bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Simultaneous inference of parental admixture proportions and admixture times from unphased local ancestry calls
Authors: Avadhanam Siddharth , Williams Amy L.
Published: January 2022

Population genetic analyses of local ancestry tracts routinely assume that the ancestral admixture process is identical for both parents of an individual, an assumption that may be invalid when considering recent admixture. Here we present Parental Admixture Proportion Inference (PAPI), a Bayesian tool for inferring the admixture proportions and admixture times for each parent of a single admixed individual. PAPI analyzes unphased local ancestry tracts and has two components models: a binomial model that exploits the informativeness of homozygous ancestry regions to infer parental admixture proportions, and a hidden Markov model (HMM) that infers admixture times from tract lengths. Crucially, the HMM employs an approximation to the pedigree crossover dynamics that accounts for unobserved within-ancestry recombination, enabling inference of parental admixture times. We compared the accuracy of PAPI’s admixture proportion estimates with those of ANCESTOR in simulated admixed individuals and found that PAPI outperforms ANCESTOR by an average of 46% in a representative set of simulation scenarios, with PAPI’s estimates deviating from the ground truth by 0.047 on average. Moreover, PAPI’s admixture time estimates were strongly correlated with the ground truth in these simulations (R = 0.76), but have an average downward bias of 1.01 generations that is partly attributable to inaccuracies in local ancestry inference. As an illustration of its utility, we ran PAPI on real African Americans from the PAGE study (N = 5, 786) and found strong evidence of assortative mating by ancestry proportion: couples’ ancestry proportions are closer to each other than expected by chance (P < 10−6), and are highly correlated (R = 0.87). We anticipate that PAPI will be useful in studying the population dynamics of admixture and will also be of interest to individuals seeking to learn about their personal genealogies.
Regulatory T-cells are central hubs for age-, sex- and severity-associated cellular networks during COVID-19
Authors: Søndergaard Jonas N. , Tulyeu Janyerkye , Edahiro Ryuya , Shira Yuya , Yamaguchi Yuta , Murakami Teruaki , Morita Takayoshi , Kato Yasuhiro , Hirata Haruhiko , Takeda Yoshito , Okuzaki Daisuke , Sakaguchi Shimon , Kumanogoh Atsushi , Okada Yukinori , Wing James B.
Published: January 2022

Using single-cell proteomics by mass cytometry, we investigate changes to a broad selection of over 10,000,000 immune cells in a cohort of moderate, severe, and critical Japanese COVID-19 patients and healthy controls with a particular focus on regulatory T-cells (Tregs). We find significant disruption within all compartments of the immune system and the emergence of atypical CTLA-4high CD4 T-cells and proliferating HLA-DRlowCD38high Tregs associated with critical patients. We also observed disrupted regulation of humoral immunity in COVID-19, with a loss of circulating T follicular regulatory T cells (Tfr) and altered T follicular helper (Tfh)/Tfr and plasma cell/Tfr ratios, all of which are significantly lower in male patients. Shifting ratios of CXCR4 and CXCR5 expression in B-cells provides further evidence of an autoimmune phenotype and dysregulated humoral immunity. These results suggest that Tregs are central to the changing cellular networks of a wide range of cells in COVID-19 and that sex specific differences to the balance of Tfr, Tfh and plasma cells may have important implications for the specificity of the humoral immune response to SARS-CoV-2.
Supplier change, market competition and enterprise innovation
Authors: Zu Yafei , Zhang Ruonan
Published: January 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study enterprise innovation in the perspective of external supplier relationship. On this purpose, this paper examines the impact of supplier change on enterprise innovation with the moderating role of market competition.

Design/methodology/approach

Using 2012–2020 empirical data of Chinese listed manufacturing enterprises, this paper investigates the relationship among supplier change, market competition and enterprise innovation through a two-way interaction model.

Findings

The results show that supplier change has a negative impact on enterprise innovation. And market competition intensifies the negative relationship between supplier change and enterprise innovation. Additional analyses indicate that the main effect and the moderating effect are more significant when the enterprise is non-state-owned or has lower ownership concentration.

Originality/value

This paper studies enterprise innovation from the perspective of external stakeholders. It focuses on supplier relationship in a dynamic variation view, instead of the traditional static ones. Moreover, this paper explores the contingency effect of market competition and gives practical implications for managers to adjust innovation strategy flexibly.
The product life cycle revisited: an integrative review and research agenda
Authors: Iveson Abbie , Hultman Magnus , Davvetas Vasileios
Published: January 2022

Purpose

This paper aims to respond to calls in academia for an update of the product lifecycle (PLC). Through a systematic literature review, the authors provide an updated agenda, which aims to advance the PLC concept in research, teaching and practice.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors started by surveying 101 marketing academics globally to ascertain whether a PLC update was viewed necessary and beneficial in the marketing community and thereafter conducted citation analysis of marketing research papers and textbooks to ascertain PLC usage. The subsequent literature review methodology was split into two sections. First, 97 empirical articles were reviewed based on an evaluative framework. Second, research pertaining to the PLC determinants were assessed and discussed.

