bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Psychological contract between contractors and owners in construction projects: the mediating role of inter-organisational teamwork
Authors: Cho Win Myat , Hadikusumo Bonaventura H.W.
Published: April 2023

Purpose

The objectives of this paper are to examine the impact of psychological contract on project performance in private construction projects and to investigate if the positive effect of psychological contract on project performance can be mediated by inter-organisational teamwork.

Design/methodology/approach

Multiple regression analysis and mediation analysis were applied in this study to conduct the proposed hypotheses. Data were collected via questionnaire surveys from the construction professionals working for contractor firms on private construction projects.

Findings

The result of the multiple regression analysis indicated that psychological contract between contractors and owners is significantly related with project performance in construction projects. This study examined five psychological contract components, but the most important element was found as trust which can influence every aspect of project performance. Fairness is another key factor that can improve project performance in terms of budget and quality. Further, the findings of the mediation analysis revealed that inter-organisational teamwork has a mediating effect on the relationship between psychological contract and project performance.

Originality/value

This paper presents the important role of psychological contract between contractor and owner organizations in construction projects that can affect project performance. The study also highlights the significance of inter-organisational teamwork as a mediator to the relationship between psychological contract and project performance.
The challenges of pricing quantity surveying professional services in Ghana
Authors: Adesi Michael , Owusu-Manu Degraft , Boateng Frank , Addy Michael Nii , Kissi Ernest
Published: April 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate the challenges of pricing quantity surveying (QS) professional services to enhance the understanding of practitioners in developing strategies for the determination of fees for their services.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper adopts the quantitative approach by administering 150 survey questionnaires QS professionals out of which 79 questionnaires were retrieved for analysis using the mean, standard deviation, standard error and the Chi-Square test.

Findings

The study identified the challenges that continue to hamper the successful pricing of QS services as the inability to respond to changing contractual arrangements; lack of appropriate response to emerging services; slow response to changes in information and communication technology.

Research limitations/implications

This paper focused on QS professionals. Hence, a future study to encompass other professionals in the built environment will be novel.

Practical implications

The findings of this paper have the potential to motivate QS firms to develop solutions that address the challenges identified to improve the efficiency of their service delivery to clients. The paper also has the practical importance of opening up new frontiers of research that focus on pricing of professional services in the built environment in general.

Originality/value

The paper contributes to the awareness and understanding of QS professionals about the challenges that continue to hamper effective pricing of their services.
Gen Z students' work-integrated learning experiences and work values
Authors: Drewery David , Truong My , Fannon Anne-Marie
Published: April 2023

Purpose

This study aims to explore the relationship between the number of co-operative (co-op) education work terms that students completed and the importance they attach to employer and job attributes (i.e. work values).

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from a large cross-sectional survey of co-op students (N = 2,097) from one Canadian university.

Findings

Of the 19 work values measured, only six were related to work experience. Whereas work experience was related to several of the least important work values, such as geographic location, it was unrelated to many of the most important work values, such as work–life balance. Further, evidence suggests that changes in work values occur when work experience is first introduced in the curriculum (e.g. first co-op work term), not at subsequent work experiences.

Research limitations/implications

The findings extend the understanding of how work-integrated learning (WIL) prepares students to make decisions about their careers in the future of work and provide insights to address the challenge of scaling WIL. However, the study draws on cross-sectional data from one single Canadian university and does not explore potentially confounding factors including time itself or critical events such as the COVID-19 pandemic.

Practical implications

WIL educators may leverage these findings to improve their understanding of how students' work values evolve as they complete WIL experiences. They may also use insights from the study to align students' needs and employers' understandings of those needs.

Originality/value

This study is the first to explore how work values might change throughout a WIL program, particularly among Gen Z students whose work values seem divergent from those of previous generations.
Investigation of the cosmetic effects of pattern design and wearability in sports bras
Authors: Yılmaz Elif , Öndoğan Ziynet , Şen Kılıç Arzu
Published: April 2023

Purpose

This study aims to develop a sports bra with cosmetic microcapsules that supports the breasts and provides an aesthetically upright and lifted posture by using 28 days period.

Design/methodology/approach

A fitting process was carried out on provided seamless sports bras to determine the criteria that have to be improved considering the desired properties. The new sports bras were produced after the pattern design was developed; cosmetic microcapsules were applied to some of the bras and some were used as a control group to compare the real cosmetic effects. Female subjects tried the newly developed sports bras in a 28-day wear trial. Measurements were taken at certain periods during the wear trials, and the obtained data were analyzed statistically.

Findings

The findings of this study determined that the product provides a decrease in breast girth and increases skin moisture and nipple height after 28 days of regular use due to the effect of cosmetic ingredients released from microcapsules. A great majority of subjects found the breast lifting and supporting property of the sports bra successful and were satisfied with the new shape of the subjects' breasts.

