bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Design and development of a cable-driven elephant trunk robot with variable cross-sections
Authors: Qin Guodong , Wang Qi , Li Changyang , Ji Aihong , Wu Huapeng , Yang Zhikang , Wen Shikun
Published: February 2023

Purpose

In large equipment and highly complex confined workspaces, the maintenance is usually carried out by snake-arm robots with equal cross-sections. However, the equal cross-sectional design results in the snake arm suffering from stress concentration and restricted working space. The purpose of this paper is to design a variable cross-section elephant trunk robot (ETR) that can address these shortcomings through bionic principles.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper proposes a cable-driven ETR to explore the advantages and inspiration of variable cross-section features for hyper-redundant robot design. For the kinematic characteristics, the influence of the variable cross-section design on the maximum joint angle of the ETR is analysed using the control variables method and the structural parameters are selected. Based on the biological inspiration of the whole elephant trunk following the movement of the trunk tip, a trajectory-tracking algorithm is designed to solve the inverse kinematics of the ETR.

Findings

Simulation and test results show the unique advantages of the proposed variable cross-section ETR in kinematics and forces, which can reduce stress concentrations and increase the flexibility of movement.

Originality/value

This paper presents a design method for a variable cross-section ETR for confined working spaces, analyses the kinematic characteristics and develops a targeted trajectory control algorithm.
Adult family violence coming out of the shadows
Authors: Benbow Susan Mary , Bhattacharyya Sarmishtha , Kingston Paul
Published: February 2023

Purpose

This study aims to draw together what is known regarding the characteristics and context of adult family violence, and to consider what practitioners and organisations in the UK might learn from the literature.

Design/methodology/approach

This study reviews literature on adult family violence and parricide and includes illustrative cases from a study of domestic homicide review reports involving older adults.

Findings

Adult family violence most often involves mothers killed by their adult sons. Mental health issues, alcohol/substance misuse and criminality are common themes for perpetrators. Caregiving responsibilities is a theme for both victims and perpetrators. Previous research identified two main categories of adult family homicide: perpetrators with major psychotic illness, and victims-perpetrators in complex relational contexts.

Practical implications

This study considers how practitioners respond to situations of adult family violence and learning for policymakers, agencies and practitioners.

Originality/value

This paper summarises what is known, argues that more research is needed and suggests practical ways forward for policymakers, relevant agencies and practitioners.
Does COVID-19 disrupt competition? Evidence from Iran
Authors: Yousefi Kowsar , Taiebnia Ali
Published: February 2023

Purpose

Following the COVID-19 outbreak, there are concerns whether economies are becoming farther from equality and competency. While this matters to every economy, it is more crucial for developing ones who already suffer from income inequalities and lack of competency. The purpose of this paper is to address this issue.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses an administrative data from the Iran's Social Security Organization (ISSO) that provides insurance to workers entitled to the Labor Law of Iran. The data contain more than 7,000,000 workers. The authors assess heterogeneous impact of the first wave of the pandemic by firms' size and average payment.

Findings

The authors’ estimation results indicate that, following the initiation of the pandemic, the workers whose corresponding firms are smaller, overall, are more prone to the pandemic and are more likely to submit a request for unemployment benefits. However, the relation is neither homogeneous across sectors nor linear among micro-sized firms. Few sectors indicate a positive relationship between size and likelihood of request submission, including cultural activity, shoemaking and clothing sectors. Besides the size, the authors investigate whether pay grades could explain the probability of becoming unemployed after the pandemic. Results show that workers whose corresponding firms pay less are more likely to submit a request. This is robust within different sectors.

Research limitations/implications

The ISSO dataset is not a panel, so the authors cannot employ methods of causal inferences. The authors’ results should be seen as correlation; however, due to exogeneity and sharpness of the pandemic the result infers to some degree of causality. The data does not cover the informal sector, so the estimates are at lower boundary.

Originality/value

Administrative data on unemployment benefits during COVID-19 show that the pandemic interferes with competition by forcing low-paid workers and small firms to exit the market. This is an alarm for the competition in every economy, specially developing ones.
Exploring the audit quality and audit fee impacts of joining different types of non-Big Four accounting networks and associations: evidence from China
Authors: Lento Camillo , Yeung Wing Him
Published: February 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the audit quality and fee implications of joining a global accounting firm network and association (“AF N&A”).

Design/methodology/approach

A hand-collected sample focusing upon the pre- and post-periods around the time when an independent audit firm joins an AF N&A is developed. A propensity score-matched sample is created to address the endogeneity and self-selection bias. OLS regression is used on a sample of around 2,000 firm-year observations from 2003 to 2014.

Findings

Membership with an AF N&A is associated with higher levels of audit quality and audit fees. Furthermore, audit quality and fee increases are more pronounced for audit firms that become members of a larger, more formal AF N&A.

