bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Protocolized Intervention for Children and Adolescents With Phagophobia
Authors: Begotka Andrea , Silverman Alan , Goday Praveen
Published: November 2022

We aimed to prospectively evaluate the effectiveness of a protocolized shaping intervention in children with phagophobia, which occurs when an aversive oral experience causes fear of swallowing and can result in restricted oral intake and weight loss. Twenty-one children (12 males) diagnosed with phagophobia (mean age 8.5 years) underwent initial medical workup and a pediatric psychologist driven shaping protocol. The outpatient protocol involved graduated food exposure with anxiety reduction strategies to eliminate anxiety and expand participants’ diet. The participants completed an average of 6 treatment sessions. Post-treatment, there was a significant increase in weight, total number of foods consumed, and number of foods consumed across food groups and texture. Additionally, self-reported subjective units of distress were low for all participants throughout treatment. We conclude that after appropriate medical workup behavioral treatment is safe and efficacious in children with phagophobia and returns children to premorbid functioning and diet.
Prognostic Value of 18F-Fluorodeoxyglucose–Positron Emission Tomography/Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Patients With Hypopharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Huang Caiyun , Zhang Lingyu , Meng Zhaoting , Song Tianbin , Mukherji Suresh Kumar , Chen Xiaohong , Lu Jie , Xian Junfang
Published: November 2022

Objective

The aim of the study is to investigate the value of pretreatment integrated positron emission tomography/magnetic resonance imaging (PET/MRI) in predicting the prognosis of patients with hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (HSCC).

Methods

Twenty-one untreated patients with HSCC who underwent PET/MRI before treatment were enrolled. We analyzed the value of PET/MRI parameters in predicting the progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) of HSCC patients. Kaplan-Meier method and log rank test were used to perform univariate survival analysis, whereas Cox proportional hazard regression models were used to perform multivariate analysis.

Results

Of the 21 patients with a median follow-up time of 20.3 months (range, 4.2–37.6 months), 2 (9.5%) had local recurrence, 2 (9.5%) had distant metastases, and 8 (38.1%) died because of cancer. Univariate analysis showed that T stage, clinical stage, total lesion glycolysis (TLG), and metabolic tumor volume (MTV) were significant prognostic factors for PFS (P < 0.05). T stage, clinical stage, TLG, MTV, the mean apparent diffusion coefficient (ADCmean), and the minimal apparent diffusion coefficient (ADCmin) were significant prognostic factors for OS (P < 0.05). The Cox proportional hazard regression model revealed that MTV was an independent prognostic factor for PFS, and TLG was an independent prognostic factor for OS (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

Metabolic tumor volume was an independent predictor of PFS in patients with HSCC, while TLG was an independent predictor of OS. T stage, clinical stage, ADCmean, and ADCmin are potential prognostic indicators for HSCC. Positron emission tomography/magnetic resonance imaging can provide effective information for predicting the prognosis for HSCC patients.
Comparison of Doppler Ultrasound and Clinical Features of Patients With and Without Femoral Hernia in Lower Extremity Venous Insufficiency Patients
Authors: Cakir Ismet Mirac , Bekci Tumay , Aslan Serdar , Eryuruk Uluhan
Published: November 2022

In this study, we aim to evaluate Doppler ultrasound (US) and clinical features of patients with and without femoral hernia (FH) in lower extremity chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) patients.

We retrospectively analyzed prospectively collected data of 1364 limbs with the CVI suspected. Femoral hernia was detected in 32 of the limbs, and the control group was formed with 32 limbs without FH. All limbs were evaluated with Valsalva maneuver and augmentation method to detect venous reflux in FH group. Venous reflux rates in the Doppler US, venous clinical severity scores (VCSSs), and clinical classes of Clinical-Etiology-Anatomy-Pathophysiology classification were compared statistically in both groups.

The mean VCSS was 3.87 ± 0.74 in the FH group and 2.68 ± 0.65 in the control group, which was statistically significant (P = 0.04). In the more severe clinical classes of Clinical-Etiology-Anatomy-Pathophysiology (C4–6), the number of limbs in the FH group was higher than in the control group (8 and 4, respectively). Doppler US examinations showed venous reflux in 22 of 32 limbs in the FH group and 19 of 32 patients in the control group, and there was a statistically significant difference (P = 0.029). In the FH group, reflux could be shown only by augmentation method in the vast majority of limbs (16 of 22, 73%).

In conclusion, VCSS and reflux rates are higher in limbs with CVI accompanied by FH. In addition, FH may cause false negative results in the evaluation of CVI. The use of augmentation method in limbs with FH can help avoid false negatives.
Transcriptionally Distinct B Cells Infiltrate Allografts After Kidney Transplantation
Authors: Zhang Hengcheng , Cavazzoni Cecilia B. , Hanson Benjamin L. , Bechu Elsa D. , Podestà Manuel A. , Azzi Jamil , Blazar Bruce R. , Chong Anita S. , Kreisel Daniel , Alessandrini Alessandro , Sage Peter T.
Published: November 2022

Background.

