bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Brand personality of fabric content: an application of the multidimensional implicit association test (md-IAT)
Authors: Lee Seung-Eun
Published: August 2021

Purpose

This study aims to explore whether fabric contents, specifically cotton and polyester, possess particular personality dimensions, as posited by Aaker (1997). The author examined both explicit (conscious, deliberate) and implicit (unconscious, automatic) perceptions of brand personality traits of cotton and polyester.

Design/methodology/approach

The convenience sample of this study included 51 students from different merchandising classes in a Midwestern university. Participants were first directed to the multidimensional implicit association test (md-IAT) and their implicit perceptions were measured for the content of the two fabrics (cotton and polyester) on five different personality attribute dimensions (sincerity, excitement, competence, sophistication and ruggedness). After the IAT, participants completed the post-IAT survey, including explicit measures of brand personality attributes of cotton and polyester.

Findings

The findings of this study show that fabric contents can be successfully described and differentiated by Aaker’s brand personality dimensions. Compared with polyester, the distinctive brand personality of cotton was the favorable association between cotton and sincerity. This association was significantly higher than all other personality dimensions in both consumers’ implicit and explicit perceptions. Neither cotton nor polyester was significantly associated with the exciting, competent and sophisticated personality dimensions.

Originality/value

A unique contribution of this study is that it examines implicit perceptions of the brand personality traits of cotton and polyester. The use of the md-IAT in this study allowed the assessment of consumers’ automatic associations with cotton and polyester of which they may not be aware.
From reminiscence to robustness: an interview with professor Deborah Blackman on the ways organizations “learn”
Authors: Acharya Abhilash , Mishra Bijaya
Published: August 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to understand in-depth the concepts applied to the domains of organizational learning (OL) and learning organization, based on the notional perspectives of Professor Deborah Blackman and traces the evolutionary path of her academic journey and contributions in this regard.

Design/methodology/approach

A conversation with the distinguished academician, Professor Deborah Blackman.

Findings

How OL has pivoted around “shared mental models” that will enable in collective evidence-based decision-making across the organizational hierarchy.

Originality/value

The interactive session with Professor Deborah Blackman captured her ideas and critique pertaining to the theme of OL and the crucial aspect of “shared mental models” which promote “learning” in an organization. Delving deeper, it is seen that this trajectory offers the space and orientation to researchers and professionals to verify.
Quality 4.0 conceptualisation and theoretical understanding: a global exploratory qualitative study
Authors: Antony Jiju , McDermott Olivia , Sony Michael
Published: August 2021

Purpose

Quality 4.0 has a unique potential to create a competitive advantage for organisations by improving customer experience and enhancing profitability. The purpose of this study is to examine Quality 4.0, the9; benefits, motivating factors, critical success factors and the skills required by quality professionals in the successful implementation of Quality 4.0. The study also investigates the organisational readiness factors9 and challenges that need to be addressed before Quality 4.0 adoption and assess their importance.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative interview approach was utilised by interviewing a panel of senior management, engineering and continuous improvement (CI); professionals working in leading companies in Asia, Europe and America who are currently deploying Quality 4.0.

Findings

This study provides a theoretical base for the Quality 4.0 body of knowledge in terms of an organisation’s adoption and overcoming implementation challenges and providing examples of Quality 4.0 application. Organisations can use this study to understand what Quality 4.0 means to industry, the benefits and motivating factors for implementing, the Critical Success Factors, challenges, the organisational readiness factors and the role of leadership in a Quality 4.0 deployment. In addition, the study looks at the skills required by future Quality 4.0 professionals in terms of hard skills, soft skills and a curriculum for educating future quality management professionals. The respondents cited that predictive analytics, sensors and tracking, and electronic feedback loops are the most critical technologies for driving Quality 4.0.

Research limitations/implications

One of the limitations of this research was that as this area is a nascent area the researchers were limited in their literature review. The second limitation was that the study was based on 12 interviews. A more comprehensive longitudinal study would yield more data so that better and robust conclusions can be derived from the study.

Originality/value

This is the first empirical study on Quality 4.0, which captures the viewpoints of senior management professionals on a full range of topics related to Quality 4.0 motivation for deployment, implementation and readiness for its adoption.
The mediating roles of knowledge transfer and supply chain quality management capabilities on organisational performance
Authors: Zaid Ahmed , Sleimi Mohammad , Saleh Mohammed W.A. , Othman Mohammed
Published: August 2021

Purpose

The paper aims to investigate the relationship between supply chain quality management (SCQM) practices and organisational performance as well as the role of knowledge transfer (KT) and SCQM capabilities in mediating the SCQM practices–organisational performance relationship. Precisely, this study tried to examine how effective are SCQM practices in enhancing SCQM capabilities, KT processes and to illuminate the role both of SCQM capabilities and KT processes in improving a firm’s innovation and operational performance (OP).

Design/methodology/approach

This paper applied a quantitative method in which data were collected from a survey with 152 firms functioning in the most pollutant manufacturing sectors (i.e. food, construction, chemical and pharmaceutical sectors) in Palestine. The data analysis was conducted using the partial least squares structural equation modelling.

