bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pricing and performance of initial public offerings: directions for future research
Authors: Siwach Parveen , R. Prasanth Kumar
Published: April 2024

Purpose

This study aims to outline the research field of initial public offerings (IPOs) pricing and performance by combining bibliometric analysis with a systematic literature review process.

Design/methodology/approach

The study uses over three decades of IPO publication records (1989–2020) from Scopus and Web of Science databases. An analysis of keyword co-occurrence and bibliometric coupling was used to gain insights into the evolution of IPO literature.

Findings

The study categorized the IPO research field into four primary clusters: IPO pricing and short-run behaviour, IPO performance and influence of intermediaries, venture capital financing and top management and political affiliations and litigation risks. The results offer a framework for delineating research advancements at different stages of IPOs and illustrate the growing interest of researchers in IPOs in recent years. The study identified future research potential in the areas of corporate governance, earning management and investor sentiments related to IPO performance. Similarly, the study highlighted the opportunity to test multiple theoretical frameworks on alternative investment platforms (SME IPO platforms) operating under distinct regulatory environments.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this paper represents the first instance of using both bibliometric and systematic review to quantitatively and qualitatively review the articles published in the area of IPO pricing and performance from 1989 to 2020.
What exactly is a hate crime in the United States (US)? A review of hate crime in five US cities
Authors: Kalunta-Crumpton Anita
Published: April 2024

Purpose

The paper aims to provide a critical review of how variations in the conceptualization and contextualization of hate crime across US cities might impact how their individual law enforcement agencies collect hate crime data. Media reports and political discourses present hate crime as a prevalent problem in the USA. However, this representation of hate crime in the public sphere is not reflected in the relatively low national numbers of hate crimes published annually by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Design/methodology/approach

Drawing primarily on the national hate crime data for the period 2008–2018, this author conducted a secondary research study of the concept, context, extent and law enforcement collection of hate crime data in five cities in the USA.

Findings

This paper is a product of some of the findings of the study, which include the definition of hate crime at the federal, state and city levels and the contextualization of hate crimes at these levels. The findings show inconsistencies in how the five cities and associated law enforcement agencies conceptualize hate crime and in how they collect and report hate crime data at local and national levels.

Originality/value

Through its analysis of how five US cities and the associated law enforcement agencies interpret and respond to hate crime data collection, with recommendations of best practices for hate crime data collection by law enforcement agencies, the paper contributes to the academic and nonacademic debate on hate crime.
Wearable sensors for monitoring vital signals in sports and health: progress and perspective
Authors: Zhao Jinwei , Feng Shuolei , Cao Xiaodong , Zheng Haopei
Published: April 2024

Purpose

This paper aims to concentrate on recent innovations in flexible wearable sensor technology tailored for monitoring vital signals within the contexts of wearable sensors and systems developed specifically for monitoring health and fitness metrics.

Design/methodology/approach

In recent decades, wearable sensors for monitoring vital signals in sports and health have advanced greatly. Vital signals include electrocardiogram, electroencephalogram, electromyography, inertial data, body motions, cardiac rate and bodily fluids like blood and sweating, making them a good choice for sensing devices.

Findings

This report reviewed reputable journal articles on wearable sensors for vital signal monitoring, focusing on multimode and integrated multi-dimensional capabilities like structure, accuracy and nature of the devices, which may offer a more versatile and comprehensive solution.

Originality/value

The paper provides essential information on the present obstacles and challenges in this domain and provide a glimpse into the future directions of wearable sensors for the detection of these crucial signals. Importantly, it is evident that the integration of modern fabricating techniques, stretchable electronic devices, the Internet of Things and the application of artificial intelligence algorithms has significantly improved the capacity to efficiently monitor and leverage these signals for human health monitoring, including disease prediction.
Social diversity and social cohesion in Britain
Authors: Chan Tak Wing , Kawalerowicz Juta
Published: April 2024

We use data from a large‐scale and nationally representative survey to examine whether there is in Britain a trade‐off between social diversity and social cohesion. Using six separate measures of social cohesion (generalised trust, volunteering, giving to charity, inter‐ethnic friendship, and two neighbourhood cohesion scales) and four measures of social diversity (ethnic fractionalisation, religious fractionalisation, percentage Muslim, and percentage foreign‐born), we show that, net of individual covariates, there is a negative association between social diversity and most measures of social cohesion. But these associations largely disappear when neighbourhood deprivation is taken into account. These results are robust to alternative definitions of neighbourhood. We also investigate the possibility that the diversity‐‐cohesion trade‐off is found in more segregated neighbourhoods. But we find very little evidence to support that claim. Overall, it is material deprivation, not diversity, that undermines social cohesion.
Studying online with special needs: A student perspective
Authors: Öhrstedt Maria , Käck Annika , Reierstam Helena , Ghilagaber Gebrenegus
Published: April 2024

