bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Living Donor Liver Transplant Center Volume Influences Waiting List Survival Among Children Listed for Liver Transplantation
Authors: Yoeli Dor , Choudhury Rashikh A. , Moore Hunter B. , Jackson Whitney E. , Nydam Trevor L. , Wachs Michael E. , Pomfret Elizabeth A. , Adams Megan A.
Published: May 2022

Background.

Pediatric living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) remains infrequently performed in the United States and localized to a few centers. This study aimed to compare pediatric waiting list and posttransplant outcomes by LDLT center volume.

Methods.

The Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients/Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network database was retrospectively reviewed for all pediatric (age <18 y) liver transplant candidates listed between January 1, 2009, and December 31, 2019. The average annual number of LDLT, deceased donor partial liver transplant (DDPLT), and overall (ie, LDLT + DDPLT + whole liver transplants) pediatric liver transplants performed by each transplant center during the study period was calculated.

Results.

Of 88 transplant centers, only 44 (50%) performed at least 1 pediatric LDLT during the study period. LDLT, DDPLT, and overall transplant center volume were all positively correlated. LDLT center volume was protective against waiting list dropout after adjusting for confounding variables (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.92; 95% confidence interval, 0.86-0.97; P = 0.004), whereas DDPLT and overall center volume were not (P > 0.05); however, DDPLT center volume was significantly protective against both recipient death and graft loss, whereas overall volume was only protective against graft loss and LDLT volume was not protective for either.

Conclusions.

High-volume pediatric LDLT center can improve waiting list survival, whereas DDPLT and overall volume are associated with posttransplant survival. Expertise in all types of pediatric liver transplant options is important to optimize outcomes.
Microvenator marinus gen. nov., sp. nov., isolated from marine sediment, and description of Microvenatoraceae fam. nov. and Lujinxingiaceae fam. nov.
Authors: Wang Shuo , Chen Guan-Jun , Du Zong-Jun
Published: May 2022

A Gram-stain-negative, facultatively anaerobic, oxidase-negative and catalase-positive predatory bacillus, designated strain V1718T, was isolated from Xiaoshi Island, PR China. Strain V1718T was found to be closely related to

Lujinxingia sediminis

SEH01T, with 89.8 % similarity in the 16S rRNA gene sequence, followed by

Bradymonas sediminis

FA350T with a similarity of 88.4 %. Strain V1718T had the ability to prey on other bacteria, and selective predation on members of

Algoriphagus

,

Nocardioides

and

Bacillus

occurred with the strain. Growth was observed within the range of 20–45 °C (optimal at 37 °C), pH 6.5–9.0 (optimal at pH 8.0) and 1–10 % NaCl (optimal at 3–4 %, w/v). The predominant cellular fatty acids in strain V1718T were iso-C15 : 0 (53.0 %) and C16 : 0 (19.1 %). The major polar lipids present in the strain were phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylethanolamine, and the respiratory quinone was menaquinone MK-7. The complete genome sequence of strain V1718T was 5 847 748 bp with a G+C content of 55.2 mol%. The topology of the phylogenomic tree indicated that strain V1718T forms a separate branch in the same clade with the genus

Lujinxingia

and the family

Bradymonadaceae

. The average nucleotide identity and average amino acid identity values were 66.4 and 48.6 %, respectively, with

Bradymonas sediminis

FA350T (type species of

Bradymonas

) and 66.8 % and 48.9 % with

Lujinxingia litoralis

B210T (type species of

Lujinxingia

). The genes related to biosynthesis pathways of several important chemical compounds could not be found in the genome of strain V1718T, which was predicted to be the intrinsic reason for predation in this group. The physiological, biochemical and phylogenetic properties of strain V1718T suggest that it belongs to a novel family distinct from other culturable bradymonabacteria. The name Microvenator marinus gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed, with strain V1718T (=KCTC 72082T=MCCC 1H00380T) as type strain; the name Microvenatoraceae fam. nov. is also proposed. Meanwhile, the genus

Lujinxingia

can also be taxonomic classified as Lujinxingiaceae fam. nov. Thus, two novel families and a novel genus of the order

Bradymonadales

are proposed in this paper.
Arsenicicoccus cauae sp. nov., isolated from the blood of a pediatric gastroenteritis patient
Authors: Kweon Oh Joo , Kim Kyung Hyun , Kim Hyung Min , Khan Shehzad Abid , Jeong Ji Hun , Lim Yong Kwan , Kim Hye Ryoun , Jeon Che Ok , Lee Mi-Kyung
Published: May 2022

A Gram-stain-positive coccus was isolated from the blood of a paediatric patient suffering from gastroenteritis. The taxonomic position of this catalase-positive, non-motile, non-spore-forming facultative anaerobe designated as strain MKL-02T was investigated using a polyphasic approach. Colonies grown on tryptic soy agar with 10 % sheep blood were circular, creamy yellow, and convex. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene and whole-genome sequences revealed that this strain was most closely related to