Findings

This paper provides empirical insights into how to enhance organisational performance via SCQM capabilities and KT. In addition, this study contributes to the conceptualisation of SCQM, involving quality combination capability, supply chain responsiveness capability, quality knowledge sharing capability and provides the managers the ability to train themselves regarding the SCQM with its implication.

Research limitations/implications

Because of the chosen research approach, the research results may lack generalisability. Therefore, researchers are encouraged to test the proposed propositions further. Practical implications – this paper includes implications for the improvement of SCQM capabilities, the manufacturing organisations should concentrate on establishing modern information technology.

Practical implications

This paper includes implications for the improvement of SCQM capabilities, the manufacturing organisations should concentrate on establishing modern information technology.

Originality/value

This paper proposes a conceptual framework that tests the combined effect of SCQM practices, SCQM capabilities and KT on innovation and OP from a developing country perspective.
SET1/KMT2‐governed histone H3K4 methylation coordinates the lifecycle in vivo and in vitro of the fungal insect pathogen Beauveria bassiana
Authors: Ren Kang , Mou Ya‐Ni , Tong Sen‐Miao , Ying Sheng‐Hua , Feng Ming‐Guang
Published: August 2021

Biological control potential of insect‐pathogenic fungi against pests is an overall output of various cellular processes regulated by signalling and epigenetic networks. In Beauveria bassiana, mono/di/trimethylation of histone H3 Lys 4 (H3K4me1/me2/m3) was abolished by inactivation of the histone lysine methyltransferase SET1/KMT2, leading to marked virulence loss, reductions in conidial hydrophobicity and adherence to insect cuticle, impeded proliferation in vivo, severe defects in growth and conidiation, and increased sensitivities to cell wall perturbation, H2O2 and heat shock. Such compromised phenotypes correlated well with transcriptional abolishment or repression of carbon catabolite‐repressing transcription factor Cre1, classes I and II hydrophobins Hyd1 and Hyd2 required for cell hydrophobicity, key developmental regulators, and stress‐responsive enzymes/proteins. Particularly, expression of cre1, which upregulates hyd4 upon activation by KMT2‐mediated H3K4me3 in Metarhizium robertsii, was nearly abolished in the Δset1 mutant, leading to abolished expression of hyd1 and hyd2 as homologues of hyd4. These data suggest that the SET1‐Cre1‐Hyd1/2 pathway function in B. bassiana like the KMT2‐Cre1‐Hyd4 pathway elucidated to mediate pathogenicity in M. robertsii. Our findings unveil not only a regulatory role for the SET1‐cored pathway in fungal virulence but also its novel role in mediating asexual cycle in vitro and stress responses in B. bassiana.
Vertical community patterns of Labyrinthulomycetes protists reveal their potential importance in the oceanic biological pump
Authors: Bai Mohan , Xie Ningdong , He Yaodong , Li Jiaqian , Collier Jackie L. , Hunt Dana E. , Johnson Zackary I. , Jiao Nianzhi , Wang Guangyi
Published: August 2021

The biological pump plays a vital role in exporting organic particles into the deep ocean for long‐term carbon sequestration. However, much remains unknown about some of its key microbial players. In this study, Labyrinthulomycetes protists (LP) were used to understand the significance of heterotrophic microeukaryotes in the transport of particulate organic matter from the surface to the dark ocean. Unlike the sharp vertical decrease of prokaryotic biomass, the LP biomass only slightly decreased with depth and eventually exceeded prokaryotic biomass in the bathypelagic layer. Sequencing identified high diversity of the LP communities with a dominance of Aplanochytrium at all depths. Notably, ASVs that were observed in the surface layer comprised ~20% of ASVs and ~60% of sequences in each of the deeper (including bathypelagic) layers, suggesting potential vertical export of the LP populations to the deep ocean. Further analyses of the vertical patterns of the 50 most abundant ASVs revealed niche partitioning of LP phylotypes in the pelagic ocean, including those that could decompose organic detritus and/or facilitate the formation of fast‐sinking particles. Overall, this study presents several lines of evidence that the LP can be an important component of the biological pump through their multiple ecotypes in the pelagic ocean.
Bacteriophage isolated from non‐target bacteria demonstrates broad host range infectivity against multidrug‐resistant bacteria
Authors: Ngiam Lyman , Schembri Mark A. , Weynberg Karen , Guo Jianhua
Published: August 2021

Antibiotic resistance represents a global health challenge. The emergence of multidrug‐resistant (MDR) bacteria such as uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) has attracted significant attention due to increased MDR properties, even against the last line of antibiotics. Bacteriophage, or simply phage, represents an alternative treatment to antibiotics. However, phage applications still face some challenges, such as host range specificity and development of phage resistant mutants. In this study, using both UPEC and non‐UPEC hosts, five different phages were isolated from wastewater. We found that the inclusion of commensal Escherichia coli as target hosts during screening improved the capacity to select phage with desirable characteristics for phage therapy. Whole‐genome sequencing revealed that four out of five phages adopt strictly lytic lifestyles and are taxonomically related to different phage families belonging to the Myoviridae and Podoviridae. In comparison to single phage treatment, the application of phage cocktails targeting different cell surface receptors significantly enhanced the suppression of UPEC hosts. The emergence of phage‐resistant mutants after single phage treatment was attributed to mutational changes in outer membrane protein components, suggesting the potential receptors recognized by these phages. The findings highlight the use of commensal E. coli as target hosts to isolate broad host range phage with infectivity against MDR bacteria.
Host–endoparasitoid–endosymbiont relationships: concealed Strepsiptera provide new twist toWolbachiain Australian tephritid fruit flies
Authors: Towett‐Kirui Sharon , Morrow Jennifer L. , Close Shannon , Royer Jane E. , Riegler Markus
Published: August 2021

