bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Reasoning in social media: insights from Reddit “Change My View” submissions
Authors: Öcal Ayşe , Xiao Lu , Park Jaihyun
Published: May 2021

Purpose

Complex social interactions such as argumentation and persuasion are increasingly common in online communications. To better understand these interactions and their impacts on people and on the society, it is important for the authors to understand how people reason online such as when they need to justify themselves or convince others with their perspectives. Reasoning in online discussions is expectedly to be different from doing so offline, as one often communicates with others anonymously and asynchronously in such contexts (e.g. Reddit discussions). The purpose of this paper is to investigate people's reasoning behavior in online environments focusing on how they justify their perspectives.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study, the authors examined how a subreddit Change My View (CMV) users offer their opinions and justify them through the lens of argumentation and reasoning. The authors annotated, 330 Reddit discussion original posts (OPs) to identify claims, rationales and supports for reasoning, i.e. personal experiences, definitions, domain expertise and external sources. The authors investigated the correlations among the occurrences of these supporting statements and whether they are related to the topics of the posts.

Findings

The findings suggest that if people mention their domain expertise, they tend to provide related personal experiences as well. Additionally, if the participants talk about the topic of domestic politics, they tend to utilize their personal experiences.

Research limitations/implications

Further research may be conducted to help system designers. System designers (e.g. online debate systems, collective decision-making systems, etc.) may benefit from the findings to design systems by considering commonly used supporting statements, which may enhance people's reasoning and argumentation processes. The sample size is a small sample. The authors acknowledge that the small sample size of the study may limit the generalizability of the findings; however, it is still acceptable compared to the existing literature. One future study could be annotating a larger dataset to further probe the use of supporting statements in online reasoning.

Practical implications

The authors' findings might be useful to understand how Reddit users are justifying their opinions as the reflection of their reasoning processes. In order to contribute further research in argumentation and reasoning in online platforms, the authors make the annotated dataset publicly available.

Originality/value

To best of the authors' knowledge, this study was one of a few studies whose purpose is to understand Reddit CMV users' reasoning processes. To understand how online users offer their reasons while providing their ideas is important to have effective communication processes and to improve online discussion experiences which are very common in today's digital era.

Peer review

The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/OIR-08-2020-0330
Organizational links and sensemaking in a medical work cooperative system
Authors: Pellin Natália Peroni , Weymer Alex , Dissenha Leila Andressa , Bauer Márcio André Leal
Published: May 2021

Purpose

The aim of this article was to analyze how the presence of the elements that constitute organizational links are related to sensemaking in a cooperative system of medical work.

Design/methodology/approach

A content analysis was conducted following interviews with the managers of the cooperative, which is a member of the Brazilian cooperative system and one of the largest in the world. This analysis enabled the systematization of the categories that were identified through the coding of responses, aided by Atlas.ti 8.0 software.

Findings

After the analysis, it was possible to resize the constitutive elements identified in the specialized literature into three categories: identification, cooperation and recognition. The proposed resizing does not preclude the presence of the constitutive elements identified in the analysis, but it evidences the presence of these elements in a contextualized manner, suggesting a model of an organic organizational link that is dependent on the relationship between subject–object (organization), in which the different perceptions of meanings affect identification, and this can strengthen or weaken the link in a constant process of resignification.

Originality/value

With regard to its theoretical relevance, the work helps to bring concepts related to organizational links and sensemaking closer together as a process in the realm of intersubjectivity. This provides evidence of the presence of constituent elements of ties in a contextualized manner, demonstrating that the interpretation of managers aids sensemaking in a process of circularity and resignification.
To discard or to ado(a)pt? Looking at qualitative research templates through the lens of organizational routines
Authors: Balachandran Nair Lakshmi
Published: May 2021

Purpose

Many management scholars view templates as rigid rulebooks suffocating qualitative research. This viewpoint article recommends that, instead, templates should be viewed through the lens of organizational routines.

Design/methodology/approach

To facilitate this viewpoint, this article first clarifies the confusions surrounding templates. It points out that how using templates, like following routines in an organization, constitutes three parts - the artifact, the ostensive and the performative; the latter two being often neglected by template critics. The use of templates is encouraged by discussing the learning advantages for novice researchers, through an autoethnographic note narrating the author’s own research and teaching experiences.

Findings

This article deliberates upon the criticisms against templates. It then discusses templates using a perspective offered by organizational routines. Thereafter, the use of templates in qualitative management research is discussed, with the help of examples from published reports. Finally, the article explains a way of reflexively using templates through an autoethnographic note detailing the author’s own research and teaching experiences.

Originality/value

In its entirety, the article submits that the artifacts offered by the templates and the ostensive and performative engagements of the template-users must co-exist for co-creating excellent qualitative research.
Why does subjective financial literacy hinder retirement saving? The mediating roles of risk tolerance and risk perception
Authors: Nguyen Linh Thi My , Nguyen Phong Thanh , Tran Quynh Nguyen Nhu , Trinh Thi Tuong Giang
Published: May 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine a mechanism through which subjective financial literacy can exert negative effects on the retirement saving intention and behaviors, which has not been well understood in prior research. Particularly, the authors draw on the relevant risk literature to introduce financial risk tolerance and risk perception as important mediators that transfer subjective financial literacy into reduced retirement saving intention which in turn affects the saving behaviors.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors test the model with a sample of 347 adults using factor analysis and structural equation modeling.