Following allogeneic kidney transplantation, a substantial proportion of graft loss is attributed to the formation of donor-specific antibodies and antibody-mediated rejection. B cells infiltrate kidney grafts during antibody-mediated rejection; however, the origins, repertoires, and functions of these intrarenal B cells remain elusive.

Methods.

Here, we use murine allogeneic kidney transplant models to study the origins, transcriptional programming and B cell receptor repertoire of intragraft B cells, and in vitro stimulation assays to evaluate the ability of intragraft B cells to promote CD4+ T cell expansion.

Results.

B cells infiltrate kidney grafts in settings of allogeneic, but not syngeneic, transplantation. Intragraft B cells have characteristics of activation but are transcriptionally distinct from germinal center B cells and resemble innate-like B cells. B cell receptor sequencing demonstrates that the majority of intragraft B cells do not originate from lymph node germinal center B cells and are largely germline. Class-switched intragraft B cells are rare but can be donor-specific and produce IgG capable of binding to the kidney allograft. Lastly, intrarenal B cells are capable of stimulating naive T cells but have an altered ability to promote T follicular helper cell expansion.

Conclusions.

Together, these data demonstrate that intrarenal B cells during transplant rejection are transcriptionally distinct from lymph node B cells.
Optimization of the pseudoparticle system for standardized assessments of neutralizing antibodies against hepatitis C virus
Authors: Chumbe Ana , Urbanowicz Richard A. , Sliepen Kwinten , Koekkoek Sylvie M. , Molenkamp Richard , Tarr Alexander W. , Ball Jonathan K. , Schinkel Janke , van Gils Marit J.
Published: November 2022

A better understanding of the antibody response during natural infection and the effect on disease progression and reinfection is necessary for the development of a protective hepatitis C virus (HCV) vaccine. The HCV pseudoparticle (HCVpp) system enables the study of viral entry and inhibition by antibody neutralization. A robust and comparable neutralization assay is crucial for the development and evaluation of experimental vaccines.

With the aim of optimizing the HCVpp–murine leukaemia virus (MLV) system, we tested the neutralization of HCVpp-harbouring E1E2 from 21 HCV isolates representing 6 different genotypes by several monoclonal antibodies (mAbs). HCVpps are generated by expressing functional envelope glycoproteins (E1E2) onto pseudoparticles derived from env-deleted MLV. Adjustments of E1E2, gag–pol and luciferase plasmid ratios resulted in increased yields for most HCVpps and recovery of one non-infectious HCVpp. We simplified and improved the protocol to achieve higher signal/noise ratios and minimized the amount of HCVpps and mAbs needed for the detection of neutralization. Using our optimized protocol, we demonstrated comparable results to previously reported data with both diluted and freeze–thawed HCVpps.

In conclusion, we successfully established a simplified and reproducible HCVpp neutralization protocol for studying a wide range of HCV variants. This simplified protocol provides highly consistent results and could be easily adopted by others to evaluate precious biological material. This will contribute to a better understanding of the antibody response during natural infection and help evaluate experimental HCV vaccines.
Virus classification based on in-depth sequence analyses and development of demarcation criteria using the Betaflexiviridae as a case study
Authors: Silva João Marcos Fagundes , Melo Fernando Lucas , Elena Santiago F. , Candresse Thierry , Sabanadzovic Sead , Tzanetakis Ioannis E. , Blouin Arnaud G. , Villamor Dan Edward Veloso , Mollov Dimitre , Constable Fiona , Cao Mengji , Saldarelli Pasquale , Cho Won Kyong , Nagata Tatsuya
Published: November 2022

Currently, many viruses are classified based on their genome organization and nucleotide/amino acid sequence identities of their capsid and replication-associated proteins. Although biological traits such as vector specificities and host range are also considered, this later information is scarce for the majority of recently identified viruses, characterized only from genomic sequences. Accordingly, genomic sequences and derived information are being frequently used as the major, if not only, criteria for virus classification and this calls for a full review of the process. Herein, we critically addressed current issues concerning classification of viruses in the familyBetaflexiviridaein the era of high-throughput sequencing and propose an updated set of demarcation criteria based on a process involving pairwise identity analyses and phylogenetics. The proposed framework has been designed to solve the majority of current conundrums in taxonomy and to facilitate future virus classification. Finally, the analyses performed herein, alongside the proposed approaches, could be used as a blueprint for virus classification at-large.
Immunohistochemical Staining Characteristics of Well Differentiated Invasive Ductal Carcinoma Using the ADH5 Cocktail (CK5/14, P63, and CK7/18): a Potential Interpretative Pitfall
Authors: Al-Refai Reham , Bendari Ahmed , Morrar Doaa , Sham Sunder , Hajiyeva Sabina
Published: November 2022

Context

In our practice, an antibody cocktail ADH5 (CK5/14, p63, and CK7/18) helps with diagnostic challenges such as identifying microinvasion and foci of invasive carcinoma, differentiating atypical ductal hyperplasia from hyperplasia of the usual type and distinguishing basal phenotypes in triple-negative carcinomas. However, the ADH5 cocktail does have pitfalls and caveats.

Objective

To describe our experience with the ADH5 cocktail of antibodies in breast pathology.

