bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The impact of China's green credit policy on enterprise digital innovation: evidence from heavily-polluting Chinese listed companies
Authors: Lu Qiang , Deng Yang , Wang Xinyi , Wang Aiping
Published: August 2023

Purpose

As an effective tool to promote rational resource allocation and facilitate the development of green management practices such as enterprise digital innovation, the green credit policy has recently gained extensive attention. The purpose of this paper is to analyze the relationship between green credit policies and the digital innovation of enterprises, and to further explore the mechanism of action between them and their boundary conditions.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on micro-level data on Chinese firms from 2007 to 2019, this paper constructs a difference-in-differences (DID) model to investigate the impact and intrinsic mechanisms of green credit policies on firms' digital innovation and its boundary conditions, with the help of a quasi-natural experiment, i.e. the Green Credit Guidelines.

Findings

Green credit policies inhibit digital innovation and fail to compensate for innovation. The analysis of the mechanism shows that the implementation of green credit policies has a negative impact on digital innovation by increasing the financing constraints faced by firms, and has also a crowding-out effect on R&D investment, resulting in a disincentive to digital innovation. Further analysis reveals that the negative impact of green credit policies on digital innovation is more pronounced in state-owned enterprises, enterprises without financially experienced executives, and in the eastern regions of China.

Originality/value

This study provides empirical evidence to understand the effectiveness and mechanism of influence of green credit policies on enterprise digital innovation, providing also a basis to further improve green credit policies.
Usage of digital technology in improving the mental health of workers on construction sites
Authors: Nelumdeniya Ayesh Udayanga , Perera B.A.K.S. , Gimhani K.D.M.
Published: August 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate the usage of digital technologies (DTs) in improving the mental health of workers on construction sites.

Design/methodology/approach

A mixed research approach was used in the study, which comprised a questionnaire survey and two phases of semi-structured interviews. Purposive sampling was used to determine the interviewees and respondents of the questionnaire survey. Weighted mean rating (WMR) and manual content analysis were used to rank and evaluate the collected data.

Findings

The findings of this study revealed bipolar disorder, anxiety disorders, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, work-related stress and depression as the six most significant mental disorders (MDs) among the construction workforce and 30 causes for them. Moreover, 27 symptoms were related to the six most significant MDs, and sweating was the most significant symptom among them. Despite that, 16 DTs were found to be suitable in mitigating the causes for the most significant MDs.

Originality/value

There are numerous studies conducted on the application of DTs to construction operations. However, insufficient studies have been conducted focusing on the application of DTs in improving the mental health of workers at construction sites. This study can thus influence the use of DTs for tackling the common causes for MDs by bringing a new paradigm to the construction industry.
What is there to be happy about? The impact of race and resilience in the United States
Authors: Sims Randi L. , Hawks William C. , Gong Baiyun
Published: August 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate racial differences in the moderating role of factors linked with resilience on the relationship between economic stress and happiness for Black and White residents of the USA.

Design/methodology/approach

Secondary data were downloaded from the World Values Survey Wave 7 for adult respondents living in the USA. The entire sample of respondents who self-identified as belonging to the Black race (n = 209) was statistically matched (based on sex – 50% male and average age – 39 years) with a similarly sized random sample of respondents who self-identified as belonging to the White race (n = 217).

Findings

The results suggest that economic stress had the potential to trigger a resilience response. However, the protective factors in the resilience process differed by race of the respondent. The relationship between economic stress and perceptions of neighborhood safety was conditional on level of control for the White sample. The relationship between economic stress and happiness for the Black sample was conditional on the importance of faith.

Originality/value

The study was able to demonstrate the importance of race-based contextual differences in the roles of faith and control in the resilience process. The findings also increase the understanding of how life circumstances and individual characteristics, including race, impact happiness and how much or little resilience may play a part in the achievement of happiness.
Constructing a spatiotemporal situational awareness framework to sense the dynamic evolution of online public opinion on social media
Authors: Li Qingqing , Zeng Ziming , Sun Shouqiang , Cheng Chen , Zeng Yingqi
Published: August 2023

Purpose

The paper aims to construct a spatiotemporal situational awareness framework to sense the evolutionary situation of public opinion in social media, thus assisting relevant departments in formulating public opinion control measures for specific time and space contexts.

Design/methodology/approach

The spatiotemporal situational awareness framework comprises situational element extraction, situational understanding and situational projection. In situational element extraction, the data on the COVID-19 vaccine, including spatiotemporal tags and text contents, is extracted. In situational understanding, the bidirectional encoder representation from transformers – latent dirichlet allocation (BERT-LDA) and bidirectional encoder representation from transformers – bidirectional long short-term memory (BERT-BiLSTM) are used to discover the topics and emotional labels hidden in opinion texts. In situational projection, the situational evolution characteristics and patterns of online public opinion are uncovered from the perspective of time and space through multiple visualisation techniques.

