bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The role of qualitative research in Change Laboratory interventions
Authors: Morselli Daniele , Marcelli Andrea Mattia
Published: October 2021

Purpose

This contribution investigates methodological questions concerning Change Laboratory interventions. It contemplates the research questions: To what extent the Change Laboratory can be situated within the panorama of qualitative inquiry? If so, to what extent can the methods and strategies of inquiry help improve a Change Laboratory intervention?

Design/methodology/approach

To answer the first question, this paper makes an overview on key terms of qualitative research; subsequently, it presents the characterising features of the Change Laboratory. Then, it takes a historical perspective and compares the Change Laboratory firstly against action research, and secondly with design experiments. To answer the second section, it examines a case study of Change Laboratory with teachers that the first author facilitated. Next, it displays how trustworthiness was ensured through a thick description and member checks.

Findings

The paper argues that the Change Laboratory is a strategy of inquiry; it aligns with the characteristics of qualitative research, and it follows the agenda of a participative paradigm. Furthermore, the methods and strategies of inquiry such as thick descriptions and member checks, not only can improve rigour and validity of the intervention but also strengthen the outcomes of the Change Laboratory itself.

Originality/value

The Change Laboratory is well defined as a formative method, but not fully understood as an investigative method. Although scholars discussed methodological issues of Cultural Historical Activity Theory in diverse articles, the relationship between the Change Laboratory and qualitative inquiry has remained unclear.
Toward epistemological identification of the four major mindscapes
Authors: Fatehi Kamal , Taasoobshirazi Gita , Sanchez-Gutierrez Jose
Published: October 2021

Purpose

Japanese American philosopher Magoroh Maruyama (1969) proposed the Mindscape theory, a macro model of cultural differences identification. The theory suggests inter-and intra-cultural heterogeneity and four major Mindscapes of H, I, S and G. He and his colleagues designed 64 graphic geometric patterns based on redundant and non-redundant complexity to recognize the Mindscapes in cultures. However, there is no method of identifying each Mindscape individually/separately. In other words, specificity is missing in this theory. Without such identification, the applicability of the Mindscape theory in international business is limited. This study aims to provide the needed specificity.

Design/methodology/approach

The present study applies Harvey’s (1966) four epistemological systems to identify each of the four Mindscapes. According to Maruyama and Harvey, three of Harvey’s four systems are identical to the three Mindscapes of H, I and G. If the authors can match the three Mindscapes with the three Harvey’s systems, what remains the authors assume to be the fourth Mindscape.

Findings

The current study determined various graphic and geometric patterns associated with each of the four Mindscapes. In doing so, the study expanded the applicability of the theory in international business.

Research limitations/implications

Harvey (1966) administered nine psychological tests (instruments) to many subjects over nearly two decades to determine the four systems. Using nine major instruments is very challenging, demanding and time-consuming. For ease of application and saving time, the authors used one of these instruments as an example. Ideally, the authors should use all.

Originality/value

Mindscape theory suggests that each of the four salient Mindscapes is more relevant to a specific situation, such as human resource management, motivation, leadership, conflict resolution and others. By identifying each Mindscape, this study expands the use of Mindscape theory.
Experimental verification of computational and sensitivity analysis on substrate deformation and plastic strain induced by hollow thin-walled WAAM structure
Authors: Prajadhiana Keval P. , Manurung Yupiter H.P. , Bauer Alexander , Adenan Mohd Shahriman , Syahriah Nur Izan , Mohamed Mohamed Ackiel , Awiszus Birgit , Graf Marcel , Haelsig Andre
Published: October 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to numerical and experimental analysis on substrate deformation and plastic strain induced by wire arc additive manufacturing.

Design/methodology/approach

The component has the form of a hollow, rectangular thin wall consisting of 25 deposition layers of SS316L on an SS304 substrate plate. Thermo-mechanical finite element analysis was applied with Goldak’s double-ellipsoidal heat-source model and a non-linear isotropic hardening rule based on von Mises’ yield criterion. The layer deposition was modelled using simplified geometry to minimize overall pre-processing work and computational time.

Findings

A new material modelling of SS316L was obtained from the chemical composition of the evolved component characterized by scanning electron microscope/energy dispersive X-ray and further generated by an advanced material-modelling software JMatPro. In defining heat-transfer coefficients, transient thermometric analysis was first performed in the bead and on the substrate, which was followed by an adjustment of the heat-transfer coefficients to reflect the actual temperature distribution. Based on the adjusted model and boundary conditions, sensitivity analysis was conducted prior to the ultimate simulation of substrate deformation and equivalent plastic strain. Furthermore, this simulation was verified by conducting a series of automated wire + arc additive manufacturing tests using robotic gas Metal arc welding with distortion measured by coordinate-measurement machine and equivalent plastic strain measured by optical three-dimensional-metrology measurements (Gesellschaft für Optische Messtechnik).

