bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Traceability systems as a differentiation tool in agri-food value chains: a framework for public policies in Latin America
Authors: Hallak Juan Carlos , Tacsir Andrés
Published: April 2022

Purpose

The goal of this paper is to develop a classification of traceability systems that will help academics and policymakers think of them as a tool for differentiation in agri-food value chains.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on the analysis of case studies and a literature review, the authors develop a conceptual framework to classify traceability systems based on two dimensions: their scope in the value chain (individual vs integrated) and the type of information they contain (basic vs advanced).

Findings

Integrated traceability systems provide a variety of benefits vis-à-vis individual systems as a tool to achieve greater product differentiation by meeting current and latent requirements from foreign countries' governments and consumers. Also they serve as a platform for including advanced (vis-à-vis basic) information into the system.

Research limitations/implications

A series of studies would be required to quantify the relative costs of different traceability systems and compare them on a cost-benefit basis. Nevertheless, since integrated traceability systems are subject to coordination failures, significant public focus and efforts should be placed on the potential promotion of those systems.

Originality/value

This paper provides a novel classification of traceability systems that distinguishes them according to scope and information content.
Why do they go to the peripheries? Studying the relations between the real estate market and coworking spaces in the peripheral areas of Germany
Authors: Vogl Thomas , Micek Grzegorz
Published: April 2022

Purpose

The study was designed to investigate the bidirectional causation between the real estate market characteristics (residential property prices/rents (including PTR), office rents) and the rise of coworking spaces (CSs) in the peripheral areas of Germany.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on the desk research, the authors constructed their own database of 1,201 CSs. The authors gathered data on the residential and office prices and rents on a district level. To identify real market differences between districts with and without CSs, the authors applied thet-test for independent samples.

Findings

The second-highest number of CSs were found to operate in the office market peripheries. This phenomenon should be explained by a search for lower office rents, which CSs seek. Most CSs in the peripheral areas of Germany were only recently established in tourist-oriented regions in the south and north of Germany. In this paper, the authors confirmed that the strength of peripheral CSs lies in the hybridity of their operations: for the majority of CSs, running a CS is a non-core business. The authors argue that the role of CSs is rather limited in attracting real estate investors and boosting the real estate market in the peripheral areas of Germany.

Practical implications

The research shows that peripheral locations are attracting CSs to significant extent. The study shows that CSs can be part of corporate real estate or workplace strategies. As the majority of peripheral CSs are located in tourism areas, the subletting of vacant spaces could be a lucrative business model for hotels, particularly in the times of pandemics. Therefore, further research should focus on the role of tourist areas in the implementation of CSs model.

Originality/value

The focus of this study (CSs in peripheral areas) is original. Additionally, applying the real estate perspective to study the location of CSs is novel as well.
The use of clay modeling to increase high school biology vocabulary learning
Authors: Bailey Robert , Kim Daesang , Bochenko Michael J. , Yang Changwoo , Dees Dianne C. , Jung Jiyoon
Published: April 2022

Purpose

The paper explored the benefits as well as the concerns of vocabulary learning with clay modeling in terms of practical and pedagogical implications for creating positive learning experiences.

Design/methodology/approach

A mixed-methods design was conducted to examine the effectiveness of vocabulary learning with clay modeling practices in lower socioeconomic status schools.

Findings

Although test results showed no statistically significant differences between the groups, the clay modeling group did improve vocabulary acquisition similar to the sentence writing group. The students were actively engaged with hands-on activities using the clay and also demonstrated positive emotional, behavioral and physical experiences.

Research limitations/implications

The addition of the clay modeling provided an opportunity for kinesthetic learning but created a high extraneous cognitive load with the challenges incurred through the use of clay.

Practical implications

The challenges can be reduced by 1) adopting appropriate instructional strategies to design and implement effective clay modeling activities for students and teachers, 2) providing training or professional workshop development for teachers and 3) ongoing practical support and assistance for students.

Social implications

Exploring the use of kinesthetic instructional practice at the high school level may prove beneficial since clay modeling is frequently used effectively at lower grade levels.

Originality/value

The current study explores the added value of clay modeling for high school students’ biology vocabulary learning in a lower socioeconomic status school from practical and pedagogical perspectives.
Trust and knowledge sharing in project teams in construction industry of Pakistan: moderating role of perceived behavioral control
Authors: Haq Saif Ul , Khan Kamran Aziz , Hafeez Hira , Chughtai Muhammad Ahsan
Published: April 2022

Purpose

This research aims to study the relationship between trust and knowledge sharing intention. Furthermore, the overarching objective of this study also determines the moderating effect of Perceived Behavioral Control on this relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) was applied using Smart PLS 3.3 to analyze the data.

Findings

The results of this study reveal that Perceived Trustworthiness and Propensity to Trust positively affect Explicit and Tacit knowledge sharing intention. Perceived behavioral control was also found to positively moderate the relationship between perceived trustworthiness and tacit knowledge sharing intention.