Findings

Consistent with the notions about the negative side of subjective financial literacy, the authors find supporting evidence for the proposed indirect effects of financial literacy on retirement saving intention via risk tolerance and risk perception. In addition, the authors observe that an individual's retirement saving intention strongly predicts their retirement saving behaviors.

Originality/value

The study offers insights into the mechanisms that subjective financial knowledge might also inhibit individual's responsible financial behaviors (e.g. retirement saving).
Does debt heterogeneity impact firm value? Evidence from an emerging context
Authors: Tripathy Amit , Uzma Shigufta Hena
Published: May 2021

Purpose

The present paper attempts to explain the impact of debt diversification and various debt financing sources on firm value. The paper also aims to address the long-run causality of various factors affecting firm value.

Design/methodology/approach

The study employs a dynamic panel data model for a sample of 233 listed firms from 2010 to 2019. Two-step generalized method of moments (GMM) is devised to study the impact of firm-specific factors on firm value.

Findings

The study establishes a negative impact of debt diversification on firm value. Further, the results also signal how the choice of debt instruments has a heterogeneous effect on firm value. Non-bank debt leads to a discount in firm value, while bank debt has no effect on firm value. The long-run determinants of firm value are debt ratio, tangibility and liquidity.

Research limitations/implications

The findings of the study would aid the mangers in making informed decisions regarding the debt financing structure. Too much reliance on non-bank debt instruments leads to a negative impact on firm value. Therefore careful evaluation is necessary before accessing multiple debt sources.

Originality/value

Debt heterogeneity is globally established; however, its presence in the Indian context has not been validated extensively. The study not only validates the existence of debt diversification but also investigates how individual debt instruments affect firm value that is yet to be examined in the Indian context.
IPO initial return in Pakistan: influence of country-level institutional quality
Authors: Mehmood Waqas , Mohd-Rashid Rasidah , Ahmad Abd Halim , Tajuddin Ahmad Hakimi
Published: May 2021

Purpose

The present study investigated the influence of country-level institutional quality on IPO initial return using World Bank Governance indices.

Design/methodology/approach

This study analysed 84 IPOs listed on Pakistan Stock Exchange between 2000 and 2017 using cross-sectional data. The impact of country-level institutional quality on IPO initial returns was examined using ordinary least square, robust least square, stepwise least square and quantile regression.

Findings

Empirically, the values of political stability, government effectiveness and regulatory quality were positively significant, whereas rule of law and control of corruption were negatively significant in explaining the intensity of IPO initial return. The results also show the presence of significant risk in the market. Hence, investors were compensated with higher initial returns for weak country-level institutional quality. The results also reveal that improving country-level institutional quality would improve the financial market transparency, thereby reducing IPO initial returns.

Originality/value

No studies have been conducted regarding the influence of country-level institutional quality on IPO initial return in Pakistan. This study is a pioneering study that seeks to give insights into the link between these variables in the context of Pakistan.
Antecedents and consequences of online buying behavior: a mediation study
Authors: Bhat Suhail Ahmad , Islam Sheikh Basharul , Lone Umer Mushtaq
Published: May 2021

Purpose

The study is aimed to identify the determinants of online buying behavior and their associations with the consequences of online buying behavior. The study adopted an e-loyalty framework and investigated causal links among functionality, usability, trust, commitment and loyalty. In addition, the study also attempted to investigate the mediating role of trust and commitment between online buying determinants and online purchasing outcomes. The demographic variables of age, gender and income are used as control variables.

Design/methodology/approach

An online questionnaire survey was conducted on Internet users by adopting purposive sampling technique. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was employed for measurement development, SEM was used for testing causal links, and percentile bootstrap with 95% confidence interval was used for mediation analysis.

Findings

Significant positive relationships were found among functionality, usability, trust, commitment and loyalty. Trust was found to fully mediate the effect of functionality and usability on loyalty. It was also found that commitment fully mediates the effect of functionality on loyalty.

Research limitations/implications

However, caution is advised while generalizing results of this study. The study was conducted on online retailing only. The authors recommend future studies to extend the research in other e-commerce sectors and also to perform a comparative study between online and offline retailing.

Practical implications

This study provides some practical implications to website developers in designing a web page that caters the functionality and usability aspects in understanding e-loyalty formation process so that appropriate marketing strategies and tactics can be established to accommodate customized loyalty of each customer.

