bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Do firm attributes impact CSR participation? Evidence from a developing economy
Authors: Agarwala Nidhi , Pareek Ritu , Sahu Tarak Nath
Published: March 2023

Purpose

Amidst the growing awareness regarding the social accountability of corporates, the study has attempted to investigate how firm characteristics like size and performance influence corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities in India.

Design/methodology/approach

236 Indian firms listed on the National Stock Exchange (Nifty 500 index) have been selected for the empirical analysis. The independent variable firm size has been defined through total assets, operation scale and resource access. Another important factor, firm's performance, is also considered as the independent variable. CSR, the dependent variable, has been measured using Bloomberg's Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) disclosure scores.

Findings

Findings of the dynamic panel data analysis have revealed an inversed U-shape relationship between companies' size and CSR, i.e. CSR participation is positively related with small-sized firms, but as the firms become larger in size, their relationship with CSR becomes negative. A negative relationship has also been found between firm performance and CSR, while the age of the firm exhibits a positive association with CSR participation.

Originality/value

Poor performance of the larger firms suggests that government regulatory bodies need to take strict steps to enhance supervision. Clear regulations are required to be framed and enforced upon large companies to promote consistent participation in CSR. The present study has endeavoured to offer a distinct viewpoint by considering firm size and CSR to be related in a non-linear manner and has brought forward relevant information from the perspective of an emerging economy like India.
Shariah audit of Islamic Banks in Bangladesh: the present practice and the way forward
Authors: Alam Md. Kausar , Ahmad Abu Umar Faruq , Ahmed Mezbah Uddin , Uddin Md. Salah
Published: March 2023

Purpose

The study explores the existing Shariah audit practice of Islamic banks (IBs) in Bangladesh aiming at providing suggestions for improvements on the detected shortfalls in the relevant areas.

Design/methodology/approach

This research applied a qualitative method, and data were collected through conducting semi-structured interviews in Bangladesh. A total of 17 interviews were conducted for accomplishing the research objectives.

Findings

The study finds that there is no comprehensive Shariah audit manual in the current operation for IBs in Bangladesh, and as such, the requirements of their Shariah compliance remain a big question. Although the Shariah audit is conducted within IBs, and the Shariah audit officers or Shariah officers inspect necessary documents while conducting the Shariah audit, they only cover 10–20% of total investments and transactions. Based on the findings of this study, it is recommended that the Shariah auditing tasks should broadly cover at least 80% of the investment portfolios, documents and financial contracts and activities.

Research limitations/implications

The findings of this research are expected to significantly contribute to the regulatory authorities concerned in Bangladesh and beyond, which include the suggestions that IBs can adopt to strengthen their Shariah governance system. The study also pinpoints that in the current system, Shariah auditors' roles are somehow limited in examining and checking the investment sides with a minimal portion (10–20%), for which they are unable to perform their responsibilities in a befitting manner to provide assurance services and overall Shariah compliance of IBs activities.

Practical implications

This study explores the current Shariah audit systems and provides recommendations to improve the existing systems which will be beneficial for Islamic banks of Bangladesh.

Originality/value

To the researchers' knowledge, perhaps this is the first research of its kind which seeks to explore the current Shariah audit practice in Bangladesh qualitatively, and it provides some practical suggestions for making the necessary developments of the current audit process of IBs. In addition, there are no empirical studies in the entire Emerald insight publishers and Scopus database regarding Shariah audit practices. The study contributes to the agency, stakeholder and legitimacy theories by exploring the Shariah audit of IBs.
Innovative work behavior driving Indian startups go global – the role of authentic leadership and readiness for change
Authors: Sengupta Santoshi , Bajaj Badri , Singh Aishwarya , Sharma Swati , Patel Parth , Prikshat Verma
Published: March 2023

Purpose

The purpose of the study was to find out the effect of authentic leadership on innovative work behavior among employees in the context of Indian startups that have gone global in the past one decade. The study also aimed to investigate the mediating effect of one organizational-level variable, i.e. organizational climate and one individual-level variable, i.e. readiness for change on the direct relationship between authentic leadership and innovative work behavior.

Design/methodology/approach

The study used survey method with a sample of 261 employees working in Indian startups that have gone global in the past one decade. Authentic leadership, organizational climate, readiness for change and innovative work behavior were measured using standardized questionnaires.

Findings

Structural equation modeling revealed that authentic leadership had significant direct effect on innovative work behavior and this effect was mediated by readiness for change. However, organizational climate had no significant effect.

Practical implications

The findings of the study have important implications for startups that employ millennials as employees and have plans to go global. Millennials have very different characteristics in the workplace and they regard authenticity in the leader very highly. Since they are assertive and they question everything, it becomes imperative for founder-leaders to exhibit authenticity in their actions, words and thoughts.

Originality/value

This is the first study in the context of Indian startups that have gone global by taking important variables of authentic leadership, readiness for change and innovative work behavior.
Differential game analysis between government and waste incineration plants on the management of municipal solid waste classification
Authors: Li Huijie , Tan Deqing
Published: March 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study how the government stimulates incineration plants to participate in waste classification management, and how to adjust the subsidy strategy for them.

