bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Transformational leadership style: a boost or hindrance to team performance in IT sector
Authors: Jaroliya Deepak , Gyanchandani Rajni 
Published: August 2021

PurposeA leader plays an important role in the growth of an organization. The leader is a person who influences the standards, structure, culture and behaviour of the individuals employed in the organization. A leader also has effects on the result and productivity of teams. The purpose of this paper is to analyze the effect of transformational leadership style on team performance. This paper will also analyze the existence of a relationship between transformational leadership style and team performance.Design/methodology/approachFor this study, the researcher collected the data from 354 individuals employed in IT organizations in Pune. The team members answered questions asked about the transformational leadership style, and the team leaders answered questions related to team performance. The data has been analyzed using the latest available version of Statistical Product and Service Solutions.FindingsThe results of this examination suggest that there is strong and positive relationship between the transformational leadership style and team performance. Further, it was also found that transformational leader helps in a great way in improving team performance which in turn increases the organization’s productivity.Research limitations/implicationsFew limitations of this research work are that the data collected for this research work is non-cognitive in nature and simultaneously respondents may incline to evaluate the positive facets of opinion poll more propitiously than negative facets. Secondly, the data have been collected only from companies located in Pune.Practical implicationsThis research study provides empirical data that will be helpful for human resources department of an organization, as it can help them in the development of policies and practices. It will also provide help leaders to support employees who are seeking effective ways to support struggling employees in context to their team performance.Originality/valueThe present study can be differentiated from past studies, as it thinks over an ensemble of transformational leadership style as an essential antecedent of team performance and also enhances the knowledge of the researchers and practitioners about the leadership style that upshot to the team performance. This will also help the managers, researchers, organizational development specialist and employees who are seeking effective ways to support struggling employees in context to their team performance.
Clinical background of patients with psoriasiform skin lesions due to tumor necrosis factor antagonist administration at a single center
Authors: Mori Miho , Tobita Rie , Egusa Chizu , Maeda Tatsuo , Abe Namiko , Kawakami Hiroshi , Mae Kenichiro , Matsumoto Yuka , Kawachi Yasuhiro , Okubo Yukari 
Published: August 2021

AbstractParadoxical reaction (PR) occurs when a drug elicits a reaction contrary to what was expected. To clarify the clinical features and genetic background of individuals susceptible to PR, we analyzed the clinical course of patients in whom psoriatic eruptions worsened or newly developed during tumor necrosis factor (TNF) antagonist administration and the role of focal infections and genetic variations. Of 125 patients who received TNF antagonist therapy for psoriasis, acrodermatitis continua of Hallopeau (ACH), generalized pustular psoriasis (GPP), or palmoplantar pustular psoriasis (PPP), eight patients with PR were surveyed at our hospital Dermatology Department between 2010 and 2021. A survey was also done on six patients who received TNF antagonist therapy for Crohn’s disease, rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and hidradenitis suppurativa and were referred to our department due to PR. Additionally, Sanger sequencing analysis was performed for all exons and flanking introns of IL36RN (interleukin 36 receptor antagonist), CARD14 (caspase recruitment domain‐containing protein 14), and AP1S3 (adaptor‐related protein complex 1 subunit sigma 3). The clinical assessment of the 14 patients demonstrated an average age at PR onset of 48.4 years, a male : female ratio of 5:9, and a mean administration period until onset of 9.2 months. The clinical types of PR were plaque psoriasis, PPP, GPP, pustulosis, acne, ACH, hair loss, and exacerbation of arthralgia. Histopathology revealed psoriasiform dermatitis in three patients. One patient continued TNF antagonist therapy. All of the patients with psoriasis and GPP had dental infections, suggesting that focal infection may be a risk factor of the development of PR following TNF antagonist therapy. Gene analysis demonstrated CARD14 gene variants associated with RA, CD, AS, or PPP in four patients. In addition, all of the patients with ACH and PPP experienced PR, suggesting that these diseases may predispose patients to PR to TNF antagonist therapy.
Seed size–number trade‐offs are absent in the introduced range for three congeneric plant invaders
Authors: Bufford Jennifer L. , Hulme Philip E. 
Published: August 2021

Abstract

Seed size and seed number are key functional traits that can affect invasion success and evolve in the introduced range. With finite resources, seed size and number are expected to trade off. If trade‐offs are relaxed in the introduced range, this could promote invasion. Few studies have compared life‐history trade‐offs between ranges, so these dynamics are still poorly understood.