Wolbachiaare widespread endosymbionts that affect arthropod reproduction and fitness. Mostly maternally inherited,Wolbachiaare occasionally transferred horizontally. Previously, twoWolbachiastrains were reported at low prevalence and titres across seven Australian tephritid species, possibly indicative of frequent horizontal transfer. Here, we performed whole‐genome sequencing of field‐caughtWolbachia‐positive flies. Unexpectedly, we found complete mitogenomes of an endoparasitic strepsipteran,Dipterophagus daci, suggesting thatWolbachiain the flies are linked to concealed parasitization. We performed the first genetic characterization ofD. daciand detectedD. daciinWolbachia‐positive flies not visibly parasitized, and most but not allWolbachia‐negative flies wereD. daci‐negative, presumably reflecting polymorphism for theWolbachiainfections inD. daci. We dissectedD. dacifrom stylopized flies and confirmed thatWolbachiainfectsD. daci, but also foundWolbachiain stylopized fly tissues, likely somatic, horizontally transferred, non‐heritable infections. Furthermore, noWolbachia cifandwmkgenes were detected and very low mitogenomic variation inD. daciacross its distribution. Therefore,Wolbachiamay influence host fitness without reproductive manipulation. Our study of 13 tephritid species highlights that concealed early stages of strepsipteran parasitization led to the previous incorrect assignment ofWolbachiaco‐infections to tephritid species, obscuring ecological studies of this common endosymbiont and its horizontal transmission by parasitoids.
Environmental parameters associated with incidence and transmission of pathogenic Vibrio spp.
Authors: Brumfield Kyle D. , Usmani Moiz , Chen Kristine M. , Gangwar Mayank , Jutla Antarpreet S. , Huq Anwar , Colwell Rita R.
Published: August 2021

Vibrio spp. thrive in warm water and moderate salinity, and they are associated with aquatic invertebrates, notably crustaceans and zooplankton. At least 12 Vibrio spp. are known to cause infection in humans, and Vibrio cholerae is well documented as the etiological agent of pandemic cholera. Pathogenic non‐cholera Vibrio spp., e.g., Vibrio parahaemolyticus and Vibrio vulnificus, cause gastroenteritis, septicemia, and other extra‐intestinal infections. Incidence of vibriosis is rising globally, with evidence that anthropogenic factors, primarily emissions of carbon dioxide associated with atmospheric warming and more frequent and intense heatwaves, significantly influence environmental parameters, e.g., temperature, salinity, and nutrients, all of which can enhance growth of Vibrio spp. in aquatic ecosystems. It is not possible to eliminate Vibrio spp., as they are autochthonous to the aquatic environment and many play a critical role in carbon and nitrogen cycling. Risk prediction models provide an early warning that is essential for safeguarding public health. This is especially important for regions of the world vulnerable to infrastructure instability, including lack of ‘water, sanitation, and hygiene’ (WASH), and a less resilient infrastructure that is vulnerable to natural calamity, e.g., hurricanes, floods, and earthquakes, and/or social disruption and civil unrest, arising from war, coups, political crisis, and economic recession. Incorporating environmental, social, and behavioural parameters into such models allows improved prediction, particularly of cholera epidemics. We have reported that damage to WASH infrastructure, coupled with elevated air temperatures and followed by above average rainfall, promotes exposure of a population to contaminated water and increases the risk of an outbreak of cholera. Interestingly, global predictive risk models successful for cholera have the potential, with modification, to predict diseases caused by other clinically relevant Vibrio spp. In the research reported here, the focus was on environmental parameters associated with incidence and distribution of clinically relevant Vibrio spp. and their role in disease transmission. In addition, molecular methods designed for detection and enumeration proved useful for predictive modelling and are described, namely in the context of prediction of environmental conditions favourable to Vibrio spp., hence human health risk.
Vibrio splendidus persister cells induced by host coelomic fluids show a similar phenotype to antibiotic‐induced counterparts
Authors: Li Yanan , Wood Thomas K. , Zhang Weiwei , Li Chenghua
Published: August 2021

