bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Love the star, love the team? The spillover effect of athlete sub brand to team brand advocacy in online brand communities
Authors: Wong Amy , Hung Yu-Chen
Published: October 2022

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the antecedents of brand passion and brand community commitment, namely, self-congruity and athlete attraction, as well as their effects on online brand advocacy in online brand communities.

Design/methodology/approach

The sample comprises members of a Facebook football fan club brand community. An online survey measuring athlete-level factors, team-level factors and online brand advocacy provides data to test the conceptual framework using structural equation modeling with partial least squares (PLS-SEM).

Findings

The findings of this paper support the positive spillover effect from athlete subbrand to team brand advocacy, as self-congruity exerted positive effects on brand passion and brand community commitment, while athlete attraction influenced brand community commitment, leading to online brand advocacy.

Research limitations/implications

The findings validate the dimensions of online brand advocacy and advance research on sports brand hierarchy in brand architecture by establishing the transference effect from athlete to the team brand.

Practical implications

To effectively manage their brands online, brand managers need to pay attention to the powerful and multifaceted tool of online brand advocacy. Brand managers can capitalize on their active advocates by working closely with them to co-create uplifting and authentic brand stories that are worthwhile for sharing, especially in times of crisis.

Originality/value

Building on the developmental trajectory of brand love and vicarious brand experience, the findings verify the directionality of the spillover effect and offer insights into the development of brand advocacy across different brand levels.
Salesmanship: the influence of social networks on sales-service ambidexterity
Authors: Zheng Xiaoyong
Published: October 2022

Purpose

Although social networks play an important role in individual ambidexterity, few studies have examined the impact of salespeople's social networks on sales-service ambidexterity. The purpose of this paper is to explore how salespeople's internal and external social networks affect sales-service ambidexterity.

Design/methodology/approach

The unique data of 331 salespeople from 39 units in retail banking industry and insurance industry were collected, and the hierarchical linear model was adopted to test the hypotheses. Finally, the alternative measure of the dependent variable and the alternative estimation method were adopted for robustness test.

Findings

The results show that the strength of salespeople's internal social networks and the extensiveness of salespeople's external social networks could facilitate sales-service ambidexterity of salespeople separately and synergistically. Salespeople's role breadth self-efficacy partially mediates the influences of internal and external social networks on sales-service ambidexterity, while empowerment climate and transformational leadership positively moderate the aforementioned mediational process by strengthening the relationship between salespeople's role breadth self-efficacy and sales-service ambidexterity.

Practical implications

Practical guidelines are provided for managers to shape ambidextrous salespeople by facilitating salespeople's internal and external social networks, promoting transformational leadership and creating empowerment climate within the unit.

Originality/value

To the best of the author's knowledge, this paper is the first to systematically examine the impact of salespeople's social network on sales-service ambidexterity. Drawing from social cognitive theory and the ambidexterity literature, this research reveals the mechanism of how salespeople's internal and external social networks contribute to sales-service ambidexterity.
Effect of synbiotics on inflammatory markers and white blood cell count in COVID-19 patients: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial
Authors: Khodadoostan Mahsa , Aghadavood Marnani Majid , Moravejolahkami Amir Reza , Askari Gholamreza , Iraj Bijan
Published: October 2022

Purpose

Today, coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) treatment is an evolving process, and synbiotic administration has been suggested as a new therapeutic strategy. This study aims to investigate the effect of synbiotic supplementation in COVID-19 patients.

Design/methodology/approach

In this placebo-controlled trial, 80 patients were randomized to receive oral synbiotic capsule (containing fructooligosaccharide and seven bacterial strains; Lactobacillus (L) casei, L. rhamnosus, Streptococcus thermophilus, Bifidobacterium breve, L. acidophilus, Bifidobacterium longum, L. bulgaricus, each one 109 colony-forming units) or placebo for two months. Inflammatory markers (Interleukin-6 [IL-6], C-reactive protein [CRP], erythrocyte sedimentation rate [ESR]) and white blood cell (WBC) count were evaluated at two timepoints (baseline, two months later). The measured variables were adjusted for confounders and analyzed by SPSS v21.0.

Findings

All 80 enrolled patients completed the study. The study adherence was good (approximately 70%). The mean changes for IL-6 were not significant (Δ = −0.6 ± 10.4 pg/mL vs Δ = +11.2 ± 50.3 pg/mL, p > 0.05). There were no significant improvements for CRP, ESR and WBC.

Originality/value

Administration of synbiotics for two months did not improve inflammatory markers in COVID-19 patients.
Transparency in the digitalization choices and the cost of equity capital
Authors: Salvi Antonio , Petruzzella Felice , Raimo Nicola , Vitolla Filippo
Published: October 2022

Purpose

Digitalization is an element capable of improving companies’ financial performance. Despite the relevance of the topic, the financial effects associated with extensive transparency in digitalization choices have rarely been explored in extant literature. This study aims to close this important gap by examining the effect of digitalization-related information on the cost of equity capital.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses manual content analysis on a sample of 122 international listed firms to measure the level of transparency in digitalization choices and a regression model to test the effect of this transparency on the cost of equity capital.