Design/methodology/approach

Considering that the classification behavior of residents will produce herd effect, and waste classification can reduce the disposal cost of incineration plants, the authors constructed a differential game model between the government and waste incineration plants, and analyzed the input strategy of the government and incineration plants when they cooperate in the management of municipal waste classification.

Findings

Increasing the input level of supervision or raising subsidy price, the government can promote incineration plants to increase the input level of incentive. Moreover, from a long-term perspective, increasing the input level of supervision is more effective. Compared with government supervision, the method of incineration plants incentive can more effectively increase the amount of waste disposal. Furthermore, the government supervision and the incineration plants incentive have a positive interaction effect on improving the amount of waste disposal. Increasing the input level of incineration plants incentive or the level of waste-to-energy technology can increase the amount of waste disposal, and from a long-term perspective, increasing the level of R&D investment is more beneficial to increasing the amount of waste disposal.

Originality/value

The results are helpful to improve the investment in the management of waste classification, and also provide a certain theoretical basis for the government's subsidy policy for incineration plants, so as to reduce the financial pressure of the government.
Start-up firms' investments: when economic policy uncertainty matters?
Authors: Hoang Khanh , Nguyen Quang Thi Thieu , Nguyen Cuong
Published: March 2023

Purpose

This study examines the impact of economic policy uncertainty (EPU) on investment decision-making of start-up firms in Japan. While existing literature suggests firms generally retrench investment under EPU, the authors argue that start-ups’ investment behaviours are likely different given the fact that start-ups always have to compete for survival.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors investigate the impact of general economic policy and policy-specific uncertainty, including monetary policy, fiscal policy, trade policy and exchange rate policy uncertainty, on corporate investment of start-up firms using multiple fixed-effect regression. A wide range of robustness and endogeneity tests are conducted to ensure the validity and soundness of the empirical findings.

Findings

The authors document a positive effect of EPU on start-up investment, to suggesting that the investment behaviour of start-ups is backed by venture capital distinct from that of mature firms. The results show that start-ups are more vulnerable during the changes in trade and exchange rate policies; uncertainties in monetary and fiscal policies do not restrain firms' investment. However, the effect varies in the cross-sections. Financial constraints have a moderating effect on the relation-ship between EPU on start-up investment. Institutional investors have an incremental effect on the positive relationship between EPU and start-up investment by encouraging risky investments.

Originality/value

This is the first study to investigate how start-up investment is influenced by EPU, thus providing a new understanding of the investment behaviour of start-up firms during uncertainty. Further investigation sheds light on the roles of institutional and managerial ownership in this newfound relationship.
A club convergence analysis of financial integration: cross-country evidence
Authors: Akram Vaseem , Singh Sarbjit , Sahoo Pradipta Kumar
Published: March 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine the club convergence of Financial integration (FI) in the case of 60 countries from 1970 to 2015. FI plays a vital role in economic growth through sharing the risk between countries, cross-border capital association, investment and financial information. It also leads to the efficient allocation of capital and capital accumulation, thereby improving the systematic growth and productivity of the economy. Literature on examining the convergence hypothesis of FI is scarce.

Design/methodology/approach

This study applies the clustering algorithm to identify club convergence, advanced by the Phillips and Sul test, which enables the identification of multiple steady states or club convergence, unlike beta and sigma convergences.

Findings

The findings indicate the non-convergence when all 60 countries were taken together. This highlights that the selected countries' have unique transition paths in terms of FI. Hence, the authors implement the clustering algorithm, and the estimation shows that 56 countries are categorised into three different clubs. However, for the rest of four countries, the results are sort of ambiguous, favouring neither convergence nor divergence.

Practical implications

On the basis of three country clubs, Club 1 presents the model countries such as the Netherlands, Singapore and Switzerland. The Club 2 and Club 3 countries can start making moves towards the model countries by making policy adaptations for trade, finance and business facilitation.

Originality/value

The existing literature provides a plethora of studies investigating the convergence of stock markets, exchange rates and equity markets, but studies on the convergence of FI, particularly across the countries, are scarce. This study contributes by bridging this gap. The study is unique in its type as it takes into account the multiple steady states or club convergence. This study also contributes in policymaking by suggesting Club 1 countries (the Netherlands, Singapore and Switzerland) as the model ones for the FI.
FOXA2 suppresses PKM2 transcription and affects the Wnt/β‐catenin activity to block aerobic glycolysis in thyroid carcinoma
Authors: He Yawei , Chen Wanjing , Yu Liang , Liu Yanwei , Cheng Yunsheng , Li Xianghua , Yu Gang
Published: March 2023

