bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
How employees leverage psychological capital and perform, even in the presence of rude co-workers: an empirical study from Pakistan
Authors: Azeem Muhammad Umer , De Clercq Dirk , Haq Inam Ul
Published: July 2022

Purpose

This study aims to unpack the link between co-worker incivility and job performance, by detailing a mediating role of psychological detachment and a moderating role of psychological capital.

Design/methodology/approach

The research hypotheses are tested with three-wave, time-lagged data collected from Pakistani-based employees and their supervisors.

Findings

An important reason that disrespectful co-worker treatment curtails job performance, with respect to both in-role and extra-role work efforts, is that employees detach from their work environment. This mediating role of psychological detachment is less salient to the extent that employees possess high levels of psychological capital.

Practical implications

For organizations, this study pinpoints a key mechanism, a propensity to distance oneself from work, by which convictions that co-workers do not show respect direct employees away from productive work activities. This study also shows how this mechanism can be subdued by ensuring that employees exhibit energy-enhancing personal resources.

Originality/value

This study expands extant research on the dark side of interpersonal co-worker relationships by revealing pertinent factors that explain why and when co-worker incivility can escalate into diminished performance-enhancing activities.
Internal factors affecting the performance of employee-based savings and credit cooperatives: evidence from Nigeria
Authors: Otache Innocent , Echukwu Ifeoma Jeraldine , Umar Kadiri , Yunusa Acho , Audu Samson
Published: July 2022

Purpose

Drawing upon stewardship and resource-based view theories, the purpose of this study is to empirically examine the impacts of management committee effectiveness (MCE), member economic participation (MEP), innovation (INNOV) and internal control systems (ICS) on the performance of employee-based savings and credit cooperatives (SACCOs) in Nigeria.

Design/methodology/approach

This study adopted a survey research design. Thus, a structured questionnaire was used to collect data from a sample of 295 members of six employee-based SACCOs in Nigeria. To test the study hypotheses, partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM), through SmartPLS version 2, was used.

Findings

The results show that MCE, MEP, INNOV and ICS have significant positive links with the performance of employee-based SACCOs. Further analysis reveals that MCE has the greatest impact on performance, followed by MEP, ICS and INNOV, respectively.

Practical implications

The findings provide practical and managerial implications for members and management committees of employee-based SACCOs.

Originality/value

There is a paucity of studies on the impacts of MCE, MEP, INNOV and ICS on cooperative performance. This study contributes to the literature on cooperatives by demonstrating the positive impacts of MCE, MEP, INNOV and ICS on cooperative performance in a single study.
Beauty lies in the eye of the beholder: consumers' and jobseekers' interpretations of the family business brand
Authors: Jaufenthaler Philipp
Published: July 2022

Purpose

Brands are relevant to multiple stakeholders and, as such, can have multiple meanings. Drawing on branding and stakeholder marketing theory, the purpose of this study was to provide in-depth insights into knowledge dynamics related to the so-called family business brand across different stakeholder perspectives.

Design/methodology/approach

This study combines advanced brand concept mapping (BCM) with a scenario technique to graphically capture consumers’ and jobseekers’ brand knowledge related to the family business concept in the form of association networks.

Findings

Findings show both a shared core meaning (e.g. associations such as “tradition” or “owner-managed”) and stakeholder-specific associations (e.g. consumer perspective: “high product quality,” “handmade”; jobseeker perspective: “appreciation within the company,” “outdated”). Significantly, the results reveal detailed insights into cross-stakeholder knowledge dynamics regarding the associations’ interconnections, strength and favorability.

Originality/value

By combining BCM with a scenario technique, this study adopts an approach that is aimed at better understanding and comparing brand knowledge with respect to the family business brand across multiple stakeholder perspectives. Given the prevalence of family businesses, this research enhances the theoretical and practical understanding of a branding resource that is often available but rarely exploited.
Living with tensions in the workplace: a grounded theory of paradoxical leadership in cultivating subordinates' paradox mindset
Authors: Yin Jun
Published: July 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the process of how paradoxical leadership cultivates subordinates' paradox mindset.

Design/methodology/approach

This study used the grounded theory approach. Data collection included semi-structured interviews and observations from eleven top managers and their six subordinates in five Chinese organizations. Managers and their subordinates were asked how they perceived and dealt with tensions in the workplace.

Findings

Paradoxical leadership promotes subordinates' paradox mindset by helping them learn to face, cope, and live with tensions. First, paradoxical leaders acted as role models for their subordinates and directly influenced followers' attitudes, motivation, and positive psychological states towards tensions. Moreover, when managers help their subordinates reduce stress and anxiety and build confidence, followers learn to cope with tensions. Consequently, subordinates' capacity to live with tensions is increased and they develop the paradox mindset.

Practical implications

The results imply that reducing subordinates' stress and anxiety and building their confidence can be integrated into work practices and training, which provide insights for managers to cultivate their subordinates' paradox mindset.

