bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Strength of Statistical Evidence for the Efficacy of Cancer Drugs: A Bayesian Re-Analysis of Randomized Trials Supporting FDA Approval
Authors: Pittelkow Merle-Marie , Linde Maximilian , de Vries Ymkje Anna , Hemkens Lars G. , Schmitt Andreas M. , Meijer Rob R. , van Ravenzwaaij Don
Published: June 2023

Objective

To quantify the strength of statistical evidence of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) for novel cancer drugs approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the last two decades.

Study Design and Setting

We used data on overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), and tumour response (TR) for novel cancer drugs approved for the first time by the FDA between January 2000 and December 2020. We assessed strength of statistical evidence by calculating Bayes Factors (BFs) for all available endpoints, and we pooled evidence using Bayesian fixed-effect meta-analysis for indications approved based on two RCTs. Strength of statistical evidence was compared between endpoints, approval pathways, lines of treatment, and types of cancer.

Results

We analysed the available data from 82 RCTs corresponding to 68 indications supported by a single RCT and seven indications supported by two RCTs. Median strength of statistical evidence was ambiguous for OS (BF= 1.9; IQR 0.5-14.5), and strong for PFS (BF= 24,767.8; IQR 109.0-7.3*106) and TR (BF= 113.9; IQR 3.0-547,100). Overall, 44 indications (58.7%) were approved without clear statistical evidence for OS improvements and seven indications (9.3%) were approved without statistical evidence for improvements on any endpoint. Strength of statistical evidence was lower for accelerated approval compared to non-accelerated approval across all three endpoints. No meaningful differences were observed for line of treatment and cancer type.

Limitations

This analysis is limited to statistical evidence. We did not consider non-statistical factors (e.g., risk of bias, quality of the evidence).

Conclusion

BFs offer novel insights into the strength of statistical evidence underlying cancer drug approvals. Most novel cancer drugs lack strong statistical evidence that they improve OS, and a few lack statistical evidence for efficacy altogether. These cases require a transparent and clear explanation. When evidence is ambiguous, additional post-marketing trials could reduce uncertainty.
The role of international experience and cultural intelligence in the intention to work abroad (the case of geographically and politically isolated countries)
Authors: Iskhakova Marina , Kosheleva Sofia
Published: June 2023

Purpose

This study contributes to the conversation on international career development and its antecedents. Drawing on experiential learning theory and social cognitive theory, the current comparative study investigates the extent to which students' pre-existing international experience (IE) drives their cultural intelligence (CQ) development and influences global career intention for human resource planning purposes.

Design/methodology/approach

This study has a comparative nature and adopts quantitative research methodology, which includes survey measures of CQ index, IE and intention to work abroad variables. Quantitative data are collected from a sample of more than 400 business students of leading Australian and Russian universities.

Findings

This study showed that IE variables are positively related to the level of CQ facets; the authors showed that Motivational CQ is the strongest predictor for the Intention to work abroad for both countries; the authors proved that students' IE is positively related to an Intention to work abroad for both countries and is partially mediated by CQ for Australia; and study showed that geographical isolation facilitates higher intention to work abroad than political isolation.

Practical implications

Deeper understanding of students' international career intentions and its antecedents will allow practitioners to provide better preparation for local/global careers and will allow students to make more informed and decisions. Companies would benefit from the ability to predict applicants' intention to work abroad. Stronger awareness of own preferences and available trajectories will allow students to select the best fit for them.

Originality/value

This study extends the conversation on international career development and its antecedents in the students' domain by strengthening measurements of IE and advancing the understanding of relationship between previous IE and individual facets of CQ. An empirical data from isolated locations – Russia (politically) and Australia (geographically) – bring a new timely contribution about a role of the isolation in shaping international career intentions.
Interlocking directorates and family firm performance: an emerging market’s perspective
Authors: Watkins-Fassler Karen , Rodríguez-Ariza Lázaro , Fernández-Pérez Virginia , Briano-Turrent Guadalupe del Carmen
Published: June 2023

Purpose

This study analyses interlocking directorates from the perspective of an emerging market, Mexico, where formal institutions are weak, and family firms with high ownership concentration dominate. It responds to recent calls in the literature on interlocks, which urge the differentiation between family and non-family businesses and to complete more research on emerging economies.

Design/methodology/approach

A database was constructed for 89 non-financial companies (52 family-owned) listed on the Mexican Stock Exchange (BMV) from 2001 to 2014. This period includes normal times and an episode of financial crisis (2009–2010). To test the hypotheses, a dynamic panel model (in two stages) is used, applying GMM.

Findings

In normal times, the advantages of Board Chairman (COB) interlocks for the performance of publicly traded Mexican family firms are obtained regardless of the weak formal institutional environment. By contrast, during financial crisis, interlocking family COBs are more likely to jointly expropriate minority shareholders with actions that further their family objectives, which mitigates the positive effect of interlocks on performance. These findings contrast with the insignificant effects of COB interlocks found for non-family corporates.