Findings

The results show that broad transparency allows firms to benefit from a lower cost of equity capital. From this perspective, disseminating information about digitalization choices in a signaling theory key represents the signal that companies send to investors.

Originality/value

This study extends the knowledge about the potential of transparency to facilitate access to finance by examining the effect of another type of information, namely, those relating to digitalization choices, on the cost of equity capital.
Examination of a community-based, multifaceted program for juvenile offenders and their families
Authors: Scott David A.
Published: October 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to examine the results of a community-based program addressing the mental health needs of at-risk youth (n = 196) and their families.

Design/methodology/approach

The program served as an alternative to secure detention for youth residing in several rural counties in the southeastern part of the country. Several measures were used to evaluate the program’s effectiveness over a four-year timeframe.

Findings

The multifaceted program produced favorable results in reducing delinquent behaviors and improving relationships within their family.

Practical implications

This study demonstrated that using a multifaceted intervention can be beneficial to juveniles in the juvenile justice system and their families. This study set out to provide services and interventions aimed at reducing re-offending, exploring career development and improving overall family functioning.

Originality/value

This study is original work and is not being submitted elsewhere.
Systemic risks in supply chains: a need for system-level governance
Authors: Colon Celian , Hochrainer-Stigler Stefan
Published: October 2022

Purpose

Global and interconnected supply chains are increasingly exposed to systemic risks, whereby individual failures propagate across firms, sectors and borders. Systemic risks have emerged from the decisions of individual firms, e.g., outsourcing and buffer reduction, and are now beyond their control. This paper aims to identify appropriate approaches to mitigating those risks.

Design/methodology/approach

Systemic risks require analyzing supply chains beyond a dyadic perspective. This study approaches the problem through the lenses of complex systems and network theories. Drawing on the lessons learned from other systemic-risk-prone systems, e.g. energy and financial networks, both in research and practice, this study analyzes the adequate level of governance to monitor and manage systemic risks in supply chains.

Findings

The authors argue that governance institutions should be mandated to overview and reduce systemic risks in supply chains from the top down, as central bankers do for the financial system. Using firm-level data and tools from network analysis and system dynamics, they could quantify systemic risks, identify risk-prone interconnections in supply chains and design mitigating measures. This top-down approach would complement the bottom-up supply chain management approach and could help insurers design policies for contingent business interruptions.

Originality/value

Instead of looking at supply chains purely from the firms’ angle, the perspective of insurers and governments is brought in to reflect on the governance of risks.
Impregnation of dye-conjugated miniaturized system on paper strip for detection of biomarker in renal cancer
Authors: Takke Anjali , Shende Pravin
Published: October 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to design a paper strip-based non-invasive urine analysis system for the qualitative detection of biomarker aquaporin-1 (AQP1) in renal cancer (RC). RC accounts for 3% of all cancers and 85% of all kidney tumors and mainly originates from the kidney cortex. In recent times, higher urine concentration of AQP1 in patients with RC was confirmed as a specific biomarker of the disease. Hence, the noninvasive, user-friendly and self-diagnostic method is required for the detection of aquaporin biomarkers in RC.

Design/methodology/approach

The present research work was focused on the development and characterization of a dye conjugated cyclodextrin-based miniaturized system for impregnation on Whatman filter paper to identify RC using AQP1 biomarker present in urine samples.

Findings

It was observed that the test strip dipped into the urine sample, and the yellow color intensity increased with a decrease in AQP1 concentration due to the transformation of the dye system of free basic form into bound acidic form. The Hue-Saturation-Value profiling was used to observe the effect of color change using a smartphone application. The paper strip-based urine analysis system is highly sensitive for the detection of AQP1 in the range of 10 to 1,000 ng.

Originality/value

The successful validation indicated that this biosensor is likely to contribute to the development of point-of-care, novel, personalized diagnostics and ensure prolonged survival of RC patients in the near future.
3D reflection seismic imaging of volcanogenic massive sulphides at Neves‐Corvo, Portugal
Authors: Donoso George A. , Malehmir Alireza , Carvalho Joao , Araujo Vitor
Published: October 2022

Three‐dimensional reflection seismic data from the Neves‐Corvo area, southern Portugal, were reprocessed with the main objective of improving the seismic signature of the Lombador and Semblana volcanogenic massive sulphide deposits. The sensitivity for choosing adequate parameters for targeted imaging, even during the pre‐processing stage, such as common‐depth point binning size, was studied in detail before the main processing work began helping to optimize bin size parameters; preliminary stacking results from this analysis presented severe acquisition footprint, and seismic targets were not clearly identifiable. Processing results using pre‐stack dip move‐out and post‐stack migration methods show strong moderate to steeply dipping reflections. Several of the observed reflections can be correlated with known lithological contacts, some of which are interpreted to originate from the Semblana and Lombador deposits. Despite the mixed signal‐to‐noise ratio, the seismic cube reveals both shallow and deep three‐dimensional structures, allowing to account for the deposits’ lateral extension beyond the capabilities of two‐dimensional seismic imaging alone. Given the data processing approach taken it was possible to distinguish strong diffraction patterns, interpreted as originating from faults and edges of the Lombador deposit, illustrating the usefulness of diffraction patterns for better interpretation of geological features in hard‐rock environments.
From preventive eugenics to slippery eugenics: Population control and contemporary sterilisations targeted to indigenous peoples in Mexico
Authors: Sanchez‐Rivera R.
Published: October 2022

