bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Improving outcomes in carcinoid heart disease – learning from a single centre
Authors: Cope Jack , Maclean Rory , Hota Shweta , Ramage John K. , Mullholland Nicola , Clement Dominique , Brown Sarah , Piper Sue , MaCarthy Phil , Wendler Olaf , Srirajaskanthan Raj
Published: September 2023

Introduction

A significant proportion of patients with carcinoid syndrome develop carcinoid heart disease (CHD). Valve degeneration can lead to right heart failure, and worsening prognosis. Replacement of affected valves is an effective therapy. We reviewed patients treated with valve replacement to assess prognostic factors.

Methods

CHD patients records who underwent valve replacement from 2003–2019 were reviewed.

Results

Twenty-six patients underwent valve replacement. Mean (SD) age was 61 (11) years, 54% female. Eleven tumours were grade G1, with the remaining G2. NYHA pre-surgery mean (SD) 2.0 (0.7); post-surgery mean 1.2; follow-up mean (SD) 1.6 (0.8). Mean NYHA score difference from pre- to post-surgery –0.71 (P = 0.002). 88.5% two (PR & TR), 3.9% one, 3.9% three and 3.9% four valves replaced. 13 patients received Lu177 oxodotreotide; 27% completed four cycles. Mortality at 1 and 5 years follow up was 42% and 50% respectively. Cox proportional hazards model of survival from surgery, adjusting for age [hazard ratio (HR) 0.96 (0.89–1.03) (P = 0.25)], four cycles of Lu177 oxodotreotide demonstrated HR 0.087 (0.0079–0.95) (P = 0.045) indicating improved survival.

Discussion

Surgical patients were often NYHA grade II, and symptoms improved post-surgery. Four cycles of Lu177 oxodotreotide improved survival, although the confidence interval was wide. Further studies should be performed to assess Lu177 oxodotreotide in CHD.
Bioinformatics Analysis of Hub Genes Involved in Smoke-Induced Hemifacial Microsomia Pathogenesis
Authors: Liu Bingyang , Zhao Shanbaga , Ma Lunkun , Zang Tianying , Huang Changjin , Tang Xiaojun
Published: September 2023

Objective:

Tobacco smoke is a recognized teratogen, which increases the risk for hemifacial microsomia (HFM) of the fetus during maternal pregnancy. The present study aimed to explore potential mechanisms and verify hub genes of HFM associated with smoke and tobacco smoke pollution (TSP) via bioinformatics methods.

Methods:

Hemifacial microsomia and smoke and TSP pathogenic genes were obtained. A protein-protein interactional (PPI) network was constructed. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway enrichment analyses and molecular complex detection were performed by Metascape. Finally, we used the cytoHubba plug-in to screen the hub genes.

Results:

A total of 43 HFM genes and 50 optimal smoke candidate genes were selected. Functional enrichment analysis largely focused on tissue morphogenesis and development. Two modules were identified from the PPI network, and 10 hub genes were screened out. The genes most relevant to smoke-induced HFM pathogenesis included TP53, ESR1, ESR2, and HNRNPL.

Conclusions:

This study identified some significant hub genes, pathways, and modules of HFM related to smoke by bioinformatics analyses. Our results suggest that the TP53, ESR1, ESR2, and HNRNPL gene subfamilies may have played a major role in HFM induced by smoke and TSP.
A man with culture sterile cavitating lung lesions: molecular techniques can provide the key to diagnosis
Authors: Cheema Ranvir S. P. , Kler Prabhjoyt K. , Madu Alpha , Macve Joanna , MacDuff Andrew
Published: September 2023

A 20-year-old male presented to the Emergency Department with pyrexia, dyspnoea, chest pain and haemoptysis. Cavitating lung lesions were noted on chest X-ray and the patient was admitted to the intensive care unit where he was intubated and ventilated. Routine investigations including serial cultures did not provide an aetiological diagnosis. As such, a CT-guided lung biopsy was carried out and 16S rDNA PCR was undertaken on the sample. This identified

Fusobacterium necrophorum

as the causative organism. The patient was treated for Lemierre’s syndrome and successfully discharged from hospital. This case highlights how DNA tissue typing on a lung biopsy sample can be the key to successful diagnosis in an atypical pneumonia and raises the question as to whether this infrequently used approach should be added to forthcoming community acquired pneumonia guidelines.
A discovery down under: decoding the draft genome sequence of Pantoea stewartii from Australia’s Critically Endangered western ground parrot/kyloring (Pezoporus flaviventris)
Authors: White Rhys T. , Taylor William , Klukowski Natalie , Vaughan-Higgins Rebecca , Williams Ernest , Petrovski Steve , Rose Jayson J. A. , Sarker Subir
Published: September 2023

Pantoea stewartii

, a plant pathogen, is primarily transmitted through contaminated seeds and insect vectors, with the corn flea beetle (Chaetocnema pulicaria) being the primary carrier.

