bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Starting a movement: a national initiative to build employee engagement in (lost) workplace pensions
Authors: Butler Steve , Smith Simon M.
Published: February 2022

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the establishment of a National Pension Tracing Day in an attempt to address the national problem of employees not telling their pension provider when they change address, which has resulted in £19.4bn in unclaimed pensions.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper considers the approach taken by Punter Southall Aspire to build employee engagement to trace lost workplace pension through a summative content analysis. This paper then applies an ambidextrous leadership lens to develop greater meaning.

Findings

The combination of a simple narrative, a corporate social responsibility (CSR) approach allowing cooperation across the industry and an engaging campaign allowed the first National Pension Tracing Day to build momentum and spread across the workplace.

Originality/value

The first National Pension Tracing day was established on 31 October 2021 by a small team within an small and medium-sized enterprise (SME). This paper attempts to raise awareness of how the lost pension challenge can be addressed for the purpose of future research.
Evaluating Jamaica’s position as a seafarer-supplying country for cruise and cargo
Authors: Wilson Deron Danario
Published: February 2022

Purpose

The maritime industry is crucial to the global economy and the scarcity of seafarers is an urgent concern. Seafarers are in short supply right now and will continue to be so in the foreseeable future. This study interrogates Jamaica’s position as a seafarer labour market through the prism of the industry’s apparent scarcity of seafarers (officers) while examining Jamaica’s maritime education and training system as a tool for nation-building. Previous studies have almost exclusively focused on specific jurisdictions, but as far as we know, very little research has investigated Jamaica as a maritime labour market.

Design/methodology/approach

To achieve the aim of this study, mixed-method research was applied in collecting and analyzing data.

Findings

The study revealed that Jamaican seafarers possess several positive attributes such as good communication skills, they are typically well trained and have good cross-cultural skills, making them compatible with a multicultural crew. However, the supply of Jamaican seafarers continues to be low due to several challenges, including a lack of government support for the sector, lack of key stakeholder collaboration and a lack of awareness about career prospects.

Research limitations/implications

The topic of seafarer supply is a broad one, and due to its scope and practical limitations, detailed statistical studies were not undertaken. As a result, further work is needed to establish more precise correlations between the essential variables.

Practical implications

Many findings point to Jamaica’s strengths as a provider of seafarers, yet problems and obstacles were also mentioned. The study’s findings point to a lack of maritime awareness among youth, as well as, perhaps surprisingly, among stakeholders and policymakers. The paper provides a holistic report on Jamaica’s status as a seafaring supply country that policymakers can use to inform policy and to upscale Jamaica’s seafaring output.

Social implications

A career as a seafarer can be both intriguing and lucrative. Hence, creating a conducive environment that promotes training, world-class certification and seafarers’ employment may increase seafarers’ output and, by extension, contribute to Jamaica’s economy and nation-building.

Originality/value

Jamaica’s status as a maritime labour market is insufficiently studied and as a result several key questions and notions have not as yet been discussed. This study explores the maritime labour market in Jamaica and documents what exists.
Impact of obesity on uterine contractile activity during labour: A blinded analysis of a randomised controlled trial cohort
Authors: Hautakangas Tuija , Uotila Jukka , Kontiainen Joel , Huhtala Heini , Palomäki Outi
Published: February 2022

Objective

To investigate the impact of severe obesity (body mass index [BMI] ≥35 kg/m2) on uterine contractile activity. The hypothesis was that obese parturients might have weaker uterine activity and need more oxytocin than leaner parturients.

Design

Exploratory, blinded analysis of a randomised controlled trial cohort.

Setting

Two labour wards, one in a university tertiary hospital and one in a central hospital.

Population

In all, 686 parturients with singleton pregnancies, gestational age ≥37 weeks, fetus in cephalic presentation, and intrauterine tocodynamometry during labour. [Correction added on 6 June 2022, after first online publication: the number of parturients has been corrected to 686.]

Methods

Uterine contractile activity was assessed as intrauterine pressure, frequency of contractions and basal tonus of uterine muscle. The use of oxytocin and cervical dilatation were recorded simultaneously.

Main outcome measures

Primary outcome: uterine contractile activity. Secondary outcomes: use of oxytocin, labour outcomes.

Results

Obese parturients reached intrauterine pressure ≥200 Montevideo units (MVU) during the first stage of labour more often than leaner parturients; 62% vs 49%; odds ratio [OR] 1.67 (95% CI 1.05–2.67) and had higher basal tone of uterine muscle. However, obese parturients without previous vaginal delivery were not able to reach the active stage of labour as often as leaner ones, and their vaginal delivery success rate was lower. If a parturient had had previous vaginal delivery, obesity did not influence uterine activity, nor was there a risk of caesarean section. Doses and total consumption of oxytocin did not differ between BMI groups.

Conclusions

Obese nulliparas have stronger uterine contractile activity than leaner ones, but they more often fail to reach the active phase of labour and their vaginal delivery success rate is lower.

