bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Association of work performance with absenteeism and presenteeism among support workers in a medical school hospital, Thailand
Authors: Tangchareonsamut Jirachat , Wongrathanandha Chathaya , Khamsee Siriluk , Aekplakorn Wichai
Published: April 2021

Purpose

The aim of the study is to determine the prevalence of absenteeism and presenteeism and explore their association with work performance among support workers in a medical school hospital in Thailand.

Design/methodology/approach

A cross-sectional study was conducted among 1,102 support workers in the Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, in June–August 2020. The World Health Organization Health and Work Performance Questionnaire (HPQ) was used to assess absenteeism, presenteeism, work performance and related factors. Multiple logistic regression was used to examine the association between current work performance and absenteeism and presenteeism in the past year.

Findings

A total of 505 (45.8%) support workers completed the self-report questionnaire. Prevalence of sickness absence, non-sickness absence and presenteeism in the past year was 54.2%, 81.4% and 48.1%, respectively. Sickness absence and presenteeism in the past year were significantly associated with increased odds of poor work performance: (OR 3.05, 95% CI: 1.24–7.49) and (OR 5.12, 95% CI: 2.25–11.64), respectively. Support workers with high levels of stress and burnout were 3.89 (95% CI: 1.56–9.68) and 2.66 (95% CI: 1.50–4.72) times more likely to report poor work performance.

Originality/value

Sickness absence and presenteeism are associated with poor work performance in hospital support workers. Other factors such as stress and burnout also contribute to poor work performance, and interaction among these factors needs further research. To improve productivity, hospital administrators might consider intervention programs to enhance work performance among workers with sickness absence and presenteeism.
Multiagency working between children's social care and schools during COVID-19: case study experiences from English local authorities and international reflections
Authors: Baginsky Mary , Manthorpe Jill
Published: April 2021

Purpose

A multiagency approach to supporting and enhancing child welfare lies at the heart of policies and practice in England and many other countries. The assumption is that if professionals together from different disciplines share their knowledge and skills this will lead to better outcomes for children and their families. The COVID-19 pandemic interrupted the “normal practice” of such arrangements. This research explored how the pandemic's disruption led to new ways of communicating and professional behaviour, while exploring the potential for longer-term impact in England and other jurisdictions.

Design/methodology/approach

Case studies were conducted in 2020 in five English local authorities to explore how schools worked with Children's Social Care and other professionals during the COVID-19 period. It was supplemented by a survey of schools and discussions with and reflections from those with relevant experience in five other countries.

Findings

Many schools played an extended role in supporting vulnerable and “in need” families during this period. Children's Social Care recognised their contributions and the improved communication achieved, although schools were divided over whether relationships had improved. Most communication and meetings were online; while benefits were noted there were concerns for families who were digitally disadvantaged.

Originality/value

The work provides a contemporary picture of multiagency work during the 2020 pandemic and identifies factors which may shape this work in the future in England and internationally.
“A conceptual four-stage maturity model of a firm's green manufacturing technology alternatives and performance measures”
Authors: Shukla Ganesh Prasad , Adil Gajendra K.
Published: April 2021

Purpose

This paper develops a contingency based model to understand how green technologies and green manufacturing performance measures evolve with the green manufacturing maturity levels of the firms.

Design/methodology/approach

A conceptual research model is developed by synthesizing extant literature. An illustrative case study of a paint manufacturing company is conducted, analyzing its five key green initiatives, which it has undertaken to demonstrate the research model. The primary means of data collection was interviews and document analysis.

Findings

It was observed that for all the five green initiatives, the choice of green technologies and the use of green manufacturing performance measures corroborate with the proposed research model. Further, the initial green manufacturing effort was motivated to comply with regulations, which subsequently shifted to gain strategic advantage, such as cost reduction and visibility.

Research limitations/implications

The proposed model was applied only to an Indian paint manufacturing company with their five key green initiatives, which potentially limits the generalizability of the findings to other industries and/or geographies.

Practical implications

The findings would aid practitioners in understanding both selection of green technology and the use of green manufacturing performance measures, based on a firm's maturity stage.

Originality/value

This study conducts a much-needed research on the evolution of green technology alternatives and green manufacturing performance measures for firms according to the four-stage maturity model derived from the natural resourced-based view.
Cognitive biases' influence on employees' product creativity and product performance: evidences from Italian manufacturing technology firms
Authors: Cristofaro Matteo , Leoni Luna , Giardino Pier Luigi
Published: April 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to empirically investigate how cognitive biases influence employees' product creativity (EPC) and related product performance. In particular, the paper primarily studies (1) the direct effect of employees' implicit creativity – based on five cognitive biases – and explicit creativity on EPC; and (2) the mediating role of coworkers' heuristic transfer between shared leadership and EPC.

Design/methodology/approach

Data have been obtained from big Italian manufacturing technology firms through a series of online questionnaires that resulted in 555 answers from R&D employees and their direct managers, who are, respectively, involved and responsible for the proposal of manufacturing technology products. The developed four theoretical hypotheses have been tested through correlation analysis, hierarchical regression, mediation analysis and structured equation modelling.

