bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Board gender diversity and earnings management: what difference does gender quota legislation make in emerging market?
Authors: Anwar Abdelghaffar Saleh Mohsen , Wu Dejun , Emad Areef Alhaleh Shadi , Effah Nana Adwoa Anokye , Tawab Abdelrahman Sayed Azza
Published: August 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the impact of board gender diversity (BOGD) following the adoption of gender quota legislation on earnings management (EM) in an emerging market, Egypt, whose cultural and economic conditions and institutional context are unlike most previously studied countries’ context.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors use ordinary least squares (OLS) regression to estimate the impact of gender quota legislation on EM using data from listed companies in Egypt from 2015 to 2022. Difference-in-difference (DID) approach estimation was used to validate the robustness of the main results.

Findings

This paper documents that gender diversity on boards has a significantly negative impact on EM. In addition, this paper provides robust evidence using the DID approach to show that BOGD is significantly negatively linked with EM for the period following gender quota legislation. Furthermore, the results support the critical mass and agency theories.

Practical implications

The findings of this study have important implications for Egyptian companies, regulatory bodies and investors in emerging markets. Specifically, these results suggest that when choosing board members, enterprises should pay particular attention to BOGD, and female involvement in all listed firms should be monitored by regulators.

Social implications

This paper provides evidence supporting the positive contribution of women in society by enhancing the economic performance of Egyptian firms and promoting the country’s sustainable development strategy in light of Egypt vision 2030.

Originality/value

As per the authors' knowledge, this empirical study is unique in investigating the impact of BOGD quota regulation on EM in Egypt. This paper contributes to BOGD as a major factor in improving financial reporting quality in Egyptian companies.
Unveiling virtual chat group inclusiveness code of conduct by Nigerians
Authors: Okpara Ngozi
Published: August 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to unveil the general nature of virtual chat groups in multi-ethnic societies like Nigeria towards knowing whether and how diversity inclusiveness codes of conduct are encouraged and managed among virtual chat group participants.

Design/methodology/approach

Data in this research was collected via five virtual focus groups of five to eight discussants each and was complemented by virtual field surveys. Responses were validated through verification of registered personal mobile phone numbers. Each design was implemented to cover Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones. The research was broadly framed – according to the uses and gratification theory, social inclusion hypothesis and utilitarian theory of ethics.

Findings

The research shows how virtual chat groups can enhance understanding of diversities. However, virtual chat-group outcomes are better managed if anticipated gratifications are predictable and based on the utilization of stated conduct codes.

Research limitations/implications

Given Nigeria’s vast population, the sample size for this study is not adequate nor systematic enough towards generalizations. However, the diverse background of focus group discussants enhances the vista for understanding inclusive virtual chats in diverse societies. Moreover, the instruments of research data collection were validated.

Practical implications

This research points out that virtual chat groups’ codes of conduct are most effective when participants can anticipate collective gratifications. However, firmness and fairness in the implementation of code of conduct principles are essential for long-term virtual group chat sustenance.

Social implications

Code of conduct principles are essential for the long-term virtual chat group sustenance. When this is achieved, some of the social problems of Nigeria may be solved, and the social, ethnic and religious differences may not hinder the proper development of the country.

Originality/value

The research exposes the nature and role of virtual chat group communication inclusivity codes of conduct amidst participants’ demographic diversity.
Cultural influences on stigma of failure and entrepreneurial activity
Authors: Damaraju Naga Lakshmi , Barney Jay B. , Dess Gregory G.
Published: August 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to draw from research on culture, stigma and entrepreneurial activity to hypothesize that the relationship of stigma with the level of entrepreneurial activity differs by the dimensions of national culture, i.e. individualism, masculinity, uncertainty avoidance and power distance.

Design/methodology/approach

The hypotheses were tested with data from 15 countries spanning over a 15-year period. Poisson regressions were used.

Findings

Results from Poisson regressions supported the hypotheses for the differences based on the “individualism,” “masculinity” and “power distance” dimensions of culture on the relationship between stigma of failure and entrepreneurial activity. However, the hypothesis for the differences based on the “uncertainty avoidance” dimension of culture was not supported.

