of Farné and Montanari (2018) that is a bootstrap framework on Granger-causality spectra, which allows for disambiguation in causalities.

Findings

The time-domain approach finds evidence of bidirectional causation between the variables. However, the spectral causality results indicate the causal linkages between the series are only valid under the medium-run frequency. This study’s findings emphasize covering the frequency causality to deliver a more comprehensive picture of the interrelationship between the variables.

Originality/value

There are many studies in this area that examine the nexus between financial stress and economic activity. However, the authors believe this paper is the first study in the context of Luxemburg. The authors focus on this country since its financial sector is designated as the most important pillar for the economy. Thus, a careful and reliable examination of the relationship between the financial sector and economic activity is likely to be of considerable interest to policymakers and researchers in this field.
The comprehensive framework for integrated healthcare implementation: a realist evaluation of positive parenting in rural primary care in the US
Authors: Moon Deborah J. , Ballard Adrian J.
Published: December 2020

Purpose

This study aimed to develop a comprehensive framework that encompasses contextual determinants of integrated care implementation. The initial framework was developed based on literature and was refined based on contexts and mechanisms that facilitated or interfered with integrating a pilot parenting intervention, Behavior Checker (BC), into the routine service delivery in a rural primary care clinic in the USA.

Design/methodology/approach

This study was a single organizational case study informed by the realist evaluation methodology. Data collection methods included key informant interviews, healthcare staff surveys, a focus group and direct observation of meetings. Data analysis focused on identifying the context-mechanism-outcome (CMO) frameworks, a heuristic used in a realist evaluation to map pathways of the interactions between program inputs and contextual conditions leading to intended and/or unintended outcomes.

Findings

The identified CMOs and antecedent contexts identified informed the process of revising the initial Comprehensive Framework for Integrated Healthcare Development and Implementation (CF-IHDI). The revised CF-IHDI contained six parent domains of outer setting, basic structures, people and value, intervention characteristics, organizational capabilities for change and key processes.

Research limitations/implications

The CMOs and core characteristics of contextual conditions that activated facilitating mechanisms can inform future studies examining healthcare integration efforts.

Practical implications

The CF-IHDI can guide primary care clinics in identifying factors and strategies to consider when integrating parenting or other psychosocial interventions into primary care routine service delivery.

Originality/value

The CF-IHDI developed in this study contributes to the knowledge of contexts and mechanisms that facilitate and interfere with integrated care implementation.
International donors as enablers of institutional change in turbulent times?
Authors: Vakulenko Veronika
Published: December 2020

Purpose

The purpose is to explore the role of international financial institutions (IFIs) during public financial management reform in a transitional economy. In particular, the study focuses on interaction between external enablers and local actors.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is based on a qualitative study of public financial management reform in Ukraine during 1991–2014. This period is divided into stages corresponding with two projects financed by the World Bank: “Treasury System” and “Public Finance Modernization.”

Findings

First, IFIs supported a Ukrainian economy weakened by financial crisis and insisted on a comprehensive reform of public financial management to facilitate recovery. By strategically addressing local challenges, eliminating local uncertainties and maintaining stable interactions, IFIs gained support from the central government. Local actors continued the reform by negotiating with other actors and getting quorum support. In the second stage, IFIs could not implement planned changes. Even though the change was well-perceived at the beginning, developed tensions between local actors were overlooked by IFIs, which resulted in loss of commitment of the State Treasury representatives. The continuous political instability in Ukraine constrained interaction between IFIs and the Ministry of Finance and reduced political will for conducting reforms.

Originality/value

The study contributes to the debate on the adequacy of externally driven public management reforms in developing countries by exploring actions and interactions of global and local actors during the change in public sector practices.
Education Briefing Property valuation: the hedonic pricing model: the application of search-and-matching models
Authors: Lisi Gaetano
Published: December 2020

Purpose

The aim of this education briefing is to comment upon how basic hedonic pricing models for the valuation of property can be expanded and developed. In this case, the briefing illustrates the use of the new economic approach to the analysis of housing markets, namely the search-and-matching models.

Design/methodology/approach

This education briefing discusses the connection of two important economic theories: the hedonic price theory and the search-and-matching theory.

Findings

This education briefing gives an example of a (non-linear) form of the hedonic price function.

Practical implications

In cases of mass appraisals, hedonic pricing models can provide a broad indication of value across submarkets and this education briefing demonstrates a theoretical model that can be used to provide a theoretical groundwork for the use of a concave hedonic price function in empirical estimates.

