bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Key drivers that impact the quality of education – a holistic approach
Authors: Gupta Nitin , Vrat Prem , Ojha Ravindra
Published: January 2022

Purpose

The education sector acts as an input for every other sector and contributes around 7% to the service industry; hence, it is important to identify, measure and analyze the drivers that impact the delivered service quality.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper used different approaches to identify measure and analyze the drivers that impact the service quality. In addition to a thorough literature review, qualitative tools like brainstorming, the focused group technique, and the survey technique have been used. Decision-making tools like the analytic hierarchy process (AHP), and a quantitative tool, one-sample t-test, with the help of MINITAB software, were used to analyze the inputs received from 179 experts. By using the stated approach, the planned research outcomes have been achieved.

Findings

Quality of teachers, quality of students, quality of policies, and quality of facilities have been identified as the key drivers that impact quality of education. The paper highlights that the people quality drivers play a significantly important role in the quality of education when compared to the quality of non-people drivers. From the statistical analysis of the hypotheses, it was inferred that the People quality consisting of the quality of a teacher and the quality of students are the two prominent drivers to the Quality of education. This paper demonstrates the importance of the quality of a teacher and its significance to the quality of education. The recommendations made might be considered for the implementation, which can improve the quality of education in the country.

Research limitations/implications

This paper is focused on the data collected from the experts in the top-ranked management institutes only. The data from the experts from undergraduate institutions and other management institutes could have added more value.

Practical implications

In the paper, the drivers were identified and further analyzed to suggest that teacher quality is a dominant driver of education quality. The findings also suggest that there should be a high focus on having a great quality teacher as compared to the facilities. The weights identified will enable the researcher to arrive at the overall quality scores of any Institute. As a part of the process, the user just needs to collect the ratings from the end customers (the parents of the students) against each driver, and the institute level scores can be derived. These scores can then be used by the Institute's management to analyze the results and improve upon the weak areas to improve the delivered service quality in the education sector.

Originality/value

A holistic approach to exploring major drivers that impact the quality of education is a new approach. Moreover, using different tools like AHP, hypothesis testing, t-test, using the coefficient of variation in a single paper has not been attempted before. The revalidations of accepted hypotheses with respondents is also a new approach.
Firesetting among 18-23 year old un-apprehended adults: a UK community study
Authors: Barrowcliffe Emma R. , Tyler Nichola , Gannon Theresa A.
Published: January 2022

Purpose

This study aims to assess the prevalence of firesetting in a sample of young UK adults aged 18 to 23 years and to compare their characteristics with non-firesetting individuals.

Design/methodology/approach

Two-hundred and forty male (n = 119, 49.6%) and female (n = 121, 50.4%) participants were recruited through Prolific Academic. Comparisons were made between self-reported firesetting and non-firesetting participants on a range of demographic, fire-related and personality measures. Factors predictive of firesetting status were examined using hierarchical logistic regression.

Findings

Twenty-five percent of participants (n = 60) reported igniting a deliberate fire. Logistic regression was used to examine the ability of parental supervision and behavioural issues (e.g., witnessing domestic violence, experimenting with fire before age 10 and family history of firesetting), antisocial behaviours (e.g., having criminal friends, impulsivity, teenage access to fire paraphernalia, skipping class more than once per week, taken any illegal drugs and participation in criminal behaviour) and fire-related interests, attitudes and propensities in predicting firesetting status. Factors found to distinguish firesetting and non-firesetting participants included the following: experimented with fire before 10 years of age, family history of firesetting, impulsivity, teenage access to fire paraphernalia, participation in criminal behaviour and the Fire Setting Scale.

Practical implications

The results provide key information about potential risk factors relating to un-apprehended firesetting in the general population.

Originality/value

This research adds to the small body of literature examining firesetting in the general population. It refines previously used methodologies, presents the first research study to examine the prevalence of firesetting behaviour in emerging adults and enhances our understanding of un-apprehended firesetting.
Effect of institutional context and finance context of housing finance on home ownership among low-income earners in Bauchi
Authors: Gambo Moses Jonathan
Published: January 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the effects of housing finance institutional and financial context on beneficiaries’ context to low income earners in Bauchi Local Government Area, Bauchi, Nigeria

Design/methodology/approach

This paper adopted a quantitative research approach. Self-administered structured questionnaires were used to collect information from 357 primary school teachers in Bauchi Local Government Area, Bauchi, Nigeria. Partial least squares-structural equation modeling was used to analyze the data collected using SmartPLS 2 software

Findings

This study revealed that effectiveness of financial institutions and their performance has significant positive causal effect on low income earners housing ownership context, which shows that performance and effectiveness of the housing finance institutions is vital to housing ownership for the low income earners in the study area. Thus, performance of housing finance institutions and their effectiveness has direct effects on low income earners housing ownership through finance affordability

Practical implications

The prime consumer of these research findings are the financial institutions, this will make them bulk up in terms of their performance and effectiveness toward housing finance accessibility and affordability to the low income earners such as the primary school teachers in the study area.

