bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Distinct patterns of SARS-CoV-2 transmission in two nearby communities in Wisconsin, USA
Authors: Moreno Gage K. , Braun Katarina M. , Riemersma Kasen K. , Martin Michael A. , Halfmann Peter J. , Crooks Chelsea M , Prall Trent , Baker David , Baczenas John J. , Heffron Anna S. , Ramuta Mitchell , Khubbar Manjeet , Weiler Andrea M. , Accola Molly A. , Rehrauer William M , O’Connor Shelby L. , Safdar Nasia , Pepperell Caitlin S. , Dasu Trivikram , Bhattacharyya Sanjib , Kawaoka Yoshihiro , Koelle Katia , O’Connor David H. , Friedrich Thomas C.
Published: July 2020

Evidence-based public health approaches that minimize the introduction and spread of new SARS-CoV-2 transmission clusters are urgently needed in the United States and other countries struggling with expanding epidemics. Here we analyze 247 full-genome SARS-CoV-2 sequences from two nearby communities in Wisconsin, USA, and find surprisingly distinct patterns of viral spread. Dane County had the 12th known introduction of SARS-CoV-2 in the United States, but this did not lead to descendant community spread. Instead, the Dane County outbreak was seeded by multiple later introductions, followed by limited community spread. In contrast, relatively few introductions in Milwaukee County led to extensive community spread. We present evidence for reduced viral spread in both counties, and limited viral transmission between counties, following the statewide “Safer at Home” public health order, which went into effect 25 March 2020. Our results suggest that early containment efforts suppressed the spread of SARS-CoV-2 within Wisconsin.
Multiple control mechanisms for employee health and safety integration: effects and complementarity
Authors: Passetti Emilio , Battaglia Massimo , Testa Francesco , Heras-Saizarbitoria Iñaki
Published: July 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to analyse the extent to which health and safety action controls, results controls and informal controls affect the integration of health and safety issues into management actions, which in turn leads to improve health and safety performance. It also investigates the extent to which those health and safety control mechanisms contribute complementarily to the integration of health and safety issues.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey of 108 Italian non-listed firms tests a set of hypotheses based on complementarity theory and object of control framework.

Findings

Not all the health and safety control mechanisms positively influence the integration of health and safety issues into business practices and external stakeholder relations. Complementarity between health and safety control mechanisms is significant only for higher health and safety performance companies, indicating that the health and safety control mechanisms operate as a package.

Research limitations/implications

The health and safety performance measure could be replaced in future research by improved inter-subjectively testable information, although collecting health and safety quantitative data is difficult. An additional limitation is the response rate.

Practical implications

The findings encourage companies to design and use a comprehensive set of health and safety control mechanisms to promote a healthy workplace.

Originality/value

The paper contributes to the management control, sustainability management control and health and safety accounting literature. The paper provides an in-depth interdisciplinary analysis of the effectiveness of different control mechanisms in the context of health and safety that hitherto has rarely been investigated despite the multiple importance of the topic.
Factors influencing internship satisfaction among Chinese students
Authors: To Wai Ming , Lung Jane W.Y.
Published: July 2020

Purpose

An internship is an essential part of vocational-oriented degree programs because it enhances the employability of graduates and prepares them for career development. Thus, it is important to understand how students view internships and whether they are satisfied with their internship experience. This paper explores the effects of organizational and individual factors on internship satisfaction.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on a literature review on internship, we propose a theoretical model in which organizational factors, including supervisor support and task clarity, and individual factors, including interns' perceived functional value and perceived social value, can lead to internship satisfaction while task clarity, perceived functional value and perceived social value can affect interns' self-initiative behavior. The proposed model was tested using responses from 161 Chinese students in Macao SAR.

Findings

The results of structural equation modeling indicated that supervisor support and perceived social value had direct and significant impacts on internship satisfaction while task clarity and perceived functional value had direct and significant impacts on interns' self-initiative behavior. Additionally, supervisor support significantly influenced task clarity, perceived functional value and perceived social value.

Originality/value

The paper identifies that supervisor support has a strong and significant impact on internship satisfaction. Additionally, the current study indicates that organizations should pay great attention to appoint the right work supervisors who are able to assign appropriate tasks to interns, provide clear guidance and facilitate social interaction between interns and other people.
Analysis of occupant behaviour in the use of air-conditioners in public buildings in developing countries: evidence from Ghana
Authors: Ahadzie Divine Kwaku , Opoku Richard , Opoku Ware Stephen Nana , Mensah Henry
Published: July 2020

Purpose

The use of air-conditioners (ACs) is on the increase in the developing world, with exacerbating compounding effect on carbon footprints. With this development, there is the expectation that developing countries would begin to appreciate and understand occupant behaviours in the use of ACs towards combating climate change, especially as building energy consumption is heavily influenced by the behaviour of its occupants. This study aims to identify occupant behaviours that leads to efficient use of ACs in public buildings so that these can be factored into developing guidelines for improving energy efficiency in buildings.

