bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Investigating the effect of alternative golf experience on traditional golf: an integrated framework of perceived value, satisfaction, and involvement
Authors: Kang Juhee , Kwun David J. , Hahm Jeeyeon Jeannie
Published: June 2022

Purpose

The goal of this paper is to investigate the relationships between consumers’ value perceptions, satisfaction and involvement, and, ultimately, their effects on behavioral intentions in the contexts of alternative golf (AG) and traditional golf (TG).

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from potential golfers who had visited AG facilities in the past 12 months. Data were analyzed using confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling.

Findings

The findings of this study indicated that perceived value is a key element of developing satisfaction and promoting involvement, which resulted in visitors’ behavioral intentions toward AG and TG. In addition, satisfaction and involvement were found to sequentially mediate these relationships, and gender had a moderating effect on the relationship between AG and TG behavioral intentions.

Practical implications

This study theoretically contributes to the literature by proposing an extensive research model that attempted to capture the connection between AG and TG intentions and the sequential mediating effects of satisfaction and involvement. The strong connection between AG and TG found in this study suggest practical implications for managers, marketers and sales personnel for both AG and TG.

Originality/value

AG is defined as a non-traditional way to play golf that focuses more on entertainment and leisure activities. AG facilities are highly experiential spaces that include both golf and hospitality elements. The popularity of AG has increased in recent years with mostly anecdotal evidence of its influence on TG. This study empirically tested the role of AG in increasing the TG population.
Exploring the impact of social media platform image on hotel customers’ visit intention
Authors: Ho Juei-Ling , Chen Kuan-Ying , Wang Lan-Hsun , Yeh Shih-Shuo , Huan Tzung-Cheng
Published: June 2022

Purpose

Many tourism-related industries, such as hotels, use social media as a marketing tool for promotion and distribution. This paper aims to use a model that explores the impact of social media platform image (SMPI) on customers’ visit intention (VI) in a hotel context, using hotel image (HI), motivation (Mot) and anticipated service quality (ASQ) as mediators. The objectives of this study are then: to understand the interactions between the two brand images, to test the mediation effect of HI, Mot and ASQ and to investigate how this interaction contributes to customers’ VI to hotel.

Design/methodology/approach

This study used a convenience sampling method that targeted respondents who are willing to book a hotel using a social media platform such as Facebook and a hotel reservation website (Agoda, Airbnb, Booking.com, Hotels.com and Trivago) that have forums that allow customers to share their experiences. The survey was conducted through various social media platforms, with 349 responses being collected.

Findings

This study finds that SMPI contributes to Mot largely through HI, Mot partly mediates the relationship between HI and ASQ and Mot contributes to VI mostly through direct impact and a small part through ASQ. The findings also indicate that SMPI is less potent in terms of contributing to the later constructs if HI is low.

Practical implications

This research provides practical implications for marketers serving the hotel industry, and social media sites, and establishes the interrelationship between them. This research also offers insight to the hotel managers for using social media platforms to attract potential visitors because social media platforms in recent years have become significant contributors to customers’ decision-making process of booking and visiting a hotel.

Originality/value

This study provides results on how social media platforms can be caused to become a more effective hotel promotion channel.
Development of comprehensive energy usage impact and carbon footprint parameters for green building life cycle assessment
Authors: Usman Abdullahi Mohammed , Abdullah Kamil
Published: June 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to develop a set of parameters universally acceptable for assessing design and construction strategies for reducing operational energy usage and its associated greenhouse gas (GHG) emission. Also, the parameters are intended to estimate the quantity of energy and its associated GHG emission reduction over the assessment period.

Design/methodology/approach

This study used five steps framework comprising definition of purpose, selecting the candidate parameters, criteria selection and description, selecting proposed parameters and defining the proposed parameters. The criteria used were the parameter’s prevalence, measurability, preference and feasibility toward adaptability to the relevant stakeholders.

Findings

This study consolidated 11 parameters. Seven cover designs and construction strategies comprising energy monitoring, natural lighting and ventilation design. Others are building thermal performance, efficient equipments, renewable energy and energy policy. The remaining four consider operational energy consumption, GHG emission quantification and their reduction over time.

Practical implications

Providing suitable indicators for assessing direct and indirect GHG emission with easily accessible data is essential for assessing built environment. The consolidated parameters can be used in developing rating systems, monitoring GHG inventories and activities of building related industries.

Originality/value

This study was conducted at the CEIES UTHM and used 11 existing rating systems open for research purposes, International Panel for Climate Change reports and GHG protocol report and guides and several other standards.
Funding decisions and the role of trust: a qualitative study of reward-based crowdfunding in the creative industries
Authors: Cavalcanti Junqueira M. Isabella , Soetanto Danny
Published: June 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate funders' decisions in supporting reward-based crowdfunding (RBCF) in the creative industries by providing insights into the role of trust in the decision-making process of funders. In doing so, the authors examine how trust is developed through online interaction.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from interviews and participation at short-term immersive events and gatherings. In addition, data were gathered from online discussions and social media platforms related to RBCF campaign. Qualitative analysis was performed to offer a deeper understanding of funder decision-making processes.