Findings

From the results of this review and primary data from marketing academics, the authors find that the method of predicting the PLC based on past sales has been largely unsuccessful and perceived as somewhat outdated. However, a new stream of PLC literature is emerging, which takes a consumer-centric perspective to the PLC and has seen more success at modeling lifecycles in various industries.

Research limitations/implications

First, the study outlines the most contemporary and successful methodological approaches to modeling the PLC. Namely, the use of artificial intelligence, big data, demand modeling and consumer psychological mechanisms. Second, it provides several future research avenues using modern market trends such as sustainability, globalization, digitization and Covid-19 to push the PLC into the 21st century.

Originality/value

The PLC has shown to be resolutely popular in management application and education. However, without a continued effort in academic PLC research to update the knowledge around the concept, its use as a productive management tool will likely become outdated. This study provides a necessary and comprehensive literature update resulting in actionable future research and teaching agendas intended to advance the PLC concept into the modern market context.
Can market state and market volatility explain time-varying momentum profits in South Africa?
Authors: Kaluba Mwangele , Seetharam Yudhvir
Published: January 2022

Purpose

While the momentum anomaly is prevalent in South Africa, few have examined the reasons influencing it. This study examines whether momentum profits vary through time and are affected by the state of the market and market volatility between 1998 and 2019.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors consider combinations of portfolio construction, such as the lookback period, weighting scheme, measure of volatility and the volatility window period. They further examine the interaction of momentum with sentiment, default risk and semi-deviation as a measure of risk, as a means of testing whether behavioural factors have significant influence.

Findings

The results generally show that neither volatility nor market state has explanatory power on momentum profits.

Originality/value

These results make the momentum anomaly in South Africa an even greater mystery than before as they do not conform to the existing literature from developed economies. The authors do, however, find that default risk is a significant predictor of momentum profits, which is a useful additional factor for those fund managers who utilise momentum strategies. This implies that a fundamental factor, default risk, is a potential explanation for the market-related momentum anomaly.
Linking employee perceptions and employee attitudes through their levels of organizational identification: a field investigation in India
Authors: Biswas Soumendu
Published: January 2022

Purpose

Despite organizational socialization and support, contemporary managers often perceive employees to be less engaged and attached to their workplace, multiplying their workload with unsolicited vexations and worries. In this connection, the purpose of this paper is to explore and possibly confirm the ameliorative role of organizational identification as a mediator between employees' perceptions of organizational support and justice and their favorable association to their levels of engagement and attenuation of their intentions to quit.

Design/methodology/approach

Suitable theories such as the social exchange and fairness heuristics theories were examined to select and support the study constructs. Accordingly, the literature was reviewed to formulate the study hypotheses and connect them through a conceptual latent variable model (LVM). Data were collected from 402 full-time managerial executives all over India. The data thus collected were subjected to structural equation modeling (SEM) procedures.

Findings

All the measures used in this study had acceptable reliabilities as indicated by their Cronbach's Alpha values. Based on the SEM procedures all the study hypotheses and one of the competing LVMs labeled as LVM5 was finally accepted.

Originality/value

The distinctive feature of this study is the theoretical compilation of all the study constructs in one LVM and subsequent empirical verification of the same. This study is, perhaps, the first of its kind to examine the implications of such justice-based perceptions of social exchange relations between employees and their organizations in India more so, since it considers support and justice to complement each other as an interactive whole.
Abnormal disclosure tone, earnings management and earnings quality
Authors: Abou-El-Sood Heba , El-Sayed Dalia
Published: January 2022

Purpose

The authors investigate whether abnormal tone in corporate narrative disclosures is associated with earnings management and earnings quality, in an emerging market context. Based on agency theory and opportunistic/impression management perspective, this study examines whether executives manage disclosure tone to support their opportunistic behavior, when using earnings management.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses a sample of earnings press releases of publicly traded firms in the MENA region during 2014–2019. It employs textual analysis to measure disclosure tone. The authors estimate abnormal disclosure tone after controlling for firm characteristics. Discretionary accruals proxy for earnings management and are estimated using Modified Jones model. Earnings quality is measured using accounting-based and market-based proxies: earnings smoothness, persistence, predictability and value relevance/informativeness.

Findings

Results show a positive association between abnormal disclosure tone and earnings management. Additionally, results show that earnings persistence is higher for firms with lower levels of abnormal disclosure tone. Results are sustained for earnings smoothness, but not for predictability and value relevance/informativeness.

Research limitations/implications

Results provide initial evidence of management's use of tone management jointly with earnings management. This adds to prior studies adopting the opportunistic perspective of disclosure tone, through showing that discretionary tone in narrative disclosures can be strategically used by management to influence investors' perceptions.