Design/methodology/approach

Drawing on the theory of planned behaviour (TPB), survey questionnaire was used to collect data in office buildings in Kumasi, Ghana. Partial least squares–structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) analysis was employed for the analysis.

Findings

Switching on fan(s) as alternative to ACs has a path coefficient of 0.527, suggesting that it will have the most positive impact on energy consumption as far as AC use is concerned. The second occupant behaviour with a positive impact on energy consumption for AC use is opening windows for natural ventilation accounting for 0.351 significant path coefficient. Wearing of light or heavy clothing as a means of conserving energy achieved 0.174 impact coefficient while occupant behaviour of switching off ACs when leaving the room came last in the ranking, with an impact coefficient of 0.146. TBP is validated in this model, given that all the four occupant behaviours had their perceived behavioural control (PBC) having less impact on the behaviour compared to the behavioural attitude (BA) and the subjective norm (SN).

Research limitations/implications

This research focused on public buildings used as offices, and the findings may not be applicable to private company buildings and also residential properties. Given that Ghana and, for that matter, many developing countries rely heavily on thermal plant for electricity generation, the climate change implications of the findings are discussed.

Practical implications

It is recommended that behaviours of occupants should be considered and factored in building energy predictions to bridge the energy performance gap. Subsequently, project managers, designers and energy consultants are encouraged to provide fans and openable windows in offices, even if there is going to be an air-conditioning provisions.

Originality/value

Originality emanates from the paper being at the forefront of helping to understand occupants' behaviour in the use ACs and associated climate change implications in a developing country context. One of the new variables introduced, switching on fans as an alternative to ACs, achieved the highest path coefficient and has important implication for occupant behaviour in the use of ACs in the literature.
A certification framework for managing the risks of non-compliance and non-conformance building products: a Western Australian perspective
Authors: Hudson Fraser Scott , Sutrisna Monty , Chawynski Gregory
Published: July 2020

Purpose

Many audits, subsequent to various fire incidents, revealed that the failure to prevent the use of non-compliant and non-conforming building products earlier in the process have been mainly attributed to the inability of the existing building and building product certification processes to mitigate the risks of having non-compliance and non-conformance. This paper presents findings from a research project in Western Australia (WA) set up to evaluate and manage the risks of non-compliance and non-conformance of building products, with a specific focus on (although not limited to) aluminum composite panels as an external cladding material, across the project processes by mapping the lifecycle of building products used in building projects. The research is underpinned by the basic principles of risk management applied in the construction industry but considering the impact of the regulatory environment.

Design/methodology/approach

Lessons learnt from various jurisdictions indicated a real need for reform to the current building and building product certification processes unique to a jurisdiction in order to better manage such risks in these jurisdictions. This research focuses on a specific jurisdiction, namely the WA. The methodology used to gather and analyse data was both a quantitative and qualitative approach, facilitated through administering an online questionnaire followed by validation and refinement of interviews involving practitioners from WA.

Findings

The findings demonstrated that mitigating such risks will be feasible if an integrated and concerted approach is applied. Such a holistic approach has also unveiled specific potential reforms to the current building product certification framework that could be implemented to mitigate such risks. All of these led to the development of an idealised building product certification framework as the main contributions of this research.

Originality/value

The proposed idealised framework can be used as the framework to instigate reforms aiming to reduce the risks of allowing non-compliant and non-conforming building products within the WA jurisdiction. Whilst the framework was developed using the data from, and therefore aimed for the WA jurisdiction, the methodology applied here can be used as the basis to develop further frameworks in other jurisdictions.
A cross-national analysis of PhD models
Authors: Dominguez-Whitehead Yasmine , Maringe Felix
Published: July 2020

Purpose

This paper provides a cross-national analysis of PhD supervision models, milestones and examination procedures in order to compare PhD programs and their practices.

Design/methodology/approach

A comparative approach is employed, which systematically interrogates PhD supervision models, milestones and examination procedures in the United Kingdom, South Africa and the United States via a comprehensive review of the practices and literature.

Findings

The findings indicate the ramifications of the different approaches and highlight the benefits and drawbacks associated with the different models.

Originality/value

By making explicit the dominant supervision models, milestones and examination procedures that exist in the United Kingdom, South Africa and the United States, the authors shed light on the somewhat obscure path to earning a PhD degree.
R&D by US multinationals in China: geography and patterns of co-invention
Authors: Ervits Irina
Published: July 2020

Purpose

This paper addresses the geographical dimension of cross-border knowledge integration, expressed as the co-invention of patent filings and investigates the siting of patenting activities by major US corporations in China. Most importantly, the study looks into the patterns of international co-invention or the links of these locations to headquarters and other company subsidiaries.

