bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Urban semiotics: analysing the contemporary diasporic meaning of Petaling Street, Chinatown
Authors: Ng Veronica , Chan Regine
Published: June 2022

Purpose

In the face of urbanisation, there has been prior and current discourse on the gradual thinning out of street identities. Particularly, the diasporic identity of streets such as Petaling Street (Chinatown) has received increasing attention due to diverse development and gentrification plans for the purpose of tourism and urban development. Current and future urban development plans of Kuala Lumpur have led to the need to analyse Petaling Street's identity. Taking this as a point for departure, this paper aims to analyse the contemporary diasporic identity of Petaling street in the face of rapid urbanisation. While there have been studies that addressed Petaling Street's identity, the focus has been from social, cultural and perceptual perspectives which relates to the intangible aspect of place. Taking an alternative stance, this paper studies the contemporary meaning of Petaling Street through the visual communication of facades.

Design/methodology/approach

Adapting from Odgen–Richard and Parsaee, semiotics, or the study of signs and symbols, is applied as both theoretical and methodological concept to draw meanings. It examines the visual communication of the cultural products that have evolved from the social processes in shaping the street character. Particularly, this paper examines the street identities by studying the contestation of urban sign and symbols of selected street facades.

Findings

The findings reinforced the contestation of identities in Petaling street, with key signifiers of signages, ornament and colour being physical aspects that contest a sense of Chinese-ness. The functional meaning portrayed by the facades due to social, political and economic factors led to the contestations of meaning formed by society that has left the street in a state of irrelevant and unfamiliarity.

Practical implications

It calls to action for retention of significant urban elements of street facades to prevent further diminution of diasporic meanings which characterise Petaling Street as a whole in the process of urbanisation.

Originality/value

It provides basis to understand the contemporary identity and values of Petaling Street and the shift in meanings that has left the street in a state of irrelevant and unfamiliarity. This can prevent further diminution of diasporic meanings which characterise Petaling Street as a whole in the process of urbanisation.
Influence of governance instruments on supply chain quality: a qualitative investigation in the dairy industry
Authors: Souza Osvaldo de , Machado Marcio C. , Correa Victor Silva , Telles Renato
Published: June 2022

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the formal (i.e. contracts, standards, processes, and structure) and informal (i.e. social structure, norms, information sharing, and value system and culture) governance instruments used in supply networks and their influence on quality.

Design/methodology/approach

This research is qualitative-exploratory in nature, involving semi-structured interviews with 20 managers from three essential layers in the dairy industry's supply chain: companies that supply essential inputs to milk producers; milk producers; and milk cooperatives.

Findings

Analysis of the generated data show that formal governance instruments have a strong and/or weak influence on products' and operations' quality in the dairy industry context; informal instruments have a strong and/or weak influence on quality, as a counterpart to formal instruments; and the integration of verified governance instruments positively influences the quality of products and operations.

Practical implications

This paper offers several managerial and practical implications. The first is to encourage suppliers of primary inputs and milk producers to invest in the formal structure, primarily in formal contracts with each other. The second implication suggests the relevance of creating different training and qualification courses with members from all organizational levels. Third, there is a need for cooperatives, encompassing all industries, to consider several informal instruments, complementary to contracts and standards currently used for processes.

Originality/value

Governance instruments can lead to desired supply chain outcomes, including those related to quality. Although previous supply chain studies have investigated the relationship between governance instruments and the supply chain, and quality management and the supply chain, studies on governance instruments' influence on supply chain quality are limited.
Benchmarking performance of new venture travel intermediaries: role of firm value and customer perceived value
Authors: Singh Baljeet , Singh Rohit Kumar , Singh Pancy
Published: June 2022

Purpose

Literature concerning the linkages between entrepreneurial orientation (EO) and firm performance (FP) has been growing in tourism research. However, the linkage's relevance to new venture travel intermediaries remains vague. This study proposes a model that helps researchers and practitioners understand how EO translates into new venture FP through two strategic perspectives of value creation, i.e. firm value (FV) and customer perceived value (CPV).

Design/methodology/approach

The study tests this framework using structural equation modeling on a matched dyadic sample of 127 new venture firms belonging to the Indian travel industry.

Findings

The results posit that FV and CPV partially mediate the relationship between EO and new venture FP. The study advances the existing knowledge on the link between EO and FP and provides insights into how EO can enhance FV and CPV which ultimately enhances FP.

Originality/value

This work is the first to extend and integrate the idea of FV and CPV to entrepreneurship and new venture performance literature. By considering the two strategic aspects of value creation, i.e. FV and CPV, the paper presents a holistic view of value creation through EO.
Lattice Boltzmann study of fluid flow and heat transfer characteristics of a heated porous elliptic cylinder: a two-domain scheme
Authors: Kohanpour Mohammad Sedigh , Imani Gholamreza
Published: June 2022

Purpose

This study aims to investigate lattice Boltzmann (LB) simulation of the fluid flow and heat transfer characteristics of a heated porous elliptic cylinder in uniform flow based on the two-domain scheme. In the present research, the effect of axis ratio (1 ≤ AR ≤ 2), Reynolds number (5 ≤ Re ≤ 40) and Darcy number (10−4 ≤ Da ≤ 10−2) are studied.