Originality/value

This education briefing shows how basic hedonic pricing models can be enhanced by a search-and-matching approach to determine property values.
The effects of status on the performance of portfolio diversification strategies
Authors: Yu Hyekyung , Kim Tohyun
Published: December 2020

Purpose

This paper investigates how a firm's status moderates the performance of its investment portfolio diversification strategy. We combine the investment diversification literature with the organizational status theory, arguing that status would weaken the benefits of a specialist strategy in their niche industry of investments while strengthening the positive consequences of a generalist strategy across various industries.

Design/methodology/approach

We collected our data using the Securities Data Company (SDC) Platinum VentureXpert database. A fixed-effects spline regression analysis for 2,201 US venture capital firms between 1969 and 2016 was used to test for a nonlinear relationship between the level of portfolio diversification and firm performance.

Findings

We found that status differences exist in the performance of a specialist strategy but not in that of a generalist strategy. Our results indicate that portfolio specialization in fewer number of industries has little impact on low-status firms, whereas high-status firms suffer significantly lower IPO success rates. In contrast, above-median portfolio diversification was found to be beneficial to both high- and low-status firms.

Originality/value

We specifically identify the impact of status on the performance of investment diversification strategies, an area of research which has received little attention. Further, our findings provide some practical implications for managers making investment decisions between specialist and generalist investment strategies, given their status within the market. Implications for understanding the roles of firm status in portfolio diversification strategies are discussed.
Big data and academic libraries: is it big for something or big for nothing?
Authors: Tella Adeyinka , Kadri Kehinde Khadijat
Published: December 2020

Purpose

The paper examined big data and academic libraries and emphasized whether it is big for something or nothing.

Design/methodology/approach

A conceptual and review analysis of documents was adopted to determine the concept of big data, the sources, the features, the relevance to academic libraries, specific case studies from around the world that have made use of big data, uses of big data in academic libraries, a review of best practices in the use of big data in academic libraries and the challenges.

Findings

The paper reports that although big data is indeed very big in academic libraries because there are evidences of its adoption and best practices in its use in academic libraries across the world, available challenges can render it big for nothing.

Research limitations/implications

This study is limited in terms of using literature review approach to discuss big data and academic libraries. The study is also limited in terms of focusing academic libraries and not taken other types of libraries into consideration.

Practical implications

The study has created awareness on the part of academic libraries stakeholders including authorities, librarians and users on the relevance of big data in academic and how big indeed it is in academic library landscape. The study also implied future related studies can borrow ideas from the current studies, which will inform whether an empirical evaluation is possible on the subject matter.

Originality/value

The paper is the original idea by the author, and it is to emphasize the relevance of big data in academic libraries and to prepare academic libraries that have not been tapping the opportunities of big data to get ready.
Sharing economy approach for the development of the organic food market in India
Authors: Dangi Neeraj , Narula Sapna A.
Published: December 2020

Purpose

This paper explores the contextual relevance of sharing economy for the organic food market in an emerging economy like India.

Design/methodology/approach

Case study approach was used to collect empirical data from different types of organic food markets.

Findings

Organic food farmers markets compared to online and health food stores tends to facilitate sharing economy more since it helps them to build value, scale and trust. By sharing resources, skills and spaces, organic farmers markets have increased organic food availability, reduced its cost of certification and operation besides managing consumer trust. Subjective influence through social media and offline interaction reduces information asymmetry at zero marginal cost. Organic food producers/retailers can get a competitive advantage by tapping underutilized assets to create value and opportunities besides overcoming their demand and supply constraints.

Originality/value

The research offers a fresh perspective to the organic food sector, particularly in emerging economies like India. It could assist all stakeholders to overcome the current demand and supply challenges faced in organic food markets.
The role social diversity plays in enhancing mental health literacy among the elderly
Authors: Hayat Tsahi , Nakash Ora , Abu Kaf Sarah , Cohen Michal
Published: December 2020

Purpose

Mental health literacy (MHL) is the ability to understand health information originating from different sources. Little is known about ethnic differences in sources for health information, and the effect these differences has on elderly MHL. In this paper, we focus on the social networks (i.e. social connections) of elderly people from different ethnic groups, and investigate the effect these networks have on MHL. Specifically, we focus on the ethnic diversity of one's peers (ethnic diversity) as a network characteristic that can interplay with his\her MHL.