Tweetable abstract

Despite higher strength of uterine contractions among obese parturients, they reach the active stage of labour less often than leaner ones.
State‐owned capital and corporate social responsibility of private‐holding companies: evidence from China
Authors: Zhang Tao , Gu Lishi , Wang Jenny Jing
Published: February 2022

The undertaking of corporate social responsibility (CSR) has become a topic of widespread concern in society. Utilising a sample of 9872 private‐holding companies listed on the Shanghai and Shenzhen securities markets from 2009 to 2019, this study examines the impact of state‐owned capital on CSR activities. We find that CSR is enhanced when the proportion of state‐owned capital in a private‐holding listed company exceeds 5 percent. The appointment of directors, supervisors, and senior management by state‐owned shareholders, and the participation of state‐owned investment in company operation further promote the fulfilment of CSR in private‐holding listed companies. This research not only enriches the literature on the economic consequences of state‐owned equity holdings in private companies, but also provides empirical evidence regarding the outcomes of improvement of corporate governance mechanisms.
Impact of delivery rate on the acute response to intravenous nicotine: A human laboratory study with implications for regulatory science
Authors: De Aquino Joao P. , MacLean R. Ross , Gueorguieva Ralitza , DeVito Elise E. , Eid Tore , Sofuoglu Mehmet
Published: February 2022

Faster delivery rate enhances the abuse potential of drugs of abuse, yet systematic studies on the impact of delivery rate on the acute effects of nicotine in humans are lacking. Using an intravenous (IV) nicotine infusion procedure that allows precise control of rate of delivery, we examined the impact of nicotine delivery rate on the positive subjective drug effects, smoking urges, withdrawal, heart rate, blood pressure and attention function in smokers. Twenty‐four male and female (ages 21–35) dependent smokers attended five experimental sessions, following overnight abstinence from smoking. Using a crossover design, participants attended five sessions, where they were assigned to a random sequence of saline infusion or 1 mg nicotine delivered over 1, 2.5, 5 or 10 min at rates of 1, 0.4, 0.2 or 0.1 mg/min, respectively. The positive subjective effects of nicotine were most robust under the two faster delivery rate conditions, 1‐ and 0.4‐mg nicotine/min. In contrast, all nicotine delivery rates were equally more effective than saline in alleviating urges to smoke. Likewise, nicotine‐induced heart rate increases did not vary with the rate of nicotine delivery. Lastly, the cognitive enhancing effects of nicotine were observed only under the two slowest delivery rate conditions—0.1‐ and 0.2‐mg nicotine/min. Collectively, these findings support the critical role of delivery rate in optimizing nicotine's abuse potential versus potential therapeutic effects and have timely implications for developing novel therapeutics for nicotine dependence, as well as for tobacco regulatory science.
Impacts of agricultural taxation in Sub‐Saharan Africa: Insights from agricultural produce cess in Tanzania
Authors: Louhichi Kamel , Ricome Aymeric , Gomez y Paloma Sergio
Published: February 2022

This article analyses the economic impacts of agricultural produce cess in Tanzania and compares its effectiveness with alternative reform options relying on its removal or reduction. Produce cess is one of the common forms of agricultural taxation in Sub‐Saharan Africa. This analysis is performed using the farm‐household model FSSIM‐Dev, which is applied to a country representative sample of 3134 individual farm households taken from the 2012/2013 Tanzania National Panel Survey. Simulations show that the current produce cess is rather high and its removal or reduction would increase production intensity and boost farm income, ranging between +2% and +21% depending on options and regions. These positive impacts are driven by land productivity improvement rather than area reallocation. The largest impacts are experienced in northern and western highlands. Large farms and farms specialized in cash crops tend to gain more from the abolishment or reduction of produce cess. The increase in both production and income is, however, not sufficient to significantly reduce rural poverty and improve nutrition security. Finally, results show that a uniform cess rate of 1% for all crops seems to be the most appropriate policy option. It gives the best trade‐off between government revenue loss and farmers’ economic gain.
Tricuspid valve prolapse as an early predictor for severe phenotype in children with Marfan syndrome
Authors: Stark Veronika C. , Olfe Jakob , Pesch Jannis , Tahir Enver , Weinrich Julius M. , Wiegand Peter , Kozlik‐Feldmann Rainer , von Kodolitsch Yskert , Mir Thomas S.
Published: February 2022

Aim

In Marfan syndrome, various cardiovascular pathologies, such as aortic dilatation and mitral valve pathologies, already occur in childhood and determine course of the disease. This study aimed to establish additional cardiovascular risk markers for severe Marfan phenotypes. We investigated tricuspid valve prolapse (TVP) and its predictive value for outcome of paediatric Marfan disease.

Methods

In this retrospective, observational cohort study, we identified 130 paediatric Marfan patients (10.7 ± 4.8 years) with FBN1 variants. We divided patients into two groups based on TVP presence and performed a cross‐sectional analysis to investigate the association of TVP with other cardiovascular, ocular and systemic pathologies, at first and last visit. A longitudinal analysis was performed with follow‐up data.

Results

At baseline, patients with TVP had higher incidence of aortic root dilatation (p = 0.013), mitral valve prolapse (p = 0.0001) and systemic manifestations (p = 0.025) than patients without TVP. At follow‐up, previous presence of TVP predicted higher probability of aortic root dilatation (p = 0.002), mitral valve prolapse (p = 0.0001) and systemic manifestations (p = 0.002).

