bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Abstract 279: Angiography Utilization in LVO Drip‐and‐Ship Patients: Comparing Air and Ground
Authors: Rao Rahul
Published: March 2024

Introduction

Patients with acute intracranial large vessel occlusions (LVO) in the drip‐and‐ship model are transferred from an outside hospital (OSH) to a comprehensive stroke center (CSC) after receiving thrombolysis. In our practice, while most of these patients go directly to the angiography suite (DTA), some of them spontaneously recanalize and may not need mechanical thrombectomy (MT). We aim to assess the impact of transport modality on the efficacy of tPA‐induced recanalization by assessing rates of groin puncture, MT, and clinical outcomes.

Methods

We retrospectively evaluated 270 patients from 2020‐mid 2022 with either confirmed or suspected LVO in our healthcare network who received tPA at an OSH and were transported by either air or ground transport to our spoke hospital (CSC) with the intention of receiving MT. We compared baseline characteristics and then applied linear regression with propensity score matching to compare the air and ground groups. Between the two groups, we looked at the difference in the rates of change in NIHSS between OSH and TTH (delta NIHSS), groin puncture rates, rate of receiving mechanical thrombectomy (MT), rate of angiography alone without MT, and modified Rankin Scale (mRS) at 90 days.

Results

Of the 270 patients evaluated, 1 patient was excluded due to missing transport modality. 130 (48.33%) were transferred by ground transport and 139 (51.67%) by air. Baseline characteristics were similar between the air and ground groups with the exception of OSH NIHSS which was higher in the air group (13.59±8.3 vs. 10.4±7.81, p<0.001). In a linear regression model, air transport was not a significant predictor of improvement of NIHSS from OSH to CSC (p=0.69, R2=0.002) or groin puncture rate (OR=1.5, 95% CI 0.412‐ 5.471, p=0.54). Of the 198 confirmed LVO on CTA, 47.26% of air patients received MT compared with 48.74% (OR: 1.1, p=0.62) of ground patients. 11.32% of these confirmed LVO patients who were transported by air received angiography without mechanical thrombectomy compared to 11.68% of ground patients (OR: 2.1, p=0.1). A linear regression model with propensity matching did not show transport modality as a predictor of mRS at 90 days (p=0.32, R2=0.14).

Conclusion

LVO patients who receive tPA and are transferred by air directly to the angiography suite have a higher baseline NIHSS than those transported by ground. Mode of transport does not seem to predict changes in NIHSS or 90 day mRS in this population. Groin puncture, mechanical thrombectomy, and angiography without MT rates are similar between these groups. Mode of transport alone may not influence angiography utilization or clinical outcome so distance between sites and speed of transport should be used to determine whether air or ground is the better choice in each individual case.
Second-order citations in altmetrics: A case study analyzing the audiences of COVID-19 research in the news and on social media
Authors: Alperin Juan Pablo , Fleerackers Alice , Riedlinger Michelle , Haustein Stefanie
Published: March 2024

The potential to capture the societal impact of research has been a driving motivation for the use and development of altmetrics. Yet, to date, altmetrics have largely failed to deliver on this potential because the primary audience that cites research on social media has been shown to be academics themselves. In response, our study investigates an extension of traditional altmetric approaches that goes beyond capturing direct mentions of research on social media. Using research articles from the first months of the COVID-19 pandemic as a case study, we demonstrate the value of measuring “second-order citations,” or social media mentions of news coverage of research. We find that a sample of these citations, published by just five media outlets, were shared and engaged with on social media twice as much as the research articles themselves. Moreover, first-order and second-order citations circulated among Twitter accounts and Facebook accounts that were largely distinct from each other. The differences in audiences and engagement patterns found in this case study provide strong evidence that investigating these second-order citations can be an effective way of observing overlooked audiences who engage with research content on social media.
Notes on Chisosa (Araneae, Pholcidae), with the description of a new species from Mexico
Authors: HUBER BERNHARD A. , MENG GUANLIANG , VALDEZ-MONDRAGÓN ALEJANDRO
Published: March 2024

The genus Chisosa Huber, 2000 previously included only three species of small to tiny North American and Caribbean spiders that are rare in collections and poorly studied. Originally placed in the subfamily Ninetinae, Chisosa is currently considered a representative of Arteminae, close to the North American genus Physocyclus Simon, 1893. This placement has been suggested by molecular data, and it affects the interpretation of morphological characters that were originally thought to support the monophyly of Chisosa: they are shared with Physocyclus and thus plesiomorphic for Chisosa. Here we describe a new species from Mexico, C. calapa sp. nov., and restudy in detail the morphology (incl. ultrastructure) of the type species C. diluta (Gertsch & Mulaik, 1940) and of C. caquetio Huber, 2019, based on newly collected material. We document further similarities with Physocyclus but find only weak morphological support for the monophyly of Chisosa (body size reduction and short legs). In addition, we document surprisingly large genetic distances among C. caquetio specimens from Curaçao (>14% CO1 K2P distances), possibly indicating species limits. Finally, we propose that the Dominican amber genus Serratochorus Wunderlich, 1988, based on a single male specimen, is also phylogenetically close to Chisosa and should be included in future studies on these enigmatic spiders.
Parachaetocladius lenferringtoni (Diptera: Chironomidae), a new orthoclad from North America, with keys to adult males and pupae of the Nearctic Parachaetocladius (Wülker, 1959)
Authors: JR. R. WILLIAM BOUCHARD , NAMAYANDEH ARMIN , HUDSON PATRICK L.
Published: March 2024

