bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
It is your fault: workplace consequences of anti-Asian stigma during COVID-19
Authors: Gardner Danielle M. , Briggs Caitlin Q. , Ryan Ann Marie
Published: May 2021

Purpose

As COVID-19 cases rose in the US, so too did instances of discrimination against Asians. The current research seeks to understand and document discrimination toward Asians in the US specifically linked to the global pandemic (study 1). The authors test hypotheses based in social categorization and intergroup contact theories, demonstrating perceived pandemic blame is a mechanism for discrimination (study 2).

Design/methodology/approach

In study 1, the authors survey Asians living in the US regarding experiences and perceptions of COVID-19-related discrimination. In study 2, a two-time point survey examined whether participant perceptions of pandemic blame toward China predict discriminatory behavior toward Asians.

Findings

Study 1 demonstrated that 22.5% of US-residing Asians report personally encountering pandemic-related discrimination. Study 2 indicated that COVID-19 blame attributions toward China predicted anticipated hiring bias and increased physical distancing of Asians at work, associated with higher levels of US identification.

Research limitations/implications

The findings have theoretical implications for research on blame and stigmatization, as well as practical implications regarding bias mitigation.

Originality/value

The present studies advance understanding of event-based blame as a driver of prejudice and discrimination at work and suggest organizations attend to bias mitigation in conjunction with uncertainty reduction communications in challenging times.
Executive bonus compensation and financial leverage: do growth and executive ownership matter?
Authors: Adu-Ameyaw Emmanuel , Danso Albert , Acheampong Samuel , Akwei Cynthia
Published: May 2021

Purpose

This study aims to examine the impact of executive bonus compensation on a firm’s financial leverage policy and the extent to which this compensation–leverage relation is moderated by firm growth and executive ownership.

Design/methodology/approach

Using data from 213 non-financial and non-utility UK FTSE 350 firms for the period 2007–2015, generating a total of 1,784 firm-year observations, panel econometric methods are used to test the model.

Findings

Drawing insights from agency theoretic view, this paper uncovers that managerial cash bonus compensation is negatively and significantly related to financial leverage. However, stock bonus compensation has a positive and significant impact on leverage. This study also observes that compensation–leverage is moderated by both firm growth and executive ownership. The results remain robust to alternative econometric models.

Originality/value

While this paper builds on the risk-motivated argument of executive bonus compensation literature, it is the first – to the best of the knowledge – to explore the bonus compensation-corporate financial leverage and, particularly, examine the extent to which firm growth and corporate executive ownership matter in this relationship.
The importance of psychological capital on the linkages between religious orientation and job stress
Authors: Narsa Niluh Putu Dian Rosalina Handayani , Wijayanti Dwi Marlina
Published: May 2021

Purpose

Even though many studies have been conducted in exploring the determinants of job stress, limited research has been conducted in exploring how the internal factors of religious orientation and the relatively new variable in the field of psychology, psychological capital (PsyCap), may relate to job stress. This study aims to examine the influence of PsyCap as a mediating variable on the relationship between religious orientation and job stress.

Design/methodology/approach

This study used self-administered surveys. Data was collected through the completion of online questionnaires. The participants include 208 accountants and business practitioners in Indonesia. Data were analysed using structural equation model-partial least squares.

Findings

The results show that intrinsic (extrinsic) religious orientation is negatively (positively) related to job stress and positively (negatively) related to PsyCap. Additionally, PsyCap mediates the relationship between religious orientation (intrinsic and extrinsic) and job stress. Other results indicate a positive relationship between PsyCap and job stress.

Research limitations/implications

Firstly, the sample used comes from various professions in companies or agencies that function differently. Secondly, this study asks individuals to assess their own job stress, which increases the chance of bias.

Practical implications

The findings of this study will provide a recommendation to the company, particularly the human resources division, to consider candidates’ religious orientation and PsyCap levels during the recruitment process. Thus, the company may observe the employees or individuals who can effectively manage job stress.

Originality/value

This study provides new empirical evidence regarding the relationship between religious orientation, PsyCap and job stress. It shows that the individual’s religious orientation (intrinsic and extrinsic) affects their level of PsyCap (higher and lower), which is a determinant factor in the experience of job stress.
Flat tax system and heterogeneity of self-employment
Authors: Safarov Sherzodbek , Abdurazzakova Dilnovoz
Published: May 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the effect of the flat tax system on self-employment by necessity and by opportunity. Specifically, the paper examines whether individuals decide to switch from wage-employment to self-employment by necessity or by opportunity when government imposes a flat tax system.

Design/methodology/approach

To analyze the association of a flat tax system with occupational choice this paper uses both multinomial and ordinary logit models. In the multi-nominal logit model, this study separates dependent variables into three categories: wage employee, self-employed by necessity and self-employed by opportunity. In the second step of analyzes using the ordinary logit model, this paper studies only self-employed individuals by distinguishing them according to their preferences.

