bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Confidence levels of exercise physiology and dietetic students’ pre- and post-practicum within mental health facilities
Authors: Griffen Kelsey , Lederman Oscar , Morell Rachel , Fibbins Hamish , Curtis Jackie , Ward Philip , Teasdale Scott
Published: August 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to examine student exercise physiologists (EPs) and student dietitians’ confidence regarding working with people with severe mental illness (SMI) pre- and post-practicum in a mental health service.

Design/methodology/approach

This single-arm, quality improvement project included students completing practicum within a lifestyle programme embedded in mental health services. Student EPs completed 100 h of practicum across 15 weeks as part requirement for their Bachelor of Exercise Physiology degree and student dietitians completed six weeks full-time (40 h/week) for the part requirement of their Master of Nutrition and Dietetics. Students completed the Dietetic Confidence Scale (terminology was adapted for student EPs) pre- and post-practicum.

Findings

In total, 27 student EPs and 13 student dietitians completed placement and returned pre- and post-practicum questionnaires. Pre-practicum confidence scores were 90.8 ± 17.1 and 86.9 ± 18.9 out of a possible 140 points for student EPs and student dietitians, respectively. Confidence scores increased substantially post-practicum for both student EPs [mean difference (MD) = 29.3 ± 18.8, p < 0.001, d = 1.56] and dietitian students (MD = 26.1 ± 15.9, p = 0.002, d = 1.64). There were significant improvements in confidence across all domains of the confidence questionnaire for both EPs and dietitian students.

Originality/value

There is a research gap in understanding the confidence levels of student EPs’ and student dietitians’ when working with people with mental illness and the impact that undertaking a practicum in a mental health setting may play. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to explore student EP and student dietitian confidence in working with people with SMI pre- and post-practicum in a mental health setting.
Is it reasonable to use high-strength concrete columns under fire conditions?
Authors: Bahr Oliver
Published: August 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to answer two questions. First, are there any differences in the fire performance of columns made of normal and of high-strength concrete? Second, under which circumstances does the fire design govern the cross-sectional dimensions of concrete columns? Is it feasible to replace columns out of normal strength concrete by more slender high-strength concrete columns?

Design/methodology/approach

The author conducted numerical studies using the finite element code “Infocad” of the German company “Infograph”. The studies included the effect of different parameters on the fire performance of columns out of normal and high-strength concrete, i.e. the load ratio and eccentricity, boundary conditions and times of fire exposure.

Findings

Results from the numerical investigations showed that high-strength concrete columns suffer much more from heating than normal strength concrete columns. This is the outcome of the unfavourable mechanical properties of high-strength concrete at elevated temperatures. Although the relative fire performance of columns out of high-strength concrete is worse than that of columns out of normal strength concrete, initial load reserves are beneficial to achieve even high fire ratings.

Originality/value

Many researchers addressed in experimental and numerical studies the fire performance of columns out of normal and high-strength concrete. A special emphasis was often laid on the spalling of fire-exposed high-strength concrete. However, there are no systematic investigations when the fire design governs the cross-sectional dimensions of high-strength concrete columns. Based on a previous comparison of the relative fire performance of columns out of normal and high-strength concrete, this paper, hence, addresses the question whether there is a reasonable lower limit for the use of these columns. This is an important aspect for designers since there is a tendency to replace columns out of normal strength concrete by columns out of high-strength concrete. Higher concrete strengths allow for smaller cross sections of the columns, and designers may, hence, increase the usable space of buildings.
Onboarding new hires: recognising mutual learning opportunities
Authors: Jeske Debora , Olson Deborah
Published: August 2021

Purpose

The onboarding stage of new hires represents a unique opportunity for mutual learning between the new hires and the organisation regardless of the company size. The current paper aims to address these learning opportunities.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors reflect on current practice, draw on recent literature and their experience with recruitment and selection processes in the industry to generate new insights and identify opportunities for practitioners and new hires alike.

Findings

Today's new hires expect onboarding experiences that allow for a much greater degree of flexibility, customisation and personalisation. Similarly, many new hires expect hiring, onboarding, and learning and development to be interconnected to generate new learning and career opportunities. However, these expectations require changes in the way in which onboarding is implemented, evaluated and connected to other human resource practices, specifically with the dramatic (and successful) increase in remote work arrangements in 2020 in response to the global impact of the pandemic.

Originality/value

The current paper provides readers with an overview of potential learning opportunities, outlines specific success factors and highlights a variety of pointers for practice and further professional development.
Entrepreneurial ecosystems and local economy sustainability: institutional actors' views on neo-rural entrepreneurship in low-density Portuguese territories
Authors: Dal Bello Ubyrajara , Marques Carla Susana , Sacramento Octávio , Galvão Anderson Rei
Published: August 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study the role of neo-rural entrepreneurs in developing the entrepreneurial ecosystem and in the sustainability of the local economy, especially in low-density territories.