Originality/value

Fostering entrepreneurship has been important for several countries around the world. A number of factors influence the phenomenon of entrepreneurship. In this paper, research in the areas of culture, stigma and entrepreneurship is brought together to explain how the stigma of failure may be intensified or mitigated in different cultural contexts. The results suggest that policies and attempts to alleviate stigma of failure for promoting entrepreneurship need to consider the complex interactions occurring within the cultural contexts in which entrepreneurs operate. Such initiatives should enhance their effectiveness.
A micro room temperature oxygen sensor based on LaF3 solid electrolyte thin film
Authors: Tang Yankun , Zhang Ming , Chen Kedong , Nawaz Sher Ali , Wang Hairong , Wang Jiuhong , Tian Xianqing
Published: August 2023

Purpose

Detecting O2 gas in a confined space at room temperature is particularly important to monitor the work process of precision equipment. This study aims to propose a miniaturized, low-cost, mass-scale produced O2 sensor operating around 30°C.

Design/methodology/approach

The O2 sensor based on lanthanum fluoride (LaF3) solid electrolyte thin film was developed using MEMS technology. The principle of the sensor was a galvanic cell H2O, O2, Pt | LaF3 | Sn, SnF2 |, in which the Sn film was prepared by magnetron sputtering, and the LaF3 film was prepared by thermal resistance evaporation.

Findings

Through pretreatments, the sensor’s response signal to 40% oxygen concentration was enhanced from 1.9 mV to 46.0 mV at 30°C and 97.0% RH. Tests at temperatures from 30°C to 50°C and humidity from 32.4% RH to 97.0% RH indicated that the output electromotive force (EMF) has a linear relationship with the logarithm of the oxygen concentration. The sensitivity of the sensor increases with an increase in both humidity and temperature in the couple mode, and the EMF of the sensor follows well with the Nernst equation at different temperatures and humidity.

Practical implications

This research could be applied to monitor the oxygen concentration below 25% in confined spaces at room temperature safely without a power supply.

Originality/value

The relationship between temperature and humidity coupling and the response of the sensor was obtained. The nano-film material was integrated with the MEMS process. It is expected to be practically applied in the future.
Competition‐induced tree mortality across Europe is driven by shade tolerance, proportion of conspecifics and drought
Authors: Kulha Niko , Honkaniemi Juha , Barrere Julien , Brandl Susanne , Cordonnier Thomas , Korhonen Kari T. , Kunstler Georges , Paul Carola , Reineking Björn , Peltoniemi Mikko
Published: August 2023

Forest stand densities are increasing in the boreal and temperate biomes, suggesting that tree‐tree competition is intensifying. Anticipating the consequences of this intensified competition is difficult because competition‐induced mortality may depend not only on the occurrence of extreme climatic events such as drought, but also on stand composition, since tree species differ in their ability to compete and tolerate competition. A better understanding of the effects of stand composition and drought on competition‐induced mortality would help to anticipate future changes in forest ecosystems.

We studied the tree‐level probability of competition‐induced mortality using National Forest Inventory data from three European countries (Finland, France and Germany), covering a latitudinal gradient from the Mediterranean to the Arctic. We investigated how (i) the proportion of conspecifics, (ii) the shade tolerance (ST) of the focal tree and its competitors and (iii) drought events modify the effect of competition on tree mortality. We used a generalized linear mixed model on a dataset of 461,109 trees representing 39 species on 48,088 individual plots.

Competition, measured as the basal area of larger trees, was a stronger driver of background mortality (BM) than tree size and climate. A higher proportion of conspecifics increased the competition effect on mortality, showing that conspecific individuals had a higher competitive effect compared to heterospecific individuals. The competition effect on mortality also increased as a function of the ST of neighbouring trees, suggesting an increased shading effect. A higher ST of a focal tree decreased the competition effect on mortality. Drought anomalies increased the competition effect, resulting in a higher mortality probability for the most suppressed trees.