Originality/value

A new framework is proposed which, through agency theory, finds points of concordance among resource dependence and class hegemony theories, to understand the effect of interlocking directorates on the performance of family firms operating in Mexico. The results of the empirical exercise for family companies listed on BMV during normal and financial crisis periods suggest its applicability.
Environmental sustainability through aggregate demand behavior – Does knowledge economy have global responsibility?
Authors: Iqbal Mubasher , Kalim Rukhsana , Ul-Durar Shajara , Varma Arup
Published: June 2023

Purpose

This study aims to consider environmental sustainability, a global challenge under the preview of sustainable development goals, highlighting the significance of knowledge economy in attaining sustainable aggregate demand behavior globally. For this purpose, 155 countries that have data available from 1995 to 2021 were selected. The purpose of selecting these countries is to test the global responsibility of the knowledge economy to attain environmental sustainability.

Design/methodology/approach

Results are estimated with the help of panel quantile regression. The empirical existence of aggregate demand-based environmental Kuznets curve (EKC) was tested using non-linear tests. Moreover, principal component analysis has been incorporated to construct the knowledge economy index.

Findings

U-shaped aggregate demand-based EKC at global level is validated. However, environmental deterioration increases with an additional escalation after US$497.945m in aggregate demand. As a determinant, the knowledge economy is reducing CO2 emissions. The knowledge economy has played a significant role in global responsibility, shifting the EKC downward and extending the CO2 reduction phase for every selected country. Further, urbanization, energy intensity, financial development and trade openness significantly deteriorate the environmental quality.

Originality/value

This study contains the empirical existence of aggregate demand-based EKC. The role of the knowledge economy is examined through an index which is calculated by using four pillars of the knowledge economy (technology, innovations, education and institutions). This study is based on a combined panel of all the countries for which the data was available.
Religiosity and purchase intention: an Islamic apparel brand personality perspective
Authors: Zaki Rana M. , Elseidi Reham I.
Published: June 2023

Purpose

The aim of this research is to explore how religiosity (RG) could influence the Islamic apparel brand personality (IABP) dimensions, and to determine the degree to which IABP, attitude (ATT), subjective norms (SN) and purchase intention (PI) are influenced by RG. In addition, this research attempts to investigate the significant relationship between IABP and the components of the theory of planned behavior in the apparel industry in Egypt.

Design/methodology/approach

This research adopts a quantitative research method to provide insights relating to relationships between variables. The research data were collected through a conducted survey of Muslim females in Egypt. A convenience nonprobability sampling technique for data collection was used. To achieve the research purposes, confirmatory factor analyses, reliability and validity tests and structural equation modeling were adopted.

Findings

The research results show that RG has a positive significant relationship with ATT, SN and PI of Islamic apparel. Moreover, it was that only ATT has a positive significant influence over the PI of Islamic apparel unlike SN and Perceived behavioral control (PBC). Results also found that there is a positive relationship between IABP with ATT and SN. However, the relationship between RG and IABP was not statistically supported.

Practical implications

The research provides practical implications for brand managers, designers and producers in the Islamic apparel sector on how to increase PIs by extending IABP as well as for Egyptian policymakers. The practical implications include the possible approaches that stakeholders of Islamic apparel brands need to address while promoting, and this will influence marketing strategies in general and branding specifically.

Originality/value

This study extends our understanding of consumers’ Islamic apparel purchasing intentions using TPB to determine its rationale. Unlike other studies, this study operated RG and IABP to assess their influence on Islamic apparel PI in Egypt.
Do jihadist terrorist attacks cause changes in institutional trust? A multi‐site natural experiment
Authors: NÄGEL CHRISTOF , NIVETTE AMY , CZYMARA CHRISTIAN
Published: June 2023

Results from previous research suggest that terrorist attacks lead to relatively short‐term increases in trust in institutions. The explanation for this increase is known as the ‘rally effect’, whereby individuals respond to crises and threats with more positive support for political leaders and institutions. Even though the number of related natural experiments with survey data is increasing, these studies merely represent case studies of single incidents with limited external validity. To advance quasi‐experimental research on the effects of terrorist attacks on institutional trust, we propose a new methodological approach by assessing all jihadist terrorist attacks resulting in at least one civilian death in a European country that take place during the fieldwork of the European Social Survey and combining the results of eight unique natural experiments in five different countries using meta‐analytic and meta‐regression techniques. The results of this ‘multi‐site natural experiment’ indicate that support for the rally‐hypothesis is mixed at best. While some attacks appear to significantly increase at least some measures of institutional trust (e.g., The Netherlands 2004, France 2015, Israel 2012), others seem to have no effect at all (e.g., Germany 2015, France 2018), or even substantially decrease trust in domestic political institutions (Russia 2012). Summary effects from multilevel meta‐analyses are non‐significant for any institutional trust outcome. These results are robust to a large number of robustness tests and alternative specifications. In comparison with previous research, it appears that a lot of the European evidence for the rally‐hypothesis was based on ‘outlier’ case studies like the Charlie Hebdo attack in France, 2015. Accordingly, our results cast doubt on the unrestricted generalisability of rally effects after terrorist attacks to different geographic, political, social or historical contexts.
Knockdown of circADAM9 inhibits cell progression and glycolysis by targeting the miR‐1236‐3p/FGF7 axis in breast cancer
Authors: Huang Bo , Zhang Yichao , Sun Peng , Lin Jianshan , Wang Cunchuan
Published: June 2023

Background

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are closely associated with the development of breast cancer (BC). In this study, we aimed to clarify how differentially expressed circRNAs affect the development of BC.