Originality/value

This paper used the technology organization environment theory, which is a multi-perspective theory to evaluate the concepts of institutional, finance and beneficiaries context with respect to housing finance in Bauchi by conceptualizing institutional context as effectiveness and performance, finance context as affordability and accessibility and beneficiaries context as ownership.
Corporate cash holdings and disclosure violations: an empirical investigation of Jordanian listed companies
Authors: Alsmadi Safaa , Alkhataybeh Ahmad , Shakhatreh Mohammad Ziad
Published: January 2022

Purpose

This study aims to examine the impact of low-quality financial statements; that is, disclosure violations reported by the Securities Exchange Commission related to the level of cash holdings (CH) of firms listed on the Amman Stock Exchange (ASE).

Design/methodology/approach

Using panel data from 107 ASE-listed companies from 2009 to 2018, the study uses generalized method of moment estimation to examine the research hypothesis. This study hypothesize that disclosure violations can affect the level of CH and control for several variables that affect this level.

Findings

The results show that disclosure violations significantly affect the level of CH and that cash flow, capital expenditure and debt issues have a significantly positive impact on corporate CH. On the other hand, the market to book ratio and sales growth were found to be insignificant.

Research limitations/implications

The limitations of the research include the fact that information on research and development and equity issues were not available, so were not included in the examination.

Practical implications

It is recommended that managers enhance the quality of disclosures since this allows them to hold lower levels of cash and exploit more investment opportunities. Policymakers are recommended to supervise firm disclosures closely and create ratings for disclosure quality.

Originality/value

To the best of the author’s knowledge, this is the first empirical research on the association between proven low-quality disclosures and the level of corporate CH among Jordanian listed companies.
The impact of marginalization on entrepreneurs’ online presence and firm performance
Authors: Fuller Nicole R. , Porter McDowell , Kemp Elyria A.
Published: January 2022

Purpose

This study aims to examine the relationship between marginalization, Web presence and firm performance for small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

Design/methodology/approach

This study relies upon interviews and surveys of managers and/or owners of SMEs. Using confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling, the authors tested an integrated model of the relationship between marginalization, Web presence and firm performance.

Findings

Findings indicate that marginalization enhances the risk perceptions entrepreneurs assign to internet use. This enhanced risk perception then limits the extent to which an entrepreneur responds to online customer feedback, which has implications for the SME’s relationship and reputation management efforts with buyers, ultimately impacting the enterprise’s performance.

Originality/value

This study sheds light on the overlooked phenomena of marginalization and internet avoidance among entrepreneurs. The findings provide insight for entrepreneurs on the deleterious consequences associated with lacking an online presence.
The co-evolution of remote work and expectations in a COVID-19 world utilizing an expectation disconfirmation theory lens
Authors: Carraher-Wolverton Colleen
Published: January 2022

Purpose

As researchers are being called to examine the evolving technology research issues for COVID-19 and other pandemics, remote work has been accelerated and represents the future of work. Although it is known that one of the top forces shaping the future of work is changing employee expectations, the knowledge of remote work during a pandemic remains scant. Thus, this paper aims to determine the impact of remote worker’s expectations on their level of satisfaction and intention to continue to work remotely.

Design/methodology/approach

Using one of the prominent theories on expectations, Expectation Disconfirmation Theory (EDT), the authors conduct an online survey of 146 individuals who are currently working remotely.

Findings

By applying EDT, the findings demonstrate that an individual’s expectations regarding remote work impact their level of satisfaction with remote work and intention to continue to work remotely. Incorporating extant research, the findings extend the research stream to indicate that employees’ expectations about remote work significantly impact both their level of satisfaction and level of productivity.

Originality/value

The discussion elucidates the significance of understanding employee expectations regarding remote work in the evolving new normal. The findings from the study demonstrate the importance of an individual’s expectations regarding remote work on their level of satisfaction with remote work and intention to continue to work remotely. Thus, this study fills a gap in the literature by applying EDT to the remote work context.
Examination of fake news from a viral perspective: an interplay of emotions, resonance, and sentiments
Authors: Nanath Krishnadas , Kaitheri Supriya , Malik Sonia , Mustafa Shahid
Published: January 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the factors that significantly affect the prediction of fake news from the virality theory perspective. The paper looks at a mix of emotion-driven content, sentimental resonance, topic modeling and linguistic features of news articles to predict the probability of fake news.

Design/methodology/approach

A data set of over 12,000 articles was chosen to develop a model for fake news detection. Machine learning algorithms and natural language processing techniques were used to handle big data with efficiency. Lexicon-based emotion analysis provided eight kinds of emotions used in the article text. The cluster of topics was extracted using topic modeling (five topics), while sentiment analysis provided the resonance between the title and the text. Linguistic features were added to the coding outcomes to develop a logistic regression predictive model for testing the significant variables. Other machine learning algorithms were also executed and compared.