Conclusion

This shows that TVP is linked to both cardiac and extracardiac Marfan manifestations and TVP is an important marker for a disease severity in these children. Therefore, TVP should be assessed routinely using echocardiography in paediatric Marfan patients.
Oral anti‐coagulant treatment patterns in atrial fibrillation patients diagnosed with cancer: A Danish nationwide cohort study
Authors: Ording Anne Gulbech , Søgaard Mette , Nielsen Peter Brønnum , Lip Gregory Y. H. , Larsen Torben Bjerregaard , Grove Erik Lerkevang , Skjøth Flemming
Published: February 2022

Data on the use of oral anti‐coagulants (OAC) for stroke prevention in cancer patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) are sparse. Nationwide cohort study of patients with AF (2012–2018) and an indication for OAC who were diagnosed with cancer at least one year later (N = 12 756). We identified treatment with OAC at cancer diagnosis and the following year and described the incidence of discontinuing or switching between warfarin and direct oral anti‐coagulants (DOACs). We also described baseline characteristics associated with OAC non‐persistence. One third of the cancer patients received no OAC therapy, whereas 42% received warfarin and 24% received DOAC treatment. Switching incidence between OACs was higher for those receiving warfarin treatment (8.6%) than DOAC treatment (1.7%) within one year. Treatment discontinuation was 61% for warfarin and 26% for DOAC. Females were less likely to discontinue DOAC than males (ratio 0.77, 95% confidence interval: 0.66, 0.90). Increasing cancer stage was associated with discontinuation of DOAC, but not warfarin. OAC for stroke prevention in AF was used by two thirds of patients with newly diagnosed cancer. Switching between OACs and discontinuation was more common for warfarin than DOAC, and females had higher persistence with DOACs.
Interproximal contact loss at implant sites: a retrospective clinical study with a 10‐year follow‐up
Authors: Gasser Thomas J. W. , Papageorgiou Spyridon N. , Eliades Theodore , Hämmerle Christoph H. F. , Thoma Daniel S.
Published: February 2022

Aim

To assess the frequency and quantity of interproximal contact loss (ICL) between implant restorations and adjacent teeth after at least 10 years of follow‐up (FU).

Methods

Thirty‐nine patients (median age 57.3 years) with 80 implants were re‐examined at least 10 years after insertion of final restorations (single crowns or fixed dental prostheses (FDPs)). Baseline (insertion of the restorations) and FU examinations encompassed the following: Stone casts were scanned and superimposed for metric assessment of tooth movements, radiographs, and clinical measurements. Outcome measures at implant sites were as follows: the extent of tooth movement and the frequency of interproximal contact loss [ICL], peri‐implant marginal bone levels [MBLs], and clinical measurements (plaque control record [PCR], Bleeding on Probing [BOP], and probing depth [PD]). Data were analyzed statistically with generalized regression modeling with robust standard errors to account for within‐patient clustering at 5%.

Results

Interproximal contact loss for at least one contact point after 10 years was observed in 50% of all implants (with open interproximal spaces up to 1.64 mm). Mesial contact points were significantly more prone to ICL than distal ones (relative risk [RR] = 1.79; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.07–2.99; p = .03). The type of restoration had a significant effect on ICL, with FDPs of 2 implants being significantly more prone to mesial ICL than single crowns (RR = 1.52; 95% CI = 1.02–2.25; p = .04). ICL was also associated with a significant increase in PD (+0.46 mm (95% CI = 0.04–0.88 mm; p = .03)) compared to implant sites without ICL. BOP, MBLs, and PCR were not significantly influenced by ICL.

Conclusion

Interproximal contact loss was a common finding in 50% of the implant sites and was significantly associated with an increase in PD.
Comparing body mass index and obesity‐related comorbidities as predictors in hospitalized COVID‐19 patients
Authors: Tsoulis Michael W. , Garcia Victor L. , Hou Wei , Arcan Chrisa , Miller Joshua D.
Published: February 2022

The association between body mass index (BMI) and poor COVID‐19 outcomes in patients has been demonstrated across numerous studies. However, obesity‐related comorbidities have also been shown to be associated with poor outcomes. The purpose of this study was to determine whether BMI or obesity‐associated comorbidities contribute to elevated COVID‐19 severity in non‐elderly, hospitalized patients with elevated BMI (≥25 kg/m2). This was a single‐center, retrospective cohort study of 526 hospitalized, non‐elderly adult (aged 18–64) COVID‐19 patients with BMI ≥25 kg/m2 in suburban New York from March 6 to May 11, 2020. The Edmonton Obesity Staging System (EOSS) was used to quantify the severity of obesity‐related comorbidities. EOSS was compared with BMI in multivariable regression analyses to predict COVID‐19 outcomes. We found that higher EOSS scores were associated with poor outcomes after demographic adjustment, unlike BMI. Specifically, patients with increased EOSS scores had increased odds of acute kidney injury (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 6.40; 95% CI 3.71–11.05), intensive care unit admission (aOR = 10.71; 95% CI 3.23–35.51), mechanical ventilation (aOR = 3.10; 95% CI 2.01–4.78) and mortality (aOR = 5.05; 95% CI 1.83–13.90). Obesity‐related comorbidity burden as determined by EOSS was a better predictor of poor COVID‐19 outcomes relative to BMI, suggesting that comorbidity burden may be driving risk in those hospitalized with elevated BMI.
Hammerhead worms everywhere? Modelling the invasion of bipaliin flatworms in a changing climate
Authors: Fourcade Yoan , Winsor Leigh , Justine Jean‐Lou
Published: February 2022

Aim

Alien species introduced into new ecosystems occasionally predate upon or outcompete native species. Land planarians (Geoplanidae) are a family of carnivorous Platyhelminthes among which several species are found outside their native range. Specifically, hammerhead flatworms originate from Asia and Madagascar but have now reached many new locations worldwide through the transport of exotic plants. Because they are predators of earthworms and snails, they are considered a potential threat to native ecosystems. In this context, to anticipate their potential impacts and to inform early preventative actions, it is necessary to know where these species could spread to in future, or where they might already be present but undetected.