Findings

Cognitive biases positively influence EPC in manufacturing technology firms, leading to positive product performance. In particular, implicit creative personality better predicts EPC than explicit creative personality; whilst, shared leadership leads to a cognitive convergence among co-workers through the spread of heuristics that positively influence EPC.

Originality/value

The originality of this work lies in having: (1) investigated the influence of cognitive biases in creativity, (2) hypothesized and proved that co-workers' heuristic transfer mediates the relationship between shared leadership and EPC; (3) conducted the first specific study on employees' creativity in manufacturing technology firms; and (4) first implemented the implicit creative personality measurement, apart from those who conceptualized it.
The nexus between risk factor disclosures and short-run performance of IPOs – evidence from literature
Authors: Grover Krishan Lal , Bhullar Pritpal Singh
Published: April 2021

Purpose

The main purpose of the present study is to stretch the theoretical framework of existing stock of literature with reference to Risk Disclosures in IPO Prospectus and IPO performance. The systematic literature review study endows easy and quick access to researchers as well as categorization of the available literature.

Design/methodology/approach

Fifty research papers, which has been published or presented from 2000 to 2019 and are related to IPO risk disclosures and IPO performance, have been finalized. Further, these research papers were categorized based upon the five different variables to identify the probable research gap in the selected topic.

Findings

This review provides a coherent summary of past studies related to topic and develop a comprehensive evidence on relationship between disclosure of risk factors and IPO underpricing in short run. It shows the existing research gap that needs to be fulfilled to expand the research horizon of future research studies.

Research limitations/implications

The sole limitation of the study is that being a systematic literature review study, it does not carry any empirical results.

Practical implications

The investors will be able to identify the key risk factors, disclosed in IPO prospectus, that may have probable dent on the short-term return from IPO. The findings will further help the investors and financial analyst to identify the degree of impact of risk disclosures that are listed in IPO prospectus.

Originality/value

The paper is a first of its kind to stretch the existing literature and develop theoretical framework in the context of risk factor discloses in IPO prospectus and IPO performance with reference to India. The present study is an attempt to integrate the existing gap between empirical research and existing literature and suggest the techniques to the future practitioners to widen the horizon of their research.
Management and environmental sustainability – guidelines for architectural and engineering design firms
Authors: de Paula Nathalia , Melhado Silvio
Published: April 2021

Purpose

The objective of this paper is to draw up management guidelines on environmental sustainability for architectural and engineering design firms.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is derived from a research experience between 2010 and 2018. That experience comes from three source sets: Management Development Program for Design Firms from the Research Line of Management Design, Department of Civil Construction Engineering, University of São Paulo in Brazil; papers including a doctoral thesis; and literature review. Revisiting and investigating processes were conducted by research questions, resulting in lessons learned, management difficulties and guidelines.

Findings

The guidelines were drawn up from a strategic sphere, understanding internal and external factors to the firm, diagnosis of the firm's management and sustainability, a building sustainability plan, implications of the plan for management processes, plan monitoring and control and plan evaluation.

Research limitations/implications

The studies were mostly conducted in Brazil, and one of them in the USA. Other studies could be carried out in other countries comparing findings or implementing the guidelines.

Practical implications

The findings will provide feedback to Management Development Program for Design Firms (PDGEP) in the action research method. Moreover, the knowledge about firm's capabilities can advance understanding of architectural and engineering (AE) design firm management as support for sustainability, performance and building information modeling (BIM).

Originality/value

Architectural and engineering design firms are hardly discussed; design is treated in the building project context, giving prominence to technical solutions, not to management ones.
Unboxing the green box: an empirical assessment of buying behavior of green products
Authors: Ch Tehreem Raza , Awan Tahir Mumtaz , Malik Haider Ali , Fatima Tayyba
Published: April 2021

Purpose

Because of the increasing significance of green marketing and its aspects, it develops a need for examining the impact of all these factors on green product buying behavior. As social media marketing also has an enormous positive impact on green product buying behavior, this study aims to provide a cohesive role of green marketing and social media marketing in determining green purchase behavior.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study, data were collected through an online survey by using convenience sampling from 692 respondents, and through structural equation modeling, the hypothesized associations among variables of this study were empirically tested.

Findings

The findings suggest that attitude, eco-labels and green advertising had a significant influence on the decision to purchase green products. The influence of peer groups, behavioral intention and price consciousness was also examined. Peer influence did not moderate the relation between green buying behavior and environmental concern.

