bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The knock-on effects of green buildings: high-rise construction design implications
Authors: Blackburne Laura , Gharehbaghi Koorosh , Hosseinian-Far Amin
Published: October 2021

Purpose

The aims and objectives of this research are to establish whether or not the transition into green building in high-rise construction is practical. This is after considering several perspectives including financial, economic, environmental, and social. This subsequently leads to an evaluation on whether or not the continuation with a standard conventional build of high-rise buildings remains to be the most feasible option. Such objectives, therefore, aim to allow for validation of how and why high-rise construction designs are impacted through green buildings effects.

Design/methodology/approach

Through six defined steps, the methodology commences with an introductory section of what it means to build green. This section is further broken down to evaluate what factors are involved in constructing a green building. Furthermore, the life cycle energy (LCE) is used as a framework to evaluate the knock-on effects of green buildings and subsequent high-rise construction design implications.

Findings

Through defining the ongoing relationship of green materials and sustainable design, various implications for high-rise constructions were discovered. First and foremost, it was determined that the LCE is the central consideration for any high-rise building design. In evaluating the LCE, and overall operating energy of the 50-year cycle of a building was carried out. As the results showed, the operating energy represents around 85% of the total energy that is consumed at the end of the 50 years cycle of the building. Precise LCE calculation can lead to a more efficient design for high-rise buildings. As a result, an increased understanding of the current status of green buildings within the construction industry is paramount. This understanding leads to a better insight into the contributing factors to green building in high-rise construction and the construction industry in general.

Originality/value

The potential contribution that can be gained from this research is the awareness that is raised in the research and development of green buildings in high-rise construction. This can be achieved by using certain materials such as new energy-efficient building materials, recycled materials and so on. This research will contribute to defining a new way of sustainable buildings, particularly for high-rise construction. The outcome of the research will be beneficial for practitioners such as design engineers and other related professions.
Cognitive and affective predictors of occupational stress and job performance: the role of perceived organizational support and work engagement
Authors: Junça Silva Ana , Lopes Cannanda
Published: October 2021

Purpose

This study aimed to (1) analyze whether the perceived organizational support (POS) was a significant predictor of performance and stress and (2) explore the mediating role of engagement in these relations.

Design/methodology/approach

To test the hypotheses, the authors collected data with 200 working adults in a mandatory quarantine due to COVID-19 pandemic crisis.

Findings

The results showed that the POS contributed to increase engagement, and consequently, job performance. These relations also proved to be significant for stress, because when the POS increased, the work engagement also increased, and as a result decreased occupational stress.

Research limitations/implications

This study relied on a cross-sectional design. Therefore, future research should consider a daily design to replicate this study and analyze daily fluctuations. Overall, the authors can conclude that work engagement is an affective process through which POS decreases stress and increases performance.

Originality/value

This study tests the mediating effect of work engagement on the link between POS, stress and performance, and its theoretical and practical implications of these findings are discussed.
Islamic financial markets response to uncertainty: an application of quantile-on-quantile approach
Authors: Saeed Meo Muhammad , Jameel Kiran , Chowdhury Mohammad Ashraful Ferdous , Ali Sajid
Published: October 2021

Purpose

The purpose of the research is to analyze the impact of world uncertainty and pandemic uncertainty on Islamic financial markets. For representing Islamic financial markets four different Islamic indices (DJ Islamic index, DJ Islamic Asia–Pacific index, DJ Islamic-Europe index and DJ Islamic-US) are taken.

Design/methodology/approach

The study employs quantile-on-quantile regression approach to see the overall dependence structure of variables based on quarterly data ranging from 1996Q1 to 2020Q4. This technique considers how quantiles of world uncertainty and pandemic uncertainty asymmetrically affect the quantiles of Islamic stocks by giving an appropriate framework to apprehend the overall dependence structure.

Findings

The findings of the study confirm a strong negative impact of world uncertainty and world pandemic uncertainty on regional Islamic stock indices but the strength of the relationship varies according to economic conditions and across the regions. However, the world pandemic effect remains the same and does not change. Conversely, pandemic uncertainty has a larger effect on Islamic indices as compared to world uncertainty.

Practical implications

Our findings have significant implications for investors and policymakers to take proper steps before any uncertainty arise. A coalition of the central bank, government officials and investment bank regulators would be needed to tackle this challenge of uncertainty.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors' knowledge, none of the current works has considered the asymmetric impact of world and pandemic uncertainties on Islamic stock markets at both the bottom and upper quantiles of the distribution of data.
Public service motivation, workplace spirituality and employee well-being: a holistic approach
Authors: Hassan Sobia , Ansari Nighat , Rehman Ali
Published: October 2021

Purpose

The present research aims to examine the effect of workplace spirituality (WPS) and employee well-being (EWB) on public service motivation (PSM) in the public institutions. Workplace spirituality and EWB are two concepts related to the optimal level of human performance, while the motivation of academic staff is a vital concern in higher education institutions (HEIs), particularly in the public sector. In this competitive age, it is a challenge to improve the motivation of academic staff due to limited resources in developing countries. This study examines the association between WPS and PSM through the lens of EWB in the context of HEIs.

