bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Audit committees’ oversight role in developing countries: evidence from Jordan
Authors: Alhababsah Salem
Published: April 2022

Purpose

This study aims to explore the opinions of audit committee (AC) members on the extent to which they fulfil the oversight role vested in them by the Jordanian Corporate Governance Code (JCGC).

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses semi-structured interviews with 18 AC members.

Findings

The findings suggest that although ACs largely meet the JCGC’s recommendations, their substantive oversight role in practice is limited. In particular, the responses indicate that ACs suffer from a lack of real power, especially concerning the appointment (or removal) of external auditors and the evaluation of internal control. Moreover, ACs have no actual role in issues deemed important for financial reporting quality (e.g. reviewing management estimates and evaluating chief financial officer (CFOs) and internal audit executives).

Originality/value

This study provides rich insights into ACs’ oversight processes in a setting outside the Anglo-Saxon corporate governance model where knowledge is scant on the ACs’ real function. Hence, the study injects the literature with new qualitative-based evidence from a peculiar civil law country. Also, Jordan has spent time and energy trying to strengthen corporate governance practices to boost investors’ confidence. However, the interviewees’ responses indicate that the oversight role of the AC is still far from what the regulators anticipate. Therefore, the findings offer useful feedback for regulators to think more deeply about the current governance regulations. The feedback from this study can be extended to other developing countries with similar institutional environments, especially countries in the Middle East and North Africa.
Effects of SNS overload and dissatisfaction on job performance and discontinuous usage intention
Authors: Bouattour Fakhfakh Sonda , Bouaziz Fatma
Published: April 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effects of social network sites (SNS) overload on individual job performance and discontinuous usage intention.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on the Stressor-Strain-Outcome (SSO) framework, a research model was proposed and tested empirically. The partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) method was applied to data collected online through a questionnaire.

Findings

Findings highlighted that social overload is related positively to information overload and communication overload. Information overload affected only the perception of work overload, while communication overload was a significant stressor affecting work overload and dissatisfaction towards SNS. Although results revealed a positive relationship between these two strains, only dissatisfaction influenced job performance and discontinuous usage intention.

Originality/value

As much as SNS are a useful tool in the workplace, they can have significant drawbacks. Prior studies have investigated this dark side. However, they scantily explored the effects of SNS overload on both job performance and discontinuous usage intention. Moreover, the relationships between types of overload are understudied. This paper proposes an enrichment of the literature by validating a model of the relationships between information overload, communication overload and social overload, job performance and discontinuous usage intention. It extends prior research on SNS stressors and points out the communication overload as the main SNS stressor affecting strains in the workplace.
Conflict in Kashmir and Manipur: history, ethnicity, gender
Authors: Kazi Seema
Published: April 2022

Purpose

This paper aims to focus on the conflict in the Indian states of Kashmir and Manipur. It situates both conflicts within a historical frame to underscore their origins in history. Using a comparative, inter-disciplinary lens, the paper foregrounds the political, empirical and gendered similarities in both conflict zones. The human cost of modern India’s project of integrating historically autonomous, ethnically distinct and geographically disparate regions of Kashmir and Manipur is illustrated. By way of conclusion, the paper suggests institutional respect for, and accommodation of, ethnic minority history, identity and aspiration, as an ethical, democratic way forward towards conflict resolution.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper uses a relatively lesser used comparative, critical inter-disciplinary approach towards examining ethnic conflict. Contrary to ahistorical normative approaches focused on individual ethnic conflict, or the conventional assumption that the ethnic conflicts in India are necessarily mutually exclusive, this paper uses a comparative frame to underscore the shared historical origins and common empirical realities of the conflicts in Kashmir and Manipur. This particular approach reframes conventional epistemic debates on conflict in ways that offer a deeper, more nuanced understanding of the same.

Findings

This paper underscores the critical importance of a historically informed approach to conflict and conflict resolution in India’s ethnic borderlands. Challenging statist approaches based on coercion and repression, the paper underscores the need for respect and accommodation of ethnic minority history, identity and aspiration as essential conditions towards a just and enduring peace in both regions.

Originality/value

With exceptions, a comparative approach to conflict studies in India is relatively rare. To this extent, this paper diverges from mainstream approaches. Further, in contrast to studies focused on individual conflicts examined within a single disciplinary analytic frame, this paper uses an inter-disciplinary, intersectional approach to conflict studies. By capturing the converging historical political, social, human and gendered fields of conflict in Kashmir and Manipur, this paper offers a richer, more sophisticated understanding of the character of conflict in India.
Innovation activities in a university of applied sciences: redefining applied research
Authors: Vetoshkina Liubov , Lamberg Laura , Ryymin Essi , Rintala Heta , Paavola Sami
Published: April 2022

Purpose

This study analyses development of research-related innovation activities in a University of Applied Sciences (UAS) in Finland. Focus on production of innovations in relation to academization challenges the traditions of applied research in UAS, which has always relied on collaboration with local stakeholders.