Using three Rumex spp. we asked: (a) Is there evidence for differences in seed size, number or trade‐offs in response to climate in the native and introduced ranges? (b) Do trade‐offs differ between provenances when grown in common gardens? and (c) What is the relative contribution of environment and maternal line to seed size variation?

We quantified seed size and fecundity of ~160 individual plants across 16 populations per species in each range and grew around 100 maternal lines per species across common gardens in New Zealand. We modelled seed size, seed number and their trade‐off, accounting for climate, range and plant height. We also examined seed size in common gardens as a function of maternal seed size to assess the relative contribution of environment and maternal line.

Two widespread invasive alien species, R. crispus and R. obtusifolius, had greater seed production in the introduced range. Although R. conglomeratus and R. crispus showed seed size–number trade‐offs in the native range, none of the three species showed trade‐offs in the introduced range. Maternal seed size explained ≥35% of the variation in seed size in common gardens for R. conglomeratus and R. crispus. In R. obtusifolius climate was more important, where seed size increased in response to precipitation in the introduced range.

Synthesis. For the first time, we document changes in seed size–number trade‐offs between the native and introduced ranges for two alien plant species. Greater seed production in the introduced range for plants from both ranges suggests that abundant resources, rather than evolution, allowed these species to avoid trade‐offs in the introduced range. Heritable variation in seed size and different climate responses between ranges suggest that seed size may evolve as plants adapt to their introduced range.
Private Equity Exit Strategies and Profitability During the Global Pandemic: Evidence from Around the World
Authors: Uddin Moshfique , Chowdhury Anup 
Published: August 2021

AbstractPrivate equity (PE) exit strategy is important for investors as a planned and effective exit strategy improves the chance of realizing higher profit. In this paper, we examine how PE exit strategies are being affected by the on‐going global pandemic. The current COVID‐19 pandemic has created unprecedented exogenous shocks to nearly every economy and it is important to see how this uncertainty affects economic activities such as the PE exit decision. Using 20 years of PE fund data from across 79 countries, we find that the current COVID‐19 global pandemic has significantly affected the PE exit decision and the effect is stronger than that of the recent financial crisis. Out of all the exit strategies, acquisition is the most popular, and COVID‐19 exerts a significant negative impact on the others. We also find that COVID‐19 has negatively affected deal values across all the exit strategies, limiting the profit potential for investors. Moreover, the paper provides evidence that PE investors tend to wait for a good time to exit rather than rushing to exit during an uncertain time such as this global pandemic. Our results are robust for various alternative econometric specifications.
Fetal exome sequencing for isolated increased nuchal translucency: should we be doing it?
Authors: Mellis R , Eberhardt RY , Hamilton SJ ,   The PAGE Consortium, McMullan DJ , Kilby MD , Maher ER , Hurles ME , Giordano JL , Aggarwal V , Goldstein DB , Wapner RJ , Chitty LS 
Published: August 2021