Arsenicicoccus bolidensis

CCUG 47306T within the cluster of the genus

Arsenicicoccus

. Average nucleotide identity and digital DNA–DNA hybridization values between strain MKL-02T and

A. bolidensis

DSM 15745T, A. dermatophillus DSM 25571T and

A. piscis

DSM 22760T were 89.5 and 37.0 %, 79.6 and 22.4 %, and 75.9 and 21.0 %, respectively. The genomic size of strain MKL-02T was 3 423 857 bp with a 72.7 mol% G+C content. Growth was observed at 10–45 °C (optimum, 37–40 °C) and pH 6.0–10.0 (optimum, pH 7.0), in the presence of 0–10 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 0.5 %). Cells of strain MKL-02T were non-motile cocci and 0.50–0.60 µm long, as determined by transmission electron microscopy. The strain was catalase-positive and oxidase-negative. The major fatty acid type (>10 % of total) was C15 : 0. The polar lipid profile consisted of two unidentified phospholipids, three unidentified lipids and an unidentified aminophospholipid. The strain contained MK-8 (H4) as the predominant menaquinone. Based on phylogenetic and phenotypic considerations, it is proposed that strain MKL-02T be classified as a new species, named Arsenicicoccus cauae sp. nov. The type strain is MKL-02T (=NCCP 16967T=JCM 34624T).
Purification-induced damage to calicivirus particles at near-atomic resolution
Authors: Qu Zehui , Kang Hongtao , Cui Chenxi , Meng Kaiwen , Zhang Xinzheng , Qu Liandong , Zhang Yueping , Meng Geng
Published: May 2022

The purification of virus particles is an essential process for the manufacture of vaccines. However, the application of different purification processes may affect the quality of the virus particles, such as structural integrity and homogeneity, which may further influence the infectivity and immunogenicity of the purified virus. In this study, we took Feline calicivirus (FCV), a common natural pathogen in cats belonging to Caliciviridae, as a research model. By using cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM), we incorporated the 3D classification process as a virus flexibility evaluation system. Cryo-EM images of virus particles resulting from different purification processes were compared at near-atomic resolution. The results indicated that molecular sieving purification will impact the stability of P-domains through increasing flexibility as determined by the evaluation system, which can be extended to assess the purification effect on the entire particle. This evaluation process can be further applied to all non-enveloped viruses.
Oral Cancer Prevalence, Mortality, and Costs in Medicaid and Commercial Insurance Claims Data
Authors: Tranby Eric P. , Heaton Lisa J. , Tomar Scott , Kelly Abigail L. , Fager Gulielma Leonard , Backley Mary , Frantsve-Hawley Julie
Published: May 2022

Objectives

This study compared prevalence, incidence, mortality rates, treatment costs, and risk factors for oral and oropharyngeal cancer (OC/OPC) between two large cohorts of adults in 2012–2019.

Methods

Medicaid and commercial claims data were from the IBM Watson Health MarketScan Database. Logistic regression analyses estimated incidence and risk factors for OC/OPC. Mortality was calculated by merging deceased individuals’ Medicaid files with those of the existing cancer cohort. Costs were calculated by summing costs of outpatient and inpatient services.

Results

The prevalence of OC/OPC in the Medicaid cohort decreased each year (129.8 cases per 100,000 enrollees in 2012 to 88.5 in 2019); commercial enrollees showed a lower and more stable prevalence (64.7 per 100,000 in 2012 and 2019). Incidence trended downward in both cohorts, with higher incidence in the Medicaid (51.4–37.6 cases per 100,000) than in the commercial cohort (31.9–31.0 per 100,000). OC/OPC mortality rates decreased in the Medicaid cohort during 2012–2014 but increased in the commercial cohort. Total OC/OPC treatment costs were higher for commercial enrollees by an average of $8.6 million during 2016–2019. In both cohorts, incidence of OC/OPC was higher among adults who were older, male, white, used tobacco or alcohol, or had prior HIV/AIDS diagnosis, and lower among those who had seen a dentist within the prior year.

Conclusions

Medicaid enrollees experienced higher OC/OPC incidence, prevalence, and mortality compared with commercially insured adults. Having seen a dentist within the prior year was associated with a lower risk of OC/OPC diagnosis.
Identification, Characterization and Mode of Action of Corynaridin, a Novel Linaridin from Corynebacterium lactis
Authors: Pashou Efthimia , Reich Sebastian J. , Weixler Dominik , Eikmanns Bernhard J. , Riedel Christian U. , Goldbeck Oliver
Published: May 2022