Originality/value

This paper investigates how paradoxical leadership impacts and cultivates subordinates' paradox mindset in a tension-setting work environment. The findings not only provide fresh insights into the detailed process of developing employees' paradox mindset but also deepen the understanding of the leader–follower relationship.
Of pandemics, penury and philanthropy in South Africa: lessons from Islamic humanism
Authors: Kawadza Herbert
Published: July 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this article is to consider cultural ethos of philanthropy that has proved effective in minimising the plight of the vulnerable in general and particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. By discussing the divergent philanthropic approaches that have been adopted to counter the challenge of the pandemic, this article fulfils one of comparative laws' crucial tenets to improve the local environment by learning from other jurisdictions.

Design/methodology/approach

An exploratory and qualitative method through categorical and theoretical analysis of recent and historical scholarship on the Islamic culture is undertaken. An extensive use of journalistic and editorial reports on the South Af rican context is explored to demonstrate the plight of the vulnerable during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Findings

The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed how economically and structurally fragmented South African society is. More specifically, it has reinforced the existence of an “invisible” group of people – the poor and vulnerable – who have been hit harder by the government's responses aimed at containing the spread of the COVID-19 virus. The depiction of an unequal and uncaring society has spurred extensive rhetoric and reflection centred on the need to regain society's conscience as regards the plight of the poor. This article finds that much as there has an awakening towards societal inequality and vulnerability, there are, however, no concrete suggestions upon which change of attitude can be founded. Further, it can be argued that the plight of the vulnerable could have been softened had society cherished a culture of charity. Taking a cue from Islamic culture, this article avers that there is a need to embed philanthropy within society's cultural norms so as to forge effective bonds and maintain social cohesion.

Social implications

The practical implications of this article relate to the need for the revaluation of the moral campus of South African communities. It supports calls for the alignment of community attitudes with humanity so as to improve the lives of the less privileged members of the society. Additionally, this discussion adds value to the scholarship, which aims to engender community-based welfare schemes for the benefit of the vulnerable.

Originality/value

By highlighting socio-economic consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic on the vulnerable and highlighting the Islamic approaches to ameliorating the condition of the poor, it is hoped that this article will stimulate debate that can bring change for marginalised groups. The analysis provides some crucial discussions for potential societal interventions, which could assist in revisiting how society takes care of the poor and vulnerable.
Typical cutaneous small‐vessel vasculitis induced by combined injection of antiphosphatidylserine/prothrombin complex antibody and anti‐LAMP‐2 antibody in normal rats
Authors: Kawakami Tamihiro , Nakade Issei , Tamura Yuto , Ito Fuyu , Nishibata Yuka , Masuda Sakiko , Tomaru Utano , Ishizu Akihiro
Published: July 2022

We previously reported that IgA vasculitis and cutaneous arteritis could be dependently associated with the presence of the antiphosphatidylserine/prothrombin complex (anti‐PS/PT) antibody and lysosomal‐associated membrane protein‐2 (LAMP‐2). The copy number of LAMP‐2 mRNA in skin tissue samples from rats with cutaneous vasculitis induced by intravenous administration of anti‐PS/PT antibody after subcutaneous histone injection was significantly higher than in those without cutaneous vasculitis. We found LAMP‐2 protein overexpression in neutrophils and vascular endothelial cells of the affected blood vessels in rats with cutaneous vasculitis induced by intravenous administration of anti‐PS/PT antibody after cutaneous priming by histones. We found typical cutaneous small‐vessel vasculitis in the skin of rats given intravenous injection of both anti‐PS/PT antibody and anti‐LAMP‐2 antibody after cutaneous priming by histones. We suggested that the introduction of skin local histones and anti‐PS/PT antibody in serum could move LAMP‐2 to the cell surface of neutrophils and vascular endothelial cells, and that anti‐LAMP‐2 antibody could bridge these cells through antigen‐specific binding in typical cutaneous small‐vessel vasculitis.
A deep learning approach to separating scattered direct waves from reflection seismic records on rugged surface: Synthetic data examples
Authors: Gong Rui , Wang Yingying , Geng Jianhua
Published: July 2022

Seismic records from reflection seismic exploration in complex surface areas often contain scattered direct waves, a type of scattered waves generated by direct waves propagating on a rugged surface. For imaging reflections, scattered direct waves are regarded as noise, which lowers the signal‐to‐noise ratio of the reflected waves and deteriorates the quality of the seismic profile. Importantly, it is very challenging to separate scattered direct waves with strong energy and complex wave field characteristics owing to the rugged surface. In recent years, the rapid development of machine‐learning technology has broadened and advanced the application of deep learning in denoising seismic data. In this context, we propose an approach to using the convolutional autoencoder, a deep learning network, to intelligently separate scattered direct waves from seismic records on a rugged surface. The spectral element method is applied to simulate the elastic wave seismic records and scattered direct waves on a rugged surface. The synthetic shot gathers on the rugged ground are employed as the input for training the convolutional autoencoder network, while the simulated scattered direct waves on the uniform half‐space with the same rugged ground are employed as the label data for training. After the network training is completed, the trained convolutional autoencoder network can be applied to predict scattered direct waves from seismic records. The numerical experiments demonstrate that the proposed approach has good potential for suppressing complex scattered direct waves generated by direct waves propagating on a rugged surface.
Inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase activity and mycophenolate pharmacokinetics in children with nephrotic syndrome treated with mycophenolate mofetil
Authors: Sobiak Joanna , Resztak Matylda , Zachwieja Jacek , Ostalska‐Nowicka Danuta
Published: July 2022

