bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
ZRC3308 monoclonal antibody cocktail shows protective efficacy in Syrian hamsters against SARS-CoV-2 infection
Authors: Yadav Pragya D , Mendiratta Sanjeev Kumar , Mohandas Sreelekshmy , Singh Arun K , Abraham Priya , Shete Anita , Bandyopadhyay Sanjay , Kumar Sanjay , Parikh Aashini , Kalita Pankaj , Sharma Vibhuti , Pandya Hardik , Patel Chirag G , Patel Mihir , Soni Swagat , Giri Suresh , Jain Mukul
Published: September 2021

We have developed a monoclonal antibody (mAb) cocktail (ZRC-3308) comprising of ZRC3308-A7 and ZRC3308-B10 in the ratio 1:1 for COVID-19 treatment. The mAbs were designed to have reduced immune effector functions and increased circulation half-life. mAbs showed good binding affinities to non-competing epitopes on RBD of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and were found neutralizing SARS-CoV-2 variants B.1, B.1.1.7, B.1.351, B.1.617.2 and B.1.617.2 AY.1 in vitro. The mAb cocktail demonstrated effective prophylactic and therapeutic activity against SARS-CoV-2 infection in Syrian hamsters. The antibody cocktail appears to be a promising candidate for the prophylactic use and for therapy in early COVID-19 cases which have not progressed to severe disease.
Small molecule screen employing patient-derived iPS hepatocytes identifies LRRK2 as a novel therapeutic target for Alpha1 Antitrypsin Deficiency
Authors: Kent Deniz , Ng Soon Seng , Khoshkenar Payam , Syanda Adam M. , Li Chao Zheng , Zieger Marina , Greer Cindy , Hatch Stephanie , Segal Joe , Blackford Samuel J.I. , Chowdary Vivek , Ismali Taylor , Danovi Davide , Sahdeo Sunil , Ebner Daniel , Mueller Christian , Rashid S. Tamir
Published: September 2021

Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency is a life-threatening condition caused by inheritance of the SERPINA1 gene ‘Z’ variant. This single base pair mutation leads to protein misfolding, ER entrapment and gain of toxic function. Despite the significant unmet medical need presented by this disorder, there remain no approved medicines and the only curative option is liver transplantation. We hypothesized that an unbiased screen of human hepatocytes harbouring the Z mutation (ATZ) using small molecules targeted against protein degradation pathways would uncover novel biological insights of therapeutic relevance. Here we report the results of that screen performed in a patient-derived iPSC model of ATZ. Starting from 1,041 compounds we identified 14 targets capable of reducing polymer burden, including Leucine-rich repeat kinase-2 (LRRK2), a well-studied target in Parkinson’s. Genetic deletion of LRRK2 in ATZ mice reduced polymers and associated fibrotic liver disease leading us to test a library of commercially available LRRK2 kinase inhibitors in both patient iPSC and CHO cell models. One of the molecules tested, CZC-25146, reduced polymer load, increased normal AAT secretion and reduced inflammatory cytokines with pharmacokinetic properties supporting its potential use for treating liver diseases. We therefore tested CZC-25146 in the ATZ mouse model and confirmed its efficacy for polymer reduction without signs of toxicity. Mechanistically, in both human and mouse models, our data show CZC-25146 inhibits LRRK2 kinase activity and induces autophagy. Cumulatively, these findings support the use of CZC-25146 and LRRK2 inhibitors in general in hepatic proteopathy disease research and as potential new treatment approaches for patients.

One Sentence Summary

A small molecule screen in patient iPSCs with in vivo validation in mice identifies LRRK2 as a new therapeutic target for Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency.
Empowering human resource functions with data-driven decision-making in start-ups: a narrative inquiry approach
Authors: Varma Deepkumar , Dutta Pankaj
Published: September 2021

Purpose

Across industries, firms want to adopt data-driven decision-making (DDDM) in various organizational functions. Although DDDM is not a new paradigm, little is known about how to effectively implement DDDM and which problem areas to focus on in these functions. This study aims to enable start-ups to use DDDM in human resources (HR) by studying five HR domains using a narrative inquiry technique and aims to guide managers and HR practitioners in start-ups to enable data-driven decisions in HR.

Design/methodology/approach

This study adopts the narrative inquiry technique by conducting semi-structured interviews with HR practitioners and senior members handling HR functions in start-ups. Interview memos are thematically analyzed to identify repeated ideas, concepts or elements that become apparent.

Findings

The study findings indicate that start-ups need to have canned operational reports with right attributes in each of these HR domains, which members should use when performing HR tasks. Few metrics, like cost-to-hire in recruitment, distinctly surfaced relatively higher in importance that each start-up, should compute and use in decision-making.

Practical implications

Managers, HR practitioners and information technology implementation teams will be able to consume the findings to effectively design or evaluate HR processes or systems that empower decision-making in a start-up.