Findings

New insights were revealed into funder decision-making processes. Using foraging practices, funders participating in RBCF campaigns build trust before framing their final funding judgments. The paper’s findings highlight the interplay of organizational competency with previously uncharted relational dimensions associated with funder decision-making processes. The authors also revealed how nascent and experienced funders differ in their evaluation of risk.

Originality/value

This study offers an understanding of funder decision-making processes in creative RBCF campaigns. Their support of RBCF campaigns in the creative industries can present some potential risks. Further investigation is still required to reveal the funder's decision-making process. By looking at the roles of trust, the authors provide a conceptualization of competence and the relational dimension of trust, and how trust is developed as a means for mitigating risk.
Institutional distance, internationalization speed and cross-border e-commerce platform utilization
Authors: Yan Zichun , Lu Xiying , Chen Yan , Wang Kai
Published: June 2022

Purpose

From the perspective of the institution and internationalization speed, the article discusses the internal mechanism of cross-border e-commerce selection mode, as well as the moderating role of social networks as the intangible resource, and expand the theoretical system of corporate internationalization.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on the empirical data of 456 multinational e-commerce companies in five first-tier cities in China from 2016 to 2019, our research explores the selection mode of cross-border e-commerce.

Findings

The results show that (1) the institutional distance of the host country leads to the exit from cross-border e-commerce platforms in the international expansion of enterprises. (2) The difference in internationalization speed online and offline has become a mediated mechanism for the exit of cross-border e-commerce platforms due to the institutional distance of the host country. (3) The diversity and scale of offline social networks can weaken the impact of differences in internationalization speed on the exit from cross-border e-commerce platforms. (4) The resistance of companies expanding to countries with a weak institutional environment is greater than that experienced when expanding to countries with a strong one.

Originality/value

This study shows, for the first time, how to select expansion mode for cross-border e-commerce. And the paper also centers on the research of the impact of “social network”, a kind of intangible resource, on cross-border e-commerce platform adoption.
Efficiency in the market for listed European football clubs
Authors: Prigge Stefan , Tegtmeier Lars
Published: June 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to test the weak-form efficiency of listed European football stocks in the sample period 2012–2020.

Design/methodology/approach

Three powerful tests for randomness are performed, that is, autocorrelation of returns analysis via the Ljung and Box (1978) test, variance ratio test by Lo and MacKinlay (1988) and runs test (Wald and Wolfowitz, 1940).

Findings

Results are mixed. Autocorrelation analysis and variance ratio test reject the random walk hypothesis and are, therefore, in line with the findings of Ferreira et al. (2017). In contrast, the runs test only leads to rejection of the random walk hypothesis for five out of 20 football stocks. Interestingly, this applies to shares with the lowest trading volume.

Practical implications

The market for stakes in football clubs can be expected to continue to grow in the future. Thus, the issue whether the price signals derived from listed football clubs are reliable inputs when negotiating the price for a football club stake in a private transaction is of increasing importance.

Originality/value

This study complements, and partly challenges, the results of Ferreira et al. (2017), the only other study in this field, by applying other methods and analyzing a more recent sample period.
Development of paste extrusion-based metal additive manufacturing process
Authors: Dayam Sunidhi , Tandon Puneet , Priyadarshi Satwik
Published: June 2022

Purpose

This study aims to explore a technique of metal additive manufacturing (MAM) for producing parts in aluminium. The proposed technique mimics the process of metal injection moulding but with the tools meant for fused freeform fabrication machines.

Design/methodology/approach

The work focusses on the preparation of novel feedstock by mixing the aluminium powder with binders made from different compositions of high-density polyethylene, paraffin wax, petroleum jelly and stearic acid. Further, a novel experimental setup with a paste extruder was designed to print the test samples. A sintering cycle was developed in-house along with a thermal debinding procedure. An experimental campaign was also carried with the proposed technique to establish a proof-of-concept. Produced samples were tested for part density, hardness, compressive strength and tensile strength.

Findings

The results indicate geometrical accuracy was an issue owing to the presence of petroleum jelly in the binder-powder mixture. Therefore, machining as a post-processing operation seems to be unavoidable. The study also elucidates that the printed specimen may require further heat treatment to replace wrought alloys. However, the sintered parts show hardness and compressive strength similar to that of wrought aluminium alloy.

Originality/value

The novelty of the work is to develop the cost effective and scalable powder extrusion-based MAM process for printing the aluminium parts.
Different roles of core and noncore bacterial taxa in maintaining soil multinutrient cycling and microbial network stability in arid fertigation agroecosystems
Authors: Ye Zhencheng , Wang Jie , Li Jing , Liu Guobin , Dong Qin'ge , Zou Yufeng , Chau Henry Wai , Zhang Chao
Published: June 2022

Microbes play an essential role in soil biogeochemical processes and maintenance of soil nutrients, but not all microbial taxa contribute equally, and their functions in soil nutrient cycling and microbial network stability are unclear in arid fertigation agricultural ecosystems.