In this study, we describe Parachaetocladius lenferringtoni sp. nov., based on all its life stages, and provide keys to adult males and pupae of the Nearctic Parachaetocladius. The new species was originally placed in Parachaetocladius abnobaeus (Wülker 1959) due to the similarity in the hypopygium of these species. However, a detailed examination of adults and associated immature specimens demonstrates that P. lenferringtoni sp. nov. represents a single species that is different from P. abnobaeus. Diagnostic adult and pupal characters were identified to separate this new species from P. abnobaeus and other species of Parachaetocladius. The separation of the larva of P. lenferringtoni sp. nov. and P. abnobaeus is currently tenuous, but some possible diagnostic characters are provided. Material of P. lenferringtoni sp. nov. was obtained for this study from Canada (Manitoba) and the United States of America (Kansas, Minnesota, Nebraska, and Wisconsin), indicating this species is largely limited to central North America. The habitat of this new species matches that of other Parachaetocladius species in that it has been collected from sandy substrates in springs and groundwater-dominated streams.
Additions to the trigonalyid (Hymenoptera: Trigonalyidae) fauna of India with the description of a new species from south India
Authors: FEMI EZHUTHUPALLICKAL BENNY , RANJITH AVUNJIKKATTU PARAMBIL , PRIYADARSANAN DHARMA RAJAN
Published: March 2024

A new species of Taeniogonalos is described and illustrated from Western Ghats, Kerala, India. The male of Taeniogonalos eurysoma Chen & van Achterberg, 2020 is described for the first time along with its first distribution record from India. The new species and T. eurysoma are illustrated along with a distribution map of Indian Taeniogonalos.
Conclusions
Authors: Myers Kathleen Ann
Published: March 2024

This chapter offers a brief overview of common points raised by shepherds, resident landowners, and activists whom we have met in A Country of Shepherds. Putting these distinct voices in conversation with one another, we gain a wider view of the practices of transhumant shepherding and extensive grazing, as well as the collective efforts keeping them alive. Our author summarizes obstacles the informants have pointed out and how they relate to larger systemic issues. Lastly, we hear of the resilience of this tradition and new paths forward that foster hope for the future of pastoralism in Andalusia.
Understanding digital period pedagogies: Exploring how young people navigate menstruation through embodied experience
Authors: Clark Marianne , Southerton Clare
Published: March 2024

Objective:

This paper examines the ways in which young people in Eastern Canada learn about menstruation and construct personal period pedagogies through embodied experiences and encounters with digital and social media.

Design:

A qualitative exploratory approach was undertaken to elicit the stories and voices of young people who menstruate. Menstruation is conceptualised as a deeply bio-social phenomenon and knowledge was understood as created, contested and negotiated across settings and contexts.

Methods:

Semi-structured interviews were conducted with nine university students (ages 19–23 years) in Eastern Canada as part of a pilot project informing a broader study about menstruation education and menstrual experiences. To be eligible for inclusion, participants were required to have experienced one menstrual cycle in the past 6 months and engaged with social media at least once per week.

Setting:

This project was conducted in a small University town in Maritime Canada.

Results:

Young people interviewed learned about menstruation through knowledges assembled from conversations family members and peers, educational and medical settings and content encountered on social and digital media. Three themes were developed from the analysis. The first two capture how young people actively try to ‘Fill in the Gaps’ left by conventional menstrual education approaches and therefore turn to informal and narrative knowledges circulating on social media in efforts to answer the question ‘Am I normal’. The third theme describes how participants actively ‘Balance Authority and Intimacy’ when seeking menstrual information that resonates with their embodied experiences.

Conclusion:

Substantial gaps exist in the menstrual knowledges available to young people, particularly in relation to the embodied and emotional dimensions of having and managing a period. Digital and social media have the capacity to contribute to personal period pedagogies by acknowledging and exploring aspects of menstruation not adequately addressed in other contexts.
Psychosocial factors associated with treatment preference in mental health
Authors: Vázquez Morejón Antonio J. , Felipe González Cristina , Muñoz Caracuel Manuel Alejandro , Vázquez-Morejón Raquel
Published: March 2024

Background:

Studies examining the effects of incorporating patients’ preferences into treatment outcomes highlight their impact on crucial aspects such as reduced dropout rates and enhanced effectiveness. Recognizing individuals’ rights to participate in decisions about their treatments underscores the importance of studying treatment preferences and the factors influencing these choices.

Aim:

This study aims to identify treatment preferences (psychological, pharmacological, or combined) among a sample of patients and to discern the psychosocial and clinical factors influencing these preferences.