Design/methodology/approach

The entrepreneurial ecosystem theory, human capital theory, network theory, and the triple helix model are the theoretical underpinnings of this study. The study has a qualitative, multiple-case methodological approach using semi-structured interviews. The collected reports were submitted for content analysis with the help of the computer application for qualitative data analysis NVivo, version 11.0.

Findings

As main results, the following were found: the conviction that entrepreneurship is a vector of territorial development, the existence of elements of attractiveness to entrepreneurial activity in each territory of the study, the existence of obstacles to entrepreneurship, but also a set of institutional support coming from municipalities and polytechnic institutes and, finally, the type of entrepreneurship therefrom preponderant of necessity.

Originality/value

The study contributes to the extent that it completes gaps in the literature by focussing its analysis on a specific type of entrepreneurship: neo-rural and micro-sized entrepreneurship. It also offers contributions to local government to think of mechanisms that can attract more neo-rural entrepreneurs.
Enhancing learning opportunities in higher education: best practices that reflect on the themes of the national student survey, UK
Authors: Gomis Kasun , Saini Mandeep , Pathirage Chaminda , Arif Mohammed
Published: August 2021

Purpose

This study aims to assess “learning opportunities” provided to undergraduate students, from level three to six, in higher education (HE). A knowledge gap was identified within the current practice relating to learning opportunities for built environment (BE) students in HE. The study focussed on the themes under section two of the national student survey (NSS): how students explore ideas or concepts in-depth, bring information and ideas together from different topics and apply the learned content in a real-life context. The study aimed to provide recommendations for enhancing “learning opportunities” to the BE students within HE.

Design/methodology/approach

Data collection focussed on section two of NSS “learning opportunities” and documentary analysis, and a qualitative survey were adopted for this study. A documental analysis of 334 mid-module reviews was carried out. The qualitative data was collected from level three to level six students and academics from architecture, construction management, civil engineering and quantity surveying disciplines representing BE context. A sample of 40 students and 15 academics, including a Head of school, a Principal lecturer, Subject leads and lecturers, participated in interviews as part of a qualitative survey. In total, 12 drivers were developed using the data obtained through literature, documental analysis and interviews. These drivers were analysed using manual content analysis to identify their influence on the specified themes under NSS section two and circulated amongst academics to be ranked by identifying its influence to promote learning opportunities to BE students in HE.

Findings

This study highlighted 12 drivers which promote learning opportunities in HE within BE curriculum. Findings established that topics should be explained with more real-life or industry-orientated concepts such as simplification integrated into module delivery. Contrary to the literature, the use of physical materials (i.e. handouts and whiteboard) in addition to a virtual learning environment for detailed explanations were considered effective in exploring concepts. During the current COVID-19 pandemic, context-based learning needs to be promoted by integrating videos of practical implementation for better understanding. The study recognised that lab, fieldwork and tutorials were essential to apply what students have learned in BE curricula to a real-life context.

Originality/value

This study identified current learning approaches and provided recommendations to improve the BE students learning experience in HE. They identified 12 drivers that would significantly help academics and academic institutions to understand how learning opportunities should be facilitated in the BE curriculum to enhance student performances in HE.
Rapid, centralised decision-making in a higher education emergency
Authors: Freeman Brigid , Leihy Peodair , Teo Ian , Kim Dong Kwang
Published: August 2021

Purpose

This study aims to explain the primacy that rapid, centralised decision-making gained in higher education institutions during the COVID-19 pandemic, with a particular focus on Australian universities.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper draws on discussions regarding policy problems of an international, purpose-convened on-line policy network involving over 100 registrations from multiple countries. It analyses emerging institutional policy governance texts and documents shared between network participants, applies policy science literature regarding traditional institutional policy-making routines and rapid decision-making, and references media reportage from 2020. The paper traces how higher education institutions rapidly adjusted to pandemic conditions and largely on-line operations.

Findings

The study finds that higher education institutions responded to the COVID-19 crisis by operationalising emergency management plans and introducing rapid, centralised decision-making to transition to remote modes of operation, learning and research under state-imposed emergency conditions. It highlights the need to ensure robust governance models recognising the ascendance of emergency decision-making and small-p policies in such circumstances, notwithstanding longstanding traditions of extended collegial policy-making routines for big-P (institutional) Policy. The pandemic highlighted practice and policy problems subject to rapid reform and forced institutions to clarify the relationship between emergency planning and decision-making, quality and institutional policy.

Practical implications

In covering a range of institutional responses, the study advances the possibility of institutions planning better for unexpected, punctuated policy shifts during an emergency through the incorporation of rapid decision-making in traditionally collegial environments. At the same time, the paper cautions against the normalisation of such processes. The study also highlights key practices and policies that require urgent reconsideration in an emergency. The study is designed as a self-contained and freestanding narrative to inform responses to future emergencies by roundly addressing the particularities of the 2020 phase of the COVID-19 pandemic as it affected higher education.