P. stewartii

is a bacterium belonging to the order

Enterobacterales

and can lead to crop diseases that have a significant economic impact worldwide. Due to its high potential for spread,

P. stewartii

is classified as a quarantine organism in numerous countries. Despite its impact on agriculture, the limited genome sequences of

P. stewartii

hamper understanding of its pathogenicity and host specificity, and the development of effective control strategies. In this study, a

P. stewartii

strain (C10109_Jinnung) was discovered in the faecal matter of the Critically Endangered western ground parrot/kyloring (Pezoporus flaviventris) in Australia, which to our knowledge is the first reported

P. stewartii

genome from a bird source. Whole-genome sequencing and phylogenomic analysis of strain C10109_Jinnung, obtained from a captive psittacine, provides new insights into the genetic diversity and potential transmission route for the spread of

P. stewartii

beyond insects and plants, where

P. stewartii

is typically studied. Our findings provide new insights into the potential transmission route for spread of

P. stewartii

and expand the known transmission agents beyond insects and plants. Expanding the catalogue of

P. stewartii

genomes is fundamental to improving understanding of the pathogenicity, evolution and dissemination, and to develop effective control strategies to reduce the substantial economic losses associated with

P. stewartii

in various crops and the potential impact of endangered animal species.
Lived experiences and the effects of domestic violence on female secondary schoolteachers in Uganda: A qualitative study using in-depth interviews
Authors: Oyat Gladys Ayot , Kitara David Lagoro , Kagoire Mary Ocheng , Eduan Wilson
Published: September 2023

Background

Domestic violence is a multifaceted and complex phenomenon that, in many ways, affects victims and their workplaces. Little is known about lived experiences and the effects of domestic violence on female secondary schoolteachers in Uganda. This study explored lived experiences and the effects of domestic violence on female secondary schoolteachers on their professional and administrative roles.

Methods

Underpinned by a feminist paradigm, the study employed a qualitative research approach and narrative design. Snowballing was used to a point of theoretical saturation. In-depth interviews were conducted with twenty female secondary schoolteachers who were victims of domestic violence perpetrated by their spouses and triangulated with interviews of twenty-three headteachers from schools in northern Uganda. Conceptualization and meanings were derived from experiences of female teachers, which contributed to the understanding of complex issues of domestic violence and how it affects their professional and administrative roles. A local IRB approved this study, and narrative, thematic analysis was used.

Results

The finding indicates that female secondary school teachers have lived experiences of domestic violence, affecting their professional and administrative roles, resulting in poor service delivery and interpersonal relationships. The effects were poor service delivery, absenteeism, missing lessons, poor lesson preparations, low self-esteem, mental health issues, depression, poor interpersonal relationships, bad attitudes, and lack of cooperation with others. Female teachers used both formal and informal means to cope with the situation.

Conclusion

This exploratory study brings awareness to the lived experiences and effects of domestic violence on female secondary schoolteachers in Uganda. Domestic violence affects their professional and administrative roles with resulting poor service delivery and poor interpersonal relationships. Providing a supportive work environment is crucial for female teachers experiencing domestic violence to enable them to perform their professional and administrative roles. Different players, school managers, the Ministry of Education and Sports, feminist organizations, and relevant government offices can intervene by establishing workplace policies and relevant processes to support female teachers who experience domestic violence.
Phasor Identifier: A Cloud-based Analysis of Phasor-FLIM Data on Python Notebooks
Authors: Bernardi Mario , Cardarelli Francesco
Published: September 2023

This study aims at creating an accessible notebook tool for the versatile analysis of phasor Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging Microscopy (FLIM) data collected from various samples (e.g. cuvette, cells, tissues) and in various input file formats. The presented strategy facilitates morphological segmentations and diverse mask imports. Results derived from three compelling case studies involving cellular metabolism, nanoscale drug encapsulation (doxorubicin), and the impact of pH and metabolic cleavage on small fluorescent drugs (irinotecan), showcase extensive analysis capabilities. The notebook-centered approach accelerates phasor-FLIM data analysis via external servers, supporting multi-scale research and avoiding the need for GPUs, RAM, and disk space.
The Impact of the Local Mechanical Environment on Cell Shape and Chondrogenesis of Mesenchymal Stromal Cells in 3D Biomimetic Composite Materials
Authors: Fenu M. , Muntz I. , Harting D. , Xu J. , D’Este M. , Koenderink G.H. , van Osch G.J.V.M
Published: September 2023

Efforts to model and repair connective tissue through engineered tissue constructs have generated great interest in culturing cells in 3d polymer network environments. It has been shown that the polymer environment is influential in determining cellular responses such as differentiation, migration and morphology. Hydrogels are used to mimic the cellular microenvironment, but in most cases hydrogels consisting of one polymeric component are used whereas tissues are composites of different polymers. A clear understanding of how different extracellular components and their mechanical characteristics influence cell behaviour is lacking. Here we developed and characterised composite hydrogels of hyaluronan and fibrin and evaluated their use for cartilage tissue engineering. We demonstrate that these cartilage-mimicking composites have a higher stiffness relative to the individual constituents. Next, we cultured human mesenchymal stromal cells in these 3D hydrogels with chondrogenic media and revealed marked differences in cell morphology, gene expression and cartilage-like matrix deposition depending on the specific extracellular composition. We found that, despite evidence for strong adhesion of the cells to fibrin networks in 2D systems, in 3D systems the primary determinant of cellular morphology is the significantly denser hyaluronan network. Dense hyaluronan hydrogels cause local cell confinement evidenced by rounder cell morphologies, independent of the presence of fibrin. While the composite fibrin-hyaluronan hydrogels led to lower expression of chondrogenic genes than hyaluronan alone, the larger linear modulus and resistance to cell-mediated contraction due to the composite nature of the matrix provides a strong advantage in terms of macroscopic mechanical stability. These findings highlight the potential of multi-component hydrogels for controlling cellular behaviour and bulk mechanical properties of cell-hydrogel constructs independently, therefore opening avenues for better understanding the complex interplay between cells and their extracellular environment and thus improve the biofabrication of connective tissues for disease modelling and tissue regeneration.