Originality/value

This study has provided evidence that trust among the construction project team members leads to an increase in the knowledge sharing intention among project team members.
Understanding online shopping hate in social commerce context: antecedents and consequences of psychological reactance
Authors: Jamal Yasir , Islam Tahir , Shahid Zubair Ali
Published: April 2022

Purpose

This study explores the underlying mechanism of psychological reactance that leads to online shopping hate in social commerce. Based on self-congruity and psychological reactance theory, this study examines the antecedents (symbolic, functional and emotional incongruence) and consequences (online shopping hate) of psychological reactance among online users toward online shopping. Moreover, this study takes trustworthiness as a moderator in the relationship between attitude ambivalence and psychological reactance.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from online users.

Findings

The results show that symbolic-incongruence and functional-incongruence are responsible for attitude ambivalence, resulting in high psychological reactance. In addition, the study’s findings reveal that psychological reactance is positively linked with online shopping hate. This study extends and contributes to the self-congruence theory and empirically examines the influence of emotional incongruence. The moderating results reveal that trustworthiness moderated the relationship between attitude ambivalence and psychological reactance. The study findings are helpful for marketing managers to develop social commerce strategies.

Research limitations/implications

Because of the chosen research approach, the research results may lack generalizability. Therefore, researchers are encouraged to test the proposed propositions further.

Practical implications

The study findings are helpful for marketing managers to develop social commerce strategies.

Originality/value

This study explains the underlying mechanism of brand hate through psychological reactance.
Estimating the Impact of Medicaid Expansion and Federal Funding Cuts on FQHC Staffing and Patient Capacity
Authors: JIAO SHIYIN , KONETZKA R. TAMARA , POLLACK HAROLD A. , HUANG ELBERT S.
Published: April 2022

Policy Points

In the preexpansion period, federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) in Medicaid expansion states were significantly different from those in nonexpansion states. This gap widened as revenues in expansion states continued to grow at a faster rate after the expansion.

If Medicaid expansion had occurred nationwide, FQHCs’ revenue and capacity could have increased substantially. Over time, Medicaid could play a bigger role as it becomes a more stable funding source to allow for capital investments.

Section 330 grants appear to have a larger impact on access to care. Given the varying levels of reliance on Medicaid, investing through federal grants might be more effective and equitable.

Context

The Health Resources and Services Administration's Health Center Program (HCP) plays a critical role as the national ambulatory safety net, delivering services to patients in medically underserved areas, regardless of their ability to pay. As the program has grown, health policy initiatives may have altered access to care for the underserved population. Understanding how federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) have been affected by past policies is important for anticipating the effects of future policies.

Methods

By analyzing a national data set from the Uniform Data System, we examined, using two sets of random effects regressions, the potential impact of alternative policy actions affecting FQHCs. Our primary equation models the number of full‐time equivalent staff, of patients served, and of visits provided in the subsequent year as a function of Medicaid revenues, Section 330 grants, and other revenues. Our secondary equation is a difference‐in‐differences analysis that models Medicaid revenues as a function of the states’ status of Medicaid expansion.

Findings

The expansion of Medicaid in nonexpansion states could have increased Medicaid revenues by 138%, staffing by 25%, and patients’ visits by 24% in 2017. Compared to the impact of a “repeal” of Medicaid expansion, the percentage of reductions in staffing would be similar to those predicted by a 50% cut in Medicaid revenues or in Section 330 grants. On a dollar‐for‐dollar basis, the effects of one dollar of Section 330 grants were more than double that of one dollar of Medicaid revenue.

Conclusions

Both Medicaid eligibility and Section 330 funding support are important to the HCP, and Section 330 grants are particularly closely related to staffing and the provision of services. States’ decisions not to participate in or to repeal Medicaid expansion, to reduce Medicaid payment rates, and federal funding cuts all could have a negative impact on FQHCs, resulting in thousands of low‐income patients losing access to primary care.
Management of maternal pulse and blood pressure abnormalities during labour and childbirth: evidence‐based algorithms for intrapartum care decision support
Authors: Haddad SM , Souza RT , Cecatti JG ,   the WHO Intrapartum Care Algorithms Working Group
Published: April 2022

Aims

To develop evidence‐based clinical algorithms for assessment and management of abnormal maternal pulse and blood pressure during the intrapartum period.

Population

Low risk singleton, term, pregnant women in labour.

Setting

Institutional births in low‐ and middle‐income countries.

Search strategy

A review of the literature was performed to retrieve evidence‐based guidelines, systematic reviews, and papers on maternal pulse and blood pressure during labour. We searched a number of international clinical guidelines and PubMed using the corresponding key terms in November 2018 and updated the search in May 2020.

Case scenarios

Four common intrapartum case scenarios of abnormal pulse and blood pressure were identified for which algorithms were developed: hypertension, hypotension, tachycardia and bradycardia. Algorithms were constructed after reviewing guidelines and relevant papers, with input from a panel of experts. Thresholds for upper and lower limits of normal maternal pulse and blood pressure measurements are defined, evidence‐based interventions for the initial management of abnormal parameters are described (resuscitation and monitoring) and guidance is provided on exploration of the potential causes for each case scenario, with links to pathways for their management.

Conclusions

Evidence‐based algorithms to support the identification, and management of deviations in pulse and blood pressure during intrapartum care have been developed for hypertension, hypotension, tachycardia and bradycardia. The algorithms focus on initial resuscitation and monitoring, with an exploration of causes and early identification of underlying maternal conditions. These algorithms will help provide a standardised approach to investigation and management of these abnormal parameters to guide clinical practice.