Some studies have shown that the area under the concentration‐time curve (AUC) of mycophenolic acid (MPA) should be higher for children with nephrotic syndrome (NS) than after renal transplantation. The pharmacodynamic aspect of MPA, the activity of inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase (IMPDH), has not been studied in children with NS. The study included 21 children (4‐16 years old) with NS treated with mycophenolate mofetil. MPA and its glucuronide plasma concentrations were determined using validated high‐performance liquid chromatography‐ultraviolet (HPLC‐UV). The separate HPLC‐UV method was applied for IMPDH activity determination. The variability was expressed by the coefficient of variation (CV). IMPDH activity and MPA concentration (Ctrough) before the morning dose amounted to 29.95 μmol s−1 mol−1 adenosine monophosphate (AMP) (range, 6.71‐98.60 μmol s−1 mol−1 AMP) and 1.72 μg/mL (range, 0.39‐4.34 μg/mL), respectively, whereas the area under the effect–time curve from 0 to 4 h and MPA AUC0‐4 were 130.36 μmol s−1 mol−1AMP × h (range, 23.58‐306.57 μmol s−1 mol−1 AMP × h) and 24.63 μg h/mL (range, 12.21‐67.48 μg h/mL), respectively. IMPDH activity decreased concomitantly with MPA concentration increase, however, the variability of the pharmacodynamic parameters was greater than of the pharmacokinetics. The median degree of maximum IMPDH inhibition was 61%. MPA Ctrough and predicted AUC were lower than in our previous study. Only a few MPA pharmacokinetic parameters correlated with the pharmacodynamics. IMPDH activity did not correlate with the children's age and did not differ between boys and girls. MPA clearance was the highest in younger children (median, 10.54 L/m2/h) and cholesterol correlated negatively with the children's age (r = −0.659, P = 0.003). IMPDH minimum activity and the degree of maximum IMPDH inhibition were similar to those obtained in renal transplant recipients. IMPDH activity does not undergo developmental or gender‐specific regulation in children with NS. MPA underexposure might be more frequent in younger children, especially with high cholesterol and triglycerides levels because of high MPA clearance.
South Korean housewives’ emerging economic authority and contestation of domesticity during the Cold War Era
Authors: Park Eunhee
Published: July 2022

This article analyses the impact South Korean housewives exerted on Cold War‐era domesticity. It first traces the trans‐war trajectory of modern domesticity from Meiji Japan and its colonies through its Cold War manifestation, when America exerted hegemonic influence. Thereafter, this article examines the tactics that housewives employed to gain power within the domestic sphere and beyond: earning money, microfinance, labour and side‐line work, and an assertive response to the purse string debate in South Korea. The article also argues that even though prescriptive gender norms continued to inform the everyday lives of these housewives, their increasing bargaining power gave them economic authority to renegotiate and reimagine domesticity during the Cold War.
Is the Senior Managers and Certification Regime Changing Banking for Good?
Authors: Hickman Eleanore
Published: July 2022

In 2016 the Senior Managers and Certification Regime (SMCR) came into being. It sought to improve banking culture through the attribution of responsibility to individuals and to provide clarity on required conduct standards. It marked a shift away from collective responsibility and towards more individual accountability that had been so lacking following the financial crisis of 2007/08. Its scope is expansive, including not just board executives but also senior managers. In this paper, I question whether there are indications the SMCR is achieving its objective of ‘changing banking for good’. I do this by analysing the design of the SMCR and its application in practice as well as the meaning and regulatability of culture. I conclude that though the SMCR could make strides towards better banking culture, its potential is being curtailed by inconsistent messaging and irresolute application.
Prisoners, Sanctuary‐Seekers, and Workers: Jews at the Tower of London, 1189–1290
Authors: MACLELLAN RORY
Published: July 2022

The most significant built remnant of the Jewish history of medieval England is not a synagogue but a castle: the Tower of London. From 1189 to 1290, hundreds of Jews entered the Tower as prisoners, sanctuary‐seekers or workers. In the thirteenth century, the Constable of the Tower not only had authority over the London Jewry but also had the unique right to arrest Jews anywhere in the kingdom and to preside over certain legal cases involving them. Even if Jews were arrested elsewhere, they would often be transferred to the Tower. This history of imprisonment reached its height in 1278 to 1279, when at least 600 Jews were held on charges of coin‐clipping. The Tower appears in the indices of most books on the medieval Anglo‐Jewry and is often alluded to in articles on the same topic, though usually merely in passing. None of this prior research has been specifically dedicated to the various stories of Jews at the Tower, however, something that this present article will be the first to discuss in depth. It is derived from a recent project at Historic Royal Palaces on the Tower's Jewish history, which created biographies of every Jewish individual known to have been at the Tower in the medieval period.
Use of combined oral contraceptives and risk of venous thromboembolism in young women: a nested case–control analysis using German claims data
Authors: Schink Tania , Princk Christina , Braitmaier Malte , Haug Ulrike
Published: July 2022

Objective

To compare the risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) among young women for nine combined oral contraceptives (COCs), including progestogens with an as yet unclear risk of VTE such as chlormadinone and nomegestrol, using COCs containing levonorgestrel with low ethinylestradiol (<50 μg) as a reference.

