bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The effect of the COVID-19 crisis on the perception of digitisation in the purchasing process: customers and retailers perspective
Authors: Dvorak Jiri , Komarkova Lenka , Stehlik Lukas
Published: March 2021

Purpose

The market for goods and services is a continually changing environment influenced by many internal and external factors. The majority of economies in the World were deeply hit by the coronavirus epidemic (COVID-19) in the first half of 2020. This paper aims to contribute to the understanding of the role of a crisis, COVID-19 in this case, in moderating the market environment and its ability to accelerate or slow down ongoing processes.

Design/methodology/approach

A questionnaire survey was used to obtain the opinions of 100 customers and 100 local retailers on the digitisation of the shopping process in a medium-sized Czech town. After the first wave of crisis faded away, the respondents reflected on their opinions before, during and after the crisis. The data were processed using linear mixed models respecting repeated measures.

Findings

The crisis seems to have shifted the interest of both groups towards e-commerce but it did not change the disproportion in opinions between them. The interest of customers was significantly higher, even after the crisis.

Research limitations/implications

The credibility of the results is limited mainly by the one-time gathering of the data after the crisis. However, the results indicate a persistent challenge to which small retailers are exposed.

Originality/value

The originality of the results comes from the specific situation brought about by the COVID-19 crisis and the structure of respondents, enabling us to catch an immediate shift of opinions caused by the crisis and to compare the changes in both groups of respondents.
Combining lifelines to thrive: a stage-based need fulfilment network of international assignees
Authors: Ray Prantika , Maheshwari Sunil Kumar
Published: March 2021

Purpose

The paper tries to understand the needs of the international assignees across the different stages of expatriation and how different developers in the professional and non-professional sphere render support and advice through these stages.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper, the authors have interviewed 20 expatriates of various nationalities and tried to understand the various needs of the expatriates across the three initial stages of an assignment.

Findings

The paper finds that four important mentors in an expatriation assignment play multiple need-based mentoring functions at various assignment stages: host country nationals (HCNs), parent country nationals, fellow expatriates and family.

Research limitations/implications

This paper contributes to the literature on the need-based support rendered to expatriates during an international assignment. The paper, however, does not incorporate the perceptions of other vital stakeholders in the network and their intentions to contribute to the developmental network.

Practical implications

This paper lays down important practical implications for expatriates and the human resource management (HRM) professionals. This paper urges the practitioners to take a nuanced approach for developing expatriates than a generalized mentoring programme.

Originality/value

This study highlights the changing needs of the international assignees across the stages of an international assignment and demonstrates the important intra-organizational and extra-organizational developers such as family members in the fulfilment of these needs.
Help-seeking for mental health concerns: review of Indian research and emergent insights
Authors: Sanghvi Prachi Bhavesh , Mehrotra Seema
Published: March 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this review was to examine Indian research on help-seeking for mental health problems in adults.

Design/methodology/approach

Original Indian research studies on help-seeking for mental health, published from the year 2001−2019 were searched on PubMed, EBSCO, ProQuest and OVID using a set of relevant keywords. After applying exclusion criteria, 52 relevant research studies were identified.

Findings

The reviewed studies spanned a variety of themes such as barriers and facilitators to help-seeking, sources of help-seeking, causal attributions as well as other correlates of help-seeking, process of help-seeking and interventions to increase help-seeking. The majority of these studies were carried out in general community samples or treatment-seeking samples. Very few studies incorporated non-treatment seeking distressed samples. There is a severe dearth of studies on interventions to improve help-seeking. Studies indicate multiple barriers to seeking professional help and highlight that mere knowledge about illness and availability of professional services may be insufficient to minimize delays in professional help-seeking.

Originality/value

Help-seeking in the Indian context is often a family-based decision-making process. Multi-pronged help-seeking interventions that include components aimed at reducing barriers experienced by non-treatment seeking distressed persons and empowering informal support providers with knowledge and skills for encouraging professional help-seeking in their significant others may be useful.
Prevalence and risk factors of hepatitis B virus infection among medical laboratory science students in a Ghanaian tertiary institution
Authors: Tawiah Philip Apraku , Abaka-Yawson Albert , Effah Emmanuel Sintim , Arhin-Wiredu Kingsley , Oppong Kwabena
Published: March 2021

Purpose

This study aimed to determine the prevalence and risk factors of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection among medical laboratory science students (MLSSs) in the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS), Ghana.

Design/methodology/approach

A cross-sectional study design was employed to recruit a total of 178 students into the study. A self-administered questionnaire was used to gather relevant information on risk factors, and a hepatitis B diagnostic test kit was used to test for HBV infection. Descriptive, chi-square test, bivariate and multiple logistic regression statistical analysis were computed. Significance was observed at p < 0.05.