Methods:

A total of 2,133 individuals receiving care at a community mental health unit completed assessments on anxious-depressive symptoms, social and occupational adjustment, and their treatment preference. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS, with descriptive statistics, Chi-square tests, and one-way ANOVA applied.

Results:

Preferences for treatments were distributed as follows: Combined (49.8%), psychological (33%), and pharmacological (10.6%). Factors such as diagnosis, severity of depressive and anxious symptoms, and functional impact were related to treatment preference with a moderate effect size. Meanwhile, various sociodemographic factors correlated with the selected treatment, though with a weak effect size.

Conclusions:

There is a pronounced preference for combined treatments. The significance of psychological treatments is evident, as four out of five participants favored them in their choices. Addressing these preferences calls for an exploration within the broader context of prescription freedom in mental health.
Bookshelf:Kappan authors on their favorite reads
Authors: Lentz Arielle
Published: March 2024

In this regular column, Kappan authors share books and articles that have inspired and influenced them. Arielle Lentz discusses Faces at the Bottom of the Well: The Permanence of Racism by Derrick Bell. Sharon Greenberg recommends Solito: A Memoir, by Javier Zamora.
Learning with Leaders: Partnering for innovation and growth: Shaun Nelms
Authors: Lane James F.
Published: March 2024

PDK CEO James F. Lane talks with Shaun Nelms, former superintendent of Rochester Public Schools, about his work building a partnership between East High School in Rochester, New York, and the University of Rochester to turn around a high school on the brink of closure. Nelms discusses the importance of involving the community in transformation and building on success over time. Now at the University of Rochester, he hopes to help strengthen connections between preK-12 and higher education. Additionally, he is the CEO of the Nelms Consulting Group, where he provides expertise and guidance on creating equitable school systems and effective administrative leadership.
The Intrinsic Probability of τοῖς ἰδίοις ἀνδράσιν ὑποτασσέσθωσαν in Eph. 5.22
Authors: McCollum Joey
Published: March 2024

This study revisits a contested textual variant concerning the presence, placement, and person of an imperative directed at wives in Eph. 5.22. Most previous treatments of this variant have decided the matter (typically in favor of the reading without an imperative) on the basis of manuscript support and transcriptional arguments about how readers and copyists of the text would have changed it, but the intrinsic probabilities of what the author would have written based on his argument and style have generally been neglected. This study fills this gap by assessing the intrinsic probabilities of the variant readings in Eph. 5.22 using discourse and information structure, the pragmatics of the Greek imperative, and stylistic observations in Ephesians. As a result of this analysis, the reading with the highest intrinsic probability is shown to be τοῖς ἰδίοις ἀνδράσιν ὑποτασσέσθωσαν, which bolsters the recent case made by Gurry (2021) for the same reading.
The acquisition of directionals in Q’anjob’al
Authors: Pedro Pedro Mateo
Published: March 2024

This article evaluates the acquisition of directionals in Q’anjob’al, a Western Mayan language of Guatemala. The data come from a longitudinal study of two Q’anjob’al monolingual children of Santa Eulalia, Huehuetenango, Guatemala: Xhuw (1;9–2;5) and Xhim (2;3–3;5). The results show how these children acquire the morphological distribution of motion verbs and directionals in Q’anjob’al. They produce directionals parallel to motion verbs. Xhuw produced more motion verbs than directionals, while Xhim produced more directionals than motion verbs. Despite the omission of tense/aspect and agreement in the verb complex, these children produce two types of suffixes that distinguish motion verbs from directionals. The children acquired three groups of directionals in the following order: DIR3 (teq ‘toward X’, toq ‘away from X’) > DIR2 (el ‘out’ aj ‘up’ ok ‘enter, in’ ek’ ‘pass’ ay ‘down’) > DIR1 (kan ‘stay’).
A Clinical Study on Video Bronchoscopy-guided Coblation for Benign Central Airway Stenosis
Authors: Li Haitao , Ren Xuezhu , Zhang Haizhong , Li Shuai , He Yuzheng , Qi Tianjie , Cai Zhigang
Published: March 2024

Background: Benign central airway stenosis poses a significant challenge to respiratory and thoracic surgeons due to the high recurrence rate associated with current treatment methods, causing severe breathing difficulties and potentially life-threatening complications. This article aims to investigate the therapeutic efficacy and prospects of using coblation in the management of benign central airway stenosis in adults. Moreover, the pathogenesis of benign central airway stenosis was deeply explored to provide better guidance for future clinical treatments. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study examined patients with benign central airway stenosis who were treated at The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University from 2017 to 2020. In addition, a comparative analysis of whole-genome sequencing was conducted between the aforementioned patient group and healthy populations to investigate the underlying etiology of this stenotic condition. Results: The present study encompassed 32 patients who underwent 43 treatments in total between 2017 and 2020. All patients exhibited alleviation of airway stenosis and an improvement in clinical symptoms following surgery, without any significant surgical or postoperative complications. Whole-genome analysis revealed significant changes in gene expression in the airway mucosa of patients with benign airway stenosis in comparison to healthy populations. A total of 91 differentially expressed genes were identified, among which 44 upregulated genes displayed characteristics of promoting inflammatory responses. Conclusion: Coblation demonstrates promise as an efficacious treatment modality for adults suffering from benign central airway stenosis, and its widespread application in clinical settings is anticipated. The direct pathogenesis of benign central airway stenosis involves airway lumen narrowing and obstruction resulting from excessive inflammation and proliferative granulation.
Racial Disparities in Socioeconomic Status Among Adoptive Parents
Authors: Larsen Gibby Ashley , Thomas Kevin J. A. , Ware Metcalf Maihcen
Published: March 2024

