bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Information risk, cost of equity and stock returns: evidence from Iranian firms
Authors: Abdollahi Ahmad , Safari Gerayli Mehdi , Rezaei Pitenoei Yasser , Mohammad Hasani Kamran , Riahi Fatemeh
Published: August 2021

Purpose

A long history of literature has considered the role of information risk in determining the cost of equity. The question that has remained unanswered is whether information risk plays any systematic role in determining the cost of equity. One of the fundamental decisions that every business needs to make is to assess where to invest its funds and to re-evaluate, at regular intervals, the quality of its existing investments. The cost of capital is the most important yardstick to evaluate such decisions. Greater information is associated with the lower cost of capital via mitigating transaction costs and/or reducing estimation risk and stock returns. This study aims to investigate the impact of information risk on the cost of equity and corporate stock returns.

Design/methodology/approach

The research sample consists of 960 firm-year observations for companies listed on the Tehran Stock Exchange from 2009 to 2018. The research hypotheses were tested using multivariate regression models based on panel data.

Findings

The results reveal that information risk has a significant positive impact on the firm’s cost of equity. However, the impact of information risk on stock returns is not statistically significant.

Originality/value

To the best of the knowledge, the current study is almost the first of its kind in the Iranian literature which investigates the subject matter; therefore, the findings of the study not only extend the extant theoretical literature concerning the information risk in developing countries including the emerging capital market of Iran but also help investors, capital market regulators and accounting standard setters to make timely decisions.
Young adults know that their issues are not represented in the news: Israeli young adults and mainstream news media
Authors: Nuriely Benny , Gigi Moti , Gozansky Yuval
Published: August 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to analyze the ways socio-economic issues are represented in mainstream news media and how it is consumed, understood and interpreted by Israeli young adults (YAs). It examines how mainstream media uses neo-liberal discourse, and the ways YAs internalize this ethic, while simultaneously finding ways to overcome its limitations.

Design/methodology/approach

This was a mixed methods study. First, it undertook content analysis of the most popular Israeli mainstream news media among YAs: the online news site Ynet and the TV Channel 2 news. Second, the authors undertook semi-structured in-depth interviews with 29 Israeli YAs. The analysis is based on an online survey of 600 young Israelis, aged 18–35 years.

Findings

Most YAs did not perceive mainstream media as enabling a reliable understanding of the issues important to them. The content analysis revealed that self-representation of YAs is rare, and that their issues were explained, and even resolved, by older adults. Furthermore, most of YAs' problems in mainstream news media were presented using a neo-liberal perspective. Finally, from the interviews, the authors learned that YAs did not find information that could help them deal with their most pressing economic and social issue, in the content offered by mainstream media. For most of them, social media overcomes these shortcomings.

Originality/value

Contrary to research that has explored YAs’ consumerism of new media outlets, this article explores how YAs in Israel are constructed in the media, as well as the way in which YAs understand mainstream and new social media coverage of the issues most important to them. Using media content analysis and interviews, the authors found that Young Adults tend to be ambivalent toward media coverage. They understand the lack of media information: most of them know that they do not learn enough from the media. This acknowledgment accompanies their tendency to internalize the neo-liberal logic and conservative Israeli national culture, in which class and economic redistribution are largely overlooked. Mainstream news media uses neo-liberal discourse, and young adults internalize this logic, while simultaneously finding ways to overcome the limitations this discourse offers. They do so by turning to social media, mainly Facebook. Consequently, their behavior maintains the logic of the market, while also developing new social relations, enabled by social media.
Towards a foundational KM theory: a culture-based perspective
Authors: Intezari Ali , Pauleen David J. , Taskin Nazim
Published: August 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the factors that influence knowledge processes and by extension organisational knowledge culture (KC).

Design/methodology/approach

Using a systematic model development approach based on an extensive literature review, the authors explore the notion of organisational KC and conceptualise a model that addresses the following research question: what factors affect employees’ values and beliefs about knowledge processes and by extension organisational KC?

Findings

This paper proposes that knowledge processes are interrelated and mutually enforcing activities, and that employee perceptions of various individual, group and organisational factors underpin employee values and beliefs about knowledge processes and help shape an organisation’s KC.

Research limitations/implications

The findings extend the understanding of the concept of KC and may point the way towards a unifying theory of knowledge management (KM) that can better account for the complexity and multi-dimensionality of knowledge processes and KC.

Practical implications

The paper provides important practical implications by explicitly accounting for the cultural aspects of the inextricably interrelated nature of the most common knowledge processes in KM initiatives.

