bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An Initiative to Improve Efficiency of Emergency Department Adolescent Behavioral Health Visits
Authors: Altaqi Aiman , Grover Purva
Published: May 2022

Pediatric mental illnesses are quite prevalent in the United States and worldwide. Prevalence has been increasing, and it is estimated that 13% to 20% of US children have a mental illness that costs an estimated $247 billion per year and affects children's social, emotional, and cognitive development (Perou et al. MMWR Suppl. 2013;62:1–35). Pediatric behavioral health visits to the emergency department (ED) have been on an exponential rise constituting 5% to 7% of ED visits (Kalb et al. Pediatrics. 2019;143(4):e20182192). This requires pediatric emergency physicians to frequently manage pediatric mental health illnesses and interact with pediatric psychiatrists to create an integrated system.

There is no universally accepted protocol for medical clearance of psychiatric patients (Corl et al. Med Health R I. 2008 91(11):339–341). Our medical clearance protocol comprised complete blood counts, complete metabolic panel, thyroid panel, urine toxicology screen, blood alcohol, urine human chorionic gonadotropin for females, and electrocardiogram for patients 16 years and older. These tests are obtained and have to result in pediatric ED before admission to the adolescent psychiatry unit, therefore occupying space and contributing to pediatric ED overcrowding. In an attempt to decrease our length of stay (LOS), we worked with multiple stakeholders to modify this protocol.

Based on results of the data extrapolated from adult psychiatry studies (Olshaker et al. Acad Emerg Med. 1997;4(2), 124–128; Parmar et al. West J Emerg Med. 2012;13(5), 388–393; Janiak and Atteberry. J Emerg Med. 2012;43(5), 866–870). The medical clearance process was adjusted, and laboratory tests, electrocardiogram, and other ancillary studies were waived. The new protocol indicates testing based on a detailed history, physical examination, and clinical judgment. The new medical clearance protocol was initiated in December 2018. The median ED LOS for patients seen in the ED and admitted to our inpatient unit from January to November 2018 was 290 minutes in comparison with median LOS for December 2018 to December 2019 period, which was 204 minutes, showing a median reduction of 86 minutes with no adverse outcomes.

The median number of encounters requiring admission in both these periods was comparable. A downstream effect of this process was also cost savings. The estimated cost savings ranged from $37.45 to $47.5 per patient, not including labor and other indirect costs. The medical clearance process is a daunting process for both patients and their families and emerging data questioning its use. Goal-directed medical clearance may be an efficient and cost-saving medical clearance for patients requiring emergent psychiatric evaluation.
Identification of Prescribing Errors in an Electronic Health Record Using a Retract-and-Reorder Tool: A Pilot Study
Authors: Devin Joan , Cullinan Shane , Looi Claudia , Cleary Brian J.
Published: May 2022

Objectives

The aims of this study were to develop and to validate an adapted Retract-and-Reorder (RAR) tool to identify and quantify near-miss/intercepted prescribing errors in an electronic health record.

Methods

This is a cross-sectional study between February and March 2021 in an Irish maternity hospital. We used the RAR tool to detect near-miss prescribing errors in audit log data. Potential errors flagged by the tool were validated using prescriber interviews. Chart reviews were performed if the prescriber was unavailable for interview. Errors were judged to be clinical decisions in chart reviews through review of narrative notes, order components, and patient’s clinical history. Interviews were analyzed with reference to the London Protocol, a process of incident analysis that categorizes causes of errors into various contributory factors including patient factors, task and technology factors, and work environment. Logistic regression with robust clustered standard errors was used to determine predictors for near-miss prescribing errors. We calculated the positive predictive value of the RAR tool by dividing the number of confirmed near-miss prescribing errors by the total number of RAR events identified.

Results

Eighty-four RAR events were identified in 27,407 medication orders. Seventy-one events were confirmed near-miss prescribing errors, resulting in a positive predictive value of 85.0% (95% confidence interval, 75%–91%) and an estimated near-miss prescribing error rate of 259/100,000 medication orders. Duplicate prescribing errors were most common (54/71, 76.1%). No errors were reported by prescribers. Consultants were less likely to make an error than nonconsultant hospital doctors (adjusted odds ratio, 0.10; 95% confidence interval, 0.01–0.84). Factors associated with errors included workload, staffing levels, and task structure.

Conclusions

Our adapted RAR tool identified a variety of near-miss prescribing errors not otherwise reported. The tool has been implemented in the study hospital as a patient safety resource. Further implementations are planned across Irish hospitals.
Nonutilization of Kidneys From Donors After Circulatory Determinant of Death
Authors: Lin Yingxin , Teixeira-Pinto Armando , Opdam Helen , Chapman Jeremy R. , Craig Jonathan C. , Rogers Natasha , Pleass Henry , Davies Christopher , McDonald Stephen , Yang Jean , Lim Wai , Wong Germaine
Published: May 2022

Background.

