bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The moderating role of subsidiary size on the association between institutional distance and subsidiary’s access to complementary local assets: evidence from Vietnam
Authors: Vo Dut Van , Akbar Yusaf H. , Truong Loc Dong
Published: November 2021

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the moderating effects of subsidiary size on the association between institutional distance and subsidiary’s access to complementary local assets (ACLA) in a transition economy.

Design/methodology/approach

The data of 1,027 subsidiaries located in Vietnam were extracted from the survey of General Statistics Office of Vietnam. Hausman’s test shows that random effect model is appropriate to estimate the moderating effects of subsidiary size on the association between the institutional distance and subsidiary’s ACLA.

Findings

The findings revealed that the greater formal and informal institutional distances between home and host countries, the lower a subsidiary’s ACLA in a transition economy. In addition, larger subsidiaries’ ACLA in a more formal and informal institutional distant country are higher than smaller subsidiaries.

Research limitations/implications

Multinational enterprise (MNEs) have a continuous need to use their foreign subsidiaries operating in host countries, particularly those with transition economies, to overcome institutional differences to ACLA in a transition economy. In addition, subsidiaries should be invested with greater resources to collaborate with local partners to serve for accessing to complementary local assets in transition economy characterized by an uncertainty institutional environment.

Originality/value

By integrating the institutional theory and the resource-based view, the study developed a theoretical model about the moderating role of subsidiary size on the association between institutional distance and subsidiary’s ACLA in transition economy. The findings confirmed that simultaneously applying the institutional theory and the resource-based view to investigate location-specific advantages exploitation of subsidiaries is relevant not only in developed economies but also in a transition economies.
Catastrophic fraud loss lies where it falls? Push payment scams and the bank’s duty of care to its customer
Authors: Dahlgreen Judith
Published: November 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the legal redress available to a UK bank customer who has been the victim of a sophisticated push payment scam which made use of the bank’s customer facing payment portal.

Design/methodology/approach

A detailed study was done of the experience of a single UK bank customer who was the victim of a push payment scam in Autumn 2020. Her circumstances are typical of other customers who have been similarly scammed. Her rights of redress are explored in depth in relation to law and an industry code.

Findings

The industry code provides no reliable means of adjudication and redress. The common law of negligence has not adapted to the technological shift in bank payment methods currently used by customers. The duty of care is inadequate in safeguarding customer interests in relation to payment instructions to banks. Customers are bearing the loss associated with inadequate bank transaction analytics.

Originality/value

This research casts a unique light on the unbalanced relationship now existing between the bank and its customer in relation to the execution of remote payment instructions.
Predictors of employees’ self-reported future learning ability and disengagement at work
Authors: Jeske Debora , Lippke Sonia
Published: November 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between job characteristics that foster learning (experience with and demand for continuous learning at work, skills variety and autonomy) as potential predictors of self-reported outcomes, such as future learning ability and employee disengagement at work for a cohort of employees with no or very limited job change experience. Further consideration was given to employees’ experiences at work (meaningfulness and recognition at work) as potential mediators in this relationship between job characteristics and employee outcomes.

Design/methodology/approach

A cross-sectional design was applied. Participants (N = 284) were recruited from Northern Germany and asked to complete a paper-and-pencil survey. The results were subsequently analyzed using path models to examine direct and indirect effects associated with mediation.

Findings

Path model analysis indicated that job characteristics promoting learning at work are positive predictors of self-reported future learning ability and negative predictors of disengagement. Both meaningfulness and recognition predict future learning ability as well. However, these variables only operated as significant mediators in the relationship between job characteristics and employee disengagement (but not self-reported future learning ability).

Originality/value

The study outlines the importance of job characteristics and employee experience to understand employees’ beliefs about their learning ability and engagement at work. The findings highlight the importance of meaningfulness and recognition for employees, as well as the role of learning-supportive job characteristics.
Estimation of fine root production, mortality, and decomposition by using two core methods and litterbag experiments in a mangrove forest
Authors: Kihara Yumi , Dannoura Masako , Ohashi Mizue
Published: November 2021

Mangrove forests are characterized by high rates of carbon sequestration, with much of this carbon being derived from fine roots. In this study, we sought to estimate the dynamics of the fine (<2 mm) and small (≥2 mm) roots of Kandelia obovata, one of the mangrove forest species found on Okinawa Island, southern Japan, and to evaluate annual root production considering root decomposition estimated using root litterbags. To estimate root production and mortality, we applied two approaches, sequential soil core sampling and ingrowth core methods. We found that annual root production determined by sequential soil core sampling was 3.2 times higher than that estimated by ingrowth core methods. The annual production of fine roots (545 and 294 g m−2 year−1 for sequential soil core sampling and ingrowth core methods, respectively) was higher than that of small roots (536 and 44 g m−2 year−1 for sequential soil core sampling and ingrowth core methods, respectively). The results obtained using sequential soil core sampling indicated a high proportion of fine root necromass to total fine root mass (81%), most of which comprised very fine roots (<0.5 mm). We also established that the decomposition ratio of fine roots was lower than that of small roots. Collectively, our observations indicate that the slow rate of decomposition and high rate of production of fine roots contribute significantly to the accumulation of fine root necromass, particularly that of very fine roots, in the mangrove forest.
Technology Legitimation: A Product‐Level Examination Across the Technology Lifecycle
Authors: Bunduchi Raluca , Candi Marina
Published: November 2021