Genome analysis of Corynebacterium lactis revealed a bacteriocin gene cluster encoding a putative bacteriocin of the linaridin family of ribosomally synthesized and posttranslationally modified peptides (RIPPs). The locus harbors typical linaridin modification enzymes but lacks genes for a decarboxylase and methyltransferase, which is unusual for type B linaridins. Supernatants of Corynebacterium lactis RW3-42 showed antimicrobial activity against Corynebacterium glutamicum. Deletion of the precursor gene crdA clearly linked the antimicrobial activity of the producer strain to the identified gene cluster. Following purification, we observed potent activity of the peptide against Actinobacteria, mainly other members of the genus Corynebacterium including the pathogenic species Corynebacterium striatum and Corynebacterium amycolatum. Also, low activity against some Firmicutes was observed, but no activity against Gram-negative species. The peptide is resilient towards heat but sensitive to proteolytic degradation by trypsin and proteinase K. Notably, time-kill kinetics and experiments using live biosensors to monitor membrane integrity suggest bactericidal activity that does not involve formation of pores in the cytoplasmic membrane. As Corynebacterium species are ubiquitous in nature and include important commensal and pathogens of mammalian organisms, secretion of bacteriocins by species of this genus could be a hitherto neglected trait with high relevance for intra- and interspecies competition and infection.

Importance

Bacteriocins are antimicrobial peptides produced by bacteria to fend off competitors in ecological niches and are considered to be important factors influencing the composition of microbial communities. However, bacteriocin production by bacteria of the genus Corynebacterium has been a hitherto neglected trait, although its species are ubiquitous in nature and make up large parts of the microbiome of humans and animals. In this study, we describe and characterize a novel linaridin-family bacteriocin from Corynebacterium lactis and show its narrow spectrum activity, mainly against other actinobacteria. Moreover, we were able to extend the limited knowledge on linaridin bioactivity in general and for the first time describe the mode of action of such a bacteriocin. Interestingly, the peptide, which was named corynaridin, appears bactericidal, but without formation of pores in the bacterial membrane.
Generating business intelligence through automated textual analysis: measuring corporate image with online information
Authors: Peng Ziqing , Wan Yan
Published: May 2022

Purpose

In this age of extremely well-developed social media, it is necessary to detect any change in the corporate image of an enterprise immediately so as to take quick action to avoid the wide spread of a negative image. However, existing survey-based corporate image evaluation methods are costly, slow and static, and the results may quickly become outdated. User comments, news reports and we-media articles on the internet offer varied channels for enterprises to obtain public evaluations and feedback. The purpose of this study is to effectively use online information to timely and accurately measure enterprises’ corporate images.

Design/methodology/approach

A new corporate image evaluation method was built by first using a literature review to establish a corporate image evaluation index system. Next, an automatic text analysis of online public information was performed through a topic classification and sentiment analysis algorithm based on the dictionary. The accuracy of the topic classification and sentiment analysis algorithm is then calculated. Finally, three internet enterprises were chosen as cases, and their corporate image was evaluated.

Findings

The results show that the author’s corporate image evaluation method is effective.

Originality/value

First, in this study, a new corporate image evaluation index system is constructed. Second, a new corporate image evaluation method based on text mining is proposed that can support data-driven decision-making for managers with real-time corporate image evaluation results. Finally, this study improves the understanding of corporate image by generating business intelligence through online information. The findings provide researchers with specific and detailed suggestions that focus on the corporate image management of emerging internet enterprises.
Collaborative networks, organizational culture, and the creativity of key inventors
Authors: Sun Xiaoming , Lei Fayou , Wang Yalan , Ren Ruobing
Published: May 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study the influence mechanism of different levels of social capital (Structure holes–local network attributes and indirect ties–global network attributes) and organizational culture on the creativity of key inventors, and the role of organizational culture between social capital and creativity.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper tested the hypotheses with a sample of patent data accumulated from 46 firms in Chinese electronic information and automobile sectors. Negative binomial regression was used to explore the factors influencing the creativity of key inventors.

Findings

The paper discovers that structural holes are valuable social capital for the creativity of key inventors and very important in firms with a collective and conservative culture. Moreover, it also locates that key inventor are more creative in firms with an individualistic and competitive culture than those in firms with a collective and conservative culture.

Originality/value

This study emphasizes the influence of social capital on creativity and contributes to R&D management. It highlights structural holes are certainly important to key inventors in a collective and conservative culture, thus contradicting preceding studies that locate structural holes useful solely in an individualistic culture. This finding broadens our knowledge of the benefits of this network structure. Also, this debate challenges several basic views on structural holes currently.
The intellectual structure of the literature on sustainability leadership in higher education: an author co-citation analysis
Authors: Aung Pwint Nee , Hallinger Philip
Published: May 2022

Purpose

This review aims to identify the intellectual structure or key theoretical themes that comprise the emerging field of sustainability leadership in higher education.

Design/methodology/approach

The Scopus index was used to identify 180 documents published sustainable leadership in higher education published between 1998 and 2021. Author co-citation analysis in VOSviewer software was used to address the research question driving this inquiry.

Findings

This review found that the intellectual structure of scholarship on sustainability leadership in higher education is composed of four dominant “schools of thought”. These included sustainability leadership, managing campus greening, managing change and system integration, and education for sustainable development.