Persister cells are dormant variants of regular cells that are multidrug tolerant and have heterogeneous phenotypes; these cells are a potential threat to hosts because they can escape the immune system or antibiotic treatments and reconstitute infectious. Skin ulcer syndrome (SUS) frequently occurs in the sea cucumber (Apostichopus japonicus), and Vibrio splendidus is one of the main bacterial pathogens of SUS. This study found that the active cells of V. splendidus became persister cells more readily in the presence of A. japonicus coelomic fluids. We showed that the A. japonicus coelomic fluids plus antibiotics induce 100‐fold more persister cells in V. splendidus compared with antibiotics alone via nine sets of experiments including assays for antibiotic resistance, metabolic activity, and single‐cell phenotypes. Furthermore, the coelomic fluids‐induced persister cells showed similar phenotypes as the antibiotic‐induced persister cells. Further investigation showed that guanosine pentaphosphate/tetraphosphate (henceforth ppGpp) and SOS response pathway involved in the formation of persister cells as determined using real‐time RT‐PCR. In addition, single‐cell observations showed that, similar to the antibiotic‐induced V. splendidus persister cells, the coelomic fluids‐induced persister cells have five resuscitation phenotypes: no growth, expansion, elongation, elongation and then division, and elongation followed by death/disappearance. In addition, dark foci formed in the majority of persister cells for both the antibiotic‐induced and coelomic fluids‐induced persister cells. Our results highlight that the pathogen V. splendidus might escape from the host immune system by entering the persister state during the process of infection due to exposure to coelomic fluids.
Colliding and interacting microbiomes and microbial communities ‐ consequences for human health
Authors: Mills Susan , Ross Reynolds Paul
Published: August 2021

Living ‘things’ coexist with microorganisms, known as the microbiota/microbiome that provides essential physiological functions to its host. Despite this reliance, the microbiome is malleable and can be altered by several factors including birth‐mode, age, antibiotics, nutrition, and disease. In this minireview, we consider how other microbiomes and microbial communities impact the host microbiome and the host through the concept of microbiome collisions (initial exposures) and interactions. Interactions include changes in host microbiome composition and functionality and/or host responses. Understanding the impact of other microbiomes and microbial communities on the microbiome and host are important considering the decline in human microbiota diversity in the developed world – paralleled by the surge of non‐communicable, inflammatory‐based diseases. Thus, surrounding ourselves with rich and diverse beneficial microbiomes and microbial communities to collide and interact with should help to diminish the loss in microbial diversity and protect from certain diseases. In the same vein, our microbiomes not only influence our health but potentially the health of those close to us. We also consider strategies for enhanced host microbiome collisions and interactions through the surrounding environment that ensure increased microbiome diversity and functionality contributing to enhanced symbiotic return to the host in terms of health benefit.
Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography using short‐type double‐balloon enteroscope: Experience in Hong Kong
Authors: Cheng Ka Shing , Li Michael Kin Kong , Yip Wai Man , Choi Wai Lok , Fong Man Chung
Published: August 2021

Objective

To illustrate the efficacy and safety profile of double‐balloon enteroscopy (DBE)‐assisted endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) using a short enteroscope in patients with surgically altered anatomy.

Methods

A retrospective study was performed to review the endoscopic outcomes of patients undergoing DBE‐assisted ERCP for biliary diseases in Tuen Mun and Pok Oi hospitals in Hong Kong SAR, China from December 2015 to December 2020.

Results

Altogether 46 DBE‐assisted ERCP procedures were performed in 37 patients. The enteroscopic success rate, defined as reaching the papilla or bilioenteric anastomosis, was 95.7% (95% confidence interval [CI] 85.2%‐99.5%), which was significantly lower in patients with intact stomach than in those who had a previous gastrectomy (67% vs 100%, P = 0.014). The diagnostic ERCP success rate, defined as performance in an informative cholangiogram, was 84.1% (95% CI 69.9%‐93.4%) in cases where it was attempted. Intended biliary therapeutic interventions were successfully performed in 76.1% (95% CI 61.2%‐87.4%) of all procedures. Adverse events were reported in six (13.0%) procedures (95% CI 4.9%‐26.3%), including the micro‐perforation of the intestine in two (4.3%) patients with prior Roux‐en‐Y gastrectomy, three (6.5%) of acute cholangitis and one (2.2%) of acute pancreatitis. All adverse events were managed successfully using conservative methods except in one case of micro‐perforation, which required a laparotomy.

Conclusions

DBE‐assisted ERCP using a short enteroscope is a promising technique for managing biliary diseases in patients with surgically altered anatomy. It must be performed to avoid perforation, particularly in patients with a Roux‐en‐Y reconstruction.
The current role of NLRP3 inflammasome polymorphism in gout susceptibility
Authors: Clavijo‐Cornejo Denise , Hernández‐González Olivia , Gutierrez Marwin
Published: August 2021

Introduction

The NLR family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) signaling pathway has an important role in inflammation mediated by monosodium urate crystals in gout, and the characterization of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) have helped to recognize disease susceptibility.

Objective

The aim of this review is to provide an overview of the potential role of the inflammasome gene SNPs as a susceptibility factor for gout, discussing the current evidence available.

Methods

This review analyzes the relevant literature in the field of inflammasome SNPs and gout published in the last 10 years. The systematic research was performed in 16 articles, including both the SNPs associated and those not associated with gout, with the goal to have a complete overview.

Results

Sixty‐nine SNPs from 10 different genes have been reported in the literature. Of these, 13 SNPs present association with gout susceptibility in different populations, while 56 have been established as not being associated with the disease.