Legitimacy is an important explanatory factor for the success or failure of new products, but how individual actors engage in legitimation is not well understood. We focus on two categories of actors: the firms that develop and commercialize new technology‐based products and the customers who evaluate these products and examine their legitimation behaviour across the technology lifecycle. Drawing from organization research, innovation studies and product innovation literatures, we posit that firms’ legitimacy‐seeking behaviour varies across the technology lifecycle depending on the need for legitimacy in each stage, while customers’ emphasis varies depending on the relative importance they ascribe to each type of legitimacy. We test these hypotheses by examining online data about products that span four stages of the technology lifecycle. We advance a micro‐level understanding of technology legitimation by demonstrating that firms’ efforts to seek legitimacy and customers’ emphasis on legitimacy for new technology‐based products are distinct phenomena underpinned by different mechanisms. We expand the scope of existing technology legitimation research by examining how firms’ efforts and customers’ emphases vary across the technology lifecycle.
Virtual unwrapping of the BISPEGATA amulet, a multiple folded medieval lead amulet, by using neutron tomography
Authors: Wilster‐Hansen Birgit , Mannes David C. , Holmqvist Karen L. , Ødeby Kristine , Kutzke Hartmut
Published: November 2021

In recent decades, computed tomography (CT) combined with suitable image processing software has become a valuable tool to enable the reading of texts written on scrolls, which are fragile, damaged, or fused together, without physically unwrapping them. X‐ray based computer tomography has successfully been used on scrolls made of soft materials such as papyrus and parchment. Although in few cases inscriptions on thin metal plates that have been rolled up and worn as amulets have been deciphered by using a high energy X‐ray source, the readability of writings on of metal scrolls is limited by the high attenuation factor of this type of material.

In this paper, we present for the first time the use of neutron tomography as an alternative to X‐ray tomography for studying hidden inscriptions on folded metal objects. It is shown that the method overcomes the limitations of X‐ray tomography caused by high attenuation of X‐rays in lead objects.

The inscription on the medieval Bispegata amulet, unearthed during excavations in Oslo's Old Town, has been read by using neutron tomography combined with VG Studio software. The amulet was made up of a thin lead sheet with an inscribed text, folded together into a rectangle. The inscription was runic, containing words of religious and magic meaning.
Control of sheep flystrike: what's been tried in the past and where to from here
Authors: Kotze AC , James PJ
Published: November 2021

Flystrike remains a serious financial and animal welfare issue for the sheep industry in Australia despite many years of research into control methods. The present paper provides an extensive review of past research on flystrike, and highlights areas that hold promise for providing long‐term control options. We describe areas where the application of modern scientific advances may provide increased impetus to some novel, as well as some previously explored, control methods. We provide recommendations for research activities: insecticide resistance management, novel delivery methods for therapeutics, improved breeding indices for flystrike‐related traits, mechanism of nematode‐induced scouring in mature animals. We also identify areas where advances can be made in flystrike control through the greater adoption of well‐recognised existing management approaches: optimal insecticide‐use patterns, increased use of flystrike‐related Australian Sheep Breeding Values, and management practices to prevent scouring in young sheep. We indicate that breeding efforts should be primarily focussed on the adoption and improvement of currently available breeding tools and towards the future integration of genomic selection methods. We describe factors that will impact on the ongoing availability of insecticides for flystrike control and on the feasibility of vaccination. We also describe areas where the blowfly genome may be useful in providing impetus to some flystrike control strategies, such as area‐wide approaches that seek to directly suppress or eradicate sheep blowfly populations. However, we also highlight the fact that commercial and feasibility considerations will act to temper the potential for the genome to act as the basis for providing some control options.
Even small forest patches increase bee visits to flowers in an oil palm plantation landscape
Authors: Power Candice C. , Nielsen Anders , Sheil Douglas
Published: November 2021

Pollination sustains biodiversity and food security, but pollinators are threatened by habitat degradation, fragmentation, and loss. We assessed how remaining forest influenced bee visits to flowers in an oil palm‐dominated landscape in Borneo. We observed bee visits to six plant species: four crops (Capsicum frutescensL. “chili”;Citrullus lanatus(Thunb.) Matsum & Nakai “watermelon”;Solanum lycopersicumL. “tomato”; andSolanum melongenaL. “eggplant”); one native plantMelastoma malabathricumL. “melastome”; and the exoticTurnera subulataSmith “turnera”. We made one local grid‐based and one landscape‐scale transect‐based study spanning 208 and 2130 m from forest, respectively. We recorded 1249 bee visits to 4831 flowers in 1046 ten‐min observation periods. Visit frequency varied among plant species, ranging from 0 observed visits toS. lycopersicumto a mean of 0.62 visits per flower per 10 min toC. lanatus. Bee visitation frequency declined with distance from forest in both studies, with expected visitation frequency decreasing by 55% and 66% at the maximum distance from forest in each study. We also tested whether the distance to the nearest oil palm patch, with a maximum distance of 144 m, influenced visitation, but found no such associations. Expected visitation frequency was 70%–77% lower for plants close to a 200 ha forest fragment compared with those near large continuous forests (>400 ha). Our results suggest that, although found throughout the oil palm‐dominated landscape, bees depend on remaining forests. Larger forests support more bees, though even a 50 ha fragment has a positive contribution.