Design

Case–control study nested in a cohort of new users of COCs.

Setting

German claims data.

Population

A total of 1166 cases of VTE matched to 11 660 controls nested in a cohort of 677 331 girls and young women aged 10–19 years with one or more COCs dispensed between 2005 and 2017 after a 1‐year period without any COCs.

Methods

Confounder‐adjusted odds ratios (aORs) of VTE associated with current use of the respective COCs were calculated using conditional logistic regression.

Main outcome measures

Venous thromboembolism (VTE), defined as a diagnosis of pulmonary embolism or deep vein thrombosis.

Results

Compared with levonorgestrel with low ethinylestradiol (<50 μg), the risk of VTE was increased two‐fold for COCs containing dienogest (aOR 2.23, 95% CI 1.77–2.80), cyproterone (aOR 2.15, 95% CI 1.43–3.25), chlormadinone (aOR 2.06, 95% CI 1.58–2.68), desogestrel (aOR 1.93, 95% CI 1.44–2.61) and drospirenone (aOR 1.89, 95% CI 1.41–2.55), and increased five‐fold for gestodene (aOR 5.05, 95% CI 1.23–20.74). For norgestimate and nomegestrol, the point estimates suggest a two‐fold increased risk (aOR 1.90, 95% CI 0.62–5.81) and 40% increased risk (aOR 1.41, 95% CI 0.52–3.81), respectively.

Conclusions

Our study confirms that levonorgestrel with low ethinylestradiol (<50 μg) is the COC associated with the lowest risk of VTE and suggests that for chlormadinone the risk of VTE is two times higher, and thus in the same range as for desogestrel and drospirenone.
An overview of the natural antimicrobial alternatives for sheep meat preservation
Authors: Purgatorio Chiara , Serio Annalisa , Chaves‐López Clemencia , Rossi Chiara , Paparella Antonello
Published: July 2022

Sheep meat is consumed and appreciated all over the world for its nutritional value and flavor. However, this meat is very perishable and easily subjected to the action of both spoilage and pathogenic microorganisms. For this reason, in combination with cold storage, effective preservation techniques are required. There is increasing interest in the application of natural antimicrobials, such as essential oils, extracts, spices, and by‐products of the food industry. This review analyses the studies on natural antimicrobials in sheep meat and sheep meat products and gathers evidence about the encouraging results achieved on the reduction and/or elimination of spoilage and pathogenic microorganisms. The use of these natural antimicrobial alternatives might open up important perspectives for industrial application, considering that this specific meat is often traded over long distances. In fact, on the basis of scientific literature, natural antimicrobials can be considered a sustainable and affordable alternative to extend the shelf life of sheep meat and guarantee its safety, although many factors need to be further investigated, such as the sensory impact, potential toxicity, and economic aspects. For all these issues, investigated in some of the studies reviewed here, it is fundamental to obtain the antimicrobial effect with the minimum amount of effective substance to avoid sensory modifications, toxic effects, and unbearable costs. This study sets foundations for the possible direction of future studies, which will contribute to identify effective solutions for industrial applications of natural antimicrobials in the sheep meat industry.
Occurrence of mycotoxins in pulses
Authors: Acuña‐Gutiérrez Catalina , Jiménez Víctor M. , Müller Joachim
Published: July 2022

Pulses, dry grains of the Fabaceae family used for food and feed, are particularly important agricultural products with increasing commercial and nutritional relevance. Similar to other plant commodities, pulses can be affected by fungi in the field and during postharvest. Some of these fungi produce mycotoxins, which can seriously threaten human and animal health by causing acute poisoning and chronic effects. In this review, information referring to the analysis and occurrence of these compounds in pulses is summarized. An overview of the aims pursued, and of the methodologies employed for mycotoxin analysis in the different reports is presented, followed by a comprehensive review of relevant articles on mycotoxins in pulses, categorized according to the geographical region, among other considerations. Moreover, special attention was given to the effect of climatic conditions on microorganism infestation and mycotoxin accumulation. Furthermore, the limited literature available was considered to look for possible correlations between the degree of fungal infection and the mycotoxin incidence in pulses. In addition, the potential effect of certain phenolic compounds on reducing fungi infestation and mycotoxin accumulation was reviewed with examples on beans. Emphasis was also given to a specific group of mycotoxins, the phomopsins, that mainly impact lupin. Finally, the negative consequences of mycotoxin accumulation on the physiology and development of contaminated seeds and seedlings are presented, focusing on the few reports available on pulses. Given the agricultural and nutritional potential that pulses offer for human well‐being, their promotion should be accompanied by attention to food safety issues, and mycotoxins might be among the most serious threats.