ObjectiveTo evaluate the utility of prenatal exome sequencing (ES) for isolated increased nuchal translucency (NT) and to investigate factors that increase diagnostic yield.DesignRetrospective analysis of data from two prospective cohort studies.SettingFetal medicine centres in the UK and USA.PopulationFetuses with increased NT ≥3.5 mm at 11–14 weeks of gestation recruited to the Prenatal Assessment of Genomes and Exomes (PAGE) and Columbia fetal whole exome sequencing studies (n = 213).MethodsWe grouped cases based on (1) the presence of additional structural abnormalities at presentation in the first trimester or later in pregnancy, and (2) NT measurement at presentation. We compared diagnostic rates between groups using Fisher exact test.Main outcome measuresDetection of diagnostic genetic variants considered to have caused the observed fetal structural anomaly.ResultsDiagnostic variants were detected in 12 (22.2%) of 54 fetuses presenting with non‐isolated increased NT, 12 (32.4%) of 37 fetuses with isolated increased NT in the first trimester and additional abnormalities later in pregnancy, and 2 (1.8%) of 111 fetuses with isolated increased NT in the first trimester and no other abnormalities on subsequent scans. Diagnostic rate also increased with increasing size of NT.ConclusionsThe diagnostic yield of prenatal ES is low for fetuses with isolated increased NT but significantly higher where there are additional structural anomalies. Prenatal ES may not be appropriate for truly isolated increased NT but timely, careful ultrasound scanning to identify other anomalies emerging later can direct testing to focus where there is a higher likelihood of diagnosis.
Evaluation of dual‐energy and perfusion CT parameters for diagnosing solitary pulmonary nodules
Authors: Zhu Beilin , Zheng Shuo , Jiang Tao , Hu Bin 
Published: August 2021

AbstractBackgroundTo evaluate the correlation and accuracy of dual‐energy CT (DECT) (70/Sn150) and low‐dose volume perfusion CT (VPCT) parameters for the diagnosis of solitary pulmonary nodules (SPN).MethodsA total of 15 patients with benign SPN (mean age 56 ± 7 years) and 34 patients with malignant SPN and clinical indication for surgery (mean age 58 ± 6 years) were enrolled from July 2017 to September 2019 at a single institution. All the patients underwent low‐dose VPCT with a scan volume of 114 mm on the z‐axis and a venous phase enhancement DECT (70/150 Sn) scan just before surgery on the same day. All CT findings were studied in comparison with the pathological results after surgery. Perfusion and dual‐energy CT parameters such as blood flow (BF), blood volume (BV), mean transit time (MTT), flow extraction product (FED), pulmonary nodule enhancement peak (PPnod) and iodine concentration (IC) were evaluated as well as t‐test, chi‐square test, Pearson correlation analysis, and ROC curve analysis to determine the significance of study parameters.ResultsThe effective radiation dosage of the VPCT and DECT scans were 4.67 ± 0.26 mSv and 0.32 ± 0.10 mSv, respectively. Significant correlations were found between iodine concentration from DECT and VPCT parameters (r = 0.376–0.533, p < 0.05). The sensitivity and specificity of IC to differentiate the SPN were 86.67% and 72.73%, which was slightly lower than that of BV (94.44%, 73.33%), FED (88.89%, 80.00%) and PPnod (94.44%, 80.00%).ConclusionsVPCT scans have low radiation dosage achieved by shortening the z‐axis scan range for assessment of SPN. IC from DECT is significantly correlated with VPCT parameters, and VPCT parameters have better diagnostic performance for SPN than DECT parameters.
Cognitive improvement among abstinent methamphetamine users: A 2‐year prospective longitudinal study
Authors: Wang Tong‐Yu , Fan Teng‐Teng , Lappin Julia M. , Li Xiao‐Dong , Zhao Yi‐Miao , Wu Ping , Shi Jie , Bao Yan‐Ping , Lu Lin 
Published: August 2021

AbstractBackground and ObjectivesThe adverse impact of chronic methamphetamine (MA) use on cognitive function has been described in previous studies, but limited evidence is available for abstinent users from prospective longitudinal studies. The aim of the present study was to assess cognitive function of varying abstinent duration.MethodsThis prospective longitudinal study was conducted with baseline and four follow‐up interviews every 6 months over 2 years in 358 MA users in Guangdong province, China. The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) was used to measure cognitive function. Generalized estimating equation (GEE) analysis was used to examine within‐subjects relationships between abstinence and cognitive consequences over time.ResultsThe repeated measure analysis of variance showed significant differences in the total MoCA score and all subscale scores (except Orientation) in the 24 months follow‐up. The GEE model showed that abstinence from MA in the past 6 months predicted an increase of 0.66 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.29 to 1.05, p = .002) in MoCA score changes compared with the nonabstinence MA users. Abstinence in the past 12, 18, and 24 months predicted an increase in MoCA total score changes of 1.25 (95% CI = −0.23 to 2.74), 2.15 (95% CI = −0.79 to 5.09), and 5.28 (95% CI = −2.01 to 12.58), respectively, but none of these was statistically significant.Discussion and ConclusionsCognitive function was potentially improved following 6 months of MA abstinence.Scientific SignificanceThis study extends prior research by long‐term follow‐up in big sample MA abstinence users. Findings from study support the need for a comprehensive measure to decrease MA use and promote the recovery of cognitive impairment.
Nonparametric segmentation methods: Applications of unsupervised machine learning and revealed preference
Authors: Blumberg Joey , Thompson Gary 
Published: August 2021