Originality/value

KM research has examined a long and varied list of knowledge processes. This has arguably resulted in KM theorizing being fragmented or disintegrated. Whilst it is evident that organisational culture affects persons’ behaviour in the organisation, the impact of persons’ values and beliefs on knowledge processes as a whole remain understudied. This study provides a model of KC. Moreover, the paper offers a novel systematic approach to developing conceptual and theoretical models.
An exploratory study on innovation policy in eight Asian countries
Authors: Park Taeyoung , Kim Jun youn
Published: August 2021

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the evolution of eight Asian countries’ innovation policy instruments during three economic development phases. Another goal is to examine common and different policy instruments of Japan, Korea and China, which have already reached the post-catch-up stage, to provide lessons to less-developed and developing Asian countries.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses a qualitative research methodology, in particular a narrative approach. For triangulation, this paper uses a wide range of secondary data. The authors selected eight Asian countries by using various criteria, including income level and market size, and examined each country in terms of innovation performance and evolution of innovation policy instruments. The evolution of innovation policy in each country is investigated during three economic development phases: pre-industrialization, industrialization and catch-up and post-catch-up.

Findings

The findings show, first, that a higher research and development (R&D) expenditure as a percentage of gross domestic product (GDP), R&D activities dominated by private research organizations and more vigorous patent activities by residents than nonresidents are the most critical factors for becoming a high-income country. Second, innovation policy should be suitable for attaining aims, which are different at each economic development stage. Third, seven lessons from three prosperous Asian countries are crucial for economic development: securing political stability; increasing R&D expenditures; facilitating the acquisition, diffusion and internalization of technology; encouraging government–industry–university collaborations; using the selection and concentration strategy; changing the governmental role from regulator to facilitator; and establishing a legal framework.

Originality/value

It is difficult to find research that systematically compares three or more Asian countries’ innovation policies over the long term. This study fills this gap and helps scholars and field workers increase their understanding of innovation policy in eight Asian countries. It also contributes to providing lessons for practitioners that could help developing and less-developed Asian countries establish a suitable innovation policy for each economic development stage.
Asymmetric pass through of oil price to Chinese economic growth: new evidence from industrial sectors
Authors: Liu Donghui , Meng Lingjie , Wang Yudong
Published: August 2021

Purpose

Oil is crucial for industrial development. This paper investigates the impacts of oil price changes on China's industrial growth and examines whether the impacts are asymmetric. The estimations can help determine how oil price shocks are transmitted throughout the economy.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper adopts West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil price and industrial sector output and uses monthly data. The recently developed nonlinear autoregressive distributed lag (NARDL) model is employed to illustrate the effects in both the short term and long term. Importantly, under NARDL framework, this paper examines whether the impacts are asymmetric by decomposing oil price shocks into their positive and negative partial sums.

Findings

The empirical results prove clear evidence of asymmetries in the short term, long term or both terms. Specifically, some sectors benefit from, rather than suffer from higher oil prices, even some energy-intensive sectors, i.e. C31 (Smelting and Pressing of Ferrous Metals) and C32 (Smelting and Pressing of Non-ferrous Metals). However, the effects on some other energy-intensive sectors appear insignificant. Additionally, the results prove significantly negative responses in some sectors in the long term, and most of these sectors are in the top half of the ranking by energy consumptions.

Originality/value

This paper studies the economic responses at a disaggregated level by employing industry-level data. NARDL method is used to decompose oil price changes into their increases and decreases and investigate the asymmetries in the impacts of oil price changes.
Internet of things in libraries and focus on its adoption in developing countries
Authors: Igbinovia Magnus Osahon
Published: August 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to x-ray the issues surrounding the adoption of Internet of Things (IoT) in libraries from the perspective of developing countries.

Design/methodology/approach

This study theoretically reviewed the adoption of IoT in libraries in developing countries.

Findings

This study revealed context-based factors such as technological, organizational, environmental and security/privacy factors as determinants of IoT adoption in libraries of developing countries.

Originality/value

The value of this study arises from the need to study the adoption of technological innovation such as the IotT from the lens of developing countries and proffer solution to its associated challenges.
Oil spill cleanup by natural fibers: a review
Authors: Subramoniapillai Viju , Thilagavathi Govindharajan
Published: August 2021

Purpose

In recent years, oil spill pollution has become one of the main problems of environmental pollution. Recovering oil by means of sorbent materials is a very promising approach and has acquired more attention due to its high cleanup efficiency. Compared to synthetic fibrous sorbents, the use of natural fibers in oil spill cleanups offers several advantages including environmental friendliness, degradable features and cost-effectiveness. Therefore, studies on developing sorbents using natural fibers for oil spill cleanup applications have become a research hotspot.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper reviews the work conducted by several researchers in developing oil sorbents from fibers such as cattail, nettle, cotton, milkweed, kapok, populous seed fiber and Metaplexis japonica fiber. Some featured critical parameters influencing the oil sorption capacity of fibrous substrates are discussed. Oil sorption capacity and reusability performance of various fibers are also discussed. Recent developments in oil spill cleanups and test methods for oil sorbents are briefly covered.

Findings

The main parameters influencing the oil sorption capacity of sorbents are fiber morphological structure, fiber density (g/cc), wax (%), hollowness (%) and water contact angle. An extensive literature review showed that oil sorption capacity is highest for Metaplexis japonica fiber followed by populous seed fiber, kapok, milkweed, cotton, nettle and cattail fiber. After use, the sorbents can be buried under soil or they can also be burned so that they can be vanished from the surface without causing environmental-related issues.