Originality/value

It can be concluded that a proper numerical computation using the adjusted model and property-evolved material exhibits a similar trend with acceptable agreement compared to the experiment by yielding an error percentage up to 30% for deformation and up to 21% for equivalent plastic strain at each individual measurement point.
CEO statements on racial inequity – (how) do they matter to shareholders?
Authors: Afego Pyemo , Alagidede Imhotep
Published: October 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to explore how citizen protests against perceived acts of racial injustice impact on share prices of companies who weigh in on the protests. In particular, corporate statements that directly address the issues around the protests are identified and possible mechanisms underlying how these may impact shareholder value are discussed.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors first use a qualitative research approach of content and sentiment analysis to track how companies or their chief executive officers (CEOs) present their stance against racial injustice, as represented by their use of linguistic markers. Then, the authors use an event study methodology to assess the response from stock market participants.

Findings

The findings suggest that CEOs primarily convey their stance using language that is emotive and empathic. In addition, shareholders earn a significant abnormal return of 2.13%, on average, in the three days following the release of the statements.

Research limitations/implications

This study considered only US-listed companies. The sample size, also, is relatively small. Institutional and cultural differences across countries may also vary. Thus, future research could explore the extent to which the findings generalize to other contexts.

Practical implications

Results provide insights to top managers who communicate with various stakeholders on emotionally charged social issues. Findings also offer insights on the timing of trades for investors and arbitrageurs.

Social implications

Findings contribute to the understanding of corporate behaviour in times of social upheaval. Insights from the study may also be used to inform corporate communication decisions about important social issues.

Originality/value

This study brings into focus the role that affective appeal and moral emotion can play in evoking motivation for corporate activism, and the impact that this has on investor opinions’ formation process.
Weak interactions between strong interactors in an old‐field ecosystem: Control of nitrogen cycling by coupled herbivores and detritivores
Authors: Buchkowski Robert W. , Schmitz Oswald J.
Published: October 2021

Interactions between herbivores and detritivores are common in greenhouse and laboratory experiments. Such interactions are thought to cause feedbacks in real ecosystems where the combined actions of these animals create either high or low nutrient cycling rates. There is limited evidence from factorial field experiments to support these expectations.

We present the results of a 3‐year experiment wherein we factorially manipulated grasshopper herbivores and earthworm detritivores in an old‐field ecosystem and tested for significant interaction effects on plants, nitrogen mineralization and micro‐organisms. Then, we used a dynamical system model built and parameterized for the study ecosystem to test the theoretical strength of these interactions. We predicted that grasshoppers and earthworms would have a positive interaction effect on plant growth and nitrogen cycling by driving plant community change.

We found neither evidence for interaction effects on any of the variables we measured nor a consistent change in the composition of the plant community even though the individual effects of grasshoppers and earthworms were as expected. Our dynamical system model made the same prediction across a broad section of parameter space (e.g. feeding rates, death rates, etc) and after longer term simulations.

Our results suggest that interactions between herbivores and detritivores are only likely in situ when animals have exceptionally high individual effects on ecosystems and where the exogenous forces driving plant community change and soil biogeochemical fluxes are weak.

A free Plain Language Summary can be found within the Supporting Information of this article.
Intra‐annual precipitation effects on annual grassland productivity and phenology are moderated by community responses
Authors: Shaw E. Ashley , White Caitlin T. , Silver Whendee L. , Suding Katharine N. , Hallett Lauren M.
Published: October 2021

Within ecosystems, intra‐annual precipitation patterns—the variability and timing of rainfall—may be a stronger driver of net primary productivity than total annual precipitation. In particular, the amount and timing of precipitation directly affects the amount and timing of plant production, but also indirectly affects productivity via changes to plant community composition. Community response patterns may either buffer or amplify productivity responses to precipitation, as different species respond to different conditions.

In a semi‐arid California grassland, we experimentally tested how plant communities respond to intra‐annual precipitation using rainout shelters in which we manipulated drought amount and timing (early season drought, late season drought, continuous drought and ambient precipitation) over 3 years and assessed plant responses: annual net primary productivity (ANPP), phenological timing of peak production and senescence, and community composition.

Overall, early season and consistent drought treatments had lowest productivity, while late season and consistent drought treatments senesced earlier. Plots with functionally diverse communities shifted community composition and had a significant ANPP response to precipitation treatments. In contrast, communities dominated by a single resource‐acquisitive grass species did not change in community composition over time and had no ANPP response to precipitation treatments.

The timing of production also differed by community, however, where functionally diverse communities remained green longer (particularly under the early season drought treatment) compared to communities dominated by one grass species, which senesced earlier (particularly under the late season drought treatment).