Findings

The results revealed that positive emotions in a text lower the probability of news being fake. It was also found that sensational content like illegal activities and crime-related content were associated with fake news. The news title and the text exhibiting similar sentiments were found to be having lower chances of being fake. News titles with more words and content with fewer words were found to impact fake news detection significantly.

Practical implications

Several systems and social media platforms today are trying to implement fake news detection methods to filter the content. This research provides exciting parameters from a viral theory perspective that could help develop automated fake news detectors.

Originality/value

While several studies have explored fake news detection, this study uses a new perspective on viral theory. It also introduces new parameters like sentimental resonance that could help predict fake news. This study deals with an extensive data set and uses advanced natural language processing to automate the coding techniques in developing the prediction model.
Innovation models and interdisciplinarity in science, technology and innovation policy in Costa Rica
Authors: Soto Kiewit Luis Diego , Vienni Baptista Bianca
Published: January 2022

Purpose

This paper aims to analyse innovation models and interdisciplinarity in science, technology and innovation (STI) policy in Costa Rica between 2015 and 2021. The core focus is to evaluate the public policy in light of the groundwork that sustains the designed and proposed actions.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors applied a qualitative approach to build a set of dimensions and conducted content-analysis of selected documents. The analysis encompasses all current STI public policy documents in Costa Rica, including the planning instruments of the Central Government and the National Policy on STI.

Findings

The main findings show that STI policy in Costa Rica is based on different innovation models, but the projects and instruments themselves show the predominance of the reductionist model. Innovation receives a residual role. In turn, interdisciplinarity is based on the concept of convergence, which limits disciplinary collaboration to the natural, physical and engineering sciences, minimising contributions from other fields of knowledge to an instrumental role in innovation processes.

Practical implications

The authors conclude that the interlinkage between open innovation models, the participation of diverse societal actors and the inclusion of an interdisciplinary perspective leads to inclusive and more democratic public policy, allowing more sectors and organisations to benefit from innovation processes. This would imply a greater reach and impact of the policy, conditions that translate into innovation achievements and a better return on public investment.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to current discussions on STI policy by studying the implications of the link among policies, innovation models and interdisciplinarity.
Multi-criteria decision analysis for pharmaceutical supplier selection problem using fuzzy TOPSIS
Authors: Modibbo Umar Muhammad , Hassan Musa , Ahmed Aquil , Ali Irfan
Published: January 2022

Purpose

Supplier selection in the supply chain network (SCN) has strategic importance and involves multiple factors. The multi-criteria nature of the problem coupled with environmental uncertainty requires several procedures and considerations. The issue of decision-making in selecting the best among various qualified suppliers remains the major challenge in the pharmaceutical industry. This study investigated the multi-criteria multi-supplier decision-making process and proposed a model for supplier selection problems based on mixed-integer linear programming.

Design/methodology/approach

The concept of principal component analysis (PCA) was used to reduce data dimensionality, and the four best criteria have been considered and selected. The result is subjected to decision-makers’ (DMs’) reliability test using the concept of a triangular fuzzy number (TFN). The importance of each supplier to each measure is established using fuzzy technique for order preference by similarity to an ideal solution approach, and the suppliers have ranked accordingly.

Findings

This study proposes a mixed integer linear programming model for supplier selection in a pharmaceutical company. The effectiveness of the proposed model has been demonstrated using a numerical example. The solution shows the model's applicability in making a sound decision in pharmaceutical companies in the space of reality. The model proposed is simple. Readily commercial packages such as LINDO/LINGO and GAMS can solve the model.

Research limitations/implications

This research contributed to the systematic manner of supplier selection considering DMs’ value judgement under a fuzzy environment and is limited to the case study area. However, interested researchers can apply the study in other related manufacturing industries. However, the criteria have to be revisited to suit that system and might require varying ratings based on the experts' opinions in that field.

Practical implications

This work suggests more insights practically by considering a realistic and precise investigation based on a real-life case study of pharmaceutical companies with six primary criteria and twenty-four sub-criteria. The study outcome will assist organizations and managers in conducting the best decision objectively by selecting the best suppliers with their various standards and terms among many available contenders in the manufacturing industry.

Originality/value

In this paper, the authors attempted to identify the most critical attributes to be preserved by the top managers (DMs) while selecting suppliers in pharmaceutical companies. The study proposed an MILP model for supplier selection in the pharmaceutical company using fuzzy TOPSIS.
Antecedents of organizational identification: implications for employee performance
Authors: Kazmi Syeda Wajiha , Javaid Syeda Tuba
Published: January 2022

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the impact of three determinants of organizational identification (OID) on employee performance (EP) in the context of private business institutions.

Design/methodology/approach

A sample of 175 permanent faculty members from four top universities in Karachi, Pakistan, was interviewed using a five-point Likert scale questionnaire. The data were inserted in SPSS 22 and SmartPLS v 3.2 for performing the analysis.

