bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Characterization of cellular, biochemical and genomic features of the diazotrophic plant growth-promoting bacteriumAzospirillumsp. UENF-412522, a novel member of theAzospirillumgenus
Authors: Rodrigues Gustavo L. , Matteoli Filipe P. , Gazara Rajesh K. , Rodrigues Pollyanna S. L. , dos Santos Samuel T. , Alves Alice F. , Pedrosa-Silva Francisnei , Oliveira-Pinheiro Isabella , Canedo-Alvarenga Daniella , Olivares Fabio L. , Venancio Thiago M.
Published: May 2021

Given their remarkable beneficial effects on plant growth, severalAzospirillumisolates currently integrate the formulations of various commercial inoculants. Our research group isolated a new strain,Azospirillumsp. UENF-412522, from passion fruit rhizoplane. This isolate uses carbon sources that are partially distinct from closely-relatedAzospirillumisolates. Scanning electron microscopy analysis and population counts demonstrate the ability ofAzospirillumsp. UENF-412522 to colonize the surface of passion fruit roots.In vitroassays demonstrate the ability ofAzospirillumsp. UENF-412522 to fix atmospheric nitrogen, to solubilize phosphate and to produce indole-acetic acid. Passion fruit plantlets inoculated withAzospirillumsp. UENF-41255 showed increased shoot and root fresh matter, as well as root dry matter, further highlighting its biotechnological potential for agriculture. We sequenced the genome ofAzospirillumsp. UENF-412522 to investigate the genetic basis of its plant-growth promotion properties. We identified the keynifgenes for nitrogen fixation, the complete PQQ operon for phosphate solubilization, theacdSgene that alleviates ethylene effects on plant growth, and thenapCABoperon, which produces nitrite under anoxic conditions. We also found several genes conferring resistance to common soil antibiotics, which are critical forAzospirillum sp.UENF-412522 survival in the rhizosphere. Finally, we also assessed theAzospirillumpangenome and highlighted key genes involved in plant growth promotion. A phylogenetic reconstruction of the genus was also conducted. Our results supportAzospirillum sp.UENF-412522 as a good candidate for bioinoculant formulations focused on plant growth promotion in sustainable systems.
Crystal structure refinement of magnesium zinc divanadate, MgZnV2O7, from powder X-ray diffraction data
Authors: Hong Stephanie J. , Li Jun , Subramanian Mas A.
Published: May 2021

The crystal structure of magnesium zinc divanadate, MgZnV2O7, was determined and refined from laboratory X-ray powder diffraction data. The title compound was synthesized by a solid-state reaction at 1023 K in air. The crystal structure is isotypic with Mn0.6Zn1.4V2O7 (C2/m; Z = 6) and is related to the crystal structure of thortveitite. The asymmetric unit contains two metal sites with statistically distributed magnesium and zinc atoms with the atomic ratio close to 1:1. One (Mg/Zn) metal site (M1) is located on Wyckoff position 8j and the other (M2) on 4h. Three V sites (all on 4i), and eight O (three 8j, four 4i, and one 2b) sites complete the asymmetric unit. The structure is an alternate stacking of V2O7 layers and (Mg/Zn) atom layers along [20\overline{1}]. It is distinct from other related structures in that each V2O7 layer consists of two groups: a V2O7 dimer and a V4O14 tetramer. Mixed-occupied M1 and M2 are coordinated by oxygen atoms in distorted trigonal bipyramidal and octahedral sites, respectively.
Food literacy and food choice – a survey-based psychometric profiling of consumer behaviour
Authors: Trieste Leopoldo , Bazzani Andrea , Amato Alessia , Faraguna Ugo , Turchetti Giuseppe
Published: May 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the associations between food literacy, consumer profiling and purchasing behaviour in a sample of Italian consumers.

Design/methodology/approach

Participants (N = 194) completed an online survey including personal data, two questionnaires on purchase behaviour and food consumption, the General Trust Scale (GTS), a questionnaire assessing individual chronotype and two scales about food literacy: one investigating nutritional knowledge (short food literacy questionnaire, SFLQ) and the other focussing on procedural skills (self-perceived food literacy scale, SPFL). Associations between food literacy, consumer profiling and purchase behaviour were analysed with linear regression models.

Findings

Participants with specific education in nutrition reported higher scores in food literacy. The final score of food literacy was predicted by a greater attention to nutritional content and nutritional properties of products. Women paid more attention to nutritional properties than men, and they obtained higher scores in SFLQ. Evening types obtained lower scores in SFPL compared to intermediate and morning chronotypes. Body mass index (BMI) was negatively correlated to SPFL score, while it was associated with the easy availability of a product, so that obese (BMI ≥ 30) subjects considered the easy availability of a product more important compared to non-obese ones (BMI < 30).