Design/methodology/approach

The data used in this study were gathered using a survey among elderly (over the age of 60) Native Israeli Jews (N = 147) and Immigrant Jews from the Former Soviet Union (FSU,N = 131). The survey was used to assess our participants MHL, online and offline sources of mental health information and mental health service utilization. Interviews were also conducted with each participant. The interview purpose was to map the participants' social network (using a sociogram), while indicating the attributes of the participant's peers (age, gender, ethnicity, etc.) and the nature of the interaction (online vs. offline, strength of the tie, etc.). A set of hierarchal regression analyses were then used to examine which social network attributes are correlated with MHL levels.

Findings

Our findings shows that ethnic diversity within the social networks of Immigrants from the FSU contributed to their MHL more so than for native-born Jews. Specifically, face to face maintained connections with individuals from diverse ethnic groups lead to increased knowledge about how to search for mental health information. Online maintained connections with individuals from diverse ethnic groups, lead to increase attitudes that promote recognition of mental health related issues and appropriate help-seeking.

Originality/value

Understanding the interplay between the ethnic diversity among one's peers and his/her MHL offers an important additional prism of examining MHL; moving beyond the individual's characteristics and examining his/her social connections as well. The relevancy of these findings for reducing MHL inequalities between native-born and elderly migrants, as well as for ethnic minorities is discussed.
Diacetyl odor shortens longevity conferred by food deprivation in C. elegans via downregulation of DAF‐16/FOXO
Authors: Park Sangsoon , Artan Murat , Jeong Dae‐Eun , Park Hae‐Eun H. , Son Heehwa G. , Kim Sieun S. , Jung Yoonji , Choi Yunji , Lee Jin I. , Kim Kyuhyung , Lee Seung‐Jae V.
Published: December 2020

Dietary restriction extends lifespan in various organisms by reducing the levels of both nutrients and non‐nutritional food‐derived cues. However, the identity of specific food‐derived chemical cues that alter lifespan remains unclear. Here, we identified several volatile attractants that decreased the longevity on food deprivation, a dietary restriction regimen in Caenorhabditis elegans. In particular, we found that the odor of diacetyl decreased the activity of DAF‐16/FOXO, a life‐extending transcription factor acting downstream of insulin/IGF‐1 signaling. We then demonstrated that the odor of lactic acid bacteria, which produce diacetyl, reduced the nuclear accumulation of DAF‐16/FOXO. Unexpectedly, we showed that the odor of diacetyl decreased longevity independently of two established diacetyl receptors, ODR‐10 and SRI‐14, in sensory neurons. Thus, diacetyl, a food‐derived odorant, may shorten food deprivation‐induced longevity via decreasing the activity of DAF‐16/FOXO through binding to unidentified receptors.
Multivariable risk scores for predicting short‐term outcomes for emergency department patients with unexplained syncope: A systematic review
Authors: Sweanor Rachel A. L. , Redelmeier Robert J. , Simel David L. , Albassam Omar T. , Shadowitz Steven , Etchells Edward E.
Published: December 2020

Objectives

Emergency department (ED) patients with unexplained syncope are at risk of experiencing an adverse event within 30 days. Our objective was to systematically review the accuracy of multivariate risk stratification scores for identifying adult syncope patients at high and low risk of an adverse event over the next 30 days.

Methods

We conducted a systematic review of electronic databases (MEDLINE, Cochrane, Embase, and CINAHL) from database creation until May 2020. We sought studies evaluating prediction scores of adults presenting to an ED with syncope. We included studies that followed patients for up to 30 days to identify adverse events such as death, myocardial infarction, stroke, or cardiac surgery. We only included studies with a blinded comparison between baseline clinical features and adverse events. We calculated likelihood ratios and confidence intervals (CIs).

Results

We screened 13,788 abstracts. We included 17 studies evaluating nine risk stratification scores on 24,234 patient visits, where 7.5% (95% CI = 5.3% to 10%) experienced an adverse event. A Canadian Syncope Risk Score (CSRS) of 4 or more was associated with a high likelihood of an adverse event (LRscore≥4 = 11, 95% CI = 8.9 to 14). A CSRS of 0 or less (LRscore≤0 = 0.10, 95% CI = 0.07 to 0.20) was associated with a low likelihood of an adverse event. Other risk scores were not validated on an independent sample, had low positive likelihood ratios for identifying patients at high risk, or had high negative likelihood ratios for identifying patients at low risk.