Graphical Abstract
Enhancing anti-EGFRvIII CAR T cell therapy against glioblastoma with a paracrine SIRPγ-derived CD47 blocker
Authors: Martins Tomás A. , Tatari Nazanin , Kaymak Deniz , Hogan Sabrina , Bartoszek Ewelina M. , Wieboldt Ronja , Ritz Marie-Françoise , Buck Alicia , McDaid Marta , Gerber Alexandra , Beshirova Aisha , Etter Manina M. , Heider Anja , Shekarian Tala , Mohamed Hayget , Schmassmann Philip , Abel Ines , Mariani Luigi , Guzman Raphael , Boulay Jean-Louis , Snijder Berend , Weiss Tobias , Läubli Heinz , Hutter Gregor
Published: September 2023

A major challenge for chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy against glioblastoma (GBM) is its immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME), which is densely populated and supported by protumoral glioma-associated microglia and macrophages (GAMs). Targeting of CD47, a “don’t-eat-me” signal overexpressed by tumor cells, disrupts the CD47-SIRPα axis and induces GAM phagocytic function. However, antibody-mediated CD47 blockade monotherapy is associated with toxicity and low bioavailability in solid tumors. To overcome these limitations, we combined local CAR T cell therapy with paracrine GAM modulation for more effective elimination of GBM. To this end, we engineered a new CAR T cell against epidermal growth factor receptor variant III (EGFRvIII) that constitutively secretes a SIRPγ-related protein (SGRP) with high affinity to CD47. Anti-EGFRvIII-SGRP CAR T cells eliminated EGFRvIII+GBM in a dose-dependent mannerin vitroand eradicated orthotopically xenografted EGFRvIII-mosaic GBM by locoregional applicationin vivo.This resulted in significant tumor-free long-term survival, followed by partial tumor control upon tumor re-challenge. The combination of anti-CD47 antibodies with anti-EGFRvIII CAR T cells failed to achieve a similar therapeutic effect, underscoring the importance of sustained paracrine GAM modulation. Multidimensional brain immunofluorescence microscopy and in-depth spectral flow cytometry on GBM-xenografted brains showed that anti-EGFRvIII-SGRP CAR T cells accelerated GBM clearance, increased CD68+cell trafficking to tumor scar sites, and induced myeloid-mediated tumor cell uptake. Additionally, in a peripheral lymphoma mouse xenograft model, anti-CD19-SGRP CAR T cells had superior efficacy compared to conventional anti-CD19 CAR T cells. Validation on human GBM explants revealed that anti-EGFRvIII-SGRP CAR T cells had similar tumor-killing capacity to anti-EGFRvIII CAR monotherapy, but showed a slight improvement in maintenance of tumor-infiltrated CD14+myeloid cells. Thus, local anti-EGFRvIII-SGRP CAR T cell therapy combines the potent antitumor effect of engineered T cells with the modulation of the surrounding innate immune TME, resulting in the additive elimination of bystander EGFRvIII-tumor cells in a manner that overcomes major mechanisms of CAR T cell therapy resistance, including tumor innate immune suppression and antigen escape.
Longitudinal Micro-Computed Tomography Detects Onset and Progression of Pulmonary Fibrosis in ConditionalNedd4-2Deficient Mice
Authors: Leitz Dominik H.W. , Konietzke Philip , Wagner Willi , Mertiny Mara , Benke Claudia , Schneider Thomas , Stiller Wolfram , Kauczor Hans-Ulrich , Mall Marcus A. , Duerr Julia , Wielpütz Mark O.
Published: September 2023

Objectives

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a fatal lung disease which is usually diagnosed late in advanced stages. Little is known about the subclinical development of IPF. We previously generated a mouse model with conditionalNedd4-2deficiency (Nedd4-2−/−) that develops IPF-like lung disease. The aim of this study was to characterize the onset and progression of IPF-like lung disease in conditionalNedd4-2−/−mice by longitudinal micro- computed tomography (CT).

Methods

In vivomicro-CT was performed longitudinally in control and conditionalNedd4- 2−/−mice at 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 months after doxycycline induction. Further, terminalin vivomicro-CT followed by pulmonary function testing andpost mortemmicro-CT was performed in age-matched mice. Micro-CT images were evaluated for pulmonary fibrosis using an adapted fibrosis scoring system.

Results

Micro-CT is sensitive to detect onset and progression of pulmonary fibrosisin vivoand to quantify distinct radiological IPF-like features along disease development in conditionalNedd4-2−/−mice. Nonspecific interstitial alterations were detected from 3 months, whereas key features such as honeycombing-like lesions were detected from 4 months onwards. Pulmonary function inversely correlated within vivo(r=-0.725) andpost mortem(r=-0.535) micro-CT fibrosis scores.