Tweetable abstract

Algorithms for abnormal maternal pulse and blood pressure during labour allow standardised approach to early identification and management of complications.

Tweetable abstract
Constructing evidence‐based clinical intrapartum care algorithms for decision‐support tools
Authors: Bonet M , Ciabati L , De Oliveira LL , Souza R , Browne JL , Rijken M , Fawcus S , Hofmeyr GJ , Liabsuetrakul T , Gülümser Ç , Blennerhassett A , Lissauer D , Meher S , Althabe F , Oladapo OT ,   the WHO Intrapartum Care Algorithms Working Group
Published: April 2022

Aim

To describe standardised iterative methods used by a multidisciplinary group to develop evidence‐based clinical intrapartum care algorithms for the management of uneventful and complicated labours.

Population

Singleton, term pregnancies considered to be at low risk of developing complications at admission to the birthing facility.

Setting

Health facilities in low‐ and middle‐income countries.

Search strategy

Literature reviews were conducted to identify standardised methods for algorithm development and examples from other fields, and evidence and guidelines for intrapartum care. Searches for different algorithm topics were last updated between January and October 2020 and included a combination of terms such as ‘labour’, ‘intrapartum’, ‘algorithms’ and specific topic terms, using Cochrane Library and MEDLINE/PubMED, CINAHL, National Guidelines Clearinghouse and Google.

Case scenarios

Nine algorithm topics were identified for monitoring and management of uncomplicated labour and childbirth, identification and management of abnormalities of fetal heart rate, liquor, uterine contractions, labour progress, maternal pulse and blood pressure, temperature, urine and complicated third stage of labour. Each topic included between two and four case scenarios covering most common deviations, severity of related complications or critical clinical outcomes.

Conclusions

Intrapartum care algorithms provide a framework for monitoring women, and identifying and managing complications during labour and childbirth. These algorithms will support implementation of WHO recommendations and facilitate the development by stakeholders of evidence‐based, up to date, paper‐based or digital reminders and decision‐support tools. The algorithms need to be field tested and may need to be adapted to specific contexts.

Tweetable abstract

Evidence‐based intrapartum care clinical algorithms for a safe and positive childbirth experience.
Hyperkalaemia in the emergency department: Epidemiology, management and monitoring of treatment outcomes
Authors: Pollack Kimberley , Manning Kiri R , Balassone Jacqueline , Bui Calista , Taylor David McD , Taylor Simone E
Published: April 2022

Objective

To describe the epidemiology, treatment and monitoring of treatment outcomes of patients presenting to the ED with hyperkalaemia.

Methods

We undertook a retrospective observational study in a mixed adult/paediatric ED over five 3‐month periods. Consecutive patients were included if they had an initial serum or blood gas potassium ≥6.0 mmol/L. Patients were excluded if their principal diagnosis was diabetic ketoacidosis, their blood sample was haemolysed or the blood gas result was inconsistent with a subsequent serum potassium. Data were extracted from electronic medical records and two senior emergency registrars independently assessed available ECGs. Moderate and severe hyperkalaemia were potassium 6.0–6.4 and ≥6.5 mmol/L, respectively.

Results

Overall, 392 patients were included (mean age 73.7 years, triage category 1 or 2 28.3%, admitted 91.3%). Three hundred and twenty‐one (81.9%, 95% confidence interval [CI] 77.6–85.5%) patients took one or more medications that predispose to hyperkalaemia and 335 (85.5%, 95% CI 81.5–88.7%) had one or more predisposing comorbidities. Two hundred and seventy‐one (69.1%, 95% CI 64.3–73.6%) patients had moderately severe and 121 (30.9%, 95% CI 26.4–35.7%) had severe hyperkalaemia. Two hundred and fifty‐nine (66.1%, 95% CI 61.1–70.7%) patients were administered at least one medication in ED to lower the potassium concentration and 51 (13.0%, 95% CI 9.9–16.8%) were dialysed. One hundred and eighty‐seven patients received intravenous insulin: 40 (21.4%) had documented biochemical hypoglycaemia, but 45 (24.1%) had no post‐insulin blood glucose level documented. Hyperkalaemia‐associated ECG changes were uncommon.

Conclusion

Most ED patients with hyperkalaemia have identifiable clinical and medication‐related risk factors. Variations in care were widespread and monitoring for iatrogenic adverse events was suboptimal.
Plant biodiversity assessment through soil eDNA reflects temporal and local diversity
Authors: Ariza María , Fouks Bertrand , Mauvisseau Quentin , Halvorsen Rune , Alsos Inger Greve , de Boer Hugo J.
Published: April 2022

Several studies have shown the potential of eDNA‐based proxies for plant identification, but little is known about their spatial and temporal resolution. This limits its use for plant biodiversity assessments and monitoring of vegetation responses to environmental changes. Here we calibrate the temporal and spatial plant signals detected with soil eDNA surveys by comparing with a standard visual above‐ground vegetation survey.