Originality/value

The study demonstrates the customer loyalty formation process in online retailing. Scanty literature has witnessed mediating role of trust and commitment in the relationships among functionality, usability and loyalty along with age, gender and monthly family income as controls in Indian sub-continent.
Sirolimus for the treatment of kaposiform hemangioendothelioma: In a trough level‐dependent way
Authors: Shan Yuhua , Tian Ruicheng , Gao Honxiang , Zhang Lei , Li Jingjing , Xie Chenjie , Liang Yu , Chen Yiwei , Wang Jing , Xu Min , Gu Song
Published: May 2021

With the accumulation of clinical practice, sirolimus is now widely viewed as an effective agent in kaposiform hemangioendothelioma (KHE) treatment using a dose based on experience. Therefore, this retrospective research aimed to provide evidence‐based suggestions on the most appropriate dose and trough level of sirolimus. All unresectable KHE cases diagnosed at our center from January 2016 to December 2019 were included. Sirolimus monotherapy was initiated when there was no sign of Kasabach–Merritt phenomenon (KMP) at a dose of 0.8 mg/m2 twice a day in order to keep the trough level at 5–20 ng/mL. Patients’ clinical information, tumor volume change, trough level fluctuation, and complication occurrence were all recorded. Efficacy represented by tumor shrinkage speed and safety manifested by complication grades were compared between different trough level groups (5–10 vs. 10–15 vs. >15 ng/mL). Twenty‐one patients (10 girls and 11 boys) were enrolled. There were eight patients in the 5–10 ng/mL group, seven in the 10–15 ng/mL group, and six in the more than 15 ng/mL group. Trough level over 10 ng/mL manifested better efficacy in tumor shrinkage (t‐test, p = 0.011) while a level over 15 ng/mL had no further benefit in efficacy (t‐test, p = 0.65). In addition, tumors at a central location reacted better to sirolimus (t‐test, p = 0.022). No significant differences were observed in complication occurrence among different concentrations, although boys seemed to be at higher risk of more severe complications (>grade II, χ2‐test, p = 0.009, odds ratio = 4.52, range = 1.20–17.24). It proved to be most efficacious in the management of KHE at a trough level between 10 and 15 ng/mL. Such concentration was safe and well tolerated.
Report of the Editor‐in‐Chief
Authors: Harvey David
Published: May 2021

Submissions to the Journal have increased again to an all‐time high of 528, and continue their strong international pattern. Our response times continue to meet or exceed our targets, with only one regrettable exception, for which our sincere apologies. The JAE’s citation impact factor reached an all time high of 2.53 in 2019, though current indications that our 2020 score may not be quite as high. Our sincere thanks are due to our authors and our many reviewers for this performance. Wiley continue to provide a strong publishing platform with our full archive generating continuing growth in downloads.
Comparison on nutritional quality of adult female Chinese mitten crab (Eriocheir sinensis) with different colored hepatopancreases
Authors: Wang Qiu‐Ju , Zhang Bao‐Yuan , Jiang Xiao‐Dong , Long Xiao‐Wen , Zhu Wang‐Ling , Xu Yong‐Ping , Wu Min , Zhang Dong‐Ming
Published: May 2021

White hepatopancreas syndrome has recently emerged in Chinese mitten crab (Eriocheir sinensis) aquaculture, causing considerable economic loss. The hepatopancreas color of diseased crabs becomes gradually lighter, turning from yellow to yellow‐white to white. Therefore, this study was conducted to investigate the changes in nutrient composition in three edible parts (hepatopancreas, ovaries, and muscle) of adult females with different colored hepatopancreases. Three groups were assessed in this study, including a yellow hepatopancreas group (control, L * = 63.92, a * = 22.14, b * = 60.95), a yellow‐white hepatopancreas group (YWHG, L * = 65.06, a * = 22.35, b * = 57.80), and a white hepatopancreas group (WHG, L * = 65.72, a * = 10.70, b * = 30.52). No statistically significant differences in average weight, tissue indices, and total edible yield were observed among the three crab groups (P >0.05). The moisture content of the hepatopancreases and ovaries in WHG was 56.12% and 9.23% higher than the control values (P <0.05), whereas hepatopancreas crude fat and ovary crude protein levels were 62.23% and 11.45% lower than the control values (P < 0.05). The total carbohydrate levels of the three edible tissues were significantly higher and the crude protein content of ovaries was significantly lower in YWHG (P < 0.05). Most amino acid levels in the WHG muscle and ovaries were significantly lower than the control (P < 0.05). Moreover, the hepatopancreas levels of total polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and n‐6PUFA in WHG were 24.88% and 31.83% lower than in control group, whereas the hepatopancreas levels of total PUFA and n‐6PUFA in YWHG were also 21.88% and 23.20% lower compared to the controls (P < 0.05). Overall, the growth and the edible parts were not affected in YWHG and WHG. Moreover, YWHG crabs exhibited few effects on nutritional value; however, the fatty acid composition of crabs was significantly changed. In contrast, WHG crabs exhibited poor nutritional quality. Nonetheless, the consumption of crabs with yellow‐white or white hepatopancreases is not recommended since the animal also referred to as diseased crabs.
Investigation on the interaction of acrylamide with soy protein isolate: Exploring the binding mechanism in vitro
Authors: Shen Yu , Zhao Sijia , Liu Qingbo , Jiang Yujun , Dong Heliang , Feng Wenxiao , Liu Tianxu , Xu Honghua , Shao Meili
Published: May 2021

Acrylamide (AA), which is a carcinogen in humans, has been a research focus in terms of food risk assessment. However, few published studies have explored protein strategies to reduce the health risks of AA. The objective of this study was to investigate the binding of AA with soy protein isolate (SPI) and elucidate the binding mechanism. The results showed that AA could bind with nontreated, heat‐treated, high‐pressure homogenization‐treated, and ultrasound‐treated SPI in vitro. Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy suggested that secondary structure of SPI changed significantly after binding with AA in the nontreated and different treated groups. Moreover, fluorescence quenching experiments suggested that the quenching of SPI by AA was static quenching and hydrogen bonds, hydrophobic interactions, and van der Waals forces were involved in this process.