As diversity is increasing in higher education, the number of students with disabilities (SWD) grows. In parallel, technological development and online education change the conditions for teaching and learning. Previous research indicates that the digitalisation provides both challenges and opportunities for equal participation. This study explores the experiences of SWD in online higher education, using the Communities of Inquiry model as a theoretical framework. A questionnaire with 6256 students (430 SWD) examines the differences and similarities between SWD and other students in online courses. The results show that SWD are a heterogeneous group with diverse needs and preferences, and that online education can offer both advantages and disadvantages for them. The main advantages are using technology to compensate for disabilities, enabling more equal participation, and the flexibility and convenience of online courses. The main challenges are difficulties in planning and self‐regulation, decreased motivation and increased stress, perceived uncertainties about examination requirements and proceedings and the unfulfilled need for interactive environments and feedback. The importance of faculty–student relationships is highlighted, and the significance of clarity and accessibility, feedback and interaction and flexibility and variation in creating inclusive online courses is emphasised. Implications for policy and practice are suggested.
Auction politics: Party competition and expansionary election promises
Authors: COSTELLO RORY
Published: April 2024

Party competition sometimes resembles an auction, where parties seek to ‘buy’ elections through promises of economic largesse. In this article, I argue that whether parties engage in this practice will depend on political circumstances, such as the level of ideological competition. Incentives to promise more to voters will also vary depending on a party's electoral prospects: for parties that expect a significant level of government responsibility, promising too much is a risky strategy. I test these arguments by focusing on the spending commitments in party manifestos from 20 countries over the period 1945–2017. In line with expectations, parties tend to make more expansionary election pledges when ideological competition is more muted. In addition, left‐wing parties’ spending commitments are found to be influenced by their projected seat shares (based on opinion polls from before the start of the election campaign) relative to their competitors. Specifically, the stronger a left‐wing party's electoral prospects, the more fiscally conservative it tends to be, and vice versa.
Turnover importance: Operationalizing beta diversity to quantify the generalism continuum
Authors: Morley Lydia , Crain Benjamin J. , Krupnick Gary , Spalink Daniel
Published: April 2024

Generalization is difficult to quantify, and many classifications exist. A beta diversity framework can be used to establish a numeric measure of generalist tendencies that jointly describes many important features of species interactions, namely spatiotemporal heterogeneity. This framework is promising for studying generalized symbiotic relationships of any form.

We formulated a novel index, turnover importance (T). T describes spatiotemporal heterogeneity in interactor assemblages, an inherent feature of generalist relationships that is not captured by available metrics. We simulated the behaviour of T relative to other available metrics, calculated T for native North American orchid‐insect relationships, and tested correlations between T and eco‐geographic variables. We performed case studies to demonstrate applications of T for conservation and eco‐evolutionary studies.

T behaves predictably across simulations, and dynamically interacts with site number, gamma diversity, and species range sizes. T is moderately sensitive to sampling depth. Orchids with higher T scores occupy larger ranges and broader climatic niches.

Alternative interactor‐specific measures of generalism are best employed for local‐level community networks over short timespans. While these interactor metrics can assess use versus availability in local communities, T can be used to measure spatiotemporal patterns of variation in interactor assemblages across a focal species' range. This study provides a roadmap for future work focused on better understanding the patterns and consequences of generalized relationships.
From red tape to innovation: How does municipal government financing reform affect corporate R&D activities?
Authors: Wu Kai , Guo Dingyao
Published: April 2024

We evaluated the effect of an exogenous shock on municipal government debt financing reform on corporate innovation for a sample of Chinese‐listed firms from 2009 to 2019. The results show that this reform stimulates corporate innovation capacity, and the effect is more pronounced in non‐state‐owned and financially constrained firms. We attribute these findings to reduced external financing costs and the crowding‐out effect of a firm's real estate investment. Our results are robust to alternative variable definitions, model specifications, and estimation techniques and provide novel evidence concerning the role of municipal government financing in corporate innovation.
Social participation in Australian residential aged care: A human rights perspective
Authors: Morrison‐Dayan Rachel
Published: April 2024

The Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety emphasised the critical need for a human rights‐based approach to protect the rights of older people in the Australian aged care context, including ‘the right to social participation’. This topic is important because of the widespread social isolation and loneliness in Australian residential aged care. This article demonstrates how a human rights‐based framework can provide guidance to governments in approaching issues involving the protection of older people's need for social connection in aged care. In doing so, the article considers examples of how the Australian government can ensure choice of living arrangement, individualised support and access to community services and facilities in the residential aged care context to better protect the right to social participation.
Vision‐related quality of life in children: Cross‐cultural adaptation and test–retest reliability of the Danish version of the paediatric refractive error profile 2
Authors: Cerullo Chiara , Møller Flemming , Ewan Roy , Nørgaard Birgitte , Jakobsen Trine Moldrup
Published: April 2024

Purpose

To translate and cross‐culturally adapt PREP2 into Danish and to investigate the face validity and reliability of Danish PREP2 through cognitive interviewing, Rasch and reliability analyses.

Methods

The Danish PREP2 was translated using a standardized procedure and then pretested following the Three‐Steps‐Interviews (TSTI) process. A total of 15 myopic children aged 7–14 wearing either orthokeratology lenses (ortho‐k) or single‐vision spectacles (SVS) were included in pretesting comprising cognitive interviews and Rasch analysis. Data from cognitive interviewing was analysed thematically according to Collins. Rasch analysis was used to pretest the psychometric properties in terms of person‐ and item‐fit statistics. Reliability was assessed via test–retest using Intra‐class correlation coefficient (ICC) in the CONTROL study population, which consisted of 60 Danish children aged 7–14 years wearing either ortho‐k or SVS.