Practical Application: According to the manuscript template available in the website, this section is for “JFS original research manuscripts ONLY; optional”. Since we are publishing in CRFSFS this requirement will not be done.
Employee assistance programmes in China: a state‐of‐the‐art review and future research agenda
Authors: Long Tianyi , Cooke Fang Lee
Published: July 2022

Employee assistance programmes (EAPs) are designed to provide organisational support to employees, which is increasingly critical to improving employees' well‐being in the current macro and micro environment of pandemic and work pressure. Despite their potential significant role as part of human resource management (HRM), EAPs in China are under‐researched. Drawing on academic and practical sources of literature in both English and Chinese, this review study sheds light on the current state of research and practice of EAPs in China. We examine why, what and how EAPs are adopted in organisations in China and highlight differences between the public and private sectors in their EAPs, as well as the role of Chinese culture and guanxi with leaders in the delivery of EAPs. We also point out research avenues to extend the research field both theoretically and thematically, including the role of artificial intelligence and digital technology as part of effective EAPs.
Sewage Transport Volumes and Physical Degradation Rates of Personal Care Wipes
Authors: Pedersen Adam F. , Vasquez Adrian A. , Steis Thorsby Jamie , Gorrell Michelle , Petriv Anna‐Marie V. , Miller Carol J. , Baker Tracie R.
Published: July 2022

As personal care wipes become increasingly popular, inappropriate disposal to the sewage system is raising significant environmental and economic concerns. Many common brands, while marketed as “flushable,” do not degrade appreciably in the plumbing and piping fixtures that the sewage transits. As such, these wipes can cause a myriad of problems including sewer blockage and destruction of pumps and grinders. This work sought to better understand key factors influencing the onset of such problems, including the volume of wipes present in the sewer and the degradation rates associated with a variety of personal wipe products, both “flushable” and nonflushable. The results suggest no correlation between the quantity of wipes in sewage and either the preceding precipitation or the sewage flow rate. To examine their degradability within a sewer system, we evaluated the degradation over time for six commercially available wipes under four conditions: static, kinetic, tap water, and sewage water. Five of the six wipe types were greater than 93% intact after 48 h of exposure to sewer‐like conditions and only one wipe type degraded to less than 14% of its initial volume after 48 h, which is similar to the degradation performance of tested toilet paper. Degradation rates were highest in tap water under kinetic conditions and lowest in raw sewage water under static conditions.
Input prices, productivity, and trade dynamics: long‐run effects of liberalization on Chinese paint manufacturers
Authors: Grieco Paul L. E. , Li Shengyu , Zhang Hongsong
Published: July 2022

We develop a dynamic model to analyze the impact of input tariff liberalization on input prices, trading decisions, and productivity. Although input tariffs directly affect input price benefits of importing, their impact on trade participation generates indirect benefits through productivity improvements and complementarity between importing and exporting. To disentangle these effects, we separately measure importing's effect on input prices and productivity and examine Chinese paint manufacturers' reaction to input tariff liberalization. We find that a mild short‐term effect of tariff liberalization is amplified in the long run by induced trade participation, resulting in even higher productivity and lower input prices.
Perivascular epithelioid cell tumor of the lung: A case report and literature review
Authors: Yu Shaofu , Zhai Shasha , Gong Qian , Hu Xiaoping , Yang Wenjuan , Liu Liyu , Kong Yi , Wu Lin , Pu Xingxiang
Published: July 2022

The perivascular epithelioid cell tumor (PEComa) is a rare tumor of interstitial origin characterized by several immunological and muscle cell markers. The clear cell sugar tumor (CCST) of the lung is a type of PEComa defined by thin cell walls and high levels of glycogen in the cytoplasm. We herein reported the case of a 48‐year‐old male with a recurrence of lung CCST. The preoperative diagnosis of the lung mass was performed by percutaneous needle biopsy. During the thoracoscopic resection, multiple adhesions in the thoracic cavity were described. The tumor invaded the chest wall, and the boundaries between the tumor and surrounding normal tissues were unclear. The mediastinal lymph nodes were significantly enlarged. No relevant gene mutations were detected. After concomitant chemoradiotherapy, the patient's condition was stable. We also conducted a literature review and discussed the overall findings.
Capital market liberalisation and voluntary corporate social responsibility disclosure: Evidence from a quasi‐natural experiment in China
Authors: Liao Lin , Pan Yukun , Yao Daifei (Troy)
Published: July 2022

This paper investigates the impact of the Shanghai–Hong Kong Stock Connect (SHSC) scheme on voluntary corporate social responsibility (CSR) disclosure in China. Using a difference‐in‐differences (DiD) design, we find that companies that participate in the SHSC scheme are more inclined to voluntarily issue CSR reports. This effect is more pronounced for companies that have limited access to international markets and those with weak corporate governance. Additional analyses show that SHSC‐connected firms also produce higher quality CSR reports and achieve a better CSR performance. Our findings imply that capital market liberalisation promotes voluntary corporate disclosure for investors.
Time and sequence of emergence of the deciduous dentition in dogs and its applicability for age estimation
Authors: Van den Broeck Martine , De Bels Lobke , Duchateau Luc , Cornillie Pieter
Published: July 2022