Conclusion

Many risk stratification scores are not validated or not sufficiently accurate for clinical use. The CSRS is an accurate validated prediction score for ED patients with unexplained syncope. Its impact on clinical decision making, admission rates, cost, or outcomes of care is not known.
Comparative cytotoxic and antiproliferative profile of methotrexate and fluorouracil on different ocular cells
Authors: Schulz André , Rickmann Annekatrin , Julich‐Haertel Henrike , Germann Anja , von Briesen Hagen , Januschowski Kai , Szurman Peter
Published: December 2020

Purpose

To analyse the cytotoxic and antiproliferative effect of methotrexate (MTX) and fluorouracil (5‐FU) in vitro on fibroblasts, retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) and photoreceptor cells as an adjunct for reducing the incidence of proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) after rhegmatogenous retinal detachment surgery.

Methods

Methotrexate and 5‐FU were dissolved separately in balanced salt solution (BSS) with concentrations ranging from 0–8000 µg/ml and 0–4000 µg/ml, respectively. All solutions were analysed in terms of pH and osmolarity and applied for 1 h to fibroblasts (BJ), RPE (ARPE‐19) and photoreceptor (661W) cell lines adherently cultivated in 96‐well cell culture plates (10 000 cells/well). 24 h after incubation, the proliferative (BrdU), metabolic (CellTiter‐Glo) and apoptotic (Caspase 3/7) activity of the cells were examined in vitro.

Results

5‐FU had an antiproliferative effect on BJ and ARPE‐19 cells starting from low concentrations (2 µg/ml). However, the viability of 661W cells decreased and apoptosis was induced with increasing 5‐FU concentration. In contrast, MTX up to a concentration of 266 µg/ml did neither result in a significant loss of viability nor in increased caspase 3/7 activity of BJ, ARPE‐19 and 661W cells and inhibited the proliferation of ARPE‐19 already at low concentrations starting from 8 µg/ml.

Conclusions

Methotrexate dissolved in BSS is biocompatible up to a concentration of 266 µg/ml and may act as an intraoperative rinse solution to inhibit RPE proliferation in PVR‐diseased eyes. Contrary, the use of 5‐FU within the posterior segment of the eye is limited by its cell‐damaging effect on photoreceptor cells.
Long‐term outcome, clinical course and treatment approaches of paediatric langerhans cell histiocytosis: A greek reference centre report
Authors: Tzotzola Vasiliki , Petrikkos Loizos , Papadakis Vassilios , Mitropoulou Georgia , Kelaidi Charikleia , Dimitriadis Efthymios , Polychronopoulou Sophia
Published: December 2020

Aim

Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) is an inflammatory myeloid neoplasia with diverse clinical behaviour. In this article, we studied the clinical course, management and long‐term outcomes of a paediatric cohort treated by our reference centre.

Methods

We retrospectively studied 66 children with LCH, consecutively diagnosed by a Greek reference centre from 1974 to 2020.

Results

The patients had a median age of 3.9 (range 0.0–15.9) years, 39 and 6 patients were diagnosed with unifocal or multifocal single system disease and 14 and 7 had multisystem disease with or without risk organ involvement. No late occurrence of clinical neurodegenerative disease or diabetes insipidus were observed at a median follow‐up period of 4.1 (range 0.5–27.7) years. The 10‐year event‐free survival and overall survival were 65.0% and 90.3% and improved significantly over a 45‐year period. Survival was superior in single system than multisystem cases. BRAF V600E mutation was found in 8/14 tested patients. Reactivation occurred in 12/66 patients (18.2%); 11 achieved remission and one patient died after a second relapse.

Conclusion

LCH survival rates significantly increased in our cohort over time. Reactivation occurred in 18.2% patients, but no late neurodegeneration was found. The prognostic value of single system disease status vs. multisystem LCH was confirmed.
Recovery of seedling community attributes during passive restoration of a tropical moist forest in Uganda
Authors: Ssekuubwa Enock , van Goor Wouter , Snoep Martijn , Riemer Kars , Wanyama Fredrick , Tweheyo Mnason
Published: December 2020

Aim

There has been a debate about the effectiveness of passive restoration for recovering tropical forests, but few studies quantify the success of passive restoration. The aim of this study was to better understand tropical forest succession under a passive restoration scenario. We compared floristic and functional attributes of seedlings in a passively restored and an old‐growth forest, and assessed the effect of restoration age and distance from the old‐growth forest on seedling attributes.