Findings

From the temporal perspective, the evolution of online public opinion is closely related to the developmental dynamics of offline events. In comparison, public views and attitudes are more complex and diversified during the outbreak and diffusion periods. From the spatial perspective, the netizens in hotspot areas with higher discussion volume are more rational and prefer to track the whole process of event development, while the ones in coldspot areas with less discussion volume pay more attention to the expression of personal emotions. From the perspective of intertwined spatiotemporal, there are differences in the focus of attention and emotional state of netizens in different regions and time stages, caused by the specific situations they are in.

Originality/value

The situational awareness framework can shed light on the dynamic evolution of online public opinion from a multidimensional perspective, including temporal, spatial and spatiotemporal perspectives. It enables decision-makers to grasp the psychology and behavioural patterns of the public in different regions and time stages and provide targeted public opinion guidance measures and offline event governance strategies.
Risk and performance disclosure during the Covid-19 pandemic: does ownership structure matter?
Authors: Grassa Rihab , Alhashmi Mohammad , Rafeea Rashed
Published: August 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate whether risk-related information is associated with a higher level of performance disclosure (PerfD) in the annual reports during the Covid-19 pandemic. Additionally, this paper assesses if ownership structure plays a moderating effect on the relationship between RD and PerfD.

Design/methodology/approach

A content analysis technique to measure the risk information and PerfD for 72 listed firms in the Abu Dhabi stock exchange and Dubai financial market for the period 2019–2021.

Findings

The authors find a significant correlation between risk disclosure and PerfD. Indeed, managers use annual reports to send a signal to the market about their abilities and skills in managing high-risk situations by disclosing more performance-related information accompanying any communicated related risk information. Besides, our results report that before the pandemic, only government ownership had a significant effect on the level of disclosure of performance-related information. However, during the pandemic, foreign ownership also played an important role to improve firm transparency. In addition, during the pandemic, Big 4 audit firms have effective quality control, and auditors would play an important role in improving the quality of disclosure. Besides, leveraged firms report more performance-related information. A high level of PerfD may play a critical role in mitigating debtholders’ concerns about firm’ ability to manage the pandemic situation and generate enough cash flows in the future to pay their debts.

Originality/value

This paper’s findings are highly relevant to financial reporting’ users, mainly shareholders, as they will be aware about management behaviors during the crisis and how firms are engaged in disclosure. Besides, this paper’s findings may be useful for market regulators to reinforce the role of audit quality to maintain good reporting, especially in crisis circumstances. In addition, regulators may benefit from the findings through the optimization of the ownership structure (dispersed ownership), which helps to promote transparency and disclosure.
Unlocking the voice of employee perspectives: exploring the relevance of online platform reviews on organizational perceptions
Authors: Sekar Srinivasan , Edakkat Subhakaran Sriji , Chattopadhyay Deeptam
Published: August 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate employees’ perception of their organization and to examine the impact of such perception on overall employee satisfaction using qualitative and quantitative employee reviews in an online platform.

Design/methodology/approach

The employee online reviews were classified into positive and negative sentiments using sentiment analysis. Further, multiple regression was employed to examine the impact of sentiments (positive and negative) and employee ratings on pre-defined job attributes in explaining overall employee satisfaction with the organization.

Findings

The findings of the sentiment analysis shows that employee online reviews exhibit more positive sentiments than negative sentiments. Positive sentiments show a significant positive effect, and negative sentiments show a significant inverse relationship with overall employee satisfaction. Further, pre-defined job attributes are differently related to overall employee satisfaction with the organization, skill development being the strongest predictor.

Practical implications

Practitioners may customize the organization's policies and practices based on the sentiments associated with employee reviews. Organizations emphasizing employee engagement and satisfaction are suggested to include skill development as their priority.

Originality/value

Most existing work on overall employee satisfaction is primarily based on the survey questionnaire method; only recently, online employee reviews (OERs) are gaining attention. The current research uses employee online reviews to study overall employee satisfaction.
Improving a library workshop service: implementing change and enhancing the service based on data analysis
Authors: Stumpff Julia C. , Craven Hannah J.
Published: August 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to describe how one medical library implemented a new scheduling system, initiated data analysis and modified its regularly scheduled workshop program because of evidence-based decision-making. Academic libraries that struggle with workshop attendance may use this process as a model.

Design/methodology/approach

Workshop registration data analysis focused on registrants' affiliation, role and location, and how registrants learned of workshops. Workshop attendance data analysis focused on which workshops, days, times of the day and months had the highest attendance. The analysis led to changes in marketing and targeted scheduling of future workshops by the time of day, day of the week and month of the year.

Findings

Data collected for four years, fall 2018 – summer 2022 (12 semesters), shows a steady increase in the number of people attending library workshops. The increase in attendance and ROI experienced after the changes implemented at Ruth Lilly Medical Library (RLML) is significant as libraries often struggle with attendance, marketing and return on investment when offering ongoing educational workshops.