Design/methodology/approach

Drawing on the approach of cultural-historical activity theory, the study conceptualizes development of innovation activities as a movement across multiple intertwined developmental lines. The authors ground these conceptualizations in the data, coming from interviews with key researchers in a multidisciplinary research project on smart bioeconomy at a Finnish UAS.

Findings

Development of research-related innovation activities in the UAS happened along six lines: development of researcher's expertise, development of project, development of organization, development of research, development of field and development of funding models and policies. The developmental tensions between the lines were essential for promotion of innovation activities.

Originality/value

The study reveals the complex multilayered nature of research-related innovation activities in the specific context of UAS, where it creates challenges and opportunities for developing the traditions of applied research. The results encourage UAS to critically evaluate their changing role as research institutions in regional, national and international innovation systems.
An empirical study of the outcome-driven implementation in small- and medium-sized enterprises
Authors: Shi Yangyan , Gao Yangfei , Arthanari Tiru , Humdan Eias A.I.
Published: April 2022

Purpose

This paper builds on Melynk’s et al. (2010) seminal article by reviving the concept of outcome-driven supply chain (ODSC) and empirically examining its relationship with supply chain practices and performance implications in an attempt to articulate its antecedents and consequences for small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in New Zealand (NZ). The purpose of this study to empirically examine outcome-driven supply chain and its practices from the perspective of small-and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in New Zealand.

Design/methodology/approach

A theoretical framework is developed drawing on an extensive review of the literature. Structural equation modelling is used to analyse the data collected from 107 NZ SMEs.

Findings

The results identify that SMEs can work on three aspects of supply chain practices (process integration, partnership and use of information and communication technology) to deliver blended ODSC outcomes (efficiency, agility and security) to improve performance. The empirical results show the implementation ODSC in the context of NZ SMEs can bring performance benefits.

Originality/value

The research starts a pioneer work on understanding ODSC in the context of NZ SMEs. Also, this study provides a valuable guideline to ODSC practices to improve ODSC outcomes and related performance benefits.
What to believe, whom to blame, and when to share: exploring the fake news experience in the marketing context
Authors: Mahdi Ali , Farah Maya F. , Ramadan Zahy
Published: April 2022

Purpose

The spread of fake news on social networking sites (SNS) poses a threat to the marketing landscape, yet little is known about how fake news affect consumers’ perceptions, attitudes and behaviors. This study aims to explore when consumers believe fake news, whom they blame for it (e.g. negative attitudes toward brands or SNS) and when they choose to share it.

Design/methodology/approach

Data obtained from 80 open-ended, semistructured interviews, conducted with SNS consumers and experts, is analyzed following the principles of grounded theory and the Gioia methodology.

Findings

Factors affecting consumers’ perceptions of fake news include skepticism, awareness, previous experience, appeal and message cues. Consumers’ brand- and SNS-related attitudes are affected by consumers’ blame, which is determined by consumers’ perceptions of the vetting efforts, role and ethical obligation of SNS. Consumers’ motives for sharing fake news include duty, retaliation, authentication and status-seeking. Theoretical and practical implications derived from the study’s novel conceptual framework are discussed.

Practical implications

This study identifies communication strategies that marketing professionals can use to mitigate and counter the negative effects of fake news.

Originality/value

By simultaneously considering consumers’ perceptions of the source, information and medium (i.e. SNS), this study presents a novel conceptual framework providing a marketing-centered, dynamic view on consumers’ fake news experience and connecting consumers’ perceptions, attitudes and behaviors in the context of fake news.
The effects of companies’ face mask usage on consumers’ reactions in the service marketplace
Authors: Pichierri Marco , Petruzzellis Luca
Published: April 2022

Purpose

Face masks have been integrated into daily life and come to signify different meanings due to the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. Drawing on social perception and attribution theories, this paper investigates the possible additional benefits of face mask use in the service marketplace by understanding how consumers react to the new social norm.

Design/methodology/approach

Four experimental studies were run across different service contexts. Study 1 examines consumers’ evaluation of a service promotion when an employee wears a face mask; Study 2 focuses on the impact of face mask usage on salesperson credibility and service satisfaction; Studies 3 and 4 investigate the consequences of not using face masks on consumers’ intention to spread positive word-of-mouth for the service provider.

Findings

The results revealed that the presence of a face mask in a service promotion determined a higher level of service liking, while in a service encounter, it led to a higher level of salesperson credibility, which then positively affected consumer satisfaction. Finally, the non-utilization of a face mask negatively affected consumer intention to spread positive word-of-mouth about the service provider, even when the social norm is to not wear one.

Originality/value

The manuscript adds to research on salespeople appearance and tries to understand consumers’ reactions toward face mask use in the services sector, as, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, few empirical studies in the service marketing literature have investigated the topic so far. Findings also provide useful insights that can further promote companies’ adoption of face masks beyond the COVID-19 emergency.
Meeting educational challenges of pre- and post-COVID-19 conditions through self-directed learning: considering the contextual quality of educational experience necessary
Authors: Morris Thomas Howard
Published: April 2022

Purpose

Fostering the skills necessary for self-directed learning (SDL) competence could be considered the most essential goal of formal education, especially due to uncertainty and changing conditions – exampled by the COVID-19 pandemic. Importantly, SDL competence can afford a person the ability to adapt to changing social contextual conditions, thus facilitating personal growth and development – even in the face of volatile and rapidly changing social contextual conditions. The aim of this study is to explore, theoretically, the contextual quality of educational experience necessary for learners to secure adaptive meaning-making: in order to meet the demands of our changing world.