Design/methodology/approach

To perform the LB simulation based on the two-domain scheme, the nonequilibrium extrapolation method is modified to model the heat transfer interfacial conditions required at the curved interface.

Findings

The results show that the axis ratio as well as Reynolds and Darcy numbers significantly affect the fluid flow and heat transfer characteristics of the porous elliptic cylinder. It is shown that for AR > 1, the phenomenon of detached recirculating zone occurs at much higher Darcy numbers compared with the case of the porous circular cylinder (AR = 1). The results show that the location of maximum temperature within the cylinder moves downstream when the Reynolds number, Darcy number and axis ratio increase. It is also concluded that the average Nusselt number of a porous elliptic cylinder is always lower than that of a porous circular cylinder.

Originality/value

The LB simulation of forced convection from a porous cylinder in uniform flow with a curved interface based on the two-domain scheme has not been studied yet.
Family support and business performance of South African female technology entrepreneurs
Authors: Neneh Brownhilder Ngek , Welsh Dianne H.B.
Published: June 2022

Purpose

Female entrepreneurs play an increasingly recognised role in countries' overall well-being by contributing to job creation, wealth, family income and innovation. This study identifies combinations of family support that enhance business performance most effectively.

Design/methodology/approach

This study employs a fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA), drawing on 184 technology business owners to identify the family support configurations most conducive to high business performance.

Findings

The results suggest that high levels of emotional and instrumental support are necessary for female technology entrepreneurs to achieve a high firm performance (FP) level when instrumental support at home (ISH) is lacking. As a comparison, male technology entrepreneurs can still achieve a high level of FP when emotional and instrumental support for the business (ISB) is low.

Originality/value

This research contributes to the body of knowledge on women's entrepreneurship in emerging economies, technology entrepreneurs in South Africa and family and business support systems. The authors add to the emerging literature on the potential downsides of family embeddedness by tying theory to the findings on how family embeddedness-related obligations arise when individuals depend on their family's financial support and how this reliance impedes the formation of entrepreneurial intentions.
Mapping the landscape of Makerspaces in higher education: an inventory of research findings
Authors: Pallaris Georgios , Zaphiris Panayiotis , Parmaxi Antigoni
Published: June 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to chart the development of Makerspaces in higher education (MIHE), by building a map of existing research work in the field. Based on a corpus of 183 manuscripts, published between January 2014 and April 2021, it sets out to describe the range of topics covered under the umbrella of MIHE and provide a holistic view of the field.

Design/methodology/approach

The approach adopted in this research includes development of the 2014–2021 MIHE corpus; literature overview and initial coding scheme development; refinement of the initial coding scheme with the help of a focus group and construction of the MIHE map version 1.0; refinement of the MIHE map version 1.0 following a systematic approach of content analysis and development of the MIHE map version 2.0; evaluation of the proposed structure and inclusiveness of all categories in the MIHE map version 2.0 using card-sorting technique; and, finally, development of the MIHE map version 3.0.

Findings

The research trends in the categories of the MIHE map are discussed, as well as possible future directions in the field.

Originality/value

This paper provides a holistic view of the field of MIHE guiding both junior MIHE researchers to place themselves in the field, and policymakers and decision-makers who attempt to evaluate the current and future scholar activity in the field. Finally, it caters for more experienced researchers to focus on certain underinvestigated domains.
The role of XBRL adoption on the association between managerial ability and corporate tax outcomes: empirical evidence from Indonesia
Authors: Saragih Arfah Habib , Ali Syaiful
Published: June 2022

Purpose

This study examines the moderating effect of XBRL mandatory adoption on the association between managerial ability and corporate tax outcomes.

Design/methodology/approach

This study used a quantitative method with panel data regression models using a sample of listed firms on the Indonesia Stock Exchange from 2010 to 2019.

Findings

The regression results indicate that XBRL adoption moderates the relationship between managerial ability on tax avoidance and tax risk. Firms with higher managerial ability have relatively greater tax avoidance practices and lower tax risk following XBRL adoption. In this study, the authors document unfavorable and unexpected consequences of XBRL in an emerging country.

Research limitations/implications

Results are from a sample of firms from one emerging country.

Practical implications

It becomes important and necessary to develop more and better taxonomies with standardized extensions related to taxes information in the XBRL financial reporting to support the tax administrator’s performance in assessing firms’ tax avoidance and tax risk. The authors underscore the importance of improving taxes tags, including tags from financial statements and the disclosure section. This study may also inform policymakers in other countries that more adequate tax tags are needed to leverage benefit from XBRL adoption in monitoring and assessing corporate tax avoidance and tax risk.

