bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Teleprecepting: A timely approach to clinical education during COVID-19
Authors: Johnson Deborah , Gatewood Elizabeth , Ling Amanda , Kuo Angel Chen
Published: March 2021

Clinical training is a key component of nurse practitioner (NP) education. The rapid shift to telehealth necessitated by the pandemic has also created a need for socially distanced education and precepting. This article presents teleprecepting as a modality for clinical opportunities and connecting students to previously limited experiences, such as training in small specialties, in rural areas, and with interdisciplinary teams. Precepting NP students using telehealth follows similar principles as in-person teaching, but some modifications and additional considerations are needed to transition to the virtual environment. At a time when many NPs have swiftly adapted to telehealth in practice, this article will offer a brief “how-to” for teleprecepting. Prior to COVID-19, teleprecepting was piloted with less than 2% of NP students in the school's pilot teleprecepting project. Seven months after the initial surge of cases and restrictions, 72% of students (n = 151) in the family nurse practitioner, psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner, and pediatric nurse practitioner specialties had transitioned to teleprecepting. This project was implemented rapidly during the pandemic, and thus, evaluations comparing competency outcomes and experiences of students and preceptors are still in process. Additionally, feasibility of this educational model may change as telehealth regulations continue to evolve. COVID-19 poses challenges for both patient care and clinical training of NP students across specialties. With some adaptation, clinical placements can be transitioned to the virtual environment of telehealth. Future studies should examine student competencies based on teleprecepting experiences and preceptor training to support teleprecepting roles.
Progressive Familial Intrahepatic Cholestasis Associated With USP53 Gene Mutation in a Brazilian Child
Authors: Porta Gilda , Rigo Paula S.M. , Porta Adriana , Pugliese Renata P.S. , Danesi Vera L.B. , Oliveira Eliene , Borges Cristian C.V. , Ribeiro Cristiane , Miura Irene K.
Published: March 2021

A case of low-γ-glutamyltranspetidase cholestasis associated with ubiquitin-specific peptidase 53 (USP53) gene mutation in a Brazilian child is described. Transient jaundice and hypocholia started at the age of 10 days. Liver enzymes, total bilirubin, and total bile acids were elevated at presentation. During follow-up, he developed cholelithiasis treated with cholecystectomy, and an intracranial hemorrhage resolved with full recovery. At last, evaluation at the age of 18 months, he was not jaundiced and had normal liver tests, but experienced from moderate pruritus despite treatment with rifampicin and ursodeoxycholic acid. A genetic study revealed novel homozygous mutations c.1687_1688delinsC p.Ser563Profs∗25 in theUSP53gene. His parents carried the same heterozygous mutation in theUSP53gene.
Women's Knowledge of Postpartum Anxiety Disorders, Depression, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Authors: Ponzini Gabriella T. , Snider Mira D.H. , Evey Kelsey J. , Steinman Shari A.
Published: March 2021

Although awareness of postpartum depression (PPD) has increased, postpartum anxiety disorders (PPA) remain overlooked. Understanding women's knowledge of PPA and their effective treatments is needed given the underutilization of treatment and associated negative health outcomes. Two internet-based studies (OSF [https://osf.io/3fjvr] preregistered follow-up) were conducted to identify women's knowledge and familiarity with PPD and PPA and knowledge of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Study 1 revealed that women who were planning to become pregnant, pregnant, or recently postpartum (N = 218) were less familiar with PPA than PPD and had limited familiarity with CBT. Women also reported low screening rates for PPA and low perceived treatment seeking for women with PPA and PPD. Study 2 (N = 290) revealed that recently postpartum women recognized fewer symptoms and recommended treatment less often for PPA than PPD and had limited CBT knowledge. Overall, results indicate limited knowledge of PPA compared with PPD, indicating a need for targeted information to perinatal women.
Quantitative Analysis of Mobile Proteins in Normal Brain Tissue by Amide Proton Transfer Imaging: Age Dependence and Sex Differences
Authors: Sugawara Kazuaki , Miyati Tosiaki , Ueda Ryo , Yoshimaru Daisuke , Nakamura Masanobu , Komatsu Shuhei , Hagiwara Kazuchika , Saigusa Kuniyasu
Published: March 2021

Purpose

The aims of this study were to evaluate the relationship between age change and amide proton transfer (APT) signal in each region of the whole brain and to derive the standard value of APT signal in each brain region of normal adults.

Materials and Methods

Using the mDIXON 3-dimensional–APT sequence of the fast spin echo method, an APT image was obtained. In total, 60 patients (mean age, 49.8 ± 16.9 years) with no abnormal findings on magnetic resonance imaging data were included. For image analysis, registration parameters were created using the FMRIB Software Library 5.0.11, and then a region of interest was set in the Montreal Neurological Institute structural atlas for analysis. Statistical analyses were performed using the age-dependent and sex differences in APT signals from each brain region.

Results

No significant correlation was seen between APT signal and age and sex in all brain regions.

