bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Thermostable homologues of the periplasmic siderophore-binding protein CeuE from Geobacillus stearothermophilus and Parageobacillus thermoglucosidasius
Authors: Blagova Elena V. , Miller Alex H. , Bennett Megan , Booth Rosalind L. , Dodson Eleanor J. , Duhme-Klair Anne-Kathrin , Wilson Keith S.
Published: June 2023

Siderophore-binding proteins from two thermophilic bacteria, Geobacillus stearothermophilus and Parageobacillus thermoglucosidasius, were identified from a search of sequence databases, cloned and overexpressed. They are homologues of the well characterized protein CjCeuE from Campylobacter jejuni. The iron-binding histidine and tyrosine residues are conserved in both thermophiles. Crystal structures were determined of the apo proteins and of their complexes with iron(III)-azotochelin and its analogue iron(III)-5-LICAM. The thermostability of both homologues was shown to be about 20°C higher than that of CjCeuE. Similarly, the tolerance of the homologues to the organic solvent dimethylformamide (DMF) was enhanced, as reflected by the respective binding constants for these ligands measured in aqueous buffer at pH 7.5 in the absence and presence of 10% and 20% DMF. Consequently, these thermophilic homologues offer advantages in the development of artificial metalloenzymes using the CeuE family.
Can the “Current View” show that autistic young people referred to mental health services have more comorbidities and complex needs?
Authors: Thompson Lisa Marie , Wilkinson Ewan , Nall-Evans Sharleen , Michelet Felix , Lewis Michael Thomas , Pender Fiona , Jaydeokar Sujeet
Published: June 2023

Purpose

Autistic young people have health and care needs that may benefit from a multi-agency intervention. The “Current View” tool is routinely used in England to profile the needs of young people referred to mental health services. This study aims to examine associations between comorbidities and complex needs in autistic and non-autistic young people to assess the multifaceted needs of autistic young people.

Design/methodology/approach

A cohort study was conducted using data from the electronic patient record, comparing autistic and non-autistic young people to see which items in the four “Current View” tool categories were associated with autistic young people.

Findings

Issues associated with autistic young people were: “community issues”, “attainment issues” and “deemed child in need” (all p < 0.001). Autistic young people scored significantly more items (p < 0.05) in the categories complexity/contextual/educational factors. Comorbidities associated with autistic young people included anxiety, “behavioural difficulties”, “peer relationship difficulties” and “self-care issues” (all p < 0.001). There was an association with increased comorbidities and complexity factors in autistic young people which suggests increased support from agencies may be beneficial.

Originality/value

Few studies have used data in the “Current View” tool to assess young people referred to services. More use could be made of this data for planning and delivering services.
Which sustainable growth rate is best at forecasting actual growth?
Authors: Moore Gary , Simpson Marc William
Published: June 2023

Purpose

Using various proxies for the firms' return on equity (ROE) and retention ratios (b) the authors calculate 36 sustainable growth rates, on a rolling basis, for a comprehensive set of firms over a 52-year period. The authors then assess the ability of these different sustainable growth rates to predict the actual, out-of-sample, five-year growth rates of the firms' earnings.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors compare the forecast to determine which method of estimating ROE and b produce the lowest mean-squared-errors and then determine the estimation method that works best for firms with different characteristics and for firms in different industries.

Findings

Overall, using the median ROE of all firms in the market and the 5-year average of the specific firm's retention ratio produces the lowest, statistically significant, forecast errors. Variations are documented based on firm characteristics, including dividend payout, level of ROE and industry.

Practical implications

The findings can guide practitioners in using the best earnings forecasting method.

Originality/value

Financial textbooks seem universally to suggest that one method of estimating the growth rate of a firm's earnings is to calculate the “sustainable growth rate” by multiplying the firm's ROE by the firm's b. At the same time, multiple methods of proxying for both ROE and b have been suggested; therefore, it is an interesting and useful empirical question, which, heretofore, has not been addressed in the literature, as to which estimation of the sustainable growth rate best approximates the actual future growth of the firm's earnings. The findings can guide practitioners in using the best earnings forecasting method.
Effects of mental simulation, new product attribute benefits and typicality on consumer attitudes
Authors: Chou Yu-Jen , Hsu Ya-Hui , Chang Yu-Han
Published: June 2023

Purpose

This research paper aims to illustrate that the new product communication effects of mental simulation (process-vs. outcome-focused) might depend on product attributes (typicality and benefits). Communication effects include ad attitudes and product attitudes in this study.

Design/methodology/approach

One 2 (mental simulation: process-focused vs. outcome-focused) x 2 (attribute typicality: high vs. low) x 2 (attribute benefits: hedonic vs. utilitarian) between-subjects experiment design was conducted. SPSS was used to do data analysis.