Location

Kibale National Park, western Uganda.

Methods

We measured seedlings in a passively restored and an old‐growth forest in 2011, 2014 and 2017. We determined species diversity, structure and composition and searched the literature for functional traits. We used generalized linear mixed‐effects models to compare seedling attributes between the restored and old‐growth forest and determine the influence of restoration age and distance from the old‐growth forest.

Results

Seedling species abundance, evenness, basal area and height were similar between the restored and old‐growth forest. Wood density and abundance of seedlings of different dispersal modes, habitat types, fruit size categories, and regeneration strategies were also similar between the restored and old‐growth forest. However, richness, diversity and composition of seedlings were different. We found a positive effect of restoration age on species abundance and abundance of non‐zoochorous, medium‐fruited, forest‐dependent, non‐pioneer light demander and shade‐tolerant species, and a negative effect on evenness, wood density, abundance of pioneers and compositional dissimilarity. Basal area of seedlings and the abundance of zoochorous and forest‐dependent species declined while compositional dissimilarity increased with distance from the old‐growth forest.

Conclusions

Our results provide empirical evidence on the potential of passive restoration to recover the structure and functionality of tropical forests in a relatively short period of time. We demonstrate that the effect of restoration age and distance from the old‐growth forest is not straightforward and depends on the attributes measured.
Striking to Renew: Basque Unions’ Organizing Strategies and Use of the Strike‐Fund
Authors: Las Heras Jon , Rodríguez Lluis
Published: December 2020

‘There is no union renewal without striking’ has been the underlying logic driving collective bargaining and union renewal dynamics in the Basque Country. This article shows how the Basque sovereigntist unions ELA (Euskal Langileen Alkartasuna) and LAB (Langile Abertzaleen Batzordeak) have formed a ‘counterpower’ bloc, in opposition to CCOO (Comisiones Obreras) and UGT (Union General de Trabajadores) that are more prone to engage into social dialogue. The formers’ renewal strategy based on organizing workers ‘deeply’ — especially with ELA's recurrent use of a strike‐fund that fosters membership participation and affiliation through confederal solidarity — has altered union politics in the Basque Country. This has produced very high strike rates since the 2000s, perhaps the highest in Europe, and a ‘spill over’ effect that polarizes union alliances substantially. The article brings out the question of how unions could possibly locate industrial conflict within their renewal strategies and transform their organizations accordingly. Methodologically, the article contributes to the literature on strikes by underlining the importance of studying strikes critically, as a conscious collective process, in order to understand that their uneven development also derives from concrete unions’ strategies.
Human papillomavirus‐associated small cell carcinoma with synchronous squamous cell carcinoma in the nasopharynx: Report of a rare case
Authors: Ma Weihong , Betts Guy , Dykes Michael , St Leger Dominic , Sargent Alexandra , Shelton David , Holbrook Miles , Rana Durgesh
Published: December 2020

This is a very rare case of human papillomavirus‐associated small cell carcinoma with co‐existing conventional squamous cell carcinoma in the nasopharynx that is diagnosed by cytological evaluation.
Elementary school teachers' math anxiety and students' math learning: A large‐scale replication
Authors: Schaeffer Marjorie W. , Rozek Christopher S. , Maloney Erin A. , Berkowitz Talia , Levine Susan C. , Beilock Sian L.
Published: December 2020

A solid foundation in math is important for children's long‐term academic success. Many factors influence children's math learning—including the math content students are taught in school, the quality of their instruction, and the math attitudes of students' teachers. Using a large and diverse sample of first‐grade students (n = 551), we conducted a large‐scale replication of a previous study (Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the USA, 2010, 1860; n = 117), which found that girls in classes with highly math anxious teachers learned less math during the school year, as compared to girls whose math teachers were less anxious about math. With a larger sample, we found a negative relation between teachers' math anxiety and students' math achievement for both girls and boys, even after accounting for teachers' math ability and children's beginning of year math knowledge, replicating and extending those previous results. Our findings strengthen the support for the hypothesis that teachers' math anxiety is one factor that undermines children's math learning and could push students off‐track during their initial exposure to math in early elementary school.
Assessment of atrial function by myocardial deformation techniques in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
Authors: Siam‐Tsieu Valerie , Urtado Sophie , Charron Philippe , Hergault Hélène , Szymanski Catherine , Mallet Sophie , Dubourg Olivier , Mansencal Nicolas
Published: December 2020

Background

Diastolic dysfunction in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is common, but its assessment is difficult using conventional echocardiography.