Aerobic glycolysis is critical for the energy metabolism of cancer cells. This study focuses on the regulation of forkhead box A2 (FOXA2) on pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2) and their effects on the glycolytic activity and malignant phenotype of thyroid carcinoma (THCA) cells. By analysing four Gene Expression Omnibus datasets and querying bioinformatics systems, we obtained FOXA2 as a poorly expressed transcription factor in THCA. Later, we validated decreased mRNA and protein levels of FOXA2 in THCA cells by quantitative polymerase chain reaction and western blot assays. FOXA2 upregulation in THCA cells suppressed the glucose uptake and lactate production, and it reduced the extracellular acidification rate, but increased the oxygen consumption rate of cells. Meanwhile, the FOXA2 overexpression blocked the proliferation and mobility, and the tumourigenic activity of cancer cells. The chromatin immunoprecipitation and luciferase assays showed that FOXA2 bound to PKM2 promoter and suppressed the transcription of PKM2, which was highly expressed in THCA cells. Further upregulation of PKM2 elevated the β‐catenin, c‐Myc and cyclin D1 levels and restored the glycolytic activity as well as the malignant properties of cancer cells. Collectively, this work reveals that FOXA2 suppresses aerobic glycolysis and progression of THCA by blocking PKM2 transcription and inactivating the Wnt/β‐catenin pathway.
CITIES AND THEIR GURUS: The Role of Superstar Consultants in Post‐political Urban Governance
Authors: Keidar Noga
Published: March 2023

While consultants have crept into various aspects of municipal governance, a selected few have transcended the others reaching the status of urban gurus. Although consultants are often perceived as depoliticizing urban affairs, research shows that the urban guru often instigates politicization. Research on urban gurus does thus highlight distinctions between gurus and ‘lay’ consultants, but it has paid insufficient attention to describing how, through their interaction with cities, politicization occurs. Moreover, the literature often portrays this interaction as an authority relationship in which the guru is superior, while in fact cities play an important role in bestowing ‘guru’ status. Using fieldwork, I examine the long‐term interaction between Richard Florida and the City of Toronto, explaining how Florida's elevation to guru status by being brought to Toronto ended with him self‐describing as ‘persona non‐grata’. To explain the anomaly of this interaction and the way in which gurus instigate politicization, I differentiate between consultants’ ‘substance’ and ‘process’ roles in policy formulation processes. I show that, regarding substance, the guru offers a policy paradigm rather than policy instruments and, regarding process, their strength is in performing ideas rather than pulling strings behind the scenes—in both respects making the policy process more public and contested.
Current and future control of the wood‐boring pest Anoplophora glabripennis
Authors: Wang Lixiang , Li Chunchun , Luo Youqing , Wang Gaijing , Dou Zhipeng , Haq Inzamam UI , Shang Suqing , Cui Mingming
Published: March 2023

The Asian longhorn beetle (ALB) Anoplophora glabripennis is one of the most successful and most feared invasive insect species worldwide. This review covers recent research concerning the distribution of and damage caused by ALB, as well as major efforts to control and manage ALB in China. The distribution and destruction range of ALB have continued to expand over the past decade worldwide, and the number of interceptions has remained high. Detection and monitoring methods for the early discovery of ALB have diversified, with advances in semiochemical research and using satellite remote sensing in China. Ecological control of ALB in China involves planting mixtures of preferred and resistant tree species, and this practice can prevent outbreaks. In addition, strategies for chemical and biological control of ALB have achieved promising results during the last decade in China, especially the development of insecticides targeting different stages of ALB, and applying Dastarcus helophoroides and Dendrocopos major as biocontrol agents. Finally, we analyze recommendations for ALB prevention and management strategies based on native range and invasive area research. This information will hopefully help some invaded areas where the target is containment of ALB.
Quantitative analysis of lung parenchymal involvement in Behçet's disease by the novel automatic program
Authors: Polat Gökhan , Tezcan Mehmet Alperen , Polat Merve , Barutçugil Furkan , Bayram Tuncay , Sade Recep , Kudaş Özlem , Pirimoğlu R. Berhan , İsmailova Elshad , Yalçın Ahmet , Meletlioğlu Emrah , Kahraman Mustafa
Published: March 2023

Objectives

We aimed to quantitatively analyze lung parenchymal changes in Behçet's patients and to detect early parenchymal quantitative changes that occur in the absence of positive visual radiological findings.

Methods

In our study, a total of 31 patients with Behçet's disease, 17 with positive radiological findings and 14 patients without positive radiological findings, and a control group of 33 individuals were evaluated. The automatic program determined lung volumes, lung densities, and opacity volume percentages by evaluating the contrast‐enhanced lung computed tomography scans.

Results

The total lung volume was 3632.98 ± 1100.53 mL in the Behçet's disease patient group and 4925.70 ± 1098.88 mL in the control group, and there was a significant decrease in the total lung volume in Behçet's disease patients (P < 0.0001). The mean lung density was −723.73 ± 65.16 in the Behçet's disease patient group and −767.35 ± 41.17 in the control group, and there was a significant increase in the mean density in the Behçet's patients (P = 0.0023). A significantly higher correlation was observed between lung density and lung volume in Behçet's patients (P < 0.0001, r = −0.795). The lung volume of Behçet's disease patients with negative radiological findings was significantly lower than that of the control group (P = 0.0342).