Parents of color are underrepresented in adoption research and as adoptive parents. Consequently, there is limited understanding of racial disparities in socioeconomic status (SES) among adoptive parents. We test two hypotheses: (1) racial disparities in the United States will be reflected in the adoption community (social stratification) and (2) adoptive parents of color may need to overcome additional barriers to adoption, thus having higher SES than White adoptive parents (overcoming barriers). Using 2019 American Community Survey data, we predict adoptive parents’ ( n = 65,556) SES by race and then compare the SES of adoptive and non-adoptive parents of the same race. Across-race results support a social stratification perspective—White adoptive parents have higher SES than adoptive parents of color. Within-race results, alternatively, show that adoptive parents have higher SES than non-adoptive parents across racial groups. Therefore, although adoptive parents experience socioeconomic advantages, parents of color navigate adoption with fewer resources.
The Relations Between Parents’ Gender Equality Values and (co)parenting: Examining Actor-Partner Effects in an Australian Community Sample
Authors: Eira Nunes Cindy , Lamprianidou Elli-Anastasia , Zimmer-Gembeck Melanie J. , Van Petegem Stijn
Published: March 2024

In most Western societies, parents’ gender roles and values have shifted significantly over the past decades. However, it is not yet clear whether parents’ gender-related values impact both their own and their partners’ coparenting and parenting practices. This study examined the relations between parents’ gender equality values, their coparenting, and parental warmth and hostility. Drawing 6745 families from an ongoing Australian panel study, we used actor-partner interdependence modeling to estimate the associations between mothers’ and fathers’ equality values and their (co)parenting. Results revealed a significant positive partner effect of mothers’ gender equality values on fathers’ warmth and coparenting, but no significant actor effects for mothers’ or fathers’ values. We also found that mothers’ work status moderated the relationship between parents’ values and coparenting. In conclusion, these findings suggest that it is important to consider mothers’ gender values and its transactional influence on fathers’ involvement for understanding contemporary parenting.
A holistic experience matters: Factors drive gifted students to recommend residential summer enrichment programs in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Muammar Omar
Published: March 2024

The study investigates the impact of three aspects of the residential summer enrichment program (RSEP) on gifted students' decision to recommend the program to friends. The research was conducted at a public university in Saudi Arabia, with 356 gifted students from grades nine to 11. The study used Confirmatory Factor Analysis and Structural Equation Modeling to examine the causal connections between these factors and students' intention to advocate for the RSEP. The findings show that students' satisfaction with logistics arrangement, soft-skills program, and science program significantly influences their intention to promote the program. The logistics arrangement had the highest unique contribution to this intention, followed by soft skills and science programs. The study suggests that RSEP can enhance motivation, participation, program quality, and provide valuable input for decision-makers in Saudi Arabia. Enrichment programs should prioritize creating a secure learning environment while considering individual well-being and growth.
Embolic necrosuppurative pneumonia in domestic cats induced by a novel Neisseria species
Authors: Bolt Christopher R. , Singh Vikash K. , Wünschmann Arno , Richards Hallie C. , Gehlhaus Kelly L. , Mor Sunil K.
Published: March 2024

Three cats, aged 2 to 11 years, presented to the University of Minnesota Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory over a 3-year period following euthanasia or death due to respiratory distress. Thoracic radiographs revealed nodular, soft tissue opacities throughout the lung fields in all cases. On postmortem examination, approximately 60% to 80% of the lung parenchyma were expanded by multifocal to coalescing, well-demarcated, beige, semi-firm nodules. Histologically, large numbers of neutrophils, fewer macrophages, fibrin, and cellular and karyorrhectic debris effaced the pulmonary parenchyma. The inflammatory foci contained aggregates of gram-negative cocci. 16s rRNA Sanger sequencing and whole-genome sequencing identified the bacteria isolated from the lung of all cats under aerobic conditions as a novel Neisseria spp. Based on whole-genome sequence analysis, all 3 sequences shared 92.71% and 92.67% average nucleotide identity with closely related Neisseria animaloris NZ LR134440T and Neisseria animaloris GCA 002108605T, respectively. The in silico DNA-DNA hybridization identity compared to our isolates was 46.6% and 33.8% with strain DSM Neisseria zoodegmatis 21642 and strain DSM 21643, respectively. All 3 sequences have less than 95% average nucleotide identity and less than 70% DNA-DNA hybridization identity, suggesting that the 3 isolates are a novel species of the genus Neisseria. Infection with Neisseria spp. induces an embolic pneumonia in cats that radiographically and pathologically resembles a metastatic neoplastic process and should be considered among the etiologic differential diagnoses in cases of infectious pulmonary disease with a disseminated, nodular lung pattern.
Mannheimia haemolytica–associated fibrinonecrotizing abomasitis in lambs
Authors: Pérez Estela , Uzal Francisco A. , de Miguel Ricardo , Rodríguez-Largo Ana , Reséndiz Raúl , Streitenberger Nicolás , Macías-Rioseco Melissa , Gómez Álex , Calvo-Sánchez Natalia , Pérez Marta , Luján Lluís , Asín Javier
Published: March 2024