Findings

This article reveals that high (low) typicality of new attributes causes a process-focused (outcome-focused) simulation to lead to better consumer attitudes (i.e. ad attitude and product attitude). In addition, for a new hedonic attribute, a low typical attribute induces better consumer attitudes. Furthermore, there are interaction among mental simulation, product attribute typicality and benefits. These findings have important implications for academic developments and marketing management.

Originality/value

Compared with previous studies, this study is unique in several ways. First, enterprises often develop new products by introducing new product attributes (i.e. new features). Product attribute typicality is an interesting issue for new product design and communication. This research illustrates that the marketing communication effects of attribute typicality depends on attribute benefits and mental simulation. Second, the current research finds the new product attribute benefit (i.e. hedonic/utilitarian) play an important role and moderates the effects of mental simulation on consumer attitudes.
Digital transformation and export performance: a process mechanism of firm digital capabilities
Authors: Luu Tien Dung
Published: June 2023

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the logic between digital transformation and export performance by analysing a large sample of Vietnamese exporters. The theoretical model is further extended by investigating the driving role of digital transformational leadership and mediating effects of firm digital capabilities and employee exploration and exploitation innovation.

Design/methodology/approach

The study sample comprised 364 middle managers at 107 export firms in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. The data are analysed using a partial least square-structural equation model (PLS-SEM).

Findings

Digital transformation may be an indispensable tool for enhancing the export performance of businesses. Moreover, digital transformational leadership may drive digital transformation through the mediating mechanisms of firm digital capabilities and employee exploration and exploitation innovations to achieve high export performance.

Originality/value

This initial study contributes significantly to international business theory through the lens of dynamic capabilities theory, which reveals the role of digital transformation in export performance via mechanisms of digital transformational leadership, firm digital capabilities and employee exploration and exploitation innovation.
How do Australian female consumers exercise their decision-making power when making financial product decisions? The triad of financial market manipulation, rationality and emotions
Authors: Sharma Abhishek , Hewege Chandana , Perera Chamila
Published: June 2023

Purpose

This study explores the decision-making powers of Australian female consumers in the financial product market. More precisely, it examines how the integrative effects of rationality, emotions and personality traits influence the decision-making powers of Australian female consumers when making financial product purchase decisions.

Design/methodology/approach

The study employs a quantitative research approach, utilising a survey strategy. The proposed conceptual model was tested using structural equation modelling (AMOS) on a valid 357 responses from Australian female consumers.

Findings

The findings revealed that rationality, self-efficacy and impulsivity have a positive impact on the decision-making powers of Australian female consumers. Besides this, self-efficacy and anxiety had significant moderating effects on the decision-making power of Australian female consumers when buying financial products, whereas anger and impulsivity were found to have no moderating effects.

Research limitations/implications

The study offers understanding on the role of emotions and personality traits in financial decision-making, which can help financial institutions design sound products and services that can also ensure consumers' overall well-being.

Originality/value

Informed by the theoretical notions of the appraisal-tendency framework (ATF) and emotion-imbued choice model (EIC), the study makes a unique contribution by investigating the impact of rationality, emotions and personality traits on the decision-making powers of female consumers in the Australian financial product market.
A R&D productivity model to achieve self-sustainability for public funded/CSIR R&D laboratories, India
Authors: Kumari Beena , Madhukar Anuradha , Sahney Sangeeta
Published: June 2023

Purpose

The paper develops a model for enhancing R&D productivity for Indian public funded laboratories. The paper utilizes the productivity data of five Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) laboratories for analysis and to form the constructs of the model.

Design/methodology/approach

The weighted average method was employed for analyzing the rankings of survey respondents pertaining to the significant measures enhancing R&D involvement of researchers and significant non-R&D jobs. The authors have proposed a model of productivity. Various individual, organizational and environmental constructs related to the researchers working in the CSIR laboratories have been outlined that can enhance R&D productivity of researchers in Indian R&D laboratories. Partial Least Squares-Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) was used to find the predictability of the productivity model.

Findings

The organizational factors have a crucial role in enhancing the R&D outputs of CSIR laboratories. The R&D productivity of researchers can be improved through implementing the constructs of the proposed model of productivity.

Research limitations/implications

The R&D productivity model can be adapted by the R&D laboratories to enhance researchers’ R&D involvement, increased R&D outputs and achieving self-sustenance in long run.

Practical implications

The R&D laboratories can initiate exercises to explore the most relevant factors and measures to enhance R&D productivity of their researchers. The constructs of the model can function as a guideline to introduce the most preferable research policies in the laboratory for overall mutual growth of laboratory and the researchers.

Originality/value

Hardly any studies have been found that have focused on finding the measures of enhancing R&D involvement of researchers and the influence of significant time-intensive jobs on researchers’ productivity.
The knowledge structure of corporate social responsibility in sport management: a retrospective bibliometric analysis
Authors: Chiu Weisheng , Cho Heetae , Won Doyeon
Published: June 2023

Purpose

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) has become increasingly significant in the sport industry, and athletes, leagues, teams and sport organizations are actively engaging in socially responsible activities. The popularity of CSR has attracted the attention of scholars in the field of sport management. However, little research has investigated the overview and evolution of the extant literature on CSR research in sport management. Therefore, this study aims to explore the knowledge structure of CSR in sport management and provide implications for future research.