Originality/value

Fitting studies were carried out directly on the female body, and the designed and developed encapsulating type sports bra has been transformed into a cosmetic textile product that gains also cosmetic properties. The cosmetic effects of the bra were investigated with wear trials. On the other hand, the nipple height measure term was defined for the first time and added to the literature within the scope of the study.
Parasocial relationships with micro-influencers: do sponsorship disclosure and electronic word-of-mouth disrupt?
Authors: Sheng Jie , Lee Yi Hui , Lan Hao
Published: April 2023

Purpose

This study aims to examine whether and how the effect of intimate relationships with micro-influencers on customer behaviour is interrupted by external cues such as sponsorship disclosures and negative electronic word-of-mouth (eWOM).

Design/methodology/approach

The study worked with Instagram micro-influences to conduct a vignette survey with four experimental scenarios.

Findings

The benefits of parasocial relationships (PSR) in enhancing customer engagement (CE), brand preference (BP) and purchase intention (PI) cannot be sustained in the presence of external interruptive cues. For micro-influencers, whilst sponsorship disclosures do not moderate the influence of PSR, customers are considerably sensitive to negative eWOM or when the two cues co-occur.

Originality/value

This study focusses on micro-influencers and investigates whether the follower–micro-influencer bond can be moderated by external cues including sponsorship disclosure and negative eWOM.
The impact of corporate social responsibility on financial constraints: the role of insider and institutional ownership
Authors: Farooq Muhammad , Noor Amna
Published: April 2023

Purpose

This study aims to examine the impact of corporate social responsibility (CSR) on financial constraints (FC). Furthermore, the authors investigate the moderating impact of two key ownership variables, insider and institutional ownership, separately and their interacting effect on the CSR-FC relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

The study sample consists of 137 nonfinancial Pakistan Stock Exchange listed firms from 2010 to 2019. Firms’ participation in socially responsible activities is measured using a multidimensional financial approach, whereas FC are determined using the WW index. The findings were observed using the dynamic generalized method of moments model.

Findings

According to the findings, CSR has a negative impact on FC. In terms of moderating impact, the interactive variable of CSR and insider ownership does not affect FC, implying that when an insider owns a majority of shares, the negative relationship between CSR and FC is weaker. The findings demonstrate the entrenchment effect of insider ownership. In terms of the moderating effect of institutional ownership, CSR and institutional ownership have a significant but positive relationship with FC, implying that when powerful institutional investors are present, the negative relationship between CSR and FC disappears, demonstrating that higher institutional ownership leads to shareholder conflicts. Finally, the interactive variable of insider and institutional ownership has no statistically significant effect on the CSR-FC relationship. This insignificant relationship does not support the substitution or complementarity effect of corporate governance.

Research limitations/implications

The authors measure CSR activities using a multidimensional financial approach; however, in the future, CSR should be measured using qualitative aspects such as content analysis to strengthen the findings. Because the research is limited to a single emerging economy, Pakistan, the generalizability of the findings is limited. In the future, this research could be replicated in other emerging economies in Asia, Africa and Latin America.

Practical implications

The findings of the study will assist regulatory authorities, investors, financial analysts and other stakeholders in better understanding CSR practices in Pakistani firms, as well as the role of CSR and two other important aspects of internal governance mechanisms, namely, insider ownership and institutional ownership, in the CSR-FC relationship.

Originality/value

Few studies in the literature investigate the impact of CSR on FC. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study of its kind in an emerging market to empirically test this relationship and further investigate the role of insider and institutional ownership in this unexplored relationship.
Thermo-mechanical numerical analyses in support of fire endurance assessment of ordinary soda-lime structural glass elements
Authors: Bedon Chiara , Louter Christian
Published: April 2023

Purpose

Glass material is largely used for load-bearing components in buildings. For this reason, standardized calculation methods can be used in support of safe structural design in common loading and boundary conditions. Differing from earlier literature efforts, the present study elaborates on the load-bearing capacity, failure time and fire endurance of ordinary glass elements under fire exposure and sustained mechanical loads, with evidence of major trends in terms of loading condition and cross-sectional layout. Traditional verification approaches for glass in cold conditions (i.e. stress peak check) and fire endurance of load-bearing members (i.e. deflection and deflection rate limits) are assessed based on parametric numerical simulations.

Design/methodology/approach

The mechanical performance of structural glass elements in fire still represents an open challenge for design and vulnerability assessment. Often, special fire-resisting glass solutions are used for limited practical applications only, and ordinary soda-lime silica glass prevails in design applications for load-bearing members. Moreover, conventional recommendations and testing protocols in use for load-bearing members composed of traditional constructional materials are not already addressed for glass members. This paper elaborates on the fire endurance and failure detection methods for structural glass beams that are subjected to standard ISO time–temperature for fire exposure and in-plane bending mechanical loads. Fire endurance assessment methods are discussed with the support of Finite Element (FE) numerical analyses.

Findings

Based on extended parametric FE analyses, multiple loading, geometrical and thermo-mechanical configurations are taken into account for the analysis of simple glass elements under in-plane bending setup and fire exposure. The comparative results show that – in most of cases – thermal effects due to fire exposure have major effects on the actual load-bearing capacity of these members. Moreover, the conventional stress peak verification approach needs specific elaborations, compared to traditional calculations carried out in cold conditions.

