bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A multidimensional approach for enhancing and measuring creative thinking and cognitive skills
Authors: Rosen Yigal , Jaeger Garrett , Newstadt Michelle , Bakken Sara , Rushkin Ilia , Dawood Maneeza , Purifoy Chris
Published: April 2023

Purpose

Despite the fact that research on creativity and cognition have garnered the attention of researchers and practitioners for decades, there is a lack of valid, reliable, and accessible instruments for enhancing and measuring these critical skills. Leveraging research from The LEGO Foundation and in collaboration with BrainPOP and the Learning Economy Foundation, this paper introduces an assessment framework for holistic skills and reports evidence from the 2022 validation study.

Design/methodology/approach

The complexities associated with both competencies such as multidimensionality, authenticity, and domain specificity pose a major issue for its measurement and credentialing. This paper provides evidence-based insights on promising ways to measure and provide actionable insights on holistic skills.

Findings

Preliminary evidence supports the assessment framework for holistic skills.

Research limitations/implications

Future directions for further development of the assessment are discussed.

Practical implications

The framework should also be of help for practitioners looking for research-based guiding principles for the design of learning-through-play activities aimed to help develop holistic skills across a wide range of digital, physical, and hybrid modalities.

Social implications

The framework provides new instruments and insights for evaluating the social and educational impact of learning-through-play programs and initiatives.

Originality/value

The learning progressions and formative assessment for holistic skills development are novel and clearly needed in research and practice of learning-through-play.
The role of supply chain integration between integrated information technology and financial performance – a disaggregated framework and findings
Authors: Ruzo-Sanmartín Emilio , Abousamra Alaa Abdelaziz , Otero-Neira Carmen , Svensson Göran
Published: April 2023

Purpose

To examine the role of supply chain integration (SCI – i.e. supplier integration, customer integration and internal integration) between integrated information technology (IIT) and financial performance (FP).

Design/methodology/approach

An explanatory sequential mixed-methods study was conducted, collecting quantitative data first and then examining the quantitative results with in-depth qualitative data from a sample targeting manufacturing and services firms in Egypt.

Findings

This study indicates that IIT relates positively to SCI, which in turn relates positively to FP. Main enablers/mechanisms and disablers/barriers for those linkages are identified.

Research limitations/implications

After establishing the linkages between ITT, SCI and FP in the quantitative phase of research, a qualitative phase based on follow-up interviews provide deeper understanding about mechanisms and contexts behind those linkages.

Practical implications

Offer firms guidance to assess IIT, SCI and FP.

Originality/value

With a disaggregated framework of IIT, SCI and FP, this study contributes by answering a need for development of a methodological toolbox of the field in supply chain management, with a rigorous use of mixed method research, as a way of departing from the normal approach to help researchers in providing a deeper and richer understanding of supply chain problems.
Are young CEOs a better match for young firms? Evidence from age, firm performance and CEO compensation
Authors: Han Snow Xue
Published: April 2023

Purpose

The current paper extends previous studies on the match between CEO and firm and explores whether certain characteristics of young CEOs make them more desirable to young firms. Results in this paper will provide useful information to startup companies when they need to find managers leading the firms.

Design/methodology/approach

This study use a large sample of panel regression to study the match between CEOs and firm via a difference-in-differences approach.

Findings

The author finds that young firms hire a disproportionately higher percentage of young CEOs than established firms. Young firms led by young CEOs exhibit higher growth rates in sales and assets and invest more in capital expenditure and R&D activities than similar firms led by older CEOs. Young CEOs in young firms also receive higher compensation than both older CEOs working in young firms and young CEOs working in established firms.

Originality/value

There are many studies examining how CEO age affect their decision-making process. There are also many studies examining the differences between young firms and established firms. However, there is no study so far examining the intersection of the two questions above. Specifically, whether the differences between young vs established firms make certain characteristics of young CEOs beneficial to young firms.
The role of supply chain diversification in mitigating the negative effects of supply chain disruptions in COVID-19
Authors: Wang Qiang , Zhou Haidi , Zhao Xiande
Published: April 2023

Purpose

This study examines the firm-level financial consequences caused by supply chain disruptions during COVID-19 and explores how firms' supply chain diversification strategies, including diversified suppliers, customers and products, moderate the negative effect on firm performance.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on data drawn from 222 publicly traded firms in China, the authors use event study methodology to estimate the effects of supply chain disruptions on the financial performance of affected firms. Regression analyses are conducted to examine the moderating effects of supply chain diversification.

Findings

Firms affected by supply chain disruptions during COVID-19 experienced a significant decline in shareholder value in two weeks and a subsequent decrease in operating performance in one year. Diversified suppliers, customers and products act as shock absorbers to alleviate the negative effects. Further regression shows a substitution effect between customer and product diversification. Cross-industry comparisons reveal that service firms experienced more loss than manufacturing firms. Customer diversification mitigates the adverse effects of supply chain disruptions for both manufacturing and service firms. Supplier diversification exerts a noteworthy role in manufacturing firms, while product diversification is beneficial for service firms.