Findings

The prevalence of HBV infection among MLSSs was 6.7%. Torn gloves and splash of blood and body fluids contributed to 43.0% and 28.0% of all the risk factors of HBV infection, respectively. Also, 43.3% of students had received at least one dose of the hepatitis B vaccination. Sharp object-related injury and torn gloves increased the odds of HBV infection, while vaccination decreased the odds of HBV infection.

Originality/value

This study reveals the prevalence of HBV among MLSSs, who are recognized as being among the high-risk student populations aside from student nurses.
Challenges of a social enterprise supporting mothers in Hungary
Authors: Primecz Henriett
Published: March 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine how and to what extent social enterprise can contribute to improving women's life in Hungary.

Design/methodology/approach

The case study was based on a four-month organizational ethnographic study of a café. Participant and non-participant observations were supplemented with interviews with the founder, the manager, visitors and informal conversations with the staff and visitors. Social media communication was also reviewed.

Findings

The empirical results from the organizational ethnography allowed us to gain insights into the impact of the investigated organization on its target group, young mothers, in a post-socialist gender context. The dominant post-socialist gender regime has remained almost entirely untouched and the outcome of the operation of the social enterprise only helped women to accommodate their everyday life to their disadvantaged social situation.

Originality/value

While previous studies have uncovered the dualistic nature of social enterprises, this analysis shows that an award-winning and popular social enterprise in Hungary could nevertheless only minimally influence the social situation of women. In spite of the good intention of the owner, the all-encompassing prescribed gender roles are hardly questioned, and consequently, women's situation hardly ameliorates.
A framework for managing innovation in higher education: lessons learnt from the UAE iPad initiative
Authors: Wilson Kenesha , Sy Jobila
Published: March 2021

Purpose

Managing educational innovation in higher education institutions is a complex process that requires specific strategies based on research and proven frameworks. The aim of this paper was to examine how Bolman and Deal’s (2003) theoretical framework can be used to analyse organisational change processes and to evaluate the progress and outcomes of an educational innovation initiative at a university in the Gulf. This educational innovation involved the use of iPads in curricular practices to enhance pedagogical strategies and student learning outcomes.

Design/methodology/approach

An ethnographic case study methodology was used to make an empirical inquiry that investigated data obtained from direct observations, informal interviews, holistic field notes and documents to better understand a contemporary phenomenon within its real-life context.

Findings

A critical analysis of this iPad initiative suggested that the main areas of leading and managing this innovation, through Bolman and Deal’s framework, were effectively centred around the human resources, structural and political frames but were less affected by the symbolic frame.

Originality/value

The authors provide suggestions, based on their experiences as faculty members and academic administrators, on how such innovations can be effectively led and managed. In addition, a new cross-cultural model is proposed for managing future educational innovations in higher education, particularly in the Gulf region. This new model could also be used to effectively evaluate the implementation and management of other educational changes such as those precipitated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Learning and innovation in youth-owned small businesses
Authors: Adeosun Oluyemi Theophilus , Shittu Ayodele Ibrahim
Published: March 2021

Purpose

The birth and survival rate of youth-owned businesses has been a major concern for policymakers, industry and academics alike. Learning and innovation play important roles and more critical is the mediating factors and how it impacts the enterprise competitiveness of youth-owned businesses and hence worth studying. Therefore, this study aims to examine the impact of mediating factors such as government support, informal network society and external knowledge infrastructure on learning and innovation in youth-owned small businesses in Lagos, Nigeria, from a cross-sectional perspective.

Design/methodology/approach

Leveraging the sectoral system of innovation theory, we use a primary research method and data obtained from a structured questionnaire administered among a sample of 1,000 registered youth-owned small businesses in Lagos, while 30 in-depth interviews were also conducted. The exploratory factor analysis was used for data examination.

Findings

The findings show that even though government support, informal network society and external knowledge all have a positive relationship with learning and innovation in youth-owned small businesses, government support has the most impactful impact. The informal network society via a trade association, professional network and social media are also critical in knowledge transfer in youth-owned businesses.

Originality/value

The significance of learning and innovation is more important as many small businesses do not have the privilege of standard human resource management (HRM) systems. This paper looks at the mediating factors affecting the introduction of innovative practices in youth-owned and managed small businesses and how productivity is enabled in a developing county context.
Administering crocin ameliorates anxiety‐like behaviours and reduces the inflammatory response in amyloid‐beta induced neurotoxicity in rat
Authors: Hadipour Mohammadmehdi , Bahari Zahra , Afarinesh Mohammad Reza , Jangravi Zohreh , Shirvani Hossein , Meftahi Gholam Hossein
Published: March 2021