Location

Worldwide.

Methods

Here, we used occurrence records from online databases and climatic and soil variables to model the potential distribution of five hammerhead flatworm species (Bipalium adventitium,B.kewense,B.pennsylvanicum,B.vagumandDiversibipalium multilineatum) that are known to occur outside their native range.

Results

We demonstrate that precipitation is an important factor determining their distribution, which is in accordance with their known affinity for humidity. We show that some areas have the potential to be invaded by all five species, including regions that are relatively spared so far. This includes the River Plate basin in South America, which already harbours a diverse fauna of native terrestrial flatworms and which appears to also be a potential hotspot for the establishment of alien hammerhead flatworms. According to scenarios of future climate change, two species (B.kewenseandB.vagum) that currently have the largest observed global range are predicted to further increase their potential distribution.

Main conclusions

The results we report can be used to provide guidance for monitoring the potential sources of introduction of alien hammerhead flatworms in regions that are suitable, but which are not yet colonized.
The global cost of epilepsy: A systematic review and extrapolation
Authors: Begley Charles , Wagner Ryan G. , Abraham Annette , Beghi Ettore , Newton Charles , Kwon Churl‐Su , Labiner David , Winkler Andrea S.
Published: February 2022

Objective

Global action for epilepsy requires information on the cost of epilepsy, which is currently unknown for most countries and regions of the world. To address this knowledge gap, the International League Against Epilepsy Commission on Epidemiology formed the Global Cost of Epilepsy Task Force.

Methods

We completed a systematic search of the epilepsy cost‐of‐illness literature and identified studies that provided a comprehensive set of direct health care and/or indirect costs, followed standard methods of case identification and cost estimation, and used data on a representative population or subpopulation of people with epilepsy. Country‐specific costs per person with epilepsy were extracted and adjusted to generate an average cost per person in 2019 US dollars. For countries with no cost data, estimates were imputed based on average costs per person of similar income countries with data. Per person costs for each country were then applied to data on the prevalence of epilepsy from the Global Burden of Disease collaboration adjusted for the treatment gap.

Results

One hundred one cost‐of‐illness studies were included in the direct health care cost database, 74 from North America or Western Europe. Thirteen studies were used in the indirect cost database, eight from North America or Western Europe. The average annual cost per person with epilepsy in 2019 ranged from $204 in low‐income countries to $11 432 in high‐income countries based on this highly skewed database. The total cost of epilepsy, applying per person costs to the estimated 52.51 million people in the world with epilepsy and adjusting for the treatment gap, was $119.27 billion.

Significance

Based on a summary and extrapolations of this limited database, the global cost of epilepsy is substantial and highly concentrated in countries with well‐developed health care systems, higher wages and income, limited treatment gaps, and a relatively small percentage of the epilepsy population.
Validation of the Chinese version of the Walsh Family Resilience Questionnaire
Authors: Wang Anni , Lu Jun
Published: February 2022

The Walsh Family Resilience Questionnaire (WFRQ) is one of the most widely used and strong theory‐based measurement tools of family resilience. This study aimed to develop and psychometrically test the Chinese version of the WFRQ (WFRQ‐C). The WFRQ was translated following Brislin's translation model. Psychometric testing, combining classical theory test and item response theory, was conducted with a sample of 800 community adult residents. The Connor‐Davidson resilience scale‐10 (CD‐RISC‐10), Self‐reported Family Happiness Scale (SFHS‐1), and Family APGAR (Adaption, Partnership, Growth, Affection, Resolve) Scale (Family APGAR‐5) were applied for convergent validity. Six items were deleted at the item analysis level. The minimum average partial test and a parallel analysis supported a three‐factor structure, which was validated by confirmatory factor analysis. The three factors were named “Family belief system,” “Organization, communication and problem solving,” and “Utilization of external resources.” The WFRQ‐C was significantly correlated with CD‐RISC‐10, SFHS‐1, and Family APGAR‐5, with r values ranged from 0.51 to 0.56. The Cronbach's α was 0.97 for the scale and 0.93, 0.95, and 0.72 for the three factors, respectively. The ICCs of 0.96 for the whole scale, and 0.95, 0.75, and 0.95 for the three factors, respectively. The mean score for the WFRQ‐C was 97.00 ± 17.94, of which per capita monthly income and education level were predictors. The 26‐item WFRQ‐C is a stable, concise, and validated tool to measure family resilience. It is applicable for Chinese community adults in nonspecific stressful settings and has potential utility in the health care domain.
Assessing taxonomic and functional change in British breeding bird assemblages over time
Authors: Wayman Joseph P. , Sadler Jonathan P. , Pugh Thomas A. M. , Martin Thomas E. , Tobias Joseph A. , Matthews Thomas J.
Published: February 2022

Aim

The aim was to identify the primary drivers of compositional change in breeding bird assemblages over a 40‐year period.