Synthesis. Our study demonstrates that drought patterns may indirectly drive ANPP via plant community responses in composition and phenology. This suggests that the combination of species composition and vegetation phenology could jointly alter ecosystem‐level sensitivity to precipitation seasonality under future climate change. We show that both functional diversity and dominant stability mechanisms are in operation simultaneously, highlighting the need to understand both the context and variation in community structure to predict ANPP responses to intra‐annual precipitation.
Complementary combination of multiplex high‐throughput DNA sequencing for molecular phylogeny
Authors: Suyama Yoshihisa , Hirota Shun K. , Matsuo Ayumi , Tsunamoto Yoshihiro , Mitsuyuki Chika , Shimura Atsuki , Okano Kunihiro
Published: October 2021

The rapid development of DNA sequencing technology in recent years has provided new tools for phylogenetic data acquisition. By using high‐throughput DNA sequencing technology, molecular phylogenetic information can be obtained more quickly and economically. Here, we describe a complementary combination of two multiplex high‐throughput DNA sequencing methods. One is multiplexed phylogenetic marker sequencing (MPM‐seq), and the other is multiplexed inter‐simple sequence repeat (ISSR) genotyping by sequencing (MIG‐seq), whose protocol is improved over that of the original one. Both MPM‐seq and MIG‐seq begin with multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR), each amplifying multiple phylogenetic markers and genome‐wide ISSR regions, respectively. After another PCR using a second PCR primer set that is common in both methods, next‐generation sequencing is used to simultaneously detect DNA sequences of multiple regions from multiple samples in each method. In this case study, we performed a molecular phylogenetic analysis of Japanese fir (Abies) and the closely related Abies species. MPM‐seq revealed DNA sequences of three regions from chloroplast DNA and one nuclear internal transcribed spacer and created a partially informative phylogenetic tree for 13 Abies species. Whereas MIG‐seq detected 6700 single‐nucleotide polymorphisms and exhibited clear clustering of related species with 97%–100% bootstrap support for all branches of the phylogenetic tree. Hence, with a complementary combination, quick, simple, and economical analysis can be performed in a wide range of genomic studies, including molecular phylogeny, as well as for investigating genetic differentiation or genetic identification among species, hybrids, and populations, and even among clones and cultivars, as a DNA barcoding technique.
Overexpressing Pleurotus ostreatus rho1b results in transcriptional upregulation of the putative cellulolytic enzyme‐encoding genes observed in ccl1 disruptants
Authors: Okuda Nozomi , Nakazawa Takehito , Horii Masato , Wu Hongli , Kawauchi Moriyuki , Sakamoto Masahiro , Honda Yoichi
Published: October 2021

The transcriptional expression pattern of lignocellulolytic enzyme‐encoding genes in white‐rot fungi differs depending on the culture conditions. Recently, it was shown that 13 putative cellulolytic enzyme‐encoding genes were significantly upregulated in most Pleurotus ostreatus ligninolysis‐deficient mutant strains on beech wood sawdust medium. However, the mechanisms by which this transcriptional shift is triggered remain unknown. In this study, we identified one mechanism. Our previous study implied that histone H3 N‐dimethylation at lysine 4 level possibly affects the shift; therefore, we analysed the expression pattern in the disruptants of P. ostreatus ccl1, which encodes a putative component of the COMPASS complex mediating the methylation. The results showed upregulation of 5 of the 13 cellulolytic enzyme‐encoding genes. We also found that rho1b, encoding a putative GTPase regulating signal transduction pathways, was upregulated in the ccl1 disruptants and ligninolysis‐deficient strains. Upregulation of at least three of the five cellulolytic enzyme‐encoding genes was observed in rho1b‐overexpressing strains but not in ccl1/rho1b double‐gene disruptants, during the 20‐day culture period. These results suggest that Rho1b may be involved in the upregulation of cellulolytic enzyme‐encoding genes observed in the ccl1 disruptants. Furthermore, we suggest that Mpk1b, a putative Agaricomycetes‐specific mitogen‐activated protein kinase, functions downstream of Rho1b.
Differential bacterial endophytome in Foc‐resistant banana cultivar displays enhanced antagonistic activity against Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. cubense (Foc)
Authors: Ravi Saravanan , Sevugapperumal Nakkeeran , Nallusamy Saranya , Shanmugam Haripriya , Mathiyazhagan Kavino , Rangasamy Anandham , Akkanna Subbiah Krishnamoorthy , Varagur Ganesan Malathi
Published: October 2021

Diverse endophytes with multiple functions exist in different banana cultivars. However, the diversity of cultivable bacterial endophytome that contributes to antifungal activity against Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. cubense (Foc) in resistant and susceptible banana cultivars is mostly unknown. In the present study, we isolated bacterial endophytes from resistant Yengambi KM5 (AAA) and susceptible banana cultivar Ney Poovan (AB) to determine the diversity of cultivable bacterial endophytes. Our study revealed the presence of 56 cultivable bacterial endophytes and 6 nectar‐associated bacteria in YKM5 and 31 cultivable bacterial endophytes in Ney Poovan. The identified cultivable bacterial genera in YKM5 included Alcaligenes, Arthrobacter, Azotobacter, Acinetobacter, Agrobacterium, Bacillus, Brucella, Brevundimonas, Brachybacterium, Beijerinckia, Klebsiella, Leclercia, Lysinibacillus, Myroides, Ochrobactrum, Pseudomonas, Rhizobium, Stenotrophomonas, Serratia, and Verticiella. In Ney Poovan, the cultivable endophytic bacterial genera present were Agrobacterium, Bacillus, Bradyrhizobium, Enterobacter, Klebsiella, Lysinibacillus, Micrococcus, Ochrobactrum, Pseudomonas, Rhizobium, and Sphingobium. Thus, the composition and diversity of cultivable endophytic bacterial genera were higher in Foc‐resistant YKM5. The antifungal efficacy of bacterial endophytes Brachybacterium paraconglomeratum YEBPT2 (65.5%), Brucella melitensis YEBPS3 (63.3%), Bacillus velezensis YEBBR6 (63.3%), and nectar‐associated Bacillus albus YEBN2 (61.1%) from YKM5 showed the highest antifungal activity against Foc, compared with the antifungal activity of endophytes from the susceptible cultivar.
Adaptation of the polony technique to quantify Gokushovirinae, a diverse group of single‐stranded DNA phage
Authors: Sawaya Natalie A. , Baran Nava , Mahank Shelby , Varsani Arvind , Lindell Debbie , Breitbart Mya
Published: October 2021