Anxiety, hippocampus synaptic plasticity deficit, as well as pro‐inflammatory cytokines, are involved in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The present study is designed to evaluate the possible therapeutic effect of crocin on anxiety‐like behaviours, hippocampal synaptic plasticity and neuronal shape, as well as pro‐inflammatory cytokines in the hippocampus using in vivo amyloid‐beta (Aβ) models of AD. The Aβ peptide (1–42) was bilaterally injected into the frontal‐cortex. Five hours after the surgery, the rats were given intraperitoneal (IP) crocin (30 mg/kg) daily up to 12 days. Elevated plus maze results showed that crocin treatment after bilateral Aβ injection significantly increased the percentage of spent time into open arms, frequency of entries, and percentage of entries into open arms as compared with the Aβ group. In the open field test, the Aβ+crocin group showed a higher percentage of spent time in the centre and frequency of entries into central zone as compare with the Aβ treated animals. Administering crocin increased the number of soma, dendrites and axonal arbores in the CA1 neurons among the rats with Aβ neurotoxicity. Cresyl violet (CV) staining showed that crocin increased the number of CV‐positive cells in the CA1 region of the hippocampus compared with the Aβ group. Silver‐nitrate staining indicated that crocin reduced neurofibrillary tangle formation induced by Aβ. Crocin treatment attenuated the expression of TNF‐α and IL‐1β mRNA in the hippocampus compared with the Aβ group. Our results suggest that crocin attenuated Aβ‐induced anxiety‐like behaviours and neuronal damage, and synaptic plasticity loss in hippocampal CA1 neurons may via its anti‐inflammatory effects.
Risk aversion and urban land development options
Authors: Fan Gang‐Zhi , Pu Ming , Sing Tien Foo , Zhang Xiaoyu
Published: March 2021

This study empirically tests the volatility effects on land development options using the Singapore's government land sales data from 1996 to 2018. We find that development land option premiums increase by 5% on average with one standard deviation increase in conditional volatility, which is consistent with the prediction of the standard real options model. However, the high volatility effects on development options are negative in an extremely high volatility state, and risk‐averse developers exercise development options earlier than that predicted by the risk‐neutral model. The reduction in real option premium in an extremely high volatility state is not explained by market competition and risk‐mitigating mechanism. The results reveal the real estate developers’ behavior change in different states of market volatility.
Outcomes of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt procedures: a 10‐year experience
Authors: Tandon Bhuwan , Ramachandran Jeyamani , Narayana Sumudu , Muller Kate , Pathi Ramon , Wigg Alan J.
Published: March 2021

Introduction

Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPSS) is an effective modality in reducing portal pressure, and its current main indications are for the management of recurrent ascites and variceal bleeding. The demand and indications for TIPSS are growing. However, it is a complicated and technically demanding procedure with poorer outcomes associated with low volume centres. The aim of this study was, therefore, to review the outcomes of TIPSS at a ‘low volume’ single centre. Outcomes assessed included indications, safety, efficacy and survival.

Methods

A retrospective study was undertaken of all patients who underwent a TIPSS procedure over 10 years at tertiary referral centre for complex liver disease and transplantation. Kaplan–Meier method was used to calculate actuarial survival and log‐rank analysis was used to determine significant differences in survival.

Results

Thirty‐eight patients underwent the TIPSS procedure between January 2008 and December 2018. Technical, haemodynamic and clinical success were 95%, 92% and 92% respectively. Cumulative survival at one month, one year and five years were 86.8%, 72% and 44.7% respectively. Results achieved standards published in practice parameters to evaluate TIPSS safety and efficacy.

Conclusion

At a low volume centre, TIPSS usage was associated with high rates of technical, haemodynamic (HPVG reduction) and clinical success. Low volume should not be a contraindication to providing a TIPSS service; however, auditing outcomes and understanding specific institutional factors that influence quality are important requirements for low volume centres.
Timing of surgery following SARS‐CoV‐2 infection: an international prospective cohort study
Authors:   COVIDSurg Collaborative,   GlobalSurg Collaborative
Published: March 2021

Peri‐operative SARS‐CoV‐2 infection increases postoperative mortality. The aim of this study was to determine the optimal duration of planned delay before surgery in patients who have had SARS‐CoV‐2 infection. This international, multicentre, prospective cohort study included patients undergoing elective or emergency surgery during October 2020. Surgical patients with pre‐operative SARS‐CoV‐2 infection were compared with those without previous SARS‐CoV‐2 infection. The primary outcome measure was 30‐day postoperative mortality. Logistic regression models were used to calculate adjusted 30‐day mortality rates stratified by time from diagnosis of SARS‐CoV‐2 infection to surgery. Among 140,231 patients (116 countries), 3127 patients (2.2%) had a pre‐operative SARS‐CoV‐2 diagnosis. Adjusted 30‐day mortality in patients without SARS‐CoV‐2 infection was 1.5% (95%CI 1.4–1.5). In patients with a pre‐operative SARS‐CoV‐2 diagnosis, mortality was increased in patients having surgery within 0–2 weeks, 3–4 weeks and 5–6 weeks of the diagnosis (odds ratio (95%CI) 4.1 (3.3–4.8), 3.9 (2.6–5.1) and 3.6 (2.0–5.2), respectively). Surgery performed ≥ 7 weeks after SARS‐CoV‐2 diagnosis was associated with a similar mortality risk to baseline (odds ratio (95%CI) 1.5 (0.9–2.1)). After a ≥ 7 week delay in undertaking surgery following SARS‐CoV‐2 infection, patients with ongoing symptoms had a higher mortality than patients whose symptoms had resolved or who had been asymptomatic (6.0% (95%CI 3.2–8.7) vs. 2.4% (95%CI 1.4–3.4) vs. 1.3% (95%CI 0.6–2.0), respectively). Where possible, surgery should be delayed for at least 7 weeks following SARS‐CoV‐2 infection. Patients with ongoing symptoms ≥ 7 weeks from diagnosis may benefit from further delay.
Impact of CytoSorb on kinetics of vancomycin and bivalirudin in critically ill patients
Authors: Scandroglio Anna Mara , Pieri Marina , Nardelli Pasquale , Fominskiy Evgeny , Calabrò Maria Grazia , Melisurgo Giulio , Ajello Silvia , Pappalardo Federico
Published: March 2021