Findings

Results of the study showed a significant effect in perceived supervisor support on OID; OID; job satisfaction and EP; and mediating relationship. Conversely, an insignificant effect was observed in workplace incivility.

Research limitations/implications

It is highly recommended that organizations work on the areas that lead to enhancing their employees’ performance. Also, human resource should create a healthy culture that promotes initiatives, open-door policies and discourages power distance. Lastly, one of the key responsibilities of management is to strengthen their OID because employees are more likely to identify with their supervisors if they invest in the organizations they work for.

Practical implications

This study will help strengthen the relationship between supervisors and university employees. It will guide the supervisors to acknowledge and appreciate the efforts of their subordinates and develop recreational policies and employee engagement activities. In addition, it will help develop a conducive environment and enhance the quality of education in the university and the society.

Originality/value

Understanding the determinants of OID on EP in the educational context is very important as it enhances the quality of EP and the overall quality of education of the institution.
Detection of structural regimes and analyzing the impact of crude oil market on Canadian stock market: Markov regime-switching approach
Authors: Mahmoudi Mohammadreza , Ghaneei Hana
Published: January 2022

Purpose

This study aims to analyze the impact of the crude oil market on the Toronto Stock Exchange Index (TSX).

Design/methodology/approach

The focus is on detecting nonlinear relationship based on monthly data from 1970 to 2021 using Markov-switching vector auto regression (VAR) model.

Findings

The results indicate that TSX return contains two regimes: positive return (Regime 1), when growth rate of stock index is positive; and negative return (Regime 2), when growth rate of stock index is negative. Moreover, Regime 1 is more volatile than Regime 2. The findings also show the crude oil market has a negative effect on the stock market in Regime 1, while it has a positive effect on the stock market in Regime 2. In addition, the authors can see this effect in Regime 1 more significantly in comparison to Regime 2. Furthermore, two-period lag of oil price decreases stock return in Regime 1, while it increases stock return in Regime 2.

Originality/value

This study aims to address the effect of oil market fluctuation on TSX index using Markov-switching approach and capture the nonlinearities between them. To the best of the author’s knowledge, this is the first study to assess the effect of the oil market on TSX in different regimes using Markov-switching VAR model. Because Canada is the sixth-largest producer and exporter of oil in the world as well as the TSX as the Canada’s main stock exchange is the tenth-largest stock exchange in the world by market capitalization, this paper’s framework to analyze a nonlinear relationship between oil market and the stock market of Canada helps stock market players like policymakers, institutional investors and private investors to get a better understanding of the real world.
Influence of the soldering paste type on optical and thermal parameters of LED modules
Authors: Górecki Krzysztof , Ptak Przemysław , Dziurdzia Barbara
Published: January 2022

Purpose

This paper presents the results of the investigations of LED modules soldered with the use of different soldering pastes.

Design/methodology/approach

The tested power LED modules are soldered using different solder pastes and soldering processes. Thermal parameters of the performed modules are tested using indirect electrical methods. The results of measurements obtained for different modules are compared and discussed.

Findings

It was shown that the soldering process visibly influences the results of measurements of optical and thermal parameters of LED modules. For example, values of thermal resistance of these modules and the efficiency of conversion of electrical energy into light differ between each other even by 15%.

Practical implications

The obtained results of investigations can be usable for designers of the assembly process of power LED modules.

Originality/value

This paper shows the investigations results in the area of effective assembly of power LEDs to the metal core printed circuit board (MCPCB) using different soldering pastes (REL22, REL61, LMPA-Q6, OM-5100, OM-338-PT, M8, OM-340, CVP-390). It was shown that the best thermal and optical properties of these modules are obtained for the OM5100 paste by Alpha Assembly.
Genetic variation in leaf traits and gas exchange responses to vapour pressure deficit in contrasting conifer species
Authors: Wei Xiaojing , Benowicz Andy , Sebastian‐Azcona Jaime , Thomas Barb R.
Published: January 2022

Mechanistically predicting the evolutionary response of tree species to climate change requires an understanding of genetic variation in relevant traits. Here we compared the phenotypic and genetic variation in the Leaf Economics Spectrum (LES) traits and the response of gas exchange to vapour pressure deficit (VPD) in lodgepole pine (Pico) and white spruce (Pigl), an early and a late successional species dominating the boreal forests of western Canada.

We measured gas exchange, foliar nitrogen and lamina mass to area ratio in 697 c. 30‐year‐old trees in two field progeny trials. We analysed the response of gas exchange rates to VPD using a novel quantitative genetic model, the function‐valued trait approach.

Pico showed greater phenotypic variation in the LES traits and greater genetic variation in photosynthetic rate than Pigl, but the species showed no significant difference in their phenotypic correlations between the LES traits. Pico showed a less sensitive stomatal response to VPD than Pigl and no significant genetic variation in stomatal sensitivity. In contrast, Pigl showed a positive correlation between the genetic values of stomatal sensitivity to VPD and stomatal conductance under low VPD.