Conclusions

Lung volumetric changes in Behçet's disease patients are the quantitative data most affected by the disease. In addition, lung volume decreases in Behçet's patients who do not have visual parenchymal involvement.
The southern cassowary (Casuarius casuarius johnsonii) remains an important disperser of native plants in fragmented rainforest landscapes
Authors: Campbell Mariana A. , Lawton Tom , Udyawer Vinay , Bell‐Anderson Kim S. , Westcott David , Campbell Hamish A.
Published: March 2023

Large‐bodied frugivores are essential to the ecological function of rainforest communities. The southern cassowary (Casaurius casuarius johnsonii) is the only large frugivore in the tropical rainforests of Australia. Here, we assessed whether cassowaries remain important to native plant seed dispersal in areas where the rainforest is highly fragmented, and exotic fruits are abundant. To do this, we developed a tri‐axial acceleration logger integrated with a motion sensor and VHF radio transmitter. The telemetry device was small enough to be hidden inside a native fruit. The cassowaries ingested it, transported it and defecated it up to 24 h later with the seeds from the fruits they had ingested during the tracking period. The telemetry device was then located by VHF radio and collected with the scat. The distance travelled, activity profile, consumed fruit diversity, and scat energy content were assessed for cassowaries inhabiting regions with different degrees of urbanization. We found that cassowaries inhabiting more urbanized areas consumed the greatest proportion of fruits from exotic plants (~30%) but still incorporated a significant proportion of fruits from native plants in their diet. These individuals existed in higher states of activity and rested less than individuals inhabiting more intact swathes of rainforest, actively moving between urban gardens and the rainforest. The study shows cassowaries have a flexible foraging strategy that has enabled them to persist in rainforest‐fragmented landscapes. They remain a significant disperser of seeds from native plants between rainforest patches, and as such, cassowaries remain essential in maintaining native plant diversity within these fragmented patches.
Not all dung beetles feed on dung: Scarabaeinae (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) attracted to different carrion types in contrasting habitats at Brazilian Amazon
Authors: Correa César M. A. , Salomão Renato Portela , Xavier Bruno F. S. , Puker Anderson , Ferreira Kleyton R.
Published: March 2023

By understanding how assemblages segregate according to food types, it is possible to depict and understand species distribution and exploitation of similar food resources. Although it is well known that dung beetles may feed on carrion, but the attractiveness of different carrion types for these beetles is still poorly understood. In this study, we compared the dung beetle (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeinae) diversity attracted to two carrion types in different habitats in an Amazonian landscape. Dung beetles were captured by using pitfall traps baited with decaying cattle beef and cattle liver in native forest, peach palm plantation, teak plantation and exotic pasture. Overall, we captured 582 dung beetles of 43 species, where Canthidium aff. lentum was classified as a specialist of cattle beef, Deltochilum sp. One was considered specialist of liver carrion, 11 were considered generalists and for the 30 remaining species, it was not possible to determine their carrion preference due to the low number. Abundance, but not species richness, was affected by carrion type, and a higher number of beetles was recorded in beef‐baited traps compared to liver‐baited traps. According to functional groups, endocoprid beetles were more abundant in traps baited with decaying beef, while paracoprid and telecoprid beetles did not show preference for any carrion type. This study suggests a novel scenario of intra‐resource segregation, where species vary their preferences depending to the part of the dead corpse being exploited. The amount of food resource, the maintenance of stable populations and trophic preference mediated by chemical cues are some mechanisms that may explain the segregation of dung beetles among carrion types.
Association of birth by cesarean section with academic performance and intelligence in youth: A cohort study
Authors: Ladelund Agnes K. , Slavensky Julie A. , Bruun Frederik J. , Fogtmann Sejer Emilie Pi , Mortensen Erik Lykke , Ladelund Steen , Kesmodel Ulrik S.
Published: March 2023

Introduction

It is suggested that birth by elective cesarean section (CS) reduces the risk of birth‐related infant mortality and injury. Other studies suggest an increased risk of somatic immune‐related diseases among children born by CS such as asthma, type 1 diabetes, and inflammatory bowel disease. The WHO Statement on Cesarean Section Rates 2015 described an increase in CS globally. The statement concluded that the effects of CS on social and psychological outcomes remain unclear and that more research is needed to fully understand the effects of CS, including effects on cognition and intelligence in the child. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the association between delivery by CS (elective and acute) and school performance and intelligence in youth.

Material and methods

This cohort study included all Danish live‐born children in 1978–2000. We retrieved data regarding pregnancies, births, parents, school grades, and intelligence of the children from Danish registers and performed multiple imputations to avoid discarding data. The final cohort after exclusion comprised 1 408 230 children. Associations between CS and school graduation, grades, conscription attendance, and conscription intelligence scores were analyzed using univariate and multivariate logistic and linear regressions.

Results

Adjusted odds ratio with 95% CI of graduating from lower (LSE) and upper (USE) secondary education and of attending conscription were significantly lower in the CS group: LSE graduation: 0.87 (0.84–0.89), USE graduation: 0.93 (0.92–0.94), attending conscription: 0.95 (0.93–0.98). The CS group had significantly lower grade point averages (GPA) in LSE with adjusted differences in mean total GPA of −0.090 (−0.10 to −0.007), and mean core subject GPA of −0.098 (−0.11 to −0.08), in USE with total GPA difference of −0.091 (−0.11 to −0.075) and lower mean intelligence scores of −0.36 (−0.46 to −0.27) in adjusted linear models. A sub‐analysis revealed lower chances of graduating LSE and USE when born by acute rather than elective CS.