Design/methodology/approach

To date, research has failed to comprehensively identify exactly what type of educational experience is necessary for such an adaptive meaning-making process during SDL. The present theoretical paper attempts to redress this concern.

Findings

Highly contextualized educational experience is necessary to enable contextual-specific, adaptable, meaning-making. Two constituents of contextualized educational experience are proposed: contextual-specific information available during the educational experience; and contextual-specific meaning schemes resultant from the educational process.

Originality/value

This novel work presents an important argument that education should encourage learners to construct knowledge that is adaptable and transferable to their context, rather than automatized knowledge that is not adaptable or transferable. This is a key concern for persons who face rapidly changing social contextual conditions and therefore should be given consideration in both the design of education and in further research on SDL. Like a vaccine in an arm provides a certain protection against COVID-19, fostering our populations’ SDL competence is fundamental for affording persons with an ability to meet the demands of our rapidly changing world.
Vaping among youth: reasons, realization and intention to quit
Authors: Thapa Sajani , Pandey Satyendra C. , Panda Swati , Paswan Audhesh K. , Ghimire Ashish
Published: April 2022

Purpose

Vaping has become a prominent public health problem that has impacted young adults. The purpose of this study is to empirically examine the effects of different intrinsic and extrinsic motivations on young adults’ realization of excessive vaping and their intention to quit vaping.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey was used to collect data from 232 young vapers (primarily Generation Z and Millennials) to test the hypothesized relationships using a covariance-based structural equation model.

Findings

The findings of this study suggest that “realization of excessive vaping” is negatively associated with “sensation seeking” and positively associated with “deal proneness,” “environmental cues” and “negative repercussion.” The “intention to quit vaping” is negatively associated with “marketing cues” and positively associated with “alternative to smoking” and “environmental cues.” Finally, the “realization of excessive vaping” is positively associated with “intention to quit vaping.”

Originality/value

This study takes a two-dimensional approach to understand the complex motivations behind a relatively new addictive behavior – vaping. It contributes to the literature of addictive behavior, social cognitive theory and theory of planned behavior. Further, it has important implications for public policy and the marketing of addictive products to youths.
Towards an animal economics spectrum for ecosystem research
Authors: Junker Robert R. , Albrecht Jörg , Becker Marcel , Keuth Raya , Farwig Nina , Schleuning Matthias
Published: April 2022

The framework of the plant economics spectrum advanced our understanding of plant ecology and proved as a unifying concept across plant taxonomy, growth forms and biomes. Similar approaches for animals mostly focus on linking life‐history and metabolic theories, but not on their application in ecosystem research. To fill this gap, we propose the animal economics spectrum (AES) based on broadly available traits that describe organismal size, biological times and rates.

To exemplify the feasibility and general usefulness of constructing the AES, we compiled data on adult and offspring body mass, life span, age at first reproduction, reproductive and metabolic rate of 98 terrestrial taxa from seven selected animal classes and mapped these taxa into an exemplary quantitative trait space.

The AES consists of two principal axes related to reproductive strategies and the pace of life; both axes are linked by animal metabolism. The AES thus closely mirrors seminal ideas on fundamental life‐history strategies and more recent discoveries and developments in the fields of life‐history and metabolic theories. Furthermore, we find associations between the positions of animals within the AES and taxonomy, thermoregulation and body plan.

The AES shows that key dimensions describing different ecological strategies of animals can be depicted with functional traits that are relatively easily accessible for a broad spectrum of animal taxa. We suggest future steps towards an application of the AES in ecosystem research aiming at the understanding of ecological processes and ecosystem functions. Additionally, we urge for databases that compile comparable functional traits for a large proportion of animals, but also for further groups of organisms with the ultimate goal to map the economics spectrum of life.

The framework of the AES will be relevant for understanding ecological processes across animal taxa at species, community and ecosystem levels. We further discuss how it can facilitate predictions on how the functional composition and diversity of animal communities can be affected by global change.

Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.
BORDER CONTROL: The Territorial Politics of Policy Experimentation in Chinese Border Cities
Authors: Su Xiaobo , Miao Yi
Published: April 2022

How to balance policy experimentation for economic development with border control for national security is an issue that remains unresolved. Addressing this question, the article analyzes policy experimentation in Chinese border cities and how such experimentation is territorially reflected in and promoted through border control—a selective process that involves both softening and hardening the border. The case study is Ruili in Yunnan province, a border city adjacent to northern Myanmar's Shan and Kachin states. With the approval of higher‐level governments, Ruili has already begun experimenting with policies to promote cross‐border trade. One key initiative has been to move customs clearance away from the border to customs checkpoints within the city, giving rise to a special situation of ‘inside territory and outside customs’. However, this neoliberal policy of trade facilitation also generates new administrative loopholes which facilitate two‐way smuggling across the border. Border control provides the conditions through which border cities experiment with new policies in trade, investment and manufacturing, while enforcing sovereign power against clandestine business under the guise of national security. This article contributes to our understanding of the theoretical synergies between urban entrepreneurism and border politics by developing a territorially sensitive reading of the implementation of experimental policies for economic development.
Transcriptional landscape of human microglia implicates age, sex, and APOE‐related immunometabolic pathway perturbations
Authors: Patel Tulsi , Carnwath Troy P. , Wang Xue , Allen Mariet , Lincoln Sarah J. , Lewis‐Tuffin Laura J. , Quicksall Zachary S. , Lin Shu , Tutor‐New Frederick Q. , Ho Charlotte C.G. , Min Yuhao , Malphrus Kimberly G. , Nguyen Thuy T. , Martin Elizabeth , Garcia Cesar A. , Alkharboosh Rawan M. , Grewal Sanjeet , Chaichana Kaisorn , Wharen Robert , Guerrero‐Cazares Hugo , Quinones‐Hinojosa Alfredo , Ertekin‐Taner Nilüfer
Published: April 2022

Microglia have fundamental roles in health and disease; however, effects of age, sex, and genetic factors on human microglia have not been fully explored. We applied bulk and single‐cell approaches to comprehensively characterize human microglia transcriptomes and their associations with age, sex, and APOE. We identified a novel microglial signature, characterized its expression in bulk tissue and single‐cell microglia transcriptomes. We discovered microglial co‐expression network modules associated with age, sex, and APOE‐ε4 that are enriched for lipid and carbohydrate metabolism genes. Integrated analyses of modules with single‐cell transcriptomes revealed significant overlap between age‐associated module genes and both pro‐inflammatory and disease‐associated microglial clusters. These modules and clusters harbor known neurodegenerative disease genes including APOE, PLCG2, and BIN1. Meta‐analyses with published bulk and single‐cell microglial datasets further supported our findings. Thus, these data represent a well‐characterized human microglial transcriptome resource and highlight age, sex, and APOE‐related microglial immunometabolism perturbations with potential relevance in neurodegeneration.
Clinical impact of the worldwide shortage of verteporfin (Visudyne®) on ophthalmic care
Authors: Sirks Marc J. , van Dijk Elon H.C. , Rosenberg Noa , Hollak Carla E.M. , Aslanis Stamatios , Cheung Chui Ming Gemmy , Chowers Itay , Eandi Chiara M. , Freund K. Bailey , Holz Frank G. , Kaiser Peter K. , Lotery Andrew J. , Ohno‐Matsui Kyoko , Querques Giuseppe , Subhi Yousif , Tadayoni Ramin , Wykoff Charles C. , Zur Dinah , Diederen Roselie M.H. , Boon Camiel J.F. , Schlingemann Reinier O.
Published: April 2022

Introduction

Since July 2021, a worldwide shortage of verteporfin (Visudyne®) occurred: an essential medicine required for photodynamic therapy (PDT). PDT with verteporfin has a broad range of indications in ophthalmology, including chronic central serous chorioretinopathy, polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy and choroidal haemangioma. For these disorders, PDT is either the first‐choice treatment or regarded as a major treatment option.

Materials and methods

A questionnaire was sent to key opinion leaders in the field of medical retina throughout the world, to assess the role of PDT in their country and the effects of the shortage of verteporfin. In addition, information on the application of alternative treatments during shortage of verteporfin was obtained, to further assess the impact of the shortage.

Results

Our questionnaire indicated that the shortage of verteporfin had a major impact on ophthalmic care worldwide and was regarded to be a serious problem by most of our respondents. However, even though there is ample evidence to support the use of PDT in several chorioretinal diseases, we found notable differences in its use in normal patient care throughout the world. Various alternative management strategies were noted during the verteporfin shortage, including lowering the dose of verteporfin per patient, the use of alternative treatment strategies and the use of a centralized system for allocating the remaining ampoules of verteporfin in some countries.

Conclusion

The shortage of verteporfin has had a large effect on the care of ophthalmic patients across the world and may have resulted in significant and irreversible vision loss. Mitigation strategies should be developed in consultation with all stakeholders to avoid future medication shortages of verteporfin and other unique ophthalmic medications. These strategies may include mandatory stock keeping, compulsory licensing to an alternative manufacturer or incentivizing the development of competition, for example through novel public‐private partnerships.
Acute‐on‐chronic liver failure: A 20‐year retrospective review of a tertiary paediatric liver centre
Authors: Singh Harveen , Kelgeri Chayarani , Passingham Charlotte , Johansen Lauren , van Mourik Indra , Ong Evelyn , Perera M.Thamara P.R. , Mirza Darius , Sharif Khalid , Hartley Jane , Gupte Girish L.
Published: April 2022

Aim

Acute‐on‐chronic liver failure (ACLF) is an acute deterioration of pre‐existing chronic liver disease related to a precipitating event. We characterised paediatric ACLF at Birmingham Children's Hospital (BCH) utilising European Association of Liver Disease CLIF criteria, including prevalence, triggers and outcomes.