Advances in metagenomics have revealed the ubiquity of single‐stranded DNA (ssDNA) phage belonging to the subfamily Gokushovirinae in the oceans; however, the abundance and ecological roles of this group are unknown. Here, we quantify gokushoviruses through adaptation of the polony method, in which viral template DNA is immobilized in a gel, amplified by PCR, and subsequently detected by hybridization. Primers and probes for this assay were designed based on PCR amplicon diversity of gokushovirus major capsid protein gene sequences from a depth profile in the Gulf of Aqaba, Red Sea sampled in September 2015. At ≥95% identity, these 87 gokushovirus sequences formed 14 discrete clusters with the largest clades showing distinct depth distributions. The application of the polony method enabled the first quantification of gokushoviruses in any environment. The gokushoviruses were most abundant in the upper 40 m of the stratified water column, with a subsurface peak in abundance of 1.26 × 105 viruses ml−1. These findings suggest that discrete gokushovirus genotypes infect bacterial hosts that differentially partition in the water column. Since the designed primers and probe are conserved across marine ecosystems, this polony method can be applied broadly for the quantification of gokushoviruses throughout the global oceans.
Wearable technologies for students with disabilities
Authors: Conderman Greg , Van Laarhoven Toni , Johnson Jesse , Liberty Lisa
Published: October 2021

Students with disabilities typically experience academic, social, and behavioural challenges in school. Some of these students also often experience anxiety and stress associated with school situations and events. Wearable technologies are an emerging innovation in the United States that can support students with disabilities during stressful academic or social situations. This article discusses issues associated with wearables, offers questions to consider when considering a wearable device for a student, and describes several wearable technologies for students with disabilities.
A review of milk gangliosides: Occurrence, biosynthesis, identification, and nutritional and functional significance
Authors: Ali Abdelmoneim H , Wei Wei , Wang Xingguo
Published: October 2021

Gangliosides (GA) are glycosphingolipids containing sialic acid, existing in various sources, such as dairy products, eggs, brains and other tissues. The monosialoganglioside GM3 is the major GA species in mature human milk, while the disialoganglioside GD3 is the most abundant species in bovine milk and human colostrum. Recently, GA have attracted substantial attention due to their positive influences in several biological actions, for instance pathogen binding, neural development and immune system activation. Consequently, this review aimed to summarise the structure, biosynthesis, analysis and identification of these functional biomolecules. Furthermore, the nutritional, functional and therapeutic attributes of GA are highlighted.
Do politicians anticipate voter control? A comparative study of representatives’ accountability beliefs
Authors: SOONTJENS KAROLIN
Published: October 2021

Representation literature is rife with the assumption that politicians are responsive to voter preferences because their re‐election is contingent upon the approval of those voters, approval that can be won by furthering their desires or, similarly, that can be threatened by ignoring their wishes. Hence, scholars argue that the anticipation of electoral accountability by politicians constitutes a crucial guarantor of (policy) responsiveness; as long as politicians believe that voters are aware of what they do and will take it into account on election day, they are expected to work hard at keeping these voters satisfied. If, on the other hand, politicians were to think what they say and do is inconsequential for citizens’ voting behaviour, they may see leeway to ignore their preferences. In this study, we therefore examine whether politicians anticipate electoral accountability in the first place. In particular, we ask 782 Members of Parliament in Belgium, Germany, Canada and Switzerland in a face‐to‐face survey about the anticipation of voter control; whether they believe that voters are aware of their behaviour in parliament and their personal policy positions, are able to evaluate the outcomes of their political work, and, finally, whether this knowledge affects their vote choice. We find that a sizable number of MPs believe that voters are aware of what they do and say and take that into account at the ballot box. Still, this general image of rather strong anticipation of voter control hides considerable variation; politicians in party‐centred systems (in Belgium and some politicians in Germany that are elected on closed party lists), anticipate less voter control compared to politicians in more candidate‐centred systems (Canada and Switzerland). Within these countries, we find that populist politicians are more convinced that voters know about their political actions and take this knowledge into account in elections; it seems that politicians who take pride in being close to voters (and their preferences), also feel more monitored by these voters. Finally, we show that politicians’ views of voter control do not reflect the likelihood that they might be held to account; politicians whose behaviour is more visible and whose policy profile should therefore be better known to voters do not feel the weight of voter control more strongly.
Determination of average vehicle speed utilizing reverse projection
Authors: Bruehs Walter E. , Stout Dorothy
Published: October 2021