Synthesis. Competition was the main driver of background mortality. Increasing stand density increased competition‐induced tree mortality in both monospecific and mixed stands, but to different extents depending on the proportion of conspecifics and tree species shade tolerance (ST). Drought periods increase mortality, especially among the most suppressed trees, suggesting an interaction between competitive status and drought. Incorporating more detailed information on stand composition and tree species ST into tree mortality models will improve our understanding of forest dynamics in a changing climate.
How limiting is finance for Dutch dairy farms? A dynamic profit analysis
Authors: Lamkowsky Melina , Meuwissen Miranda P. M. , van der Meulen Harold A. B. , Ang Frederic
Published: August 2023

Accessibility to financial resources is considered a prevalent problem in the agricultural sector. We develop an approach to quantify the long‐term opportunity costs of financial constraints in relation to peers who do not face any financial constraints. Using data on past financial performance, we assess creditworthiness and the size of an additional accessible bank loan to farmers. Combining this with data on reported expenditure, we determine the accessible finance. We quantify the opportunity cost as the forgone dynamic profit (intertemporal profit in current‐value terms) from financial constraints. Using data envelopment analysis, we apply our approach to 264 specialised Dutch dairy farms for the years 2006–2017 and explore the potential impact of changes in finance provision for several scenarios. Our results show an increasing gap between frontrunners and other farmers, as the latter generate progressively less dynamic profit in comparison to their best peers. The gap between the dynamic profit of the average farm and that of its best peers from their production and investment decisions made over the span of 1 year grew from €40,040 in 2009 to €114,548 in 2017. However, the growth is not driven by insufficient access to finance. Financial constraints can only explain 6% of the forgone dynamic profit in 2009 and as little as 1% for 2017. The number of farms classified as financially constrained in comparison to their peers decreases in our sample from 44% in 2009 to 8% in 2017. This suggests that non‐financial factors are driving the growing gap.
A tuneable genetic switch for tight control of tac promoters in Escherichia coli boosts expression of synthetic injectisomes
Authors: Asensio‐Calavia Alejandro , Ceballos‐Munuera Álvaro , Méndez‐Pérez Almudena , Álvarez Beatriz , Fernández Luis Ángel
Published: August 2023

Biosafety of engineered bacteria as living therapeutics requires a tight regulation to control the specific delivery of protein effectors, maintaining minimum leakiness in the uninduced (OFF) state and efficient expression in the induced (ON) state. Here, we report a three repressors (3R) genetic circuit that tightly regulates the expression of multiple tac promoters (Ptac) integrated in the chromosome of E. coli and drives the expression of a complex type III secretion system injectisome for therapeutic protein delivery. The 3R genetic switch is based on the tetracycline repressor (TetR), the non‐inducible lambda repressor cI (ind‐) and a mutant lac repressor (LacIW220F) with higher activity. The 3R switch was optimized with different protein translation and degradation signals that control the levels of LacIW220F. We demonstrate the ability of an optimized switch to fully repress the strong leakiness of the Ptac promoters in the OFF state while triggering their efficient activation in the ON state with anhydrotetracycline (aTc), an inducer suitable for in vivo use. The implementation of the optimized 3R switch in the engineered synthetic injector E. coli (SIEC) strain boosts expression of injectisomes upon aTc induction, while maintaining a silent OFF state that preserves normal growth in the absence of the inducer. Since Ptac is a commonly used promoter, the 3R switch may have multiple applications for tight control of protein expression in E. coli. In addition, the modularity of the 3R switch may enable its tuning for the control of Ptac promoters with different inducers.
A novel mutation in MECOM affects MPL regulation in vitro and results in thrombocytopenia and bone marrow failure
Authors: Ammeti Daniele , Marzollo Antonio , Gabelli Maria , Zanchetta Melania Eva , Tretti‐Parenzan Caterina , Bottega Roberta , Capaci Valeria , Biffi Alessandra , Savoia Anna , Bresolin Silvia , Faleschini Michela
Published: August 2023