Originality/value

The study provides empirical evidence on the magnitude of financial consequences of supply chain disruptions during COVID-19 in both the short term and long term and enriches the current understanding of how to build resilience from the supply chain diversification perspective.
Sustainability disclosures and corporate boards: a stakeholder approach to decision-making
Authors: Yadav Priti , Jain Anshul
Published: April 2023

Purpose

The board of directors of an organization can contribute considerably to the transition to a sustainable global economy by accommodating environmental, social and governance (ESG) measures in the directors' business model. Along these lines, the purpose of this research is to understand the nexus between the board's structural attributes and sustainability disclosures in an emerging economy such as India.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors investigate this link using the system generalized method of moments (SGMM) panel regression on a sample of firms from the National Stock Exchange (NSE) Nifty 100 Index from 2013 to 2020. This econometric framework controls endogeneity among the variables, which has been a gap in the previous studies.

Findings

The authors find that board structural attributes, like board size, gender diversity, chief executive officer (CEO) duality and independence, have little bearing on sustainability disclosures of Indian companies. However, the board of directors, through the board's company's social responsibility (CSR) committee, strives for sustainability practices in Indian organizations. The authors also find that larger companies are more willing to disclose on ESG efforts than smaller ones, but the financial performance of the smaller ones (as proxied by Tobin's Q) does not matter.

Research limitations/implications

This study is restricted to a sample of large cap listed companies and specific environment, resulting in the non-generalizability of the findings to different contexts because countries vary in their state of economic development, internal policy, regulations and governance.

Practical implications

A mandated CSR committee has helped Indian businesses to publicize their sustainability efforts. Besides the frontrunner in CSR regulations, Indian organizations have paid least attention to the environmental pillar of the ESG framework. Accordingly, the board of directors should put more emphasis on the environmental aspects of their business' sustainability efforts to help achieve sustainable development goals (SDGs) in the medium term and net neutrality in the long term.

Originality/value

From the standpoint of an emerging economy like India, which has statutory CSR mandates for firms, this research adds a fresh perspective on the relationship between corporate governance and corporate responsibility by employing stakeholder theory, which is further substantiated by the use of system GMM as a robust methodology. This study also emphasizes the significance of a mandatory CSR committee as a facilitator of sustainability practices and reporting in emerging economies.
How to tell a joke: theories of successful humor and applications to the workplace
Authors: Sizemore Shane , O'Brien Kimberly
Published: April 2023

Purpose

The purpose of the current study is to explain best practices for attempting humor in the workplace. Research on humor in the workplace has emphasized the use of leader humor but has neglected to provide guidance on how to successfully use humor. This is an important gap because unsuccessful humor attempts are associated with lowered status and disruptive behavior.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper summarizes three types of humor theories (i.e. cognitive, social and contextual) and derives principles from these theories that can be applied to improve humor success. Then, the authors apply the understanding of humor to workplace applications, providing suggestions for future empirical research inferred from the humor theories.

Findings

Humor attempts are most likely to land (i.e. invoke mirth) when they include a benign violation of mental schemas, societal norms or other expectations or when humor evokes shared feelings of benign superiority in the audience. Humor is less effective in goal-directed situations. Mirth is expected to increase group cohesion, leader trust and organizational identification and mitigate the effects of job stressors. Finally, employee learning and development activities (e.g. onboarding, training) seem like a good place to use humor to facilitate cognitive flexibility.

Originality/value

These suggestions from across psychological disciplines are synthesized to inform best practices for leader humor.
Adopting GRI Standards for the Circular Economy strategies disclosure: the case of Italy
Authors: Massari Giovanni Francesco , Giannoccaro Ilaria
Published: April 2023

Purpose

Circular economy (CE) disclosure is becoming urgent for firms, but an accepted and recognized approach to address it is still missing, especially at small and medium enterprises (SMEs) level. This study aims to contribute to this issue by exploring the potential of the adoption of Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Standards as a standardized approach for CE disclosure. The paper proposes a framework that identifies the existence of specific relationships between the topics included in GRI 300 Standards and CE strategies, which can be considered as managerial guidelines for CE strategy disclosure by companies.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper uses an explorative research methodology based on the content analysis of secondary data taken from the sustainability reports of the SMEs listed in STAR segment of Borsa Italiana.

Findings

The analysis shows that GRI Standards are currently adopted to disclose the CE strategies by Italian SMEs across different economic sectors including construction, food, automotive, retail, personal and household goods, industrial goods and services, electronics, media and technology. In particular, GRI 301 is used for the disclosure about Recycling, Reuse, Reverse logistics, Industrial Symbiosis, Eco-Design, Product as a Service and Refurbishing/Reconditioning/Remanufacturing. GRI 302 is suited to disclose CE strategies about Eco-Design, Renewable Energy and Industrial Symbiosis. GRI 303 can be useful to disclose about Reuse and Industrial Symbiosis. GRI 305 is appropriate for Eco-Design, Renewable Energy, Product as a Service, Industrial Symbiosis and Recycling. Finally, GRI 306 is useful to communicate the CE strategies of Recycling, Reuse, Reverse Logistics, Eco-Design, Industrial Symbiosis, Maintenance/Repair, Refurbishing/Reconditioning/Remanufacturing.

Practical implications

The paper includes implications concerning how to report the implementation of a wide range of CE practices, mainly using GRI 301, 302, 303, 305 and 306. These implications are mainly addressed to SMEs in different economic sectors.