In this study, a 4‐year field experiment was conducted in an irrigation district in China using three levels of irrigation [high (400 mm), medium (300 mm) and low (200 mm)] and two levels of fertilization [high (600 kg/ha P2O5 + 300 kg/ha urea) and low (300 kg/ha P2O5 + 150 kg/ha urea)] to reveal the ecological roles of core and noncore taxa in maintaining soil nutrient cycling and their associations with microbial network stability.

Our results showed that combining medium irrigation with low fertilization resulted in higher levels of soil organic C, inorganic N, available P, multinutrient cycling and noncore bacterial diversity compared with the other treatments. Soils supporting a higher diversity of noncore bacterial taxa had a high soil multinutrient cycling index, while soils harbouring highly diverse core taxa exhibited a more stable bacterial network. The soil multinutrient cycling index was also significantly positively related to the subnetwork modularity of noncore taxa. Moreover, noncore taxa could serve as diverse pools that turn into core taxa in response to changes in the external environment. Acinetobacter, Flavobacterium, Gemmatimonas and Salinimicrobium, which belong to the noncore taxa, were involved in soil C and N cycling in the arid agricultural ecosystem.

Synthesis and applications. Our results suggest that soil microbiota contribute differently to ecosystem functions. Changes in soil nutrient cycling were more closely related to variations in noncore taxa, while bacterial network stability was more associated with core taxa. Our study emphasized the role of noncore microbiota, which has been neglected in previous studies. Furthermore, our findings suggested that combining medium irrigation with low fertilization is effective for enhancing soil nutrients and bacterial diversity, providing guidance for managing arid agricultural ecosystems.
No more silent (and uncoloured) springs in vineyards? Experimental evidence for positive impact of alternate inter‐row management on birds and butterflies
Authors: Brambilla Mattia , Gatti Francesco
Published: June 2022

Agricultural intensification is a main threat to biodiversity, and vineyards are particularly concerning because of their increasing extent and intensive management. Management strategies that mitigate vineyard impacts on biodiversity are urgently needed.

In a major wine area in northern Italy, we tested in a 3‐year experiment the effect of alternate management of vineyard ground cover (mowing or tillage depending on the usual management system adopted by each farmer). After a first year (2017) with no implementation (baseline), in the two subsequent spring–summer periods (2018 and 2019), alternate management was adopted in a varying number of sites, providing an ideal BACI design. Birds and butterflies were selected as target groups, and surveyed by means of 200‐m linear transects scattered over both conventional and organic vineyards, with and without alternate management.

We evaluated whether the implementation of alternate management resulted in an increase in species richness per transect. We also evaluated the effect of alternate management, year and land cover on different functional avian guilds (functional insectivores, seed eaters, potential grape eaters), considering both richness and abundance.

For both birds and butterflies, we found a positive effect of alternate management on the number of species per transect. The implementation of alternate management also promoted richness and abundance of functional insectivores and abundance of seed eaters; a positive but less supported association was also found between alternate management and richness and abundance of potential grape eaters. The most relevant land cover for the supply of ecosystem services by birds was likely shrubland cover, which increased richness and abundance of insectivores and seed eaters, while not supporting potential grape eaters. Farmers reported no adverse effects of alternate management, and a positive impact on farm perception by consumers.

Synthesis and applications. The very easy‐to‐implement alternate inter‐row management has the potential to rapidly increase the suitability of vineyards for biodiversity, while enhancing ecosystem services and attractiveness of farms for nature‐based recreation, contributing to their multi‐functionality. Alternate management could contribute to shape, for example, new interventions within the coming Common Agricultural Policy, and its benefits may be maximized by sympathetic landscape strategies.
Understanding the variation in estimates of off‐farm labour supply elasticities: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Balachandran Rakhe , Penn Jerrod , Bampasidou Maria
Published: June 2022

The design of rural development policies and government programmes in support of farm operations and farm households relies on precise estimates of off‐farm labour supply elasticities. However, the wide variation in estimates dilutes their power to predict the magnitude of these targeted interventions. We perform a meta‐analysis of estimates of off‐farm labour supply elasticity to identify systematic factors that influence these estimates. A sample of 137 elasticities is obtained from 43 studies which use data ranging from 1960 to 2012. We examine theoretical assumptions, data availability and empirical specifications, and other study‐specific characteristics. Controlling for potential publication bias, we estimate that the elasticity is approximately 0.64 to 0.77. Results of the analysis show that estimates are affected by modelling choices controlling for self‐selection and life‐cycle elements. However, we found no compelling evidence that study‐specific characteristics of off‐farm labour supply functions, including various measurements of labour supply, explain variation in the elasticities.
Attitudes and access to resources and strategies to improve quality of radiotherapy among US radiation oncologists: A mixed methods study
Authors: Zhang Y Helen , Cha Elaine , Lynch Kathleen , Gennarelli Renee , Brower Jeffrey , Sherer Michael V , Golden Daniel W , Chimonas Susan , Korenstein Deborah , Gillespie Erin F
Published: June 2022

Introduction

We aimed to assess contouring‐related practices among US radiation oncologists and explore how access to and use of resources and quality improvement strategies vary based on individual‐ and organization‐level factors.