Design/methodology/approach

This work investigated and examined bibliographic data of scientific documents (N = 234) indexed in the Web of Science (WoS) database from 2008 to 2021. The Bibliometrix R package and VOSviewer software were used to analyze and visualize the knowledge map of CSR research in sport management.

Findings

The bibliometric analysis found that CSR has become a critical topic in the field of sport management. Most studies focus on the implementation of CSR activities by sport organizations and their impact on consumers' reactions and behaviors.

Originality/value

The findings of the current paper provide an efficient overview of the evolution of CSR in sport management and offer avenues for future scientific endeavors.
The complementary effect of ride-sharing on public transit: evidence from a natural experiment
Authors: Xu Di , Huang Ganxiang , Zhang Wei , Xu Wangtu
Published: June 2023

Purpose

Identifying the complementary effects of ride-sharing on public transit is critical to understanding the potential value of growing partnerships between public transit agencies and ride-sharing platforms. The purpose of this paper is to investigate whether and how ride-sharing services complement public transit.

Design/methodology/approach

Taking advantage of a natural experiment whereby subway Line 2 opened after the entry of ride-sharing services in Xiamen, this study uses a difference-in-differences approach to identify the complementary effects of ride-sharing on public transit based on a proprietary fine-grained trip-level data set from a large ride-sharing platform.

Findings

This study obtained the encouraging finding that ride-sharing has a significant complementary effect on the subway, as the number of ride-sharing pickups and drop-offs at subway stations increased by 130% and 117.9%, respectively, after the subway opening. Moreover, mechanism analysis shows that the complementary effect of ride-sharing services is stronger when connection distance is short (i.e. under 6 km) and when the transportation availability is limited (i.e. at night or in the areas with low transit supply and low population density).

Practical implications

The findings provide guidelines for promoting cooperation between public transit agencies and ride-sharing platforms to build an efficient and sustainable urban transport system.

Originality/value

This study is the first to examine the complementary effect of ride-sharing services on public transit via unique fine-grained ride-sharing trips data, and further reveal the underlying mechanism behind this effect.
Wounding pride and infusing affect: the ambivalent emotional experience of checkout charity
Authors: Coleman Joshua T. , Peasley Michael C.
Published: June 2023

Purpose

This study aims to apply the Wounded Pride/Spite model (integral emotions which occur during the donation request) and the Affect Infusion model (incidental emotions primed before encountering the checkout charity request) to check out charity to understand the interactive effects of positive and negative emotional responses. Furthermore, the moderating role of a positive or negative shopping experience is examined.

Design/methodology/approach

In Study 1, 518 customers participated in an online survey using a controlled scenario describing checkout charity exchanges. In Study 2, 274 students participated in a similar online scenario but were primed with a positive or negative shopping experience. Data were analyzed through structural equation modeling using Mplus v8.

Findings

Checkout charity is laden with affective experiences that simultaneously produce positive and negative emotions. Customers who are involved with charities and perceive it acceptable for companies to elicit charitable support are more likely to experience feelings of pride and joy during a point-of-sale donation request. However, negative affective responses are more complicated, as personal support of nonprofits was not enough to reduce feelings of guilt and anger during a donation request. Furthermore, in Study 2, the authors discover that as integral emotions influence customers’ affective states during a checkout charity encounter, incidental emotions garnered from the customer’s shopping experience serve as a moderating role in increasing positive affect and mitigating negative affect, highlighting the importance of the holistic shopping experience. Finally, in Study 2, the incongruent reaction of high positive and high negative affect was linked to decreased donation intentions, further emphasizing the importance of creating positive shopping experiences and identifying customers who perceive it to be acceptable for companies to elicit charitable support.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this research is the first to apply these dual theoretical explanations to checkout charity, contributing an affective and customer-based understanding to complement prior work on marketing strategy. The findings both uphold and extend research in this area, providing novel support for the role of the customer in determining the success of checkout charity.
Revisiting the Twin Deficit Hypothesis in presence of exchange rate nonlinearities: evidence from India using nonlinear ARDL model
Authors: Bashir Shahid , Ayoub Tabina
Published: June 2023

Purpose

This paper is an attempt to re-examine the validity of the Twin Deficit Hypothesis in the Indian economy, which is characterised by mounting inequality and liquidity constraints. The authors augment the econometric analysis with two important mediating variables, exchange rate and trade openness, to analyse their impact on current account deficit.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors have used a ground-breaking asymmetric cointegration technique proposed by Shinet al. (2014) to investigate the short-run and long-run asymmetric nexus between gross fiscal deficit and current account deficit. In addition, the study has used asymmetric dynamic multipliers to see the dynamics of nonlinear adjustment from disequilibrium in the short run to equilibrium in the long run. The study has also used generalised impulse response functions to check the robustness of our cointegration results.