The expansion of donation after circulatory determination of death (DCDD) programs and unmet demands for kidney transplantation indicate that there is a need to improve the efficiency and utilization of these organs.

Methods.

We studied all DCDD donors retrieved for kidney transplantation in Australia between 2014 and 2019 and determined the factors associated with nonutilization using least absolute shrinkage and selection operator and random forest models. Self-organizing maps were used to group these donors into clusters with similar characteristics and features associated with nonutilization were defined.

Results.

Of the 762 DCDD donors, 116 (15%) were not utilized for kidney transplantation. Of the 9 clusters derived from self-organizing map, 2 had the highest proportions of nonutilized kidneys. Factors for nonutilization (adjusted odds ratio [95% confidence interval], per SD increase) were duration from withdrawal of cardiorespiratory support till death (1.38 [1.16-1.64]), admission and terminal serum creatinine (1.43 [1.13-1.85]) and (1.41 [1.16-1.73]). Donor kidney function and duration of warm ischemia were the main factors for clinical decisions taken not to use kidneys from DCDD donors.

Conclusions.

Donor terminal kidney function and the duration of warm ischemia are the key factors for nonutilization of DCDD kidneys. Strategies to reduce the duration of warm ischemia and improve post-transplant recipient kidney function may reduce rates of nonutilization.
Magnetic Resonance Elastography-derived Stiffness Predicts Renal Function Loss and Is Associated With Microvascular Inflammation in Kidney Transplant Recipients
Authors: Shatil Anwar S. , Kirpalani Anish , Younus Eyesha , Tyrrell Pascal N. , Krizova Adriana , Yuen Darren A.
Published: May 2022

Background.

Organ stiffening can be caused by inflammation and fibrosis, processes that are common causes of transplant kidney dysfunction. Magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) is a contrast-free, noninvasive imaging modality that measures kidney stiffness. The objective of this study was to assess the ability of MRE to serve as a prognostic factor for renal outcomes.

Methods.

Patients were recruited from the St Michael’s Hospital Kidney Transplant Clinic. Relevant baseline demographic, clinical, and Banff histologic information, along with follow-up estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) data, were recorded. Two-dimensional gradient-echo MRE imaging was performed to obtain kidney “stiffness” maps. Binary logistic regression analyses were performed to examine for relationships between stiffness and microvascular inflammation score. Linear mixed-effects modeling was used to assess the relationship between stiffness and eGFR change over time controlling for other baseline variables. A G2-likelihood ratio Chi-squared test was performed to compare between the baseline models with and without “stiffness.”

Results.

Sixty-eight transplant kidneys were scanned in 66 patients (mean age 56 ± 12 y, 24 females), with 38 allografts undergoing a contemporaneous biopsy. Mean transplant vintage was 7.0 ± 6.8 y. In biopsied allografts, MRE-derived allograft stiffness was associated only with microvascular inflammation (Banff g + ptc score, Spearman ρ = 0.43, P = 0.01), but no other histologic parameters. Stiffness was negatively associated with eGFR change over time (Stiffness × Time interaction β = –0.80, P < 0.0001), a finding that remained significant even when adjusted for biopsy status and baseline variables (Stiffness × Time interaction β = –0.46, P = 0.04). Conversely, the clinical models including “stiffness” showed significantly better fit (P = 0.04) compared with the baseline clinical models without “stiffness.”

Conclusions.

MRE-derived renal stiffness provides important prognostic information regarding renal function loss for patients with allograft dysfunction, over and above what is provided by current clinical variables.
Till death do us part – customer commitment after negative publicity: the role of relational variables and cognitive dissonance
Authors: Banerjee Shubhomoy , Ghosh Abhijit
Published: May 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to study the impact of relationship marketing orientation (RMO) and relationship quality on customers' commitment and pro-marketer behavior (positive word of mouth and external attribution) after negative brand publicity by using the combined lens of relationship marketing theory and the theory of cognitive dissonance.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey was conducted among banking customers in India using an online questionnaire. Data were analyzed using structural equation modeling and the bootstrapping procedure using the SPSS process macro.

Findings

Contrary to conventional wisdom, findings of this study suggest that RMO and relationship quality are positively correlated to commitment even after negative publicity. The path between RMO, relationship quality and pro-provider behavior is found to be mediated by commitment. This indirect path is moderated by customers' cognitive dissonance arising out of the negative publicity.

Originality/value

The study establishes the combined roles of RMO and relationship quality in pre-empting the detrimental effects of negative brand publicity. Further, it establishes interactions of cognitive dissonance with these relationship variables, thereby bringing together literature from relationship marketing theory and cognitive dissonance theory.
The effect of servicescape on place attachment and experience evaluation: the importance of exoticism and authenticity in an ethnic restaurant
Authors: Kim Minjung , Lee Gyumin
Published: May 2022

Purpose

Under the growing preference for ethnic food and an increase in ethnic restaurants, it is crucial to understand the value of restaurants gaining a competitive edge for their customers. Therefore, this study aims to investigate how exposure to the servicescape affects the formation of emotion and behavior.