Social implications

The use of the proposed framework, by improving the transparency and communication of the CE strategies used by companies, may contribute to accelerate the consumer awareness on CE practices fostering the CE transition, especially of SMEs, with a positive effect on society and environment.

Originality/value

This study extends the literature on CE by developing one among the few standardized approaches using the GRI Standards for the disclosure of CE strategies, a topic mainly investigated in the literature with reference to large companies in a few industries. The framework is also useful to explore the implementation of CE strategies across SMEs in different industrial sectors.
Design a custom resistive force sensors to optimize sensorized insoles
Authors: Nascimento Diego Henrique Antunes , Magalhães Fabrício Anicio , Sabino George Schayer , Resende Renan Alves , Duarte Maria Lucia Machado , Santos Vimieiro Claysson Bruno
Published: April 2023

Purpose

Currently, several studies have been published using sensorized insoles for estimating ground reaction force using plantar pressure. However, information on design parameters, manufacturing techniques and guidelines for developing insoles is scarce, often leaving gaps that do not allow reproducing the insole. This study aims to empirically investigate the main parameters of constructing a sensorized insole for application in human gait.

Design/methodology/approach

Two devices were built to evaluate the force sensors. The first focuses on the construction of the sensors with different settings: the density of the sensor’s conductive trails (thickness and distance of the trails) and the inertia of the sensors (use of spacers to prevent unwanted readings). The second device focuses on the data capture and processing system: resolution of the analog–digital converter, acquisition rate and sensor activation level.

Findings

The resolution increase of the analog–digital converter and acquisition rate do not contribute to noise increase. Reducing the sensors’ coverage area can increase sensorized insole capacity. The inertia of the sensors can be adjusted using spacers without changing the electrical circuit and acquisition system.

Originality/value

Most sensorized insoles use commercial sensors. For this reason, it is not possible a full customization. This paper maps the main variables to manufacture custom sensors and data acquisition systems. This work also presents a case study where it is possible to see the influence of the parameters in the correlation between the sensorized insole and an instrumented treadmill with a force platform.
Unravelling challenges of COVID-19 pandemic through risk and controls turnaround: the case of Dots & Lines
Authors: Damayanthi Sujeewa , Kapiyangoda Kumudu , Gooneratne Tharusha
Published: April 2023

Research methodology

The focused case is a “disguised case” developed based on a real-life apparel company in Sri Lanka. The authors have disguised the company name and have not revealed the identity of the key respondents and any data, which makes the firm obvious. However, the processes and practices reported represent the actual scenario of the company (gathered through interviews done mainly with the case protagonist, General Manager (GM) – Risk and Controls) and the authors have not fabricated any data.

Case overview/synopsis

Having established itself as a pioneer in the apparel industry in Sri Lanka, Dots & Lines reached the pinnacle of its performance in 2019. Following the outbreak of COVID-19, the situation turned unfavorable: global customers canceled orders by the end of the first quarter of 2020. It experienced settlement delays, increased freight charges and supply chain barriers. The virus spread among the operational staff, leading to health and safety issues and absenteeism. On April 2020, the executive committee gathered and decided to form a position titled “General Manager (GM) – Risk and Controls” and a team to turn around the company. Dots & Lines witnessed the harvest of the risk management turnaround measures pioneered by GM – Risk and Controls, from the first quarter of 2021 with impressive revenue and profit figures. It developed a pool of key strategic customers, while key performance indicators dashboards and the risk matrix provided vital insights in moving forward.

Complexity academic level

The case, Dots & Lines is written for use in undergraduate and graduate-level classes in business administration and management degree programs. The focus aligns with discussions on industry competition, controls and risk management. Of further importance, the case is applicable to discussions on topics in strategic management accounting courses.
Physical capacity tests as a complement in the evaluation of the level of disability in women with fibromyalgia: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Ortiz‐Corredor Fernando , Sandoval‐Salcedo Andrés , Soto Diana , Camacho María , Perico Hugo , Gil‐Salcedo Andres
Published: April 2023

Introduction

The association between motor capacity and the level of disability in patients with fibromyalgia remains underexplored. This study aims to explore the association between physical capacity tests explored in the consultation and the level of disability in women with fibromyalgia.

Methods

There were 484 women diagnosed with fibromyalgia who were evaluated with 7 physical capacity tests: 10‐m walk, 2‐minute walk, 5‐repetition getting up from a chair and sitting (G&S), 30‐second chair stand, monopodal balance (right and left), and up‐and‐go. Functional performance was assessed with the Revised Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQR). Evaluation of the association between the physical capacity tests and the FIQR was initially performed using a principal component analysis (PCA). Subsequently, agglomerative hierarchical clustering (AHC) was performed in order to characterize groups of patients.

Results

Results show than FIQR and the tests 10‐m walk, 2‐minute walk, 5‐repetition G&S, 30‐second chair stand, and up‐and‐go test were correlated. The results of the AHC determined 3 groups of patients mainly on one motor dimension with significant differences in both the FIQR and the physical capacity tests retained in the PCA (P < 0.001 for all).