Data sources

Institutional knowledge and literature search comprise our data sources.

Conclusion

The unexpected staining pattern of ADH5 in well-differentiated invasive ductal carcinomas can be challenging to interpret in these lesions with low-grade cytology. This occurrence, when using a multiplex stain, can confuse, and users should be aware of this potential pitfall.
Prevalence of Herbal Medicine use among Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal care at Jimma University Medical Center, Jimma, Southwest Ethiopia
Authors: Shuma Firafan , Bahiru Damisie , Erko Dugasa , Tekassa Tamirat
Published: November 2022

Background

The use of herbal medicine during pregnancy for different indications now a day becomes common across globally. Its use is increasing, especially in developing countries. It is estimated that 65%-80% of the population use herbal products

Objectives

This study aimed to assess the prevalence of herbal medicine use among pregnant women attending Antenatal care at Jimma University medical center, Southwestern Ethiopia.

Methods

A cross-sectional study design was employed to conduct the study. Data was collected by data collectors using data abstraction formats, then entered and analyzed using SPSS version 26.0. Frequency and percentage were computed as summary statistics.

Results

A total of 341 pregnant women attending antenatal care were enrolled in the study, of which 331 participated in the study. Out of 331 pregnant women who participated in the study, 3.93% of them practiced self-medication with herbal medicine during their current pregnancy.

Conclusions

The most frequently practiced herbal medicine among pregnant women attending antenatal care at JUMC were Ginger and Damakese with the most common clinical indication of vomiting and headache respectively. The source of information for the participant’s herbal medicine use were mostly family and friends.
Plasmodium falciparum withpfhrp2/3deletion not detected in a 2018-2021 malaria longitudinal cohort study in Kinshasa Province, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Authors: François Ruthly , Kashamuka Melchior Mwandagalirwa , Banek Kristin , Bala Joseph A. , Nkalani Marthe , Kihuma Georges , Atibu Joseph , Mahilu Georges E. , Thwai Kyaw L. , Assefa Ashenafi , Bailey Jeffrey A. , Dinglasan Rhoel R. , Juliano Jonathan J. , Tshefu Antoinette , Parr Jonathan B.
Published: November 2022

Histidine-rich protein 2- (HRP2-) based rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) are widely used to detectPlasmodium falciparumin sub-Saharan Africa. Reports of parasites withpfhrp2and/orpfhrp3 (pfhrp2/3)gene deletions in Africa raise concerns about the long-term viability of HRP2-based RDTs. We evaluated changes inpfhrp2/3deletion prevalence over time using a 2018-2021 longitudinal study of 1,635 enrolled individuals in Kinshasa Province, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Samples collected during biannual household visits with ≥ 100 parasites/μL by quantitative real-time PCR were genotyped using a multiplex real-time PCR assay. Among 2,726 P.falciparumPCR-positive samples collected from 993 participants during the study period, 1,267 (46.5%) were genotyped. Nopfhrp2/3deletions or mixedpfhrp2/3-intact and -deleted infections were identified in our study.Pfhrp2/3-deleted parasites were not detected in Kinshasa Province; ongoing use of HRP2-based RDTs is appropriate.
Population structure and genetic diversity ofSalmonellaTyphimurium in avian hosts
Authors: Fu Yezhi , M’ikanatha Nkuchia M. , Dudley Edward G.
Published: November 2022

Within-host evolution of bacterial pathogens can lead to host-associated variants of the same species or serovar. Identification and characterization of closely related variants from diverse host species are crucial to public health and host-pathogen adaptation research. However, the work remained largely underexplored at a strain level until the advent of whole-genome sequencing (WGS). Here, we performed WGS-based subtyping and analyses ofSalmonella entericaserovar Typhimurium (n= 787) from different wild birds across 18 countries over a 75-year period. We revealed seven avian host-associatedS.Typhimurium variants/lineages. These lineages emerged globally over short timescales and presented genetic features distinct fromS.Typhimurium lineages circulating among humans and domestic animals. We further showed that, in terms of virulence, host adaptation of these variants was driven by genome degradation. Our results provide a snapshot of the population structure and genetic diversity ofS.Typhimurium within avian hosts. We also demonstrate the value of WGS-based subtyping and analyses in unravelling closely related variants at the strain level.
KDM5A/B promotes HIV-1 latency and KDM5 inhibitors promote HIV-1 lytic reactivation
Authors: Li Tai-Wei , Zhou Dawei , Wu Zhenyu , Fiches Guillaume N. , Wang Xu , Park Youngmin , Jiang Wei , Ho Wen-Zhe , Badley Andrew D. , Santoso Netty G. , Qi Jun , Zhu Jian
Published: November 2022