Originality/value

The influence of factors like attitudes, price consciousness, behavioral intentions social media marketing, eco-labels, and environmental concern green purchase behavior has not been scrutinized cohesively in the past. The current study used the theory of planned behavior in elucidating green buying behavior.
Plant diversity enhanced yield and mitigated drought impacts in intensively managed grassland communities
Authors: Grange Guylain , Finn John A. , Brophy Caroline
Published: April 2021

There is a global requirement to improve the environmental sustainability of intensively managed grassland monocultures that rely on high rates of nitrogen fertiliser, which is associated with negative environmental impacts. Multi‐species grass–legume mixtures are a promising tool for stimulating both productivity and sustainability in intensively managed grasslands, but questions remain about the benefit of increasing the diversity of plant functional groups.

We established a plot‐scale experiment that manipulated the diversity of plant communities from a six‐species pool comprising three functional groups: grasses, legumes and herbs (two species each). Communities were grown as monocultures, or mixtures of two to six species, following a simplex design. This allowed us to quantify species’ identity effects and functional group interaction effects. To investigate the impact of severe weather events, main plots were split and two levels of water supply, ‘rainfed’ and a 2‐month experimental drought, were applied. Mineral nitrogen fertiliser was applied at 150 kg ha−1 year−1, and a Lolium perenne monoculture received 300 kg ha−1 year−1 (300N) as a highly fertilised comparison. Annual above‐ground biomass was measured for 2 years.

We found a strong positive effect on yield due to functional group interactions. Multi‐species communities with three functional groups yielded more than the best‐performing monoculture over a large range of different relative abundances of the three functional groups. The highest diversity community outperformed the 300N L. perenne under rainfed conditions.

Although species' monoculture yields were generally reduced by the experimental drought, the interaction effects were not affected by drought and remained sufficiently large for the six‐species mixture under drought to have similar yields to both the best‐performing monoculture and the 300N L. perenne under rainfed conditions.

Synthesis and applications. Plant diversity can result in higher yields, mitigate the yield risks associated with extreme weather events and displace fertiliser inputs and their embedded greenhouse gas emissions. Multi‐species swards offer a practical, farm‐scale management action to enhance the sustainability of intensive grassland production.
Single human oocyte transcriptome analysis reveals distinct maturation stage‐dependent pathways impacted by age
Authors: Llonch Sílvia , Barragán Montserrat , Nieto Paula , Mallol Anna , Elosua‐Bayes Marc , Lorden Patricia , Ruiz Sara , Zambelli Filippo , Heyn Holger , Vassena Rita , Payer Bernhard
Published: April 2021

Female fertility is inversely correlated with maternal age due to a depletion of the oocyte pool and a reduction in oocyte developmental competence. Few studies have addressed the effect of maternal age on the human mature oocyte (MII) transcriptome, which is established during oocyte growth and maturation, however, the pathways involved remain unclear. Here, we characterize and compare the transcriptomes of a large cohort of fully grown germinal vesicle stage (GV) and in vitro matured (IVM‐MII) oocytes from women of varying reproductive age. First, we identified two clusters of cells reflecting the oocyte maturation stage (GV and IVM‐MII) with 4445 and 324 putative marker genes, respectively. Furthermore, we identified genes for which transcript representation either progressively increased or decreased with age. Our results indicate that the transcriptome is more affected by age in IVM‐MII oocytes (1219 genes) than in GV oocytes (596 genes). In particular, we found that transcripts of genes involved in chromosome segregation and RNA splicing significantly increased representation with age, while genes related to mitochondrial activity showed a lower representation. Gene regulatory network analysis facilitated the identification of potential upstream master regulators of the genes involved in those biological functions. Our analysis suggests that advanced maternal age does not globally affect the oocyte transcriptome at GV or IVM‐MII stages. Nonetheless, hundreds of genes displayed altered transcript representation, particularly in IVM‐MII oocytes, which might contribute to the age‐related quality decline in human oocytes.
Vesicular glutamate transporter modulates sex differences in dopamine neuron vulnerability to age‐related neurodegeneration
Authors: Buck Silas A. , Steinkellner Thomas , Aslanoglou Despoina , Villeneuve Michael , Bhatte Sai H. , Childers Victoria C. , Rubin Sophie A. , De Miranda Briana R. , O'Leary Emma I. , Neureiter Elizabeth G. , Fogle Keri J. , Palladino Michael J. , Logan Ryan W. , Glausier Jill R. , Fish Kenneth N. , Lewis David A. , Greenamyre J. Timothy , McCabe Brian D. , Cheetham Claire E. J. , Hnasko Thomas S. , Freyberg Zachary
Published: April 2021