Conclusions

Chances of LSE and USE graduation and of attending conscription were significantly lower for children born by CS. However, even significant differences in mean GPAs and intelligence scores were very small, so performances when graduating school and attending conscription were comparable regardless of delivery mode.
Polymorphisms of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis may lead to an inadequate response to stress and contribute to sudden infant death syndrome
Authors: Uzuntas Elanur , Schürmann Peter , Rothämel Thomas , Dörk Thilo , Klintschar Michael
Published: March 2023

Aim

Impaired resilience to stress may be a factor in sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). However, no comprehensive studies have been performed on polymorphisms that are relevant to the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis, which regulates the stress hormone cortisol.

Methods

We analysed 22 relevant single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 206 anonymised SIDS cases who died at a mean of 131 days (range: 5–343) and 256 adult controls who were recruited from paternity testing cases. Additional stratified analyses were performed for sex, age and season of death. Both the cases and the controls were Caucasian.

Results

Variants for rs2235543 (HSD11B1) and rs3779250 (CRHR2) were associated with SIDS in the overall analysis, and borderline for rs2446432 (CRH), at least before corrections for multiple testing. A combination of these three variants was observed in 52.9% of SIDS cases but only 43.0% of controls (p = 0.039). Five or more variants showed an association in the subgroups.

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that the HPA axis influences SIDS and supports the hypothesis that an inadequate stress response may add to the risk. The associated variants for rs2235543, rs3779250 and rs2446432 appeared to decrease the cortisol concentration and impair an appropriate stress response.
Time course of CYP3A activity during and after metamizole (dipyrone) in healthy volunteers
Authors: Breithaupt Mareile H. , Krohmer Evelyn , Taylor Lenka , Körner Eva , Hoppe‐Tichy Torsten , Burhenne Juergen , Foerster Kathrin I. , Dachtler Markus , Huber Gerald , Venkatesh Rakesh , Eggenreich Karin , Czock David , Mikus Gerd , Blank Antje , Haefeli Walter E.
Published: March 2023

Aims

In patients of all ages, metamizole is a frequently used analgesic. Recently, metamizole has been identified as an inducer of, among others, cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A activity, but the time course of this interaction has not been evaluated.

Methods

Using repeated oral microdoses (30 μg) of the CYP3A index substrate midazolam, we assessed changes in midazolam pharmacokinetics (area under the concentration–time curve from 2–4 h: AUC2–4 and estimated partial metabolic clearance: eClmet) before, at steady‐state, and after discontinuation of 3 × 1000 mg metamizole/day orally for 8 days.

Results

Significant changes in pharmacokinetic parameters were detected already 3 days after start of metamizole treatment. At the steady‐state of enzyme induction, the geometric mean ratio of midazolam AUC2–4 was substantially reduced to 0.18 (90% confidence interval: 0.14–0.24) with a corresponding 5.43‐fold (4.15–7.10) increase of eClmet. After discontinuation of metamizole, the changes slowly recovered, but were still significant at the end of the observation period on the fifth day after discontinuation of metamizole therapy (AUC2–4 reduced to 0.50 [0.41–0.63] and eClmet 1.99‐fold increased [1.60–2.47, P < 0.05]).

Conclusion

Metamizole acts as a strong inducer of CYP3A already few days after start of metamizole administration and, thus, should be avoided in patients using drugs with narrow therapeutic index and major clearance via CYP3A. If their administration is essential, close monitoring and dose adjustment of comedication should be performed as early as the first week after the initiation and after discontinuation of metamizole therapy.
Post‐transplant lymphoproliferative disorder: Update on treatment and novel therapies
Authors: Atallah‐Yunes Suheil Albert , Salman Omar , Robertson Michael J.
Published: March 2023

Post‐transplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD) is rare and heterogeneous lymphoid proliferations that occur as a result of immunosuppression following solid organ transplant (SOT) and haematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) with the majority being driven by EBV. Although some histologies are similar to lymphoid neoplasms seen in immunocompetent patients, treatment of PTLD may be different due to difference in pathobiology and higher risk of treatment complications. The most common treatment approach in SOT PTLD after failing immunosuppression reduction (RIS) takes into consideration a risk‐stratified sequential algorithm with rituximab +/− chemotherapy based on phase 2 studies. In HSCT PTLD, RIS alone and chemotherapy are usually ineffective making rituximab +/− RIS as the gold standard of frontline treatment. In this review, we give an update on the treatment of PTLD beyond RIS. We highlight the most recent studies that attempted to incorporate more aggressive chemotherapy regimens and novel treatments into the traditional risk‐stratified sequential approach. We also discuss the role of EBV‐cytotoxic T lymphocytes in treatment of EBV‐driven PTLD. Other novel agents with potential role in PTLD will be discussed in addition to the challenges that could arise with chimeric antigen receptor T‐cell therapy and immune checkpoint inhibitors in this population.
Clinical characteristics and genotypes of 201 patients with mucopolysaccharidosis type II in China: A retrospective, observational study
Authors: Zhong Lin , Gao Xiaolan , Wang Yu , Qiu Wenjuan , Han Lianshu , Gu Xuefan , Zhang Huiwen
Published: March 2023