This study investigated the influence of several covariates on the time and sequence of deciduous dentition emergence in puppies. Data were obtained in a longitudinal study, with some cross‐sectional observations, of 1001 puppies of 53 dog breeds. A parametric proportional hazards survival model was used to estimate median emergence time and evaluate the effect of the covariates. No significant differences were found between the left and right sides of a puppy's dentition, but differences were statistically significant for the earlier appearance of maxillary incisors and canines and later appearance of maxillary premolars compared with their mandibular counterparts. The tendency for delayed onset and completion of emergence in female compared to male puppies was statistically but not clinically significant. The differences between puppies of breeds of different size or skull type were both statistically and clinically significant, with small and brachycephalic breeds showing later emergence times, longer clinical eruption times and more individual variation. Per quadrant, regardless of dog breed, canines or incisors were usually the first teeth to emerge and fully erupt, followed by premolars in the order Pd3 > 4 > 2. The maxillary canines and incisors usually emerged earlier than mandibular canines. Age estimation standards for breed size groups are presented based on the number of emerged teeth per quadrant. To assess whether a puppy has reached the legally required minimum age of 8 weeks to leave the litter, the best predictive capability using the data from this study is obtained when assessing the emergence status of the deciduous third premolars.
Renal abscesses in children: an 11‐year retrospective study and review of the literature
Authors: Buschel Helen , Leung Phoebe , Stalewski Harry , Carroll Daniel , Mariyappa‐Rathnamma Bhanu
Published: July 2022

Background

There is limited literature on renal abscesses in children and therefore no consensus on management. The objectives of this study were to describe renal abscesses in a contemporary paediatric Australian population and present a 20 year review of the literature.

Methods

An 11 year retrospective comparative study was conducted of paediatric patients with renal abscesses. A literature review of all eight original articles on paediatric renal abscesses from January 2001 to December 2021 was performed.

Results

Fourteen children with a mean age of 11 years were diagnosed with a renal abscess on ultrasound and/or computed tomography. The most common presenting symptoms were fever (n = 13, 93%) and flank or abdominal pain (n = 12, 86%). The most common causative organisms were Staphylococcus aureus (n = 7, 50%) and Escherichia coli (n = 4, 29%).

All renal abscesses less than 3 cm were managed with antibiotics alone. Five out of nine abscesses 3–5 cm were managed with percutaenous drainage (56%). Two multi‐loculated abscesses greater than 5 cm required open drainage in theatre (100%).

Conclusions

The most common causative organism in the North Queensland population was S. aureus, with a higher incidence of MRSA. This should be taken into consideration when prescribing empirical antibiotics. Most renal abscesses in children that are less than 3 cm in size can be managed with antibiotic therapy only. The evidence for management of larger abscesses is less clear, but where clinically appropriate conservative management with antibiotic therapy should be considered in the first instance, with percutaneous drainage in cases of antibiotic failure.
Roles of policy brokers in collaborative governance: Evidence from Khon Kaen and Bueng Kan cities in Thailand
Authors: Pholsim Suriyanon , Inaba Yushi
Published: July 2022

This article examines the roles of policy brokers in different settings of collaboration in Khon Kaen and Bueng Kan Cities in Thailand. It integrates the advocacy coalition and multiple stream frameworks to view how a policy broker in different collaborative settings would manage their preferred urban transport initiatives by conducting qualitative research methodology based on an embedded multiple case study approach. The results showed Khon Kaen City revealed a horizontal setting of local collaboration where the Khon Kaen Think Tank and Khon Kaen Transit System were key policy brokers that strategized light rail transit initiatives. These policy brokers were proficient in negotiating, financing, and locally‐allied strategies. Bueng Kan City displayed a vertical collaboration where the Deputy Minister of Interior of Thailand was a crucial policy broker who held potential administrative and political powers to manage the desired policies. This study showed that several joint actors, as backing resources to policy brokers, were essential to horizontal collaboration, but they were less critical than the resources of the policy brokers in vertical collaboration.
Ingroup and outgroup differences in face detection
Authors: Prunty Jonathan E. , Jenkins Rob , Qarooni Rana , Bindemann Markus
Published: July 2022

Humans show improved recognition for faces from their own social group relative to faces from another social group. Yet before faces can be recognized, they must first be detected in the visual field. Here, we tested whether humans also show an ingroup bias at the earliest stage of face processing – the point at which the presence of a face is first detected. To this end, we measured viewers' ability to detect ingroup (Black and White) and outgroup faces (Asian, Black, and White) in everyday scenes. Ingroup faces were detected with greater speed and accuracy relative to outgroup faces (Experiment 1). Removing face hue impaired detection generally, but the ingroup detection advantage was undiminished (Experiment 2). This same pattern was replicated by a detection algorithm using face templates derived from human data (Experiment 3). These findings demonstrate that the established ingroup bias in face processing can extend to the early process of detection. This effect is ‘colour blind’, in the sense that group membership effects are independent of general effects of image hue. Moreover, it can be captured by tuning visual templates to reflect the statistics of observers' social experience. We conclude that group bias in face detection is both a visual and a social phenomenon.
Open to robotic right donor hepatectomy: A tectonic shift in surgical technique
Authors: Amma Binoj Sivasankara Pillai Thankamony , Mathew Johns Shaji , Varghese Christi Titus , Nair Krishnanunni , Mallick Shweta , Chandran Biju , Menon Ramachandran Narayana , Gopalakrishnan Unnikrishnan , Balakrishnan Dinesh , George Preethi Sara , Vayoth Sudheer Othiyil , Sudhindran Surendran
Published: July 2022