Our approach compares vegetation in an old‐growth boreal forest in southern Norway, surveyed in 100 permanent 1‐m2 plots seven times over a 30‐year period, with a single soil eDNA metabarcoding‐based survey from soil samples collected at the same 100 plots in the year of the last vegetation survey.

On average, 60% and 10% of the vascular plants and bryophytes recorded across all vegetation surveys were detected by soil eDNA. Taxa detected by soil eDNA were more representative for the local taxa pool than for the specific plot, and corresponded to those surveyed over the 30‐year period although most closely matched the current taxa composition. Soil eDNA detected abundant taxa better than rare ones although both rare taxa and taxa unrecorded by the visual survey were detected.

Our study highlights the potential of soil eDNA assessments for monitoring of vegetation responses over broad spatial and temporal scales. The method's ability to detect abundant taxa makes it suitable for assessment of vegetation composition in a specific area and for broad‐scale plant diversity assessments.
Preoperative serum calcitonin may improve initial surgery for medullary thyroid cancer in patients with indeterminate cytology
Authors: Jassal Karishma , Ravintharan Nandhini , Prabhakaran Swetha , Grodski Simon , Serpell Jonathan W. , Lee James C.
Published: April 2022

Background

Medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) is rare, with poorer outcomes than differentiated thyroid cancer. We aimed to identify areas for improvement in the pre‐operative evaluation of patients with possible MTC in a high‐volume endocrine surgery unit in accordance with current practice guidelines. We hypothesised that the selective use of serum calcitonin (sCT) as a biomarker for possible MTC could guide the extent of initial surgical management.

Methods

We recruited MTC patients between 2000 and 2020 from the Monash University Endocrine Surgery Unit database. Demographics, tumour characteristics, pre‐operative evaluation, operative management, and outcomes were analysed.

Results

Of 1454 thyroid cancer patients, 43 (3%) had MTC. Pre‐operatively, 36 (84%) patients with MTC confirmed on cytology (28, 65%), elevated sCT (6, 14%) or RET mutation (2, 4%). Of these 36 patients, 31 (86%) had optimal extent of thyroidectomy and lymph node dissection (LND). Five (14%) had less than total thyroidectomy due to nerve injury. Thirty‐four patients had compartmental LND. In the 12 (27%) patients with indeterminate or non‐diagnostic cytology, 5 had elevated sCT and were managed as above. None of the remaining seven had LND, thus potentially suboptimal surgery.

Conclusion

Our findings reflect the rarity of MTC, and the challenges of pre‐operative diagnosis. The addition of sCT may improve surgical planning in patients with indeterminate cytology.
Path to practising self‐compassion in a tertiary eating disorders treatment program: A qualitative analysis
Authors: Geller Josie , Fernandes Avarna , Srikameswaran Suja , Pullmer Rachelle , Marshall Sheila
Published: April 2022

Objective

Although self‐compassion has been shown to facilitate eating disorder (ED) remission, significant barriers to acquiring this skill have been identified. This is particularly true for tertiary care populations, where ED behaviours provide a valued identity and readiness issues are highly salient. In this research, the voices and perspectives of patients who have recovered as well as those in later stages of tertiary care treatment were captured using qualitative methods.

Methods

Seventeen individuals with a lengthy ED history (seven fully recovered, 10 currently in recovery‐focused residential treatment) participated in audio recorded interviews. Using a visual timeline, participants described the development of their understanding of self‐compassion, barriers to self‐compassion and how these barriers were overcome.

Results

Three processes were identified, reflecting different levels of readiness. Challenging my beliefs involved overcoming cognitive barriers to the concept of self‐compassion (i.e. coming to see self‐compassion as helpful), and set the stage for dealing with the world around me and rolling up my sleeves, which reflected preparatory (i.e. freeing oneself from difficult life circumstances) and active (i.e. having the courage to do the work) change efforts, respectively.

Conclusions

These findings may help patients embarking on tertiary care treatment to envision a roadmap of supportive processes and help clinicians tailor interventions to patient level of readiness for self‐compassion.
Far‐infrared radiation alleviates cisplatin‐induced vascular damage and impaired circulation via activation of HIF‐1α
Authors: Chen Cheng‐Hsien , Chen Meng‐Chuan , Hsu Yung‐Ho , Chou Tz‐Chong
Published: April 2022