Originality/value

The presented numerical results confirm that the fire endurance analysis of ordinary structural glass elements is a rather complex issue, due to combination of multiple aspects and influencing parameters. Besides, FE simulations can provide useful support for a local and global analysis of major degradation and damage phenomena, and thus support the definition of simple and realistic verification procedures for fire exposed glass members.
The role of e-government in reducing corruption and enhancing transparency in the Afghan public sector: a case study
Authors: Ibrahimy Mohammad Mustafa , Virkus Sirje , Norta Alex
Published: April 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to explore the role of e-government in reducing corruption and achieving transparency from the perspective of citizens and public servants of the National Statistics and Information Authority in Afghanistan.

Design/methodology/approach

This study applies a mixed-method research design to explore whether e-government can combat corruption and increase transparency in the public sector of a developing nation. The data collection involves a survey of (n = 280) citizens and interviews with six National Statistics and Information Authority public servants. Data analysis includes descriptive statistics, Spearman’s correlation for the survey and qualitative content analysis for the interviews.

Findings

The results of this study reveal that e-government distributes and decentralizes power among public servants, reduces corruption and promotes transparency and accountability by reporting corruption through social media, online complaint forms, emails and the 450 toll-free number. In addition, the major factors are identified that reduce corruption through e-government.

Research limitations/implications

This study proposes a model for using e-government that has implications for designers, developers and policymakers to create user-friendly systems that reduce bureaucracy and physical interactions with public servants while minimizing paper-based systems.

Practical implications

Governments can reduce corruption among high-ranking public servants by implementing a decentralized system that prevents system manipulation. This involves measures like surveillance, ICT training, process automation, reduced bureaucracy, simplified procedures and real-time customer support.

Social implications

Despite the potential of e-government to reduce monopoly power and intermediaries among low-ranking officials, high-ranking Afghan officials still engage in corrupt practices. Nonetheless, 75% of Afghans believe e-government promotes transparency and accountability and reduces corruption.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study in the Afghan public sector that explores the role of e-government to reduce corruption and achieve transparency.
Spillover of chalkbrood fungi to native solitary bee species from non‐native congeners
Authors: LeCroy Kathryn A. , Krichilsky Erin , Grab Heather L. , Roulston T’ai H. , Danforth Bryan N.
Published: April 2023

Introduced, managed bees such as mason bees (genus Osmia) can confer significant pollination benefits to agricultural systems, but a risk of introducing non‐native species into new ecosystems is the co‐introduction of pathogens along with them. Pathogen spillover to wild, native bees may then drive native bee species declines.

This study examined prevalence of the chalkbrood‐causing fungal genus Ascosphaera in the nests of both non‐native and native mason bee species. We conducted large‐scale trap‐nesting and pan‐trapping efforts across the Mid‐Atlantic United States with community scientists. Using molecular methods, nests were screened for all known Ascosphaera species in which genetic sequences have been published. After finding Ascosphaera species first described in Asia, we compared their local prevalence with the local abundance of mason bees from Asia. Lastly, we compared the prevalence of co‐introduced Ascosphaera species across sites with a variety of landcover profiles.

Results indicate species originally described in Japan, Ascosphaera naganensis and Ascosphaera fusiformis, are now present in native Virginia mason bees, Osmia lignaria and Osmia georgica, with high prevalence of A. naganensis found in O. georgica.

We also found that the declining native mason bee O. georgica experienced higher prevalence of non‐native Ascosphaera spp. at sites with larger numbers of non‐native O. cornifrons and O. taurus, perhaps indicating greater likelihood of spillover of these Ascosphaera species with greater sources of transmission. Lastly, when the proportion of agricultural landcover surrounding bee nests was high, there was greater prevalence of non‐native Ascosphaera in O. georgica compared to more natural landcover types.

Synthesis and applications. Through community science programming, we documented species of Japanese chalkbrood fungi inside native mason bee nests in North America. Native mason bees encounter non‐native fungi more frequently with increasing abundance of non‐native mason bees. Agricultural landscapes may exacerbate spillover of non‐native fungi for native mason bees. Any use of non‐native bee species in agriculture should involve monitoring native bees for pathogens in the surrounding area for detection of spillover and species declines.
Alternative routes for tranexamic acid treatment in obstetric bleeding (WOMAN‐PharmacoTXAtrial): a randomised trial and pharmacological study in caesarean section births
Authors: Shakur‐Still Haleema , Roberts Ian , Grassin‐Delyle Stanislas , Chaudhri Rizwana , Geer Amber , Arribas Monica , Lamy Elodie , Mansukhani Raoul , Lubeya Mwansa Ketty , Javaid Kiran , Kayani Aasia , Israr Naila , Mazhar Syeda Batool , Urien Saïk , Bouazza Naïm , Foissac Frantz , Prowse Danielle , Carrington Laura , Barrow Collette , Onandia Julio Gil , Balogun Eni
Published: April 2023

Objective

To examine the safety, efficacy and pharmacology of intravenous (IV), intramuscular (IM) and oral tranexamic acid (TXA) use in pregnant women.