Originality/value

This paper provides additional insights into the conflicting results regarding the audit quality implications of membership with AF N&As in China. This paper also extends the discussion by exploring the audit quality and fee differentials among the non-Big Four AF N&As. These findings have significant implications for independent audit firms pursuing membership with an AF N&A and regulators seeking to reduce market concentration around the Big Four.
Investigating customer acceptance, usage, trust, and perceived safety risk of self-ordering kiosk technology in Malaysian quick-service restaurants during COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Baba Noradzhar , Hanafiah Mohd Hafiz , Mohd Shahril Aslinda , Zulkifly Muhammad Izzat
Published: February 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to empirically examine the interrelationship between customer acceptance and usage of self-ordering kiosks, purchase behaviour and post-purchase behaviour in quick-service restaurants. This study also hypothesised that the perceived safety risk moderates the relationship between customer purchase and post-purchase behaviour.

Design/methodology/approach

This study adopted a quantitative research methodology using an online survey. During the data collection process, 430 responses were obtained. The partial-least square-structural equation modelling was used to test the study’s model and hypotheses.

Findings

The results of this study indicated that performance expectancy, effort expectancy, facilitating conditions, social influence, facilitating conditions, hedonic motivation and trust significantly influence purchase behaviour through the self-ordering kiosks. Meanwhile, price value and customer habit did not affect purchasing behaviour, while perceived safety risk as a moderator does not influence re-purchase behaviour.

Practical implications

This study provides valuable implications for foodservice researchers and marketers related explicitly to technology adoption in restaurant services. Given the positive outlook on self-ordering kiosk usage, quick-service restaurants should continuously improve their ordering kiosk adoption and efficiency, especially during the health pandemic.

Originality/value

This study is one of the few to predict and explain the consumer acceptance of self-service kiosks by integrating the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology 2 model with other essential behavioural constructs. The inclusion of trust and perceived safety risk construct enhances the study model’s adaptability during health crises.
Do you want to retain your relevant knowledge? The role of contextual factors in the banking sector
Authors: Sumbal Muhammad Saleem , Ključnikov Aleksandr , Durst Susanne , Ferraris Alberto , Saeed Labeeqa
Published: February 2023

Purpose

Retaining critical knowledge is relevant for all organizations, knowledge-intensive ones in particular. Failure to do so can, in the worst case, lead to an organization being unable to act. Acknowledging the role of context in this regard, the purpose of this paper is to examine knowledge retention (KR) in the banking sector of a developing country. A particular focus is placed on exploring various contextual factors that influence the retention of critical knowledge taking into consideration the setting.

Design/methodology/approach

Following a qualitative research design, semi-structured interviews were conducted with senior managers from private and public banks in Pakistan. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the data.

Findings

The findings suggest that the existence of a collectivist society, gender differences, few job opportunities, power distance and the late IT Boom are vital factors to be considered regarding KR in the setting studied. The findings are summarized in a conceptual framework that highlights critical factors of KR to be studied in a broader context and which are viewed as relevant for informing future research in this underdeveloped area of knowledge management (KM).

Research limitations/implications

The data were collected from a small number of individuals working in different banks in only one country. Future studies should consider research designs across multiple organizations involving more people representing different roles, functions and age groups.

Originality/value

Existing KM research has emphasized the role of context while research on KR is underdeveloped in this regard. By exploring different contextual factors this study advances current understanding in the KM domain.
Schooling beyond the school: workplace learning in Nepal
Authors: Paudel Prakash Kumar , Parajuli Mahesh Nath
Published: February 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to discuss the formal workplace learning situation in Nepal and argue that workplace learning is not in priority in Nepali Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) despite a regular policy emphasis.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were gathered using both desk-based review of pre-diploma and diploma-level curricula and semi-structured interviews with eight employers and six technical school principals. Coded themes were interpreted in the meaning-making process.

Findings

Workplace skills learning in Nepal has remained a neglected agenda. Despite some successful implementation practices and policy recognition, it is stagnated. Employers expect skills in graduates relevant to their demands. However, unfortunately, there needs to be more trust for a culture of shared responsibilities among employers and TVET providers for arranging the provisions so that the learners can acquire the skills that the employers need. There is a blaming game between them, which has ultimately resulted in the poor arrangement of workplace learning.

Practical implications

TVET providers’ and employers’ engaged participation in recognizing and developing workplace learning for making the learning as per the needs of the world of work could benefit them and also support students to upgrade and acquire employability skills.

Originality/value

This paper is based on empirical data and contributes new knowledge in academia which is still rare in the context of Nepal.
Government regulation strategy for the maintenance of bike sharing
Authors: Wang Rufeng , Wang Siqi , Deng Guoqu
Published: February 2023

Purpose

The expansion of bike-sharing enterprises has led to a series of social problems, and due to the high breakage rate and high recycling cost of bike sharing, enterprises are reluctant to maintain them. Therefore, government regulation does play a leading role in maintaining bike sharing. This study’s purpose is to investigate how the government should regulate the bike-sharing enterprises that maintain bicycles.