Originality/value

This study investigates the influence of personal and psychometric variables of consumer profiling on food literacy and consequently on purchase behaviour, paving the way for implementing healthier food consumption policies. These findings reinforce the primacy of specific education in building healthy eating habits.
Examining the intention to stay home due to COVID-19: a pandemic's second wave outlook
Authors: Soomro Bahadur Ali , Shah Naimatullah
Published: May 2021

Purpose

At present, almost the whole globe is facing a severe threat of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The present study examines the intention to stay home due to COVID-19 during a second wave of the pandemic.

Design/methodology/approach

The study employed a deductive approach based on cross-sectional data. An online survey is conducted from citizens of Pakistan. A convenience sampling is applied to target the respondents. In total, 238 useable responses proceed for final analysis. The structural equation model (SEM) is used to infer the results.

Findings

The findings of the study highlight a positive and significant effect of fear of COVID-19, attitudes to stay at home behaviour (AtSHB), knowledge about COVID-19 (Ka19) and health consciousness (HC) on the intention to stay at home (ItSAH).

Practical implications

The study would provide the guidelines to policymakers and planners to develop the policies which may establish the individual's ItSAH. This strategy would restrict the spread of COVID-19. The government should also formulate the plannings to reduce the fear about COVID-19 and health concerns to combat the pandemic. The government should launch awareness programs regarding the spread and cure of COVID-19.

Originality/value

This study is the first study which highlights the factors such as fear, HC, attitudes and knowledge towards ItSAH. The study may be unique in the COVID-19 perspective, particularly in the Pakistani context.
The impacts of sustainable inter-firm collaboration on business performance of shipping companies
Authors: Tran Thi Minh Trang , Woo Su-Han , Yuen Kum Fai
Published: May 2021

Purpose

To gain competitive advantage, shipping companies need the abilities to manage environmental requirements, which this study refers to as sustainable shipping capabilities, including internal resources and external factors such as inter-firm collaboration. However, previous studies mainly focused on the effectiveness of internal resources, leading decision-makers in shipping companies to undervalue the significance of external relationships in managing sustainability issues and their impact on performance. Therefore, this paper aims to identify and examine the impacts of sustainable inter-firm collaboration on shipping companies' business performance (i.e. shippers' loyalty and financial performance).

Design/methodology/approach

A proposed model that explains the relationships between relation bonding strategies, sustainable inter-firm collaboration and business performance was developed. Accordingly, a survey questionnaire was constructed and sent to 294 shipping companies in Vietnam. Structural equation modeling was deployed to examine the validity of the measurement items and investigate relationships among the latent constructs.

Findings

The findings show that financial bonding strategies have the most significant impact on sustainable inter-firm collaboration, followed by social bonding strategies and structural bonding strategies. Furthermore, sustainable inter-firm collaboration has direct and indirect (via perceived shippers' loyalty) effects on business performance.

Research limitations/implications

Relational bonding strategies provide a unique perspective to sustainable inter-firm collaboration. This study also contributes to allocate external resources and capabilities to improve inter-firm collaboration, thereby maximizing financial performance.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to the literature by applying relational bonding strategies that determine the key factors enabling sustainable inter-firm collaboration.
Empirical classification of European Foundation for Quality Management (EFQM) model enabler sub-criteria using a quadrant matrix
Authors: Murthy Narasimha , Sangwan Kuldip Singh , Narahari Nuggenahalli S.
Published: May 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine how sub-criteria of the European Foundation for Quality Management (EFQM) model is structurally connected and influence each other. This paper also tries to find the underpinning logics in the EFQM model.

Design/methodology/approach

The study uses the empirical methodology based on assessment scores of 58 different organizations to gauge the underlying structure, develop the construct and establish interlinkages among the various sub-criteria in the EFQM model. Statistical analysis is used to find the impact on results and cross influencing of criteria at the sub-criteria level. The factorial analysis is carried out using the Doe technique to create factorial plots for result categories (customer results, people results, society results and business results). The approach is to unravel (1) the role played by each sub-criterion of the model, (2) the effects of sub-criteria on the results of the EFQM model and (3) the influence of sub-criteria on the managerial aspects of the model in an organizational context.

Findings

The EFQM sub-criteria are categorised as promoters, proponents, defenders or detractors based on their impact on the results and cross-influence on each other. The study unfolded seven sub-criteria positively impacting the results and one sub-criterion negatively impacting the results if not handled properly. Out of 32 sub-criteria, nine sub-criteria are influencing more than six other sub-criteria.

Originality/value

The paper investigates, for the first time: (1) the role played by each sub-criteria of the model; (2) the relationships that are produced between these sub-criteria on the EFQM results and (3) identify how such sub-criteria would influence the managerial aspects of the model in an organizational context. This research develops underlying logics in the EFQM model using Doe factorial methods for overcoming the multi-collinearity.
“Not tested on animals”: how consumers react to cruelty-free cosmetics proposed by manufacturers and retailers?
Authors: Grappe Cindy G. , Lombart Cindy , Louis Didier , Durif Fabien
Published: May 2021

Purpose

Animal welfare is increasingly favoured by consumers in their choice of food and cosmetic products, proposed by manufacturers and retailers. This study aims to investigate the impact of the “not tested on animals” claim on consumers' attitude and behavioural intention towards a cosmetic product through an enriched version of Ajzen's theory of planned behaviour.