Research limitations/implications

The findings suggest a need for more theorizing and empirical studies that explore the nature and effects of sustainability leadership in higher education. Particular attention should be given to how features of universities as organizations shape the requirements for and constraints on leadership. From a practical perspective, the findings highlight key domains of policy and practice that higher education leaders can target in efforts to enhance sustainability in their universities and societies.

Originality/value

The bibliometric review offers empirically-based insights into the evolution and current status of the literature on sustainability leadership in higher education. The findings can be used as a benchmark against which future developments in this knowledge base can be assessed.
Decarceration of older adults with mental illness in the USA – beyond the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Tronick Lauren N. , Amendolara Benjamin , Morris Nathaniel P. , Longley Joseph , Kois Lauren E. , Canada Kelli E. , Augustine Dallas , Zaller Nickolas
Published: May 2022

Purpose

Aging and mental illness both represent significant public health challenges for incarcerated people in the USA. The COVID-19 pandemic has further highlighted the vulnerabilities of incarcerated people because of the risks of infectious disease transmission in correctional facilities. Focusing on older adults with mental illness, this paper aims to examine efforts to decarcerate US correctional facilities during the COVID-19 pandemic and whether these approaches may lead to sustainable reforms beyond the pandemic.

Design/methodology/approach

A narrative literature review was conducted using numerous online resources, including PubMed, Google Scholar and LexisNexis. Search terms used included “decarceration pandemic,” “COVID-19 decarceration,” “aging mental illness decarceration,” “jails prisons decarceration,” “early release COVID-19” and “correctional decarceration pandemic,” among others. Given the rapidly changing nature of the COVID-19 pandemic, this narrative literature review included content from not only scholarly articles and federal and state government publications but also relevant media articles and policy-related reports. The authors reviewed these sources collaboratively to synthesize a review of existing evidence and opinions on these topics and generate conclusions and policy recommendations moving forward.

Findings

To mitigate the risks of COVID-19, policymakers have pursued various decarceration strategies across the USA. Some efforts have focused on reducing inflow into correctional systems, including advising police to reduce numbers of arrests and limiting use of pretrial detention. Other policies have sought to increase outflow from correctional systems, such as facilitating early release of people convicted of nonviolent offenses or those nearing the end of their sentences. Given the well-known risks of COVID-19 among older individuals, age was commonly cited as a reason for diverting or expediting release of people from incarceration. In contrast, despite their vulnerability to complications from COVID-19, people with serious mental illness (SMI), particularly those with acute treatment needs, may have been less likely in some instances to be diverted or released early from incarceration.

Originality/value

Although much has been written about decarceration during the COVID-19 pandemic, little attention has been paid to the relevance of these efforts for older adults with mental illness. This paper synthesizes existing proposals and evidence while drawing attention to the public health implications of aging and SMI in US correctional settings and explores opportunities for decarceration of older adults with SMI beyond the COVID-19 pandemic.
Examining the role of sub-national level leadership in the implementation of cash transfer programs: evidence from Ghana
Authors: Salifu Adam , Kufoalor Kennedy Makafui
Published: May 2022

Purpose

Although the last two decades have witnessed the implementation of several poverty reduction strategies in developing countries, many have failed to achieve their goal partly because of defective implementation strategies. This paper examines the implementation of one of Ghana’s flagship poverty reduction programs, the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP), with a focus on how leadership at the sub-national level influences the implementation of the program.

Design/methodology/approach

Using qualitative research approach, the study selected research participants from two Municipal Assemblies in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana. Using a combination of Focus Group Discussions, Key Informant Interviews and Participant Observation, data were collected from a total of 44 respondents including beneficiaries, officials from the local government (district) and community level actors.

Findings

The paper shows that leaders at the sub-national level were more reactionary than proactive, thereby playing passive roles in the implementation of the LEAP program. It shows that the interaction between LEAP beneficiaries and district officials is rather low, which among others limits the effective utilization of the cash grant by the beneficiaries. It maintains that, for the LEAP program to achieve its overall goal of reducing poverty, leaders at the sub-national level ought to deploy more transformational leadership tendencies to incite beneficiaries to leap out of poverty through skill and human capital development.

Originality/value

The empirical literature is largely silent on the role of leadership in the implementation of cash transfer programs, such as Ghana’s LEAP program at the sub-national level. This study therefore explains the extent to which district level leaders contribute to the effective utilization of cash transfer grants and the human capital development of LEAP beneficiaries in Ghana.
The Nordic research on accounting in inter-organizational relationships – the foundations of a microprocessual research approach to classical issues
Authors: Ahlgren Per Christian , Lind Johnny
Published: May 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to review the Nordic research on accounting in inter-organizational relationships (IORs) and relates the Nordic contributions to the international literature. Additionally, it examines alternative approaches to the understanding of accounting in IORs and proposes some directions for future research.