Originality/value

This review paper aims to summarize research studies conducted related to various natural fibers for oil spill cleanups, fiber structural characteristics influencing oil sorption and recent developments in oil spill cleanups. This work will inspire future researchers with various knowledge backgrounds, particularly, from a sustainability perspective.
Composition of ‘fast–slow’ traits drives avian community stability over North America
Authors: Li Zhouyuan , Zhang Heng , Xu Yanjie , Wang Shaopeng
Published: August 2021

Rapid biodiversity loss has triggered decades of research on the relationships between biodiversity and community stability. Recent studies highlighted the importance of species traits for understanding biodiversity–stability relationships. The species with high growth rates (‘fast’ species) are expected to be less resistant to environmental stress but recover faster if disturbed; in contrast, the species with slow growth rates (‘slow’ species) can be more resistant but recover more slowly if disturbed. Such a ‘fast–slow’ trait continuum provides a new perspective for understanding community stability, but its validity has mainly been examined in plant communities. Here, we investigate how ‘fast–slow’ trait composition, together with species richness and environmental factors, regulate avian community stability at a continental scale.

We used bird population records from the North American Breeding Bird Survey during 1988–2017 and defined avian community stability as the temporal invariability of total community biomass. We calculated species richness and the community–weighted mean (CWM) and functional diversity (FD) of four key life‐history traits, including body size, nestling period (i.e. period of egg incubation and young bird fledging), life span and clutch size (i.e. annual total number of eggs). Environmental factors included temperature, precipitation and leaf area index (LAI).

Our analyses showed that avian community stability was mainly driven by the CWM of the ‘fast–slow’ trait. Communities dominated by ‘fast’ species (i.e. species with small body size, short nestling period and life span and large clutch size) were more stable than those dominated by ‘slow’ species (i.e. species with large body size, long nestling period and life span and small clutch size). Species richness and the FD of the ‘fast–slow’ trait explained much smaller proportions of variation in avian community stability. Temperature had direct positive effects on avian community stability, while precipitation and leaf area index affected community stability indirectly by influencing species richness and trait composition.

Our study demonstrates that composition of ‘fast–slow’ traits is the major biotic driver of avian community stability over North America. Temperature is the most important abiotic factor, but its effect is weaker than that of the ‘fast–slow’ trait. An integrated framework combining ‘fast–slow’ trait composition and temperature is needed to understand the response of avian communities in a changing environment.

A freePlain Language Summarycan be found within the Supporting Information of this article.
Rab35 regulates insulin secretion via phogrin in pancreatic β cells
Authors: Lu Chunting , Zhao Qingtong , Wang Dan , Feng Yunlu , Feng Lie , Li Zejian , Shi Qiping
Published: August 2021

Dysfunction of pancreatic β cell insulin secretion is related to the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes (T2D). Rab proteins have been shown to be key players in insulin secretion by pancreatic β cells, and phogrin is a marker for the processes of exocytosis and insulin secretion. The purposes of this study were to clarify the regulatory role of Rab35 in insulin secretion and analyse the Rab35/phogrin interaction mechanism in β‐TC‐6 cells. We studied the effects of Rab35 gene overexpression and interference on insulin secretion and phogrin expression and levels in β‐TC‐6 cells. The Rab35/phogrin interaction was verified by GST pulldown, co‐IP and co‐localisation experiments. Here, we report that Rab35 is mainly distributed in the β‐TC‐6‐cell plasma membrane and cytoplasm. Rab35 overexpression promotes insulin secretion and decreases phogrin expression in β‐TC‐6 cells, whereas its silencing significantly inhibits insulin secretion, promotes phogrin expression (p < 0.05) and causes phogrin redistribution. Furthermore, Rab35 silencing suppresses exocytosis of insulin. Rab35 interacts with phogrin, and both proteins co‐localise in the plasma membranes and cytoplasm of β‐TC‐6 cells. Our study presents novel evidence that Rab35 regulates insulin secretion by inhibiting phogrin expression and causing intracellular phogrin redistribution in pancreatic β cells.
Berberine inhibits non‐small cell lung cancer cell growth through repressing DNA repair and replication rather than through apoptosis
Authors: Ni Lulu , Li Zhongjie , Ren Hongli , Kong Lingzhong , Chen Xu , Xiong Mengrui , Zhang Xiuqin , Ning Bingbing , Li Jiangan
Published: August 2021

