bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fabricating spaces and knowledge: the Berlin-Dalldorf Municipal Asylum for “Feeble-Minded” Children (1880–1900)
Authors: Garz Jona T.
Published: May 2021

Purpose

This paper has two purposes. One is to examine the ways mentally disabled children were disciplined and cared for in Berlin, Germany/Prussia, at the end of the 19th century, by considering the way the architecture of the asylum affected the practices within it. The second purpose is to examine the manner in which the practices at the Dalldorf Asylum, especially the administrative paperwork, fabricated and stabilized the medico-pedagogical category of “feeble-mindedness”.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper engages with reflections on asylum architecture and its connection to disciplining bodies as shown in Disability History and linking these insights to recent scholarship from the field of Science and Technology Studies on the fabrication of knowledge through observation. Drawing on microhistory as methodology it examines the fabrication of “feeble-mindedness” with and within the Dalldorf Asylum, focusing on architecture and design as well as administrative practices.

Findings

The analysis of the asylum's architecture reveals how certain ideas of hygiene and control derived from 19th century psychiatry, along with personal attentiveness and individualized learning were incorporated into the building, creating the notion of a “feeble-minded child” as being simultaneously dangerous and in danger. The paper further shows how the professionals involved were struggling with diagnosing these children, further showcasing that the space as well as the categorization of children, oscillating between psychiatry and pedagogy, has to be understood as contested.

Originality/value

This paper engages findings on the disciplining structures organizing everyday life within the asylum with concepts of fabricating knowledge as central to science studies. The Dalldorf Asylum, the earliest state-funded asylum for mentally disabled children in Germany and largely understudied, is used as the main research object. A microhistorical approach allows to make visible the intricate yet mundane practices involved in stabilizing the category of “feeble-mindedness”.
Development of flood vulnerability curves for Sri Lankan hospitals
Authors: Koneswaran Bahirathan , Siriwardana Chandana , Jayasekara Ravindu Udayantha
Published: May 2021

Purpose

The government-led public healthcare services in Sri Lanka became a major strength in managing the COVID-19 comparatively well. However, natural hazards are a major threat to this healthcare system, as they cause severe damages, especially to curative healthcare infrastructures such as hospitals. Floods have been the major contributor to the economic loss of the Sri Lankan healthcare system. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to develop a proper flood risk assessment framework for Sri Lankan hospitals.

Design/methodology/approach

This research study has attempted to develop a flood vulnerability assessment tool for hospitals using the concept of Depth Damage Functions (DDFs). Flood vulnerability curves have been developed for identified critical units of hospitals considering the damage caused to building contents which are predominantly expensive medical equipment. The damage caused only by wetting was considered in generating vulnerability curves. Structured interviews were conducted with government officials in the healthcare sector to gather details on the cost and damages of medical equipment. Pilot studies were carried out in two hospitals identified as located in flood-prone areas and have previous experiences of flooding, to acquire data regarding building contents of the critical units.

Findings

The developed vulnerability curves indicate that no major damage would occur to building contents in critical units (other than the labor room) until the inundation depth reaches a value of 0.6–0.9 m (varies for each type of unit). It is also noteworthy that after a certain range in the inundation depth, the damage increases drastically, and building contents would incur total damage if the inundation depth passes a value of 1.2–1.5 m.

Originality/value

This study explains the initial phase of developing a flood vulnerability assessment framework for Sri Lankan hospitals. Not many studies had been carried out to assess the vulnerability of hospitals specifically for floods using vulnerability curves. The study recommends a zoning system with pre-defined vulnerability levels for critical units during a flood, which can be associated with evacuation planning as well. Further studies must be carried out to verify this system for hospitals in Sri Lanka.
Addressing supplier sustainability misconducts: response strategies to nonmarket stakeholder contentions
Authors: Hajmohammad Sara , Shevchenko Anton , Vachon Stephan
Published: May 2021

Purpose

Firms are increasingly accountable for their suppliers' social and environmental practices. Nonmarket stakeholders nowadays do not hesitate to confront buying firms for their suppliers' misconducts by mobilizing demonstrations, social media campaigns and boycotts. This paper aims to develop a typology of response strategies by targeted firms when they face such contentions and to empirically investigate why these strategies vary among those firms.

Design/methodology/approach

Drawing on social movement and stakeholder salience theories, the authors develop a set of hypotheses linking their typology of four response strategies to three key contextual factors – nonmarket stakeholder salience, nonmarket stakeholder ideology and the target firm reputation – and examine them using a vignette-based experiment methodology.

Findings

The results suggest that nonmarket stakeholder salience significantly impacts the nature of response (reject or concede), whereas the nonmarket stakeholder ideology is significantly related to the intensity of response (trivial or vigorous). Interestingly, the firms' reputation was found to have no significant effect on their response strategy when they faced stakeholder contentions.