Conclusion

Under the APT imaging parameter conditions used in this study, local brain APT signals in healthy adults are independent of age and sex.
Benign Adrenal Nodule Mimicking Lymphoma Differentially Diagnosed by 18F-FDG and 18F-FGln PET/CT
Authors: Xu Xiaoxia , Zhu Hua , Kung Hank F. , Li Nan , Yang Zhi
Published: March 2021

18F-FDG and 18F-(2S,4R)4-fluoroglutamine (18F-FGln) PET/CT were performed in a 58-year-old woman with suspected small intestinal malignancy for differential diagnosis and staging. 18F-FDG and 18F-FGln PET images showed consistent intense hypermetabolic lesion activity in part of the small intestine. Moreover, 18F-FDG/PET demonstrated a focal of increased radiotracer uptake in left adrenal lesion, which did not show abnormal activity on 18F-FGln/PET. The postoperative pathology confirmed that it was a peripheral T-cell lymphomas of the intestine, and the adrenal lesion was considered benign after continuous CT follow-up for more than 2 years.
FAPI Uptake in a Vertebral Body Fracture in a Patient With Lung Cancer
Authors: Wu Junhao , Liu Huipan , Ou Lei , Jiang Guohao , Zhang Chunyin
Published: March 2021

A left pulmonary nodule was identified by CT scan in a 53-year-old woman who had a car accident 10 days earlier. 18F-FDG PET/CT showed multiple FDG-avid lesions located at the left lung nodule, mediastinal lymph nodules, and L4 vertebral body. 68Ga-FAPI PET/CT was performed for further evaluation. However, 68Ga-FAPI demonstrated intense FAPI uptake in the accident-related fracture of the L4 vertebral body. This case documents that the fracture of the vertebral body may cause FAPI uptake, and nuclear clinicians evaluating 68Ga-FAPI imaging should be aware of this potential pitfall.
68Ga-DOTATOC PET/CT in Pleural Solitary Fibrous Tumors
Authors: Lococo Filippo , Rufini Vittoria , Filice Angelina , Paci Massimiliano , Rindi Guido
Published: March 2021

Solitary fibrous tumor of the pleura (SFTP) is a rare mesenchymal neoplasm. Preoperative diagnosis is usually difficult and based on radiological findings only. We report the imaging results observed in 5 patients with SFTP (2 malignant) obtained by 68Ga-DOTATOC PET/CT. At qualitative analysis, all tumors showed uptake of 68Ga-DOTATOC. Mean tumor SUVmax was 9.9 ± 5.7. The expression of SST2 (somatostatin receptors subtype 2) was confirmed by immunohistochemistry in 2 tumor samples, and by gene amplification of SST2 mRNA in all cases. These data suggest a diagnostic role of radioreceptor PET/CT in SFTP, and open novel potential treatment options in unresectable/metastatic disease.
When Benign Behaves Badly
Authors: Caserta Melanie P. , Fetzer David T. , Swensson Jordan K. , Rodgers Shuchi K. , Boyum James H.
Published: March 2021

Hemangioma is the most common benign liver tumor and is frequently encountered as an incidental finding on imaging. The classic enhancement pattern of hemangioma is diagnostic on contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS), and it follows the same pattern of enhancement on computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. However, there is a subset of hemangiomas that demonstrate atypical enhancement patterns on CEUS. The ability to recognize the different enhancement patterns and discern when additional imaging or biopsy may be necessary is essential to accurately interpret an atypical hemangioma on CEUS. This article reviews various enhancement patterns of hemangioma on CEUS to avoid pitfalls in characterization of focal liver lesions on CEUS.
The Impact of Lung Ultrasound on Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pneumonia Suspected Patients Admitted to Emergency Departments
Authors: Öztürk Sönmez Leyla , Katipoğlu Burak , Vatansev Hülya , Kaykisiz Eylem Kuday , Yüce Nalan , Szarpak Lukasz , Evrin Togay
Published: March 2021

Objective

The aim of this study was to identify the sensitivity and specificity of lung ultrasound (LUS) and show its place in diagnosing patients with known coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pneumonia, according to chest computed tomography and the COVID-19 reporting and data system (CO-RADS).

Methods

Nineteen patients who admitted to a single university hospital emergency department between March 5, 2020, and April 27, 2020, describing dyspnea were included in the study and underwent LUS by a single emergency specialist. The patient population was divided into 2 groups, COVID-19 positive and negative, and the sensitivity and specificity of LUS according to chest computed tomography were calculated for COVID-19 pneumonia diagnosis. In the subgroup analysis, the patient group was divided into real-time reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction positive (n = 7) and negative (n = 12), and sensitivity and specificity were calculated according to the CO-RADS.