Design/methodology/approach

This study is based on online survey results pertaining to the servicescape of ethnic restaurants and diners’ evaluations of their experience. The survey items were developed from previous related literature. For accurate data collection, the survey respondents were limited to consumers who had dined in an ethnic restaurant at least once within the previous six months.

Findings

The results reveal that substantive and communicative servicescape had a positive influence on both exoticism and authenticity; moreover, exoticism positively affected authenticity. In turn, exoticism and authenticity had a positive influence on place attachment. It also appears that place attachment positively affected experience intensification and extension.

Practical implications

The findings of this study are expected to contribute to competitive management strategies to expand ethnic restaurants. Based on the results, managerial strategies will be set up, focusing on which aspects should receive attention to ensure the intensification and extension of diners’ experiences at ethnic restaurants.

Originality/value

There has been very little research on ethnic restaurants in relation to the integrated relationship between servicescape, authenticity, place attachment and postexperience behavior. This study assumes that the overall service experience of customers of ethnic restaurants can be perceived and evaluated based on substantive and communicative servicescape and that such restaurants can benefit by understanding the specific factors that will give them a competitive edge in running their business.
Food vloggers and parasocial interactions: a comparative study of local and foreign food vlogs using the S-O-R paradigm
Authors: Yousaf Salman
Published: May 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to use the stimulus-organism-response (S-O-R) paradigm to understand how the source characteristics of the local and foreign food vloggers impact perceptions associated with the consumption setting of food vlogs (FVs), that is, experiential value and authentic value, cultivate the experiences of parasocial interaction (PSI) and how they are channelized into behavioral and attitudinal dispositions of food tourists.

Design/methodology/approach

Following a survey research design, a sample of 418 participants with an interest in food-related touristic journeys was analyzed. Both Pakistani and foreign FVs about Peshawar, a historic city situated on the ancient silk route, were selected for a common reference point.

Findings

The reception of Pakistani and foreign food vloggers differed significantly, implying that source characteristics, especially perceived similarity with the food vlogger, are an essential factor in the case of FVs. FVs’ authentic and experiential values significantly nurtured the experiences of PSI and positively influenced viewers’ evaluation of vlogs. The experiences of PSI cultivated visit intentions towards a destination. However, their relationship with the destination’s food image was not significantly related. The favorable reception of FVs was positively associated with the destination’s food image and visit intentions.

Practical implications

The findings provide tourism and hospitality managers with suggestions on how to appreciate and incorporate the marketability of FVs into their destination marketing campaigns.

Originality/value

This study opens up new avenues of scholarly debate by comparing the local and foreign food vloggers’ source effectiveness in cultivating PSI experiences and resultant attitudinal and behavioral changes. This study adds to the emergent research stream of understanding the food vlogger–viewer relationship through the S-O-R framework.
In the travel bloggers’ wonderland: mechanisms of the blogger – follower relationship in tourism and hospitality management – a systematic literature review
Authors: Maggiore Giulio , Lo Presti Letizia , Orlowski Marissa , Morvillo Alfonso
Published: May 2022

Purpose

Even if the relationship between travel bloggers and followers has implications for tourists’ decision-making process, the literature does not individuate the main determinants of this relationship. This paper aims to study the drivers and motivations to follow travel bloggers and the main consequences. Moreover, the paper seeks to highlight the metamorphosis of travel bloggers and their role in the tourism industry.

Design/methodology/approach

A systematic literature review was used, and 76 papers were selected. A thematic map of the literature and a summary of key findings are proposed.

Findings

Although authenticity is the main trigger for following travel bloggers, other factors (e.g. transparency and credibility), if lacking, can erode the relationship with followers. Results demonstrate that hygiene factors are important but that the relationship with followers can be compromised if motivational factors are lacking. Loyalty and the continued use of travel blogs are the main consequences of a relationship based on trust, credibility and engagement.

Practical implications

Tourism and hospitality managers must define sophisticated segmentation procedures to select the right travel blogger with which to engage for destination promotions. Travel bloggers must clearly define the role that they want to have in the market if they are to instill loyalty in their followers.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first paper that attempts to identify the pillars of the follower–travel blogger relationship in the tourism and hospitality literature.
Solving vehicle routing problem with time windows using metaheuristic approaches
Authors: Aydınalp Zeynep , Özgen Doğan
Published: May 2022

Purpose

Drugs are strategic products with essential functions in human health. An optimum design of the pharmaceutical supply chain is critical to avoid economic damage and adverse effects on human health. The vehicle-routing problem, focused on finding the lowest-cost routes with available vehicles and constraints, such as time constraints and road length, is an important aspect of this. In this paper, the vehicle routing problem (VRP) for a pharmaceutical company in Turkey is discussed.