Results

Fifteen children participated in pilot studies comprising of cognitive interviewing and Rasch analysis and 44 out of 60 CONTROL children participated in test–retest reliability analysis. The translation process resulted in a Danish version of PREP2 corroborating the original. Pretesting highlighted issues in the contextualization of items and in marking responses. Thus, we introduced a digital format with help texts. Cognitive interviewing identified issues in the following Collins’ themes: comprehension (understanding of concepts), judgement (ambiguity of items) and response (selecting answers). Rasch analysis indicated that help texts were useful for clarifying context. The ICC was 0.77 (95% CI: 0.66–0.85).

Conclusions

The cross‐cultural adaptation of PREP2 was satisfactory and issues were identified and corrected through pretesting. The test–retest reliability showed substantial consistency. The instrument could be validated in a more generalizable setting in future studies. Trial registration: NCT03246464 (CONTROL study).
Wither the Greater Eurasian Partnership? Challenges from the East in an evolving world order
Authors: Kapoor Nivedita
Published: April 2024

The idea of the Greater Eurasian Partnership (GEP) has gained increasing currency in Russian foreign policy. The Russia–China partnership has been presented as its bedrock through a partnership between the Eurasian Economic Union and the Belt and Road Initiative, further expanding to include other regional powers from across East Asia, South Asia, Central Asia, and Middle East as well as nonwestern multilateral groupings (SCO, ASEAN). Given the centrality of Asia‐Pacific to this expansive concept, GEP has to deal with the challenges posed by the evolving regional geopolitics of the East and the rise of the Indo‐Pacific amidst heightened US–China rivalry. The paper seeks to conduct a policy review of GEP and its proposed development format in light of ongoing changes in the East to determine the likely future of the concept in a contested region that also remains at the center of this expansive Russian vision.
The local governance of COVID‐19: Lessons learned and ways forward in rural Bangladesh
Authors: Alam Edris , Han Xin , Islam Abu Reza Md. Towfiqul , Alvarez Elizabeth , Islam Md Kamrul , Dominey‐Howes Dale
Published: April 2024

This article investigates how a district administration in Bangladesh managed COVID‐19 pandemic risk governance. Interviews were conducted with civil administrators, local government representatives, and representatives from community‐based organizations and nongovernmental organizations. The findings indicate that, despite limited health facilities, widespread ignorance of the virus, joblessness among wage earners, economic pressure, and a massive outbreak of COVID‐19, the district administration has demonstrated its diligence, professionalism, local knowledge, and promptness in providing optimal public services through coordination and information sharing among all stakeholders. The synergies and coordination between local administration, security forces, and local government representatives were great challenges in implementing nonpharmaceutical polices and support programs.
Making donations work in crisis management: A contingent governance transition in philanthropy in Wuhan's COVID‐19 response
Authors: Han Xin , Gu Edward , Wang Zhenyu M. , Xiang Miao
Published: April 2024

In response to public complaints about the chaotic management of donations during the emergency, the site of the first identified COVID‐19 case, Wuhan (in central China), underwent a contingent governance transition. And given the public complaints about the disorganized management of donations during the early stage of emergency management in Wuhan in January 2020, local governments initiated a minor governance transition in philanthropy, involving multiple stakeholders such as public and private charities, as well as private enterprises. In contrast to the abundance of literature on governance actors such as the state, the market, and societal actors, this review discusses the changes in governance mechanisms using publicly available data from governmental websites, policy documents, and news reports. It examines a minor governance change in local philanthropy from hierarchical bureaucratic governance to embryotic non‐monocentric governance and to expedient collaborative/interactive governance. Moreover, it highlights the yet‐to‐be institutionalized characteristics of the newly emerging governance models in China, a country where the traditional mode of hierarchical governance is dominant. This article not only adds to the body of evidence on governance failures caused by monocentric bureaucracy, but it also contributes to the literature on public governance transition in China's philanthropic sector and the state‐society relations more broadly.
Peripheral T‐cell lymphomas expressing CD30 and CD15 expand the spectrum of anaplastic large cell lymphoma, ALK‐negative
Authors: Ganapathi Karthik A. , Nicolae Alina , Egan Caoimhe , Geng Huimin , Xi Liqiang , Pack Svetlana D. , McFadden Jason R. , Raffeld Mark , Jaffe Elaine S. , Pittaluga Stefania
Published: April 2024