Design/methodology/approach

This study opted for a quantitative research method by using a stratified sampling technique. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data from the academic staff of renowned public sector universities located in Lahore, Pakistan. Hypothesized relationships were tested using structural equation modeling through AMOS: 22.

Findings

The results supported the established conceptual model that WPS is positively associated with PSM through the mediating role of EWB.

Research limitations/implications

The research approach chosen may lack generalizability of the results because the data were collected from a specific population. Moreover, self-report measures were used, which may have led to common method bias which is also another drawback of the study.

Practical implications

This study is a pioneer in conceptualizing and testing a model that links WPS, EWB and PSM in the context of HEIs. The implications regarding enhancing the culture of spirituality in the workplace, EWB and PSM are elaborated in the specific context of academic staff, attempting to fill a gap in the extant literature.

Originality/value

This study accomplishes a recognized need to study how PSM can be improved by facilitating EWB and WPS.
Understanding prolific self-harm in her majesty’s women’s estate prisons, in England
Authors: Ramsay Laura , May Cheyenne M. , Kennedy Priscilla , Fitzakerley Erin Lucy
Published: October 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to outline qualitative research into what influences, maintains and reduces prolific self-harm within women’s prisons across England.

Design/methodology/approach

Semi-structured interviews were conducted with participants who were identified as engaging in prolific self-harm. Thematic analysis was applied to two data sets, and analyses were combined to generate final themes.

Findings

Six overarching themes were identified which served to explain what influences the repetitive nature of prolific self-harm and also what helps to reduce it. The themes were reasons for self-harm, trauma, being in prison, support, other support and interventions: management and rehabilitative.

Research limitations/implications

Owing to the sensitive nature of the research a stringent exclusion criteria was applied which limited the data sample from the original pool. Variance in detail was observed from the interviewer transcripts. The data sample was not large enough to examine the influence of protected characteristics.

Practical implications

Responsivity in the support offered by staff is critical to a reduction in repetitive harm. A re-focus on staff training, plus support mechanisms for staff supporting people in women’s prisons who self-harm prolifically has been recommended.

Originality/value

This paper has focussed specifically on prolific self-harm within women’s prisons. This has not been an area that has been investigated separately to the general self-harm literature in prisons. This paper provides insight into factors which influence, maintain and reduce prolific-self harm in women residing in prison.
Translation and adaption of short version of IQCODE into Hausa and its psychometric evaluation among outpatients older adults
Authors: Adeniji Tolulope , Oyeyemi Adetoyeje Y.
Published: October 2021

Purpose

This study aims at translating and adapting a common and widely used proxy rated cognitive screening tool – Informant Questionnaire on Cognitive Decline in the Elderly (IQCODE) into Hausa language and also to evaluate the instrument’s psychometric properties.

Design/methodology/approach

IQCODE was translated and adapted using a qualitative process involving experts and the adapted version was then evaluated against a gold standard (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorder V criteria for neurocognitive disorders) with older adults subjects (N = 100), while its reliability (internal consistency) was also evaluated. Descriptive statistics of mean and frequencies, and inferential statistic of receiver operating curve analysis and Cronbach’s alpha coefficient were used for data analysis at an alpha level set at 0.05.

Findings

The Hausa IQCODE has a sensitivity value of 73.3%, specificity value of 71.8% and optimal cut-off values of between 3.2 and 3.3. For his adapted instrument the area under the Curve (AUC) curve is 0.79 (95% CI: 0.663–0.919; std. err: 0.066; P = 0.000), and Cronbach’s alpha value of 0.819 was obtained indicating that the adapted instrument has good internal consistency.

Research limitations/implications

The adapted IQCODE is a valid and reliable proxy based cognitive screening tool for the older adult Hausa speakers in Maiduguri. However, clinician and researcher might want to consider different optimal cut-off points when using this tool to screen or to monitor cognitive changes among older adults.

Originality/value

This research paper translated and adapted Hausa IQCODE into Hausa language. And it gives information on the validity and reliability of the adapted tool alongside with new optimal cut-off for cognitive screening by proxy among older adult patients in Nigeria.
Hybrid concretes: solutions for better bond and splitting tensile strength under elevated heat exposure
Authors: Elkady Hala Mohamed , Shalaby Ola Bakr , Kohail Mohamed , Nasr Elsayed Abdel Raouf
Published: October 2021

Purpose

This paper presents the second part of the investigation on resistance to elevated temperatures of a proposed hybrid composite concrete (NCSF-Crete) mix. The composite including nano metakaolin (NC) and steel fibers (SF) in addition to regular concrete components has proven -in the first published part-earlier promoted fresh concrete behavior, and to have reduced loss in compressive strength after exposure to a wide range of elevated temperatures. This presented work evaluates another two critical mechanical characteristics for the proposed composite -namely- splitting and bond strengths.