At present, there are still many problems in the treatment of lung cancer, such as high cost, side effects and low quality of life. The advantages of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in the treatment of lung cancer are reflected. Berberine has been increasingly popular in colorectal cancer treatment, but little is known about its bioactivity against non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Cell proliferation, cell apoptosis, cDNA microarray, gene and protein expression, and NSCLC transplanted tumour growth were performed. Berberine suppressed NSCLC cell proliferation and colony formation in vitro and inhibited NSCLC tumour growth in subcutaneously transplanted tumour lung tumour models, leading to prolonged survival of tumour‐bearing mice. However, berberine did not induce the cleavage of Caspase 3 and PARP1, and could not induce apoptosis in all NSCLC cells. Moreover, 646 genes were differentially expressed upon berberine administration, which were involved in seven signal pathways, such as DNA replication. In cDNA microarray, berberine downregulated the expression of RRM1, RRM2, LIG1, POLE2 that involving DNA repair and replication. Our findings demonstrate that berberine inhibits NSCLC cells growth through repressing DNA repair and replication rather than through apoptosis. Berberine could be used as a promising therapeutic candidate for NSCLC patients.
Evidence for an arginine‐dependent route for the synthesis of NO in the model filamentous fungus Aspergillus nidulans
Authors: Franco‐Cano Antonio , Marcos Ana T. , Strauss Joseph , Cánovas David
Published: August 2021

Nitric oxide (NO) is a signalling molecule in eukaryotic and prokaryotic organisms. NO levels transiently boost upon induction of conidiation in Aspergillus nidulans. Only one pathway for NO synthesis involving nitrate reductase has been reported in filamentous fungi so far, but this does not satisfy all the NO produced in fungal cells. Here we provide evidence for at least one additional biosynthetic pathway in A. nidulans involving l‐arginine or an intermediate metabolite as a substrate. Under certain growth conditions, the addition of l‐arginine to liquid media elicited a burst of NO that was not dependent on any of the urea cycle genes. The NO levels were controlled by the metabolically available arginine, which was regulated by mobilization from the vacuoles and during development. In vitro assays with protein extracts and amino acid profiling strongly suggested the existence of an arginine‐dependent NO pathway analogous to the mammalian NO synthase. Addition of polyamines induced NO synthesis, and mutations in the polyamine synthesis genes puA and spdA reduced the production of NO. In conclusion, here we report an additional pathway for the synthesis of NO in A. nidulans using urea cycle intermediates.
Consumer innovativeness and perception about innovative processing technologies: A case study with sliced Prato cheese processed by ultraviolet radiation
Authors: Delorme Mariana M , Pimentel Tatiana C , Freitas Monica Q , da Cunha Diogo T , Silva Ramon , Guimarães Jonas Toledo , Scudino Hugo , Esmerino Erick A , Duarte Maria Carmella K H , Cruz Adriano G
Published: August 2021

Brazilian consumers' innovativeness and motivation to eat new foods were evaluated using a new scale and conventional or UV‐C‐treated sliced Prato cheeses with or without a labelled claim in the package. The proposed scale (16 statements) showed discriminant (heterotrait–monotrait ratio values <0.85) and convergent (average variance extracted >0.6) validity and adequate reliability (composite reliability >0.8). Consumers (n = 395) tend to show neophilic attitudes and innovativeness towards new foods or familiar foods with new ingredients if new sensory characteristics and quality assurance were provided. It is found that the highest acceptance, purchase intention and perceived safety and quality can be achieved with UV‐C‐treated cheese with labelled claim.
Impact on patient management of non‐mydriatic fundus photography compared to direct ophthalmoscopy in a regional Australian emergency department
Authors: Dunn Hamish P , Browning Samuel D , Thomson David , Yates William B , McCluskey Peter , Keay Lisa , White Andrew J , Fraser Clare L
Published: August 2021

Objective

To investigate the management impact of non‐mydriatic fundus photography (NMFP) implementation for appropriate ED patients; compare the diagnostic accuracy of direct ophthalmoscopy (DO) and NMFP, and determine the prevalence of fundus pathology in a regional Australian ED.

Methods

This before/after crossover study prospectively enrolled patients presenting with headache, neurological deficit, visual disturbance and/or hypertensive urgency. Patients received DO examination, then separate NMFP examination. Emergency clinicians (ECs) were surveyed on their patient management plans following both DO examination and NMFP imaging. Telemedicine review of NMFP images was performed by an ophthalmologist within 48 h, and any additional management changes were documented.

Results

The use of NMFP influenced changes in management in 52 (39%) of 133 enrolled patients (95% confidence interval 31–48%). Of these, 65% were escalations of management due to acute fundus pathology, while 35% were de‐escalating changes following normal fundus findings. ECs diagnostic accuracy for acute fundus pathology improved from 0% to 29% sensitivity, and 59% to 84% specificity using DO and NMFP respectively, and telemedicine registrar review increased this to 50% sensitivity and 86% specificity. The period prevalence of acute fundus pathology was 10.5% (95% confidence interval 6–17%).