Peripheral T‐cell lymphomas (PTCL) are morphologically and biologically heterogeneous and a subset expresses CD30, including anaplastic large cell lymphomas (ALCL) and a minority of PTCL, not otherwise specified (PTCL, NOS). ALCL with ALK translocations (ALCL, ALK+) are readily identified by routine diagnostic methods, but differentiating ALCL without ALK translocation (ALCL, ALK−) and PTCL, NOS expressing CD30 (PTCL CD30+) can be challenging. Furthermore, rare PTCL co‐express CD30 and CD15 (PTCL CD30+CD15+); some resemble ALCL, ALK− while others resemble classic Hodgkin lymphoma. To explore the relationship between PTCL CD30+CD15+ and ALCL, ALK−, we analysed 19 cases of PTCL with CD30 expression, previously diagnosed as ALCL, ALK− (nine cases) and PTCL CD30+CD15+ (10 cases) for DUSP22/IRF4 rearrangements, coding RNA expression and selected transcriptome analysis using the NanoString nCounter gene expression analysis platform. Unsupervised clustering showed no clear segregation between ALCL, ALK− and PTCL CD30+CD15+. Three cases previously classified as PTCL CD30+CD15+ showed DUSP22/IRF4 rearrangements, favouring a diagnosis of ALCL, ALK−. Our results suggest that cases previously designated PTCL CD30+CD15+, likely fall within the spectrum of ALCL, ALK−; additionally, a subset of ALCL, ALK− with DUSP22/IRF4 rearrangement expresses CD15, consistent with previous reports and expands the immunophenotypic spectrum of this lymphoma subgroup.
Mixed histiocytic neoplasms: A multicentre series revealing diverse somatic mutations and responses to targeted therapy
Authors: Friedman Joshua S. , Durham Benjamin H. , Reiner Anne S. , Yabe Mariko , Petrova‐Drus Kseniya , Dogan Ahmet , Pulitzer Melissa , Busam Klaus J. , Francis Jasmine H. , Rampal Raajit K. , Ulaner Gary A. , Reddy Ryan , Yeh Randy , Hatzoglou Vaios , Lacouture Mario E. , Rotemberg Veronica , Mazor Roei D. , Hershkovitz‐Rokah Oshrat , Shpilberg Ofer , Goyal Gaurav , Go Ronald S. , Abeykoon Jithma P. , Rech Karen , Morlote Diana , Fidai Shiraz , Gannamani Vedavyas , Zia Maryam , Abdel‐Wahab Omar , Panageas Katherine S. , Rosenblum Marc K. , Diamond Eli L.
Published: April 2024

Histiocytic neoplasms are diverse clonal haematopoietic disorders, and clinical disease is mediated by tumorous infiltration as well as uncontrolled systemic inflammation. Individual subtypes include Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH), Rosai–Dorfman–Destombes disease (RDD) and Erdheim–Chester disease (ECD), and these have been characterized with respect to clinical phenotypes, driver mutations and treatment paradigms. Less is known about patients with mixed histiocytic neoplasms (MXH), that is two or more coexisting disorders. This international collaboration examined patients with biopsy‐proven MXH with respect to component disease subtypes, oncogenic driver mutations and responses to conventional (chemotherapeutic or immunosuppressive) versus targeted (BRAF or MEK inhibitor) therapies. Twenty‐seven patients were studied with ECD/LCH (19/27), ECD/RDD (6/27), RDD/LCH (1/27) and ECD/RDD/LCH (1/27). Mutations previously undescribed in MXH were identified, including KRAS, MAP2K2, MAPK3, non‐V600‐BRAF, RAF1 and a BICD2‐BRAF fusion. A repeated‐measure generalized estimating equation demonstrated that targeted treatment was statistically significantly (1) more likely to result in a complete response (CR), partial response (PR) or stable disease (SD) (odds ratio [OR]: 17.34, 95% CI: 2.19–137.00, p = 0.007), and (2) less likely to result in progression (OR: 0.08, 95% CI: 0.03–0.23, p < 0.0001). Histiocytic neoplasms represent an entity with underappreciated clinical and molecular diversity, poor responsiveness to conventional therapy and exquisite sensitivity to targeted therapy.
Seasonality and consumer confidence
Authors: Zélity Balázs
Published: April 2024

This research empirically investigates whether consumer confidence is affected by seasonal daylight fluctuations. Cross‐country panel regressions are run with two different datasets. It is found that both solar elevation and sunlight duration positively affect consumer confidence. The presence of country and year‐by‐month fixed effects as well as controls for the business cycle help rule out alternative explanations. A one standard deviation increase in solar elevation or sunlight duration is associated with a 0.03–0.04 SD increase in consumer confidence.
Differential contributions of G protein‐ or arrestin subtype‐mediated signalling underlie urocortin 3‐induced somatostatin secretion in pancreatic δ cells
Authors: Wang Kai‐Yu , Gao Ming‐Xin , Qi Hai‐Bo , An Wen‐tao , Lin Jing‐Yu , Ning Shang‐Lei , Yang Fan , Xiao Peng , Cheng Jie , Pan Wei , Cheng Qiu‐xia , Wang Jin , Fang Le , Sun Jin‐Peng , Yu Xiao
Published: April 2024

Background and Purpose

Pancreatic islets are modulated by cross‐talk among different cell types and paracrine signalling plays important roles in maintaining glucose homeostasis. Urocortin 3 (UCN3) secreted by pancreatic β cells activates the CRF2 receptor (CRF2R) and downstream pathways mediated by different G protein or arrestin subtypes in δ cells to cause somatostatin (SST) secretion, and constitutes an important feedback circuit for glucose homeostasis.

Experimental Approach

Here, we used Arrb1−/−, Arrb2−/−, Gsfl/fl and Gqfl/fl knockout mice, the G11‐shRNA‐GFPfl/fl lentivirus, as well as functional assays and pharmacological characterization to study how the coupling of Gs, G11 and β‐arrestin1 to CRF2R contributed to UCN3‐induced SST secretion in pancreatic δ cells.