Originality/value

Start-ups have a fast-paced culture where creativity, relationships and nimbleness are valued. Prevalent decision models of larger organizations are not suitable in start-ups’ environments. This study, being cognizant of these nuances, takes a fresh approach to guide start-ups adopt DDDM in HR and identify key problem areas where decision-making should be enabled through data.
Impact of environmental management practices on corporate sustainability: evidence from the Maldives hospitality industry
Authors: Moosa Anitha , He Feng
Published: September 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to explore how environmental management practices impact different dimensions of corporate sustainability. It also explores the mediating impact of environmental regulation and reports on the relationship between environmental management practice and corporate sustainability.

Design/methodology/approach

A brief focus group discussion and a preliminary test were conducted through a focused group meeting with industry experts before data were collected from senior management of 116 registered operations in the hospitality and tourism industry in the Maldives. To analyse the data, a mediation model is proposed and tested using partial least squares structural equation modelling.

Findings

Results showed that environmental management practices have a direct and positive effect on corporate sustainability. Furthermore, environmental regulation and reporting positively mediate the effect of environmental management practices on corporate sustainability. Among the sustainability dimensions, it is important to note that the social sustainability aspect has the highest impact, followed by the economic and environmental aspects of corporate sustainability.

Practical implications

Findings provide empirical evidence in understanding achieving corporate sustainability through environmental management practices. The study is practical for stakeholders and policymakers to follow through with the environmental regulations and be transparent on environmental reporting measures that impact overall sustainability.

Originality/value

This study serves as noteworthy research for stakeholders to evaluate against regulatory and reporting requirements for businesses they invest in the future. It adds value to the literature and attempts to advance environmental management and sustainability research in the context of small island developing states.
The effect of self-fulfilling prophecy on developing auditors' ethical values
Authors: Rezaeirad Mostafa , Koushki Jahromi Alireza
Published: September 2021

Purpose

The growth and development of positive psychology approaches in the areas of human resource management has created a successful conceptual basis in the psychology of business and jobs and has led to a tendency to apply knowledge and skills to job expectations in line with job expectations. That profession will grow, and this can also lead to the development of ethical practices. The purpose of this paper is the effect of self-fulfilling prophecy on developing auditors' ethical values.

Design/methodology/approach

The target population of this study was auditors of auditing organizations and private sector audit firms that were selected through random sampling and evaluated over a period of 6 months. The research instrument was standard questionnaires, and partial least squares analysis was used to test and test the research hypotheses.

Findings

The results of this study show that the effect of self-fulfilling prophecy on ethical virtue and ethical conscientiousness as two dimensions of auditors' ethical values has a positive and significant effect.

Originality/value

This study explains how to clearly convey the social expectations of an auditor about value-based approaches in the audit profession, and it examines the role of these expectations in the professional performance of auditors. In fact, beliefs and expectations play a decisive role in improving auditors' level of value based on professional behavior, such as professional skepticism and objectivity, and this research can help increase the level of knowledge about this profession.
The effect of the number of bank relationships on firm leverage: high-risk shift and the curse of mainstream banks
Authors: Dinc Yusuf , Bilgin Rumeysa
Published: September 2021

Purpose

Firms prefer to have more than one bank relationship to secure the flow of funds for their operations, particularly in bank-based economies. On the other hand, banks lean toward expanding their customer base with firms already in the credit market. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of the number of bank relationships as a firm-specific determinant of capital structure and to discuss its impact on the banking sector.

Design/methodology/approach

A two-step system generalized method of the moments estimation method is used in this study. The sample comprises 213 Turkish non-financial, publicly listed firms with a positive shareholder’s value for the 2012–2017 period.

Findings

The findings show that the number of bank relationships increases the leverage of sample firms while the concentration in the banking sector decreases it. These rather intriguing findings are attributed to an under-the-counter credit policy that causes a high-risk shift and a curse of mainstream banks. Once the mainstream banks allocated credit to the firm, its credibility is consumed by the following banks, which is implied by the significantly negative relationship between bank concentration and firm leverage. This problem is defined as the mainstream bank curse in the study.

Originality/value

The previous literature focuses on the effects of the number of bank relationships on firm profitability, cost of debt and shareholder wealth. However, its impact on the capital structure has not yet been systematically investigated. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to critically analyze the effect of the number of bank relationships on the capital structure. The findings will be of immense benefit to the banking sector and the regulatory bodies.
Voluntary disclosure and complexity of reporting in Egypt: the roles of profitability and earnings management
Authors: Alm El-Din Mai Mohammed , El-Awam Atef Mohammed , Ibrahim Farid Moharram , Hassanein Ahmed
Published: September 2021

Purpose

The study explores the relationship between information overloading and the complexity of reporting. In particular, it investigates whether voluntary information in a firm annual report is associated with its readability. Likewise, it examines how a firm's profitability and earnings management practices impact the nexus of voluntary disclosure and readability.

Design/methodology/approach

It uses the annual reports of the Egyptian nonfinancial firms listed in the EGX 100 index from 2010 to 2018. The readability of the annual report is measured automatically using the LIX index, and a predeveloped voluntary disclosure index is used to measure the level of voluntary disclosure in the annual reports.