Originality/value

This study is among the first to test an explanation for the moderating role of XBRL adoption on the association between managerial ability and corporate tax avoidance and tax risk.
Four decades of hijab research: knowledge structure, thematic evolution and collaborative networks
Authors: Mostafa Mohamed M.
Published: June 2022

Purpose

This study aims to explore the hijab research impactful authors, influential journals, collaboration networks and emerging trends. In addition, keyword co-occurrence techniques are used to scrutinize the field’s major schools of thought.

Design/methodology/approach

Hijab research has witnessed a distinct proliferation during the past decade. In this article, the authors apply bibliometric network techniques to examine the conceptual/intellectual structure of this domain based on 485 Web of Science documents written by 848 authors representing 66 nations and spanning almost 40 years (1984–2021).

Findings

Results show that the most impactful journals publishing hijab research are Women’s Studies International Forum, Gender, Place and Culture, Ethnic and Racial Studies and the Journal of Islamic Marketing. Results also show that the author collaboration network in hijab research is sparse. Furthermore, results related to collaborative networks between institutions and countries reveal a global “North–South” schism between developed and developing nations. Finally, the multiple correspondence analysis applied to obtain the hijab research conceptual map reflects the depth and breadth of the field’s foci.

Originality/value

The present analysis has far-reaching implications for aspiring researchers interested in hijab research as the authors retrospectively trace the evolution in research output over the past four decades, establish linkages between the authors and articles and reveal trending topics/hotspots within the broad theme of hijab research.
Analyzing the main determinants of being a cultural traveler: the case of domestic cultural trips in Spain
Authors: Álvarez-Díaz Marcos , Villanueva-Villar Mónica , Rivo-López Elena
Published: June 2022

Purpose

Analyzing the main determinants that lead a traveler to make a cultural trip is an important issue to understand where the cultural tourism market is going, and where the decision-makers should intervene. This study helps develop a profile of cultural tourism participants, and underscore the changes in this market niche. This information is crucial for the successful marketing and development of cultural tourism in the future.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors estimate a binary probabilistic (logit) model to determine the probability of a tourist to travel for cultural reasons, as a function of the traveler's socio-economic characteristic (e.g. age, gender, income or level of studies), of the trip-related characteristics (e.g. distance traveled to destination or mode of transport) and of the characteristics of the province of destination (e.g. weather conditions or existence of cultural sites at destination).

Findings

This study’s estimates reveal that middle-aged individuals, with a higher level of studies and with a medium level of income show a higher propensity to travel for cultural reasons. The latter finding evidences that cultural tourism has evolved from a niche market reserved for an elite clientele to a much wider range of people. Additionally, cultural travelers tend to travel statistically much longer distances. They are less prone to visit crowded destinations, prefer visiting destinations with important cultural sites, and are less sensitive to weather conditions. Finally, the authors discover a complementary effect of culture tourism and other activities carried out during the trip such as visiting cities or theme parks; and a substitution effect with “beach-and-sun” tourism.

Practical implications

The information given in this study can be crucial for the successful marketing and development of cultural tourism in the future. A better understanding of the main determinants of being a cultural traveler implies a better and a more efficient implementation of managerial and political measures to attract a kind of tourism characterized by a high spending capacity.

Originality/value

Discovering the main determinants of being a cultural traveler is a topic scarcely treated in the literature. This study has the main originality to include characteristics of the destination (pull factors) to explain the individual's decision to take a cultural trip. Moreover, the authors work at a provincial (NUTS-3) level of analysis, which makes this study original in the field of cultural tourism.
Scan it, buy it, pay it – customers' psychological contracts as partial employees in retail
Authors: Audrin Bertrand , Audrin Catherine
Published: June 2022

Purpose

Self-service technologies (SST) have become more and more pervasive in retail to facilitate autonomous checkout. In this context, customers play an active role and, as such, can be considered as “partial employees.” Partial employees have to perform a wide range of tasks, get rewarded for their work and need to understand the terms of the exchange, all without being subject to a formalized contract. In this research, the authors suggest that partial employees go through a process of organizational socialization that allows them to define the psychological contract they hold with the organization.

Design/methodology/approach

In order to investigate the psychological contracts of partial employees, 324 Canadian customers using SST completed an online questionnaire, in which their SST use, psychological contract fulfillment and organizational socialization were measured.

Findings

Descriptive analyses highlight that customers as partial employees build a psychological contract with their most frequent retailer, as they perceive not only retailer inducements but also their own contributions. Multiple linear regressions suggest that organizational socialization favors psychological contract fulfillment, but that specific dimensions of organizational socialization are important for employer inducements vs. employee contributions. Moreover, results suggest that the frequency of use of SST as well as the patronage positively predicts psychological contract fulfillment.

Originality/value

This research investigates a specific situation of unconventional employment – that of customers as partial employees with organizations. It contributes to the literature on the psychological contract by broadening its application to new relations and to the literature on customer management by reemphasizing the relevance of the psychological contract in this domain.
Investigation of self-cleaning attributes of denim fabric modified with naturally synthesized ZnO nanoparticles
Authors: Asim Fareha , Naeem Farhana
Published: June 2022

Purpose

The textile sector is moving towards new technologies, where the application of nanotechnology is offering fabrics with multifunctional properties making fabric odourless, hydrophobic, durable and self-cleaning. This aim of this research is to investigate self-cleaning ability of denim fabric with the application of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) synthesized naturally. The primary focus of this investigation is achieving sustainability mark through green synthesis of ZnO NPs.