Findings

The results suggest that, in countries with the imposed flat tax system, the probability of being self-employed by necessity is low, while the probability of being self-employed by opportunity is high. Moreover, better economic growth in the country also elevates the chances of individuals to be self-employed by opportunity.

Originality/value

Out novel contribution is documenting that flat tax system in transition countries increases the number of individuals self-employed by opportunity compared to self-employed by necessity.
Managers’ intentions to pursue export expansion an entrepreneurial cognition perspective
Authors: Sandoval Carlos A. , Rank Olaf N.
Published: May 2021

Purpose

Grounded in the Theory of Planned Behavior, the main purpose of this paper is to examine the influence of cognitive factors on the intention of a small and medium size enterprise (SME) manager to pursue the expansion of their firm’s export activities.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors created a research model and collected empirical data among owners and top managers of 127 Costa Rican SMEs. The data was analyzed using structural equation modeling techniques to reveal the relative significance and strength of the effects of every hypothesized relationship.

Findings

The results suggest that the perception of benefits and self-efficacy influence managers’ intentions to expand export activity. Managers’ intention to expand export activity, in turn, is associated with the levels of export commitment exhibited by the SMEs. None of the control variables seem to impact managers’ intentions.

Research limitations/implications

The findings of this study underline that the export development of a SME is to a large extent only possible if the manager’s perception of control over the export achievements is perceived to be high. SME managers need maximize their perceived level of controllability over firm’s export operations and achievements. This study relied on self-report data. Self-reports are the conventional method for assessing constructs regarding beliefs, and motivations of an individual. Its use in entrepreneurship research is proved to be reliable. However, the authors have to acknowledge that using self-report data carries the risk of common methods bias.

Practical implications

SMEs managers might benefit from strengthening the sense of self-efficacy regarding international business based on the results of this study.

Originality/value

This study provides empirical evidence suggesting that a manager’s cognitive characteristics play a crucial role in understanding export expansion of a SME. The results encourage future research to incorporate cognitive theoretical frameworks to examine factors determining international entrepreneurial intentions.
Is the Macau scam a fraud?
Authors: Ismail Nurbazla , Ramlee Zulfakar , Abas Afridah
Published: May 2021

Purpose

There is a broad description of fraud debated by academics around the world. The definition of fraud differs between governments, criminal justice departments and private entities. Some questions can make this study important to explain the concept of fraud. This study aims to define the legal concept of fraud. The concept of a word is important to discuss because it explains the meaning of a word and that could answer the question on Macau scam – a fraud?

Design/methodology/approach

The content analysis is the research design of this study. Data were obtained by document analysis, including books, papers, journals, case reports and other records relating to fraud. The methods used to interpret the data for this qualitative research are empirical, deductive and inductive.

Findings

This study found that the concept of fraud has not yet been defined. This can give rise to a broad interpretation, depending on the action taken by the parties in the cases. On the basis of the context of the dictionary, fraud may be said to be the same thing as deception. Sometimes, the use of words to convey things that are different from, and even at odds with, the actual sense of words. Whereas, from a legal point of view, fraud still occurs as a matter of fact to be determined. This study showed that Macau scam is a fraud.

Originality/value

The implication of this analysis is for scholars and legal professionals to assess the principle of fraud prior to the accusation.
Digital transformation and entrepreneurship process in SMEs of India: a moderating role of adoption of AI-CRM capability and strategic planning
Authors: Chatterjee Sheshadri , Chaudhuri Ranjan , Vrontis Demetris , Basile Gianpaolo
Published: May 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to identify the determinants that could impact corporate digital entrepreneurship for the small and medium enterprises (SMEs) of India. The study also investigates the moderating role that adopting artificial intelligence (AI)-customer relationship management (CRM) capability and strategic planning has in corporate digital entrepreneurship.

Design/methodology/approach

With the inputs from literature and theories, a model has been developed conceptually. The model has been validated by partial least squares structural equation modeling technique with consideration of 315 usable respondents. The effects of the moderators have also been investigated by multigroup analysis.

Findings

The study highlights that perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use and willingness to change significantly impact corporate digital entrepreneurship for the SMEs of India. The study also highlights that the two moderators have significant impacts on the relationships between corporate digital entrepreneurship and its predictors.

Research limitations/implications

This study has developed a unique model, which provides effective inputs to the entrepreneurs of SMEs of emerging economies. These inputs will help entrepreneurs to frame their policies to improve the existing traditional practices and processes that could be transformed into more digitalization for improving efficiency of their corporate digital entrepreneurial activities.

Originality/value

There are no studies which investigated how perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use and willingness to change could impact corporate digital entrepreneurship with the moderating effects of adoption of AI-CRM capability and strategic planning, as concerns SMEs of emerging economies. In this regard, this study is deemed to be a unique attempt.
Crystal market: a way to study knowledge-based dynamic capabilities
Authors: Curado Carla , Henriques Paulo , Proença Isabel , Maia Diogo
Published: May 2021

Purpose

In this work, the authors address a gap in the literature on the contribution of dynamic capabilities and internal contingencies to performance in a highly competitive environment.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors use data from the Premier Football (soccer) League in Portugal over ten years. This league works as a laboratorial setting and enables the authors to identify the influences of the variables in the study.