Abstract in Indonesian is available with online material.
What Can Bilingual Children Tell Us About the Developmental Relationship Between Vocabulary and Grammar?
Authors: Valentini Alessandra , Serratrice Ludovica
Published: November 2021

Strong correlations between vocabulary and grammar are well attested in language development in monolingual and bilingual children. What is less clear is whether there is any directionality in the relationship between the two constructs, whether it is predictive over time, and the extent to which it is affected by language input. In the present study, we analyzed data from 100 bilingual children with English as an additional language who were tested on measures of vocabulary breadth and depth, morphology, and syntax at three time points at 6‐month intervals from the age of 5;8. We used bivariate growth models to test the directionality of the relationship between vocabulary breadth and depth, and measures of morphology and syntax; testing bilingual children allowed us to use measures of English input as covariates in the analyses. All the models showed a correlation between vocabulary and grammar, but no correlation between their growth slopes, suggesting that vocabulary and grammar grow independently. Three of the four bivariate models showed a significant correlation between the intercept of grammar skills and the slope of vocabulary growth. Length of exposure to English predicted the intercept of vocabulary breadth and grammar, suggesting that children exposed to English earlier had larger vocabularies and better morpho‐syntactic skills. Current English input predicted the intercept of both measures of vocabulary as well as the slope for vocabulary depth, the only measure for which there was a significant relationship between intercept and slope, suggesting a Matthew effect for this dimension of vocabulary. All materials, data, and code are available at https://osf.io/x3wht/.

Research highlights

Vocabulary breadth and morphological and syntactic skills increased linearly for all participants, without any difference between lower and higher achieving children.

Vocabulary depth grew more over time for those children with deeper vocabulary knowledge and higher levels of current English input at the start of the study.

All of the bivariate growth models showed a correlation between vocabulary and grammar, but failed to show any correlation between their growth.

Significant relationships between the intercept of grammar and the growth of vocabulary showed steeper lexical growth in children with better grammar skills.

Length of exposure to English had an effect on morphological and syntactic skills, while only current English input had an effect on vocabulary depth.
Blind to Bias? Young Children Do Not Anticipate that Sunk Costs Lead to Irrational Choices
Authors: Sehl Claudia G. , Friedman Ori , Denison Stephanie
Published: November 2021

Young children anticipate that others act rationally in light of their beliefs and desires, and environmental constraints. However, little is known about whether children anticipate others’ irrational choices. We investigated young children's ability to predict that sunk costs can lead to irrational choices. Across four experiments, 5‐ to 6‐year‐olds (total N = 185) and adults (total N = 117) judged which of two identical objects an agent would keep, one obtained at a high cost or one obtained at a low cost. In Experiment 1, adults predicted that the agent would choose the high‐cost object over the low‐cost one, whereas children responded at chance. Experiment 2 replicated these findings in children, but also included another condition which showed they were sensitive to future costs. They predicted that an agent would be more likely to seek out a low‐cost item than a high‐cost item. Experiments 3 and 4 then found that children do not anticipate the sunk cost bias in first person scenarios, or in interpersonal sunk cost scenarios, where costs are sunk by others. Taken together, our findings suggest that young children may struggle to understand and predict irrational behavior. The findings also reveal an asymmetry between how they consider sunk costs and future costs in understanding actions. We propose that this asymmetry might arise because children do not consider sunk costs as wasted.
Germination of seeds from herbarium specimens as a last conservation resort for resurrecting extinct or critically endangered Hawaiian plants
Authors: Wolkis Dustin , Jones Kelli , Flynn Tim , DeMotta Mike , Rønsted Nina
Published: November 2021

Historical herbarium collections have been proposed as a last resort for recovery of extinct plant species not represented in dedicated seed banks or other living conservation collections. For critically endangered plants at the brink of extinction, herbarium collections may also contain historical material from extinct subpopulations representing a species' former range and lost genetic diversity of high value for conservation management. We explored the potential for germination of 81 critically endangered seed plant taxa endemic to the Hawaiian island of Kaua'i from herbarium specimens in herbarium PTBG of the National Tropical Botanical Garden (NTBG). Of 1250‐recorded specimens of wild origin, 138 specimens representing 37 taxa contained mature seeds that could be subjected to germination testing. Seven of these taxa were not represented by any NTBG seed bank collections. Fresh embryos were observed in one seed of each of the three species Schiedea helleri, Schiedea kauaiensis, and Viola helena. While potential germination success may be low, we conclude that testing of seeds from herbarium collections should be extended from a focus on strictly extinct taxa to critically endangered taxa, which may not have sufficient representation in seed banks or other living collections of subpopulations and genetic diversity across their wild range.
Atorvastatin population pharmacokinetics in a real‐life setting: Influence of genetic polymorphisms and association with clinical response
Authors: Stillemans Gabriel , Paquot Adrien , Muccioli Giulio G. , Hoste Emilia , Panin Nadtha , Åsberg Anders , Balligand Jean‐Luc , Haufroid Vincent , Elens Laure
Published: November 2021