Design/methodology/approach

In this analysis, ZnO NPs being one of the metal oxides exhibiting self-cleaning, UV-protective and anti-microbial properties were synthesized naturally using Azadirachta Indica leaves. The prepared NPs were characterized by using X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy analyses confirming their size and crystalline structure. Different formulations were investigated with varying concentration of zinc oxide and auxiliaries onto the denim fabric using pad-dry-cure application technique.

Findings

XRD analysis confirmed the successful green synthesis of ZnO NPs. SEM analysis revealed the homogeneous and hexagonal wurtzite NPs deposition on the denim fabric. It was ascertained that with 5% ZnO NPs and 7% Binder concentrations, the formulation resulted in a smooth and even layer on the denim fabric maintaining the appearance and feel at the same time offers appreciable grading (Grade 4) against the stringent stains of Ketchup, Coffee, Grape and Orange Juice with insignificant change in tensile strength.

Originality/value

In this study, self-cleaning attributes of denim fabric with zinc oxide nano formulations of different composition was studied to achieve promising functional properties in a single step not studied earlier.
‘Theatre, Revolution and Love’: Moral–aesthetic education in Asja Lācis' proletarian children's theatre
Authors: Frimberger Katja
Published: June 2022

This article explores the educational philosophy of Asja Lācis' proletarian children's theatre. Taking her post–First World War encounter with Russian street children as a starting point for my inquiry, I argue that Lācis regards the theatre as a rehearsal space for life. Here, children are to be absorbed into the craft of theatre, with the aim of honing their moral and aesthetic sense as a (self-guided) reorientation of their attention and desire towards (the possibilities of) the Good. Demarcating a porous educational theatre space that provides practical artistic opportunities for this education of attention, Lācis hopes to structure children's aesthetic, social, material and sensory engagement with their surroundings, whilst also ensuring their individual freedom as moral agents. Respecting children's ways of engaging in the world, Lācis posits theatrical improvisation as the key activity. Here, children create their own stories and metaphors about how life might be lived, thereby practising attention to, ‘testing’ and reflecting upon, the (possible) Good Life. The educator's pedagogical gesture is hereby that of observation: She pays attention to the social–artistic tensions that occur, as potential heralds of the child's unique way of embodying (and conceptualising) the Good Life. Theatre is here understood as a (negative) dialectical site of education, one that acknowledges the dark and uncertain relation between the child's commitment to the Good, and its (uncertain) coming into being in daily life. The student–teacher relationship can indeed become a pedagogical conduit for this search for (and embodiment of) wisdom, but cannot provide a blueprint as to how the journey might be conducted, or predict how the Good will manifest. It is in the ‘loving’ non-action of the educator, who honours the unpredictability of the arrival of virtue, and the unexpected form that it might take, that children's theatre is considered ‘truly revolutionary’: becoming a witness to Eros's (strange) presence in the child's unique gesture as a result.
Combined effect of chitosan and bovine serum albumin/whey protein isolate on the characteristics and stability of shrimp oil‐in‐water emulsion
Authors: Rajasekaran Bharathipriya , Singh Avtar , Benjakul Soottawat
Published: June 2022

The effect of bovine serum albumin (BSA) or whey protein isolate (WPI) at various concentrations (0.5%, 1.5%, and 3%; w/v) on the properties of shrimp oil‐in‐water emulsion was investigated. Both proteins at 1.5% showed the highest emulsifying properties. Moreover, the combined impact of chitosan (CS) at different levels (0.25%, 0.50%, 0.75%, and 1%; w/v) and 1.5% BSA or 1.5% WPI on emulsion properties was also studied. For the same protein used, those stabilized by BSA and WPI in conjunction with CS solution at 0.5% and 0.25% had the highest emulsion stability index, respectively. During storage for 28 days, the BSA–CSstabilized emulsion had higher turbidity, a*, b* but the lowest L* values compared to the WPI–CS counterpart (p < 0.05). Emulsion stabilized by the BSA–CS complex showed higher stability, as witnessed by lower d32 and d43 and lower flocculation factor and coalescence index, but it had a lower negative charge than those stabilized by the WPI–CS complex (p < 0.05). Oil droplets of the BSA–CS‐stabilized emulsion showed a lower extent of size enlargement after storage. Rheological studies revealed viscous, shear‐thinning, and non‐Newtonian behavior of emulsions. Overall, emulsion stabilized by the BSA–CS complex had higher stability than that stabilized by the WPI–CS complex, and the former could maintain the stability of pigment in shrimp oil to some extent.