Findings

The authors find evidence that human capital is decisive to a team's performance. This study’s findings question the role of the alignment between the different levels of the organization: strategic, tactical and operational.

Research limitations/implications

With this work, the authors stress the importance (1) of using alternative scenarios in management research and (2) of the way that human and social capitals and managerial cognition and internal contingencies influence the development of knowledge-based dynamic capabilities, especially in highly regulated industries such has sports clubs.

Practical implications

This work provides evidence on the importance of strategic coherence at different structural levels of the organization. Furthermore, it highlights the need to secure the right resources at the right time.

Originality/value

The authors propose a setting to run the study: a crystal market and an original measure of performance that reflect the relative achievement of market potential.
Development of capitals in integrated reporting and weighting representative indicators with entropy approach
Authors: Aras Güler , Mutlu Yıldırım Filiz
Published: May 2021

Purpose

In integrated reporting, financial and non-financial performance is presented interactively, as the value creation abilities of corporations are shaped via capitals, the importance of the topic increases day by day. In addition to this, differentiation of importance of basic and sub-dimensions representing capitals between institutions leads to questions on which weight these should take place. From this point, this paper aims to develop capitals in integrated reporting and to weight the indicators representing them.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study, first, to ensure that each component of capital is included in integrated reporting, governance capital has been added to capitals, which are identified in the international integrated reporting framework (the framework). Then, weights of each capital dimension and indicators within these dimensions have been determined in a banking sector example with the entropy method.

Findings

Including the 2014-2017 period, an efficient weight assessment approach with the entropy method has been presented and it was observed that the most weighted element is the intellectual capital.

Research limitations/implications

The limitations of this study are the lack of an agreed general indicator framework for indicators representing multiple capitals in integrated reporting, each bank’s data disclosure of different indicators and differentiation of the shared data between sources.

Practical implications

This study guides the weighting studies necessary for integrated performance measurement.

Social implications

It is foreseen that this study will be effective in the development of integrated thinking and this effect will contribute to the overall functioning of all sectors beyond the banking sector, which is the application area of the study.

Originality/value

The study is the first original study in the literature in terms of providing a new dimension by adding the governance capital to the capitals defined in the Framework.
Giant nevus comedonicus of the entire lower left limb protecting from the associated bullous pemphigoid: A hypothetical role of NEK9 mutation?
Authors: Herzum Astrid , Cozzani Emanuele , Micalizzi Claudia , Russo Roberto , Castelli Riccardo , Parodi Aurora
Published: May 2021

We present the case of a 92‐year‐old woman, with bullous pemphigoid (BP) and a concomitant nevus comedonicus (NC) presenting as an asymptomatic, linear lesion of the entire lower left limb, formed by multiple comedones. Dermoscopy of the NC and histopathology confirmed the clinical and dermoscopic suspect of giant congenital nevus comedonicus. The two entities presented no overlap. In this article, we speculate that a mutation of the NEK9 gene, associated with NC, probably altering the normal follicular differentiation in NC lesions, may hypothetically also influence the expression of BPAG2 in NC. This might possibly influence a protective role of NC lesions towards BP. Undoubtedly, genetic studies would be needed to confirm or reject the proposed hypothesis.
Interleukin (IL)‐13/IL‐22/IL‐31 skewing within the skin‐homing T‐cell population in papuloerythroderma
Authors: Takamura Saori , Teraki Yuichi
Published: May 2021

Papuloerythroderma (PEO) is a representative form of senile erythroderma with an unclear pathogenesis. This study aimed to characterize the T‐cell phenotypes responsible for the pathogenesis of PEO. Cytokine profiles and cutaneous lymphocyte antigen (CLA) expression on circulating T lymphocytes in patients with PEO were simultaneously analyzed using flow cytometry. The patients with PEO showed significantly higher circulating interleukin (IL)‐4‐, IL‐13‐, IL‐22‐, and IL‐31‐producing CD4+ and CD8+ T‐cell levels than healthy subjects. However, their levels significantly decreased after remission of PEO. No difference was observed in the proportions of circulating interferon (IFN)‐γ‐ and IL‐17‐producing CD4+ and CD8+ T cells between the patients with PEO and healthy subjects. In particular, the proportion of circulating IL‐4‐, IL‐13‐, IL‐22‐, and IL‐31‐producing CD4+ and CD8+ T cells was much higher in the CLA+ subset than in the CLA– subset. There was a positive correlation between IL‐13‐, IL‐22‐, and IL‐31‐producing CD4+ T cells and the disease severity score of PEO. Moreover, a positive correlation was also observed between the proportion of IL‐22‐ or IL‐31‐producing cells and circulating IL‐13‐producing cells in both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, and approximately 50% of both IL‐22‐ and IL‐31‐producing CD4+ and CD8+ T cells coproduced IL‐13. IL‐13/IL‐22/IL‐31 skewing within the skin‐homing T‐cell population may be involved in the pathogenesis of PEO.
Preen gland microbiota of songbirds differ across populations but not sexes
Authors: Grieves Leanne A. , Gloor Gregory B. , Kelly Tosha R. , Bernards Mark A. , MacDougall‐Shackleton Elizabeth A.
Published: May 2021

Metabolites produced by symbiotic microbes can affect the odour of their hosts, providing olfactory cues of identity, sex or other salient features.