Severe vascular damage and complications are often observed in cancer patients during treatment with chemotherapeutic drugs such as cisplatin. Thus, development of potential options to ameliorate the vascular side effects is urgently needed. In this study, the effects and the underlying mechanisms of far‐infrared radiation (FIR) on cisplatin‐induced vascular injury and endothelial cytotoxicity/dysfunction in mice and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were investigated. An important finding is that the severe vascular stenosis and poor blood flow seen in cisplatin‐treated mice were greatly mitigated by FIR irradiation (30 minutes/day) for 1‐3 days. Moreover, FIR markedly increased the levels of phosphorylation of PI3K and Akt, and VEGF secretion, as well as the expression and the activity of hypoxia‐inducible factor 1α (HIF‐1α) in cisplatin‐treated HUVECs in a promyelocytic leukemia zinc finger protein (PLZF)‐dependent manner. However, FIR‐stimulated endothelial angiogenesis and VEGF release were significantly diminished by transfection with HIF‐1α siRNA. We also confirmed that HIF‐1α, PI3K, and PLZF contribute to the inhibitory effect of FIR on cisplatin‐induced apoptosis in HUVECs. Notably, FIR did not affect the anticancer activity and the HIF‐1α/VEGF cascade in cisplatin‐treated cancer cells under normoxic or hypoxic condition, indicating that the actions of FIR may specifically target endothelial cells. It is the first study to demonstrate that FIR effectively attenuates cisplatin‐induced vascular damage and impaired angiogenesis through activation of HIF‐1α–dependent processes via regulation of PLZF and PI3K/Akt. Taken together, cotreatment with the noninvasive and easily performed FIR has a therapeutic potential to prevent the pathogenesis of vascular complications in cancer patients during cisplatin treatment.
Hospitalisation with injection‐related infections: Validation of diagnostic codes to monitor admission trends at a tertiary care hospital in Melbourne, Australia
Authors: Curtis Stephanie J. , Langham Freya J. , Tang Mei Jie , Vujovic Olga , Doyle Joseph S. , Lau Colleen L. , Stewardson Andrew J.
Published: April 2022

Introduction

Injection‐related infections (IRI) cause morbidity and mortality in people who inject drugs. Hospital administrative datasets can be used to describe hospitalisation trends, but there are no validated algorithms to identify injecting drug use and IRIs. We aimed to validate International Classification of Diseases (ICD) codes to identify admissions with IRIs and use these codes to describe IRIs within our hospital.

Methods

We developed a candidate set of ICD codes to identify current injecting drug use and IRI and extracted admissions satisfying both criteria. We then used manual chart review data from 1 January 2017 to 30 April 2019 to evaluate the performance of these codes and refine our algorithm by selecting codes with a high‐positive predictive value (PPV). We used the refined algorithm to describe trends and outcomes of people who inject drugs with an IRI at Alfred Hospital, Melbourne from 2008 to 2020.

Results

Current injecting drug use was best predicted by opioid‐related disorders (F11), 80% (95% confidence interval [CI] 74–85%), and other stimulant‐related disorders (F15), 82% (95% CI 70–90%). All PPVs were ≥67% to identify specific IRIs, and ≥84% for identifying any IRI. Using these codes over 12 years, IRIs increased from 138 to 249 per 100 000 admissions, and skin and soft tissues infections (SSTI) were the most common (797/1751, 46%).

Discussion and Conclusion

Validated ICD‐based algorithms can inform passive surveillance systems. Strategies to reduce hospitalisation with IRIs should be supported by early intervention and prevention, particularly for SSTIs which may represent delayed access to care.
Covering of large scalp defects prior to postoperative irradiation
Authors: Mittank‐Weidner Till , Voth Harald , Simon Jan‐Christoph , Grunewald Sonja
Published: April 2022

Background and objective

After R0 resection of extensive cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma of the scalp with indication for postoperative radiotherapy, closure techniques should be chosen that allow rapid initiation of radiotherapy. The aim of this retrospective analysis is to evaluate defect coverage by transverse transposition flap and split skin grafting of the donor site in such a scenario with regard to oncologic safety (recurrence rate) and permanence of wound closure.

Patients and methods

Eleven patients were identified who had histologic cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma treated by microscopically controlled excision and defect coverage using a transverse transposition flap and split skin grafting of the donor site and who received postoperative radiotherapy. Patients were evaluated for recurrence, wound healing disorders and side effects of radiotherapy.

Results

The mean age was 81 years. Follow‐up time averaged 1.4 years after the last radiotherapy session. Wound healing disorders of the transposition flap or graft necrosis were not detected. All therapy‐associated side effects had resolved at follow‐up. Local recurrence or metastasis did not occur.

Conclusions

Combined transverse transposition flap plasty with split‐skin grafting of the donor site is a safe treatment concept with few side effects for large scalp defects with exposed calvaria requiring postoperative radiotherapy.
Powdery mildews on Quercus: A worldwide distribution and rediscovered holotype provide insights into the spread of these ecologically important pathogens
Authors: Bradshaw Michael , Braun Uwe , Pfister Donald H.
Published: April 2022

Powdery mildew on oak, caused by Erysiphe spp., has been shown to have serious ecological consequences on a range of Quercus hosts. Erysiphe alphitoides and E. quercicola are two of the most heavily studied and common powdery mildews known to occur on Quercus species. In recent years, these species have been noted throughout the world on a range of hosts within and outside the Quercus genus. Reports that E. alphitoides was absent in European herbaria before 1921 and the discovery of the holotype of E. alphitoides from 1911 in an American herbarium (FH) led to the current study in which we genetically analysed six specimens of E. alphitoides s. lat including, most importantly, the holotype of E. alphitoides from France collected in 1911. The results of our analyses revealed that: (1) The sequence of the E. alphitoides holotype falls within the E. quercicola clade, confirming that E. alphitoides did not spread to Europe until ~1921. (2) E. alphitoides var. chenii forms a monophyletic clade with E. epigena and should be reduced to synonymy with that species and (3) through sequence analyses E. alphitoides and E. quercicola are confirmed to have spread to North America. The sequencing results of the E. alphitoides holotype have severe nomenclatural‐taxonomic consequences. A proposal was submitted simultaneously with the present manuscript to conserve the name E. alphitoides so that the traditional usage of the names E. alphitoides and E. quercicola could be maintained. The sequences obtained for the current study provide new insight into the taxonomy and spread of these ecologically significant, globally distributed species. The present study highlights the importance of sequencing specimens from type material, above all when morphological similar species are involved.
Cancer suppression and the evolution of multiple retrogene copies of TP53 in elephants: A re‐evaluation
Authors: Nunney Leonard
Published: April 2022