Practical Application

Oil from shrimp hepatopancreas is a rich source of both astaxanthin and polyunsaturated fatty acids with health benefits. It can be used for the preparation of food emulsion, such as mayonnaise, with nutraceutical properties. However, emulsion stability determines the quality of the emulsion. The use of protein (bovine serum albumin) in conjunction with polysaccharides, especially chitosan at appropriate concentrations, was proven to improve shrimp oil‐in‐water emulsion during extended storage. Additionally, chitosan can act as an antioxidant to prevent the degradation of astaxanthin to some extent. This finding could be potentially beneficial to produce emulsion with high stability using protein–chitosan complexes.
Postoperative outcome after palliative treatment of malignant pleural effusion
Authors: Markowiak Till , Ried Michael , Großer Christian , Hofmann Hans‐Stefan , Hillejan Ludger , Hecker Erich , Semik Michael , Lesser Thomas , Kugler Christian , Seifert Sven , Scheubel Robert
Published: June 2022

Background

The objective of this nationwide, registry‐based study was to compare the two most frequently used procedures for the palliative treatment of a malignant pleural effusion (MPE) and to evaluate differentiated indications for these two procedures.

Methods

This was a retrospective observational study based on data of the “PLEURATUMOR” registry of the German Society for Thoracic Surgery. Patients who were documented in the period from January 2015 to November 2021 and had video‐assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) talc pleurodesis or implantation of an indwelling pleural catheter (IPC) were included.

Results

A total of 543 patients were evaluated. The majority suffered from secondary pleural carcinomatosis (n = 402; 74%). VATS talc pleurodesis (n = 361; 66.5%) was performed about twice as often as IPC implantation (n = 182; 33.5%). The duration of surgery was significantly shorter in IPC‐patients with 30 min compared to VATS talc pleurodesis (38 min; p = 0.000). Postoperative complication rate was 11.8% overall and slightly higher after VATS talc pleurodesis (n = 49; 13.6%) than after IPC implantation (n = 15; 8.2%). After VATS talc pleurodesis patients were hospitalized significantly longer compared to the IPC group (6 vs. 3.5 days; p = 0.000). There was no significant difference in postoperative wound infections between the groups (p = 0.10). The 30‐day mortality was 7.9% (n = 41).

Conclusion

The implantation of an IPC can significantly shorten the duration of surgery and the hospital stay. For this reason, the procedure should be matched with the patient's expectations preoperatively and the use of an IPC should be considered not only in the case of a trapped lung.
Utilization and outcomes of tracheostomies in the intensive care unit in Iceland in 2007–2020: A descriptive study
Authors: Kristinsdottir Eyrun A. , Sigvaldason Kristinn , Karason Sigurbergur , Jonasdottir Rannveig J. , Bodvarsdottir Regina , Olafsson Oddur , Tryggvason Geir , Gudbjartsson Tomas , Sigurdsson Martin I.
Published: June 2022

Background

Tracheostomies are commonly utilized in ICU patients due to prolonged mechanical ventilation, upper airway obstruction, or surgery in the face/neck region. However, practices regarding the timing of placement and utilization vary. This study provides a nationwide overview of tracheostomy utilization and outcomes in the ICU over a 14‐year period.

Methods

A retrospective study including all patients that received a tracheostomy during their ICU stay in Iceland between 2007 and 2020. Data were retrieved from hospital records on admission cause, comorbidities, indication for tracheostomy insertion, duration of mechanical ventilation before and after tracheostomy placement, extubation attempts, complications, length of ICU and hospital stay and survival. Descriptive statistics were provided, and survival analysis was performed using Cox regression.

Results

A total of 336 patients (median age 64 years, 33% females) received a tracheostomy during the study period. The most common indication for tracheostomy insertion was respiratory failure, followed by neurological disorders. The median duration of mechanical ventilation prior to tracheostomy insertion was 9 days and at least one extubation had been attempted in 35% of the cases. Percutaneous tracheostomies were 32%. The overall rate of complications was 25% and the most common short‐term complication was bleeding (5%). In‐hospital mortality was 33%. The one‐ and five‐year survival rate was 60% and 44%, respectively.

Conclusions

We describe a whole‐nation practice of tracheostomies. A notable finding is the relatively low rate of extubation attempts prior to tracheostomy insertion. Future work should focus on standardization of assessing the need for tracheostomy and the role of extubation attempts prior to tracheostomy placement.
Trends and correlates of spatially aggregated alcohol‐involved crashes among Whites and Hispanics in California
Authors: Caetano Raul , Vaeth Patrice A. C. , Gruenewald Paul J. , Ponicki William R. , Kaplan Zoe B. , Annechino Rachelle
Published: June 2022

Aims

This paper examines trends and correlates of alcohol‐involved motor vehicle crashes (AMVCs) in California between 2005 and 2016 among Hispanic and non‐Hispanic Whites (Whites hereafter). Together these two groups comprise 76% of the state population. The paper also examines whether alcohol outlet density, percentage of Hispanics in census tract populations, and distance to the U.S./Mexico border are related to greater risks for AMVCs. The border is of interest given the greater availability of alcohol in the area.

Methods

Crash data come from Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System maintained by the California Highway Patrol. Sociodemographic and community characteristics data from the U.S. Census and alcohol outlet density were aggregated to census tracts. Total motor vehicle crashes and AMVCs were related to these characteristics using hierarchical Bayesian Poisson space–time models.