Methods

All BCH patients from 2000 to 2020 with CLD who underwent initial liver transplant or died on the transplant waiting list or whilst too unwell to be listed were reviewed.

Results

From 2000 to 2020, 24 (4%) children with ACLF were identified. Death occurred in 18 (75%). Transplant occurred in 9 (36%), 3 of which died. ACLF triggers were sepsis organism negative 11 (46%), sepsis organism positive 8 (33%) and GI bleed 5 (17%). Bilirubin at the time of transplant/death in those with ACLF who lived compared with those who died was 529 umol/L (381) versus 665 (210) (p=0.38), creatinine 138 umol/L (147) versus 67 (46) (p=0.41), PT 33 sec (14) versus (32 (15) (p = 0.72), Grade 3, 4 hepatic encephalopathy 1 (17%) versus 10 (56%) (p = 0.17), vasopressor use 1 (17%) versus 17 (94%) (p = 0.001) and ventilation 3 (50%) versus 17 (94%) (p = 0.035).

Conclusion

Acute‐on‐chronic liver failure whilst infrequent has high rates of mortality. The use of vasopressors and ventilation is more frequent in those who die from ACLF.
Disability‐based arguments against assisted dying laws
Authors: Colburn Ben
Published: April 2022

Some of the most common arguments against legalizing assisted dying are based on appealing to the rights of people with disabilities. This article identifies and responds to those arguments, including that people with disabilities univocally oppose assisted dying laws; that those laws harm people with disabilities, or show disrespect; and that those laws undermine other vital aspects of healthcare. Drawing on philosophical argument, as well as on evidence from jurisdictions where assisted dying is legal, the article concludes that considerations of disability do not in fact generate good arguments against assisted dying laws. In fact, the opposite is true. There are nevertheless important lessons that proponents and defenders of such laws can learn in conversation with people with disabilities, including about safeguards on assisted dying to protect their well‐being and autonomy.
The magic of MAGI‐1: A scaffolding protein with multi signalosomes and functional plasticity
Authors: Excoffon Katherine J. D. A. , Avila Christina L. , Alghamri Mahmoud S. , Kolawole Abimbola O.
Published: April 2022

MAGI‐1 is a critical cellular scaffolding protein with over 110 different cellular and microbial protein interactors. Since the discovery of MAGI‐1 in 1997, MAGI‐1 has been implicated in diverse cellular functions such as polarity, cell–cell communication, neurological processes, kidney function, and a host of diseases including cancer and microbial infection. Additionally, MAGI‐1 has undergone nomenclature changes in response to the discovery of an additional PDZ domain, leading to lack of continuity in the literature. We address the nomenclature of MAGI‐1 as well as summarize many of the critical functions of the known interactions. Given the importance of many of the interactors, such as human papillomavirus E6, the Coxsackievirus and adenovirus receptor (CAR), and PTEN, the enhancement or disruption of MAGI‐based interactions has the potential to affect cellular functions that can potentially be harnessed as a therapeutic strategy for a variety of diseases.
Navigating collaborative open innovation projects: Staging negotiations of actors' concerns
Authors: Pedersen Signe , Bogers Marcel L. A. M. , Clausen Christian
Published: April 2022

Open innovation has attracted significant attention as companies respond to increasing innovative complexities by opening their organizational boundaries to interact with stakeholders along the innovation funnel. However, knowledge from customers and users is not always easily translated into solutions that can be commercialized. Micro‐level challenges of open innovation projects that might be impeding commercialization remain under‐explored in the literature. To address this research gap, we use a collaborative staging approach inspired by actor‐network theory to focus on micro‐level negotiations of actors' concerns at the project level. Analysing data collected via ethnographic research and participant observation in a longitudinal qualitative case study, we investigate how managers and designers navigated value creation and capture when conceptualizing an app for hospitalized stroke patients. Our findings reveal an action‐oriented staging approach to collaborative open innovation efforts and selective enactment of business models depending on whether the focus is value capture or value creation. Furthermore, we point to a repertoire of staging moves that managers and designers can use to facilitate productive negotiations and network alignment as value creation opportunities co‐evolve and to conceptualize value offers in collaborative open innovation processes.
Do cross‐border patents promote trade?
Authors: Brunel Claire , Zylkin Thomas
Published: April 2022

While we would expect that cross‐border patents are used to protect a technology that is made available in another country, that technology could either be produced locally or imported. International patent filings could therefore be either complements or substitutes to international trade. This study combines data on patenting and trade for 149 countries and 249 industries between 1974 and 2006 with a “three‐way” panel data model that addresses several biases emphasized in the trade literature in order to provide a systematic analysis of how bilateral trade responds to cross‐border patent filings. We find that cross‐border patents have a positive (complementary) overall effect on the patent‐filing country's exports to the patent‐granting country and no effect overall on imports flowing in the opposite direction. These effects vary substantially across industry groups, with patents promoting significantly more export growth in industries with a high demand elasticity and in industries that are relatively more downstream in supply chains. We also find that patents, once obtained, are associated with increased trade even in jurisdictions with weak intellectual property regimes.
The immediate costs and long‐term benefits of assisted gene flow in large populations
Authors: Grummer Jared A. , Booker Tom R. , Matthey‐Doret Remi , Nietlisbach Pirmin , Thomaz Andréa T. , Whitlock Michael C.
Published: April 2022