Design/methodology/approach

Firstly, the authors assume that there is only one bike-sharing enterprise and establish a game model that the government regulates the enterprise. Furthermore, the authors extend the model to the case that there are two competing enterprises in the market. Finally, through numerical analysis, the influence of various factors on the government strategy and revenue is analyzed.

Findings

The authors find that the regulatory probability of two enterprises are regulated by the government is larger than that of one enterprise. When two bike-sharing enterprises compete without government regulation, both will choose the non-self-discipline strategy, thus falling into the Prisoner's Dilemma. If the government regulates them, then both enterprises will choose the self-discipline strategy. Finally, through numerical analysis, it is found that the self-discipline behavior of bike-sharing enterprises is related to the government regulatory probability, the cost of self-discipline, the probability of being reported and the penalties. Interestingly, the cost of government regulation will not affect the regulation probability of government.

Practical implications

This research provides a theoretical reference for the government to make the regulation strategies of bike sharing and achieve the sustainable development of bike sharing.

Originality/value

This research provides a theoretical reference for the government to make the regulation strategies of bike sharing and achieve the sustainable development of bike sharing.
The preparation of anisotropic conductive paste and its application in FOB interconnection
Authors: Cai Xionghui , Zhai Aixia , Zhou Chenglong , Paik Kyung-Wook
Published: February 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate the reliability of flex-on-board (FOB) interconnection connected with an anisotropic conductive paste (ACP), which is prepared by dispersing nickel balls in the epoxy-curing system.

Design/methodology/approach

Differential scanning calorimetry was used to evaluate the curing characteristics of the paste. And the contact resistances of bonding joints and 90º peel adhesion were tested before and after high temperature and high humidity test (85°C, 85% humidity), thermal cycling (−45°C∼125°C, 30min/cycle) and pressure cooker test (PCT, 121°C, 100% humidity 2 atm) to evaluate the flex on board (FOB) interconnection reliability.

Findings

It is found that FOB test vehicles have been successfully bonded by using ACP for the first time. And the ACP bonding joint of FOB has good reliability and can meet the requirements of FOB interconnection. Compared with conventional anisotropic conductive film (ACF), this ACP interconnection provides higher adhesion strength, higher joint current carrying capability and higher reliability performance and lower cost for FOB interconnection.

Originality/value

ACP is applied in the interconnection of FOB. It has the higher reliability performance and lower cost for than the conventional ACF.
Exploitative leadership and counterproductive work behavior: a discrete emotions approach
Authors: Guo Limin , Luo Jinlian , Cheng Ken
Published: February 2023

Purpose

Integrating appraisal theories of discrete emotions with the emotion regulation literature, this study aims to explore the relationships between exploitative leadership and certain types of counterproductive workplace behavior (CWB). Besides, this study seeks to examine the mediating roles of discrete emotions (i.e. anger and fear) and the moderating role of cognitive reappraisal within the proposed relationships.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on time-lagged survey data from 440 Chinese employees, this study conducted hierarchical regression analysis and bootstrapping approach to test the hypotheses.

Findings

The results revealed that exploitative leadership was positively related to approach-oriented CWB and avoidance-oriented CWB. In addition, this study found that anger mediated the relationship between exploitative leadership and approach-oriented CWB, whereas fear mediated the relationship between exploitative leadership and avoidance-oriented CWB. Further, cognitive reappraisal buffered the positive effects of exploitative leadership on anger and fear and the indirect effects of exploitative leadership on approach-oriented CWB (via anger) and avoidance-oriented CWB (via fear).

Practical implications

Managers should reduce leaders' exploitation and enhance employees' skills on emotional management and cognitive reappraisal.

Originality/value

First, by verifying the effects of exploitative leadership on both approach-oriented and avoidance-oriented CWB, this study adds to the literature on exploitive leadership and provides a more complete understating of the relationship between exploitative leadership and workplace deviance. Second, this study enriches the understanding of the process through which exploitative leadership affects employees by demonstrating the novel mediating roles of discrete emotions (i.e. anger and fear) through the lens of appraisal theories of discrete emotions. Third, by verifying the moderating role of cognitive reappraisal, this study provides insights into the boundary conditions of the influences of exploitive leadership.
Transactional leadership matters in green creative behaviour through workplace learning and green knowledge management: moderating role of social network sites use
Authors: Cai Xuerui , Khan Naseer Abbas , Egorova Olga
Published: February 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate the predictive influence of transactional leadership on employee green creative behaviour (GCB) and the mediating role of workplace learning and green knowledge management (GKM) in this relationship. Based on the leader–member exchange (LMX) theory. This study also uses moderated mediation analysis to investigate social networking sites (SNS) use as a moderator to better understand the indirect relationship between transactional leadership and employee GCB.