Results

According to the CO-RADS, significant differences were detected between the LUS positive and negative groups in terms of COVID-19 pneumonia presence. Only 1 patient was evaluated as CO-RADS 2 in the LUS positive group, and 2 patients were evaluated as CO-RADS 4 in the LUS negative group (P = 0.04). The sensitivity of LUS according to the CO-RADS for COVID-19 pneumonia diagnosis was measured to be 77.78% (95% confidence interval [CI], 39.9%–97.1%), specificity was 90% (95% CI, 55.5%–99.75%), positive predictive value was 87.5% (95% CI, 51.35%–97.8%), and accuracy was 84.21% (95% CI, 60.4%–96.62%; P = 0.004).

Conclusions

In conclusion, LUS is easily used in the diagnosis of COVID-19 pneumonia because it has bedside application and is fast, easy to apply, reproducible, radiation free, safe for pregnant women, and cheap.
Practice Patterns Among Hand Surgeons According to Primary Residency Training
Authors: Carter Jordan T. , Tarabishy Sami , Polmear Micheal , Gonzalez Gilberto , Herrera Fernando A.
Published: March 2021

Introduction

Hand surgery fellowships accept applicants from 3 different residencies: general surgery, orthopedic surgery, and plastic surgery. Although all of these specialties culminate into a board-certified hand surgeon, each specialty receives drastically different training in residency, which can have effects on which procedures these surgeons feel comfortable performing in their own practices. This study aims to compare practice patterns and complication rates among hand surgeons by residency training.

Methods

The National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database was queried between the years of 2014 and 2018 for all Current Procedural Terminology codes pertaining to upper-extremity surgical procedures performed below the elbow. Procedures not performed by a general, orthopedic, or plastic surgeon were excluded, as well as polytraumas. Procedures were then stratified by anatomic region, tissue type, and primary specialty of the attending surgeon. Data collected included the number of each procedure, patient complexity, and complications. Statistical analysis consisted of a t test for continuous variables, χ
2 analysis for categorical variables, and linear regression analysis to compare complications rates between specialties.

Results

A total of 76,980 unique cases were included in our analysis: 4979 (6.4%) at the elbow, 43,680 (56.7%) at the forearm/wrist, 23,284 (30.2%) at the hand, 1421 (1.8%) flaps/grafts, 285 (0.4%) vascular, and 3331 (4.3%) neurological. Orthopedics performed most (79.5%) of the procedures, whereas plastic surgeons and general surgeons performed 17.3% and 3.1%, respectively. There were also significant differences by anatomic location/type of procedure, with orthopedic surgeons performing 99.2% of procedures at the elbow but only 67.7% of procedures at the hand. Linear regression analysis showed general surgeons had the lowest complication rates.

Conclusions

Our data show significant differences in the number of upper-extremity surgeries performed by surgeons from each specialty at different anatomic locations.

This could be due to differences in training during residency or proportionately more orthopedic surgeons being “full-time” hand surgeons. These data could affect hiring patterns in hospitals seeking hand surgeons depending on the variety of pathology encountered at that particular institution.
Successful Treatment of Life-Threatening COVID-19 Infection in a Face Transplant Recipient
Authors: Coombs Demetrius M. , Kwiecien Grzegorz J. , Koval Christine , Eghtesad Bijan , Papay Francis A. , Siemionow Maria , Gastman Brian R.
Published: March 2021

Recent literature suggests that severe COVID-19 is associated with an exaggerated immune response during viral infection, resulting in cytokine storm. Although elevated plasma interleukin 6 (IL-6) has been reported in severe COVID-19 infections, and treatment with anti–IL-6 (tocilizumab) has demonstrated promising outcomes both domestically and abroad, reports remain limited and therapeutic regimens vary considerably. Furthermore, research pertaining to transplant recipients, COVID-19 infection, and anti–IL-6 therapy remains underdeveloped. Herein, we report the successful treatment of the only reported facial vascularized composite allograft (VCA) recipient who contracted severe COVID-19 and the first reported VCA recipient with COVID-19 infection that received anti–IL-6 immunotherapy resulting in an excellent recovery despite his multiple preexisting and COVID-19–related comorbidities—adult respiratory distress syndrome, acute renal failure requiring hemodialysis, and concomitant sepsis due to extensive drug-resistant bacterial pneumonia upon presentation. To date, he has not demonstrated any anti-IL-6 drug-related adverse effects. This preliminary report also suggests that our immunosuppressed VCA patients can indeed demonstrate a robust cytokine response during COVID-19 infection and may also respond favorably to emerging anticytokine immune therapies. We hope that our experience proves helpful to other centers that might encounter critically ill VCA recipients in the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and in the years to follow.
Central nervous system tuberculosis
Authors: Dian Sofiati , Ganiem Ahmad Rizal , van Laarhoven Arjan
Published: March 2021

Purpose of review

Central nervous system (CNS) tuberculosis is the most devastating form of tuberculosis (TB), with mortality and or neurological sequelae in over half of individuals. We reviewed original research and systematic reviews published since 1 January 2019 for new developments in CNS TB pathophysiology, diagnosis, management and prognosis.

