bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Grit: the good, the bad and the ugly
Authors: Arli Denni , Tjiptono Fandy , Tkaczynski Aaron , Bakpayev Marat
Published: November 2020

Purpose

The concept of grit has been receiving increased attention in recent years. Grit is a trait that enables individuals to persevere while facing challenges and obstacles in life, sometimes “winning at any cost”. The purpose of the study is to understand how ethical views may vary among different groups of people segmented on grittiness. Our key argument is that grittier segment is more inclined towards Machiavellian factors (amorality, desire for control, desire for status, distrust of others) and materialism.

Design/methodology/approach

Data derived from self-administered questionnaires completed by convenience samples of Indonesians living in Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta (DIY), a region commonly considered as the miniature of Indonesia. Turning to market segmentation tools (n = 467), we first segment people based on their level of grittiness and, subsequently, investigate each segment's perception towards various Machiavellian factors (amorality, desire for control, distrust of others) and materialistic attitudes.

Findings

The study identified three segments of grittiness: The Least Gritty (the Good), The More Gritty (the Bad) and The Most Gritty (the Ugly). The results of this study showed the dark side of grit. Individuals with higher grit traits are more likely to behave unethically which could be referred to as “bad” and “ugly”. To help them succeed, cheating and lying are more likely considered acceptable by gritty individuals compared to less gritty “good” individuals.

Practical implications

Merely focussing on grit–be it grit promotion or training–may produce individuals who achieve success at all costs and disregard ethical values. An implication from the study is not to discourage developing grit in individuals but instead to add and emphasise ethical components. This implication is especially critical for educators and managers developing grit as a part of their activities.

Originality/value

The results of this study will have important theoretical implications and managerial implications educators balancing the consequences of teaching grit, but also for managers interested in understanding employees' level of grit within their workplaces along with ethical considerations.
Contributions of Chinese doctoral recipients from foreign universities to agricultural economic research and education in North America and China
Authors: Wang Qingbin , Wang H. Holly , Zhang Junbiao
Published: November 2020

Purpose

This paper traces the timeline and milestones of Chinese graduate students in agricultural economics and related fields at foreign universities, with an emphasis on North American universities, since the early 1980s, and assesses the contributions of Chinese doctoral recipients from foreign universities to agricultural economic research and education in North America and China.

Design/methodology/approach

Data from department and college websites, associations of agricultural economics, university libraries and databases of theses and dissertations and selected agricultural economic journals in English and Chinese are used to attain the above purposes through graphical and bibliometric analyses.

Findings

First, the numbers of Chinese doctoral recipients and tenure-track and tenured faculty in agricultural economics at North American universities have increased steadily and significantly. Second, Chinese scholars in North America have achieved tremendous success in agricultural economic research via high-quality publications, prestigious awards, editorship of top journals, leadership in professional organizations, etc. Third, more Chinese doctoral recipients overseas have increasingly returned to China and are playing important roles in China’s agricultural economic research, education and international collaboration. Fourth, the publications of overseas Chinese scholars in Chinese journals and those of their counterparts working in China on topics beyond China are relatively limited and more collaboration may enhance the global impacts of Chinese agricultural economists.

Research limitations/implications

This research is limited by data availability and quality and the data problems are discussed in the paper.

Originality/value

This is likely the first study to assess the contributions of Chinese doctoral recipients from foreign universities to agricultural economic research and education in China and abroad.
Knowledge management processes, innovation capability and organizational performance
Authors: Migdadi Mahmoud Mohammad
Published: November 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to introduce a unified framework which integrates knowledge management processes (knowledge creation, sharing, storage and documentation and acquisition), innovation capability (product, process, marketing and organizational and organizational performance (operational, financial and product quality). Then empirically test the effect of knowledge management processes (KMP) on innovation capability (IC), the effect of IC on organizational performance (OP) and the impact of KMP on OP through the mediator (IC).

Design/methodology/approach

A questionnaire was designed and addressed to the general managers of the Jordanian companies making up the target population. Statistical techniques employed included confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling (SEM) using AMOS 24 to test the hypotheses.

Findings

The results show that KMP influences IC, IC affects OP and KMP impacts OP through the mediator (IC).

Research limitations/implications

The use of longitudinal data and comparisons with this study would provide further insights that would assist in generalizing knowledge related to the relationships among KMP, IC and Os' P.

Practical implications

If organizations fully comprehend KMP and IC, they would be able to implement them successfully, creating value for their companies and improving OP.

Originality/value

The existing research on KMP and IC is primarily conceptual and descriptive in nature, and empirical research confirming the real impact of KMP when developing IC is lacking. Also. the relationship between innovation capabilities and OP has not been adequately studied. Hence, this study introduces a conceptual framework which integrates KMP, IC and OP and simultaneously empirically tests the relationships among them.
The dark side of effectuation in a key account management relationship
Authors: McGowan Phillip , Simms Chris , Pickernell David , Zisakis Konstantios
Published: November 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to consider the impact of effectuation when used by small suppliers within key account management (KAM) relationships.