Mannheimia haemolytica–associated abomasitis has been clinically described as a cause of sudden death in lambs, but it is poorly characterized. We describe the pathological features of a severe fibrinonecrotizing abomasitis in 3 lambs that died suddenly. All 3 abomasums had a thickened submucosa due to edema and necrotic areas delimited by bands of degenerate neutrophils with slender nuclei (oat cells) and angiocentric distributions. The overlying mucosa was congested. Myriads of gram-negative coccobacilli were observed within the oat cell bands. M. haemolytica was isolated from the abomasum in all 3 animals and was serotyped as A2 in one of them. Pericarditis and pleuritis were observed in 2 of the lambs. Clostridium spp. were isolated in 1 lamb and detected by immunohistochemistry in the 3 animals, suggesting clostridial co-infection. M. haemolytica should be considered among the differential diagnoses of necrotizing abomasitis in lambs.
Drug-eluting nanofibrous wound dressings composed of polycaprolactone and gelatin augment diabetic wounds healing via reducing oxidative stress and inflammation: An in vitro and in vivo study
Authors: Liu Shungui , Chen Ziqiu
Published: March 2024

Diabetes is a prevalent medical condition that often leads to complications, including diabetic wounds that can have serious consequences such as infections, amputations, and death. In the current research, lodoxamide was loaded into electrospun polycaprolacton/gelatin scaffolds In order to improve wound healing in a rat model. Our developed dressings were characterized in vitro using various methods and then applied on a rat model of excisional wound. Study showed that the dressings were not toxic and promoted migration potential of skin-derived fibroblast cells. Wound healing study showed that lodoxamide-loaded dressings had markedly higher healing potential than other scaffolds and augmented collagen deposition and epithelialization. Gene expression studies showed that TNF-α, glutathione peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase genes were significantly downregulated by lodoxamide-loaded scaffolds.
Fuel consumption comparative optimization for parallel hybrid electric vehicle based on PSO and DIRECT algorithms
Authors: Halima Naila Ben , Hadj Naourez Ben , Halima Nahla Ben , Neji Rafik
Published: March 2024

Fuel consumption is a serious environmental issue. Hybrid electric vehicles “HEVs” are highly energy efficient and reduce emissions. Parallel Hybrid Electric Vehicles “PHEVs” are currently the most popular architecture type in the HEV market. A PHEV manages energy between its components based on a proposed fuzzy logic control strategy. This strategy has been well researched and proven to be effective. PHEV control strategy has several simultaneous objectives. Reducing fuel consumption is the main goal of a PHEV while maintaining driving performance. Due to the complex nature of PHEVs, optimization algorithms must be used as the applied control strategies do not yield satisfactory global system efficiency. Several constraints were added as boundary conditions in the optimization process to allow optimized sizing of components not only to achieve goals, but also to meet specific vehicle performance requirements. In an acceleration test, the PHEV must reach a certain speed within a given time. In addition, in terms of reducing fuel consumption and emissions, the PHEV must have a zero energy balance, between the start and end of the cycle, at the battery level. PHEV optimization involves several decision variables, including key powertrain components and energy management strategy “EMS” system parameters. These variables greatly affect vehicle performance. A comparative study of optimization algorithms was conducted to determine the characteristics of PHEV to improve fuel economy. The particle swarm optimization “PSO” algorithm and the divided rectangular “DIRECT” algorithm are applied to the studied PHEV to solve optimization problems specific to fuel consumption. Conducted studies prove the effectiveness of the PSO algorithm compared to the DIRECT algorithm in terms of fuel economy improvement. This research has made it possible to determine the optimal size parameters for components that will make our PHEV more efficient and less polluting.
Religio-temporal framing and religio-social synchronization in family discourse in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Almulla Iman A.
Published: March 2024

Studies on time and timing in language often adopt psychological or cognitive perspectives. This work aims to study the relationship between time, religion, and family discourse. An interactional sociolinguistic approach was used to collect data from spontaneous family interactions to study how religious activities govern how family members in Saudi Arabia organize their day and simultaneously how different times of day are organized though religious activities. This study draws on Gordon’s study of family discourse, Van Leeuwen’s concepts of timing and Goffman’s concept of framing to investigate how family members organize their time in what can be referred to as religio-temporal framing and religio-social synchronization, and how this plays a role in the co-construction of Muslim identity.
Consulting in the dark: Robert Hamilton (1749–1830) and the importance of ‘tenderness’ towards patients
Authors: Cooper Maxwell John , Fernandes Carl , Cooper Sarah
Published: March 2024