Design/methodology/approach

The study explores the cases of six US multinationals that file international patent applications in China. The applications were analyzed based on the composition of invention teams and the locations of inventors.

Findings

The co-invented patent filings by US multinational enterprises (MNEs) in China demonstrate a high degree of US–Chinese subsidiary collaboration. Links with other subsidiaries are marginal, and at the same time, high levels of sole patenting by inventors in China point to competence-creating research and development (R&D) activities taking place.

Practical implications

The lack of subsidiary-subsidiary collaboration, especially subsidiaries in other emerging markets, indicates a less diversified strategy of leveraging internal networks of knowledge. This also implies that Chinese subsidiaries still lack attractiveness as partners in subsidiary-subsidiary co-invention. Only two companies in our sample, Procter & Gamble and Intel, demonstrate a highly diversified, integrated and transnational pattern of innovation management.

Originality/value

The paper contributes to the contextual understanding of the rich landscape of R&D activities of major US MNEs in China. By exploring these cases, the paper identifies a number of trends. First, the R&D activities in this sample are highly concentrated in technological clusters located in Beijing and Shanghai. Technological clustering is an important advantage of the innovation landscape in emerging markets. Second, the paper underscores the importance of differentiating between different types of co-invention. The patent applications in this sample tend to unite inventors mostly from the US and China, and so multi-country applications involving subsidiaries in other countries are rare. Thus, the level of integration outside the center-host bandwidth is low. However, Chinese subsidiaries demonstrate high levels of autonomy by filing single-country applications, which implies that they are building their own research identity.
Training NHS staff to work with people with trauma induced emotional regulation and interpersonal relational difficulties (TIERI)/borderline personality disorder
Authors: Darongkamas Jurai , Dobel-Ober David , Moody Beth , Wakelin Rachel , Saddique Somia
Published: July 2020

Purpose

Improvement is sorely needed to the National Health Service (NHS) care for people with trauma induced emotional regulation and interpersonal relational difficulties (TIERI), currently labelled as a variant of personality disorder [PD; borderline personalty disorder/emotionally unstable personality disorder (BPD/EUPD)]. This study aims to improve staff training.

Design/methodology/approach

A mixed-methods evaluation demonstrated the benefits of offering 495 staff three-day trainings with a clinician-designed, unique training package.

Findings

Statistically significant improvements were reported in both staff confidence and optimism when dealing with people with a diagnosis of PD (PWDPD) and scores on the Helping Alliance questionnaire. No statistically significant changes in social attitude resulted. Qualitative data shows negative descriptions generated by staff decreased post-training with an increase in positive and neutral descriptions. The responses generated six different themes: resources, client demand, medical model, emotional, human and positive rewards. Differing proportions were found pre and post-training.

Research limitations/implications

This was a clinical-world evaluation, not a formal research project. Different pairs/combinations of experienced clinicians (predominantly clinical psychologists) acted as trainers. Some minor variation occurred within the training package used and presentation.

Practical implications

Given the expense of staff time and resources, this evaluation shows the resultant positive changes achieved. TIERI staff about the difficulties experienced by PWDPD and how to negotiate the relational dynamic is essential. Training helps improve staff perception of the people involved, improves staff confidence and promotes better therapeutic alliances (key to providing the relational and trauma work needed). Ongoing supervision is likely needed post-training.

Originality/value

Positive changes resulted from a mixed-methods evaluation of three-day trainings by using a specially designed training package.
Intellectual capital: a determinant of firms' operational efficiency
Authors: Gupta Kanishka , Raman T.V.
Published: July 2020

Purpose

Intellectual capital (IC) has been recognized in improving the efficiency of businesses and gaining competitive edge in the developed world. The present study offers perspectives into the effect of IC on the efficiency of the Indian financial sector companies.

Design/methodology/approach

For the purpose of evaluating efficiency, the research has used stochastic frontier analysis (SFA). All Indian financial sector companies listed in National Stock Exchange (NSE-500) for the timeframe of ten years (2008–2018) have been considered. The paper has employed modified Pulic's Value Added Intellectual Coefficient (VAICTM) as a proxy to measure IC. Correlation and panel data regression have been used in order to examine the relationship.

Findings

The results of the study indicate positive and significant relationship between IC and efficiency of the firm. The results also show that all the components of IC, that is, human capital, relational capital, process capital and capital employed have a significant impact on firms' efficiency. Additionally, it has been seen that sample companies do not invest in research and development leading to no innovation capital.

Practical implications

The research will assist managers in managing and controlling the IC, investors in matters related to investment and financial experts in improving the company's IC and value creation.