Originality/value

There is only limited research on policy-making in higher education institutions. This research offers an original contribution on institutional policy-making during a prolonged emergency that deeply changed higher education institution’s governance, operations and outlook. Particularly significant is the synthesis of experiences from a wide range of sector personnel, documenting punctuated policy shifts in policy governance (meta-policy), institutional policy-making routines and quality assurance actions under great pressure. This paper is substantially developed from a paper given at the Association for Tertiary Education Management Institutional Policy Seminar, 26th October 2020.
Analyzing governance challenges using Process Net-Map: a case study of a government microcredit scheme in Bangladesh
Authors: Parvin Mst Tania , Birner Regina
Published: August 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the governance challenges confronted by a government microcredit program in Bangladesh following a case study approach.

Design/methodology/approach

A novel qualitative research tool called process net-map (PNM) was applied to develop a framework for visual understanding of the exact credit implementation process and to identify the actors responsible for creating governance challenges. Key informant interviews were also conducted to identify and distinguish the challenges faced by both the supply-side and demand-side stakeholders.

Findings

The findings reveal that the studied case faced problems in allocating adequate resources to human and physical capacity development. It was combined with the shortage of funds that made it impossible to meet the clients’ expectations. The lack of legal and regulatory framework disabled the organization from controlling political influence and corruption in the system. Moreover, the policy of lending only to groups proved counterproductive as it led to the exclusion of potentially viable borrowers.

Practical implications

The key recommendation of the study is on increasing the microcredit fund and a reform of the group lending policy along with several other recommendations.

Originality/value

The PNM is a newly developed participatory mapping technique that has not been applied in the field of microfinance. Therefore, the use of this method may add new knowledge of conducting an in-depth analysis of why such challenges are associated with mostly public microfinance programs and how they are linked to the implementation process. The challenges encountered are relevant for the implementation of developmental programs that are dependent on the allocation of public funds.
Change in the uses pattern of digital banking services by Indian rural MSMEs during demonetization and Covid-19 pandemic-related restrictions
Authors: Ahmed Shafique , Sur Samiran
Published: August 2021

Purpose

In the ever fast-changing modern world, through the use of digital banking services (DBS), the old concept of banking in a traditional way has been completely changed. It was made possible through the use of modern artificial intelligence embedded technologies. It was done to meet the ever-growing demands of customers through more user-friendly and time-saving uses of technologies. This paper aims to uncover and analyse the factors affecting the adoption of digital banking services by rural micro small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). MSME is one of the most active sectors in India. It plays an important role in the economic development of the country through exports and domestic supplies and by creating employment opportunities.

Design/methodology/approach

The study was conducted using a questionnaire survey. In total, 148 rural MSME owners were considered for the analysis in this study. Rural MSMEs in India are way behind in using digital banking services than their urban counterparts. The present study uses IBM SPSS and AMOS to shed light on the prevalent factors that influence the attitude to use digital banking services.

Findings

It is found out that convenience (which includes perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use), perceived self-efficacy, demonetization, performance expectancy and pandemic effect have a significant effect on the attitude to adopt DBS. The findings of the study will provide deeper insights for the banks as well as different government agencies to revamp their strategies in changing the financial landscape of the country through a “cashless economy”.

Practical implications

Demonetization, a boom in eCommerce in India, pandemic-related lockdowns or restrictions and the government’s push for the digital economy will aid the use of DBS at a faster pace. The outcome of the study will help both the government and the financial institutions to chalk out strategies to cater to the rural MSMEs in embracing DBS.

Originality/value

The use of digital services for banking in India is in a nascent stage, but the rate of adoption is increasing at a cyclonic speed. Affordable electronic devices, cheap internet and different medium of using DBS are fuelling the rapid increase; yet, limited research focuses on the differences in the rate of acceptance of digital banking services concerning rural MSMEs.
Thermal flight performance reveals impact of warming on bumblebee foraging potential
Authors: Kenna Daniel , Pawar Samraat , Gill Richard J.
Published: August 2021

The effects of environmental temperature on components of insect flight determine life‐history traits, fitness, adaptability and, ultimately, organism ecosystem functional roles. Despite the crucial role of flying insects across landscapes, our understanding of how temperature affects insect flight performance remains limited.

Many insect pollinators are considered under threat from climatic warming. Quantifying the relationship between temperature and behavioural performance traits allows us to understand where species are operating in respect to their thermal limits, helping predict responses to projected temperature increases and/or erratic weather events.

Using a tethered flight mill, we quantify how flight performance of a widespread bumblebee, Bombus terrestris, varies over a temperature range (12–30℃). Given that body mass constrains insect mobility and behaviour, bumblebees represent a useful system to study temperature‐mediated size dependence of flight performance owing to the large intra‐colony variation in worker body size they exhibit.

Workers struggled to fly over a few hundred metres at the lowest tested temperature of 12℃; however, flight endurance increased as temperatures rose, peaking around 25℃ after which it declined. Our findings further revealed variation in flight capacity across the workforce, with larger workers flying further, longer, and faster than their smaller nestmates. Body mass was also positively related with the likelihood of flight, although importantly this relationship became stronger as temperatures cooled, such that at 12℃ only the largest workers were successful fliers. Our study thus highlights that colony foraging success under variable thermal environments can be dependent on the body mass distribution of constituent workers, and more broadly suggests smaller‐bodied insects may benefit disproportionately more from warming than larger‐bodied ones in terms of flight performance.