Originality/value

Many libraries offer ongoing workshops with low attendance. This article provides an example of how one library changed software and registration and implemented evidence-based decision-making related to scheduling which may have contributed to an increase in workshop attendance. Other academic libraries might consider adopting similar software and evidence-based decision-making to improve their library workshop service.
CEO narcissism and CSR: role of organizational virtue orientation
Authors: Agnihotri Arpita , Bhattacharya Saurabh
Published: August 2023

Purpose

This study aims to explore how CEO narcissism drives investment in corporate social responsibility (CSR) and its mediating mechanism.

Design/methodology/approach

This study includes panel regression based on archival data.

Findings

CEO narcissism leads to signaling of organizational virtuous orientation that results in increase in CSR investment.

Originality/value

Relevance of CEO traits on CSR remains unexplored in emerging markets context, especially the underlying mechanism. This study uncovers these mechanisms.
Rescue plan for CAPD peritonitis: Using ultrasonography as a guide on when to remove the catheter
Authors: Lumlertgul Dusit , Tinroongroj Nantawan , Lumlertgul Suthaporn , Siwapitak Pannamart , Tungkanakorn Rattanaluck , Kaewpanya Supaporn
Published: August 2023

Introduction

Ultrasound has been found to facilitate early identification of peritonitis in patients undergoing continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD).

Methods

A retrospective analysis was carried out to evaluate the effectiveness of ultrasonography‐guided removal of the Tenckhoff catheter in reducing complications like a shift to hemodialysis or death in CAPD patients.

Results

The “peritonitis rescue plan” supported timely decision‐making for the removal of the infected catheter and resulted in a lower peritonitis episode per patient per month ratio (from 1:36 to 1:122) in 2021, a lower death rate (from 19% to 6.6%) and lower incidences of shifts to hemodialysis (from 2%–9% to 0%) as compared to that before the implementation of the plan in 2019.

Conclusion

The implementation of the “peritonitis rescue plan” and the removal of the infected catheter within 3 days of peritonitis being detected was successful in improving the standard of care for patients undergoing CAPD.
Digital interventions for reducing alcohol use in general populations: An updated systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Sohi Ivneet , Shield Kevin D. , Rehm Jürgen , Monteiro Maristela
Published: August 2023

This article updates a 2017 review on the effectiveness of digital interventions for reducing alcohol use in the general population. An updated systematic search of the MEDLINE database was performed in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses criteria to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published from January 2017 to June 2022 that evaluated the effectiveness of digital interventions compared with no interventions, minimal interventions, and face‐to‐face interventions aimed at reducing alcohol use in the general population and, that also reported changes in alcohol use (quantity, frequency, quantity per drinking day, heavy episodic drinking (HED), or alcohol use disorders identification test (AUDIT) scores). A secondary analysis was performed that analyzed data from RCTs conducted in students. The review was not preregistered. The search produced 2224 articles. A total of 80 studies were included in the review, 35 of which were published after the last systematic review. A total of 66, 20, 18, 26, and 9 studies assessed the impact of digital interventions on alcohol quantity, frequency, quantity per drinking day, HED, and AUDIT scores, respectively. Individuals randomized to the digital interventions drank 4.12 (95% confidence interval (CI): 2.88, 5.36) fewer grams of alcohol per day, had 0.17 (95% CI 0.06, 0.29) fewer drinking days per week, drank approximately 3.89 (95% CI: 0.40, 7.38) fewer grams of alcohol per drinking day, had 1.11 (95% CI: 0.32, 1.91) fewer HED occasions per month, and had an AUDIT score 3.04 points lower (95% CI: 2.23, 3.85) than individuals randomized to the control condition. Significant reductions in alcohol quantity, frequency, and HED, but not quantity per drinking day, were observed among students. Digital interventions show potential for reducing alcohol use in general populations and could be used widely at the population level to reduce alcohol‐attributable harms.
Prenatal alcohol exposure and cognition at midlife: Evidence of fluid cognition deficits in two cohorts
Authors: Shapiro Z. R. , Kable J. A. , Grant T. M. , Stoner S. A. , Coles C. D. ,   CIFASD
Published: August 2023

Background

Prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) impacts cognition in childhood and early adulthood. Here we evaluate the cognitive abilities of middle‐aged adults with and without a history of PAE.

Methods

Participants (N = 200) were recruited from longitudinal cohorts in the Atlanta and Seattle metropolitan areas and completed measures comprising the National Institutes of Health Toolbox's Fluid Cognition Composite.

Results

We found that individuals with PAE had lower Fluid Cognition Summary scores and lower Dimensional Change Card Sort and Flanker task subtest scores than non‐PAE controls, after accounting for both potentially confounding demographic variables using propensity scores and the effects of study site. When we evaluated the effects of PAE with and without dysmorphic physical features, we found that middle‐aged adults in both groups had lower fluid cognition scores than non‐PAE controls. However, only the presence of PAE with dysmorphic features was associated with lower performance on the Dimensional Change Card Sort Test and Flanker tasks.