Findings

The results reveal that the readability of annual reports is a negative function of voluntary disclosure, suggesting that Egyptian firms with more voluntary disclosure are likely to have more complex (i.e. less readable) annual reports. Likewise, less profitable firms and firms with earning management practices increase voluntary information in their annual reports, resulting in an adverse impact on their reporting readability.

Research limitations/implications

It focuses only on the annual reports of Egyptian firms and considers a firm’s overall voluntary information rather than a particular area of voluntary disclosure. It introduces a code to measure the readability of Arabic-written texts, which can be applied to different areas of disclosure.

Practical implications

Policymakers in Egypt are encouraged to develop enforceable regulations to control voluntary disclosure in annual reports. Egyptian investors should view the practice of higher voluntary disclosure skeptically as its aim may be to divert attention from a firm's poor performance and earnings management practice.

Originality/value

The study is the first evidence from Egypt on the effect of information overloading, proxied by voluntary disclosure, on the readability of reporting. Likewise, it contributes to methodological development in measuring the readability of Arabic-written annual reports.
Capture coproduction behavior in networking alumni communities: Progress from platform belongingness, knowledge sharing, and citizenship behavior
Authors: Bui My-Trinh , Jeng Don Jyh-Fu
Published: September 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate coproduction behavior in networking alumni communities via the progress from platform belongingness, knowledge sharing and citizenship behavior. Alumni networking communities have emerged as valuable assets for conserving institutional resources, supporting members and contributing new resources for alumni-institutional professional development. However, the previous literature has not yet captured the explicit processes by which these contributions are made.

Design/methodology/approach

Data from 711 respondents selected from an alumni collaboration network were subjected to structural equation modeling analysis.

Findings

The study explored resource conservation (belongingness) as the primary relational mechanism for alumni to share their instrumental resources (knowledge sharing), supporting resources (citizenship behavior) and competent resources (coproduction behavior). Knowledge sharing and citizenship behavior act as intermediate agents to trigger coproduction behavior. The authors show how subjective norm, group norm and trust is regarded as a tool to reduce bonding intrusiveness (i.e. the intrusive side-effects of a bond) and moderate the indirect effect of belongingness on coproduction and the direct effect of citizenship on coproduction.

Research limitations/implications

By applying attachment theory, conservation of resources theory and digital platform networking perspectives, this study describes major implications for designing inspiring and compatible community platforms.

Practical implications

Guidance is provided for improving sustainable alumni communities through citizenship-sharing and coproduction behavior.

Social implications

Online alumni communities are regarded as resource conservators, which can result in valuable coproduction, via the sharing of knowledge, expertise and skillsets to create profit for a range of institutions and industries.

Originality/value

Alumni networking platforms encourage alumni cohesiveness, stimulate knowledge exchange and improve professionalism.
Economic study of maintenances and outage resolution in an electricity distribution network using the continuous-time Markov chain
Authors: Nazhand Navid , Dashti Reza , Ahmadi Abolfazl
Published: September 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe a novel method to compromise between planned (regulated) maintenance and outage initiation and unplanned (unregulated) maintenance and to find an economic model using which one can perform maintenance adequately and in the most optimal state.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper, a system consisting of similar components is considered, and the role of each component in the system is explained. Then, the cost pertaining to failure in each asset is determined. Costs such as energy not supplied, penalties, human resources to resolve the defect and replacing assets are taken into account. Finally, a new comprehensive objective is proposed, and optimization is performed for a sample system.

Findings

In this paper, some graphs have been plotted from which plenty of information may be extracted. This is mentioned in the Conclusion.

Originality/value

In this paper, some graphs have been plotted from which plenty of information may be extracted. This is mentioned in the Conclusion.
Reinterpreting excellence for sustainable competitive advantage: the role of entrepreneurial culture under information technological turbulence
Authors: Pratono Aluisius Hery
Published: September 2021

Purpose

This study aims to understand the culture of excellence by examining the role of entrepreneurial culture in shaping how firms achieve sustainable competitive advantage (CA). This study takes into consideration the firms’ capability to transform the entrepreneurial culture into a sustainable CA by generating product development and adapting the information technological turbulence.

Design/methodology/approach

This study first gathers evidence from literature then carries out a detailed study to propose a structural equation model followed by an online survey that supports empirical evidence. This empirical test involves a data set with 782 usable responses following the 4,000 emails sent to the respondents and removed data due to the missing values. The population data are taken from the firm directory in Surabaya City that the Indonesian Ministry of Trade and Industry published.

Findings

There is a strong tendency that entrepreneurial culture is imperative for firms to attain sustainable CA by supporting new product development. The results show that product development provides a partial mediating effect, which indicates that entrepreneurial culture may affect the sustainable CA directly and with the product development support. This study also touches on dynamic capability by proposing a scenario approach that suggests that firms should refine the entrepreneurial culture to adapt to the information technological turbulence.