Key Results

Our study showed that CRF2R coupled to a panel of G protein and arrestin subtypes in response to UCN3 engagement. While RyR3 phosphorylation by PKA at the S156, S2706 and S4697 sites may underlie the Gs‐mediated UCN3‐ CRF2R axis for SST secretion, the interaction of SYT1 with β‐arrestin1 is also essential for efficient SST secretion downstream of CRF2R. The specific expression of the transcription factor Stat6 may contribute to G11 expression in pancreatic δ cells. Furthermore, we found that different UCN3 concentrations may have distinct effects on glucose homeostasis, and these effects may depend on different CRF2R downstream effectors.

Conclusions and Implications

Collectively, our results provide a landscape view of signalling mediated by different G protein or arrestin subtypes downstream of paracrine UCN3‐ CRF2R signalling in pancreatic β‐δ‐cell circuits, which may facilitate the understanding of fine‐tuned glucose homeostasis networks.
Role of protein kinase A and A kinase anchoring proteins in buffering and compartmentation of cAMP signalling in human airway smooth muscle cells
Authors: Sherpa Rinzhin T. , Moshal Karni S. , Agarwal Shailesh R. , Ostrom Rennolds S. , Harvey Robert D.
Published: April 2024

Background and Purpose

In human airway smooth muscle (hASM) cells, not all receptors stimulating cAMP production elicit the same effects. This can only be explained if cAMP movement throughout the cell is restricted, yet the mechanisms involved are not fully understood. Phosphodiesterases (PDEs) contribute to compartmentation of many cAMP responses, but PDE activity alone is predicted to be insufficient if cAMP is otherwise freely diffusible. We tested the hypothesis that buffering of cAMP by protein kinase A (PKA) associated with A kinase anchoring proteins (AKAPs) slows cAMP diffusion and that this contributes to receptor‐mediated, compartmentalized responses.

Experimental Approach

Raster image correlation spectroscopy (RICS) was used to measure intracellular cAMP diffusion coefficients and evaluate the contribution of PKA–AKAP interactions. Western blotting and immunocytochemistry were used to identify the AKAPs involved. RNA interference was used to down‐regulate AKAP expression and determine its effects on cAMP diffusion. Compartmentalized cAMP responses were measured using fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) based biosensors.

Key Results

Cyclic AMP movement was significantly slower than that of free‐diffusion in hASM cells, and disrupting PKA–AKAP interactions significantly increased the diffusion coefficient. PKA associated with the outer mitochondrial membrane appears to play a prominent role in this effect. Consistent with this idea, knocking down expression of D‐AKAP2, the primary mitochondrial AKAP, increased cAMP diffusion and disrupted compartmentation of receptor‐mediated responses.

Conclusion and Implications

Our results confirm that AKAP‐anchored PKA contributes to the buffering of cAMP and is consequential in the compartmentation of cAMP responses in hASM cells.
EGFR degraders in non‐small‐cell lung cancer: Breakthrough and unresolved issue
Authors: Shen Jiayi , Chen Liping , Liu Jihu , Li Anzhi , Zheng Lüyin , Chen Sheng , Li Yongdong
Published: April 2024

The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) has been well validated as a therapeutic target for anticancer drug discovery. Osimertinib has become the first globally accessible third‐generation EGFR inhibitor, representing one of the most advanced developments in non‐small‐cell lung cancer (NSCLC) therapy. However, a tertiary Cys797 to Ser797 (C797S) point mutation has hampered osimertinib treatment in patients with advanced EGFR‐mutated NSCLC. Several classes of fourth‐generation EGFR inhibitors were consequently discovered with the aim of overcoming the EGFRC797S mutation‐mediated resistance. However, no clinical efficacy data of the fourth‐generation EGFR inhibitors were reported to date, and EGFRC797S mutation‐mediated resistance remains an “unmet clinical need.” Proteolysis‐targeting chimeric molecules (PROTACs) obtained from EGFR‐TKIs have been developed to target drug resistance EGFR in NSCLC. Some PROTACs are from nature products. These degraders compared with EGFR inhibitors showed better efficiency in their cellular potency, inhibition, and toxicity profiles. In this review, we first introduce the structural properties of EGFR, the resistance, and mutations of EGFR, and then mainly focus on the recent advances of EGFR‐targeting degraders along with its advantages and outstanding challenges.
How retributive motives shape the emergence of third‐party punishment across intergroup contexts
Authors: Marshall Julia , McAuliffe Katherine
Published: April 2024

This study examines how retributive motives—the desire to punish for the purpose of inflicting harm in the absence of future benefits—shape third‐party punishment behavior across intergroup contexts. Six‐ to nine‐year‐olds (N = 151, Mage = 8.00, SDage = 1.15; 54% White, 18% mixed ethnicities, 17% Asian American; 46% female; from the USA) could punish ingroup, outgroup, or non‐group transgressors by removing positive resources and allocating negative ones. Both punishments were described as retributive, yet allocating negative resources was perceived as more retributive than removing positive ones. We predicted that children would punish outgroups more so than ingroups and that this effect would be especially pronounced when punishment is perceived as particularly retributive. The results did not align with this prediction; instead, children similarly punished all agents.
This is me! Neural correlates of self‐recognition in 6‐ to 8‐month‐old infants
Authors: Rigato Silvia , De Sepulveda Rita , Richardson Eleanor , Filippetti Maria Laura
Published: April 2024