Results

There were over two million injury and fatality crashes during the period of analysis, of which 11% were AMVCs. About 1.7% of these crashes had fatalities. The rate of AMVCs increased among both Whites and Hispanics until 2008. After 2008, the rate among Whites declined through 2016 while the rate among Hispanics declined for 2 years (2009 and 2010) and increased thereafter. Crash distance from the border (RR = 1.016, 95% CI = 1.010 to 1.022) and percent Hispanic population (RR = 1.006; 95% CI = 1.003 to 1.009) were well‐supported results with 95% credible intervals that did not include 1. The percentages of the following: bars/pubs, males, individuals aged 18 to 29 and 40 to 49 years, U.S. born population, individuals below the 150% poverty level, unemployed, housing vacant, and housing owner‐occupied were all positively associated with AMVCs and well supported.

Conclusions

Between 2005 and 2016 the rate of AMVCs in California declined among Whites but not among Hispanics. Population‐level indicators of percent Hispanic population, distance to the U.S. Mexico border, gender, age distribution, and socioeconomic stability were positively associated with crash rates, indicating that important contextual characteristics help determine the level of AMVC rates in communities.
Coping drinking motives, neural functional coupling during emotion processing, and alcohol use in young adults with bipolar disorder
Authors: Tretyak Valeria , Kirsch Dylan E. , Le Vanessa , Fromme Kim , Strakowski Stephen M. , Lippard Elizabeth T. C.
Published: June 2022

Background

Rates of alcohol use disorders in individuals with bipolar disorder are 3 to 5 times greater than in the general population and exceed rates of alcohol use disorders reported in other affective and anxiety disorders. Despite this high rate of comorbidity, our understanding of the psychosocial and neural mechanisms that underlie the initiation of alcohol misuse in young adults with bipolar disorder remains limited. Prior work suggests that individuals with bipolar disorder may misuse alcohol as a coping mechanism, yet the neural correlates of coping drinking motives and associated alcohol use have not been previously investigated in this population.

Methods

Forty‐eight young adults (22 bipolar disorder type I, 26 typically developing; 71% women; average age ± standard deviation = 22 ± 2 years) completed the Drinking Motives and Daily Drinking Questionnaires, and a Continuous Performance Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) Task with Emotional and Neutral Distracters. We calculated the relative difference in anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) functional coupling with the anterior insula and amygdala in response to emotional distracters compared with neutral stimuli and investigated the relations with coping drinking motives and alcohol use.

Results

Across all participants, coping drinking motives were associated with greater quantity of recent alcohol use. In individuals with bipolar disorder, greater ACC‐anterior insula functional coupling was associated with greater coping drinking motives, and greater quantity and frequency of recent alcohol use. The relative difference in ACC‐anterior insula functional coupling was not associated with coping drinking motives or alcohol use in the typically developing group. Greater ACC‐anterior insula functional coupling in individuals with bipolar disorder was also associated with greater anxiety symptoms and recent perceived psychological stress. Exploratory analyses suggest that the relations between ACC‐anterior insula functional coupling and coping drinking motives may be confounded by anticonvulsant use.

Conclusion

Results suggest that a difference in ACC‐anterior insula functional coupling during emotion processing may underlie alcohol use as a maladaptive coping mechanism in young adults with bipolar disorder.
Comparison of mechanical resistance and standardisation between original brand and replica‐like endodontic systems
Authors: Uslu Orkun , Haznedaroglu Faruk , Keskin Cangül
Published: June 2022

This study compared the original (ProTaper Next and Reciproc) endodontic systems with their replica‐like brands (X File and Only One File) in terms of standardisation, design, phase‐transformation behaviour, composition and mechanical behaviour. X File showed greater taper values than ProTaper Next, while Only One File had the greatest tip diameter. Both replica‐like files had an active tip and greater dimensions than their reports. There were also significant differences between the original and replica‐like systems in terms of their phase‐transformation behaviour and the precision of the measurement lines. Only One File showed significantly lower cyclic fatigue and torsional resistance than Reciproc (p < 0.05). There were no significant differences in the cyclic fatigue, torsional resistance and composition of NiTi between X File and ProTaper Next (p > 0.05). Although replica systems show mechanical properties that can be acceptable, they are not consistent in terms of standardisation and design.
Golden cats: A never‐ending story!
Authors: Abitbol Marie , Dargar Tanushri , Gache Vincent
Published: June 2022