Eugenic ideas in Mexico were popularised after the Mexican Revolution (1910–1920) as a way of ‘modernising’ and ‘civilising’ the nation. As a result, eugenic ideas were able to linger and be maintained through different departments, institutions, and individuals from all disciplines. After eugenics was considered a pseudoscience, its practices and ideas continued through population control measures that targeted indigenous populations for sterilisation, a trend that still prevails. The purpose of this article is to explore the legacies of eugenics in current sterilizations procedures mostly targeted at indigenous communities in Mexico. I offer the term ‘slippery eugenics’ to account for the legacies of eugenics in Mexico which, in this specific case, resurface in the systematic forced and coerced sterilisation procedures targeted at indigenous communities.
High hydrostatic pressure‐assisted extraction of lipids from Lipomyces starkeyi biomass
Authors: Tuhanioglu Arda , Alpas Hami , Cekmecelioglu Deniz
Published: October 2022

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of high hydrostatic pressure (HHP) as a novel approach for yeast cell disruption and lipid extraction from Lipomyces starkeyi DSM 70295 grown in glucose medium (40 g/L and C/N:55/1) at initial pH of 5.0, 25°C, and 130 rpm for 8 days. HHP extraction conditions including pressure, time, and temperature were optimized by response surface methodology. The high speed homogenizer‐assisted extraction (HSH) was also used for comparison. The biomass subjected to HHP was examined under scanning electron microscopy and light microscope. A maximal lipid yield of 45.8 ± 2.1% in dry cell basis (w/w) was achieved at 200 MPa, 40°C, and 15 min, while a minimum yield of 15.2 ± 0.9% was observed at 300 MPa, 40°C, and 10 min (p < 0.05). The lipid yield decreased with increasing pressure. It was demonstrated that low pressure (200 MPa) collapsed the cells, while high pressure (400 MPa) created protrusions on the cell wall and cell fragments spread in the environment. This study favors HHP as a promising method for Lipomyces oil extraction.

Practical Application

Single‐cell oils are considered future alternatives to plant‐based oils as food additives and dietary supplements. Oleaginous microorganisms accumulate oils in their cell plasma, which makes extraction essential. One of the main obstacles with existing methods is the utilization of strong acids to destroy cell walls. This study aims to demonstrate high hydrostatic pressure as a rapid method for lipid extraction from oleaginous yeast Lipomyces starkeyi.
Sleep quality and quantity determined by polysomnography in mechanically ventilated critically ill patients randomized to dexmedetomidine or placebo
Authors: Oxlund Jakob , Knudsen Torben , Sörberg Mikael , Strøm Thomas , Toft Palle , Jennum Poul Jørgen
Published: October 2022

Background

Abnormal sleep is commonly observed in the ICU and is associated with delirium and increased mortality. If sedation is necessary, it is often performed with gamma‐aminobutyric acid agonists such as propofol or midazolam leading to an absence of restorative sleep. We aim to evaluate the effect of dexmedetomidine on sleep quality and quantity.

Methods

Thirty consecutive patients were included. The study was conducted as a double‐blinded, randomized, placebo‐controlled trial with two parallel groups: 20 patients were treated with dexmedetomidine, and 10 with placebo. Two 16 h of polysomnography recordings were done for each patient on two consecutive nights. Patients were randomized to dexmedetomidine or placebo after the first recording, thus providing a control recording for all patients. Dexmedetomidine was administered during the second recording (6 p.m.–6 a.m.). Objective: To compare the effect of dexmedetomidine versus. placebo on sleep ‐ quality and quantity. Primary outcome: Sleep quality, total sleep time (TST), Sleep efficiency (SE), and Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep determined by Polysomnography (PSG). Secondary outcome: Delirium and daytime function determined by Confusion Assessment Method of the Intensive Care Unit and physical activity. Alertness and wakefulness were determined by RASS (Richmond Agitation and Sedation Scale).

Results

SE were increased in the dexmedetomidine group by; 37.6% (29.7;45.6 95% CI) versus 3.7% (−11.4;18.8 95% CI) (p < .001) and TST were prolonged by 271 min. (210;324 95% CI) versus 27 min. (−82;135 95% CI), (p < .001). No significant difference in REM sleep, delirium physical activity, or RASS score was found except for RASS night two.