By incorporating both flight endurance and likelihood of flight, we calculated a simple metric termed ‘temperature‐mediated foraging potential’ to gain a clearer understanding of how temperature may constrain colony foraging. Of our tested temperatures, 27℃ supported the highest potential, indicating that for much of the range of this species, higher mean daily temperatures as forecasted under climate warming will push colonies closer to their thermal optimum for flight. Subsequently, warming may have positive implications for bumblebee foraging returns and pollination provision.

A free Plain Language Summary can be found within the Supporting Information of this article.
Quercetin promotes locomotor function recovery and axonal regeneration through induction of autophagy after spinal cord injury
Authors: Wang Yeyang , Xiong Man , Wang Mingsen , Chen Hongdong , Li Wenjun , Zhou Xiaozhong
Published: August 2021

Quercetin (Que), one of the flavonoids, exerts numerous actions on the central nervous system. However, the roles and underlying mechanism of Que in locomotor function recovery and axonal regeneration following spinal cord injury (SCI) have not been fully elucidated. A rat model of spinal cord injury (SCI) was established at T10 using the modified Allen's method. The results in our study indicated that Basso, Beattie and Bresnahan (BBB) locomotor scores were significantly higher after Que treatment. Additionally, Que administration cut down the latency of somatosensory evoked potentials (SEP) and motor evoked potentials (MEP), increased the amplitude of MEP and SEP following SCI. Hematoxylin‐eosin (HE) staining demonstrated that Que administration reduced lesion size and cavity formation. Biotinylated dextran amine (BDA) anterograde tracing revealed that BDA positive fibres were increased by Que following SCI. Immunofluorescence staining revealed that Que elevated 5‐hydroxytryptamine (5‐HT) positive nerve fibres and neurofilament‐200 (NF‐200) positive neurons, reduced glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) positive astrocytes. In addition, Que inhibited GFAP expression, increased both NeuN and NF‐200 expression and facilitated the spinal cord energy metabolism. Moreover, Que increased 18F‐FDG uptake in a time‐dependent manner. Furthermore, Que increased Beclin 1 and LC3 II expression, blocked the phosphorylation of Akt, mTOR and p70S6K. 3‐methyladenine (3‐MA) partly abolished the neuro‐protective roles of Que following SCI. Taken together, our study suggested that Que might promote locomotor function recovery, axonal regeneration and energy metabolism through induction of autophagy via Akt/mTOR/p70S6K pathway.
Fiscal response to the COVID‐19 crisis in advanced and emerging market economies†
Authors: Alberola Enrique , Arslan Yavuz , Cheng Gong , Moessner Richhild
Published: August 2021

The fiscal policy response to the COVID‐19 crisis was swift and strong, in tandem with monetary policy. Advanced economies (AEs) deployed a much larger fiscal response than emerging market economies (EMEs) throughout the pandemic. This study focuses on the drivers of this divergent fiscal response in the first months of the pandemic. Apart from the fact that EMEs entered the crisis later than AEs, narrower fiscal policy space in EMEs, further reduced by the tightening of their financing conditions in the early stages of the pandemic, constrained their fiscal response. The size and composition of the fiscal response also depended on some structural factors, such as the level of income, the strength of the social safety nets and automatic stabilisers.
Genome‐wide identification and comparative analysis of Cry toxin receptor families in 7 insect species with a focus on Spodoptera litura
Authors: Li Qilin , Li Mengge , Zhu Mengyao , Zhong Jielai , Wen Liang , Zhang Jie , Zhang Ruonan , Gao Qiang , Yu Xiao‐Qiang , Lu Yuzhen
Published: August 2021

Cadherin, aminopeptidase N (APN) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) have been characterized as Cry receptors. In this study, comparative genomic analysis of the 3 receptor families was performed in 7 insects. ALPs and APNs are divided into three and eight clades in phylogenetic trees, respectively. ALPs in clade 3 and APNs in clade 1 contain multiple paralogs within each species and most paralogs are located closely in chromosomes. Drosophila melanogaster has expanded APNs in clade 5 and were lowly expressed in midgut. Cadherins are divided into 16 clades; they may diverge before holometabolous insect speciation except for BtR and Cad89D‐like clades. Eight insects from different orders containing BtR orthologs are sensitive to Cry1A or Cry3A, while five species without BtR are insensitive to both toxins. Most APNs in clade 1, several ALPs in clade 3, BtR and Cad89D‐like genes were highly or moderately expressed in larval midgut of Spodoptera litura and the other six species, and several members in these clades have been identified as Cry receptors. Expressions of putative S. litura Cry receptors in the midgut after exposing to Bt toxins were also analyzed.
Simple rules for sensemaking praxis: How HR can contribute to strategic change by developing sensemaking capability in organisations
Authors: Kieran Sarah , MacMahon Juliet , MacCurtain Sarah
Published: August 2021