Age is the greatest risk factor for Parkinson's disease (PD) which causes progressive loss of dopamine (DA) neurons, with males at greater risk than females. Intriguingly, some DA neurons are more resilient to degeneration than others. Increasing evidence suggests that vesicular glutamate transporter (VGLUT) expression in DA neurons plays a role in this selective vulnerability. We investigated the role of DA neuron VGLUT in sex‐ and age‐related differences in DA neuron vulnerability using the genetically tractable Drosophila model. We found sex differences in age‐related DA neurodegeneration and its associated locomotor behavior, where males exhibit significantly greater decreases in both DA neuron number and locomotion during aging compared with females. We discovered that dynamic changes in DA neuron VGLUT expression mediate these age‐ and sex‐related differences, as a potential compensatory mechanism for diminished DA neurotransmission during aging. Importantly, female Drosophila possess higher levels of VGLUT expression in DA neurons compared with males, and this finding is conserved across flies, rodents, and humans. Moreover, we showed that diminishing VGLUT expression in DA neurons eliminates females' greater resilience to DA neuron loss across aging. This offers a new mechanism for sex differences in selective DA neuron vulnerability to age‐related DA neurodegeneration. Finally, in mice, we showed that the ability of DA neurons to achieve optimal control over VGLUT expression is essential for DA neuron survival. These findings lay the groundwork for the manipulation of DA neuron VGLUT expression as a novel therapeutic strategy to boost DA neuron resilience to age‐ and PD‐related neurodegeneration.
A closer look at alcohol‐induced changes in the ghrelin system: novel insights from preclinical and clinical data
Authors: Deschaine Sara L. , Farokhnia Mehdi , Gregory‐Flores Adriana , Zallar Lia J. , You Zhi‐Bing , Sun Hui , Harvey Deon M. , Marchette Renata C. N. , Tunstall Brendan J. , Mani Bharath K. , Moose Jacob E. , Lee Mary R. , Gardner Eliot , Akhlaghi Fatemeh , Roberto Marisa , Hougland James L. , Zigman Jeffrey M. , Koob George F. , Vendruscolo Leandro F. , Leggio Lorenzo
Published: April 2021

Ghrelin is a gastric‐derived peptide hormone with demonstrated impact on alcohol intake and craving, but the reverse side of this bidirectional link, that is, the effects of alcohol on the ghrelin system, remains to be fully established. To further characterize this relationship, we examined (1) ghrelin levels via secondary analysis of human laboratory alcohol administration experiments with heavy‐drinking participants; (2) expression of ghrelin, ghrelin receptor, and ghrelin‐O‐acyltransferase (GOAT) genes (GHRL, GHSR, and MBOAT4, respectively) in post‐mortem brain tissue from individuals with alcohol use disorder (AUD) versus controls; (3) ghrelin levels in Ghsr knockout and wild‐type rats following intraperitoneal (i.p.) alcohol administration; (4) effect of alcohol on ghrelin secretion from gastric mucosa cells ex vivo and GOAT enzymatic activity in vitro; and (5) ghrelin levels in rats following i.p. alcohol administration versus a calorically equivalent non‐alcoholic sucrose solution. Acyl‐ and total‐ghrelin levels decreased following acute alcohol administration in humans, but AUD was not associated with changes in central expression of ghrelin system genes in post‐mortem tissue. In rats, alcohol decreased acyl‐ghrelin, but not des‐acyl‐ghrelin, in both Ghsr knockout and wild‐type rats. No dose‐dependent effects of alcohol were observed on acyl‐ghrelin secretion from gastric mucosa cells or on GOAT acylation activity. Lastly, alcohol and sucrose produced distinct effects on ghrelin in rats despite equivalent caloric value. Our findings suggest that alcohol acutely decreases peripheral ghrelin concentrations in vivo, but not in proportion to alcohol's caloric value or through direct interaction with ghrelin‐secreting gastric mucosal cells, the ghrelin receptor, or the GOAT enzyme.
Economic cycles and inequalities in alcohol‐related mortality in the Baltic countries and Finland in 2000–2015: a register‐based study
Authors: Stickley Andrew , Baburin Aleksei , Jasilionis Domantas , Krumins Juris , Martikainen Pekka , Kondo Naoki , Leinsalu Mall
Published: April 2021

Aim

To estimate whether large macroeconomic fluctuations in the 2000s affected inequalities in alcohol‐related mortality in the Baltic countries and Finland.

Design

Longitudinal register‐based follow‐up study.

Setting

Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Finland.

Participants

General population in the 35–74 age group.

Measurements

Socioeconomic status was measured by the highest achieved educational level and was categorised using the International Standard Classification of Education 2011 as low (included categories 0–2), middle (3–4), and high (5–8). Educational inequalities in alcohol‐related mortality in 2000–2003, 2004–2007, 2008–2011 and 2012–2015 were examined using census‐linked longitudinal mortality data. We estimated age‐standardised mortality rates and the relative and slope index of inequality.

Findings

Alcohol‐related mortality increased in all countries in 2004–2007 except among Estonian women and decreased/remained the same from 2008 onward except among Latvian men. By 2012–2015 alcohol‐related mortality was still higher than in 2000–2003 in Finland, Latvia and Lithuania (women only). Relative inequalities increased across the study period in all countries (significantly in Lithuania and Latvia). The 2004–2007 increase in relative inequalities was mostly driven by a larger mortality increase among the low educated, whereas in 2008–2011 and in 2012–2015 inequalities often increased because of a larger relative mortality decline among the high educated. However, these period changes in relative inequalities and between educational groups were often not statistically significant. Absolute inequalities were larger in 2012–2015 versus 2000–2003 in all countries except Estonia (decrease).