Methods

We conducted a mixed methods study with a sequential explanatory design. Surveys were emailed to a random 10% sample of practicing US radiation oncologists. Participating physicians were invited to a semi‐structured interview. Kruskal–Wallis and Wilcoxon rank‐sum tests and a multivariable regression model were used to evaluate associations. Interview data were coded using thematic content analysis.

Results

Survey overall response rate was 24%, and subsequent completion rate was 97%. Contouring‐related questions arise in ≥50% of clinical cases among 73% of respondents. Resources accessed first include published atlases (75%) followed by consulting another radiation oncologist (60%). Generalists access consensus guidelines more often than disease‐site specialists (P = 0.04), while eContour.org is more often used by generalists (OR 4.3, 95% CI 1.2–14.8) and younger physicians (OR 1.33 for each 5‐year increase, 95% CI 1.08–1.67). Common physician‐reported barriers to optimizing contour quality are time constraints (58%) and lack of access to disease‐site specialists (21%). Forty percent (40%, n = 14) of physicians without access to disease‐site specialists indicated it could facilitate the adoption of new treatments. Almost all (97%) respondents have formal peer review, but only 43% have contour‐specific review, which is more common in academic centres (P = 0.02).

Conclusion

Potential opportunities to improve radiation contour quality include improved access to disease‐site specialists and contour‐specific peer review. Physician time must be considered when designing new strategies.
Maternal deaths in Australia from ruptured splenic artery aneurysms
Authors: Lawson Gerald Wightman
Published: June 2022

The rupture of a splenic artery aneurysm (SAA) in pregnancy is a highly lethal condition, but so rare that most obstetricians would not encounter it during their career. In the seven official ‘Maternal Deaths in Australia’ reports, that covered 21 years from 1997 to 2017, among a total of 449 direct and indirect deaths, there were nine deaths (2%) from a ruptured SAA. These cases, and other cases from the literature and the Cochrane Library, are reviewed. The aim of the review is to raise awareness among clinicians of this potentially fatal condition.
Prevalence and severity of cornea guttata in the graft following Descemet Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty (DMEK)
Authors: Schmitz Lena‐Marie , Safi Tarek , Munteanu Cristian , Seitz Berthold , Daas Loay
Published: June 2022

Purpose

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and severity of cornea guttata (CG) in grafts after Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) and to investigate its impact on various clinical parameters during follow‐up.

Methods

This retrospective study included 664 operations (DMEK and triple‐DMEK) on 466 patients. The prevalence and progression of CG after the operation were examined using endothelial specular microscopy images. The severity grade of CG was classified into four grades: G0 without CG, G1 – G3 with increasing severity of CG. Clinical parameters such as central corneal thickness (CCT), visual acuity (VA), endothelial cell density (ECD), pleomorphism and polymegalism were examined during a postoperative follow‐up time of 19.6 ± 15.8 months.

Results

Cornea guttata (CG) appeared postoperatively in 124 (18.7%) eyes. 112 (16.9%) could be classified as G1, 9 (1.4%) as G2 and only 3 (0.5%) as G3. The examination of clinical parameters showed significant differences between healthy and low‐grade CG (G0/G1) and high‐grade CG (G2/G3). A significant deterioration was found in the corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA) (p = 0.02). CCT showed an increase between G0 (534 ± 58 μm) and G2 (549 ± 71 μm)/G3 (558 ± 56 μm) with a p‐value of 0.02. Additionally, a significant increase in pleomorphism (p = 0.003) and polymegalism (p = 0.04) was detected.

Conclusion

Cornea guttata (CG) prevalence after DMEK and triple‐DMEK was found to be 18.7%, although most of these cases were classified as low‐grade CG and showed no clinical significance. Around 1.9% were classified as high‐grade CG and significantly affected several clinical parameters during the follow‐up.
Conquest by Contract: Property Rights and the Commercial Logic of Imperialism in the Isthmus of Tehuantepec (Southern Mexico)
Authors: McClure Julia
Published: June 2022

Property rights and contracts were important to the legal foundations of the Spanish Empire from the sixteenth century. The recognition of the property rights of indigenous people was part of the legal foundations of empire, but offered weak protection from the commercial logic of imperialism. In the twentieth and twenty‐first centuries, the national and international recognition of indigenous property rights has increased at the same time that indigenous property has been threatened by the expansion of commercial interests in the name of development. Focusing on the Isthmus of Tehuantepec (southern Mexico), this article charts the historic tension between indigenous property rights and the expansion of commercial interests, and how, despite new rhetoric about protecting local communities and their natural resources, the shift to ‘sustainable development’ has not changed these dynamics.
Estimation of familial recurrence risk of malignancy: Application of liability threshold model in genetic counseling
Authors: Nagao Yoshiro
Published: June 2022