This paper explores how sensemaking theory offers a new perspective on HR's role during strategic change. As change in organisations today is less of a programme and more of a continuous cycle of business transformation, there has been a shift in focus to its underpinning, cognitive process of sensemaking. However, HR's role in developing sensemaking praxis in organisations is not widely researched to date. This paper addresses that gap. We draw on Eisenhardt and Sull's ‘simple rules’ whereby complex strategy praxis is reduced to a highly translatable, small number of key rules (2001). Through a diary study of middle managers engaging in strategic change, we investigate their real‐time, lived sensemaking praxis. We conclude that HR have a significant contribution to play in developing an organisation's sensemaking praxis through four Simple Rules of Sensemaking: (1) plan creative discourse opportunities, (2) ensure leader‐middle manager parity, (3) mutually direct sensemaking through ongoing re‐planning and re‐prioritisation, and (4) ensure leadership effort continues beyond the initiation of strategic change.
Occupational commitment of women working in SET: The impact of coping self‐efficacy and mentoring
Authors: Blaique Lama , Pinnington Ashly H.
Published: August 2021

The under‐representation of women employed in Science, Engineering and Technology (SET) industries is a long‐term problem for human resource management. We report the results of a qualitative research study designed to investigate the factors that positively influence women's retention and occupational commitment within the MENA region. The data are based on 40 semi‐structured interviews of women employed in SET occupations. The results reveal that self‐directed attitudes (coping self‐efficacy, protean attitude and professional identity) and contextual support (mentoring and the quality of the mentoring relationship) positively influence women's occupational commitment in jobs in SET. Our contributions to academic research on HRM and HRD include the important role that the psychological functions of mentoring play in OCC. In terms of the contribution to practice, we propose that professional HRM institutes and associations could contribute by launching campaigns to promote greater organisational awareness of the potential of mentoring for retaining women in SET.
Coalescence times, life history traits and conservation concerns: An example from four coastal shark species from the Indo‐Pacific
Authors: Lesturgie Pierre , Planes Serge , Mona Stefano
Published: August 2021

Dispersal abilities play a crucial role in shaping the extent of population genetic structure, with more mobile species being panmictic over large geographical ranges and less mobile ones organized in metapopulations exchanging migrants to different degrees. In turn, population structure directly influences the coalescence pattern of the sampled lineages, but the consequences on the estimated variation of the effective population size (Ne) over time obtained by means of unstructured demographic models remain poorly understood. However, this knowledge is crucial for biologically interpreting the observed Ne trajectory and further devising conservation strategies in endangered species. Here we investigated the demographic history of four shark species (Carharhinus melanopterus, Carharhinus limbatus, Carharhinus amblyrhynchos, Galeocerdo cuvier) with different degrees of endangered status and life history traits related to dispersal distributed in the Indo‐Pacific and sampled off New Caledonia. We compared several evolutionary scenarios representing both structured (metapopulation) and unstructured models and then inferred the Ne variation through time. By performing extensive coalescent simulations, we provided a general framework relating the underlying population structure and the observed Ne dynamics. On this basis, we concluded that the recent decline observed in three out of the four considered species when assuming unstructured demographic models can be explained by the presence of population structure. Furthermore, we also demonstrated the limits of the inferences based on the sole site frequency spectrum and warn that statistics based on linkage disequilibrium will be needed to exclude recent demographic events affecting meta‐populations.
The ecological costs and benefits of a feral cat poison‐baiting programme for protection of reintroduced populations of the western quoll and brushtail possum
Authors: Moseby Katherine , Hodgens Patrick , Bannister Hannah , Mooney Patricia , Brandle Robert , Lynch Catherine , Young Catherine , Jansen Jeroen , Jensen Melissa
Published: August 2021

Conservation practitioners implement management interventions for the protection of threatened species, but the benefits are rarely measured. We investigated the efficacy of aerial poison baiting for feral cats, a species identified as a threat to reintroduced populations of two Australian mammals. We measured individual survival, short‐term changes in activity and longer term population trajectories in cats and reintroduced western quolls and brushtail possums before and after annual baiting events. Between 87% and 100% of radiocollared feral cats that remained in the baited area died from poisoning in 2017, 2018 and 2019. Camera detection rates significantly declined after each event (40–77%), and the proportion of cameras occupied remained lower after baiting commenced (20–60% before vs. <20% after). Cat decline on cameras was significantly higher in areas with low rabbit abundance, suggesting controlling alternative prey would improve baiting success. Importantly, none of 37 radiocollared quolls died from poisoning despite pre‐baiting trials determining that they were the most common species removing baits (26%). We detected no negative impact of baiting on the quoll and possum populations but could not demonstrate a significant net benefit. Trapping data suggested no change in annual quoll survival after baiting despite a slight increase in survival of radiocollared quolls. Quoll detection rates on camera did not significantly decline after each baiting event. A decline in the last two years of monitoring was possibly due to drought conditions. Approximately 10% of radiocollared possums died from poisoning after the first baiting event, but trapping and camera detections suggested a stable or increasing population. Poison baiting successfully reduced cat abundance, and there was no measurable negative effect on populations of reintroduced species. Long‐term monitoring through a range of seasonal conditions is required to determine the net benefit of predator control for reintroduced populations where paired impact and control sites are impractical.
Genome‐wide interaction study reveals epistatic interactions for beef lipid‐related traits in Nellore cattle
Authors: Amorim S. T. , Stafuzza N. B. , Kluska S. , Peripolli E. , Pereira A. S. C. , Muller da Silveira L. F. , de Albuquerque L. G. , Baldi F.
Published: August 2021