With the genetic health of many plant and animal populations deteriorating due to climate change outpacing adaptation, interventions, such as assisted gene flow (AGF), may provide genetic variation necessary for populations to adapt to climate change. We ran genetic simulations to mimic different AGF scenarios in large populations and measured their outcomes on population‐level fitness to determine circumstances in which it is worthwhile to perform AGF. In the absence of inbreeding depression, AGF was beneficial within a few generations only when introduced genotypes had much higher fitness than local individuals and traits affecting fitness were controlled by a few genes of large effect. AGF was harmful over short periods (e.g., first ∼10–20 generations) if there was strong outbreeding depression or introduced deleterious genetic variation. When the adaptive trait was controlled by many loci of small effect, the benefits of AGF took over 10 generations to realize—potentially too long for most climate‐related management scenarios. The genomic integrity of the recipient population typically remained intact following AGF; the amount of genetic material from the donor population usually constituted no more of the recipient population's genome than the fraction of the population introduced. Significant genomic turnover (e.g., >50% replacement) only occurred when the selective advantage of the adaptive trait and translocation fraction were extremely high. Our results will be useful when adaptive management is used to maintain the genetic health and productivity of large populations under climate change.
Tree ring evidence of rapid development of drunken forest induced by permafrost warming
Authors: Fujii Kazumichi , Yasue Koh , Matsuura Yojiro
Published: April 2022

Black spruce trees growing on warming permafrost lean in all directions due to soil movement, forming a “drunken” forest. Two hypothetical drivers of drunken forest development are (i) loosening of the soil foundation induced by permafrost degradation in warm summers and (ii) mound rising induced by freezing soil in winter. However, no evidence has previously clarified whether recent tree leaning is related to climate warming or is part of a natural hummock formation process. Here, we provide evidence that tree leaning and soil hummock formation have accelerated due to climate warming. We find that trees’ leaning events synchronize with the development of soil hummocks as recorded in tree rings with lignin‐rich cells. Tree leaning is caused by mound rising in winter due to refreezing of soil following deep thaws in summer, rather than by loosening of the soil foundation in summer. Hummock formation shifted from periodic events before 1960 to continuous mound rising in the warmer succeeding 50 years. Although soil change is generally a slow process, recent permafrost warming has induced rapid hummock formation, which threatens the stability of drunken forests and organic carbon in soil hummocks based on shallow permafrost table.
Solutions for Groundwater Flow to a Pumping Well with an Exponentially Decreasing Variable‐Rate in a Sloping Aquifer
Authors: Guo Ziwei , Wen Zhang , Jakada Hamza
Published: April 2022

During aquifer pumping tests in the field, the attenuation process of the pumping rate is generally monitored, and the aquifer may be slanted, especially in riverbank terraces, piedmont plain and other similar terrains. The combination of these two factors (attenuation process and aquifer slope) has not received enough academic attention, therefore, a two‐dimensional groundwater flow model is developed for an exponentially decreasing variable rate pumping well in a sloping aquifer in this study. The new semi‐analytical solution (based on a linearized free‐surface boundary) is obtained using the Laplace transform and finite Fourier cosine transform. Meanwhile, to depict the linearized boundary precisely with the first‐order free surface equation, a numerical model that considers the decline of the water table is also developed. Results show that under the effect of the variable rate, the time‐drawdown curve presents a downward trend at intermediate times. Additionally, the error caused by the linearization of the free‐surface equation on the analytical model is found to be acceptable except when the sloping angle is larger than π/6. Furthermore, since this study extends the work of Huang et al. (2014), who considered a constant pumping rate, the new solution was found better to interpret real pumping test data reported by Antonio and Pacheco (2002), and the laboratory experiment results. Overall, the new solution proves to be useful for parameter inversion accurately as the average pumping rate tended to underestimate hydraulic parameters when fitting short‐term pumping data.
Human health‐promoting interactions between hydrocolloid‐structured foods and the gut microbiome in the digestive tract: Editorial
Authors: Zhang Bin , Junejo Shahid Ahmed , Yang Xinquan , Yuan Yang
Published: April 2022

There is a growing interest to overcome such diet‐related health issues through the interactions with gut microbiome. A complex network of interactions between nutrition, gut microbiota and health has gradually emerged, which has been rarely explored in its whole. Imbalance of the normal gut microbiota has been linked with gastrointestinal conditions. This editorial highlighted the recent developments in the hydrocolloid‐structured foods and the gut microbiome in the digestive tract.
Predictive model for the preparedness level of the family caregiver
Authors: Gutierrez‐Baena Belen , Romero‐Grimaldi Carmen
Published: April 2022

Background

Many caregivers are insufficiently prepared, and little is known about measures that can be employed to enhance their preparedness.