Aims

To assess left atrial (LA) function in HCM by longitudinal strain and determine its role in understanding of symptoms.

Methods

We studied 144 patients divided into 3 age‐ and sex‐matched groups: 48 consecutive patients with HCM, 48 control subjects, and 48 athlete subjects. We assessed LA function by conventional echocardiographic parameters and by longitudinal atrial strain (early‐diastolic left atrial strain during reservoir phase [LASr]; end‐diastolic left atrial strain during conduit phase; end‐systolic peak of the left atrial strain during contraction phase).

Results

NYHA classification was as follows in HCM group: I in 46%, II in 31%, III in 19%, and IV in 4%. Conventional echocardiographic parameters of diastolic function were depressed in the HCM group as compared to the control and athlete groups, but not related to symptoms. All longitudinal atrial strain parameters were significantly reduced in HCM group as compared to two groups (P < .0001). LASr was significantly correlated to peak VO2 (r = 0.44, P = .01) and was the best parameter for detecting symptomatic patients presenting with HCM, with a cutoff value of 15%: Sensitivity was 71%, specificity was 79%, PPV was 77%, and NPV was 73%.

Conclusion

Assessment of LA function in HCM is feasible using longitudinal strain, and this technique is more reliable than conventional echocardiographic parameters for the understanding of determinants of symptoms.
Comparison of ibrutinib and idelalisib plus rituximab in real‐life relapsed/resistant chronic lymphocytic leukemia cases
Authors: Morabito Fortunato , Tripepi Giovanni , Del Poeta Giovanni , Mauro Francesca Romana , Reda Gianluigi , Sportoletti Paolo , Laurenti Luca , Coscia Marta , Herishanu Yair , Bossio Sabrina , Varettoni Marzia , Murru Roberta , Chiarenza Annalisa , Visentin Andrea , Condoluci Adalgisa , Moia Riccardo , Pietrasanta Daniela , Loseto Giacomo , Consoli Ugo , Scortechini Ilaria , Rossi Francesca Maria , Zucchetto Antonella , Al‐Janazreh Hamdi , Vigna Ernesto , Martino Enrica Antonia , Mendicino Francesco , Cassin Ramona , D'Arrigo Graziella , Galimberti Sara , Rago Angela , Angeletti Ilaria , Biagi Annalisa , Del Giudice Ilaria , Bomben Riccardo , Neri Antonino , Fronza Gilberto , Monti Paola , Menichini Paola , Cutrona Giovanna , Jaksic Ozren , Rossi Davide , Di Raimondo Francesco , Cuneo Antonio , Gaidano Gianluca , Polliack Aaron , Trentin Livio , Foà Robin , Ferrarini Manlio , Gattei Valter , Gentile Massimo
Published: December 2020

Objectives

To compare the capacity of ibrutinib (IB) and idelalisib‐rituximab (IDELA‐R) of prolonging overall survival (OS) as in CLL patients, previously treated with chemotherapy only.

Methods

A real‐life cohort of 675 cases has been identified and investigated in the database of the groups participating in the study.

Results

At an unadjusted univariate analysis, a significant death risk reduction was observed favoring IB (IDELA‐R vs IB HR = 0.5, 95% CI = 0.36‐0.71) although with some limitations due to the non‐randomized and retrospective nature of the study and to the lower number of patients in the IDELA‐R group (112 cases) related to the current prescribing practice. To overcome the potential problem of confounding by indication, we adjusted the association between the type of therapy and mortality for all variables significantly associated with OS at Cox univariate analysis. Furthermore, those variables, differently distributed between the two study groups, were introduced into the multivariate Cox model to improve the effectiveness of the analysis. By introducing all these variables into the multiple Cox regression model, we confirmed the protective effect of IB vs IDELA‐R (HR = 0.67, 95% CI = 0.45‐0.98, P = .04) independent of potential confounders.

