bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Antecedents of a firm’s supply chain agility: the roles of a transactive memory system and supply network flexibility
Authors: Fernandez-Giordano Marisel , Stevenson Mark , Gutierrez Leopoldo , Llorens-Montes Javier
Published: July 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is twofold: first, to evaluate the roles of a transactive memory system and the supply network flexibility (SNF) of the firm as antecedents of a firm’s supply chain agility (FSCA), also incorporating the moderating role of the transactive memory system; and, second, to evaluate the relationship between FSCA and operations performance (OP).

Design/methodology/approach

Four hypothesized relationships are tested with survey data from 190 high-tech firms using structural equation models.

Findings

FSCA can be enhanced through the transactive memory system and SNF, although a higher degree of transactive memory system weakens the positive relationship between SNF and FSCA. A positive relationship is identified between FSCA and OP, while FSCA mediates the relationship between SNF and OP.

Practical implications

Managers can increase FSCA and improve OP by developing both the transactive memory system and SNF. Given that firms have limited resources, investment in internal capabilities should be prioritized as this appears to be more effective at developing FSCA.

Originality/value

The findings expand the literature by exploring two antecedents of FSCA and by analyzing the impact of FSCA on different measures of OP. Few prior studies have highlighted the importance of the transactive memory system to the operations function.
Offshore outsourcing of innovation by SMEs: a 4F perspective of governance
Authors: Seepana Chandrasekararao , Khraishi Ahmad , Paulraj Antony , Huq Fahian Anisul
Published: July 2021

Purpose

This study aims to investigate how contract complexity and relational trust could impact offshore outsourcing innovation (OOI) performance of small and medium enterprises (SMEs). This study further examines the moderating effects of knowledge routines and joint actions on the relationships between contract complexity, as well as relational trust and OOI performance.

Design/methodology/approach

The empirical investigation extends transaction cost economics and the relational view of buyer-supplier dyads in the context of offshore outsourcing SMEs. To test the hypotheses, the authors collected and analysed survey data from 200 European manufacturing SMEs that have existing offshore supplier relationships.

Findings

The results suggest that both complex contracts and relational trust as governance structures positively affect SMEs’ OOI performance. Additionally, while both formal knowledge routines and joint actions help strengthen the relationship between complex contracts and OOI, they showed no significant moderating effect on the relationship between relational trust and OOI. Furthermore, based on the results, the authors also develop a governance framework covering four configurations – fit, firm, flexible and fragile (4F).

Originality/value

The 4F governance scenarios – fit, firm, flexible and fragile – introduced in this study emphasise the need for a combination of contract complexity and relational trust mechanisms in OOI relationships. The 4F labelling has rich implications for practitioners on how interfirm outsourcing innovation relationships can be managed based on configurations of contractual and relational governance. The study also adds to the understanding of how SMEs’ specific characteristics (e.g. resource shortcomings and flexibility) may influence their OOI decisions in comparison with large firms.
Cost‐of‐illness study for axillary hyperhidrosis in Japan
Authors: Murota Hiroyuki , Fujimoto Tomoko , Oshima Yuichiro , Tamada Yasuhiko , Yanagishita Takeshi , Murayama Naoya , Inoue Sachie , Okatsu Hiromichi , Miyama Hiroshi , Yokozeki Hiroo
Published: July 2021

The prevalence of primary axillary hyperhidrosis in Japan is 5.75% (males, 6.60%; females, 4.72%) in the population aged 5–64 years. No study on comprehensively evaluated direct medical costs, hygiene product costs, and productivity loss in axillary hyperhidrosis patients has been published in Japan. The aim of this study was to estimate the cost of illness for axillary hyperhidrosis in Japan by conducting a nationwide insurance claims database analysis and a cross‐sectional Web‐based survey. Among patients diagnosed with primary axillary hyperhidrosis at least once between November 2012 and October 2019, health insurance receipt data of 1447 patients were analyzed. A cross‐sectional Web‐based survey was conducted on 321 patients aged 16–59 years with axillary hyperhidrosis to calculate hygiene product costs and productivity loss using a Work Productivity and Activity Impairment questionnaire. Furthermore, nationwide estimation was performed for the hygiene product costs and productivity loss based on the number of patients estimated from the prevalence. The annual direct medical costs per axillary hyperhidrosis patient were ¥91 491 in 2016, ¥93 155 in 2017, and ¥75 036 in 2018. In all of these years, botulinum toxin type A injection accounted for approximately 90% of the total costs. The annual total cost of hygiene products per axillary hyperhidrosis patient was ¥9325. The overall work impairment (%) of working patients with axillary hyperhidrosis was 30.52%, and its monthly productivity loss was ¥120 593/patient. The activity impairment (%) of full‐time housewives with axillary hyperhidrosis was 49.05% and its monthly productivity loss was ¥176 368/patient. The annual hygiene product cost based on the nationwide estimation was ¥24.5 billion and the monthly productivity loss was ¥312 billion. The significant cost associated with axillary hyperhidrosis was clarified. If out‐of‐pocket expenses for treatments not covered by health insurance are included in the estimation, the cost will further increase.
Integrating fundamental processes to understand eco‐evolutionary community dynamics and patterns
Authors: Govaert Lynn , Altermatt Florian , De Meester Luc , Leibold Mathew A. , McPeek Mark A. , Pantel Jelena H. , Urban Mark C.
Published: July 2021

Recent studies demonstrate that ecological and evolutionary processes can occur over similar temporal and spatial scales and might thus frequently interact. Although concepts such as the evolving metacommunity, diffuse (co)evolution and community genetics integrate multi‐species dynamics, most experimental studies usually consider how evolution affects only one focal species. Hence, our understanding of evolution in multi‐species communities is still underdeveloped.