Design/methodology/approach

An exploratory longitudinal case study approach was used to examine a single small supplier operating in the snack foods sector of the UK foods industry, as it entered into a new KAM relationship with a major retailer and undertook four new product development projects.

Findings

Findings suggest effectuation may positively moderate the ability of a small supplier to enter into a KAM relationship by enabling it to obtain resources and limit risk. However, once within the relationship, the use of effectuation may negatively impact success by increasing the potential for failure to co-create new product development, leading to sub-optimal products, impacting buyer confidence and trust. Furthermore, a failed KAM relationship may impact other customers through attempts to recover revenues by selling these products, which may promote short-term success but, in the long-term, lead to cascading sales failure.

Research limitations/implications

It cannot be claimed that the findings of just one case study represent all small suppliers or KAM relationships. Furthermore, the case presented specifically concerns buyer-supplier relationships within the food sector.

Practical implications

This study appears to suggest caution be exercised when applying effectuation to enter into a KAM relationship, as reliance on effectual means to garner required resources may lead to the production of sub-optimal products, which are rejected by the customer. Additionally, a large customer considering entering into a KAM relationship with a small supplier should take care to ensure their chosen partner has all resources needed to successfully deliver as required or be prepared to provide sufficient support to avoid the production of sub-optimal products.

Originality/value

Findings suggest the use of effectuation within a KAM relationship has the potential to develop a dark side within business-to-business buyer-supplier relationships through unintentional breaches of trust by the selling party.
Sustainable housing development: the legitimacy-seeking perspective
Authors: Cheah Chee Wei , Low Brian , Lee Christina Kwai-Choi
Published: November 2020

Purpose

Rapid urbanization and the influx of rural residents to urban cities has led to the growth of informal settlements globally. Drawing on institutional theory, this paper aims to examine institutional actors’ legitimacy seeking behaviour to housing issues and their responses to regulative, normative and cultural pressures.

Design/methodology/approach

The qualitative case-study research approach is adopted by conducting 25 in-depth interviews that involved purposefully chosen institutional actors in the housing sector. Online observations and documents are used to support the interview data.

Findings

Thematic analysis of data gathered suggests that these actors, guided by sensemaking, invest in relationship-building to attain market, social, relational and political legitimacy. The relationship-building also leads to the legitimation of institutional actors’ existence via an eclectic mix of economic, social and political actions.

Originality/value

The results not only guide policymakers faced with potentially conflicting demands to legitimize sustainable housing developments policy that could benefit the urban poor’s shelter needs but also to consider the interactive and dynamic processes of stakeholders’ pressures, in a highly regulated housing environment.
The impacts of CEO’s knowledge structure on corporate innovation strategy
Authors: Qiu Qing , Yu Dengke
Published: November 2020

Purpose

This study aims to explore the impacts of the knowledge structure of CEO on corporate innovation strategy in the background of China’s national policy of innovation-driven development.

Design/methodology/approach

Regression analysis is used to test the direct effects and the moderating roles of financial and power incentives. It screens 685 listed companies from Chinese stock market, with the time window from 2016 to 2018.

Findings

CEO’s knowledge breadth has a significant impact on innovation strategy, but the moderating effects of power and financial incentives are not significant. CEO’s knowledge depth is negatively correlated to corporate innovation strategy; moreover, power incentive significantly strengthens the relationship, whereas financial incentive significantly weakens it.

Research limitations/implications

Firms are suggested to optimize CEO knowledge structure and organizational incentive system for better implementing innovation-driven development strategy.

Originality/value

It is beneficial to the exploration of the micro-mechanism that enables corporate innovation strategy. Scholars may gain additional insights into the strategic management of corporate innovation from the perspective of CEO’s knowledge structure.
Development and preliminary testing of a framework for quantifying local service provision for people with dementia
Authors: Hughes Jane , Ahmed Saima , Clarkson Paul , Davies Sue , Stewart Karen , Challis David
Published: November 2020

Purpose

It was hypothesised that there were variations in health and social care services available for older people with dementia and their carers, and that measurement of this between localities was possible. The purpose of this paper is to present a framework for examining this.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a case study approach, data from national surveys of local authorities providing social care and National Health Services Trusts providing old age mental health services conducted in 2014/2015 in England were used. From these, indicators of variation in services for people with dementia and their carers in different geographical areas were created. Measurement of the presence/absence of each service permitted the creation of a service mix score for each area.

Findings

The framework comprised 16 attributes each with indicators describing the characteristics of the organisations providing the services; the skill mix of community mental health teams for older people; and the health care and social care services available in localities. Variation was evident, confirmed by quartile analysis and exemplars, suggesting that older people with dementia and their carers in different localities are likely to experience differences in the range of provision available, particularly social care services.