CytoSorb is a promising tool to treat severe inflammatory status with multiple mechanisms in the acute care setting. Its effect on drugs is, however, poorly documented in vivo, although removal of small molecules might translate into decreased blood levels of life‐saving medications. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of CytoSorb on vancomycin and bivalirudin clearance in a large population of critically ill patients. We performed a single‐center analysis of CytoSorb treatments performed between January 2018 and March 2019 in critically ill patients admitted to our intensive care unit. A total of 109 CytoSorb treatments were performed in 89 patients. A decrease in lactate dehydrogenase (P = .007), troponin T (P = .022), and creatine phosphokinase (P = .013) was reported during treatment. Vancomycin dose required significant adjustments during treatment (P < .001), but no significant change was necessary after the first 3 days. Similarly, the requirements of bivalirudin significantly changed over days (P < .001), but no dose adjustment was needed after the first 3 days of treatment. No differences in terms of vancomycin and bivalirudin dose need was observed between patients on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation and those who were not (P = .6 and P = .6, respectively), between patients with and without continuous veno‐venous hemofiltration (P = .9 and P = .9, respectively), and between CytoSorb responders or not (P = .4 and P = .7, respectively). CytoSorb is effective in mitigating the systemic inflammatory response and safe with respect to vancomycin and bivalirudin administration. These preliminary data further support the use of CytoSorb as adjunct therapy in critically ill patients.
Number of words at age 2.5 years is associated with intellectual functioning at age 7 years in the SELMA study
Authors: Marinopoulou Maria , Billstedt Eva , Lin Ping‐I , Hallerbäck Maria , Bornehag Carl‐Gustaf
Published: March 2021

Aim

We examined the association between the number of words used at age 2.5 years and deficits in intellectual functioning at age 7 years, in 549 children, and whether such association is confirmed by parental concern about the child's development.

Methods

Parental reports of how many words their children used at age 2.5 years were analysed for the association to intellectual functioning (assessed with Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children – Fourth Edition,WISC‐IV) at age 7 years using linear regression, adjusting for sex, maternal education level, parental IQ and smoking during pregnancy. Parental concern at age 7 years was examined with the Early Symptomatic Syndromes Eliciting Neurodevelopmental Clinical Examinations‐Questionnaire (ESSENCE‐Q).

Results

Adjusted linear regression showed that use of 50 words or fewer at age 2.5 years, relative to use of more than 50 words, was associated with lower scores of Full‐scale IQ (B = 7.27, p = 0.001), verbal comprehension (B = 8.53, p < 0.001), working memory (B = 9.04, p < 0.001) and perceptual reasoning (B = 4.21, p = 0.045), in the WISC‐IV, at age 7 years. Parental concern was more common in the group that used 50 words or fewer (Mann‐Whitney U test, p = 0.011).

Conclusion

This easily accessible measure of number of words seems to be a valuable marker for intellectual functioning later in life.
Sourcing of obsidian artefacts from the Omolon River basin and the neighbouring region (north‐eastern Siberia): Prehistoric procurement from Kamchatkan and Chukotkan sources
Authors: Kuzmin Y. V. , Vorobei I. E. , Glascock M. D. , Grebennikov A. V.
Published: March 2021

Obsidians sources used by prehistoric people in the Omolon River basin and neighbouring areas of north‐eastern Siberia were determined for 112 artefacts from 30 sites by the energy‐dispersive X‐ray fluorescence (ED‐XRF) method. The main suppliers were the primary obsidian sources in both the Chukotka (Lake Krasnoe) and Kamchatka (Itkavayam, Payalpan and KAM‐8) regions, with distances from sources to sites up to about 300–900 km in a straight line. For the first time, the transport of obsidian from Kamchatkan sources has been detected outside of this territory. The mechanism of obsidian transport was most probably by down‐the‐line movement, especially in the case of the Lake Krasnoe source.
Infiltration of CD163‐, PD‐L1‐ and FoxP3‐positive cells adversely affects outcome in patients with mantle cell lymphoma independent of established risk factors
Authors: Rodrigues Joana M. , Nikkarinen Anna , Hollander Peter , Weibull Caroline E. , Räty Riikka , Kolstad Arne , Amini Rose‐Marie , Porwit Anna , Jerkeman Mats , Ek Sara , Glimelius Ingrid
Published: March 2021