Findings

Using annual time series data from 1970 to 2018, the empirical exercise validates the presence of asymmetries in the Twin Deficit Hypothesis for the Indian economy. This study's robust findings demonstrate that the two deficits are asymmetrically related in the long run. The authors also found that exchange rate asymmetrically affects current account deficit thus validating the asymmetric J-curve phenomenon. From the causality analysis, the authors infer that there is a weak unidirectional causality running from fiscal deficit to current account deficit.

Research limitations/implications

Fiscal deficit may cause current account deficit via changes in other macroeconomic variables that were not taken care of in this study. Therefore, the estimation techniques used in the present study might suffer from the issue of omitted-variable bias. Further research should include other macroeconomic variables where the twin deficit nexus is also influenced by other relevant variables. This will help in disentangling the indirect transmissions by which fiscal deficit translates into current account deficit.

Practical implications

The results from our econometric exercise strongly suggest that the twin deficits are asymmetrically related. From a policy perspective, the asymmetric twin deficit nexus offers strong policy implications for the development of policies that are flexible enough to respond to shifts in internal and external sector dynamics. While framing the mechanism of fiscal prudence, policymakers in emerging countries like India must take into account the regime-changing behaviour of twin deficits.

Originality/value

The present paper is a significant contribution to the existing body of literature by being the first study in India which has analysed the Twin Deficits phenomenon in a nonlinear framework with the incorporation of asymmetric exchange rate dynamics in the model.
Does institutional quality modulate the effect of capital flight on economic growth in sub-Saharan Africa?
Authors: Akinlo Taiwo
Published: June 2023

Purpose

Sub-Saharan African (SSA) region has been battling illegal outflow of capital over the years, with little success recorded so far. Without adequate attention, unemployment, infrastructure deficiencies and inefficient capital might be worse in the future. The purpose of this study is to investigate if institutional quality mitigates the effect of capital flight (CF) on economic growth.

Design/methodology/approach

The panel data from 26 SSA countries spanning 1998 to 2018 are used. The analysis of this study was carried out through a two-step generalized method of moments technique. The principal component index is used to group the institutional quality/governance indicators into three categories: political governance, economic governance and institutional governance.

Findings

The study found that CF is harmful to the economic growth of the SSA region. The study also found that, among the indicators of institutional quality, only the rule of law and control of corruption stimulate economic growth. Contrary to expectation, the finding indicates that institutional quality does mitigate the effect of CF on economic growth in the SSA region.

Originality/value

This study provides an insight into the relevance of institutional quality in mitigating CF in sub-Saharan African region.
The ripple effects of suicide: a personal account of dealing with the death of an adult sibling
Authors: Woods Angela
Published: June 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to offer an opinion piece that documents the experience of losing an adult sibling to suicide and explores the experience of personal and family grief.

Design/methodology/approach

This narrative is written from an autoethnographic perspective and uses the current evidence base to support a personal reflection.

Findings

This paper identifies the complex nature of bereavement following death from suicide and considers those factors that support more positive outcomes for those grieving.

Research limitations/implications

This piece focuses on autoethnographic data but is supported by findings from the wider evidence base.

Practical implications

The importance of seeking positives as part of the healing process when processing complex grief.

Social implications

Disclosure has been identified as an important part of processing complex grief associated with suicide bereavement and yet suicide remains a taboo subject for many.

Originality/value

This autoethnographic piece details the experience of dealing with a sibling suicide and the importance of creating the opportunity for positive reflection to process complex grief.
Research on control of electro-hydraulic servo system based on third-order linear ADRC
Authors: Gao Bingwei , Zhang Wei , Zheng Lintao , Zhao Hongjian
Published: June 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to design a third-order linear active disturbance rejection controller (LADRC) to improve the response characteristics and robustness of the electrohydraulic servo system.

Design/methodology/approach

The LADRC was designed by replacing the nonlinear functions in each part of ADRC with linear functions or linear combinations, and the parameters of each part of the LADRC were connected with their bandwidth through the pole configuration method to reduce the required tuning parameters, and used an improved grey wolf optimizer to tune the LADRC parameters.

Findings

The anti-interference control simulation and experiment on the LADRC, ADRC and proportion integration differentiation (PID) were carried out to test the robustness, anti-interference ability and superiority of the designed LADRC. The simulation and experiment results showed that the LADRC control and anti-interference control had excellent performance, and because of its simple structure and fewer parameters, LADRC was easier to implement and had a better control effect and anti-interference.