Mucopolysaccharidosis type II (MPS II) is an X‐linked recessive lysosomal storage disease caused by a disease‐associated variant in the IDS gene, which encodes iduronate 2‐sulfatase (IDS). We aimed to characterize the clinical characteristics and genotypes of the largest cohort of Chinese patients with MPS II and so gain a deeper understanding of natural disease progression. Patients with confirmed MPS II and without treatment were included. The disease was classified as severe in patients with neurological impairment, and as attenuated in patients aged >6 years without neurological impairment. Of the 201 male patients, 78.1% had severe MPS II. Cognitive regression occurred before age 6 years in 94.3% of patients. Of 122 IDS variants identified, 37 were novel. Among the large gene alteration types identified, only the frequency of IDS‐IDS2 recombination was significantly higher in severe versus attenuated MPS II (P = 0.032). Some identified point variants could inform the understanding of genotype–phenotype correlations. In conclusion, this study showed that classification of the disease as attenuated should only be made in patients aged >6 years. Our findings expand the understanding of the genotype–phenotype relationship, inform the diagnostic process, and provide an indication of the likely prognosis.
Potential predictive value of CT radiomics features for treatment response in patients with COVID‐19
Authors: Huang Gang , Hui Zhongyi , Ren Jialiang , Liu Ruifang , Cui Yaqiong , Ma Ying , Han Yalan , Zhao Zehao , Lv Suzhen , Zhou Xing , Chen Lijun , Bao Shisan , Zhao Lianping
Published: March 2023

Introduction

This study aims to explore the predictive value of CT radiomics and clinical characteristics for treatment response in COVID‐19 patients.

Methods

Data were collected from clinical/auxiliary examinations and follow‐ups of COVID‐19 patients. Whole lung radiomics feature extraction was performed at baseline chest CT. Radiomics, clinical, and combined features (nomogram) were evaluated for predicting treatment response.

Results

Among 36 COVID‐19 patients, mild, common, severe, and critical disease symptoms were found in 1, 21, 13, and 1 of them, respectively. Twenty‐five (1 mild, 18 common, and 6 severe) patients showed a good response to treatment and 11 poor/fair responses. The clinical classification (p = 0.025) and serum creatinine (p = 0.010) on admission and small area emphasis (p = 0.036) from radiomics analysis significantly differed between the two groups. Predictive models were constructed based on the radiomics, clinical features, and nomogram showing an area under the curve of 0.651, 0.836, and 0.869, respectively. The nomogram achieved good calibration.

Conclusion

This new, non‐invasive, and low‐cost prediction model that combines the radiomics and clinical features is useful for identifying COVID‐19 patients who may not respond well to treatment.
1052. Bulbophyllum polliculosum Seidenf: Orchidaceae
Authors: Schuiteman André , Vermeulen Jaap J. , Want Terry , Lambkin Deborah
Published: March 2023

A remarkable deciduous miniature orchid, Bulbophyllum polliculosum Seidenf., is illustrated here from a plant grown by Terry Want. It is compared to species with a similar growth pattern, here called the Porpax‐habit. A full description of B. polliculosum and details of its ecology and distribution are provided. Suggestions for its successful cultivation are given.
Biological invasions and eutrophication reshape the spatial patterns of stream fish size spectra in France
Authors: Arranz Ignasi , Grenouillet Gaël , Cucherousset Julien
Published: March 2023

Aim

The global patterns of body size distributions are affected by global environmental changes (GEC), but our knowledge of the interaction effects between GEC and natural drivers is still limited. In this study, we aimed to test the effects of these interactions on fish community size spectra, that is, the variation in a community property across the body size range of individuals in the community.

Location

One thousand and ninety‐five stream locations across France between 2015 and 2018.

Methods

We fitted size spectrum slopes for each fish community based on individual biomass size and using binning and maximum‐likelihood methods through regression models across size classes and negative log‐likelihood functions, respectively. Interactions between natural drivers and GEC were tested using model‐averaging and the best models were selected with information criterion.

Results

Our results demonstrated that size spectra were steeper (i.e. higher proportion of small‐bodied individuals) in warmer than colder locations, as expected by temperature‐size rules. However, eutrophication (total phosphorus concentration) and biological invasions (percentage of non‐native individuals) modulated the effect of temperature, with flatter size spectrum slopes in streams with more nutrients and higher proportion of non‐native individuals. In addition, fish size spectrum slopes were generally steeper in upstream than in downstream locations, and this effect was more pronounced in stream locations with more nutrients. Finally, size spectrum slopes were flatter in species‐rich communities when nutrient concentration was high.

