bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ex-auditor executives and investment efficiency: evidence from Indonesia
Authors: Ngelo Agnes Aurora , Harymawan Iman , Nasih Mohammad
Published: September 2022

Purpose

This study aims to examine the relationship between the presence of ex-auditor chief executive officers (CEOs) and ex-auditor chief financial officers (CFOs) with the company's investment efficiency decisions.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors use non-financial Indonesian listed firms, and the authors obtain 2,763 firm-year observations of ex-auditor CEOs and 2,708 firm-year observations of ex-auditor CFOs from 2010–2019.

Findings

The results show that ex-auditor CEOs tend to make efficient investment decisions, while ex-auditor CFOs do not. However, when a company has a CEO and a CFO who are both former auditors, there is a significantly stronger positive relationship with investment efficiency. These results indicate that working experience as an auditor can optimally facilitate the decision regarding investment level. Moreover, the results suggest that the CEO, as top management, has more influence in providing the company's final investment decisions, whereas the CFO plays a role in providing investment recommendations to the CEO. The results of this study are consistent with the use of alternative measurements and the robustness test of Coarsened Exact Matching (CEM).

Practical implications

The results of this study can contribute as material for consideration by company management in selecting company organs with an auditor background to secure efficient investment.

Originality/value

This study specifically examines the experience, values, and particular characteristics of top management with an auditor background on the company's strategic decisions. This study is also based on the phenomenon that the number of ex-auditor CEOs and CFOs in Indonesia tends to increase every year.
Fire safety assessment for older adults in high-rise residential buildings in India: a comprehensive study
Authors: Kumar Ankit , Khare Rachna , Sankat Sandeep , Madhavi Pratyoosh
Published: September 2022

Purpose

The statistics show that older adults have been major fire victims in high-rise buildings. However, the fire safety building codes in most countries are not inclusive and do not reflect provisions for older adults. The research aims to develop a fire risk assessment index system for older adults living in high-rise residential buildings in India. The study further develops a fire rating system to improve fire safety provisions in high-rise buildings in India.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper employs Delphi, analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and fuzzy comprehensive risk evaluation techniques. It considers 18 in-depth interviews and group discussions with builders, developers, architects, policymakers, and fire safety experts and consultants to develop a fire risk assessment system for older occupants living in high-rise residential buildings in India.

Findings

The fire protection systems and fire management systems are not as per the needs of older adults. The egress system components need improvisation considering the challenges of older adults.

Research limitations/implications

The study is limited to older adults living in high-rise residential buildings in the capital city of Gujarat, Ahmedabad.

Practical implications

This study will assist policymakers in developing fire safety standards that are targeted to the needs of older persons living in high-rise residential buildings during a fire evacuation.

Originality/value

While several approaches for measuring fire risk in high-rise residential buildings exist, no such system has been developed specifically for older adults in India.
Adaptive re-use of industrial heritage and its role in achieving local sustainability
Authors: Alavi Pari , Sobouti Hooman , Shahbazi Majid
Published: September 2022

Purpose

The current study evaluates the success of this project at the local scale by examining the degree of compliance with local sustainability indicators after the revival of the Zanjan Match Factory. Hence, the purpose of this article is to evaluate the prosperity of the Zanjan match factory monument restoration project in achieving local sustainability. The study intention of prosperity implies any action, achievement or positive outcome that contributes to informed decision-making and leads to sustainable neighborhood development.

Design/methodology/approach

The current research is applied research in terms of purpose and descriptive-analytical, and survey-field in terms of method. The criteria evaluated in this research include criteria as follows: (1) evaluation of protection and preservation of the building, (2) success of the new function and (3) sustainable local development, which are defined items for each criterion. The questions of the questionnaire are prepared according to the Likert 5 points spectrum, the value of which is answered between 1 and 5 and the hierarchy goes from “very good” to “very poor”. The Cronbach's alpha coefficient obtained for the validity of the questionnaire questions is 0.85, which indicates the appropriate validity of the questionnaire questions.

Findings

The study findings indicate that the applied criteria are at an acceptable level since the criterion of sustainable local development and architecture have obtained the scores of 4 and the new function criterion scores of 3. Field surveys and observations of changes made in the neighborhood including the construction of a thoroughfare, commercial complex, service complex and local parks verify the validity of the findings. The results of the proposed study indicate that adaptive reuse projects should not be taken into account as individual projects since an individual building can be a catalyst for the restoration of other buildings and contribute to the transformation of the whole area by affecting the surrounding environment.

Originality/value

Adaptive reuse of building assets is an important approach to sustainability that can be utilized in conserving and preserving industrial heritage buildings was described in this paper. An adaptive reuse project follows three aims of cultural and historical heritage conservation, the success of the new performance and the development of local communities and a successful project appropriately balances these three goals.
Exploitation in Bangladeshi ready-made garments supply chain: a case of irresponsible capitalism?
Authors: Uddin Mohammad Jasim , Azmat Fara , Fujimoto Yuka , Hossain Farhad
Published: September 2022

Purpose

Despite considerable research and constant pressure from global media, exploitation has been a persistent problem in the Bangladeshi ready-made garment (RMG) supply chain. Yet, the root causes of how and why exploitation still persists remain unexplored. This paper explores the reasons underlying the existence of exploitation in the RMG supply chain of Bangladesh using the theoretical lens of responsible capitalism.