In birds, preen oil is a major source of body odour that differs between populations and sexes. We hypothesized that population and sex differences in preen oil chemistry reflect underlying differences in preen gland microbiota, predicting that these microbes also differ among populations and between the sexes. We further predicted that pairwise similarity in the community composition of preen gland microbiota would covary with that of preen oil chemical composition, consistent with the fermentation hypothesis for chemical recognition.

We analysed preen oil chemistry and preen gland bacterial communities of song sparrows Melospiza melodia. Birds were sampled at sites for which population and sex differences in preen oil have been reported, and at a third site that has been less studied.

Consistent with prior work in this system, we found population and sex differences in preen oil chemistry. By contrast, we found population differences but not sex differences in the community composition of preen gland microbes. Overall similarity in the community composition of preen gland microbiota did not significantly covary with that of preen oil chemistry. However, we identified a subset of six microbial genera that maximally correlated with preen oil composition.

Although both preen gland microbiota and preen oil composition differ across populations, we did not observe an overall association between them that would implicate symbiotic microbes in mediating variation in olfactory cues associated with preen oil. Instead, certain subsets of microbes may be involved in mediating olfactory cues in birds, but experiments are required to test this.
Responses of Rhodotorula mucilaginosa under Pb(II) stress: carotenoid production and budding
Authors: Wang Zhijun , Zhang Ying , Jiang Liu , Qiu Jingjing , Gao Yanan , Gu Tingting , Li Zhen
Published: May 2021

Rhodotorula mucilaginosa resists heavy metal (HM) stress because of its abundant extracellular polymeric substances and functional vesicles. In this study, we provided new insights into its survival strategies at both biochemical and genetic levels. After lead exposure, carotenoid biosynthesis was initiated within 24 h incubation and then increased to the maximum after 96 h of incubation. Raman analysis confirmed that carotenoids (primarily β‐carotene) were the major identifiable chemical substances on the cell surface. Moreover, the increased carotenoid production was accompanied by a rising budding rate, ~40% higher than that in the cultures without Pb. During the 96 h of incubation, the driving force for Pb accumulation was assigned to this elevated budding rate. After 96 h, biosorption was primarily attributed to the enhanced antioxidant ability of the single cells during carotenoid production. Furthermore, the yeast budding cells demonstrated an evidently heterogeneous biosorption of Pb, i.e., the rejuvenated daughters had a relatively lower Pb level than the mother cells. This resulted in the protection of the buds from Pb stress. After investigating phosphorus uptake and the RNA sequencing data, we finally confirmed two tightly correlated pathways that resist HM stress, i.e., biochemical (carotenoid production) and reproductive (healthy buds) pathways.
Refractive index measurement of the smallest bulk and surface glass microfragments in a model case
Authors: Vörös Tamás , Takács Krisztina
Published: May 2021

The refractive index measurement is a widely used investigation method of glass microtraces in forensic laboratories. The advantage of the method, in addition to its cost efficiency and repeatability, is that it is suitable for examining small fragments. In the present study, a real case was simulated, and fragments smaller than 250 micrometers obtained from five pieces of clothing, after breaking a pane of float glass, were investigated. In addition to the known (control) sample, altogether 25 bulk and 83 recovered surface fragments were also examined. In the first step, only one measurement was performed for each fragment to simulate the investigation of small fragments and test their measurability without crushing. All the bulk fragments met with the matching criterion Kmin ≤ Q ≤ Kmax, in which Kmin and Kmax are the minimum/maximum value of the measured refractive indices of the known sample, while Q is the measured (mean) value of the questioned fragment. However, the matching ratio was only approximately 60% for the surface fragments according to the one‐edge measurements. After crushing, the false exclusion rate was significantly reduced, and 79 of the 83 recovered surface fragments met with the matching criterion. As a result of crushing, not only the probability of matching, but also the edge count values improved significantly. Although the refractive index is only one property examined in the totality of glass analysis, the results of the present work can significantly contribute to the determination of the origin of small glass particles in real forensic cases.
A pen as an intermediate target becomes a secondary projectile
Authors: Jimenez Adam , Giffen Mark A.
Published: May 2021