Conclusion

The addition of NMFP images can significantly impact the management of ED patients requiring fundus examination, facilitating expedited and optimised patient care. NMFP improves ECs diagnostic acumen for fundus pathology over DO examination and telehealth specialist review is important for diagnostic accuracy. There is a clinically important prevalence of fundus pathology in this regional ED setting.
scikit‐maad: An open‐source and modular toolbox for quantitative soundscape analysis in Python
Authors: Ulloa Juan Sebastián , Haupert Sylvain , Latorre Juan Felipe , Aubin Thierry , Sueur Jérôme
Published: August 2021

Passive acoustic monitoring is increasingly being applied to terrestrial, marine and freshwater environments, providing cost‐efficient methods for surveying biodiversity. However, processing the avalanche of audio recordings remains challenging, and represents nowadays a major bottleneck that slows down its application in research and conservation.

We present scikit‐maad, an open‐source Python package dedicated to the analysis of environmental audio recordings. This package was designed to (a) load and process digital audio, (b) segment and find regions of interest, (c) compute acoustic features and (d) estimate sound pressure levels. The package also provides field recordings and a comprehensive online documentation that includes practical examples with step‐by‐step instructions for beginners and advanced users.

scikit‐maad opens the possibility to efficiently scan large audio datasets and easily integrate additional machine learning Python packages into the analysis, allowing to measure acoustic properties and identify key patterns in all kinds of soundscapes. To support reproducible research, the package is released under the BSD open‐source licence, which allows unrestricted redistribution for commercial and private use.

This development will create synergies between the community of ecoacousticians, such as engineers, data scientists, ecologists, biologists and conservation practitioners, to explore and understand the processes underlying the acoustic diversity of ecological systems.
What are the associations between thinning and fire severity?
Authors: Taylor Chris , Blanchard Wade , Lindenmayer David B.
Published: August 2021

There has been concern globally about the impacts of wildfires on lives, property and biodiversity. Mechanical thinning has been proposed as a way to reduce fire severity. However, its effectiveness appears to vary between regions and ecosystems. Here, we sought to answer the question: Does thinning reduce the severity of wildfire in managed eucalypt forests? We did this by completing an empirical study of the factors affecting two levels of fire severity – crown burn and crown burn/crown scorch in lowland and wet/damp forest burned in 2019‐2020 in East Gippsland, Australia. We found complex interactions between thinning, forest type and time since the last major disturbance in the best‐fitting models for crown burn and crown burn/crown scorch. The probability of a crown burn was higher in younger stands of thinned forest than in unthinned forest. Crown burn risk in thinned forest was characterised by an inverse relationship with increasing time since the last disturbance; there were no such effects in unthinned forest. We found that the probability of crown burn/crown scorch increased with time since last disturbance in both thinned and unthinned lowland forest. The probability of crown burn/crown scorch also increased over time in wet/damp forest, but the patterns were different between unthinned and thinned stands. Risk of crown burn/crown scorch was lower in young thinned forest relative to unthinned forest, but this pattern reversed with increasing time since the last disturbance. Our analyses showed the efficacy of thinning was variable, depending on fire severity, type of forest targeted for management and the age of that forest (as reflected by the time since the last major disturbance). Therefore, thinning interventions to mitigate fire severity should not be implemented without consideration of these factors and are unlikely to be a viable management option in many circumstances. This is because, in some cases, thinning can lead to elevated fire severity (e.g. soon after thinning for crown burn and in older forests for crown burn/crown scorch) and hence have opposite effects to those intended from such activities.
Population pharmacokinetics and dose optimisation of colecalciferol in paediatric patients with chronic kidney disease
Authors: Wan Mandy , Green Bruce , Iyengar Arpana Aprameya , Kamath Nivedita , Reddy Hamsa V. , Sharma Jyoti , Singhal Jyoti , Uthup Susan , Ekambaram Sudha , Selvam Sumithra , Rait Greta , Shroff Rukshana , Patel Jignesh P.
Published: August 2021

Aims

The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency is high in children with chronic kidney disease (CKD). However, current dosing recommendations are based on limited pharmacokinetic (PK) data. This study aimed to develop a population PK model of colecalciferol that can be used to optimise colecalciferol dosing in this population.

Methods

Data from 83 children with CKD were used to develop a population PK model using a nonlinear mixed effects modelling approach. Serum creatinine and type of kidney disease (glomerular vs. nonglomerular disease) were investigated as covariates, and optimal dosing was determined based on achieving and maintaining 25‐hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) concentration of 30–48 ng/mL.

Results

The time course of 25(OH)D concentrations was best described by a 1‐compartment model with the addition of a basal concentration parameter to reflect endogenous 25(OH)D production from diet and sun exposure. Colecalciferol showed wide between‐subject variability in its PK, with total body weight scaled allometrically the only covariate included in the model. Model‐based simulations showed that current dosing recommendations for colecalciferol can be optimised using a weight‐based dosing strategy.