In the British feline breed a golden coat modification, called light‐gold, akita or copper, was reported by breeders during the 2010s. This modification restricted eumelanin to the tip of the tail and hairs showed a wideband modification. Pedigree analyses revealed an autosomal recessive inheritance pattern. A single candidate region was identified using a genome‐wide association study. Within that region, we identified CORIN (Corin, serine peptidase) as the strongest candidate gene, since two CORIN variants have previously been identified in Siberian cats with a golden phenotype. A homozygous CORIN:c.2425C>T nonsense variant was identified in copper British cats. Segregation of the variant was consistent with recessive inheritance. This nonsense CORIN:c.2425C>T variant, located in CORIN exon 19, was predicted to produce a truncated CORIN protein – CORIN:p.(Arg809Ter) – that would lack part of the scavenger receptor domain and the trypsine‐like serine protease catalytic domain. All 30 copper cats were T/T homozygous for the variant, which was also found in 20 C/T heterozygous British control cats but was absent in 340 cats from the 99 Lives dataset. Finally, genotyping of 218 cats from 12 breeds failed to identify carriers in cats from other breeds. We propose that this third CORIN:c.2425C>T variant represents the wbBSH (British recessive wideband) allele in the domestic cat.
Higher rates but similar causes of young out‐of‐hospital cardiac arrest in rural Australian patients
Authors: Paratz Elizabeth D. , van Heusden Alexander , Smith Karen , Ball Jocasta , Zentner Dominica , Morgan Natalie , Thompson Tina , James Paul , Connell Vanessa , Pflaumer Andreas , Semsarian Christopher , Ingles Jodie , Parsons Sarah , Stub Dion , La Gerche Andre
Published: June 2022

Objective

To determine whether young rural Australians have higher rates or different underlying causes of out‐of‐hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA).

Design

A case–control design identified patients experiencing an OHCA, then compared annual OHCA rates and underlying causes in rural versus metropolitan Victoria. OHCA causes were defined as either cardiac or non‐cardiac, with specific aetiologies including coronary disease, cardiomyopathy, unascertained cause of arrest, drug toxicity, respiratory event, neurological event and other cardiac and non‐cardiac. For OHCAs with confirmed cardiac aetiology, cardiovascular risk profiles were compared.

Setting

A state‐wide prospective OHCA registry (combining ambulance, hospital and forensic data) in the state of Victoria, Australia (population 6.5 million).

Participants

Victorians aged 1–50 years old experienced an OHCA between April 2019 and April 2020.

Main outcome measures

Rates and underlying causes of OHCA in young rural and metropolitan Victorians.

Results

Rates of young OHCA were higher in rural areas (OHCA 22.5 per 100 000 rural residents vs. 13.4 per 100 000 metropolitan residents, standardised incidence ratio 168 (95% CI 101–235); confirmed cardiac cause of arrest 12.1 per 100 000 rural residents versus 7.5 per 100 000 metropolitan residents, standardised incidence ratio 161 (95% CI 71–251). The underlying causation of the OHCA and cardiovascular risk factor burden did not differ between rural and metropolitan areas.

Conclusion

Higher rates of OHCA occur in young rural patients, with standardised incidence ratio of 168 compared to young metropolitan residents. Rural status did not influence causes of cardiac arrest or known cardiovascular risk factor burden in young patients experiencing OHCA.
Evaluating an external quality assurance program for semen analysis in China during 2009–2020
Authors: Wang Qi‐Ling , Jiang Su‐Hua , Ma Chun‐Jie , Zhong Kai‐Xin , Zhuang Jia‐Ming , Lin Dian‐Liang , Huang Peng‐Yu , Ye Gui‐Fang , Jiang Min , Zhu Wen‐Bing , Zhang Zheng‐Mian , Zhang Xin‐Zong
Published: June 2022

Introduction

Semen analysis (SA) plays a key role in guiding treatments of male reproductive diseases and infertility due to male factors; however, it remains challenging to conduct an accurate SA due to lack of standardization, highly subjective assessments, and problems with automated procedures. Therefore, quality assurance (QA) and teaching courses are essential for making the laboratory results more consistent.

Materials and methods

The external quality assurance (EQA) scheme was organized by national human sperm bank technology training bases in Guangdong province in China between 2009 and 2020. Until 2020, 124 laboratories from China participated in the EQA program. The EQA scheme per year has been organized involving two semen aliquots for sperm concentration, two video recordings for motility, and two smears for sperm morphology. All samples used in the EQA scheme were obtained from different healthy donors or patients.

Results

We estimated that the median coefficient of variation (CV) of sperm concentration, ignoring the method used, was 26.6%. Using a 100 µm deep counting chamber led to a decreasing CV of 13.6%. For sperm motility, the median CV of nonprogressive motility was high (50.8%), but the CV of progressive motility (13.2%), immotile sperm (14.3%), and total motility (11.8%) were acceptable. The morphology assessment revealed large variability (44.4%) irrespective of the classification criteria.

Discussion

The reduction of interlaboratory variability is still a challenge during SA in China. Therefore, it is critical to increase awareness of joining EQA schemes and establish standardized training centers to follow WHO‐recommended procedures toward Chinese standards.
Changes in perceived parental self‐efficacy after a Child‐Centred Health Dialogue about preventing obesity
Authors: Derwig Mariette , Tiberg Irén , Björk Jonas , Kristensson Hallström Inger
Published: June 2022

Aim

This randomised controlled trial evaluated changes in parental self‐efficacy and children's weight, after a Child‐Centred Health Dialogue about preventing obesity.