Design/methodology/approach

A between-subjects design has been used. 450 participants were recruited through the social network of a cosmetics and personal hygiene brand in Quebec, Canada, and answered a questionnaire. They were randomly assigned to either a manipulation group (n = 226) or a control group (n = 224). Data were analysed with partial least squares structural equation modelling.

Findings

This study shows that external (credibility and attitude towards marketing claims) and internal psychological variables (subjective norms and altruistic concerns with animal welfare) influence attitude towards and purchase intention of “not tested on animals” personal care products. More egotistic concerns, such as personal appearance, also explain the formation of attitude towards cruelty-free cosmetics.

Research limitations/implications

This research supplements Ajzen's original model with internal psychological (individuals' concerns with animal welfare and personal appearance) and external (general credibility of cosmetic products claims, credibility of the “not tested on animals” claim and attitude towards this claim) variables. These variables, as suggested by previous research on cosmetics and their claims, improve the understanding of consumer attitude and purchase behaviour patterns.

Practical implications

The study's findings point out the role of companies to increase consumers' knowledge on the significance and transparency of their messages, notably the “not tested on animals” claim. They also stress that policymakers in regions where regulation is unclear should at least punish untruthful communication pertaining to animal testing in cosmetic and personal care products.

Originality/value

Prior studies on cosmetic products did not investigate the difference of consumer attitude formation towards cruelty-free products compared to conventional cosmetic products. Consequently, this research shows that the construction of attitude towards cruelty-free products highly differs from conventional personal care.
Assessing four decades of global research studies on stock market manipulations: a sceintometric analysis
Authors: Akram Tooba , RamaKrishnan Suresh A.L. , Naveed Muhammad
Published: May 2021

Purpose

This study aims to diagnose the global key contributors in the stock market manipulation studies during the past four decades.

Design/methodology/approach

The database search is based on the terms used in the existing body of knowledge. Using the bibliometric tools and techniques on the Scopus database, the study assessed and analysed the productivity of research studies, as well as the influence of the authors, publications, journals, affiliated institutions and countries.

Findings

This paper finds the USA as the leading country investigating this area, almost capturing 40% of the research studies in finance, moreover, a huge number of co-authors. Financial crises in the late 1990s and 2008 is observed as one of the main reasons for this intriguing research. The Journal of Finance is spotted as the most persuasive journal with the highest cite score and an unprecedented number of citations. The analysis of keywords engendered that most of the stock market manipulation studies are event-based studies. Seminally unique scientometric analysis revealed that the significance of stock market manipulation was mainly captured by event-based studies, insider trading and pump and dump schemes studies. However, much remained untapped to articulate the bridging scope of technology and media with stock market behaviour and manipulations.

Research limitations/implications

The research only includes the Scopus database, however, incorporates 81% relevant study.

Practical implications

This study reckons that technology-based manipulations are emerging themes in this research field which invites the applied research to have productive outcomes.

Originality/value

The intriguing study incorporates a maximum number of the relevant literature and used a comprehensive technique for the selection of dataset in Scopus.
Nursing assistant's perceptions of the good work environment in municipal elderly care in Sweden –a focus group study
Authors: Maneschiöld Per-Ola , Lucaci-Maneschiöld Diana
Published: May 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate aspects related to difficulty to retain nursing assistants at nursing homes in Sweden related to perceived work environment characteristics.

Design/methodology/approach

To reveal aspects related to difficulty to retain nursing assistants, the paper uses the BIKVA model, sense of coherence and New Public Management (NPM). In total, three focus groups with nursing assistants at three nursing homes are interviewed with corresponding individual interviews with their senior managers and users. The purpose is to analyze the situation from the affected group of nursing assistants. The focus of this study is how nursing assistants discuss related to recruit and retain nursing assistants at nursing homes and elderly care and the response from senior management related to those aspects.

Findings

The main conclusions are that nursing assistants consider their job as meaningful, but limited latitude and direct involvement in managing their daily tasks in a continuous communication with management affect negatively. Furthermore and combined with wage levels, aspects related to scheduling, working hours, shift work, split shifts and understaffing generate a burdensome and stressful environment affecting the possibility to retain staff in a negative direction.

Originality/value

The research uses a new approach utilizing the BIKVA model, sense of coherence and NPM. The study shows that central in retaining nursing assistants at nursing homes relates to aspects such as wages, staffing, shift work and split shifts and continuous communication between nursing assistants and management.
Relationship between integrated communication effectiveness and employee-based brand equity – mediating role of psychological contract fulfillment
Authors: Deepa R. , Baral Rupashree
Published: May 2021

Purpose

This study aims to expand the emerging body of literature on employer branding from the current employee perspective. It proposes that effective integrated communication helps an organization fulfill its employer value proposition or employment value proposition (EVP). A firm that fulfills its brand promise in terms of EVP will derive employee-based brand equity (EBBE) benefits. Integrated communication is effective when employees experience coordination and consistency in brand communication. This influences their perception of psychological contract fulfillment (in terms of EVP attributes), which results in positive employee behavior in the form of EBBE benefits.