We highlight key community and evolutionary mechanisms and their interactions to facilitate a broader understanding of evolution in multi‐species communities. We propose a framework that explicitly considers interactions between each of the four analogous processes of evolutionary biology (selection, gene flow, genetic drift and mutation) and community ecology (species sorting, dispersal, ecological drift and speciation).

Focusing on interactions between processes of evolutionary biology and community ecology enables explorations of the full range of eco‐evolutionary dynamics in multi‐species communities and guides the design of novel experiments. Furthermore, the proposed framework develops a shared language between evolutionary biologists and community ecologists and indicates new research avenues.

Overall, we propose that explicitly incorporating interactions between these evolutionary and community processes to study eco‐evolutionary dynamics in multi‐species communities will better inform broader questions about the maintenance of diversity and the resilience of diverse communities to disturbances, both natural and manmade.

A freePlain Language Summarycan be found within the Supporting Information of this article.
Positive abundance–elevational range size relationship weakened from temperate to subtropical ecosystems
Authors: Hu Yiming , Scheffers Brett , Pan Xinyuan , Hu Huijian , Zhou Zhixin , Liang Dan , Wenda Cheng , Wen Zhixin , Gibson Luke
Published: July 2021

Describing the patterns and revealing the underlying mechanisms responsible for variations in community structure remain a central focus in ecology. However, important gaps remain, including our understanding of species abundance. Most studies on abundance‐based relationships are from either temperate ecosystems or tropical ecosystems, and few have explicitly tested abundance‐based relationships across a temperate to tropical ecotone.

Here, we use a comprehensive dataset of breeding birds across elevation spanning a temperate to subtropical gradient in the Himalayas–Hengduan Mountains of China to examine the relationship between species abundance and (a) elevational range size, (b) body size, (c) elevational range centre and (d) endemicity.

We tested a priori predictions for abundance–elevational range size relationship, abundance–body size relationship and abundance–elevational range centre relationship, and explored how these relationships change along this temperate to subtropical mountain ecosystem.

We found that species abundance was significantly positively correlated with elevational range size across the study sites, demonstrating the key importance of elevational range size towards species abundance. Body size and elevational range centre are weakly correlated with abundance. A novel finding of our study is that the abundance–elevational range size relationship gradually weakened from temperate to subtropical ecosystems, adding to a growing body of evidence suggesting that abundance–elevational range size tracks a temperate to tropical ecotone.

Our study demonstrates that abundance range–size relationship can transition across ecotones where faunas of different evolutionary origins converge. Furthermore, measuring abundance relationships across different environmental variables at the same spatial scale with comparable biogeography is a key strategy that can reveal the underlying mechanisms behind abundance patterns.
Tree species richness promotes an early increase of stand structural complexity in young subtropical plantations
Authors: Perles‐Garcia Maria D. , Kunz Matthias , Fichtner Andreas , Härdtle Werner , von Oheimb Goddert
Published: July 2021

Forest structural complexity has been identified as an important driver for promoting simultaneously biodiversity across trophic levels and multiple ecosystem services. However, we still have a limited understanding of the processes that lead to structural complex stands and how they evolve over time.

Using terrestrial laser scanning (TLS), we quantified a three‐dimensional (3D) stand structural complexity index (SSCI) in an experimental plantation with a long gradient of tree species richness (1–24 species). The plantation was established in 2009, and we made use of a multi‐temporal TLS dataset recorded during 2012–2019.

We found a positive relationship between tree species richness and structural complexity. This relationship became stronger over time. Ten years after planting, SSCI was on average two‐fold higher in 16‐ and 24‐species mixtures than in monocultures. Furthermore, we demonstrate that tree species richness promotes 3D stand structural complexity indirectly by fostering a high vertical heterogeneity and thus greater spatial complementarity in canopy space.

Synthesis and applications. Our findings indicate that tree species richness plays a crucial role in promoting stand structural complexity in young plantations, and this role becomes more important already during early stand development. Thus, afforestation measures would benefit from planting multiple native tree species to initiate structurally complex stands.
First trimester angiogenic and inflammatory factors in women with chronic hypertension and impact of blood pressure control: a case–control study
Authors: Nzelu D , Nicolaides KH , Kametas NA
Published: July 2021

Objectives

To assess first trimester serum placental growth factor (PLGF), soluble fms‐like tyrosine kinase‐1 (sFLT‐1), interleukin‐6 (IL‐6), tumour necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α), endothelin and vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM) in women with chronic hypertension (CH) stratified according to blood pressure (BP) control.

Design

Case–control.

Setting

Tertiary referral centre.