Firearm projectiles striking intermediate targets have the potential to create secondary projectiles, which can produce identifiable patterns of injury. We present a case in which a father, manipulating a handgun, was demonstrating how the firing pin worked to his adolescent son. He placed a pen inside the barrel of the gun for demonstration but did not recognize that a bullet was loaded into the firing chamber. The weapon was discharged causing fatal injury to the son. The pen, as an intermediate target, created identifiable injuries on the decedent, which were consistent with typical patterns of injury seen with secondary projectiles including a discrepant number of skin defects to number of counted projectiles and pseudo‐stippling. Recognition of these identifiable patterns of injury in intermediate target involved gunshot wound cases can help support other autopsy findings and scene investigation.
A new chelonibiid from the Miocene of Zanzibar (Eastern Africa) sheds light on the evolution of shell architecture in turtle and whale barnacles (Cirripedia: Coronuloidea)
Authors: COLLARETA Alberto , NEWMAN William A. , BOSIO Giulia , COLETTI Giovanni
Published: May 2021

The fossil history of turtle and whale barnacles (Coronuloidea: Chelonibiidae, Platylepadidae, Coronulidae and †Emersoniidae) is fragmentary and has only been investigated in part. Morphological inferences and molecular phylogenetic analyses on extant specimens suggest that the roots of whale barnacles (Coronulidae) are to be found among the chelonibiid turtle barnacles, but the hard‐part modifications that enabled early coronuloids to attach to the cetacean skin are still largely to be perceived. Here, we reappraise a fossil chelonibiid specimen from the Miocene of insular Tanzania that was previously referred to the living species Chelonibia caretta. This largely forgotten specimen is here described as the holotype of the new species †Chelonibia zanzibarensis. While similar to C. caretta, †C. zanzibarensis exhibits obvious external longitudinal parietal canals occurring in‐between external longitudinal parietal septa that abut outwards to form T‐shaped flanges, a character so far regarded as proper of the seemingly more derived Coronulidae and Platylepadidae. Along with these features, the presence of a substrate imprint on the shell exterior indicates that †C. zanzibarensis grasped its host's integument in much the same way as coronulids and platylepadids, albeit without the development of macroscopic parietal buttresses and bolsters. Thin section analyses of the inner parietal architecture of some extant and extinct coronuloids conclusively demonstrate that vestiges of comparable external parietal microstructures are present in some living members of Chelonibiidae. This observation strengthens the unity of Coronuloidea while significantly contributing to our understanding of the evolution of the coronuloid shell structure in adapting to a diverse spectrum of hosts.
Benchmarking bioinformatic tools for fast and accurate eDNA metabarcoding species identification
Authors: Mathon Laetitia , Valentini Alice , Guérin Pierre‐Edouard , Normandeau Eric , Noel Cyril , Lionnet Clément , Boulanger Emilie , Thuiller Wilfried , Bernatchez Louis , Mouillot David , Dejean Tony , Manel Stéphanie
Published: May 2021

Bioinformatic analysis of eDNA metabarcoding data is a crucial step toward rigorously assessing biodiversity. Many programs are now available for each step of the required analyses, but their relative abilities at providing fast and accurate species lists have seldom been evaluated. We used simulated mock communities and real fish eDNA metabarcoding data to evaluate the performance of 13 bioinformatic programs and pipelines to retrieve fish occurrence and read abundance using the 12S mt rRNA gene marker. We used four indices to compare the outputs of each program with the simulated samples: sensitivity, F‐measure, root‐mean‐square error (RMSE) on read relative abundances, and execution time. We found marked differences among programs only for the taxonomic assignment step, both in terms of sensitivity, F‐measure and RMSE. Running time was highly different between programs for each step. The fastest programs with best indices for each step were assembled into a pipeline. We compared this pipeline to pipelines constructed from existing toolboxes (OBITools, Barque, and QIIME 2). Our pipeline and Barque obtained the best performance for all indices and appear to be better alternatives to highly used pipelines for analysing fish eDNA metabarcoding data when a complete reference database is available. Analysis on real eDNA metabarcoding data also indicated differences for taxonomic assignment and execution time only. This study reveals major differences between programs during the taxonomic assignment step. The choice of algorithm for the taxonomic assignment can have a significant impact on diversity estimates and should be made according to the objectives of the study.
Assessment of chemotherapy regimens on radiation pneumonitis in patients with unresectable stage III non‐small‐cell lung cancer after definitive chemoradiotherapy
Authors: Sakaguchi Tadashi , Ito Kentaro , Furuya Naoki , Morikawa Kei , Fujiwara Kentaro , Nishii Yoichi , Inoue Takeo , Hataji Osamu , Mineshita Masamichi
Published: May 2021

Background

Consolidation therapy with durvalumab after concurrent chemoradiotherapy has been reported to significantly prolong progression‐free survival and overall survival in patients with stage III unresectable non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, which chemotherapy regimen should be selected for consolidation therapy with durvalumab is currently unknown.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed consecutive patients with unresectable stage III NSCLC who received concurrent definitive chemoradiotherapy with platinum‐based chemotherapy. We reviewed the timing and severity of radiation pneumonitis by assessing chemotherapy regimens and histology.