Reverse projection photogrammetry has long been used to estimate the height of an individual in forensic video examinations. A natural extrapolation would be to apply the same technique on a video to estimate the speed of an object by determining the distance traveled between two points over a set amount of time. To test this theory, five digital video recorders (DVRs) were connected to a single fixed camera to record a vehicle traveling down a track. The vehicle's speed was measured through Doppler radar by a trained operator and the speedometer of the vehicle was also recorded with a video camera. The recorded video was examined and the frames that best depict the beginning and end of the vehicles course were selected. Two reverse projection photogrammetric examinations were performed on the selected frames to establish the position of the vehicle. The distance between the two points was measured, and the time elapsed between the two points was examined. The outcome provided an accurate speed result with a standard degree of uncertainty. This study proves the feasibility of using video data and reverse projection photogrammetry to determine the speed of a vehicle with a limited set of variables. Further research is needed to determine how additional variables would impact the standard degree of uncertainty.
Classification modeling method for hyperspectral stamp‐pad ink data based on one‐dimensional convolutional neural network
Authors: Wang Shuyue , He Hongyuan , Lv Rulin , He Weiwen , Li Chunyu , Cai Nengbin
Published: October 2021

In the questioned document, the examination of stamp‐pad ink is crucial scientific evidence to discern the difference between genuine and forged documents. In this study, a new method for rapid and non‐destructive identification of types of stamp‐pad inks by combining hyperspectral imaging (HSI) technology and deep learning was developed. Twenty stamp‐pad inks of different brands and models were collected and numbered in turn, and then, each of them was sealed six times repeatedly on the A4 printing paper for the test. After that, the hyperspectral imager was used to collect the hyperspectral images and the reflectance spectral data were obtained after pixel fusion. Principal component analysis (PCA) and non‐negative matrix factorization (NMF) were used to deal with the dataset, but visual results were not good. Then, back propagation neural network (BPNN) and one‐dimensional convolutional neural network (1D‐CNN) were constructed and their merits and drawbacks were compared. The final loss function of the BPNN of training set and validation set was stable at 0.27 and 0.42, and the classification accuracy of the training set and validation set reached 90.02% and 83.99%, respectively. Compared with the BPNN, the 1D‐CNN had better stability and efficiency for the classification. The loss function of the training set and validation set was as low as 0.068 and 0.075, and the final classification accuracy reached 98.30% and 97.94%, respectively. Therefore, the combination of hyperspectral imaging technology and 1D‐CNN represents a potentially simple, non‐destructive, and rapid method for stamp‐pad inks detection and classification.
Pregnancy outcomes in women with type 1 diabetes in China during 2004 to 2014: A retrospective study (the CARNATION Study)
Authors: Luo Sihui , Ran Xingwu , Zhang Mei , Hu Ji , Yang Daizhi , Zhu Dalong , Zhao Jiajun , Xiao Xinhua , Guo Xiaohui , Yang Tao , Huang Qin , Liu Fang , Jing Lu , Ma Jing , Zhou Xinli , Ping Fan , Gu Nan , Li Wenwen , Yang Yaling , Fang Chen , Bao Wei , Zheng Xueying , Yan Jinhua , Zhou Zhiguang , Weng Jianping
Published: October 2021

Background

We aimed to report pregnancy outcomes of women with type 1 diabetes (T1D) in China, on which data were sparse.

Methods

This is a nationwide retrospective study conducted in 11 general medical centers in 8 cities across China. We investigated the clinical data of all women who attended these centers with a singleton pregnancy and whose pregnancy ended between 1 January 2004 and 31 December 2014. Pregnancies of women with pregestational T1D were ascertained and compared with those of women without T1D.

Results

From over 300 000 pregnancies over the 11‐year study period, we identified 265 singleton pregnancies of women with T1D. One maternal death was documented among 265 (0.37%) women with T1D and 83 among 318 486 (0.03%) women without T1D. Women with T1D suffered from higher rates of pregnancy loss (13.21% vs 2.92%, crude risk ratio [cRR] 5.08 [95% CI, 3.56‐7.26]) and preeclampsia (17.74% vs 4.20%, cRR 4.94 [95% CI, 3.60‐6.77]) compared with those without T1D. Infants of these women with T1D had elevated rates of neonatal death (5.65% vs 0.16%, cRR 37.36 [95% CI, 21.21‐65.82]) and congenital malformation(s) (8.26% vs 3.53%, cRR 2.46 [95% CI, 1.54‐3.93]) compared with those of women without T1D. No significant improvement in pregnancy outcomes in women with T1D was observed over the period 2004 to 2014.