Historically, evidence of self‐recognition in development has been associated with the “rouge test”; however, this has been often criticized for providing a reductionist picture of self‐conscious behavior. With two event‐related potential (ERP) experiments, this study investigated the origin of self‐recognition. Six‐ to eight‐month‐old infants (42 males and 35 females, predominately White, tested in the UK in 2022–2023) were presented with images of their face, another peer's face, and their mother's face (N = 38, Exp.1), and images of their own face morphed into another peer's face (N = 39, Exp.2). Results showed an enhanced P100 in infants' ERP response to their own face compared to others' faces (Exp.1 only), suggesting the presence of an enhanced attentional mechanism to one own's face as early as 6 months.
Reverse pupillary block, in contemporary scleral intraocular lens procedures
Authors: Schranz Markus , Schartmüller Daniel , Lisy Marcus , Reumueller Adrian , Abela‐Formanek Claudette
Published: April 2024

Background

To evaluate the frequency and anterior segment optical coherence tomography parameters of patients with scleral fixated intraocular lenses (IOL) and reverse pupillary block (RPB).

Methods

Retrospective analysis at a tertiary care centre (Department for Ophthalmology and Optometry, Medical University of Vienna, Austria).

We researched our records for patients who underwent scleral fixated IOL implantation from January 2018 till February 2023.

Patients were included only if there was at least one adequate post‐operative scan of anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS‐OCT) available.

Initially, AS‐OCT scans were assessed for IOL tilt and decentration employing a 3D scan and then later for anterior chamber angle (ACA), aqueous anterior chamber depth (AQD), pupil diameter and iris‐IOL distance using the 2D scan at a 0° angle. Both an iris‐IOL distance of 0 or less and an ACA of more than 70° were required to define an RPB.

Results

A total of 110 patients met the inclusion criteria, 41 were treated using the Carlevale, 33 the four flanged, 24 the Yamane and 12 the Scharioth technique, respectively. RPB was found in 32 patients (29%). Twenty patients with RPB were treated using YAG peripheral iridotomy, mean ACA decreased from 91.91° ± 13.77 to 61.02° ± 8.52, (p < 0.001), mean AQD decreased from 4.67 mm ± 0.47 to 4.31 ± 0.36 mm (p < 0.001) and mean iris‐IOL distance increased from −0.09 ± 0.04 to 0.33 ± 0.30 (p < 0.001).

Conclusions

RPB is found in a third of eyes who have undergone scleral fixated IOL implantation without iridectomy. YAG peripheral iridotomy is a potent option to treat RPB, and subsequently reduce the risk of iris chafing and secondary inflammation or glaucoma.
Perceptions of an acceptance‐based weight management treatment among adults living in rural areas
Authors: Bauman Viviana , Swanson Taylor N. , Eastman Abraham J. , Ross Kathryn M. , Perri Michael G.
Published: April 2024

Obesity and obesity‐related comorbidities disproportionately affect rural communities. Research has emerged in support of a novel acceptance‐based behavioural weight management treatment (ABT) that integrates the principles and procedures of acceptance‐commitment therapy (ACT) with traditional components of standard behavioural treatment (SBT). The current study assessed the perceptions of community stakeholders in rural areas to session materials of a commercially available ABT program. Surveys and focus groups were used to solicit feedback from three former interventionists with experience delivering SBTs in rural counties and from 17 former participants in these programs. Qualitative responses encompassed four overarching themes: (1) recommendations to support participant engagement, (2) comments about preferences for specific ABT and SBT strategies, (3) concerns about specific aspects of treatment delivery, and (4) requests for aesthetic changes to session materials to enhance clarity and engagement. Overall, participants viewed ABT materials and concepts favourably but believed it would be important to begin the intervention with rapport building and training in traditional SBT strategies prior to delving into ACT strategies. Future studies should investigate the efficacy of ABT for weight loss in adults with obesity living in rural communities and continue to solicit feedback from rural community stakeholders.
Three‐stage versus modified two‐stage surgery for ulcerative colitis: a patient‐centred treatment trade‐off study
Authors: Yang Mei Lucy , Brar Mantaj S. , Kennedy Erin , de Buck van Overstraeten Anthony
Published: April 2024

Aim

There is ongoing debate about whether ileal pouch–anal anastomosis needs temporary diversion at the time of construction. Stomas may reduce risk for anastomotic leak (AL) but are also associated with complications, emergency department visits and readmissions. This treatment trade‐off study aims to measure patients' preferences by assessing the absolute risk of AL and pouch failure (PF) they are willing to accept to avoid a diverting ileostomy.

Methods

Fifty‐two patients with ulcerative colitis, with or without previous pouch surgery, from Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, participated in this study. Standardized interviews were conducted using the treatment trade‐off threshold technique. An online anonymous survey was used to collect patient demographics. We measured the absolute increased risk in AL and PF that patients would accept to undergo modified two‐stage surgery as opposed to traditional three‐stage surgery.