We characterised patients with mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) with poor prognosis based on differences in immune infiltration. Different expressions of the tumour cell markers Cyclin D1 and sex‐determining region Y‐box transcription factor 11 (SOX11), and the immune markers cluster of differentiation 3 (CD3), CD4, CD8, CD25, forkhead box protein P3 (FoxP3), T‐box transcription factor TBX21 (T‐bet), programmed cell death protein 1 (PD‐1), programmed‐death ligand 1 (PD‐L1) and CD163 were investigated for all‐cause mortality in 282 patients with MCL and time‐to‐progression (TTP) in 106 clinical trial patients. With increasing age, a significantly lower infiltration of CD3+ T lymphocytes was seen. T‐cell infiltration was independent of cellular tumour antigen p53 (p53) expression, Ki‐67, morphology and frequency of tumour cells. The all‐cause mortality was higher in patients with PD‐L1‐expression above cut‐off [hazard ratio (HR) 1·97, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1·18–3·25, adjusted for sex and MCL International Prognostic Index (MIPI)] and a higher frequency of CD163+ cells (continuously, HR 1·51, 95% CI 1·03–2·23, adjusting for age, sex, morphology, Ki‐67 and p53). In patients treated within the Nordic Lymphoma Group MCL2/3 trials, TTP was shorter in patients with a higher frequency of FoxP3+ cells (HR 3·22, 95% CI 1·40–7·43) and CD163+ cells (HR 6·09, 95% CI 1·84–20·21), independent of sex and MIPI. When combined a higher frequency of CD163+ macrophages and PD‐L1+ cells or high CD163+ macrophages and FoxP3+ regulatory T cells indicated worse outcome independent of established risk factors. The T‐cell infiltrate was in turn independent of molecular characteristics of the malignant cells and decreased with age.
The life cycle analysis of a dental examination: Quantifying the environmental burden of an examination in a hypothetical dental practice
Authors: Borglin Linnea , Pekarski Stephanie , Saget Sophie , Duane Brett
Published: March 2021

Objectives

Global sustainability is considered the number one health concern facing our planet. Dental care is currently not provided in a sustainable way. This study aims to quantify the potential environmental burden of an examination in a hypothetical dental practice and identify major contributors to environmental harm.

Materials and Methods

A life cycle analysis was performed for the life cycle of an examination of one patient in a hypothetical dental practice. The equipment and products analysed were those available at the Faculty of Dentistry, Malmö University. The Ecoinvent version 3.5 database and the life cycle assessment software tool OpenLCA version 1.10 were chosen for this study.

Results

Normalized results indicate that the impact categories to which the modelled examination most significantly contributes are water scarcity, freshwater eutrophication and human toxicity (cancer effects). The major contributors or hotspots relating to the environmental harm of an examination procedure are soaps and detergents, disposable bibs, surface disinfection, stainless‐steel instruments, clothing, water use and wastewater.

Conclusion

Normalized results indicate that the potential environmental impact of an examination compared to one individual's impact per year is minimal. Considering the potential number of dental examinations and other dental procedures performed every year puts the findings in another perspective. This paper touches on some of the ways that the environmental burden of an examination could be reduced. Small changes to everyday practice, such as always making sure the dishwasher and washing machines are full when turned on, using less environmentally damaging soaps, more sustainable clothing alternatives and using necessary instruments could significantly reduce dentistry's environmental impact. Changes in materials and practice may result in potential trade‐offs. Research would need to be carried out comparing the environmental burden of any alternatives. We hope in the near future that there will be more evidence relating to products used within dental care settings, potential trade‐offs and dentistry's environmental burden.
The Division of Labor in Communication: Speakers Help Listeners Account for Asymmetries in Visual Perspective
Authors: Hawkins Robert D. , Gweon Hyowon , Goodman Noah D.
Published: March 2021