Conclusion

This is the first study to describe the population PK of colecalciferol in children with CKD. PK model informed dosing is expected to improve the attainment of target 25(OH)D concentrations, while minimising the risk of overdosing.
A real‐world study of immune thrombocytopenia management during the COVID‐19 pandemic in the UK
Authors: Rampotas Alexandros , Watson Edmund , Burton Kieran , Hill Quentin A. , Pavord Sue
Published: August 2021

The COVID‐19 pandemic has created many challenges in the management of immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP). The recommendation for avoidance of steroids by WHO led to the off‐licence use, supported by NHS England, of thrombopoietin mimetics (TPO‐RA) for newly diagnosed or relapsed ITP. This is a real‐world prospective study which investigated the treatment patterns and outcomes in this setting. Twenty‐four hospitals across the UK submitted 343 cases. Corticosteroids remain the mainstay of ITP treatment, but TPO‐RAs were more effective. Incidental COVID‐19 infection was identified in a significant number of patients (9·5%), while 14 cases were thought to be secondary to COVID‐19 vaccination.
Job mobility and heterogeneous returns to apprenticeship training in Italy
Authors: d'Agostino Giorgio , Raitano Michele , Scarlato Margherita
Published: August 2021

This paper provides empirical evidence on the effect on wages of the mobility across firms and sectors of apprentices after graduation in Italy over the period 1997–2013. We use administrative data and employ an instrumental variable approach to account for endogenous mobility due to observed and unobserved worker characteristics. Our main finding is that job switchers not in the economic sector of the training firm faced a significant gap in wages in comparison to stayers, indicating a loss of firm‐ and sector‐specific human capital. In addition, under the new apprenticeship rules introduced in 2003 by theBiagi reform, which lessened the stringency of the norms on the training content delivered by firms, both within‐ and across‐sector job switches had large negative effect on wages, suggesting a reduction in the transferability of skills for trainees relatively to the previous regime.
(Un)Paved Junctions: Navigating the Progression of a Road‐Building Project in Santa Cruz la Laguna, Guatemala
Authors: Cremers Gijs
Published: August 2021

The construction of a paved road in Santa Cruz la Laguna, Guatemala has been widely discussed across the municipality in recent years. This article discusses how contending narratives coexisted yet changed as the construction of the road progressed. While the road‐building project became the embodiment of political disaffection and societal problems during the construction phase as it transformed the landscape, the materiality of the completed road generated hope for prosperity linked to its economic advantages. The study of this road‐landscape nexus ethnographically explores the transformation of an infrastructure project as it moves from embodying possibility to reality.
Marriage premium with productivity heterogeneity
Authors: Bonilla Roberto , Kiraly Francis , Wildman John
Published: August 2021

Using an equilibrium model of interlinked frictional labor and marriage markets where men are regarded as “breadwinners,” we establish the existence of male marriage premium within a given productivity group, as well as a clear ranking of premia across different groups. We find supporting evidence using Chinese data.
Editorial Perspective: Missing the forest for the trees – how the focus on digital addiction and gaming diverted attention away from wider online risks
Authors: Aboujaoude Elias , Gega Lina
Published: August 2021

Despite the many ways in which Internet‐related technologies can affect psychology, research into the Internet’s mental health consequences has disproportionately focussed on the narrow topics of online addiction and the closely related Internet gaming disorder. Over two decades into the online revolution, the Internet is being blamed for dramatic transformations, including a rise in extremism, social polarization and weakened democracies. In trying to understand how these shifts could have happened, or how they might be contained, society looks to mental health experts – after all, it is the interaction between technology and human psychology that is encouraging certain behaviours online and discouraging others. The field, however, has precious little to offer by way of explanations. To no small degree, this is due to the tendency to approach online psychological problems primarily through the addiction framework. The result has been to blind us to other important traits and phenomena that are playing out online and on social media, including impulsivity, aggression, inattention, narcissism and the psychological meaning of living in a postprivacy world. The article covers historical aspects of how the addiction model came to dominate the field; some insufficiently heeded early warning signals about other online ills and the big price society is paying today for this approach. We end with a call for a significant broadening of the focus of research when it comes to online psychopathology.
Combining current knowledge of Cypripedium calceolus with a new analysis of genetic variation in Italian populations to provide guidelines for conservation actions
Authors: Gargiulo Roberta , Adamo Martino , Cribb Phillip J. , Bartolucci Fabrizio , Sarasan Viswambharan , Alessandrelli Claudia , Bona Enzo , Ciaschetti Giampiero , Conti Fabio , Di Cecco Valter , Di Martino Luciano , Gentile Carmelo , Juan Ana , Magrini Sara , Mucciarelli Marco , Perazza Giorgio , Fay Michael F.
Published: August 2021