Conclusion

Longitudinal micro-CT enablesin vivomonitoring of onset and progression and detects radiologic key features of IPF-like lung disease in conditionalNedd4-2−/−mice. Our data support micro-CT as sensitive quantitative endpoint for preclinical evaluation of novel antifibrotic strategies.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY

IPF diagnosis, particularly in early stages, remains challenging. In this study micro-CT is used in conditionalNedd4-2−/−mice to closely monitor the onset and progression of IPF-like lung disease. This allowed us to track for the first time how nonspecific lung lesions develop into key IPF-like features. This approach offers a non-invasive method to monitor pulmonary fibrosisin vivo, providing a quantitative endpoint for preclinical evaluation of novel antifibrotic strategies.
Exploiting fluctuations in gene expression to detect causal interactions between genes
Authors: Joly-Smith Euan , Talpur Mir Mikdad , Allard Paige , Papazotos Fotini , Potvin-Trottier Laurent , Hilfinger Andreas
Published: September 2023

Characterizing and manipulating cellular behaviour requires a mechanistic understanding of the causal interactions between cellular components. We present an approach to detect causal interactions between genes without the need to perturb the physiological state of cells. This approach exploits naturally occurring cell-to-cell variability which is experimentally accessible from static population snapshots of genetically identical cells without the need to follow cells over time. Our main contribution is a simple mathematical relation that constrains the propagation of gene expression noise through biochemical reaction networks. This relation allows us to rigorously interpret fluctuation data even when only a small part of a complex gene regulatory process can be observed. We show how this relation can, in theory, be exploited to detect causal interactions by synthetically engineering a passive reporter of gene expression, akin to the established “dual reporter as-say”. While the focus of our contribution is theoretical, we also present an experimental proof-of-principle to demonstrate the real-world applicability of our approach in certain circumstances. Our experimental data suggest that the method can detect causal interactions in specific synthetic gene regulatory circuits inE. coliconfirming our theoretical result in a narrow set of controlled experimental settings. Further work is needed to show that the approach is practical on a large scale, with naturally occurring gene regulatory networks, or in organisms other thanE. coli.
Weak neuronal glycolysis sustains cognition and organismal fitness
Authors: Jimenez-Blasco Daniel , Agulla Jesús , Lapresa Rebeca , Garcia-Macia Marina , Bobo-Jimenez Veronica , Garcia-Rodriguez Dario , Manjarrez-Raza Israel , Fernandez Emilio , Jeanson Yannick , Khoury Spiro , Portais Jean-Charles , Padro Daniel , Ramos-Cabrer Pedro , Carmeliet Peter , Almeida Angeles , Bolaños Juan P.
Published: September 2023

The energy cost of neuronal activity is mainly sustained by glucose1,2. However, in an apparent paradox, neurons only weakly metabolize glucose through glycolysis3,4,5,6, a circumstance that can be accounted for by the constant degradation of 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase/fructose-2,6-bisphosphatase-3 (Pfkfb3)3,7,8, a key glycolysis-promoting enzyme. To evaluate thein vivophysiological significance of this hypo-glycolytic metabolism, here we genetically engineered mice with their neurons transformed into active glycolytic cells through Pfkfb3 expression.In vivomolecular, biochemical, and metabolic flux analyses of these neurons revealed an accumulation of anomalous mitochondria, complex I disassembly, bioenergetic deficiency and mitochondrial redox stress. Notably, glycolysis-mediated NAD+reduction impaired sirtuin-dependent autophagy. Furthermore, these mice displayed cognitive decline and a metabolic syndrome that was mimicked by confining Pfkfb3 expression to hypothalamic neurons. Neuron-specific genetic ablation of mitochondrial redox stress corrected these alterations. Thus, the weak glycolytic nature of neurons is required to sustain higher-order organismal functions.
Apolipoprotein-E transforms intracellular Amyloid-β oligomers to a more toxic state
Authors: Dey Arpan , Verma Aditi , Bhaskar Uchit , Sarkar Bidyut , Kallianpur Mamata , Visvakarma Vicky , Das Anand Kant , Garai Kanchan , Mukherjee Odity , Ishii Kunihiko , Tahara Tahei , Maiti Sudipta
Published: September 2023

It is poorly understood why ApoE variants are major genetic risk factors in Alzheimer’s disease (AD), which is associated with the aggregation of amyloid beta (Aβ). Here we directly image specific changes in small Aβ oligomers in rat brain cells that correlate with the cellular ApoE content. An inhibitor of Aβ-ApoE interaction suppresses this change and concomitantly reduces Aβ toxicity in a dose-dependent manner. Single-molecule techniques show changes both in the conformation and the stoichiometry of the oligomers. hiPSC-derived neural stem cells from Alzheimer’s patients also show similar changes. Interaction with ApoE therefore changes the oligomeric state, membrane affinity, and toxicity of Aβ oligomers, and can be directly read out in live cells. Our findings suggest a rapid and quantitative assay for AD drug discovery.