Originality/value

This study extends the understanding of the culture of excellence by underpinning the dynamic capability theory, which argues that entrepreneurial culture is a valuable resource, which helps firms achieve sustainable CA by promoting product development.
Repeatability of migratory behaviour suggests trade‐off between size and survival in a wild iteroparous salmonid
Authors: Birnie‐Gauvin Kim , Koed Anders , Aarestrup Kim
Published: September 2021

Repeatable individual variation in behaviour has been demonstrated in all taxa, though few studies have explored the broader ecological consequences of such consistent behaviour.

We tagged and tracked 401 individual sea troutSalmo truttawith passive integrated transponder telemetry over two to four spawning seasons as they migrated between freshwater and marine environments to spawn and feed respectively.

We found the timing (time of river entry) and duration of migration (time spent in freshwater and time spent at sea) to be repeatable within individuals across years. In addition, we identified two peaks in return migration timing; a group of summer‐migrating fish and a group of fall‐migrating fish. At the time of first spawning, sea trout differed in size depending on how long the first marine phase was, but summer‐migrating fish were smaller in all subsequent spawnings. Furthermore, summer‐migrating fish had significantly better marine survival than fall‐migrating fish.

Our study suggests that the timing of arrival in freshwater is an important fitness‐relevant trait, such that summer‐migrating fish have decreased fitness but remain in somewhat safer conditions, while fall‐migrating fish have increased fitness but are exposed to more risky conditions. Taken together, our findings suggest that migration timing and duration is determined via a trade‐off between size and survival, which resulted in two evolutionary stable strategies.

A freePlain Language Summarycan be found within the Supporting Information of this article.
Occupational therapy intervention for cancer patients following hospital discharge: How and when should we intervene? A systematic review
Authors: Taylor Susan , Keesing Sharon , Wallis Amy , Russell Brooke , Smith Andrew , Grant Rebecca
Published: September 2021

Introduction

Advances in cancer treatment over the last decade have led to increased survival rates. As a result, survivors are living longer with and beyond cancer, often with greater levels of morbidity. Occupational therapists, with their focus on remedial and compensatory strategies to improve function and participation, are well suited to assess and intervene with this population. Despite this, little research exists to demonstrate the efficacy of interventions and value of the occupational therapy role. This systematic review aimed to review how and when occupational therapists provide services for adult patients with cancer and identify where they add the most value.

Methods

A systematic search was conducted of six electronic databases. Eligible studies reported on occupational therapy interventions targeting management of cancer symptoms, rehabilitation or environmental modifications for adult cancer patients discharged from acute hospital services. Data extraction and quality assessment were undertaken by two reviewers. Narrative synthesis summarised the attributes and treatment outcomes of each intervention.

Results

Nine articles were included from a total of 309 articles retrieved. Eight different interventions were reported for people with cancer (n = 531). Small sample sizes and methodological quality precluded any formal analysis; however, intervention components that showed positive results were person‐centred, individualised and included regular monitoring and flexibility in care, with input from multidisciplinary health professionals. Therapists also need to reflect upon the optimal duration of interventions and selection of outcome measures that specifically match intervention components.

Conclusion

Despite inconclusive support of any particular type of intervention, this systematic review identified several successful intervention components for occupational therapists working with people with or beyond cancer. Overall, findings suggest that monitored tailored programmes compensating for fluctuations in a patient's condition have efficacy to improve patient outcomes and should be considered when delivering intervention with patients post hospital discharge.
Allied health led post‐operative hand clinic: Evaluation of an alternative model of care
Authors: Sobb Jo‐Anne , Tharakan Claire , Beazley James
Published: September 2021

Introduction

To assist with the increasing orthopaedic workload, an allied health led hand therapy clinic was established to manage people having routine hand surgeries. The aim of this study was to evaluate patient and doctor satisfaction and safety of this alternative service delivery model.

Methods

Prospective multimethod design evaluation was undertaken by occupational therapists and physiotherapists working in the field of hand therapy. Satisfaction surveys were completed by orthopaedic doctors and patients. Patient outcomes were assessed at 6 weeks post operatively using the Quick Disability of Arm, Shoulder and Hand questionnaire, total active range of motion, Crawford Classification, sensation using light touch and pain with activity utilising Wong Baker FACES® Pain Rating Scale. Quantitative satisfaction survey data were analysed and presented as frequencies and percentages with open question responses analysed using a qualitative description approach. All complications and readmissions within a 3‐month period were identified and recorded to assess safety of this model of care.

Results

For the 6‐week post‐operative review, 81 patients were seen by an allied health professional rather than a doctor. Patient satisfaction was high with 90% of patients satisfied with post‐operative care provided by allied health; 2% of patients preferred to be seen by a doctor. Doctor satisfaction was also high with 95% of doctors being satisfied and confident with the quality of care provided. A high proportion of patients reported pain 2/10 or less with activity (82.72%), had full sensation (69.14%), excellent range of motion (82.72%), and Quick Disability Arm, Shoulder and Hand scores on average were below 25% indicating minimal functional deficits. Only five patients required doctor involvement post‐operatively.