Conclusions

Pregnancy outcomes were persistently poor in women with T1D during 2004 to 2014 in China. Pregnancy care needs to be improved to reduce adverse pregnancy outcomes among Chinese women with T1D.
Efficacy and safety of apatinib alone or apatinib plus paclitaxel/docetaxel versus paclitaxel/docetaxel in the treatment of advanced non‐small cell lung cancer: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Li Zhe , Liu Zhibao , Wu Yuanyuan , Li Huarui , Sun Zhen , Han Chenggang , Zhang Xiaoling , Zhang Jinghua
Published: October 2021

Background

To investigate the efficacy and safety of apatinib alone or apatinib plus paclitaxel/docetaxel versus paclitaxel/docetaxel in the treatment of advanced non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) through pooling of open published data.

Methods

The electronic databases of Medline (1960–2021.5), Cochrane central register of controlled trials (CENTRAL), EMBASE(1980–2021.5) and Wan fang (1986–2021.5) were systematically searched by two reviewers to identify the relevant clinical trials related to the above subject. The objective response rate (ORR), disease control rate (DCR) and drug relevant adverse reactions were pooled and demonstrated by risk ratio (RR) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI). The statistical heterogeneity across studies was assessed by I‐square test. The publication bias was evaluated by Egger's line regression test and demonstrated by Begg's funnel plot.

Results

Eleven prospective studies were included in the meta‐analysis. The pooled results indicated that the ORR (RR = 1.62, 95% CI: 1.32–2.00, p < 0.05) and DCR (RR = 1.29, 95% CI: 1.18–1.41, p < 0.05) of apatinib alone or apatinib plus paclitaxel/docetaxel was significantly higher than that of the paclitaxel/docetaxel group for advanced NSCLC, respectively. The drug‐related adverse reaction was not statistically different between apatinib alone or apatinib plus paclitaxel/docetaxel with regard to the hand‐foot syndrome, gastrointestinal reaction, thrombocytopenia, anemia and leukocytopenia (pall > 0.05) except for hypertension (RR = 3.60, 95% CI: 1.26–10.31, p < 0.05). Subgroup analysis also indicated that the hypertension and hand‐foot syndrome in apatinib + paclitaxel/docetaxel were higher than that of the paclitaxel/docetaxel group with a statistical difference (p < 0.05).

Conclusions

Apatinib alone or apatinib plus paclitaxel/docetaxel was superior to paclitaxel/docetaxel for ORR and DCR. However, combined treatment with apatinib appears to increase the risk of a patient developing an adverse reaction, especially hypertension and hand‐foot syndrome.
Small cell transformation of non‐small cell lung cancer under immunotherapy: Case series and literature review
Authors: Imakita Takuma , Fujita Kohei , Kanai Osamu , Okamura Misato , Hashimoto Masayuki , Nakatani Koichi , Sawai Satoru , Mio Tadashi
Published: October 2021

In advanced lung cancer treatment, immunotherapy provides durable responses in some patients. However, other patients experience progressive disease and the resistance mechanisms to immunotherapy have yet been fully elucidated. Small cell transformation of non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is commonly recognized as one of the resistance mechanisms to epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)‐tyrosine kinase inhibitors in EGFR‐mutant NSCLC treatment. As a resistant mechanism for immunotherapy, we report the first case of small cell transformation in 2017. Since then, eight similar cases have been reported and the concept of small cell transformation is now becoming more prevalent as a mechanism of immunotherapy resistance. In our facility, we have experienced four cases of small cell transformation after immunotherapy (including the reported case in 2017). The histology of each primary tumor was squamous cell carcinoma, large cell type neuroendocrine carcinoma, or poorly differentiated NSCLC. None had driver gene mutations. Nivolumab was administered in all four cases and atezolizumab was administered as a next line to nivolumab treatment in one case. The best response to immunotherapy was partial response or stable disease. There was a wide range of periods from the start of immunotherapy to confirmation of small cell transformation (from 2 weeks to almost 3 years). In conclusion, small cell transformation is an important resistance mechanism in cancer immunotherapy. When NSCLC progresses after immunotherapy, the possibility of small cell transformation and rebiopsy should always be encouraged, as it leads to clarification of the resistance mechanisms and frequency.
Reflective practice in nursing: A concept analysis
Authors: Patel Kiran M. , Metersky Kateryna
Published: October 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to clarify the concept of reflective practice in nursing by using Rodgers' evolutionary method of concept analysis.

Data sources

Literature and references on the concept of reflective practice were obtained from two databases: Scopus and Nursing and Allied health database. Peer‐reviewed articles published in English language between 2011‐2021 that included the terms ‘reflection’ and/or ‘reflective practice’ in the title were selected. Seminal pieces of work were also considered in this analysis. A total of 23 works were included. Most of the selected works addressed the concept of reflective practice in nursing education or nursing practice.

Data synthesis

The data analysis integrated the stages identified in Rodgers' method of concept analysis to analyze the concept of reflective practice. Analysis of selected works provided an understanding of common surrogates, antecedents, attributes, and consequences of the concept of reflective practice.