Population

650 women with CH, 142 normotensive controls.

Methods

In the first trimester, patients with CH were subdivided into four groups. Group 1 included women without pre‐pregnancy CH presenting with BP ≥140/90 mmHg. Groups 2–4 had pre‐pregnancy CH; in group 2 the BP was <140/90 mmHg without antihypertensive medication, in group 3 the BP was <140/90 mmHg with antihypertensive medication, and in group 4 the BP was ≥140/90 mmHg despite antihypertensive medication. PLGF, sFLT‐1, IL‐6, TNF‐α, endothelin and VCAM were measured at 11+0–13+6 weeks’ gestation and converted into multiples of the expected median (MoM) using multivariate regression analysis in the controls.

Main outcome measure

Comparisons of MoM values of PLGF, sFLT‐1, endothelin, IL‐6, TNF‐α and VCAM between the entire cohort of women with CH and the control group were made using Student’s t‐test or Mann–Whitney U‐test. Comparisons between the four CH groups were made using analysis of variance or Kruskal–Wallis tests.

Results

Compared with the control group, women with CH had significantly lower MoM of PLGF, sFLT‐1 and IL‐6 and a significantly higher MoM of endothelin. Between the four groups of women with CH, there were no significant differences in the MoM of sFLT‐1, PLGF, sFLT‐1/PLGF ratio, endothelin, IL‐6 or VCAM, or in the levels of TNF‐ α.

Conclusion

In women with CH, differences exist in first trimester angiogenic and inflammatory profiles when compared with normotensive pregnancies. However, these differences do not assist in the stratification of women with CH to identify those with more severe underlying disease and worse pregnancy outcomes.

Tweetable abstract

First trimester blood pressure control impacts on serum PLGF, sFLT‐1, endothelin and IL‐6 in women with chronic hypertension.
Levator ani avulsion: a Systematic evidence review (LASER)
Authors: Rusavy Z , Paymova L , Kozerovsky M , Veverkova A , Kalis V , Kamel RA , Ismail KM
Published: July 2021

Background

There is variation in the reported incidence rates of levator avulsion (LA) and paucity of research into its risk factors.

Objective

To explore the incidence rate of LA by mode of birth, imaging modality, timing of diagnosis and laterality of avulsion.

Search strategy

We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, AMED and MIDIRS with no language restriction from inception to April 2019.

Study eligibility criteria

A study was included if LA was assessed by an imaging modality after the first vaginal birth or caesarean section. Case series and reports were not included.

Data collection and analysis

RevMan v5.3 was used for the meta‐analyses and SW SAS and STATISTICA packages were used for type and timing of imaging analyses.

Results

We included 37 primary non‐randomised studies from 17 countries and involving 5594 women. Incidence rates of LA were 1, 15, 21, 38.5 and 52% following caesarean, spontaneous, vacuum, spatula and forceps births, respectively, with no differences by imaging modality. Odds ratio of LA following spontaneous birth versus caesarean section was 10.69. The odds ratios for LA following vacuum and forceps compared with spontaneous birth were 1.66 and 6.32, respectively. LA was more likely to occur unilaterally than bilaterally following spontaneous (P < 0.0001) and vacuum‐assisted (P = 0.0103) births but not forceps. Incidence was higher if assessment was performed in the first 4 weeks postpartum.

Conclusions

LA incidence rates following caesarean, spontaneous, vacuum and forceps deliveries were 1, 15, 21 and 52%, respectively. Ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging were comparable tools for LA diagnosis.

Tweetable abstract

Levator avulsion incidence rates after caesarean, spontaneous, vacuum and forceps deliveries were 1, 15, 21 and 52%, respectively.
Adnexectomy by vaginal Natural Orifice Transluminal Endoscopic Surgery versus laparoscopy: results of a first randomised controlled trial (NOTABLE trial)
Authors: Baekelandt J , De Mulder PA , Le Roy I , Mathieu C , Laenen A , Enzlin P , Morlion B , Weyers S , Mol BWJ , Bosteels JJA
Published: July 2021

Objective

To compare adnexectomy by vaginal Natural Orifice Transluminal Endoscopic Surgery (vNOTES) versus laparoscopy.

Design

Parallel group, 1:1 single‐centre single‐blinded randomised trial, designed as non‐inferiority study with a margin of 15%.

Setting

Belgian teaching hospital.

Population

Non‐pregnant non‐virgin women with an intact uterus and without obliteration of the pouch of Douglas scheduled to undergo removal of an adnexal mass assessed to be benign on ultrasound by IOTA criteria.

Methods

Randomisation to laparoscopy (control group) or vNOTES (experimental group). Stratification according to adnexal size. Blinding of participants and outcome assessors by sham incisions.

Main outcome measures

The primary outcome measure was adnexectomy by the allocated technique. Secondary outcomes included duration of surgery, pain scores and analgesics used, quality of life and adverse events.

Results

We randomly assigned 67 participants (34 to the vNOTES group and 33 to the laparoscopy group). The primary end point was always reached in both groups: there were no conversions. We performed a sensitivity analysis for the primary outcome, assuming one conversion in the vNOTES group and no conversions in the laparoscopy group: the one‐sided 95% upper limit for the differences in proportions of conversion was estimated as 13%, which is below the predefined non‐inferiority margin of 15%. The secondary outcomes demonstrated a shorter duration of surgery, lower pain scores, lower total dose of analgesics and a trend for more adverse events in the vNOTES group.