Design/methodology/approach

A modified formula correlating splitting and compressive strength (28 days) based on experiments results for NCSF is proposed and compared to formulas derived for regular concrete in different design codes. Finally, both spitting and bond strengths are evaluated pre- and post-exposure to elevated temperatures reaching 600 °C for two hours.

Findings

The proposed NCSF-Crete shows remarkable fire endurance, especially in promoting bond strength as after 600 °C heat exposure tests, it maintained strength equivalent to 70% of a regular concrete control mix at room temperature. Improving residual splitting strength was very significant up to 450 °C exposure.

Research limitations/implications

Obvious deterioration is monitored in splitting resistance for all concretes at 600 °C.

Practical implications

This proposed composite improved elevated heats resistance of the most significant concrete mechanical properties.

Social implications

Using a more green and sustainable constituents in the composite.

Originality/value

The proposed composite gathers the merits of using NC and SF, each has been investigated separately as an addition to concrete mixes.
Institutional investors and the value of excess cash holdings: empirical evidence from Pakistan
Authors: Ilyas Muhammad , Mian Rehman Uddin , Safdar Nabeel
Published: October 2021

Purpose

This study examines the effects of foreign and domestic institutional investors on the value of excess cash holdings in the context of Pakistan where the institutional setting is broadly considered as non-friendly to outside shareholders due to family control.

Design/methodology/approach

A panel sample of 220 listed firms on the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) was employed over the period 2007–2018. Data on institutional ownership are collected from the Standard & Poor’s (S&P) Capital IQ Public Ownership database, while the financial data are collected from Compustat Global. The study uses ordinary least squares (OLS) regression with year and firm fixed effects as the main econometric specification. Moreover, the application of models with alternative measures, high-dimensional fixed effects and two-stage least squares (2SLS) regression are also conducted for robustness.

Findings

Robust evidence was found that unlike domestic institutional investors, which do not influence the value of excess cash holdings, foreign institutional investors positively affect the contribution of excess cash holdings to firm value. The positive effect on excess cash holdings' value is mainly driven by foreign institutions domiciled in countries with strong governance and high investor protection. Moreover, this effect is stronger in firms that are less likely to have financial constraints.

Originality/value

This study provides novel evidence on the effect of institutional investors on the value of excess cash holdings in an emerging market like Pakistan. It also adds to the literature by revealing that the effect of different groups of institutional investors on the value of excess cash holdings is not homogenous.
Phthalonitrile-etherified cardanol-phenol-formaldehyde resin: synthesis, characterization and properties
Authors: Zhang Dayong , Liu Xiaohui , Bai Xuefeng , Wang Gang , Rong Liping , Zhao Ying , Li Xin , Zhu Jinhua , Mi Changhong
Published: October 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate the heat resistance and heat-resistant oxygen aging of 4-nitrophthalonitrile-etherified cardanol-phenol-formaldehyde (PPCF) to further use and develop the resin as the matrix resin of high-temperature resistant adhesives and coatings.

Design/methodology/approach

PPCF resin was synthesized by 4-nitrophthalonitrile and cardanol-phenol-formaldehyde (PCF). The structures of PPCF and PCF were investigated by Fourier transform infrared, differential scanning calorimetry and proton nuclear magnetic resonance. In addition, the heat resistance and processability of PPCF and PCF resins were studied by dynamic mechanical analysis, thermogravimetric analysis, scanning electronic microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) techniques and rheological studies.

Findings

The results reveal that PPCF forms a cross-linked network at a lower temperature. PPCF resin has excellent resistance under thermal aging in an air atmosphere and that it still had a certain residual weight after aging at 500°C for 2 h, whereas the PCF resin is completely decomposed.

Originality/value

4-Nitrophthalonitrile was introduced into PCF resin, and XRD and SEM were used to investigate the high temperature residual carbon rate and heat-resistant oxygen aging properties of PPCF and PCF resins.
Bibliometric study on asset pricing
Authors: Ali Asgar , Bashir Hajam Abid
Published: October 2021

Purpose

This study aims to provide a comprehensive overview of asset pricing research and identifies the general research trends in the area. The study also aims to provide future direction to the researchers in the area of asset pricing.

Design/methodology/approach

The study uses bibliometric analysis techniques to achieve the stated purpose. The study covers 3,007 articles published in the top 50 finance and economics journals, accessed from the Scopus database for a period of 47 years (1973–2020). After initial searching for “asset pricing” as the main keyword in “title, abstract, keywords”, the database yields 6,583 articles. This number further reduces to 3,007 articles when the search is restricted to research and review articles published in the top 50 peer-reviewed journals.

Findings

The tabular and pictorial representation obtained from the analysis exhibit that asset pricing is an extensively researched area; however, a sudden rise in the number of publications (242) observed for 2019 demonstrates a growing interest amongst researchers. Further, affiliation statistics indicate that the volume of research is mainly concentrated in the USA and other developed nations; hence it opens vistas for the exploration of risk-return dynamics in the context of emerging markets.