Gene–gene interactions cause hidden genetic variation in natural populations and could be responsible for the lack of replication that is typically observed in complex traits studies. This study aimed to identify gene–gene interactions using the empirical Hilbert–Schmidt Independence Criterion method to test for epistasis in beef fatty acid profile traits of Nellore cattle. The dataset contained records from 963 bulls, genotyped using a 777 962k SNP chip. Meat samples of Longissimus muscle, were taken to measure fatty acid composition, which was quantified by gas chromatography. We chose to work with the sums of saturated (SFA), monounsaturated (MUFA), polyunsaturated (PUFA), omega‐3 (OM3), omega‐6 (OM6), SFA:PUFA and OM3:OM6 fatty acid ratios. The SNPs in the interactions where were mapped individually and used to search for candidate genes. Totals of 602, 3, 13, 23, 13, 215 and 169 candidate genes for SFAs, MUFAs, PUFAs, OM3s, OM6s and SFA:PUFA and OM3:OM6 ratios were identified respectively. The candidate genes found were associated with cholesterol, lipid regulation, low‐density lipoprotein receptors, feed efficiency and inflammatory response. Enrichment analysis revealed 57 significant GO and 18 KEGG terms ( < 0.05), most of them related to meat quality and complementary terms. Our results showed substantial genetic interactions associated with lipid profile, meat quality, carcass and feed efficiency traits for the first time in Nellore cattle. The knowledge of these SNP–SNP interactions could improve understanding of the genetic and physiological mechanisms that contribute to lipid‐related traits and improve human health by the selection of healthier meat products.
Patients' perceptions of telehealth services for outpatient treatment of substance use disorders during the COVID‐19 pandemic
Authors: Sugarman Dawn E. , Busch Alisa B. , McHugh R. Kathryn , Bogunovic Olivera J. , Trinh Catherine D. , Weiss Roger D. , Greenfield Shelly F.
Published: August 2021

Background and Objectives

The rapid scale‐up of telehealth services for substance use disorders (SUDs) during the COVID‐19 pandemic presented a unique opportunity to investigate patient experiences with telehealth. This study examined patient perceptions of telehealth in an outpatient SUD treatment program offering individual therapy, group therapy, and medication management.

Methods

Two hundred and seventy adults receiving SUD outpatient treatment were eligible to complete a 23‐item online survey distributed by clinicians; 58 patients completed/partially completed the survey. Data were summarized with descriptive statistics.

Results

Participants were predominately male, White, and well‐educated. The majority (86.2%) were “very satisfied” or “satisfied” with the quality of telehealth care. “Very satisfied” ratings were highest for individual therapy (90%), followed by medication management (75%) and group therapy (58%). Top reasons for liking telehealth included the ability to do it from home (90%) and not needing to spend time commuting (83%). Top reasons for disliking telehealth were not connecting as well with other members in group therapy (28%) and the ability for telehealth to be interrupted at home or work (26%).

Discussion and Conclusions

Telehealth visits were a satisfactory treatment modality for most respondents receiving outpatient SUD care, especially those engaging in individual therapy. Challenges remain for telehealth group therapy.

Scientific Significance

This is the first study examining patients' perceptions of telehealth for outpatient SUD treatment during the COVID‐19 pandemic by treatment service type. Importantly, while many participants found telehealth more accessible than in‐person treatment, there was variability with respect to the preferred mode of treatment delivery.
Functional outcomes and local control are acceptable following hand‐sewn colo‐anal anastomoses for rectal cancer: Results of long‐term follow‐up
Authors: Hudson David , Entriken Fiona , Hodder Rupert , Warner Michael
Published: August 2021

Background

Rectal cancer that grows so close to the anal canal that an adequate distal margin cannot be achieved with a double‐stapled anastomosis (DSA) has been managed with abdominoperineal resection. Inter‐sphincteric dissection and hand‐sewn colo‐anal anastomoses (HSCAA) allows anastomosis in some cases where DSA is impossible. There are concerns that HSCAA may lead to complications, local recurrence and poor continence. Our aim was to assess our experience with HSCAA in terms of recurrence, complications, continence and quality of life.