Originality/value

The case study approach used achieved its objectives, and the resultant framework has potential for generalisability and utility, given acceptable ecological validity and discriminant validity in identifying variations in service mix. It could be used in both research and practice.
Emotional education program: a participative intervention with teachers
Authors: Marques Alcione Moreira , Fóz Adriana Queiroz Botelho , Lopes Eduardo Guedes Queiroz , Tanaka Luiza Hiromi
Published: November 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to assess the effects of a program to develop socioemotional competence (SEC) focused on self-awareness and emotional self-management as a resource for the well-being and stress relief of teachers at a Brazilian public school in a socially vulnerable region.

Design/methodology/approach

Eighteen (18) teachers took part in a participatory action research approach. The data collection techniques used were: conversation wheel, individual interview, participant observation and focus group. The emotional education program (PEEP) was conducted in ten 90-min meetings. The data were analyzed using thematic content analysis.

Findings

There were two categories identified: an increase in the teachers' self-awareness and emotional self-management skills. These findings yielded reports of improvements in their ability to deal with their own emotions, better management of the emotional demands of daily school life and positive reflexes on their well-being and teaching practice.

Research limitations/implications

Dealing better with emotions involves several skills that need time to be developed and assimilated and PEEP has been applied in a relatively short time. In addition, its application in a wider range of situations has not been evaluated.

Originality/value

This study is linked to a few others that were carried out on the effects that intervention programs had on a teacher's SEC. It was evident that following the steps of the action research enhanced the researcher's connection with the teachers, and it provided a genuine understanding of what it means to be studied. Because of this, it was possible to get a deeper understanding of teachers' emotional states, and the actions and results were legitimized by the participants.
Insurance expansions and adolescent use of substance use disorder treatment
Authors: Hamersma Sarah , Maclean Johanna Catherine
Published: November 2020

Objective

To provide evidence on the effects of expansions to private and public insurance programs on adolescent specialty substance use disorder (SUD) treatment use.

Data Source/Study Setting

The Treatment Episodes Data Set (TEDS), 1996 to 2017.

Study Design

A quasi‐experimental difference‐in‐differences design using observational data.

Data Collection

The TEDS provides administrative data on admissions to specialty SUD treatment.

Principal Findings

Expansions of laws that compel private insurers to cover SUD treatment services at parity with general health care increase adolescent admissions by 26% (P < .05). These increases are driven by nonintensive outpatient admissions, the most common treatment episodes, which rise by 30% (P < .05) postparity law. In contrast, increases in income eligibility for public insurance targeting those 6‐18 years old are not statistically associated with SUD treatment.

Conclusions

Private insurance expansions allow more adolescents to receive SUD treatment, while public insurance income eligibility expansions do not appear to influence adolescent SUD treatment.
Examining emergency department inequities: Descriptive analysis of national data (2006–2012)
Authors: Curtis Elana , Paine Sarah‐Jane , Jiang Yannan , Jones Peter , Tomash Inia , Raumati Inia , Healey Olivia , Reid Papaarangi
Published: November 2020

Objective

Internationally, Indigenous and minoritised ethnic groups experience longer wait times, differential pain management and less evaluation and treatment for acute conditions within emergency medicine care. Examining ED Inequities (EEDI) aims to investigate whether inequities between Māori and non‐Māori exist within EDs in Aotearoa New Zealand (NZ). This article presents the descriptive findings for the present study.

Methods

A retrospective observational study framed from a Kaupapa Māori positioning, EEDI uses secondary data from emergency medicine admissions into 18/20 District Health Boards in NZ between 2006 and 2012. Data sources include variables from the Shorter Stays in ED National Research Project database and comorbidity data from NZ's National Minimum Dataset. The key predictor of interest is patient ethnicity with descriptive variables, including sex, age group, area deprivation, mode of presentation, referral method, Australasian Triage Scale and trauma status.

Results

There were a total of 5 972 102 ED events (1 168 944 Māori, 4 803 158 non‐Māori). We found an increasing proportion of ED events per year, with a higher proportion of Māori from younger age groups and areas of high deprivation compared to non‐Māori events. Māori also had a higher proportion of self‐referral and were triaged to be seen within a longer time frame compared to non‐Māori.

Conclusion

Our findings show that there are different patterns of ED usage when comparing Māori and non‐Māori events. The next level of analysis of the EEDI dataset will be to examine whether there are any associations between ethnicity and ED outcomes for Māori and non‐Māori patients.
Arterial and end‐tidal carbon dioxide partial pressure difference during prehospital anaesthesia in critically ill patients
Authors: Harve‐Rytsälä Heini , Ångerman Susanne , Kirves Hetti , Nurmi Jouni
Published: November 2020

Background

Normoventilation is crucial for many critically ill patients. Ventilation is routinely guided by end‐tidal capnography during prehospital anaesthesia, based on the assumption of the gap between arterial partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PaCO2) and end‐tidal carbon dioxide partial pressure (PetCO2) of approximately 0.5 kPa (3.8 mmHg).

Methods

We retrospectively analysed the airway registry and patient chart data of patients who had been anaesthetised and intubated endotracheally by the prehospital critical care team and had their prehospital arterial blood gases analysed. Bland‐Altman analysis was used to estimate the bias and limits of agreement.