Combinational antiretroviral therapy (cART) effectively suppresses HIV-1 infection, replication, and pathogenesis in HIV-1 patients. However, the patient’s HIV-1 reservoir still cannot be eliminated by current cART or other therapies. One putative HIV-1 eradication strategy is “shock and kill”, which reactivates HIV-1 in latently-infected cells and induces their cytopathic effect or immune clearance to decrease the patients’ reservoir size. KDM5A and KDM5B act as the HIV-1 latency-promoting genes, decreasing the HIV-1 viral gene transcription and reactivation in infected cells. Depletion of KDM5 A/B by siRNA knockdown (KD) increases H3K4 trimethylation (H3K4me3) in HIV-1 Tat-mediated transactivation. We also found that the KDM5-specific inhibitor JQKD82 can increase H3K4me3 at the HIV-1 LTR region during HIV-1 reactivation and induce cytopathic effects. We applied the JQKD82 in combination with the non-canonical NF-κB activator AZD5582, which synergistically induced HIV-1 reactivation and cell apoptosis in HIV-1 infected cells. These results suggested that the KDM5 inhibition can be a putative HIV-1 latency-reversing strategy for the HIV-1 “shock and kill” eradication therapy.
A comparative study of neuroendocrine heterogeneity in SCLC and NBL
Authors: Cai Ling , DeBerardinis Ralph J. , Xie Yang , Minna John D. , Xiao Guanghua
Published: November 2022

Lineage plasticity has long been documented in both small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and neuroblastoma (NBL), two clinically distinct neuroendocrine (NE) cancers. In this study, we quantified the NE features of cancer as NE scores and performed a systematic comparison of SCLC and NBL. We found NBL and SCLC cell lines have highly similar molecular profiles and shared therapeutic sensitivity. In addition, NE heterogeneity was observed at both the inter- and intra-cell line levels. Surprisingly, we did not find a significant association between NE scores and overall survival in SCLC or NBL. We described many shared and unique NE score-associated features between SCLC and NBL, including dysregulation of Myc oncogenes, alterations in protein expression, metabolism, drug resistance, and selective gene dependencies. Our work establishes a reference for molecular changes and vulnerabilities associated with NE to non-NE transdifferentiation through mutual validation of SCLC and NBL samples.
Data-driven modeling and control of an X-ray bimorph adaptive mirror
Authors: Gunjala Gautam , Wojdyla Antoine , Goldberg Kenneth A. , Qiao Zhi , Shi Xianbo , Assoufid Lahsen , Waller Laura
Published: November 2022

Adaptive X-ray mirrors are being adopted on high-coherent-flux synchrotron and X-ray free-electron laser beamlines where dynamic phase control and aberration compensation are necessary to preserve wavefront quality from source to sample, yet challenging to achieve. Additional difficulties arise from the inability to continuously probe the wavefront in this context, which demands methods of control that require little to no feedback. In this work, a data-driven approach to the control of adaptive X-ray optics with piezo-bimorph actuators is demonstrated. This approach approximates the non-linear system dynamics with a discrete-time model using random mirror shapes and interferometric measurements as training data. For mirrors of this type, prior states and voltage inputs affect the shape-change trajectory, and therefore must be included in the model. Without the need for assumed physical models of the mirror's behavior, the generality of the neural network structure accommodates drift, creep and hysteresis, and enables a control algorithm that achieves shape control and stability below 2 nm RMS. Using a prototype mirror and ex situ metrology, it is shown that the accuracy of our trained model enables open-loop shape control across a diverse set of states and that the control algorithm achieves shape error magnitudes that fall within diffraction-limited performance.
Analysis of the conformational heterogeneity of the Rieske iron–sulfur protein in complex III2by cryo-EM
Authors: Wieferig Jan-Philip , Kühlbrandt Werner
Published: November 2022

Movement of the Rieske domain of the iron–sulfur protein is essential for intramolecular electron transfer within complex III2(CIII2) of the respiratory chain as it bridges a gap in the cofactor chain towards the electron acceptor cytochromec. We present cryo-EM structures of CIII2fromYarrowia lipolyticaat resolutions up to 2.0 Å under different conditions, with different redox states of the cofactors of the high-potential chain. All possible permutations of three primary positions were observed, indicating that the two halves of the dimeric complex act independently. Addition of the substrate analogue decylubiquinone to CIII2with a reduced high-potential chain increased the occupancy of the Qosite. The extent of Rieske domain interactions through hydrogen bonds to the cytochromeband cytochromec1subunits varied depending on the redox state and substrate. In the absence of quinols, the reduced Rieske domain interacted more closely with cytochromeband cytochromec1than in the oxidized state. Upon addition of the inhibitor antimycin A, the heterogeneity of thecd1-helix andef-loop increased, which may be indicative of a long-range effect on the Rieske domain.
The crisis of US neoliberalism and the risk of current economic stagflation
Authors: Ding Xiaoqin , Luo Zhihong
Published: November 2022

Purpose

Since the outbreak of COVID-19, tremendous changes have taken place in the US economy – the economic growth in the whole year of 2020 was negative, and though it enjoyed a significant rebound for the first half of 2021, the growth rate began to decline rapidly by the third quarter, and inflation suddenly rises rapidly, which after came the all-time highs of the “misery index” consisted of the inflation rate and unemployment rate. All signs indicate that the US economy will likely enter a “stagflation” crisis.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper analyzes the institutional and social contradictions in the United States during the neoliberal era from the perspectives of domestic social structure of accumulation (SSA) and international SSA based on the SSA theory.