The purpose of this study was to investigate the potential clinical relevance of estimating the apparent clearance (CL/F) of atorvastatin through population pharmacokinetic (PopPK) modeling with samples collected in a real‐life setting in a cohort of ambulatory patients at risk of cardiovascular disease by using an opportunistic sampling strategy easily accessible in clinical routine. A total of 132 pharmacokinetic (PK) samples at a maximum of three visits were collected in the 70 included patients. The effects of demographic, genetic, and clinical covariates were also considered. With the collected data, we developed a two‐compartment PopPK model that allowed estimating atorvastatin CL/F relatively precisely and considering the genotype of the patient for SLCO1B1 c.521T>C single‐nucleotide polymorphism (SNP). Our results indicate that the estimation of the CL/F of atorvastatin through our PopPK model might help in identifying patients at risk of myalgia. Indeed, we showed that a patient presenting a CL/F lower than 414.67 L h−1 is at risk of suffering from muscle discomfort. We also observed that the CL/F was correlated with the efficacy outcomes, suggesting that a higher CL/F is associated with a better drug efficacy (i.e., a greater decrease in total and LDL‐cholesterol levels). In conclusion, our study demonstrates that PopPK modeling can be useful in daily clinics to estimate a patient’ atorvastatin clearance. Notifying the clinician with this information can help in identifying patients at risk of myalgia and gives indication about the potential responsiveness to atorvastatin therapy.
PRAME expression in cellular neurothekeoma: A study of 11 cases
Authors: Cesinaro Anna Maria , Piana Simonetta , Paganelli Alessia , Pedroni Gioia , Santandrea Giacomo , Maiorana Antonino
Published: November 2021

Background

Preferentially expressed antigen in melanoma (PRAME) has been widely investigated in the skin, mainly in melanocytic tumors, and constitutes an aid in differentiating benign from malignant lesions. Very few studies have been performed on non‐melanocytic tumors.

Materials

We investigated the immunohistochemical expression of PRAME on a series of 11 neurothekeomas (NTKs), together with 3 cases of nerve sheath myxoma (NSM) and 1 case of plexiform fibrohistiocytic tumor (PFT), in order to evaluate the presence and usefulness of this marker in their differential diagnosis.

Results

PRAME was variably expressed in all cases of NTK, with moderate intensity in three cases and faint in the remaining cases; on the contrary, cases of NSM and PFT were negative.

Conclusions

This study expands the entities of cutaneous non‐melanocytic tumors expressing PRAME, and confirms that this marker is not restricted to malignant tumors. Expression of PRAME in NTK does not seem to be related to distinctive histopathologic features.
Climate change impacts on seabirds and marine mammals: The importance of study duration, thermal tolerance and generation time
Authors: Orgeret Florian , Thiebault Andréa , Kovacs Kit M. , Lydersen Christian , Hindell Mark A. , Thompson Sarah Ann , Sydeman William J. , Pistorius Pierre A.
Published: November 2021

Understanding climate change impacts on top predators is fundamental to marine biodiversity conservation, due to their increasingly threatened populations and their importance in marine ecosystems. We conducted a systematic review of the effects of climate change (prolonged, directional change) and climate variability on seabirds and marine mammals. We extracted data from 484 studies (4808 published studies were reviewed), comprising 2215 observations on demography, phenology, distribution, diet, behaviour, body condition and physiology. The likelihood of concluding that climate change had an impact increased with study duration. However, the temporal thresholds for the effects of climate change to be discernibly varied from 10 to 29 years depending on the species, the biological response and the oceanic study region. Species with narrow thermal ranges and relatively long generation times were more often reported to be affected by climate change. This provides an important framework for future assessments, with guidance on response‐ and region‐specific temporal dimensions that need to be considered when reporting effects of climate change. Finally, we found that tropical regions and non‐breeding life stages were poorly covered in the literature, a concern that should be addressed to enable a better understanding of the vulnerability of marine predators to climate change.
Long‐lasting effects of chronic exposure to chemical pollution on the hologenome of the Manila clam
Authors: Iannello Mariangela , Mezzelani Marica , Dalla Rovere Giulia , Smits Morgan , Patarnello Tomaso , Ciofi Claudio , Carraro Lisa , Boffo Luciano , Ferraresso Serena , Babbucci Massimiliano , Mazzariol Sandro , Centelleghe Cinzia , Cardazzo Barbara , Carrer Claudio , Varagnolo Maurizio , Nardi Alessandro , Pittura Lucia , Benedetti Maura , Fattorini Daniele , Regoli Francesco , Ghiselli Fabrizio , Gorbi Stefania , Bargelloni Luca , Milan Massimo
Published: November 2021