Results

Altogether 502 patients were included in the study, with a median age of 58 years. The most common patient groups were post‐resuscitation (155, 31%), neurological emergencies (96, 19%), intoxication (75, 15%) and trauma (68, 14%). The median of the gap between PaCO2 and PetCO2 was 1.3 kPa (interquartile range 0.7 to 2.2) (9.8 (5.3‐16.5) mmHg). Mean bias of PetCO2 was −1.6 kPa/12.0 mmHg (standard deviation 1.7 kPa/12.8 mmHg) with 95% confidence limits of agreement −4.9 to 1.9 kPa (−36.8 to 14.3 mmHg). The gap was ≥ 1.0 kPa (>7.5 mmHg) in 297 (66%, 95% confidence interval 55 to 63) patients.

Conclusion

Our results suggest that end‐tidal capnography alone might not be an adequate method to achieve normoventilation for critically ill patients intubated and mechanically ventilated in prehospital setting. Thus, an arterial blood gas analysis might be useful to recognize patients with an increased gap between PaCO2 and PetCO2.
Distinct expression of SARS‐CoV‐2 receptor ACE2 correlates with endotypes of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps
Authors: Wang Ming , Bu Xiangting , Fang Gaoli , Luan Ge , Huang Yanran , Akdis Cezmi A. , Wang Chengshuo , Zhang Luo
Published: November 2020

Background

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) entry factors, ACE2 and TMPRSS2, are highly expressed in nasal epithelial cells. However, the association between SARS‐CoV‐2 and nasal inflammation in chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) has not been investigated. We thus investigated the expression of SARS‐CoV‐2 entry factors in nasal tissues of CRSwNP patients, and their associations with inflammatory endotypes of CRSwNP.

Methods

The expression of ACE2 and TMPRSS2 was assessed in nasal tissues of control subjects and eosinophilic CRSwNP (ECRSwNP) and nonECRSwNP patients. The correlations between ACE2/TMPRSS2 expression and inflammatory indices of CRSwNP endotypes were evaluated. Regulation of ACE2/TMPRSS2 expression by inflammatory cytokines and glucocorticoids was investigated.

Results

ACE2 expression was significantly increased in nasal tissues of nonECRSwNP patients compared to ECRSwNP patients and control subjects, and positively correlated with the expression of IFN‐γ, but negatively correlated with tissue infiltrated eosinophils, and expression of IL5 and IL13. IFN‐γ up‐regulated ACE2 expression while glucocorticoid attenuated this increase in cultured nasal epithelial cells. Genes co‐expressed with ACE2 were enriched in pathways relating to defence response to virus in nasal tissue. TMPRSS2 expression was decreased in nasal tissues of CRSwNP patients compared to control subjects and not correlated with the inflammatory endotypes of CRSwNP. Glucocorticoid treatment decreased ACE2 expression in nasal tissues of nonECRSwNP patients, but not in ECRSwNP patients, whereas TMPRSS2 expression was not affected.

Conclusion

These findings indicate that ACE2 expression, regulated by IFN‐γ, is increased in nasal tissues of nonECRSwNP patients and positively correlates with type 1 inflammation.
Using heated humidified high‐flow nasal cannulas for premature infants may result in an underestimated amount of water reaching the airways
Authors: Reiner Eran , Stein Nili , Rotschild Avi , Gashi Tzipi , Bibi Haim , Waisman Dan
Published: November 2020

Aim

Condensation often occurs when providing humidified respiratory support. We examined conditions conducive to excess water formation in heated humified high‐flow nasal cannula (HHHFNC).

Methods

An HHHFNC device, at 35 or 37°C, was attached with a nasal cannula to a reservoir and tested in five ambient conditions and flows. For Group A, tubing and collection bottle remained at room temperature (23°C). Group B, tubing and reservoir remained inside an incubator (31°C). Group C, tubing and reservoir remained at 33°C. In Group D, the HHHFNC was set to 35°C, the reservoir remained at 33°C, and the nasal cannula and tubing remained at 23°C. Group E, same as D, with HHHFNC at 37°C.

Results

The largest amounts of collected water were in groups A and E. Both had highest temperature differences. Median (range) was 4.9°C (4.1–6.9) and 4.0°C, collecting 38.4 (26.4–50.4) and 26.4 (19.2–50.4) ml/24 h, respectively. Smallest amounts of water were seen with lower temperature differences as in groups B, C, and D with 2.7 (1.9–4.7), 1.6 (1.2–2.1), and 2.0°C with 8.4 (0.0–33.6), 2.4 (0.0–14.4), and 9.6 (4.8–16.8) ml/24 h, respectively.