Conclusion

While all participants with PAE had lower fluid cognition, those with PAE and dysmorphic features also exhibited specific deficits in their performance on measures of inhibition, attention, and cognitive flexibility. Thus, PAE is associated with ongoing cognitive deficits in middle adulthood, which can be observed most clearly among individuals with dysmorphic features.
Terms of trade volatility and tax revenue in Sub‐Saharan African countries
Authors: Kweka Godfrey J.
Published: August 2023

Terms of trade remain inherently volatile in the global market, exerting pressure on tax revenue with the resulting change in prices and trade (export or import) volumes. This study investigated the empirical relationship between terms of trade volatility from a regional perspective using a dynamic bias corrected model. A corrected dynamic fixed effect and one‐step diff‐GMM models are used to estimate the effect of terms of trade volatility using a set of panel data for 41 sub‐Saharan African (SSA) countries from 1990 to 2022. The findings show that terms of trade changes have a positive effect on tax to GDP ratio and its volatility has indirect negative effects. Informal economic activities tend to deteriorate tax revenue in SSA. Thus, terms of trade volatility depress growth of GDP per capital and tax base in SSA. The findings imply the need for hedging the risks associated with terms of trade volatility, intensifying agriculture production and increasing the speed of formalizing informal sectors in order to reduce associated risks of depressing tax base in SSA.
Letter: Baveno‐VI criteria to exclude large varices in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma—What have we learned?
Authors: Wong Yu J.
Published: August 2023

LINKED CONTENT

This article is linked to Allaire et al paper. To view this article, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.17599
Evaluating the performance of ChatGPT in clinical pharmacy: A comparative study of ChatGPT and clinical pharmacists
Authors: Huang Xiaoru , Estau Dannya , Liu Xuening , Yu Yang , Qin Jiguang , Li Zijian
Published: August 2023

Aims

To evaluate the performance of chat generative pretrained transformer (ChatGPT) in key domains of clinical pharmacy practice, including prescription review, patient medication education, adverse drug reaction (ADR) recognition, ADR causality assessment and drug counselling.

Methods

Questions and clinical pharmacist's answers were collected from real clinical cases and clinical pharmacist competency assessment. ChatGPT's responses were generated by inputting the same question into the ‘New Chat’ box of ChatGPT Mar 23 Version. Five licensed clinical pharmacists independently rated these answers on a scale of 0 (Completely incorrect) to 10 (Completely correct). The mean scores of ChatGPT and clinical pharmacists were compared using a paired 2‐tailed Student's t‐test. The text content of the answers was also descriptively summarized together.

Results

The quantitative results indicated that ChatGPT was excellent in drug counselling (ChatGPT: 8.77 vs. clinical pharmacist: 9.50, P = .0791) and weak in prescription review (5.23 vs. 9.90, P = .0089), patient medication education (6.20 vs. 9.07, P = .0032), ADR recognition (5.07 vs. 9.70, P = .0483) and ADR causality assessment (4.03 vs. 9.73, P = .023). The capabilities and limitations of ChatGPT in clinical pharmacy practice were summarized based on the completeness and accuracy of the answers. ChatGPT revealed robust retrieval, information integration and dialogue capabilities. It lacked medicine‐specific datasets as well as the ability for handling advanced reasoning and complex instructions.

Conclusions

While ChatGPT holds promise in clinical pharmacy practice as a supplementary tool, the ability of ChatGPT to handle complex problems needs further improvement and refinement.
Neutrophil extracellular traps mediate bone erosion in rheumatoid arthritis by enhancing RANKL‐induced osteoclastogenesis
Authors: Schneider Ayda Henriques , Taira Thaise Mayumi , Públio Gabriel Azevedo , da Silva Prado Douglas , Donate Yabuta Paula Barbim , dos Santos Jéssica Cristina , Machado Caio Cavalcante , de Souza Flávio Falcão Lima , Rodrigues Venturini Lucas Gabriel , de Oliveira Renê Donizeti Ribeiro , Cunha Thiago Mattar , Alves‐Filho José Carlos , Louzada‐Júnior Paulo , Aparecida da Silva Tarcília , Fukada Sandra Yasuyo , Cunha Fernando Queiróz
Published: August 2023

Background and Purpose

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease that can cause bone erosion due to increased osteoclastogenesis. Neutrophils involvement in osteoclastogenesis remains uncertain. Given that neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) can act as inflammatory mediators in rheumatoid arthritis, we investigated the role of NETs in stimulating bone loss by potentiating osteoclastogenesis during arthritis.

Experimental Approach

The level of NETs in synovial fluid from arthritis patients was assessed. Bone loss was evaluated by histology and micro‐CT in antigen‐induced arthritis (AIA)‐induced WT mice treated with DNase or in Padi4‐deficient mice (Padi4flox/flox LysMCRE). The size and function of osteoclasts and the levels of RANKL and osteoprotegerin (OPG) released by osteoblasts that were incubated with NETs were measured. The expression of osteoclastogenic marker genes and protein levels were evaluated by qPCR and western blotting. To assess the participation of TLR4 and TLR9 in osteoclastogenesis, cells from Tlr4−/− and Tlr9−/− mice were cultured with NETs.