Conclusions

vNOTES is non‐inferior to laparoscopy for a successful adnexectomy without conversion. vNOTES allowed shorter operating times and less postoperative pain but there was a trend for more adverse events.
The specificity and reproducibility of general Schallamach pattern on heel part of rubber outsole
Authors: Zhang He , Liu Luoxi , Quan Yongzhi , Luo Yaping
Published: July 2021

The Schallamach pattern is an acquired characteristic that is sometimes observed in crime scenes. However, the detailed pattern is not always visible, although its general pattern is still recognizable. To determine the discrimination power (DP) of the general Schallamach pattern (GSP), 55 outsoles worn by 33 volunteers were chosen for the experiment. Their prints were lifted after different intervals for six months using magnetic powder and self‐adhesive lifters. After the prints were segmented into grids using Photoshop CS6, the presence/absence, angle, and density of the GSP were observed and measured in each grid. There were 18747 pairs of same‐source samples among the 1447 dust impressions. An algorithm (weight combination of the presence/absence, angle, and density) was determined when a weight combination of the parameters considered recognized most of the same‐source sample pairs. The results showed that the angles of the GSP on the left and right shoes were concentrated in the range [–5.5°, –20.43°] and [8.8°, 24.97°], respectively, and the DP was only 37.5%. With a simply optimized algorithm, the DP reached 54.82%, and the DP of sample pairs lifted within one day reached 79.04%. The study demonstrates that one can distinguish the Schallamach pattern on the heel part of the outsole without information regarding the presence/absence, angle, and density of patterns.
Orchidopexy for congenital and acquired undescended testes ‐ Long‐term follow up needed
Authors: Tang Michelle Yeuk‐lam , Wong Yuen‐shan , Pang Kristine Kit‐yi , Tam Yuk‐him
Published: July 2021

Introduction

Undescended testis (UDT) is the most common urological anomaly in boys with orchidopexy as the standard of treatment. However, characteristics of UDT and long‐term outcomes after orchidopexy had not been reported in our locality. This study aimed to review the late surgical outcomes of these patients in our centre.

Methods

A retrospective review was performed on patients under 16 years old with orchidopexy done for UDT from 2005 to 2010. Patient demographics, UDT characteristics, pre‐operative imaging, peri‐operative complications and any late testicular ascent or atrophy were documented. Only those with 1‐year follow up after operation were included for long‐term outcome analysis.

Results

A total of 331 testes in 290 boys were included; 244 (73.7%) testes were congenital while 43 (13%) were acquired UDT. Of the 43 acquired UDT, 28 (65.1%) had been followed up by us for retractile testis and had significantly earlier orchidopexy than those who had not (6 vs 9.6 years; P = .04). More patients with acquired UDT had hypospadias (20%) compared with 2.3% in those with congenital UDT (P < .001). The median follow up time was 8 years (1‐13 years) and the overall success rate of orchidopexy was 93.8% (271/289). The median time to detect any late complication was 17.5 months (3‐46 months).

Conclusion

Acquired UDT accounted for at least 13% of orchidopexies in our centre. Patients after orchidopexy should have a minimum follow up time of 4 years in order to detect any late failures. Early referral of retractile testes to a specialised paediatric surgical centre for regular follow up is recommended for earlier detection of acquired UDT. Boys with a history of hypospadias and retractile testes had higher risk of acquired UDT.
Flexible foraging decisions made by workers of the social waspVespula germanica(Hymenoptera: Vespidae) in response to different resources: influence of ontogenetic shifts and colony feedback
Authors: Mattiacci Analía , Masciocchi Maité , Corley Juan C.
Published: July 2021

Decisions made by foraging animals conform a complex process based on the integration of information from multiple external environmental stimuli and internal physiological signals, which in turn are modulated by individual experience and a detection threshold of each individual. For social insects in which foraging is limited to given age subcastes, individual foraging decisions may also be affected by ontogenetic shifts and colony requirements. We studied the short‐term changes in foraging preferences of the generalist waspVespula germanica, focusing on whether the individual response to different resources could be influenced by the ontogenetic shifts and/or by social interaction with nestmates. We carried both laboratory and field experiments to confront worker wasps to a short‐term resource switch between either protein or carbohydrate‐based foods. We tested the response of (1)Preforagerworkers (no foraging experience nor interaction with other wasps), (2)Foragerworkers (experience in foraging and no colony feedback), and (3)Wild foragerworkers (foraging naturally and exposed to free interactions with nestmates). We evaluated the maxilla‐labium extension response (MaLER) for laboratory assays or the landing response for field assays. We observed that for wasps deprived of colony feedback (eitherpreforagers or foragers), the protein‐rich foods acceptance threshold increased (and thus a lower level of foraging on that item was observed) if they had foraged on carbohydrates previously, whereas carbohydrates were accepted in all assays. However, wasps immersed in a natural foraging context did accept protein foods regardless of their first foraging experience and reduced the carbohydrates collected when trained on protein foods. We provide evidence that short‐term changes in foraging preferences depend on the type of resource foraged and on the social interactions, but not on ontogenetic shifts.
Melt–Fluid and Fluid–Fluid Immiscibility in a Na2SO4–SiO2–H2O System and Implications for the Formation of Rare Earth Deposits
Authors: CUI Hao , ZHONG Richen , XIE Yuling , WANG Xiaolin , CHEN Huan
Published: July 2021