Results

Thirty‐two patients (mean age 38.7 ± 15.3) with previous surgery and 20 patients (mean age 39.5 ± 11.9) with no previous surgery participated. Patients were willing to accept an absolute increased leak rate of 5% (interquartile range 4.5%–15%) to avoid a diverting ileostomy. Similarly, patients were willing to accept an absolute increased PF rate of 5% (interquartile range 2.5%–10%). Younger patients, aged 21–29, had lower tolerance for PF, accepting an absolute increase of only 2% versus 5% for patients older than 30 (P = 0.01).

Conclusion

Patients were willing to accept a 5% increased AL rate or PF rate to avoid a temporary diverting ileostomy. This should be taken into consideration when deciding between modified two‐ and three‐stage pouch procedures.
A systematic review of participant descriptors reported in studies of adhesive small bowel obstruction
Authors: Rashid Adil , Kumar Mithun , Lee Matthew J.
Published: April 2024

Aim

Reporting of participant descriptors in studies of adhesive small bowel obstruction (ASBO) can help identify characteristics associated with favourable outcomes and allow comparison with other studies and real‐world clinical populations. The aim was to identify the pattern of participant descriptors reported in studies assessing interventions for ASBO.

Method

This systematic review was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42021281031) and reported in line with the PRISMA checklist. Systematic searches of Ovid MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) were undertaken to identify studies assessing operative and non‐operative interventions for adults with ASBO. Studies were dual screened for inclusion. Descriptors were categorised into conceptual domains by the research team.

Results

Searches identified 2648 studies, of which 73 were included. A total of 156 unique descriptors were identified. On average, studies reported 12 descriptors. The most frequently reported descriptors were sex, age, SBO aetiology, history of abdominal surgery, BMI and ASA classification. The highest number of descriptors in a single study was 34, compared to the lowest number of descriptors which was one. Pathway factors were the least frequently described domain. Overall, 37 descriptors were reported in just one study.

Conclusion

There is a lack of consistency in participant descriptors reported in studies of SBO. Furthermore, a significant proportion of the descriptors were used infrequently. This makes it challenging to assess whether study participants are representative of the wider population. Further work is required to develop a Core Descriptor Set to standardise the reporting of patient characteristics and reduce heterogeneity between studies.
The conundrum of total neoadjuvant therapy in rectal cancer
Authors: Ballal Devesh S. , Vispute Tejas P. , Saklani Avanish P.
Published: April 2024

Total neoadjuvant therapy (TNT) has fast become the paradigm in the management of rectal cancer. The widespread adoption of this approach across the world, not only for locally advanced cancers but even for cancers that otherwise would not merit chemotherapy, leads both to an increase in treatment‐related toxicity for patients and burdens the healthcare services of the country. It is important to tailor treatment to each patient based not only on the tumour but, even more importantly, on the patient's expectations and goals. The intent of treatment while prescribing TNT needs to be clear, understanding that not all patients are suitable for an organ preservation (watch and wait) approach and that the survival benefits of TNT are not as obvious as most proponents believe.
Household carbon dioxide emissions Engel Curve dynamics
Authors: Huang Robert , Kahn Matthew E.
Published: April 2024

Household carbon dioxide emissions depend on the household's attributes and location. Wealthier suburbanites drive more and consume more energy at home. In recent years, affluent individuals have been more likely to purchase electric vehicles and install solar panels. Using several datasets from California, we observe that these shifts in consumer behavior have flattened household Carbon Emissions Engel Curves in the transportation sector and the electricity sector. Based on voting data from a 2018 proposition to repeal a fuel tax in California, we document that communities tend to support higher fuel taxes when their vehicle fleet is more fuel‐efficient.
Phenotypic and genetic divergence in a cold‐adapted grasshopper may lead to lineage‐specific responses to rapid climate change
Authors: Meza‐Joya Fabio Leonardo , Morgan‐Richards Mary , Trewick Steven A.
Published: April 2024

Aim

Species responses to global warming will depend on intraspecific diversity, yet studies of factors governing biogeographic patterns of variability are scarce. Here, we investigate the evolutionary processes underlying genetic and phenotypic diversity in the flightless and cold‐adapted grasshopper Sigaus piliferus, and project its suitable space in time.

Location

Te Ika‐a‐Māui Aotearoa—North Island of New Zealand.

Methods

We used mitochondrial sequences to investigate population connectivity and demographic trends using phylogeographic tools and neutrality statistics. Metric data were used to document phenotypic variation using naïve clustering. We used niche metrics to assess intraspecific niche variation, and niche modelling to investigate suitability under past and future scenarios. Multiple matrix regressions with randomization explored the processes contributing to phenotypic differentiation among grasshopper populations.

Results

Niche models and demographic analyses suggest suitable space for this grasshopper was more restricted during glacial than interglacial stages. Genealogical relationships among ND2 haplotypes revealed a deep north–south split partly concordant with phenotypic and niche variation, suggesting two ecotypes that have mixed during recolonisation of the central volcanic region. Multiple matrix regressions with randomization indicate a link between climate and phenotypic differentiation inferred from leg and pronotum dimensions but not pronotum shape. Niche projections predict severe habitat reduction due to climate warming.