Key Results

Rheumatoid arthritis patients had higher levels of NETs in synovial fluid than osteoarthritis patients, which correlated with increased levels of RANKL/OPG. Moreover, patients with bone erosion had higher levels of NETs. Inhibiting NETs with DNase or Padi4 deletion alleviated bone loss in arthritic mice. Consistently, NETs enhanced RANKL‐induced osteoclastogenesis that was dependent on TLR4 and TLR9 and increased osteoclast resorptive functions in vitro. In addition, NETs stimulated the release of RANKL and inhibited osteoprotegerin in osteoblasts, favouring osteoclastogenesis.

Conclusions and Implications

Inhibiting NETs could be an alternative strategy to reduce bone erosion in arthritis patients.
Identifying ‘climate keystone species’ as a tool for conserving ecological communities under climate change
Authors: Marjakangas Emma‐Liina , Santangeli Andrea , Kujala Heini , Mammola Stefano , Lehikoinen Aleksi
Published: August 2023

Aim

Climate change affects ecological communities via impacts on species. The community's response to climate change can be represented as the temporal trend in a climate‐related functional property that is quantified using a relevant functional trait. Noteworthy, some species influence this response in the community more strongly than others.

Innovation

Leveraging on the concept of keystone species, we propose that species with a strong effect on the community's functional response to climate change beyond their relative abundance can be considered as ‘climate keystone species’. We develop a stepwise tool to determine species' effects on a community's climate response and identify climate keystone species. We quantify the species‐specific effect by measuring the difference in the community's climate response with and without the species. Next, we identify climate keystone species as those with a strong residual effect after weighting with their relative abundances in the community.

Main Conclusions

To illustrate the use of the stepwise tool with empirical data, we identify climate keystone species that have a strong effect on the change in the average temperature niche in North American bird communities over time and find the identification tool ecologically relevant. Identification of climate keystone species can serve as an additional conservation method to efficiently protect ecological communities and, in turn, the ecosystem functions they provide.
Unrepaired tetralogy of Fallot in a 71 years old woman: A case report and review of the literature
Authors: Ghaderi Fereshteh , Kazemi Tooba , Jafari‐Nozad Amir Masoud
Published: August 2023

Tetralogy of Fallot (ToF) is the most common cyanotic congenital heart disease (CHD) in infants. The four components that constitute ToF are an overriding aorta over the crest of the interventricular septum, obstruction in the right ventricular outflow tract, right ventricular hypertrophy, and a typically large non‐restricted ventricular septal defect. ToF may also be associated with other extracardiac abnormalities, including patent ductus arteriosus or multiple aortopulmonary collateral arteries, which can impact the patient's survival. Patients with unoperated ToF rarely reach adulthood, and it is extremely rare to discover undiagnosed ToF in individuals over 60 years old. In this report, we describe an unusual case of a woman with unrepaired ToF who survived until the age of 71. She was fairly asymptomatic until the 7th decade of her life and complained only of dyspnea on exertion. The patient declined corrective cardiac surgery and preferred conservative management.
An empirical study of learning‐to‐rank for spare parts consumption in the repair process
Authors: Duarte Edson , de Haro Moraes Daniel , Padula Lucas Leonardo
Published: August 2023

The repair process of devices is an important part of the business of many original equipment manufacturers. The consumption of spare parts, during the repair process, is driven by the defects found during inspection of the devices, and these parts are a big part of the costs in the repair process. In previous work, we proposed a data‐driven method for Supply Chain Control Tower solutions to provide support for the automatic check of spare parts consumption in the repair process. In this article, we continue our investigation of a multi‐label classification problem and explore alternatives in the learning‐to‐rank approach, where we simulate the passage of time using more data while training and comparing hundreds of Machine Learning models to provide an automatic check in the consumption of spare parts. We investigate the effects of different train set sizes, retraining intervals, models and hyper‐parameter search using Bayesian Optimization. We define a custom metric, the Ratio of Marked Parts, measuring how many spare parts are marked for revision at the end of the repair process. The results show that we were able to improve the trained models and achieve a higher mean NDCG@20 score of 86% when ranking the expected parts. While focusing on the most recent data, we achieved a NDCG@20 score of 90% and obtained a Ratio of Marked Parts of just 4% of the consumed parts for use in alert generation.
Characterizing and modeling hydrogen sulfide production in anaerobic digestion of livestock manure, agro‐industrial wastes, and wastewater sludge
Authors: Daly Sarah E. , Ni Ji‐Qin
Published: August 2023