Conclusions

Although our analysis presents some constraints, that is, the unavailability of additional potential confounders, and the retrospective nature of the study, this observation may be of help for the daily clinical practice, particularly in the absence of randomized trials comparing the two schedules.
Usability of the head impulse test in routine clinical practice in the emergency department to differentiate vestibular neuritis from stroke
Authors: Machner Björn , Erber Kira , Choi Jin Hee , Trillenberg Peter , Sprenger Andreas , Helmchen Christoph
Published: December 2020

Background and purpose

The bedside head impulse test (bHIT) is used to differentiate vestibular neuritis (VN) from posterior circulation stroke (PCS) in patients presenting with acute vestibular syndrome (AVS). If assessed by neuro‐otological experts, diagnostic accuracy is high. We report on its diagnostic accuracy when applied by nonexperts during routine clinical practice in the emergency department (ED), its impact on patient management, and the potential diagnostic yield of the video‐oculography–supported head impulse test (vHIT).

Methods

Medical chart review of 38 AVS patients presenting to our university medical center's ED, assessed by neurology residents. We collected bHIT results (abnormal/peripheral or normal/central) and whether patients were admitted to the stroke unit or general neurological ward. Final diagnosis (VN, n = 24; PCS, n = 14) was determined by clinical course, magnetic resonance imaging, and vHIT.

Results

The bHIT's accuracy was only 58%. Its sensitivity for VN was high (88%), but due to many false‐abnormal bHITs in PCS (36%), the specificity was low (64%). The vHIT yielded excellent specificity (100%) and moderate sensitivity (67%). The decision on the patient's further care was almost arbitrary and independent from the bHIT: 58% of VN and 57% of PCS patients were admitted to the stroke unit.

Conclusions

The bHIT, applied by nonexperts during routine practice in the ED, has low accuracy, is too often mistaken as abnormal/peripheral, and is not consistently used for patients' in‐hospital triage. As false‐abnormal bHITs can lead to misdiagnosis/mistreatment of stroke patients, we recommend that bHIT applied by nonexperts should be reassessed by a neuro‐otological expert or preferably quantitative vHIT in the ED.
Immunomodulatory treatment in postural tachycardia syndrome: A case series
Authors: Rodriguez Belén , Hoepner Robert , Salmen Anke , Kamber Nicole , Z’Graggen Werner J.
Published: December 2020

Background and purpose

Postural tachycardia syndrome (POTS) is a form of autonomic dysfunction characterized by symptoms of orthostatic intolerance, often accompanied by sudomotor dysfunction and gastrointestinal dysmotility. Recently, evidence has accumulated that in a subset of patients, the pathogenesis of dysautonomia may be immune‐mediated. The aim of the current report was to evaluate the use of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) treatment in patients with progressive and/or refractory immune‐mediated POTS.

Methods

We retroactively assessed the effect and tolerance of monthly administered IVIG in six patients using autonomic function testing, standardized symptom questionnaires, and patients' symptom diaries both before and 6 months into IVIG treatment. Objective outcome measures included heart rate increase after 10 min of head‐up tilt as well as duration and anhidrotic area in a thermoregulatory sweat test. Subjective outcome measures were patient reports and symptom ratings from the symptom questionnaire.

Results

All patients responded to immunomodulatory treatment, regardless of disease duration. After 6 months of IVIG, symptom severity was reduced by nearly 40%. Autonomic function testing showed improved cardiovascular functioning by 50% and a reduction of anhidrotic areas by one third. Overall, tolerance of IVIG treatment was poor, but could be improved by a reduction in infusion rate, premedication with steroids, and additional intravenous hydration.

Conclusions

Using subjective but also standardized objective measures, the case series describes promising effects of IVIG treatment in POTS patients with immune‐mediated dysautonomia. By reducing the infusion rate, pretreatment with steroids, and intravenous hydration, tolerance could be improved, and no patient had to discontinue the treatment.
Translation initiation and its relevance in colorectal cancer
Authors: Minnee Emma , Faller William James
Published: December 2020

Protein synthesis is one of the most essential processes in every kingdom of life, and its dysregulation is a known driving force in cancer development. Multiple signaling pathways converge on the translation initiation machinery, and this plays a crucial role in regulating differential gene expression. In colorectal cancer, dysregulation of initiation results in translational reprogramming, which promotes the selective translation of mRNAs required for many oncogenic processes. The majority of upstream mutations found in colorectal cancer, including alterations in the WNT, MAPK, and PI3K\AKT pathways, have been demonstrated to play a significant role in translational reprogramming. Many translation initiation factors are also known to be dysregulated, resulting in translational reprogramming during tumor initiation and/or maintenance. In this review, we outline the role of translational reprogramming that occurs during colorectal cancer development and progression and highlight some of the most critical factors affecting the etiology of this disease.