Conclusions

This review is a summary of the potential role of inflammasome gene SNPs and their association with gout risk, all of them related with NLRP3 inflammasome signaling, suggesting these polymorphisms are susceptibility candidates and genetic markers for gout. From the 69 SNPs analyzed in the literature, 13 of them have been associated with gout as follows: NLRP3 (rs3806268 and rs10754558), CARD8 (rs2043211), TLR4 (rs2149356), CD14 (rs2569190), IL‐1β (rs1143623), P2RX7 (rs2230911, rs1653624, rs7958316 and rs17525809) and PPARGC1B (rs45520937, rs10491360 and rs7712296) in different populations.
The Role of Timing and Management's Remediation Actions in Preventing Failed Remediation of Material Weaknesses in Internal Controls*
Authors: Imdieke Andrew J.
Published: August 2021

Prior research finds that signals of remediation of internal control weaknesses do not guarantee that all weaknesses are fully resolved. However, why certain remediation strategies fail is unclear. This study examines how remediation timing and actions affect the likelihood of a failed remediation. I predict and find that the likelihood of a failed remediation is decreasing in both the time a company takes to remediate and in the extent of remediation actions employed. Importantly, this study documents that disclosures of material changes in internal control provide information useful in assessing the likelihood of a failed remediation, as well as evidence that prompt remediation does not necessarily result in a successful remediation. Moreover, I find that there are consequences to remediation failures in the form of a higher likelihood of management and board turnover. Finally, I find evidence that economic benefits of remediation found in prior research may be understated. This study can provide stakeholders with insights into how the nature, extent, and timing of a remediation strategy can reduce the likelihood of a failed remediation.
Corporate Integrity Culture and Compliance: A Study of the Pharmaceutical Industry*
Authors: Altamuro Jennifer L. M. , Gray John V. , Zhang Haiwen (Helen)
Published: August 2021

This study examines corporate integrity culture—that is, a firm's shared values and behaviors related to compliance, trustworthiness, and ethics. Different from prior research that associates culture measures with general firm‐level outcomes, we evaluate the pervasiveness of the integrity culture within an organization across two disparate business functions: operations and financial reporting. We first develop a measure of corporate integrity culture based on firms' internal control environments and show that, as predicted, weak integrity culture contributes to both operational and financial non‐compliance. We next document the predicted positive contemporaneous association between operational and financial non‐compliance, controlling for the integrity culture reflected in the internal control environment. Given the organizational and physical distances and lack of day‐to‐day interactions between the two business functions, we infer that management's “tone at the top” likely affects non‐compliance in both functions. Finally, for firms with existing operational non‐compliance, we find more negative market reactions to accounting restatements and higher CEO turnover propensities following restatements. These results indicate that top management must consistently reinforce a culture of compliance and integrity, lest it decay throughout the organization. Our results also imply that regulators evaluating compliance in specific functions could benefit from reviewing compliance in other functions within the firm.
Bipolar disorder and frontotemporal dementia: A systematic review
Authors: Roman Meller Marina , Patel Swara , Duarte Dante , Kapczinski Flavio , de Azevedo Cardoso Taiane
Published: August 2021

Objectives

To detail the biological, clinical and neurocognitive characteristics differentiating bipolar disorder (BD) from frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and to investigate whether BD is a risk factor for FTD.

Methods

A total of 16 studies were included in this systematic review. Five studies described biological and/or neurocognitive characteristics between patients with BD and FTD, and 11 studies investigated whether BD was a risk factor for FTD.

Results

Individuals with FTD presented higher levels of serum neurofilament light chain, greater grey matter reduction in frontal, parietal and temporal lobes, and increased slow wave oscillations in channels F3, F4, T3, T5, T4 and T6 within an electroencephalogram (EEG), relative to individuals with BD. Patients with FTD presented greater deficits in executive function and theory of mind compared to patients with BD in a euthymic state, and more deficits in verbal fluency compared to patients with BD in a current mood episode. Patients with BD in a current mood episode showed greater impairment in attention, working memory, verbal memory and executive function relative to individuals with FTD. In addition, retrospective studies showed that 10.2%–11.6% of patients with behavioural variant FTD (bvFTD) had a preceding history of BD.

Conclusion

Biological and neurocognitive characteristics help to distinguish between BD and FTD, and it may help to reach a more precise diagnosis. In addition, individuals with BD are at higher risk of developing FTD. More studies are needed to identify the predictors of the conversion between BD to FTD.
Integrating citizen nature photography to natural history science: New record of bird‐lizard predation
Authors: Messas Yuri Fanchini , D’Angelo Giulia Bagarolli , Guedes Thaís Barreto , Vasconcellos‐Neto João
Published: August 2021

Understanding high biodiverse areas and interactions among organisms requires reciprocal action between scientists and community through citizen science. This paper results from the joint efforts of an amateur nature photographer and scientists to describe the predation behaviour of the heronArdea cocoiupon the lizardAmeiva ameiva. We also discuss the importance of citizen science and digital photography for natural history studies.
Host plant choice and effect of temperature on feeding behaviour ofPerzelia arda(Lepidoptera: Depressariidae), a leaf‐tying larva, on Nothofagaceae from the Andean Patagonian forest
Authors: Capobianco Julio Nahuel , Pietrantuono Ana Laura , Aparicio Alejandro Gabriel , Fernández‐Arhex Valeria
Published: August 2021