Conclusion

Total sleep time and sleep efficiency were significantly increased, without elimination of REM sleep, in mechanically ventilated ICU patients randomized to dexmedetomidine, when compared to a control PSG recording performed during non‐sedation/standard care.
The accuracy and informativeness of agricultural baselines
Authors: Bora Siddhartha S. , Katchova Ani L. , Kuethe Todd H.
Published: October 2022

Agricultural baselines facilitate policy and investment decisions by governments and market participants by providing long‐term projections about the farm sector. Despite their importance in shaping agricultural policy, the agricultural baselines have not been rigorously evaluated. This study evaluates the accuracy and informativeness of two widely used baselines for the US farm sector published by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Food and Agricultural Policy Research Institute (FAPRI) in three steps. First, we examine the average percent errors of the projections and perform tests of bias. Second, we use a testing framework based on the encompassing principle to test the predictive content of the projections for each horizon, determining the longest informative projection horizon. Third, we compare the USDA and FAPRI baseline projections using a multi‐horizon framework that considers all projection horizons jointly. We find that prediction error and bias increase with the horizon's length. The predictive content of the baselines projections for most variables diminishes after 4–5 years. The multi‐horizon comparison suggests that neither USDA nor FAPRI projections have uniform or average superior predictive ability over the other for most variables. Our findings are useful for the agencies producing these baselines and for the policymakers, agricultural businesses, and other stakeholders who use them. The study contributes to the recent literature on long‐term agricultural projections and establishes the groundwork for future research inquiries.
Tariffs, agricultural subsidies, and the 2020 US presidential election
Authors: Choi Jaerim , Lim Sunghun
Published: October 2022

This paper provides evidence on the effects of US and Chinese trade policies on the 2020 US presidential election. In response to a series of US tariffs imposed on Chinese goods, China imposed retaliatory tariffs, especially on US agricultural products, which largely affected Republican‐leaning counties. The US government then subsidized US farmers by providing direct payments through the Market Facilitation Program (MFP) to mitigate the Chinese retaliatory tariffs. Using the universe of actual county‐level MFP disbursement data, we document that MFP payments relative to the Chinese retaliatory tariff exposure were higher in solidly Republican counties, implying that the Trump administration allocated rents in exchange for political patronage. We also find that MFP payments outweighed the estimated impact of Chinese retaliatory tariffs and led to an increase in the Republican vote share in the 2020 presidential election. Finally, we uncover evidence that China's retaliatory trade policy and the corresponding US agricultural policy exacerbated political polarization in the US, especially the rural–urban divide.
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors combined with traditional Chinese medicine for premature ejaculation: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Chang Xuefeng , Xu Mingwei , Chen Yuanzhe , Che Chunguang , Du Yongqiang , Wang Xiao
Published: October 2022

Background

Premature ejaculation (PE) is still a tough problem in drug treatment. Many clinical trials have proven that traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has a significant effect in the treatment of PE. This article aims to provide the latest evidence for the efficacy and safety of TCM combined with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) in the treatment of PE.

Methods

We looked for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) from China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang, VIP Database, MEDLINE, PubMed, Web of Science, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library until June 30, 2022. STATA 15.1 software was used to analyze all data for this article. The quality of the included articles was evaluated using the Cochrane Reviewer's Handbook 5.3.

Results

Finally, we selected 16 high‐quality RCTs in our meta‐analysis, which containing 889 patients. Meta‐analysis suggested that, compared with SSRIs alone, combination of TCM with SSRIs increased significantly intravaginal ejaculation latencv time and the scores of ejaculation control ability, sexual life satisfaction, PE‐related distress, and communication difficulties between partners related to PE. Also, there was no significant difference in adverse effects between the two groups. In addition, the results of publication bias test showed that no significant bias occurred.

Conclusion

The combined use of TCM and SSRIs has significant effect in the treatment of PE compared with SSRIs monotherapy and was generally well tolerated. Due to the small sample size, multicenter and large sample RCT is still needed in the future to further confirm the effectiveness and safety of TCM combined with SSRIs in the treatment of PE.
Good students, avid readers: The cost of academic success
Authors: Scorcu Antonello E. , Vici Laura , Zanola Roberto
Published: October 2022

The effects of reading habits on academic performances have been carefully investigated, but little is known about the effects of academic achievements on students’ leisure reading. This paper investigates this issue by estimating the effects of academic achievements, proxied by the number of exams passed, on leisure reading, measured by the number of leisure books read in a year. Using an online survey submitted to the students at the University of Bologna, Italy, we adopt a two‐step control‐function technique to control for endogeneity. The empirical evidence suggests the existence of a negative relationship between students’ academic achievements and the time devoted to leisure reading. This result holds for students of different fields of study and is stronger for male students. The Blinder–Oaxaca decomposition supports the existence of a gender‐specific idiosyncratic effect.
Considering science needs to deliver actionable science
Authors: Bisbal Gustavo A. , Eaton Mitchell J.
Published: October 2022