Liquid–liquid immiscibility has crucial influences on geological processes, such as magma degassing and formation of ore deposits. Sulfate, as an important component, associates with many kinds of deposits. Two types of immiscibility, including (i) fluid–melt immiscibility between an aqueous solution and a sulfate melt, and (ii) fluid–fluid immiscibility between two aqueous fluids with different sulfate concentrations, have been identified for sulfate–water systems. In this study, we investigated the immiscibility behaviors of a sulfate‐ and quartz‐saturated Na2SO4–SiO2–H2O system at elevated temperature, to explore the phase relationships involving both types of immiscibility. The fluid–melt immiscibility appeared first when the Na2SO4–SiO2–H2O sample was heated to ∼270°C, and then fluid–fluid immiscibility emerged while the sample was further heated to ∼450°C. At this stage, the coexistence of one water‐saturated sulfate melt and two aqueous fluids with distinct sulfate concentrations was observed. The three immiscible phases remain stable over a wide pressure–temperature range, and the appearance temperature of the fluid–fluid immiscibility increases with the increased pressure. Considering that sulfate components occur extensively in carbonatite‐related deposits, the fluid–fluid immiscibility can result in significant sulfate fractionation and provides implications for understanding the formation of carbonatite‐related rare earth deposits.
A high‐fat diet exacerbates the Alzheimer's disease pathology in the hippocampus of the AppNL−F/NL−F knock‐in mouse model
Authors: Mazzei Guianfranco , Ikegami Ryohei , Abolhassani Nona , Haruyama Naoki , Sakumi Kunihiko , Saito Takashi , Saido Takaomi C. , Nakabeppu Yusaku
Published: July 2021

Insulin resistance and diabetes mellitus are major risk factors for Alzheimer's disease (AD), and studies with transgenic mouse models of AD have provided supportive evidence with some controversies. To overcome potential artifacts derived from transgenes, we used a knock‐in mouse model, AppNL−F/NL−F, which accumulates Aβ plaques from 6 months of age and shows mild cognitive impairment at 18 months of age, without the overproduction of APP. In the present study, 6‐month‐old male AppNL−F/NL−F and wild‐type mice were fed a regular or high‐fat diet (HFD) for 12 months. HFD treatment caused obesity and impaired glucose tolerance (i.e., T2DM conditions) in both wild‐type and AppNL−F/NL−F mice, but only the latter animals exhibited an impaired cognitive function accompanied by marked increases in both Aβ deposition and microgliosis as well as insulin resistance in the hippocampus. Furthermore, HFD‐fed AppNL−F/NL−F mice exhibited a significant decrease in volume of the granule cell layer in the dentate gyrus and an increased accumulation of 8‐oxoguanine, an oxidized guanine base, in the nuclei of granule cells. Gene expression profiling by microarrays revealed that the populations of the cell types in hippocampus were not significantly different between the two mouse lines, regardless of the diet. In addition, HFD treatment decreased the expression of the Aβ binding protein transthyretin (TTR) in AppNL−F/NL−F mice, suggesting that the depletion of TTR underlies the increased Aβ deposition in the hippocampus of HFD‐fed AppNL−F/NL−F mice.
Development and external validation of the KIIDS‐TBI tool for managing children with mild traumatic brain injury and intracranial injuries
Authors: Greenberg Jacob K. , Ahluwalia Ranbir , Hill Madelyn , Johnson Gabbie , Hale Andrew T. , Belal Ahmed , Baygani Shawyon , Olsen Margaret A. , Foraker Randi E. , Carpenter Christopher R. , Yan Yan , Ackerman Laurie , Noje Corina , Jackson Eric , Burns Erin , Sayama Christina M. , Selden Nathan R. , Vachhrajani Shobhan , Shannon Chevis N. , Kuppermann Nathan , Limbrick David D.
Published: July 2021

Background

Clinical decision support (CDS) may improve the postneuroimaging management of children with mild traumatic brain injuries (mTBI) and intracranial injuries. While the CHIIDA score has been proposed for this purpose, a more sensitive risk model may have broader use. Consequently, this study's objectives were to: (1) develop a new risk model with improved sensitivity compared to the CHIIDA model and (2) externally validate the new model and CHIIDA model in a multicenter data set.

Methods

We analyzed children ≤18 years old with mTBI and intracranial injuries included in the PECARN head injury data set (2004–2006). We used binary recursive partitioning to predict the composite outcome of neurosurgical intervention, intubation for > 24 h due to TBI, or death due to TBI. The new model was externally validated in a separate data set that included children treated at any one of six centers from 2006 to 2019.