Conclusion

In the Baltic countries and Finland, alcohol‐related mortality tended to increase faster among the low educated during a period of economic expansion (2004–2007) and decrease more among the high educated during a period of economic recession (2008–2011).
Evaluation of Movements Matter: A social media and hospital‐based campaign aimed at raising awareness of decreased fetal movements
Authors: Chan Lilian , Gordon Adrienne , Warrilow Kara , Wojcieszek Aleena , Firth Tracy , Loxton Felicity , Bauman Adrian , Flenady Vicki
Published: April 2021

Background

The Movements Matter campaign aimed to raise awareness of decreased fetal movements (DFM) among pregnant women and inform clinicians of best practice management.

Aim

To conduct a process evaluation of campaign implementation, and an impact evaluation of the campaign’s effects on knowledge and experiences of pregnant women, and attitudes and practices of clinicians in relation to DFM.

Methods

This study used a cross‐sectional before‐after design. Pregnant women and clinicians were sampled at five hospitals. Women were surveyed about their knowledge of DFM, and actions to take if they noticed DFM. Clinicians were asked about their current practices and attitudes about informing women about DFM. Logistic regression was used to calculate campaign effects on outcome measures.

Results

The Movements Matter campaign reached 653 262 people on social media, as well as being covered on news media and popular women’s websites. The evaluation surveyed 1142 pregnant women pre‐campaign and 473 post‐campaign, and 372 clinicians pre‐campaign and 149 post‐campaign. Following the campaign, women were more likely to be aware that babies should move the same amount in late pregnancy (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 1.81, 95% CI 1.43–2.27), and were more likely to contact their health service immediately if their baby was moving less (aOR 1.52, 95% CI 1.22–1.91). Clinicians were 2.84 times more likely to recommend women should come in for assessment if they experience DFM (95% CI 1.35–5.97).

Conclusions

This evaluation has shown that a campaign using social media and in‐hospital education materials led to some increases in knowledge about fetal movements among pregnant women.
Hospital in the home‐based management of acute diverticulitis: a safe and effective alternative to inpatient care
Authors: Hamilton Jordan , Crosthwaite Gary , Montalto Michael
Published: April 2021

Background

The traditional approach to management of acute uncomplicated diverticulitis involves admission to hospital, antibiotic therapy, gut rest and monitoring for the development of complications. Despite evidence to suggest this can safely be performed in an outpatient setting, inpatient care remains standard practice in Australia potentially due to a variety of factors (van Dijk et al. 2018; Cirocchi et al. 2019). Hospital in the home (HIH) allows patients requiring complex care including intravenous antibiotics, intravenous fluids and complex pain relief to be managed at home. This study examined the safety and efficacy of HIH‐based care for acute diverticulitis over a 16‐year period.

Methodology

A retrospective review of cases of acute diverticulitis managed under our HIH service from the period of 1st of January 2004 to 20th of October 2020 was completed. Baseline descriptive data relating to age, co‐morbidities and severity of diverticulitis was collected. Details of medical treatment provided and subsequent complications were also collected.

Results

During the study period, 23 patients with acute diverticulitis were treated under the HIH unit. Among the study population, the median age was 60 (interquartile range 15) with a slight female predominance (n = 13, 56.5%). This represented the first presentation in 60.9% of patients. Average length of stay was 3.6 days (SD = 1.0) with no acute complications recorded in the study period. Two patients (8.7%) had further episodes of acute diverticulitis within 60 days.

Conclusion

In this study, the lack of complications demonstrated indicates that HIH‐based management of acute diverticulitis may be a viable and safe alternative to inpatient care.
Evaluation and comparison of polysulfone TS‐UL and PMMA NF‐U dialyzers versus expanded hemodialysis and postdilution hemodiafiltration
Authors: Maduell Francisco , Broseta José Jesús , Rodríguez‐Espinosa Diana , Hermida‐Lama Evelyn , Rodas Lida María , Gómez Miquel , Arias‐Guillén Marta , Fontseré Néstor , Vera Manel , Rico Nayra
Published: April 2021