Practical implications

The results provide valuable insight to board of directors, auditors and market participants on the possible biases emerging from tone of narrative disclosures in corporate reports. For regulators and standard-setters, results shed light on the need for regulations and rules beyond financial statements, to guide disclosure of narrative information in different corporate reports.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the rare evidence that investigates textual disclosure characteristics to uncover management's opportunistic practices and assess earnings quality. Where majority of studies concentrate on developed markets, this study provides novel evidence of emerging markets by examining the association between abnormal disclosure tone and earnings management/earnings quality. Also, it validates the tone management model proposed by Huang et al. (2014) for capturing tone manipulation.
Sustainable disaster supply chain management for relief operations in Bangladesh
Authors: Tasnim Zerin , Hamid Abu Bakar A. , Dwivedi Yogesh K. , Shareef Mahmud A.
Published: January 2022

Purpose

Number of disastrous events are rising globally, and it is important to manage the humanitarian supply chain management process to assist the disaster affected individuals in terms of relief operations. Effective relief operations can help to recover the materialistic loss due to any disaster. But there is a paucity of studies regarding this issue for developing countries. This study, hence, inspected the factors that affect the disaster supply chain management (DSCM) processes for relief operations in Bangladesh.

Design/methodology/approach

This study examined the factors affecting relief operations through a qualitative analysis. This study used thematic analysis. Interviews were conducted with related supply chain individuals who were triangulated by data from related publications and blogs.

Findings

The study showed that sustainable DSCM for relief operations in Bangladesh require addressing few factors as organizational capabilities, warehousing locations and inventory management, infrastructure facility, coordination among partners, government and local authority support to create a transparent, efficient, effective and sustainable DSCM process for relief operations in Bangladesh. The system loopholes can be identified and rectified on the base of these factors.

Research limitations/implications

The number of interview respondents was limited to twenty who were selected randomly from four organizations. To create a sustainable disaster supply chain management (SCM) for relief operations few factors were considered as predominant factors in Bangladesh context to generalize the developing country contexts and other factors were not considered. Therefore, for farther humanitarian research, the model of this study can be used for quantitative research and the hypotheses can be tested empirically to get more acute findings.

Practical implications

As this study identifies the factors which can help to create a sustainable DSCM system for relief operations, hence practically, Bangladesh humanitarian SCM agencies will be beneficial from this study. They can easily recognize the factors need to be considered to create a sustainable DSCM process for relief operations.

Originality/value

This is a unique study carried out to examine the factors affecting DSCM process for relief operations in Bangladesh.
The Pirate Archives, William Ready Division of Archives and research collections, McMaster University
Authors: Long Christopher , Whittle Bridget
Published: January 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to discuss the history and contents of an archival resource that is of interest to scholars of historical marketing. The Pirate Group Inc. archive, held by McMaster University Library’s William Ready Division of Archives and Research Collections consists of over 27,000 sound recordings and 84 metres of textual records, documenting the work of Pirate, an award-winning Toronto-based advertising company founded in 1990. The comprehensiveness of the archives, which includes tens of thousands of advertising “spots”, gives researchers unprecedented access to the creative forces behind some of the most memorable advertisements produced in Canada.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper aims to answer the following questions: what is the Pirate Group Inc. and what is their documentary legacy? How can scholars of marketing history benefit from the records contained within the Pirate Group Inc. archive? How can researchers access the material at McMaster University Library’s William Ready Division of Archives and Research Collections?

Findings

The authors assert that the Pirate Group Inc. archive may be of particular interest to scholars engaged in research on the following topics: Canadian nationalism in marketing campaigns, the advertising history of companies whose histories are under-studied due to a lack of archival resources and the recent history of radio and television political ad campaigns.

Originality/value

The paper contributes to historical research in marketing by asserting that the Pirate Group Inc. archive has continuing value for further research. The Pirate archive, which allows for unprecedented access into the study of Canadian advertising due to its comprehensiveness and its uniqueness among archival collections from the contemporary era, makes it a strong primary source for marketing historians.
The status, challenges, and trends: an interpretation of technology roadmap of intelligent and connected vehicles in China (2020)
Authors: Xu Qing , Li Keqiang , Wang Jianqiang , Yuan Quan , Yang Yanding , Chu Wenbo
Published: January 2022

Purpose

The rapid development of Intelligent and Connected Vehicles (ICVs) has boomed a new round of global technological and industrial revolution in recent decades. The Technology Roadmap of Intelligent and Connected Vehicles (2020) comprehensively analyzes the technical architecture, research status and future trends of ICVs. The methodology that supports the roadmap should get studied.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper interprets the roadmap from the aspects of strategic significance, technical content and characteristics of the roadmap, and evaluates the impact of the roadmap on researchers, industries and international strategies.

Findings

The technical architecture of ICVs as the “three rows and two columns” structure is studied, the methodology that supported the roadmap is explained with a case study and the influence of key technologies with proposed development routes is analyzed.

Originality/value

This paper could help researchers understand both thoughts and methodologies behind the technology roadmap of ICVs.
A physical investigation of dimensional and mechanical characteristics of 3D printed nut and bolt for industrial applications
Authors: Chand Ramesh , Sharma Vishal S. , Trehan Rajeev , Gupta Munish Kumar
Published: January 2022

Purpose

A nut bolt joint is a primary device that connects mechanical components. The vibrations cause bolted joints to self-loosen. Created by motors and engines, leading to machine failure, and there may be severe safety issues. All the safety issues and self-loosen are directly and indirectly the functions of the accuracy and precision of the fabricated nut and bolt. Recent advancements in three-dimensional (3D) printing technologies now allow for the production of intricate components. These may be used technologies such as 3D printed bolts to create fasteners. This paper aims to investigate dimensional precision, surface properties, mechanical properties and scanning electron microscope (SEM) of the component fabricated using a multi-jet 3D printer.