Originality/value

This paper adds both theoretical and methodological value to the existing literature. Theoretically, the study develops and tests a comprehensive typology of response strategies to nonmarket stakeholder contentions. Methodologically, this study is original in leveraging a vignette-based experiment that allows establishing causal factors of response strategies following a supplier sustainability misconduct.
A renewal process model with failure based PM and imperfect CM for unavailability exploration
Authors: Jahoda Pavel , Bris Radim
Published: May 2021

Purpose

The paper aims to explore unavailability of dormant systems that are under both preventive and corrective maintenance. Preventive maintenance is considered as a failure based maintenance model, where full renew is realized at the occurrence of every nth failure. It proposes the imperfect corrective maintenance model, where each restoration process deteriorates the system lifetime, probability distribution of which is gradually changed via increasing failure rate.

Design/methodology/approach

Basic reliability mathematics necessary for unavailability quantification of a system which undergoes a real aging process with maintenance has been derived proceeding from renewal theory. New renewal cycle was defined to cover the real aging process and the expectation of its length was determined. All events resulting in the failure of studied system were explored to determine their probabilities. An integral equation where the unavailability function characterizing studied system is its solution was derived.

Findings

Preventive maintenance is closely connected with the occurrence of the nth failure, which starts its renew. The number n can be considered as a parameter which significantly influences the unavailability course. The paper shows that the real aging process characterized by imperfect repairs can significantly increase the unavailability courses in contrast with theoretical aging. This is true for both monitored and dormant systems.

Originality/value

Although mathematical methods used in this article were inspired and influenced by the work of reference (van der Weide and Pandey, 2015), derivation of final formulas for unavailability quantification considering the new renewal cycle is original. Idea of the real aging process is new as well. This paper fulfils an identified need to manage the maintenance of realistically aging systems.
Measuring maturity of value co-creation practices and its influence on market performance
Authors: Ronchi Luciana , Tontini Gerson , Carvalho Carlos Eduardo
Published: May 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose a model to measure maturity in value co-creation practices and to evaluate its relationship with the market performance of textile companies.

Design/methodology/approach

The data were obtained through quantitative research with 100 companies of the Brazilian textile sector. A structural equation modeling was performed to verify the relationship between the constructs of the proposed model.

Findings

The results confirm the proposed model and show that, in addition to a direct impact, the relationship between the maturity of value co-creation practices and market performance also occurs indirectly, by meeting customer expectations. Value co-creation processes can meet customer expectations, leading the company to better market performance.

Originality/value

A model for assessing the maturity of value co-creation practices enables companies to diagnose their current situation, thereby supporting them in managing these practices and leading to better market performance.
Managing campus parking demand through course scheduling – an approach to campus sustainability
Authors: Zhang Sumei , Frimpong Boamah Emmanuel
Published: May 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to use the optimization modeling method to explore whether there is an ideal arrangement of course enrollments that can yield optimal parking demand and supply on college campuses.

Design/methodology/approach

Using the University of Louisville as a case study, this study deploys a three-step analytical process to examine the correlation between parking demand and course enrollment, estimate parking demand based on course enrollment with regression analyses and embed this estimated relationship in an optimization model that minimizes on-campus parking demand and supply.

Findings

The correlation analyses suggest significant correlations between course enrollments and on-campus parking. The correlation patterns are different between students and university employees. The optimization results indicate that coupling parking supply and course scheduling decisions can reduce parking supply by 30%.

Originality/value

Voluminous studies on sustainable campus transportation have focused on transportation demand management strategies. The relationship between course-scheduling and parking demand was not explicitly accounted for in most studies. This study's results reveal that parking demand on campus depends on the number of courses offered across time. Thus, factoring and optimizing course schedules in campus parking decisions remains a viable and essential option to reduce on-campus parking demand.
Supply chain resilience for vaccines: review of modeling approaches in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Golan Maureen S. , Trump Benjamin D. , Cegan Jeffrey C. , Linkov Igor
Published: May 2021

Purpose

Despite rapid success in bringing SARS-CoV-2 vaccines to distribution by multiple pharmaceutical corporations, supply chain failures in production and distribution can plague pandemic recovery. This review analyzes and addresses gaps in modeling supply chain resilience in general and specifically for vaccines in order to guide researchers and practitioners alike to improve critical function of vaccine supply chains in the face of inevitable disruptions.

Design/methodology/approach

Systematic review of the literature on modeling supply chain resilience from 2007 to 2020 is analyzed in tandem with the vaccine supply chain manufacturing literature. These trends are then used to apply a novel matrix analysis to seven Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) annual filings of pharmaceutical corporations involved in COVID-19 vaccine manufacture and distribution.

Findings

Pharmaceutical corporations favor efficiency as they navigate regulatory, economic and other threats to their vaccine supply chains, neglecting resilience – absorption, adaptation and recovery from inevitable and unexpected disruptions. However, explicitly applying resilience analytics to the vaccine supply chain and further leveraging emerging network science tools found in the academic literature, such as artificial intelligence (AI), stress tests and digital twins, will help supply chain managers to better quantify efficiency/resilience tradeoffs across all associated networks/domains and support optimal system performance post disruption.