Our study region is projected to see an increase in VPD with climate change; the less sensitive and genetically diverse stomatal response to VPD in Pico could make this species more vulnerable to climate‐change‐induced droughts.

A free Plain Language Summary can be found within the Supporting Information of this article.
Testing the triple deficit hypothesis for sub‐Saharan Africa: Implications for the African Continental Free Trade Area
Authors: Okafor Samson Nonso , Ekesiobi Chukwunonso , Ifebi Ogonna , Dimnwobi Stephen Kelechi , Asongu Simplice A.
Published: January 2022

Aware of the nature of deficits in the current account, fiscal account, and the financial account balances of the countries in the sub‐Saharan Africa (SSA) region, this inquiry assessed the relationship between these deficits and the implication of such relationship for the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). To do this, the study adopted panel data analysis techniques using the pooled mean group‐autoregressive distributed lag (PMG‐ARDL) specifications to test for the triple deficit hypothesis (TDH) in the region. The findings of the study revealed the presence of the TDH in SSA where bidirectional causality exists between current account balance and budget balance, and between saving gap and current account balance, with a unidirectional causality running from budget balance to saving gap. The adoption of sound fiscal, monetary, and trade interventions in the region constitutes the major policy recommendations.
High‐throughput seminal fluid identification by automated immunoaffinity mass spectrometry
Authors: Davidovics Rachel , Saw Yih Ling , Brown Catherine O. , Prinz Mechthild , McKiernan Heather E. , Danielson Phillip B. , Legg Kevin M.
Published: January 2022

The identification of semen during a criminal investigation may be a critical component in the prosecution of a sexual assault. Commonly employed enzymatic and affinity‐based methods for detection lack specificity, are time‐consuming, and only provide a presumptive indication that semen is present where microscopic visualization is unable to meet the throughput demands. Contrary to traditional approaches, protein mass spectrometry provides true confirmatory results, but multiday sample preparation and nanoflow sample separation requirements have limited the practical applicability of these approaches. Aiming at streamlining sexual assault screening by mass spectrometry, the work here coupled a 60‐minute rapid tryptic digestion, semenogelin‐II peptide affinity purification on an Agilent AssayMap Bravo automation platform, and a 3‐minute targeted LC‐MS/MS method on an Agilent 6495 triple quadrupole mass spectrometer operating in multiple reaction monitoring mode for detecting semenogelin‐II peptides in sexual assault samples. The developed assay was assessed using casework‐type samples and was successful in detecting trace levels (0.0001 μl) of semen recovered from both cotton and vaginal swabs, as well as semen recovered from vaginal swabs during menses or adulterated with personal lubricants. This work represents a promising technique for high‐throughput seminal fluid identification in sexual assault‐type samples by mass spectrometry.
Theß‐ketoadipate pathway ofAcinetobacter baumanniiis involved in complement resistance and affects resistance against aromatic antibiotics
Authors: Breisch Jennifer , Huber Lisa Sophie , Kraiczy Peter , Hubloher Josephine , Averhoff Beate
Published: January 2022

Acinetobacter baumanniican thrive on a broad range of substrates such as sugars, alcohols, lipids, amino acids and aromatic compounds. The latter three are abundant in the human host and are potential candidates as carbon sources for the metabolic adaptation ofA.baumanniito the human host. In this study we determined the biodegradative activities ofA.baumanniiAYE with monocyclic aromatic compounds. Deletion of genes encoding the key enzymes of theß‐ketoadipate pathway, the protocatechuate‐3,4‐dioxygenase (ΔpcaHG) and the catechol‐1,2‐dioxygenase (ΔcatA), led to a complete loss of growth on benzoate andp‐hydroxybenzoate, suggesting that these substrates are metabolized via the two distinct branches (pcaandcat) of this pathway. Furthermore, we investigated the potential role of these gene products in host adaptation by analyzing the capability of the mutants to resist complement‐mediated killing. These studies revealed that the mutants exhibit a decreased complement resistance, but a dramatic increase in survival in normal human serum in the presence ofp‐hydroxybenzoate or protocatechuate. These results indicate that theß‐ketoadipate pathway plays a role in adaptation ofA.baumanniito the human host. Moreover, the single and double mutants exhibited increased antibiotic resistances indicating a link between the two dioxygenases and antibiotic resistance.
An association study on imputed whole‐genome resequencing from high‐throughput sequencing data for body traits in crossbred pigs
Authors: Li Cong , Duan Dongdong , Xue Yahui , Han Xuelei , Wang Kejun , Qiao Ruimin , Li Xiu‐Ling , Li Xin‐Jian
Published: January 2022