Evolving to become bigger and/or longer lived should increase cancer susceptibility, but this predicted increase is not observed, a contradiction named Peto's paradox. A solution is that cancer suppression evolves to minimize cancer susceptibility, and the discovery of 19 retrogene (RTG) copies of the tumor suppressor gene TP53 in the African elephant (Loxodonta africana) is increasingly cited as a classic example of such adaptive suppression. However, classic examples need rigorous evaluation and an alternative hypothesis is that the RTGs spread by genetic drift. This study shows that before its duplication, the ancestral elephant RTG was already truncated from 390 amino acids to 157 by a frameshift mutation, and that 14 of the 19 copies are now truncated to ≤88 amino acids. There was no compelling evidence of either positive or negative selection acting on these 88 codons, and the pattern of RTG accumulation fits a neutral model with a duplication rate of ~10−6 per generation. It is concluded that there is no evidence supporting the hypothesis that the 19 elephant RTGs spread to fixation by selection; instead, the evidence indicates that these RTGs accumulated primarily by segmental duplication and drift. It is shown that the evolutionary multistage model of carcinogenesis (EMMC) predicts the recruitment of 1–2 independently acting tumor suppressor genes to suppress the increased cancer risk in elephants, so it is possible that one or a few RTGs may have been favored by selection resulting in the known enhanced sensitivity of elephant cells to DNA damage. However, the analysis does not provide any support for either a direct (via conserved TP53 activity) or indirect (via supporting canonical TP53 function) role of the RTGs sequences, so that the presence of multiple copies of TP53 retrogenes in elephants needs to be further justified before being used as a classic example of tumor suppression in large‐bodied animals.
Are the flows of exchange‐traded funds informative?
Authors: Xu Liao , Yin Xiangkang , Zhao Jing
Published: April 2022

This paper provides novel evidence of information asymmetry in exchange‐traded fund (ETF) markets. By decomposing daily ETF flows, we find that the unexpected flow component, orthogonal to the components driven by market making and arbitraging, wields substantial power in predicting next day's ETF returns. Informed traders are able to exploit their information advantage to realize an annualized open‐to‐close return of 19.16% or close‐to‐close return of 22.42%. The informativeness of the unexpected ETF component is further confirmed by its strong power of predicting next day's macroeconomic and ETF‐related news, while the market‐making‐ and arbitraging‐driven components are not closely related to forthcoming news.
Warming drives sustained plant phosphorus demand in a humid tropical forest
Authors: Lie Zhiyang , Zhou Guoyi , Huang Wenjuan , Kadowaki Kohmei , Tissue David T. , Yan Junhua , Peñuelas Josep , Sardans Jordi , Li Yuelin , Liu Shizhong , Chu Guowei , Meng Ze , He Xinhua , Liu Juxiu
Published: April 2022

Phosphorus (P) is often one of the most limiting nutrients in highly weathered soils of humid tropical forests and may regulate the responses of carbon (C) feedback to climate warming. However, the response of P to warming at the ecosystem level in tropical forests is not well understood because previous studies have not comprehensively assessed changes in multiple P processes associated with warming. Here, we detected changes in the ecosystem P cycle in response to a 7‐year continuous warming experiment by translocating model plant‐soil ecosystems across a 600‐m elevation gradient, equivalent to a temperature change of 2.1°C. We found that warming increased plant P content (55.4%) and decreased foliar N:P. Increased plant P content was supplied by multiple processes, including enhanced plant P resorption (9.7%), soil P mineralization (15.5% decrease in moderately available organic P), and dissolution (6.8% decrease in iron‐bound inorganic P), without changing litter P mineralization and leachate P. These findings suggest that warming sustained plant P demand by increasing the biological and geochemical controls of the plant‐soil P‐cycle, which has important implications for C fixation in P‐deficient and highly productive tropical forests in future warmer climates.
Humoral antibody response to the first dose of the ChAdOx1 nCoV‐19 vaccine in Asian patients undergoing hemodialysis
Authors: Tung Kuei‐Ting , Peng Yu‐Sen , Hsu Shih‐Ping , Wu Hon‐Yen , Chiu Yen‐Ling , Yang Ju‐Yeh , Pai Mei‐Fen , Shu Kai‐Hsiang , Pan Szu‐Yu , Lu Hui‐Ming , Lin Wan‐Yu , Liao Chun‐Hsing , Chu Fang‐Yeh , Tsai Wan‐Chuan
Published: April 2022

Background and objectives

The immunogenicity of vaccines is known to be attenuated in patients with end‐stage kidney disease due to uremia. Patients on dialysis were excluded from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) vaccine trials; thus, the effectiveness of vaccines for this population is unclear. The aim of this study was to explore whether Asian dialysis patients can effectively produce an immune response after being vaccinated with the first dose of the ChAdOx1 nCoV‐19 vaccine.