Design

Randomised, open‐label trial.

Setting

Hospitals in Pakistan and Zambia.

Population

Women giving birth by caesarean section.

Methods

Women were randomised to receive 1 g IV, 1 g IM, 4 g oral TXA or no TXA. Adverse events in women and neonates were recorded. TXA concentration in whole blood was measured and the concentrations over time were examined with population pharmacokinetics. The relationship between drug exposure and D‐dimer was explored. The trial registration isNCT04274335.

Main outcome measures

Concentration of TXA in maternal blood.

Results

Of the 120 women included in the randomised safety study, there were no serious maternal or neonatal adverse events. TXA concentrations in 755 maternal blood and 87 cord blood samples were described by a two‐compartment model with one effect compartment linked by rate transfer constants. Maximum maternal concentrations were 46.9, 21.6 and 18.1 mg/L for IV, IM and oral administration, respectively, and 9.5, 7.9 and 9.1 mg/L in the neonates. The TXA response was modelled as an inhibitory effect on the D‐dimer production rate. The half‐maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) was 7.5 mg/L and was achieved after 2.6, 6.4 and 47 minutes with IV, IM and oral administration of TXA, respectively.

Conclusions

Both IM and oral TXA are well tolerated. Oral TXA took about 1 hour to reach minimum therapeutic concentrations and would not be suitable for emergency treatment. Intramuscular TXA inhibits fibrinolysis within 10 minutes and may be a suitable alternative to IV.
Health care provider bias in the Appalachian region: The frequency and impact of contraceptive coercion
Authors: Swan Laura E. T. , Senderowicz Leigh G. , Lefmann Tess , Ely Gretchen E.
Published: April 2023

Objective

To investigate the frequency and impact of contraceptive coercion in the Appalachian region of the United States.

Data Sources and Study Setting

In fall 2019, we collected primary survey data with participants in the Appalachian region.

Study Design

We conducted an online survey including patient‐centered measures of contraceptive care and behavior.

Data Collection/Extraction Methods

We used social media advertisements to recruit Appalachians of reproductive age who were assigned female at birth (N = 622). After exploring the frequency of upward coercion (pressure to use contraception) and downward coercion (pressure not to use contraception), we ran chi‐square and logistic regression analyses to explore the relationships between contraceptive coercion and preferred contraceptive use.

Principal Findings

Approximately one in four (23%, n = 143) participants reported that they were not using their preferred contraceptive method. More than one‐third of participants (37.0%, n = 230) reported ever experiencing coercion in their contraceptive care, with 15.8% reporting downward coercion and 29.6% reporting upward coercion. Chi‐square tests indicated that downward (χ2(1) = 23.337, p < 0.001) and upward coercion (χ2(1) = 24.481, p < 0.001) were both associated with a decreased likelihood of using the preferred contraceptive method. These relationships remained significant when controlling for sociodemographic factors in a logistic regression model (downward coercion: Marginal effect = −0.169, p = 0.001; upward coercion: Marginal effect = −0.121, p = 0.002).

Conclusions

This study utilized novel person‐centered measures to investigate contraceptive coercion in the Appalachian region. Findings highlight the negative impact of contraceptive coercion on patients' reproductive autonomy. Promoting contraceptive access, in Appalachia and beyond, requires comprehensive and unbiased contraceptive care.
Promoting employee career growth: the benefits of sustainable human resource management
Authors: Cheng Bao , Yu Xiaotong , Dong Yun , Zhong Chong
Published: April 2023

To achieve sustainable development, research has indicated that organizations and individuals should be aware of the significance of sustainable human resource management (HRM) practices. However, relatively little research has investigated individual outcomes. This study links sustainable HRM practices with an important individual outcome: career growth. Using social cognitive career theory, this study investigated psychological capital and career growth as beneficial outcomes of sustainable HRM practices, proposing person–organization (P‐O) fit as a key boundary condition. Based on time‐lagged survey data collected from a Chinese company, the study found that sustainable HRM practices could significantly promote psychological capital and career growth. Moreover, P‐O fit magnified the beneficial impact of sustainable HRM practices on psychological capital while further moderating the mediating effect of psychological capital. When P‐O fit was high, the effects of sustainable HRM practices on psychological capital and career growth were stronger. In addition, we discussed theoretical contributions and practical implications.
Alterations in the phytochemical composition and antioxidant activity of Ligustrum robustum according to continuous wet‐ and dry‐heat treatment
Authors: Bai Xue , Zhou Lihong , Wu Yutong , Xie Luyi
Published: April 2023