Body traits are important economic factors in the pig industry. Genome‐wide association studies (GWASs) have been widely applied using high‐density genotype data to detect QTL in pigs. The aim of the present study was to detect the genetic variants significantly associated with body traits in crossbred pigs using the Illumina Porcine SNP50 BeadChip and imputed whole‐genome sequence data. A set of seven body traits – body length, body height, chest circumference, cannon bone circumference, leg buttock circumference, back fat thickness and loin muscle depth – were measured. Moderate to high heritabilities were obtained for most traits (from 0.14 to 0.46), and significant genetic and phenotypic correlations among them were observed. GWAS identified 714 significantly associated SNPs located at 39 regions on all autosomes for body traits, and a total of seven functionally related candidate genes: PIK3CD, HOXA, PCGF2, CHST11, COL2A1, BMI1 and OSR2. Functional enrichment analysis revealed that candidate genes were enriched in the estrogen signaling pathway, embryonic skeletal system morphogenesis and embryonic skeletal system development. These results aim to uncover the genetic mechanisms underlying body development and marker‐assisted selection programs focusing on body traits in pigs.
A population survey of sympatric cheirogaleids in southwestern Madagascar
Authors: Martin Luke D. , Rowe Amanda K. , Nomenjanahary Eva S. , Ridgway Zachary M. , Wright Patricia C. , Deppe Anja M.
Published: January 2022

Zombitse‐Vohibasia National Park harbours a species‐rich but understudied lemur community in southwestern Madagascar. Local population estimates are dated or absent for its four sympatric species of Cheirogaleidae: the grey mouse lemur (Microcebus murinus), Coquerel's giant mouse lemur (Mirza coquereli), fat‐tailed dwarf lemur (Cheirogaleus medius) and pale fork‐marked lemur (Phaner pallescens). To provide local density and encounter rate estimates for these cheirogaleids, we conducted line transect surveys in the Zombitse sector of the National Park over a three‐week period in December 2018–January 2019. We calculated densities of 37.4 Mir. coquereliindividuals/km2(95% CI = 20.4–68.6) and 230.8C. mediusindividuals/km2(95% CI = 172.6–308.6). Our results highlight the conservation importance of Zombitse‐Vohibasia as a stronghold for these restricted and threatened species. The sample sizes forMic. murinusandP. pallescenswere insufficient for generating population estimates. Considering thatMicrocebusspp. are typically amongst the most abundant mammals at a given site, further studies are needed to investigate and verify this apparent scarcity.
Crossing Over: An International Student’s Experiences and Musings in Recent Times
Authors: Kefen Budji Ivoline
Published: January 2022

This work of creative nonfiction questions what some of my labels— international, foreign, black, student—mean, especially during moments of societal upheaval. Based on my own experience, the autoethnographic story recounts the experiences, observations, and thoughts regarding the journey and identity of an African female student studying anthropology in the present‐day United States. Commencing from the visa interview process in the student’s country of origin, the story moves to her arrival in the US and ends with the realities of living in a foreign country in recent times. The narration is further situated within the context of immigration law, the ongoing COVID‐19 pandemic, ethnic/racial tensions as exemplified by the otherizing of people of Asian descent due to COVID‐19, and the Black Lives Matter protests following the death of George Floyd. Within this space, the student becomes a creature of hierarchically intersecting worlds, where the opportunity of getting the best of these worlds contrasts with the uncertainty of belonging to any of them.
Dual pandemics of COVID‐19 and systemic racism: The roles of perceptions of inequities, civic values, and conservatism in mask‐wearing behavior
Authors: Wegemer Christopher M. , von Keyserlingk Luise
Published: January 2022

Amid unprecedented political polarization, the United States continues to grapple with the simultaneous crises of COVID‐19 and systemic racism. We examine potential predictors of COVID‐19 mask wearing at the intersection of these crises, with particular attention to the behavior of conservatives and young people, who have resisted compliance with efforts to contain the spread of COVID‐19. Specifically, we investigate perceptions of racial/ethnic inequities in the healthcare system and civic values as predictors of COVID‐19 mask‐wearing frequency and potential moderators of the relationship between political orientation and COVID‐19 mask‐wearing frequency. Diverse college students at a university in southern California participated in our longitudinal survey, which was initiated prior to the COVID‐19 pandemic (N = 431). We found that perceptions of inequities and civic values predicted mask wearing, whereas political conservatism was negatively related to mask wearing. Further, conservative participants were more likely to wear masks if they reported greater perceptions of inequities. Our results provide a foundation for future research that may inform targeted public health interventions aimed at encouraging responsible COVID‐19 behavior and fostering dialogue on systemic equities in a contentious political environment.
Pro: Oximes should be used routinely in organophosphate poisoning
Authors: Thiermann Horst , Worek Franz
Published: January 2022