Recent findings

Insight in the pathophysiology is increasing steadily since the landmark studies in 1933, focussing on granuloma type classification, the relevance of the M. tuberculosis bacterial burden and the wide range of immunological responses. Although Xpert/RIF has been recommended by the WHO for extrapulmonary TB diagnosis, culture is still needed to increase the sensitivity of TB meningitis diagnosis. Sequential MRIs can improve understanding of neurological deficits at baseline and during treatment. Pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic modelling suggests that higher doses of rifampicin and isoniazid in TB meningitis could improve survival.

Recent studies in the field of CNS-TB have largely focussed on TB meningitis. The outcome may improve by optimizing treatment dosing. This needs to be confirmed in clinical trials. Due to the important role of inflammation, these trials should be used as the platform to study the inflammatory and metabolomic responses. This could improve understanding of the biology of this disease and improve patient outlook by enabling individualised host-directed therapy.
Activation Syndrome in a Patient With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Treated With Atomoxetine: A Case Report
Authors: Karakaya Sümeyra Elif Kaplan , Yektaş Çiğdem , Tufan Ali Evren
Published: March 2021

“Activation syndrome” represents a cluster of symptoms of excessive emotional arousal or behavioral activation, which emerges after the first few weeks of antidepressant treatment or a dose increase and resolves with dose reduction or cessation of treatment. It was reported after treatment with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor group of agents, but no case of activation syndrome has been reported with the norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor group. Atomoxetine is a norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor and nonstimulant and is used to manage symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Atomoxetine-related symptoms of mania and hypomania were reported in literature previously. Here, we report a case of activation syndrome arising after atomoxetine (ATX) dose titration in a prepubertal male child with ADHD. Differentiation of activation symptoms from mania/hypomania symptoms after treatment with ATX may be important for the clinicians to manage the adverse effects and understand the risk factors behind activation syndrome with use of ATX in children and adolescents diagnosed with ADHD.
Electroconvulsive Therapy for Bipolar Depression in Older Adults
Authors: Morcos Nicholas , Maixner Susan , Maixner Daniel F.
Published: March 2021

Objectives

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a well-established treatment for mood disorders in younger adults and has been consistently shown to be safe and effective in unipolar depression in older adults. However, data on this treatment in older adults with bipolar disorder are limited. In this retrospective study, we report outcomes from all cases of older adults with bipolar depression who received ECT from a large academic institution over a 7-year period.

Methods

We retrospectively identified all patients 65 years and older with bipolar depression who were treated with ECT over a 7-year period. Patients receiving ECT for an episode of bipolar depression were included in the study based on chart review and availability of documented outcome measures. Primary outcomes were changes in Montreal Cognitive Assessment and Clinical Global Impressions scores.

Results

We identified 34 patients meeting inclusion criteria. Collectively, patients had statistically significant improvement in Montreal Cognitive Assessment scores and reductions in Clinical Global Impressions severity scores after treatment. Pre- and posttreatment Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale scores were also available for a subset of 20 patients and demonstrated a similarly significant reduction in severity with treatment. There were no serious adverse effects of treatment, and no patients discontinued treatment.

Conclusions

Electroconvulsive therapy was well tolerated and effective in treating bipolar depression in older adults. Importantly, these findings challenge commonly held worries about cognitive decline in older adults receiving ECT. It should be a regular consideration for management of this challenging illness in a population that may otherwise not respond to pharmacotherapy.
Adjuvant High-Definition Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation for Negative Symptoms in Schizophrenia
Authors: Dharani Ramamoorthy , Goyal Nishant , Mukherjee Aniruddha , Umesh Shreekantiah
Published: March 2021

Objective

In schizophrenia, negative symptoms account for a substantial amount of the comorbidity resulting in poor performance in social interaction, interpersonal relationships, economic functioning, and recreational activities. Research has implicated hypofrontality in the pathogenesis of negative symptoms of schizophrenia. Conventional transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) to the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex has attracted significant interest as an add-on treatment for negative symptoms in schizophrenia. High-definition tDCS (HD-tDCS), an optimized form of tDCS, has the potential for more focalized neuromodulation. Hence, we aimed to evaluate the efficacy of HD-tDCS over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex in the improvement of negative symptoms in schizophrenia.

Methods

Fourteen patients with schizophrenia with predominantly negative symptoms were enrolled for this pilot, randomized, sham-controlled, double-blind trial. Each participant received 10 sessions of HD-tDCS at 2 mA for 20 minutes twice daily over 5 days. Negative symptoms were assessed with the Scale for Assessment of Negative Symptoms and Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale for Schizophrenia. The Calgary Depression Scale for Schizophrenia was used to rule out depressive symptoms. Assessments were carried out at baseline and at 2 weeks.

Results

The improvement in negative symptoms in the active group was statistically significant at P value of 0.05 as compared with the sham group.