One-sentence summary

ApoE causes specific toxicogenic modifications of Aβ oligomers, and these changes can be directly imaged in live cells.
Inhibition of CREB binding and function with a dual-targeting ligand
Authors: Liu Yejun , Joy Stephen T. , Henley Madeleine J. , Yates Joel A. , Merajver Sofia D. , Mapp Anna K.
Published: September 2023

CBP/p300 is a master transcriptional coactivator, regulating gene activation by interacting with multiple transcriptional activators. Dysregulation of protein-protein interactions (PPIs) between the CBP/p300 KIX domain and its activators is implicated in a number of cancers including breast, leukemia, and colorectal cancer. However, KIX is typically considered ‘undruggable’ because of its shallow binding surfaces lacking both significant topology and promiscuous binding profiles. We previously reported a dual-targeting peptide (MybLL-tide) that inhibits the KIX-Myb interaction with excellent specificity and potency. Here we demonstrate a branched, second-generation analog, CREBLL-tide, that inhibits the KIX-CREB PPI with higher potency and selectivity. Additionally, the best of these CREBLL-tide analogs shows excellent and selective anti-proliferation activity in breast cancer cells. These results indicate CREBLL-tide is an effective tool for assessing the role of KIX-activator interactions in breast cancer and expanding the dual-targeting strategy for inhibiting KIX and other coactivators that contain multiple binding surfaces.
Interference Requirements of Type III CRISPR-Cas Systems fromThermus thermophilus
Authors: Karneyeva Karyna , Kolesnik Matvey , Livenskyi Alexei , Zgoda Viktor , Zubarev Vasiliy , Trofimova Anna , Artamonova Daria , Ispolatov Yaroslav , Severinov Konstantin
Published: September 2023

Among the diverse prokaryotic adaptive immunity mechanisms, the Type III CRISPR-Cas systems are the most complex. The multisubunit Type III effectors recognize RNA targets complementary to CRISPR RNAs (crRNAs). Target recognition causes synthesis of cyclic oligoadenylates that activate downstream auxiliary effectors, which affect cell physiology in complex and poorly understood ways. Here, we studied the ability of III-A and III-B CRISPR-Cas subtypes fromThermus thermophilusto interfere with plasmid transformation. We find that for both systems, requirements for crRNA-target complementarity sufficient for interference depend on the target transcript abundance, with more abundant targets requiring shorter complementarity segments. This result and thermodynamic calculations indicate that Type III effectors bind their targets in a simple bimolecular reaction with more extensive crRNA-target base pairing compensating for lower target abundance. Since the targeted RNA used in our work is non-essential for either the host or the plasmid, the results also establish that a certain number of target-bound effector complexes must be present in the cell to interfere with plasmid establishment. For the more active III-A system, we determine the minimal length of RNA-duplex sufficient for interference and show that the position of this minimal duplex can vary within the effector. Finally, we show that the III-A immunity is dependent on the HD nuclease domain of the Cas10 subunit. Since this domain is absent from the III-B system the result implies that theT. thermophilusIII-B system must elicit a more efficient cyclic oligoadenylate dependent response to provide the immunity.
Framework of green finance to attain sustainable development goals: an empirical evidence from the TCCM approach
Authors: Annu  , Tripathi Ravindra
Published: September 2023

Purpose

The study's objectives are to conduct a comprehensive review of existing knowledge, thoroughly understand the present state of green finance, identify emerging research trends, perform content analysis and offer valuable guidance for advancing this field.

Design/methodology/approach

Data has been collected by selecting highly indexed databases, Scopus and Web of Science. These databases are well-known repositories of academic papers, journals and other scholarly publications related to various fields of study. This research uses the PRISMA methodology for conducting a structured literature review and employs a bibliometric approach to summarize the findings of the previous studies. “R” studio and Biblioshiny are used to clean the data and visualize the results. The TCCM framework is utilized to propose potential avenues for future research in the domain of green finance.

Findings

The research uncovers the potential areas in the domain of green finance for future work, encompassing green bonds, the green economy, connectivity, forces, constraints and sustainable development. Furthermore, this process enhances the theoretical underpinnings of scholarly investigations within the discipline by succinctly synthesizing and evaluating preexisting literature. This contribution could facilitate more informed and focused research endeavors in green finance.

Practical implications

The research findings have practical implications for researchers, practitioners, regulators, legislators, issuers and investors involved in green finance. The results can take initiatives to improve practices related to issuing and pricing green financial products and enhance the understanding of interconnectedness within the field.

Originality/value

This ground-breaking research sheds light on various emerging areas by taking a new approach, including the most widely read articles, authors and journals and the broader conceptual and intellectual framework. That includes finding and expanding original research streams, summarizing the most seminal works, and suggesting new research pathways.
Equity crowdfunding platforms and sustainable impacts: encountering investors and technological initiatives for tackling social and environmental challenges
Authors: Yáñez-Valdés Claudia , Guerrero Maribel
Published: September 2023

Purpose

Innovative initiatives focusing on social and environmental impact often need help to secure traditional financial resources for their launch. Equity crowdfunding platforms (ECF) provide a potential funding source for these initiatives, particularly for technological inventors. This research paper aims to theorize how ECF campaigns attract investors to invest in technological initiatives with social and environmental value proposition impacts.

Design/methodology/approach

Using an inductive qualitative approach, the authors have gained insights, from 35 sustainable technological projects sponsored by a Chilean equity-crowdfunding platform, regarding the business model's transformation to achieve sustainable social and environmental impacts.

Findings

Findings show that disruptive technologies and sustainable aims are pivotal factors in successfully attracting investors to support sustainable technological initiatives through ECF platforms or campaigns. These factors led investors to actively engage with these projects and contribute to the value-creation process by transforming business models with social and environmental impacts and utilizing sustainable technology to enhance efficiency and optimize available resources.