Chronic exposure to pollutants affects natural populations, creating specific molecular and biochemical signatures. In the present study, we tested the hypothesis that chronic exposure to pollutants might have substantial effects on the Manila clam hologenome long after removal from contaminated sites. To reach this goal, a highly integrative approach was implemented, combining transcriptome, genetic and microbiota analyses with the evaluation of biochemical and histological profiles of the edible Manila clam Ruditapes philippinarum, as it was transplanted for 6 months from the polluted area of Porto Marghera (PM) to the clean area of Chioggia (Venice lagoon, Italy). One month post‐transplantation, PM clams showed several modifications to its resident microbiota, including an overrepresentation of the opportunistic pathogen Arcobacter spp. This may be related to the upregulation of several immune genes in the PM clams, potentially representing a host response to the increased abundance of deleterious bacteria. Six months after transplantation, PM clams demonstrated a lower ability to respond to environmental/physiological stressors related to the summer season, and the hepatopancreas‐associated microbiota still showed different compositions among PM and CH clams. This study confirms that different stressors have predictable effects in clams at different biological levels and demonstrates that chronic exposure to pollutants leads to long‐lasting effects on the animal hologenome. In addition, no genetic differentiation between samples from the two areas was detected, confirming that PM and CH clams belong to a single population. Overall, the obtained responses were largely reversible and potentially related to phenotypic plasticity rather than genetic adaptation. The results here presented will be functional for the assessment of the environmental risk imposed by chemicals on an economically important bivalve species.
On–Off Relationship Instability and Distress Over Time in Same‐ and Different‐Sex Relationships
Authors: Monk J. Kale , Ogolsky Brian G. , Maniotes Christopher
Published: November 2021

Objective

We sought to test the association between on‐again/off‐again relationship cycling and mental health over time.

Background

Temporary distress following relationship dissolution is normative, yet a prolonged history of terminating a relationship and then reconciling (i.e., on–off relationship cycling) may facilitate more pervasive symptomology.

Method

We used data from 545 individuals in same‐ and different‐sex relationships to assess the association between on–off cycling and symptoms of depression and anxiety across 15 months.

Results

Relationship cycling was associated with psychological distress and change in distress over time.

Conclusion

This study supports existing theories of family change and highlights the importance of focusing on relationship transitions and well‐being over time.

Implications

Practitioners can help partners navigate unpredictability during transitions by helping them make deliberate decisions either to stay and stabilize their relationships or permanently leave depending on the circumstances underlying relationship cycling and the level of distress associated with any lingering interpersonal turmoil.
Understanding bureaucratic support for coerced institutional change
Authors: Myksvoll Thomas , Tatham Michaël , Fimreite Anne Lise
Published: November 2021

Institutional reform processes can be contested. The more so by those working in the affected institutions. Bureaucracies, in particular, can be resistant to change. To better understand such processes, we study the regional reform in Norway. This reform is interesting as it mixes “voluntary” and “forced” dynamics. Indeed, Norwegian regions (fylkeskommuner) can remain unchanged, merge voluntarily, or be forced to merge by central government. This provides an opportunity to better understand support for coerced change. Through a survey of regional bureaucrats, we test different explanations of support for forced mergers. We find that two logics are at play. A “logic of discipline” which appeals to right‐wing bureaucrats, advocates larger units, and streamlined bureaucracies, even if this is against the wishes of the main actors involved. And an “identity logic” which recognizes that feelings of attachment are powerful shapers of preferences beyond what efficiency and functionality dictate.
Prospective associations between leukocyte telomere length and adiposity in childhood
Authors: Garfein Joshua , Flannagan Kerry S. J. , Mora‐Plazas Mercedes , Oliveros Henry , Marín Constanza , Villamor Eduardo
Published: November 2021

Leukocyte telomere length (LTL) is associated with obesity and may be involved in its aetiology, but few studies have focused on children and most have been cross‐sectional. We assessed the relation of LTL with adiposity development in a prospective study of Colombian children. We quantified LTL at enrollment in 722 children aged 5–12 years and measured anthropometry annually for a median 6 years. Using mixed effects models, we estimated changes in adiposity measures including BMI and waist circumference (WC)‐for‐age z‐scores in relation to baseline LTL z‐score. In girls, longer LTL was linearly related to a lower increase in WC z‐score from age 6 to 16 years. Every 1 SD LTL was associated with an adjusted 0.13 units lower increase in WC (95% CI: −0.23, −0.03; p = 0.01). In conclusion, longer LTL among girls in middle childhood is associated with smaller increases in WC, an indicator of abdominal adiposity.
Which children are at risk of developing overactive bladder in early adulthood even if lower urinary tract symptoms improve during childhood?
Authors: Selvi Ismail , Basar Halil , Baydilli Numan , Kizilay Emrah , Demirci Deniz
Published: November 2021

Objectives

To evaluate more comprehensively the presence of an association between childhood lower urinary tract symptoms and development of adulthood overactive bladder, to determine the group at most risk of overactive bladder in adulthood, and to assess its effects on daily life.