Design/methodology/approach

The study draws insights from the signaling theory and psychological contract literature which is based on the social exchange theory. The literature on integrated communication, employer branding and internal branding was reviewed to propose the relationships between the variables of interest. Data was collected using a questionnaire survey on 520 employees from the information technology (IT)-business process management industry in India, which is a customer-oriented industry known for its exemplary employer practices.

Findings

The findings suggest that integrated communication effectiveness impacts the perceived fulfillment of EVP attributes and EBBE. Again, the fulfillment of the relational value dimension of EVP attributes partially mediates the relationship between integrated communication effectiveness and EBBE.

Originality/value

This study is one of the first to explore employees’ perception of integrated communication effectiveness and fulfillment in terms of EVP attributes as antecedents to EBBE.
Psychoeducation for borderline personality difficulties: a preliminary study
Authors: Rocca Fiammetta , Finamore Chloe , Stamp Sally , Kuhn-Thompson Fiona , Dale Oliver
Published: May 2021

Purpose

National Institute for Clinical and Health Excellence guidelines (2009) state that low intensity psychological interventions should not be used for borderline personality disorder. However, an emerging body of evidence suggests brief interventions such as psychoeducation may be relevant for those presenting with borderline personality difficulties. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the benefit of learning about thinking, emotions and relationships (LATER), a co-produced psychoeducation programme for borderline personality difficulties in a community-based setting.

Design/methodology/approach

Participants (n = 125) self-referred to LATER, a group-based psychoeducation programme delivered at the [NHS Trust] Recovery College. Participants were assessed pre- and post-intervention using the tailor-made psychological education group evaluation scale, the borderline evaluation of severity over time and work and social adjustment scale. Paired t-tests were conducted on pre- and post-scores, and effect sizes were calculated.

Findings

After LATER, participants reported a significant decrease in negative thoughts and feelings, destructive behaviours and overall borderline symptom severity, but no significant increase in positive behaviours. Significant decreases were found in areas of work and social impairment. Participants’ overall understanding of personality difficulties significantly improved. Effect sizes were small to moderate.

Research limitations/implications

Limitations of the study include the lack of a control group, adjustment for confounders and follow-up. Replication with a more robust methodology is needed.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the evidence for the usefulness of brief interventions for personality difficulties, particularly in the context of a stepped model of care and adds to the research on co-production.
Role of JD-R model in upticking innovative work behaviour among higher education faculty
Authors: Dixit Abhilasha , Upadhyay Yogesh
Published: May 2021

Purpose

In the backdrop of job demands-resources model, the purpose of this paper is to investigate the effect of selected job resources (job autonomy and rewards and recognition) and job demands (problem with work) on innovative work behaviour through the mediation of employee engagement in the higher education sector of India.

Design/methodology/approach

The sample consists of randomly selected 275 teachers from higher education institutions from a city in India. This study used PLS-SEM for data analysis.

Findings

The results suggest that employee engagement associates closely with innovative work behaviour. Job autonomy, one of the resources, affects innovative work behaviour directly and its effect does not move via employee engagement. Further, reward and recognition does not impact innovative work behaviour directly, rather, its effect moves through employee engagement. Finally, the work suggests that employee engagement mediates between selected job resources and job demands and innovative work behaviour.

Research limitations/implications

This study can be extended to include more demands and resources which are unique to academic institutions. For example, a transparent career path to all teachers or a high-octane research culture can serve as a boon. Additionally, their interaction effect can also be studied. The present study being a cross-sectional study, at best, offers a snap-shot view of relationship among the variables.

Practical implications

This study shall help organizations to use job resources and job demands to enhance teachers’ engagement and innovative work behaviour. Specifically, results of this study offer a reason to academic institutions to give more autonomy and rewards to their teachers to eke out innovative work behaviour.

Social implications

Firstly, this study will have a positive outcome for students who will be the prime beneficiaries of innovative work behaviour of teachers. Secondly, broadly the society and its constituents will get benefited by improvement in research outcomes.

Originality/value

The outcome of this study proposes that job autonomy and reward and recognition do not connect with employee engagement and innovative work behaviour in a known way.
Disposition effect, demographics and risk taking
Authors: Oreng Mariana , Yoshinaga Claudia Emiko , Eid Junior William
Published: May 2021

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the association of demographic characteristics, market conditions and risk taking with the disposition effect using data on Brazilian individual investors.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses a unique data set with monthly data from June 2007 to February 2017 provided by one of the largest asset management firms in Brazil. This paper computes the proportion of gains realized and the proportion of losses realized to see if investors incur the disposition effect. This paper then performs logistic regressions to verify the association between investors’ disposition effects and demographic and portfolio characteristics. This paper analyses the prevalence of cognitive biases depending on market conditions (bull or bear markets) and include regressions by asset class as robustness checks.