Design/methodology/approach

A mixed-integer programming (MIP) model based on the vehicle routing problem with time windows (VRPTW) is presented, aiming to minimize the total route cost with certain constraints. As the model provides an optimum solution for small problem sizes with the GUROBI® solver, for large problem sizes, metaheuristic methods that simulate annealing and adaptive large neighborhood search algorithms are proposed. A real dataset was used to analyze the effectiveness of the metaheuristic algorithms. The proposed simulated annealing (SA) and adaptive large neighborhood search (ALNS) were evaluated and compared against GUROBI® and each other through a set of real problem instances.

Findings

The model is solved optimally for a small-sized dataset with exact algorithms; for solving a larger dataset, however, metaheuristic algorithms require significantly lesser time. For the problem addressed in this study, while the metaheuristic algorithms obtained the optimum solution in less than one minute, the solution in the GUROBI® solver was limited to one hour and three hours, and no solution could be obtained in this time interval.

Originality/value

The VRPTW problem presented in this paper is a real-life problem. The vehicle fleet owned by the factory cannot be transported between certain suppliers, which complicates the solution of the problem.
Chinese lesson study: critical aspects of transfer from China to Italy
Authors: Ramploud Alessandro , Funghi Silvia , Bartolini Maria Giuseppina
Published: May 2022

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to explore the rationale and findings of the implementation of a Chinese lesson study (CLS)-informed model of mathematics teacher education in Italian schools. The study focuses on the modifications and invariance when introducing CLS in a different culture.

Design/methodology/approach

In a previous work (Bartolini Bussi et al., 2017), the authors focused on a single case of activity inspired by the CLS in Italy, and identified some conflicts emerging between the cultures of teaching in China and Italy and explored the way to overcome the conflicts. In the following years, the authors implemented lesson study (LS) experimentations with dozens of in-service primary school teachers and pre-service teachers who were gradually introduced to the model of CLS. The tensions/constraints occurred prominently when extending the experiments with many dozens of other in-service teachers and pre-service teachers.

Findings

The authors highlighted how the process of deconstruction allowed the participants in the study to either appropriate or reject some features of the CLS, linking this process to the cultural differences.

Practical implications

The authors believe and argue that LS, and CLS in particular, must be modified in the transfer from one culture to another, considering the cultural beliefs of the involved teachers.

Originality/value

The authors claim that the features of CLS compels the Western researchers to adopt local and culturally determined choices and to be aware of the rationale of these choices.
Green Lean Six Sigma sustainability – oriented project selection and implementation framework for manufacturing industry
Authors: Kaswan Mahender Singh , Rathi Rajeev , Garza-Reyes Jose Arturo , Antony Jiju
Published: May 2022

Purpose

This paper aims to deal with the selection of the sustainability-oriented Green Lean Six Sigma (GLS) project for the manufacturing industry in the complex decision-making environment. Moreover, the study also proposes a GLS implementation framework for improved organizational performance.

Design/methodology/approach

GLS project selection has been done based on the six sustainability-oriented criteria formed from 17 sub-criteria (found from the literature and developed by authors). The weights of the criteria have been determined through the entropy method. The projects have been ranked based on the criteria through the advanced decision-making approach: grey relation analysis (GRA). The results of the study were validated using best worst method and sensitivity analysis.

Findings

It has been found that the productivity-related criterion is the most significant among other criteria with entropy weight of 0.2721. GRA has been used in this research work to rank the potential GLS projects in a manufacturing industry based on six sustainability criteria, to select a project that exhibits the maximum potential for sustainable improvement. The machine shop has been found as the most significant GLS project with grey relation grade of 0.4742.

Practical implications

The present study facilitates practitioners and industrial managers to implement an inclusive GLS approach for improved sustainability dynamics through effective GLS project selection and implementation framework.

Originality/value

With increased globalized competition in recent times, new projects are being considered as the foundation stone for organizational success. The decision-making becomes quite complex to select an effective project due to the intriguing nature of various criteria, sub-criteria and different aspects of sustainability. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, the present study is the first of its kind that provides ways for the selection of sustainability-oriented GLS projects.
The effect of institutions on R&D investment: the case of four mediterranean euro area states
Authors: Vlachos Vasileios
Published: May 2022

Purpose

This study investigates the impact of institutional factors on firms investing in R&D.

Design/methodology/approach

The study uses data from the World Bank's Enterprise Surveys for the Republic of Cyprus, Greece, Italy and Portugal. A model with institutional factors as explanatory variables and firm performance factors as control variables is estimated with weighted least squares heteroscedasticity corrected regression. The reverse causality problem is addressed by using a two-stage least squares regression approach.