Results

Based on 839 patients from the PECARN data set, a new risk model, the KIIDS‐TBI model, was developed that incorporated imaging (e.g., midline shift) and clinical (e.g., Glasgow Coma Scale score) findings. Based on the model‐predicted probability of the composite outcome, three cutoffs were evaluated to classify patients as “high risk” for level of care decisions. In the external validation data set consisting of 1,630 patients, the most conservative cutoff (i.e., any predictor present) identified 119 of 119 children with the composite outcome (sensitivity = 100%), but had the lowest specificity (26.3%). The other two decision‐making cutoffs had worse sensitivity (94.1%–96.6%) but improved specificity (67.4%–81.3%). The CHIIDA model lacked the most conservative cutoff and otherwise showed the same or slightly worse performance compared to the other two cutoffs.

Conclusions

The KIIDS‐TBI model has high sensitivity and moderate specificity for risk stratifying children with mTBI and intracranial injuries. Use of this CDS tool may help improve the safe, resource‐efficient management of this important patient population.
Association of an emergency department febrile neutropenia intervention protocol with time to initial antibiotic treatment
Authors: Seltzer Justin A. , Frankfurt Olga , Kyriacou Demetrios N.
Published: July 2021

Background

Earlier initial antibiotic treatment for febrile neutropenia is associated with improved clinical outcomes. This study was conducted to evaluate the association of an emergency department (ED) intervention protocol with time to initial antibiotic treatment for febrile neutropenia patients.

Methods

We conducted a cohort study of adult ED febrile neutropenia patients before and after implementation of an intervention protocol. Analyses included comparison of means and medians, Kaplan‐Meier estimates, multivariable regression analyses, interrupted time‐series analyses, and causal mediation analyses. The intervention protocol included specific triage and process‐of‐care actions to reduce the primary outcome of time to initial antibiotic treatment.

Results

There were 69 patients in the 12‐month preintervention period and 52 patients in the 8‐month postintervention period. The mean (±SD) times to initial antibiotics were 197.6 (±85.4) min for the preintervention group and 97.7 (±51.0) min for the postintervention group (difference of 99.9 min with 95% confidence interval [CI] = 73.5 to 126.4, p < 0.001). The patients’ probability for receiving initial antibiotics within 90 min was severalfold greater (adjusted risk ratio = 10.31, 95% CI = 4.99 to 21.30, p < 0.001) for the postintervention group versus preintervention group. ED length of stay, hospital length of stay, 30‐day readmissions, and 30‐day all‐cause mortality were not different between the study groups. The association of the intervention protocol with time to initial antibiotics appeared to be mediated through times to treatment room placement, report of absolute neutrophil count, and initial antibiotic order.

Conclusions

The intervention protocol was associated with a significant reduction in time to initial antibiotics for ED patients with febrile neutropenia. This association appears to be facilitated through specific intermediate process‐of‐care variables. A larger multicenter study is needed to assess the potential effects of an ED febrile neutropenia protocol on patient‐centered clinical outcomes and resource utilization.
Local versus foreign analysts' forecast accuracy: does herding matter?
Authors: Choi Young‐Soo , Mira Svetlana , Taylor Nicholas
Published: July 2021

The aim of this paper is to compare the information and resource endowments possessed by different analyst types, classified by both location and employment within the context of seven emerging Asian markets. Our results show that local analysts are more accurate than expatriate and global analysts when we consider all earnings forecasts. However, when we control for the segregated herding behaviour of analysts, we find that herding local forecasts are one of the least accurate compared to other herding forecasts. By contrast, bold local (that is, non‐herding local) forecasts are more accurate than all other bold forecasts. This suggests that the information endowment of bold local analysts is superior to the information and resource endowments of bold expatriate analysts. We show that the superior accuracy of bold local forecasts does not stem from business group affiliations, investment banking relationships, demand for local analysts’ services or the specialisation of analysts vis‐à‐vis countries or sectors. We consistently find that bold local analysts are better at assessing the earnings of the firm they forecast. Our results show that the prior documented advantage of local analysts in terms of forecasting accuracy is driven by the bold local analysts, with herding locals diluting this effect. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to explore the segregated herding behaviour of local, expatriate and global analysts, and its impact on relative forecast accuracy across analyst types.
Learning‐by‐doing: the experience effect in mergers and acquisitions
Authors: Cai Chen , Li Huimin , Zhou Haigang
Published: July 2021

We examine the relation between firms' prior acquisition experience and subsequent acquisition performance. Based on our sample firms' complete acquisition histories, we find that acquirers with prior experience in the target industry perform better in subsequent diversifying acquisitions, and that the effect is stronger in industries with higher uncertainty. The outperformance is attributable to experienced acquirers' ability to identify targets with higher synergies. Additional analysis shows that the experience effect is robust after controlling for management experience and other firm‐specific factors, and that considering small acquisitions as part of a firm's learning process is essential to the experience effect.
Institutional ownership and liquidity commonality: evidence from Australia
Authors: Bradrania Reza , Elliott Robert , Wu Winston
Published: July 2021