Methods

Consecutive patients at two metropolitan hospitals who underwent an ultra‐low anterior resection with hand‐sewn colo‐anal anastomoses for low rectal cancer during a 10‐year period were asked to complete a questionnaire which allowed continence and quality‐of‐life scores to be calculated. Recurrence and complication rates were obtained from a retrospective medical record review.

Results

A total of 26 patients underwent HSCAA. Six patients were not sent a questionnaire (3 deaths, 1 with ileostomy, 1 with ileostomy reversal within 3 months and one who had transferred care to another hospital). Fifteen patients returned questionnaires. Local recurrence occurred in zero cases. Two developed systemic recurrence. Four patients developed anastomotic stricture and three had anastomotic leak. Median Faecal Incontinence Severity Index score was 28 and median FIQoL scores were 3.00, 2.78, 3.86 and 3.00. One patient wished that they had had a permanent stoma rather than anastomosis.

Conclusion

HSCAA delivered good local control of rectal cancer and high avoidance of permanent stoma. Faecal continence is impaired; however, the results are acceptable to the majority of patients.
Midline versus anterolateral incisions for total knee arthroplasty—a systematic review and analysis of the angiosomes of the knee
Authors: Slattery David , Langston Joseph , Shumack Matthew , Young David , Taylor Ian
Published: August 2021

Introduction

The most common incision for total knee arthroplasty is the anterior midline incision; however, it is commonly associated with lateral knee numbness, kneeling difficulties and restricted flexion range. We sought to review the literature regarding the neurovascular supply and angiosomes over the anterior knee, and evaluate the anterolateral incision as a viable alternative for knee arthroplasty.

Methods

A systematic review of the literature was performed searching PUBMED, MEDLINE and EMBASE to evaluate the incisions available for total knee arthroplasty with respect to neurological function, kneeling ability and complications.

Results

Ten studies were identified evaluating midline or anterolateral incisions for total knee arthroplasty, with a total of 664 knees for analysis. Mean patient age was 68 years (45–88), and average length of followup was 1 year. A total of 586 had an anterior midline incision and 78 had an anterolateral incision. A total of 62% of anterior midline incisions sustained altered sensation compared to 15% (12/78) of anterolateral incisions (p < 0.0001). Incision length was similar in both groups (19.8 cm midline vs. 20.8 cm anterolateral). Wound dehiscence was not significantly different between the two groups being 8.3% for midline incisions, and 2.5% for anterolateral incisions (p = 0.153). Kneeling ability was reported in two studies which reported an improved ability to kneel with an anterolateral incision.

Conclusions

The lateral parapatellar incision respects the neurovascular anatomy of the knee and offers a significant reduction in sensory changes, better kneeling ability and similar rates of wound problems to a standard midline incision and should be considered as a viable alternative for knee arthroplasty.
A prediction model could foresee adequate height response in children eligible for growth hormone treatment
Authors: Ly Helena‐Jamin , Fors Hans , Nilsson Staffan , Dahlgren Jovanna
Published: August 2021

Aim

Prediction models may be useful in accurately identifying children who will benefit from growth hormone (GH) treatment. We aimed to validate the Gothenburg prediction model for this purpose.

Methods

The study included prepubertal children with GH deficiency who started treatment with GH during 2004‐2016 at Queen Silvia Children's Hospital, Gothenburg, based on a first‐year growth prediction of ≥0.7 SDS in height according to the Gothenburg prediction model on a GH dose of 33 μg/kg/day. Observed heights retrieved from medical charts were compared with predicted heights.

Results

The study included 121 patients (64% boys) with at least one year of data after the start of GH treatment. The median (range) GH dose was 30 (10–43) µg/kg/day for the first year and age at start of treatment was 5.32 (3–11.8) years. The model correctly excluded poor responders resulting in 119/121 (98%) patients having a height gain of at least ≥0.5 SDS in a year. However, the model underestimated relatively low predictions and overestimated relatively high predictions, with a residual standard deviation of 0.31 SDS.

Conclusion

By using a validated prediction model for GH in a clinical context, unnecessarily treating short children with an expected poor height outcome can be avoided.
Beyond prevention: Regulating responses to self‐regulation failure to avoid a set‐back effect
Authors: Adriaanse Marieke A. , ten Broeke Pam
Published: August 2021

Despite having good intentions, people fail at times to self‐regulate. Most of these instances of everyday self‐regulation failure are in themselves trivial. However, the ensuing chain of attributions, thoughts, and subsequent behaviors that people experience after an instance of failure may be detrimental to their long‐term self‐regulation success. In two studies, we examined the potential of intervening in the aftermath of failure to prevent this so‐called “setback effect” by instructing people that setbacks may occur and to attribute future incidents of failure to external causes. In Study 1, we tested whether the intervention indeed decreased the frequency of self‐regulation failure in the context of dieting and procrastination. In Study 2, we aimed to replicate the findings from Study 1 in the context of procrastination, and we explored the mediating role of self‐efficacy. In both studies, participants in the intervention condition experienced less self‐regulation failure and more subjective self‐regulation success in the days after the intervention. Study 2 demonstrated that this effect was partly mediated by an increase in self‐efficacy. Taken together, findings suggest that a simple mindset manipulation promoting external attributions to failure may be effective in preventing a setback effect from occurring by protecting self‐efficacy.
Clinical significance of TP53 mutations in adult T‐cell leukemia/lymphoma
Authors: Sakamoto Yuma , Ishida Takashi , Masaki Ayako , Murase Takayuki , Takeshita Morishige , Muto Reiji , Iwasaki Hiromi , Ito Asahi , Kusumoto Shigeru , Nakano Nobuaki , Tokunaga Masahito , Yonekura Kentaro , Tashiro Yukie , Iida Shinsuke , Utsunomiya Atae , Ueda Ryuzo , Inagaki Hiroshi
Published: August 2021