Practical Application

The study of SPI and AA binding could provide a new perspective for reducing the bioaccessibility of AA in human body by using protein. The results showed that SPI could potentially be used as a novel health strategy to reduce the harm of AA in the human body.
Sensitive detection of foodborne pathogens based on CRISPR‐Cas13a
Authors: Gao Song , Liu Jingwen , Li Zhiyong , Ma Yi , Wang Jufang
Published: May 2021

Salmonella, being one of the most widespread foodborne pathogens, is a compulsory test item required by national food safety standard of China and many other countries. More sensitive and specific Salmonella detection method is still needed since traditional methods are time consuming and highly dependent on enormous manpower and material resources. In this research, a bacteria detection method based on CRISPR‐Cas13a system (where CRISPR is Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats) was proposed. The target DNA was amplified by PCR and transcribed into RNA by T7 transcriptase, which can activate the RNase activity of the Cas13a protein. The self‐folding quenched fluorescent probe can be cleaved by the activated Cas13a protein to generate fluorescent signal. We named this method as PCF detection (PCR‐CRISPR‐Fluorescence based nucleic acid detection). In this study, PCF detection showed excellent sensitivity, which can detect Salmonella genomic DNA with a minimum of 101 aM or 10° CFU/ml Salmonella bacteria in 2 hr. It also showed good specificity with no cross‐reaction with other common foodborne bacteria.

Practical Application

The PCF detection method proposed in this article can detect Salmonella sensitively and specifically, providing a novel strategy for the detection of foodborne pathogens in food and has great application potential in other microbial detection fields.
Efficient reduction in vegetative cells and spores of Bacillus subtilis by essential oil components‐coated silica filtering materials
Authors: Ribes Susana , Ruiz‐Rico María , Barat José M.
Published: May 2021

Inactivation of bacterial spores is a key objective for developing novel food preservation technologies. In this work, the removal properties of filtering materials based on silica microparticles functionalized with essential oil components (EOCs) (carvacrol, eugenol, thymol, and vanillin) against Bacillus subtilis, a spore‐forming bacterium, in two liquid matrices were investigated. The viability of vegetative cells and spores after treatment was also evaluated. The results exhibited marked removal effectiveness against B. subtilis vegetative cells and spores after filtration with the different silica supports coated with EOCs in either sterile water or nutrient broth, with reductions of 3.2 to 4.9 log units and 3.7 to 5.0 log units for vegetative cells and spores, respectively. The fluorescent viability images revealed the poor viability of the treated B. subtilis vegetative cells and spores due to damage to the cell envelope when coming into contact with the immobilized antimicrobials. The culture counts results revealed the great inhibitory capacity of the EOC‐functionalized silica microparticles against B. subtilis vegetative cells and spores after a single filtration. Hence, the present work suggests the feasibility of using EOC‐functionalized supports as filtering aids to enhance the microbial quality of liquid matrices with spore‐forming microorganisms.

Practical Application

The developed antimicrobial‐coated filters have shown remarkable removal properties against an important spore‐forming bacterium in food industry. These filters may be used as a potential sterilization technique for preservation of different beverages alone or in combination with other mild‐thermal or nonthermal techniques.
Quasi‐Indexer Ownership and Insider Trading: Evidence from Russell Index Reconstitutions*
Authors: Hillegeist Stephen A. , Weng Liwei
Published: May 2021

Understanding the association between quasi‐indexer ownership and insider trading is important given the externalities that insider trading can impose on shareholders, the importance of quasi‐indexers in the capital markets, and their mixed monitoring incentives. The prior literature has produced an inconsistent set of results regarding this association. These results are difficult to interpret because the association between them is likely endogenous, and prior studies have not employed effective identification strategies to address this issue. In this study, we examine the effects of quasi‐indexer institutional ownership on insider trading using the plausibly exogenous discontinuity in quasi‐indexer ownership around the Russell 1000/2000 index cutoff. Using both regression discontinuity and instrumental variable research designs, we find higher quasi‐indexer ownership leads to less insider trading (both buys and sells) and less profitable sell trades. The effects for sells are concentrated among insider trades that, ex ante, are more likely to be based on private information. Our evidence on the profitability of buys is mixed. In addition, we find firms with higher quasi‐indexer ownership are more likely to have and/or more strictly enforce blackout policies. Overall, our results suggest that quasi‐indexers can reduce the agency costs associated with insider trading through their direct and indirect monitoring activities.
Managerial political orientation and insider trading
Authors: Li Wei , Zhang Yunyan
Published: May 2021