Originality/value

The current research is one of the pioneering studies in the context of Indian financial sector that examines the impact of modified VAIC on operational efficiency calculated using SFA.
Does gender matter? Attitude towards waste charging policy and pro-environmental behaviours
Authors: Wut Tai Ming , Ng Peggy , Kan Hing-Ki, Mike , Fong Chiu, Samuel
Published: July 2020

Purpose

A waste charging policy had been implemented in major Asian cities like Taipei and Seoul years ago. Hong Kong is not yet to charge household rubbish, which is one of the major municipal solid waste sources. Landfill places will be exhausted in a year or two in the city. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effectiveness of waste charging policies by exploring relationships among social norms, lifestyles, attitudes towards waste charging policy and pro-environmental behaviour.

Design/methodology/approach

Purposeful sampling was used in this study to recruit university students to take part in the survey. Purposeful sampling helps to make a “highly credible sample” (Gall et al., 2006, p.185). This study distributed questionnaires to respondents aged over 18 years. Among them, there were 404 valid questionnaires (35.6% male; 64.4% female) that were returned with a response rate of 53.9%.

Findings

It is found that attitude towards waste charging policies affects pro-environmental behaviour through lifestyles and social norms. Female respondents’ pro-environmental behaviours are affected by their lifestyles and social norms. But male respondents’ lifestyle is affected by their attitude towards policy. Attitude towards charging policy does not have an impact on young people's pro-environmental behaviours.

Originality/value

Social acceptance towards any environmental policy is a must for its final outcome. It is because attitude towards any environmental policy is a starting point to affect pro-environmental behaviours. Female respondents are more engaged in pro-environmental behaviour compared to male. Almost all big cities encourage the re-use, re-cycle and reduce of waste. Before designing and implementing relevant policy, stakeholder participation is important. The new environmental policy usually has stricter measures, such as heavier charge on municipal waste. Policymakers are advised to obtain solid arguments and data support to convince stakeholders.
Making sense of it together: Youth & families co‐create sensory modulation assessment and intervention in community mental health settings to optimise daily life
Authors: Williamson Phoebe , Ennals Priscilla
Published: July 2020

Introduction

Occupational therapists work collaboratively with young people experiencing mental ill‐health to enable meaningful occupational participation in daily life. Sensory modulation is used as a means of developing self‐regulation and enabling occupational participation. Published literature on sensory modulation in mental health settings is primarily located within acute inpatient settings and focuses on self‐regulation. Little is known about the use of sensory modulation within community settings to enhance occupational participation in daily lives of people with mental‐ill health. This study investigated the experiences of young people and their families who engaged in sensory modulation assessment (Adolescent/Adult Sensory Profile) and intervention (between one and twelve sessions) as part of community mental health care at a large area mental health service in Melbourne, Australia.

Methods

The qualitative study used naturalistic inquiry methodology involving semi‐structured interviews with six young people and three families. Nine interview transcripts were thematically analysed to elicit the experiences of sensory modulation assessment and intervention, and how this may influence daily life.

Results

Thematic analysis revealed that young people and their families’ positive experiences of sensory modulation were underpinned by processes of co‐creation: (a) knowing yourself; (b) understanding ‘the why’: developing shared reasons for engaging in sensory modulation; (c) creating comfort; (d) creating connection; and (e) constantly learning. Sensory modulation supported occupational participation in young peoples’ daily lives in the areas of sleep, study, relationships, self‐care, independent living, being in the world, and doing new things.

Conclusion

Young people and their families valued the process of co‐creating sensory modulation assessment and intervention to enhance occupational participation. Results revealed that sensory modulation assessment and intervention was optimised when it was a process of co‐creation. Future research should investigate the effectiveness of sensory modulation in enhancing occupational participation in these domains that influence daily life.
Deconstructing the ‘cheque effect’: short‐term changes in injection drug use after receiving income assistance and associated factors
Authors: Høj Stine Bordier , Jacka Brendan , Minoyan Nanor , Bussière Phélix , Bruneau Julie
Published: July 2020

Background and Aims

Disbursement of income assistance has been temporally associated with intensified drug use and related harms (coined the ‘cheque effect’). However, relationships to injection drug use (IDU) remain understudied. We examined short‐term ‘cheque effects’ and associated factors among people who inject drugs (PWID).

Design

Cross‐sectional analysis nested within a cohort study.

Setting

Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

Participants

PWID receiving income assistance, with no employment income. A total of 613 PWID (median age 41, 83% male) contributed 3269 observations from 2011 to 2017.

Measurements and Methods

At each cohort visit, an interviewer‐administered questionnaire captured retrospective reports of injection‐related behaviour during the 2‐day periods (i) before and (ii) including/after receiving last month's income assistance payment (number of injections; drugs injected; any receptive syringe‐sharing). The relative likelihood (odds) and magnitude (rate) of an increase in injection frequency (‘cheque effect’) were estimated in relation to social and behavioural factors using logistic and negative binomial regression in a covariate‐adjusted two‐part model.