Design/methodology/approach

Drawing on 98 interviews conducted at multiple levels of the RMG supply chain ecosystem, site visits, observation and archives, the authors unpack the underlying reasons for the existence of exploitation in Bangladeshi RMG supply chain.

Findings

Using the theoretical lens of responsible capitalism, the findings suggest the existence of exploitation as a multifaceted yet nuanced phenomenon that is a result of complex power dynamics, interdependency and interconnectedness of players at multiple levels of the supply chain. The authors extend responsible capitalism theory by adding local context as a key determinant for the RMG supply chain to be responsive, effective and sustainable. The authors further argue the need for a new business model in global supply chain that calls for a fundamental shift of businesses towards responsible capitalism via transformative actions at multiple levels for balancing power in relationships, generate profit with ethical integrity and take responsibility of the consequences of their actions.

Research limitations/implications

The authors use a contextualized case study of the RMG supply chain in Bangladesh using a critical realist approach. Although the use of contextualized case study has enabled better understanding of causal relationships between management practices and exploitation in the local context of Bangladesh, a quantitative approach to establish causality between different factors could be the focus of future research. The findings are specific to the context of Bangladeshi RMG supply chain and may have limited generalizability in other contexts. Further studies may build upon the findings to explore exploitation in RMG supply chain of other sectors and countries in the region and compare the findings to develop comprehensive understanding about the root causes of exploitation.

Practical implications

The findings call for a fundamental shift of business towards responsible capitalism via transformative actions of multiple players across different levels of the supply chains with managerial implications.

Originality/value

By drawing on empirical research, the authors provide a holistic perspective of responsible capitalism that is influenced by interactions and interconnectedness of players in multiple levels of the supply chain. The authors expand the responsible capitalism theory by adding local context as a key determinant that need to be considered for supply chains to be responsive, effective and sustainable.
Investigating the antecedents of HRIS adoption in public sector organizations: integration of UTAUT and TTF
Authors: Alkhwaldi Abeer F. , Alobidyeen Buthina , Abdulmuhsin Amir A. , Al-Okaily Manaf
Published: September 2022

Purpose

This paper aims to propose a user adoption model of human resource information system (HRIS) in the Jordanian public sector by integrating the task technology fit (TTF) model and the unified theory of acceptance and usage of technology (UTAUT).

Design/methodology/approach

Using a quantitative approach, survey data were collected using an online survey from employees working in four different public organizations in Jordan, and structural equation modelling has been used to validate the research model.

Findings

The study found that among the constructs of the UTAUT model performance expectancy, social influence and facilitating condition have a significant effect on users’ behavioural intention to adopt HRIS. Furthermore, the results also reveal that effort expectancy has an insignificant effect on adoption behaviour. The findings also show that all TTF hypotheses were supported by the data collected. Both task characteristics and technology characteristics have a significant effect on the TTF construct, which further determines users’ adoption behaviour.

Originality/value

These findings contribute to the extant academic literature and have practical implications, improving the understanding of the HRIS adoption and use in public sector organizations.
A study on switching behavior of social media: from a dynamic perspective
Authors: Kang Inwon
Published: September 2022

Purpose

The adoption of social media has been extensively discussed. However, to explain the adoption of traditional social media, considering the benefits and risks accumulated from the experiences of social media use, the extent literature is limited. Thus, this paper investigated the act of traditional social media users’ switching behavior from a dynamic perspective and the level of information privacy concerns and social media privacy to measure the risks and benefit accumulated from this dynamic process.

Design/methodology/approach

This study of Facebook and Twitter users, who are regarded as representative of traditional social media, are selected as research targets surveyed and were required to answer a specially designed questionnaire in order to determine their general feeling on social media platforms they currently use. As a part of this process, quota sampling was used to collect different samples based on gender and age. In this paper, t-test, one-way ANOVA and multiple comparisons were used for the statistical analysis, conducted through SPSS.

Findings

Information privacy concerns and social media dependency affect the adoption of social media. Secondly, social media dependency is a more salient determinant for social media adoption. Therefore, social media firms should pay more attention to enhancing user dependency of social media by increasing user involvement of social media.