Originality/value

This is the first review addressing resilience analytics in vaccine supply chains and subsequent extension to operational management through novel matrix analyses of SEC Filings. The authors provide analyses and recommendations that facilitate resilience quantification capabilities for vaccine supply chain managers, regulatory agencies and corporate stakeholders and are especially relevant for pandemic response, including application to the SARS-CoV-2 vaccines.
Tracking sustainable development goals – a case study of Pakistan
Authors: Javeed Anam , Khan Muhammad Yar , Rehman Mobashar , Khurshid Asif
Published: May 2021

Purpose

The aim of this study is to gather and analyse the information regarding the level of awareness and commitment of the public as well as the organizations of Pakistan pertaining to sustainable development goals (SDGs).

Design/methodology/approach

A sample of 500 respondents in total including employs and general public is selected for their opinion regarding SDGs. The data was collected by personal administration of questionnaires in organizations and general public. The data has been collected from federal and provincial capitals of Pakistan. The data has been analysed using Smart PLS and the hypothesized relationships have been tested using regression analysis.

Findings

The level of awareness as well as level of commitment towards the fulfilment of SDGs varies across the cities of Pakistan according to the business volume and their affiliation with the United Nations.

Research limitations/implications

This study has been conducted in Pakistan only however a cross-country implementation of the framework and comparison would have yielded more in-depth facts.

Practical implications

This study provides the policy makers with the ground-level data regarding the awareness and commitment of Pakistani organizations and public towards SDG fulfilment. A glance towards the attitudes of the people towards the subject could also be seen through this study. It could be further utilized and referred by other researchers for comparison with their own studies regarding SDGs.

Originality/value

This a comprehensive study conducted at federal and provincial level of Pakistan which has yielded ground realities towards the implementation of SDGs. The results could be used for policy making and planning at national level.
Multilatinas and COVID-19: initial actions to the pandemic
Authors: Lopez-Morales Jose Satsumi , Nava-Aguirre Karla Maria , Huerta-Estevez Antonio
Published: May 2021

Purpose

Latin America has not been exempted from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Hence, this study aims to identify the actions of 50 main multilatinas to face the pandemic.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative content analysis was conducted on newspapers published in Latin America and corporate websites from March 2020 to April 2020, during which the multilatinas took their first actions toward the pandemic.

Findings

Results identified 106 actions taken by multilatinas in social, operational, philanthropic and financial areas. This paper analyzes the results, discuss the implications for business theories and develops three theoretical propositions.

Practical implications

First, this study can serve as a reference for business decision-makers as it offers guidance in taking actions during a pandemic. Second, it highlights the importance of the speed of responses to unforeseen challenges. The study recommends that business managers include in their contingency plans procedures for addressing unforeseen situations, such as the pandemic, with a focus on increasing their response capacity.

Originality/value

The importance of this study lies in understanding multinational enterprises’ (MNEs) initial actions taken during unexpected disasters and rare events. This study fills two important gaps in the business literature that have not been addressed in the Latin American context, namely, the actions taken by MNEs facing a public health disaster and how MNEs cope with disastrous and rare events.
Empowering leadership: balancing self-determination and accountability for motivation
Authors: O'Donoghue David , van der Werff Lisa
Published: May 2021

Purpose

This study set out to investigate the role of self-determination and accountability in the relationship between empowering leadership, motivation and performance.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from 172 participants working in an international software development organization. Hypotheses were tested in PROCESS using the Preacher and Hayes (2008) bootstrapping method.

Findings

Results indicate that empowering leadership played a significant role satisfying basic psychological needs. As expected, the satisfaction of needs is related to autonomous motivation. Crucially, perceived accountability was also positively related to autonomous motivation.

Research limitations/implications

The cross-sectional design of this study limits the ability to rule out the possibility of reverse causation.

Practical implications

The results suggest that traditional management practices such as accountability can be successfully utilized in conjunction with self-determination theory without undermining autonomous motivation. This study highlights two key opportunities for human resources (HR) professionals. Specifically, by equipping managers with the skills to display empowering leadership behaviors, and by communicating organizational values and individual job meaning to enhance identified forms of motivation, HR can fully realize the benefits of autonomous employee motivation.

Originality/value

This paper offers valuable insight into how leaders can balance the satisfaction of basic psychological needs with accountability to influence autonomous motivation in employees. The model presented demonstrates the potential of empowering leadership in achieving this balance and highlights the importance of identified motivation as a powerful correlate of work performance.
“Your westernized habits”: contextual nuances of qualitative research in Russia
Authors: Earl Anna
Published: May 2021

Purpose

Fieldwork in emerging economies can be unpredictable and somewhat dangerous. The purpose of this article is to ascertain problematic issues that may arise when conducting qualitative research in emerging economies.