Design/methodology/approach

Multi-jet-based 3D printed nut-bolt is evaluated in this paper. More specifically, liquid polymer-based nut-bolt is fabricated in sections 1, 2 and 3 of the base plate. Five nuts and bolts are fabricated in these three sections.

Findings

Dimensional inquiry (bolt dimension, general dimensions’ density and surface roughness) and mechanical testing (shear strength of nut and bolt) were carried out throughout the study. According to the ISO 2768 requirements for the General Tolerances Grade, the nut and bolt’s dimensional examination (variation in bolt dimension, general dimensions) is within the tolerance grades. As a result, the multi-jet 3D printing (MJP)-based 3D printer described above may be used for commercial production. In terms of mechanical qualities, when the component placement moves from Sections 1 to 3, the density of the manufactured part decreases by 0.292% (percent) and the shear strength of the nut and bolt decreases by 30%. According to the SEM examination, the density of the River markings, sharp edges, holes and sharp edges increased from Sections 1 to 3, which supports the findings mentioned above.

Originality/value

Hence, this work enlightens the aspects causing time lag during the 3D printing in MJP. It causes variation in the dimensional deviation, surface properties and mechanical properties of the fabricated part, which needs to be explored.
Relevance, resilience, and ageism: A bright future for occupational therapy and healthy ageing, Sylvia Docker Lecture 2021
Authors: Clemson Lindy
Published: January 2022

Our core professional values have been enduring and remarkably relevant to decades past and times present. Our values ensure the currency of our professional contribution, our resilience, readiness, and adaptability, to meet the challenges as we move into the next decade and beyond. In this Sylvia Docker lecture, I draw on my career experience from practice and academic research to examine this premise. The social isolation during the COVID‐19 pandemic gave us all a picture of what our clients experience in an enduring way and the challenges of maintaining healthy lifestyles, meaningful occupations, and life roles. One of the greatest population challenges of this century is healthy ageing and the impact that ageism has on health. We live in a society that is ageist, and such cultural thinking impacts our beliefs and expectations as it does for older adults themselves. As occupational therapists, we strive to maintain our relevance, and we drive transformational change through using research‐informed evidence‐based approaches and adopting enablement programmes that meet the needs of people who are ageing. While prominent in enablement and therapeutic approaches, we are not immune to ageism. Being exposed to ageist views throughout our lives means, we internalise these and believe that ageing is a process of decline. Such self‐perceptions and stereotyping impact the health of older people and influence the choices we make in our everyday practice. There are examples of emerging evidence and approaches that will meet these challenges and ways to re‐frame ageist thinking. Occupational therapy values of working with people's strengths, what they can do, indicates we are well placed to engage and provide leadership in moving societal views. Addressing ageism requires self‐reflection and action in order to be part of changing the narrative on ageing.
The gift of free money: on the indeterminacy of unconditional cash transfers in western Kenya
Authors: Schmidt Mario
Published: January 2022

In the area surrounding the western Kenyan market town of Kaleko, almost half of the households targeted by the NGO GiveDirectly refused to participate in an unconditional cash transfer programme. Based on interviews and repeated visits to Kaleko over the last ten years, the article illuminates the reasons for the high refusal rate. Instead of understanding it as a technical problem to be fixed, the article situates it in local understandings of the economy as relational. Observing that different actors understood the transfer differently (e.g. as embedded in market exchanges with occult actors, asymmetrical gift relations, or political redistribution schemes), the article concludes that it was difficult for GiveDirectly to control how its cash transfer programme was interpreted locally because it did not accept the paradoxical nature of ‘the gift of free money’. If actors oppose money conceptually to the free gift, interpretations of unconditional cash are bound to be multiple and the transfer will remain indeterminable.
Desert travels in the Atacama: making place through movement (c. 2500‐1500 cal BP)
Authors: Gallardo Francisco , Vidal‐Montero Estefanía , Ballester Benjamín , Blanco José , Pimentel Gonzalo
Published: January 2022

Social worlds are constituted by movement. Mobility entails the circulation not only of people, but also of material goods, imaginaries, experiences, flows of information, and knowledge. In this article, we examine different forms of movement in the Atacama Desert during the Formative Period (c. 2500‐1500 cal BP), such as pedestrian travels, llama caravans, and navigation on sea lion‐skin vessels along the Pacific, incorporating various material means and encompassing a wide array of incentives. We present different case studies that challenge monolithic assumptions about mobility in the South‐Central Andes, commonly understood through the lens of ecological complementarity and primarily driven by economic exchange. Extending Binford's classic distinction between residential and logistical mobility as two ideal types of hunter‐gatherers’ settlement systems to include groups of early farmers, in combination with the territorial categories of local and extra‐local, we interrogate the spatial and temporal scale of these journeys – from daily to seasonal, from short to long distance – and its materialization. In these examples, we approach movement and travel as a way of life, expanding the traditional view of mobility through an exploration of the varied ways in which it was practised and integrated into the social lives of desert dwellers.
SECTION 106, VIABILITY, AND THE DEPOLITICIZATION OF ENGLISH LAND VALUE CAPTURE POLICY
Authors: Foye Chris
Published: January 2022