Research limitations/implications

Due to the nature of this research, researchers must test the proposed conceptual framework using longitudinal quantitative data from multiple ECF platforms, technological solutions and investors worldwide in future research to enhance the comprehension of this phenomenon.

Practical implications

The findings highlight the significant contribution of ECF platforms and technological portfolios toward creating sustainable impacts. It is a good signal for investors interested in investing in technological initiatives and addressing social and environmental challenges.

Social implications

The contribution of disruptive technological projects from ECF platforms and ECF investors to tackle social and environmental challenges.

Originality/value

This research theorizes how ECF platforms tackle social challenges by encouraging investors to invest and participate with entrepreneurs in the co-creation process of sustainable technological solutions.
Sarcastic emojis: why don’t you understand?
Authors: Kusaila Daniel , Gerhart Natalie
Published: September 2023

Purpose

Technology-enabled communication used in workplace settings includes nuanced tools such as emojis, that are interpreted differently by different populations of people. This paper aims to evaluate the use of emojis in work environments, particularly when they are used sarcastically.

Design/methodology/approach

This research uses a survey method administered on MTurk. Overall, 200 participants were included in the analysis. Items were contextualized from prior research and offered on a seven-point Likert scale.

Findings

Females are better able to understand if an emoji is used sarcastically. Additionally, older employees are more capable of interpreting sarcasm than younger employees. Finally, understanding of emojis has a negative relationship with frustration, indicating that when users understand emojis are being used sarcastically, frustration is reduced.

Research limitations/implications

This research is primarily limited by the survey methodology. Despite this, it provides implications for theory of mind and practical understanding of emoji use in professional settings. This research indicates emojis are often misinterpreted in professional settings.

Originality/value

The use of emojis is becoming commonplace. The authors show the use of emojis in a professional setting creates confusion, and in some instances can lead to frustration. This work can help businesses understand how best to manage employees with changing communication tools.
Numerical investigation of laminar heat transfer and fluid flow characteristics of Al2O3nanofluid in a double tube heat exchanger
Authors: Tavousi Ebrahim , Perera Noel , Flynn Dominic , Hasan Reaz
Published: September 2023

Purpose

The purpose of the study is to numerically investigate the characteristics of laminar heat transfer and fluid flow in a double tube heat exchanger (DTHE) using water-aluminum oxide (Al2O3) nanofluid. The study examines the effects of nanofluid in both counter and parallel flow configurations. Furthermore, an exergy analysis is conducted to assess the impact of nanofluid on exergy destruction.

Design/methodology/approach

The single-phase method has been used for Al2O3nanoparticles in water as base fluid in a laminar regime for Reynolds numbers from 400 to 2,000. The effects of nanoparticle volume fractions (0 to 0.1), Nusselt number, Reynolds number, heat transfer coefficient, pressure drop, performance evaluation criteria (PEC) and the impact of counter and parallel flow direction have been studied.

Findings

The findings indicate that the incorporation of nanoparticles into the water enhances the heat transfer rate of DTHE. This enhancement is attributed to the improved thermal properties of the working fluid and its impact on the thermal boundary layer. Nusselt number, heat transfer coefficient, and PEC increase by approximately 19.5%, 58% and 1.2, respectively, in comparison to pure water. Conversely, the pressure drop experiences a 5.3 times increase relative to pure water. Exergy analysis reveals that nanofluids exhibit lower exergy destruction compared to pure water. The single-phase method showed better agreement with the experimental results compared to the two-phase method.

Originality/value

Dimensionless correlations were derived and validated with experimental and numerical results for the Nusselt number and PEC for both counter and parallel flow configurations based on the Reynolds number and nanoparticles volume fraction with high accuracy to predict the performance of DTHE without performing time-consuming simulations. Also, an exergy analysis was performed to compare the exergy destruction between nanofluid and pure water.
Mapping the knowledge base and theoretical evolution of workplace conflict outcomes: a bibliometric and qualitative review, 1972–2022
Authors: Su Mengting , Rungruang Parisa
Published: September 2023

Purpose

This study aims to understand workplace conflict outcomes (WCO) literature and identify the research gaps by mapping its knowledge base and theoretical evolution.

Design/methodology/approach

This study combines bibliometric and qualitative analysis and encompasses 1,043 Scopus-indexed documents published between 1972 and 2022. The bibliometric analysis used VOSviewer, Excel and Tableau software for descriptive statistics, citation and co-citation analyses of publication patterns, authors, documents and journals. The qualitative analysis critiqued main theoretical perspectives and topical interests.

Findings

This study revealed a significant increase in literature after 2000, with authors representing 70 societies, primarily the USA, China, Australia, Canada and the Netherlands. Influential authors and their canonical articles were identified, including Jehn, De Dreu, Spector, Amason and Pelled. Highly cited articles focused on task, relationship, role and process conflict. Four main theoretical schools were categorized: conflict type paradigm, individual differences, conflict cooccurrence and conflict dynamics. Influential journals spanned psychology, management, negotiation and decision-making and business and marketing fields, including JAP, AMJ, ASQ, JM, JOB, AMR, IJCMA and OS.