Methods

A total of 264 patients who were followed up for lower urinary tract symptoms in childhood between 2000 and 2005 were included in this retrospective, cohort study. After a median period of 20 years, these patients with a median current age of 29 (27–35) years were re‐evaluated and divided into two groups: those currently with overactive bladder (n = 102, 23.0%), and those without overactive bladder (n = 162, 36.5%). In addition, 180 age‐matched overactive bladder patients without a history of childhood lower urinary tract symptoms (n = 180, 40.5%) were included. The primary endpoint was to determine which children are at higher risk of adulthood overactive bladder. The secondary endpoint was to evaluate the effect of history of childhood lower urinary tract symptoms on quality of life in adulthood. The eight‐item Overactive Bladder questionnaire, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and the Short‐Form 36‐item Health Survey were administered to all participants. Voiding Dysfunction Symptom Score was evaluated according to childhood medical records.

Results

Overactive bladder in adulthood was observed in 38.6% of patients recovering from childhood lower urinary tract symptoms. They had worse overactive bladder symptom scores and quality of life than those without childhood lower urinary tract symptoms (P < 0.001). Voiding Dysfunction Symptom Score ≥13 (odds ratio 2.54), daytime incontinence (odds ratio 2.01), holding maneuvers (odds ratio 1.82), nocturnal enuresis (odds ratio 1.75) in the pediatric period, and recovery age from all these symptoms of ≥12 years (odds ratio 1.95) were the most unfavorable determinants of development of adulthood overactive bladder.

Conclusions

Our findings show that children with the above characteristics are at risk of developing overactive bladder later in their lives even if their symptoms improve in childhood.
Gender wage gap trends in Europe: The role of occupational skill prices
Authors: Kaya Ezgi
Published: November 2021

This paper explores gender wage gap trends by assessing the role of changing wage returns to occupational skills, brains (i.e. cognitive and interpersonal skills) and brawn (i.e. motor skills and physical strength). Using harmonized data for six European countries and comparable data for the United States, this paper finds substantial variation in the impact of occupational skill prices across countries. However, in all countries in the sample, a considerable portion of the change in the gender wage gap cannot be explained by changes in occupational skill prices.
Negative zero‐field‐cooled magnetization and magnetic switching in multiferroic Lu0.5Sc0.5FeO3 ceramics
Authors: Yuan Yuan , Yang Kai , Chen Changcai , Zheng Xianming , Yu Guang , Luo Xiaohua , Wang Lei , Ma Shengcan , Rehman Sajjad Ur , Zhong Zhenchen
Published: November 2021

In this study, we have investigated the negative magnetization of Lu0.5Sc0.5FeO3 (LSFO) ceramics in the zero‐field‐cooled (ZFC) mode. The negative magnetization in ZFC measurement appears below the Neél temperature (TN) in LSFO, which is probably caused by the residual negative trapping field in superconducting magnet, and is closely related to the giant coercivity in LSFO. By fitting the high‐temperature paramagnetic data under nominal zero magnetic field, the negative trapping field in superconducting magnet is found to be −3.28 Oe. The giant coercivity is ascribed to the strong uniaxial magnetocrystalline anisotropy in LSFO, which can cause the strong magnetic domain wall pinning effect to limit the nucleation of reversed domains under reverse field. In addition, a switchable magnetization switching is realized in LSFO. The magnetization of LSFO can stably switch between positive and negative values when the applied magnetic field was switched between 0.5 and 3 kOe, which suggests that the LSFO samples are suitable for potential applications in magnetic storage.
MET inhibition enhances PARP inhibitor efficacy in castration‐resistant prostate cancer by suppressing the ATM/ATR and PI3K/AKT pathways
Authors: Zhou Sihai , Dai Zhihong , Wang Liang , Gao Xiang , Yang Liqin , Wang Zhenwei , Wang Qi , Liu Zhiyu
Published: November 2021

Up to 30% of patients with metastatic castration‐resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) patients carry altered DNA damage response genes, enabling the use of poly adenosine diphosphate–ribose polymerase (PARP) inhibitors in advanced CRPC. The proto‐oncogene mesenchymal–epithelial transition (MET) is crucial in the migration, proliferation, and invasion of tumour cells. Aberrant expression of MET and its ligand hepatocyte growth factor is associated with drug resistance in cancer therapy. Here, we found that MET was highly expressed in human CRPC tissues and overexpressed in DU145 and PC3 cells in a drug concentration‐dependent manner and is closely related to sensitivity to PARP inhibitors. Combining the PARP inhibitor olaparib with the MET inhibitor crizotinib synergistically inhibited CRPC cell growth both in vivo and in vitro. Further analysis of the underlying molecular mechanism underlying the MET suppression‐induced drug sensitivity revealed that olaparib and crizotinib could together downregulate the ATM/ATR signaling pathway, inducing apoptosis by inhibiting the phosphoinositide 3‐kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/AKT) pathway, enhancing the olaparib‐induced antitumour effect in DU145 and PC3 cells. In conclusion, we demonstrated that MET inhibition enhances sensitivity of CRPC to PARP inhibitors by suppressing the ATM/ATR and PI3K/AKT pathways and provides a novel, targeted therapy regimen for CRPC.
Calcium dysregulation increases right ventricular outflow tract arrhythmogenesis in rabbit model of chronic kidney disease
Authors: Huang Shih‐Yu , Chen Yao‐Chang , Kao Yu‐Hsun , Lu Yen‐Yu , Lin Yung‐Kuo , Higa Satoshi , Chen Shih‐Ann , Chen Yi‐Jen
Published: November 2021