Robert Hamilton (1749–1830) was born in Coleraine, Ireland, attended medical school in Edinburgh, Scotland, served in the British army and practised in South-East England. In order to differentiate him from his contemporary and namesake, Hamilton is identified by having worked in Ipswich, Suffolk and Colchester, Essex. This submission considers Hamilton's biography, his 1787 book on the British regimental surgeon and his ideas therein about professionalism. Central to his concept of professionalism is ‘tenderness’, a notion that broadly equates to empathy. He notes that tenderness brings improvement in clinical outcome and he has the foresight to recognise nurses as key to such care. The authors explore the concept of ‘consulting in the dark’, i.e. without access to clinical investigations. This is exemplified by doctors of the eighteenth century and earlier. Today general practitioners must still be comfortable ‘consulting in the dark’, e.g. when attending a patient's home. Hamilton's biography offers a further example of ‘consulting in the dark’: In later life, he lost his vision but continued to practise successfully. Central to his gift of consulting ‘in the dark’ was likely to be ‘tenderness’ for his patients, expressed through language and gentle touch. Hamilton's entreaty for ‘tenderness’ contrasts with modern medical education where reliance upon clinical tests, technology and pharmacology risksblinding young doctors towards patients and their lives.
Does Corporate Governance and Quality of Disclosure Affect Firm Performance? An Empirical Study on Indian Banks
Authors: Pandey Krishangi , Singh Prakash
Published: March 2024

Financial markets, particularly in the developed markets, have started including non-quantitative disclosures as one of the important key performance indicators and valuation drivers. Notably, the quality of corporate governance, reflected in the board of directors and audit quality, serves as a key performance metric. This paper explores the relationship between market performance, corporate governance practices, and quality of disclosures (QOD) (measured through an index) in Indian financial firms (government-owned banks, private banks, and NBFCs). We assess market performance using price–book value and its dependence on qualitative variables such as corporate governance index (CGI) and QOD. Findings indicate that the market performance of financial firms is influenced by standard accounting ratios such as return on assets, capital adequacy ratio, and non-performing assets, as expected. CGI and QOD have improved over time across all financial firm categories. However, while CGI exhibits a positive relationship with firm performance, the link between market performance and QOD is less definitive. This study, limited to select banks based on market capitalization, explores the relationship between market and accounting performance over five years (2016–2020), with a focus on three consecutive years (2012, 2016, and 2020) to explore the correlation between their market performance and key qualitative factors such as CGI and QOD.
Leftist governments, distributive strategies, and the politics of balance of payments-constrained growth in Chile and Uruguay
Authors: Bogliaccini Juan , Madariaga Aldo
Published: March 2024

Leftist governments in peripheral economies have usually faced problems fulfilling their distributive mandate. Because of their inability to earn foreign exchange to pay for imports or service their debt, these governments often ended in epic balance of payments crises and renounced their electoral programs while embracing stabilization and fiscal austerity. This reflects the fact that economic growth and distribution in peripheral economies are fundamentally balance-of-payments-constrained. How can we understand variation in the form of distributive strategies advanced by left parties in government if they are subject to balance of payments constraints? And how can we understand the emergence of different growth models within those constraints? This article contributes to understanding the politics of peripheral growth models by studying the variation in left government distributive and growth strategies in the context of balance-of-payments (BoP) constrained growth. While the BoP constraints are real and challenging and the push for monetary and fiscal responsibility has been blunt, we argue that the extent to which governing left parties build linkages with grassroots and subordinated groups, and extant institutional architectures, allow spaces for political agency that leftist governments can use to pursue distinct distributive and growth strategies. In turn, these strategies allow for diverse ways of managing the macroeconomic implications of the BoP constraints.
A Duopolistic Analysis of CEO Competitive Aggressiveness with R&D Investment
Authors: Gao Xing , Zhang Yanfang , Zhong Boyuan , Wang Xifan , Wang Ying
Published: March 2024

While chief executive officer (CEO) competitive aggressiveness can be frequently observed in competitive industries with heavy R&D (research and development) investment, studies on its impact on R&D strategies and hiring strategies for competing firms are rare. This article builds a Cournot-based game model to examine this issue and obtain many novel findings in a competitive duopolistic market. In particular, compared with two firms hiring noncompetitive CEOs, hiring competitive CEOs may hinder rather than stimulate R&D investment when the aggressiveness of competitive CEOs remains relatively weak. Our analysis reveals that despite conflicting interests, firms may choose to hire competitive CEOs. Specifically, when competitive CEOs’ aggressiveness is rather low, both firms hire competitive CEOs to gain an output advantage; otherwise, they hire different types of CEOs to avoid head-to-head competition. A prisoner dilemma occurs when two firms choose competitive CEOs because they would be better off when hiring noncompetitive CEOs. Then, although the presence of competitive CEOs always improves total industry output, bilateral competition brings about the lowest total industry profit because fierce output competition substantially reduces prices. Interestingly, unilateral competition enhances total industry profit when the aggressiveness of competitive CEOs remains rather strong. Finally, this study shows that the endogenous aggressive nature of competitive CEOs does not qualitatively alter these main results.
Racial Discrimination in Sourcing: Evidence From Controlled Experiments
Authors: Aral Karca D , Van Wassenhove Luk N
Published: March 2024