Findings

The findings indicate that institutional quality has a significant influence on firms' R&D expenditure. The results have several implications in relation to findings of previous research.

Research limitations/implications

The inclusion of more countries that were affected by the European economic crisis will probably give more insights about the effect of institutional factors on R&D.

Practical implications

Policy makers have to address short-comings in institutional quality, particularly in terms of the labor regulation burden. Policy makers should prioritize anti-corruption measures to foster an environment that would attract more R&D in the Republic of Cyprus and Greece.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the growing body of literature investigating the impact of institutional factors on R&D. It focuses on four developed European countries that bore the brunt of the European economic crisis and have to implement their recovery and resilience plans successfully, in order to recover from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on their economic activity.
Digitalization in B2B marketing: omnichannel management from a PLS-SEM approach
Authors: Alonso-Garcia Javier , Pablo-Marti Federico , Núñez-Barriopedro Estela , Cuesta-Valiño Pedro
Published: May 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to establish a reference model that will allow us to understand the factors that influence the omnichannel management of an organization in a business-to-business (B2B) context.

Design/methodology/approach

In building the model, a partial least squares structural equation modeling approach was followed. More than 1,000 executives with a C-level profile (chief executive officer, chief marketing officer or chief digital officer), from manufacturers and wholesalers, in various industries worldwide were contacted. The final sample consisted of 124 C-level executives in multinational B2B companies from 35 countries worldwide.

Findings

The principal finding is that optimal omnichannel management must involve a customer-centric proposition forming the basis for individualized marketing that tailors the company’s portfolio of solutions to suit each client. To ensure this, customer knowledge at each touchpoint is essential. The results show that the main predictor of B2B omnichannel management is sales and marketing, even above channels. The principal conclusions are that the model shows that good omnichannel performance is measured by the performance of the industrial buyer. Loyalty and experience are primary measures of this customer’s performance.

Originality/value

Research into omnichannel management in the B2B field is scarce, especially concerning the creation of models for decision-making.
What influences news learning and sharing on mobile platforms? An analysis of multi-level informational factors
Authors: Wang Jianmei , Zareapoor Masoumeh , Chen Yeh-Cheng , Shamsolmoali Pourya , Xie Jinwen
Published: May 2022

Purpose

The purpose of the study is threefold: first, to identify what factors influence mobile users' willingness of news learning and sharing, second, to find out whether users' learning in the news platforms will affect their sharing behavior and third, to access the impact of sharing intention on actual sharing behavior on the mobile platform.

Design/methodology/approach

This study proposes an influence mechanism model for examining the relationship among the factors, news learning and news sharing. The proposed mechanism includes factors at three levels: personal, interpersonal and social level. To achieve this, researchers collected data from 474 mobile news users in China to test the hypotheses. The tools SPSS 26.0 and AMOS 23.0 were used to analysis the reliability, validity, model fits and structural equation modeling (SEM), respectively.

Findings

The findings indicate that news learning on the mobile platforms is affected by self-efficacy and self-enhancement. And news sharing intention is influenced by self-efficacy, interpersonal trust, interpersonal reciprocity, online community identity and social norms positively. News sharing intention has a significant effect on news sharing behavior, but news learning has an insignificant relationship with new sharing.

Originality/value

This study provides practical guidelines for mobile platform operators and news media managers by explicating the various factors of users' engagement on the news platforms. This paper also enriches the literature of news learning and news sharing on mobile by the integration of two theories: the social ecology theory and the interpersonal behavior theory.
Empirical examination of the direct and moderating role of corporate social responsibility in top executive compensation
Authors: Malik Mahfuja , Shim Eunsup Daniel
Published: May 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine the direct association between firms’ corporate social responsibility (CSR) scores, CSR disclosures and executive compensation. This study further investigates the moderating role of CSR in the association between executive compensation and firms’ stock market and accounting performances.

Design/methodology/approach

This study collects CEO compensation information from the Execucomp database and CSR performance information from the MSCI ESG database. The final sample consists of 4,193 firm-year observations for 1,318 US public firms for the period 2009–2013. This study uses lagged regression analysis to test the direct and moderating roles of CSR in executive compensation.

Findings

Regarding the direct role of CSR, this study finds that CEO compensation is positively related to CSR performance but not to firms’ issuance of CSR reports. This study also finds a positive moderating role of CSR in the relationship between CEO compensation and firms’ stock performance. However, the authors do not identify any role for CSR in the relationship between CEO compensation and accounting performance. The results also show a negative association of CSR in the relationship between CEO compensation and firm size.