Conclusion

These results suggest that HD-tDCS may lead to improvement in negative symptoms of schizophrenia. Its use as an adjunct to pharmacological treatment of negative symptoms may be worth considering.
An internally-controlled memristor-based amplitude shift keying modulator
Authors: Maxwell Chiemeka Loveth , Yu Dongsheng , Leng Yang
Published: March 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to design and construct an amplitude shift keying (ASK) modulator, which, using the digital binary modulating signal, controls a floating memristor emulator (MR) internally without the need for additional control circuits to achieve the ASK modulated wave.

Design/methodology/approach

A binary digital unipolar signal to be modulated is converted by a pre-processor circuit into a suitable bipolar modulating direct current (DC) signal for the control of the MR state, using current conveyors the carrier signal’s amplitude is varied with the change in the memristance of the floating MR. A high pass filter is then used to remove the DC control signal (modulating signal) leaving only the modulated carrier signal.

Findings

The results from the experiment and simulation are in agreement showed that the MR can be switched between two states and that a change in the carrier signals amplitude can be achieved by using an MR. Thus, showing that the circuit behavior is in line with the proposed theory and validating the said theory.

Originality/value

In this paper, the binary signal to be modulated is modified into a suitable control signal for the MR, thus the MR relies on the internal operation of the modulator circuit for the control of its memristance. An ASK modulation can then be achieved using a floating memristor without the need for additional circuits or signals to control its memristance.
Dynamic construction site layout planning: an application of branch and bond algorithm
Authors: Sing Michael C.P. , Fung Ivan W.H. , Edwards David John , Liu Henry
Published: March 2021

Purpose

This paper develops a platform that can be used to determine how to effectively and efficiently deal with a large number of temporary facilities under a constrained site condition(s). The ultimate goal is to reduce the material handling costs between transformation phases of construction works occurring during the project's development period.

Design/methodology/approach

Empirical and deductive research is first adopted to mathematical model dynamic site layout planning using the branch and bond algorithm (B&B). Second, a real-life construction project is examined to illustrate how dynamic site layout planning (using the aforementioned B&B algorithm and a computer software program called LINGO) can reduce the material handling costs. The application of the proposed methodology is then showcased against a case study that utilizes a comparative analysis between the “dynamic” and “statistic” site planning approaches.

Findings

By dividing the construction period into different phases, the developed model is shown to be capable of optimizing the material handling costs between the phases of transformation during construction works. Optimal costs are also considered using the site boundary and unit cost for moving construction materials between two facilities. The comparative analysis results illustrate that the B&B algorithm reduces material handling costs by 33%.

Practical implications

The proposed model offers an effective planning algorithm for the site layout and location of temporary facilities. More specifically, it can make a substantial improvement in reducing the travel time and material handling cost between the temporary facilities in the construction sites.

Originality/value

The primary knowledge contribution of this study to the site layout is successfully deal with the unequal area problem of temporary site facilities and incorporates the concept of dynamics site planning into the algorithm.
Supply chain risks, technological and digital challenges facing grocery retailers in South Africa
Authors: Hove-Sibanda Progress , Motshidisi Marumo , Igwe Paul Agu
Published: March 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the risks, innovations and technological enablers or barriers to the efficiency of the supply chain risk management (SCRM) implementation in the retail sector of South Africa.

Design/methodology/approach

This study applied a qualitative research approach by conducting interviews with grocery retail store managers. Through convenience sampling, 12 representatives from 12 stores (1 representative per store was interviewed at each of the 12 stores) were interviewed.

Findings

This study mainly found that most of the grocery retail stores experience late deliveries, damaged stock, theft, high fuel costs and expired stock from their respective suppliers. It was found that firms are faced with similar supply chain risks. In addition, innovations and technologies such as the internet of things (IoT) and social media are making an impact in wider industrial change.

Practical implications

Adaptation of efficient and effective SCRM has had implications for practice related to improvements in the retail stores’ supply chain, the profitability of retail stores, marketing, promotions and consumer experiences.

Originality/value

This study is unique as it provides new insight into variables that affects the quality of service in the retail sector; customer service in the retail sector; innovations and technology help mitigate SCRM experienced in the retail sector from a developing country perspective.
Blockchain technology in financial services: a comprehensive review of the literature
Authors: Pal Abhinav , Tiwari Chandan Kumar , Behl Aastha
Published: March 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to thoroughly review studies that have used blockchain technology in financial services. This study will help provide a holistic framework that would highlight the current state and challenges of the blockchain in the financial services sector.

Design/methodology/approach

The objective of this study is to systematically examine and organize the current body of research literature that either quantitatively or qualitatively explored the use of blockchain technology in financial services. The study uses PRISMA-guided systematic review along with bibliometric analysis to achieve the purpose.

Findings

This study contributes to the existing literature by exploring and analyzing systematic studies available on blockchain with special reference to financial services sector. With blockchain based on five principles, namely, computational logic, peer-to-peer transmission, irreversibility of records, distributed database and transparency with pseudonym has immense potential to unleash and transform the financial service industry. With increasing blockchain-based operations of decentralized banking, insurance, trade finance, financial markets and cryptocurrency market, the subject is rapidly growing and seeking considerable contribution from scholars from around the world.