Conservation practitioners, natural resource managers, and environmental stewards often seek out scientific contributions to inform decision‐making. This body of science only becomes actionable when motivated by decision makers considering alternative courses of action. Many in the science community equate addressing stakeholder science needs with delivering actionable science. However, not all efforts to address science needs deliver actionable science, suggesting that the synonymous use of these two constructs (delivering actionable science and addressing science needs) is not trivial. This can be the case when such needs are conveyed by people who neglect decision makers responsible for articulating a priority management concern and for specifying how the anticipated scientific information will aid the decision‐making process. We argue that the actors responsible for articulating these science needs and the process used to identify them are decisive factors in the ability to deliver actionable science, stressing the importance of examining the provenance and the determination of science needs. Guided by a desire to enhance communication and cross‐literacy between scientists and decision makers, we identified categories of actors who may inappropriately declare science needs (e.g., applied scientists with and without regulatory affiliation, external influencers, reluctant decision makers, agents in place of decision makers, and boundary organization representatives). We also emphasize the importance of, and general approach to, undertaking needs assessments or gap analyses as a means to identify priority science needs. We conclude that basic stipulations to legitimize actionable science, such as the declaration of decisions of interest that motivate science needs and using a robust process to identify priority information gaps, are not always satisfied and require verification. To alleviate these shortcomings, we formulated practical suggestions for consideration by applied scientists, decision makers, research funding entities, and boundary organizations to help foster conditions that lead to science output being truly actionable.
Tacrolimus 4‐hour monitoring in liver transplant patients is non‐inferior to trough monitoring: The randomized controlled FK04 trial
Authors: Ruijter Bastian N. , Tushuizen Maarten E. , Moes Dirk J. A. R. , Klerk Babs M. de , Hoek Bart van
Published: October 2022

Background

After liver transplantation (LT), tacrolimus and ciclosporin treatment can lead to, partially concentration‐dependent, chronic kidney disease. Monitoring ciclosporin with two‐hour levels reduced overexposure and led to better renal function than trough‐monitoring (C0). For tacrolimus, a 4‐hour level (C4) can give a reasonable approximation of total drug exposure. We evaluated whether monitoring tacrolimus in stable patients after LT by C4 was superior to C0 regarding renal function, rejection and metabolic parameters.

Methods

This open label randomized controlled trial compared C4 monitoring of tacrolimus BID (Prograft) to trough (C0) monitoring in stable LT recipients. The target range for C4 of 7.8–16 ng/ml was calculated to be comparable with target C0 of 4–8 ng/ml. Primary endpoint was the effect on renal function and secondary endpoints were the occurrence of treated biopsy‐proven acute rejection, blood pressure and metabolic parameters, during 3 months of follow‐up.

Results

Fifty patients were randomized to C0 (n = 25) or C4 (n = 25) monitoring. There was no difference in renal function between the C0 and the C4 group (p = .98 and p = .13 for CG and MDRD at 3 months). Also, the amount of proteinuria was similar (p = .59). None of the patients suffered from graft loss or was treated for rejection. Metabolic parameters did not differ between the two groups.

Conclusion

Tacrolimus 4‐hour monitoring in stable LT patients is not superior to trough monitoring, regarding the effect on renal function, but is safe for use to facilitate tacrolimus monitoring in an afternoon outpatient clinic.
Involvement of glucose in freeze tolerance in the Japanese tree frog Hyla japonica
Authors: Okada Reiko , Adachi Shun , Takiya Yu , Iwasaki Ryohei , Hirota Atsushi , Kikuyama Sakae
Published: October 2022

Glycerol and aquaporin 9 (aquaglyceroporin) are known to be involved in freeze tolerance in the Japanese tree frog Hyla japonica. However, the regulatory mechanisms of freeze tolerance in this species have not been fully elucidated. In the present study, we focused on the inter‐ and intracellular dynamics of glucose to analyze the role of glucose and glucose‐related proteins such as transporter and metabolic enzymes in freeze tolerance. Serum glucose concentrations were compared among the frogs that were nonhibernating, hibernating, and thawed after freezing at −4°C for 6 hr. Serum concentrations of glucose in thawed frogs were significantly higher than those in hibernating and nonhibernating, active frogs. Periodic acid–Schiff staining showed that the accumulation of glycogen in the hepatocytes increased before hibernation and decreased after freezing and thawing. Quantitative RT‐PCR analysis using the liver showed that, compared with active frogs, the type 2 glucose transporter gene (glut2) was upregulated in frozen frogs, the liver glycogen phosphorylase gene (pygl) was upregulated in frozen or thawed frogs, and the type 2 glycogen synthase gene (gys2) was upregulated in hibernating frogs. Immunohistochemistry of liver sections showed that, compared with nonhibernating frogs, Glut2 proteins were clearly increased most likely on the plasma membrane of hepatocytes in hibernating frogs and further increased by freezing, then decreased after thawing. These results suggest the possibility that glucose acts as a cryoprotectant in H. japonica.
Temporal change in the contribution of immigration to population growth in a wild seabird experiencing rapid population decline
Authors: Horswill C. , Wood M. J. , Manica A.
Published: October 2022

The source–sink paradigm predicts that populations in poorer‐quality habitats (‘sinks') persist due to continued immigration from more‐productive areas (‘sources'). However, this categorisation of populations assumes that habitat quality is fixed through time. Globally, we are in an era of wide‐spread habitat degradation, and consequently there is a pressing need to examine dispersal dynamics in relation to local population change. We used an integrated population model to quantify immigration dynamics in a long‐lived colonial seabird, the black‐legged kittiwakeRissa tridactyla, that is classified as globally ‘Vulnerable'. We then used a transient life table response experiment to evaluate the contribution of temporal variation in vital rates, immigration rates and population structure to realised population growth. Finally, we used a simulation analysis to examine the importance of immigration to population dynamics. We show that the contribution of immigration changed as the population declined. This study demonstrates that immigration is unlikely to maintain vulnerable sink populations indefinitely, emphasising the need for temporal analyses of dispersal to identify shifts that may have dramatic consequences for population viability.
Incidence of symptomatic Covid‐19 infections in patients with mastocytosis and chronic myeloid leukemia: A comparison with the general Austrian population
Authors: Graf Irene , Herndlhofer Susanne , Kundi Michael , Greiner Georg , Sperr Martina , Hadzijusufovic Emir , Valent Peter , Sperr Wolfgang R.
Published: October 2022