Toray has created a new generation of dialyzers, the polysulphone (TS) UL series, and polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) NF‐U series, which offer enhanced efficacy over the previous TS‐S series and NF‐H series. The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of these dialyzer series versus contrasted expanded hemodialysis (HDx) and postdilution hemodiafiltration (HDF). We conducted a prospective study in 12 patients. Each patient underwent six dialysis sessions: FX80 Cordiax in HD, Toraysulfone TS‐1.8 UL in HD, Theranova 400 in HDx, polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) NF‐2.1 U in HDF, Toraysulfone TS‐2.1 UL in HDF, and FX80 Cordiax in HDF. The removal ratios (RRs) of urea, creatinine, ß2‐microglobulin, myoglobin, prolactin, α1‐microglobulin, α1‐acid glycoprotein, and albumin were compared intraindividually. Dialysate albumin loss was also measured. The RRs for β2‐microglobulin, myoglobin, prolactin, α1‐microglobulin, and α1‐acid glycoprotein were higher with the TS‐2.1 UL and FX80 Cordiax dialyzers in HDF than those obtained with HD treatments and NF‐2.1 U in HDF. The β2‐microglobulin, myoglobin, and prolactin RRs were also higher with HDx than those obtained with HD treatments. The myoglobin and prolactin RRs were higher with TS‐1.8 UL in HD than those obtained with helixone dialyzers in HD. Dialysate albumin loss was less than 3 g in all situations except in TS‐2.1 UL in HDF. The highest global removal score values were obtained with the TS‐2.1 UL and helixone dialyzers in HDF. Significant differences were found between all study situations. In conclusion, the new generation dialyzers, Toraysulfone TS Series UL and PMMA NF‐U series, show excellent behaviour and tolerance in HD and HDF, representing an upgrade versus their predecessor series. The higher permeability of the TS UL series has been proven with higher efficiency in HD and maximum performance in HDF. The new PMMA NF‐U series allows the use of HDF with good efficiency and complete safety.
Antihypertensive medications and COVID‐19 diagnosis and mortality: Population‐based case‐control analysis in the United Kingdom
Authors: Rezel‐Potts Emma , Douiri Abdel , Chowienczyk Phil J. , Gulliford Martin C.
Published: April 2021

Aims

Antihypertensive drugs have been implicated in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) susceptibility and severity, but estimated associations may be susceptible to bias. We aimed to evaluate antihypertensive medications and COVID‐19 diagnosis and mortality, accounting for healthcare‐seeking behaviour.

Methods

A population‐based case‐control study was conducted including 16 866 COVID‐19 cases and 70 137 matched controls from the UK Clinical Practice Research Datalink. We evaluated all‐cause mortality among COVID‐19 cases. Exposures were angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs), angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs), beta‐blockers (B), calcium‐channel blockers (C), thiazide diuretics (D) and other antihypertensive drugs (O). Analyses were adjusted for covariates and consultation frequency.

Results

ACEIs were associated with lower odds of COVID‐19 diagnosis (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 0.82, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.77‐0.88) as were ARBs (AOR 0.87, 95% CI 0.80‐0.95) with little attenuation from adjustment for consultation frequency. C and D were also associated with lower odds of COVID‐19 diagnosis. Increased odds of COVID‐19 for B (AOR 1.19, 95% CI 1.12‐1.26) were attenuated after adjustment for consultation frequency (AOR 1.01, 95% CI 0.95‐1.08). Patients treated with ACEIs or ARBs had similar odds of mortality (AOR 1.00, 95% CI 0.83‐1.20) to patients treated with classes B, C, D or O or patients receiving no antihypertensive therapy (AOR 0.99, 95% CI 0.83‐1.18).

Conclusions

There was no evidence that antihypertensive therapy is associated with increased risk of COVID‐19 diagnosis or mortality; most classes of antihypertensive therapy showed negative associations with COVID‐19 diagnosis.
Work–family conflicts, cognitive appraisal, and burnout: Testing the mediation effect with structural equation modelling
Authors: Simães Clara , Rodrigues Jéssica , Gonçalves Arminda Manuela , Faria Susana , Gomes António Rui
Published: April 2021

Work–family conflict constitutes an important source of occupational stress predicting teachers’ burnout, and cognitive variables have shown to be core structures in explaining human adaptation to stress. Nevertheless, the role of cognitive appraisal needs to be fully analysed to comprehend how it can mediate the relationship between stress and burnout. In order to understand the potential mediation of cognitive appraisal in the relationship between stress and burnout, we adopted conceptual models of stress that highlighted the value of cognitive appraisal on positive and negative reactions to work demands. Also, we analysed the potential moderation of sex and age in the relationship between work–family conflict, cognitive appraisal, and burnout due to inconsistent findings on how these personal variables can interfere on these relations. In this study, we used structural equation modelling (SEM) to test the mediating of cognitive appraisal in the relationship between work–family conflicts and burnout. A survey with measures of work–family conflicts, cognitive appraisal, and burnout was administered to the participants consisting of 438 Portuguese teachers from kindergarten through high school, aged between 28 and 67 years (M = 46.85;SD = 7.88), 304 of whom were females (69.41%). The results confirmed that cognitive appraisal partially mediated the relationship between work–family conflict and burnout. The mediation effect of cognitive appraisal on the relationship between work–family conflict and burnout was invariant regardless of teachers’ sex or age. In sum, cognitive appraisal should be considered in order to understand teachers’ adaptation to work.
Pubertal Timing and Adolescent Alcohol Use: The Mediating Role of Parental and Peer Influences
Authors: Bucci Rebecca , Staff Jeremy , Maggs Jennifer L. , Dorn Lorah D.
Published: April 2021