Research limitations/implications

This study uses systematic literature review approach, which has its own demerits. Like other studies based on Systematic Literature Review, this study also suffers from a certain bias such as sample selection bias, publication bias, data interpretation and the combination of quantitative and qualitative studies in the population. Further, the adoption and resultant benefits of blockchain have not been empirically tested.

Practical implications

This study can help policymakers and institutions in determining their future course of action, as it highlights the state of research in the area of blockchain technology and financial services.

Originality/value

Very few studies have done a comprehensive review of literature on blockchain in financial services.
When peril responds to plague: predatory journal engagement with COVID-19
Authors: Allen Ryan M.
Published: March 2021

Purpose

The academic community has warned that predatory journals may attempt to capitalize on the confusion caused by the COVID-19 pandemic to further publish low quality academic work, eroding the credibility of scholarly publishing.

Design/methodology/approach

This article first chronicles the risks of predatory publishing, especially related to misinformation surrounding health research. Next, the author offers an empirical investigation of how predatory publishing has engaged with COVID-19, with an emphasis on journals related to virology, immunology and epidemiology as identified through Cabells' Predatory Reports, through a content analysis of publishers' websites and a comparison to a sample from DOAJ.

Findings

The empirical findings show that there were 162 titles related to these critical areas from journals listed on Cabells with a range of infractions, but most were defunct and only 39 had published on the pandemic. Compared to a DOAJ comparison group, the predatory journal websites were less likely to mention slowdowns to the peer review process related to the pandemic. Furthermore, another 284 predatory journals with COVID-19 engagement were uncovered from the initial exploration. These uncovered journals mostly centered on medical or biological science fields, while 42 titles came from other broader fields in social science, other STEM or humanities.

Originality/value

This study does not prove that predatory publications have released misinformation pertaining to COVID-19, but rather it exemplifies the potential within a complex academic publishing space. As these outlets have proven to be vectors of misleading science, libraries and the broader educational community need to stay vigilant as information intermediaries of online research.
The effects of shared leadership on team performance
Authors: Han Jiyeong , Yoon Jeewhan , Choi Woojae , Hong Gyehoon
Published: March 2021

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the relationship between shared leadership and team performance at the team level. Drawing on conservation of resources (COR) theory, the authors examine whether shared leadership is associated with team performance through team positive psychological capital (PsyCap). This study further examines whether task-oriented and relationship-oriented shared leadership affect team performance differently.

Design/methodology/approach

Multi-source survey data were obtained from 92 team leaders and 319 employees. An aggregation approach was used to analyze the data at the team level.

Findings

A high level of shared leadership positively influences team performance through the mediation of team PsyCap. Moreover, relationship-oriented shared leadership is positively associated with team performance through team PsyCap, while task-oriented shared leadership is negatively associated with team performance without the mediating effect of team PsyCap.

Practical implications

By focusing on the negative effects of task-oriented shared leadership and the positive effects of relationship-oriented shared leadership and team PsyCap on team performance, this study suggests new ways to manage team performance effectively and extends shared leadership literature.

Originality/value

This study applied COR theory to analyze the effect of shared leadership mediated by team PsyCap on team performance. It contributes to shared leadership literature by shedding light on the negative effects of task-oriented shared leadership and on the positive aspects of relationship-oriented shared leadership.
Examining the role of knowledge sharing on employee performance with a mediating effect of organizational learning
Authors: Meher Jamini Ranjan , Mishra Rohita Kumar
Published: March 2021

Purpose

The current world of knowledge has a demand for intellectual capital to position or prosper any business. Organizations are constantly looking for developing a pool of talent to gain a competitive advantage. The purpose of this study is to find out the contribution of knowledge sharing that enhances the performance of the employees. This study also exhibits a model for measuring the performance of the employee.

Design/methodology/approach

This study is based on the primary and secondary sources of data. This paper has collected 354 samples from the different information technology (IT) firms located in India. The data were analyzed through statistical package for the social sciences-23 and analysis of moment structures. Path analysis has been conducted to examine the independent and mediating effects on the dependent factor.

Findings

This study confirms the conceptual model with the data. The key contributors are organizational intelligence (OI), organizational learning and knowledge sharing and organizational culture. The performance of the employee is primarily based on organizational learning. OI, knowledge sharing and organizational culture are the major factors that create an environment for organizational learning.

Practical implications

The findings suggest that organizational learning stimulates the effect of knowledge management practices on employee performance. Apart from this OI affirms the learning culture for IT firms.