Conclusion

The allied heath led service delivery model was demonstrated to be safe and have high patient and doctor satisfaction, indicating an acceptable alternate pathway for management of people following routine hand surgery.
What women emphasise as important aspects of care in childbirth – an online survey
Authors: Vedeler C , Nilsen ABV , Blix E , Downe S , Eri TS
Published: September 2021

Objective

To explore and describe what women who have given birth in Norway emphasise as important aspects of care during childbirth.

Design

The study is based on data from the Babies Born Better online survey, version 2.

Setting

The maternity care system in Norway.

Study population

Women who gave birth in Norway between 2013 and 2018.

Method

Descriptive statistics were used to describe sample characteristics and to compare data from the B3 survey with national data from the Medical Birth Registry of Norway. The open‐ended questions were analysed with an inductive thematic analysis.

Main outcome measures

Themes developed from two open‐ended questions.

Results

The final sample included 8401 women. There were no obvious differences between the sample population and the national population with respect to maternal age, marital status, parity, mode of birth and place of birth, except for the proportion of planned home births. Four themes and one overarching theme were identified; Compassionate and Respectful Care, A Family Focus, Sense of Continuity and Consistency, and Sense of Security. Overarching theme: Coherence in Childbearing.

Conclusions

Norwegian women across all birth settings emphasise maternity care that authentically focuses on both socio‐cultural and psychological aspects of care, and physical and clinical factors. If the positive aspects of care identified in this study are adopted at all levels of the maternity care system and from all care providers, there is a high chance that most women will have a safe outcome, and a strong sense of coherence related to a positive birth and motherhood experience.

Tweetable abstract

Having a baby is a pivotal life changing experience and not just a clinical event, according to a survey of 8400 women in Norway. Positive birth and motherhood experiences depend on maternity staff who are both skilled and kind.
Cyanobacterial community composition and their functional shifts associated with biocrust succession in the Gurbantunggut Desert
Authors: Lan Shubin , Thomas Andrew David , Rakes Julie Bethany , Garcia‐Pichel Ferran , Wu Li , Hu Chunxiang
Published: September 2021

Cyanobacteria, as key biocrust components, provide a variety of ecosystem functions in drylands. In this study, to identify whether a cyanobacterial community shift is involved in biocrust succession and whether this is linked to altered ecological functions, we investigated cyanobacterial composition, total carbon and nitrogen contents of biocrusts in the Gurbantunggut Desert. Our findings showed that the biocrust cyanobacteria in the Gurbantunggut desert were mostly filamentous, coexisting with abundant unicellular colonial Chroococcidiopsis. Heterocystous Nostoc, Scytonema and Tolypothrix always represented the majority of biocrust nitrogen‐fixing organisms, comprising an average of 92% of the nifH gene reads. Community analysis showed a clear shift in prokaryotic community composition associated with biocrust succession from cyanobacteria‐ to lichen‐ and moss‐dominated biocrusts, and filamentous non‐nitrogen‐fixing cyanobacteria‐dominated communities were gradually replaced by nitrogen‐fixing and unicellular colonial communities. Along the succession, there were concomitant reductions in cyanobacterial relative abundance, whereas Chl‐a, total carbon and nitrogen contents increased. Concurrently, distinct carbon and nitrogen stores shifts occurred, implying that the main ecological contribution of cyanobacteria in biocrusts changes from carbon‐ to nitrogen‐fixation along with the succession. Our results suggest that any activity that reverses biocrust succession will influence cyanobacterial community composition and eventually lead to large reductions in soil carbon and nitrogen stores.
Topical anaesthesia in strabismus surgery for Graves’ orbitopathy: a comparative study of 111 patients
Authors: Boulakh Lena , Toft‐Petersen Anne Pernille , Severinsen Martin , Toft Peter Bjerre , Ellervik Christina , Buch Hesgaard Helena , Heegaard Steffen
Published: September 2021

Purpose

To evaluate the tolerability and usability of topical anaesthesia in single rectus muscle recession for strabismus caused by Graves’ orbitopathy (GO). To compare the perioperative pain score and surgical outcome between GO patients and non‐GO patients.

Methods

A retrospective comparative study of consecutive single rectus muscle recession performed under topical anaesthesia was carried out. All patients scheduled for one‐stage single rectus muscle recession under topical anaesthesia were included. Numerical visual analogue pain score scale (NVAS) points, rates of motor success (horizontal deviation < 8 prism diopters (PD) and vertical deviation ≤ 6 PD) and sensory success (no diplopia without prisms), complications and postoperative adjustment frequencies were compared between GO and non‐GO patients.