Aim

The aim of this study was to explore the factors associated with caregiver preparedness and establish a predictive model including the relationship between preparedness, burden, resilience and anxiety.

Design

A cross‐sectional design was used.

Methods

The sample included 172 family caregivers who were selected from one private hospital and daytime nursing centres. Caregivers were recruited from 2018 to 2019; they completed assessments for caregiver preparedness, anxiety, resilience and burden. A multiple linear regression analysis was performed to identify the factors associated with preparedness.

Results

Preparedness was significantly associated with high levels of resilience and a low level of burden, while it was not associated with anxiety. Caregivers' gender, experience and cohabitation status were the main predictors. Resilience is an explanatory factor for caregiver preparedness in the predictive model.

Conclusion

The demographic variables related to preparedness can be used to guide efforts to meet the needs of vulnerable caregivers. A caregiver's preparedness depends on their level of burden and resilience. Nursing interventions focused on these aspects could make the caregiver's role easier and improve the quality of care provided.
A comparative study of in-vitro and in-silico anti-candidal activity and GC–MS profiles of snow mountain garlic vs. normal garlic
Authors: Kaur Bhupinder , Kumar Nitish , Chawla Sonam , Sharma Deepika , Korpole Suresh , Sharma Rajni , Patel Manoj K. , Chopra Kanwaljit , Chaurasia Om Prakash , Saxena Shweta
Published: April 2022

Aim

The study aimed to profile the volatile phytocomposition of snow mountain garlic (SMG) compared to normal garlic and investigate the anti-Candida efficacy against clinically relevant multi-drug resistant isolates of Candida species.

Methods and Results

Herein, SMG has shown significantly superior fungicidal power at 2x-MIC dose against C. albicans and C. glabrata in killing kinetic evaluation unlike the fungistatic effect of normal garlic. GC–MS headspace-based profiling of SMG showed 5 unique volatile compounds and a 5-fold higher content of saponins than normal garlic. In an in-silico analysis, cholesta-4,6-dien-3-ol,(3-beta) was uniquely identified in SMG as a potential inhibitor with high binding affinity to the active site of exo-1,3-betaglucan synthase, an established anti-candida drug target crucial for the biofilm matrix formation, thus suggesting a plausible anti-Candida mechanism.

Conclusion

The in-vitro and in-silico studies have demonstrated the Candida-cidal and anti-biofilm activities of SMG, distinguishing it from the Candida-static efficacy of normal garlic.

Significance and Impact of the study

This is the first report that identifies several phytochemical signatures of SMG along with a potential anti-Candida compound, that is cholesta-4,6-dien-3-ol,(3-beta)-, which appears worthy of detailed studies in the future to explore the utility of SMG as a fungal phytotherapy agent, especially against drug-resistant Candida sp.
Ventricular tachycardia targeted in the aortic sinuses of Valsalva in patients with prior myocardial infarction
Authors: Siontis Konstantinos C. , Njeim Mario , Dabbagh Ghaith S. , Yokokawa Miki , Morady Fred , Bogun Frank
Published: April 2022

Introduction

Ventricular tachycardia (VT) in structurally normal hearts or nonischemic cardiomyopathy can originate from the aortic sinuses of Valsalva (SoV). It is unknown whether VT can originate from the SoVs in patients with prior myocardial infarction (MI).

Objective

To evaluate the prevalence, arrhythmogenic substrate, and ablation outcomes of postinfarction VT originating from the SoVs.

Methods

Among 217 consecutive patients with postinfarction VT undergoing ablation, we identified 13 (6%) patients who had ≥1 VT mapped in a SoV. Control groups of 13 patients with idiopathic SoV VT and 13 postinfarction patients without SoV VT were included.

Results

In the study group, 17 VTs were mapped in a SoV (right n = 5, left‐right commissure n = 6, left n = 6). SoV VT target sites had low bipolar voltage during sinus rhythm [median 0.42 (IQR: 0.16–0.53) mV] which was significantly lower than target sites in patients with idiopathic SoV VTs [median 1.02 (IQR: 0.89–1.52) mV; p < .001]. An area of endocardial low voltage was found below the aortic valve in all patients with postinfarction SoV VTs compared to 9 (69%) of the patients in the postinfarction control group without SoV VT (p = .02). Morphology characteristics of postinfarction SoV VTs differed from idiopathic SoV VTs. None of the postinfarction SoV VTs were inducible after ablation and none recurred after a median follow‐up of 14 months.