Originality/value

The work presents an exhaustive and comprehensive review along with potential research implications. The present study reconciles various contradictory views of the prior studies under asset pricing such as risk-return trade-off, low-risk anomaly and provides the researchers with potential research gaps.
Exploring inequalities in health with young people through online focus groups: navigating the methodological and ethical challenges
Authors: Woodrow Nicholas , Fairbrother Hannah , Crowder Mary , Goyder Elizabeth , Griffin Naomi , Holding Eleanor , Quirk Helen
Published: October 2021

Purpose

The use of online focus groups to explore children and young people's (CYP) perspectives of inequalities in health and associated “sensitive” topics raises important ethical and methodological issues to consider. The purpose of the paper is to discuss lessons learnt from navigating the authors' way through some of the key challenges the authors encountered when researching inequalities in health with CYP through online focus groups.

Design/methodology/approach

In the paper, the authors draw on reflections and notes from the fieldwork design, public involvement and engagement (PIE) activities and data collection for their research project.

Findings

Collecting data online influenced the authors' ability to develop rapport and relationships with CYP and to provide effective support when discussing sensitive topics. The authors note that building activities to develop rapport with participants during recruitment and data collection and establishing clear support and safeguarding protocols helped navigate challenges of online approaches around effective and supportive participant engagement.

Originality/value

The paper highlights that despite ethical and methodological challenges of conducting online focus groups with CYP on potentially sensitive topics, the adoption of practical steps and strategies before, during and following data collection can facilitate the safe participation of CYP and generate useful and valid data in meaningful and appropriate ways.
Corporate social responsibility, trade credit provision and doubtful accounts receivable: the case in China
Authors: Nguyen Liem , Nguyen Khuong
Published: October 2021

Purpose

This study aims to examine the linear and non-linear effects of corporate social responsibility (CSR) engagement on trade receivables of listed firms in China. Furthermore, this paper analyzes whether CSR explains the provision for doubtful trade receivables.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors use a sample of listed firms in China over the period from 2008 to 2015. System generalized method of moments is used to estimate dynamic panel models.

Findings

CSR is positively related to trade receivables, in line with previous studies in this field. Nonetheless, the investigation of the non-linear effect of CSR reveals that CSR has an inverted U-shaped relationship with trade receivables. This implies that at low levels, CSR is more likely to be a tool to mitigate risk and/or build a trusting relationship between suppliers and buyers; whereas, at high levels, CSR is more prone to be subject to agency cost. The authors further find that CSR has a U-shaped relationship with the provision for bad trade receivables, which substantiates the above link between CSR and trade receivables.

Originality/value

Previous studies have extensively examined the link between trade credit extension and firm performance and determinants of trade credit. CSR can be connected to trade receivables in some ways, but very little effort has been exerted in verifying this relationship. In addition, CSR is linearly linked to trade receivables in previous literature, but theoretically, it can be expected to have a non-linear relationship with trade receivables. Furthermore, CSR has not been examined as a determinant of the provision for doubtful trade receivables. The authors aim to void the gaps here by using a sample of listed firms in China.
Assets-based approaches to developing age friendly communities: learning from the bristol ageing better programme
Authors: Beardmore Amy , Beynon Penny , Crabbe Christine , Fry Carol , Fullforth Jan , Groome Jeremy , Knasel Eddy , Turner Jill , Orlik Christopher , Jones Matthew , White Jo
Published: October 2021

Purpose

International attention is increasingly turning to the challenge of creating age-friendly environments. This study aims to examine the application of asset-based approaches in undertaking community development projects with older people. The paper intends to share the learning that may be useful when designing community development projects for older people in the future.

Design/methodology/approach

This study followed a multiple project case study design, with a focus on project delivery practices. It was undertaken as a co-production exercise involving university researchers and trained older volunteer community researchers (CRs). Over 18–24 months of qualitative research was conducted in relation to six area-based urban projects between 2018 and 2020.

Findings

There were five leading themes as follows: mapping and building on assets in highly localised settings; creating governance and direction through steering groups; developing activities with diverse groups of older people; reaching isolated and lonely older people; building local capacity to embed sustainability.

Practical implications

The effectiveness of assets-based approaches in promoting age-friendly agendas appears to be contingent on the values, skills, capacity and resourcing of delivery agencies, alongside wider public sector investment in communities. Diversity and inequalities amongst older people need to be taken into account and community development that specifically focuses on older people needs to be balanced with the whole population and intergenerational practice.