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is the most undesirable inorganic gas in biogas from anaerobic digestion (AD). However, H2S production in AD is complex and understanding of its processes is still limited. This study performed six controlled batch anaerobic co‐digestion experiments to investigate H2S production. Materials were obtained from four field anaerobic digester systems and co‐digestion feedstocks from agroindustry. An additional precipitation experiment was conducted to further examine H2S production dynamics. Digesters containing highly soluble, carbohydrate‐based wastes had a high H2S final specific production (FSP) value. Additionally, the FSP values were negatively correlated with the initial Fe(II):S ratios in the digester liquid of the batch tests. The precipitation experiment indicated that iron sulfide precipitation was preferred in the presence of an anaerobic community. The H2S production as a time series was successfully modeled using a generalized additive model (R2 > 0.82). This study revealed that sulfate, phosphorus, and iron concentrations are important predictors and potential inhibitors of H2S production in AD. Further examination of real‐time H2S modeling in AD is warranted.
LAMA5‐inspired adhesive dodecapeptide facilitates efficient dentine regeneration: An in vitro and in vivo study
Authors: Tang Jia , Wang Haicheng , Wu Di , Wang Zuolin
Published: August 2023

Aim

The primary goal of this study was to investigate the potential effects of A5G81 in inducing reparative dentine (RD) formation both in vitro and in vivo.

Methodology

Cell adhesion was observed by crystal violet staining and quantified by Sodium Dodecyl Sulphate (SDS) extraction. Cell proliferation was investigated using Cell Counting Kit‐8 (CCK‐8) assay. Spreading of cytoskeleton was visualized using immunofluorescence staining. Protein expression level of Akt signalling pathway was compared in a human Akt pathway phosphorylation array. Genes that were up or downregulated by A5G81 were identified by RNA sequencing. The mRNA expression of odontoblastic markers was detected by quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Moreover, mineralization of human dental pulp cells (hDPCs) was visualized by alizarin red staining and quantified using cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC). A direct pulp‐capping model was established in SD rats and the RD formation at 2 weeks after operation was observed using HE staining.

Results

A5G81 (optimal coating concentration: 0.5 mg/mL) promoted hDPCs adhesion and proliferation to a level that was similar to Type I collagen (COL‐1). Meanwhile, A5G81 activated Akt signalling pathway, albeit to a lesser extent than COL‐1. An inhibition test indicated that A5G81 induced hDPCs adhesion by activating PI3K pathway. A5G81 induced the expression of ECM remodelling genes and odontoblastic genes, which were demonstrated by RNA‐seq and qPCR, respectively. In addition, A5G81 efficiently accelerated the mineralization of hDPCs in both immobilized and soluble forms, a property that makes it more applicable in dental clinic. Finally, the pulp‐capping study in rats suggested that use of A5G81 could successfully induce the formation of RD within 2 weeks.

Conclusion

Coating of A5G81 to non‐tissue culture–treated polystyrene facilitates spreading, proliferation and differentiation of hDPCs, resulting in rapid RD formation in artificially exposed pulp.
Quantification of circulating clonal plasma cells by multiparametric flow cytometry as a prognostic marker in patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma
Authors: Sathya Pandurangan , Kayal Smita , Srinivas B. H. , Hamide Abdoul , Kar Rakhee
Published: August 2023

Background

Studies have shown that the quantification of circulating clonal plasma cells (cCPCs) in peripheral blood using flow cytometry could be used as a prognostic predictor of poor outcome in multiple myeloma (MM).

Methods

In 66 newly diagnosed MM, cCPCs were quantified (cCPC%) and analysed for association with outcome and survival. Single‐tube combined surface (CD45/CD19/CD138/CD38/CD56/CD27/CD81 as per availability) and cytoplasmic (kappa/lambda) staining was done using pre‐titrated volumes of antibodies. In 26 patients, repeat cCPC% was assessed post‐induction therapy. For association studies, treatment response has been taken as good (VGPR and above) and poor (PR and below). All statistical analyses were performed with SPSS software version 16.0.

Results

There was no significant association between cCPC% at baseline with staging (p = 0.43), β2‐microglobulin (p = 0.27) and albumin (p = 0.08). There was a significant difference between the pre‐induction and post‐induction cCPC% (p = 0.0001). The patients were segregated using a cut‐off of ≥0.197 and <0.197 based on the median values of baseline cCPC%. The post‐induction outcome was available for 47 patients among whom 33 (70%) had VGPR and above. There was a significant association between higher cCPC% at baseline with poor treatment response (p = 0.008). The median OS in the study patients was 42 (CI 28.14–43.03) months and the median PFS was 39 (CI 28.49–49.04) months. Higher cCPC% showed a lower median PFS (30 vs. 39 months) and OS (35 vs. 41 months) compared to lower cCPC% though it was not statistically significant.

Conclusion

Flow cytometric baseline cCPC% in newly diagnosed MM was associated with poor treatment response and survival.
Factors determining whether diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma samples are detected by flow cytometry
Authors: Peng David , Kodituwakku Aruna , Le Steven , Smith Sandy A. B. C. , Qiu Min R. , Earls Peter , Field Andrew S. , Parker Andrew J. C. , Law Matthew , Milliken Samuel T. , Sewell William A.
Published: August 2023

Introduction

Flow cytometry (FCM) is widely used in the diagnosis of mature B‐cell neoplasms (MBN), and FCM data are usually consistent with morphological findings. However, diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma (DLBCL), a common MBN, is sometimes not detected by FCM. This study aimed to explore factors that increase the likelihood of failure to detect DLBCL by FCM.