AbstractMany recent efforts by econometricians have focused on supervised machine learning techniques to aid in empirical studies using experimental data. By contrast, this article explores the merits of unsupervised machine learning algorithms for informing ex ante policy design using observational data. We examine the extent to which groups of consumers with differing responses to economic incentives can be identified in a context of fruit and vegetable demand. Two classes of nonparametric algorithms—revealed preference and unsupervised machine learning—are compared for segmenting households in the National Consumer Panel. Nonlinear almost‐ideal demand models are estimated for all segments to determine which methods group households into segments with different expenditure and price elasticities. In‐sample comparisons and out‐of‐sample prediction results indicate methods using price‐quantity data alone—without demographic, geographic, or other variables—perform better at segmenting households into groups with sizeable differences in price and expenditure responsiveness. These segmentation results suggest considerable heterogeneity in household purchasing behavior of fruits and vegetables.
Testosterone in males with COVID‐19: A 7‐month cohort study
Authors: Salonia Andrea , Pontillo Marina , Capogrosso Paolo , Gregori Silvia , Carenzi Cristina , Ferrara Anna Maria , Rowe Isaline , Boeri Luca , Larcher Alessandro , Ramirez Giuseppe A. , Tresoldi Cristina , Locatelli Massimo , Cavalli Giulio , Dagna Lorenzo , Castagna Antonella , Zangrillo Alberto , Tresoldi Moreno , Landoni Giovanni , Rovere‐Querini Patrizia , Ciceri Fabio , Montorsi Francesco 
Published: August 2021

AbstractBackgroundCirculating testosterone levels have been found to be reduced in men with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection, COVID‐19, with lower levels being associated with more severe clinical outcomes.ObjectivesWe aimed to assess total testosterone levels and the prevalence of total testosterone still suggesting for hypogonadism at 7‐month follow‐up in a cohort of 121 men who recovered from laboratory‐confirmed COVID‐19.Materials and methodsDemographic, clinical, and hormonal values were collected for all patients. Hypogonadism was defined as total testosterone ≤9.2 nmol/L. The Charlson Comorbidity Index was used to score health‐significant comorbidities. Descriptive statistics and multivariable linear and logistic regression models tested the association between clinical and laboratory variables and total testosterone levels at follow‐up assessment.ResultsCirculating total testosterone levels increased at 7‐month follow‐up compared to hospital admittance (p < 0.0001), while luteinizing hormone and 17β‐estradiol levels significantly decreased (all p ≤ 0.02). Overall, total testosterone levels increased in 106 (87.6%) patients, but further decreased in 12 (9.9%) patients at follow‐up, where a total testosterone level suggestive for hypogonadism was still observed in 66 (55%) patients. Baseline Charlson Comorbidity Index score (OR 0.36; p = 0.03 [0.14, 0.89]) was independently associated with total testosterone levels at 7‐month follow‐up, after adjusting for age, BMI, and IL‐6 at hospital admittance.ConclusionsAlthough total testosterone levels increased over time after COVID‐19, more than 50% of men who recovered from the disease still had circulating testosterone levels suggestive for a condition of hypogonadism at 7‐month follow‐up. In as many as 10% of cases, testosterone levels even further decreased. Of clinical relevance, the higher the burden of comorbid conditions at presentation, the lower the probability of testosterone levels recovery over time.
Accelerated loss of crystalline lens power initiating from emmetropia among young school children: a 2‐year longitudinal study
Authors: Xiong Shuyu , He Xiangui , Sankaridurg Padmaja , Zhu Jianfeng , Wang Jingjing , Zhang Bo , Zou Haidong , Xu Xun 
Published: August 2021