Results

A total of 103 patients were identified. Fourteen patients (13.6%) developed grade 2 or greater radiation pneumonitis within 42 days after chemoradiotherapy. No adenocarcinoma patients treated with a regimen of cisplatin plus pemetrexed developed grade 2 or greater radiation pneumonitis within 42 days; however, 20% of patients who were treated with carboplatin plus paclitaxel developed grade 2 or greater radiation pneumonitis. Furthermore, the objective response rates and disease control rates of cisplatin plus pemetrexed were equal to or greater than those of carboplatin plus paclitaxel in adenocarcinoma patients.

Conclusion

Cisplatin plus pemetrexed regimen may be a preferable option to consider for subsequent consolidation therapy with durvalumab in patients with unresectable stage III adenocarcinoma.
The impact of COVID‐19 on anaesthesia and critical care services in the UK: a serial service evaluation*
Authors: Kursumovic E. , Cook T. M. , Vindrola‐Padros C. , Kane A. D. , Armstrong R. A. , Waite O. , Soar J.
Published: May 2021

Between October 2020 and January 2021, we conducted three national surveys to track anaesthetic, surgical and critical care activity during the second COVID‐19 pandemic wave in the UK. We surveyed all NHS hospitals where surgery is undertaken. Response rates, by round, were 64%, 56% and 51%. Despite important regional variations, the surveys showed increasing systemic pressure on anaesthetic and peri‐operative services due to the need to support critical care pandemic demands. During Rounds 1 and 2, approximately one in eight anaesthetic staff were not available for anaesthetic work. Approximately one in five operating theatres were closed and activity fell in those that were open. Some mitigation was achieved by relocation of surgical activity to other locations. Approximately one‐quarter of all surgical activity was lost, with paediatric and non‐cancer surgery most impacted. During January 2021, the system was largely overwhelmed. Almost one‐third of anaesthesia staff were unavailable, 42% of operating theatres were closed, national surgical activity reduced to less than half, including reduced cancer and emergency surgery. Redeployed anaesthesia staff increased the critical care workforce by 125%. Three‐quarters of critical care units were so expanded that planned surgery could not be safely resumed. At all times, the greatest resource limitation was staff. Due to lower response rates from the most pressed regions and hospitals, these results may underestimate the true impact. These findings have important implications for understanding what has happened during the COVID‐19 pandemic, planning recovery and building a system that will better respond to future waves or new epidemics.
Does the intact nephron hypothesis provide a reasonable model for metformin dosing in chronic kidney disease?
Authors: Pradhan Sudeep , Duffull Stephen B. , Wilson Luke C. , Kuan Isabelle H. S. , Walker Robert J. , Putt Tracey L. , Schollum John B. W. , Wright Daniel F. B.
Published: May 2021

This research explored the intact nephron hypothesis (INH) as a model for metformin dosing in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). The INH assumes that glomerular filtration rate (GFR) will account for all kidney drug handling even for drugs eliminated by tubular secretion like metformin. We conducted two studies: (1) a regression analysis to explore the relationship between metformin clearance and eGFR metrics, and (2) a joint population pharmacokinetic analysis to test the relationship between metformin renal clearance and gentamicin clearance. The relationship between metformin renal clearance and eGFR metrics and gentamicin clearance was found to be linear, suggesting that a proportional dose reduction based on GFR in patients with CKD is reasonable.
The developmental trajectories of spatial skills in middle childhood
Authors: Hodgkiss Alex , Gilligan‐Lee Katie A. , Thomas Michael S.C. , Tolmie Andrew K. , Farran Emily K.
Published: May 2021

The multidimensional structure of spatial ability remains a debated issue. However, the developmental trajectories of spatial skills have yet to be investigated as a source of evidence within this debate. We tested the intrinsic versus extrinsic and static versus dynamic dimensions of the Uttal et al. (2013, Psychol. Bull., 139, 352) typology in relation to spatial development. Participants (N = 184) aged 6–11 completed spatial tasks chosen to measure these spatial dimensions. The results indicated that the developmental trajectories of intrinsic versus extrinsic skills differed significantly. Intrinsic skills improved more between 6 and 8 years, and 7 and 8 years, than extrinsic skills. Extrinsic skills increased more between 8 and 10 years than intrinsic skills. The trajectories of static versus dynamic skills did not differ significantly. The findings support the intrinsic versus extrinsic, but not the static versus dynamic dimension, of the Uttal et al. (2013, Psychol. Bull., 139, 352) typology.
Creative expressiveness in childhood writing predicts educational achievement beyond motivation and intelligence: A longitudinal, genetically informed study
Authors: Toivainen Teemu , Madrid‐Valero Juan J , Chapman Robert , McMillan Andrew , Oliver Bonamy R. , Kovas Yulia
Published: May 2021

Background

Creativity is linked with educationally relevant constructs such as achievement, intelligence, and motivation. However, very few studies have explored longitudinal links between the constructs or the aetiology of individual differences in childhood creativity.