In this study, we examine how the personal ideology of chief executive officers (CEOs), as proxied by their political preferences, influences their insider‐trading choices. We expect and find that, relative to Democratic‐leaning CEOs, the conservative ideology of Republican‐leaning CEOs leads them to refrain more from informed insider trading to avoid costly litigation. Using an exogenous change in litigation environment, we find that Republican CEOs increase informed trading when facing a sudden relaxation of litigation risk, suggesting that the fear of litigation cost is the underlying mechanism of the observed relation. Our findings are robust to different model specifications.
The long‐run role of innovation in the IPO market: inhibition or promotion?
Authors: Zhou Lu Jolly , Sadeghi Mehdi
Published: May 2021

This study investigates the long‐term role of innovation in the Chinese IPO market. Innovation outcome (patent) has a promoting effect on the long‐term market, while innovation input (R&D) shows a variable inhibitory control, which turns into a favourable impact four years after the IPO due to lag and cumulative effects. Moreover, this inhibitory effect increases and has no positive turnback in firms with R&D myopic management. Furthermore, government subsidies strengthen the effect of innovation during different periods while weakening the positive effect of innovation input four years after the IPO due to firms' rent‐seeking behaviour aiming to obtain government funds.
Predicting the past, present and future distributions of an endangered marsupial in a semi‐arid environment
Authors: Riley J. , Zeale M.R.K. , Razgour O. , Turpin J. , Jones G.
Published: May 2021

Globally, the impacts of anthropogenic climate change can displace species into more favourable climates. Semi‐arid desert specialists, such as the sandhill dunnart, Sminthopsis psammophila, are typically susceptible to rainfall deficits, wildfires and extreme temperatures caused by anthropogenic climate change. We first used maximum entropy (MaxEnt) species distribution models (SDMs) to predict the current distribution of S. psammophila. Between 2016 and 2018, we ground validated the model’s predictions throughout Western Australia, confirming S. psammophila in 18 locations in which it was predicted to occur. The predicted distribution of S. psammophila appears mostly constrained to within its known range. However, S. psammophila was verified 150 km north of its range in Western Australia and connectivity between the South Australian populations was correctly predicted. In 2019, we used updated occurrence data to project SDMs for S. psammophila during the mid‐Holocene, present day and under two future representative concentration pathways (RCPs) of RCP 4.5 (an optimistic emissions scenario) and RCP 8.5 (“business as usual”) for 2050 and 2070. By 2050 (RCP 8.5), almost all Western Australian Great Victoria Desert (WAGVD) habitat is predicted to be unsuitable for S. psammophila. By 2070 (RCP 8.5), the climates of the WAGVD and Yellabinna Regional Reserve populations are predicted to become unsuitable, and the species’ geographical range is predicted to contract in Australia by 80%. However, the 2070 (RCP 4.5) scenario predicts that this contraction could be halved. As a sandy desert specialist, the distribution of S. psammophila is geographically limited at its southern bounds due to the cessation of suitable spinifex (Triodia spp.) habitats, and so further extension of the range southwards is not possible. Sympatric desert species may be similarly affected, and we suggest that SDMs will be a useful tool in helping to predict the effects of climate change on their distributions.
Local and landscape scale drivers of Euschistus servus and Lygus lineolaris in North Carolina small grain agroecosystems
Authors: Goethe James K. , Dorman Seth J. , Huseth Anders S.
Published: May 2021

Crop production sequences influence arthropod populations in temporally unstable row crop systems. Winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) represents one of the earliest abundant crops in south‐eastern United States. This study aims to understand primary source habitats driving brown stink bug, Euschistus servus (Say), and tarnished plant bug, Lygus lineolaris (Palisot de Beauvois), population abundance in wheat.

To better understand these relationships, adult and nymphal densities were in wheat fields weekly from flowering through harvest in 2019 and 2020. Geospatial data were used to measure landscape composition surrounding sampled fields. We investigated the influence of landscape predictors on E. servus and L. lineolaris abundance using generalized linear mixed modelling.

Field size, proportion of agriculture, proportion of wheat area, and proportion of soybean Glycine max L.) area from the previous year in the surrounding landscape were associated with E. servus abundance in wheat. Similarly, L. lineolaris abundance was associated with proportion of wheat area and soybean area from the previous year.

These results reveal the influence of soybean area planted the previous year on insect pest densities the following spring in wheat. Further, results suggest agricultural landscapes dominated by wheat are associated with decreased pest abundance across the sampled region.
Native flowering shrubs promote beneficial insects in avocado orchards
Authors: Muñoz Alejandra E. , Amouroux Paul , Zaviezo Tania
Published: May 2021

Flower strips can promote and conserve beneficial insects in agroecosystems. Knowing which groups are favoured and which plant traits affect visitation rates by beneficial insects is important for the design of plant strips.

We established 21 Native Flower Strips (NFS) in avocado orchards in Central Chile. NFS contained 7–11 plant species, with variable corolla length and flowering period, to promote beneficial insects. We assessed flight activity of ladybirds (Coccinellidae) and bees (Apiformes) in sites adjacent to and far from NFS within avocado orchards. Additionally, we evaluated flower visitation for the main flower visitor groups (Apiformes, Lepidoptera, Diptera, and Coleoptera) to the plant species in NFS according to season and corolla length.