Methods

Quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR) was used to detect the expression of circADAM9, miR‐1236‐3p and fibroblast growth factor 7 (FGF7). Colony formation, 5‐ethynyl‐2′‐deoxyuridine (EdU), wound healing, transwell, and flow cytometry were used to assess cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and apoptosis. Glucose consumption, lactic acid production and ATP levels were assessed using glycolysis metabolism analysis. Dual‐luciferase reporter assay and RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) assay were carried out to verify the relationship between miR‐1236‐3p and circADAM9 or FGF7. The roles of cirADAM9 on tumor growth were analyzed using a xenograft tumor model. Ki‐67 and FGF7 expression was measured via immunohistochemistry (IHC) assay. Apoptosis‐related proteins and exosome markers were detected by western blot.

Results

CircADAM9 was highly expressed in BC cells, and circADAM9 silencing inhibited BC cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and glycolysis, and promoted cell apoptosis. Furthermore, miR‐1236‐3p inhibition could overturn circADAM9 knockdown‐mediated BC inhibition. Moreover, the negative influences of miR‐1236‐3p overexpression on BC progression were restrained via FGF7 overexpression. CircADAM9 silence also inhibited BC tumor growth in vivo.

Conclusion

CircADAM9 promoted BC development partly by the miR‐1236‐3p/FGF7 axis, highlighting a potential prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target for BC patients.
CATE: A fast and scalable CUDA implementation to conduct highly parallelized evolutionary tests on large scale genomic data
Authors: Perera Deshan , Reisenhofer Elsa , Hussein Said , Higgins Eve , Huber Christian D. , Long Quan
Published: June 2023

Statistical tests for molecular evolution provide quantifiable insights into the selection pressures that govern a genome's evolution. Increasing sample sizes used for analysis leads to higher statistical power. However, this requires more computational nodes or longer computational time.

CATE (CUDA Accelerated Testing of Evolution) is a computational solution to this problem comprised of two main innovations. The first is a file organization system coupled with a novel search algorithm and the second is a large‐scale parallelization of algorithms using both graphical processing unit (GPU) and central processing unit. CATE is capable of conducting evolutionary tests such as Tajima's D, Fu and Li's, and Fay and Wu's test statistics, McDonald–Kreitman Neutrality Index, Fixation Index and Extended Haplotype Homozygosity.

CATE is magnitudes faster than standard tools with benchmarks estimating it being on average over 180 times faster. For instance, CATE processes all 54,849 human genes for all 22 autosomal chromosomes across the five super populations present in the 1000 Genomes Project in less than 30 min while counterpart software took 3.62 days.

This proven framework has the potential to be adapted for GPU‐accelerated large‐scale parallel analyses of many evolutionary and genomic analyses.
The relationship between ICU survivorship, comorbidity and educational level in quality of life after intensive care
Authors: Malmgren Johan , Johannesson Elias , Waldenström Ann‐Charlotte , Rylander Christian , Lundin Stefan
Published: June 2023

Background

ICU survivors have lower quality of life (QoL) compared to a non‐ICU‐treated population. The reason for this is not fully understood, but differences in baseline characteristics may be an important factor. This study evaluates the roles of comorbidity and educational level as possible explanatory factors for differences in QoL in ICU survivors compared to a non‐ICU‐treated population.

Methods

Using a provisional questionnaire with 218 questions in 13 domains on QoL after intensive care, we compared the responses from 395 adult ICU survivors and 195 non‐ICU‐treated controls. An initial bivariable linear correlation analysis compared the responses from the two groups. Two secondary multivariable regression analyses tested for effect modification by comorbidity and educational level, respectively, on the effect on QoL from belonging to the ICU survivor group compared to the control group.

Results

There was a significant difference in QoL between the two groups in 170 of 218 (78%) questions. In the multivariable analyses, associations between group belonging and QoL remained in 139 questions. In 59 of these, both belonging to the ICU survivor group and comorbidity was associated to QoL, in parallel to each other. Comorbidity moderated the association between group belonging and QoL in six questions, with the highest proportion of questions within the domains of cognition and urinary functions, and the lowest proportion within appetite and alcohol, physical health, and fatigue. In 26 questions, both belonging to the ICU survivor group and educational level were associated to QoL, in parallel to each other. Educational level moderated the association between group belonging and QoL in 34 questions, with the highest proportion of questions within the domains of urinary functions, ADL and physical health, and the lowest proportion within the domains of cognition, appetite and alcohol, pain, sensory functions, and fatigue.