Originality/value

For the problems of parameter perturbation, unknown interference and inaccurate model in the electrohydraulic position servo system, the designed third-order LADRC has good tracking accuracy and anti-interference, has few parameters and is conducive to promotion.
Experimental characterization of the mechanical properties of 3D printed TPU auxetic cellular materials under cyclic compressive loadings
Authors: Chapa Amador , Cuan-Urquizo Enrique , Urbina-Coronado PD , Roman-Flores Armando
Published: June 2023

Purpose

Fused filament fabrication (FFF) is a popular technique in rapid prototyping capable of building complex structures with high porosity such as cellular solids. The study of cellular solids is relevant by virtue of their enormous potential to exhibit non-traditional deformation mechanisms. The purpose of this study is to exploit the benefits of the FFF technology to fabricate re-entrant honeycomb structures using thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) to characterize their mechanical response when subjected to cyclic compressive loadings.

Design/methodology/approach

Specimens with different volume fraction were designed, three-dimensionally printed and tested in uniaxial cyclic compressions up until densification strain. The deformation mechanism and apparent elastic moduli variation throughout five loading/unloading cycles in two different loading orientations were studied experimentally.

Findings

Experimental results demonstrated a nonlinear relationship between volume fraction and apparent elastic modulus. The amount of energy absorbed per loading cycle was computed, exhibiting reductions in energy absorbed of 12%–19% in original orientation and 15%–24% when the unit cells were rotated 90°. A softening phenomenon in the specimens was identified after the first compression when compared to second compression, with reduction in apparent elastic modulus of 23.87% and 28.70% for selected samples V3 and H3, respectively. Global buckling in half of the samples was observed, so further work must include redesign in the size of the samples.

Originality

The results of this study served to understand the mechanical response of TPU re-entrant honeycombs and their energy absorption ability when compressed in two orientations. This study helps to determine the feasibility of using FFF as manufacturing method and TPU to construct resilient structures that can be integrated into engineering applications as crash energy absorbers. Based on the results, authors suggest structure’s design optimization to reduce weight, higher number of loading cycles (n > 100) and crushing velocities (v > 1 m/s) in compression testing to study the dynamic mechanical response of the re-entrant honeycomb structures and their ability to withstand multiple compressions.
Experience and acceptability of a carer‐focussed intervention in acute oncology settings: A qualitative study of people with advanced cancer and their carers
Authors: Marston Celia , Morgan Deidre D. , Philip Jennifer , Agar Meera R.
Published: June 2023

Objectives

Providing optimal support for carers of people with advanced cancer is critical to facilitating discharge home from hospital. Carer Support Needs Assessment Tool–Intervention (CSNAT‐I) has shown promise in supporting carers' needs in this context. This study aimed to explore patient and carers experiences with and views on the acceptability of the CSNAT‐I delivered by occupational therapists in an acute oncology setting.

Methods

People with advanced cancer and their carers who had previously received the CSNAT‐I as part of usual care while admitted to an Australian specialist cancer centre or acute hospital were invited to participate in interviews exploring their perceptions of the intervention. Data were analysed thematically.

Results

Two patients and 10 carers participated in semi‐structured interviews. Three themes were constructed from the data: Carers viewed the CSNAT‐I as comprehensive process that (1) ‘covered everything’ related to discharge planning; (2) generated an ‘increased awareness of needs’ for themselves, patients, and clinicians; and (3) triggered an emotional response of feeling ‘wrapped up in care’ that was maintained as they moved from hospital to home.

Conclusion

This study has demonstrated that the CSNAT‐I was highly acceptable to carers as part of existing discharge processes supporting them through the transition from hospital to home and can be delivered by occupational therapists and other clinicians with a natural synergy to discharge planning. These findings will inform further development and testing of the delivery model of the CSNAT‐I in future trials.
Visualisation to support children with attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder learning to solve mathematical word problems: A randomised controlled trial
Authors: Almuwaiziri Fatemah , Trakulphadetkrai Natthapoj Vincent , Williams Timothy
Published: June 2023

This randomised controlled trial experimental study compared the effectiveness of using two different types of visualisation – self‐constructed visualisation (SCV) and passively received visualisation (PRV) – to help children with attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) solve mathematical word problems. While SCV refers to drawings that children create to help solve given word problems, PRV refers to pre‐made images that accompany word problems. Twenty children with ADHD in Kuwait, aged nine to 11 years, were randomly assigned to either the SCV or PRV group, where they were taught to use either SCV or PRV to solve word problems across 20 daily one‐to‐one sessions. The results showed that regardless of the visualisation type, children's word problem‐solving ability significantly improved. Children with ADHD should thus be encouraged to use visualisation to help make the word problem‐solving process more accessible to them.
Report of conspecific pup consumption by the crab‐eating foxCerdocyon thous(Carnivora, Canidae)
Authors: Bocchiglieri Adriana , Henriques e Souza Flávia
Published: June 2023