The split between conservation science and real‐world application is an ongoing issue despite several calls for unification. Researchers are empowered to partially bridge the research‐implementation gap by making their findings more accessible. Cypripedium calceolus is the most recognizable orchid of the European flora, and is currently facing habitat change and fragmentation, in addition to threats from collectors and illegal traders. Although several studies have focused on the ecological and genetic features of the species, a comprehensive account of how such aspects can be translated into concrete conservation recommendations is still missing. In this study, we describe microsatellite genetic variation in 188 individuals from different Italian populations of C. calceolus. Our results indicate the need for immediate conservation action for the most isolated populations in the Central Apennines and north‐western Italy. Although our genetic findings are specific to the Italian populations, our aim is to review ecological and population genetic aspects in C. calceolus and their implications for conservation against the existing threats. Therefore, our detailed guidelines for translocation, habitat management and post‐translocation monitoring can be used to inform conservation strategies in threatened populations of C. calceolus across its range.
Mitochondrial DNA may act as a biomarker to predict donor‐kidney quality
Authors: Hao Changzhen , Zhang Jiandong , Zhang Feilong , Wu Jiyue , Cao Huawei , Wang Wei
Published: August 2021

Kidney transplantation is the best therapy for end‐stage renal disease. Demand for kidney transplantation rises year‐on‐year, and the gap between kidney supply and demand remains large. To meet this clinical need, a gradual expansion in the supply of donors is required. However, clinics lack appropriate tools capable of quickly and accurately predicting post‐transplant renal allograft function, and thus assess donor‐kidney quality before transplantation. Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is a key component of damage‐associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) and plays an important part in ischemia‐reperfusion injury (IRI), accelerating the progression of IRI by inducing inflammation and type I interferon responses. mtDNA is known to be closely involved in delayed graft function (DGF) and acute kidney injury (AKI) after transplantation. Thus, mtDNA is a potential biomarker able to predict post‐transplant renal allograft function. This review summarizes mtDNA biology, the role mtDNA plays in renal transplantation, outlines advances in detecting mtDNA, and details mtDNA's able to predict post‐transplant renal allograft function. We aim to elucidate the potential value of mtDNA as a biomarker in the prediction of IRI, and eventually provide help for predicting donor‐kidney quality.
The cognitive basis of dyslexia in school‐aged children: A multiple case study in a transparent orthography
Authors: Dębska Agnieszka , Łuniewska Magdalena , Zubek Julian , Chyl Katarzyna , Dynak Agnieszka , Dzięgiel‐Fivet Gabriela , Plewko Joanna , Jednoróg Katarzyna , Grabowska Anna
Published: August 2021

This study focuses on the role of numerous cognitive skills such as phonological awareness (PA), rapid automatized naming (RAN), visual and selective attention, auditory skills, and implicit learning in developmental dyslexia. We examined the (co)existence of cognitive deficits in dyslexia and assessed cognitive skills’ predictive value for reading. First, we compared school‐aged children with severe reading impairment (n = 51) to typical readers (n = 71) to explore the individual patterns of deficits in dyslexia. Children with dyslexia, as a group, presented low PA and RAN scores, as well as limited implicit learning skills. However, we found no differences in the other domains. We found a phonological deficit in 51% and a RAN deficit in 26% of children with dyslexia. These deficits coexisted in 14% of the children. Deficits in other cognitive domains were uncommon and most often coexisted with phonological or RAN deficits. Despite having a severe reading impairment, 26% of children with dyslexia did not present any of the tested deficits. Second, in a group of children presenting a wide range of reading abilities (N = 211), we analysed the relationship between cognitive skills and reading level. PA and RAN were independently related to reading abilities. Other skills did not explain any additional variance. The impact of PA and RAN on reading skills differed. While RAN was a consistent predictor of reading, PA predicted reading abilities particularly well in average and good readers with a smaller impact in poorer readers.
Visual attention and dietary supplementation in children with perinatal brain injury
Authors: Atkinson Janette , Braddick Oliver , Montague‐Johnson Christine , Baker Bonny , Parr Jeremy R , Sullivan Peter , Andrew Morag J
Published: August 2021

Aim

To investigate whether children with perinatal brain injury have impairments in specific components of visual attention, and whether early dietary supplementation can reduce any deficits.

Method

Children participating in the Dolphin neonatal trial of dietary supplementation were tested at age 6 months with the Infant Fixation Shift Attention Test, and at 4 to 5 years with four subtests of the Early Childhood Attention Battery (ECAB) assessing different components of attention (selective, sustained, and executive function), and the Fluid Crystallized Intelligence Index of the Kaufman Assessment Battery for Children, Second Edition (KABC‐II). From 59 children originally assigned to trial groups, 33 were available for testing at 4 to 5 years (18 treatment group of whom seven, six, and five showed mild, moderate, or severe neonatal brain injury; 15 controls with one, seven, and seven in the neonatal brain injury categories respectively). Given the imbalance in numbers with mild brain injury, analysis of trial group differences is restricted to moderate and severe brain injury severities (n=25).

Results

Children with perinatal brain injury showed poorer attention across all components relative to age norms (mean standard scores 75–87; p<0.001 for three of the four subtests), with the greatest impairment in sustained attention. These impairments remained when compared with cognitive age assessed using the Fluid Crystallized Intelligence Index. Impairment was reduced in the treatment compared to the control group (p=0.04 for flanker test, p=0.002 for counterpointing, and p=0.027 for the overall ECAB score).