Research limitations/implications

This study provides implications for future bibliometric analyses, theoretical and empirical studies, practitioners and society based on its quantitative and qualitative findings.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study represents the first bibliometric review of WCO literature, serving as a baseline for tracking the field’s evolution and theoretical advancements.
Evaluation of operational transformations for smart manufacturing systems
Authors: Parhi Shreyanshu , Kumar Shashank , Joshi Kanchan , Akarte Milind , Raut Rakesh D. , Narkhede Balkrishna Eknath
Published: September 2023

Purpose

The advent of Internet of Things, cloud computing and advanced computing has endowed smart manufacturing environments with resilience, reconfigurability and intelligence, resulting in the emergence of novel capabilities. These capabilities have significantly reshaped the manufacturing ecosystem, enabling it to effectively navigate uncertainties. The purpose of this study is to assess the operational transformations resulting from the implementation of smart manufacturing, which distinguish it from conventional systems.

Design/methodology/approach

A list of qualitative and quantitative smart manufacturing performance metrics (SMPMs) are initially suggested and categorized into strategic, tactical and operational levels. The SMPMs resemble the capabilities of smart manufacturing systems to manage disruptions due to uncertainties. Then, industry and academia experts validate the SMPMs through the utilization of the Delphi method, enabling the ranking of the SMPMs.

Findings

The proposition of the SMPMs serves as a metric to assess the digital transformation capabilities of smart manufacturing systems. In addition, the ranking of the proposed SMPMs shows a degree of relevance of the measures in smart manufacturing deployment and managing the disruptions caused due to the COVID-19 pandemic

Research limitations/implications

The findings benefit managers, consultants, policymakers and researchers in making appropriate decisions for deploying and operationalizing smart manufacturing systems by focusing on critical SMPMs.

Originality/value

The research provides a metric to assess the operational transformations during the deployment of smart manufacturing systems. Also, it states the role of the metric in managing the potential disruptions that can alter the performance of the business due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Patterns of drinking behavior around a treatment episode for alcohol use disorder: Predictions from pre‐treatment measures
Authors: Witkiewitz Katie , Kirouac Megan , Baurley James W. , McMahan Christopher S.
Published: September 2023

Background

Alcohol use disorder (AUD) has been described as a chronic disease given the high rates that affected individuals have in returning to drinking after a change attempt. Many studies have characterized predictors of aggregated alcohol use (e.g., percent heavy drinking days) following treatment for AUD. However, to inform future research on predicting drinking as an AUD outcome measure, a better understanding is needed of the patterns of drinking that surround a treatment episode and which clinical measures predict patterns of drinking.

Methods

We analyzed data from the Project MATCH and COMBINE studies (MATCH: n = 1726; 24.3% female, 20.0% non‐White; COMBINE: n = 1383; 30.9% female, 23.2% non‐White). Daily drinking was measured in the 90 days prior to treatment, 90 days (MATCH) and 120 days (COMBINE) during treatment, and 365 days following treatment. Gradient boosting machine learning methods were used to explore baseline predictors of drinking patterns.

Results

Drinking patterns during a prior time period were the most consistent predictors of future drinking patterns. Social network drinking, AUD severity, mental health symptoms, and constructs based on the addiction cycle (incentive salience, negative emotionality, and executive function) were associated with patterns of drinking prior to treatment. Addiction cycle constructs, AUD severity, purpose in life, social network, legal history, craving, and motivation were associated with drinking during the treatment period and following treatment.

Conclusions

There is heterogeneity in drinking patterns around an AUD treatment episode. This study provides novel information about variables that may be important to measure to improve the prediction of drinking patterns during and following treatment. Future research should consider which patterns of drinking they aim to predict and which period of drinking is most important to predict. The current findings could guide the selection of predictor variables and generate hypotheses for those predictors.
Use of hypnotic‐sedative medication and risk of falls and fractures in adults: A self‐controlled case series study
Authors: Rozing Maarten Pieter , Wium‐Andersen Marie Kim , Wium‐Andersen Ida Kim , Jørgensen Terese Sara Høj , Jørgensen Martin Balslev , Osler Merete
Published: September 2023

Objective

To evaluate the risk of falls and fractures in users of benzodiazepines, Z‐drugs, or melatonin.

Methods

We followed 699,335 adults with a purchase of benzodiazepines, Z‐drugs, or melatonin in the Danish National Prescription Registry between 2003 and 2016 for falls and fractures in the Danish National Patient Registry between 2000 and 2018. A self‐controlled case‐series analysis and conditional Poisson regression were used to derive incidence rate ratios (IRR) of falls and fractures during six predefined periods.

Results

In total 62,105 and 36,808 adults, respectively, experienced a fall or fracture. For older adults, the risk of falls was highest during the 3‐month pre‐treatment period (IRRmen+70, 4.22 (95% confidence interval, 3.53–5.05), IRRwomen + 70, 3.03 (2.59–3.55)) compared to the baseline (>1 year before initiation). The risk continued to be higher in the later treatment periods. Contrarily, in men and women aged 40–69 years, the risk was only higher in the 3‐month pre‐treatment period. The incidence of falls among young men and women was slightly lower after initiation of sedating medication (treatment period, IRRmen15–39, 0.66 (0.50–0.86), IRRwomen15–39, 0.65 (0.51–0.83)). Analyses with fractures as outcome yielded similar results.