Background

The SARS‐COV‐2 (Covid‐19) pandemic has impacted the management of patients with hematologic disorders. In some entities, an increased risk for Covid‐19 infections was reported, whereas others including chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) had a lower mortality. We have analyzed the prevalence of Covid‐19 infections in patients with mastocytosis during the Covid‐19 pandemic in comparison to data from CML patients and the general Austrian population.

Materials and Methods

The prevalence of infections and PCR‐proven Covid‐19 infections was analyzed in 92 patients with mastocytosis. As controls, we used 113 patients with CML and the expected prevalence of Covid‐19 in the general Austrian population.

Results

In 25% of the patients with mastocytosis (23/92) signs and symptoms of infection, including fever (n = 11), dry cough (n = 10), sore throat (n = 12), pneumonia (n = 1), and dyspnea (n = 3) were recorded. Two (8.7%) of these symptomatic patients had a PCR‐proven Covid‐19 infection. Thus, the prevalence of Covid‐19 infections in mastocytosis was 2.2%. The number of comorbidities, subtype of mastocytosis, regular exercise, smoking habits, age, or duration of disease at the time of interview did not differ significantly between patients with and without Covid‐19 infections. In the CML cohort, 23.9% (27/113) of patients reported signs and symptoms of infection (fever, n = 8; dry cough, n = 17; sore throat, n = 11; dyspnea, n = 5). Six (22.2%) of the symptomatic patients had a PCR‐proven Covid‐19 infection. The prevalence of Covid‐19 in all CML patients was 5.3%. The observed number of Covid‐19 infections neither in mastocytosis nor in CML patients differed significantly from the expected number of Covid‐19 infections in the Austrian population.

Conclusions

Our data show no significant difference in the prevalence of Covid‐19 infections among patients with mastocytosis, CML, and the general Austrian population and thus, in mastocytosis, the risk of a Covid‐19 infection was not increased compared to the general population.
Efficacy and safety in patients with haemophilia A switching to octocog alfa (BAY 81–8973): Final results of the global real‐world study, TAURUS
Authors: Santoro Cristina , Fuh Beng , Le Phu Quoc , Maes Philip , Berrueco Rubén , Mingot‐Castellano Eva Maria , von Mackensen Sylvia , Tueckmantel Claudia , Cabre‐Marquez Jose Francisco , Wang Michael
Published: October 2022

Objectives

To report the final results of the 2‐year TAURUS study, assessing weekly prophylaxis dosing regimens of octocog alfa (Kovaltry®/BAY 81–8973) used in standard clinical practice in patients with moderate‐to‐severe haemophilia A.

Methods

TAURUS (NCT02830477) is a phase 4, multinational, prospective, non‐interventional, single‐arm study in patients of any age with moderate or severe haemophilia A (≤5% factor [F]VIII activity). TAURUS was designed to primarily investigate weekly prophylaxis dosing regimens used in standard clinical practice. Annualised bleeding rates (ABRs), treatment satisfaction and adherence, and safety were also assessed.

Results

Of 302 patients included in the full analysis set, 84.4% (n = 255) maintained their octocog alfa prophylaxis baseline regimen throughout the study, with a majority of patients (76.5%, n = 231) on two times or three times weekly regimens at the end of the observation period (≥1–≤2 years). ABRs, treatment satisfaction, and adherence remained stable during the observation period. Octocog alfa was well tolerated and there were no new or unexpected adverse events.

Conclusions

These data show that a smooth transition is observed when switching to octocog alfa from a previous FVIII treatment, with no safety issues and stable bleeding rates in a real‐world setting of patients with moderate‐to‐severe haemophilia A.
Evolutionary opportunity and the limits of community similarity in replicate radiations of island lizards
Authors: Frishkoff Luke Owen , Lertzman‐Lepofsky Gavia , Mahler D. Luke
Published: October 2022