Small‐leaved Kuding tea (SLKDT) obtained from Ligustrum robustum is a traditional tea substitute in southern China and has a range of physiological effects. However, the changes in its phytochemical composition after various heat treatments are not reported yet. Thus, the phytochemical composition and antioxidant activities of fresh leaves of SLKDT (LrF1) and SLKDT after high‐temperature wet‐heat treatment (LrF2) and wet‐ and dry‐heat treatments (LrF3) were assessed using liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry, and 2,2′‐azino‐bis(3‐ethylbenzothiazoline‐6‐sulfonate (ABTS) and 1,1‐diphenyl‐2‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activities and lipid peroxidation inhibition activity of LrF1 and LrF3 were investigated. The results indicated that the phytochemical composition of LrF1, LrF2, and LrF3 was significantly different. Overall, 258 and 83 differential constituents, respectively, were obtained in LrF1 versus LrF2 and LrF2 versus LrF3. The differential constituents mainly included amino acids and their derivatives, nucleosides, flavonoids, terpenoids, simple phenylpropanoids, and coumarins. After heat treatment, SLKDT exhibited obvious changes in sensory characteristics and physiological properties, which may be related to the changes in the levels of amino acids, linalool, beta‐geraniol, myricetin, naringin, fraxetin, and isoacteoside. Moreover, the antioxidant activities significantly changed after heat treatment of SLKDT. Overall, our study demonstrated that heat treatment can alter the phytochemical composition of SLKDT, thus affecting its sensory properties and physiological properties.

Practical Application

This study preliminarily assessed the changes in the composition of small‐leaved Kuding tea (SLKDT) after various heat treatments and revealed that the composition of SLKDT tea can be adjusted by various heat and temperature treatments.
Impacts of additional cycles of neoadjuvant immunotherapy on surgery in non‐small‐cell lung cancer
Authors: Chen Jiawei , Ang Keng‐Leong , Wang Zhufeng , Lei Fan , He Jiaxi , Li Shuben
Published: April 2023

Objective

Whether cycle number influences the subsequent pathological or surgical outcomes remained unclear. This study aimed to assess the efficacy and surgical safety of neoadjuvant immunochemotherapy‐based treatment in the real‐world setting.

Methods

Clinical data of patients who received neoadjuvant immunochemotherapy for non‐small‐cell lung cancer between 2018 and 2021 were collected. Oncological outcomes such as objective response rate (ORR), major pathological response (MPR), and pathological complete response (pCR), and surgical outcomes including operating time, intraoperative bleeding, postoperative drainage, and hospital stay were analyzed.

Results

In total, 176 patients were included, among whom 102 cases were lung squamous carcinoma (LUSQ). After immunochemotherapy, 98 (56%) of patients achieved ORR. Notably, the ORR (63% vs. 46%, p = 0.039) and pCR (45% vs. 27%, p = 0.022) were significantly higher in patients with LUSQ. For patients who received two, three, four, and five or more cycles, the ORRs were 52%, 67%, 53%, and 50% (p = 0.36). In post hoc analysis, cycle numbers showed no significant association with MPR or pCR (p = 0.14 and p = 0.073). Treatment cycles showed no influence on operating time, postoperative drainage, and hospital stay (p = 0.79, 0.37, and 0.22). Notably, the blood loss index of patients who received more than four cycles was higher than those receiving four or fewer cycles (mean blood loss: two or fewer cycles 153.1, three cycles 113.8, four cycles 137.6, and five or more cycles 293.3, respectively).

Conclusions

This study indicated that cycles of neoadjuvant immunochemotherapy had no significant effect on the feasibility and safety of surgery. Although not statistically significant, patients who received five or more cycles of treatment experienced higher intraoperative blood loss.
Eliciting deliberative and implemental mindsets in audit planning
Authors: Rixom Brett A. , Plumlee David
Published: April 2023

There is concern that rather than critically deliberating specific circumstances, auditors focus on selecting and documenting defensible audit positions. Currently, subordinate auditors perform tasks mindful that they will be accountable for their work both inside (e.g., partners) and outside (e.g., PCAOB) the firm and adopt “implementation intentions” based on previous review experiences to guide their performance. In the context of fraud‐detection planning, we consider an alternative approach in which subordinate auditors work under contingent reward agreements under which they will be compensated for effective fraud‐detection plans. Lacking an anticipated course of action, they invoke a “deliberative mindset” in order to create a task strategy. In an experiment, auditors completed a fraud‐detection planning task under contingent rewards, accountability, or anonymity. We find that auditors operating under contingent rewards used deliberative mindsets. They were better able to identify potential fraud, select more effective procedures, and plan more hours for effective procedures. Auditors under accountability completed the planning task based on implementation intentions. They focused on broadly increasing audit hours across procedures, including allocating significantly more hours to less effective procedures. Mediation analysis shows that improved planning performance resulted from the use of deliberative mindsets and not implementation intentions.
Speedy blooming in Cerrado after fire is not uncommon: New records of Cyperaceae species flowering 24 h after burning
Authors: Pilon Natashi A. L. , Freire Camila T. R. , Oliveira‐Alves Maria Júlia , Oliveira Rafael S.
Published: April 2023