Entrepreneurial activity is widely seen as an important tool for addressing the racial wealth gap. However, the survival of minority-owned businesses depends on their ability to win contracts from buyer firms—which might be impacted by buyers’ racial biases. Whether discrimination can exist in sourcing and affect this ability is an unexplored question, perhaps due to an implicit assumption that business-to-business settings are immune from discriminatory biases. In this paper, we use controlled experiments to study whether racial discrimination can affect sourcing decisions. We find that when a supplier's sales manager has a distinctively Black name, buyers are 6.5% less likely (statistically significant at 1% level) to select that supplier compared to a supplier with a sales manager with a distinctively white name. Our findings suggest that equal-opportunity legislation similar to that already in place in the labor market may be needed in the sourcing context. Our findings have implications for executives, suggesting that supplier diversity programs and procurement-bias training can boost corporate performance by expanding the supplier pool, and simultaneously enhance a firm's corporate social responsibility profile.
Sustainable Career Trajectories in Switzerland: The Role of Psychological Resources and Sociodemographic Characteristics
Authors: Udayar Shagini , Toscanelli Cecilia , Massoudi Koorosh
Published: March 2024

In the current volatile and insecure professional context, developing and maintaining sustainable careers has become a major concern. This study contributes to the advancement of research on sustainable careers by applying the career sustainability framework in a 7-year longitudinal study on Swiss workers’ career trajectories ( N = 789). We thus aimed to (a) identify various types of career trajectories based on employment status (i.e., full-time employment, substantial part-time employment, marginal part-time employment, unemployment), (b) distinguish sustainable and unsustainable trajectories by investigating their outcomes in terms of health (i.e., self-rated health), happiness (i.e., career and life satisfaction), and productivity (i.e., income and promotion), and (c) predict the probability of falling into a (un)sustainable career trajectory based on psychological resources (i.e., personality traits and career adaptability) and sociodemographic characteristics (i.e., age, gender, and education level). Optimal matching analysis revealed a 4-cluster solution, with the traditional full-time and stable career trajectories being the predominant ones alongside more transitional or discontinuous trajectories. Differences in health, happiness and productivity were found between the four types. Furthermore, our results showed that being a woman, having a lower education level and higher neuroticism and agreeableness scores increased the likelihood of experiencing an unsustainable career.
Effect of thermal diffusivity on Rayleigh waves in human tissue
Authors: Debnath Sanjay , Singh Sanasam Sarat
Published: March 2024

This work examines the nature of human tissue under the context of dual phase lag thermoelastic diffusion theory using the principle of propagation of Rayleigh wave along the stress free, thermally insulated/isothermal, and impermeable/isoconcentrated conditions. The governing equations for the tissue are formed by considering the third-order approximation of Taylor’s expansion for the modified Fourier’s law of heat conduction and modified Fick’s law of mass diffusion in terms of phase lag parameters. The irrational secular equations of Rayleigh waves are derived, which are then rationalized to extract their complex roots. The phase speeds and the attenuation coefficients are evaluated from these complex roots. The variation of these phase speeds and attenuation coefficients are plotted graphically against angular frequency for two significant modes. The behavioral patterns of displacement components, temperature, and concentration fields are computed and are expressed graphically. The paths of the particle motion are represented graphically. Some results of published articles are recovered from the present formulation to validate our results.
Resilience Across the Life Course for Women Experiencing Intimate Partner Violence
Authors: Davidson Cara A. , Safar Christina , Yates Julia , Shillington Katie J. , Nncube Nokuzola , Mantler Tara
Published: March 2024

This study employed a life course perspective to explore the resilience of Canadian women of various ages who had experienced intimate partner violence (IPV). Interpretive description was used to analyze 22 in-depth, semi-structured interview transcripts with women who ranged in age from >19 to 60+ years. Results revealed that developmental age affected service accessibility and effectiveness, historical age shaped abuse normalization, and social age presented barriers and facilitators to women's resilience. This study highlighted the central role of resilience for women of all ages who have experienced IPV and emphasized the need for accessible, effective, and supportive services.
YAP1-induced RBM24 promotes the tumorigenesis of triple-negative breast cancer through the β-catenin pathway
Authors: Chen Xiaohua , Lin Xiao , Xia Xiaodong , Xiang Xiao
Published: March 2024