Recent debates over adults' theory of mind use have been fueled by surprising failures of perspective‐taking in communication, suggesting that perspective‐taking may be relatively effortful. Yet adults routinely engage in effortful processes when needed. How, then, should speakers and listeners allocate their resources to achieve successful communication? We begin with the observation that the shared goal of communication induces a natural division of labor: The resources one agent chooses to allocate toward perspective‐taking should depend on their expectations about the other's allocation. We formalize this idea in a resource‐rational model augmenting recent probabilistic weighting accounts with a mechanism for (costly) control over the degree of perspective‐taking. In a series of simulations, we first derive an intermediate degree of perspective weighting as an optimal trade‐off between expected costs and benefits of perspective‐taking. We then present two behavioral experiments testing novel predictions of our model. In Experiment 1, we manipulated the presence or absence of occlusions in a director–matcher task. We found that speakers spontaneously modulated the informativeness of their descriptions to account for “known unknowns” in their partner's private view, reflecting a higher degree of speaker perspective‐taking than previously acknowledged. In Experiment 2, we then compared the scripted utterances used by confederates in prior work with those produced in interactions with unscripted directors. We found that confederates were systematically less informative than listeners would initially expect given the presence of occlusions, but listeners used violations to adaptively make fewer errors over time. Taken together, our work suggests that people are not simply “mindblind”; they use contextually appropriate expectations to navigate the division of labor with their partner. We discuss how a resource‐rational framework may provide a more deeply explanatory foundation for understanding flexible perspective‐taking under processing constraints.
Not all matrix habitat is created equal for rare bee species in forest habitat
Authors: Volenec Zoe M. , Smith Colleen M.
Published: March 2021

1. Anthropogenic land‐use change alters the ecological communities in a landscape's remaining natural habitat. These matrix effects are understudied in rare species, which comprise a majority of biodiversity, contribute to ecosystem services, and are particularly vulnerable to population declines.

2. This study used bee species survey data from New Jersey forest fragments, in conjunction with an independent museum data set, to identify rare bee species and developed regularised regularised regression models of matrix effects on their richness and abundance.

3. By using a regularised modelling approach, this study explains 44.43% of variation in rare bee species richness between forest fragments and 27.27% of variation in their abundance (average adjusted R2).

4. The present study's results identified specific subcategories of urban land use in the surrounding 1000 m of forest fragments that explained patterns in rare bee species richness and abundance, providing insights into how to select forest fragments to conserve rare bees. Low priority should be given to fragments in close proximity to high‐ and medium‐density housing, which likely harms rare bees by increasing impervious surface cover. Low priority should also be given to fragments near golf courses and athletic fields; this study speculates that these land uses harm rare bees through mowing and pesticide application. Finally, high priority should be given to fragments composed of a larger proportion of mature forest, which likely provides a greater diversity of native floral resources. Altogether, this study's model results reveal the importance of matrix habitats for the biodiversity of rare species in forest fragments.
Neuropathy of the phrenic nerve associated with antiganglioside antibodies
Authors: Serrien Anouk , Sanders Katrien , Claeys Kristl G. , Poesen Koen , Testelmans Dries , Van Damme Philip
Published: March 2021

Background and purpose

Antiganglioside antibodies have been implicated in several autoimmune‐mediated neuropathies, and binding of these antibodies can result in inflammatory changes of the nerves. Diaphragmatic paralysis is a rare condition, mostly arising from diseases affecting the phrenic nerve, neuromuscular junction, or skeletal muscle.

Objectives

In this case series, we identified five patients with diaphragmatic paralysis due to unilateral or bilateral neuropathy of the phrenic nerve associated with the presence of antiganglioside antibodies (immunoglobulin G anti‐GT1a antibodies and immunoglobulin M anti‐GM1 antibodies).

Discussion

The combination of an isolated phrenic nerve palsy with anti‐GM1 antibodies has only once been described. On the other hand, the association of anti‐GT1a antibodies with phrenic nerve palsy has never been reported before.

Conclusions

We report an association between phrenic nerve palsy and the presence of antiganglioside antibodies, but it remains unclear if there is a causal relationship. Further studies are needed to explore this matter.
Glandular stem cells in the skin during development, homeostasis, wound repair and regeneration
Authors: Lin Meng‐Ju , Lu Catherine Pei‐ju
Published: March 2021

Glands in the skin are essential for various physiological functions involving exocrine secretion. Like other tissues and organs, they possess the ability to repair injury and self‐renew during homeostasis. Progenitor cells in glands are mostly unipotent but include some multipotent stem cells that function when extensive remodelling or regeneration is required. In this review, using two glandular models in skin, mouse sweat gland and mammary gland, we discuss lineage restriction that develops during glandular morphogenesis, as well as the mechanisms regulating cell fate and plasticity during wound repair and regeneration. Understanding the intrinsic and extrinsic factors that control the behaviours of glandular stem cell and maintain glandular functions will provide insight into future prospects for glandular regeneration.
School administrators’ perspectives of French immersion programs
Authors: Grivet Candice Suzanne , Haj‐Broussard Michelle , Broomé Rodger
Published: March 2021