Findings

This paper finds evidence that risk averse investors are more prone to the disposition effect, male subjects are less prone to this cognitive bias and age is not associated with the disposition effect. This paper observes that the tendency to incur the disposition effect decreases during bull markets but increases during bear markets. Also, this paper finds that sophisticated investors are more prone to selling winning assets and holding on to losses.

Research limitations/implications

First, paper gains and losses are based on the highest and lowest prices of the month and not on the price at the moment the sale occurred. Second, this paper had access only to end-of-month information, not to actual daily trading records. Third, because the data set relates to individual investors who trade investment funds, this paper cannot determine whether firm size is associated with the disposition effect. Fourth, age may not necessarily be a proxy for investor experience, so one should interpret the lack of significance for age in terms of generational differences.

Practical implications

This paper demonstrates that the disposition effect is prevalent even among wealthier and more educated investors with delegated asset classes. This paper also presents evidence on the association between demographic characteristics and cognitive biases considering a liquidity-constrained, highly volatile and developing market.

Social implications

This paper demonstrates that gender is an important characteristic to understand cognitive biases and that investor sophistication may not necessarily be an attenuation factor for the disposition effect in a liquidity-constrained market.

Originality/value

This is the first study to analyse the role of demographic characteristics and risk taking to explain the disposition effect using real information at the individual level about Brazilian investors. It is also the first to analyse the intensity of cognitive biases during bull and bear markets in the Brazilian economy.
The prevalence of emotional and rational tone in social advertising appeals
Authors: Casais Beatriz , Pereira Aline Costa
Published: May 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to analyse the prevalence of emotional and rational appeals in social advertising campaigns. There are studies about the effectiveness of these tones of appeals in social marketing, but there is no evidence about their prevalent use in social advertisements.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors conducted a content analysis of forty social advertisements promoting attitudes and behaviours regarding social causes. The selected ads were in video format and were extracted from the YouTube channels of Portuguese governmental and non-governmental organisations. The ads were coded according to the characteristics of each tone of appeals and classified as emotional, rational or a mix of both.

Findings

The authors classified 25 social ads as rational appeals, 8 as emotional and 7 as a mix of both appeals. The results of the research show that social marketers have preference for the use of rational tone in social advertising campaigns.

Originality/value

This study shows that there is a disruption between theory and practice in social marketing, considering the higher prevalence of rational appeals in contexts where theory recommends emotional appeals for higher effectiveness. This evidence is surprising, considering a previous study that evidenced a higher use of emotional appeals in advertising connected to social causes than in commercial advertisements. This paper focus on how practice may disrupt theory and explores possible reasons for the phenomenon.
Computing the sediment and ensuing its erosive activities using HEC-RAS to surmise the flooding in Kulfo River in Southern Ethiopia
Authors: Damte Fikru , G_Mariam Bogale , Ayana Melkamu Teshome , Lohani Tarun Kumar , Dhiman Gaurav , Shabaz Mohammad
Published: May 2021

Purpose

The change in sediment transport phenomenon and morphological characteristics of Kulfo River in the southern part of Ethiopia is estimated using one-dimensional hydraulic modelling. The purpose of this study is to predict erosion and sedimentation using hydrological engineering center-river analysis system (HEC-RAS) model.

Design/methodology/approach

Geometrical survey data of 2005 and 2019 were used to assess the impact of flood depth with 100 years of return per period on the morphology of the river. The bed and bank materials at selected sites of the river were sampled to estimate the grain size using manning roughness coefficient. Discharge and suspended sediment concentration were sampled thrice per day for a stretch of three months to develop a rating curve.

Findings

HEC-RAS model indicates that flood depth with 100 years return period had a significant inundated area during 2019 in comparison to 2005 demonstrating a temporary change in the morphology of the river. Acker and White method in HEC-RAS was used extensively to calculate the sediment load and subsequently calibrated. In the upper reach of the study area, there was aggradation and degradation, whereas the only degradation was noted in the middle to the downstream reach of the channel. Seasonal flood during peak flow due to a rise in bed level is most prevalent during the aggradation period.

Originality/value

Comparison of a flood depth inundating the catchment and sediment deposition has been intricately analyzed by using HEC-RAS model.
Association of vaccine medication for the efficacious COVID-19 treatment
Authors: Ch Gangadhar , S. Thirumal , R. Ramesh , Sri Sai Satyanarayana Damaraju , Srinivasulu Asadi , K. Kranthi Kumar
Published: May 2021

Purpose

The present digital world’s challenging issue is COVID-19. This paper is related to the process of the COVID-19 treatment based on age, gender, symptoms and previous health issues. This paper gives the deep discussion about the prevention, symptoms, tests and treatment process. In this research work, the discussion is about vaccine invention and the side effects of the consumed medication.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper gives a clear explanation of the types of vaccine, which are lopinavir, ritonavir, remdesivir, hydroxychloroquine, chloroquine and plasma therapy. Thereafter, the discussion is prolonged to Indian vaccine for COVID-19.