Results

A total of 111 patients were included. The mean perioperative pain scores were 2.3 (SD ± 1.3) in GO and 1.6 (SD ± 1.1) in non‐GO patients (p = 0.06 adjusted for gender). The postoperative mean alignments in GO and non‐GO patients were 2 versus 3 PD horizontally and 1 versus 1 PD vertically respectively. Both motor and sensory success rates were 98% in GO patients and 94% versus 93% in non‐GO patients. Adjustments as a second procedure the day after surgery was performed in 10% of the GO patients and 15% of the non‐GO patients. The oculocardiac reflex was not triggered in any of the GO patients.

Conclusion

Topical anaesthesia in single muscle recession for GO is safe, well‐tolerated and gives comparable surgical outcomes to those achieved in non‐GO patients.
Evaluating the association between latent classes and competing risks outcomes with multiphenotype data
Authors: Fei Teng , Hanfelt John , Peng Limin
Published: September 2021

Latent class analysis is an intuitive tool to characterize disease phenotype heterogeneity. With data more frequently collected on multiple phenotypes in chronic disease studies, it is of rising interest to investigate how the latent classes embedded in one phenotype are related to another phenotype. Motivated by a cohort with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) from the Uniform Data Set (UDS), we propose and study a time‐dependent structural model to evaluate the association between latent classes and competing risk outcomes that are subject to missing failure types. We develop a two‐step estimation procedure which circumvents latent class membership assignment and is rigorously justified in terms of accounting for the uncertainty in classifying latent classes. The new method also properly addresses the realistic complications for competing risks outcomes, including random censoring and missing failure types. The asymptotic properties of the resulting estimator are established. Given that the standard bootstrapping inference is not feasible in the current problem setting, we develop analytical inference procedures, which are easy to implement. Our simulation studies demonstrate the advantages of the proposed method over benchmark approaches. We present an application to the MCI data from UDS, which uncovers a detailed picture of the neuropathological relevance of the baseline MCI subgroups.
Who respects the will of the people? Support for democracy is linked to high secure national identity but low national narcissism
Authors: Marchlewska Marta , Cichocka Aleksandra , Furman Aleksandra , Cislak Aleksandra
Published: September 2021

Support for democracy is based on warmth, inclusiveness, and a general belief that others are well‐intentioned. It is also related to a willingness to respect the rights of outgroups which do not necessarily share the views of one’s ingroup. In this research, we analysed the relationships between different types of national identity and support for democracy. In two surveys (Study 1; American participants,n = 407 and Study 2; Polish participants;n = 570), we found that support for democracy was negatively linked to collective narcissism, measured in relation to the national group, previously associated with negative intra‐ and inter‐group outcomes. The effect of national narcissism on democracy support was present even when accounting for national identification. In Study 2, we also found that this effect was mediated by social cynicism – a negative view of human nature. In both studies, support for democracy was positively linked to a secure national identity, that is national identification without the narcissistic component, which tends to be associated with positive attitudes towards others. We discuss implications for understanding the role of national identity in support for (il)liberal politics.
Flame burns
Authors: Demir Yiğit Yasemin , Yiğit Ebral
Published: September 2021

Flame burns lead to significant long‐term morbidity and functional consequences. This study analyzed the mortality‐related factors in patients with flame burns to compare with the existing literature. This retrospective descriptive study was carried out at the General Surgery Clinic, Gazi Yaşargil Training and Research Hospital, Turkey, to include 131 patients admitted and treated with emergency surgery for flame burns between January 2016 and December 2019. Of the patients hospitalized for flame burn, 103 (78.6%) were male and 28 (21.4%) were female (M:F = 3.6) with a mean age of 25.3 ± 20.78 years. The 15–34 years age group was the most affected by flame burns. The most frequently affected body areas were the upper extremities and face (n = 68, 51.9%); conjunctivitis developed in 49 (37.4%) patients. The wound infection rate was 34.3%, and Staphylococcus epidermidis had the highest growth rate in wound culture results (24.4%). Flame burns were most common in winter and autumn. The majority of patients (n = 95, 72.5%) were treated with escharectomy and dressing, while grafting was performed in 36 (27.5%) patients. A total of 3 (2.2%) patients died—one died in a suicide attempt, one due to inhalation burn after flame burn, and another died due to sepsis. The average length of hospital stay was 8.0 ± 3.9 days. Flame burns are much more common in young men, causing deeper and wider burns and requiring greater surgical intervention. This leads to frequent wound infections and longer hospital stays.
Changes in community providers' screening behaviours, referral practices, and clinical confidence following participation in an early psychosis educational campaign
Authors: Millman Zachary B. , West Michelle L. , Thibeau Heather , Sanders A. Simone , Guyer Margaret , Keshavan Matcheri , Lilly Megan , Friedman‐Yakoobian Michelle , Woodberry Kristen A. , Johnson Kelsey A. , Kline Emily R.
Published: September 2021

Aim

Successful delivery of care to individuals with early psychosis depends on the ability of community providers to identify and refer appropriate candidates for services. Although specialty centres commonly rely upon education and outreach campaigns to building bridges with community providers, few studies have examined the effectiveness of these campaigns or the mechanisms by which they may achieve their intended effects.