Findings

The current risk of stagflation in the US economy is a concentrated outbreak of the long-term accumulated contradictions in neoliberal SSA under the impact of the epidemic, which is the product of the irreconcilable contradictions inherent in the capitalist mode of production.

Originality/value

Based on this analysis, the paper points out that with the deepening of the crisis, the neoliberal SSA is likely to end and a new SSA will be established gradually.
The centrality of a digital strategy for societal and business innovations
Authors: Walter Yoshija
Published: November 2022

Purpose

The purpose of the present paper is to show that a clearly delineated digital strategy and an agile mindset is key for the successful adoption of digital innovation in society and business.

Design/methodology/approach

This is a case study and critical discussion.

Findings

It was seen that both the business case (Netflix) and the societal case on the level of a country (El Salvador) lack a digital strategy, which initiated the innovation problems. However, Netflix proved to have an agile reactivity, which helped them to get back on track, which was not the case for El Salvador.

Originality/value

This discussion is relevant because the domain of “society” and the domain of “business” are often discussed as separated worlds. However, this paper intends to show that there are some logical dynamics underlying digital transformation in the case of digital innovation that apply to both of these domains.
Heat transfer characteristics of plate fin heat sink with longitudinal vortex generators
Authors: Santhanakrishnan Mani Sekaran , Tilford Timothy , Bailey Christopher
Published: November 2022

Purpose

This study aims to provide an insight into the relationship between design parameters and thermal performance of plate fin heat sinks (PFHSs) incorporating longitudinal vortex generators (VGs) inside a PFHS channel.

Design/methodology/approach

A computational fluid dynamics model of a delta winglet pair VG mounted inside a PFHS geometry is detailed, and the model is validated by comparison with experimental data. The validated model is used to perform a virtual design of experiments study of the heat sink with bottom plate and vertical plate mounted VGs. Data from this study is used to regress a response surface enabling the influence of each of the assessed design variables on thermal performance and flow resistance to be determined.

Findings

The results of this study show that the thermal hydraulic performances of a PFHS with bottom plate mounted VG and vertical plate fin mounted VG are, respectively, 1.12 and 1.17 times higher than the baseline PFHS. Further, the performance variation of the heat sink with VG, relative to delta winglet’s arrangement (common flow up and common flow down), trailing edge gap length and Reynolds number were also evaluated and reported.

Originality/value

For the first time, performance characteristics of delta winglet VGs mounted inside the PFHS are evaluated against different design variables and a polynomial regression model is developed. The developed regression model and computed results can be used to design high performance PFHSs mounted with delta winglet VGs.
Coping with the impact of Covid-19 pandemic on primary education: teachers' struggle (case study in the Province of Yogyakarta, Indonesia)
Authors: Munastiwi Erni , Murfi Ali , Sumarni Sri , Purnama Sigit , Naimah Naimah , Istiningsih Istiningsih , Arini Annisa Dian
Published: November 2022

Purpose

The research aimed to explore the issues in the implementation of online education practice in elementary school, to study teachers' coping strategy to the online education issues and to evaluate teachers' problem-solving skill in online learning practice during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Design/methodology/approach

An exploratory research focused on identifying the obstacles in teaching practice faced by elementary school teachers as well as their coping strategy with eight convenience sampled schools.

Findings

Online education practice faced unpreparedness and competency issues. Unpreparedness was found in terms of social, technical and cultural factors, while competency issue was related to online education competency and digital competency. Teachers’ struggle to cope with the issue in online education practice was focused on the performing conventional education in the online manner, suggesting teachers' lack of competency in encouraging learning success. Teachers neglected the development of students' readiness and competencies to engage in online learning. Moreover, teachers’ struggle had the least impact on the development of their online teaching competency and digital competency that are required for carrying out online teaching. In general, teachers' problem-solving skill was below the expected level. These findings suggested that improvement of teachers' competencies is important in order to cope with the issues such as in online education practice during Covid-19 pandemic and to face future challenges in education.

Originality/value

This study evaluated the gap between actual action and expected action of elementary school teachers in coping with the issues regarding online education practice.
Use of leader–member exchange theory to promote the project governance of construction project contractors
Authors: Wang Dedong , Chen Xiaofei
Published: November 2022

Purpose

In temporary construction project organizations, general contractors need to strengthen control over subcontractors through such measures as supervision and coordination, and resource sharing. In the management process, the good implementation of relational contracts among the general contractor and subcontractors is affected by the quality of relationship between managers and followers. From the perspective of leader–member exchange (LMX) theory, this study explores the influence of LMX, which reflects the quality of relationship between superiors and subordinates, on relational contracts.

Design/methodology/approach

By combining the longitudinal influence mechanism and organizational background of relational contracts in project organizations, this study constructed a multi-level structural equation model. The hypothesis is tested based on data collected from 213 respondents.

Findings

The findings of this study show that LMX has a positive influence on relational contracts and organizational identification in construction project organizations. Organizational identification has a positive effect on relational contracts and plays a mediating role between LMX and relational contracts. Power distance plays a moderating role on the influence of LMX on organizational identification.