Methods

Cases with a final diagnosis of DLBCL that were analysed by eight‐colour FCM were retrospectively collated. Clinical, FCM, histopathological and genetic data were compared between cases detected and cases not detected by FCM.

Results

DLBCL cases from 135 different patients were analysed, of which 22 (16%) were not detected by FCM. In samples not detected by flow cytometry, lymphocytes were a lower percentage of total events (p = 0.02), and T cells were a higher percentage of total lymphocytes (p = 0.01). Cases with high MYC protein expression on immunohistochemistry were less likely to be missed by FCM (p = 0.011). Detection of DLBCL was not different between germinal centre B‐cell (GCB) and non‐GCB subtypes, not significantly affected by the presence of necrosis or fibrosis, and not significantly different between biopsy specimens compared to fine‐needle aspirates, or between samples from nodal compared to extranodal tissue.

Conclusion

The study identifies several factors which affect the likelihood of DLBCL being missed by FCM. Even with eight‐colour analysis, FCM fails to detect numerous cases of DLBCL.
0‐3 magnetic nanocomposites via EPD: Current status for power component fabrication and future directions
Authors: Mills Sara C. , Patterson Eric A. , Andrew Jennifer S.
Published: August 2023

Inductors and transformers (here referred to as power components) for modern AC/DC switching power supplies require magnetic materials that have high power density and efficiency at high frequencies, with high magnetic saturation, low coercivity, and multi‐micrometer thicknesses to increase magnetic energy storage and power handling. Rather than using a single‐phase magnetic material in a polymer‐based composite, a composite formed from two magnetic phases (such as a 0‐3 nanocomposite) can simultaneously achieve all of the listed requirements and benefit from contributions by both the zero‐ and three‐dimensional phases to the magnetic properties. The fabrication of 0‐3 magnetic nanocomposites for power component applications requires a method to deposit magnetic nanoparticles into thick, physically stable yet porous films, and a subsequent method for infiltrating the magnetic nanoparticle film with another magnetic material. Here, the deposition of magnetic nanoparticles into micron‐thick films using electrophoretic deposition (EPD) is discussed. This is described along with a new method, to improve upon traditional EPD methods by increasing film–substrate interactions with chelating agents, therefore increasing film stability. Next, the use of electro‐infiltration for fully incorporating a secondary magnetic material within the nanoparticle film is presented, showing the cumulative fabrication process with the addition of a multilayered nanocomposite fabrication technique for increasing overall nanocomposite thickness. The subsequent cross‐sectional and magnetic characterization of the fabricated 0‐3 nanocomposites is also shown. Finally, future directions for 0‐3 magnetic nanocomposites are offered, with emphasis on potential materials synthesis techniques and on translating knowledge beyond power component applications.
‘Jumping through hoops’: A metaphor for early career nurse researchers' experiences and resilience building as international collaborators
Authors: Smith Jessica G. , Laver Sharon
Published: August 2023

Aim

To present and discuss our experiences of learning how to establish and maintain an international collaboration as early career nurse researchers residing in the United States and Australia.

Background

International research collaborations require additional startup time given the complexities of navigating cultural differences, obtaining ethics committee approvals in different countries and collecting human subject data. International collaborations may be daunting for early career researchers given their inexperience and pragmatic focus on research projects that lead to outputs achievable on short timelines for career advancement.

Design

Discussion paper.

Data Sources

Evidence from international literature about global collaborations across numerous disciplines, including potential factors that could facilitate or constrain early career researcher efforts to engage in international collaborations, were combined with authors' lived experiences as early career researchers.

Discussion

Our collaboration began in July 2022 through a professional introduction spurred by a call for applications to fund global nursing education collaborations. Interpersonal, logistical and organizational factors played a role in our lived experiences of beginning an international collaboration. Our experiences are consistent with published literature about the time and complexity involved in conducting international research.

Conclusion

Investing time building interpersonal relationships strengthens international research and supports collaborative learning and intercultural understanding. These professional relationships can be built over time to develop significant bodies of research with international impact. Early career researchers need to be resilient, persistent and tenacious as they ‘jump through hoops’ to establish international research collaborations.

Impact

Building relationships during international research collaborations supports collaborative learning for intercultural understanding and strengthens research to address emerging global problems. International nursing research collaborations could encourage greater curiosity, innovative ideas and solutions to international problems that could not be achieved in isolation.

Patient or Public Contribution

There was no patient or public involvement in the design and development of this paper.
Understanding the relationship between social camouflaging in autism and safety behaviours in social anxiety in autistic and non‐autistic adolescents
Authors: Lei Jiedi , Leigh Eleanor , Charman Tony , Russell Ailsa , Hollocks Matthew J.
Published: August 2023

Background

Social camouflaging (hereafter camouflaging) in autism includes factors such as masking and compensating for one's neurodevelopmental differences, and to assimilate or ‘fit in’ with non‐autistic peers. Efforts to hide one's authentic self and autism traits (masking) resemble impression management (IM) in safety behaviours identified in Clark and Wells' (1995) cognitive model of social anxiety (SA). This study explores the relationship between camouflaging in autism and safety behaviours in SA among autistic and non‐autistic adolescents.