Originality/value

This paper provides an empirical account of the practical application of assets practices specifically in the context of the age-friendly community agenda. The co-production method brings together insights from academic and volunteer older CRs.
Opportunities, challenges and pitfalls in characterizing plant water‐use strategies
Authors: Kannenberg Steven A. , Guo Jessica S. , Novick Kimberly A. , Anderegg William R. L. , Feng Xue , Kennedy Daniel , Konings Alexandra G. , Martínez‐Vilalta Jordi , Matheny Ashley M.
Published: October 2021

Classifying the diverse ways that plants respond to hydrologic stress into generalizable ‘water‐use strategies’ has long been an eco‐physiological research goal. While many schemes for describing water‐use strategies have proven to be quite useful, they are also associated with uncertainties regarding their theoretical basis and their connection to plant carbon and water relations. In this review, we discuss the factors that shape plant water stress responses and assess the approaches used to classify a plant's water‐use strategy, paying particular attention to the popular but controversial concept of a continuum from isohydry to anisohydry.

A generalizable and predictive framework for assessing plant water‐use strategies has been historically elusive, yet recent advances in plant physiology and hydraulics provide the field with a way past these obstacles. Specifically, we promote the idea that many metrics that quantify water‐use strategies are highly dynamic and emergent from the interaction between plant traits and environmental conditions, and that this complexity has historically hindered the development of a generalizable water‐use strategy framework.

This idea is explored using a plant hydraulics model to identify: (a) distinct temporal phases in plant hydraulic regulation during drought that underpin dynamic water‐use responses, and (b) how variation in both traits and environmental forcings can significantly alter common metrics used to characterize plant water‐use strategies. This modelling exercise can bridge the divide between various conceptualizations of water‐use strategies and provide targeted hypotheses to advance the understanding and quantification of plant water status regulation across spatial and temporal scales.

Finally, we describe research frontiers that are necessary to improve the predictive capacity of the plant water‐use strategy concept, including further investigation into the below‐ground determinants of plant water relations, targeted data collection efforts and the potential to scale these concepts from individuals to whole regions.

A free Plain Language Summary can be found within the Supporting Information of this article.
Ecological memory and regional context influence performance of adaptation plantings in northeastern US temperate forests
Authors: Clark Peter W. , D'Amato Anthony W. , Evans Kevin S. , Schaberg Paul G. , Woodall Christopher W.
Published: October 2021

Species distribution models predict shifts in forest habitat in response to warming temperatures associated with climate change, yet tree migration rates lag climate change, leading to misalignment of current species assemblages with future climate conditions. Forest adaptation strategies have been proposed to deliberately adjust species composition by planting climate‐suitable species. Practical evaluations of adaptation plantings are limited, especially in the context of ecological memory or extreme climate events.

In this study, we examined the 3‐year survival and growth response of future climate‐adapted seedling transplants within operational‐scale silvicultural trials across temperate forests in the northeastern US. Nine species were selected for evaluation based on projected future importance under climate change and potential functional redundancy with species currently found in these ecosystems. We investigated how adaptation planting type (‘population enrichment’ vs. ‘assisted range expansion’) and local site conditions reinforce interference interactions with existing vegetation at filtering adaptation strategies focused on transitioning forest composition.

Our results show the performance of seedling transplants is based on species (e.g. functional attributes and size), the strength of local competition (e.g. ecological memory) and adaptation planting type, a proxy for source distance. These findings were consistent across regional forests but modified by site‐specific conditions such as browse pressure and extreme climate events, namely drought and spring frost events.

Synthesis and applications. Our results highlight that managing forests for shifts in future composition represents a promising adaptation strategy for incorporating new species and functional traits into contemporary forests. Yet, important barriers remain for the establishment of future climate‐adapted forests that will most likely require management intervention. Nonetheless, the broader applicability of our findings demonstrates the potential for adaptation plantings to serve as strategic source nodes for the establishment of future climate‐adapted species across functionally connected landscapes.
Communication challenges experienced by veterinary professionals during the COVID‐19 pandemic
Authors: Quain A , Mullan S , Ward MP
Published: October 2021

The COVID‐19 pandemic and associated restrictions have caused major changes in veterinary practice. Utilising a subset of qualitative data from a global survey of 540 veterinarians, veterinary nurses and animal health technicians, we highlight the impact of these changes on communication in veterinary clinical practice. Communication challenges experienced by veterinary team members included lack of face‐to‐face contact with clients; increased difficulty in communicating in general; inability to demonstrate physical examination, diagnostic findings or treatment information to clients; difficulty in communicating while wearing personal protective equipment; increased ‘miscommunication’ and challenges in convincing clients of the importance of pandemic‐associated protocols. These findings suggest a need for veterinary teams to modify and adapt their communication strategies to facilitate effective communication where social distancing and noncontact consultations are required.
Revised International Prognostic Index and genetic alterations are associated with early failure to R‐CHOP in patients with diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma
Authors: Dlouhy Ivan , Karube Kennosuke , Enjuanes Anna , Salaverria Itziar , Nadeu Ferran , Ramis‐Zaldivar Juan Enric , Valero Juan G. , Rivas‐Delgado Alfredo , Magnano Laura , Martin‐García David , Pérez‐Galán Patricia , Clot Guillem , Rovira Jordina , Jares Pedro , Balagué Olga , Giné Eva , Mozas Pablo , Briones Javier , Sancho Juan‐Manuel , Salar Antonio , Mercadal Santiago , Alcoceba Miguel , Valera Alexandra , Campo Elías , López‐Guillermo Armando
Published: October 2021