Conclusion

HHHFNC devices may produce clinically significant amounts of water reaching the upper airways. This may be prevented with appropriate device set‐up.
Has South Korean democracy hit a glass ceiling? Institutional‐cultural factors and limits to democratic progress
Authors: Yeo Andrew
Published: November 2020

This article critically examines the state of South Korea’s consolidated democracy in the post‐2016 Candlelight period. More specifically, I identify a “glass ceiling” in raising the quality of South Korean democracy, drawing attention to institutional‐cultural factors as an underlying barrier for further democratic progress. Political culture reinforces existing institutional design flaws such as a strong executive and a weak political party system. This in turn creates a permissive environment encouraging ruling parties to protect the presidency and implement the Blue House’s agenda through means which do not necessarily comport with liberal democracy. After presenting data from several indexes that measure the quality of democracy in South Korea, I discuss how institutions and culture interact to limit democratic advancement. I then use the Sewol ferry disaster during the conservative Park Geun‐hye administration and implementation of South Korea’s inter‐Korea engagement policy during the progressive Moon Jae‐in government to illustrate my argument.
Conservation and social outcomes of private protected areas
Authors: Palfrey Rachel , Oldekop Johan , Holmes George
Published: November 2020

Government administered protected areas (PAs) have dominated conservation strategies, discourse, and research, yet private actors are increasingly managing land for conservation. Little is known about the social and environmental outcomes of these privately protected areas (PPAs). We searched the global literature in English on PPAs and their environmental and social outcomes and identified 412 articles suitable for inclusion. Research on PPAs was geographically skewed; more studies occurred in the United States. Environmental outcomes of PPAs were mostly positive (89%), but social outcomes of PPAs were reported less (12% of all studies), and these outcomes were more mixed (65% positive). Private protected areas increased the number or extent of ecosystems, ecoregions, or species covered by PAs (representativeness) and PA network connectivity and effectively reduced deforestation and restored degraded lands. Few PPA owners reported negative social outcomes, experienced improved social capital, increased property value, or a reduction in taxes. Local communities benefited from increased employment, training, and community‐wide development (e.g., building of schools), but they reported reduced social capital and no significant difference to household income. The causal mechanisms through which PPAs influence social and environmental outcomes remain unclear, as does how political, economic, and social contexts shape these mechanisms. Future research should widen the geographical scope and diversify the types of PPAs studied and focus on determining the casual mechanisms through which PPA outcomes occur in different contexts. We propose an assessment framework that could be adopted to facilitate this process.
Advances in mesenchymal stem cell transplantation for the treatment of osteoporosis
Authors: Jiang Yuhe , Zhang Ping , Zhang Xiao , Lv Longwei , Zhou Yongsheng
Published: November 2020

Osteoporosis is a systemic metabolic bone disease with characteristics of bone loss and microstructural degeneration. The personal and societal costs of osteoporosis are increasing year by year as the ageing of population, posing challenges to public health care. Homing disorders, impaired capability of osteogenic differentiation, senescence of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), an imbalanced microenvironment, and disordered immunoregulation play important roles during the pathogenesis of osteoporosis. The MSC transplantation promises to increase osteoblast differentiation and block osteoclast activation, and to rebalance bone formation and resorption. Preclinical investigations on MSC transplantation in the osteoporosis treatment provide evidences of enhancing osteogenic differentiation, increasing bone mineral density, and halting the deterioration of osteoporosis. Meanwhile, the latest techniques, such as gene modification, targeted modification and co‐transplantation, are promising approaches to enhance the therapeutic effect and efficacy of MSCs. In addition, clinical trials of MSC therapy to treat osteoporosis are underway, which will fill the gap of clinical data. Although MSCs tend to be effective to treat osteoporosis, the urgent issues of safety, transplant efficiency and standardization of the manufacturing process have to be settled. Moreover, a comprehensive evaluation of clinical trials, including safety and efficacy, is still needed as an important basis for clinical translation.
Evaluation of the relationship of neutrophil‐to lymphocyte ratio and platelet‐to‐lymphocyte ratio with in‐hospital mortality in patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Authors: Emami Ardestani Mohammad , Alavi‐Naeini Nooshin
Published: November 2020

Introduction

Acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) has the highest mortality rate and medical costs. The neutrophil‐to‐lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet‐to‐lymphocyte (PLR) ratio are inflammatory markers that have been recently linked to the AECOPD severity and patient outcome.

Objective

Therefore, the present study aimed at evaluating the diagnostic value of NLR and PLR in the prognosis of the in‐hospital mortality in AECOPD patients.

Methods

The present retrospective study was performed on 829 AECOPD patients. Age, gender and laboratory results of CBC tests including lymphocyte count, neutrophil count, platelet count, hemoglobin count, white blood cell count (WBC), eosinophil cell count, NLR, PLR and CRP as well as the mortality data were collected from the patients’ records and subsequently recorded.

Results

The results of the present study revealed that NLR with the cut‐off value of 6.90, sensitivity of 60.87%, and specificity of 73.29% had a significant diagnostic value in the prognosis of in‐hospital mortality in AECOPD patients (P < 0.05). A similar significant finding regarding the diagnostic value in the prognosis of in‐hospital mortality in AECOPD patients was obtained for CRP with the cut‐off value of 30, sensitivity of 73.08%, and specificity of 60.26% (P < 0.05). However, the diagnostic value of PLR in the prognosis of in‐hospital mortality in AECOPD patients was found to be insignificant (P = 0.18).