Conclusion

The application of these physical tests is simple, fast and can be a complement to the FIQR questionnaire when determining the level of disability of patients with fibromyalgia, in addition to providing information on the evolution of the patients when these tests are administered in the clinical consultation.
Outcomes from a prospectively implemented protocol using apixaban after robot‐assisted radical cystectomy
Authors: Rich Jordan M. , Elkun Yuval , Geduldig Jack , Lavallee Etienne , Mehrazin Reza , Attalla Kyrollis , Wiklund Peter , Sfakianos John P.
Published: April 2023

Objectives

To compare the safety and efficacy of oral apixaban with that of injectable enoxaparin after robot‐assisted radical cystectomy (RARC) for venous thromboembolism (VTE) thromboprophylaxis.

Materials and Methods

We conducted a retrospective review of prospectively collected data for all RARC patients treated at our tertiary care centre between 2018 and 2022. The study included two groups: patients who were subject to a prospectively implemented protocol from October 2021 to the present, comprising a 21‐day postoperative course of apixaban 2.5 mg twice daily after discharge, and patients treated prior to October 2021 who received enoxaparin 40 mg daily. Baseline demographics and clinical characteristics, such as VTE (defined as deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism), were analysed. The primary outcome was incidence of symptomatic VTE confirmed with definitive imaging within 90 days of RARC. Secondary outcomes included major bleeding, complications, readmission, and mortality within 30 days postoperatively. Descriptive statistics included baseline patient characteristics, operative information and complications. Differences in baseline characteristics and postoperative data were compared between groups. Multivariate logistic regression was used to determine associations between variables and the primary outcome.

Results

A total of 124 patients received apixaban and 250 patients received enoxaparin prophylaxis. Ten patients (2.7%) experienced a VTE within 90 days postoperatively (two [1.6%] apixaban group vs eight [3.2%] enoxaparin group; P = 0.5). After patient stratification into European Association of Urology risk groups, no statistically significant difference in VTE rates was seen between groups in the apixaban (2.7% high‐ + intermediate‐risk group vs 1.1% low‐risk group; P = 0.5) and enoxaparin cohorts (4.3% high‐ + intermediate‐risk group vs 2.5% low‐risk group; P = 0.5). On multivariate logistic regression, no variables were associated with the development of the primary outcome.

Conclusion

Prophylaxis with apixaban and enoxaparin showed no statistically significant differences in VTE rates among RARC patients. Apixaban appears to be safe and effective for VTE prophylaxis after RARC.
Examination of the impacts of the immediate interest rate of the United States and the VIX on the Dow Jones Islamic Market Index
Authors: Ozcelebi Oguzhan , Pérez‐Montiel José A.
Published: April 2023

This study examines the effects of the market volatility index of the Chicago Board Options Exchange (VIX) and the immediate interest rate of the United States on the Dow Jones Islamic Market Index (DJIMI) using quantile‐based techniques and wavelet coherence (WTC) analysis with monthly data for the period January 2010to May 2021. A quantile cointegration model indicated that the relationship between the VIX and the DJIMI can be valid in the long term since the estimated coefficients are negative and statistically significant across the quantiles 0.05 and 0.50, while a quantile autoregressive model revealed that large negative and positive changes in the VIX and the immediate interest rate of the United States do not have a significant impact on the DJIMI in the short term. Allowing the role of regime changes, it was found by the quantile regression model that an increase in the VIX lowers the performance in the DJIMI, supported by the WTC. It was also underlined that the DJIMI may not benefit from the positive financial conditions. According to the quantile regression models, the immediate interest rate of the US has asymmetrical effects, and the stabilizing effect of the increase/decrease is valid during bearish/bullish market conditions in the DJIMI.
Effects of astragaloside IV on glucocorticoid‐induced avascular necrosis of the femoral head via regulating Akt‐related pathways
Authors: Shan Haojie , Lin Yiwei , Yin Fuli , Pan Chenhao , Hou Jianzhong , Wu Tianyi , Xia Wenyang , Zuo Rongtai , Cao Bojun , Jiang Chaolai , Zhou Zubin , Yu Xiaowei
Published: April 2023

We investigated the role of astragaloside IV (AS‐IV) in preventing glucocorticoid‐induced avascular necrosis of the femoral head (ANFH) and the underlying molecular mechanisms. Network pharmacology was used to predict the molecular targets of AS‐IV. Molecular dynamic simulations were performed to explore the binding mechanism and interaction mode between AS‐IV and Akt. Rat models of glucocorticoid‐induced ANFH with AS‐IV intervention were established, and osteogenesis, angiogenesis, apoptosis and oxidative stress were evaluated before and after blocking the PI3K/Akt pathway with LY294002. The effects of glucocorticoid and AS‐IV on bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells and human umbilical vein endothelial cells incubated with and without LY294002 were determined. Downregulated p‐Akt expression could be detected in the femoral heads of glucocorticoid‐induced ANFH patients and rats. AS‐IV increased trabecular bone integrity and vessel density of the femoral head in the model rats. AS‐IV increased Akt phosphorylation and upregulated osteogenesis‐, angiogenesis‐, apoptosis‐ and oxidative stress‐related proteins and mRNA and downregulated Bax, cleaved caspase‐3 and cytochrome c levels. AS‐IV promoted human umbilical vein endothelial cell migration, proliferation and tube formation ability; bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell proliferation; and osteogenic differentiation under glucocorticoid influence. AS‐IV inhibited apoptosis. LY294002 inhibited these effects. AS‐IV prevented glucocorticoid‐induced ANFH by promoting osteogenesis and angiogenesis via the Akt/Runx2 and Akt/HIF‐1α/VEGF pathways, respectively, and suppressing apoptosis and oxidative stress via the Akt/Bad/Bcl‐2 and Akt/Nrf2/HO‐1 pathways, respectively.
Rapid on‐site evaluation improves the sensitivity of endoscopic ultrasound‐guided fine needle aspiration (EUS‐FNA) for solid pancreatic lesions irrespective of technique: A single‐centre experience
Authors: Milluzzo Sebastian Manuel , Olivari Nicola , Rossi Giulio , Bianchi Denise , Liserre Barbara , Graffeo Massimo , Lovera Mauro , Correale Loredana , Hassan Cesare , Spada Cristiano
Published: April 2023