Relapsed or refractory diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma (DLBCL) cases have a poor outcome. Here we analysed clinico‐biological features in 373 DLBCL patients homogeneously treated with rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine and prednisolone (R‐CHOP), in order to identify variables associated with early failure to treatment (EF), defined as primary refractoriness or relapse within 12 months from diagnosis. In addition to clinical features, mutational status of 106 genes was studied by targeted next‐generation sequencing in 111 cases, copy number alterations in 87, and gene expression profile (GEP) in 39. Ninety‐seven cases (26%) were identified as EF and showed significantly shorter overall survival (OS). Patients with B symptoms, advanced stage, high levels of serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) or β2‐microglobulin, low lymphocyte/monocyte ratio and higher Revised International Prognostic Index (R‐IPI) scores, as well as those with BCL2 rearrangements more frequently showed EF, with R‐IPI being the most important in logistic regression. Mutations in NOTCH2, gains in 5p15·33 (TERT), 12q13 (CDK2), 12q14·1 (CDK4) and 12q15 (MDM2) showed predictive importance for EF independently from R‐IPI. GEP studies showed that EF cases were significantly enriched in sets related to cell cycle regulation and inflammatory response, while cases in response showed over‐representation of gene sets related to extra‐cellular matrix and tumour microenvironment.
Apostolic voting
Authors: Savčić Ružica , Xefteris Dimitrios
Published: October 2021

We study electoral competition under the so‐called Apostolic voting rule (AVR) in the framework of the Hotelling–Downs model (Osborne 1993). The AVR is a two‐stage election procedure composed of a voting stage and a lottery stage: the voters vote for the candidate they like best, and each of the two most‐voted candidates is elected with even probability. Under standard assumptions regarding the voters’ preferences, we show that the AVR leads to a unique—up to permutations of the players’ identities—equilibrium: only two candidates enter in the electoral race, and they choose distinct policy platforms. This is the first rule proven to support an essentially unique equilibrium in this popular model. Our analysis highlights that, as long as candidates do not compete for a single first place (as in standard plurality or runoff elections) but for a number of them (as under the AVR), strategic incentives alter dramatically and lead to stable and predictable configurations.
#WeAreNotWaiting DIY artificial pancreas systems and challenges for the law
Authors: Dickson Rachael , Bell Jessica , Dar Amber , Downey Laura , Moore Victoria , Quigley Muireann
Published: October 2021

Commercial hybrid closed‐loop systems are becoming more readily available, yet the number of DIY artificial pancreas system (DIY APS) users continues to rise. These DIY systems have not gone through the usual regulatory approvals processes, and, thus, present a number of legal difficulties for a number of actors, including clinicians, parents who build DIY APS for their children, and users themselves. These issues have so far received insufficient attention. Due to the complex constellation of actors involved in both development of DIY APSs and in its deployment, it is not currently clear who, and to what extent, different parties might (successfully) be held liable if something goes wrong. Despite this uncertainty, unless and until clearer guidance is issued by relevant bodies, or a case appears before the courts which clarifies the situation, existing legal principles apply. In this article, we examine some of these to shed light on how the law would likely be applied if harm were to result from the use of a DIY APS.
Testing multi‐stakeholder dialogue for better local governance in Niger: An experiment. Can we talk our way out of development problems?
Authors: BenYishay Ariel , Mueller Lisa , Nolan Katherine , Roessler Philip
Published: October 2021

Motivation

Multi‐stakeholder dialogues (MSDs) are a popular tool to promote good governance in the global south, but it remains unclear whether they actually bring about the deeper benefits they are designed to achieve, namely better government responsiveness and higher public confidence in political institutions.

Niger is one of the least developed countries in the world and one where citizens consistently report low confidence in government.

Purpose

We test the impact of MSDs on government responsiveness and public confidence in political institutions in Niger.

Specifically, we test whether MSDs in communes focused on education and health improve relations between citizens and leaders, make processes more representative, and increase resources for local service delivery.

We test whether MSDs improve citizen perceptions of government: legitimacy, responsiveness, democracy, and honesty. We test whether they increase citizen participation, including through petitions and messaging.

Methods and approach

Randomized controlled trial and surveys.

Findings

MSDs had virtually no positive impact on any of the 10 tests we conducted, with no appreciable improvements in local political leadership or in citizen engagement with, and confidence in, the state and its services.

The null results may arise from the limited time the MSDs were run, or they may reflect the extremely difficult conditions for better local governance seen in Niger.

Policy implications

The findings, though possibly discouraging for policy implementers, provide a valuable opportunity to contemplate how multi‐stakeholder frameworks might be made more effective and whether to prioritize alternative frameworks for democracy and development in countries like Niger.