This study explored how school administrators understand and plan for French immersion program components in K‐12 schools in Louisiana. The theory of effective bilingual schooling and the Guiding Principles for Dual Language Education served as the framework of the study. The research questions that guided the study asked how school principals and assistant principals understand and plan for French immersion program components in K‐12 schools. Purposive sampling was used to select five school administrators. Data were gathered through semi‐structured, one‐on‐one interviews. The analysis of data used inductive thematic analysis. Five themes emerged: multilingualism and multiculturalism, academic achievement, leadership, teachers’ support, and program networking. Findings from this study were that school administrators developed a high degree of advocacy, teachers’ support, shared leadership, and strengthened communication and relationships with local, national, and international partners to deepen stakeholders’ involvement.
International students' perspective on developing employability during study abroad
Authors: Fakunle Omolabake
Published: March 2021

In the last three decades, the role of higher education institutions (HEIs) in employability skill development has been emphasised in UK national policy. Within the same time frame, internationalisation has emerged as a key strategy in higher education (HE), nationally and globally. However, the connection between the internationalisation of higher education and developing graduate employability is an understudied area of research. This paper addresses an identified gap in extant literature by examining the intersection of internationalisation, employability and the international student experience. The paper focuses on non‐EU international students' perspectives which is neglected in dominant discourses on employability. Thematic analysis of data collected from 36 semi‐structured interviews with students from 11 non‐EU countries reveals the importance international students place on employability development opportunities during their study abroad. The findings highlight how international student agency is enabled or constrained within the affordances of international HE, and the implications for employability policy development in an increasingly internationalised context of the delivery of higher education. In conclusion, the implication of the findings is considered in view of the constraints on mobility brought on by COVID‐19.
Surviving the employment gap: a cross‐sectional survey of internationally educated nurses
Authors: Covell Christine L. , Adhikari Anu , Salami Bukola
Published: March 2021

Aim

To examine the extent to which the type of financial assistance (personal resources, social programmes and earnings) and source country influence the length of time for internationally educated nurses to secure employment as regulated nurses in Canada.

Background

Internationally educated nurses must professionally recertify in order to work as regulated nurses in Canada. For many, it can be a lengthy, cumbersome and costly process that delays employment, while others recertify and secure employment quickly. Financial assistance in the form of personal resources, or from social programmes or earnings from working could contribute to the length of time to recertify. When internationally educated nurses cannot readily recertify, they turn to survival jobs where they can remain and never practice their profession in Canada or leave the country to work in jurisdictions where it easier to obtain professional credentials.

Methods

Data were collected via cross‐sectional survey of internationally educated nurses (n = 1186) who were immigrants, permanent residents and employed as regulated nurses. Multiple linear regression was employed to examine the influence of the type of financial assistance (personal resources, social programmes and earnings) and source country on time to regulated nurse employment.

Results

Regression model explained 9.3% of variance in time to regulated nurse employment. Three predictors were statistically significant: source country, social programmes and earnings. Personal resources was not a significant predictor.

Conclusion

Financial assistance helps internationally educated nurses survive the regulated nurse employment gap. The type of financial assistance and source country influences the length of time to regulated nurse employment.

Implication for nursing and social policy

Provides initial evidence to support the development of policies, and educational and social programmes to assist internationally educated nurses with financially surviving the gap in regulated nurse employment.
Livedoid vasculopathy and its association with genetic variants: A systematic review
Authors: Gao Yimeng , Jin Hongzhong
Published: March 2021

Livedoid vasculopathy (LV) is considered a disease of hypercoagulability. Association of LV with genetic variants is poorly characterised and large‐scale genetic association studies have not been performed. The aim of the study was to systematically review variants in LV patients and to analyse the available clinical data. A systematic search of the literature in PubMed and Embase databases was performed to identify articles investigating genetic variation in LV patients. Thirty studies or case reports were identified that reported 265 LV patients tested for at least one out of six genetic variations. Among them,PAI‐1‐675 4G/5G was the most common, accounting for 85.26% (81/95). Heterozygous 4G/5G was the major genotype.PAI‐1A844G,MTHFRC677T, andMTHFRA1298C were the second, third, and fourth most common variants in LV patients.ProthrombinG20210A andFactor VG1691A were mainly present in LV patients from Europe, North America, and South America. This review highlights the associations between LV and genetic variants. The distribution of variants may be geographically or ethnicity dependent; however, large sample case‐control studies are needed to clarify associations.
A Photovoice Study: The life experiences of middle‐aged adults with intellectual disabilities in Korea
Authors: Kim Min Ah , Yi Jaehee , Bradbury Laura , Han Ki‐myung , Yang Jieun , Lee Jinseung
Published: March 2021

Background

As adults with intellectual disabilities approach older adulthood, they face unique physical and psychosocial challenges. This study explored the lived experiences of middle‐aged adults with intellectual disabilities living in their community.

Method

Six sessions of Photovoice were conducted with a purposeful sample of six middle‐aged adults with intellectual disabilities in South Korea. Participants were involved with the theme selection, taking photographs related to the themes, group discussion of photo stories and sharing Photovoice outcomes.

Results

Thematic analysis yielded 11 subthemes under the five major themes selected by the participants: health, free time, time in the centre, family and my future in old age.