Conclusions

Lower QoL seen in ICU survivors compared to non‐ICU‐treated controls, as measured by our provisional questionnaire, cannot be explained only by a higher burden of comorbidity, and rarely by only educational level. In issues where comorbidity or educational level was associated to QoL, it often was so in parallel to an association from belonging to the ICU survivor group. Comparing QoL in ICU survivors to that of a non‐ICU‐treated population may be adequate despite differences in baseline characteristics.
Monozygotic twins with identical premature timing of acne onset: A Case report
Authors: Tan Amanda S. H. , Chia Shi Yun , Lim Jiin Ying , Chan Daniel
Published: June 2023

Acne vulgaris, a common dermatological condition that affects most adolescents and young adults, can indicate an underlying pathology if present prematurely in mid‐childhood. Premature acne can be caused by premature adrenarche secondary to non‐classical congenital adrenal hyperplasia (NC‐CAH), a condition arising from 21‐hydroxylase deficiency. This report describes a pair of monozygotic twin brothers with identical premature onset of acne, who were found to have an identical homozygous mutation in the promoter region of the CYP21A2 gene. While it is widely known that NCCAH is associated with genetic changes, the drive behind onset of adrenarche are widely unknown. As such, this report provokes thoughts on whether adrenarche could be influenced by adrenal genetic polymorphisms.
Immune cell profiling of vaginal blood from patients with early pregnancy bleeding
Authors: Guterstam Ylva Crona , Acharya Ganesh , Schott Katharina , Björkström Niklas K. , Gidlöf Sebastian , Ivarsson Martin A.
Published: June 2023

Problem

Vaginal bleeding during early pregnancy is estimated to occur in 20% of all pregnancies and it is often difficult to predict who will ultimately miscarry. The role of immune cells in early pregnancy loss is poorly understood.

Method of Study

In this prospective cohort study, 28 pregnant women presenting with first‐trimester vaginal bleeding donated vaginal blood, peripheral venous blood, and saliva during their initial emergency room visit, and at a follow‐up. The composition, frequency, and phenotype of immune cells in the vaginal blood were determined using flow cytometry. The proteome of serum and saliva was analyzed with OLINK proximity extension assay and correlated to vaginal immune cell phenotype and outcome of pregnancy. The course and outcome of pregnancies were followed and recorded.

Results

Vaginal blood contained all main immune cell lineages including B cells, NK cells, T cells, and monocytes/macrophages. Notably, vaginal blood immune cells expressed tissue residency markers including CD49a. Women who subsequently miscarried had a higher frequency of vaginal blood CD49a+ NK cells compared to those who did not miscarry, and this correlated with serum levels of granzyme A and H, as well as CSF1, CAIX, and TWEAK. Women in the miscarriage group also had a higher frequency of peripheral blood T cells expressing CD49a.

Conclusions

Our study provides novel insight into human reproductive immunology in relation to miscarriage. Tissue‐resident NK cells in vaginal blood alone or in combination with serological biomarkers hold potential as prognostic factors in the prediction of pregnancy outcome in women with early pregnancy bleedings.
‘When they were taken it is like grieving’: Understanding and responding to the emotional impact of repeat care proceedings on fathers
Authors: Philip Georgia , Youansamouth Lindsay , Broadhurst Karen , Clifton John , Bedston Stuart , Hu Yang , Brandon Marian
Published: June 2023

There is growing recognition, in the UK and internationally, of the huge costs of recurrent appearances of parents in local authority care proceedings. This paper contributes to pressing policy and practice concerns to reduce recurrence. It presents qualitative longitudinal data from the first study of fathers' experiences of recurrent care proceedings in England. Demonstrating the emotional impact of repeat proceedings and successive loss of children on fathers, in terms of grief, loss and shame, we highlight the trauma and abuse in their developmental histories. We consider complex connections between anger and shame for these fathers, including within the arena of family justice. With the use of literature on complex trauma, shame and parental disengagement, we explore ideas for re‐framing fathers', and professionals', resistance to engagement and for better understanding fathers' intense emotions. We suggest that the link between shame and complex trauma and the value of shame reducing, dignity promoting practice in response provide a valuable way forward for working with fathers. As is recognized to be the case for mothers, without holistic, empathic interventions to address the vulnerabilities of such fathers, the risks for children, mothers and fathers are unlikely to reduce.
Anakinra versus etoposide‐based therapy added to high‐dose steroids for the treatment of secondary hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis
Authors: Lee Benjamin J. , Cao Yen , Vittayawacharin Pongthep , É'Leima Ghaydá , Rezk Sherif , Reid Jack , Brem Elizabeth A. , Ciurea Stefan O. , Kongtim Piyanuch
Published: June 2023

Objective

Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a rare life‐threatening, hyperinflammatory syndrome usually treated with high‐dose steroids (HDS), often complemented with adjunct therapies, such as etoposide (HLH‐94 protocol). Anakinra has been reported to effectively treat HLH; however, has not been comparatively examined with etoposide‐based therapies. We sought to evaluate the effectiveness and durability of these treatment approaches.

Methods

We performed a retrospective analysis of all adult patients diagnosed with secondary HLH between January 2011 and November 2022 who received anakinra and HDS, the HLH‐94 protocol, HDS alone, or supportive care.