Design/methodology/approach

Thirty-one papers were identified and assessed in terms of their topic, inter-organizational setting, theoretical approach, research methods and results. This study followed a six-step process from formulating objectives, through establishing inclusion and exclusion criteria, to paper selection and mutual assessments.

Findings

The Nordic literature presents a distinct approach to the understanding of accounting in IORs. The Nordic studies are characterized by theoretical pluralism, in-depth case studies and an interest towards micro-processes in a variety of inter-organizational settings and from the point of view of multiple parties.

Originality/value

The authors propose two specific areas of research: the interconnections between accounting measures, monetary flows and value creation as well as the role of accounting in creating stability and instability in IORs. These areas of research emphasize a stronger engagement with the core issues of managing appropriation and cooperation concerns and provide an outlook for novel insights into classical issues and increased integration within the field.
Vulnerability of women in the face of climate change: a study of Wayanad district of Kerala, India
Authors: George Bincy , Kumar Rishi , Banerjee Sudatta
Published: May 2022

Purpose

The relationship between women and extreme weather events is a significant issue given differential impact, adaptation strategies and coping mechanisms for genders. However, the women’s vulnerability and its determinants remain an understudied area. The paper aims to fill this important gap in literature by focusing on women’s vulnerability during the recent floods in the rural areas of Indian state of Kerala using primary data. With a focus on identifying the socioeconomic factors associated with women’s vulnerability, this paper also makes policy suggestions to reduce their vulnerability in the face of floods in Kerala where it is becoming a recurrent phenomenon.

Design/methodology/approach

This study is based on the primary data collected using structured questionnaire answered exclusively by women respondents. Chi-square tests and ordered logistic regression model have been used to analyze the relation between the women’s vulnerability during floods and their socioeconomic determinants.

Findings

The analysis found that the better availability of credit to women, access to information tools and higher income for women can reduce their vulnerability when a sudden disaster strikes.

Originality/value

This study is unique as it focuses on rarely studied topic women’s vulnerability in the face of weather-related disaster in the rural setting, understanding their level of vulnerability and then identifying the associates of the same, this paper makes an exceptional contribution to the literature on women and environment in general.
Role of ICT for workers’ safety at the workplace during pandemics: evidence from global data
Authors: Najaf Khakan , Dhiaf Mohamed M. , Nasrallah Nohade Hanna , Atayah Osama F. , Marashdeh Hazem
Published: May 2022

Purpose

This study contributes to the extant literature on ICT firms by investigating the interrelationship between the health and safety (H&S) measures, market performance, and the coronavirus (COVID-19).

Design/methodology/approach

To conduct the confirmatory analysis by testing our hypotheses, data have been collected from Bloomberg of all ICT firms from five countries. The authors gathered from 2010 until 2020 as the research sample to examine the pandemic impact on market performance and H&S measures.

Findings

First, our results reveal a significant and positive relationship between market performance (proxied by Tobin’sQ) and the H&S measures of information technology (IT) firms. Second, the authors find that the IT firms have significantly increased the H&S measures during the COVID-19 period and were dynamic in linking employees’ adaptive capabilities to positive attributes. This has contributed to business success, resiliency, and sustainability.

Research limitations/implications

The authors used a quantitative method of testing our hypotheses. Future studies may consider checking the robustness using qualitative methods such as structural or semi-structural interviews.

Practical implications

The study offers valuable insights to academics, practitioners, stakeholders, policymakers, and international entities by fostering knowledge about responses to crises, integrating digital solutions, and disseminating digital information. The study also has implications on the health, social, business, and economic levels. This study is a call for international and local humanitarian organisations such as United Nations High Commission, Care international and many more to understand the gravity of safety of the workers in the workplace during the pandemic period and introduce a firm-level policy accordingly.

Originality/value

This paper is novel considering that the paper is unique in evaluating ICT firms’ market performance and H&S from a global perspective, considering the context of this historical pandemic.
Sustainable value creation and organizational performance in industrial manufacturing companies
Authors: Acosta-Prado Julio César , Gómez Sánchez Julián Andrés , López-Montoya Oscar Hernán , Tafur-Mendoza Arnold Alejandro
Published: May 2022

Purpose

This study aims to analyze the influence of sustainable value creation (composed of social, economic and environmental dimensions) on organizational performance in Colombian industrial manufacturing companies.

Design/methodology/approach

This study had a sample of 1,572 companies belonging to the Colombian manufacturing industrial sector. These companies were consulted by the survey of technological development and innovation in the manufacturing industry EDIT IX. For this study’s purpose, a model was developed from a variance-based structural equation modeling or partial least squares.

Findings

The results indicated that the associated mechanisms of the social, economic and environmental dimensions contribute in a significant, positive and large way to the creation of sustainable value for the companies studied. The findings show the importance of the social, economic and environmental dimensions in the creation of sustainable value and in turn, their influence on organizational performance.