Conclusions

The study findings showed complex issues middle‐aged adults with intellectual disabilities may face in later life, including bereavement and healthy lifestyle concerns. It is important to create a space for meaningful social support and social interactions without stigma.
Tremellafuciformis polysaccharides inhibit UVA‐induced photodamage of human dermal fibroblast cells by activating up‐regulating Nrf2/Keap1 pathways
Authors: Fu Hao , You ShiQuan , Zhao Dan , An Quan , Zhang Jiachan , Wang Changtao , Wang Dongdong , Li Meng
Published: March 2021

Background

UVA radiation can cause skin oxidative stress. Tremella fuciformis polysaccharides (TFPS) are the main active ingredient in Tremella. Previous studies have shown that TFPS have protective effects on UVA‐induced oxidative stress cells, but the specific protective mechanism has not been clarified.

Objective

This study aims to explore the potential protective mechanism of Tremella fuciformis polysaccharides on UVA‐induced damage to human dermal fibroblasts cells.

Methods

We evaluated the protective ability of TFPS against UVA‐induced damage by detecting cell survival rate, the content of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in the cells, and the scavenging activity of ABTS free radicals, as well as the enzyme activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH‐Px), and the Nrf2‐Keap‐1 pathway protein and gene were measured to study the protective mechanism of TFPS from photodamage.

Results

TFPS pretreatment can reduce the oxidative stress of UVA‐treated human dermal fibroblasts cells. After TFPS pretreatment, the content of ROS and MDA in the cell decreased significantly and the total antioxidant activity was increased. Among them, the active of CAT, SOD, and GSH‐Px in the cells increased significantly. TFPS can also protect fibroblasts by up‐regulating Nrf2 and down‐regulating Keap1 expression. Finally, it was also found that TFPS pretreatment increased the content of collagen I, elastin, and hyaluronic acid (HA) in skin fibroblasts treated with UVA.

Conclusion

These results indicate that a certain concentration of TFPS can effectively alleviate skin damage caused by UVA, and they may be used as an effective component of cosmetics.
Altered frontal connectivity after sleep deprivation predicts sustained attentional impairment: A resting‐state functional magnetic resonance imaging study
Authors: Cai Ye , Mai Zifeng , Li Mingzhu , Zhou Xiaolin , Ma Ning
Published: March 2021

A series of studies have shown that sleep loss impairs one’s capability for sustained attention. However, the underlying neurobiological mechanism linking sleep loss with sustained attention has not been elucidated. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of sleep deprivation on the resting‐state brain and explored whether the magnitude of vigilance impairment after acute sleep deprivation can be predicted by measures of spontaneous fluctuations and functional connectivity. We implemented resting‐state functional magnetic resonance imaging with 42 participants under both normal sleep and 24‐hr sleep‐deprivation conditions. The amplitude of low‐frequency fluctuations (ALFF) and functional connectivity was used to investigate the neurobiological change caused by sleep deprivation, and the psychomotor vigilance task (PVT) was used to measure sustained attention in each state. Correlation analysis was used to investigate the relationship between the change in ALFF/functional connectivity and vigilance performance. Sleep deprivation induced significant reductions in ALFF in default mode network nodes and frontal‐parietal network nodes, while inducing significant increments of ALFF in the bilateral thalamus, motor cortex, and visual cortex. The increased ALFF in the visual cortex was correlated with increased PVT lapses. Critically, decreased frontal‐thalamus connectivity was correlated with increased PVT lapses, while increased frontal‐visual connectivity was correlated with increased PVT lapses. The findings indicated that acute sleep deprivation induced a robust alteration in the resting brain, and sustained attentional impairment after sleep deprivation could be predicted by altered frontal connectivity with crucial neural nodes of stimulus input, such as the thalamus and visual cortex.
High School Students with Learning Disabilities: Requesting Accommodations in Role‐Play
Authors: McGahee Dwannal W. , King‐Sears Margaret E. , Evmenova Anya S.
Published: March 2021

Self‐advocacy is an important skill, especially as students transition from high school to postsecondary settings. In this study, five high‐school students with specific learning disabilities (SLD) were taught to use a self‐advocacy intervention to learn to request academic accommodations. A multiple‐baseline across participants design was used to examine the functional relation between the intervention and students’ performance. Students learned the self‐advocacy intervention, consisting of 17 target behaviors, during after‐school sessions across approximately 6 weeks. Based on the visual analysis and percentage of nonoverlapping data, there was strong evidence of a functional relation between the self‐advocacy intervention and an increase in participants’ performance for requesting academic accommodations during role‐play scenarios. Participants maintained self‐advocacy skills 2 weeks after mastery and generalized accommodation requests with other school‐based personnel. Social validity data indicated that participants valued the intervention. Implications for practitioners are discussed for transition and self‐advocacy skills as well as future research opportunities.