Originality/value

This study explores the influence of LMX on relational contracts from a new perspective, which can help establish a high-quality relation of the general contractor and subcontractors in project organizations and enriches the longitudinal study of relational contracts in project organizations.
M&A performance in emerging markets: do they behave in unison or otherwise?
Authors: Kukreja Sakshi , Maheshwari Girish C. , Singh Archana
Published: November 2022

Purpose

The study aims to evaluate and compare the mergers and acquisitions (M&As) performance utilising a sample of deals originating from Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS). In addition to nation-wise performance analysis, a further sub-sample analysis is conducted based on the target location (domestic and cross-border), development status (developed and emerging) and the acquired ownership stakes (majority and minority).

Design/methodology/approach

The final sample of the study includes 7,105 deals announced between 2000 and 2019. M&A performance is proxied by the abnormal returns earned over the select event windows. Multiple parametric and non-parametric tests are employed for testing the robustness.

Findings

The results indicate significant performance differences across BRICS markets, with the highest and lowest abnormal returns reported for Chinese and Russian acquirers, respectively. The disaggregated analysis also affirms the performance differences for the select sub-samples.

Research limitations/implications

The study highlights the need for acknowledging and expounding the differences in M&As across emerging markets. Further, the results of the study provide a possible explanation of the disagreement over the M&A performance results reported in the previous literature.

Practical implications

Acknowledging and understanding the potential performance differences based on location, ownership strategies and development status can aid executives in sharpening decision-making and also help general investors.

Originality/value

The study contributes by examining a comprehensive sample of deals across five major emerging economies, as against the majority of previous studies which have their results based on either single nation samples or have utilised only a sub-sample of domestic or foreign acquisitions.
Reflections on adolescent literacy as sociocultural practice
Authors: Agosto Denise E.
Published: November 2022

Purpose

This paper aims to discuss the concept of “literacy” within the new literacy, new literacies and library and information science (LIS) discourses. It proposes widening the prevailing LIS conceptualization of adolescent literacy, which focuses largely on information literacy in academic settings, to a broader, information practice-based, sociocultural framing that encompasses the full range of adolescents’ everyday life contexts.

Design/methodology/approach

The author presents a literature review and personal reflection on a series of adolescent information activities to show the value of framing the LIS discourse on adolescent literacy within a broader sociocultural perspective.

Findings

Based on the discussion, the author proposes a framework for future investigations of adolescents’ literacy practices that views adolescent literacy as fundamentally social and communicative; multiformat; multicontextual; multigenerational; and culturally situated.

Originality/value

A broader sociocultural approach to the LIS information literacy discourse can lead to deeper understanding of the co-constructed and collaborative nature of adolescents’ new literacies practices. It can also enable stronger recognition of the impact of power and privilege on adolescent literacy practices. Finally, this essay shows the value of reflecting on adolescent information activities for challenging narrow views of literacy and highlights the social embeddedness of new literacies activities in adolescents’ everyday lives.
How do knowledge diversity and ego-network structures affect firms' sustainable innovation: evidence from alliance innovation networks of China's new energy industries
Authors: Zhao Yan , Qi Niannian , Li Luying , Li Zheng , Han Xiao , Xuan Ling
Published: November 2022

Purpose

Facing the global public health emergency (GPHE), the conflict of cultural differences and the imbalance of vital resources such as knowledge among different organizations are becoming more severe, which affects the enthusiasm and sustainability of firms' innovation heavily. It is an urgent problem to be solved for firms how to make use of internal knowledge and external power to help firms' sustainable innovation (FSI). Thus, the purpose of this study is to deeply analyze how firms' internal knowledge diversity (KD) and external ego-network structures [ego-network density (ED) and honest brokers (HB)] affect FSI, as well as how the ego-network structures (ED and HB) moderate the relationship between KD and FSI based on the perspective of the ego network.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on the data of the alliance innovation networks of China's new energy industries in 2009–2019, this study uses the social network analysis method and negative binomial regression model to explore the effect of KD and ego-network structures (ED and HB) on FSI, as well as the moderating effects of ego-network structures (ED and HB) on the relationship between KD and FSI based on the perspective of ego network.

Findings

This study finds that KD, ED and HB can boost FSI. Moreover, ED plays a negative moderating role in the relationship between KD and FSI. However, the negative moderating effect of HB on the relationship between KD and FSI is not significant.

Research limitations/implications

This study presents fresh empirical evidence and new insights for firms on how to make full use of firms' internal KD and external ego-network structures to facilitate FSI.

Originality/value

First, this study not only enriches the research on the consequences of KD but also expands our understanding of the knowledge-based view to some extent. Second, this study not only enriches the motivation research of the FSI based on the perspective of ego-network in the context of the GPHE but also expands the application scope of social network theory and sustainable innovation' theory in part. Third, this paper is a new attempt to apply social network theory and knowledge-based view at the same time.
Host country’s financial condition and FDI inflow: evidence from China
Authors: Shen Jun , Zhao Kai , Mo Minjie
Published: November 2022

Purpose

This paper investigates how the gap between the host country's actual and optimal financial conditions affects foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows through evidence from China.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors first employ principal component analysis (PCA) to measure FDI target countries' actual financial conditions and use 30 OECD countries as a reference group to assess the optimal financial condition. The authors then estimate a two-way fixed effect model with panel data of China's outward FDI in 64 countries for the period 2003–2017 to get the regression results. The authors' results overcome endogeneity and are robust.