Main conclusions

The current distribution and intraspecific diversity of S. piliferus reflect complex biogeographical scenarios consistent with Quaternary climates and volcanism. Phenotypic divergence appears adaptive. Current levels of genetic and phenotypic variation suggest adaptive potential, yet the pace of anthropogenic warming over the next 50 years could result in small populations that may collapse before adapting. Differences in niche features between diverging intraspecific lineages suggest distinct responses to climate change, and this has implications for prioritising conservation actions and management strategies.
Increasing the complexity of lipoprotein characterization for cardiovascular risk in type 2 diabetes
Authors: Guardiola Montse , Rehues Pere , Amigó Núria , Arrieta Francisco , Botana Manuel , Gimeno‐Orna José A. , Girona Josefa , Martínez‐Montoro José Ignacio , Ortega Emilio , Pérez‐Pérez Antonio , Sánchez‐Margalet Víctor , Pedro‐Botet Juan , Ribalta Josep ,   the Cardiovascular Disease Group of the Spanish Society of Diabetes
Published: April 2024

The burden of cardiovascular disease is particularly high among individuals with diabetes, even when LDL cholesterol is normal or within the therapeutic target. Despite this, cholesterol accumulates in their arteries, in part, due to persistent atherogenic dyslipidaemia characterized by elevated triglycerides, remnant cholesterol, smaller LDL particles and reduced HDL cholesterol. The causal link between dyslipidaemia and atherosclerosis in T2DM is complex, and our contention is that a deeper understanding of lipoprotein composition and functionality, the vehicle that delivers cholesterol to the artery, will provide insight for improving our understanding of the hidden cardiovascular risk of diabetes. This narrative review covers three levels of complexity in lipoprotein characterization: 1—the information provided by routine clinical biochemistry, 2—advanced nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)‐based lipoprotein profiling and 3—the identification of minor components or physical properties of lipoproteins that can help explain arterial accumulation in individuals with normal LDLc levels, which is typically the case in individuals with T2DM. This document highlights the importance of incorporating these three layers of lipoprotein‐related information into population‐based studies on ASCVD in T2DM. Such an attempt should inevitably run in parallel with biotechnological solutions that allow large‐scale determination of these sets of methodologically diverse parameters.
Exposure to entomopathogenic fungus and high larval density induce a strong immune response and life‐history costs in black soldier fly, a commercially important insect
Authors: Opare Leonard Owuraku , Jensen Annette Bruun , Lecocq Antoine , Holm Sille , Esperk Toomas
Published: April 2024

Pathogen infection and conspecific density may considerably affect key life‐history traits of organisms. For naturally aggregating species, even low concentrations of pathogens or high larval densities may have detrimental effects. However, the detailed influence of these factors, particularly their interaction effect, is often overlooked in ecological and life‐history studies. To investigate the effects of conspecific density and pathogen infection on life‐history traits, we explored the influence of larval density (1 and 5 larvae cm−2, i.e., low and high density, respectively) on phenoloxidase (PO) activity, body mass, and development time of Hermetia illucens L. (Diptera: Stratiomyidae) larvae in the presence of two strains of the entomopathogenic fungus (EPF) Beauveria bassiana (Bals.‐Criv.) Vuill. We observed higher PO activity in EPF‐treated larvae than in the untreated control and a pronounced difference in PO activity between the two EPF‐strain treatments. Larvae reared at high density and treated with EPF showed higher PO activity than untreated larvae at low density. The EPF‐treated larvae and larvae reared at high density had longer larval periods than untreated larvae and larvae reared at low density, respectively. Larvae reared at high density also achieved reduced prepupal and pupal masses compared to conspecifics at low density. Interestingly, untreated larvae only achieved higher prepupal and pupal masses at low density, whereas at high density, the pattern was reversed (treated individuals had higher pupal masses). Overall, our results demonstrate that high density and fungal pathogens both induce a higher immune response compared to low density and pathogen‐free environments, but this comes with a cost of a longer larval period and reduced body mass.
Adaptive responses to living in stressful habitats: Do invasive and native plant populations use different strategies?
Authors: Wan Justin S. H. , Bonser Stephen P. , Pang Clara K. , Fazlioglu Fatih , Rutherford Susan
Published: April 2024

Plants inhabit stressful environments characterized by a variety of stressors, including mine sites, mountains, deserts, and high latitudes. Populations from stressful and reference (non‐stressful) sites often have performance differences. However, while invasive and native species may respond differently to stressful environments, there is limited understanding of the patterns in reaction norms of populations from these sites. Here, we use phylogenetically controlled meta‐analysis to assess the performance of populations under stress and non‐stress conditions. We ask whether stress populations of natives and invasives differ in the magnitude of lowered performance under non‐stress conditions and if they vary in the degree of performance advantage under stress. We also assessed whether these distinctions differ with stress intensity. Our findings revealed that natives not only have greater adaptive advantages but also more performance reductions than invasives. Populations from very stressful sites had more efficient adaptations, and performance costs increased with stress intensity in natives only. Overall, the results support the notion that adaptation is frequently costless. Reproductive output was most closely associated with adaptive costs and benefits. Our study characterized the adaptive strategies used by invasive and native plants under stressful conditions, thereby providing important insights into the limitations of adaptation to extreme sites.