In poisoning with organophosphorus compounds (OP), patients can only profit from the regeneration of acetylcholinesterase, when the poison load has dropped below a toxic level. Every measure that allows an increase of synaptic acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity at the earliest is essential for timely termination of the cholinergic crisis. Only drug‐induced reactivation allows fast restoration of the inhibited AChE. Obidoxime and pralidoxime have proved to be able to reactivate inhibited cholinesterase thereby saving life of poisoned animals. A plasma level of obidoxime or pralidoxime allowing reactivation in humans poisoned by OP can be adjusted. There is no doubt that obidoxime and pralidoxime are able to reactivate OP‐inhibited AChE activity in poisoned patients, thereby increasing AChE activity and contributing substantially to terminate cholinergic crisis. Hence, a benefit may be expected when substantial reactivation is achieved. A test system allowing determination of red blood cell AChE activity, reactivatability, inhibitory equivalents and butyrylcholinesterase activity is available for relatively low cost. If any reactivation is possible while inhibiting equivalents are present, oxime therapy should be maintained. In particular, when balancing the benefit risk assessment, obidoxime or palidoxime should be given as soon as possible and as long as a substantial reactivation may be expected.
Responding to women experiencing domestic and family violence during the COVID‐19 pandemic: Exploring experiences and impacts of remote service delivery in Australia
Authors: Pfitzner Naomi , Fitz‐Gibbon Kate , Meyer Silke
Published: January 2022

The COVID‐19 health pandemic has increased women's vulnerability to all forms of domestic and family violence (DFV). In the first weeks of March 2020, most Australian states and territories, like many other jurisdictions, entered into a period of government‐directed restrictions including stay‐at‐home orders, physical distancing limitations and closure of a significant number of community services. With more people confined to their homes, the risk of DFV increased at the same time as access to support services was reduced. In this article, we present the findings of two surveys conducted in the Australian states of Victoria and Queensland to explore the professional experiences of practitioners supporting women experiencing violence during the pandemic. Our analysis offers new insights into the ways in which practitioners pivoted their services to respond remotely to women experiencing violence and the challenges of effectively undertaking safety planning and risk assessment without face‐to‐face contact. The second half of this article examines the implications of remote service delivery on practitioner mental health and well‐being. The findings have global relevance and reveal the critical need to prioritize well‐being supports for DFV practitioners in crisis response plans.
Genetic risk of hyperuricemia in hypertensive patients associated with antihypertensive drug therapy: A longitudinal study
Authors: Chen Yu , Yang Yunyun , Zhong Yixuan , Li Jian , Kong Tao , Zhang Shuyuan , Yang Shujun , Wu Cunjin , Cui Bing , Fu Li , Hui Rutai , Zhang Weili
Published: January 2022

Elevated serum uric acid (UA) level has been shown to be influenced by multiple genetic variants, but it remains uncertain how UA‐associated variants differ in their influence on hyperuricemia risk in people taking antihypertensive drugs. We examined a total of 43 UA‐related variants at 29 genes in 1840 patients with hypertension from a community‐based longitudinal cohort during a median 2.25‐year follow‐up (including 1031 participants with normal UA, 440 prevalent hyperuricemia at baseline, and 369 new‐onset hyperuricemia). Compared with the wild‐type genotypes, patients carrying the SLC2A9 rs3775948G allele or the rs13129697G allele had decreased risk of hyperuricemia, while patients carrying the SLC2A9 rs11722228T allele had increased risk of hyperuricemia, after adjustment for cardiovascular risk factors and correction for multiple comparisons; moreover, these associations were modified by the use of diuretics, β‐blockers, or angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors. The rs10821905A allele of A1CF gene was associated with increased risk of hyperuricemia, and this risk was enhanced by diuretics use. The studied variants were not observed to confer risk for incident cardiovascular events during the follow‐up. In conclusion, the genes SLC2A9 and A1CF may serve as potential genetic markers for hyperuricemia risk in relation to antihypertensive drugs therapy in Chinese hypertensive patients.
An investigation into the impact of government austerity measures on school‐based approaches to adolescent neglect in England
Authors: Patel Bejal
Published: January 2022

This research examines the role of secondary schools in safeguarding adolescents experiencing neglect that does not meet the threshold for social care intervention. Six semi‐structured interviews were conducted with Designated and Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads (DSLs) in secondary schools in South East England. Findings show that adolescents experiencing neglect were disproportionately impacted by public sector funding cuts. Length and breadth of DSLs' in‐service experience is found to be connected with the development of proactive school‐based preventative interventions. While interviews were conducted prior to the COVID‐19 pandemic, discussion reflects on the impact of the pandemic and school closures.
Systematic review and meta‐analysis of anal motor and rectal sensory dysfunction in male and female patients undergoing anorectal manometry for symptoms of faecal incontinence
Authors: Rasijeff Annika M. P. , García‐Zermeño Karla , Di Tanna Gian‐Luca , Remes‐Troche José , Knowles Charles H. , Scott Mark S.
Published: January 2022

Aim

Manometry is the best established technique to assess anorectal function in faecal incontinence. By systematic review, pooled prevalences of anal hypotonia/hypocontractility and rectal hypersensitivity/hyposensitivity in male and female patients were determined in controlled studies using anorectal manometry.

Methods

Searches of MEDLINE and Embase were completed. Screening, data extraction and bias assessment were performed by two reviewers. Meta‐analysis was performed based on a random effects model with heterogeneity evaluated by I2.