Environmental temperature may cause changes in the physiology and feeding behaviour of herbivorous insects and, consequently, in the damage they can cause. In the Andean Patagonian forest, an eco‐region dominated by trees of the Nothofagaceae family, it is common to find the leaf‐tying larvaePerzelia ardaconsuming seeds and leaves of several species ofNothofagusgenus. The pattern of damage caused byP. ardain these forests varies from year to year and even within seasons. We hypothesise that this phenomenon may be related to an increase in the ambient temperature of this region. The purpose of this work was to determine the host plant preferences ofP. ardaamong four species ofNothofagusgenus and to evaluate whether temperature influences the feeding behaviour of the larvae. We first evaluated the food preferences ofP. ardaby means of two‐choice tests, using leaves ofN. alpina,N. obliqua,N. antarcticaandN. pumilioas stimuli. Secondly, we evaluated the effect of three levels of temperature on herbivory. Our results demonstrated thatP. ardafeed on and equally choose the four species of host plants studied. Temperature influenced the feeding behaviour of the larvae; high levels of consumption ofN. obliquaoccurred at 6°C and differed for the other host plant suggesting that consumption also depends on the type of food resource. In conclusion, the feeding behaviour ofP. ardadepends on a complex interaction between host plant and abiotic conditions. Further studies are required for a better understanding about the use of resources by this native insect, as well as the ecological consequences.
Influence of anticancer agents on sexual function: An in vivo study based on the US FDA Adverse Event Reporting System
Authors: Kataoka Tomoya , Sanagawa Akimasa , Suzuki Jun , Muto Tatsuya , Hotta Yuji , Kawade Yoshihiro , Maeda Yasuhiro , Tohkin Masahiro , Kimura Kazunori
Published: August 2021

Background

Patients with cancer are treated with chemotherapeutics that cause adverse effects, including erectile dysfunction (ED).

Objectives

We investigated erectile function in rats after the administration of anticancer agents based on data retrieved through mining of the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Adverse Event Reporting System (AERS) database.

Materials and methods

The statistical signal strength for the association between anticancer drugs and ED was calculated using the reporting odds ratio (ROR). A drug–event combination was detected when the lower limit of the 95% confidence interval (CI) of the ROR exceeded 1.00. Rats were administered anticancer agents detected in the FDA AERS analysis. Erectile function was assessed using intracavernous pressure (ICP) and mean arterial pressure (MAP) analysis after electrical stimulation of the cavernous nerve. Statistical significance was determined using Welch's t‐test or two‐way ANOVA.

Results

Melphalan (L‐PAM; ROR = 4.72, 95% CI = 2.78–8.00), vincristine (VCR; ROR = 2.47, 95% CI = 1.54–3.97), docetaxel (DTX; ROR = 2.25, 95% CI = 1.28–3.95), methotrexate (MTX; ROR = 1.96, 95% CI = 1.39–2.75), and doxorubicin (DOX; ROR = 1.82, 95% CI = 1.07–3.19) enhanced ED risk. L‐PAM and MTX decreased the ICP/MAP ratio 1 week after administration. VCR and DOX decreased erectile function 4 weeks after administration. DTX decreased erectile function at all assessed time points.

Discussion and conclusion

Certain anticancer agents should be considered risk factors for ED.

Our results provide possible treatment strategies for maintaining erectile function in cancer survivors, including careful erectile function monitoring after treatment.
Linguistic and content validity of the Swedish version of the PedsQL™ gastrointestinal symptoms scales and symptoms module for paediatric patients
Authors: Bräutigam Matilda , Dellenmark‐Blom Michaela , Gatzinsky Vladimir , Bergström Jenny , Abrahamsson Kate
Published: August 2021

Aim

To describe the process of linguistic and content validity of the Swedish version of the PedsQL™ Gastrointestinal Symptoms Scales and Symptoms Module, measuring health‐related quality of life (HRQOL) in children with gastrointestinal (GI) disorders.

Methods

The establishment of linguistic and content validity was carried out in compliance with international standards on patient‐reported outcome measurements. The process included forward translation, expert review and reconciliation, backward translation, backward translation review and interviews with 15 children aged 5–18 years with GI tract symptoms and 20 parents of children with GI tract symptoms aged 2–18 years.

Results

The Swedish version of the PedsQL™ Gastrointestinal Symptoms Scales and Symptoms Module (child report 5–18 years, parent report for children 2–18 years) was achieved without major difficulties. Eight issues needed discussion after forward translation, and there was one change after backward translation and three revisions following patient and parent testing.