We study the liquidity commonality impact of local and foreign institutional investment in the Australian equity market in the cross‐section and over time. We find that commonality in liquidity is higher for large stocks compared to small stocks in the cross‐section of stocks, and the spread between the two has increased over the past two decades. We show that this divergence can be explained by foreign institutional ownership. This finding suggests that foreign institutional investment contributes to an increase in the exposure of large stocks to unexpected liquidity events in the local market. We find a positive association between foreign institutional ownership and commonality in liquidity across all stocks, particularly in large and mid‐cap stocks. Correlated trading by foreign institutions explains this association. However, local institutional ownership is positively related to the commonality in liquidity for large‐cap stocks only.
Exploring the adaptive role of core social motives in perceived societal threats
Authors: Kashima Emiko S. , Ochoa Danielle P. , Nicolas Gandalf , Ah Gang Getrude C. , Du Hongfei , Klackl Johannes , Plusnin Nicholas , Miriyagalla Upekha Pathumi , Kashima Yoshihisa , Fiske Susan T.
Published: July 2021

Societal threats that face the world today seem overpowering, especially for young generations who will need to develop creative solutions. The present study examined the relationships between societal threats and social motives. Social motives function to orient individuals toward the social world and prepare them to engage socially. This adaptive function of social motives may be particularly useful when threats are looming in the environment. We thus expected that perceived societal threats would correlate positively with activation of social motives, especially among individuals with lower self‐esteem, who tend to show higher interdependency when threatened. Our cross‐cultural samples from Australia, the United States, New Zealand, the Philippines, China (Macao), Malaysia (Sabah), and Austria (N = 1,269) showed evidence to support these expectations. Perceived societal threats correlated positively with all social motives (Belong, Understand, Control, Esteem, and Trust); however, the link was most vital for the Control motive, and especially in the United States and China. In line with our expectations, higher perceived societal threats were associated with more robust social motives, especially among those with low self‐esteem. Potential mechanisms through which social motives assist adaptation to societal threats and country‐specific contents of threats are discussed.
Social unfairness as a predictor of social trust in China
Authors: Cheung Chau‐kiu , Yeung Jerf Wai‐keung , Guo Sijia
Published: July 2021

Exchange theory suggests that social unfairness, including conflict and inequality experienced locally at both personal and neighbourhood levels, reduces social trust generally. To test these uncharted suggestions, the present study analysed two‐wave panel survey data on a representative national sample of 25,618 Chinese adults. Results demonstrated that higher social unfairness experienced personally in 2010 significantly predicted lower social trust in 2014. Neighbourhood social unfairness, which was the average of social unfairness experienced in neighbourhood residents, was also negatively predictive of social trust at neighbourhood and thus personal levels. This supports the extension of exchange theory from the personal level to the neighbourhood level. Results imply the relevance of social unfairness at both personal and neighbourhood levels to social trust in China. They also imply the significance of personal and collective interests in exchange theory.
A bird's eye view on the role of dendritic cells in SARS‐CoV‐2 infection: Perspectives for immune‐based vaccines
Authors: Galati Domenico , Zanotta Serena , Capitelli Ludovica , Bocchino Marialuisa
Published: July 2021

Coronavirus disease‐19 (COVID‐19) is a complex disorder caused by the pandemic diffusion of a novel coronavirus named SARS‐CoV‐2. Clinical manifestations vary from silent infection to severe pneumonia, disseminated thrombosis, multi‐organ failure, and death. COVID‐19 pathogenesis is still not fully elucidated, while increasing evidence suggests that disease phenotypes are strongly related to the virus‐induced immune system's dysregulation. Indeed, when the virus‐host cross talk is out of control, the occurrence of an aberrant systemic inflammatory reaction, named “cytokine storm,” leads to a detrimental impairment of the adaptive immune response. Dendritic cells (DCs) are the most potent antigen‐presenting cells able to support innate immune and promote adaptive responses. Besides, DCs play a key role in the anti‐viral defense. The aim of this review is to focus on DC involvement in SARS‐CoV‐2 infection to better understand pathogenesis and clinical behavior of COVID‐19 and explore potential implications for immune‐based therapy strategies.
Chemotherapy‐induced toxicity in patients with testicular germ cell tumors: The impact of physical fitness and regular exercise
Authors: Amiri Ali , Chovanec Michal , Oliva Viktor , Sedliak Milan , Mego Michal , Ukropec Jozef , Ukropcová Barbara
Published: July 2021

Background

Testicular germ cell tumors (TGCTs) represent ∼95% of testicular malignancies and are the most common type of malignancy in young male adults. While the incidence of TGCTs has increased during the last decades, the advances in treatment, namely introducing cisplatin into the chemotherapy regimen, have made TGCTs highly curable with the 10‐year survival rate exceeding 95%. However, in parallel with increased cure rates, survivors may experience acute and late adverse effects of treatment, which increase morbidity, reduce the quality of life, and can be potentially life‐threatening. Chemotherapy‐related toxicities include cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, secondary cancer, avascular necrosis, cognitive impairment, cancer‐related fatigue, poor mental health‐related quality of life, nephrotoxicity, hypogonadism, neurotoxicity, pulmonary toxicity, anxiety, and depression. These treatment‐related adverse effects have emerged as important survivorship dilemmas in TGCT cancer survivors. Recently, regular physical exercise has increasingly attracted research and clinical attention as an adjunct therapy for cancer patients.