MSDs may be worth continuing in combination with other interventions, or simply in the interest of an inclusive, ethical approach to development.
Rhythmic sampling revisited: Experimental paradigms and neural mechanisms
Authors: Kienitz Ricardo , Schmid Michael C. , Dugué Laura
Published: October 2021

Sampling of information is thought to be an important aspect of explorative behaviour. Evidence for it has been gained in behavioural assessments of a variety of overt and covert cognitive domains, including sensation, attention, memory, eye movements and dexterity. A common aspect across many findings is that sampling tends to exhibit a rhythmicity at low frequencies (theta, 4–8 Hz; alpha, 9–12 Hz). Neurophysiological investigations in a wide range of species, including rodents, non‐human primates and humans have demonstrated the presence of sampling related neural oscillations in a number of brain areas ranging from early sensory cortex, hippocampus to high‐level cognitive areas. However, to assess whether rhythmic sampling represents a general aspect of exploratory behaviour one must critically evaluate the task parameters, and their potential link with neural oscillations. Here we focus on sampling during attentive vision to present an overview on the experimental conditions that are used to investigate rhythmic sampling and associated oscillatory brain activity in this domain. This review aims to (1) provide guidelines to efficiently quantify behavioural rhythms, (2) compare results from human and non‐human primate studies and (3) argue that the underlying neural mechanisms of sampling can co‐occur in both sensory and high‐level areas.
Clinical characteristics and postoperative seizure outcome in patients with mild malformation of cortical development and oligodendroglial hyperplasia
Authors: Gaballa Ahmed , Woermann Friedrich G. , Cloppenborg Thomas , Kalbhenn Thilo , Blümcke Ingmar , Bien Christian G. , Fauser Susanne
Published: October 2021

Objective

We describe for the first time clinical characteristics in a series of 20 pre‐surgically investigated patients with mild malformation of cortical development with oligodendroglial hyperplasia (MOGHE) who were operated on in our epilepsy center. We aimed to better diagnose this entity and help surgical planning.

Methods

Data on 20 patients with histologically confirmed MOGHE were retrospectively evaluated as to age at epilepsy onset and operation, seizure semiology, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) localization, electroencephalography (EEG) patterns, extent of the operative resection, and postoperative seizure outcome.

Results

Epilepsy began mainly in early childhood; however, symptoms did not manifest until adolescence or adulthood in 30% of patients. All patients had pathologic MRI findings. In 45% of patients the lesion was initially overlooked. Most commonly, the lesion was seen in the frontal lobe. Seizure semiology was characterized as follows: (1) epileptic spasms at epilepsy onset were common and (2) nocturnal hyperkinetic seizures during the course of the disease were rare. EEG always showed frequent interictal epileptic discharges. Two peculiar patterns were observed: (1) during sleep stage I‐II, sub‐continuous repetitive (0.5–1.5/s) unilateral plump spike/polyspike slow waves were seen and (2) during wakefulness, unilateral paroxysms of 2–2.5/s spike‐wave complexes occurred. In total, 60% of patients were seizure‐free 1 year postoperatively. Postoperative seizure outcome was positively correlated with the extent of resection, age at epilepsy onset, and age at operation. Postoperative long‐term outcomes remained stable in patients undergoing larger operations.

Significance

MRI, EEG, and semiology already contribute to the diagnosis of probable MOGHE preoperatively. Because postoperative seizure outcomes depend on the extent of the resection, prior knowledge of a probable MOGHE helps to plan the resection and balance the risks and benefits of such an intervention. In patients undergoing larger operations, epilepsy surgery achieved good postoperative results; the first long‐term outcome data were stable in these patients.
Chronic mechanical trauma/irritation and oral carcinoma: A systematic review showing low evidence to support an association
Authors: Pentenero Monica , Azzi Lorenzo , Lodi Giovanni , Manfredi Maddalena , Varoni Elena
Published: October 2021

Background

Chronic trauma of oral mucosa, resulting from repeated and persistent mechanical irritative action of an intraoral injury agent, has repeatedly been reported to be possibly implicated in the development of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC).

Objectives

The present systematic review aimed to assess whether chronic mechanical trauma can be considered a risk factor for OSCC.

Data sources

PubMed, CENTRAL (Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials), Scopus; EMBASE, Web of Science.

Study eligibility criteria

Cohort studies comparing OSCC incidence among subjects with/without chronic mechanical trauma or case–control or cross‐sectional studies comparing chronic mechanical trauma among subjects with/without OSCC.

Results

Only one prospective case–control study fulfilled the inclusion criteria, but the quality of the evidence provided is not enough to define trauma as a risk factor for OSCC. The main limitation is the presence of only one case–control study at high risk of bias.

In the absence of strong evidence supporting the role of trauma in OSCC, a thorough discussion on trauma and carcinogenesis has been performed.