Originality/value

Drawing from the different theories, this is the first study where the role of OI, organizational culture and knowledge sharing simultaneously aligned and shows the effect on employee performance with the mediation role of organizational learning.
Voter expectations of government formation in coalition systems: The importance of the information context
Authors: BOWLER SHAUN , MCELROY GAIL , MÜLLER STEFAN
Published: March 2021

Can voters in multi‐party systems predict which coalition will form the government with any degree of accuracy? To date, studies which explore voter expectations of coalition formation have emphasized individual level attributes, such as education, but the complexity of the environment at the time the coalitions are forming should also be consequential in enabling (or handicapping) voters in forming expectations. We examine the relative effects of individual level attributes (e.g., education, cognitive mobilization) versus contextual factors (e.g., information availability) in 19 German state elections and 3 German general elections between 2009 and 2017. We find that the ease of identifiability of alternative future governments varies significantly across multi‐party systems. We find that respondents are more likely to predict governments that they would like to see in office, that have a higher probability of receiving a majority of seats, and that consist of ideologically proximate parties. Combining survey data with a novel indicator of coalition signals, measured through a quantitative text analysis of newspaper coverage, we also find that voters consider positive pre‐election coalition signals when predicting the government. Finally, we find that the information environment is much more relevant for correct coalition predictions than individual‐level characteristics of respondents. Although individual attributes do influence predictive ability, these factors are strongly dominated by the context in which the prediction is taking place. The information environment has by far the largest effect on predicting coalition outcomes. Our results have implications for the literature on strategic voting in multi‐party settings, as well as the literature on accountability.
Dissemination of Vibrio cholerae O1 isolated from Odisha, India
Authors: Nayak Ashish Kumar , Nayak Smruti Ranjan , Behera Dipti Ranjan , Pal Bibhuti Bhusan
Published: March 2021

The present study reported the antimicrobial susceptibility trends, virulence genes, and drug resistance genes of Vibrio cholerae O1 strains isolated from outbreaks and epidemics over two and half decades (1995–2019) from Odisha, India. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed by disc diffusion method. Virulence and drug resistance genes were detected by multiplex PCR assays. All V. cholerae O1 strains were sensitive to gentamicin, chloramphenicol, norfloxacin and ciprofloxacin while resistant to one or more antibiotics used. About 90% of the isolates of V. cholerae O1 carried antibiotic drug resistant genes (SulII, dfrA1 and strB) and SXT elements and the results correlated with the phenotypic antibiotic data obtained through disc diffusion assay. The tcpA Haitian variant V. cholerae O1 first appeared in 1999, gradually showing its increasing number upto 2019. TcpA El Tor strains only prevailed from 1995 to 2006; whereas the tcpA classical strains of V.choleraeO1 were found in less number from 1995 to 2016. Two multiplex PCR assays confirmed the presence of various toxigenic and virulence genes (toxR, ompU, ace, rtxC, ctxA, tcpA, rfbO1 and ompW) in all isolate of V. cholerae O1 strains. The present findings demonstrated the origin and spread of Haitian variants tcpA in V. cholerae O1 strains over two and half decades.
Unique localization of disseminated pancreas in the oesophagus of catfish (clarias gariepinus) with reference to sexual dimorphism
Authors: Karkit Mayada W. , Salem Hoda F. , Bareedy Mohammad H. , Elewa Yaser H. A.
Published: March 2021

Background

The fish pancreas has been reported to be composed of two portions: compact and disseminated. However, little has been elucidated in catfish. The present study describes a unique localization of the disseminated pancreas in African catfish.

Methods

The sections were obtained and used for either routine histological examination following staining with haematoxylin and eosin (H & E), periodic acid–Schiff's, or were subjected to immunohistochemical staining for detection of both insulin‐producing β cells and glucagon‐producing alpha cells.

Results

Our investigation showed that the pancreas of catfish consisted of both compact and disseminated portions. The compact pancreas was embedded in the mesenteric adipose tissue between the spleen, stomach and liver. However, the disseminated one showed unique localization in the tunica adventitia of the middle portion of the oesophagus. The pancreas consisted of two portions, exocrine and endocrine. Furthermore, in both types of pancreas, the female showed a significantly higher ratio for the endocrine islet area/pancreatic tissue area than that of the male and also a significantly higher ratio for both insulin‐ and glucagon‐positive area/islet area in the female pancreas (compact and disseminated) than that of the male.

In conclusion

The present study provides evidence on a unique localization of the disseminated pancreas in the oesophagus of catfish. Furthermore, we revealed sex‐related difference in the endocrine portion in both pancreatic tissues with more development in the female. The study suggests that sex hormones could be contributed to such sexual dimorphism. However, further investigation is required to compare the degree of development during the spawning and resting seasons.
First AMS radiocarbon date and stable C:N isotope analysis for the Mount Holly Mammoth, Vermont, USA
Authors: Kitchel Nathaniel R. , Desilva Jeremy M.
Published: March 2021