Objective

Endoscopic ultrasound‐guided fine needle aspiration (EUS‐FNA) is the first‐line technique for the sampling of pancreatic lesions. Many factors can influence the diagnostic performance of this procedure, including the use of rapid on‐site evaluation (ROSE). The primary aim of this study was to compare the adequacy, diagnostic yield, accuracy, sensitivity and specificity of EUS‐FNA for solid pancreatic lesions before and after the introduction of ROSE.

Methods

This retrospective single‐centre study evaluated all consecutive patients who underwent EUS‐FNA for suspicious, solid pancreatic masses from April 2012 to March 2015. We compared the findings of EUS‐FNA procedures performed during the first and second years following the adoption of ROSE (“ROSE1” and “ROSE2”, respectively) to those performed the year before ROSE introduction (the “pre‐ROSE” group).

Results

Ninety‐one consecutive patients with a total of 93 pancreatic lesions were enrolled. For the pre‐ROSE, ROSE1 and ROSE2 groups, the adequacy rates were 96.2%, 96.6% and 100%, the diagnostic yield values were 76.9%, 89.7% and 92.1% and accuracy values were 69.2%, 86.2% and 89.5% (p = NS). Sensitivity for malignancy improved from 63.7% in the pre‐ROSE group to 91.7% and 91.2% in the post‐ROSE groups (p < 0.05). Specificity for malignancy was 100% in all groups.

Conclusions

ROSE can improve the diagnostic performance of EUS‐FNA for solid pancreatic lesions, although only sensitivity reached statistical significance.
Cardiovascular comorbidity in psoriasis – psoriatic inflammation is more than just skin deep
Authors: Kommoss Katharina S. , Enk Alexander , Heikenwälder Mathias , Waisman Ari , Karbach Susanne , Wild Johannes
Published: April 2023

Background

There is a growing understanding of inflammation in psoriasis beyond its dermatological manifestation, towards systemic inflammation. Management of possible comorbidities encompassing psychological, metabolic and cardiovascular disease is recommended in national and international dermatology guidelines for treatment of psoriasis patients. Vice versa, psoriasis is being recognized as a new risk factor for cardiovascular inflammation within the cardiological community.

Methods

A review of the literature was conducted. Key points regarding epidemiological, mechanistic and management aspects were summarized and put into context for physicians treating psoriasis patients.

Results

Efforts are currently being made to better understand the mechanistic underpinnings of systemic inflammation within psoriatic inflammation. Studies looking to “hit two birds with one stone” regarding specifically cardiovascular comorbidities of psoriasis patients using established systemic dermatological therapies have so far provided heterogeneous data. The diagnosis of psoriasis entails preventive and therapeutic consequences regarding concomitant diseases for the individual patient.

Conclusions

The knowledge of comorbidities in psoriasis calls for pronounced interdisciplinary care of psoriasis patients, to which this article highlights efforts regarding vascular inflammation and cardiovascular disease.
The interface targeting hnRNPA2B1 regulates the repression of transthyretin against human retinal microvascular endothelial cells in high‐glucose environment
Authors: Tian Yikun , Ye Lu , Shao Jun , Xin Yu
Published: April 2023

Background

The interaction between transthyretin (TTR) and heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein (hnRNP)A2B1 is involved in the neovascularization of human retinal microvascular endothelial cells (hRECs) under hyperglycemic conditions. However, whether the TTR‐hnRNPA2B1 interface can be altered and how this protein–protein interaction and associated downstream pathways are regulated is unclear.

Methods

We performed homologous sequential analysis and binding energy assays using Discovery Studio and designed substitution targeting three fragments of the interface (fragment 1: aa 34–39, ‐RKAADD‐; fragment 2, aa 61–68, ‐EEEFVEGI‐; and fragment 3, aa 96–102, ‐TANDSGP‐) to disrupt or stabilize the TTR‐hnRNPA2B1 complex and were subjected to Co‐immunoprecipitation analysis. To investigate the effect of TTR‐hnRNPA2B1 interface alterations on the physiological properties of hRECs, we performed CCK‐8, EdU, migration, wound healing and tube formation assays. To study the downstream genes, we performed qRT‐PCR and western blot.