Conclusions

Available evidence does not support an active role for chronic trauma in oral carcinogenesis, neither as promoter nor as progressor factor. Prospective cohort studies able to better assess trauma in OSCC are needed.
Intrahepatic venous collaterals in dogs with congenital intrahepatic portosystemic shunts are associated with focal shunt or hepatic vein narrowing
Authors: Seller Stephanie , Weisse Chick , Fischetti Anthony J.
Published: October 2021

Dogs with congenital intrahepatic portosystemic shunts (IHPSS) occasionally have multiple smaller intrahepatic, tortuous blood vessels surrounding the primary shunt. This study was a retrospective, observational design that was also descriptive and anatomic in nature. Objectives were to characterize vascular morphology in IHPSS dogs presenting with intrahepatic venous collaterals (IVCs) relative to IHPSS dogs without IVCs, and to propose reasons for IVC development. The authors hypothesized that (a) IVCs develop secondary to flow resistance around a focal area of a shunt or draining hepatic vein narrowing and (b) the presence of IVC is associated with portal vessel development before intervention. Anonymized CT angiograms (CTA) and fluoroscopic portovenograms (FPV) of dogs with IHPSS were evaluated for the presence of IVCs, focal narrowing within the IHPSS, and intrahepatic portal vessels >5 mm long. Eleven of 47 (23%) dogs had IVCs identified. IVCs were significantly associated with focal narrowing in the shunt or draining hepatic vein on CTA (P = 0.039) and FPV (P = 0.021). IVCs were not associated with the presence of intrahepatic portal branches >5 mm long on portovenography (P = 0.42) or CTA (P = 0.49). Focal narrowing in the shunt (circumferential soft tissue narrowing >20% of the shunt diameter) was significantly associated with intrahepatic portal branches >5 mm long on both modalities (P < 0.001). IVCs are associated with focal narrowing of the shunt or draining hepatic vein in dogs with IHPSS. IVC should be distinguished from other conditions when evaluating a CTA for canine IHPSS.
Fungal balls detected using ultrasonography in the urinary bladder of a dog
Authors: Choo Donghyeok , Lee Kichang , Yoon Hakyoung
Published: October 2021

A 9‐year‐old dog was presented with hematuria and urinary incontinence. Ultrasonography revealed multiple mobile echogenic ball‐shaped structures without distal acoustic shadowing within the lumen. A cystocentesis was performed and a urinalysis of the urine revealed fungus. Candida albicans was identified using an additional urine culture. The patient was finally diagnosed with fungal cystitis with mobile fungal balls and managed with Itraconazole. Follow‐up ultrasonography demonstrated the resolution of cystitis without fungal balls. Our findings suggest that fungal balls should be considered as a differential diagnosis when echogenic mobile ball‐shaped structures are identified in the urinary bladder of a diabetic or immunocompromised patient.
La máquina literaria de Maurice Blanchot
Authors: Villegas Constantino
Published: October 2021

A diferencia de muchas imágenes del pensamiento dominantes en la filosofía y centradas en la búsqueda de fundamentos cuya coherencia se encuentra en lógicas binarias o relaciones biunívocas, la filosofía de Gilles Deleuze y Félix Guattari es un pensamiento por máquinas que producen multiplicidades puras en virtud de diferencias intensivas. Lo importante con las máquinas no es definirlas –no son delimitables– ni comprenderlas –son asignificantes–, sino que funcionen en la medida en que varios flujos circulan en ellas, entremezclándose o cortándose. Aun cuando toda máquina reúne elementos heterogéneos, las máquinas literarias son interesantes en cuanto pueden alcanzar un nivel de lo fragmentario tal que se exprese la potencia determinante de las diferencias intensivas. El artículo experimenta con la máquina literaria de Maurice Blanchot –en especial con su idea de lo neutro– en busca de operaciones que permitan desarticular los fundamentos (paradigmas, bivalencias, binarismos) de las imágenes del pensamiento dominantes.
El Contra Academicos de San Agustín: un modelo retórico-dialéctico en busca de la sabiduría
Authors: Covarrubias Correa Andrés
Published: October 2021

Quizá existan pocas obras de filosofía que integren de una manera tan certera aspectos dialécticos y retóricos como el Contra Academicos. Más aún, en ciertos momentos se hace difícil separar ambas técnicas discursivas, salvo por algunas pistas que San Agustín propone en el texto. Todo lo anterior, a pesar de la posición de tensión que manifiesta el autor entre, por una parte, su impulso de alejarse de la vanidad de la retórica aprendida en su juventud y, por otra, la conveniencia de su utilización para la persuasión del auditorio. Con todo, respecto de la retórica podemos afirmar que hay dos momentos en los cuales es posible reconocer claramente su presencia en la obra: 1) las referencias directas a la “persuasión” y a elementos técnicos propios de la oratoria; y 2) la puesta en práctica de un discurso retórico, en este caso necesario y no accidental, para coronar la argumentación. En este artículo analizo ambos aspectos de un modo sistemático, con el fin de indagar las razones por las que este diálogo agustiniano requiere, para lograr su objetivo, la comparecencia de dialéctica y retórica.