We found almost six times greater flight activity of coccinellids and bees in NFS than sites far from NFS within avocado orchards. Visitation rates of pollinator groups varied according to corolla length and season. Diptera, Coleoptera, and Lepidoptera consistently visited short corolla flowers. NFS were highly visited in summer and autumn, when avocados were not in bloom.

NFS in orchards should be encouraged by policymakers because they support beneficial insects that could deliver ecosystem services and contribute to local biological conservation.
Making Friends, Building Roads: Chinese Entrepreneurship and the Search for Reliability in Angola
Authors: Schmitz Cheryl Mei‐ting
Published: May 2021

Based on fieldwork conducted in 2013–2014 with a provincial‐level Chinese state‐owned construction firm in Luanda, this article examines how Chinese businesses attempted to expand in the aftermath of a booming period of Angolan postwar reconstruction. Chinese entrepreneurs found that business could only be done with the help of local mediators promising to open otherwise inaccessible portals to political expediency. They shared with their would‐be collaborators an image of Angola as a land of vast extractive opportunities, available only to those who could gain access through crucial personal connections. Highly aware of the opacity and potential deceptiveness of their “friends,” in part because they engaged in dissimulative practices themselves, Chinese businesspeople evaluated Angolan partners less in terms of sincerity than efficacy. Amid a general atmosphere of mistrust, “reliability” emerged as a necessary quality for constructing relationships of mutual benefit and exploitation. [friendship, mistrust, business, globalization, China–Angola relations]
How can Never Event data be used to reflect or improve hospital safety performance?
Authors: Olivarius‐McAllister J. , Pandit M. , Sykes A. , Pandit J. J.
Published: May 2021

The absolute number of Never Events is used by UK regulators to help assess hospital safety performance, without account of hospital workload. We applied funnel plots, as an established means of taking workload into account, to published Never Event data for 151 acute Trusts in NHS England, matched to finished consultant episodes for 3 years, 2017–2020. Trusts with excess event rates should have the most Never Events if absolute number is a valid way to judge performance. The absolute number of Never Events was correlated with workload (r2 = 0.51, p < 0.001), but the five Trusts above the upper 95% confidence limit did not have the highest number of Never Events. However, a limitation to interpretation was that the data were skewed; 12 out of 151 Trusts lay below the lower 95% limit. This skew probably arises because funnel plots pool all Never Events and workload data; whereas, ideally, different Never Events should use as denominator only the relevant workload actions that could cause them. We conclude that the manner in which Never Event data are currently used by regulators, in part to judge or rate hospitals, is mathematically invalid. The focus should shift from identifying ‘outlier’ hospitals to reducing the overall national mean Never Event rate through shared learning and an integrated system‐wide approach.
The COVID‐19 pandemic: key considerations for the epidemic and its control
Authors: Ørskov Søren , Nielsen Bjarke Frost , Føns Sofie , Sneppen Kim , Simonsen Lone
Published: May 2021

The response to the ongoing COVID‐19 pandemic has been characterized by draconian measures and far too many important unknowns, such as the true mortality risk, the role of children as transmitters and the development and duration of immunity in the population. More than a year into the pandemic much has been learned and insights into this novel type of pandemic and options for control are shaping up. Using a historical lens, we review what we know and still do not know about the ongoing COVID‐19 pandemic. A pandemic caused by a member of the coronavirus family is a new situation following more than a century of influenza A pandemics. However, recent pandemic threats such as outbreaks of the related and novel deadly coronavirus SARS in 2003 and of MERS since 2012 had put coronaviruses on WHOs blueprint list of priority diseases. Like pandemic influenza, SARS‐CoV‐2 is highly transmissible (R0 ~ 2.5). Furthermore, it can fly under the radar due to a broad clinical spectrum where asymptomatic and pre‐symptomatic infected persons also transmit the virus—including children. COVID‐19 is far more deadly than seasonal influenza; initial data from China suggested a case fatality rate of 2.3%—which would have been on par with the deadly 1918 Spanish influenza. But, while the Spanish influenza killed young, otherwise healthy adults, it is the elderly who are at extreme risk of dying of COVID‐19. We review available seroepidemiological evidence of infection rates and compute infection fatality rates (IFR) for Denmark (0.5%), Spain (0.85%), and Iceland (0.3%). We also deduce that population age structure is key. SARS‐CoV‐2 is characterized by superspreading, so that ~10% of infected individuals yield 80% of new infections. This phenomenon turns out to be an Achilles heel of the virus that may explain our ability to effectively mitigate outbreaks so far. How will this pandemic come to an end? Herd immunity has not been achieved in Europe due to intense mitigation by non‐pharmaceutical interventions; for example, only ~8% of Danes were infected across the 1st and 2nd wave. Luckily, we now have several safe and effective vaccines. Global vaccine control of the pandemic depends in great measure on our ability to keep up with current and future immune escape variants of the virus. We should thus be prepared for a race between vaccine updates and mutations of the virus. A permanent reopening of society highly depends on winning that race.
Phase 1 clinical trial of losmapimod in facioscapulohumeral dystrophy: Safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and target engagement
Authors: Mellion Michelle L. , Ronco Lucienne , Berends Cecile L. , Pagan Lisa , Brooks Sander , van Esdonk Michiel J. , van Brummelen Emilie M. J. , Odueyungbo Adefowope , Thompson Lorin A. , Hage Michelle , Badrising Umesh A. , Raines Shane , Tracewell William G. , van Engelen Baziel , Cadavid Diego , Groeneveld Geert J.
Published: May 2021

Aims

Evaluate safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics (PK) and target engagement (TE) of losmapimod in blood and muscle in facioscapulohumeral dystrophy (FSHD).