Originality/value

This study fills a gap in the literature by providing empirical evidence on the direct association between CSR and CEO compensation and how the association between CEO compensation and firm performance is moderated by CSR scores. The novel findings of this study will benefit managers, boards of directors, shareholders and other stakeholders, including regulators and policymakers.
The expansion of invasive mite Raoiella indica can be improved by coexistence with Oligonychus pratensis
Authors: Calvet Érica C. , Lima Debora B. , Melo José W. S. , Gondim Manoel G. C.
Published: May 2022

Every year exotic species are introduced into the environment worldwide; some species succeed, and others do not manage to establish themselves in the new environment. The introduction of exotic organisms affects ecological relationships, mainly by acting as potential competitors with native species. In 2004, an exotic mite from America, Raoiella indica, was detected and has consequently experienced rapid territorial expansion having a high population density. To understand the effects of the introduction of R. indica on the native mites, we selected the native mite web producing mite Oligonychus pratensis and evaluated the competition between exotic (R. indica) and native mites (O. pratensis). Four experiments were conducted to evaluate the effect of competition on oviposition rate, intrinsic growth rate, behavioural choice of colonisation site and distributional behaviour on plants. The presence of the heterospecific mites had a negative effect on both species, reducing the oviposition rate. R. indica preferred sites previously colonised by O. pratensis, but O. pratensis did not prefer sites with or without R. indica colonisation. R. indica exhibited a higher growth rate with some interactions with O. pratensis. The species altered its distribution pattern on plants when in the presence of the heterospecific mite. In our study, R. indica appeared to benefit from previous colonisation by O. pratensis, which could contribute to its territorial expansion.
Central tolerance is impaired in the middle‐aged thymic environment
Authors: Lancaster Jessica N. , Keatinge‐Clay Damaris E. , Srinivasan Jayashree , Li Yu , Selden Hilary J. , Nam Seohee , Richie Ellen R. , Ehrlich Lauren I. R.
Published: May 2022

One of the earliest hallmarks of immune aging is thymus involution, which not only reduces the number of newly generated and exported T cells, but also alters the composition and organization of the thymus microenvironment. Thymic T‐cell export continues into adulthood, yet the impact of thymus involution on the quality of newly generated T‐cell clones is not well established. Notably, the number and proportion of medullary thymic epithelial cells (mTECs) and expression of tissue‐restricted antigens (TRAs) decline with age, suggesting the involuting thymus may not promote efficient central tolerance. Here, we demonstrate that the middle‐aged thymic environment does not support rapid motility of medullary thymocytes, potentially diminishing their ability to scan antigen presenting cells (APCs) that display the diverse self‐antigens that induce central tolerance. Consistent with this possibility, thymic slice assays reveal that the middle‐aged thymic environment does not support efficient negative selection or regulatory T‐cell (Treg) induction of thymocytes responsive to either TRAs or ubiquitous self‐antigens. This decline in central tolerance is not universal, but instead impacts lower‐avidity self‐antigens that are either less abundant or bind to TCRs with moderate affinities. Additionally, the decline in thymic tolerance by middle age is accompanied by both a reduction in mTECs and hematopoietic APC subsets that cooperate to drive central tolerance. Thus, age‐associated changes in the thymic environment result in impaired central tolerance against moderate‐avidity self‐antigens, potentially resulting in export of increasingly autoreactive naive T cells, with a deficit of Treg counterparts by middle age.
Cucurbitacin E ameliorates airway remodelling by inhibiting nerve growth factor expression in nicotine‐treated bronchial epithelial cells and mice: The key role of let‐7c‐5p up‐regulated expression
Authors: Liu Huimin , Yu Lu , Shao Biao , Yin Na , Li Lina , Tang Rui
Published: May 2022

Cucurbitacin E (CuE) shows potential to handle airway remodelling. In the current study, the effects of CuE on nicotine‐induced airway remodelling were explored by focussing on its interaction with let‐7c‐5p/NGF axis. The potential microRNA (miR) as the therapeutic target for CuE treatment was determined using a microarray assay. Changes in viability, inflammation and let‐7c‐5p/NGF pathway in nicotine‐treated bronchial epithelial cells (BECs) were detected under CuE treatment (5 μM). The pathways were manipulated with let‐7c‐5p inhibitor. Mice were subjected to nicotine treatment and handled with CuE. Changes in pulmonary function and structure were detected. Based on the microarray data, let‐7c‐5p was selected as the therapeutic target. Viability and inflammation of BECs were induced by nicotine and then restored by CuE. At molecular level, nicotine suppressed let‐7c‐5p while induced NGF, FN1 and COLIA levels. The effects of CuE were counteracted by let‐7c‐5p inhibition. In a mouse model, nicotine impaired the function and structure of lung, which was attenuated by CuE and then re‐impaired by let‐7c‐5p antagomir. Collectively, CuE protected against nicotine‐induced airway remodelling and partially depended on the induction of let‐7c‐5p; our future work would pay more attention to other downstream effectors of the miR to promote the treatment of nicotine‐induced pulmonary disorders.
An examination of the risk of periodontitis for nonfatal cardiovascular diseases on the basis of a large insurance claims database
Authors: Beukers Nicky G. F. M. , van der Heijden Geert J. M. G. , Su Naichuan , van der Galiën Onno , Gerdes Victor E. A. , Loos Bruno G.
Published: May 2022

Objectives

Although many studies have reported a higher risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases (ACVD) in people with periodontitis (PD), this has been tested in a few large‐scale population‐based studies with a longitudinal design. The aim of this study was to investigate whether people with PD status have an increased risk of a nonfatal ACVD event compared to people without PD status.