Design/methodology/approach

The data for this quantitative study were collected using a time-lag technique, with two time waves apart by two months. The final sample for the study included 294 employee–supervisor dyads from small and medium-sized tourism enterprises in the north eastern part of China.

Findings

Findings supported the study's proposed hypotheses, indicating that transactional leadership has a significant impact on workplace learning and GKM, as well as a significant role of mediators (workplace learning and GKM) in the relationship between transactional leadership and employee GCB. Furthermore, SNS use significantly moderated the impact of both mediators in establishing a link between transactional leadership and employee GCB.

Originality/value

This study offers new perspectives and insights for entrepreneurs, decision-makers, academics and tourism sector experts by identifying and putting into practise the predictive role of transactional leadership in innovative behaviours. This study also suggests that small and mid-sized travel agencies should focus on workplace learning, GKM and SNS use to promote environment-friendly creative employee behaviour.
Household finance: a systematic literature review and directions for future research
Authors: Zehra Nahid , Singh Udai Bhan
Published: February 2023

Purpose

The objective of this systematic literature review (SLR) is to explore the current state of research in the field of household finance (HF). This study aims to summarize the existing research to highlight the importance of household finance in a nation’s economy. By exploring all conceptual and applied implications of HF, this study projects directions for future research to develop a comprehensive understanding of the subject.

Design/methodology/approach

This SLR is based on 112 articles published in peer-reviewed journals between 2006 and 2020 (Table 3). The methodology comprises five steps, namely, formulation of research questions, identification of studies, their selection and evaluation, analyses and syntheses and presentation of results.

Findings

The findings of this study show that studies on HF are gradually increasing worldwide with the USA registering the highest number of published research on the topic during the period under scrutiny. Notwithstanding the increasing attention and research on HF, empirical research in emerging economies is lagging. Additionally, this study finds that HF structure presents a perfect setting to understand how households compose their financial portfolio, make financial decisions and what factors influence their decisions.

Research limitations/implications

This study is an SLR – an accurate and accepted method of reviewing available literature on a selected subject. However, the selection of inclusion and exclusion criteria depends on the researchers’ rationale which might lead to research bias. This should be considered an inherent limitation of SLR.

Practical implications

By synthesizing the contents of extant literature, this study presents important insights into HF. This study underlines the most discussed topics in the domain and identifies potential investigation areas. This study gives the knowledge of leading articles, authors and journals and informs scholars and academicians about the areas that need further investigation by portraying the complete picture of the subject in a systematic manner. Further, this study highlights that households make suboptimal financial decisions that affect their financial well-being. To reduce the adverse impacts of these decisions, policymakers and financial institutions must take steps to improve households’ use of formal financial markets. Household decisions can be reformed by enhancing consumers’ knowledge about financial products and services. Furthermore, households can be served better by offering customization in traditional financial products.

Originality/value

This study synthesizes the main findings of selected literature on HF. The expansion of studies on HF has generated the need to review the existing literature in a systematic manner. To the researchers’ best knowledge, this SLR is the first thorough study of available articles in the HF domain. This study presents the scope of future research by highlighting numerous aspects and functions of HF.
Young people and post-pandemic futures: scenario planning as a radical politics of hope
Authors: Kelly Peter , Brown Seth , Goring James
Published: February 2023

Purpose

In this paper we report on the outcomes of a scenario planning project in Melbourne's (Australia) inner northern suburbs, which was undertaken in the context of an extended lockdown during Melbourne's second wave of COVID-19 infections. In this project, the researchers sought to identify the ways in which young people and youth service providers understood the challenges that the pandemic was creating for young people and the provision of youth services, and through the 5 years up to 2025.

Design/methodology/approach

The project was shaped by a scenario planning methodology that produced three research informed scenarios of possible futures for young people in Melbourne's inner north in 2025. The project conducted a series of structured video interviews with young people, and semi-structured interviews with stakeholders that asked participants to reflect on the context of the pandemic, and what the future might hold in relation to young people's pathways and health and well-being, and the futures of their communities and the planet.

Findings

The scenario planning methodology revealed many concerns, uncertainties and anxieties that were shared, but which also varied between young people and stakeholders – both about the immediacy of the pandemic, and its aftermaths and intersection with future crises.

Originality/value

The scenario planning approach offers sociologies of education and youth a means to do the future-oriented, “hopeful” work that multiple crises for young people demand. Scenario planning is an “affirmative” exercise in hope by which sociologies can “stay with the trouble” that we find ourselves in, and that the pandemic has amplified.
Reimagining peer support and engagement
Authors: Pham Kate , Muralles Daisy
Published: February 2023

Purpose

This paper presents a case study for the pilot of a peer-led service model that is centered on fostering student leadership, collaboration and advocacy. The authors, who serve as advisors to the program, discuss the Library's transition to this peer-led model for reference support, outreach, programming and campus engagement.