Findings

Prevalence of IDU and syringe‐sharing were, respectively, 1.80 and 2.50 times higher in the days following versus preceding cheque receipt (P < 0.001). Among people with past‐month IDU, most observations showed increased injection frequency (52%) or no change in injection frequency (44%). The likelihood of a ‘cheque effect’ was positively associated with cocaine injection [versus injection of other substances, odds ratio (OR) = 2.639, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 2.04–3.41], unstable housing (OR = 1.272, 95% CI = 1.03–1.57) and receiving opioid agonist therapy (OR =1.597, 95% CI = 1.27–2.00) during the same month. Magnitude of the ‘cheque effect’ was positively associated with cocaine injection [rate ratio (RR) = 1.795, 95% CI = 1.43–2.16], unstable housing (RR = 1.198, 95% CI = 1.02–1.38) and frequent injection (RR = 2.938, 95% CI = 2.43–3.44), but inversely associated with opioid agonist therapy (RR = 0.817, 95% CI = 0.68–0.95) and prescription opioid injection (RR = 0.794, 95% CI = 0.66–0.93).

Conclusion

Among people who inject drugs in Montreal, Canada, injection drug use and receptive syringe‐sharing appear to be more prevalent in the 2 days after versus before receiving income assistance. The odds and rate of individual‐level increases in injection frequency appear to be positively associated with cocaine injection (versus injection of other substances) and unstable housing.
Situating Political Agronomy: The Knowledge Politics of Hybrid Rice in India and Uganda
Authors: Taylor Marcus , Bargout Remy , Bhasme Suhas
Published: July 2020

The emergence of ‘political agronomy’ — a research agenda that interrogates the knowledge politics through which agronomic debates are constructed, shaped and contested — has added a new and important tool for the analysis of agricultural research and policy making in development contexts. This article seeks to advance the scope of political agronomy by providing an enhanced framework to link the analysis of agronomic knowledge production to the study of new agricultural technologies in practice. Using case studies of hybrid rice promotion in southern India and western Uganda, the article illustrates the power relations and unanticipated outcomes that accompanied the translation of agronomic research into agrarian settings characterized by pronounced social polarization and marked environmental transformations. These case studies affirm how the starkly uneven outcomes of technological change refract back into the politics of agronomic research and extension as both researchers and policy makers react to the unintended impacts of previous interventions when designing future agendas.
Politics of Engagement: Gender Expertise and International Governance
Authors: Altan‐Olcay Özlem
Published: July 2020

This article studies the experiences of gender experts in international institutions of governance and examines their interactions with multiple actors in the governance system as they negotiate their authority to act as experts. Moving beyond binaries, such as those on the inside of hegemonic institutions versus those on the outside, or co‐optation versus activism, the analysis uses processes of instrumentalization as a vantage point to lay out the multiple paths emerging in these politics of engagement. The article frames politics of engagement in terms of micropolitical tensions, ambivalences and contradictions that unfold in these interactions. It first argues that the boundaries that exist between inside and outside institutions are not clear cut because actors circulate between them. The study shows how gender experts instrumentalize their own life and career trajectories, navigating between advocacy and governance, to enhance their power in current institutional settings. It then focuses on instrumentalist discourses and traces their emergence in unequal negotiations. It demonstrates how gender experts can become part of the processes that they also critique. Finally, the study analyses strategies in which experts instrumentalize institutional inequalities to their advantage to produce diverse political possibilities with open‐ended outcomes.
Predator pheromone elicits a temporally dependent non‐consumptive effect in prey
Authors: Aflitto Nicholas C. , Thaler Jennifer S.
Published: July 2020

The influence of predator cues on the behaviour of prey is well supported in the literature; however, a clear understanding of how predator cues affect prey in variable environmental conditions and over longer time scales is needed to better understand the underlying mechanisms. Here, we measure how predator odors affect herbivore colonization, abundance, oviposition, and plant damage across two growing seasons.

The study system consisted of Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Colorado potato beetle) as prey, and the aggregation pheromone of live Podisus maculiventris (spined soldier bug) as the predator cue in a potato field.

In 2016, the amount of feeding damage by early beetle colonists was lower in predator odor‐treated plots, reducing plant damage by 22%. Larval abundance was also reduced in treated plots in 2016. Beetle abundance and damage in 2017 was similar in the treatment and control plots. Two mechanisms were investigated to better understand why prey response to the predator odor treatment weakened over the first season, including changes in predator odor cue strength and prey habituation. Predator odor cue strength emerged as a likely explanation, as dispensers, which released a synthetic predator pheromone over the entire season, reduced the probability of finding damage more consistently than the live predator treatment.