In the Canidae family, cases of infanticide have been recorded in populations of dingoes, wolves and red foxes. The consumption of individuals from the same species has not been recorded yet for the crab‐eating fox (Cerdocyon thous), a medium‐sized South American canid with generalist eating habits; however, in a semi‐arid region in north‐eastern Brazil, twoC. thousfaecal samples were found in August and October 2018 with fur and fragments of paws from young individuals of this species. Cases of offspring consumption have also been reported in other carnivore species from semi‐arid regions, and it is a phenomenon that might be related to the scarcity of resources and a mechanism for obtaining food. Competition for resources is also hypothesized to explain these natural events in nature, as the death of a pup results in greater access to resources for the parent and its offspring. Thus, infanticide can increase the chances of survival of the mother or the other pups.
PRISM study—Pre‐natal iron deficiency screening and management within an Australian regional centre
Authors: Naidoo Prashanth , Frawley Natasha , Mol Ben W.
Published: June 2023

Introduction

Current Australian guidelines differ in their recommendations on optimal iron deficiency anaemia screening and management during pregnancy. A more active approach to screening and treatment of iron deficiency in pregnancy has been beneficial within a tertiary population. However, this approach has not been evaluated within a regional healthcare setting.

Objective

To evaluate the clinical impact of standardised screening and management for iron deficiency in pregnancy within a regional Australian centre.

Design

Single centre, retrospective cohort observational study that audited medical records pre and post implementation of standardised screening and management for antenatal iron deficiency. We compared rates of anaemia at birth, rates of peripartum blood transfusions and rates of peripartum iron infusions.

Findings

There were 2773 participants with 1372 participants in the pre‐implementation group and 1401 in the post‐implementation group. Participant demographics were similar. Anaemia at admission for birth decreased from 35% to 30% (RR 0.87, 95% CI (0.75, 1.00), p 0.043) Fewer blood transfusions were required (16 (1.2%) pre‐implementation, 6 (0.4%) post‐implementation, RR 0.40, 95% CI(0.16, 0.99), p 0.048). Antenatal iron infusions increased from 12% to 18% of participants post implementation (RR 1.47, 95% CI(1.22, 1.76), p 〈0.001).We audited compliance with the guidelines and found improvements post implementation.

Discussion

This is the first study to show clinically useful and statistically significant reduction in rates of anaemia and blood transfusions, post implementation of routine ferritin screening and management within a regional Australian population.

Conclusion

The results of this study suggest there is benefit to implementation of standardised ferritin screening and management packages in Australian antenatal care. It also encourages RANZCOG to review current recommendations on screening for iron deficiency anaemia during pregnancy.
Impact of the publication of the Finnish Meds75+ database on the use of potentially inappropriate medications in older persons
Authors: Hyttinen Virva , Kortelainen Lauri , Rantsi Mervi , Jyrkkä Johanna , Linnosmaa Ismo
Published: June 2023

Aims

To evaluate the impact of the updated nationwide Meds75+ database and its linkage to the Finnish health portal on the use of potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) among older persons. We also aimed to evaluate whether there is regional variation in trend changes of PIM use.

Methods

Meds75+ was implemented at the population level in 2015, so randomization is unfeasible. We used a quasi‐experimental interrupted time series analysis to evaluate the changes in levels and trends of PIM use. The data included all Finnish community‐dwelling persons aged ≥75 years (N = 920 163) who had medication purchases in the Prescription Register during 2009‐2020. Data were linked with the Care Registers for Health and Social Care and the cause of death register.

Results

The prevalence of PIMs decreased from 20.2% in 2009 to 11.7% in 2020. The change of level of the monthly PIM users was negative (β −0.036, 95% confidence interval [CI] −0.202 to 0.131), but not statistically significant (P = .673) after the publication of the database. We found a small decrease (β −0.018, 95% CI −0.083 to 0.047, P = .593) in the slope of PIM users, but it was not statistically significant. The regional results were similar to the main findings.

Conclusions

Publication of the updated Meds75+ database did not decrease the level or trend of PIM users. In addition, this study did not show any significant regional variation in PIM use trends. Further research should focus on determining barriers and facilitators to the utilization of PIM criteria in clinical practice.
Inclusive leadership and work engagement: Exploring the role of psychological safety and trust in leader in multiple organizational context
Authors: Siyal Saeed
Published: June 2023

Building on social information processing theory and social exchange theory, this research advances the emerging concept of work engagement and inclusive leadership. Surprisingly, there is no study linking work engagement and inclusive leadership style in the setting of multiple organizations in China. The main purpose of this study is to identify the effective leadership style affecting work engagement directly and indirectly through psychological safety. The trust in leader further moderated the direct relationships. Using multi‐source data of 390 responses from leaders‐subordinates dyads working in 20 Chinese companies (which include textile, manufacturing, construction, and trading), this study tested how inclusive leadership increased the work engagement of their subsequent subordinates. The mediating role of psychological safety and moderating role of trust in leader therein. The findings introduced an interactive motivational framework that revealed the positive influence of inclusive leadership on the work engagement of subordinates. Further, psychological safety mediated the direct relationship between inclusive leaders and work engagement. The role of trust in leader strengthened the direct relationship of inclusive leadership with psychological safety and work engagement. This is among the first studies to integrate inclusive leadership, psychological safety, trust in leader, and work engagement into a single interactive framework. Further, it provides empirical evidence in the context of predicting and increasing the work engagement of subordinates.
Comparing judgements of educational desirability between learner and instructor roles with low or high proficiency
Authors: Kinda Shigehiro
Published: June 2023

Background and Aims

Individuals often consider the relative desirabilities of two types of educational methods: those oriented towards teacher guidance and those oriented towards student activity. This study examined whether the optimal methods perceived by individuals differ when they take the perspective of learners or instructors with low or high levels of proficiency in content knowledge.