Location

Britain.

Time period

From 1970 to 2010.

Major taxa studied

Birds.

Methods

Using morphological trait measurements and a dataset of presence–absence data for British breeding birds surveyed in 10 km × 10 km hectads during two time periods, we calculated temporal taxonomic and functional beta diversity for each hectad alongside the change in species richness, mean nearest taxon distance (MNTD) and mean pairwise distance (MPD). We also estimated potential drivers of beta diversity, including climatic and land‐use and land‐cover (LULC) change variables, elevation and assemblage species richness in 1970 (1970rich). We used random forest regressions to test which variables best explained compositional change in the assemblages. We also assessed spatial taxonomic and functional change by analysing multiple‐site beta diversity and pairwise dissimilarities between time periods.

Results

Initial (1970) species richness was the most important predictor (highest importance score) across all models, with areas characterized by higher initial richness experiencing less assemblage change overall. The coordinates included to capture spatial autocorrelation in the data were also important predictors of change. Most climate and LULC variables had relatively low explanatory power; elevation and average temperature were the most influential. All metrics increased slightly with increasing elevation, except for species richness change and MPD, which decreased.

Main conclusions

The composition of British breeding bird assemblages changed substantially between 1970 and 2010. Spatial heterogeneity increased, both taxonomically and functionally. We show evidence that hectads with larger assemblages have been buffered from temporal diversity change and that those at higher elevations changed more in composition than those at lower elevations. Overall, coarse‐resolution climate and LULC explained only small to moderate amounts of variation, suggesting that stochastic assembly change or finer‐scale drivers might be drivers of temporal changes in assemblage composition.
Patient preferences using telehealth during the COVID‐19 pandemic in four Victorian tertiary hospital services
Authors: Rasmussen Bodil , Perry Rachel , Hickey Martha , Hua Xinyang , Wong Zee Wan , Guy Lauren , Hitch Danielle , Hiscock Harriet , Dalziel Kim , Winter Naomi , Maier Andrea B.
Published: February 2022

Background

The Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic has had a major impact on healthcare services with many changes to telehealth care delivery. More information is needed about the patient perspective of telehealth in hospital services and the potential costs and benefits for patients.

Aim

To measure patients' evaluation of telehealth, preferences for telehealth versus in‐person appointments, and potential cost savings by patient characteristics.

Methods

A cross‐sectional online survey (including patient and appointment characteristics, telehealth evaluation, preferences for care and costs) of adult patients using video telehealth in four metropolitan tertiary hospital services in Melbourne, Victoria.

Results

A total of 1045 patients (median age 44 years; interquartile range 29–59) participated with an overall response rate of 9.2%. For 98.7% patients, telehealth was convenient, 96.4% stated that it saved time, 95.9% found telehealth acceptable to receive care and 97.0% found that telehealth improved their access to care. Most (62.6%) preferred in‐person consultations, although 86.9% agreed that telehealth was equivalent to an in‐person consultation. Those in regional and rural areas were less likely to prefer in‐person consultations. Patients attending for medical reasons were less likely to prefer in‐person consultation compared with patients with surgical reasons. Patient preference to telehealth was independent of level of education, appointment type, self‐rated health status and socio economic status. Patients saved an average of A$120.9 (standard deviation A$93.0) per appointment, with greater cost savings for patients from low and middle socio economic areas and regional or rural areas.

Conclusion

Telehealth video consultations were largely evaluated positively with most patients considering the service to be as good as in‐person. Understanding patient preference is critical to consider when implementing telehealth as mainstream across hospital health services.
All‐cause versus cause‐specific excess deaths for estimating influenza‐associated mortality in Denmark, Spain, and the United States
Authors: Schmidt Sebastian S. S. , Iuliano Angela Danielle , Vestergaard Lasse S. , Mazagatos‐Ateca Clara , Larrauri Amparo , Brauner Jan M. , Olsen Sonja J. , Nielsen Jens , Salomon Joshua A. , Krause Tyra G.
Published: February 2022

Background

Seasonal influenza‐associated excess mortality estimates can be timely and provide useful information on the severity of an epidemic. This methodology can be leveraged during an emergency response or pandemic.

Method

For Denmark, Spain, and the United States, we estimated age‐stratified excess mortality for (i) all‐cause, (ii) respiratory and circulatory, (iii) circulatory, (iv) respiratory, and (v) pneumonia, and influenza causes of death for the 2015/2016 and 2016/2017 influenza seasons. We quantified differences between the countries and seasonal excess mortality estimates and the death categories. We used a time‐series linear regression model accounting for time and seasonal trends using mortality data from 2010 through 2017.

Results

The respective periods of weekly excess mortality for all‐cause and cause‐specific deaths were similar in their chronological patterns. Seasonal all‐cause excess mortality rates for the 2015/2016 and 2016/2017 influenza seasons were 4.7 (3.3–6.1) and 14.3 (13.0–15.6) per 100,000 population, for the United States; 20.3 (15.8–25.0) and 24.0 (19.3–28.7) per 100,000 population for Denmark; and 22.9 (18.9–26.9) and 52.9 (49.1–56.8) per 100,000 population for Spain. Seasonal respiratory and circulatory excess mortality estimates were two to three times lower than the all‐cause estimates.