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) increases the risk of arrhythmia. The right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) is a crucial site of ventricular tachycardia (VT) origination. We hypothesize that CKD increases RVOT arrhythmogenesis through its effects on calcium dysregulation. We analysed measurements obtained using conventional microelectrodes, patch clamp, confocal microscopy, western blotting, immunohistochemical examination and lipid peroxidation for both control and CKD (induced by 150 mg/kg neomycin and 500 mg/kg cefazolin daily) rabbit RVOT tissues or cardiomyocytes. The RVOT of CKD rabbits exhibited a short action potential duration, high incidence of tachypacing (20 Hz)‐induced sustained VT, and long duration of isoproterenol and tachypacing‐induced sustained and non‐sustained VT. Tachypacing‐induced sustained and non‐sustained VT in isoproterenol‐treated CKD RVOT tissues were attenuated by KB‐R7943 and partially inhibited by KN93 and H89. The CKD RVOT myocytes had high levels of phosphorylated CaMKII and PKA, and an increased expression of tyrosine hydroxylase‐positive neural density. The CKD RVOT myocytes exhibited large levels of Ito, IKr, NCX and L‐type calcium currents, calcium leak and malondialdehyde but low sodium current, SERCA2a activity and SR calcium content. The RVOT in CKD with oxidative stress and autonomic neuron hyperactivity exhibited calcium handling abnormalities, which contributed to the induction of VT.
Effect of combined periodontal and orthodontic treatment of tilted molars and of teeth with intra‐bony and furcation defects in stage‐IV periodontitis patients: A systematic review
Authors: Kloukos Dimitrios , Roccuzzo Andrea , Stähli Alexandra , Sculean Anton , Katsaros Christos , Salvi Giovanni E.
Published: November 2021

Aim

To assess the effect of combined periodontal and orthodontic treatment (OT) in stage‐IV periodontitis patients.

Materials and methods

Three focused questions were addressed using the Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome, and Study Design criteria. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs), controlled clinical trials, follow‐up studies, case series, and controlled/uncontrolled before/after studies were assessed for inclusion. Primary outcomes included mean changes in pocket probing depth (PPD) and clinical attachment level (CAL). Qualitative synthesis of results was performed and reported according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses guidelines.

Results

Out of 916 records, 1 retrospective case series study reported the effect of OT of tilted molars, 2 RCTs and 10 prospective and 2 retrospective case series studies reported the effect of OT of treated intra‐bony defects and 0 articles reported the effect of OT of treated furcation defects. Mean PPD changes were reported in 14 articles, and mean CAL changes were reported in 8 articles. Risk of bias was high in both included RCTs, critical in nine articles, and serious in four articles. No articles included patient‐reported outcomes, and three articles reported harms/adverse effects.

Conclusions

Evidence is limited by (i) the lack or low number of included studies, (ii) the apparent methodological and clinical heterogeneity, and (iii) the high risk of bias of the retrieved studies. No solid conclusions could be drawn concerning OT in stage‐IV periodontitis patients with respect to tilted molars, teeth with treated intra‐bony defects, and teeth with treated furcation defects.
Efficacy of rehabilitation with different approaches of implant‐supported full‐arch prosthetic designs: A systematic review
Authors: Ramanauskaite Ausra , Becker Kathrin , Wolfart Stefan , Lukman Fanya , Schwarz Frank
Published: November 2021

Aim

To evaluate the efficacy of different types of rehabilitation with fixed or removable full‐arch implant‐supported prosthesis designs in terms of implant loss and success in patients with at least one edentulous jaw, with tooth loss mainly due to periodontitis.

Materials and methods

Clinical studies with at least 12 months reporting on implant loss and implant success were searched. Meta‐analysis was conducted to estimate cumulative implant loss considering different prostheses designs.

Results

A total of 11 studies with unclear to low risk of bias were included in the analysis. Estimated cumulative implant loss for fixed prostheses within 1 year and 5 years was 0.64% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.31%–1.31%) and 1.85% (95% CI: 0.85%–3.95%), respectively. The corresponding values for removable prostheses amounted to 0.71% (95% CI: 0.22%–2.28%) and 4.45% (95% CI: 2.48%–7.85%). Peri‐implantitis affected 10%–50% of the patients restored with implant‐supported fixed prostheses.

Conclusions

Based on the limited low‐quality data, the present analysis points to a low and similar cumulative implant loss within 1 year for patients with tooth loss mainly due to stage IV periodontitis restored with either removable or fixed implant‐supported full‐arch prosthesis. At 5 years of functioning, there was a tendency for better outcomes using fixed designs.
Recurrence and progression of periodontitis and methods of management in long‐term care: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Leow Natalie M. , Moreno Federico , Marletta Debora , Hussain Syed Basit , Buti Jacopo , Almond Neil , Needleman Ian
Published: November 2021

Aim

To systematically review the literature to evaluate the recurrence of disease of people in long‐term supportive periodontal care (SPC), previously treated for periodontitis, and determine the effect of different methods of managing recurrence. The review focused on stage IV periodontitis.