Purpose

Herein, we review the most common chemotherapy‐related adverse effects in TGCT survivors and clinical relevance of exercise and increased cardio‐respiratory fitness in modulating chemotherapy‐related toxicity and quality of life in this population.

Results and conclusion

Exercise has positive effects on a spectrum of physical and psychosocial outcomes during and after cancer treatment, and current guidelines on exercise prescription in chronic diseases define the recommended dose (volume and intensity) of regular exercise for cancer survivors, highlighting regular, sufficiently intensive physical activity as an essential part of patients’ care.
Does the time interval from the end of sperm processing to intrauterine insemination (lab‐to‐uterus time) affect treatment outcome?
Authors: Stein Anat , Altman Eran , Rotlevi Mali , Deutsch Avigail , Ben‐Haroush Avi , Wertheimer Avital , Eizenhamer Yael , Schohat Tzippy , Shufaro Yoel
Published: July 2021

Background

Intra‐uterine insemination is an essential component in the treatment of infertility. Success rates are dependent on clinical factors of the female partner, sperm quality, and preparation technique. The effect of the time interval between the end of sperm preparation in the lab, and its injection into the uterine cavity (lab‐to‐uterus time) is yet to be determined.

Aim

To investigate the association between the lab‐to‐uterus time and the pregnancy rate.

Materials and methods

Partner and donor spermatozoa intra‐uterine insemination cycles were included. Preparation for intra‐uterine insemination of partners’ fresh ejaculate or donor thawed spermatozoa was identical. The time interval from the completion of this stage to the actual intra‐uterine injection was recorded. The lab‐to‐uterus intervals were divided into groups A (0–29 min), B (30–59 min), C (60–89 min), and D (90–180 min). Pregnancy was defined as two adequate consecutive doubling levels of hCG and the pregnancy rates were compared between the groups.

Results

A total of 267 female patients (138 partner spermatozoa, 129 donors) who had 470 intra‐uterine insemination cycles (218 partner spermatozoa, 252 donors) were included. No significant differences in pregnancy rates per treatment cycle were found between the four lab‐to‐uterus interval groups: A (n = 96 cycles; 16.7%), B (n = 217; 19.4%), C (n = 121; 16.5%), and D (n = 36; 36.1%). No difference was found in the pregnancy rates between partner and donor spermatozoa. In the case of fresh partner spermatozoa, the pregnancy rates for groups were as follows: A (n = 40 cycles, 20%); B (n = 94; 14.9%), C (n = 70; 17.1%), and D (n = 14; 35.7%) (NS). In the case of thawed donor spermatozoa, the pregnancy rates (per cycle) for groups were as follows: A (n = 56; 14.3%), B (n = 123; 22.8%), C (n = 51; 15.7%), and D (n = 22; 36.4)% (NS).

Conclusions

The intra‐uterine insemination outcome was not affected by the lab‐to‐uterus time interval. Extended waiting up to 3 h for insemination did not have any detrimental effect on pregnancy rates, regardless if partner or donor spermatozoa was used.
Differential diagnosis between LQT1 and LQT2 by QT/RR relationships using 24‐hour Holter monitoring: A multicenter cross‐sectional study
Authors: Yodogawa Kenji , Aiba Takeshi , Sumitomo Naotaka , Yamamoto Teppei , Murata Hiroshige , Iwasaki Yu‐ki , Kokubo Yoshihiro , Shimizu Wataru
Published: July 2021

Background

The clinical course and therapeutic strategies in the congenital long QT syndrome (LQTS) are genotype‐specific. However, accurate estimation of LQTS genotype is often difficult from the standard 12‐lead ECG.

Objectives

This study aims to evaluate the utility of QT/RR slope analysis by the 24‐hour Holter monitoring for differential diagnosis of LQTS genotype between LQT1 and LQT2.

Methods

This cross‐sectional study enrolled 54 genetically identified LQTS patients (29 LQT1 and 25 LQT2) recruited from three medical institutions. The QT‐apex (QTa) interval and the QT‐end (QTe) interval at each 15‐second were plotted against the RR intervals, and the linear regression (QTa/RR and QTe/RR slopes, respectively) was calculated from the entire 24‐hour and separately during the day or night‐time periods of the Holter recordings.

Results

The QTe/RR and QTa/RR slopes at the entire 24‐hour were significantly steeper in LQT2 compared to those in LQT1 patients (0.262 ± 0.063 vs. 0.204 ± 0.055, p = .0007; 0.233 ± 0.052 vs. 0.181 ± 0.040, p = .0002, respectively). The QTe interval was significantly longer, and QTe/RR and QTa/RR slopes at daytime were significantly steeper in LQT2 than in LQT1 patients. The receiver operating curve analysis revealed that the QTa/RR slope of 0.211 at the entire 24‐hour Holter was the best cutoff value for differential diagnosis between LQT1 and LQT2 (sensitivity: 80.0%, specificity: 75.0%, and area under curve: 0.804 [95%CI = 0.68–0.93]).

Conclusion

The continuous 24‐hour QT/RR analysis using the Holter monitoring may be useful to predict the genotype of congenital LQTS, particularly for LQT1 and LQT2.