In England, when land is granted planning permission its value increases dramatically. Historically, the question of who is entitled to this ‘betterment value’ uplift has been one of the central debates in national politics. However, from the 1980s to 2008, betterment value capture policy became depoliticized. This article seeks to understand how that came about. Focusing on the parliamentary sphere, it proposes that depoliticization took place across three ‘faces’. First, economic interests: rising home‐ownership and the broader rentierization of the economy strengthened support for house price inflation and private property rights, thus shrinking the space for political debate around these issues. Second, institutions: under Section 106 and the viability regime, the governance of betterment value capture became fragmented, incorporating an array of unelected ‘experts’, models and rules which worked to reduce the discretion of elected local planning authorities. Third, discourse: from the 1980s onwards, the Labour Party's discourse around betterment value capture converged with that of the Conservative Party. This convergence was partly driven by ideational changes in the Labour Party and in the discipline of economics. Taken together, these three faces help explain why betterment value capture policy moved away from the realm of contestation and contingency and towards that of fate and necessity.
Association of sedentary time and carotid atherosclerotic plaques in patients with type 2 diabetes
Authors: Ke Jing , Li Kun , Ke Tingyu , Zhong Xu , Zheng Qidong , Wang Yufan , Li Li , Dai Yuancheng , Dong Qijuan , Ji Bangqun , Xu Fengmei , Shi Juan , Peng Ying , Zhang Yifei , Zhao Dong , Wang Weiqing
Published: January 2022

Background

Atherosclerosis is a common complication in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM). Multiple factors are involved in the development and progress of atherosclerosis. We evaluated the association of weekly sedentary time (WST) with carotid plaque formation.

Methods

After data cleaning, a total of 26 664 participants with T2DM from 10 National Metabolic Management Centers (MMCs) from June 2017 to April 2021 were enrolled. Self‐reported lifestyle data including WST, sleeping time, smoking and drinking information, carotid artery ultrasound, and biochemical parameters were obtained. The independent association of carotid plaue with sedentary and other lifestyle behaviors was evaluated using multivariable logistic regression models, and odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) were reported. Moreover, stratified analysis was conducted to demonstrate the influence of confounding factors.

Results

The mean (SD) age of the participants was 54.0 (11.6) years, and the median (interquartile range) WST was 35.0 (21.0, 42.0) h. Comparing with participants in the first tertile of WST, those in the second or third tertile of WST were younger and with a shorter duration of diabetes. There were positive associations between longer sedentary time and odds of artery plaque after adjustment, with corresponding ORs in the second and third tertile were 1.40 (95% CI: 1.31–1.50) and 1.67 (95% CI: 1.56–1.79), respectively. However, the effect of WST on plaque in patients aged 18–40 years old had no statistical significance; the p value in the third tertile was 0.163.

Conclusions

In summary, higher WST appears to be associated with higher prevalence of carotid plaque in patients with T2DM, especially in aged populations.
Maximum standardized uptake value of normal structures in the head and neck with bone SPECT/CT
Authors: Tezuka Yasuhito , Ogura Ichiro
Published: January 2022

Introduction

The quantitative parameter was successfully derived from the quantitative bone SPECT/CT images. The aim of this study was to evaluate maximum standardized uptake value (SUV) of normal structures in the head and neck with bone SPECT/CT.

Methods

Fifty‐three patients with jaw lesions (11 chronic osteomyelitis, eight osteoradionecrosis and 34 medication‐related osteonecrosis of the jaw) who had bone SPECT/CT were prospectively included. The maximum SUV of normal structures including vertebrae, sternal body, parietal bone and hyoid bone were analysed. Statistical analyses for the maximum SUV were performed by Pearson's rank correlation test. A P value lower than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results

The maximum SUVs of vertebrae, sternal body, parietal bone and hyoid bone of all patients were 8.10 ± 3.72, 5.16 ± 2.05, 3.67 ± 1.55 and 1.44 ± 0.56, respectively. Furthermore, the maximum SUV of vertebrae was significantly correlated with that of sternal body (Y = 0.527X + 5.388 (R2 = 0.084, P = 0.035)).

Conclusions

Maximum SUV with bone SPECT/CT should be useful for characterization of normal structures in the head and neck. Furthermore, the data reported herein can be used for reference in future studies and in clinical settings for head and neck lesions.
Predictive factors for retention of golimumab over a median 4‐year duration in Japanese patients with rheumatoid arthritis in a real‐world setting: A retrospective study and literature review
Authors: Mutoh Tomoyuki , Nagai Taichi , Shirai Tsuyoshi , Okazaki Soshi , Sato Hiroko , Fujii Hiroshi
Published: January 2022

Objectives

To investigate 6‐year drug survival (median: 48.5 months) of golimumab and predictors for lack of efficacy leading to golimumab discontinuation in Japanese patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in routine practice.