Findings

Results show that (1) the gaps between host countries' actual and optimal financial conditions positively affect FDI inflows from China; (2) there is a heterogeneous effect between low-income and high-income countries. The gaps for high-income countries significantly increase FDI inflows from China, while the gaps are not significant for low-income countries.

Research limitations/implications

The authors examine how the gap affects FDI inflows from China. An increase of 1% in the target country's gap promotes a 6.3% increase in FDI inflows. However, the authors do not explore what mechanisms are key to these results. The authors will explore these questions in the future.

Originality/value

This paper complements the influence factors of FDI and enriches theories of FDI. The gap between actual and optimal financial conditions plays an essential role in FDI flows across countries for policymakers.
A scoping review of the literature pertaining to burnout and leadership in mental health clinicians
Authors: Gravestock Jenny
Published: November 2022

Purpose

This paper aims to explore what is known in the literature about leadership and burnout within mental health clinicians (MHC).

Design/methodology/approach

The Arksey and O’Malley (2005) framework was used to conduct a systematised scoping review of three databases: PsycInfo, PubMed and CINAHL. To ensure a broad scope of the literature, Google, Google Scholar and three sources of grey literature were also searched.

Findings

In total 1,087 articles were identified and 36 were included in the final review, 23 of which were cross-sectional and correlational studies. There is a lack of experimental studies, longitudinal research and qualitative approaches. The literature repeatedly demonstrated an association between leadership and burnout; transformational-leadership style, good quality supervision, supportive relationships, positive communication and fostering autonomy are areas of interest.

Research limitations/implications

Future research activity should aim to follow the recommendations made in the literature; more experimental and longitudinal approaches are needed to support practical application of the findings.

Originality/value

To the best of the author’s knowledge there is no other review which maps out the research pertaining to leadership and burnout among MHC. These findings can be used to guide future research to ensure that efforts are directed toward original, meaningful and practical ventures that will add to the evidence base and benefit clinical practice.
Labour's ‘Everyday Economy’: Why, How, and for Whom?
Authors: Berry Christine
Published: November 2022

The literature on the ‘everyday’ or ‘foundational’ economy poses fundamental challenges to orthodox economic thinking. First, it implies a different way of thinking about economic success, based on good lives for all rather than growth for growth's sake. Second, it emphasises how dominant financialised business models undermine good outcomes for both workers and consumers. But, since the ‘everyday economy’ as a political frame does not make these issues explicit, it leaves room for them to be elided as part of Labour's post‐Corbyn rebranding. When Starmer's Labour has squarely confronted issues of power and ownership in the ‘everyday economy’—for example, with its proposed windfall tax on oil and gas firms or plans for publicly‐owned energy generation—it has reaped political dividends. However, it remains to be seen whether the party has the appetite to build on these interventions and set out a broader agenda for structural reform.
The SSA is 60!
Authors: Ryan Louise , Henstridge John , Kasza Jessica
Published: November 2022

To celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Statistical Society of Australia, we put the spotlight on four members past and present. Interviews and profiles by Louise Ryan, John Henstridge and Jessica Kasza
Equity‐relevant sociodemographic variable collection in emergency medicine: A systematic review, qualitative evidence synthesis, and recommendations for practice
Authors: Leeies Murdoch , Grunau Brian , Askin Nicole , Fesehaye Lula , Kornelsen Jodi , McColl Tamara , Ratana Paul , Gruber Jackie , Hrymak Haley , Hrymak Carmen
Published: November 2022

Objectives

The objective was to conduct a systematic review and qualitative evidence synthesis (QES) to identify best practices, benefits, harms, facilitators, and barriers to the routine collection of sociodemographic variables in emergency departments (EDs).

Methods

This work is a systematic review and QES. We conducted a comprehensive search of Medline (Ovid), CINAHL (Ebsco), Cochrane Central (OVID), EMBASE (Ovid), and the multidisciplinary Web of Science Core database using peer‐reviewed search strategies, complemented by a gray literature search. We included citations containing perspectives on routine sociodemographic variable collection in EDs and recommendations on definitions or processes of collection or benefits, harms, facilitators, or barriers related to the routine collection of sociodemographic variables in EDs. We conducted this systematic review and QES adhering to the Joanna Briggs Institute guidelines. Two reviewers independently selected included studies and extracted data. We conducted a best‐fit framework synthesis and paired inductive thematic analysis of the included studies. We generated recommendations based on the QES.

Results

We included 21 unique reports that enrolled 10,454 patients or respondents in our systematic review and QES. Publication dates of included studies ranged from 2011 to 2021. Included citations were published in Australia, Canada, and the United States. We synthesized 11 benefits, 14 potential harms, 15 barriers, and 19 facilitators and identified 14 best practice recommendations from included citations.