Design/methodology/approach

This case study examines the development and implementation of a new peer-led service at a mid-size public university aimed at centering student success, belonging and empowerment. Authors share practices, strategies and goals for training, onboarding and professional development with emphasis on student advocacy, leadership and retention in the program.

Findings

The authors found that developing the structures and opportunities to foster student-led initiatives and efforts for student success, belonging and engagement has helped the library better connect and engage with diverse student communities on campus.

Research limitations/implications

Findings of this study may be limited at the time this case study is written due to it being a new and developing library student program for reference, outreach and programming.

Practical implications

The peer-led service model for reference and student engagement presented in this article serves as a case study that may be applicable for those who wish to imagine and develop a student-centered library program at their institution.

Social implications

This case study may provide an alternative approach useful to those who wish to reimagine and innovate library student programs at their institutions.

Originality/value

Although there are many peer-led initiatives in academic libraries for outreach and programming, this program explores the approach of fostering student leadership and advocacy within library student roles to lead and facilitate library efforts for campus engagement with structured guidance and support from librarian advisors.
Towards 2030: future-proofing human capital management
Authors: Chappuis Isabelle
Published: February 2023

Purpose

This paper is designed to highlight the role that HR can play in helping to shape the future of work in a world where digitisation, artificial intelligence, machine learning and robotics are increasingly the norm. This paper aims to help HR professionals to understand how foresight thinking can be used to connect weak signals that are surfacing in the present with future potential outcomes. In this way, incoming disruptions can be anticipated and addressed.

Design/methodology/approach

An anticipatory HR can plan for what is next. The authors analyse trends such as dematerialized work and explore the emergence of key challenges and requirements that HR will have to face. To address these issues, the authors have created methodologies, derived from the world of defence and intelligence as well as curated and crowd-sourced scenarios from the world of work. An extensive bibliography of evidence and research supports our observations and recommendations.

Findings

Based on research and analysis undertaken for our book, HR Futures 2030 – A Design for Future-Ready Human Resources published by Routledge, this paper presents ten traits of the future, a collection of characteristics that are highly relevant for the HR function. This paper concludes with five recommended focus areas for 2023 to help ensure that businesses stay ahead of the curve. These have been selected from 22 further characteristics explored in the book.

Originality/value

This paper offers a unique and thought-provoking perspective on how HR professionals can help their organisations to think beyond the current paradigm and re-imagine the world of work. How to build systemic readiness and align skills and work processes for the future.
Modeling, testing and validation of the vibrational behavior of a dynamometric test rig for railway braking systems
Authors: Pugi Luca , Rosano Giulio , Viviani Riccardo , Cabrucci Leonardo , Bocciolini Luca
Published: February 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this work is to optimize the monitoring of vibrations on dynamometric test rigs for railway brakes. This is a quite demanding application considering the continuous increase of performances of high-speed trains that involve higher testing specifications for brake pads and disks.

Design/methodology/approach

In this work, authors propose a mixed approach in which relatively simple finite element models are used to support the optimization of a diagnostic system that is used to monitor vibration levels and rotor-dynamical behavior of the machine. The model is calibrated with experimental data recorded on the same rig that must be identified and monitored. The whole process is optimized to not interfere with normal operations of the rig, using common inertial sensor and tools and are available as standard instrumentation for this kind of applications. So at the end all the calibration activities can be performed normally without interrupting the activities of the rig introducing additional costs due to system unavailability.

Findings

Proposed approach was able to identify in a very simple and fast way the vibrational behavior of the investigated rig, also giving precious information concerning the anisotropic behavior of supports and their damping. All these data are quite difficult to be found in technical literature because they are quite sensitive to assembly tolerances and to many other factors. Dynamometric test rigs are an important application widely diffused for both road and rail vehicles. Also proposed procedure can be easily extended and generalized to a wide value of machine with horizontal rotors.

Originality/value

Most of the studies in literature are referred to electrical motors or turbomachines operating with relatively slow transients and constant inertial properties. For investigated machines both these conditions are not verified, making the proposed application quite unusual and original with respect to current application. At the same time, there is a wide variety of special machines that are usually marginally covered by standard testing methodologies to which the proposed approach can be successfully extended.
Implications of distance education on children with disabilities
Authors: Karnas Mustafa , Alpaydın Beyza , Eker Abdullah
Published: February 2023