Results

Thirty adult patients with secondary HLH were included. Cumulative incidence (CI) of response at 30 days was 83.3%, 60%, and 36.4% for patients treated with anakinra, the HLH‐94 protocol, and HDS alone, respectively. CI of relapse at 1 year was 50%, 33.3%, and 0% with the HLH‐94 protocol, HDS, and anakinra and HDS, respectively. Overall survival at 1 year was higher with anakinra and HDS compared to the HLH‐94 protocol, yet was not statistically significant (77.8% vs. 33.3%; hazard ratio: 0.29; p = .25).

Conclusion

Treatment with anakinra and HDS in adults with secondary HLH was associated with higher response rates with longer survival compared with alternative therapies and should be further investigated in this setting.
Comparing end‐of‐life care of hematologic malignancy versus solid tumor patients in a tertiary care center
Authors: Burstein Rachel , Aviv Ariel , Even‐Zohar Noa Gross , Nachmias Boaz , Haran Arnon , Braun Michal , Rottenberg Yakir , Shaulov Adir
Published: June 2023

Objectives

To compare end‐of‐life (EOL) care for solid tumor and hematologic malignancy (HM) patients.

Methods

We collected data on the last 100 consecutive deceased HM and 100 consecutive deceased solid tumor patients who died prior to June 1st 2020, treated at a single center. We compared demographic parameters, cause of death as ascertained by review of medical records by two independent investigators, and EOL quality indicators including: place of death, use of chemotherapy or targeted/biologic treatment, emergency department visits as well as hospital, inpatient hospice and Intensive Care Unit admissions and the time spent as inpatient over the last 30 days of life; mechanical ventilation and use of blood products during the last 14 days of life.

Results

In comparison with solid tumor patients, HM patients more commonly died from treatment complications (13% vs. 1%) and unrelated causes (16% vs. 2%, p < .001 for all comparisons). HM patients died more frequently than solid tumor patients in the intensive care unit (14% vs. 7%) and the emergency department (9% vs. 0%) and less frequently in hospice (9% vs. 15%, p = .005 for all comparisons). In the 2 weeks prior to death HM patients were more likely than solid tumor patients to undergo mechanical ventilation (14% vs. 4%, p = .013), receive blood (47% vs. 27%, p = .003) and platelet transfusions (32% vs. 7%, p < .001); however, no statistical difference was found in use of either of chemotherapy (18% vs. 13%, p = .28) or targeted treatment (10% vs. 5%, p = .16).

Conclusions

HM patients were more likely than solid tumor patients to undergo aggressive measures at EOL. Rarity of HM deaths, frequently caused by complications of treatment and unrelated causes, may affect treatment choices at EOL.
N400 event‐related brain potential index of semantic processing and two‐year clinical outcomes in persons at high risk for psychosis: A longitudinal study
Authors: Lepock Jennifer R. , Sanches Marcos , Ahmed Sarah , Gerritsen Cory J. , Korostil Michele , Mizrahi Romina , Kiang Michael
Published: June 2023

The N400 event‐related brain potential (ERP) semantic priming effect reflects greater activation of contextually related versus unrelated concepts in long‐term semantic memory. Deficits in this measure have been found in persons with schizophrenia and those at clinical high risk (CHR) for this disorder. In CHR patients, we previously found that these deficits predict poorer social functional outcomes after 1 year. In the present study, we tested whether these deficits predicted greater psychosis‐spectrum symptom severity and functional impairment over 2 years. We measured N400 semantic priming effects at baseline in CHR patients (n = 47) who viewed prime words each followed by a related/unrelated target word at stimulus‐onset asynchronies (SOAs) of 300 or 750 ms. We measured psychosis‐spectrum symptoms using the Structured Interview for Prodromal Symptoms and role and social functioning with the Global Functioning: Role and Social scales, at baseline, 1 (n = 29) and 2 years (n = 25). There was a significant interaction between the N400 semantic priming effect at the 300‐ms SOA and time on GF:Role scores, indicating that, contrary to expectations, smaller baseline N400 semantic priming effects were associated with more improvement in role functioning from baseline to Year 1, but baseline N400 priming effects did not predict role functioning at Year 2. N400 priming effects were not significantly associated with different trajectories in psychosis‐spectrum symptoms or social functioning. Thus, CHR patients' N400 semantic priming effects did not predict clinical outcomes over 2 years, suggesting that this ERP measure may have greater value as a state or short‐term prognostic neurophysiological biomarker.
Plant chemical traits define functional and phylogenetic axes of plant biodiversity
Authors: Furey George N. , Tilman David
Published: June 2023

To determine which types of plant traits might better explain ecosystem functioning and plant evolutionary histories, we compiled 42 traits for each of 15 perennial species in a biodiversity experiment. We used every possible combination of three traits to cluster species. Across these 11,480 combinations, clusters generated using tissue %Ca, %N and %K best mapped onto phylogeny. Moreover, for the 15 best combinations of three traits, 82% of traits were chemical, 16% morphological and 2% metabolic. The diversity‐dependence of ecosystem productivity was better explained by the %Ca, %N and %K clusters: compared to adding a new species at random, adding a species from an absent cluster/clade better‐explained gains in productivity. Species number impacted productivity only when all clusters were present. Our results suggest that tissue elemental chemistry might be more phylogenetically conserved and more strongly related to ecosystem functioning than commonly measured morphological and physiological traits, a possibility that merits exploration.
The immune function of dermal fibroblasts in skin defence against pathogens
Authors: Wang Jianing , Duan Zhimin , Chen Xu , Li Min
Published: June 2023