Samples and Methods

Participants (N = 495) reported one subject in which they had low or high content knowledge proficiency and assumed one role (i.e., a learner enrolled in a class or an instructor responsible for a class). Participants then rated 10 items, each representing a typical classroom situation oriented towards teacher guidance or student activity, on the extent to which they considered the situation desirable as a learner or an instructor.

Results and Conclusions

Regardless of their proficiency, the instructor‐role participants viewed educational methods oriented towards student activity as more desirable (teacher guidance as less desirable) than did the learner‐role participants. Further, irrespective of their role, participants with high proficiency considered student activity as more desirable (teacher guidance as less desirable) than did participants with low proficiency. Subject matter analysis of mathematics, language and history proficiencies produced the same judgement tendencies. Based on the premise that individuals generally increase in content knowledge (rather than decrease) and that they start as learners and become instructors (not vice versa), this study depicts the cognitive process of individuals as strengthening their preference for student activity by developing their content knowledge and transforming their role from learner to instructor.
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML)‐derived mesenchymal stem cells induce chemoresistance and epithelial–mesenchymal transition‐like program in AML through IL‐6/JAK2/STAT3 signaling
Authors: Lu Jianle , Dong Qiaomei , Zhang Shuling , Feng Youfan , Yang Jincai , Zhao Li
Published: June 2023

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) has a high rate of treatment failure due to increased prevalence of therapy resistance. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in the leukemia microenvironment contribute to chemoresistance in AML, but the specific mechanism remains unclear. The critical role of the epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT)‐like profile in AML chemoresistance has been gradually recognized. However, there is no research to suggest that the AML‐derived bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (AML‐MSCs) induce the EMT program in AML thus far. We isolated AML‐MSCs and cocultured them with AML cells. We found that AML‐MSCs induced a significant mesenchymal‐like morphology in drug‐resistant AML cells, but it was scarce in parental AML cells. The AML‐MSCs promoted growth of AML cells in the presence or absence of chemotherapeutics in vitro and in vivo. Acute myeloid leukemia MSCs also induced EMT marker expression in AML cells, especially in chemoresistant AML cells. Mechanistically, AML‐MSCs secreted abundant interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) and upregulated IL‐6 expression in AML cells. Acute myeloid leukemia cells upregulated IL‐6 expression in AML‐MSCs in turn. Meanwhile, AML‐MSCs activated the JAK2/STAT3 pathway in AML cells. Two JAK/STAT pathway inhibitors counteracted the AML‐MSCs induced morphology change and EMT marker expression in AML cells. In conclusion, AML‐MSCs not only promote the emergence of chemoresistance but also enhance it once AML acquires chemoresistance. AML‐MSCs induce EMT‐like features in AML cells; this phenotypic change could be related to chemoresistance progression. AML‐MSCs induce the EMT‐like program in AML cells through IL‐6/JAK2/STAT3 signaling, which provides a therapeutic target to reverse chemoresistance in AML.
Impact of 1q gains on treatment outcomes of patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma in a real‐world Swedish population receiving modern treatment
Authors: Lemonakis Konstantinos , Olsson‐Arvidsson Linda , Karlsson Conny , Johansson Bertil , Hansson Markus
Published: June 2023

Background

Amplification of 1q (amp(1q); ≥4 1q copies) has repeatedly been reported to predict a worse outcome in multiple myeloma (MM), whereas the impact of gain of 1q (gain(1q); three 1q copies) is less clear.

Methods

We investigated survival of MM in relation to amp(1q) and gain(1q) by retrospectively analysing 346 consecutively newly diagnosed MM (NDMM) patients. Of these, 62 (18%) had amp(1q), 97 (28%) gain(1q) and 187 (54%) a normal number of 1q copies (no1q).

Results

The patients with amp(1q) had a shorter median progression‐free survival than those with gain(1q) or no(1q) (13.1 months, 95% confidence interval [CI] 8.2–18.1 months vs. 36.1 months, 95% CI 23.1–49.1 months vs. 25.4 months, 95% CI 19.8–31.1 months, p = .005). The 3‐year overall survival (OS) was 56% for amp(1q), 76% for gain(1q) and 80% for no1q (p = .003). In the multivariate analysis, the presence of amp(1q) was independently associated with a shorter OS (hazard ratio 1.99, 95% CI 1.03–3.82, p = .039), whereas gain(1q) had no negative effect on survival.