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is the most aggressive breast cancer subtype and refractory to current treatments. RBM24 is an RNA-binding protein and shows the ability to regulate tumor progression in multiple cancer types. However, its role in TNBC is still unclear. In this study, we analyzed publicly available profiling data from TNBC tissues and cells. Loss- and gain-of-function experiments were performed to determine the function of RBM24 in TNBC cells. The mechanism for RBM24 action in TNBC was investigated. RBM24 was deregulated in TNBC tissues and TNBC cells with depletion of SIPA1, YAP1, or ARID1A, three key regulators of TNBC. Compared to MCF10A breast epithelial cells, TNBC cells had higher levels of RBM24. Knockdown of RBM24 inhibited TNBC cell proliferation, colony formation, and tumorigenesis, while overexpression of RBM24 promoted aggressive phenotype in TNBC cells. YAP1 overexpression induced the expression of RBM24 and the RBM24 promoter-driven luciferase reporter. YAP1 was enriched at the promoter region of RBM24. Overexpression of RBM24 increased β-catenin-dependent transcriptional activity. Most importantly, knockdown of CTNNB1 rescued RBM24 aggressive phenotype in TNBC cells. Collectively, the YAP1/RBM24/β-catenin axis plays a critical role in driving TNBC progression. RBM24 may represent a novel therapeutic target for TNBC treatment.
Multilevel Value Co-Creation Within Key Accounts
Authors: Ranjan Kumar R. , Friend Scott B. , Malshe Avinash
Published: March 2024

Optimizing complex service partnerships requires an understanding of multilevel value co-creation processes in a customer-supplier ecosystem. Such strategic business-to-business relationships impact supplier costs and revenues, necessitating dedicated personnel across hierarchical levels to co-create value. The authors study the customer-supplier ecosystem intra-organizationally across firm levels to understand value expectations and orientations, and extra-organizationally to identify supplier harmonization strategies for managing multilevel value co-creation. Empirically, the authors conduct a multilevel-multisource qualitative case study within a strategic partnership, with a service contract valued at over $100 million per year, that includes senior- and frontline-level interviews in the key account customer organization (32 participants) and supplier organization (22 participants). The analysis focuses on how institutions, spanning contracts, and behavioral norms within the business-to-business customer-supplier ecosystem, govern actions and aspirations. Findings typify the nature of divergent value expectations between customer hierarchies along with level-specific co-creation orientations. As future prognosis hinges on harmonizing practices and institutions to address discrepancies in value visibility across customer levels, such an assessment also enables actionable strategies to enhance reengagement. The findings collectively offer theoretical implications for key account management (KAM) research, influencing areas such as professionalization of KAM, effectiveness in KAM, and network dynamics within KAM.
Analysis of Flow Through Extra-Anatomic Bypasses Between Supra-Aortic Branches Using Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV)
Authors: Williamson Petra N. , Docherty Paul D. , Khanafer Adib , Steven Briana M.
Published: March 2024

Supra-aortic extra-anatomic debranch (SAD) are prosthetic surgical grafts used to revascularize head and neck arteries that would be blocked during a surgical or hybrid procedure used in treating ascending and arch of the aorta pathologies. However, bypassing the supra-aortic arteries but not occluding their orifice might introduce potential for competitive flow that reduces bypass patency. Competitive flow within the bypasses across the supra-aortic arteries has not previously been identified. This research identified haemodynamics due to prophylactic inclusion of bypasses from the brachiocephalic artery (BCA) to the left common carotid artery (LCCA), and from the LCCA to left subclavian artery (LSA). Four model configurations investigated the risk of competitive flow and the necessity of intentionally blocking the proximal LSA and/or LCCA. Particle image velocimetry (PIV) was used to assess haemodynamics in each model configuration. We found potential for competitive flow in the BCA-LCCA bypass when the LSA was blocked, in the LSA-LCCA bypass, when the LCCA alone or LCCA and LSA were blocked. Flow stagnated at the start of systole within the RCCA-LCCA bypass, along with notable recirculation zones and reciprocating flow occurring throughout systolic flow. Flow also stagnated in the LCCA-LSA bypass when the LCCA was blocked. There was a large recirculation in the LCCA-LSA bypass when both the LCCA and LSA were blocked. The presence of competitive flow in all other configurations indicated that it is necessary to block or ligate the native LCCA and LSA once the debranch is made and the thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) completed.
Digital reputation indicator: A webometric approach for a global ranking of digital media
Authors: Trillo-Domínguez Magdalena , Salaverría Ramón , Codina Lluís , De Moya-Anegón Félix
Published: March 2024

In this article we present the Digital Reputation Indicator (DRI), an innovative methodological tool that allows evaluating and comparing the reputation of digital news media on a global scale. In use since January 2023 by SCImago Media Rankings ( scimagomedia.com ), DRI is a composite assessment and measurement instrument that weighs web metrics originating from trusted, stable, and globally accessible sources. DRI provides a resource for the qualitative comparison of digital media according to a webometric model based on its level of citation by other websites ( citationflow ), the quality of the sites that link to the media (trustflow) and the level of authority scores associated with their domain (domain rating and authority score). This article explores the reliability of this webometric approach, which overcomes the limitations of the two media measurement paradigms used up to now: the most traditional, based on audience measurement, and the most recent, oriented towards popularity in social networks. In this article we present and test the consistency of the DRI as a resource for the building of a global ranking of digital media, an instrument that we consider to be of interest to both the academic and professional communities.