Robotic right live donor hepatectomy (r‐LDRH) has been reported with reduced morbidity compared to open donor right hepatectomy (o‐LDRH) in few recent series. Nevertheless, its routine use is debated. We present a large series comparing pure r‐LDRH with o‐LDRH. Consecutive r‐LDRH performed from June 2018 to June 2020 (n = 102) were compared with consecutive donors undergoing o‐LDRH (n = 152) from February 2016 to February 2018, a period when r‐LDRH was not available at this center. Propensity score matched (PSM) analysis of 89 case‐control pairs was additionally performed. Primary endpoints were length of high dependency unit (HDU) and hospital stay and Clavien‐Dindo graded complications among donors. Although r‐LDRH took longer to perform (540 vs. 462 min, P < .001), the postoperative peak transaminases levels (P < .001), the length of HDU (3 vs. 4 days, P < .001), and hospital stay (8 vs. 9 days, P < .001) were lower in in donors undergoing r‐LDRH. Clavien‐Dindo graded complications were similar (16.67% in r‐LDRH and 13.16% in o‐LDRH). The rates of early allograft dysfunction (1.6% vs. 3.3%), bile leak (14.7% vs. 10.7%), and 1‐year mortality (13.7% vs. 11.8%) were comparable between r‐LDRH and o‐LDRH recipients. PSM analysis yielded similar results between the groups. These data support the safety and feasibility of r‐LDRH in select donors.
Clonal B‐cell proliferations developing in the background of primary cutaneous CD4+ small/medium T‐cell lymphoproliferative disorder: A case series
Authors: Ates Ozdemir Deniz , Akdoğan Neslihan , Okay Müfide , Uner Aysegül , Saglam Arzu
Published: July 2022

Clonal B‐cell proliferations and B‐cell lymphomas may co‐occur in the background of follicular helper T‐cell (TFH)‐derived lymphomas, most associated with EBV, which has been a well‐known fact for many years in the prototypical entity “TFH lymphoma, angioimmunoblastic‐type.” Primary cutaneous CD4+ small/medium T‐cell lymphoproliferative disorder (CD4+ PCSM‐LPD) is also a TFH‐derived clonal proliferation. We searched the archives and identified four cases of CD4+ PCSM‐LPD with accompanying clonal B‐cell proliferation (one of which showed EBER positivity), and one longstanding case of CD4+ PCSM‐LPD, in the background of which a B‐cell lymphoma had developed. These five cases broaden experience on CD4+ PCSM‐LPD with accompanying B‐cell proliferations and also support routine evaluation of these cases with EBV in situ hybridization, to better determine whether or not there is an association with EBV.
Vaccination with human tyrosinaseDNAas a therapy for equine intraocular melanoma—4 cases: 2016–2021
Authors: Halliwell Elizabeth , Carslake Harry , Malalana Fernando
Published: July 2022

This report describes four cases of intraocular melanoma which were treated with a course of human tyrosine DNA canine melanoma vaccine. Two cases continued to show progression of the tumour. One case presented with bilateral intraocular melanomas and demonstrated clinical progression in one eye within 5 months, and apparent quiescence of disease in the other, though subtle deterioration was noted at a 2‐year follow‐up. The final case presented with recurrent ulceration due to an intraocular melanoma and demonstrated a good clinical response with a reduction in the frequency and severity of the episodes of ulceration. The small number of cases in this report precludes firm conclusions, but these reported outcomes suggest limited justification for the routine recommendation of melanoma vaccines to horses with intraocular melanomas.
Privacy‐preserving federated learning cyber‐threat detection for intelligent transport systems with blockchain‐based security
Authors: Moulahi Tarek , Jabbar Rateb , Alabdulatif Abdulatif , Abbas Sidra , El Khediri Salim , Zidi Salah , Rizwan Muhammad
Published: July 2022