Main Conclusions

Our study highlights that accounting for GEC, such as eutrophication and biological invasions, can help understanding the complex patterns of fish body size distributions in ecological communities.
SpatialBoundaries.jl: edge detection using spatial wombling
Authors: Strydom Tanya , Poisot Timothée
Published: March 2023

Spatial wombling is an approach for detecting edges within a defined two‐dimensional landscape. This is achieved by calculating the rate and direction of change through the interpolation of points. This not only gives an approximation as to the shape of the landscape but can also be used to identify candidate boundaries cells that delimit a shift from one state to another within the landscape. Here we introduce the SpatialBoundaries.jl package for Julia, which has been developed to implement the wombling algorithm for datasets that are spatially referenced for both uniformly or randomly sampled landscapes. From a practical perspective, the wombling functionality allow the user to answer two questions: how much and in which direction does the variable of interest change within the landscape? Whereas the boundaries functionality identifies candidate boundary cells. We conclude by providing a working example of the package using the various woody plant layers for Britain and Ireland from the EarthEnv database.
Florivory is an alternative but suboptimal diet for an invasive leaf‐feeding beetle
Authors: Desurmont Gaylord A. , Blanchet Arnaud
Published: March 2023

Flowers can be a valuable food source for primarily leaf‐feeding insects. They may also be an alternative diet when preferred foods are unavailable. Here we explored the value of florivory for the invasive viburnum leaf beetle (VLB). In the field, VLB larvae have been observed to feed on V. tinus inflorescences in the absence of young leaves, their preferred food. Under controlled conditions, we measured VLB larval performance when larvae were fed young V. tinus leaves, old (from the previous year's growth) V. tinus leaves, and V. tinus inflorescences. VLB larvae could complete their development by feeding solely on V. tinus inflorescences, with a negative impact on performance: larval survivorship to adult stage and adult mass decreased and developmental time increased when larvae fed on inflorescences. Survivorship was null when larvae were fed old leaves. Florivory appears to be a suboptimal diet for VLB, which may be used as a last resort when better food sources are absent. These results illustrate the importance of plasticity for the nutritional ecology of herbivorous insects. Dietary flexibility may have facilitated VLB's adoption of novel host plants in its invasive range.
Precipitation buffers temperature‐driven local extinctions of moths at warm range margins
Authors: Hordley Lisbeth A. , Fox Richard , Suggitt Andrew J. , Bourn Nigel A. D.
Published: March 2023

Species' distributions are moving polewards in response to climate change, and although range expansions of relatively warm‐adapted species are widely reported, reports of range retractions in cool‐adapted species are less common. Here, we analysed species' distribution shifts for 76 cool‐adapted moths in Great Britain using citizen science occurrence records from the National Moth Recording Scheme over a 40‐year period. Although we find evidence for trailing edge shifts to higher latitudes, shifts in species' range centroids are oriented towards the north‐west, and are more closely correlated with directional changes in total precipitation than average temperature. We also found that species' local extinction risk is higher in areas where temperature is high and precipitation is low, but this risk diminishes as precipitation increases. Adaptation efforts should therefore focus on maintaining or increasing water availability as the climate continues to change.
Current treatment options for familial adult myoclonus epilepsy
Authors: Coppola Antonietta , Dubbioso Raffaele , Cuccurullo Claudia , Licchetta Laura , Carreno Mar , Hirsch Edouard , Bilo Leonilda
Published: March 2023

Familial adult myoclonus epilepsy (FAME) is a genetic condition characterized by the occurrence of cortical tremor, myoclonus, and epilepsy. To date, there is neither a curative nor a preventive treatment for FAME. Clinical management is essentially symptomatic and based on antiseizure medications (ASMs). The choice of the correct therapeutic option is limited to ASMs that have both an antiseizure and an antimyoclonic effect, such as valproate, levetiracetam, benzodiazepines, and perampanel. However, these medications control seizures well while having a limited effect on myoclonus and cortical tremor. In addition, many ASMs, including sodium channel blockers and gabapentin, are contraindicated in this condition. The ideal therapeutic option would be a precision treatment able to revert the genetic defect underlying it. Nevertheless, this does not seem to be an option that will be available soon.
Fatigue life prediction of eccentric springs for the automobiles considering residual stress
Authors: Shi Xiaowen , Liu Xintian , Zhu Mengyu
Published: March 2023

Springs are widely used in the automobile industry. They can produce large elastic deformation under the action of load. The fracture failure of springs will cause significant loss or maintenance costs. The fatigue life of springs is greatly affected by load eccentricity and residual stress. Some existing methods are not accurate enough to predict the life of springs. The cracked spring stresses are computed considering load eccentricity. Based on the Walker model, a method for predicting the spring fatigue life is proposed. The model combines the superposition principle and the closure effect, and it can consider residual stress, crack closure effect, and load eccentricity at the same time. The results demonstrate that the improved model has a better performance than the Walker model.
Interdisciplinary assessment of fisheries sustainability in Wular Lake, India
Authors: Atufa Regu , Ananthan Pachampalayam Shanmugam , Balkhi Masood‐ul Hassan , Gul Sadaf
Published: March 2023