These results suggest that temporal patterns of predator cue release and strength may drive prey response across the season, underscoring the importance of cue release‐rate and consistency in both species interactions and for the future application of modifying insect behaviour using non‐consumptive effects in agricultural systems.
Retyping of triple‐negative breast cancer based on clustering method
Authors: Liu Bo , Li Xingrui , Wang Huina , Zhao Shuangtao , Li Jianqiang , Qu Guangzhi , Wang Fei
Published: July 2020

Triple‐negative breast cancer is the worst prognosis in breast cancer, accounting for 10.0–20.8% of all breast cancers. Considering that triple‐negative breast cancer has great heterogeneity and very poor prognosis, clinical medication guidance is in urgent need of a more detailed classification of breast cancer itself. Although many researchers have been dedicated to the clustering of triple‐negative breast cancer and have found possible targets based on typing, their results are not closely related to the prognosis. This paper utilizes three clustering methods to retype the patient data with triple‐negative breast cancer, and the results show that the triple‐negative breast cancer data could be classified into two categories. Eight important genes and three important clinical factors related to the prognosis of two types of triple‐negative breast cancer have been obtained. These genes have the following three characteristics: co‐expression, differential expression and interaction. In terms of breast cancer control, the prognosis can be controlled as much as possible by regulating gene levels, which provides new directions and ideas for related research on breast cancer prognosis.
NOXA upregulation by the prohibitin‐binding compound fluorizoline is transcriptionally regulated by integrated stress response‐induced ATF3 and ATF4
Authors: Núñez‐Vázquez Sonia , Sánchez‐Vera Ismael , Saura‐Esteller José , Cosialls Ana M. , Noisier Anaïs F.M. , Albericio Fernando , Lavilla Rodolfo , Pons Gabriel , Iglesias‐Serret Daniel , Gil Joan
Published: July 2020

Fluorizoline is a new synthetic molecule that induces p53‐independent apoptosis, in several tumor cell lines and in primary leukemia cells, by selectively targeting prohibitins (PHBs). In this study, we describe how fluorizoline induces BCL‐2 homology 3‐only protein NOXA, without modulating the protein levels of anti‐apoptotic B‐cell lymphoma‐2 (BCL‐2) family members prior to caspase activation, as well as how it synergizes with the BCL‐2 and BCL‐XL inhibitor ABT‐737 to induce apoptosis. Interestingly, fluorizolinetreatment triggers the activation of the integrated stress response (ISR) in HeLa and HAP1 cells, with increased eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2α phosphorylation, and induction of ATF3, ATF4, and CHOP. Moreover, PHB downregulation induces similar ISR activation and apoptosis as with fluorizoline treatment. In addition, we studied the essential role of the pro‐apoptotic protein NOXA in fluorizoline‐induced apoptosis and we describe its mechanism of induction in HeLa and HAP1 cells. Moreover, we identified ATF3 and ATF4 as the transcription factors that bind to NOXA promoter upon fluorizoline treatment. Furthermore, using ATF3 and ATF4 CRISPR HeLa and HAP1 cells, we confirmed that both factors mediate the induction of NOXA and apoptosis by fluorizoline. In conclusion, fluorizoline treatment triggers the activation of the ISR that results in the induction of ATF3 and ATF4, important regulators of NOXA transcription in fluorizoline‐induced apoptosis.
Collective bargaining towards mutual flexibility and security goals in large internationalised companies—why do institutions (still) matter?
Authors: Paolucci Valentina , Marginson Paul
Published: July 2020

This paper examines the potential of collective bargaining to generate mutually advantageous flexibility and security outcomes at firm level. By focusing attention on actors' negotiating capacity at sites in Denmark and Italy of four large chemical‐pharmaceutical companies, it provides a nuanced, comparative explanation. The findings demonstrate that, across countries, differences in actors' capacity and negotiated outcomes are attributable to the stability and depth of collective bargaining institutions. Within country differences are accounted for by the organisational resources (internal democracy, external links and pro‐activity) of local trade unions, which condition their capacity to induce management to negotiate outcomes which benefit both parties.
Lesion characteristics between cryoballoon ablation and radiofrequency ablation with a contact force‐sensing catheter: Late‐gadolinium enhancement magnetic resonance imaging assessment
Authors: Kurose Jun , Kiuchi Kunihiko , Fukuzawa Koji , Takami Mitsuru , Mori Shumpei , Suehiro Hideya , Nagamatsu Yu‐ichi , Akita Tomomi , Takemoto Makoto , Yatomi Atsusuke , Nakamura Toshihiro , Sakai Jun , Watanabe Yoshiaki , Shimoyama Shinsuke , Negi Noriyuki , Kyotani Katsusuke , Hirata Ken‐ichi
Published: July 2020

Background

Pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) lesions after cryoballoon ablation (CBA) are characterized as a wider and more continuous than that after conventional radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) without the contact force (CF)‐sensing technology. However, the impact on the lesion characteristics of ablation with a CF‐sensing catheter has not been well discussed. We sought to assess the lesions using late‐gadolinium enhancement magnetic resonance imaging (LGE‐MRI) and to compare the differences between the two groups (CB group vs. RF group).