Methods

A cohort of 1.2 million participants from a healthcare insurance claims database was studied longitudinally for a period of 8 years. PD status was derived from PD‐related insurance claims and ACVD status from ACVD‐related insurance claims. Person‐time at risk (PTAR) was calculated from the start of follow‐up (01 January 2007) for participants with and without PD status until ACVD or event‐free censoring (31 December 2014). Time‐dependent Cox proportional hazard models were used to calculate the hazard ratio (HR) and to adjust for shared risk factors (age, sex, socioeconomic position and diabetes mellitus).

Results

The prevalence of PD was 20.1%, and the cumulative incidence of nonfatal ACVD events was 7.5%. The univariable and multivariable analyses revealed a limited risk of ACVD for participants with PD status (HR: 1.12; 95% CI 1.10–1.14, HR: 1.06; 95% CI 1.04–1.08, respectively). A subgroup analysis of participants ≤35 and > 35 years of age showed that those ≤35 years of age with PD status had a higher ACVD risk (univariable HR: 1.20; 95% CI 1.05–1.37, multivariable HR: 1.21; 95% CI 1.05–1.39). ACVD risk was not increased in participants >35 years of age with PD status (univariable HR: 0.92; 95% CI 0.91–0.94, multivariable HR: 0.96; 95% CI 0.94–0.98).

Conclusions

This study based on a healthcare insurance cohort shows that PD can hardly be regarded as a risk factor for nonfatal ACVD. The increased risk is of minor size, and therefore, the proposed role of PD in the development of ACVD events should be reconsidered. Possibly PD plays a role as a risk factor in younger people due to overlapping genetic risk factors of ACVD and a more aggressive course of PD.
Quantifying the conservation status and abundance trends of wildlife communities with detection–nondetection data
Authors: Farr Matthew T. , O'Brien Timothy , Yackulic Charles B. , Zipkin Elise F.
Published: May 2022

Effective conservation requires understanding species’ abundance patterns and demographic rates across space and time. Ideally, such knowledge should be available for whole communities because variation in species’ dynamics can elucidate factors leading to biodiversity losses. However, collecting data to simultaneously estimate abundance and demographic rates of communities of species is often prohibitively time intensive and expensive. We developed a multispecies dynamic N‐occupancy model to estimate unbiased, community‐wide relative abundance and demographic rates. In this model, detection–nondetection data (e.g., repeated presence–absence surveys) are used to estimate species‐ and community‐level parameters and the effects of environmental factors. To validate our model, we conducted a simulation study to determine how and when such an approach can be valuable and found that our multispecies model outperformed comparable single‐species models in estimating abundance and demographic rates in many cases. Using data from a network of camera traps across tropical equatorial Africa, we then used our model to evaluate the statuses and trends of a forest‐dwelling antelope community. We estimated relative abundance, rates of recruitment (i.e., reproduction and immigration), and apparent survival probabilities for each species’ local population. The antelope community was fairly stable (although 17% of populations [species–park combinations] declined over the study period). Variation in apparent survival was linked more closely to differences among national parks than to individual species’ life histories. The multispecies dynamic N‐occupancy model requires only detection–nondetection data to evaluate the population dynamics of multiple sympatric species and can thus be a valuable tool for examining the reasons behind recent biodiversity loss.
A systematic review of animal personality in conservation science
Authors: MacKinlay Regan D. , Shaw Rachael C.
Published: May 2022

Although animal personality research may have applied uses, this suggestion has yet to be evaluated by assessing empirical studies examining animal personality and conservation. To address this knowledge gap, we performed a systematic review of the peer‐reviewed literature relating to conservation science and animal personality. Criteria for inclusion in our review included access to full text, primary research articles, and relevant animal conservation or personality focus (i.e., not human personality studies). Ninety‐two articles met these criteria. We summarized the conservation contexts, testing procedures (including species and sample size), analytical approach, claimed personality traits (activity, aggression, boldness, exploration, and sociability), and each report's key findings and conservation‐focused suggestions. Although providing evidence for repeatability in behavior is crucial for personality studies, repeatability quantification was implemented in only half of the reports. Nonetheless, each of the 5 personality traits were investigated to some extent in a range of conservations contexts. The most robust studies in the field showed variance in how personality relates to other ecologically important variables across species and contexts. Moreover, many studies were first attempts at using personality for conservation purposes in a given study system. Overall, it appears personality is not yet a fully realized tool for conservation. To apply personality research to conservation problems, we suggest researchers think about where individual differences in behavior may affect conservation outcomes in their system, assess where there are opportunities for repeated measures, and follow the most current methodological guides on quantifying personality.
How to prioritize species recovery after a megafire
Authors: Ward Michelle , Carwardine Josie , Watson James E. M. , Pintor Anna , Stuart Stephanie , Possingham Hugh P. , Rhodes Jonathan R. , Carey Alexander R. , Auerbach Nancy , Reside April , Yong Chuan Ji , Tulloch Ayesha I. T.
Published: May 2022