Fire‐stimulated flowering has long been a subject of investigation in tropical grasslands and savannas. Still, speedy blooming (i.e. flowering in <24 h after fire) had only been recently described for a single species of Cyperaceae common in Cerrado open ecosystems. Here, we described two new species displaying this unique feature of producing flowers <24 h after fire, suggesting that this fast phenological response might be more common than previously thought. Rhynchospora confusa F.Ballard and Rhynchospora terminalis Nees ex Steud. var. terminalis are two widely distributed species in grasslands and savannas at Chapada dos Veadeiros (a World Natural Heritage by UNESCO). Yet, there is a paucity of herbarium collection for both species and no registration of the quick bloom after fire passage or other aspects of their ecology. Understanding the diversity of phenological patterns and vegetation responses to fire is key to uncovering the functioning and singularities of the tropical open ecosystems.
Maternal outcomes of placental abruption with intrauterine fetal death and delivery routes: A nationwide observational study
Authors: Wada Yoshimitsu , Takahashi Hironori , Sasabuchi Yusuke , Usui Rie , Ogoyama Manabu , Suzuki Hirotada , Ohkuchi Akihide , Fujiwara Hiroyuki
Published: April 2023

Introduction

Placental abruption is a serious complication, especially when accompanied by intrauterine fetal death. The optimal delivery route for placental abruption with intrauterine fetal death for reducing maternal complications is still unclear. In this study we aimed to compare the maternal outcomes between cesarean delivery and vaginal delivery in women with placental abruption with intrauterine fetal death.

Material and methods

Using the Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology nationwide perinatal registry database, we identified pregnant women with placental abruption with intrauterine fetal death between 2013 and 2019. The following women were excluded: those with multiple pregnancies, placenta previa, placenta accreta spectrum, amniotic fluid embolism, or whose delivery route was missing data. The association between delivery routes (cesarean delivery and vaginal delivery) and the maternal outcome was examined using a linear regression model with inverse probability weighting. The primary outcome was the amount of bleeding during delivery. Missing data were imputed using multiple imputation.

Results

The number of women with placental abruption with intrauterine fetal death was 1218/1601932 (0.076%). Of 1134 women analyzed, 608 (53.6%) underwent cesarean delivery. Bleeding during delivery (median [interquartile range]) was 1650.00 (950.00–2450.00) (mL) and 1171.00 (500.00–2196.50) (mL) in cesarean and vaginal delivery, respectively. Bleeding during delivery (mL) was significantly greater in cesarean delivery than in vaginal delivery (regression coefficient, 1086.39; 95% confidence interval, 130.96–2041.81; p = 0.026). Maternal death and uterine rupture occurred in four (0.4%) and five (0.4%) women, respectively. The four maternal deaths were noted in the vaginal delivery group.

Conclusions

Bleeding during delivery was significantly greater in cesarean delivery than that in vaginal delivery in women with placental abruption with intrauterine fetal death. However, severe complications, including maternal death and uterine rupture, occurred in vaginal delivery‐related cases. The management of women with placental abruption with intrauterine fetal death should be cautious regardless of the delivery route.
Dicloxacillin‐warfarin drug–drug interaction—A register‐based study and in vitro investigations in 3D spheroid primary human hepatocytes
Authors: Järvinen Erkka , Dalgård Dunvald Ann‐Cathrine , Ernst Martin Thomsen , Hammer Helen S. , Pötz Oliver , Pottegård Anton , Stage Tore B.
Published: April 2023

Aims

Dicloxacillin is used to treat staphylococcal infections and we have previously shown that dicloxacillin is an inducer of cytochrome P450 enzymes (CYPs). Here, we employed a translational approach to investigate the effect of a treatment with dicloxacillin on warfarin efficacy in Danish registries. Furthermore, we assessed dicloxacillin as an inducer of CYPs in vitro.

Methods

We conducted a register‐based study and analysed international normalized ratio (INR) levels in chronic warfarin users before and after short‐ and long‐term use of dicloxacillin (n = 1023) and flucloxacillin (n = 123). Induction of CYPs were investigated in a novel liver model of 3D spheroid primary human hepatocytes at the level of mRNA, and protein and enzyme activity.

Results

Short‐ and long‐term dicloxacillin treatments decreased INR levels by −0.65 (95% confidence interval [CI]: −0.57 to −0.74) and −0.76 (95% CI: −0.50 to −1.02), respectively. More than 90% of individuals experienced subtherapeutic INR levels (below 2) after long‐term dicloxacillin treatment. Flucloxacillin decreased INR levels by −0.37 (95% CI: −0.14 to −0.60). In 3D spheroid primary human hepatocytes, the maximal induction of CYP3A4 mRNA, protein and enzyme activity by dicloxacillin were 4.9‐, 2.9‐ and 2.4‐fold, respectively. Dicloxacillin also induced CYP2C9 mRNA by 1.7‐fold.