Interpretation

Perinatal brain injury is associated with later impaired attention, beyond that predicted from any general cognitive disability. Impairment varies across attention components, being most severe for sustained attention. The effects on flanker and counterpointing suggest that dietary supplementation from 0 to 2 years of age may reduce attention problems. Measuring the different components of attention is important when considering assessment and interventions for children with perinatal brain injury.
Recurrent pain in adolescents with cerebral palsy: a longitudinal population‐based study
Authors: Larsen Selma Mujezinović , Terjesen Terje , Jahnsen Reidun B , Ramstad Kjersti
Published: August 2021

Aim

To investigate the pain characteristics, pain interference with activities of daily living, and use of analgesics in adolescents with cerebral palsy (CP) and compare the results with previous findings.

Method

Sixty‐seven adolescents (median age 14y 4mo, range 12y 2mo–17y, 28 females, 39 males) classified in Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) levels III to V, who participated in a CP surveillance programme, were assessed on pain measures twice, 5 years apart. Primary caregivers marked recurrent pain sites and graded pain interference with activities of daily living and sleep. Information on pain severity was obtained through two questions from the Child Health Questionnaire (CHQ) and were transformed into a pain score scaled from 0 to 100, where 100 represented no pain. The use of short‐acting analgesics was recorded.

Results

Over 5 years, the prevalence of recurrent pain, number of pain sites, pain intensity, and pain frequency all increased significantly. The most frequent pain sites were the hip/thigh in GMFCS level V and knee in GMFCS level III. The median CHQ pain score decreased from 60 to 40 (p<0.001). Pain interference with activities of daily living increased (p=0.011) but not for sleep. Twenty‐eight of 54 participants with moderate or severe pain (CHQ pain score ≤60) received no short‐acting analgesics.

Interpretation

In adolescents with CP, pain increased over 5 years despite follow‐up in a surveillance programme. For enhanced management of pain, we propose that an algorithm on pain should be included in surveillance programmes.
Does the transfer of farmland use rights increase farmers’ long‐term intention to work in cities?
Authors: Huang Zhengxue , Zhou Jingkui , Huang Xiong
Published: August 2021

This study investigates how the transfer of rural land contract management rights in China has influenced the choice of rural workers to work in cities in the long run. Using data from the Rural Household Survey and Migrant Household Survey from the China Household Income Project in 2007, 2008 and 2013, we find that rural land transfers and the subsequent human capital effect are found to play important roles in farmers’ decision to give up agricultural work and relocate to work in urban areas. Our findings indicate that the Chinese government should accelerate the implementation of policies that promote the separation of ownership rights, contracting rights and management rights of contracted land and continuously improve the rural land property rights system.
Using wind vanes to study how thrips reach colored traps
Authors: Ben‐Yakir David , Carvalho C. Jorge
Published: August 2021

In agricultural crops, colored traps are often used to monitor the density of thrips (Thysanoptera: Thripidae), important pests and vectors of viral diseases. We used colored pole traps, mounted on wind vanes, to study thrips approach in two countries. In Israel, during periods of low wind speed (<1.1 km h‐1), 77% of western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande), reached the leeward side of traps by actively flying upwind. In New Zealand, during periods of high wind speed (>9 km h‐1), 83% of onion thrips, Thrips tabaci Lindeman, reached the windward side of traps passively. Consequences of these results for thrips monitoring are discussed.
Symptomatic and full remission rates in first‐episode psychosis: A 12‐month follow‐up study in Korea
Authors: Kang Shi Hyun , Piao Yan Hong , Li Ling , Kim Sung Wan , Kim Jung Jin , Lee Bong Ju , Yu Je Chun , Lee Kyu Young , Won Seung Hee , Lee Seung Hwan , Kim Seung Hyun , Kim Euitae , Rami Fatima Zahra , Chung Young Chul
Published: August 2021

Aim

In the present study, the prevalence and predictors of symptomatic and full remission were investigated in patients with first‐episode psychosis (FEP) at the 12‐month follow‐up.

Methods

A total of 308 participants aged 18–45 years fulfilled the study inclusion criteria and 214 completed the 12‐month follow‐up.

Results

At the 12‐month follow‐up, 67.3% (142) and 25.9% (55) of the FEP patients met the criteria for symptomatic and full remission, respectively. Stepwise logistic regression analysis showed a shorter duration of untreated psychosis (DUP), no family history, lower Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) negative symptom scores at baseline and higher familial support predicted symptomatic remission at the 12‐month follow‐up. A higher educational level, shorter DUP, lower PANSS general symptoms scores at baseline and higher subjective well‐being under neuroleptics emotional regulation scores predicted full remission.

Conclusions

Our findings regarding the rates of symptomatic and full remission are consistent with previous studies. The results indicate a large discrepancy between symptomatic versus full remission rates at a 12‐month follow‐up in patients with FEP. Effective psychosocial interventions are necessary to improve the outcomes of FEP patients.