Apart from some Mendelian‐inherited tumors, malignancies are multifactorial diseases, and reported data are often the only sources to estimate familial recurrence risk. Edwards' approximation formula has provided one way forward, but it uses estimates only from incidence in the general population, and is thus too simple to be widely utilized for complex individual instances. On the other hand, the heritability of malignancies has been estimated from twin studies, and it has been found that different tumors have rather different heritability. In the present study, I report a method to estimate the familial recurrence risk from the population incidence and the heritability of each malignancy, applying Falconer's liability threshold model. Trial calculations with this method using literature data support its potential use. For example, the calculation indicated that the relative risk of developing stomach cancer is 2.1 times in the first‐degree relatives than in the general population whereas for leukemia the risks were estimated to be 7.4 times and 2.9 times for the first‐ and the second‐degree relatives, respectively. Thus, the proposed method could be a useful tool in genetic counseling for risk of malignancies.
Medical decisions in organ donors and heart transplant candidates with history of COVID‐19 infection: An international practice survey
Authors: Sadeh Ben , Ugolini Sharon , Pinzon Omar Wever , Potapov Evgenij V. , Selzman Craig H. , Bader Feras , Zuckermann Andreas o , Gomez‐Mesa Juan Esteban , Shah Kevin S. , Alharethi Rami , Morejon‐Barragan Paola , Hanff Thomas , Goldraich Livia A. , Farrero Marta , MacDonald Peter S. , Drakos Stavros , Mehra Mandeep R. , Stehlik Josef
Published: June 2022

Background

A growing proportion of transplant donors and recipients have a history of COVID‐19 infection. This study sought to characterize clinical practice after recipient or donor COVID‐19 infection.

Methods

An online survey was distributed to heart transplant clinicians through a professional society message board and social media. Responses were collected between September 29 and November 5, 2021.

Results

There were 222 health care professionals (68% transplant cardiologists, 22% transplant surgeons, 10% other) across diverse geographic regions who completed the survey. While there was significant variation in donor acceptance, as it relates to past and current COVID‐19 infection, the respondents were fairly cautious: 28% would not typically accept a donor with a history of COVID‐19 regardless of the infection course and > 80% would not accept donors who had evidence of myocardial dysfunction during past COVID‐19 infection, or who died of COVID‐19 or its complications. The timing of candidate reactivation on the waiting list after COVID‐19 infection also varied and often diverged from scenarios addressed by social guidelines. Eighty‐one percent of the respondents felt COVID‐19 vaccine should be mandatory before transplant, but this rate varied by geographic region.

Conclusion

Our results reflect evolving experience of the heart transplant field at a time of lack of high‐quality evidence. In the absence of longer‐term outcome data for donors and transplant candidates with history of COVID‐19 infection, clinicians remain cautious; however, this approach will likely need to be refined as an increasing proportion of the population will continue to be infected with COVID‐19.
Effects of extreme temperature events on the parasitism performance ofDiadegma semiclausum, an endoparasitoid ofPlutella xylostella
Authors: Costaz Thibault P. M. , Gols Rieta , de Jong Peter W. , van Loon Joop J. A. , Dicke Marcel
Published: June 2022

With climate change, the occurrence of extreme weather events such as heatwaves is expected to increase. Extreme temperature events are short periods of high temperature (i.e., >95th percentile of temperature distribution), and their occurrences are difficult to predict. These extreme temperature events pose great challenges to living organisms, especially ectotherms such as insects whose body temperature is greatly influenced by environmental temperature. Temperature is known to play an essential role in driving insect performance as well as inducing behavioral changes. Exposure to extreme temperatures causes physiological damage leading to potential long‐lasting effects on insect performance. We aimed at assessing the impact of direct (i.e., current) and indirect (previously experienced) exposure to extreme temperature on the oviposition success ofDiadegma semiclausumHellén (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae).Diadegma semiclausumis a larval endoparasitoid ofPlutella xylostellaL. (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae), a worldwide pest of brassicaceous crops. Oviposition success, measured as the percentage of parasitizedP. xylostella, was significantly lower at 33 °C than at 25 °C. However, previous exposure to 33 °C did not significantly impact the egg‐laying performance ofD. semiclausum, indicating that, after a heatwave, the egg‐laying performance can recover. Neither the direct nor indirect exposure to extreme temperature alteredD. semiclausumhost‐instar preference. These results indicate that temperature directly impactsD. semiclausumparasitism performance, although more detailed research is needed to disentangle direct physiological mechanisms from behavioral responses. Overall, these study results confirm others, suggesting that control ofP. xylostellabyD. semiclausumis likely to be impaired by more frequent heatwaves predicted under climate change scenarios.
Levels and dynamics of estimated glomerular filtration rate and recurrent vascular events and death in patients with minor stroke or transient ischemic attack
Authors: Tütüncü Serdar , Olma Manuel C. , Kunze Claudia , Krämer Michael , Dietzel Joanna , Schurig Johannes , Filser Paula , Pfeilschifter Waltraud , Hamann Gerhard F. , Büttner Thomas , Heuschmann Peter U. , Kirchhof Paulus , Laufs Ulrich , Nabavi Darius G. , Röther Joachim , Thomalla Götz , Veltkamp Roland , Eckardt Kai‐Uwe , Haeusler Karl Georg , Endres Matthias ,   MonDAFIS Investigators
Published: June 2022

Background and purpose

Impaired kidney function is associated with an increased risk of vascular events in acute stroke patients, when assessed by single measurements of estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). It is unknown whether repeated measurements provide additional information for risk prediction.