Ecological community structure ultimately depends on the production of community members by speciation. To understand how macroevolution shapes communities, we surveyedAnolislizard assemblages across elevations on Jamaica and Hispaniola, neighbouring Caribbean islands similar in environment, but contrasting in the richness of their endemic evolutionary radiations. The impact of diversification on local communities depends on available spatial opportunities for speciation within or between ecologically distinct sub‐regions. In the spatially expansive lowlands of both islands, communities converge in species richness and average morphology. But communities diverge in the highlands. On Jamaica, where limited highland area restricted diversification, communities remain depauperate and consist largely of elevational generalists. In contrast, a unique fauna of high‐elevation specialists evolved in the vast Hispaniolan highlands, augmenting highland richness and driving islandwide turnover in community composition. Accounting for disparate evolutionary opportunities may illuminate when regional diversity will enhance local diversity and help predict when communities should converge in structure.
Physical activity, physical fitness and cardiometabolic risk amongst adults with moderate and severe haemophilia
Authors: Kennedy Megan , Roche Sheila , McGowan Mark , Singleton Evelyn , Elsheikh Einas , O'Donovan Mairead , Ryan Kevin , O'Connell Niamh M. , O'Mahony Brian , Lavin Michelle , O'Donnell James S. , Turecek Peter L. , Gormley John ,   the iPATH study group
Published: October 2022

Aim

This study aimed to examine physical activity (PA), physical fitness and cardiometabolic risk amongst people with moderate and severe haemophilia (PwMSH).

Methods

The following domains were examined: PA (accelerometry); functional aerobic capacity (6‐Minute Walk Test); grip strength (dynamometry); balance (One Leg Stand Test); body composition (anthropometry and bioimpedance analysis); blood pressure; arterial stiffness; and cardiometabolic disorders.

Results

A total of 53 PwMSH (44 years) and 33 controls (43 years; p = .679) were recruited. Compared to controls, PwMSH were significantly less active in moderate and vigorous PA parameters (all p < .05), and less physically fit indicated by 6‐Minute Walk distance (p < .0005), grip strength (p = .040) and balance (p < .0005). PwMSH had higher rates of abdominal adiposity compared to controls measured by waist circumference indices (all p < .05). Resting blood pressure and arterial stiffness were not significantly different (p = .797 and .818, respectively). With respect to overall PA, World Health Organisation recommended targets for adults were achieved by the majority of both groups (haemophilia: 72.9% vs. controls: 90.0%; p = .069). Importantly, the number of PwMSH who achieved guideline recommended PA via longer, sustained bouts of moderate–vigorous PA was significantly lower compared to controls (18.8% vs. 56.7%; p = .001). Lastly, clinically diagnosed hypertension, insulin resistance and hyperlipidaemia were more prevalent amongst PwMSH compared to controls.

Conclusion

Low levels of PA and physical fitness, and significant rates of abdominal adiposity and hypertension may collectively influence the risk and severity of various cardiometabolic and/or musculoskeletal health issues amongst ageing PwMSH. Personalised multi‐disciplinary health interventions involving PA, dietary and health psychology input for PwMSH warrant future investigation.
Reducing delayed transfer of care in older people: A qualitative study of barriers and facilitators to shorter hospital stays
Authors: Smith Helen , Grindey Chloe , Hague Isabel , Newbould Louise , Brown Lesley , Clegg Andrew , Thompson Carl , Lawton Rebecca
Published: October 2022

Introduction

Growing numbers of older patients occupy hospital beds despite being ‘medically fit’ for discharge. These Delayed Transfers of Care amplify inefficiencies in care and can cause harm. Delayed transfer because of family or patient choice is common; yet, research on patient and family perspectives is scarce. To identify barriers to, and facilitators of, shorter hospital stays, we sought to understand older people's and caregivers' thoughts and feelings about the benefits and harms of being in hospital and the decisions made at discharge.

Methods

A multimethod qualitative study was carried out. Content analysis was carried out of older people's experiences of health or care services submitted to the Care Opinion online website, followed by telephone and video interviews with older people and family members of older people experiencing a hospital stay in the previous 12 months.

Results

Online accounts provide insight into how care was organized for older people in the hospital, including deficiencies in care organization, the discharge process and communication, as well as how care was experienced by older people and family members. Interview‐generated themes included shared meanings of hospitalization and discharge experiences and the context of discharge decisions including failure in communication systems, unwarranted variation and lack of confidence in care and lack of preparation for ongoing care.

Conclusion

Poor quality and availability of information, and poor communication, inhibit effective transfer of care. Communication is fundamental to patient‐centred care and even more important in discharge models characterized by limited assessments and quicker discharge. Interventions at the service level and targeted patient information about what to expect in discharge assessments and after discharge could help to address poor communication and support for improving discharge of older people from hospital.

Patient or Public Contribution

The Frailty Oversight Group, a small group of older people providing oversight of the Community Aging Research 75+ study, provided feedback on the research topic and level of interest, the draft data collection tools and the feasibility of collecting data with older people during the COVID‐19 pandemic. The group also reviewed preliminary findings and provided feedback on our interpretation.
Effects of CD34+ cell dose on haematopoietic recovery in acute lymphoblastic leukaemia patients with positive pretransplant measurable residual disease
Authors: Wang Yuewen , Mo Xiaodong , Cheng Yifei , Chen Yuhong , Lv Meng , Wang Fengrong , Yan Chenhua , Han Wei , Chen Huan , Xu Lanping , Wang Yu , Zhang Xiaohui , Liu Kaiyan , Huang Xiaojun , Chang Yingjun
Published: October 2022

Introduction

A higher CD34+ cell dose in allografts is associated with faster haematopoietic recovery after allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo‐HSCT). Leukaemia stem cells impair normal bone marrow (BM) niches and induce BM failure during leukemogenesis. However, whether measurable residual disease (MRD), known as the persistence of low‐level leukaemic cells, could influence the effects of CD34+ cell dose on haematopoietic recovery after transplantation in acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) patients is unknown.