Methods

A total of 30 consecutive patients who underwent PVI were enrolled (CB group, 18; RF group, 12). The RF applications were delivered with a target lesion size index (LSI) of 5. The PVI lesions were assessed by LGE‐MRI 3 months after the PVI. The region around the PV was divided into eight segments: roof, anterior‐superior, anterior carina, anterior inferior, bottom, posterior inferior, posterior carina, and posterior superior segment. The lesion width and visual gap of each segment were compared between the two groups. The visual gaps were defined as no‐enhancement site of >4 mm.

Results

The mean LSI was 4.7 ± 0.7. The lesion width was significantly wider but the visual gaps were more frequently documented at the bottom segment of right PV in the CBA group (lesion width: 8.1 ± 2.2 vs. 6.3 ± 2.2 mm; p = .032; visual gap at the bottom segment or right PV: 39% vs. 0%; p = .016).

Conclusions

The PVI lesion was wider after CBA, while the visual gaps were fewer after RFCA with a CF‐sensing catheter.
Human inborn errors of immunity: An expanding universe
Authors: Notarangelo Luigi D. , Bacchetta Rosa , Casanova Jean-Laurent , Su Helen C.
Published: July 2020

This Review summarizes recent advances in the molecular, cellular, and clinical characterization of human inborn errors of immunity.
Safety and acceptability of clozapine and risperidone in progressive multiple sclerosis: a phase I, randomised, blinded, placebo-controlled trial
Authors: La Flamme Anne C , Abernethy David , Sim Dalice , Goode Liz , Lockhart Michelle , Bourke David , Milner Imogen , Garrill Toni-Marie , Joshi Purwa , Watson Eloise , Smyth Duncan , Lance Sean , Connor Bronwen
Published: July 2020

Objective

Because clozapine and risperidone have been shown to reduce neuroinflammation in humans and mice, the Clozapine and Risperidone in Progressive Multiple Sclerosis (CRISP) trial was conducted to determine whether clozapine and risperidone are suitable for progressive multiple sclerosis (pMS).

Methods

The CRISP trial (ACTRN12616000178448) was a blinded, randomised, placebo-controlled trial with three parallel arms (n=12/arm). Participants with pMS were randomised to clozapine (100–150 mg/day), risperidone (2.0–3.5 mg/day) or placebo for 6 months. The primary outcome measures were safety (adverse events (AEs)/serious adverse events (SAE)) and acceptability (Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medication-9).

Results

An interim analysis (n=9) revealed significant differences in the time-on-trial between treatment groups and placebo (p=0.030 and 0.025, clozapine and risperidone, respectively) with all participants receiving clozapine being withdrawn during the titration period (mean dose=35±15 mg/day). Participants receiving clozapine or risperidone reported a significantly higher rate of AEs than placebo (p=0.00001) but not SAEs. Specifically, low doses of clozapine appeared to cause an acute and dose-related intoxicant effect in patients with pMS who had fairly severe chronic spastic ataxic gait and worsening over all mobility, which resolved on drug cessation.

Interpretation

The CRISP trial results suggest that patients with pMS may experience increased sensitivity to clozapine and risperidone and indicate that the dose and/or titration schedule developed for schizophrenia may not be suitable for pMS. While these findings do not negate the potential of these drugs to reduce multiple sclerosis-associated neuroinflammation, they highlight the need for further research to understand the pharmacodynamic profile and effect of clozapine and risperidone in patients with pMS.

Trial registration number

ACTRN12616000178448.
Evidence-based medicine and COVID-19: what to believe and when to change
Authors: Carley Simon , Horner Daniel , Body Richard , Mackway-Jones Kevin
Published: July 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a surge of information being presented to clinicians regarding this novel and deadly disease. There is a clear urgency to collate, review, appraise and act on this information if we are to do the best for clinicians and patients. However, the speed of the pandemic is a threat to traditional models of knowledge translation and practice change. In this concepts paper, we argue that clinicians need to be agile in their thinking and practice in order to find the right time to change. Adoption of new methods should be based on clinical judgement, the weight of evidence and the balance of probabilities that any new technique, test or treatment might work. The pandemic requires all of us to reach a new level of evidence-based medicine characterised by scepticism, thoughtfulness, responsiveness and clinically agility in practice.
Discrete changes in brain volume after deep brain stimulation in patients with Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Kern Drew S , Uy Daniel , Rhoades Remy , Ojemann Steven , Abosch Aviva , Thompson John A
Published: July 2020

Objectives

Deep brain stimulation (DBS), targeting the subthalamic nucleus (STN) and globus pallidus interna, is a surgical therapy with class 1 evidence for Parkinson’s disease (PD). Bilateral DBS electrodes may be implanted within a single operation or in separate staged surgeries with an interval of time that varies patient by patient. In this study, we used the variation in the timing of implantation from the first to the second implantation allowing for examination of potential volumetric changes of the basal ganglia in patients with PD who underwent staged STN DBS.