Methods

This retrospective single‐center study included 60 patients with RA treated with golimumab from November 2011 to August 2020. Patients were divided into 2 groups (retention, n = 28; withdrawal due to lack of efficacy, n = 24). The retention rate was assessed using the Kaplan‐Meier method, and variables associated with golimumab discontinuation were identified using the Cox proportional hazard model.

Results

The prevalence of concomitant methotrexate and no biologics use was significantly higher in the retention than in the withdrawal group. Overall drug survival of golimumab was 66.3%, 48.3%, and 24.5% at 12, 36, and 72 months, respectively. There were statistical differences in retention rates among groups stratified by initiation dose, methotrexate, and biologics use. Multivariate analysis revealed the factor associated with golimumab discontinuation as history of 1 (hazards ratio: 4.42, 95% CI: 1.35‐19.93, P = .012) and ≥2 biologics use (7.49, 1.97‐36.27, P = .003).

Conclusions

Prior exposure of increasing number of biologics was identified as the most important factor negatively affecting long‐term golimumab retention in Japanese patients with RA.
Determining the reasons for the failure of British aircraft manufacturers to invest in Australia's industry, 1934–1941
Authors: Abbott Malcolm , Bamforth Jill
Published: January 2022

The aim of the article is to identify the factors that prevented British aircraft manufacturers from investing in Australia in the second half of the 1930s, a period when rearmament was creating demand for aircraft. The article looks at several unsuccessful proposals by British manufacturers to establish factories in Australia to build aircraft in the late 1930s, with additional attention being given to one proposal in particular. There is evidence that the Australian Government favoured the creation of an Australian‐owned industry building aircraft under licence to foreign manufacturers, and it was this factor that largely deterred British investors.
Polymorphism of coupled indels in porcine TNNC2 alters its transcript splicing and is associated with meat quality traits
Authors: Ma Tingting , Liu Yan , Wei Xingyu , Xue Qianjin , Zheng Zhiwei , Xu Xuewen
Published: January 2022

The TNNC2 gene encodes the fast‐skeletal C subunit of the troponin complex that plays a vital role in the regulation of striated muscle contraction and could be a candidate gene for pork quality. Here, we identified coupled insertion/deletion (indel) variants, a 17‐bp insertion and an 11‐bp deletion, in porcine TNNC2. The coupled indel variants provide an alternative splicing donor site and cause a 42‐bp truncation in the first exon of TNNC2‐201, leading to increased expression of TNNC2‐201. Polymorphism of the two indel variants is associated with the average backfat thickness (p = 3.16 × 10−3), pH value 24 h post‐slaughter (p = 4.31 × 10−4), intramuscular fat (IMF) content (p = 1.54 × 10−2), and myofiber cross‐sectional area (p = 2.86 × 10−2) of longissimus dorsi in a population of 425 Duroc (♂) × Luchuan (♀) pigs. In an independent population of 1,304 commercial hybrid pigs, we further confirmed that it is associated with the IMF content (p = 1.75 × 10−4), pH value 45 min post‐slaughter (p = 6.34 × 10−3), and drip loss (p = 2.88 × 10−2) of the longissimus dorsi muscle. An increased frequency of the mutant allele is linked to increased IMF content, smaller myofibers, and a relatively moderate pH value. Furthermore, we detected a mutant allele frequency of 96.67% in Luchuan pigs and 86.67% in Tongcheng pigs, whereas the frequency was 0.91% in Duroc pigs, 2.04% in Landrace pigs, and 0% in Yorkshire and Pietrain pigs, indicating its opposing distributions in lean‐type and Chinese local pig breeds. The present results establish coupled indel variants of TNNC2 as a novel molecular marker for meat quality improvement.
Origin and distribution of the brachial plexus in kinkajou (Potos flavus– Schreber, 1774)
Authors: Enciso García Liz Melissa , Vélez García Juan Fernando
Published: January 2022

The kinkajou (Potos flavus) is a carnivoran adapted for arboreal quadrupedal locomotion along with a prehensile tail. The thoracic limb bones and muscles of this species have been studied, but the knowledge about its nerves is still scarce. This knowledge is necessary to perform several veterinary procedures, and to review the differences among carnivoran species. Thus, the objective of this study was to describe the origin and distribution of the brachial plexus inPotos flavus. Thereby, both brachial plexuses of five specimens were dissected (10). Seven plexuses originated from C6‐T2 (70%), whilst three plexuses originated from C5‐T2 (30%). Additionally, C6 and C7 formed two cranial trunks, and C8, T1 and T2 formed two caudal trunks. All nerves from the brachial plexus that have been reported in carnivorans were successfully located. In addition, we found one nerve reaching the teres major muscle originating directly from the brachial plexus and not from the axillary nerve as reported in other carnivorans. The brachiocephalic nerve was found partially innervating the cleidobrachialis muscle (50%), but this muscle always was innervated by the axillary nerve. Moreover, one to three subscapular nerves were found, and the musculocutaneous nerve formed two communicating branches (proximal and distal) to the median nerve. However, the distal communicating branch of the musculocutaneous nerve was absent in two specimens (40%). In conclusion, the brachial plexus ofP. flavuswas differentiated mainly with other carnivorans by a higher contribution from T2, formations of trunks, and one independent nerve to the teres major muscle.
Cultural psychology of inequality: Current and future directions
Authors: Oishi Shigehiro , Bak Hyeonjin , Caluori Nava
Published: January 2022