Discussion

We observed fewer influenza‐associated deaths when we examined cause‐specific death categories compared with all‐cause deaths and observed the same trends in peaks in deaths with all death causes. Because all‐cause deaths are more available, these models can be used to monitor virus activity in near real time. This approach may contribute to the development of timely mortality monitoring systems during public health emergencies.
Top‐down stepwise refinement identifies coding and noncoding RNA‐associated epigenetic regulatory maps in malignant glioma
Authors: Huang Yutao , Gao Xiangyu , Yang Erwan , Yue Kangyi , Cao Yuan , Zhao Boyan , Zhang Haofuzi , Dai Shuhui , Zhang Lei , Luo Peng , Jiang Xiaofan
Published: February 2022

With the emergence of the molecular era and retreat of the histology epoch in malignant glioma, it is becoming increasingly necessary to research diagnostic/prognostic/therapeutic biomarkers and their related regulatory mechanisms. While accumulating studies have investigated coding gene‐associated biomarkers in malignant glioma, research on comprehensive coding and noncoding RNA‐associated biomarkers is lacking. Furthermore, few studies have illustrated the cross‐talk signalling pathways among these biomarkers and mechanisms in detail. Here, we identified DEGs and ceRNA networks in malignant glioma and then constructed Cox/Lasso regression models to further identify the most valuable genes through stepwise refinement. Top‐down comprehensive integrated analysis, including functional enrichment, SNV, immune infiltration, transcription factor binding site, and molecular docking analyses, further revealed the regulatory maps among these genes. The results revealed a novel and accurate model (AUC of 0.91 and C‐index of 0.84 in the whole malignant gliomas, AUC of 0.90 and C‐index of 0.86 in LGG, and AUC of 0.75 and C‐index of 0.69 in GBM) that includes twelve ncRNAs, 1 miRNA and 6 coding genes. Stepwise logical reasoning based on top‐down comprehensive integrated analysis and references revealed cross‐talk signalling pathways among these genes that were correlated with the circadian rhythm, tumour immune microenvironment and cellular senescence pathways. In conclusion, our work reveals a novel model where the newly identified biomarkers may contribute to a precise diagnosis/prognosis and subclassification of malignant glioma, and the identified cross‐talk signalling pathways would help to illustrate the noncoding RNA‐associated epigenetic regulatory mechanisms of glioma tumorigenesis and aid in targeted therapy.
Longitudinal trajectories of mental health and loneliness for Australian adolescents with‐or‐without neurodevelopmental disorders: the impact of COVID‐19 school lockdowns
Authors: Houghton Stephen , Kyron Michael , Lawrence David , Hunter Simon Charles , Hattie John , Carroll Annemaree , Zadow Corinne , Chen Wai
Published: February 2022

Background

The impact of COVID‐19 (SARS‐CoV‐2) pandemic school lockdowns on the mental health problems and feelings of loneliness of adolescents with neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) is hypothesized to be greater than that of their non‐NDD peers. This two and a half year longitudinal study compared changes in the mental health and loneliness of Western Australian adolescents pre‐COVID‐19 (November 2018 and April 2019), immediately prior to COVID‐19 school lockdowns (March 2020), and post schools reopening (July/August 2020).

Methods

An age‐and‐gender matched sample of 476 adolescents with‐or‐without NDDs completed online assessments for mental health and loneliness.

Results

Adolescents with NDDs reported elevated levels of adverse mental health across all four waves of data collection. These young people experienced little change in mental health problems and feelings of loneliness over time, and any increase during school lockdowns returned to, or fell below pre‐COVID‐19 levels once schools reopened. In comparison, adolescents without NDDs experienced significant increases from a low baseline in depression symptoms, externalizing symptoms, feelings of isolation, and having a positive attitude to being alone, and evidenced a significant decline in positive mental wellbeing. Quality of friendships were unaffected by COVID‐19 school lockdowns for all adolescents regardless of NDD status. Of the adolescents with NDDs, those with Attention‐Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder reported a significant increase in positive mental wellbeing following school lockdowns.

Conclusions

Adolescents with NDDs emerged relatively unscathed from COVID‐19 school lockdowns and the short term impacts associated with these were not maintained over time. These findings should be considered in the context of this study’s geographical location and the unpredictability of school lockdowns. Learning to live with school lockdowns into the future may be a critical element for further investigation in the context of interventions.
Management, supervision, and healthcare: A field experiment
Authors: Dunsch Felipe A. , Evans David K. , Eze‐Ajoku Ezinne , Macis Mario
Published: February 2022

We used a randomized management consulting intervention with 80 public‐sector healthcare facilities in Nigeria to study the role of information, training, and supervision on the adoption of improved organizational practices. Facilities that received detailed improvement plans and 9 months of implementation support—including regular visits to monitor progress and set intermediate goals related to the plans—showed large, significant short‐term effects on the adoption of practices that were under the responsibility of facility staff. Facilities that received general improvement advice but no implementation support showed no change in practices. Implementation support appears crucial for improvements, especially in contexts without market incentives for the adoption of effective managerial practices.
Psychometric evaluation of the Patient Assessment of Chronic Illness Care instrument using Item analysis according to the Rasch model
Authors: Boecker Maren , Iglesias Katia , Peytremann‐Bridevaux Isabelle
Published: February 2022

Rationale, aims and objectives

The Patient Assessment of Chronic Illness Care (PACIC) instrument assesses patient care in alignment with the chronic care model. The aim of the study was to comprehensively validate the PACIC using the Rasch model. A special focus was placed on the investigation of local dependence (LD), differential item functioning (DIF) and targeting.