Inland fisheries, including aquaculture, contributed 73.65% of India's total fish production of 14.16 million tons in 2019–2020. Wular Lake, one of the largest freshwater lakes in Asia with a 13,000 ha area and a notable Ramsar wetland of international importance, supports thriving but increasingly threatened endemic fisheries that supply almost one‐fourth of Jammu and Kashmir's fish catch and supports livelihoods of 3147 families of indigenous communities in a remote Himalayan region of India. A modified multi‐dimensional RAPFISH methodology was used to ascertain the sustainability of the lake's fisheries. Catch records and published literature formed secondary data sources while primary information was collected through detailed key informant interviews, focus group discussions and participant observation methods, among both resource users and resource managers during 2018–2019. With a RAPFISH score of 40%, Wular lake fisheries fell in a less sustainable category, which is a cause of concern. Along with the technology evaluation field, which fared worst with a poor score of 15.77%, social (30.39%) and governance (39.09%) fields were less sustainable, while economic (69.33%) and ecology fields (57.68%) fell in the quite sustainable category. Very poor education level, high population density, minimal infrastructure, primitive craft, increasing pollution and ineffective governance are prime drivers of low sustainability. Variability in scores of evaluation fields and indicators supports the validity and utility of the modified RAPFISH tool for illuminating multi‐dimensionality and complexity of lake fishery management. In the context of sustaining a small‐scale artisanal fishery and associated livelihoods, our findings suggest specific evidence‐based interventions to improve the sustainability of lake fisheries that can avoid tragedy of commons problem.
The legacy of human use in Amazonian palm communities along environmental and accessibility gradients
Authors: Zuquim Gabriela , Jones Mirkka M. , Ovaskainen Otso , Trujillo William , Balslev Henrik
Published: March 2023

Aim

Palms are iconic and dominant elements of neotropical forests. In the Amazon region, palms have been used and managed by humans for food, material, medicine and other purposes for millennia. It is, however, debated to what extent the structure of modern palm communities reflects long‐term human modification. Here, we investigate the complex interplay of ecological and societal factors that influence the distributions of both human‐used and non‐used palms in western Amazonia.

Location

Amazonia.

Time period

Present.

Major taxa studied

Palms (Arecaceae).

Methods

We used Bayesian hierarchical joint species distribution models to predict the distributions and environmental niche dimensions of 78 western Amazonian species, and to explore their relationships with their diversity of human uses and with specific uses (food, construction and medicine). The models were parameterized with a comprehensive set of field‐ and satellite‐derived environmental predictors.

Results

Our results suggest that a combination of ecological and anthropogenic factors drive the present‐day distributions of Amazonian palms. The modelled ecological niches of the species revealed use‐related species‐sorting along soil, climatic, accessibility and drainage gradients. We found peaks in the proportions of useful palms and their diversity of uses in fertile soils, close to rivers, and on floodplains. These are habitats favourable for human settlement, although they harbour naturally restricted palm species pools. We also found a negative correlation between predicted palm species richness and number of human uses across western Amazonia.

Main conclusions

Soil characteristics, accessibility, and species pool size all contribute to defining palm–human relationships. At the basin scale, the signature of human use on palm communities was predicted to be stronger in the species‐poor south‐west than in central‐western Amazonia. Overall, we conclude that environmental conditions have influenced modern Amazonian palm distributions both directly and indirectly, by regulating human settlement patterns and natural resource use over extended time periods.
Autotaxin is a novel surrogate marker for oxaliplatin‐related sinusoidal obstruction syndrome in patients with colorectal liver metastasis
Authors: Ishii Norihiro , Harimoto Norifumi , Seki Takaomi , Muranushi Ryo , Hagiwara Kei , Tsukagoshi Mariko , Watanabe Akira , Yoshida Yuka , Araki Kenichiro , Shirabe Ken
Published: March 2023

Background

Chemotherapy for colorectal liver metastasis (CRLM) has improved dramatically over the past few decades. However, sinusoidal obstruction syndrome (SOS) induced by oxaliplatin leads to increased severe morbidity after hepatectomy for CRLM. Autotaxin is a novel liver fibrosis marker known to be taken up and metabolized by sinusoidal endothelial cells. This study aimed to evaluate whether autotaxin levels could be a novel surrogate marker of SOS for CRLM.

Methods

We retrospectively evaluated 73 consecutive patients who underwent hepatectomy for CRLM, and assessed the relationship between their preoperative autotaxin levels and SOS.

Results

Median autotaxin level was 0.750 mg/L. Preoperative oxaliplatin‐based chemotherapy for CRLM was administered to 51 patients, and SOS was histologically observed in 45 patients. Patients who received the oxaliplatin‐based chemotherapy had significantly higher autotaxin levels than those who did not (p = 0.038). Furthermore, autotaxin levels were higher in patients with SOS than in those without (p = 0.011). Univariate and multivariate analyses revealed that autotaxin level can be an independent predictive factor for SOS preoperatively (p = 0.001).

Conclusions

Autotaxin level is a noninvasive and promising surrogate marker for predicting SOS before surgical resection for CRLM.