Conclusion

Dicloxacillin induces CYPs and reduces the clinical efficacy of warfarin in patients. This effect is substantially exacerbated during long‐term treatment with dicloxacillin. The in vitro results corroborated this drug–drug interaction and correlated to the clinical findings. Caution is warranted for warfarin patients that initiate dicloxacillin or flucloxacillin, especially for a long‐term treatment of endocarditis.
Known‐groups and convergent validity of the theory of mind task battery in children with autism spectrum disorder
Authors: Gosling Corentin J. , Cartigny Ariane , Stevanovic Dejan , Moutier Sylvain , Delorme Richard , Attwood Tony
Published: April 2023

Objectives

One of the most promising Theory of Mind (ToM) tests developed for children with ASD is the Theory of Mind Task Battery (ToM‐TB). Still, additional psychometric properties of this tool need to be assessed. The main objective of this preregistered study was to investigate the known‐groups and convergent validities of the ToM‐TB compared to a well‐established test used to assess ToM in children with ASD (the Strange Stories Test; SST).

Methods

A total of 68 school‐aged children were recruited (34 children with ASD and 34 children with typical development). The groups were matched on sex and age, and on both receptive language abilities and overall cognitive functioning.

Results

Regarding the known‐groups validity, we found group differences in the performance on the ToM‐TB and SST. Additional analyses revealed that this result tended to be more robust for the ToM‐TB than for the SST. Regarding convergent validity, we showed that the ToM‐TB and SST correlated strongly, for children with ASD and children with typical development. In contrast, we found small correlations of these two tests with social competence in daily life. No evidence was found for greater known‐groups or convergent validity of one test compared to the other.

Conclusion

Our data confirmed the relevance of the ToM‐TB and the SST for the assessment of ToM in school‐aged children. Future studies should continue to assess the psychometric qualities of various ToM tests to provide reliable information to best guide researchers and clinicians when choosing optimal neuropsychological tools.
In vitro sepsis up‐regulates Nociceptin/Orphanin FQ receptor expression and function on human T‐ but not B‐cells
Authors: Bird Mark F. , Hebbes Christopher P. , Tamang Anushuya , Willets Jonathon Mark , Thompson Jonathan P. , Guerrini Remo , Calo Girolamo , Lambert David G.
Published: April 2023

Background and Purpose

In animal models of sepsis, increased activation of the Nociceptin/Orphanin FQ (N/OFQ) receptor NOP is associated with mortality and NOP antagonists improved survival. We have explored the role of the N/OFQ‐NOP system in freshly isolated volunteer human B‐ and T‐cells incubated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and peptidoglycan G (PepG) as a model of in vitro sepsis.

Experimental Approach

B‐ and T‐cell NOP expression was measured using the NOP fluorescent probe N/OFQATTO594, N/OFQ content was measured using immunofluorescence, N/OFQ release was tracked using a CHOhNOPGαiq5 biosensor assay and NOP function was measured using transwell migration and cytokine/chemokine release using a 25‐plex assay format. Cells were challenged with LPS/PepG.

Key Results

CD19‐positive B‐cells bound N/OFQATTO594; they also contain N/OFQ. Stimulation with CXCL13/IL‐4 increased N/OFQ release. N/OFQ trended to reduced migration to CXCL13/IL‐4. Surface NOP expression was unaffected by LPS/PepG, but this treatment increased GM‐CSF release in an N/OFQ sensitive manner. CD3‐positive T‐cells did not bind N/OFQATTO594; they did contain N/OFQ. Stimulation with CXCL12/IL‐6 increased N/OFQ release. When incubated with LPS/PepG, NOP surface expression was induced leading to N/OFQATTO594 binding. In LPS/PepG‐treated cells, N/OFQ reduced migration to CXCL12/IL‐6. LPS/PepG increased GM‐CSF release in an N/OFQ sensitive manner.

Conclusions and Implications

We suggest both a constitutive and sepsis‐inducible N/OFQ‐NOP receptor autocrine regulation of B‐ and T‐cell function, respectively. These NOP receptors variably inhibit migration and reduce GM‐CSF release. These data provide mechanistic insights to the detrimental role for increased N/OFQ signalling in sepsis and suggest a potential role for NOP antagonists as treatments.
Adolescents and oral health service utilization in Canterbury, New Zealand: A geospatial cross‐sectional study
Authors: Lee Joanne Jia Min , Schluter Philip J. , Hodgett Matthew , Deng Bingyu , Hobbs Matthew
Published: April 2023

Objective

Non‐utilization of dental care during adolescence can result in poorer oral health and subsequently higher expenditures on dental services. This study examined the geospatial and epidemiological factors associated with utilization of the publicly funded Adolescent Oral Health Services (AOHS) in Canterbury, Aotearoa New Zealand (NZ).

Methods

A secondary analysis of prospectively collected routine data from AOHS visits of adolescents in school Year 9 (13–14 years) for the financial year 2019–2020. Geographic information systems examined distance from home to dental practices. Multilevel mixed‐effects Poisson regression models investigated associations between geospatial, demographic and clinical factors and non‐utilization of dental services. Models were adjusted for sex, ethnicity, area‐level deprivation, rural/urban classification, previous caries experience and the distance from home address to dental practice referred.