Method

This secondary analysis utilized data of 760 patients with a diagnosis of diabetes who had participated in the Swiss CoDiab‐VD cohort study. The psychometric properties of the French PACIC‐version were evaluated using the Rasch model. DIF was investigated in relation to age, gender, education, year of recruitment into the CoDiab‐VD cohort study, type of diabetes and whether patients got an injectable antidiabetic drug or not.

Results

The initial analysis of the PACIC revealed poor fit to the Rasch model (χ2‐p < 0.001) with response dependency being the most prominent problem. After combining the items into two testlets (testlet 1: Items 1–11; testlet 2: Items 12–20), good overall model fit was found (χ2‐p = 0.77) as well as good reliability (Person Separation Index = 0.85) and targeting. DIF with regard to whether patients got an injectable antidiabetic drug or not was found for testlet 2. However, the size of this DIF was regarded as not being substantial.

Conclusion

The PACIC is a well‐targeted, reliable unidimensional instrument to assess patient care in alignment with the chronic care model in patients with diabetes. It is free of substantial DIF. The PACIC‐20 sum score can hence be used in clinical practice for individual diagnostic. For evaluation purposes like assessment of change or group evaluations, the usage of the interval‐scale level person parameters is recommended as it permits using parametric statistical analyses and provides a more accurate picture about the actual amount of change.
Pragmatic Trials in Long‐Term Care: Research Challenges and Potential Solutions in Relation to Key Areas of Care
Authors: Resnick Barbara , Zimmerman Sheryl , Gaugler Joseph , Ouslander Joseph , Abrahamson Kathleen , Brandt Nicole , Colón‐Emeric Cathleen , Galik Elizabeth , Gravenstein Stefan , Mody Lona , Sloane Philip D. , Unroe Kathleen , Verbeek Hilde
Published: February 2022

As a method of research, pragmatic trials are recommended so as to generate results that are applicable to real‐world care. This intent is especially important for the millions of older adults who receive long‐term care in thousands of nursing homes and assisted living communities across the country—and many millions more around the globe. This article presents key points raised by experts participating in a conference funded by the National Institute of Aging held at the 2021 conference of the Society for Post‐Acute and Long‐term Care Medicine. The purpose of the conference was to convene leading clinicians, researchers, and industry partners to address special considerations of pragmatic trials in long‐term care. Cross‐cutting and unique challenges and solutions to conducting pragmatic trials were discussed focusing on 3 areas of clinical relevance to long‐term care: (1) functional care and outcomes, (2) psychosocial care and quality of life, and (3) medical care and outcomes, with a special focus on persons with dementia. Challenges and innovative solutions were organized across the 9 domains of the revised Pragmatic‐Explanatory Continuum Indicator Summary (PRECIS) Tool, and future research recommendations for pragmatic trials in long‐term care were identified.
Assessment of placental abruption with diffusion‐weighted imaging
Authors: Mizutani Teruyuki , Kotani Tomomi , Kato Noriko , Imai Kenji , Ushida Takafumi , Nakano‐Kobayashi Tomoko , Kinoshita Yoshimi , Ito Masato , Kinoshita Fumie , Yamamuro Osamu , Kajiyama Hiroaki
Published: February 2022

Aim

To investigate whether placental abruption without fetal distress could be assessed by apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Methods

We conducted a retrospective case–control study at a single center. ADC values at the lesions of placental abruption in the abruption group (n = 8) were compared to those in the control group (n = 32). In the abruption group, ADC values at the sites of abruption were also compared to those at the nonabruption sites within the same placenta.

Results

The ADC values in the placental area above the abruption site in the abruption group showed lower values than those in the control group when the slice containing the umbilical cord insertion site was set as the reference, and those values were compared in each corresponding slice. Compared with average ADC values, those above the abruption site in the abruption group were also significantly lower than those in the control group (p < 0.001). Furthermore, ADC values at the area above abruption were lower than those at the nonabruption area of all planes in the abruption group.

Conclusions

ADC values at the lesions above the placental abruption site were reduced compared to those in the normal placenta and those in the nonabruption area. Thus, it would be helpful to understand the pathophysiology of placental abruption in expectant management, although further investigations would be needed.
CEOs' marital status and corporate innovation
Authors: Zhang Yang , Zheng Huanhuan , Lam Desmond , Fu Xiaoqing Maggie , Li Mengling
Published: February 2022