Social implications

The findings obtained provide industrial companies and society with resources to understand that economic development can respond to business logic different from those imposed by current neoliberal models.

Originality/value

This study provides an understanding of the value capture mechanisms of small- and medium-sized companies considering the environmental needs of the territory and the community where the business activities take place while generating economic profitability for the other stakeholders.
Sustainability reporting quality and the financial sector: evidence from China
Authors: Dong Shidi , Xu Lei , McIver Ron P.
Published: May 2022

Purpose

Based on institutional theory, this paper aims to examine whether, and if so which, institutional forces influence the quality of China’s listed financial institutions’ (FIs) sustainability disclosures.

Design/methodology/approach

Using univariate statistical and multiple regression analyses, this study quantitatively examines the impacts of coercive pressure from the government and stock exchanges, imitation within subsectors and normative pressure from industry associations and regulators on the quality of China’s listed FIs’ sustainability disclosures. Assessment of the robustness of regression results uses panel random-effects and generalized methods of moments estimation.

Findings

Financial sector corporate social responsibility (CSR) disclosure quality did not increase dramatically following issue of the “Guiding Opinions on Establishing a Green Finance System.” However, a convergence in quality is found over time. State ownership concentration and state links to dominant shareholders negatively impact the quality of financial sector sustainability disclosures, whereas stock exchange index listing requirements and industry association reporting guidance have positive influences.

Research limitations/implications

First, data availability limits the sample to listed financial firms with RKS quality scores. Thus, results may not be generalizable to the broader listed and unlisted financial sector. Second, this study only examines the influence of external forces based on institutional theory. However, internal institutional forces, such as corporate governance, may require examination. This study’s results indicate that coercive pressure, as represented by issue of the “Green Finance” policy, has not yet prompted the financial sector to improve reporting quality; however, normative pressure has had significant influence in influencing FIs’ CSR practices, with China’s banks potentially taking a leading role.

Originality/value

The financial sector has a lower direct environmental impact than traditional polluting industries and different operating and reporting structures, features often used to argue for its exclusion in prior studies. However, its indirect environmental impact via lending and investing activities is significant, suggesting evidence on the determinants of sustainability disclosure quality is required. This study uses evidence from China’s financial sector to reduce this gap in the literature.
Future of sharing economy and its resilience post pandemic: a study on Indian travel and tourism industry
Authors: Mondal Sanjana , Samaddar Kaushik
Published: May 2022

Purpose

Taking a retrospective view, the present study aims to investigate the resilience of shared facilities (accommodation) across India in the post-pandemic period. More specifically, it explores the issues and challenges in implementing sustainable practices in the long run taking a dual perspective of both consumers and service providers.

Design/methodology/approach

A mixed-method study was pursued in exploring the future resilience of the shared facilities in the post-pandemic period. A multi-method triangulation approach was adopted involving both data collection and data analysis. Primary data was collected through focus group sessions and analysed through a grounded theory study. Whereas, secondary data was extracted from Twitter and processed through textual data mining using the NVivo (12 Pro) software. Critical themes and sentiments were explored through the dual study and a corroboration process was followed thereon to support the findings.

Findings

The dual study extracted major themes pertaining to the present pandemic scenario wherein recovery strategies are at the top priority for all tourism service providers. Among the major themes tourists 2019 passiveness towards the environment existing misconceptions with shared facilities and situational perspective emerged as critical issues worrying service providers in the post-pandemic period. Furthermore the sentiment analysis indicated a positive start to the recovery measures wherein both tourist and tour operators are confident to embrace and restore the shared facilities/business respectively with additional care and responsibilities.

Originality/value

The novelty of the study lies in the identification of critical themes and sentiments concerning the future resilience of the shared economy businesses post-pandemic period in Indian tourism which can have a generalized effect across the world. Moreover, the study corroborated the findings of the dual study where similarities among the themes were observed.
Design, additive manufacturing and component testing of pneumatic rotary vane actuators for lightweight robots
Authors: Dämmer Gabriel , Bauer Hartmut , Neumann Rüdiger , Major Zoltan
Published: May 2022

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the suitability of a multi-step prototyping strategy for producing pneumatic rotary vane actuators (RVAs) for the development of lightweight robots and actuation systems.

Design/methodology/approach

RVAs typically have cast aluminum housings and injection-molded seals that consist of hard thermoplastic cores and soft elastomeric overmolds. Using a combination of additive manufacturing (AM), computer numerical control (CNC) machining and elastomer molding, a conventionally manufactured standard RVA was replicated. The standard housing design was modified, and polymeric replicas were obtained by selective laser sintering (SLS) or PolyJet (PJ) printing and subsequent CNC milling. Using laser-sintered molds, actuator seals were replicated by overmolding laser-sintered polyamide cores with silicone (SIL) and polyurethane (PU) elastomers. The replica RVAs were subjected to a series of leakage, friction and durability experiments.