Methods

One hundred fifteen adolescents (14–19 years) with (n = 61; 36 female) and without (n = 54; 37 female) a clinical diagnosis of autism matched on age and SA symptom severity were recruited from clinics, schools and online. Adolescents completed online measures including autism traits, SA symptoms, camouflaging behaviours, SA‐related safety behaviours and SA‐related negative cognitions. Partial and bivariate Pearson's correlations and structural equation modelling were used to understand the relationship between camouflaging, safety behaviours, autism traits and SA in both groups. Exploratory factor analysis assessed item‐level factor cross‐loadings between camouflaging and safety behaviours.

Results

Across both groups, masking and IM were significantly associated with SA symptom severity, not autism traits, via SA‐related social cognitions. Exploratory factor analysis indicated construct overlap across masking, assimilation, IM and avoidance behaviours and identified factors analogous to self‐focused attention, social avoidance and mental rehearsal identified in the Clark and Wells' (1995) model of SA.

Conclusions

This is the first study using group‐matched design to identify that masking (factor in social camouflaging) and IM both relate to SA in autistic and non‐autistic adolescents. Assessment and formulation of construct overlap between masking and IM may inform psychoeducation and adaptation of SA treatment for autistic adolescents.
Emerging human–shark conflicts in the New York Bight: A call for expansive science and management
Authors: Shipley Oliver N. , Olin Jill A. , Scott Christopher , Camhi Merry , Frisk Michael G.
Published: August 2023

Recent spikes in interactions between humans and sharks in the New York Bight have sparked widespread reporting of possible causalities, many of which lack empirical support. Here we comment on the current state of knowledge regarding shark biology and management in New York waters emphasizing that the possible drivers of increased human–shark interactions are confounded by a lack of historical monitoring data. We outline several key research avenues that should be considered to ensure the safe and sustainable coexistence of humans, sharks, and their prey, in an era of accelerated environmental change.
Winter residency and foraging of non‐native round goby populations in Great Lakes tributary streams
Authors: Glenn K. R. , Pennuto C. M.
Published: August 2023

Investigations of winter diets and foraging in fish are rare, and less so for migratory species in the temperate zone. In the Great Lakes, the round goby (Neogobius melanostomus) is known to out‐migrate from nearshore habitats to offshore depths in the winter months. However, in Great Lake tributaries, populations of this fish were found up to 25 km upstream during winter months. Distance upstream was a predictor of out‐migration behavior with populations farthest upstream remaining as winter residents, whereas populations nearest the lakes out‐migrated. Distance inland was also a predictor of fish total length, but not Fulton's condition index. Seasonal resources and local prey availability shaped the diets of these fish, but resource use remained unchanged over time since invasion. Total length and body condition also remained unchanged over time since the invasion. Plasticity in both diet and migration behavior seems to be beneficial traits for the inland invasion success of this fish.
Strong desmin immunoreactivity in the myocardial sleeves around pulmonary veins, superior caval vein and coronary sinus supports the presumed arrhythmogenicity of these regions
Authors: Kugler Szilvia , Tőkés Anna‐Mária , Nagy Nándor , Fintha Attila , Danics Krisztina , Sághi Márton , Törő Klára , Rácz Gergely , Nemeskéri Ágnes
Published: August 2023

Myocardial sleeve around human pulmonary veins plays a critical role in the pathomechanism of atrial fibrillation. Besides the well‐known arrhythmogenicity of these veins, there is evidence that myocardial extensions into caval veins and coronary sinus may exhibit similar features. However, studies investigating histologic properties of these structures are limited. We aimed to investigate the immunoreactivity of myocardial sleeves for intermediate filament desmin, which was reported to be more abundant in Purkinje fibers than in ventricular working cardiomyocytes. Sections of 16 human (15 adult and 1 fetal) hearts were investigated. Specimens of atrial and ventricular myocardium, sinoatrial and atrioventricular nodes, pulmonary veins, superior caval vein and coronary sinus were stained with anti‐desmin monoclonal antibody. Intensity of desmin immunoreactivity in different areas was quantified by the ImageJ program. Strong desmin labeling was detected at the pacemaker and conduction system as well as in the myocardial sleeves around pulmonary veins, superior caval vein, and coronary sinus of adult hearts irrespective of sex, age, and medical history. In the fetal heart, prominent desmin labeling was observed at the sinoatrial nodal region and in the myocardial extensions around the superior caval vein. Contrarily, atrial and ventricular working myocardium exhibited low desmin immunoreactivity in both adults and fetuses. These differences were confirmed by immunohistochemical quantitative analysis. In conclusion, this study indicates that desmin is abundant in the conduction system and venous myocardial sleeves of human hearts.