Methods

The MonDAFIS (Systematic Monitoring for Detection of Atrial Fibrillation in Patients with Acute Ischemic Stroke) study randomly assigned 3465 acute ischemic stroke patients to either standard procedures or an additive Holter electrocardiogram. Baseline eGFR (CKD‐EPI formula) were dichotomized into values of < versus ≥60 ml/min/1.73 m2. eGFR dynamics were classified based on two in‐hospital values as “stable normal” (≥60 ml/min/1.73 m2), “increasing” (by at least 15% from baseline, second value ≥ 60 ml/min/1.73 m2), “decreasing” (by at least 15% from baseline of ≥60 ml/min/1.73 m2), and “stable decreased” (<60 ml/min/1.73 m2). The composite endpoint (stroke, major bleeding, myocardial infarction, all‐cause death) was assessed after 24 months. We estimated hazard ratios in confounder‐adjusted models.

Results

Estimated glomerular filtration rate at baseline was available in 2947 and a second value in 1623 patients. After adjusting for age, stroke severity, cardiovascular risk factors, and randomization, eGFR < 60 ml/min/1.73 m2 at baseline (hazard ratio [HR] = 2.2, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.40–3.54) as well as decreasing (HR = 1.79, 95% CI = 1.07–2.99) and stable decreased eGFR (HR = 1.64, 95% CI = 1.20–2.24) were independently associated with the composite endpoint. In addition, eGFR < 60 ml/min/1.732 at baseline (HR = 3.02, 95% CI = 1.51–6.10) and decreasing eGFR were associated with all‐cause death (HR = 3.12, 95% CI = 1.63–5.98).

Conclusions

In addition to patients with low eGFR levels at baseline, also those with decreasing eGFR have increased risk for vascular events and death; hence, repeated estimates of eGFR might add relevant information to risk prediction.
Outcome at age 7 of epilepsy presenting in the first 2 years of life. A population‐based study
Authors: Stödberg Tommy , Tomson Torbjörn , Anderlid Britt‐Marie , Andersson Tomas , Henry Olivia , Åmark Per , Wedell Anna
Published: June 2022

Objective

Existing data suggest that epilepsy presenting in the first few years of life carries a worse prognosis than later onset. However, studies are few and methods differ, making interpretations of data uncertain. This study analyzes outcome at age 7 and potential prognostic factors in a well‐characterized population‐based cohort with epilepsy onset during the first 2 years of life.

Methods

An incidence cohort of 116 prospectively identified cases of epilepsy with seizure onset before age 2 years was described in Stödberg et al. (2020). Cases were originally retrieved from the Stockholm Incidence Registry of Epilepsy (SIRE), which registered all cases with a first unprovoked epileptic seizure from September 1, 2001, in Northern Stockholm. Data on treatment and outcome at age 7 years were collected from electronic medical records and through interviews with parents. Outcome and potential prognostic factors were analyzed with descriptive statistics and multivariable log binomial regression analysis.

Results

Eleven children (9.5%) died before age 7. Polytherapy was common. Epilepsy surgery was performed in two children. At age 7 years, 61 of 116 children (53%) had been seizure‐free for the last 2 years or longer. Intellectual disability was diagnosed in 57 of 116 children (49%), autism spectrum disorder in 13 (11%), and cerebral palsy in 28 (24%). West syndrome had a similar seizure remission rate but a worse cognitive outcome. There was no difference in outcome between first and second year onset. Six predictors, including etiology, remained associated with two or more outcome variables after regression analysis.

Significance

About half of children with infantile‐onset epilepsy will become seizure‐free and half of them will have intellectual disability. Etiology was confirmed as a major independent predictor of outcome. Our study contributes to a more firm knowledge base when counseling parents of infants diagnosed with epilepsy.
Adverse effects of gender‐affirming hormonal therapy in transgender persons: Assessing reports in the French pharmacovigilance database
Authors: Yelehe Melissa , Klein Marc , El Aridi Layal , Maurier Anaïs , Gillet Pierre , Feigerlova Eva
Published: June 2022

Limited data are available on adverse drug reactions (ADRs) of gender‐affirming hormone therapy (HT), mainly due to the lack of population‐based studies with adequate controls, thus making spontaneous reporting systems a valuable tool to detect potential side reactions. In this nationwide retrospective study, we aimed to analyze ADRs related to gender‐affirming HT reported in the French pharmacovigilance database (FPVD). We requested all the individual case safety reports related to gender‐affirming HT recorded in the FPVD before May 27, 2020. We excluded previously published cases and those where gender‐affirming HT was not the suspected drug. A total of 28 reports of ADRs were identified. Six concerned transgender men (21–40 years) and 22 transgender women (22–68 years). In transgender men taking testosterone enanthate, all reported ADRs were cardiovascular events, with pulmonary embolism in 50% of cases. Median time to onset (TTO) was 34 months. In transgender women, antiandrogens, mainly cyproterone acetate, were involved in 68% of cases, and estrogens in 77% of cases, mostly in association with progestin or cyproterone acetate. Meningiomas were the principal ADRs, followed by cardiovascular events, with a median TTO of 5.3 months. Our data show a previously unreported, non‐negligible proportion of cases indicating cardiovascular ADRs in transgender men younger than 40 years. In transgender women, cardiovascular events were the second most frequent ADR. Further research is necessary to identify risk factors that might help to the individualization of treatment strategies. There is a necessity to increase awareness, implement preventive and education measures.
Drivers of foliar 15N trends in southern China over the last century
Authors: Tang Songbo , Liu Jianfeng , Gilliam Frank S. , Hietz Peter , Wang Zhiheng , Lu Xiankai , Zeng Feiyan , Wen Dazhi , Hou Enqing , Lai Yuan , Fang Yunting , Tu Ying , Xi Dan , Huang Zhiqun , Zhang Dianxiang , Wang Rong , Kuang Yuanwen
Published: June 2022