Aims

The study addresses the gap in the literature of developmental studies on the relationship of creativity with other educationally relevant measures. Additionally, the present study is the first adequately powered genetically informative analysis of childhood creativity.

Sample(s)

The present study utilized data from 1,306 twins, a subsample from a longitudinal, representative twin sample in the UK.

Methods

Creativity was operationalised as a Creative Expressiveness score, using the Consensual Assessment Technique on stories written by 9‐year‐olds. Intelligence and writing motivation were assessed at age 9. Academic achievement was collected at ages 9, 12, and 16.

Results

Creative Expressiveness was associated with intelligence and motivation, all measured at age 9. It also predicted variance in English grades at ages 9 and 16. The associations were weak, but significant, over and above intelligence, motivation, and earlier English grades. The variance in Creative Expressiveness was explained by genetic (35%), shared environmental (21%), and non‐shared environmental (45%) influences. The phenotypic correlations with other study variables were mainly mediated genetically.

Conclusions

The results provide information that can be used for planning educational content. First, creativity can be detected in childhood writing. Second, childhood creativity may be overlooked in early educational assessments. Third, the results from the genetic analyses are important indications on the role of environments in the development of creativity.
Gamma/delta T‐cell lymphoma with mycosis fungoides‐like clinical course transforming to “T‐cell‐receptor‐silent” aggressive lymphoma: Description of one case
Authors: Tomasini Dario , Croci Giorgio Alberto , Hotz Annamaria , Cione Stefania , Cecchetti Caterina , Ciambelli Fabrizio , Crivelli Filippo
Published: May 2021

Primary cutaneous γδ T‐cell lymphomas (PCGDTLs) are a heterogeneous group of lymphomas representing about 1% of primary cutaneous T‐cell lymphomas (CTCLs) and mostly regarded as clinically aggressive. Current WHO‐EORTC classification recognizes different clinic‐pathologic subsets of PCGDTL, but it suggests that cases showing a mycosis fungoides (MF)‐like clinical presentation and histopathology should be classified as MF irrespective of phenotype for their indolent course. Herein, we describe a case of γδ‐MF, featuring at onset a granulomatous pattern, with subsequent clinical worsening signaled by the development of an ulcero‐necrotic lesion and systemic dissemination, leading to death in 5 months. Clinical progression was sustained by a shift to mature T‐cell lymphoma composed of medium to large‐sized blastoid T‐cells featuring a T‐cell receptor (TCR) silent immunophenotype.
Well‐being and employment of young people in Ethiopia, India, Peru and Vietnam: Is work enough?
Authors: Carmichael Fiona , Darko Christian K. , Vasilakos Nicholas
Published: May 2021

Motivation

Investing in youth employment is central to development agendas. However, policy directed towards increasing employment rates among young people needs to consider the well‐being implications of the different kinds of jobs they are able to access. This would help countries to meet the Sustainable Development Goal of decent work for all, including young people, by 2030.

Purpose

This article examines the association between the well‐being of young people in Ethiopia, Peru, India, and Vietnam and their employment and the job attributes of the work they do.

Methods and approach

The study uses five waves of the Young Lives longitudinal survey for a sample of children who are followed from the ages of eight to 22. Regression analysis estimates the relationship between well‐being, employment, and job attributes, taking into account gender, wealth, current, and childhood health, and exposure to shocks over life‐courses from the age of eight.

Findings

The results show that in these four countries, employment does not have an unqualified positive effect on well‐being. Not all jobs are “good jobs.” Job attributes matter, specifically, who employs the individual, their pay, the work environment, and the pride they take in their work. Well‐being is predicted by current and childhood health and household wealth with ownership of consumer durables associated more strongly with well‐being than housing quality or access to services. Greater exposure to shocks from the age of eight is found to have lasting effects on well‐being into young adulthood.

Policy implications

Policy aimed at improving young people’s opportunities for employment in the Global South also to consider the types of jobs they are able to access and how this impacts their well‐being. Policy also needs to take into account pre‐labour market conditions and circumstances.
Minor troponin T elevation and mortality in patients with atrial fibrillation presenting to the emergency department
Authors: Paana Tuomas , Jaakkola Samuli , Biancari Fausto , Nuotio Ilpo , Vasankari Tuija , Kiviniemi Tuomas O. , Airaksinen K. E. Juhani
Published: May 2021

Background

There are limited data on the association of minor troponin elevation in unselected patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) presenting to the emergency department (ED) with adverse events. In this study, we sought to assess the early and mid‐term mortality of these patients.

Methods

In this observational study, 2911 patients with AF were admitted to the ED. They were divided into 3 groups based on peak high‐sensitivity troponin (TnT) levels: normal (<15 ng/L), 15‐50 ng/L and 51‐100 ng/L. The primary outcomes of this study were all‐cause mortality at 30 days and 1 year.