Design setting, participants, and measurements

In this prospective cohort study, we included Asian hemodialysis patients who received the ChAdOx1 nCoV‐19 vaccine. At 3 weeks after the first dose of vaccination, we assessed the humoral immune response by measuring anti‐SARS‐CoV‐2 S antibody titers. The primary outcome was the seropositive rate following vaccination, defined as an antibody titer greater than or equal to 0.8 U/ml. Factors associated with seropositivity were explored in multivariate logistic regression analyses.

Results

In total, 434 participants were included. The mean age was 64 years, the mean dialysis vintage was 6 years, and 61% of the participants were men. At a mean time of 22 days from vaccination, 56% of the participants were seropositive. The vast majority (88%) had low antibody titers (< 15 U/ml). The multivariate logistic regression analyses showed that older age (every increase of 10 years, odds ratio [OR] 0.80, 95% CI 0.65–0.98, p = 0.03) was negatively associated with seropositivity and that higher Kt/V (every increase of 0.1, OR 1.14, 95% CI 1.01–1.28, p = 0.03) and higher serum albumin level (every increase of 0.1 g/dl, OR 1.09, 95% CI 1.02–1.18, p = 0.02) were positively associated with seropositivity.

Conclusions

In Asian hemodialysis patients, the seropositive rate was low, and most had low antibody titers after the first dose of the ChAdOx1 nCoV‐19 vaccine. Younger age, better dialysis adequacy, and higher albumin levels were associated with seropositivity.
Network of Bi2O3–Al2O3–NaPO3 glasses studied by solid‐state nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy
Authors: Zhang Ruili , Ma Delong , Wang Jianrong , Chen Yang , Hu Xun
Published: April 2022

A detailed structural investigation of a series of phosphate laser glasses with composition xBi2O3–yAl2O3–(100 − x–y)NaPO3 (x = 0, 10; y = 0, 5, 10, 15, 20) has been conducted using solid‐state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) techniques and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). 31P MAS NMR spectroscopy demonstrates that the addition of Bi2O3 and Al2O3 leads to the depolymerization of the phosphorus chain in the process of Q2 → Q1 → Q0. The various phosphorus species (Qn, n = 0, 1, 2) are identified by 31P single pulse, 31P{27Al} rotational echo adiabatic passage double resonance, 31P{27Al} J‐coupling‐based heteronuclear multiple‐quantum coherence, and 1D refocused INADEQUATE experiments. The results of 23Na{31P}, 31P{23Na}, 27Al{31P} rotational echo double resonance, and XPS consistently confirm that Na+, Al3+, and Bi3+ ions are all bound by phosphorus tetrahedron [PO4]3−. No bond is formed between these glass modifiers. Based on the complementary evidence from previous experiments, comprehensive local structure models are developed for these Bi2O3–Al2O3–NaPO3 glasses.
Effect of MiR‐100‐5p on proliferation and apoptosis of goat endometrial stromal cell in vitro and embryo implantation in vivo
Authors: Ma Li , Zhang Meng , Cao Fangjun , Han Jincheng , Han Peng , Wu Yeting , Deng Renyi , Zhang Guanghui , An Xiaopeng , Zhang Lei , Song Yuxuan , Cao Binyun
Published: April 2022

The growth of endometrial stromal cells (ESCs) at implantation sites may be a potential factor affecting the success rate of embryo implantation. Incremental proofs demonstrated that ncRNAs (e.g. miRNAs, lncRNAs and circRNAs) were involved in various biological procedures, including proliferation and apoptosis. In this study, the role of miR‐100‐5p on proliferation and apoptosis of goat ESCs in vitro and embryo implantation in vivo was determined. The mRNA expression of miR‐100‐5p was significantly inhibited in the receptive phase (RE) rather than in the pre‐receptive phase (PE). Overexpression of miR‐100‐5p suppressed ESCs proliferation and induced apoptosis. The molecular target of MiR‐100‐5p, HOXA1, was confirmed by 3′‐UTR assays. Meanwhile, the product of HOXA1 mRNA RT‐PCR increased in the RE more than that in the PE. The HOXA1‐siRNA exerted significant negative effects on growth arrest. Instead, incubation of ESCs with miR‐100‐5p inhibitor or overexpressed HOXA1 promoted the cell proliferation. In addition, Circ‐9110 which acted as a sponge for miR‐100‐5p reversed the relevant biological effects of miR‐100‐5p. The intrinsic apoptosis pathway was suppressed in ESCs, revealing a crosstalk between Circ‐9110/miR‐100‐5p/HOXA1 axis, PI3K/AKT/mTOR, and ERK1/2 pathways. To further evaluate the progress in study on embryo implantation regulating mechanism of miR‐100‐5p in vivo, the pinopodes of two phases were observed and analysed, suggesting that, as similar as in situ, miR‐100‐5p was involved in significantly regulating embryo implantation in vivo. Mechanistically, miR‐100‐5p performed its embryo implantation function through regulation of PI3K/AKT/mTOR and ERK1/2 pathways by targeting Circ‐9110/miR‐100‐5p/HOXA1 axis in vivo.
Quality and clinical applicability of recommendations for incontinence‐associated dermatitis: A systematic review of guidelines and consensus statements
Authors: Chen Yamin , Gao Ya , Zhang Jiaoyan , Niu Mingming , Liu Xiaofeng , Zhang Yuqin , Tian Jinhui
Published: April 2022

Aims and Objectives

The aim of this study was to assess methodological quality of all currently available guidelines and consensus statements for IAD using the Appraisal of Guidelines, Research and Evaluation (AGREE) II and the AGREE Recommendation Excellence (AGREE‐REX) instruments.