Once the COVID‐19 was announced as a pandemic by the World Health Organization at the beginning of 2020, almost all countries around the world shifted from traditional face to face education to distance education to prevent the spread of the virus. Türkiye implemented distance education practices through a web‐based platform named education information network (EBA) and EBA TV channels. However, the rapid shift from traditional face to face education to distance education was challenging especially for students with disabilities, their parents and teachers because these students needed individualised education and some services which were impossible to implement remotely. The purpose of this study was to explore (a) the challenges that teachers and students faced during distance education; (b) the implications of distance education on students with disabilities. Further, this study explored opinions of special education teachers regarding how to make distance education more effective for students with disabilities. A semi‐structured interview was conducted with 12 special education teachers. Findings demonstrated that distance education through EBA was neither sufficient nor convenient for most students with disabilities. Limitations of this study and suggestions for future research were discussed.
The Missing Dative Alternation in Romance: Explaining Stability and Change in the Argument Structure of Latin Ditransitives
Authors: Fedriani Chiara , Napoli Maria
Published: February 2023

This study explores the correlation between synchronic constructional variation shown by ditransitive verbs in Late Latin and (possible) diachronic developments, investigating the reasons why such developments did or did not occur throughout the history of this language. Starting from a comparison with the rise of the so‐called ‘dative alternation’ in English, which emerged from a scenario that, apparently, was similar to the one found in Late Latin, we address the question as to why in the diachrony of this language such a linguistic phenomenon did not develop at all for some verbs and did not become productive for others – what we may call the ‘missing dative alternation’ in Romance. Drawing on a corpus‐based study of six verbs instantiating different types of ditransitive constructions since Early Latin, we show that each form has its own history, attesting to different instances of stability and/or change in its argument structure. We will also argue that when individual histories of single forms eventually converge on the same result, as happened in Romance, a comprehensive explanation is also needed. This study suggests such an explanation by shedding light on different functional motivations that triggered specific pathways of change and disfavoured other possible developments.
Role of pulmonary epithelial arginase‐II in activation of fibroblasts and lung inflammaging
Authors: Zhu Cui , Potenza Duilio M. , Yang Yang , Ajalbert Guillaume , Mertz Kirsten D. , von Gunten Stephan , Ming Xiu‐Fen , Yang Zhihong
Published: February 2023

Elevated arginases including type‐I (Arg‐I) and type‐II isoenzyme (Arg‐II) are reported to play a role in aging, age‐associated organ inflammaging, and fibrosis. A role of arginase in pulmonary aging and underlying mechanisms are not explored. Our present study shows increased Arg‐II levels in aging lung of female mice, which is detected in bronchial ciliated epithelium, club cells, alveolar type 2 (AT2) pneumocytes, and fibroblasts (but not vascular endothelial and smooth muscle cells). Similar cellular localization of Arg‐II is also observed in human lung biopsies. The age‐associated increase in lung fibrosis and inflammatory cytokines, including IL‐1β and TGF‐β1 that are highly expressed in bronchial epithelium, AT2 cells, and fibroblasts, are ameliorated in arg‐ii deficient (arg‐ii−/−) mice. The effects of arg‐ii−/− on lung inflammaging are weaker in male as compared to female animals. Conditioned medium (CM) from human Arg‐II‐positive bronchial and alveolar epithelial cells, but not that from arg‐ii−/− cells, activates fibroblasts to produce various cytokines including TGF‐β1 and collagen, which is abolished by IL‐1β receptor antagonist or TGF‐β type I receptor blocker. Conversely, TGF‐β1 or IL‐1β also increases Arg‐II expression. In the mouse models, we confirmed the age‐associated increase in IL‐1β and TGF‐β1 in epithelial cells and activation of fibroblasts, which is inhibited in arg‐ii−/− mice. Taken together, our study demonstrates a critical role of epithelial Arg‐II in activation of pulmonary fibroblasts via paracrine release of IL‐1β and TGF‐β1, contributing to pulmonary inflammaging and fibrosis. The results provide a novel mechanistic insight in the role of Arg‐II in pulmonary aging.
The phrenic nerve; the forgotten nerve in head and neck surgery
Authors: Lee Michael Fook‐Ho , Gan Jereme Yijin , Zhang Michael , Stokan Murray James , Palme Carsten Erich
Published: February 2023

Background

Neck dissection is a commonly performed procedure for oncologic control of head and neck malignancy. With contemporary modified radical and selective neck dissections, haematoma, wound infection, tissue necrosis, chyle leak and injury involving the marginal mandibular, hypoglossal, vagus or accessory nerves are commonly described complications.

Although the phrenic nerve courses within the surgical planes explored during a neck dissection and has a vital function in innervating the diaphragm, few studies have been performed to investigate the exact incidence of post‐operative phrenic nerve paresis. This study aims to review the literature as to the rate of phrenic nerve injury following neck dissection.

Methods

A systematic literature review was conducted from 2000 to 2022 including studies reporting on phrenic nerve paresis following neck dissection.

Results

In total, 11 studies were included. The reported rate of immediate post‐operative phrenic nerve paresis ranged from 0% to 5.3%, with an average rate of 0.613% (12/1959). The reported rate of phrenic nerve paresis at follow‐up (1 month–127 months) ranged from 0% to 4.7%, with an average rate of 1.035% (5/483). There were no cases of bilateral phrenic nerve paresis reported in this period.