Methods

This study included Part A: 10 healthy volunteers randomized to single oral doses of losmapimod (7.5 mg then 15 mg; n = 8) or placebo (both periods; n = 2); Part B: 15 FSHD subjects randomized to placebo (n = 3), or losmapimod 7.5 mg (n = 6) or 15 mg (n = 6); and Part C: FSHD subjects received open‐label losmapimod 15 mg (n = 5) twice daily for 14 days. Biopsies were performed in FSHD subjects at baseline and Day 14 in magnetic resonance imaging‐normal appearing (Part B) and affected muscle identified by abnormal short‐tau inversion recovery sequence + (Part C). PK and TE, based on pHSP27:total HSP27, were assessed in muscle and sorbitol‐stimulated blood.

Results

PK profiles were similar between healthy volunteers and FSHD subjects, with mean Cmax and AUC0–12 for 15 mg in FSHD subjects (Part B) of 85.0 ± 16.7 ng*h/mL and 410 ± 50.3 ng*h/mL, respectively. Part B and Part C PK results were similar, and 7.5 mg results were approximately dose proportional to 15 mg results. Dose‐dependent concentrations in muscle (42.1 ± 10.5 ng/g [7.5 mg] to 97.2 ± 22.4 ng/g [15 mg]) were observed, with plasma‐to‐muscle ratio from ~0.67 to ~1 at estimated tmax of 3.5 hours postdose. TE was observed in blood and muscle. Adverse events (AEs) were mild and self‐limited.

Conclusion

Losmapimod was well tolerated, with no serious AEs. Dose‐dependent PK and TE were observed. This study supports advancing losmapimod into Phase 2 trials in FSHD.

Clinical Trial Registration

Clinical trial identifier ToetsingOnline: NL68539.056.18 Nederlands Trials Register NL8000.
Emergency education effects on teacher abilities and motivation to use digital technologies
Authors: Beardsley Marc , Albó Laia , Aragón Pablo , Hernández‐Leo Davinia
Published: May 2021

To identify factors that can contribute toward supporting educator adoption of digital technologies beyond the emergency remote teaching response to COVID‐19, we investigated how teachers’ motivation and abilities related to the use of digital technologies for teaching changed since the onset of the pandemic. Two surveys and interviews were conducted with school teachers in Spain. The first survey was completed at the onset of the COVID‐19 lockdown, the second survey and interviews in the weeks leading up to the school year that followed. Survey questions were from SELFIE and the Work Tasks Motivation Scale for Teachers. Moreover we analysed the type of advice teachers sought on Twitter during the lockdown and post‐lockdown periods. Results indicate that teachers believe their proficiency in using digital technologies for teaching has improved. Teacher confidence in using technology for preparing lessons, class teaching, assessing and providing feedback, and for communicating with students and families has increased along with teacher motivation to improve their digital skills and use digital technologies for teaching. Teacher advice seeking on Twitter seemed to shift from serving immediate instructional needs to focussing on professional development and the creation of their own digital content.

Practitioner notes

What is already known about this topic

There is a need to enhance educator digital skills and competences for a digital transformation of education.

The emergency remote teaching response to COVID‐19 made educators increase their usage of technology.

What this paper adds

Teachers’ motivation and abilities related to the use of digital technologies for teaching have changed since the onset of the pandemic.

Teachers believe their proficiency in using digital technologies for teaching has improved.

Teacher confidence in using technology for preparing lessons, class teaching, assessing and providing feedback, and communication has increased.

Teacher motivation to use digital technologies in their teaching practice increased during the pandemic.

Teacher advice seeking on Twitter shifted from serving immediate instructional needs to focusing on professional development and the creation of their own digital content.

Implications for practice and/or policy

COVID‐19 has rapidly advanced teacher digital skills and has altered their relationships with digital technologies for teaching and learning.