Conclusion

A conceptually equivalent Swedish language version of PedsQL™ Gastrointestinal Symptoms Scale and Symptoms Module for children aged 2–18 years old was developed. This enables improved HRQOL evaluations in children with GI disorders in Sweden. Future research using a larger sample is recommended to evaluate validity and reliability of the Swedish language version of the module.
Physiological and electroencephalographic changes in goats subjected to transportation, lairage, and slaughter
Authors: Othman Azalea‐Hani , Goh Yong Meng , Mohamed Mustapha Noordin , Raghazli Razlina , Kaka Ubedullah , Imlan Jurhamid Columbres , Abubakar Ahmed Abubakar , Abdullah Rasedee
Published: August 2021

This preliminary trial investigated the effect of transportation and lairage periods on physiological parameters of goats subjected to slaughter. Nine male Boer cross goats aged 8–12 months were transported for 6 h and kept at lairage for 3, 6, or 16 h (n = 3). Blood samples were collected at pre‐ (pre‐T) and post‐transportation (post‐T), and post‐slaughter (post‐S) for determination of hematological parameters, serum enzyme, protein, and cortisol concentrations. Electroencephalogram readings were taken at pre‐T, post‐T, pre‐slaughter (pre‐S), and post‐S to determine the median frequency (F50) and total power (Ptot) values. At post‐T, there were manifestations of stress leukogram; increase in hematocrit, total protein, and muscle enzyme concentrations; and decrease in Ptot (p < 0.05). The high pre‐T cortisol concentration suggests that the goats were already under stress before transportation. Stress leukogram became less evident after lairage, indicating that the goats had recovered from the stress of transportation. Although the Ptot increased at post‐S especially following 3 h of lairage, F50 values at post‐S did not differ from pre‐L, suggesting that the pre‐slaughter stress may have affected the pain threshold. It is suggested that after 6 h of transportation, goats should ideally be placed in lairage for a minimum period of 3 h before slaughter.
When innovation outpaces regulations: The legal challenges for direct‐to‐patient supply of investigational medicinal products
Authors: Malone Maeve , Ferguson Pamela , Rogers Amy , Mackenzie Isla S. , Rorie David A. , MacDonald Thomas M.
Published: August 2021

Aims

We profile the lack of specific regulation for direct‐to‐patient postal supply (DTP) of clinical trial medications (investigational medicinal products, IMPs) calling for increased efficiency of patient‐centred multi‐country remote clinical trials.

Methods

Questionnaires emailed to 28 European Economic Area (EEA) Medical Product Licensing Authorities (MPLAs) and Swissmedic MPLA were analysed in 2019/2020. The questionnaire asked whether DTP of IMPs was legal, followed by comparative legal analysis profiling relevant national civil and criminal liability provisions in 30 European jurisdictions (including The Netherlands), finally summarising accessible COVID‐19‐related guidance in searches of 30 official MPLA websites in January 2021.

Results

Twenty MPLAs responded. Twelve consented to response publication in 2021. DTP was not widely authorised, though different phrases were used to explain this. Our legal review of national laws in 29 EEA jurisdictions and Switzerland did not identify any specific sanctions for DTP of IMPs; however, we identified potential national civil and criminal liability provisions. Switzerland provides legal clarity where DTP of IMPs is conditionally legal. MPLA webpage searches for COVID‐19 guidance noted conditional acceptance by 19 MPLAs.

Conclusions

Specific national legislation authorising DTP of IMPs, defining IMP categories, and conditions permitting the postage and delivery by courier in an EEA‐wide clinical trial, would support innovative patient‐centred research for multi‐country remote clinical trials. Despite it appearing more acceptable to do this between EU Member States, provided each EU MPLA and ethics board authorises it, temporary Covid‐19 restrictions in national Good Clinical Practice (GCP) guidance discourages innovative research into the safety and effectiveness of clinical trial medications.
Incidence of testicular cancer in trans women using gender‐affirming hormonal treatment: a nationwide cohort study
Authors: de Nie Iris , Wiepjes Chantal M. , de Blok Christel J.M. , van Moorselaar R. Jeroen A. , Pigot Garry L.S. , van der Sluis Tim M. , Barbé Ellis , van der Voorn Patrick , van Mello Norah M. , Huirne Judith , den Heijer Martin
Published: August 2021

Objective

To assess the incidence of testicular cancer in trans women (male sex assigned at birth, female gender identity) using gender‐affirming hormonal treatment.

Patients and Methods

Data of trans women starting hormonal treatment at our gender identity clinic between 1972 and 2017 were linked to the national pathology database to obtain testicular cancer diagnoses. The standardised incidence ratio (SIR) was calculated using the number of observed testicular cancer cases in our cohort and the number of expected cases based on age‐specific Dutch incidence rates. Subgroup analyses were performed in testicular tissues sent for histopathological analysis at the time of bilateral orchidectomy, and when follow‐up exceeded 5 years.

Results

The cohort consisted of 3026 trans women with a median follow‐up time of 2.3 interquartile range (IQR) (1.6–3.7) years. Two testicular cancer cases were identified whilst 2.4 cases were expected (SIR 0.8, 95% confidence interval 0.1–2.8). In addition, one testicular cancer case was encountered in an orchidectomy specimen (0.1%). In the 523 trans women with a follow‐up time of >5 years (median [IQR] 8.9 [6.4–13.9] years), no testicular cancer was observed.