Conclusion

According to the results of the present study, NLR > 6.90 can be considered as a valuable and accurate marker in the prognosis of in‐hospital mortality in AECOPD patients.
Benefits and limitations of each type of endoscopic ultrasonography elastography technology for diagnosis of pancreatic diseases
Authors: Yamashita Yasunobu , Kitano Masayuki
Published: November 2020

This Editorial refers to the article by E. Ohno et al., p 629‐638 of this issue.
Color assessment of selected lawn grass mixtures
Authors: Wolski Karol , Czarnecki Jarosław , Brennensthul Marek , Ptak Weronika
Published: November 2020

The three‐year experiment dealt with 12 lawn grass mixtures with different composition of species and varieties. Two sowing rates were applied: N1‐25 g/m2 and N2‐35 g/m2. Lawn colors were assessed in spring, summer and autumn with the visual method, with a 1–9 scale assigning a score to each plot of grass according to the Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart. It was found that in the spring the mixtures with the highest proportions of Festuca rubra L. and in the summer and autumn those where Poa pratensis L. dominated had the best color. The effect of the sowing rate was studied only in the summer and autumn. On average, the best and darkest color was reported in the spring and summer. The least intense color of the lawns was in the second year of the studies due to weather conditions during that growing period, affecting the level of chlorophyll in plant leaves. It was found that a definite choice of a lawn mixture was extremely difficult and should be preceded by a detailed analysis of local conditions. The species and varieties selected for a lawn should ensure the right color as long as possible during the growing season.
Does manipulating harvest regime of single‐cut 'Fahl' berseem clover compensate for reduced seeding rate?
Authors: Sabry Attia Salama Heba , Issa Nawar Ali
Published: November 2020

Providing precise information about the variations in yield and quality of single‐cut 'Fahl' berseem clover (Trifolium alexandrinum L.) in relation to crop's harvest regime and seeding rate would support its optimal utilization in rotation with other crops grown in the Mediterranean environment. Current study investigated the variations in fodder yield and nutritive value of 'Fahl' berseem clover when cut at three harvesting regimes, adjusted in terms of three phenological stages: bud stage (60 days after sowing—DAS), early flowering (75 DAS) and full flowering (90 DAS) under elevated seeding rates (25%, 50%, 75% and 100% of the recommended). When 'Fahl' berseem clover was harvested at bud stage, the use of increased seeding rates was essential for higher fodder yield, while delaying harvesting to early or full flowering provided a good compensation to the reduced seeding rates. The optimal fresh fodder yield was achieved when the crop was cut at early flowering (75 DAS) with 55% seeding rate. Seeding rate had minimal effect on the studied fodder quality parameters, which were significantly variable according to the harvest regime. Late harvests were characterized by higher dry yield, dry matter accumulation, fiber and non‐fiber carbohydrates contents, yet lower crude protein. The highest significant crude protein content was a character of the crop harvested at early flowering (75 DAS) with around 60% seeding rate. In a similar Mediterranean context, 'Fahl' berseem clover can provide reasonable amount of forage of good quality throughout the autumn growth period when harvesting is done at early flowering and seeding rate is reduced to 60% of the recommended.
Enabling sustained communication with patients for safe and effective management of oral chemotherapy: A longitudinal ethnography
Authors: Mitchell Gary , Porter Sam , Manias Elizabeth
Published: November 2020

Aims

To examine how patients received, understood, and acted on healthcare professional communication about their oral chemotherapeutic regimen throughout their treatment.

Design

A longitudinal ethnographic study.

Methods

Over 60 hr of observational data were recorded, in the form of field notes and audio‐recordings from interactions among nine oncology doctors, six oncology nurses, eight patients, and 11 family members over a period of 6 months in outpatient departments in one hospital in Northern Ireland. Sixteen semi‐structured interviews with patients and three focus groups with healthcare professionals were also carried out. This study took place from October 2013–June 2016. Data were thematically analysed.

Results

Three themes where identified from the data. These were initiating concordance through first communication about oral chemotherapy; which focused on initial communication during oncology consultations about oral chemotherapy, sustained communication of managing chemotherapy side effects; which was about how communication processes supported timely and effective side effect management and un‐sustained communication of oral chemotherapy medication‐taking practice; when patients and healthcare professionals failed to communicate effectively about chemotherapy medication‐taking.

Conclusion

The two most important factors in ensuring the optimal management of oral chemotherapeutic medicines are early recognition and appropriate response to side effects and the maintenance of safe and effective medication administration. This study found that oncology doctors and nurses engaged in sustained communication about the side effects of chemotherapy but did not focus their communication on safe administration after the first consultation.