Results

Nineteen TTR substitutions were recombinantly expressed in soluble form, results indicated that reducing the binding energy stabilized the TTR‐hnRNPA2B1, while increasing the binding energy had the opposite effect. The native TTR significantly prohibited the proliferation, DNA synthesis, migration and tube formation capacities of hRECs, while fragment 1 always reduced these effects. However, the I68R and D99R substitutions in fragments 2 and 3, respectively, increased the inhibitory effect of TTR. Furthermore, our qRT‐PCR and western blot results showed that the expression and protein levels of STAT‐4, miR‐223‐3p and FBXW7 were also regulated by the alteration of the TTR‐hnRNPA2B1 interface.

Conclusion

This work suggests that the formation of the TTR‐hnRNPA2B1 complex plays vital role in hyperglycemia, and modification of this interface regulates the TTR‐mediated inhibition of hREC neovascularization via the STAT‐4/miR‐223‐3p/FBXW7 pathway. This mechanism could have important implications for diabetic retinopathy treatment.
Vox Populi, Vox Dei? Tacit collusion in politics
Authors: Johansson Christian , Kärnä Anders , Meriläinen Jaakko
Published: April 2023

We study competition between political parties in repeated elections with probabilistic voting. This model entails multiple equilibria, and we focus on cases where political collusion occurs. When parties hold different opinions on some policy, they may take different policy positions that do not coincide with the median voter's preferred policy platform. In contrast, when parties have a mutual understanding on a particular policy, their policy positions may converge (on some dimension) but not to the median voter's preferred policy. That is to say, parties can tacitly collude with one another, despite political competition. Collusion may collapse, for instance, after the entry of a new political party. This model rationalizes patterns in survey data from Sweden, where politicians on different sides of the political spectrum take different positions on economic policy but similar positions on refugee intake—diverging from the average voter's position, but only until the entry of a populist party.
Survey of patients and parents on the autotransplantation of developing premolars to replace traumatised maxillary incisors
Authors: Plakwicz Adela Maria , Majdanik‐Bojarczuk Wioletta , Czochrowska Ewa Monika , Kowalski Jan , Plakwicz Paweł
Published: April 2023

Background/Aim

There is a little research on the experiences and opinions of patients who have had autotransplantation of a tooth. The aim of the study was to assess the satisfaction of patients who underwent the autotransplantation of a developing premolar to replace a traumatised maxillary central incisor.

Materials and methods

Eighty patients (with a mean age of 10.7‐years) and 32 parents were surveyed with 13 and 7 questions, respectively, to determine their opinions about the surgery, post‐operative period, orthodontic and restorative treatment they had received.

Results

Patients and their parents were very satisfied with the outcomes of the autotransplantation treatment. The majority of patients and all parents declared that they would choose this treatment again if needed. Patients who already had aesthetic restoration of the transplanted toothscored significantly better in position, similarity to other teeth, alignment and aesthetics, when compared to patients before restoration of the premolar to the shape of incisor. Patients after orthodontic treatment considered the alignment of the transplanted tooth between the adjacent teeth as better when compared to patients before or during their orthodontic treatment.

Conclusions

Autotransplantation of developing premolars to replace traumatized maxillary central incisors proved to be a well‐accepted treatment option. A delay of restoration of the transplanted premolars to the shape of the maxillary incisors did not have a negative impact on the satisfaction with the treatment.
Deletion of Emc1 in photoreceptor cells causes retinal degeneration in mice
Authors: Li Xiao , Jiang Zhilin , Su Yujing , Wang Kaifang , Jiang Xiaoyan , Sun Kuanxiang , Yang Yeming , Zhou Yu , Zhu Xianjun , Zhang Lin
Published: April 2023

The endoplasmic reticulum membrane protein complex (EMC) plays a critical role in the synthesis of multipass membrane proteins. Genetic studies indicated that mutations in EMC1 gene were associated with retinal degeneration diseases; however, the role of EMC1 in photoreceptor has not been confirmed. Here, we show that Emc1 ablation in the photoreceptor cells of mice recapitulated the retinitis pigmentosa phenotypes, including an attenuated scotopic electroretinogram response and the progressive degeneration of rod cells and cone cells. Histopathological examination of tissues from rod‐specific Emc1 knockout mice revealed mislocalized rhodopsin and irregularly arranged cone cells at the age of 2 months. Further immunoblotting analysis revealed decreased levels of membrane proteins and endoplasmic reticulum chaperones in 1‐month‐old rod‐specific Emc1 knockout mice retinae, and this led us to speculate that the loss of membrane proteins is the main cause of the degeneration of photoreceptors. EMC1 most likely regulated the membrane protein levels at an earlier step in the biosynthetic process before the proteins translocated into the endoplasmic reticulum. The present study demonstrates the essential roles of Emc1 in photoreceptor cells, and reveals the mechanism through which EMC1 mutations are linked to retinitis pigmentosa.
Forms of nitrogen inputs regulate the intensity of soil acidification
Authors: Wang Ze , Tao Tingting , Wang Hu , Chen Ji , Small Gaston E. , Johnson David , Chen Jihui , Zhang Yingjun , Zhu Qichao , Zhang Shengmin , Song Yantao , Kattge Jens , Guo Peng , Sun Xiao
Published: April 2023