Conclusions

Health systems should routinely collect sociodemographic variables in EDs guided by recommendations that minimize harms and maximize benefits and consider relevant barriers and facilitators. Our recommendations can serve as a guide for the equity‐focused reformation of emergency medicine health information systems.
Loss of pulsatility with continuous‐flow left ventricular assist devices and the significance of the arterial endothelium in von‐Willebrand factor production and degradation
Authors: Giridharan Guruprasad A. , Berg Ian C. , Ismail Esraa , Nguyen Khanh T. , Hecking Jana , Kirklin James K. , Cheng Xuanhong , Sethu Palaniappan
Published: November 2022

Background

Patients on continuous flow ventricular assist devices (CF‐VADs) are at high risk for the development of Acquired von‐Willebrand Syndrome (AVWS) and non‐surgical bleeding. von Willebrand Factor (vWF) plays an essential role in maintaining hemostasis via platelet binding to the damaged endothelium to facilitate coagulation. In CF‐VAD patients, degradation of vWF into low MW multimers that are inefficient in facilitating coagulation occurs and has been primarily attributed to the supraphysiological shear stress associated with the CF‐VAD impeller.

Methods

In this review, we evaluate information from the literature regarding the unraveling behavior of surface‐immobilized vWF under pulsatile and continuous flow pertaining to: (A) the process of arterial endothelial vWF production and release into circulation, (B) the critical shear stress required to unravel surface bound versus soluble vWF which leads to degradation, and (C) the role of pulsatility in on the production and degradation of vWF.

Results and Conclusion

Taken together, these data suggests that the loss of pulsatility and its impact on arterial endothelial cells plays an important role in the production, release, unraveling, and proteolytic degradation of vWF into low MW multimers, contributing to the development of AVWS. Restoration of pulsatility can potentially mitigate this issue by preventing AVWS and minimizing the risk of non‐surgical bleeding.
Flexible labour market and trade unions: Surprising career paths of Dutch sub‐Saharan Africans
Authors: Confurius Diane , van de Werfhorst Herman , Dagevos Jaco , Gowricharn Ruben
Published: November 2022

Starting from the empirical evidence that minorities are more likely to work on flexible contracts, we investigated the existence of an ethnic gap in flexible contracts between the native Dutch population and sub‐Saharan African immigrants between 2006 and 2012. The migrant group is taken as a test case of ‘outsiders’. This study found, quite surprisingly and contrary to what several theories predict, that the expected ethnic gap in job status between the two groups disappeared in the 6 years between 2006 and 2012. Many sub‐Saharan Africans successfully transformed their flexible contracts into permanent ones, catching up with the native Dutch by 2012. The analysis of the statutory provisions showed that the workforce numerical composition in the cleaning industry was important for the inclusiveness of sub‐Saharan immigrants. This numerical compositional effect was facilitated by the collective agreements negotiated by trade unions, agreements that were extended to temp workers. Sub‐Saharan Africans, overrepresented in the cleaning industry, have benefited disproportionally from the settled agreements. We thus conclude that trade unions can improve the inclusion of migrants not only by explicitly focusing on migrant representation but also by targeting sectors with an overrepresentation of migrants.
Long‐term sperm storage in eusocial Hymenoptera
Authors: Degueldre Félicien , Aron Serge
Published: November 2022

In internally fertilizing species, sperm transfer is not always immediately followed by egg fertilization, and female sperm storage (FSS) may occur. FSS is a phenomenon in which females store sperm in a specialized organ for periods lasting from a few hours to several years, depending on the species. Eusocial hymenopterans (ants, social bees, and social wasps) hold the record for FSS duration. In these species, mating takes place during a single nuptial flight that occurs early in adult life for both sexes; they never mate again. Males die quickly after copulation but survive posthumously as sperm stored in their mates' spermathecae. Reproductive females, also known as queens, have a much longer life expectancy, up to 20 years in some species. Here, we review what is currently known about the molecular adaptations underlying the remarkable FSS capacities in eusocial hymenopterans. Because sperm quality is crucial to the reproductive success of both sexes, we also discuss the mechanisms involved in sperm storage and preservation in the male seminal vesicles prior to ejaculation. Finally, we propose future research directions that should broaden our understanding of this unique biological phenomenon.
‘The invisible babies’: Exploring the ecosystemic challenges and opportunities of childcare for undocumented asylum‐seeking infants and toddlers
Authors: Mayer Yael
Published: November 2022

This paper examines the case of community daycares for undocumented children of asylum‐seeking families in Israel named the ‘Babysitters’. It explores how lack of support and national solutions for childcare leads to temporal and unregulated childcare solutions that may risk children's lives and development. Bronfenbrenner's Ecological Systems Theory is utilized in this paper to explore the challenges and opportunities of early childhood education for young children in asylum‐seeking families. The analysis reveals how the lack of clear policies, absence of national responsibilities, and existing societal barriers to early childhood education compelled asylum‐seeking parents in Israel to use the ‘Babysitters’ community daycares for infants and toddlers. Putative solutions that require policy change could help address youngsters' early childhood education needs in asylum‐seeking families and align with human rights and international treaties.