Conclusions

Reflective practice is a cognitive skill that demands conscious effort to look at a situation with an awareness of own beliefs, values, and practice enabling nurses to learn from experiences, incorporate that learning in improving patient care outcomes. It also leads to knowledge development in nursing. Considering the current circumstances of the COVID‐19 pandemic, this paper identifies the need for nurses to go beyond reflection‐on‐action and also include reflection‐in‐action and reflection‐for‐action as part of their practice.

Implications for nursing practice

This analysis identifies the need for future nursing researchers to develop reflective models or strategies that promote reflection among nurses and nursing students before, during, and after the clinical experiences.
Ethanol interaction with α3β4 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in neurons of the laterodorsal tegmentum
Authors: Abburi Chandrika , McDaid John
Published: October 2021

Background

Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) play a key role in the rewarding effects of ethanol (EtOH), and while several nAChR subtypes have been implicated, attention has recently shifted to a role for the α3β4 nAChR. The laterodorsal tegmental nucleus (LDTg), a brainstem cholinergic nucleus that sends excitatory projections to the ventral tegmental area, is an Integral part of the brain reward pathway. Here we investigate a potential role for LDTg α3β4 nAChRs in EtOH self‐administration and reward.

Methods

Sprague‐Dawley rats were given ad libitum access to a 20% EtOH solution, as part of a two‐bottle choice paradigm. Approximately 1 week after removal of EtOH access, we measured LDTg α3β4 nAChR current responses to focal application of acetylcholine (ACh), using whole‐cell patch clamp electrophysiology recordings in acute brain slices. In addition, we used whole‐cell electrophysiology to assess the acute effects of EtOH on the sensitivity of LDTg α3β4 nAChRs.

Results

Focal application of ACh onto LDTg neurons resulted in large α3β4 nAChR‐mediated inward currents, the magnitude of which showed a positive correlation with levels of EtOH self‐administration. In addition, using brain slices taken from EtOH‐naïve rats, bath application of EtOH resulted in a moderate potentiation of LDTg α3β4 nAChR sensitivity.

Conclusions

Using a rat model, increased α3β4 nAChR function was associated with greater EtOH self‐administration, with α3β4 nAChR function also acutely potentiated by EtOH. Assuming that similar findings apply to humans, the α3β4 nAChR could be a therapeutic target in the treatment of EtOH use disorder.
Do naloxone access laws affect perceived risk of heroin use? Evidence from national US data
Authors: Kelly Brian C. , Vuolo Mike
Published: October 2021

Background and aims

Whether expanded access to naloxone reduces perceptions of risk about opioid use has been subject to debate. Our aim was to assess how implementation of naloxone access laws shapes perceived risk of heroin use.

Design

Using data from the restricted‐access National Survey on Drug Use and Health, Prescription Drug Abuse Policy System and the US Census, we applied two‐way fixed‐effects models to determine whether naloxone access laws decreased perceived risk of any heroin use or regular heroin use. We used Bayes factors (BFs) to confirm evidence for null findings.

Setting

United States.

Participants

A total of 884 800 respondents aged 12 and older from 2004 to 2016.

Measurements

A binary indicator of whether a state implemented naloxone access laws was regressed on respondent‐perceived risk of (1) any heroin use and (2) regular heroin use. Ratings of perceived risk were assessed on a scale of 1 (none) to 4 (great risk).

Findings

In all instances, the BFs support evidence for the null hypothesis. Across models with three distinct specifications of naloxone access laws, we found no evidence of decreased risk perceptions, as confirmed by BFs ranging from 0.009 to 0.057. Across models of specific vulnerable subgroups, such as people who use opioids (BFs = 0.039–0.225) or young people (BFs = 0.009–0.158), we found no evidence of decreased risk perceptions. Across diverse subpopulations by gender (BFs = 0.011–0.083), socio‐economic status (BFs = 0.015–0.168) or race/ethnicity (BFs = 0.016–0.094), we found no evidence of decreased risk perceptions.

Conclusions

There appears to be no empirical evidence that implementation of naloxone access laws has adversely affected perceptions of risk of heroin in the broader US population or within vulnerable subgroups or diverse subpopulations.
Apical extrusion of sodium hypochlorite in immature teeth: comparison of three different cleaning protocols
Authors: Takagi Brenda Ai Refosco , Kopper Patrícia Maria Poli , Luz Luciana , Luisi Simone Bonato , Scarparo Roberta Kochenborger
Published: October 2021

This study compared standard needle irrigation, passive ultrasonic irrigation, XP‐Endo Finisher and Easy Clean in the apical extrusion of sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) in a model simulating immature teeth. Ten bovine teeth were maintained in suspension in a container with the apical portion in contact with 0.2% agarose gel containing 0.1% metacresol purple. The canals were irrigated with 2.5% NaOCl, according to each irrigation protocol. After 3 min, apical extrusion of NaOCl was observed by the colour gel change when in contact with NaOCl. The containers were photographed, and the NaOCl extrusion area was measured. All protocols showed NaOCl extrusion, providing similar area (P > 0.05). Considering the similarity among the studied protocols, all of them can be considered during the endodontic treatment of immature teeth. Further studies on the particularities of immature teeth should be performed to evaluate cell viability, cleaning efficiency, disinfection capacity and dentin removal promoted by the irrigation protocols.
Disinfection of dentinal tubules with diclofenac sodium and N‐Acetylcysteine compared with calcium hydroxide as intracanal medicaments against Enterococcus faecalis
Authors: Adl Alireza , Motamedifar Mohammad , Malekzadeh Parastoo , Sedigh‐Shams Mahdi
Published: October 2021