Adult T‐cell leukaemia/lymphoma (ATL) patients have a poor prognosis. Here, we investigated the impact of TP53 gene mutations on prognosis of ATL treated in different ways. Among 177 patients, we identified 47 single nucleotide variants or insertion‐deletions (SNVs/indels) of the TP53 gene in 37 individuals. TP53 copy number variations (CNVs) were observed in 38 patients. Altogether, 67 of 177 patients harboured TP53 SNVs/indels or TP53 CNVs, and were categorized as having TP53 mutations. In the entire cohort, median survival of patients with and without TP53 mutations was 1·0 and 6·7 years respectively (P < 0·001). After allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), median survival of patients with (n = 16) and without (n = 29) TP53 mutations was 0·4 years and not reached respectively (P = 0·001). For patients receiving mogamulizumab without allogeneic HSCT, the median survival from the first dose of antibody in patients with TP53 mutations (n = 27) was only 0·9 years, but 5·1 years in those without (n = 42; P < 0·001). Thus, TP53 mutations are associated with unfavourable prognosis of ATL, regardless of treatment strategy. The establishment of alternative modalities to overcome the adverse impact of TP53 mutations in patients with ATL is required.
PML‐RARA transcript levels at the end of induction therapy are associated with prognosis in non‐high‐risk acute promyelocytic leukaemia with all‐trans retinoic acid plus arsenic in front‐line therapy: long‐term follow‐up of a single‐centre cohort study
Authors: Tang Fei‐Fei , Lu Sheng‐Ye , Zhao Xiao‐Su , Qin Ya‐Zhen , Liu Xiao‐Hong , Jia Jin‐Song , Wang Jing , Gong Li‐Zhong , Jiang Qian , Zhao Ting , Shi Hong‐Xia , Chang Ying-Jun , Huang Xiao-Jun , Jiang Hao
Published: August 2021

Despite the high cure probability for acute promyelocytic leukaemia (APL), a minority of patients will relapse and the risk factors for relapse are unclear. We retrospectively analysed 212 patients who were diagnosed with non‐high‐risk APL and received all‐trans retinoic acid (ATRA) plus arsenic as front‐line therapy at Peking University Institute of Hematology from February 2014 to December 2018. A total of 176 patients (83%) received oral arsenic (realgar‐indigo naturalis formula) plus ATRA, 36 patients (17%) received arsenic trioxide plus ATRA and 203 patients were evaluable for relapse. After a median (range) follow‐up of 53·6 (24·3–85·4) months, two patients had molecular relapse and eight had haematological relapse. A promyelocytic leukaemia/retinoic acid receptor alpha (PML‐RARA) transcript level of ≥6·5% at the end of induction therapy was associated with relapse (P = 0·031). The 5‐year cumulative incidence of relapse, event‐free survival and overall survival were 5·5%, 92·3% and 96·3% respectively. In conclusion, the present long‐term follow‐up study further confirmed the high cure probability of ATRA plus oral arsenic as front‐line therapy for non‐high‐risk APL and showed that the PML‐RARA transcript level at the end of induction therapy was associated with relapse.
B cells in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis
Authors: Miyazaki Yusei , Niino Masaaki
Published: August 2021

B cells have been implicated in the pathology of multiple sclerosis (MS) since initial observations in the 1940s of elevated immunoglobulin concentrations in the cerebrospinal fluid of MS patients. However, the precise mechanism of their involvement has not been elucidated until recently, mainly owing to the technical difficulty of studying this cell population in humans. In this context, experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), a putative animal model of MS, has profoundly contributed to our understanding of B cells in this disease. B cells are now recognized to contribute to MS pathology through the production of autoantibodies, antigen presentation to T cells, secretion of effector cytokines, recognition of microbe‐associated molecules and the induction of ectopic lymphoid follicles in the meninges. All these activities of B cells in MS have been recapitulated in various types of EAE models. Although EAE does not reflect all aspects of MS, it is a useful tool to dissect the complex pathology of this disease if the model selected appropriately reflects the aspect of MS under interest. This is especially true for the study of B cells in MS, as the roles of these cells differ substantially among different EAE models. Even with this limitation, EAE will further enhance our understanding of the role played by B cells in MS.