Conclusions

Although falls and fractures occur more often in persons using sedative‐hypnotic medication, the higher risk of falls and fractures in the pre‐treatment period relative to the period directly after treatment, suggests that this association is better explained by other factors that elicited the prescription of this medication rather than the adverse effects of the sedative‐hypnotic medication.
Local and landscape context affects bee communities in mixed fruit orchards in Southern Thailand
Authors: Karnchananiyom Suntaree , Wayo Kanuengnit , Sritongchuay Tuanjit , Warrit Natapot , Attasopa Korrawat , Bumrungsri Sara
Published: September 2023

Bees play an important role by contributing to the pollination of a diverse range of crops and wild plants. However, bees are threatened by deforestation and habitat degradation caused by urbanization and agricultural intensification, which reduce floral and nesting resources.

In this study, the effects of local (orchard size, flowering plant abundance and richness and floral abundance) and landscape factors (surrounding agricultural, forest and urban cover) on bee richness and abundance in mixed fruit orchards were determined from 28 mature orchards interspersed along a gradient of landscape complexity. Bees were observed for 15 min in 2 × 2 m plots. We categorized all bees into one of the three groups: (a) honey bees, (b) solitary bees and (c) stingless bees. Several local and landscape factors were found to influence bee richness and abundance. Honey bee abundance was positively affected by orchard size, whereas honey bee richness was not. Stingless bee richness and abundance were positively correlated with floral abundance. Forest cover within a 3‐km radius positively affected solitary bee richness. Solitary bee abundance was positively affected by forest cover within a 3‐km radius and negatively impacted by urban cover within a 1.5‐km radius. In our study area, small forest patches are found in abundance; thus, the high proportion of forest edge, relative to the forest interior, greatly supports solitary bee abundance and richness in this landscape. Moreover, most solitary bees are soil‐nesting species that may be excluded from environments that are converted from natural to anthropogenically developed areas.

Recommendations to protect pollinators included conserving existing forest patches, especially forest margins; restoring forest patches within farmland landscapes; maintaining a diversity of herbs and grasses within mixed fruit orchards; establishing live fences composed of diverse plant species and retaining dead trees within farmland. For urban areas, augmenting floral resources in green spaces is suggested.
A semiparametric spatio‐temporal model of crop yield trend and its implication to insurance rating
Authors: Wen Kuangyu
Published: September 2023

We demonstrate the benefit of spatial smoothing for crop trend estimation with a deterministic spatio‐temporal trend model. The proposed model is semiparametric, where the parametric temporal trend is modeled with a two‐knot spline function for forecasting robustness, and the nonparametric spatially‐varying coefficients are modeled by the radial basis function method for flexibility. To select the smoothing parameter of our trend model, we propose a forward validation criterion tailored to meet the forecasting nature of rating crop insurance. This criterion is based on a rolling regression approach that adds one year of data at a time for validation. We also propose a new criterion for model comparison using relative mean squared error in forecasting insurance payouts. Our empirical results show that the proposed trend model is more efficient and capable of identifying profitable insurance policies than two competing models in most state‐crop combinations.
Tumour budding in cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma: A novel prognosis risk factor
Authors: Heredia Loreto , Vargas‐Mora Pablo , Jahr Catalina , Herranz José , Ferrer‐Rosende Pedro
Published: September 2023

Introduction

Most cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas (cSCC) have a good prognosis, there is a small group where metastasis and death occur and the evaluation of this risk is still cause for controversy. Tumour budding is a pattern of histological invasion that is an emerging risk factor in other solid tumours.

Objective

To examine the association between tumour budding and other known high‐risk predictors in cSCC. In addition, the impact of tumour budding on overall survival (OS) and disease‐specific survival (DSS) was analysed.

Method

Retrospective study. It included patients with a diagnosis of non‐genital cSCC by excisional biopsy at a university hospital, between 2010 and 2020. A pathologist re‐analysed their histological slides and evaluated budding. Univariate and multivariate analyses were made to study the associations.

Results

156 cSCC biopsies were found, and positive tumour budding was found in 13.5%. This correlated with worse DSS and OS. On univariate analysis, budding was correlated with the diameter, thickness of the tumour, histological grade, level of invasion, perineural and lymphovascular invasion, previous radiotherapy, recurrent tumours and lymph node metastasis (LNM). Multivariate analysis: tumour budding was associated with poorly differentiated tumours, prior radiotherapy and LNM.

Conclusion

An association was found between tumour budding and most known risk factors in cSCC. We found findings that indicate that the presence of tumour budding is associated with a worse prognosis in terms of LNM, OS and DSS. This supports the results of previous work which has suggested that budding could be related to high‐risk cSCC.
Letter: long‐term abdominal drains in refractory ascites—evolving concept of palliative care in decompensated cirrhosis
Authors: Roy Akash , Taneja Sunil , Duseja Ajay K. , Singh Virendra
Published: September 2023

LINKED CONTENT

This article is linked to Macken et al papers. To view these articles, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.15802 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.15983
Letter: long‐term outcomes of patients with acute severe ulcerative colitis after intravenous steroid therapy—authors' reply
Authors: Amiot Aurelien , Salameh Robert
Published: September 2023

LINKED CONTENT

This article is linked to Salameh et al and Fábián et al papers. To view these articles, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.15751 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.15968