Methods

We surveyed community clinicians (N = 39) about their screening behaviours, referral practices, and confidence in managing early psychosis just before and 3–6 months after attending an educational event designed to promote recognition and quality treatment of early psychosis.

Results

Three to six months following attendance, providers reported screening a greater proportion of clients for early psychosis, referring a greater number of clients to specialty services, and feeling more confident in their ability to respond to clients with early psychosis. Increases in confidence following attendance were associated with corresponding increases in screening behaviour.

Conclusions

The results suggest that outreach campaigns designed to enhance community providers' knowledge about early psychosis assessment and resources may be effective in promoting screening, referrals, and confidence in managing psychosis. Gains in provider confidence may contribute to increases in screening. Given the lack of control group and relatively short follow‐up period, more research is needed to determine the effects of early psychosis educational events and the mechanisms by which they may promote successful treatment delivery for young people in need.
Phenology and flowering overlap drive specialisation in plant–pollinator networks
Authors: Glaum Paul , Wood Thomas J. , Morris Jonathan R. , Valdovinos Fernanda S.
Published: September 2021

Variation in dietary specialisation stems from fundamental interactions between species and their environment. Consequently, understanding the drivers of this variation is key to understanding ecological and evolutionary processes. Dietary specialisation in wild bees has received attention due to their close mutualistic dependence on plants, and because both groups are threatened by biodiversity loss. Many principles governing pollinator specialisation have been identified, but they remain largely unvalidated. Organismal phenology has the potential to structure realised specialisation by determining concurrent resource availability and pollinator foraging activity. We evaluate this principle using mechanistic models of adaptive foraging in pollinators within plant–pollinator networks. While temporal resource overlap has little impact on specialisation in pollinators with extended flight periods, reduced overlap increases specialisation as pollinator flight periods decrease. These results are corroborated empirically using pollen load data taken from bees with shorter and longer flight periods across environments with high and low temporal resource overlap.
One Size Really Does Not Fit All: The Importance of Incorporating Culturally Relevant Adaptations in Reunification Therapy
Authors: Harris‐Britt April , Paces‐Wiles Diane , Wax Noa
Published: September 2021

Reunification therapy is specialized family therapy to address parent–child relational disruption (i.e. child resistance to or refusal of parent contact), typically during or following a high‐conflict divorce or custody dispute. The literature discussing reunification therapy interventions with families involving racial diversity, SES, religiosity, and other socio‐cultural aspects is limited to non‐existent. In the move towards being culturally sensitive to the ever‐present multitude of identities that exist within family systems, professionals are challenged to develop a balanced approach between providing competent practice that is culturally sound and considering empirical evidence. This paper offers suggestions for enhancing evidence‐informed interventions to address parent–child contact problems within diverse populations by incorporating culturally specific interventions to increase parenting skills, reduce parent and child distress, and repair attachments through therapeutic experiences.
Theoretical and numerical investigation of mode‐I delamination of composite double‐cantilever beam with partially reinforced arms
Authors: Pan Xiao , Jiang Yi , Li Mingjun , Su Zichao
Published: September 2021

In this paper, a theoretical analysis model and two simulation methods are applied to characterize the quasi‐static and fatigue delamination of composite double‐cantilever beam (DCB) with partially reinforced arms. The test data of partially reinforced DCB were used as benchmark to verify the analysis model and simulation, and cohesive zone models (CZMs) and virtual crack closure technique (VCCT) are used in simulation. It is shown that the partially reinforced DCB has a unique double‐peak load–displacement relationship, rising and sudden release of R‐curve near the reinforced area, and produces instability development. By comparing the results of simulation and experiment, the simulation based on the exponential CZM can calculate the delamination of partially reinforced DCB under both quasi‐static and fatigue loading, while VCCT method will generate a straight delamination front edge under the reinforced area and underestimates the influence of the previous load on the later due to the lost of microdamage from previous loading.
Contamination Assessment and Site‐Management Tool (CAST): A Browser‐Based Tool for Site Assessment
Authors: Yadav Prabhas K. , Birla Sandhya , Baliga Vedaanti , Liedl Rudolf , Chahar B. R. , Werth Charles J.
Published: September 2021

Groundwater dependency is increasing globally, while millions of potentially contaminated sites are yet to be characterized for contamination levels. In particular, groundwater contamination due to light nonaqueous phase liquids (LNAPLs) continues to be a global challenge. Mathematical approaches (i.e., analytical, semi‐analytical, empirical, numerical) are preferred for an initial site assessment to circumvent the high characterization costs and limited site data availability. However, the site‐specific nature of contamination restricts the generalization of any single approach. Hence, the requirement is for an easy‐to‐use computing interface that provides site‐specific data management, the selection and use of multiple‐model interfaces for computing, and site characterization, with extension for the latest models as they become available. This work provides one such interface called CAST or Contamination Assessment and Site‐management Tool. CAST is an open‐source browser‐based (online/offline) tool that provides an interface for six different analytical models (e.g., BIOSCREEN‐AT), a MODFLOW based numerical model, and two empirical models (including a hybrid numerical‐analytical model). Additionally, CAST includes interfaces for site data management, their evaluation, and scenario‐based modeling. CAST's development is in a modular format, which simplifies the addition of new computing or data interfaces. Furthermore, the entire code‐base of CAST is based on open‐source (dominantly Python programming) libraries and standards. This further simplifies the modification or extension of this tool. This paper introduces CAST, its different computing, and data management interfaces and provides examples of the tool's functionality primarily for the initial evaluation of contaminated sites.
Sporadic superficial angiomyxomas demonstrate loss of PRKAR1A expression
Authors: Hafeez Farhaan , Krakowski Andrew C , Lian Christine G , Nazarian Rosalynn M , Maleszewski Joseph J
Published: September 2021