Design/methodology/approach

The author reflects on her fieldwork in Russia in 2014 and 2015. Specifically, the author provides a reflection on her investigation on how the Russian government influences Russian MNEs' ability to deal with domestic institutional complexity and gain external legitimacy.

Findings

The author has encountered a number of unforeseen difficulties: the ethical dilemma, sensitivity of the topic, translation challenges and unexpected group interviews. Through this reflection, he develops specific tactics on how to deal with these circumstances when conducting research outside a Western context. He also provides recommendations on how researchers in emerging economies can deal with ethical dichotomy created by the pressure to follow ethical guidelines. Finally, he identifies a list of opportunities that Russia presents as a research site.

Research limitations/implications

The reflections on fieldwork discussed in this paper can prove to be useful for qualitative researchers interested in conducting qualitative research in Russia. In particular, it provides specific recommendations on how to navigate Russia as a research site.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to the literature on issues related to methodological issues related to conducting research in emerging economies, as well as under research contexts, such as Russia.
Shark tooth collagen stable isotopes (δ15N and δ13C) as ecological proxies
Authors: Shipley Oliver N. , Henkes Gregory A. , Gelsleichter James , Morgan Clark R. , Schneider Eric V. , Talwar Brendan S. , Frisk Michael G.
Published: May 2021

The isotopic composition of tooth‐bound collagen has long been used to reconstruct dietary patterns of animals in extant and palaeoecological systems. For sharks that replace teeth rapidly in a conveyor‐like system, stable isotopes of tooth collagen (δ13CTeeth & δ15NTeeth) are poorly understood and lacking in ecological context relative to other non‐lethally sampled tissues. This tissue holds promise, because shark jaws may preserve isotopic chronologies from which to infer individual‐level ecological patterns across a range of temporal resolutions.

Carbon and nitrogen stable isotope values were measured and compared between extracted tooth collagen and four other non‐lethally sampled tissues of varying isotopic turnover rates: blood plasma, red blood cells, fin and muscle, from eight species of sharks. Individual‐level isotopic variability of shark tooth collagen was evaluated by profiling teeth of different ages across whole jaws for the shortfin mako shark Isurus oxyrinchus and sandbar shark Carcharhinus plumbeus.

Measurements of δ13CTeeth and δ15NTeeth were positively correlated with isotopic values from the four other tissues. Collagen δ13C was consistently 13C‐enriched relative to all other tissues. Patterns for δ15N were slightly less uniform; tooth collagen was generally 15N‐enriched relative to muscle and red blood cells, but congruent with fin and blood plasma (values clustered around a 1:1 relationship).

Significant within‐individual variability was observed across whole shortfin mako shark (δ13C range = 1.4‰, δ15N range = 3.6‰) and sandbar shark (δ13C range = 1.2‰–2.4‰, δ15N range = 1.7‰–2.4‰) jaws, which trended with tooth age.

We conclude that amino acid composition and associated patterns of isotopic fractionation result in predictable isotopic offsets between tissues. Within‐individual variability of tooth collagen stable isotope values suggests teeth of different ages may serve as ecological chronologies, that could be applied to studies on migration and individual‐level diet variation across diverse time‐scales. Greater understanding of tooth replacement rates, isotopic turnover and associated fractionation of tooth collagen will help refine potential ecological inferences, outlining clear goals for future scientific inquiry.
Estimating spatiotemporal availability of transboundary fishes to fishery‐independent surveys
Authors: O'Leary Cecilia A. , Kotwicki Stan , Hoff Gerald R. , Thorson James T. , Kulik Vladimir V. , Ianelli James N. , Lauth Robert R. , Nichol Daniel G. , Conner Jason , Punt André E.
Published: May 2021

Taxa can expand beyond historical scientific survey footprints and into new areas with different survey protocols as they move to track their preferred climate. In global groundfish fisheries, for example, scientists estimate population dynamics within the spatial extent of a fishery‐independent survey using an index known as a design‐based estimator. Observed changes in species distribution in recent years suggest that some groundfish are moving beyond the spatial extent of single surveys. We must intercalibrate disparate data that cover a larger spatial extent to maintain our ability to accurately index populations as their availability to historical surveys changes.

We combine US and Russian data from the northern, eastern and western Bering Sea to understand the proportion of fish biomass within the extent of the eastern survey (‘availability’). Surveys are within close proximity to each other, but with different sampling protocols (hence catch a different proportion of local densities, termed ‘sampling efficiency ratio’). We use Alaska pollock Gadus chalcogrammus, Pacific cod Gadus macrocephalus and Alaska plaice Pleuronectes quadrituberculatus as case studies to calculate survey efficiency ratios and two area‐swept estimators, termed local and conventional, to summarize groundfish biomass over various spatial scales across the Bering Sea.