Conclusion

Our results thus suggest that amp(1q) should be considered a high‐risk abnormality in NDMM and that new treatment strategies should be explored to mitigate its negative effect on survival.
Secukinumab versus guselkumab in the complete resolution of ustekinumab‐resistant psoriatic plaques: The ARROW study
Authors: Krueger James , Langley Richard G. , Nigen Simon , Kasparek Torben , Di Comite Gabriele , Ortmann Christine‐Elke , Garcet Sandra , Kolbinger Frank , Reich Kristian
Published: June 2023

Interleukin (IL)‐23–independent IL‐17A production has been suggested to be involved in persistent manifestations of psoriatic disease, including anti–IL‐12/23–refractory psoriatic plaques; this study aimed to test this hypothesis by investigating the clinical and molecular effects of direct IL‐17A (with secukinumab) versus selective IL‐23 inhibition (with guselkumab) in patients with anti–IL‐12/23 (ustekinumab)–refractory psoriatic plaques. A 16‐week, randomized, open‐label, parallel‐group, Phase IIa study (ARROW, NCT03553823) was conducted in patients with ≥1 active psoriatic plaque (total clinical score [TCS] ≥6) at screening despite treatment with ustekinumab, and a Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) score 1–10. Patients were randomized 1:1 to receive secukinumab 300 mg (n = 20) or guselkumab 100 mg (n = 20). Biopsies from one refractory (‘target plaque’) were obtained at baseline and Week 16. The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients whose ustekinumab‐refractory target plaque achieved clear/almost clear status (TCS 0–2) at Week 16. Transcriptomic and histological analyses were conducted on target plaques to determine the molecular effects of direct IL‐17A versus selective IL‐23 inhibition. At Week 16, target plaque clear/almost clear status was achieved in 60.0% of patients treated with secukinumab versus 40.0% of patients treated with guselkumab (p = 0.1715). Molecular analyses identified that secukinumab modulated a greater proportion of psoriasis disease transcriptome genes (72.1% vs. 48.0%) and resulted in more histological responders (72.2% vs. 53.3%) compared with guselkumab. Secukinumab demonstrated a greater clinical and molecular effect on ustekinumab‐refractory psoriatic plaques versus guselkumab. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that IL‐23–independent IL‐17 mechanisms may be relevant to the inflammation driving refractory manifestations of psoriasis.
Effects of safety attitude on factors related to burnout among nurses working at a dedicated infectious disease control hospital during the COVID‐19 pandemic
Authors: Chen Mei‐Ju , Kao Feng‐Hsia
Published: June 2023

Aim

Repeated occupational exposure and increased stress and fatigue levels contribute to a high risk of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) infection among frontline nurses. This study aimed to explore the relationships among teamwork, work environment and resources, work–life balance, stress perception and burnout among nurses working at a dedicated infectious disease control hospital.

Methods

The participants were 389 nurses at a dedicated infectious disease control hospital in Taipei City, Taiwan. This study adopted survey design with a questionnaire using the Safety Attitude Questionnaire.

Results

The work–life balance among nurses at the dedicated hospital significantly mediated the effects of teamwork and work environment and resources on burnout. In addition, stress perception had interaction effects on work–life balance and burnout.

Conclusion

This study's results provide important recommendations for managing teamwork, work environment and resources, work–life balance, stress perception and burnout prevention in nurses to help them better prepare and cope with emergencies. Findings can serve as a reference for developing relevant hospital management policies.
Study of the emotional adjustment of the caregiver–patient dyad to bronchial asthma in adolescence
Authors: Valero‐Moreno Selene , Montoya‐Castilla Inmaculada , Pérez‐Marín Marián
Published: June 2023

Aim

This study aimed to investigate the impact of bronchial asthma‐related factors on the emotional well‐being of adolescents with bronchial asthma and their primary caregivers.

Background

Bronchial asthma is a common chronic disease in childhood and adolescence that can have a psychological impact on both patients and their primary caregivers.

Methods

The study used a cross‐sectional design and included 150 patient–caregiver dyads diagnosed with bronchial asthma, aged between 12 and 16 years and collected between 2018 and 2020. It assessed the emotional adjustment of both patients and caregivers and recorded variables related to the disease. Qualitative and quantitative analyses were conducted to perform statistical analyses.

Results

Caregivers had higher anxiety and depression scores than patients. Good adherence to treatment was necessary for the emotional adjustment of the dyad. Controlled asthma, good adherence to treatment and a reduction in medical treatment were the primary predictors of emotional adjustment.

Conclusions

The study highlights the importance of assessing anxiety and depression levels in both patients and caregivers because the presence of these symptoms can lead to the misuse of medication, inadequate inhalation techniques, the omission of medication and reduced confidence in controlling asthma symptoms.