Background

Globally, incontinence‐associated dermatitis (IAD) is a significant health challenge. IAD is a complex healthcare problem that reduces quality of life of patients, increases healthcare costs and prolongs hospital stays. Several guidelines and consensus statements are available for IAD. However, the quality of these guidelines and consensus statements remains unclear.

Design

A systematic review of guidelines and consensus statements.

Methods

Our study was undertaken using PRISMA guidelines. We searched seven electronic databases. Guidelines and consensus statements had to be published in English, Chinese or German languages. Five independent reviewers assessed the methodological quality of guidelines and consensus statements using the AGREE II and AGREE‐REX instruments. Mean with standard deviation (SD) and median with interquartile range (IQR) were calculated for descriptive analyses. We generated bubble plots to describe the assessment results of each domain of each guideline and consensus statement.

Results

We included ten guidelines and consensus statements. The NICE guidelines, obtained the highest scores, fulfilled 86.11%–98.61% of criteria in AGREE II and 76.67%–91.11% for AGREE‐REX. In the domains ‘Stakeholder Involvement’ (4.39 ± 1.64), ‘Rigor of Development’ (3.38 ± 1.86), ‘Applicability’ (3.62 ± 1.64), ‘Editorial Independence’ (3.91 ± 2.56) and ‘Values and Preferences’ (2.98 ± 1.41), the remaining guidelines and consensus statements showed deficiencies.

Conclusions

Altogether, this study demonstrated that the currently available guidelines and consensus statements for IAD have room for methodological improvement. NICE guidelines on faecal incontinence and urinary incontinence have better quality. Remaining guidelines and consensus statements showed substantial methodological weaknesses, especially the domains of ‘Stakeholder Involvement’, ‘Rigor of Development’, ‘Applicability’, ‘Editorial independence’ and ‘Values and Preferences’. This study was registered on INPLASY. (Registration number: INPLASY202190078).

Relevance to Clinical Practice

The currently available guidelines and consensus statements on IAD have room for methodological improvement.
COVID‐19 in Latin America and the Caribbean: Two years of the pandemic
Authors: Schwalb Alvaro , Armyra Eleonora , Méndez‐Aranda Melissa , Ugarte‐Gil César
Published: April 2022

Worldwide, nations have struggled during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic. However, Latin America and the Caribbean faced an unmatched catastrophic toll. As of March 2022, the region has reported approximately 15% of cases and 28% of deaths worldwide. Considering the relatively late arrival of SARS‐CoV‐2, several factors in the region were determinants of the humanitarian crisis that ensued. Pandemic unpreparedness, fragile healthcare systems, forthright inequalities, and poor governmental support facilitated the spread of the virus throughout the region. Moreover, reliance on repurposed and ineffective drugs such as hydroxychloroquine and ivermectin—to treat or prevent COVID‐19—was publicised through misinformation and created a false sense of security and poor adherence to social distancing measures. While there were hopes that herd immunity could be achieved after the region's disastrous first peak, the emergence of the Gamma, Lambda, and Mu variants made this unattainable. This review explores how Latin America and the Caribbean fared during the first 2 years of the pandemic, and how, despite all the challenges, the region became a global leader in COVID‐19 vaccination, with 63% of its population fully vaccinated.
Effects of Remote Education During the COVID‐19 Pandemic on Young Children's Learning and Academic Behavior in Georgia: Perceptions of Parents and School Administrators
Authors: Klosky Jill V. , Gazmararian Julie A. , Casimir Olivia , Blake Sarah C.
Published: April 2022

BACKGROUND

In Spring 2020, Georgia public schools implemented remote learning to manage the spread of COVID‐19. This study explores the effects of remote schooling on the learning of young children in Georgia during the early COVID‐19 pandemic from the perspectives of school administrators and essential working parents.

METHODS

A qualitative exploratory study was conducted with eight school administrators and 26 essential working parents of children in kindergarten through third grades of two rural and two urban schools in Georgia. Data collection included online surveys, virtual interviews and focus groups. Descriptive analyses of the demographics provided context to emerging themes from qualitative data.

RESULTS

Most school administrators and parents reported declines in student learning and academic behavior related to remote learning. Lack of Wi‐Fi, technology, and digital literacy were often cited as barriers to learning. Challenges with remote learning were amplified for students and parents of vulnerable groups.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings of this study illustrate the need to institute policies, procedures, and supports to maximize schools' ability to safely offer in‐person learning during the COVID‐19 pandemic. Considerations should be made of the needs of essential working parents, vulnerable populations, and the digital divide.