We estimated variation in spatial availability of transboundary stocks to the eastern Bering Sea (EBS) survey. In 2017, the most recent available year of survey coverage that included all three Bering Sea regions, estimated availability in the EBS of pollock biomass was ~33%, cod biomass was ~27% and plaice biomass was ~26%, down from ~58%, ~71% and ~30%, respectively, in 2010.

Synthesis and applications. This is the first study to provide an empirical way to combine Russian and US data in the Bering Sea to assess changes in the availability of groundfish biomass, which, in turn, will alter the interpretations and values of population indices used in regional management. We recommend leveraging this approach using existing global fishery‐independent datasets that span different spatiotemporal footprints to monitor transboundary stocks, and as a template to initiate international cooperation on the assessment of spatial availability of stocks common to multiple countries.
Tree diversity reduces the risk of bark beetle infestation for preferred conifer species, but increases the risk for less preferred hosts
Authors: Berthelot Sylvie , Frühbrodt Tobias , Hajek Peter , Nock Charles A. , Dormann Carsten F. , Bauhus Jürgen , Fründ Jochen
Published: May 2021

In recent decades, European temperate forests have repeatedly suffered from severe droughts. Drought‐weakened forests have often become more susceptible to pest outbreaks such as bark beetle infestations. Tree species diversity is expected to increase resistance to drought and pests, but evidence for a positive tree diversity effect on insect pest reduction is largely circumstantial.

Here we tested the effects of tree diversity and biogeographic origin of tree species on bark beetle infestation in a large, young tree diversity experiment, with six broadleaved and six conifer species from Europe and North America. Lower infestation risk was expected for the exotic tree species in each congeneric pair (spruce, larch and pine) and for mixtures with higher species richness and higher broadleaf proportion. Following a severe drought in summer 2018, the conifer trees were attacked by the six‐toothed spruce bark beetle Pityogenes chalcographus. Bark beetle boreholes were recorded in winter 2018/2019 on all conifer species.

Norway spruce Picea abies and European larch Larix decidua were the most infested species and thus considered main hosts of the bark beetle. For these two species, probability of infestation decreased with increasing tree diversity (although this was only significant for Larix). In contrast, Pinus, which were less infested overall, were more likely to be infested in plots with high tree diversity. Exotic trees tended to be less infested, with clearest support for enemy release found at the level of infestation intensity when considering pure conifer stands. Overall, the effects of tree diversity and tree species origin were not as strong as the effect of position within the experimental site, where higher rates of infestation were observed at the edge than in the centre.

Synthesis. Increasing tree diversity may reduce the risk of bark beetle infestation for genera prone to high infestation rates (Picea and Larix), but risk for less preferred genera (Pinus, and to some extent the exotic tree species) may increase with tree diversity due to spillover from preferred hosts. In mixed forests, the risk of infestation, even by relatively specialized insect pests, may be redistributed among tree species rather than reduced for all.
The quorum‐sensing systems of Vibrio campbellii DS40M4 and BB120 are genetically and functionally distinct
Authors: Simpson Chelsea A. , Petersen Blake D. , Haas Nicholas W. , Geyman Logan J. , Lee Aimee H. , Podicheti Ram , Pepin Robert , Brown Laura C. , Rusch Douglas B. , Manzella Michael P. , Papenfort Kai , van Kessel Julia C.
Published: May 2021

Vibrio campbellii BB120 (previously classified as Vibrio harveyi) is a fundamental model strain for studying quorum sensing in vibrios. A phylogenetic evaluation of sequenced Vibrio strains in Genbank revealed that BB120 is closely related to the environmental isolate V. campbellii DS40M4. We exploited DS40M4's competence for exogenous DNA uptake to rapidly generate greater than 30 isogenic strains with deletions of genes encoding BB120 quorum‐sensing system homologues. Our results show that the quorum‐sensing circuit of DS40M4 is distinct from BB120 in three ways: (i) DS40M4 does not produce an acyl homoserine lactone autoinducer but encodes an active orphan LuxN receptor, (ii) the quorum regulatory small RNAs (Qrrs) are not solely regulated by autoinducer signalling through the response regulator LuxO and (iii) the DS40M4 quorum‐sensing regulon is much smaller than BB120 (~100 genes vs. ~400 genes, respectively). Using comparative genomics to expand our understanding of quorum‐sensing circuit diversity, we observe that conservation of LuxM/LuxN proteins differs widely both between and within Vibrio species. These strains are also phenotypically distinct: DS40M4 exhibits stronger interbacterial cell killing, whereas BB120 forms more robust biofilms and is bioluminescent. These results underscore the need to examine wild isolates for a broader view of bacterial diversity in the marine ecosystem.
Nonpharmacological interventions to reduce sedation/general anaesthesia in paediatric patients undergoing magnetic resonance imaging: A systematic review and meta‐analysis protocol
Authors: Hybschmann Jane , Povlsen Nanna E. , Sørensen Jette L. , Afshari Arash , Borgwardt Lise , Berntsen Marianne , Madsen Thurid W. , Gjærde Line K.
Published: May 2021

Background

Magnetic resonance imaging is frequently used in paediatrics and requires the child/adolescent to remain still for 45 min or more. The long and narrow scanner gantry makes loud noises and may cause anxiety. To complete the procedure, children and adolescents are often sedated or receive general anaesthesia. Our primary aim is to determine whether nonpharmacological interventions designed to mentally prepare, support or distract children, and adolescents are effective in reducing the need for sedation and general anaesthesia.