Originality/value

This study intends to conduct a research design that provides an overall and holistic understanding of user usage experience. To do this, it investigates the intensity of switching behavior through the level of dependency and the level of information privacy concern that users inevitably exhibit through the use of social media over long time.
Does change agent selection procedure matter? A strategic decision-making toward a more objective selection approach
Authors: Mashhady Arash , Khalili Hamidreza , Sameti Ardalan
Published: September 2022

Purpose

While studies have established the important role of change agents throughout organizational change programs and emphasized the change agents’ impact on outcomes of change efforts, it could be argued that the decision-making procedure for the selection of change agents may also influence the success of organizational change programs in several ways. This research aims to explore and compare the potential influence of a traditional change agent selection procedure with a more systematic and objective approach.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative case study has been conducted, before and after testing a group decision support system for the selection of change agents in an organization that was on the verge of a major rebranding.

Findings

The main findings suggest the importance of objectivity, transparency and attention to competency in the selection procedure for the role, while providing evidence for using a systematic participative decision-support process for the selection of change agents, leading to several desirable organizational outcomes, including improvements in perception of objectivity, trust, transparency, fairness and competency related to the selection process.

Originality/value

Drawing from the previous studies and the presented findings, this study offers evidence on the importance of paying attention to the selection procedure for the change agent role as it could potentially have an influence on the employees across organizations and, consequently, the success of change programs.
Will reviewer recommendation source and cured status bias review helpfulness in online health community?
Authors: Hu Yajie , Zhou Shasha
Published: September 2022

Purpose

Online reviews in online health communities (OHCs) have been a vital information source for patients. The extant literature on the bias effects of helpful reviews mainly concentrates on traditional e-commerce, whereas research on OHCs is still rare. Thus, based on the heuristic-systematic model (HSM), this research explores how two unique reviewer characteristics in OHCs, which may induce attribution bias and confirmation bias, affect review helpfulness and how review length moderates these relationships.

Design/methodology/approach

This research analyzed 130,279 reviews collected from haodf.com (one of the representative OHCs in China) by adopting the negative binomial regression to test our research model.

Findings

The results indicate that reviewer cured status positively influences review helpfulness, whereas reviewer recommendation source negatively affects review helpfulness. Moreover, the effects of the two reviewer cues on review helpfulness will be weaker for longer reviews.

Originality/value

First, as one of the initial attempts, the current study investigates the effects of confirmation bias and attribution bias of online reviews in OHCs by exploring the effects of two unique reviewer characteristics on review helpfulness. Second, the weakening moderating effects of review length on the two bias effects provide empirical support for the theoretical arguments of the HSM in OHCs.
Does gender diversity moderate the relationship between CSR committees and Sustainable Development Goals disclosure? Evidence from Latin American companies
Authors: Daniel-Vasconcelos Victor , Ribeiro Maisa de Souza , Crisóstomo Vicente Lima
Published: September 2022

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the association between the presence of a corporate social responsibility (CSR) committee and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) disclosure, as well as the moderating role of gender diversity in this relation.

Design/methodology/approach

The sample consists of 897 annual observations from 238 firms from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico and Peru for 2018–2020. The data were collected from the Refinitiv database. The proposed model and hypotheses were tested using the feasible generalized least squares estimation technique with heteroscedasticity and panel-specific AR1 autocorrelation.

Findings

The results reveal that the presence of CSR committees positively influences the SDGs. Gender diversity positively moderates the relationship between CSR committees and SDGs. Leverage and firm size also positively impact the SDGs. On the other hand, board size and CEO duality negatively affect SDGs disclosure.

Research limitations/implications

This study extends the scope of stakeholder theory by suggesting that CSR committees and gender diversity enable a better relationship for the firm with its stakeholders.

Practical implications

The findings support policymakers and managers in improving sustainability disclosure. In addition, the results demonstrate the importance of CSR committees and gender diversity to meet the stakeholders' demands.

Social implications

This study demonstrates how firms can improve sustainability issues through gender diversity and CSR committees.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study complements previous literature by being the first to examine the moderating effect of gender diversity on the association between CSR committees and SDGs disclosure in the Latin American context.
Allergen‐specific immunotherapy induces monocyte‐derived dendritic cells but attenuates their maturation and cytokine production in the lesional skin of an atopic dermatitis mouse model
Authors: Feng Shujing , Song Guoxuan , Liu Lu , Liu Wengying , Liang Gaopeng , Song Zhiqiang
Published: September 2022

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common inflammatory skin disease, but current treatments for AD are mostly limited to the alleviation of symptoms and inhibition of inflammation. Allergen‐specific immunotherapy (ASIT) is the only curative approach for allergic diseases and could be a promising way to cure AD. Although ASIT has been gradually applied to patients with AD, there are still few studies on its efficacy evaluation and mechanisms. Based on our previous established AD mouse model by dinitrofluorobenzene and an extract of Dermatophagoides farina, we performed ASIT on this AD model through subcutaneous injection of Dermatophagoides farina extracts to evaluate the efficacy of ASIT and study its underlying mechanisms. Our results showed that ASIT could not only alleviate skin lesions and scratching behaviors of AD mice but also inhibit their Th2‐type immune responses. Furthermore, ASIT could increase the infiltration of monocyte‐derived dendritic cells in skin lesions but attenuated their maturation and production of interleukin 1α and interleukin 12/23 p40. As immature and semi‐mature dendritic cells preferentially induce tolerance, accumulation but inhibition of maturation of monocyte‐derived dendritic cells after ASIT may indicate a novel mechanism of ASIT and a potential therapeutic target for AD.
Serum levels of angiogenesis‐related factors in patients with psoriasis
Authors: Watanabe Ayu , Kamata Masahiro , Shimizu Teruo , Uchida Hideaki , Sakurai Emi , Suzuki Shoya , Nakajima Hideyuki , Niimura Yoshiko , Ito Makoto , Egawa Shota , Nagata Mayumi , Fukaya Saki , Hayashi Kotaro , Fukuyasu Atsuko , Tanaka Takamitsu , Ishikawa Takeko , Tada Yayoi
Published: September 2022