Dermal fibroblasts are the main resident cells of the dermis. They have several significant functions related to wound healing, extracellular matrix production and hair cycling. Dermal fibroblasts can also act as sentinels in defence against infection. They express pattern recognition receptors such as toll‐like receptors to sense pathogen components, followed by the synthesis of pro‐inflammatory cytokines (including IL‐6, IFN‐β and TNF‐α), chemokines (such as IL‐8 and CXCL1) and antimicrobial peptides. Dermal fibroblasts also secrete other molecules‐like growth factors and matrix metalloproteinases to benefit tissue repair from infection. Crosstalk between dermal fibroblasts and immune cells may amplify the immune response against infection. Moreover, the transition of a certain adipogenic fibroblasts to adipocytes protects skin from bacterial infection. Together, we discuss the role of dermal fibroblasts in the war against pathogens in this review. Dermal fibroblasts have important immune functions in anti‐infection immunity, which should not be overlooked.
Mothers' work conditions, income, and parenting of young children
Authors: Sattler Kierra M. P. , Prickett Kate C. , Crosnoe Robert
Published: June 2023

Objective

In this study, we investigated the interplay of positive work conditions with parenting behaviors across children's first 4 years.

Background

Most mothers in the United States are employed in paid work during their children's early years. Research typically has focused on the ways that such employment can conflict with the intensive demands of parenting, but it can also help mothers socially and psychologically during this important period of children's development.

Method

Integrating federal survey data on occupational conditions with parenting reports of job flexibility and parenting behaviors from 5,250 mothers in the nationally representative Early Childhood Longitudinal Study‐Birth Cohort, we estimated how work conditions were associated with stimulating and sensitive parenting and whether these associations were stronger for mothers with lower income.

Results

Results of autoregressive modeling demonstrated that job flexibility, opportunities for mastery, and opportunities for connection were positively associated with a composite measure of stimulating and sensitive parenting. Significant interactions indicated that many associations were more pronounced for mothers with lower income.

Conclusion

Our results build upon prior work, demonstrating that positive work conditions can support parenting during early childhood and that this is especially true for low‐income households.

Implications

These results bridge the work–family and parenting literatures with important policy implications, such as adopting family‐friendly policies within companies.
Can the measurement of Locomo Age improve motivation for exercise in fitness club users?
Authors: Hisamoto Kazufumi , Okubo Naoki , Fukushima Hideki , Yamanaka Takashi , Okizuka Yoshinori , Matsui Tomoyuki , Shinjo Hironari , Morihara Toru , Takahashi Kenji
Published: June 2023

Aim

In 2022, the Japanese Orthopaedic Association developed “Locomo Age,” which can be used to measure mobility. The potential effects of measuring Locomo Age on motivation to exercise are yet to be explored. This study aimed to determine whether the measurement of Locomo Age improved motivation for exercise.

Methods

In total, 90 fitness club users (17 men and 73 women) were enrolled in the study. The participants performed the locomotive syndrome risk test. These results were entered on a smartphone website, and their Locomo Age was automatically calculated. Questionnaires about impressions of Locomo Age and changes in motivation for exercise after measuring Locomo Age were surveyed.

Results

The mean Locomo Age of the participants was 84.4 ± 8.5 years, which was significantly higher than their actual age (75.9 ± 7.2 years, P < 0.001). Questionnaires showed that 55 participants (61.1%) felt that their Locomo Age was higher than expected; 42 participants (46.7%) had increased motivation for exercise, and only two participants (2.2%) had decreased motivation. The rate of improvement in motivation for exercise was higher in the group of participants who reported having an older Locomo Age than they expected compared with that of the group with a Locomo Age that was the same as they expected (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

The measurement of Locomo Age improved the motivation for exercise. This result remained true even when the Locomo Age was higher than expected, as it did not decrease the participants' motivation. Locomo Age allows for the comprehension of participants' mobility without medical knowledge. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2023; 23: 589–594.
Admixture and introgression obscure evolutionary patterns in lesser whitethroat complex (Currucacurruca; Passeriformes; Aves)
Authors: Abdilzadeh Raziyeh , Prost Stefan , Aliabadian Mansour , Shafaeipour Arya , Lei Fumin , Ahmed Khan Aleem , Olsson Urban
Published: June 2023