Conclusion

In patients with prior MI, VT can be targeted in an aortic SoV. The SoVs should be routinely investigated in postinfarction patients with inferior axis VT and an area of low voltage below the aortic valve.
Treatment of diabetic macular edema in real‐world clinical practice: The effect of aging
Authors: Kusuhara Sentaro , Shimura Masahiko , Kitano Shigehiko , Sugimoto Masahiko , Muramatsu Daisuke , Fukushima Harumi , Takamura Yoshihiro , Matsumoto Makiko , Kokado Masahide , Kogo Jiro , Sasaki Mariko , Morizane Yuki , Utsumi Takuya , Kotake Osamu , Koto Takashi , Terasaki Hiroto , Hirano Takao , Ishikawa Hiroto , Mitamura Yoshinori , Okamoto Fumiki , Kinoshita Takamasa , Kimura Kazuhiro , Yamashiro Kenji , Suzuki Yukihiko , Hikichi Taiichi , Washio Noriaki , Sato Tomohito , Ohkoshi Kishiko , Tsujinaka Hiroki , Kondo Mineo , Takagi Hitoshi , Murata Toshinori , Sakamoto Taiji ,   Japan Clinical Retina Study (J‐CREST) group
Published: April 2022

Aims/Introduction

In older patients, the management of diabetic macular edema (DME) can be complicated by comorbidities, geriatric syndrome, and socioeconomic status. This study aims to evaluate the effects of aging on the management of DME.

Materials and Methods

This is a real‐world clinical study including 1,552 patients with treatment‐naïve center‐involved DME. The patients were categorized into 4 categories by age at baseline (C1, <55; C2, 55–64; C3, 65–74; and C4, ≥75 years). The outcomes were the change in logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution best‐corrected visual acuity (logMAR BCVA) and central retinal thickness (CRT), and the number of treatments from baseline to 2 years.

Results

From baseline to 2 years, the mean changes in logMAR BCVA from baseline to 2 years were −0.01 in C1, −0.06 in C2, −0.07 in C3, and 0.01 in C4 (P = 0.016), and the mean changes in CRT were −136.2 μm in C1, −108.8 μm in C2, −100.6 μm in C3, and −89.5 μm in C4 (P = 0.008). Treatments applied in the 2 year period exhibited decreasing trends with increasing age category on the number of intravitreal injections of anti‐VEGF agents (P = 0.06), selecting local corticosteroid injection (P = 0.031), vitrectomy (P < 0.001), and laser photocoagulation outside the great vascular arcade (P < 0.001).

Conclusions

Compared with younger patients with DME, patients with DME aged ≥75 years showed less frequent treatment, a lower BCVA gain, and a smaller CRT decrease. The management and visual outcome in older patients with DME would be unsatisfactory in real‐world clinical practice.
Adjunctive treatment for acne vulgaris by tranexamic acid
Authors: Charoenwattanayothin Anshittha , Saiwichai Tawee , Chaichalotornkul Sirintip
Published: April 2022

Background

Acne is a chronic, inflammatory skin disorder of pilosebaceous units. Tranexamic acid (TXA) acts as a plasmin inhibitor to reduce blood loss and is also used to treat rosacea due to its anti‐inflammatory effects. Some parts of the pathogenesis of rosacea are similar to inflammatory acne.

Objectives

The study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of 10% TXA serum in treating acne and its adverse effects.

Methods

A randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, split‐face study was performed on 18 mild‐to‐moderate acne patients. Patients applied 10% TXA serum on one side of the face and placebo on another side twice daily for 8 weeks. Acne lesion counts and adverse effects were evaluated every 2 weeks.

Results

Significant differences in total inflammatory acne counts were observed between TXA and placebo since Week 4 (p = 0.008). TXA mainly reduced papules and pustules, as papule counts significantly decreased since the 8th week (p = 0.046) and pustule counts significantly reduced since Week 8 (p = 0.033). Moreover, physicians also found that TXA serum reduced the redness of the skin, corresponding with the imaging from VISIA® Skin Analysis. The anti‐inflammatory effect of TXA resulted in less PIE and PIH. Adverse effects, including erythema and scaling, were treated by applying any moisturizing cream.

Conclusion

Topical 10% TXA can reduce inflammatory acne effectively. Adverse effects were minor and treat easily.
Choroidal thickness in patients with alopecia areata: Is it a sign for poor prognosis?
Authors: Şahin Tayfun , Öztekin Aynure
Published: April 2022

Introduction

Alopecia areata (AA) is an autoimmune disease which causes non‐scarring type hair loss considered to target the pigmentary system. The hair follicle may not be the only site for involvement of the disease. Iris, the ciliary body, choroid and epithelium of the retinal pigment may also be affected. The aim of the present study was to compare retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and choroidal thicknesses between patients with AA and healthy controls.

Methods

The study included 44 patients with alopecia areata, and 44 healthy individuals with similar age and gender distribution. RPE and choroidal thickness measurements were performed through Spectral‐domain optical coherence tomography (SD‐OCT) (Heidelberg Spectralis® OCT).

Results

There was not any significant difference between patients with AA and healthy individuals for RPE and choroidal thickness (p = 0.751, p = 0.725, respectively). However, the choroidal thickness (422 ± 79 μm) was significantly thinner in patients with poor prognostic criteria than other patients (371 ± 75 μm; p = 0.039).

Conclusion

Monitoring of choroidal thicknesses through optic coherence tomography (OCT) may provide an insight for the disease prognosis in patients with AA.