Psoriasis is characterized by increased dermal vascularity, indicating that aberrant angiogenesis is associated with the pathogenesis of psoriasis. Data on angiogenesis‐related factors in psoriasis patients are limited. We explored serum levels of angiogenesis‐related factors in patients with psoriasis, and investigated their association with clinical severity and laboratory data. Psoriasis patients visiting our hospital from April 2013 to April 2018 and healthy controls were included in this study. Serum levels of angiopoietin‐1, fibroblast growth factor (FGF)‐basic, epidermal growth factor (EGF), platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule (PECAM)‐1, placental growth factor, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were measured by LEGENDplex. Serum samples obtained from 10 healthy controls, 18 patients with psoriasis vulgaris (PsV), 24 patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA), and 13 patients with generalized pustular psoriasis (GPP) were analyzed. The serum angiopoietin‐1 level was elevated in the PsV, PsA, and GPP patients. GPP patients had a higher serum VEGF level than healthy controls. In contrast, serum levels of EGF and PECAM‐1 were lower in the PsV, PsA, and GPP patients than in healthy controls. The serum FGF‐basic level was lower in the PsA and GPP patients than in healthy controls. Serum levels of FGF‐basic in PsA and GPP patients, PECAM‐1 in PsA patients, and VEGF in GPP patients became closer to the respective levels in healthy controls after systemic therapy. The serum FGF‐basic level was positively correlated with the psoriasis area and severity index and the number of circulating eosinophils in GPP patients. The serum VEGF level was correlated positively with the serum C‐reactive protein (CRP) level and erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and negatively with the serum albumin level in GPP patients. In conclusion, our exploratory study revealed that psoriasis affects serum levels of certain angiogenesis‐related factors. Some of these factors could be biomarkers of treatment outcomes, clinical severity, and systemic inflammation.
Bouncing Back from the ‘Mid‐Term Blues’: Myth or Reality in Postwar Britain?
Authors: Williamson Adrian
Published: September 2022

It is commonly thought that British governments can rapidly recover from mid‐term unpopularity and go on to secure success in general elections at the end of their term in office. However, it is in fact very difficult to gain a working majority for a full term, and then secure a further working majority for a further full term. Thirteen of the twenty administrations in the postwar period failed to achieve this. Only three administrations managed to recover from serious mid‐term unpopularity. The 1979–1983 government was, uniquely, saved by the Falklands War. The 1987–1992 administration recovered from unpopularity in the mid‐term by brutally dispatching the patriotic war leader of 1982. Only the 1955–1959 Macmillan government came back for more humdrum reasons, such as lower interest rates and improving living standards. In short, if politicians think they can readily shake off the mid‐term blues, postwar British history has some uncomfortable lessons for them.
Raising the D‐dimer threshold for ruling out pulmonary embolism: A single‐site, observational study with a historical comparison
Authors: Banks Colin , Gangathimmaiah Vinay , Emeto Theophilus I , Jones Leonie , Furyk Jeremy
Published: September 2022

Objective

The objective of this study was to assess the impact of introduction of a new pulmonary embolism (PE) diagnostic guideline with a raised D‐dimer threshold.

Methods

This is a single‐site, observational, cohort study with a historical comparison. The new guideline raised the D‐dimer threshold to 1000 ng/mL for most patients with a Wells' score of 4 or less. Patients investigated for PE with a D‐dimer level and/or definitive imaging in 6‐month periods before and after the introduction of the guideline were eligible. Patients with D‐dimers of 500–1000 ng/mL were prospectively followed up at 3 months for missed PE.

Results

During the pre‐intervention period, 688 patients were investigated for PE, 366 (53.2%) received definitive imaging and 39 PE were diagnosed (5.7% overall, 10.7% of those imaged). For the 121 patients with D‐dimers ≥500 and <1000 ng/mL, 87 (71.9%) were imaged with 7 (5.8%) having a PE diagnosed. Post intervention there were 930 patients, of which 426 (45.8%) received definitive chest imaging and there were 50 patients with PE diagnosed (5.4% overall, 11.7% of those imaged). For the 185 patients with D‐dimers ≥500 and <1000 ng/mL, 60 (32.4%) were imaged with 5 (2.7%) having PE diagnosed. No cases of missed PE were identified at 3 months.