Results

All‐cause mortality was 6.7% (n = 196) at 30 days and 22.2% (n = 646) at 1 year. Mortality rate increased along with increasing levels of TnT irrespective of baseline covariates, primary discharge diagnosis and type of AF. A significant association between TnT levels and all‐cause mortality was observed. The adjusted hazard ratio (HR) at 30 days was 6.02 (95% CI 2.62‐13.83) for TnT 15‐50 ng/L and 11.28 (95% CI 4.87‐26.12) for TnT 51‐100 ng/L (P<.001 for both) compared to TnT <15 ng/L. At 1 year, the adjusted HRs were 3.08 (95% CI 2.15‐4.40) and 5.07 (95% CI 3.49‐7.35), respectively (P < .001). When patients with TnT <15 ng/L were divided into two groups at the median value, TnT elevation of 10 to 14 ng/L was also associated with increased 1‐year mortality (HR 2.51; 95% CI 1.09‐5.74; P = .03).

Conclusions

Among patients with AF admitted to the ED, increased TnT levels were associated with increased early and mid‐term all‐cause mortality irrespective of baseline covariates and type of AF.
Epigenetic regulation during melanocyte development and homeostasis
Authors: Dilshat Ramile , Vu Hong Nhung , Steingrímsson Eiríkur
Published: May 2021

Melanocytes originate in the neural crest as precursor cells which then migrate and proliferate to reach their destination where they differentiate into pigment‐producing cells. Melanocytes not only determine the colour of hair, skin and eyes but also protect against the harmful effects of UV irradiation. The establishment of the melanocyte lineage is regulated by a defined set of transcription factors and signalling pathways that direct the specific gene expression programmes underpinning melanoblast specification, survival, migration, proliferation and differentiation. In addition, epigenetic modifiers and replacement histones play key roles in regulating gene expression and its timing during the different steps of this process. Here, we discuss the evidence for the role of epigenetic regulators in melanocyte development and function and how they interact with transcription factors and signalling pathways to establish and maintain this important cell lineage.
Investigation on stress microcycles and mild wear mechanism in gear contact fatigue
Authors: Zhou Ye , Zhu Caichao , Liu Huaiju , Bai Houyi , Xu Xiaona
Published: May 2021

Gear contact fatigue is becoming a primary limitation for the growing demand of power density and service life in gear‐driven equipment. The unchecked surface fatigue crack could further cause premature failure and put a serious risk to the safety and reliability of mechanical systems. In this work, an attempt is made to investigate the effects of rolling‐sliding and mild wear on contact fatigue behavior. A contact model is developed to capture the variation of instantaneous pressure and stress field, which are calculated with the transient mixed elastohydrodynamic lubrication (EHL) approach. Rolling‐sliding contact is simulated with the time‐varying roughness topography, which is updated by Archard wear equation. The stress cycles are extracted, and the relative contact fatigue life is obtained by using the Zaretsky criterion. Results suggest that in rolling‐sliding contact, the contact fatigue life is obviously lower compared with pure rolling. The increases in the number and amplitude of stress microcycles is found to be the main contributors to the reduction of fatigue life. Mild wear tends to smooth the surface, subsequently mitigates the stress concentration, and reduces stress cycles, and then decreases the risk of surface contact fatigue.
Botanic gardens play key roles in the regional distribution of first records of alien plants in China
Authors: Ni Ming , Hulme Philip E.
Published: May 2021

Aim

Plant invasions pose a serious risk to biodiversity, and living collections in botanic gardens are recognized as a potentially important source of alien plant introductions. However, it is not yet known how the risks from botanic gardens compare with other socioeconomic and environmental factors in influencing the regional distribution of alien plant introductions.

Location

China.

Time period

1840–2018.

Major taxa studied

All vascular plants.

Method

We compiled a dataset of the locations of first records and introduction pathways for 454 plant species naturalized in China and used boosted regression trees to evaluate the roles of the number, size and age of botanic gardens, local climate, native species richness and trade on the total number of first records of alien plants at both city and province level.

Results

Botanic gardens with large living collections played the most important role in influencing the total number of first records of alien plant species at both city and province scale. However, the importance of botanic gardens depended on the introduction pathway of naturalized species. The first records of alien species introduced for horticulture were more influenced by the attributes of botanic gardens. Moreover, the first records of alien species introduced for agriculture were associated with climatic variables, and the first records of alien species introduced accidentally were strongly shaped by trade.

Main conclusions

Our results highlight the importance of botanic gardens in facilitating alien plant introductions across a continent. Given the rapid rise in the number of botanic gardens in Asia since 1950, our results point to these as potential hotspots for future plant invasions. Botanic gardens should implement screening procedures to assess the risk of invasion arising from species in their living collections and undertake systematic surveys of their plantings for evidence of plant naturalization.