Findings

The AM-based prototyping strategy described is suitable for producing functional and reliable RVAs for research and product development. In a representative durability experiment, the RVAs in this study endured between 40,000 and 1,000,000 load cycles. Frictional torques were around 0.5 Nm, which is 10% of the theoretical torque at 6 bar and comparable to that of the standard RVA. Models and parameters are provided for describing the velocity-dependent frictional torque. Leakage experiments at 10,000 load cycles and 6 bar differential pressure showed that PJ housings exhibit lower leakage values (6.8 L/min) than laser-sintered housings (15.2 L/min), and PU seals exhibit lower values (8.0 l/min) than SIL seals (14.0 L/min). Combining PU seals with PJ housings led to an initial leakage of 0.4 L/min, which increased to only 1.2 L/min after 10,000 load cycles. Overall, the PU material used was more difficult to process but also more abrasion- and tear-resistant than the SIL elastomer.

Research limitations/implications

More work is needed to understand individual cause–effect relationships between specific design features and system behavior.

Originality/value

To date, pneumatic RVAs have been manufactured by large-scale production technologies. The absence of suitable prototyping strategies has limited the available range to fixed sizes and has thus complicated the use of RVAs in research and product development. This paper proves that functional pneumatic RVAs can be produced by using more accessible manufacturing technologies and provides the tools for prototyping of application-specific RVAs.
Chloroquine attenuates chronic hypoxia‐induced testicular damage via suppressing endoplasmic reticulum stress and apoptosis in experimental rat model
Authors: Akin Ali Tugrul , Kaymak Emin , Ceylan Tayfun , Ozturk Emel , Basaran Kemal Erdem , Karabulut Derya , Ozdamar Saim , Yakan Birkan
Published: May 2022

Chronic hypoxia negatively affects male fertility by causing pathological changes in male reproductive system. However, underlying mechanisms of this damage are unknown. Chloroquine (CLQ) is an anti‐inflammatory agent that is widely used in the treatment of inflammation‐related diseases such as malaria and rheumatoid arthritis. This study aimed to investigate the therapeutic effects of CLQ in the hypoxia‐induced testicular damage via assessment of hypoxic response, endoplasmic reticulum stress and apoptosis. For this purpose, 32 Wistar albino rats were divided into 4 groups as control (given 20%‐21% O2, no treatment), CLQ (given 50 mg/kg and 20%‐21% O2for 28 days), hypoxia (HX) (given 10% O2for 28 days) and HX + CLQ (given 50 mg/kg and 10% O2for 28 days). After the experiment, blood samples and testicular tissues were taken. Histopathological evaluation was performed on testicular tissues and hypoxia‐inducible factor 1‐α (HIF1‐α), heat shock proteins (HSPs) HSP70, HSP90 and growth arrest and DNA damage‐inducible gene 153 (GADD153) expression levels were detected via immunohistochemistry. Moreover, apoptotic cells were detected via terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labelling (TUNEL) staining and serum testosterone levels were determined by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) assay. Histopathological changes, apoptotic cell numbers and HIF1‐α, HSP70, HSP90 and GADD153 expressions significantly increased in HX group (P < .05). Moreover, serum testosterone levels decreased in this group (P > .05). However, CLQ exerted a strong ameliorative effect on all parameters in HX + CLQ group. According to our results, we suggested that CLQ can be considered as an alternative protective agent for eliminating the negative effects of hypoxic conditions on male fertility.
Review article: Effectiveness and risks of cricoid pressure during rapid sequence induction for endotracheal intubation in the emergency department: A systematic review
Authors: Tessarolo Ella , Alkhouri Hatem , Lelos Nicholas , Sarrami Pooria , McCarthy Sally
Published: May 2022

The use of cricoid pressure (CP) to prevent aspiration during rapid sequence induction (RSI) has become controversial, although CP is considered central to the practice of RSI. There is insufficient research to support its efficacy in reducing aspiration, and emerging concerns it reduces the first‐pass success (FPS) of intubation. This systematic review aims to assess the safety and efficacy of CP during RSI in EDs by investigating its effect on FPS and the incidence of complications, including gastric regurgitation and aspiration. A systematic review of four databases was performed for all primary research investigating CP during RSI in EDs. The primary outcome was FPS; secondary outcomes included complications such as gastric regurgitation, aspiration, hypoxia, hypotension and oesophageal intubation. After screening 4208 citations, three studies were included: one randomised controlled trial (n = 54) investigating the incidence of aspiration during the application of CP and two registry studies (n = 3710) comparing the rate of FPS of RSI with and without CP. The results of these individual studies are not sufficient to draw concrete conclusions but do suggest that aspiration occurs regardless of the application of CP, and that FPS is not reduced by the application of CP. There is insufficient evidence to conclude whether applying CP during RSI in EDs affects the rate of FPS or the incidence of complications such as aspiration. Further research in the ED, including introducing CP usage into other existing airway registries, is needed.
L’‘Histoire de ma littérature’ de Mme d’Arconville (1720‐1805): Ecriture de soi et généalogie d’une personnalité intellectuelle
Authors: Bernier Marc André
Published: May 2022