The current special issue reports seven empirical articles on diverse areas of inequality, ranging from the perception of economic inequality (who are concerned, what cues people use to perceive inequality in everyday life), the educational origin of income inequality, to the role of inequality in luxury consumption, prosocial behaviour, life satisfaction, and beliefs in upward and downward economic mobility. We first comment on these articles, then briefly review the current state of the psychology of inequality and point to future directions. Finally, we point out that a cultural psychological perspective is missing from the extant literature on the psychology of inequality. Namely, it is important to document how current systems of inequality are maintained and transmitted across generations in specific sociocultural contexts.
rhADAMTS13 reduces oxidative stress by cleaving VWF in ischaemia/reperfusion‐induced acute kidney injury
Authors: Zhou Suhan , Guo Jie , Liao Xinxin , Zhou Qin , Qiu Xingyu , Jiang Shan , Xu Nan , Wang Xiaohua , Zhao Liang , Hu Weipeng , Xie Lanyu , Xie Peng , Cui Yu , Yang Yi , Patzak Andreas , Persson Pontus B. , Mao Jianhua , Lai En Yin
Published: January 2022

Aims

Acute kidney injury (AKI), a major health burden, lacks effective therapy. Anti‐inflammatory actions of a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with a thrombospondin type 1 motif member 13 (ADAMTS13) may provide a new treatment option for AKI. Along with inflammation, oxidative stress is critical for AKI development, yet the impact of ADAMTS13 on oxidative stress in AKI remains to be fully elucidated.

Methods

We assess recombinant human ADAMTS13 (rhADAMTS13) actions on oxidative stress in a murine ischaemia/reperfusion (IR) model. Antioxidant stress‐enzyme activities, renal morphology, kidney function markers and vascular function of isolated afferent arterioles are quantified.

Results

rhADAMTS13 provided after IR, reduces blood urea nitrogen (BUN) by 33% and serum creatinine (Scr) by 73% in 24 hours post‐IR. rhADAMTS13 reduces BUN (40.03 ± 20.34 mmol/L vs 72.35 ± 18.74 mmol/L, P < .01), Scr (75.67 ± 51.19 μmol/L vs 176.17 ± 55.38 μmol/L, P < .01) and proteinuria by 41% in 48 hours post‐IR as well. Moreover, rhADAMTS13 administration decreases malondialdehyde (MDA) and increases the activity of antioxidant stress enzymes, and attenuates reactive oxygen species production. rhADAMTS13 also upregulates nuclear factor‐erythroid‐2‐related factor 2/haem oxygenase‐1, enhances antioxidant enzymes activity and alleviates endothelial dysfunction. Finally, treatment with rhADAMTS13 mitigates severe functional and morphological injury present in IR mice. Extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (ERK) phosphorylation is limited by rhADAMTS13 and PPARγ expression is partly restored in ischaemic kidneys. Co‐administration of von Willebrand factor (VWF) impairs rhADAMTS13’s antioxidant capacity and its protective role in IR.

Conclusion

rhADAMTS13 alleviates renal IR injury through antioxidant effects by cleaving VWF.
Liver‐related and extrahepatic events in patients with non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease: a retrospective competing risks analysis
Authors: Pennisi Grazia , Enea Marco , Romero‐Gomez Manuel , Viganò Mauro , Bugianesi Elisabetta , Wong Vincent W.‐S. , Fracanzani Anna Ludovica , Sebastiani Giada , Boursier Jerome , Berzigotti Annalisa , Eslam Mohammed , Ampuero Javier , Benmassaoud Amine , La Mantia Claudia , Mendoza Yuly P. , George Jacob , Craxì Antonio , Camma' Calogero , de Ledinghen Victor , Petta Salvatore
Published: January 2022

Background & Aim

Non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and especially fibrotic non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis, is associated with high risks of liver‐related events (LRE) and extrahepatic events (EHE). We evaluated the competitive risk occurrence of LRE and EHE in a large cohort of biopsy‐proven NAFLD stratified according to baseline severity of fibrosis.

Methods

Two thousand one hundred thirty‐five patients with biopsy‐proven NAFLD were enrolled. Observed cumulative incidence functions (CIFs) were used to evaluate the risk of LRE and EHE; cause‐specific Cox model and predicted CIFs were fitted to identify predictors of LRE and EHE. A replication cohort of NAFLD patients with liver fibrosis severity estimated by liver stiffness measurement by transient elastography was also enrolled.