Conclusion

The introduction of the new guideline was associated with a reduction in overall imaging rates without evidence of missed PE. Further evaluation in other settings is recommended.
Housing mobility protects against alcohol use for children with socioemotional health vulnerabilities: An experimental design
Authors: Thyden Naomi H. , Schmidt Nicole M. , Joshi Spruha , Kim Huiyun , Nelson Toben F. , Osypuk Theresa L.
Published: September 2022

Purpose

Neighborhood context may influence alcohol use, but effects may be heterogeneous, and prior evidence is threatened by confounding. We leveraged a housing voucher experiment to test whether housing vouchers' effects on alcohol use differed for families of children with and without socioemotional health or socioeconomic vulnerabilities.

Trial design

In the Moving to Opportunity (MTO) study, low‐income families in public housing in five US cities were randomized in 1994 to 1998 to receive one of three treatments: (1) a housing voucher redeemable in a low‐poverty neighborhood plus housing counseling, (2) a housing voucher without locational restriction, or (3) no voucher (control). Alcohol use was assessed 10 to 15 years later (2008 to 2010) in youth ages 13 to 20, N = 4600, and their mothers, N = 3200.

Methods

Using intention‐to‐treat covariate‐adjusted regression models, we interacted MTO treatment with baseline socioemotional health vulnerabilities, testing modifiers of treatment on alcohol use.

Results

We found treatment effect modification by socioemotional factors. For youth, MTO voucher treatment, compared with controls, reduced the odds of ever drinking alcohol if youth had behavior problems (OR = 0.26, 95% CI [0.09, 0.72]) or problems at school (OR = 0.46, [0.26, 0.82]). MTO low‐poverty treatment (vs. controls) also reduced the number of drinks if their health required special medicine/equipment (OR = 0.50 [0.32, 0.80]). Yet treatment effects were nonsignificant among youth without socioemotional vulnerabilities. Among mothers of children with learning problems, MTO voucher treatment (vs. controls) reduced past‐month drinking (OR = 0.69 [0.47, 0.99]), but was harmful otherwise (OR = 1.22 [0.99, 1.45]).

Conclusions

For low‐income adolescents with special needs/socioemotional problems, housing vouchers protect against alcohol use.
Systematic review and meta‐analysis on the association between theory of mind and alcohol problems in non‐clinical samples
Authors: Kumar Lakshmi , Skrzynski Carillon J. , Creswell Kasey G.
Published: September 2022

Background

Deficits in theory of mind (ToM) found in individuals with alcohol use disorder (AUD) are often thought to result from prolonged heavy alcohol use. However, links between deficits in ToM and greater alcohol problems are often also present in non‐clinical samples (e.g., adolescents and young adults) who may not have a similar long‐lasting history of alcohol consumption as individuals with AUD. The current study is the first to systematically review and meta‐analyze results from studies examining associations between lower ToM and greater alcohol problems in non‐clinical samples. Evidence of reliable associations in these non‐clinical samples would support the idea that deficits in ToM might also precede the emergence of AUD.

Methods

PsycINFO, PubMed, and Google Scholar were searched according to our preregistered International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) protocol (CRD42021225392) and following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses (PRISMA) methodology. We systematically reviewed sample characteristics and ToM measures in identified articles. We then meta‐analyzed the findings of association between ToM and alcohol problems in non‐clinical samples using random effects models.

Results

Nearly all studies used a measure of ToM that assessed the ability to infer the mental states of others based on eye region cues. Meta‐analytic results demonstrated that lower ToM was associated with more alcohol problems (r = −0.16, k = 6, CI = [−0.26, −0.04], p < 0.01, Q = 15.55, I2 = 67.85), and there was significant heterogeneity across studies. Gender (ß = 0.0003, CI = [−0.006, 0.007], z = 0.09, p = 0.93), age (ß = −0.008, CI = [−0.03, 0.01], z = −0.82, p = 0.42), and study quality (ß = −0.10, CI = [−0.35, 0.15], z = −0.82, p = 0.41) did not explain the heterogeneity.

Conclusion

In non‐clinical samples, lower ToM is associated with more alcohol problems, indicative of a small effect size. Future longitudinal studies are needed to explore whether socio‐cognitive deficits may also serve as a risk factor for alcohol misuse.
The impact of prenatal alcohol and/or tobacco exposure on brain structure in a large sample of children from a South African birth cohort
Authors: Marshall Andrew T. , Bodison Stefanie C. , Uban Kristina A. , Adise Shana , Jonker Deborah , Charles Weslin , Donald Kirsten A. , Kan Eric , Ipser Jonathan C. , Butler‐Kruger Letitia , Steigelmann Babette , Narr Katherine L. , Joshi Shantanu H. , Brink Lucy T. , Odendaal Hein J. , Scheffler Freda , Stein Dan J. , Sowell Elizabeth R.
Published: September 2022

Background

Neuroimaging studies have emphasized the impact of prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) on brain development, traditionally in heavily exposed participants. However, less is known about how naturally occurring community patterns of PAE (including light to moderate exposure) affect brain development, particularly in consideration of commonly occurring concurrent impacts of prenatal tobacco exposure (PTE).