Results

Dental practices were concentrated in large urban areas and in the least deprived neighbourhoods, with several service area gaps identified. Rural areas and the most deprived areas of Christchurch City had the highest non‐utilization rates. After adjustment, adolescents residing in the most deprived areas had a higher risk of non‐utilization (adjusted risk ratio [aRR] = 1.38; 95% CI 1.26–1.51) compared to adolescents in the least deprived areas. Adolescents in remote areas also had an increased risk of non‐utilization (aRR = 1.36; 95% CI 1.20–1.54) compared to adolescents in urban core areas. Finally, Māori (aRR = 1.37; 95% CI 1.29–1.46) and Pasifika (aRR = 1.46; 95% CI 1.35–1.59) adolescents had significantly higher risks of non‐utilization compared to their NZ European counterparts.

Conclusion

Inequitable utilization of dental services exists among adolescents in Canterbury, NZ, and is associated with Māori, Pasifika and those living in rural and most deprived areas. Adolescents at the greatest oral health risk are geographically underserved by current oral health services. The current health system should also explore the possibility of partnering with Māori and Pasifika communities to provide services within culturally appropriate settings.
Knowledge coproduction on the impact of decisions for waterbird habitat in a changing climate
Authors: Byrd Kristin B. , Matchett Elliott , Mengelt Claudia , Wilson Tamara S. , DiPietro Deanne , Moritsch Monica , Conlisk Erin , Veloz Sam , Casazza Michael L. , Reiter Matthew E.
Published: April 2023

Scientists, resource managers, and decision makers increasingly use knowledge coproduction to guide the stewardship of future landscapes under climate change. This process was applied in the California Central Valley (USA) to solve complex conservation problems, where managed wetlands and croplands are flooded between fall and spring to support some of the largest concentrations of shorebirds and waterfowl in the world. We coproduced scenario narratives, spatially explicit flooded waterbird habitat models, data products, and new knowledge about climate adaptation potential. We documented our coproduction process, and using the coproduced models, we determined when and where management actions make a difference and when climate overrides these actions. The outcomes of this process provide lessons learned on how to cocreate usable information and how to increase climate adaptive capacity in a highly managed landscape. Actions to restore wetlands and prioritize their water supply created habitat outcomes resilient to climate change impacts particularly in March, when habitat was most limited; land protection combined with management can increase the ecosystem's resilience to climate change; and uptake and use of this information was influenced by the roles of different stakeholders, rapidly changing water policies, discrepancies in decision‐making time frames, and immediate crises of extreme drought. Although a broad stakeholder group contributed knowledge to scenario narratives and model development, to coproduce usable information, data products were tailored to a small set of decision contexts, leading to fewer stakeholder participants over time. A boundary organization convened stakeholders across a large landscape, and early adopters helped build legitimacy. Yet, broadscale use of climate adaptation knowledge depends on state and local policies, engagement with decision makers that have legislative and budgetary authority, and the capacity to fit data products to specific decision needs.
Fragmentation effects on an endangered species across a gradient from the interior to edge of its range
Authors: Valente Jonathon J. , Rivers James W. , Yang Zhiqiang , Nelson S. Kim , Northrup Joseph M. , Roby Daniel D. , Meyer Carolyn B. , Betts Matthew G.
Published: April 2023

Understanding how habitat fragmentation affects individual species is complicated by challenges associated with quantifying species‐specific habitat and spatial variability in fragmentation effects within a species’ range. We aggregated a 29‐year breeding survey data set for the endangered marbled murrelet (Brachyramphus marmoratus) from >42,000 forest sites throughout the Pacific Northwest (Oregon, Washington, and northern California) of the United States. We built a species distribution model (SDM) in which occupied sites were linked with Landsat imagery to quantify murrelet‐specific habitat and then used occupancy models to test the hypotheses that fragmentation negatively affects murrelet breeding distribution and that these effects are amplified with distance from the marine foraging habitat toward the edge of the species’ nesting range. Murrelet habitat declined in the Pacific Northwest by 20% since 1988, whereas the proportion of habitat comprising edges increased by 17%, indicating increased fragmentation. Furthermore, fragmentation of murrelet habitat at landscape scales (within 2 km of survey stations) negatively affected occupancy of potential breeding sites, and these effects were amplified near the range edge. On the coast, the odds of occupancy decreased by 37% (95% confidence interval [CI] –54 to 12) for each 10% increase in edge habitat (i.e., fragmentation), but at the range edge (88 km inland) these odds decreased by 99% (95% CI 98 to 99). Conversely, odds of murrelet occupancy increased by 31% (95% CI 14 to 52) for each 10% increase in local edge habitat (within 100 m of survey stations). Avoidance of fragmentation at broad scales but use of locally fragmented habitat with reduced quality may help explain the lack of murrelet population recovery. Further, our results emphasize that fragmentation effects can be nuanced, scale dependent, and geographically variable. Awareness of these nuances is critical for developing landscape‐level conservation strategies for species experiencing broad‐scale habitat loss and fragmentation.