Methods

Thirty-two patients with a mean time interval between implantations of 141.8 (±209.1; range: 7–700) days and mean duration of unilateral stimulation of 244.7 (±227.7; range: 20–672) days were included in this study. Using volumetric analysis of whole hemisphere and subcortical structures, we observed whether implantation or stimulation affected structural volume.

Results

We observed that DBS implantation, but not the duration of stimulation, induced a significant reduction of volume in the caudate, pallidum, putamen and thalamus ipsilateral to the implanted hemisphere. These findings were not dependent on the trajectory of the implanted electrode nor on first surgery pneumocephalus (0.07%: %Δ for intracranial volume between first and second surgery). In addition, unique regional atrophy differences were evident in each of the structures.

Conclusion

Our results demonstrate that DBS implantation surgery may affect hemisphere volume at the level of subcortical structures connected to the surgical target.
Performance at stair-climbing test is associated with postoperative complications after lung resection: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Boujibar Fairuz , Gillibert André , Gravier Francis Edouard , Gillot Timothée , Bonnevie Tristan , Cuvelier Antoine , Baste Jean-marc
Published: July 2020

Background

Thoracic surgery is the optimal treatment for early-stage lung cancer, but there is a high risk of postoperative morbidity. Therefore, it is necessary to evaluate patients’ preoperative general condition and cardiorespiratory capacity to determine the risk of postoperative complications. The objective of this study was to assess whether the stair-climbing test could be used in the preoperative evaluation of lung resection patients to predict postoperative morbidity following thoracic surgery.

Methods

We performed a systematic review and a meta-analysis on the association between stair-climbing test result and morbidity/mortality after thoracic surgery. We analysed all articles published until May 2020 in the following databases: Pubmed/Medline, Pedro, The Cochrane library, Embase and CINAHL. The risk of bias was assessed using the Quality in Prognosis Studies tool. This meta-analysis is registered as PROSPERO CRD42019121348.

Results

13 articles were included in the systematic review for a total of 2038 patients and 6 in the meta-analysis. There were multiple test evaluation criteria: rise time, height, desaturation and heart rate change. For the meta-analysis, we were able to pool data on the height of rise at a variable threshold: risk ratio 2.34 (95% CI 1.59 to 3.43) with I²=53% (p=0.06). The threshold for occurrence of complications was estimated at a 10 m climb.

Conclusions

Our results indicate that the stair-climbing test could be used as a first-line functional screening test to predict postoperative morbidity following thoracic surgery and that patients with a poor test result (<10 m) should be referred to formal cardiopulmonary exercise testing.
James Morley Booth
Authors: Berry Elizabeth , Foster Sarah , Hillerton Eric
Published: July 2020

Having gained clinical experience in practice, James joined the Milk Marketing Board where his passion for mastitis control and dairy health helped to improve milk quality.
A Combined Method for Time-Varying Parameter Identification Based on Variational Mode Decomposition and Generalized Morse Wavelet
Authors: Wang Chao , Zhang Jing , Zhu Hong Pin
Published: July 2020

Time-varying parameter identification is essential for structural health monitoring and performance evaluation. In this paper, a combined method based on the variational mode decomposition and generalized Morse wavelet is proposed to identify the structural time-varying parameters. Based on the sparse property of structural response signals in wavelet domain, a fast iterative shrinkage-thresholding algorithm is adopted to reduce the noise. Then the de-noised signal is decomposed into multi- modes by the variational mode decomposition, and the generalized Morse wavelet is performed to identify the instantaneous frequency. To validate the proposed method, a numerical example including different frequency variations is studied. Experimental validations of a moving vehicle across a bridge and a time-varying cable system considering two patterns of cable tension variations in the laboratory are carried out to investigate the capability of the proposed approach. It is confirmed that the proposed approach can effectively perform the signal decomposition, while identifying the instantaneous frequencies of the time-varying systems accurately.
A simultaneous decomposition for three quaternion tensors with applications in color video signal processing
Authors: He Zhuo-Heng , Chen Chen , Wang Xiang-Xiang
Published: July 2020

In this paper, we establish a simultaneous decomposition for three quaternion tensors via Einstein product. This simultaneous decomposition transforms the given three quaternion tensors into nice forms which have only 1 and 0. We conclude with an application in the color video signal processing. This new approach only needs to store four keys to realize the simultaneous encryption and decryption of three videos.