Artificial intelligence (AI) techniques implemented at a large scale in intelligent transport systems (ITS), have considerably enhanced the vehicles' autonomous behaviour in making independent decisions about cyber threats, attacks, and faults. While, AI techniques are based on data sharing among the vehicles, it is important to note that sensitive data cannot be shared. Thus, federated learning (FL) has been implemented to protect privacy in vehicles. On the other hand, the integrity of data and the safety of aggregation are ensured by using blockchain technology. This paper applied classification approaches to VANET and ITS cyber‐threats detection at the vehicle. Subsequently, by using blockchain and by applying an aggregation strategy to different models, models from the previous step were uploaded in a smart contract. Lastly, we returned the updated models to the vehicles. Furthermore, we conducted an experimental study to measure the effectiveness of the proposed prototype. In this paper, the VeReMi data set was distributed in a balanced manner into five parts in the experimental study. Thus, classification techniques were executed by each vehicle separately, and models were generated. Upon the aggregation of the models in blockchain, they were returned to the vehicles. Lastly, the vehicles updated their decision functions and accessed the precision and accuracy of cyber‐threat detection. The results indicated that the precision and accuracy decreased by 7.1% on average with comparable F1‐score and recall. Our solution ensures the privacy preservation of vehicles whereas blockchain guarantees the safety of aggregation technique and low gas consumption.
Diabetes, hepatitis C and human immunodeficiency virus influence hypertension risk differently in cohorts of haemophilia patients, veterans and the general population
Authors: Barnes Richard F.W. , Pandey Braj , Sun Haowei (Linda) , Jackson Shannon , Kruse‐Jarres Rebecca , Quon Doris V. , von Drygalski Annette
Published: July 2022

Introduction

The reasons for the high prevalence of hypertension in persons with haemophilia (PWH) are poorly understood.

Aim

To examine the roles of diabetes, Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) in the etiology of hypertension for PWH.

Methods

Retrospective cross‐sectional design. Adult PWH (n = 691) were divided into two groups: (A) free of diabetes, HCV and HIV; (B) with diabetes and/or HCV positivity and/or HIV positivity. Each group was matched by race and age with random samples from the general population of the US (National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys, NHANES) and outpatients at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC) in San Diego. Generalized additive models (GAMs) were fitted for graphical analysis of hypertension risk over the lifespan.

Results

In Group A, PWH had the highest prevalence of hypertension compared to NHANES and VAMC, especially in young adults. In Group B, diabetes increased the risk of hypertension for all three cohorts (PWH, NHANES and VAMC), especially for PWH. In PWH, hypertension risk was also increased by HIV, in NHANES by HCV, and in VAMC by HCV and HIV.

Conclusion

Diabetes conferred the greatest risk of hypertension for all three cohorts. However, curves of hypertension in relation to age revealed that diabetes, HCV and HIV modulated hypertension risk differently in PWH. PWH experienced a disproportionally high risk increase with diabetes. Therefore, haemophilia care should include screening for hypertension and diabetes at a young age.
Microstructures and properties of microporous mullite‐corundum aggregates for lightweight refractories
Authors: Wang Shihua , Yan Wen , Yan Junjie , Schafföner Stefan , Chen Zhe , Sang Shaobai
Published: July 2022

Five microporous mullite‐corundum refractory aggregates were prepared from Al(OH)3 and kaolinite gangue through in situ decomposition synthesis technique. The effects of the sintering temperature (1400–1600°C) and the particle sizes of raw materials (20.6–94.5 μm) on the microstructures and strengths of the aggregates were investigated through X‐ray diffractometer, scanning electron microscopy, and energy‐dispersive spectrometer etc., to find out the technological conditions to be controlled in industrial production. The higher sintering temperature promoted the reaction between Al(OH)3 and kaolinite gangue, leading to the development of primary‐mullite as well as the generation of secondary‐mullite, which promoted the formation of the neck and improved the strength. Meanwhile, the dense mullite layers were formed continuously on the surface of Al(OH)3 pseudomorphs, making the micropores inside the pseudomorphs become closed pores, which increased the closed porosity of the aggregates. The reduction of the particle sizes of raw materials changed the particle packing behavior, accelerated the rearrangement of the Al(OH)3 pseudomorph particles during the process of reactive sintering, and then reduced the closed porosity. To realize the industrial production of microporous mullite‐corundum refractory aggregate with high strength (103 MPa) and high closed porosity (16.1%), the sintering temperature should be at about 1600°C, and the median diameter of raw materials should be at 94.5 μm.
Selenium nanoparticles–enhanced potato starch film for active food packaging application
Authors: Ndwandwe Bongekile K. , Malinga Soraya P. , Kayitesi Eugenie , Dlamini Bhekisisa C.
Published: July 2022

This work developed an active selenium nanoparticles‐based potato starch film. The incorporation of selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) improved the microstructure, physical and biological properties of the nanocomposite film. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed a slight increase in surface roughness and heterogeneity of nanocomposite film. Addition of SeNPs resulted in an improvement in film thickness and density from 0.02 ± 0.01 to 0.04 ± 0.00 mm and 1.01 ± 0.12 to 1.31 ± 0.03 g cm−3, respectively, while water content, film solubility, swelling degree as well as water vapour transmission rate decreased. Integration of SeNPs into potato starch film caused a significant change (P < 0.05) of colour to red (a*) and yellow (b*). The tensile strength also improved with addition of SeNPs from 3.42 to 9.86 MPa. The presence of SeNPs in the potato starch film enhanced its antioxidant and antimicrobial activity. The overall migration and specific migration were within acceptable levels as stipulated in the EU regulations. The findings of this study present an alternative biodegradable biopolymer material that can be used as active food packaging material in replacement of nonbiodegradable synthetic polymer material.