Findings

This paper examines some of the COVID-19 treatment processes and difficulties, and finally, this paper aims to summarize and give an overview of the present preclinical research and clinical trials of potential candidates for COVID-19 treatments and vaccines.

Originality/value

The required information has been taken from online databases such as PubMed, Science, Nature, PNAS and Cell. Papers included were published between December 2019 and July 2020. The current results indicate the most promising outcomes for dexamethasone as a treatment and vaccine. Further research is needed to identify safe and effective treatments and vaccines for COVID-19.
Looking for Starmerism
Authors: Fielding Steven
Published: May 2021

Most of those trying to assess what Keir Starmer stands for and how he plans to achieve his objectives are too impressed by an understanding of Thatcherism associated with Stuart Hall. That is one reason why they complain that Starmerism is little more than an empty space. But other less heroic ways of thinking about a leader's ‘ism’ are available and using a more multidimensional approach, this article assesses the evolution of Starmerism through his successful campaign to be leader of a divided party and his first year as leader of the opposition. On that basis it suggests that Starmerism as currently articulated is close to a ‘Corbynism with the brakes on’, although if it is to resonate with the public, Starmer himself needs to adopt some of the rhetorical tools associated with Wilsonism at its peak.
From Fact‐checking to Value‐checking: Normative Reasoning in the New Public Sphere
Authors: Yarrow David
Published: May 2021

This article suggests that fact checking is a useful but incomplete framework for delivering an epistemically healthy public sphere. Through a brief history of the fact/value distinction, it is argued that there is no secure justification for limiting interventions aimed at improving the emergent digital public sphere only to factual claims. On this basis, the heuristic principle of ‘value checking’ is outlined, as a complement to fact checking in the epistemic regulation of democratic discourse. Value checking would accept that more sophisticated and deliberative communication is a vital requirement for a well‐functioning public sphere, and that this can be promoted through new forms of epistemic regulation. However, it would reject the notion that fact checking is sufficient to achieve this, suggesting that the promotion of healthy political communication should also extend to value‐based reasoning. The principle of value checking could be added to the fact‐checking paradigm as a means of further enriching the public sphere in the ‘post‐truth’ age.
Anglicans and Aviators: The First World War and the Forgotten Origins of Royal Air Force Chaplaincy
Authors: Rance Eleanor , Snape Michael
Published: May 2021

Nineteen‐eighteen saw the formation of the world's first independent air force, and the inauguration of the first independent chaplaincy organisation devoted to military aviation. However, the neglected creation of the Chaplains' Branch of the Royal Air Force (RAF) towards the end of the First World War represents far more than just a minor footnote in the institutional history of Britain's armed forces. The circumstances of its creation, which occurred just as the German sociologist Max Weber was identifying scientific progress as driving the ineluctable “disenchantment of the world,” not only belied this famous sociological maxim in the highly technological and supremely modern context of aerial warfare but also demonstrated the competence of Anglican chaplaincy methods and the resilience of British ‘“Christendom” in the context of a war which is widely perceived as having exposed and exacerbated the weaknesses of both.
How happenings do (not) turn into events: A typology and an application to the case of 9/11 in the American and Dutch public spheres
Authors: van Dooremalen Thijs
Published: May 2021

Why do some happenings become incentives for cultural or political transformation (that is: turn into events), whereas others remain ordinary occurrences? The theoretical perspectives of cultural repertoires, cleavage structures, and discursive opportunities are prominent and fruitful approaches for explaining cultural or political behavior and attitudes, yet they do not have a satisfactory answer to this question. To fill in this gap, I introduce a typology that indicates how certain happenings merely reproduce existing trends, whereas other ones turn into motives to change them. This can be either because they are “focus events,” which confirm dominant cultural or political patterns, or because they are “shock events,” which form a break from them. I illustrate this typology by investigating the distinct meanings that 9/11 were accorded in the American and Dutch public spheres. This analysis shows that this happening became a “shock event” on the issue of safety in the American case, as it broke with the cultural repertoire of viewing the United States as a safe, militarily impenetrable nation. In contrast, 9/11 turned into a “focus event” concerning the issue of Islam in the Dutch case because it confirmed the discursive opportunities to problematize Muslims, which public actors in the Netherlands had already developed in the years leading up to 2001.
Northern cities and urban–rural migration of university‐qualified labour in Australia and Sweden: Spillovers, sponges, or disconnected city–hinterland geographies?
Authors: Carson Doris Anna , Carson Dean Bradley , Lundström Linus
Published: May 2021