Methods

We will conduct a systematic review with meta‐analysis by searching the following electronic databases: Ovid MEDLINE, CINAHL, Embase and CENTRAL, as well as databases for ongoing trials. Eligibility criteria are based on the participants, intervention, comparator and outcome (PICO) framework. We will include intervention studies with comparator group(s) with no restriction on date. Two reviewers will independently screen titles/abstracts, and three reviewers will assess the full texts of potentially relevant studies. Data will be extracted, and the methodological quality will be assessed using Cochrane risk of bias tools. If the data allow, we will perform a meta‐analysis using a random effects model on the primary outcome, sedation/general anaesthesia. A narrative synthesis will supplement the statistical analysis. Quality of evidence for the primary outcome will be assessed using the grading of recommendations, assessment, development and evaluations (GRADE) approach.

Discussion

Our findings will provide directions for future research and may guide clinicians in terms of which type(s) of intervention(s) to implement to reduce the use of sedation/general anaesthesia during paediatric magnetic resonance imaging.
Associations of developmental imbalance between sensation seeking and premeditation in adolescence and heavy episodic drinking in emerging adulthood
Authors: McCabe Connor J. , Wall Tamara L. , Gonzalez Marybel R. , Meruelo Alejandro D. , Eberson‐Shumate Sonja C. , Clark Duncan B. , Nooner Kate B. , Brown Sandra Ann , Tapert Susan F.
Published: May 2021

Background

Dual systems theories suggest that greater imbalance between higher reward sensitivity and lower cognitive control across adolescence conveys risk for behaviors such as heavy episodic drinking (HED). Prior research demonstrated that psychological analogues of these systems, sensation seeking and premeditation, change from childhood through emerging adulthood, and each has been independently linked with HED. However, few studies have assessed whether change over time in these developing analogues is prospectively associated with HED. Moreover, we know of no research that has shown whether within‐person differences between higher sensation seeking and relatively lower premeditation across the adolescent period predict HED in emerging adulthood.

Methods

Prospective data from the National Consortium on Alcohol and NeuroDevelopment in Adolescence study (n = 715) were used to examine the association of sensation seeking and premeditation with HED among adolescents ages 16 to 20 years. We used novel applications of latent difference score modeling and growth curve analysis to test whether increasing sensation seeking, premeditation, and their imbalance over time are associated with HED across the study period, and whether these associations differed by sex.

Results

Whereas premeditation increased linearly from adolescence through emerging adulthood across sexes, males reported growth and females reported decline in sensation seeking. Sensation seeking in adolescence (and not premeditation) was associated with higher levels of HED by emerging adulthood. Importantly, greater imbalance between sensation seeking and premeditation was associated with higher levels of HED by emerging adulthood though we note that variability capturing this imbalance correlated highly (r = 0.86) with baseline levels of sensation seeking.

Conclusions

Developmental imbalance between higher sensation seeking and lower premeditation in late adolescence may be a risk factor for greater HED in emerging adulthood.
Raising the bar: improving methodological rigour in cognitive alcohol research
Authors: Pennington Charlotte R. , Jones Andrew , Bartlett James E. , Copeland Amber , Shaw Daniel J.
Published: May 2021

Background and Aims

A range of experimental paradigms claim to measure the cognitive processes underpinning alcohol use, suggesting that heightened attentional bias, greater approach tendencies and reduced cue‐specific inhibitory control are important drivers of consumption. This paper identifies methodological shortcomings within this broad domain of research and exemplifies them in studies focused specifically on alcohol‐related attentional bias.

Argument and analysis

We highlight five main methodological issues: (i) the use of inappropriately matched control stimuli; (ii) opacity of stimulus selection and validation procedures; (iii) a credence in noisy measures; (iv) a reliance on unreliable tasks; and (v) variability in design and analysis. This is evidenced through a review of alcohol‐related attentional bias (64 empirical articles, 68 tasks), which reveals the following: only 53% of tasks use appropriately matched control stimuli; as few as 38% report their stimulus selection and 19% their validation procedures; less than 28% used indices capable of disambiguating attentional processes; 22% assess reliability; and under 2% of studies were pre‐registered.