Foliar stable nitrogen (N) isotopes (δ15N) generally reflect N availability to plants and have been used to infer about changes thereof. However, previous studies of temporal trends in foliar δ15N have ignored the influence of confounding factors, leading to uncertainties on its indication to N availability. In this study, we measured foliar δ15N of 1811 herbarium specimens from 12 plant species collected in southern China forests from 1920 to 2010. We explored how changes in atmospheric CO2, N deposition and global warming have affected foliar δ15N and N concentrations ([N]) and identified whether N availability decreased in southern China. Across all species, foliar δ15N significantly decreased by 0.82‰ over the study period. However, foliar [N] did not decrease significantly, implying N homeostasis in forest trees in the region. The spatiotemporal patterns of foliar δ15N were explained by mean annual temperature (MAT), atmospheric CO2 (), atmospheric N deposition, and foliar [N]. The spatiotemporal trends of foliar [N] were explained by MAT, temperature seasonality, , and N deposition. N deposition within the rates from 5.3 to 12.6 kg N ha−1 year−1 substantially contributed to the temporal decline in foliar δ15N. The decline in foliar δ15N was not accompanied by changes in foliar [N] and therefore does not necessarily reflect a decline in N availability. This is important to understand changes in N availability, which is essential to validate and parameterize biogeochemical cycles of N.
Arabic version of the Missed Nursing Care Survey: Validity and reliability
Authors: Alfuqaha Othman A. , Alhalaiqa Fadwa N. , Ayed Ahmad , Alqurneh Mohammad K.
Published: June 2022

Aim

To explore the validity and reliability of the Missed Nursing Care Survey after translating it into the Arabic language.

Methods

We employed a cross‐sectional design. We recruited 260 Jordanian nurses, and data were collected between May and July 2020. Translation, acceptability, construct, convergent, discriminant validity and reliability were investigated.

Results

The factor analysis showed an adequate fit (three subscales) between the proposed missing care survey model and the observed data. This model reflected the survey's construct, convergent and discriminant validity, explaining 58.88% of the variance collectively. Confirmatory factor analyses showed adequate goodness‐of‐fit results (goodness of fit index = 0.91, comparative fit index = 0.94, increment fit index = 0.94, Tucker Lewis index = 0.92 and root mean square error of approximation = 0.06). The total Cronbach alpha and composite reliability achieved the criterion for all constructs in this survey.

Conclusion

This Arabic version of the Missed Nursing Care Survey achieved the required level of validity and reliability. Measuring missed care and its reasons may help to improve quality of health services and assist nurse managers in designing appropriate interventions to reduce it. Adoption of culturally acceptable instruments by health‐care policymakers may support patient safety.
Noneconomic and economic impacts of nurse turnover in hospitals: A systematic review
Authors: Bae Sung‐Heui
Published: June 2022

Aim

To examine and synthesize the noneconomic and economic impacts of nurse turnover in acute hospitals.

Background

Nurse turnover occurs when nurses leave their jobs or the profession and is a major concern for the healthcare industry. Many studies have investigated the determinants of nurse turnover.

Methods

The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses checklist was utilized in the current review. Article search was conducted in June 2021. Research articles published since January 2000 were included. Eight databases (e.g., CINAHL, PubMed, PsycINFO, and Web of Science) were used. The following eligibility criteria were applied for inclusion: Articles that (1) were nonexperimental quantitative studies, (2) examined the impact of actual nurse turnover in acute hospitals, (3) were a peer‐reviewed original research article, and (4) were written in English or Korean.

Results

Among 9,041 searched articles, 16 were included in the review. Seven studies investigated the association of nurse turnover with processes and outcomes (workgroup processes, nurse staffing, nurse outcomes, and patient outcomes), and partially supported the negative impact of turnover. Nine studies found that nurse turnover is very costly.

Conclusion

Most studies investigated the turnover cost, which is costly. The negative noneconomic impact of nurse turnover was partially supported.

Implications for nursing practice and nursing policy

To prevent the adverse noneconomic and economic impacts of nurse turnover and retain nurses, healthcare organizations, nurse managers, and hospital staff nurses need to develop and implement prevention strategies and policies to address nurse turnover. Efforts to address nurse turnover can increase hospital competency to improve the quality of nursing care services and patient safety.
Nursing stakeholder identification guidelines for human resources for health and health workforce development: A scoping review
Authors: North Natasha , Brysiewicz Petra , Coetzee Minette
Published: June 2022

Aim

To investigate the existence of guidelines on the identification of nursing stakeholders as part of planning for human resources for health processes.