Using intergenerational, prospective data at ages 9 months, 7, 11, and 14 years from the nationally representative United Kingdom Millennium Cohort Study, this interdisciplinary study unpacks why 14‐year‐old adolescents with early perceived pubertal timing (PT) were more likely to drink alcohol (ever, frequent, and binge drinking) compared to those whose PT was on‐time or late (5,757 girls, 5,799 boys; 80% White, 10% Asian, 3% Black, and 7% Other British). Parents allowed drinking among 22% (18%) of early PT girls (boys) compared to 11% of late PT adolescents; formal mediation models showed differences by PT in parent permissiveness and gains in alcohol‐using friends primarily explained age 14 PT‐drinking associations. Parental alcohol permissiveness should be a key prevention target for early PT adolescents.
Coblation intracapsular tonsillectomy in children: A prospective study of 1257 consecutive cases with long‐term follow‐up
Authors: Amin Nikul , Bhargava Eishaan , Prentice James George , Shamil Eamon , Walsh Maia , Tweedie Daniel John
Published: April 2021

Objectives

Intracapsular tonsillectomy (ICT) is increasingly adopted by paediatric centres worldwide due to its association with reduced pain, fast recovery and low risks of post‐operative complications. Questions still surround its role in patients with recurrent tonsillitis, as well as tonsillar regrowth requiring revision surgery.

Design

Prospective consecutive case series from March 2013 to April 2020.

Setting

Tertiary paediatric ENT referral centre.

Participants

Paediatric patients undergoing Coblation ICT, with or without adenoidectomy, for obstructive and/or infective indications.

Main outcome measures

Health‐Related Quality of Life (HRQL), analgesia requirement, post‐operative haemorrhage rates, time to return to normal diet and activity or school/nursery, and parental satisfaction. We report revision surgery rates and identify predictive factors for revision surgery.

Results

A total of 1257 patients (median age 4.2 years) underwent Coblation ICT, with a median direct and implied follow‐up of 101.5 and 1419 days, respectively. We noted significantly improved HRQL scores across all domains. Median analgesia requirement was six days, and no patients required a return to theatre for post‐operative haemorrhage. The majority of patients were eating a normal diet within 24 hours and returned to normal activity/school within a week post‐operatively. Revision surgery was required in 2.6% of cases, mainly due to recurrent obstructive symptoms from tonsillar regrowth.

Being under two years old at initial surgery (OR 5.10), having severe OSA (OR 4.43) or severe comorbidities (OR 2.98) increased the risk of needing revision surgery.

Conclusions

Long‐term data demonstrate the efficacy and safety of Coblation ICT in paediatric patients across a range of indications.
Time‐oriented attention improves accuracy in a paced finger‐tapping task
Authors: Versaci Leonardo , Laje Rodrigo
Published: April 2021

Finger tapping is a task widely used in a variety of experimental paradigms, in particular to understand sensorimotor synchronization and time processing in the range of hundreds of milliseconds (millisecond timing). Normally, subjects do not receive any instruction about what to attend to and the results are seldom interpreted taking into account the possible effects of attention. In this work we show that attention can be oriented to the purely temporal aspects of a paced finger‐tapping task and that it affects performance. Specifically, time‐oriented attention improves the accuracy in paced finger tapping and it also increases the resynchronization efficiency after a period perturbation. We use two markers of the attention level: auditory ERPs and subjective report of the mental workload. In addition, we propose a novel algorithm to separate the auditory, stimulus‐related components from the somatosensory, response‐related ones, which are naturally overlapped in the recorded EEG.
The Blue Card revision is stuck: How might legal philosophy help?
Authors: Rochel Johan
Published: April 2021

Since 2009, the “Blue Card Directive” has become one of the most important elements of the EU's legal immigration scheme for attracting the best immigrants to Europe. Taking advantage of its current revision, this contribution takes a legal theoretical look at the Directive. Drawing upon the republican conception of freedom defined as the absence of arbitrary interferences, this paper sheds light on some positive steps as well the margin of progression still left in order to fully operationalise the EU's commitment to respecting equal freedom. The article also adds to the limited doctrinal contributions on the Blue Card Directive and illustrates the added value of a republican approach to EU migration law.
A new narrative for European migration policy: Sustainability and the Blue Card recast
Authors: de Lange Tesseltje
Published: April 2021

The Blue Card Directive 2009/50 has failed. It sets conditions for entry and residence in the EU for third‐country nationals in highly qualified and well‐paid employment. Recently, negotiations over its recast have come to life, and gives reason to discuss the way forward. This comment reflects on the European Blue Card Directive 2009/50 and its recast and the thoughts presented in this special issue by two legal practitioners, Jo Antoons and Andreia Ghimis, and a philosopher, Johan Rochel. I argue in favour of a new narrative focusing on sustainable labour migration, instead of the current narrative which is based on solving old problems. More particularly, drawing from intersecting policy fields (environment, foreign investment, integration and migration policy), this contribution revisits three themes at the core of the Blue Card and its reform: the economic needs test, privatisation through the concept of a trusted sponsor, and intra‐EU mobility rights for migrant workers.
Gendered skills and unemployed men’s resistance to “women’s work”
Authors: Yavorsky Jill E. , Ruggs Enrica N. , Dill Janette S.
Published: April 2021