Mme d’Arconville stands out amongst eighteenth‐century women of letters because she combined the practice of literature with the more unexpected study of science. When at the end of a very long life she returns to what she calls the ‘story of her head’, the anecdotes she recounts constitute a genealogy of her thought stemming from her childhood’s encyclopaedic curiosity. This essay examines this intellectual narrative through two unpublished autobiographical manuscripts written around 1803: the ‘Histoire de ma littérature’ and ‘Mes souvenirs’. These are less concerned with rooting identity in an intimate sense of self than with investigating the genealogy of what would later be called an intellectual personality. Her autobiographical writing thus invites us to rediscover a world both within and outside the self and makes it not only possible to retrace the intellectual history of a woman, but also to apprehend experiences from the period’s vast networks of sociability.
30‐day in vivo study of a fully maglev extracorporeal ventricular assist device
Authors: Li Ping , Wu Tingting , Hsu Po‐Lin , Wei Xufeng , Dong Nianguo
Published: May 2022

Objective

Cardiogenic shock (CS) often occurs in patients suffering from rapidly progressing end‐stage heart failure or acute myocardial infarction. Mechanical circulatory support may be used for patients who do not respond to medication or revascularization to stabilize hemodynamics. Extracorporeal ventricular assist device (Extra‐VAD) has been reported to be successful for patients with cardiogenic shock. This study aimed to evaluate the 30‐day in‐vivo performance and safety of a newly developed Extra‐VAD with maglev centrifugal pump technology, MoyoAssist®.

Method

The study was conducted with 6 healthy ovine models, weighing 43.2 ~ 59.6 kg. Cannulation was performed with a 34 Fr venous cannula surgically connected to the left arterial appendage and a 24 Fr arterial cannula inserted into descending aorta. The pump flow rate was maintained at 2 ~ 3 L/min to provide sufficient cardiac support without suction. Activated clotting time was maintained within the range of 150 ~ 250 s.

Results

No device‐related adverse events occurred throughout the study. Plasma‐free hemoglobin results were within the acceptable range of ventricular assist device therapy (<40 mg/dl). MGS01 had an anticoagulation management related bleeding event and was terminated on day 29. All other sheep's biochemical test results were stable. The autopsy showed no embolism or thrombus formation and no end‐organ damage.

Conclusion

This study demonstrated that the MoyoAssist® Extra‐VAD is able to provide cardiac support effectively and safely and may provide a new alternative choice for patients with CS in China.
Adolescent–parent relationships and youth well‐being in Turkey
Authors: Dost‐Gözkan Ayfer
Published: May 2022

In this article, I review research on adolescent–parent relationships and youth well‐being in Turkey. Turkey is a country that has changed rapidly due to urbanization and globalization, and that is characterized by cultural heterogeneity in values, all of which have implications for parent–child relationships. I focus first on parenting styles, and then discuss two dimensions of parenting—warmth and parental control—that are considered more universal and culturally variable, respectively, in terms of their associations with well‐being. Overall, research from Turkey is consistent with findings across cultures, showing a positive link between higher warmth and youth well‐being. But recent research has challenged the cultural normativity hypothesis, which claims that psychological control may not harm the well‐being of children in collectivist cultures because it is perceived as a norm in its sociocultural context. Research from collectivist cultures, including Turkey, suggests that the perception of normativity does not preclude its adversity.
Narrative Comprehension Guides Eye Movements in the Absence of Motion
Authors: Hutson John P. , Chandran Prasanth , Magliano Joseph P. , Smith Tim J. , Loschky Lester C.
Published: May 2022

Viewers’ attentional selection while looking at scenes is affected by both top‐down and bottom‐up factors. However, when watching film, viewers typically attend to the movie similarly irrespective of top‐down factors—a phenomenon we call the tyranny of film. A key difference between still pictures and film is that film contains motion, which is a strong attractor of attention and highly predictive of gaze during film viewing. The goal of the present study was to test if the tyranny of film is driven by motion. To do this, we created a slideshow presentation of the opening scene of Touch of Evil. Context condition participants watched the full slideshow. No‐context condition participants did not see the opening portion of the scene, which showed someone placing a time bomb into the trunk of a car. In prior research, we showed that despite producing very different understandings of the clip, this manipulation did not affect viewers’ attention (i.e., the tyranny of film), as both context and no‐context participants were equally likely to fixate on the car with the bomb when the scene was presented as a film. The current study found that when the scene was shown as a slideshow, the context manipulation produced differences in attentional selection (i.e., it attenuated attentional synchrony). We discuss these results in the context of the Scene Perception and Event Comprehension Theory, which specifies the relationship between event comprehension and attentional selection in the context of visual narratives.