Conclusions

Phrenic nerve paresis is an uncommon complication following neck dissection, often asymptomatic and potentially underreported. Bilateral phrenic nerve paresis is exceedingly rare. Injury can be avoided by staying superficial to the prevertebral fascia when dissecting around the anterior scalene muscle. Routine phrenic nerve integrity monitoring is not commonly utilized but may aid intra‐operative phrenic nerve identification or confirmation of function.
Venous thromboembolism incidence associated with pegylated asparaginase (ASP) compared to the native L‐ASP: A retrospective analysis with an ASP‐based protocol in adult patients with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia
Authors: Chen RuiQi , Atenafu Eshetu G. , Seki Jack , Liu Xing , Chan Steven , Gupta Vikas , Maze Dawn , Shuh Andre C. , Minden Mark D. , Yee Karen , Schimmer Aaron D. , Sibai Hassan
Published: February 2023

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a well‐known complication in patients with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) receiving asparaginase (ASP)‐based chemotherapy, including the ASP‐intensive Dana‐Farber Cancer Institute (DFCI) 91–01 protocol for adults. Since 2019, native L‐ASP is no longer available in Canada and was replaced by pegylated (PEG)‐ASP. To determine whether the incidence of VTE has changed since switching from L‐ASP to PEG‐ASP, we conducted a single‐centred retrospective cohort study. We included 245 adult patients with Philadelphia chromosome negative ALL between 2011 and 2021, with 175 from the L‐ASP group (2011–2019) and 70 from the PEG‐ASP group (2018–2021). During Induction, 10.29% (18/175) of patients who received L‐ASP developed VTE, whereas 28.57% (20/70) of patients who received PEG‐ASP developed VTE (p = 0.0035; odds ratio [OR] 3.35, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.51–7.39), after adjusting for line type, gender, history of VTE, platelets at diagnosis. Similarly, during Intensification, 13.64% (18/132) of patients had VTE on L‐ASP while 34.37% (11/32) of patients on PEG‐ASP developed VTE (p = 0.0096; OR 3.96, 95% CI 1.57–9.96 with multivariable analysis). We found that PEG‐ASP is associated with a higher incidence of VTE compared to L‐ASP, both during Induction and Intensification, despite the administration of prophylactic anticoagulation. Further VTE mitigation strategies are needed in particular for adult patients with ALL receiving PEG‐ASP.
Porocarcinoma with YAP1‐NUTM1 fusion presenting as a NUT immunohistochemistry‐positive lymph node metastasis
Authors: Christensen Daniel Joel , Tuluc Madalina
Published: February 2023

Introduction

Porocarcinoma is a rare, malignant adnexal tumor that recently has been shown to contain YAP1‐NUTM1 and YAP1‐MAML2 fusion transcripts, with nuclear protein in testis (NUT) immunohistochemistry (IHC) positivity in a subset of these tumors. Consequently, NUT IHC may either aid in the differential diagnosis, or represent a confounding factor depending on the clinical scenario. Here, we present a case of NUTM1‐rearranged sarcomatoid porocarcinoma of the scalp presenting as a NUT IHC‐positive lymph node metastasis.

Case Report

A mass was excised from the right neck level 2 region with a lymph node initially diagnosed as metastatic NUT carcinoma with unknown primary site. An enlarging scalp mass was identified 4 months later, excised and diagnosed as NUT‐positive carcinoma. Additional molecular testing was performed to detect the fusion partner in the NUTM1 rearrangement, confirming a YAP1‐NUTM1 fusion. Given this molecular data along with the histopathologic characteristics, the clinicopathologic picture was retrospectively determined to be most consistent with a primary sarcomatoid porocarcinoma of the scalp with metastasis to a right neck lymph node and the right parotid.

Discussion

Porocarcinoma is a rare entity, and typically only enters the differential diagnosis when the clinical consideration is a cutaneous neoplasm. In an alternative clinical scenario such as the approach to tumors of the head and neck, porocarcinoma is not typically a consideration. In the latter scenario, as seen in our case, positivity with NUT IHC led to the initial misdiagnosis of NUT carcinoma. This case represents an important presentation of porocarcinoma that will occur not infrequently, and pathologists must be aware of this presentation to avoid this pitfall.
Predicting riverine fish production using empirical models and the metabolic theory of ecology
Authors: Richter Ian A. , Jones Nicholas E. , Jackson Donald A.
Published: February 2023