Conclusions

Well‐matched and validated experimental stimuli, the development of reliable cognitive tasks and explicit assessment of their psychometric properties, and careful consideration of behavioural indices and their analysis will improve the methodological rigour of cognitive alcohol research. Open science principles can facilitate replication and reproducibility in alcohol research.
Extracellular superoxide produced by Enterococcus faecalis reduces endometrial receptivity via inflammatory injury
Authors: Zhang Zhanhu , Li Tianqi , Xu Lili , Wang Qiuhong , Li Haibo , Wang Xingmin
Published: May 2021

Problem

Chronic endometritis (CE) can cause infertility. Enterococcus faecalis is an opportunistic pathogen that is often found in the endometrium of CE patients. However, the mechanisms by which E. faecalis affects endometrial health are still unclear. In this study, we investigated the mechanism how extracellular superoxide produced by E. faecalis affected the endometrial receptivity.

Method of Study

Superoxide production was blocked by deleting menB gene in E. faecalis OG1RF. Endometrial epithelial cells were infected by superoxide‐producing E. faecalis OG1RF and superoxide‐deficient strain WY84. Inflammatory cytokines, apoptosis, and biomarkers for the endometrial receptivity were analyzed.

Results

Infection of endometrial epithelial cells with superoxide‐producing E. faecalis OG1RF induced expression of inflammatory cytokines, promoted apoptosis, and down‐regulated expression of receptivity biomarkers compared to uninfected control. In contrast, superoxide‐deficient E. faecalis WY84 had little effect on inflammatory cytokine production, apoptosis, and endometrial receptivity biomarkers.

Conclusions

Extracellular superoxide produced by E. faecalis is an important virulence factor for E. faecalis‐induced endometritis leading to reduced receptivity of endometrial epithelial cells.
Accurate and reproducible diagnosis of peanut allergy using epitope mapping
Authors: Suárez‐Fariñas Mayte , Suprun Maria , Kearney Paul , Getts Robert , Grishina Galina , Hayward Clive , Luta David , Porter Alex , Witmer Marc , du Toit George , Lack Gideon , Chinthrajah Rebecca Sharon , Galli Stephen J. , Nadeau Kari , Sampson Hugh A.
Published: May 2021

Background

Accurate diagnosis of peanut allergy is a significant clinical challenge. Here, a novel diagnostic blood test using the peanut bead‐based epitope assay (“peanut BBEA”) was developed utilizing the LEAP cohort and then validated using two independent cohorts.

Methods

The development of the peanut BBEA diagnostic test followed the National Academy of Medicine's established guidelines with discovery performed on 133 subjects from the non‐interventional arm of the LEAP trial and an independent validation performed on 82 subjects from the CoFAR2 and 84 subjects from the POISED study. All samples were analyzed using the peanut BBEA methodology, which measures levels of IgE to two Ara h 2 sequential (linear) epitopes and compares their combination to a threshold pre‐specified in the model development phase. When a patient has an inconclusive outcome by skin prick testing (or sIgE), IgE antibody levels to this combination of two epitopes can distinguish whether the patient is “Allergic” or “Not Allergic.” Diagnoses of peanut allergy in all subjects were confirmed by double‐blind placebo‐controlled food challenge and subjects’ ages were 7–55 years.

Results

In the validation using CoFAR2 and POISED cohorts, the peanut BBEA diagnostic test correctly diagnosed 93% of the subjects, with a sensitivity of 92%, specificity of 94%, a positive predictive value of 91%, and negative predictive value of 95%.

Conclusions

In validation of the peanut BBEA diagnostic test, the overall accuracy was found to be superior to existing diagnostic tests for peanut allergy including skin prick testing, peanut sIgE, and peanut component sIgE testing.
Efficacy of the novel, innovative, single‐use grasper integrated flexible cystoscope for ureteral stent removal: a systematic review
Authors: Adam Ahmed , Lawrentschuk Nathan , Bhattu Amit S. , Nagdee Jameel
Published: May 2021

Background

We aimed to define the published impact, efficacy, cost‐effectiveness and precise role of the Isiris‐α device: the world's first sterile, single‐use grasper integrated flexible cystoscope (SUGIFC) for ureteral stent removal.

Methods

After PROSPERO registration (CRD42021228755), the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta‐Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were utilized. The search terms “Grasper Integrated Flexible Cystoscope,” and “Isiris,” within the following databases: PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane Library, Web of Science and EMBASE were searched.

Results

In this review, a cumulative total experience (10 publications) included 970 “SUGIFC” procedures (755 patients). However, only 366/970 procedures were actually used for “ureteral stent removal,” with the remainder being surveillance cystoscopy only (603/970) or foreign body retrieval (1/970). Procedure‐related and device failures in planned “removal of ureteral stents,” was reported in 8/366 (346 patients) and 1/366 (346 patients), respectively.