Determining the limits of species is still a major area of contention, particularly when diagnostic differentiating characters are subtle and there is a contradiction between morphological and genetic data. The lesser whitethroat (LWT) complex Curruca curruca represents an interesting study system to address this issue. Here, we use phylogeny‐, admixture‐ and principal component analysis‐ (PCA‐) based analyses on whole‐genome sequence data of the parapatric LWT taxa C. c. curruca, C. c. halimodendri, C. c. zagrossiensis and C. c. althaea to investigate the prevalence and importance of gene flow in a geographical area where morphological evidence suggests a clinal transition between populations. The results suggest that LWT populations of the Zagros Mts zagrossiensis may represent a lineage historically diverged from topotypical curruca, the two lineages later coming into secondary contact with extensive gene flow as a result. There is no evidence of a hybrid zone or cline between zagrossiensis and althaea in the Zagros Mts. On the other hand, there is evidence for gene flow between althaea and halimodendri. The results also show possible evidence of admixture from other populations in the LWT complex, extralimital to the sampled area, but the nature of this needs to be evaluated based on a larger data set.
Injecting a ventricular tachycardia into the heart—Α unique case report
Authors: Kanoupakis Emmanuel M. , Plevritaki Anthoula , Koutalas Emmanuel P. , Lazopoulos George L. , Patrianakos Alexandros P. , Foukarakis Εmmanuel , Lempidakis Dimitriοs , Kalogerakos Paris Dimitrios , Koutentakis Dimitrios , Kochiadakis George E.
Published: June 2023

Introduction

A 52‐year‐old woman presented with a complex ventricular arrhythmia in an intraoperative context, during kyphoplasty for an osteoporotic fracture of a lumbar vertebra. The subject showed no indications of a previous cardiovascular condition.

Methods and Results

Causes of arrhythmias associated with the procedure were excluded. Due to her positive family history for dilated cardiomyopathy, upcoming thoughts were made for unmasking a previous asymptomatic cardiomyopathy. Nevertheless, an intracardiac cement embolism was diagnosed and, finally, the patient underwent an open‐heart surgery with successful removal of the cardiac cement. Νo new arrhythmia recorded during follow up.

Conclusion

To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported case of ventricular arrhythmogenic presentation of a cardiac cement embolus after a KP procedure.
Is Oppositional Behaviour in European Union Affairs Gendered? Evidence from Plenary Debates and Committee Deliberations in Four Legislatures
Authors: Karlsson Christer , Mårtensson Moa , Persson Thomas
Published: June 2023

Is oppositional behaviour in legislatures gendered? Despite a growing literature on gender and legislative behaviour, there is a conspicuous absence of research on differences between female and male members of parliament (MPs) when it comes to one of the key aspects of parliamentary debates: the voicing of opposition. This article connects the literature on gender and legislative behaviour with opposition scholarship. We examine the role of gender for oppositional behaviour in four legislatures with a focus on debates concerning European Union affairs. Our results show that female MPs generally are equally likely to express opposition as their male colleagues. This result, however, is conditioned by government status. Whilst there is no significant difference between the proportion of opposition expressed by female and male MPs from opposition parties, we find that male MPs representing government parties express more than twice as much opposition as their female colleagues.
Sovereign debt assistance and democratic decision‐making
Authors: Ben‐Yashar Ruth , Krausz Miriam , Nitzan Shmuel
Published: June 2023

Organizational reforms stimulating democratic decision‐making play a role in the economic effectiveness of concessional debt and debt relief. Effectiveness is defined as the increase in project approval produced by debt assistance. This claim is supported by a theoretic model illustrating the role of democratic decision‐making in increasing lending as well as in determining the effectiveness of debt assistance. Using the framework of group decision‐making in a fixed‐size committee, we suggest a novel explanation to the advantage of conditioning debt assistance on organizational reforms that target the decision‐making structure in organizations. The results imply that if the aid organization can affect the level of democratization in organizations, it can exploit its advantage and set the debt assistance that induces the maximal increase in project approval. We derive conditions under which organizational reforms that impose various forms of democratic norms in decision‐making are important for increasing the effectiveness of debt assistance. We also point to the case where replacing an autocratic decision maker can cause debt assistance effectiveness to decline.
The association between intraoperative fluid management and perioperative allogenic blood transfusion during adolescent idiopathic scoliosis surgery
Authors: Pardessus Pierre , Loiselle Maud , Silins Vilnis , Horlin Anne‐Laure , Brouns Kelly , Marsac Lucile , Fait Charlotte , Ilharreborde Brice , Julien‐Marsollier Florence , Dahmani Souhayl
Published: June 2023

Introduction

Bleeding and transfusion remain important concerns during surgical correction of scoliosis even when multiple conservative strategies, such as preoperative recombinant erythropoietin and/or antifibrinolytic agents, are used. The current work aimed to determine the impact of other potential risk factors, especially the volume of intraoperative fluid intake, on the perioperative risk of allogenic transfusion during surgical correction of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.

Methods

This prospective study included all cases of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis operated in a single center during 2 years (2018–2020). Predictors analyzed were as follows: body mass index, preoperative hemoglobin concentration, thoracoplasty, preoperative halo‐gravity, volume of intraoperative crystalloid administration, use of esophageal Doppler (for goal‐directed fluid therapy), and duration of surgery. Statistical analyses were performed using a multivariable logistic regression model.