Impact

Based on this evidence, we recommend that healthcare professionals who provide oral chemotherapy for home administration should review their processes and procedures. Healthcare professionals need to ensure that they embed frequent communication for the duration of treatment between themselves and patients, including open discussion and advice, about side effects and medication administration.
Sophoridine suppresses lenvatinib‐resistant hepatocellular carcinoma growth by inhibiting RAS/MEK/ERK axis via decreasing VEGFR2 expression
Authors: Zhao Zhongwei , Zhang Dengke , Wu Fazong , Tu Jianfei , Song Jingjing , Xu Min , Ji Jiansong
Published: November 2020

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most lethal cancer types with insufficient approved therapies, among which lenvatinib is a newly approved multi‐targeted tyrosine kinase inhibitor for frontline advanced HCC treatment. However, resistance to lenvatinib has been reported in HCC treatment recently, which limits the clinical benefits of lenvatinib. This study aims to investigate the underlying mechanism of lenvatinib resistance and explore the potential drug to improve the treatment for lenvatinib‐resistant (LR) HCC. Here, we developed two human LR HCC cell lines by culturing with long‐term exposure to lenvatinib. Results showed that the vascular endothelial growth factor receptors (VEGFR)2 expression and its downstream RAS/MEK/ERK signalling were obviously up‐regulated in LR HCC cells, whereas the expression of VEGFR1, VEGFR3, FGFR1‐4 and PDGFRα/β showed no difference. Furthermore, ETS‐1 was identified to be responsible for VEGFR2 mediated lenvatinib resistance. The cell models were further used to explore the potential strategies for restoration of sensitivity of lenvatinib. Sophoridine, an alkaloid extraction, inhibited the proliferation, colony formation, cell migration and increased apoptosis of LR HCC cells. In vivo and in vitro results showed Sophoridine could further sensitize the therapeutic of lenvatinib against LR HCC. Mechanism studies revealed that Sophoridine decreased ETS‐1 expression to down‐regulate VEGFR2 expression along with downstream RAS/MEK/ERK axis in LR HCC cells. Hence, our study revealed that up‐regulated VEGFR2 expression could be a predicator of the resistance of lenvatinib treatment against HCC and provided a potential candidate to restore the sensitivity of lenvatinib for HCC treatment.
Worker visibility and firms' retention policies
Authors: Dato Simon , Grunewald Andreas , Kräkel Matthias
Published: November 2020

In the last two decades, the widespread use of web‐based social networks has led to a higher visibility of workers to the labor market. We theoretically and experimentally analyze the consequences of such increased labor market transparency for the efficiency of job assignments, the wages of workers, and firm profits. Our theoretical results show that higher visibility of workers increases the efficiency of job assignments, leads to a redistribution of income between workers of different ability, and increases overall surplus. Our experimental findings generally support the theoretical results with the exception that increased visibility leads to higher worker turnover such that surplus does not increase.
Amplicon sequencing reveals significantly increased Vibrio abundance and associated gene functions in vibriosis‐infected black tiger shrimp (Penaeus monodon)
Authors: Foysal Md Javed , Momtaz Farhana , Kawser A.Q.M. Robiul , Ali Md Hazrat , Raihan Topu , Siddik Muhammad A. B. , Rahman Md Mahbubur , Tay Alfred
Published: November 2020

Vibriosis caused by luminous Vibrio species is one of the biggest challenges to shrimp industry in Bangladesh. This study aimed to characterize whole microbial communities from Vibrio‐infected black tiger shrimp (Penaeus monodon) using 16S rRNA‐based amplicon sequencing. A total of 36 disease‐free and infected shrimp were collected from six different hatcheries in Bagerhat, Bangladesh. A final pool of 12 samples (n = 6) was created by homogenization of the hepatopancreas samples from three shrimps collected from each hatchery for the same group. The amplicon sequencing data revealed significant (p < .05) decrease of alpha diversity measurements and subsequent effects (p < .05) on the hepatopancreas microbiota in the infected group, compared to control shrimp. Proteobateria and Aeromonas were the most dominant bacteria at phylum and genus level in both groups and identified as core microbiota in the community. Two bacterial groups at phyla level and eight at genus level were found associated with the alteration of hepatopancreas microbial communities and associated gene functions in vibriosis‐infected shrimp, revealed by differential abundance and KEGG pathway analysis. The overwhelming abundance of Citroibacter, Shewanella and Candidatus lineages in vibriosis‐infected shrimp needs further investigations.
Stealing the common from the goose: The emergence of Farmers' Rights and their implementation in India and Brazil
Authors: Muzaka Valbona
Published: November 2020