Results

Observed CIFs indicated that the 60‐month probabilities of LRE and EHE were 0.2% and 3% in F0‐F1, 2% and 3.8% in F2 and 9.7% and 6.4% in F3‐F4 patients, respectively. The cause‐specific Cox model indicated that in F0‐F1 and F2 patients, age > 50 years (HR 2.7) was the only predictor of LRE, while age > 50 years (HR 2.96), previous cardiovascular events (CVE, HR 2.07), and previous extra‐hepatic cancer (HR 2.36) were independent risk factors for EHE. In F3‐F4 patients, age > 55 years (HR 1.73), obesity (HR 1.52), PLT < 150 000/mmc (HR 3.66) and log(GGT) (HR 1.77) were associated with LRE, while age > 55 years (HR 1.74) and previous CVE (HR 2.51) were independent predictors of EHE. Predicted CIFs for HE and EHE in F0‐F1, F2 and F3‐F4 patients stratified the risk of events. The results were externally replicated.

Conclusion

The likelihood of EHE in NAFLD patients is relevant and increases according to the severity of liver fibrosis, while the risk of LRE is negligible in F0‐F1, low but clinically relevant in F2 and high in F3‐F4 patients.
CON: Oximes should not be used routinely in organophosphorus insecticide poisoning
Authors: Eddleston Michael
Published: January 2022

Organophosphorus (OP) insecticide poisoning causes respiratory failure due to acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibition. The AChE reactivating antidote pralidoxime was developed in the 1950s and was soon noted to benefit patients occupationally poisoned with the highly potent OP insecticide parathion. Routine use of pralidoxime and other oximes such as obidoxime then became widely recommended. However, nearly all severe cases of OP poisoning now result from self‐poisoning with large volumes of less potent (WHO hazard class Ib and II) insecticides and co‐formulated solvents. Unfortunately, oxime clinical trials have never shown benefit from their use for these patients, and some have shown that pralidoxime may be associated with harm, including increased mortality. Oximes should not be used routinely for the care of OP insecticide‐poisoned patients until translational and clinical studies have identified a safe and effective oxime regimen and identified the patients who benefit.
Decent work and innovative work behaviour: Mediating roles of work engagement, intrinsic motivation and job self‐efficacy
Authors: Xu Yan , Liu Dun , Tang Dai‐Sheng
Published: January 2022

In nowadays highly competitive and dynamic environment where employees' innovative work behaviour (IWB) has become critical source for business success, employees' quality of work lives is severely challenged by the global deregulated labour market. As an institutional effort to combat the challenges faced by labour world, the concept of decent work was proposed by International Labor Organization (ILO) in 1999, which is defined as work—and work‐related contexts—that provides adequate and fair income, social protection, security at workplace, opportunities for personal development and voice and participation in the decisions that affect their lives. This study examines whether realization of decent work promotes IWB. Based on a seven‐dimension construct of decent work, we propose that decent work promotes IWB through enhancing work engagement, with intrinsic motivation and job self‐efficacy partially mediating the positive effect of decent work on work engagement. By means of data with 517 supervisor–employee dyads, we test the hypotheses using structural equations modelling. Our results show good fitness of the hypothesized model, pass for the comparison of alternative models and testing of mediation effects and hence support all the hypotheses. Implications for theories and practices are discussed.
Using nonhuman culture in conservation requires careful and concerted action
Authors: Carvalho Susana , Wessling Erin G. , Abwe Ekwoge E. , Almeida‐Warren Katarina , Arandjelovic Mimi , Boesch Christophe , Danquah Emmanuel , Diallo Mamadou Saliou , Hobaiter Catherine , Hockings Kimberley , Humle Tatyana , Ikemeh Rachel Ashegbofe , Kalan Ammie K. , Luncz Lydia , Ohashi Gaku , Pascual‐Garrido Alejandra , Piel Alex , Samuni Liran , Soiret Serge , Sanz Crickette , Koops Kathelijne
Published: January 2022

Discussions of how animal culture can aid the conservation crisis are burgeoning. As scientists and conservationists working to protect endangered species, we call for reflection on how the culture concept may be applied in practice. Here, we discuss both the potential benefits and potential shortcomings of applying the animal culture concept, and propose a set of achievable milestones that will help guide and ensure its effective integration existing conservation frameworks, such as Adaptive Management cycles or Open Standards.
Adverse psychocutaneous effects of prescription stimulant use and abuse: A systematic review
Authors: Moattari Cameron R. , França Katlein
Published: January 2022

Although rare, psychocutaneous disorders induced by prescription stimulants have been reported throughout the literature. A systematic review was conducted to identify all case reports and case series of prescription stimulant‐induced trichotillomania, tactile hallucinations, and delusional infestation. A total of 22 case reports were identified and relevant information was analyzed. Patients presenting with trichotillomania and tactile hallucinations induced by prescription stimulants were typically pediatric male patients being treated for attention deficit hypersensitivity disorder. Symptoms resolved after discontinuation of the offending medication. Patients presenting with delusional infestation secondary to stimulant use or abuse were typically adults who were misusing or abusing stimulant medication. Although symptoms typically improved or resolved after decreasing or discontinuing medication, several patients required the use of antipsychotic medication. While the observational nature of case reports and small number of patients limits meaningful analysis of trends and comparison, this study demonstrates that physicians, especially dermatologists and psychiatrists, should be aware of the potential for prescription stimulants to precipitate adverse psychocutaneous disorders in a minority of individuals.