This article examines the migration flows of university‐qualified labour (UQL) between cities and hinterland regions in the sparsely populated north of both Australia and Sweden. These peripheries have become increasingly urbanised in recent decades and have received substantial investment in urban higher education hubs that are expected to generate skills for their regions. Whether these skills remain within the few urban centres or are redistributed internally to benefit rural and remote locations is not known. The article identifies the extent to which there have been urban–rural ‘spillover’ or ‘sponge’ effects in UQL migration flows within the north and establishes whether there has been a ‘disconnect’ in the regional exchange of UQL. Drawing on recent Australian census and Swedish register data, the results suggest that ‘spillover’ and ‘sponging’ of UQL have been limited, particularly in Northern Australia where cities appeared quite disconnected from their hinterlands. Spillover was more common in Northern Sweden, but cities with universities targeting regional skill needs did not necessarily generate more net‐migration gains for their hinterland. The discussion illustrates why urban–rural human capital relationships in northern peripheries may be more diverse and complex than assumed and flags what policy lessons can be drawn from comparing different northern peripheries.
Repurposing the FDA‐approved anticancer agent ponatinib as a fluconazole potentiator by suppression of multidrug efflux and Pma1 expression in a broad spectrum of yeast species
Authors: Liu Lin , Jiang Tong , Zhou Jia , Mei Yikun , Li Jinyang , Tan Jingcong , Wei Luqi , Li Jingquan , Peng Yibing , Chen Changbin , Liu Ning‐Ning , Wang Hui
Published: May 2021

Fungal infections have emerged as a major global threat to human health because of the increasing incidence and mortality rates every year. The emergence of drug resistance and limited arsenal of antifungal agents further aggravates the current situation resulting in a growing challenge in medical mycology. Here, we identified that ponatinib, an FDA‐approved antitumour drug, significantly enhanced the activity of the azole fluconazole, the most widely used antifungal drug. Further detailed investigation of ponatinib revealed that its combination with fluconazole displayed broad‐spectrum synergistic interactions against a variety of human fungal pathogens such as Candida albicans, Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Cryptococcus neoformans. Mechanistic insights into the mode of action unravelled that ponatinib reduced the efflux of fluconazole via Pdr5 and suppressed the expression of the proton pump, Pma1. Taken together, our study identifies ponatinib as a novel antifungal that enhances drug activity of fluconazole against diverse fungal pathogens.
Case report: Secondary sclerosing cholangitis induced by lapatinib and vinorelbine in a metastasis breast cancer patient
Authors: Zhang Zhuo , Xu Ling , Qin Naishan , Zhang Jixin , Xiang Qian , Liu Qian , Cheng Yuanjia , Bai Yuge , Liu Qianxin , Liu Yinhua , Duan Xuening , Cui Yimin
Published: May 2021

Secondary sclerosing cholangitis (SSC) is a rare cholestatic liver disease that may have a severe clinical course. A 61‐year‐old woman with a history of metastasis breast cancer was admitted to our hospital for the second cycle of chemotherapy with lapatinib and vinorelbine. The patient had no reports of elevated liver function tests (LFTs) in the previous multiple chemotherapies or history of liver disease. However, the admission laboratory results showed severe cholestatic liver injury with the possibility of SSC by magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography. Although chemotherapy was discontinued and patient was treated with hepatoprotective drugs, the LFTs did not improve and liver biopsy indicated mild injury of intrahepatic bile duct epithelium and hepatocyte. We added ursodeoxycholic acid and prednisolone to protect the liver, and laboratory data showed a response. To prevent the progression, lapatinib and vinorelbine were reintroduced and transient increases in alanine aminotransferase and γ‐glutamyl transpeptidase were observed. With no evidence of viral or autoimmune liver disease, SSC induced by lapatinib and vinorelbine was diagnosed. This is the first case report of tyrosine kinase inhibitors and vinorelbine induced SSC and clinicians should be aware of the possibility of it. More case reports about this adverse drug reaction are needed to delineate optimal management.
Ultrathin bronchoscope combined with virtual bronchoscopic navigation and endobronchial ultrasound for the diagnosis of peripheral pulmonary lesions with or without fluoroscopy: A randomized trial
Authors: Zheng Xiaoxuan , Xie Fangfang , Li Ying , Chen Junxiang , Jiang Yifeng , Sun Jiayuan
Published: May 2021

Background

Transbronchial lung biopsy (TBLB) is usually performed to obtain a definitive diagnosis for peripheral pulmonary lesions (PPLs). Ultrathin bronchoscopy combined with virtual bronchoscopic navigation (VBN) and radial endobronchial ultrasound (R‐EBUS) are generally considered appropriate diagnostic methods for PPLs; however, they have not yet been explored in combination with fluoroscopy. Therefore, the present prospective randomized controlled trial determined the role of fluoroscopy in ultrathin bronchoscopy combined with VBN and R‐EBUS for the diagnosis of PPLs.

Methods

Patients with potentially malignant PPLs were enrolled in the study and randomized into fluoroscopy or nonfluoroscopy groups. In both groups, a 3.0‐mm outer and 1.7‐mm internal diameter ultrathin bronchoscope was used for transbronchial lung biopsy combined with R‐EBUS and VBN. In addition, the fluoroscopy group (FG) underwent fluoroscopy, while the nonfluoroscopy group (NFG) did not.