Soil acidification induced by reactive nitrogen (N) inputs can alter the structure and function of terrestrial ecosystems. Because different N‐transformation processes contribute to the production and consumption of H+, the magnitude of acidification likely depends on the relative amounts of organic N (ON) and inorganic N (IN) inputs. However, few studies have explicitly measured the effects of N composition on soil acidification. In this study, we first conducted a meta‐analysis to test the effects of ON or IN inputs on soil acidification across 53 studies in grasslands. We then compared soil acidification across five different ON:IN ratios and two input rates based on long‐term field N addition experiments. The meta‐analysis showed that ON had weaker effects on soil acidification than IN when the N addition rate was above 20 g N m−2 year−1. The field experiment confirmed the findings from meta‐analysis: N addition with proportions of ON ≥ 20% caused less soil acidification, especially at a high input rate (30 g N m−2 year−1). Structural equation model analysis showed that this result was largely due to a relatively low rate of H+ production from ON as NH3 volatilization and uptake of ON and NH4+ by the dominant grass species Leymus chinensis (which are both lower net contributors to H+ production) result in less NH4+ available for nitrification (which is a higher net contributor to H+ production). These results indicate that the evaluation of soil acidification induced by N inputs should consider N forms and manipulations of relative composition of N inputs may provide an effective approach to alleviate the N‐induced soil acidification.
Research‐teaching nexus: The new answer to the old question
Authors: Krakovich Victor , Coates Dennis , Shakina Elena
Published: April 2023

The study tests 3 research hypotheses on the teaching‐research nexus using the administrative data of the HSE University in Russia for 7 years. We confirmed the hypothesis that a lower classroom teaching load is associated with higher research output. Undergraduate courses have a relatively higher negative effect, especially on the probability of producing research output at all. A higher concentration of teaching in some semesters or quarters looks rather ineffective as a way to stimulate higher research productivity. Only a moderate share of English‐taught classes (about 20% of the teaching load) is associated with higher research output and only for publications in good international journals. The empirical part of the study is based on zero‐inflated Poisson and zero‐inflated negative binomial models. This study comes to contribute to the development of literature discussing a mechanism and possible implications in teaching load composition as an essential part of the academic contract.
Intraosseous hibernoma: clinicopathologic and imaging analysis of 18 cases
Authors: Gangahar Chiraag N , Dehner Carina A , Wang David P , Amini Behrang , Hillen Travis , O'Conor Christopher , Jennings Sydney N , Byrnes Kathleen , Montgomery Elizabeth A , Czerniak Bogdan A , Bridge Julia A , Schroeder Molly C , Jennings Jack W , Wang Wei‐Lien , Chrisinger John S A
Published: April 2023

Aims

Intraosseous hibernomas are rarely reported tumours with brown adipocytic differentiation of unknown aetiology, with only 38 cases documented in the literature. We sought to further characterise the clinicopathologic, imaging and molecular features of these tumours.

Methods and result

Eighteen cases were identified occurring in eight females and 10 males (median age = 65 years, range = 7–75). Imaging indication was cancer surveillance/staging in 11 patients and clinical concern for a metastasis was raised in 13 patients. The innominate bone (7), sacrum (5), mobile spine (4), humerus (1) and femur (1) were involved. Median tumour size was 1.5 cm (range = 0.8–3.8). Tumours were sclerotic (11), mixed sclerotic and lytic (4) or occult (1). Microscopically, tumours were composed of large polygonal cells with distinct cell membranes, finely vacuolated cytoplasm, central or paracentral small bland nuclei with prominent scalloping. Growth around trabecular bone was observed. Tumour cells were immunoreactive for S100 protein (15/15) and adipophilin (5/5), while negative for keratin AE1/AE3(/PCK26) (0/14) and brachyury (0/2). Chromosomal microarray analysis, performed on four cases, did not show clinically significant copy number variation across the genome or on 11q, the site of AIP and MEN1.

Conclusion

Analysis of 18 cases of intraosseous hibernoma, to our knowledge, the largest series to date, revealed that these tumours are most often detected in the spine and pelvis of older adults. Tumours were generally small, sclerotic and frequently found incidentally and can raise concern for metastasis. Whether or not these tumours are related to soft tissue hibernomas is uncertain.
Crisis plans in mental health: A scoping review
Authors: Cassivi Christine , Sergerie‐Richard Sophie , Saint‐Pierre Benoît , Goulet Marie‐Hélène
Published: April 2023