Teachers have acquired a range of new experiences related to using digital technologies for teaching from which future initiatives can build upon.
The current role of interferon in hairy cell leukaemia: clinical and molecular aspects
Authors: Assanto Giovanni M. , Riemma Costantino , Malaspina Francesco , Perrone Salvatore , De Luca Maria L. , Pucciarini Alessandra , Annechini Giorgia , D'Elia Gianna M. , Martelli Maurizio , Foà Robin , Tiacci Enrico , Pulsoni Alessandro
Published: May 2021

We investigated the current role of interferon‐alpha (IFNα) in hairy cell leukaemia (HCL) in a retrospective analysis of patients with HCL. A cohort of 74 patients with HCL was divided in to three groups: (A) patients aged >65 years with first‐line treatment; (B) patients with comorbidities with first‐line treatment; (C) patients who were purine analogues resistant. In total, 94% achieved a response, with a complete response rate of 24%. After a median (range) follow‐up of 60 (7–236) months, 55 patients (78%) are still responding. The 5‐year progression‐free survival was 95%, 68%, and 96% in groups A, B and C respectively. A proportion of patients were monitored through their B‐Raf proto‐oncogene, serine/threonine kinase (BRAF)‐V600E status. IFNα remains a possible option in select patients with HCL, where minimal residual disease negativity is achievable.
Cellular metabolism and diseases
Authors: Maiuri Maria Chiara , Maffia Pasquale
Published: May 2021

LINKED ARTICLES

This article is part of a themed issue on Cellular metabolism and diseases. To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v178.10/issuetoc
Gut microbiota contributes to the development of hypertension in a genetic mouse model of systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: de la Visitación Néstor , Robles‐Vera Iñaki , Toral Marta , Gómez‐Guzmán Manuel , Sánchez Manuel , Moleón Javier , González‐Correa Cristina , Martín‐Morales Natividad , O'Valle Francisco , Jiménez Rosario , Romero Miguel , Duarte Juan
Published: May 2021

Background and Purpose

Hypertension is an important cardiovascular risk factor that is prevalent in the systemic lupus erythematosus patient population. Here, we have investigated whether intestinal microbiota is involved in hypertension in a genetic mouse model of systemic lupus erythematosus.

Experimental Approach

Twenty‐six‐week‐old female NZW/LacJ (control) and NZBWF1 (F1 hybrid of New Zealand Black and New Zealand White strains; systemic lupus erythematosus) mice were treated for 6 weeks with a broad‐spectrum antibiotic mixture or with vancomycin. Faecal microbiota transplantation was performed from donor systemic lupus erythematosus group to recipient to germ‐depleted or germ‐free mice.

Key Results

Antibiotic treatment inhibited the development of hypertension and renal injury, improved endothelial dysfunction and vascular oxidative stress, and decreased aortic Th17 infiltration in NZBWF1 mice. High BP and vascular complications found in systemic lupus erythematosus mice, but not autoimmunity, kidney inflammation and endotoxemia, were reproduced by the transfer of gut microbiota from systemic lupus erythematosus donors to germ‐free or germ‐depleted mice. Increased proportions of Bacteroides were linked with high BP in these mice. The reduced endothelium‐dependent vasodilator responses to acetylcholine and the high BP induced by microbiota from hypertensive systemic lupus erythematosus mice were inhibited after IL‐17 neutralization.

Conclusion and Implications

Changes in T‐cell populations, endothelial function, vascular inflammation and hypertension driven by a genetic systemic lupus erythematosus background can be modified by antibiotic‐induced changes in gut microbiota. The vascular changes induced by hypertensive systemic lupus erythematosus microbiota were mediated by Th17 infiltration in the vasculature.
Blocking glutamate mGlu5 receptors with the negative allosteric modulator CTEP improves disease course in SOD1G93A mouse model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Authors: Milanese Marco , Bonifacino Tiziana , Torazza Carola , Provenzano Francesca , Kumar Mandeep , Ravera Silvia , Zerbo Arianna Roberta , Frumento Giulia , Balbi Matilde , Nguyen T. P. Nhung , Bertola Nadia , Ferrando Sara , Viale Maurizio , Profumo Aldo , Bonanno Giambattista
Published: May 2021

Background and Purpose

The pathogenesis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is not fully clarified, although excessive glutamate (Glu) transmission and the downstream cytotoxic cascades are major mechanisms for motor neuron death. Two metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGlu1 and mGlu5) are overexpressed in ALS and regulate cellular disease processes. Expression and function of mGlu5 receptors are altered at early symptomatic stages in the SOD1G93A mouse model of ALS and knockdown of mGlu5 receptors in SOD1G93A mice improved disease progression.

Experimental Approach

We treated male and female SOD1G93A mice with 2‐chloro‐4‐((2,5‐dimethyl‐1‐(4‐(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)‐1H‐imidazol‐4‐yl)ethynyl)pyridine (CTEP), an orally available mGlu5 receptor negative allosteric modulator (NAM), using doses of 2 mg·kg−1 per 48 h or 4 mg·kg−1 per 24 h from Day 90, an early symptomatic disease stage. Disease progression was studied by behavioural and histological approaches.

Key Results

CTEP dose‐dependently ameliorated clinical features in SOD1G93A mice. The lower dose increased survival and improved motor skills in female mice, with barely positive effects in male mice. Higher doses significantly ameliorated disease symptoms and survival in both males and females, females being more responsive. CTEP also reduced motor neuron death, astrocyte and microglia activation, and abnormal glutamate release in the spinal cord, with equal effects in male and female mice. No differences were also observed in CTEP access to the brain.

Conclusion and Implications

Our results suggest that mGlu5 receptors are promising targets for the treatment of ALS and highlight mGlu5 receptor NAMs as effective pharmacological tools with translational potential.