Corporate innovation is an important driver of a firm's value and long‐term growth. It is the outcome of the creation and/or recreation of new and existing knowledge as well as resources of a firm. Innovation adds values not only to the firm, but also to its suppliers and customers. Drawing on upper echelon theory, this paper examines the effect of the marital status of corporate executives on firms' innovation efficiency, as measured by R&D productivity. To do so, we combine financial data on U.S. listed firms with data on CEOs' identities, their compensations, and their firms' R&D productivity. Our results show a strong connection between unmarried chief executive officers (CEOs) among Standard & Poor's (S&P) 1500 companies and elevated levels of corporate innovation efficiency. The association continues to hold when we control for a set of CEO attributes and adopt alternative identification strategies such as propensity score matching and difference‐in‐difference analysis. Moreover, the observed positive impact is more pronounced when the CEOs have higher levels of discretion due to lower institutional shareholding and smaller firm size. Further evidence indicates that unmarried CEOs generate higher impact innovation and exhibit a greater tolerance for failure, which are the possible mechanisms that underpin the observed association between unmarried CEOs and superior innovation outcomes. Our findings have potential implications for understanding variations in innovation practices between firms and can help firms to identify executives who are more likely to generate innovation and drive growth via R&D. The latter will be particularly important during periods of firm expansion and downsizing.
Are Overconfidence and the Accurate Calibration of Performance Mutually Incompatible?1
Authors: Lee Eunju J.
Published: February 2022

The present study investigated whether calibration accuracy in metacognitive judgment on performance and the positively biased self‐evaluation of competence are distinct and whether they play independent roles in learning. A sample of 432 sixth‐graders reported their pre‐test competence for solving math problems and the post‐test calibration of performance, and these measures were compared with their actual math‐test scores to compute overconfidence and calibration accuracy. Data analyses indicated (a) that a positive correlation existed between accurate calibration and overconfidence; (b) that high‐achieving students calibrated performance accurately but overestimated their competence; and (c) that accurate calibration and overconfidence independently predicted positive learning behaviors, highlighting that both self‐evaluation indices contribute to self‐regulated learning in their own way.
Effect of Resistance Training Combined with Beta‐Hydroxy‐Beta‐Methylbutyric Acid Supplements in Elderly Patients with Sarcopenia after Hip Replacement
Authors: Han Zhe , Ji Neng‐neng , Ma Jian‐xiong , Dong Qiang , Ma Xin‐long
Published: February 2022

Objectives

To evaluate the efficacy of resistance training (RT) combined with beta‐hydroxy‐beta‐methylbutyric acid (HMB) in the treatment of elderly patients with sarcopenia after hip replacement.

Methods

From January 1, 2018 to December 31, 2018, 200 elderly patients (68 men, mean age 76.3 years and 137 women, mean age 79.1 years) who experienced femoral neck fracture with sarcopenia after hip arthroplasty were assigned to four groups: RT + HMB group, RT group, HMB group, and negative control group. Baseline data, body composition, grip strength, Barthel index (BI), Harris hip score (HHS), and visual analog scale score (VAS) were compared among the four groups before and 3 months after surgery.

Results

A total of 177 participants completed the trial, including 43 in the HMB + RT group, 44 in the HMB group, 45 in the RT group, and 45 in the negative control group. At the 3‐month follow‐up, the body composition and grip strength of the HMB + RT group and RT group were significantly improved compared with those before operation. The HMB group had no significant change, while the measures in the negative control group significantly decreased. Postoperative BI and HSS did not reach pre‐injury levels in any of the four groups, but postoperative VAS score was significantly improved. However, there was no significant difference in BI, HSS, or VAS among the four groups.

Conclusion

RT, with or without HMB supplementation, can effectively improve body composition and grip strength in elderly patients with sarcopenia after hip replacement at short‐term follow‐up. Simultaneously, use of exclusive HMB supplementation alone may also help to prevent decreases in muscle mass and grip strength in these patients.
Long‐term outcomes of intestinal transplantation from donors aged under 1 year
Authors: Chang Yu‐Tang , Soltys Kyle , Khanna Ajai , Bond Geoffrey J. , Ganoza Armando , Rudolph Jeffrey A. , Sindhi Rakesh , Mazariegos George V.
Published: February 2022

Background

The aim of the study was to analyze the long‐term outcomes of transplants utilizing ITx donors <1 year and to compare these results with older donors.

Methods

Between January 2007 and December 2019, the primary ITx donors in the Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC were retrospectively reviewed. Short‐ and long‐term outcomes of recipients receiving a deceased donor organ from donors <1 year were compared with those found in all other recipients.

Results

During the study period, there were 89 primary ITx donors, using 30 donors (33.7%) aged <1 year. The mean age of their recipients was 1.6 ± 0.7 (0.7–3.2) years. The 30 graft types were isolated intestine (n = 3, 10.0%), liver bowel (n = 20, 66.7%), and multivisceral (n = 7, 23.3%). Technical complications occurred in 12 (40.0%) recipients. Candidates transplanted with intestine allografts from donors <1 year of age had shorter wait times (p < .001), more liver‐inclusive grafts (p < .001), and less donor‐specific antibodies (DSA) (p = .014). During follow‐up, the recipients had less graft loss (p = .018), and more remained alive with graft in place (p = .011). Among children transplanted with such donors, 3‐year and graft survival rates were 86.7% and 82.9% compared to 62.8% and 49.9% in the cohort of donors >1 year (p = .032 and .011).

Conclusions

Donor age <1 year was associated with improved graft survival. Optimal utilization of this population for toddler candidates would increase intestine availability, reduce time to transplantation, and potentially improve long‐term outcome.