Crisis situations are frequent among people with mental health disorders. Several interventions have been developed to act in prevention, including crisis plans recognized as particularly effective in reducing coercive measures. In the literature, several models of crisis plans are proposed with similar aims and contents. Based on the methodology proposed by the Joanna Briggs Institute, a scoping review was conducted to map the state of knowledge on crisis plans in adult mental health settings. The literature search conducted on six databases (CINAHL, PubMed, Medline, EMBASE, PsychINFO and Cochrane) yielded 2435 articles. Of these, 122 full‐text articles were assessed for eligibility, and 78 met the inclusion criteria. Studies were critically appraised using the Joanna Briggs Institute appraisal tools, and data were extracted by two independent reviewers. Content analysis identified a typology of crisis plans: (1) the legal crisis plan and (2) the formal crisis plan. Five modalities were identified for its completion: the sections, the moment, the completion steps, the people involved and the training of key actors. Most identified outcomes are consistent with the main purpose of the intervention, which is crisis prevention. However, the most identified outcomes focused on the service user's recovery and indicated that crisis plans could provide an opportunity to operationalize recovery in mental healthcare, thus suggesting an evolution in the aim of the intervention. Future research should further focus on the modalities of crisis plans to guide the implementation in clinical practice.
Pathogenic bacteria characteristics and drug resistance in acute, delayed, and chronic periprosthetic joint infection: A retrospective analysis of 202 patients
Authors: Chang Yu , Li Yongsheng , Fan Ting , Jiang Kai , Lv Jing , Huang Jing
Published: April 2023

To assist orthopaedic surgeons in choosing appropriate antibiotics, this study attempted to identify the common microorganisms that cause periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) and their respective drug resistance spectrums. The clinical data of 202 patients with PJI after primary hip and knee arthroplasty between January 2017 and December 2021 were retrospectively analysed. There were 84 males and 118 females, aged (63.03 ± 13.10) years (range: 24–89 years). A total of 102 and 100 patients underwent total hip and total knee arthroplasty, respectively. Based on the time of postoperative infection, the patients were divided into acute (25 cases), delayed (91 cases), and chronic (86 cases) PJI groups. The results of pathogen species, composition ratio, and drug susceptibility tests were collected. Gram‐positive bacteria were the primary causative pathogens of PJI (58.91%, 119/202), and their culture‐positive rates in patients with acute, delayed, and chronic PJI were 32.00% (8/25), 62.64% (57/91), and 62.79% (54/86), respectively. Staphylococcus epidermidis and Staphylococcus aureus were the major gram‐positive bacteria detected, followed by gram‐negative bacteria (29/202, 14.36%), and fungi (4/202, 1.98%). Gram‐positive bacteria showed higher resistance to penicillin (81.25%), oxacillin (63.33%), erythromycin (61.17%), and clindamycin (48.35%) and 100% sensitivity to linezolid, vancomycin, daptomycin, and tigecycline. In gram‐negative bacteria, the drug resistance rates to cefazolin, gentamicin, furantoin, cefuroxime, ticacillin/clavulanic acid, ceftriaxone, ciprofloxacin, and tobramycin were >50%. However, no vancomycin‐resistant bacteria were discovered in the current study. The drug resistance rate to carbapenems was low, ranging from 0% to 3.57%. Gram‐positive bacteria are the main causative pathogens of PJI, and the resistance rate of pathogens of chronic PJI is higher than those of delayed and acute PJI. Use of cefuroxime and clindamycin in patients with PJIs should proceed with caution because of the high drug resistance rate. Vancomycin can be used as a first‐line antibiotic against gram‐positive bacteria. Carbapenems can be used as the first choice against gram‐negative bacteria because of to their high sensitivity.
Monitoring Algal Blooms in Small Lakes Using Drones: A Case Study in Southern Illinois
Authors: Wu Di , Li Ruopu , Liu Jia , Khan Nafeesa
Published: April 2023

Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) persist in many water bodies around the world and pose adverse health and economic impacts to the affected communities. Small Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) have recently been applied as a cost‐effective tool for HABs monitoring. In this study, HABs in two small lakes in Southern Illinois (Carbondale Reservoir and the Campus Lake of Southern Illinois University) were monitored using UAVs and biomass concentrations in lake waters. By analyzing vegetation indices derived from multispectral UAV images and chlorophyll‐a concentrations in the two lakes, statistical regression models were established for each waterbody. The model relates spectral characteristics of the lake water to its algae biomass. It was found that normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) and blue‐to‐green band ratio are the best‐fit indices to the variation in chlorophyll‐a in Carbondale Reservoir and the Campus Lake, respectively. The findings in this study can be used for monitoring HABs using UAVs in these lakes in the future.
EU Cohesion Policy and Inter‐regional Risk‐sharing: First Evidence and Lessons Learned
Authors: Giua Mara , Pericoli Filippo Maria , Pierucci Eleonora
Published: April 2023

We provide the first evidence of the role played by the Cohesion Policy in terms of insurance against income shocks affecting the European Union (EU) regions. By following state‐of‐the‐art modelling, we measured income risk‐sharing amongst 270 NUTS‐2 regions over two concluded programming periods (2000–2006 and 2007–2013), distinguishing across several sub‐groups of regions characterized by different macroeconomic conditions, integration of markets and regional levels of economic disadvantage. We found that, by and large, the income risk‐sharing role of the EU Funds inflow is non‐negligible and it becomes particularly relevant in the second programming period. Further, the Cohesion Policy exerted a significant and positive role in income stabilization after the Global Financial Crisis and the Sovereign Debt Crisis and during the negative phases of the business cycle, particularly for those regions lagging or belonging to less stable countries from the macroeconomic point of view (Less Developed regions and Mediterranean EU). This novel evidence of the short‐run stabilizing effect of the Cohesion Policy aims to contribute to the debate on the role of EU institutions in improving the capacity of regions to tackle economic shocks, which is particularly relevant at the launch of the Next Generation EU.