Due to climate change, megafires are increasingly common and have sudden, extensive impacts on many species over vast areas, leaving decision makers uncertain about how best to prioritize recovery. We devised a decision‐support framework to prioritize conservation actions to improve species outcomes immediately after a megafire. Complementary locations are selected to extend recovery actions across all fire‐affected species’ habitats. We applied our method to areas burned in the 2019−2020 Australian megafires and assessed its conservation advantages by comparing our results with outcomes of a site‐richness approach (i.e., identifying areas that cost‐effectively recover the most species in any one location). We found that 290 threatened species were likely severely affected and will require immediate conservation action to prevent population declines and possible extirpation. We identified 179 subregions, mostly in southeastern Australia, that are key locations to extend actions that benefit multiple species. Cost savings were over AU$300 million to reduce 95% of threats across all species. Our complementarity‐based prioritization also spread postfire management actions across a wider proportion of the study area compared with the site‐richness method (43% vs. 37% of the landscape managed, respectively) and put more of each species’ range under management (average 90% vs. 79% of every species’ habitat managed). In addition to wildfire response, our framework can be used to prioritize conservation actions that will best mitigate threats affecting species following other extreme environmental events (e.g., floods and drought).
Cutaneous inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor with CARS‐ALK fusion: Case report and literature review
Authors: McCollum Kasey J. , Jour George , Al‐Rohil Rami N.
Published: May 2022

Cutaneous inflammatory myofibroblastic tumors (IMT) constitute a rare entity, generating a diagnostic pitfall when diagnosing spindle cell proliferation within the dermis. Raising awareness of this tumor among dermatopathologists remains vital in differentiating it from common cutaneous tumors such as fibrous histiocytoma, atypical fibroxanthoma, melanoma, poorly differentiated carcinoma, and other more aggressive tumors. Accurate diagnosis of IMT aids in ensuring appropriate management and follow‐up for patients while preventing unnecessary harm and overtreatment. Here we report a case of a 38‐year‐old female with a painless, slow‐growing nodule of the left posterior scalp initially diagnosed as a dermatofibroma. The histopathological examination revealed an ill‐defined dermal nodule of spindled cells without connection or infiltration of the epidermis. At high power, the cells were arranged in fascicles with a prominent background of lymphocytic infiltrate. Immunohistochemical analysis showed strong diffuse immunoreactivity for anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK), and targeted RNA sequencing identified a CARS‐ALK fusion ultimately confirming the accurate diagnosis of a cutaneous IMT.
Land use change through the lens of macroecology: insights from Azorean arthropods and the maximum entropy theory of ecology
Authors: Brush Micah , Matthews Thomas J. , Borges Paulo A. V. , Harte John
Published: May 2022

Human activity and land management practices, in particular land use change, have resulted in the global loss of biodiversity. These types of disturbance affect the shape of macroecological patterns, and therefore analyzing these patterns can provide insights into how ecosystems are affected by land use change. We here use arthropod census data from 96 sites at Terceira Island in the Azores archipelago across four different land uses of increasing management intensity: native forest, exotic forest, semi‐natural pasture and intensive pasture, to examine the effects of land use type on three macroecological patterns: the species abundance distribution, the metabolic rate distribution of individuals and the species–area relationship. The maximum entropy theory of ecology (METE) has successfully predicted these patterns across habitats and taxa in undisturbed ecosystems, and thus provides a null expectation for their shapes. Across these patterns, we find that the forest habitats are the best fit by METE predictions, while the semi‐natural pasture is consistently the worst fit, and the intensive pasture is intermediately well fit. We show that the direction of failure of the METE predictions at the pasture sites is likely due to the hyper‐dominance of introduced spider species present there. We hypothesize that the particularly poor fit for the semi‐natural pasture is due to the mix of arthropod communities out of equilibrium, leading to greater heterogeneity in composition and complex dynamics that violate METE's assumption of static state variables. The comparative better fit for the intensive pasture plausibly results from more homogeneous arthropod communities that are well adapted to intensive management, and thus whose state variables are less in flux. Analyzing deviations from theoretical predictions across land use type provides useful information about how land use and disturbance affect ecosystems, and such comparisons could be useful across other habitats and taxa.