Results

A total of 126 patients were enrolled and randomized in the study. Among them, 120 patients (60 in the NFG and 60 in the FG) were analyzed. The mean lesion sizes were 26.3 ± 11.4 mm and 29.0 ± 11.3 mm in the NFG and FG, respectively. The diagnostic yield was 73.3% (44/60) in the NFG and 81.7% (49/60) in the FG without statistically significant difference (p = 0.38). No obvious complications occurred in either group.

Conclusions

Ultrathin bronchoscope combined with VBN and R‐EBUS without fluoroscopy is a feasible and safe diagnostic method for PPLs.
Micro‐computed tomography evaluation of dentinal microcracks following canal preparation with thermomechanically heat‐treated engine‐driven files
Authors: Arumugam Sharmini , Yew Hsu Zenn , Baharin Safura Anita , Qamaruz Zaman Jasmina , Muchtar Andanastuti , Kanagasingam Shalini
Published: May 2021

This study aimed to evaluate and compare the frequency of microcracks and its severity at different root canal dentin locations, after preparation with thermomechanically heat‐treated engine‐driven nickel‐titanium instruments. Forty mandibular premolars were assigned to four experimental groups (n = 10): ProTaper Next, ProTaper Gold, WaveOne Gold and Reciproc Blue. After pre‐instrumentation micro‐computed tomography scans, the root canals were prepared to size 25. Following post‐instrumentation scans, pre‐ and post‐instrumentation scanned images were analysed for the presence and extent of dentinal defects. A total of 56 500 cross‐sectional images were obtained, showing that less than 2.3% with pre‐existing dentinal microcracks. No new microcracks were identified during the post‐instrumentation analyses. No significant association was found between the types of dentinal defects, file motions and sequences. Thermomechanically heat‐treated rotary files did not induce the formation of new microcracks. There was also no association between the kinematic motions and sequences of the rotary instruments to the types of dentinal defects.
Evolution of the sheep industry and genetic research in the United States: opportunities for convergence in the twenty‐first century
Authors: Thorne J. W. , Murdoch B. M. , Freking B. A. , Redden R. R. , Murphy T. W. , Taylor J. B. , Blackburn H. D.
Published: May 2021

The continuous development and application of technology for genetic improvement is a key element for advancing sheep production in the United States. The US sheep industry has contracted over time but appears to be at a juncture where a greater utilization of technology can facilitate industry expansion to new markets and address inefficiencies in traditional production practices. Significant transformations include the increased value of lamb in relation to wool, and a downtrend in large‐scale operations but a simultaneous rise in small flocks. Additionally, popularity of hair breeds not requiring shearing has surged, particularly in semi‐arid and subtropical US environments. A variety of domestically developed composite breeds and newly established technological approaches are now widely available for the sheep industry to use as it navigates these ongoing transformations. These genetic resources can also address long‐targeted areas of improvement such as growth, reproduction and parasite resistance. Moderate progress in production efficiency has been achieved by producers who have employed estimated breeding values, but widespread adoption of this technology has been limited. Genomic marker panels have recently shown promise for reducing disease susceptibility, identifying parentage and providing a foundation for marker‐assisted selection. As the ovine genome is further explored and genomic assemblies are improved, the sheep research community in the USA can capitalize on new‐found information to develop and apply genetic technologies to improve the production efficiency and profitability of the sheep industry.
Syncope associated with supraventricular tachycardia: Diagnostic role of implantable loop recorders
Authors: Soulaidopoulos Stergios , Arsenos Petros , Doundoulakis Ioannis , Tsiachris Dimitrios , Antoniou Christos‐Konstantinos , Dilaveris Polychronis , Fragakis Nikolaos , Sotiriadou Melani , Sideris Skevos , Kordalis Athanasios , Laina Ageliki , Tousoulis Dimitrios , Tsioufis Konstantinos , Gatzoulis Konstantinos A.
Published: May 2021

Syncope represents a relatively uncommon symptom of supraventricular tachycardia (SVT). It is likely that an impaired autonomic vasomotor response to the hemodynamic stress of tachycardia is the determinant of hemodynamic changes leading to cerebral hypoperfusion and syncope. In this regard, tilt‐table test may detect abnormalities in the autonomic nervous function and predict the occurrence of syncope during SVT. Electrophysiology studies may reproduce the SVT, distinguish it from other life‐threatening ventricular tachyarrhythmias, and exclude other causes of syncope. Not infrequently mixed syncope mechanisms are revealed during the above diagnostic workup raising doubts about the operating mechanism in the clinical setting. In such cases of uncertainty, an implantable loop recorder, providing long‐term cardiac monitoring, may play a pivotal role in the establishment of the diagnosis, confirming the association of an arrhythmic event with the symptom. Herein, we present four such cases with recurrent unexplained syncope finally attributed to paroxysmal SVT guiding them to a potentially radical treatment through radiofrequency catheter ablation.