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the disinfection of dentinal tubules with diclofenac sodium (DS), N‐acetylcysteine (NAC) and calcium hydroxide (CH). Contaminated dentinal blocks were divided into two control and seven experimental groups (n = 15): CH, DS, NAC, CH + 5% DS, 50% CH + 50% DS, CH + 5% NAC and 50% CH + 50% NAC. After seven days, dentine debris was obtained from two depths of 100 and 200 µm. The bacterial load was assessed by counting the number of colony‐forming units (CFUs). Pure DS exhibited maximum antibacterial activity at both depths. At 200 µm, it showed statistically significant differences with all the other groups (P < 0.05). Mixing CH with either 5% or 50% of DS and NAC did not increase the antibacterial efficacy (P > 0.05). Pure DS was most effective in disinfecting dentinal tubules, and mixing CH with DS or NAC is not recommended.
Evaluation of the root filling quality with experimental carrier‐based obturators: a CLSM and FEG‐SEM analysis
Authors: Pirani Chiara , Generali Luigi , Iacono Francesco , Cavani Francesco , Prati Carlo
Published: October 2021

This study evaluated tubule penetration of GuttaFlow Bioseal with cold single cone or carrier‐based technique, under confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). Twenty straight single‐rooted teeth were instrumented with Hyflex CM and divided in two groups (n = 10) according to the obturation method: single cold gutta‐percha cones; experimental carrier‐based obturators. GuttaFlow Bioseal, labelled with Rhodamine B dye, was used as sealer in both groups. Teeth transversally sectioned were observed under CLSM. Percentage of sealer penetration and integrity of sealer layer perimeter were measured. Surface and microstructural characteristics of obturators and gutta‐percha cones were compared by FEG‐SEM and EDX analysis. No significant differences were found between groups for each examined parameter. Significant differences (P < 0.05) were reported mainly within groups. Integrity was similar among and within groups. FEG‐SEM/EDX analysis of obturators revealed the presence of Ba and Zn. Carrier‐based obturation technique associated with GuttaFlow Bioseal does not seem to affect sealer penetration into dentinal tubules.
Mitigating stigma associated with recycled water
Authors: Ellis Sean F. , Savchenko Olesya M. , Messer Kent D.
Published: October 2021

Stigmatization of water and food products can constrain markets and prevent the implementation of scientifically safe solutions to environmental problems, such as water scarcity. Recycled water can be a cost‐effective, dependable, and safe solution to water shortages. However, consumers generally either require a large reduction in price to purchase products made with recycled water or reject such products outright. If emerging sustainable agricultural technologies, such as recycled water, are to be used to address growing water shortages worldwide, policymakers, water managers, and industry stakeholders must identify effective strategies for mitigating the stigma associated with recycled water. Using field experiments involving 1420 adult participants, we test the effectiveness of two stigma‐mitigating techniques. We also demonstrate a novel twist to the collection of representative samples in non‐hypothetical field experimental settings and then compare the results to a more traditional field experiment that recruited participants at large public gatherings. The analysis of these two different samples suggests a common finding: passing recycled water through a natural barrier, such as an aquifer, removes the stigma consumers would otherwise attach to it. We also find that the trophic level an organism occupies in the food chain influences stigmatizing behavior. The greater the steps in the food chain between an organism and the use of recycled water, the less it is stigmatized by consumers. These results have important implications for efforts to promote large‐scale potable and non‐potable water recycling projects and the use of recycled water in the agricultural industry.
‘Everyone’s nice, but …’: A qualitative exploration of trainees' experiences of postgraduate geriatric medicine training in Australia
Authors: Rhodes Caroline Sarah Marie , Lane Heather , Kumar Koshila , Etherton‐Beer Christopher
Published: October 2021

Objective

To understand the experiences of trainees who undertake geriatric medicine advanced training in Australia.

Methods

In this qualitative study, data were collected through semi‐structured interviews with geriatric medicine advanced trainees. Data were analysed using a thematic analysis approach and data collection ceased when thematic saturation was achieved.

Results

Thirteen trainees participated. Trainees enjoyed the training program, supported each other and felt prepared for independent practice as a geriatrician. However, they noted the variability of supervision and feedback practices, and educational opportunities afforded to them across different clinical learning environments. They felt unable to give feedback on their training. The research project and concerns about employment after training were also substantial sources of stress.

Conclusions

While geriatric medicine advanced trainees reported positively on much of their training, areas for improvement could include improved training for supervisors, improved support for research projects and more robust mechanisms for providing feedback.