Results

Of 2116 identified records, only 13 studies (2981 faecal incontinence patients; 1028 controls) met the inclusion criteria. Anal tone was evaluated in 10 studies and contractility in 11; rectal sensitivity in five. Only three studies had low risk of bias. Pooled prevalence of anal hypotonia was 44% (95% CI 32–56, I2 = 96.35%) in women and 27% (95% CI 14–40, I2 = 94.12%) in men. The pooled prevalence of anal hypocontractility was 69% (95% CI 57–81; I2 = 98.17%) in women and 36% (95% CI 18–53; I2 = 96.77%) in men. Pooled prevalence of rectal hypersensitivity was 10% (95% CI 4–15; I2 = 80.09%) in women and 4% (95% CI 1–7; I2 = 51.25%) in men, whereas hyposensitivity had a pooled prevalence of 7% (95% CI 5–9; I2 = 0.00%) in women compared to 19% (95% CI 15–23; I2 = 0.00%) in men.

Conclusions

The number of appropriately controlled studies of anorectal manometry is small with fewer still at low risk of bias. Results were subject to gender differences, wide confidence intervals and high heterogeneity indicating the need for international collective effort to harmonize practice and reporting to improve certainty of diagnosis.
Helping to save pangolins from extinction
Authors: Choo Siew Woh , Platto Sara , Challender Daniel W.S.
Published: January 2022

Pangolins, widely distributed in Asia and Africa, have been described as the most heavily trafficked wild mammals globally. Following the emergence of COVID‐19, researchers suggested that the Sunda pangolin (Manis javanica) may have been the intermediary host of SARS‐CoV‐2 in a transmission chain from bats to people. Although subsequent studies have shown that this is unlikely, the impact of this association on pangolins is unknown. In this article, we reflect on the potential impacts of this association in the context of critical knowledge gaps that need to be filled to inform pangolin conservation and mitigate the threats the species. face.
Believing that prejudice can change increases children's interest in interracial interactions
Authors: Pauker Kristin , Apfelbaum Evan P. , Dweck Carol S. , Eberhardt Jennifer L.
Published: January 2022

Children begin interacting less across racial lines around middle childhood, but it remains unclear why. We examine the novel possibility that, at that time, children's prejudice theories—their understanding of prejudice as a fixed or malleable attribute—begin to influence their desire for interracial affiliation. We devise immersive behavioral experiences to evaluate when and how prejudice theories affect interracial affiliation. Study 1 measured prejudice theories among 8–13‐year‐olds (N = 152; 76 White, 76 racial minority) and observed children in a newly‐developed social interaction task. In line with our hypothesis, children older than 10 years with stronger malleable‐prejudice theories exhibited more interest and affiliation in a simulated cross‐ (vs. same‐race) interaction, regardless of their preexisting prejudice level. Study 2 randomly assigned children to listen to a fixed‐ or malleable‐prejudice theory story before engaging in a real, first‐time interaction with a same‐ or cross‐race partner at a different school via live video‐stream (N = 150; 96 White, 54 racial minority). The malleable theory increased children's interest in further interaction with their cross‐race partner. These findings highlight the promise of malleable‐prejudice theories for sustaining positive interracial relationships during a critical developmental window—when the frequency of cross‐race friendships typically declines.
Pre‐heart failure at 2D‐ and 3D‐speckle tracking echocardiography: A comprehensive review
Authors: Singh Ram B. , Sozzi Fabiola B. , Fedacko Jan , Hristova Krasimira , Fatima Ghizal , Pella Daniel , Cornelissen Germaine , Isaza Adrian , Pella Dominik , Singh Jaipaul , Carugo Stefano , Nanda Navin C. , Elkilany Galal E. Nagib
Published: January 2022

Chronic heart failure (CHF) has different stages and includes pre‐HF (PHF), a state of high risk of developing myocardial dysfunction and advanced CHF. Some major behavioral risk factors of PHF might predispose to biological risk factors such as obesity, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, hypertension, myocardial infarction, and cardiomyopathy. These risk factors damage the myocytes leading to fibrosis, apoptosis, cardiac hypertrophy, along with alterations in cardiomyocyte’ size and shape. A condition of physiological subcellular remodeling resulting into a pathological state might be developed, conducting to PHF. Both PHF and heart failure (HF) are associated with the activation of phospholipases and protease, mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress and development of intra‐cellular free Ca2+ [Ca2+]i overloading to an elevation in diastolic [Ca2+]i. Simultaneously, cardiac gene expression is activated leading to further molecular, structural and biochemical changes of the myocardium. The sub‐cellular remodeling may be intimately involved in the transition of cardiac hypertrophy to heart failure. 2D‐ and 3D‐speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) have been used to quantify regional alterations of longitudinal strain and area strain, through their polar projection, which permits a further assessment of both sites and degrees of myocardial damage. The examination of strain can identify sub‐clinical cardiac dysfunction or cardiomyocyte remodeling. During remodeling of the myocardium cardiac strain is attenuated, therefore it is an indicator of disease assessment.