Methods

Three hundred thirty‐two children (ages 8 to 12) living in South Africa's Cape Flats townships underwent structural magnetic resonance imaging. During pregnancy, their mothers reported alcohol and tobacco use, which was used to evaluate PAE and PTE effects on their children's brain structure. Analyses involved the main effects of PAE and PTE (and their interaction) and the effects of PAE and PTE quantity on cortical thickness, surface area, and volume.

Results

After false‐discovery rate (FDR) correction, PAE was associated with thinner left parahippocampal cortices, while PTE was associated with smaller cortical surface area in the bilateral pericalcarine, left lateral orbitofrontal, right posterior cingulate, right rostral anterior cingulate, left caudal middle frontal, and right caudal anterior cingulate gyri. There were no PAE × PTE interactions nor any associations of PAE and PTE exposure on volumetrics that survived FDR correction.

Conclusion

PAE was associated with reduction in the structure of the medial temporal lobe, a brain region critical for learning and memory. PTE had stronger and broader associations, including with regions associated with executive function, reward processing, and emotional regulation, potentially reflecting continued postnatal exposure to tobacco (i.e., second‐hand smoke exposure). These differential effects are discussed with respect to reduced PAE quantity in our exposed group versus prior studies within this geographical location, the deep poverty in which participants live, and the consequences of apartheid and racially and economically driven payment practices that contributed to heavy drinking in the region. Longer‐term follow‐up is needed to determine potential environmental and other moderators of the brain findings here and assess the extent to which they endure over time.
What the Welfare State Left Behind—Securing the Capability to Move for the Vulnerable
Authors: Gotoh Reiko , Kambayashi Ryo
Published: September 2022

The purpose of the present paper is to measure the disadvantage of the vulnerable in contemporary Japan, focusing on their capabilities in moving both outside and inside the home. Our research interest is to find a new informational base other than consumption expenditure, which provides a strong clue about how to assess the eligibility for social support. We examine theoretical methods to apply the capability approach empirically, extending existing multidimensional poverty measurements. We find that people with disabilities and nursing care users are significantly restricted in their capabilities. The elderly in general, whom we have used as a reference group, are also in a precarious situation.
Retrospective audit: Utility of PET scan in routine preoperative rectal cancer staging
Authors: Chen Michelle Zhiyun , Zhang Xinyi , Mui Milton , Kong Joseph C. H. , Heriot Alexander G. , Ellis‐Clark Jodie
Published: September 2022

Background

Accurate staging for rectal cancer is pertinent with recent introduction of rectum‐sparing approaches for patients showing complete clinical response on restaging. Positron emission tomography(PET) is used in detection of recurrence or metastasis, but its value in routine preoperative rectal cancer staging remains unclear. Studies report that preoperative PET altered the stage in 39% and changed the management in 17–27% of patients. Our study aims to look at the utility of PET in routine preoperative staging of rectal cancer within 2 two colorectal units, and to determine if PET did result in a change in management.

Methods

Patients in Nepean Hospital (NSW) and Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre (VIC) who were diagnosed with rectal cancer between 1 January 2017 and 31 December 2021 were included in this retrospective study. All patients who did not have a PET scan were excluded. PET scan results were then compared with MRI and CT results.

Results

Three hundred and fifty‐seven patients were included in the study. 30.3% of the patients had Stage 3 rectal cancer. 71.7% received neoadjuvant therapy. PET scan provided additional information in 55.5% of patients when compared with CT and MRI alone; 18.2% of the PET findings resulted in an altered management for the patient.

Conclusion

PET scan can be a valuable tool in accurate staging, especially for ambiguous or equivocal lesions on CT. Our study demonstrated that additional information from PET scan resulted in an altered management plan in 18.2% of the patients. PET/MRI as a newer modality may be more accurate with reduced radiation exposure.
Expertise reversal effect in a pen‐tablet‐based learning environment: The role of learningcentered emotions in the interplay between learner expertise and task complexity
Authors: Schrader Claudia , Kalyuga Slava
Published: September 2022