Methods

A total of 975 ALL patients were enrolled and classified into pre‐HSCT MRD‐positive and MRD‐negative subgroups. Cox proportional hazard regression models were built for time‐to‐event outcomes. Multivariate analysis was performed to determine independent influencing factors from the univariate analysis.

Results

An appropriate CD34+ cell dose was positively associated with faster haematopoietic recovery in the total ALL population. More importantly, in pre‐HSCT MRD‐positive ALL patients, a higher CD34+ cell dose (≥2.76 × 106/kg) was related to faster neutrophil (HR 1.330, 95% CI 1.045–1.692, p = 0.021) and platelet engraftment (HR 1.808, 95% CI 1.412–2.316, p < 0.001) in multivariate analysis. CD34+ cell dose was a crucial factor associated with either engraftment or transplant outcomes, although we did not demonstrate direct correlations of CD34+ cell dose with relapse, TRM, LFS or OS after allo‐HSCT.

Conclusion

Our results indicated that no additional CD34+ stem and progenitor cell harvests were needed to ensure successful haematopoietic recovery in pre‐HSCT MRD‐positive patients compared to pre‐HSCT MRD‐negative patients.
Severe viral respiratory infections in the pre‐COVID era: A 5‐year experience in two pediatric intensive care units in Italy
Authors: De Luca Maia , D'Amore Carmen , Romani Lorenza , Tripiciano Costanza , Clemente Vitangelo , Mercadante Stefania , Perrotta Daniela , Nunziata Joseph , Cecchetti Corrado , Rossetti Emanuele , Bianchi Roberto , Perno Carlo Federico , Bernaschi Paola , Russo Cristina , Lancella Laura , Raponi Massimiliano , Ciofi degli Atti Marta Luisa
Published: October 2022

Background

Viral respiratory infections are one of the main causes of hospitalization in children. Even if mortality rate is low, 2% to 3% of the hospitalized children need mechanical ventilation. Risk factors for admission to the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) are well known, while few studies have described risk factors for invasive ventilator support and prolonged hospitalization.

Methods

A retrospective study including all patients aged between 2 and 18 months with a confirmed viral respiratory infection, requiring admission to PICU from September to March between 2015 and 2019, was conducted at Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital in Rome, Italy.

Results

One hundred ninety patients were enrolled, with a median age of 2.7 months; 32.1% had at least one comorbidity, mainly prematurity. The most frequent isolated viruses were RSV‐B, rhinovirus, and RSV‐A; 38.4% needed mechanical ventilation. This subgroup of patients had lower median birth weight compared with patients not requiring mechanical ventilation (2800 g vs. 3180 g, p = 0.02); moreover, comorbidities were present in 43.8% of intubated patients and in 24.8% of patients treated with non‐invasive ventilation (p = 0.006). Viral coinfection did not result to be a risk factor for mechanical support, while virus–bacteria coinfection was significantly associated with mechanical ventilation (p < 0.001). Similar risk factors were identified for prolonged hospitalization.

Conclusions

Early identification of patients who could have a sudden respiratory deterioration and need of mechanical ventilation is crucial to reduce complications due to orotracheal intubation and prolonged hospitalization in PICU. Further studies are needed to define high‐risk group of patients and to design targeted interventions.
Variation in wing morphology is related to breeding environment in a high‐elevation specialist bird
Authors: Ceresa Francesco , Vitulano Severino , Pes Michele , Tomasi Laura , Brambilla Mattia , Kvist Laura , Pedrini Paolo , Anderle Matteo , Hilpold Andreas , Kranebitter Petra
Published: October 2022

The morphology of bird wings is subject to a variety of selective pressures, including migration, predation, habitat structure and sexual selection. Variation in wing morphology also occurs at the intraspecific and intrapopulation level, and can be related to sex, age, migration strategy and environmental factors. The relationship between environment and intraspecific variation in wing morphology is still poorly understood. In this work, we studied the relationship between wing morphology and breeding environment in a high‐elevation specialist bird, the water pipit Anthus spinoletta. We calculated wing isometric size, pointedness and convexity of 84 birds mist‐netted at breeding sites in year 2021 in the European Alps. We then searched for associations between these traits and potentially relevant breeding site characteristics (vegetation structure, elevation, latitude). For all wing traits, sex and one or more environmental factors best explained the variation, with environmental factors explaining between 3 and 8% of the variation. Wing size was negatively related to tree cover and wing convexity was negatively related to bush cover. Elevation contributed to explain variation in wing pointedness, but the direction of its effect was unclear. The negative relationship between wing size and tree cover could be due to intraspecific competition, i.e. to the relegation of smaller winged low‐quality individuals in marginal grassland areas. Higher wing convexity could improve predator escape ability in areas with scarce protecting vegetation, with possible effects on habitat choice. These findings represent one of the few demonstrated cases of wing morphology–environment relationships at the intraspecific level.