Background

Effective involvement of nursing stakeholders in planning and implementing human resources for health policies is strongly advocated by leading global bodies. Systematic identification of nursing stakeholders at an early stage is fundamentally important. Guidelines to support appropriate identification and inclusion of nursing stakeholders could support the active involvement of nurses and midwives in human resources for health planning processes at all levels.

Methods

We conducted a scoping review using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses extension for scoping reviews. We conducted a widely inclusive search for all types of records, including searches of bibliographic databases (PubMed, CINAHL, Scopus and Web of Science) and manual searches of selected websites and internet archives to identify grey literature, published in English since 2009. Search terms related to guidelines, stakeholder engagement and the health workforce.

Results

Of the 1058 potentially relevant sources identified, two studies met inclusion criteria. Both were guidelines produced by global bodies more than 12 years ago. Cochrane guidance on reporting ‘near‐empty’ reviews was followed, and eight additional sources meeting most of the inclusion criteria were identified and critiqued.

Conclusions

Guidelines regarding the process of nursing stakeholder identification specific to human resources for health planning processes are scarce and require updating. Critique of recent practices suggests considerable methodological variety and sub‐optimal identification of nursing stakeholders.

Implications for nursing and health policy

Nursing stakeholder engagement is an essential component of human resources for health planning processes, and the gap in literature points to a need for up‐to‐date guidance to ensure nurses’ active involvement.
Matrine alleviates cisplatin‐induced acute kidney injury by inhibiting mitochondrial dysfunction and inflammation viaSIRT3/OPA1pathway
Authors: Yuan Lu , Yang Jingchao , Li Ying , Yuan Longhui , Liu Fei , Yuan Yujia , Tang Xiaochi
Published: June 2022

Cisplatin is extensively used to treat malignancies. However, its clinical use is always limited due to the serious side effects, especially the nephrotoxicity. Matrine (MAT), a tetracyclic quinolizine alkaloid found in sophora genus, exerts multiple pharmacological roles, including anti‐oxidative stress, anti‐inflammation and anti‐apoptosis, but the role of MAT on acute kidney injury (AKI) has not been evaluated. Here, we found that MAT potently inhibited cell injury induced by cisplatin in HK2 cells in vitro, which was associated with the inhibition of oxidative injury and NF‐κB‐mediated inflammation. Moreover, MAT treatment could activate the SIRT3/OPA1 axis and subsequently suppress the mitochondrial fragmentation and improve mitochondrial function. More importantly, SIRT3 knockdown suppressed the deacetylation of OPA1, which blocked the protective role of MAT on cisplatin‐induced cell injury. In vivo, MAT treatment alleviated renal dysfunction, histological damage and inflammation induced by cisplatin in mice. Furthermore, consistent with the founding in vitro, MAT also activated SIRT3‐mediated deacetylation of OPA1 and alleviated mitochondrial dysfunction in AKI mice. Our study proved that MAT protected against cisplatin‐induced AKI by synergic anti‐oxidative stress and anti‐inflammation actions via SIRT3/OPA1‐mediated improvement of mitochondrial function, suggesting that MAT may be a novel and effective strategy for AKI.
Prognostic and clinicopathological significance of cytocapsular tubes in oral squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Wang Wenjin , Xie Nan , Yi Chen , Zhang Ming , Xiong Gan , Xu Xiuyun , Hou Jinsong , Wang Cheng
Published: June 2022

Background

Cytocapsular tubes (CTs) provide membranous channels for cancer cells interconnection and multidirectional locomotion, which facilitate cancer cell transportation and metastasis. However, the clinicopathological significance of CTs has not been documented in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Herein, we aimed to identify CTs and assess their clinicopathological significance in OSCC.

Methods

Operetta CLS™ high‐content analysis system was used to detect the CTs originated from OSCC cells cultured in a 3D Matrigel matrix. Then, pan‐cadherin and γ‐actin immunostaining were performed to identify CTs in 4NQO‐induced murine OSCC tissues, OSCC xenografts and 88 human primary OSCC samples. Finally, the prognostic value and clinicopathological significance of CTs in OSCC were further examined by using the Kaplan–Meier method and Cox regression analysis.

Results

CTs were observed in OSCC cells in a 3D Matrigel matrix. In vivo, CTs were frequently identified in 4NQO‐induced murine OSCC tissues, OSCC xenografts and human primary OSCC samples. CTs density was significantly associated with T stage, lymph node metastasis, differentiation, invasive depth, tumor budding, TNM stage and tumor recurrence. Importantly, the high‐CTs density indicated a decreased overall survival (OS) and progression‐free survival (PFS) in OSCC patients. Cox regression models showed that CTs could serve as a prognostic factor for OS and PFS.

Conclusion

CTs, which are correlated with the cell migration and invasion, can be readily identified in OSCC and appear to be a novel biomarker for patients at risk of metastasis.