The emergence of Farmers' Rights in international law is closely related to the “seed wars” at the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) during the 1980s. Recognizing the plant innovations of farmers everywhere, these rights represented a countervailing measure against increasing pressures to protect commercial plant breeders' rights around the world. Nearly three decades later, the intellectual property rights of plant breeders, internationally recognized and legally binding, are stronger than ever, while Farmers' Rights are facing increasing threats from the continuing spread of industrial agriculture and biotechnologies. The present article seeks to make two contributions: first, embedding the emergence of Farmers' Rights in a historical analysis, it conceptualizes them not simply as a new category of rights, but as a specific manifestation of the conflictual entwinement of capitalism and plant genetic resources fomented in the geopolitical context of the 20th century. Second, focusing on India and Brazil, it analyses the different manner in which the state in both has played a crucial role in restricting the real freedoms of traditional farmers. While farmers' “interests” are routinely preyed upon to justify various policies, their overall effect promises to deepen the ongoing process of farmers' dispossession and separation from their basic means of production: the seed.
Is mapping the BCG vaccine‐induced immune responses the key to improving the efficacy against tuberculosis?
Authors: Kuan R. , Muskat K. , Peters B. , Lindestam Arlehamn C. S.
Published: November 2020

In recent years, the century‐old Mycobacterium bovis Bacillus Calmette–Guérin (BCG) vaccine against tuberculosis (TB) has been re‐evaluated for its capacity to stem the global tide of TB. There is increasing evidence that the efficacy of BCG can be improved by the modified administration methods and schedules. Here, we first discuss recent approaches of vaccine administration, revaccination or boosting that have been used to try to improve the efficacy of BCG against TB. We then dive deeper into studies investigating the immune correlates of protection and describe studies that have investigated BCG‐specific T‐cell responses and the influence of environmental exposures. These studies all highlight that there is still a lot to learn about the immune response induced by BCG, both in terms of phenotype and specificity, which has been surprisingly understudied. We argue that several critical gaps in knowledge exist and must be addressed by future research to rationally improve the efficacy of BCG, including comprehensive, proteome‐wide understanding of the epitopes derived from BCG recognized by BCG‐vaccinated individuals, the phenotype of responding antigen‐specific T cells and how previous exposure to environmental mycobacteria affect these parameters and thus influence vaccine efficacy. The development of modern techniques allows us to answer some of these questions to better understand how BCG works in terms of both protection against TB and the immune response that it triggers.
ACE inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers and endothelial injury in COVID‐19
Authors: Tetlow S. , Segiet‐Swiecicka A. , O’Sullivan R. , O’Halloran S. , Kalb K. , Brathwaite‐Shirley C. , Alger L. , Ankuli A. , Baig M.S. , Catmur F. , Chan T. , Dudley D. , Fisher J. , Iqbal M.U. , Puczynska J. , Wilkins R. , Bygate R. , Roberts P.
Published: November 2020

Background

COVID‐19 is caused by the coronavirus SARS‐CoV‐2, which uses angiotensin‐converting enzyme 2 (ACE‐2) as a receptor for cellular entry. It is theorized that ACE inhibitors (ACE‐Is) or angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) may increase vulnerability to SARS‐CoV‐2 by upregulating ACE‐2 expression, but ACE‐I/ARB discontinuation is associated with clinical deterioration.

Objective

To determine whether ACE‐I and ARB use is associated with acute kidney injury (AKI), macrovascular thrombosis and in‐hospital mortality.

Methods

A retrospective, single‐centre study of 558 hospital inpatients with confirmed COVID‐19 admitted from 1 March to 30 April 2020, followed up until 24 May 2020. AKI and macrovascular thrombosis were primary end‐points, and in‐hospital mortality was a secondary end‐point.

Results

AKI occurred in 126 (23.1%) patients, 34 (6.1%) developed macrovascular thrombi, and 200 (35.9%) died. Overlap propensity score‐weighted analysis showed no significant effect of ACE‐I/ARB use on the risk of occurrence of the specified end‐points. On exploratory analysis, severe chronic kidney disease (CKD) increases odds of macrovascular thrombi (OR: 8.237, 95% CI: 1.689–40.181, P = 0.009). The risk of AKI increased with advancing age (OR: 1.028, 95% CI: 1.011–1.044, P = 0.001) and diabetes (OR: 1.675, 95% CI: 1.065–2.633, P = 0.025). Immunosuppression was associated with lower risk of AKI (OR: 0.160, 95% CI: 0.029–0.886, P = 0.036). Advancing age, dependence on care, male gender and eGFR < 60 mL min−1/1.73 m2 increased odds of in‐hospital mortality.

Conclusion

We did not identify an association between ACE‐I/ARB use and AKI, macrovascular thrombi or mortality. This supports the recommendations of the European and American Societies of Cardiology that ACE‐Is and ARBs should not be discontinued during the COVID‐19 pandemic.
Should Digital Complete Dentures Be Part of A Contemporary Prosthodontic Education?
Authors: Goodacre Charles J. , Goodacre Brian J. , Baba Nadim Z.
Published: November 2020

Digital complete dentures should be incorporated into a contemporary dental school education due to factors that include the substantial increase in the number of scientific publications devoted to digital dentures, the increased number of companies producing these prostheses, and the expanded use by practitioners. These factors increased recently due to multiple advantages of digital dentures that are described. Based on positive clinical experiences with such prostheses, preclinical curriculum changes were made with examples presented of both didactic and laboratory courses that now include digital dentures. Perspectives are presented regarding online laboratory procedures where a substantial portion can be performed at home through remote instruction.