Results

Two hundred patients were included in the analysis. Multivariable analysis found: an increased volume of intraoperative crystalloid administration as a significant predictor of allogenic blood transfusion. Receiving operator characteristics analysis found the model exhibiting an area under the curve of 0.85 (95% confidence interval: 0.75–0.95). Optimizing stroke volume using esophageal Doppler was associated with a decrease in intraoperative crystalloid intake.

Conclusion

These results indicate a statistical association between the increase in crystalloid intake and the risk of allogenic blood transfusion during surgical correction of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. Controlled studies are needed to address the causative relation between intraoperative fluid intake and the risk of allogenic transfusion.
Regulation of B‐1 cell numbers and B cell‐mediated antibody production by Inpp4b
Authors: Xu Meizhen , Ren Jinfeng , Jia Wenyu , Wang Siyu , Liu Yuting , Chen Xinzhu , Shi Jianhong , Wang Hui
Published: June 2023

T and B lymphocytes are crucial players in cellular and humoral immune responses. The development, activation and differentiation of T and B lymphocytes are regulated by the best characterized PI3K‐PI (3,4,5) P3‐AKT phosphoinositide signalling pathway. As a branch of the phosphoinositide signalling pathway, the lipid phosphatase INPP4B inhibits AKT activation through degrading the phosphoinositide signalling messenger PI (3,4) P2. However, the role of Inpp4b in T and B lymphocytes remains elusive. Here, we reported that Inpp4b was highly expressed in human and murine T‐ and B‐1 lymphocytes. Despite its higher expression in T lymphocytes, neither T cell development and homeostasis nor in vitro T cell activation and CD4+ T cell differentiation were altered upon loss of Inpp4b. Interestingly, combined direct phenotype analysis of Inpp4b conventional knockout mice and adoptive transfer studies revealed that ablation of Inpp4b intrinsically reduced peritoneal B‐1 cells rather B‐2 cells. Moreover, Inpp4b deficiency led to impaired thymus independent (TI) and thymus dependent (TD) antigens‐induced antibody production. Further in vitro analysis revealed that CD40‐mediated B cell proliferation was impaired upon ablation of Inpp4b. Our findings reveal that Inpp4b is required in regulating B‐1 cell numbers and B cell‐mediated antibody production.
Performance Improving of Wind Power Generation Systems Through Parameter Optimization and Dynamic Analysis of the Speed-Regulating Differential Transmission
Authors: Yin Wenliang , Liu Lin , Zhang Wenhua , Li Ming , Guo Youguang
Published: June 2023

Hybrid drive wind power generation systems (WPGSs) equipped with speed-regulating differential mechanisms (SRDMs) have emerged as a promising solution for integrating large-scale wind energy into the power grid without the need for partially or fully rated converters. This article presents a comprehensive study on the dynamic analysis and parameter optimization of the SRDM-based transmission, with the aim of providing a sound foundation for the design and performance improvement of hybrid drive WPGSs. This study first formulates the kinematics, power flow, and mechanical efficiency of the SRDM and then proposes an effective parameter configuration model for optimizing the speed ratios of the key link units. The objective function is set as the minimum peak power required for speed regulation by the SRDM. Furthermore, to deal with the unique mechanical features such as dual power inputs, continuously variable transmission, and time-varying steering mechanism, an appropriate nonlinear dynamic modeling method of the SRDM transmission is developed. The torsion–translation vibration equations are derived and solved using the Runge–Kutta numerical integral method, considering randomly changing wind speed inputs and time-varying internal/external excitations. Results reveal that the sun gear experiences severe vibrations with the maximal and average vibration displacements of 0.563 mm and 0.112 mm, respectively, in the circumferential direction, while the planet gear exhibits complex frequency responses. Finally, specialized case studies are demonstrated to verify the proposed approaches, showing the satisfactory on-grid operating performance of the proposed SRDM-based WPGSs.
Elastic Field Evolution in Al–X (X = Sc, Zr, Er) Alloy During Heat Treatment, Insights From 3D-Multiphase Field Study
Authors: Dhanish S. , Daniel B. S. S.
Published: June 2023

Microstructural evolution and resulting stress, strain, and concentration field distribution during Al3X (X = Sc, Zr, Er) precipitation in Al matrix are investigated in this work using the 3D-multiphase field method. Depending on the heat treatment, modulus mismatch, lattice parameter mismatch, and interfacial free energy, precipitate developed to rhombicuboctahedron, and near cuboidal morphologies. The composition distribution and Al–Al3X transformation driving force map identified a difference in precipitation kinetics for each alloy. The precipitation mechanism in the three systems is analyzed in detail with temporal evolution plots of energy components during phase transformation. Al3Er precipitate exhibits the highest growth rate due to Er's high diffusivity and significant lattice parameter mismatch in the Al–Er system. The system has a high chemical and elastic driving force for particle growth, thus attaining quasi-static equilibrium at a relatively lower temperature and time. Therefore, this system observes high magnitude stress, strain, and strain energy field around the Al matrix. The theoretical simulation results obtained from the present study will benefit aluminum multicomponent alloy design for high-strength applications.