Proboscidean remains have been documented in New England for well over a century, yet few radiocarbon dates exist for these animals in the region. Here, we report the first AMS radiocarbon date and stable carbon:nitrogen isotope analysis for the Mount Holly mammoth, Mount Holly, Vermont. Among proboscidean finds in New England the date of 10 860±30 (12 882–12 792 cal. BP) from the Mount Holly mammoth is the most recent radiocarbon date for a mammoth or mastodon in New England and the most precisely dated specimen possibly post‐dating the accepted age of the initial human settlement of the region during the onset of the Younger Dryas. Stable nitrogen isotope values are low for mammoths both regionally and globally, but consistent with a pattern of falling δ15N values for mammoths following the Last Glacial Maximum with particularly low values during the Younger Dryas.
The effects of endocrine disruptors on the male germline: an intergenerational health risk
Authors: Lombó Marta , Herráez Paz
Published: March 2021

Environmental pollution is becoming one of the major concerns of society. Among the emerging contaminants, endocrine‐disrupting chemicals (EDCs), a large group of toxicants, have been the subject of many scientific studies. Besides the capacity of these compounds to interfere with the endocrine system, they have also been reported to exert both genotoxic and epigenotoxic effects. Given that spermatogenesis is a coordinated process that requires the involvement of several steroid hormones and that entails deep changes in the chromatin, such as DNA compaction and epigenetic remodelling, it could be affected by male exposure to EDCs. A great deal of evidence highlights that these compounds have detrimental effects on male reproductive health, including alterations to sperm motility, sexual function, and gonad development. This review focuses on the consequences of paternal exposure to such chemicals for future generations, which still remain poorly known. Historically, spermatozoa have long been considered as mere vectors delivering the paternal haploid genome to the oocyte. Only recently have they been understood to harbour genetic and epigenetic information that plays a remarkable role during offspring early development and long‐term health. This review examines the different modes of action by which the spermatozoa represent a key target for EDCs, and analyses the consequences of environmentally induced changes in sperm genetic and epigenetic information for subsequent generations.
More Later: Delay of Gratification and Thought About the Future in Children
Authors: Burns Patrick , O’Connor Patrick A. , Atance Cristina , McCormack Teresa
Published: March 2021

We investigated whether individual differences in future time perception and the detail with which future events are imagined are related to children’s delay of gratification. We administered a delay choice task (real rewards), a delay discounting task (hypothetical rewards), a novel future time perception measure, an episodic future thinking (EFT) interview and IQ measures to a sample of 7‐ to 11‐year‐olds (N = 132) drawn from a urban predominately white population in N. Ireland. We found a strong correlation between delay choice and delay discounting. Future time perception and EFT were related to delay discounting, however only the relation with future time perception survived controlling for age and IQ. Children who showed greater compression of future time periods were the steepest discounters.
Special AT‐rich sequence‐binding protein 2 (Satb2) synergizes with Bmp9 and is essential for osteo/odontogenic differentiation of mouse incisor mesenchymal stem cells
Authors: Chen Qiuman , Zheng Liwen , Zhang Yuxin , Huang Xia , Wang Feilong , Li Shuang , Yang Zhuohui , Liang Fang , Hu Jing , Jiang Yucan , Li Yeming , Zhou Pengfei , Luo Wenping , Zhang Hongmei
Published: March 2021

Objectives

Mouse incisor mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have self‐renewal ability and osteo/odontogenic differentiation potential. However, the mechanism controlling the continuous self‐renewal and osteo/odontogenic differentiation of mouse incisor MSCs remains unclear. Special AT‐rich sequence‐binding protein 2 (SATB2) positively regulates craniofacial patterning, bone development and regeneration, whereas SATB2 deletion or mutation leads to craniomaxillofacial dysplasia and delayed tooth and root development, similar to bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) loss‐of‐function phenotypes. However, the detailed mechanism underlying the SATB2 role in odontogenic MSCs is poorly understood. The aim of this study was to investigate whether SATB2 can regulate self‐renewal and osteo/odontogenic differentiation of odontogenic MSCs.

Materials and methods

Satb2 expression was detected in the rapidly renewing mouse incisor mesenchyme by immunofluorescence staining, quantitative RT‐PCR and Western blot analysis. Ad‐Satb2 and Ad‐siSatb2 were constructed to evaluate the effect of Satb2 on odontogenic MSCs self‐renewal and osteo/odontogenic differentiation properties and the potential role of Satb2 with the osteogenic factor bone morphogenetic protein 9 (Bmp9) in vitro and in vivo.

Results

Satb2 was found to be expressed in mesenchymal cells and pre‐odontoblasts/odontoblasts. We further discovered that Satb2 effectively enhances mouse incisor MSCs self‐renewal. Satb2 acted synergistically with the potent osteogenic factor Bmp9 in inducing osteo/odontogenic differentiation of mouse incisor MSCs in vitro and in vivo.

Conclusions

Satb2 promotes self‐renewal and osteo/odontogenic differentiation of mouse incisor MSCs. Thus, Satb2 can cooperate with Bmp9 as a new efficacious bio‐factor for osteogenic regeneration and tooth engineering.