In recent decades, many male‐dominated jobs have contracted, while many female‐dominated jobs have increased. Scholars have tied these changes to men’s declining employment rates; yet, little attention has been paid to unemployed men’s consideration of work associated with women. Based on a sample of 441 unemployed men, we used an experimental survey design to examine the likelihood that unemployed men pass up applying to a job based on the job’s gender composition, masculine/feminine‐typed skills, and pay. We also examined their perceptions about how other unemployed men would respond to such jobs. We supplement these findings with content analyses of qualitative responses for why unemployed men would or would not work in a female‐dominated job. Our findings suggest that unemployed men were willing to work in jobs with a higher proportion of women, but resisted jobs requiring them to perform feminine‐typed skills, even if it meant being unemployed longer. Notably, respondents believed other men would be more likely to pass applying to both female‐dominated jobs and jobs that required feminine‐typed skills. Broadly, this study sheds important light on how unemployed men perceive non‐traditional work and identifies key factors that contribute to men’s persistent low representation in jobs associated with women.
Theories of industrialization in Africa: Africana industrialization discourse
Authors: Agozino Biko
Published: April 2021

This papyrus seeks to solve the puzzle that a rich continent such as Africa where human life and human civilization originated is today relegated to exclusion and marginalization from the industrial revolutions transforming life worldwide. The papyrus surveys existing knowledge to reveal why Africa today is deindustrialized and what is to be done to revive the industrialization of the continent and decolonize the relative exclusion of people of African descent from the worldwide participation in the industrial revolution. The methodology is to review the chronology of the dialectical negation of theses and antithesis, their synthesis or negation of the negation, and the hegemonic debates around industrialization in Africa while identifying the strengths and weaknesses of the most well‐known theories for understanding and changing the conditions of deindustrialization in Africa and among people of African descent globally. Although policy preferences will be mentioned, other writers are expected to focus on the examination of specific industrialization policies the way that UNECA researchers do (UN Economic Commission on Africa, 2020).
An empowerment‐psycho‐behavioral program on neuropsychiatric symptoms in persons with mild cognitive impairment: Study protocol of a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Lin Rose S. Y. , Yu Doris S. F. , Pui Hing Chau Patsy , Li Polly W. C.
Published: April 2021

Aims

Neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS) are highly prevalent among persons with mild cognitive impairment (PwMCI). However, the mainstay of treatments only focuses on cognitive training. This study develops an empowerment‐psycho‐behavioural programme to improve the NPS and other health outcomes of this preclinical cohort. The empirical effects and the participants’ perception and experience of the programme will be explored.

Design

This sequential mixed‐method study comprises a single‐blind randomized controlled trial and a qualitative study.

Methods

This study will recruit 250 PwMCI from the community and randomize them to either the intervention group to receive a 13‐week empowerment‐psycho‐behavioural programme which focuses on promoting cognitive coping and stress adaptation, or the control group to receive a health education programme which serves as an attention placebo with content unrelated to dementia. The primary outcome is NPS, and the secondary outcomes include cognitive function, subjective memory complaints and health‐related quality of life. These outcomes will be measured at baseline, upon completing the programme and 4 weeks thereafter. A purposive sample of 30 participants from the intervention group will be interviewed for their engagement experience in the programme. This study received funding support in July 2020.

Discussion

Given the high prevalence and detrimental effects of NPS on disease progression, effective management is yet to be determined. Underpinned by the Progressively Lowered Stress Threshold (PLST) Model, the empowerment‐psycho‐behavioural programme is designed. Results on the outcome‐based evaluation and the patients’ experience can advance the science in this under‐addressed area.

Impact

This study enhances our understanding of the PLST Model in explaining the manifestations of NPS by the stress‐coping disequilibrium at the early disease stage. It will shed important insight into the care management of MCI to attend both cognition function and psychological well‐being in research and clinical context.

Trial registration

This study is registered in the ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04723667) and the HKU Clinical Trials Registry (HKUCTR‐2915).
Neuron‐intrinsic origin of hyperexcitability during early pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Lee‐Liu Dasfne , Gonzalez‐Billault Christian
Published: April 2021

In Alzheimer's disease (AD), hippocampal hyperactivation is already present at early stages of the disorder, in some cases, even when the individual is still asymptomatic. Neuronal hyperexcitability has been described to occur before the deposition of amyloid beta plaques in mouse models of AD and has been attributed to an imbalance between excitatory and inhibitory activity. In this Editorial Highlight, we discuss the article by Sosulina et al., published in this issue of the Journal of Neurochemistry, which offers novel insights into the possible origins of this neuronal excitability observed during the early pathogenesis of AD.

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