The study investigated interactions between learner expertise and task complexity evaluated from both cognitive and affective perspectives. One hundred and seventy‐three students, both novices and advanced learners, were asked to learn Japanese writing in a pen‐tablet‐based digital learning environment with varying task complexity levels. Cognitive load and learning‐centred emotions were measured at intervals during learning, while writing performance was monitored by runtime tracking. Results indicated that while advanced learners performed better than novices across the range of task complexity, the moderate task complexity was shown to be superior in enhancing performance for both levels of expertise. Results for learning‐centred emotions showed that advanced learners reported lower enjoyment and higher frustration when completing the low complexity task, whereas the moderately complex task was reported to be the most enjoyable and less frustrating for these learners. No significant difference in emotions was found across levels of task complexity for novices. Finally, a constructed composite indicator of cognitive‐affective efficiency of instructional conditions showed a significant interaction between levels of learner expertise and task complexity primarily caused by affective factors.
Reciprocal effects of mathematics performance, school engagement and burnout during adolescence
Authors: Widlund Anna , Tuominen Heta , Korhonen Johan
Published: September 2022

Background

Transitioning into adolescence while simultaneously facing greater academic demands as the level of education increases often entails both academic challenges and general declines in students' school‐related well‐being. Still, however, relatively little is known about the causal relationship between students' academic well‐being (i.e., school engagement and burnout) and their performance during the adolescent years.

Aims

This study examined longitudinal relations between adolescents' mathematics performance, school engagement and burnout (exhaustion, cynicism and inadequacy) across lower secondary education.

Sample

Data came from a longitudinal research project, following Finnish lower secondary school (grades 7–9) students (N = 1131) over 4 years (2016–2019).

Methods

Students completed standardized mathematics tests and self‐report measures of school engagement and burnout at four time points, twice within both 7th and 9th grade. A random intercept cross‐lagged panel model (RI‐CLPM) was used to examine pathways between engagement, burnout and mathematics performance over time.

Results

Higher mathematics performance increased students' engagement and lowered their exhaustion and cynicism over time, whereas both engagement and exhaustion predicted higher performance. Negative relations were also found from inadequacy and cynicism on students' mathematics performance. Furthermore, school burnout predicted engagement both positively (from exhaustion) and negatively (from cynicism and inadequacy) within and between the school years, whereas engagement only predicted cynicism and inadequacy negatively within 7th grade.

Conclusions

Findings suggest that the overall relation between students' mathematics performance, engagement and burnout is rather reciprocal, but also, that the relations become more prominent over time, demonstrating the importance of supporting both learning and well‐being in school.
Irradiation‐free, T‐cell replete haploidentical transplant for Fanconi anaemia, weighing the benefits
Authors: Connelly James A. , Savani Bipin N.
Published: September 2022

The optimal haploidentical haematopoietic cell transplant approach for Fanconi anaemia (FA) patients is not well established, given the rarity of the disease, the increased sensitivity to DNA‐damaging agents and the high risk of severe graft‐versus‐host disease (GVHD). The report by Xu et al. suggests that excellent engraftment and short‐term survival can be achieved in FA patients without irradiation, but their retrospective cohort was plagued by a high rate of severe GVHD. Our commentary explores the outcomes in T‐cell replete haploidentical haematopoietic cell transplant and ponders whether elimination of total body irradiation in FA patients is the best method if it limits the ability to safely administer post‐transplant cyclophosphamide.

Commentary on: Xu et al. Unmanipulated haploidentical haematopoietic cell transplantation with radiation‐free conditioning in Fanconi anaemia: A retrospective analysis from the Chinese Blood and Marrow Transplantation Registry Group. Br J Haematol. 2022;199:401–410.
Incidence, prevalence and survival in patients with Langerhans cell histiocytosis: A national registry study from England, 2013–2019
Authors: Liu Hanhua , Stiller Charles A. , Crooks Colin J. , Rous Brian , Bythell Mary , Broggio John , Rankin Judith , Nanduri Vasanta , Lanyon Peter , Card Tim R. , Ban Lu , Elliss‐Brookes Lucy , Broughan Jennifer M. , Paley Lizz , Wong Kwok , Bacon Andrew , Bishton Mark , West Joe
Published: September 2022

This analysis is the largest population‐based study to date to provide contemporary and comprehensive epidemiological estimates of all third edition of the International Classification of Diseases for Oncology (ICD‐O‐3) coded Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) from England. People of all ages were identified from the National Cancer Registration Dataset using ICD‐O‐3 morphologies 9751–9754 for neoplasms diagnosed in 2013–2019. A total of 658 patients were identified, of whom 324 (49%) were children aged <15 years. The age‐standardised incidence rate was 4.46 (95% confidence interval [CI] 3.99–4.98) per million children and 1.06 (95% CI 0.94–1.18) per million adults aged ≥15 years. Prevalence of LCH was 9.95 (95% CI 9.14–10.81) per million persons at the end of 2019. The 1‐year overall survival (OS) was 99% (95% CI 97%–100%) for children and 90% (95% CI 87%–93%) for adults. Those aged ≥60 years had poorer OS than those aged <15 years (hazard ratio [HR] 22.12, 95% CI 7.10–68.94; p < 0.001). People in deprived areas had lower OS than those in the least deprived areas (HR 5.36, 95% CI 1.16–24.87; p = 0.03). There will inevitably be other environmental factors and associations yet to be identified, and the continued standardised data collection will allow further evaluation of data over time. This will be increasingly important with developments in LCH management following the large collaborative international trials such as LCH IV.
Southern Hemisphere Westerly Winds have modulated the formation of laminations in sediments in Lago Fagnano (Tierra del Fuego, Argentina) over the past 6.3 ka
Authors: Vizcaino Alexis , Jimenez‐Espejo Francisco J. , Dunbar Robert B. , Mucciarone David , García‐Alix Antonio , Neugebauer Ina , Ariztegui Daniel
Published: September 2022