Materials and methods

An electronic search was conducted (until May 2020) for prospective clinical trials. Tooth loss was the primary outcome.

Results

Twenty‐four publications were retrieved to address recurrence of disease in long‐term SPC. Eight studies were included in the meta‐analyses for tooth loss, and three studies for disease progression/recurrence (clinical attachment level [CAL] loss ≥2 mm). For patients in SPC of 5–20 years, prevalence of losing more than one tooth was 9.6% (95% confidence interval [CI] 5%–14%), while experiencing more than one site of CAL loss ≥2 mm was 24.8% (95% CI 11%–38%). Six studies informed on the effect of different methods of managing recurrence, with no clear evidence of superiority between methods. No data was found specifically for stage IV periodontitis.

Conclusions

A small proportion of patients with stage III/IV periodontitis will experience tooth loss in long‐term SPC (tendency for greater prevalence with time). Regular SPC appears to be important for reduction of tooth loss. No superior method to manage disease recurrence was found.
A Real‐time PCR assay for rapid identification of Helicoverpa armigera (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) from closely related species
Authors: Thomas Asha , Li Dongmei , Gunawardana Disna , Flynn Alan
Published: November 2021

The bollworm, Helicoverpa armigera, is one of the most important agricultural pests in the world. Diagnosis of this species morphologically is difficult from the similar species H. assulta, H. punctigera and H. zea as the adults are identified based on genitalia morphology and larval identification is limited due to shared morphological characters. To provide an accurate diagnosis of New Zealand border interceptions, we have developed a real‐time PCR assay to identify H. armigera from commonly occurring exotic Helicoverpa species, H. assulta and H. zea. Preliminary studies, using the already available real‐time ITS2 primer–probe detecting H. armigera and H. zea tested on samples obtained from NZ border interceptions and from overseas showed cross reactions with low intensities among H. armigera, H. assulta and H. zea. This prompted PHEL to develop a new real‐time PCR assay to accurately identify H. armigera. The newly designed primer and probe were optimized, and the assay demonstrated its specificity to H. armigera with no false positives observed in the non‐target species tested in this study. The specificity of the assay was tested against 64 samples of Lepidoptera from 14 countries including 48 Helicoverpa samples. The sensitivity of the assay showed it can detect up to 1 copy/µl of the DNA fragment. Therefore, this assay can be used for rapid detection of H. armigera, which is imperative in quarantine application to determine the presence of exotic species regardless of its life stage.
Physical characterization and mass modeling of traditionally Popped Makhana (Euryale ferox Salisbury) variety: Sabour‐1 Makhana
Authors: Gaurav Abhishek , Nath Debarshi , Barbhuiya Rahul Islam , Pradhan Rama Chandra
Published: November 2021

Correlation between physical properties of Popped Makhana (variety: Sabour‐1 Makhana) such as tri‐axial dimensions, spatial diameters, projected areas, volumes and mass may aid in predicting pops quality besides fabrication of post‐harvest machinery. Hence, the present work aims to predict the mass of Makhana pops as a function of its physical attributes using nonlinear mathematical models. Depending upon high variation in mass data (0.19–0.46 g), pops were categorized into small, medium and large groups presented with suitable mass models. The medium mass group (MMG) was found dominating since 70% of the overall selected samples belonged to this group approaching ellipsoid. Quadratic model was recommended to predict mass for MMG based on tri‐axial dimension thickness (T), R2 = 0.806; spatial diameter (Dg), R2 = 0.898; projected area (PT2), R2 = 0.873; and ellipsoidal volume (Vellip), R2 = 0.895, respectively. Further investigation comprised of various physical, aerodynamic, gravimetric, frictional, color, and mechanical properties. The mean surface area, true volume, and bulk porosity of pops were 881.37 mm2, 2,446.96 mm3, and 25.49%, respectively. The sphericity, aspect ratio, elongation, and flakiness ratio were determined as 0.85, 0.90, 1.12, and 0.79, respectively. Terminal velocity for pops and its associated drag force were obtained as 6.82 ms−1 and 3.12 × 10−5 N, respectively. Galvanized aluminium sheet offered both lower angle of inclination and coefficient of static friction (11.53°, 0.20). L* (64.39) and whiteness index (59.95) values indicated “opaque white” tone. For lower measure of cohesiveness (0.38) and resilience (0.14), higher gumminess (21.80) was obtained along with bowl‐life texture.

Practical Applications

Popped Makhana is a light, voluminous, traditionally expanded pseudocereal consumed as breakfast cereal or roasted snack. It involves labor intensive manual grading, bag filling, weighing, packaging in various sizes, etc., resisting its consumer acceptability, export promotion and domestic consumption as well. Appropriate grading could be efficiently achieved by mass modeling tool, establishing the relation between physical quantities and mass. Mass based grading is economically superior than size grading, slashing grading time, packaging and material handling costs. Mass based mathematical modeling optimizes packaging formations and reduces volume for low transportation cost to distance places for product development. The assessment of projected area for mass prognosis outlines usage of single camera as the vital part of grading system, ensuring economic feasibility. Thus, research was inducted to investigate mass modeling of Popped Makhana based on the selected engineering attributes to develop an automatic grading system based on combined approach of mass and size.