Fish production integrates many different measures of community performance, such as abundance, biomass, growth, and reproduction, into one valuable quantitative metric but requires resource intensive data for empirical estimation. While published empirical models and the metabolic theory of ecology (MTE) represent alternative methods to estimate fish production, few studies have focused on productivity models for stream fish assemblages. The goal of our study was to determine whether existing empirical models and elements of the metabolic theory of ecology can reliably estimate stream fish productivity. We used production estimates from the literature (n = 107) to parameterize models based on the metabolic theory of ecology and new estimates of stream fish production from North America (n = 78) to compare and validate all models. Using major axis regression, we determined that while all models had strongly correlated production estimates relative to the observed values (r2 range: [0.496, 0.815]), not all the models produced accurate estimates. The MTE model with the temperature component had a poorer predictive performance (RMSE = 0.502) relative to models based solely on allometric scaling (RMSE range: [0.299, 0.380]). We conclude that standard production models can generate relative estimates of production using general fish sample data, however, the accuracy and precision of the estimates can vary among the models. Our study highlights the need for productivity estimates for stream fish assemblages from different geographic regions, to test empirical models with novel datasets, and for further investigation of temperature effects on fish productivity.
Associations of Life's Simple 7 with cerebral white matter hyperintensities and microstructural integrity: UK Biobank cohort study
Authors: Fu Yan , Sun Yan , Wang Zhi‐Bo , Zhang Dan‐Dan , Tan Lan , Feng Jian‐Feng , Cheng Wei , Yu Jin‐Tai
Published: February 2023

Background and purpose

The American Heart Association Life's Simple 7 (LS7) metric was used to define optimal cardiovascular and brain health, but the associations with macrostructural hyperintensities and microstructural white matter damage are unclear. The objective was to determine the association of LS7 ideal cardiovascular health factors with macrostructural and microstructural integrity.

Method

A total of 37,140 participants with available LS7 and imaging data from UK Biobank were included in this study. Linear associations were implemented to examine the associations of LS7 score and subscores with white matter hyperintensity load (WMH) (WMH volume normalized by total white matter volume and logit‐transformed) and diffusion imaging indices (fractional anisotropy [FA], mean diffusivity, orientation dispersion index [OD], intracellular volume fraction, isotropic volume fraction [ISOVF]).

Results

In individuals (mean age 54.76 years; 19,697 females, 52.4%), higher LS7 score and subscores were strongly associated with lower WMH and microstructural white matter injury, including OD, ISOVF, FA. Both interaction analyses and stratified analyses of LS7 score and subscores with age and sex showed a strong association with microstructural damage markers, with remarkable age and sex differences. The association of OD was pronounced in females and populations younger than 50 years and FA, mean diffusivity and ISOVF were pronounced in males and populations older than 50 years.

Conclusion

These findings suggest that healthier LS7 profiles are associated with better profiles of both macrostructural and microstructural markers of brain health, and indicate that ideal cardiovascular health is associated with improved brain health.
The emerging role of the EU as a primary normative actor in the EU Area of Criminal Justice
Authors: Wieczorek Irene
Published: February 2023

This article explores the role and justifications for EU action in the EU Area of Criminal Justice, also relying on a comparison with the justifications for EU action in the internal market. It distinguishes between a role for the EU as a subsidiary policy actor and as a primary policy actor. By substantiating both models, the article illustrates how the model of the EU as a subsidiary policy actor has been challenged by legislative and judicial developments in the internal market and how these trends were particularly accentuated in the EU Area of Criminal Justice. The EU increasingly regulates areas of non‐cross‐border crime, as can be appreciated by the shape and the implementation of the competence to harmonise definitions of crimes. And the Court of Justice has unequivocally extended the application of EU criminal law, both substantive and procedural, to internal cases. The article argues that such developments, which build on pre‐existing trends in the internal market field, are inevitable in the EU Area of Criminal Justice due to the inherent fundamental rights' sensitive nature of criminal law. A subsidiary, piecemeal approach in criminal justice might safeguard national regulatory autonomy but is hardly affordable as it would challenge general principles of criminal law. Relying only on “legal cross‐borderness” as a criterion to justify EU definition of crimes would neglect the harm principle and the legal interest principle. Legal creativity that would stem from limiting EU intervention and safeguarding regulatory competition can be fostered by enlarging EU regulatory tools in this area codifying also decriminalisation competences. Moreover, limiting the application of EU criminal law to only cross‐border cases is at odds with the principle of legality in criminal matters and of equal treatment.
Tax Austerity: Does It Avert Solvency Crises?
Authors: SHIAMPTANIS CHRISTOS
Published: February 2023

Many high‐debt countries are adopting tax austerity, whereby governments raise the tax rate as their debt levels rise with the hope to dispel future solvency crises. This paper investigates the impact of tax austerity on government debt solvency. A solvency crisis occurs once adverse shocks push the debt above its effective debt limit, the maximum level of debt that the government can repay. I show that the position of the effective debt limit depends on tax austerity. I find that high‐debt countries like Italy that undergo tax austerity could lower their effective debt limit and induce a solvency crisis.