Superficial angiomyxomas are cutaneous mesenchymal tumours that typically present clinically as slow‐growing, solitary, asymptomatic nodules that can occur at any age. Histopathologically, these dermal and subcutaneous tumours are characterized by abundant myxoid stroma, numerous thin‐walled and often arbourising blood vessels, and spindled to stellate fibroblast‐like cells. While usually sporadic, superficial angiomyxomas can occasionally be associated with Carney complex (CNC), an autosomal dominant disorder characterized by inactivating germline mutations in the 1‐alpha regulatory subunit of protein kinase A (PRKAR1A) and various clinical manifestations, including cardiac myxomas, facial lentigines, epithelioid blue naevi, endocrinopathies and psammomatous melanotic schwannomas. In this study, we sought to characterize the presence or absence of PRKAR1A expression by immunohistochemistry (IHC) in sporadic superficial angiomyxomas based on our observations in an index case. In total, PRKAR1A immunohistochemical expression was determined in 15 sporadic superficial angiomyxoma cases retrieved from the surgical pathology archives. IHC demonstrated that the lesional cells in 12 cases (80%) were non‐reactive to antibodies against PRKAR1A. This study provides evidence in support of a role for PRKAR1A in the development of clinically non‐syndromic superficial angiomyxomas. Together with previous studies, this report demonstrates that PRKAR1A may play an important role in the development of a variety of myxomatous mesenchymal tumours.
A major change in magma sources in late Mesozoic active margin of the circum‐Sea of Japan domain: Geochemical constraints from late Paleozoic to Paleogene mafic dykes in the Sergeevka belt, southern Primorye, Russia
Authors: Nechaev Victor P. , Sklyarov Evgene V. , Isozaki Yukio , Kruk Nikolay N. , Travin Alexey V. , Tsutsumi Yukiyasu , Nechaeva Eugenia V.
Published: September 2021

More than 30 mafic dykes crop out in the Sergeevka belt in the coastal South Primorye, Far East Russia, of which geologic settings have been unclear for years. This study conducted major‐ and trace elements characterization, Sr–Nd isotope analyses, and Ar–Ar amphibole and U–Pb zircon datings for these rocks in order to identify their origin. The results demonstrated that all dykes are characterized by high Ba/Yb and low Nb/Y, Zr/Y, and Th/Yb ratios, which suggest their origin from arc melts derived from thin wedge mantle and shallow‐dipping slab. These dykes are clearly separated into two distinct age/geochemistry suites; that is, the Paleogene and Early Cretaceous one with dolerites/basalts and adakitic rocks, and the Permian–Triassic one with high‐Mg and high‐Al gabbro‐dolerite varieties. Their geochemistry suggests that the older suite was sourced from a primitive depleted MORB mantle (DMM)‐type mantle, whereas the younger suite from an enriched mantle II (EM2)‐type mantle domain. The transition in source type from DMM to EM2 occurred during the Jurassic‐earliest Cretaceous time, probably by a strong influence of a mantle plume onto the long‐continuing subduction‐related magmatism. The plume influence reached the maximum when the unique meimechite‐picrite complex formed in the region.
Effect of metallization temperature on brazing joints of SiC ceramics and 2219 aluminum alloy
Authors: Teng Peng , Li Xianfen , Hua Peng , Liu Hao , Wang Guoping
Published: September 2021

A two‐step process involving, the pre‐metallization of the SiC ceramic by Ag‐Cu‐Ti foil and the Al based filler alloy was developed to join 2219 aluminum alloy and the metallized SiC. The composition of metallized SiC layer was investigated. The effect of metallization temperature on the microstructure and mechanical properties of the joint was analyzed. The brazing process showed that Al from the brazing filler and 2219 substrate reacted with Ag‐Cu‐Ti alloy to form intermetallic compounds. Al3Ti, Al2Ag and Al2Cu were detected in the joint. Ti5Si3, TiC and Ti3SiC2 compounds were found adjacent to the reaction layer of the Ti and SiC. With increasing of metallization temperature, the shear strength of joint first increased and then decreased. The joint shear strength reached 16.0 MPa when the pre‐metallization temperature reached 1000°C and holding time was 10 min.