Methods

We randomly assigned 37 Child Health Centres in Skåne county Sweden to provide usual care or the dialogue intervention. They included centres from high and low socioeconomic areas. The outcomes were changes in parental self‐efficacy and any moderating effect on their children's body mass index 1 year later.

Results

The baseline data were based on 1115 mothers and 869 fathers representing 1197 children (52% females) aged 4 years (3.9–4.2) with a standardised body mass index (zBMI) of 0.1 ± 0.9. The participation rates at follow‐up, 1.1 ± 0.2 years after the intervention were 817 mothers and 508 fathers. Overall, parental self‐efficacy had decreased by the 1‐year follow‐up. There was a significant intervention effect on maternal self‐efficacy in promoting physical activity, however with unclear clinical relevance. Mothers' change in perceived self‐efficacy in promoting a healthy diet seemed to moderate the intervention effect on zBMI change in children with zBMI > 0 with −0.01 (95% CI: −0.025 to −0.001; p = 0.03).

Conclusion

Our study suggested a possible link between increased maternal self‐efficacy in promoting a healthy diet and a favourable development of zBMI.
Posttreatment Confounding in Causal Mediation Studies: A Cutting-Edge Problem and a Novel Solution via Sensitivity Analysis
Authors: Hong Guanglei , Yang Fan , Qin Xu
Published: June 2022

In causal mediation studies that decompose an average treatment effect into indirect and direct effects, examples of posttreatment confounding are abundant. In the presence of treatment-by-mediator interactions, past research has generally considered it infeasible to adjust for a posttreatment confounder of the mediator–outcome relationship due to incomplete information: for any given individual, a posttreatment confounder is observed under the actual treatment condition while missing under the counterfactual treatment condition. This paper proposes a new sensitivity analysis strategy for handling posttreatment confounding and incorporates it into weighting-based causal mediation analysis. The key is to obtain the conditional distribution of the posttreatment confounder under the counterfactual treatment as a function of not only pretreatment covariates but also its counterpart under the actual treatment. The sensitivity analysis then generates a bound for the natural indirect effect and that for the natural direct effect over a plausible range of the conditional correlation between the posttreatment confounder under the actual and that under the counterfactual conditions. Implemented through either imputation or integration, the strategy is suitable for binary as well as continuous measures of posttreatment confounders. Simulation results demonstrate major strengths and potential limitations of this new solution. A reanalysis of the National Evaluation of Welfare-to-Work Strategies (NEWWS) Riverside data reveals that the initial analytic results are sensitive to omitted posttreatment confounding.
Differences in the diagnosis and treatment decisions for children in care compared to their peers: An experimental study on post‐traumatic stress disorder
Authors: McGuire Rosie , Halligan Sarah L. , Meiser‐Stedman Richard , Durbin Lucy , Hiller Rachel M.
Published: June 2022

Objectives

Despite evidence of high rates of diagnosable mental health difficulties in children in care, there remains ongoing debate around the appropriateness of traditional diagnoses and treatments. The aim of this study was to quantitatively explore whether mental health diagnosis and treatment decision‐making differed when a young person was identified as being in care, specifically focused on post‐traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). PTSD is a trauma‐specific mental health disorder with rates substantially higher in children in care versus their peers.

Methods

Participants were 270 UK mental health professionals who completed an online survey. Participants were randomized to receive one of two vignettes, which were identical in their description of a teenage boy experiencing PTSD symptoms, except in one he was in foster care and in the other he lived with his mother. Participants were asked to select a primary diagnosis, treatment approach, and potential secondary diagnosis.

Results

Professionals were twice as likely to choose a primary diagnosis of PTSD and a National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE)‐recommended PTSD treatment when randomized to the mother vignette versus the foster carer vignette. Selecting PTSD as the primary diagnosis made clinicians three times more likely to select a NICE‐recommended treatment for PTSD. Developmental trauma was the most common ‘diagnosis’ for both groups, although this led to different treatment decisions.

Conclusions

In the context of PTSD, we found children in care face diagnosis and treatment decision‐making biases. Practice implications are discussed.
Identifying countries at risk of fiscal crises: High‐debt developed countries
Authors: Daniel Betty C. , Shiamptanis Christos
Published: June 2022

Crises in European countries in 2010 and beyond demonstrated that fiscal crises and sovereign default are not confined to emerging and developing countries. Advanced economies can sustain much larger debt‐to‐GDP ratios than emerging economies. But how much larger? Experience is heterogeneous both across countries and across time. What determines this heterogeneity? We show that a low growth‐adjusted interest rate, a large maximum value for the primary surplus and a strong surplus responsiveness to debt can support higher debt‐to‐GDP ratios without fiscal crisis. We use our estimates to assess fiscal crisis risk for nine high‐debt developed countries following the financial crisis in 2008. Our results imply that Ireland and Portugal lost access to financial markets because of the rise in growth‐adjusted interest rate, whereas Greece would have lost access regardless of the interest rate. Additionally, our results warn of potential future crises for Greece, Italy and Japan even if these countries remain in a low interest rate environment.