Tierra del Fuego in Argentina is a unique location to examine past Holocene wind variability since it intersects the core of the Southern Hemisphere Westerly Winds (SHWW). The SHWW are the most powerful prevailing winds on Earth. Their variation plays a role in regulating atmospheric CO2 levels and rainfall amounts and distribution, both today and in the past. We obtained a piston core (LF06‐PC8) from Bahía Grande, a protected sub‐basin at the southern margin of Lago Fagnano, the largest lake in Tierra del Fuego. This article focuses on the uppermost 185 cm of this core, corresponding to laminated sediment from the last ~6.3 ka. Laminations consist of millimetre‐scale paired dark and light layers. Previous studies and new geochemical analysis show that the dark and light layers are characterized by differing concentrations of Mn and Fe. We attribute the distribution of Mn and Fe to episodic hypolimnic oxic–anoxic variations. The age model suggests an approximately bidecadal timescale for the formation of each layer pair. We propose a new model of these redox changes with the SHWW variations. The most likely phenomenon to produce complete water‐column mixing is thermobaric instability, which occurs in colder winters with low‐intensity SHWW (El Niño‐like conditions). In contrast, windier winters are characterized by higher temperatures and reduced mixing in the water column, facilitating a decline in oxygen concentration. Laminations, and the inferred presence of periodic hypolimnion redox changes, are common features of the past ~6.3 ka. Geochemical proxy variability is compatible with an intensification of El Niño/Southern Oscillation activity during the past ~2 ka.
Autism and education—The role of Europeanisation in South‐Eastern Europe: Policy mapping in Bulgaria, Romania and Croatia
Authors: van Kessel Robin , Massrali Aicha , Vom Felde Genannt Imbusch Paulina , Dragu Ana , Brayne Carol , Baron‐Cohen Simon , Czabanowska Katarzyna , Roman‐Urrestarazu Andres
Published: September 2022

South‐Eastern Europe only recently was required to adapt their domestic law to adhere to European Union legislations and standards. As such, it forms an excellent case study on how and to what extent the ‘Europeanisation’ process is interacting with the development of special education needs (SEN) policy, particularly focusing on autistic children. This scoping review mapped autism and special education policies of Bulgaria, Romania, and Croatia and investigated how Europeanisation interacted with autism and educational policy through a path dependence analysis. Our research shows that education for children with special needs started with segregation during communist time. EU accession since then has influenced disability policies and contributed to establishing inclusive education for all students. One particular Romanian policy resulted in children with special needs not having to compete with typical children for school submission. Ultimately, the majority of policies addressed special education needs in general. Only Romania adopted specific autism policy. Inclusive education is being developed in all countries.
Assessment of lesion development in Fraxinus excelsior cultivars Altena, Atlas and Westhof's Glorie inoculated with different isolates of Hymenoscyphus fraxineus
Authors: Wiersma Hinke , Buiteveld Joukje , Hiemstra Jelle , Copini Paul
Published: September 2022

Ash dieback caused by the invasive fungus Hymenoscyphus fraxineus leads to massive mortality among common ash (Fraxinus excelsior) in Europe. To select tolerant genotypes, inoculation experiments are frequently conducted with isolates of the fungus. The aim of this study was to improve the inoculation methodology for evaluating susceptibility of ash genotypes to ash dieback through (i) testing the virulence of different isolates of Hymenoscyphus fraxineus and (ii) investigating temporal lesion development using three widely applied cultivars: Altena, Atlas and Westhof's Glorie. First, an experiment was conducted with a repeated measure design in which virulence of five different isolates was tested. Second, a subset of two isolates that induced the longest downward lesion length in experiment one was used in combination with a slightly adjusted inoculum protocol. Significant differences were found between isolates for downward lesion length, but a significant interaction effect of isolates and cultivars was absent. Also, the inoculation position within the stem affected lesion length; the largest lesions were found on the highest inoculation position within the stem. Furthermore, we found that cryopreserved isolates can remain virulent over years. The timing of inoculation at the end of the growing season was effective as large lesions already occurred during winter dormancy. For future inoculation studies, we propose to use: (i) isolates that induce large lesions, as less virulent isolates induced not only shorter but also fewer lesions; (ii) a similar inoculation position to better compare inoculations within and between experiments; (iii) cryopreserved isolates for testing over years; (iv) mycelial suspensions for inoculum preparation to cover wood chips more evenly; (v) reference clone—like the studied cultivars—to standardize research outcomes between years and research groups.