The cost–benefit utilizing the SUGIFC device is advantageous compared to “in‐theatre” stent removals and favours less busy centres where maintenance, repair and replacement costs are more relevant. Other listed benefits include shorter stent indwelling times, shorter procedure duration, lower rates of bacteriuria and urinary tract infections, fewer emergency department visits and lower readmission rates. Technical limitations include the absence of an independent working channel, a narrower visual field and the lack of image universality since the monitor is device‐specific.

Conclusion

The SUGIFC device needs to be outweighed against local costs and individual health systems. Its application in ambulatory ureteral stent removal may become significant due to the accessibility and convenience that it offers the attending urologist.
Pelvic capacity in pregnant women, identified using magnetic resonance imaging
Authors: Kjeldsen Louise L. , Blankholm Anne Dorte , Jurik Anne Grethe , Salvig Jannie D. , Maimburg Rikke D.
Published: May 2021

Introduction

Maternal pelvic capacity plays a major role during childbirth because the passage of the fetus through the bony birth canal enables vaginal birth. Maternal birthing position may influence pelvic capacity because upright positions optimize capacity, possibly due to free movement of the pelvic joints. Herein, pelvic capacity was assessed by comparing changes in pelvic dimensions across pregnancy and in three birthing positions.

Material and methods

This diagnostic imaging study of 50 pregnant women was conducted at Aarhus University Hospital, Denmark. Pelvic measurements were obtained with 1.5 T magnetic resonance pelvimetry during gestational weeks 20 and 32, in three birthing positions: kneeling squat, semi‐lithotomy and supine. Pelvic capacity was compared between gestational weeks and positions.

Results

In all three positions there is an overall increase in pelvic capacity from gestational week 20–32 at both the pelvic inlet and outlet. Comparing pelvic capacity at gestational week 32 between the semi‐lithotomy and supine positions revealed that the pelvic inlet was larger in the supine position, whereas the mean pelvic outlet was 0.2 cm (p < 0.001) larger in the semi‐lithotomy position. Likewise, the pelvic inlet was larger in the supine than in the kneeling squat position. Shifting from supine to kneeling squat position increased the midplane and pelvic outlet dimensions by up to 1 cm (p < 0.001).

Conclusions

The finding herein of an increased pelvic capacity as the pregnancy progresses is novel. Further, the results indicate that the supine position is optimal for increasing pelvic inlet size, whereas the semi‐lithotomy and kneeling squat positions are optimal for increasing mid‐ and outlet‐pelvic capacities.
Geochemical provenance studies of basalt vessel preforms from the Iron Age workshop at Tel Hazor, Israel, and potential geological sources
Authors: Gluhak Tatjana M. , Ebeling Jennie , Rosenberg Danny
Published: May 2021

The discovery of an Iron Age basalt vessel workshop at Tel Hazor revealed numerous discarded preforms in different production stages. Provenance analyses allow us to reconstruct the vessels' journey from the mining of raw material off site to production in the workshop. To determine the extraction sites, the geochemical compositions of the artifacts were compared to an extensive set of geochemical data on basaltic rocks in Israel. Combined with petrographic features and insights from field surveys on the relevant locations, the results show that the raw material was extracted most probably from two different locations, each several kilometres distant from Tel Hazor.
A phase II trial of continuous ixazomib, thalidomide and dexamethasone for relapsed and/or refractory multiple myeloma: the Australasian Myeloma Research Consortium (AMaRC) 16‐02 trial
Authors: Bergin Krystal , Yuen Flora , Wallington‐Beddoe Craig , Kalff Anna , Sirdesai Shreerang , Reynolds John , Spencer Andrew
Published: May 2021

We evaluated the efficacy and tolerability of continuous ixazomib‐thalidomide‐dexamethasone (ITd: 4 mg, day 1, 8, 15; 100 mg daily; and 40 mg weekly). A total of 39 patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM) aged ≥18 years with one to three prior lines of therapy were enrolled from two tertiary centres in Victoria and South Australia, Australia. The overall response rate (ORR) was 56·4% with a clinical benefit rate of 71·8%. The median progression‐free survival was 13·8 months [95% confidence interval (CI) 8·2–22·2] and median overall survival was not reached. The median time to best response and duration of response was 3·7 months (95% CI 2·8–10·5) and 18·4 months (95% CI 10·2–31·0) respectively. Prior immunomodulatory drug (IMID) exposure was associated with a lower ORR (40% vs. 73·7%, P = 0·03). Survival outcomes in patients with prior proteasome inhibitor (PI) and/or IMID exposure were similar. Patients received a median (range) of 11 (1–31) cycles of therapy and six patients (15%) remained on therapy at the time of final analysis. Grade 3/4 haematological and non‐haematological adverse events were reported in 7·7% and 20·6% of patients respectively. ITd dose reductions were required in 15·4%, 48·7% and 35·9% of patients respectively. The present study demonstrates promising effectiveness and tolerability of ITd as an affordable all‐oral PI‐IMID approach for RRMM.