Conclusion

Testicular cancer risk in trans women is similar to the risk in cis men. The testicular cancer cases occurred within the first 5 years after commencing hormonal treatment, and the percentage of cases encountered at the time of bilateral orchidectomy was low. As no testicular cancer was observed in trans women with a long follow‐up period, long‐term hormonal treatment does not seem to increase testicular cancer risk.
Concurrent cardiac transthyretin and brain β amyloid accumulation among the older adults: The Hisayama study
Authors: Hamasaki Hideomi , Shijo Masahiro , Nakamura Ayaka , Honda Hiroyuki , Yamada Yuichi , Oda Yoshinao , Ohara Tomoyuki , Ninomiya Toshiharu , Iwaki Toru
Published: August 2021

Previous studies have revealed risk for cognitive impairment in cardiovascular diseases. We investigated the relationship between degenerative changes of the brain and heart, with reference to Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathologies, cardiac transthyretin amyloid (ATTR) deposition, and cardiac fibrosis. A total of 240 consecutive autopsy cases of a Japanese population‐based study were examined. β amyloid (Aβ) of senile plaques, phosphorylated tau protein of neurofibrillary tangles, and ATTR in the hearts were immunohistochemically detected and graded according to the NIH‐AA guideline for AD pathology and as Tanskanen reported, respectively. Cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) was graded according to the Vonsattel scale. Cardiac fibrosis was detected by picrosirius red staining, followed by image analysis. Cardiac ATTR deposition occurred after age 75 years and increased in an age‐dependent manner. ATTR deposition was more common, and of higher grades, in the dementia cases. We subdivided the cases into two age groups: ≤90 years old (n = 173) and >90 years old (n = 67), which was the mean and median age at death of the AD cases. When adjusted for age and sex, TTR deposition grades correlated with Aβ phase score (A2–3), the Consortium to Establish a Registry for AD score (sparse to frequent), and high Braak stage (V–VI) only in those aged ≤90 years at death. No significant correlation was observed between the cardiac ATTR deposition and CAA stages, or between cardiac fibrosis and AD pathologies. Collectively, AD brain pathology correlated with cardiac TTR deposition among the older adults ≤90 years.
Perceptions by early career tropical researchers on the impact of COVID‐19 six months into the pandemic
Authors: Bradham Jennifer Leigh , Umaña Maria Natalia
Published: August 2021

The impacts of COVID‐19 on early career tropical researchers are diverse and complex, including lack of funding opportunities, limitations to conducting fieldwork in remote places, reduced collaborations and networking, and difficulties when living and collecting data abroad. Here, we examine the current and future impacts of the COVID‐19 pandemic on this population through a survey of 213 students and early career tropical researchers from around the world. As of September 2020, 55% of participants had already experienced financial repercussions due to the pandemic. Future worries were diverse and included equal concern regarding advancement (collaborations and networking), job uncertainty, fieldwork, and funding, as well as mental health concerns. Successful strategies to support student and early career researchers with regards to the pandemic should include mentoring from those in more advanced career positions on how to reframe research that is no longer feasible to complete as originally intended. Additionally, those responsible for hiring decisions should not penalize applicants for gaps in productivity during this time.
A qualitative comparison of parent and childcare provider perceptions of communication and family engagement in children's healthy eating and physical activity
Authors: Dinkel Danae , Rasmussen Maggie , Rech John P. , Snyder Kailey , Dev Dipti A.
Published: August 2021

Background

Parents and childcare providers play a substantial role in the development of health behaviours among the children they care for. In order to ensure the optimal growth and development of children, communication and family engagement in childcare is critical. Previous studies examining parent or provider perceptions about healthy eating or physical activity have explored these concepts individually and/or have only included only parents or providers. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to compare childcare provider and parent perceptions of communication regarding healthy eating and physical activity as well as use of best practice strategies on family engagement for these topics.

Methods

Childcare providers (n = 12) in childcare centres or a family childcare home and a parent (n = 12) of a child they provide care for participated in a semi‐structured interview guided by the Social Ecological Model. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and uploaded to NVivo for data analysis. Data were analysed using a directed content analysis. Three trained qualitative researchers developed a codebook and then compared responses between parents and providers.

Results

Similarities in provider and parent responses included agreement on healthy eating; influences on child development; parents being the most influential on children's healthy eating; how they identified physical activity opportunities; and the use of family engagement principles. Differences that arose included parents' roles in promoting children's physical activity; challenges for parents in promoting healthy eating and physical activity; and providers' encouragement of physical activity. Importantly, few parents mentioned providers were top influences on their child's healthy eating or physical activity. Providers also mentioned having difficult conversations with parents was challenging.

Conclusions

Future efforts are needed to (1) help parents understand the providers' role in the development of their child's health behaviours and (2) strengthen efforts to engage families in healthy behaviours outside of childcare facilities.
Visual Analytics of Text Conversation Sentiment and Semantics
Authors: Healey Christopher G. , Dinakaran Gowtham , Padia Kalpesh , Nie Shaoliang , Benson J. Riley , Caira Dave , Shaw Dean , Catalfu Gary , Devarajan Ravi
Published: August 2021

This paper describes the design and implementation of a web‐based system to visualize large collections of text conversations integrated into a hierarchical four‐level‐of‐detail design. Viewers can visualize conversations: (1) in a streamgraph topic overview for a user‐specified time period; (2) as emotion patterns for a topic chosen from the streamgraph; (3) as semantic sequences for a user‐selected emotion pattern, and (4) as an emotion‐driven conversation graph for a single conversation. We collaborated with the Live Chatcustomer service group at SAS Institute to design and evaluate our system's strengths and limitations.