ABSTRACTPurposeTo determine the characteristics of crystalline lens with varying refractive errors and relationship with axial elongation in young school children.MethodsA total of 1465 children aged 6–8 years were examined annually for 2 years. Each participant underwent a series of ophthalmic examinations, including cycloplegic autorefraction, crystalline lens and axial length measurement. Crystalline lens power was determined, and factors associated with different refractive statuses were investigated.ResultsCrystalline lens power decreased with time; reduction in lens power in Year 1 was greater in children with emmetropia (−0.69 ± 0.59 dioptre [D]) than in those with hyperopia (−0.49 ± 0.56 D) or myopia (−0.45 ± 0.55 D) (p < 0.001). Among the emmetropes, there were no differences in loss of crystalline lens power between those who remained emmetropic (−0.63 ± 0.59 D) and those who became myopic at Year 1 (−0.74 ± 0.61 D) and Year 2 (−0.77 ± 0.57 D, p > 0.05) visits. Among myopes at Year 1 visit, there was a greater reduction at Year 2 in those who had baseline emmetropia (−0.61 ± 0.51 D) than those who had baseline myopia (−0.26 ± 0.49 D, p < 0.001). The trend was similar among children of the same age. There was a significant correlation between changes in lens power and axial elongation in non‐myopia (β = −0.954, p < 0.001) and new myopia (β = −1.178, p < 0.001), but not in established myopia (β = −0.001, p = 0.539).ConclusionsThere is accelerated loss of lens power in emmetropia and early stage of myopia. However, this loss is retarded when myopia persists and is accompanied by disappearance of the compensatory effect of lens power against axial elongation. These findings provide new insights into human refractive development.
Ex‐ante socio‐economic impact assessment for a social science research infrastructure: The case of EuroCohort
Authors: Ecchia Giulio , O'Leary Chris , Messori Luciano 
Published: August 2021

ABSTRACTThe aim of this paper is to present the ex ante Socio‐Economic Impact Assessment of a European Social Science Research Infrastructure (RI) named EuroCohort that will provide, over the next 34 years, a longitudinal study of the well‐being of children and young people across Europe.
Effect of chlorogenic acid on intestinal inflammation, antioxidant status, and microbial community of young hens challenged with acute heat stress
Authors: Chen Fang , Zhang Hao , Zhao Na , Yang Xuehai , Du Encun , Huang Shaowen , Guo Wanzheng , Zhang Wei , Wei Jintao 
Published: August 2021

AbstractHeat stress in poultry is deleterious to productive performance. Chlorogenic acid (CGA) exerts antibacterial, anti‐inflammatory, and antioxidant properties. This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary supplemental CGA on the intestinal health and cecal microbiota composition of young hens challenged with acute heat stress. 100‐day‐old Hy‐line brown pullets were randomly divided into four groups. The control group (C) and heat stress group (HS) received a basal diet. HS + CGA300 group and HS + CGA600 group received a basal diet supplemented with 300‐ and 600‐mg/kg CGA, respectively, for 2 weeks before heat stress exposure. Pullets of HS, HS + CGA300, and HS + CGA600 group were exposed to 38°C for 4 h while the control group was maintained at 25°C. In this study, dietary CGA supplementation had effect on mitigate the decreased T‐AOC and T‐SOD activities and the increasing of IL‐1β and TNFα induced by acute heat stress. Dietary supplementation with 600 mg/kg CGA had better effect on increasing the relative abundance of beneficial bacterial genera, such as Rikenellaceae RC9_gut_group, Ruminococcaceae UCG‐005, and Christensenellaceae R‐7_group, and deceasing bacteria genera involved in inflammation, such as Sutterella species. Therefore, CGA can ameliorate acute heat stress damage through suppressing inflammation and improved antioxidant capacity and cecal microbiota composition.