MECOM‐associated syndrome (MECOM‐AS) is a rare disease characterized by amegakaryocytic thrombocytopenia, progressive bone marrow failure, pancytopenia and radioulnar synostosis with high penetrance. The clinical phenotype may also include finger malformations, cardiac and renal alterations, hearing loss, B‐cell deficiency and predisposition to infections. The syndrome, usually diagnosed in the neonatal period because of severe thrombocytopenia, is caused by mutations in the MECOM gene, encoding for the transcription factor EVI1. The mechanism linking the alteration of EVI1 function and thrombocytopenia is poorly understood. In a paediatric patient affected by severe thrombocytopenia, we identified a novel variant of the MECOM gene (p.P634L), whose effect was tested on pAP‐1 enhancer element and promoters of targeted genes showing that the mutation impairs the repressive activity of the transcription factor. Moreover, we demonstrated that EVI1 controls the transcriptional regulation of MPL, a gene whose mutations are responsible for congenital amegakaryocytic thrombocytopenia (CAMT), potentially explaining the partial overlap between MECOM‐AS and CAMT.
Demographic and clinical characteristics of acute myeloid leukaemia diagnosed and treated at the tertiary level in Afghanistan
Authors: Noor Sarah , Haidary Ahmed Maseh , Yosufzai Ahmad Walid , Niazai Mirajan , Noor Sahar , Nasir Najla , Shinwari Ayub , Saadaat Ramin
Published: August 2023

A retrospective case series design was conducted to elucidate the demographic features of acute myeloid leukaemia in Afghanistan. This study was conducted at Jamhuriat Hospital and French Medical Institute for Mothers and Children, Kabul, Afghanistan. A total of 203 patients with AML diagnosed and managed at Jamhuriat Hospital from 1 March 2018 to 31 March 2020, were included in the current study. The median age at diagnosis was 27 years. Housewives represented the largest subset of patients from an occupational point of view constituting 37.44% of the total sample population and 81.72% of the female population, followed by 20.69% patients who were students of which 14.77% were male and 5.91% were female, and 17.24% were farmers, which constituted 31.81% of the male population. Similarly, 69.95% of individuals presented with infection, 57.14% presented with bone tenderness, 46.3% presented with bleeding tendencies, 55.66% had hepatomegaly and/or splenomegaly, and 27.58% of patients had lymphadenopathy. Considering the chemotherapeutic regime, 64.53% of the individuals received standard 7 + 3 (cytarabine + daunorubicin) induction regimen, 10.68% of those received 5 + 2 re‐induction chemotherapy (cytarabine + daunorubicin). 10.84% who were diagnosed with acute promyelocytic leukaemia received all‐trans‐retinoic acid + arsenic trioxide, while 5.42% of patients defaulted chemotherapy. High prevalence was noted in young individuals. Similarly, a high proportion of patients were constituted by housewives.
Loyalty of rural microfinance borrowers: International evidence
Authors: Mia Md Aslam
Published: August 2023

The growth and financial sustainability of a firm is tied to its ability to retain existing and potential clients. On the contrary, the defection of customers has a huge implication on firms including microfinance institutions (MFIs), suggesting that the attainment of customer loyalty is an important strategy for MFIs to improve their performance. Hence, this study attempts to investigate the level of loyalty demonstrated by rural microfinance borrowers toward their respective service providers. To accomplish this, an unbalanced panel data, comprising 1101 unique MFIs and spanning the timeframe 2010–2018, were obtained from the World Bank database and thereafter subjected to conventional econometric techniques and a series of robustness tests, including endogeneity‐corrected methods, alternative proxies, and sub‐sample analyses. The findings indicate that rural microfinance borrowers generally demonstrate loyalty to their service providers, particularly when measured by borrower retention rates; however, these findings vary with the adopted techniques, sub‐samples, and proxies employed during the analysis.
Associations between a metal mixture and infant negative affectivity: Effect modification by prenatal cortisol and infant sex
Authors: Merced‐Nieves Francheska M. , Eitenbichler Samuel , Goldson Brandon , Zhang Xueying , Klein Daniel N. , Bosquet Enlow Michelle , Curtin Paul , Wright Robert O. , Wright Rosalind J.
Published: August 2023

In‐utero exposures interact in complex ways that influence neurodevelopment. Animal research demonstrates that fetal sex moderates the impact of joint exposure to metals and prenatal stress measures, including cortisol, on offspring socioemotional outcomes. Further research is needed in humans. We evaluated the joint association of prenatal exposures to a metal mixture and cortisol with infant negative affectivity, considering sex differences. Analyses included 226 (29% White, Non‐Hispanic) mother‐infant pairs with data on exposures and negative affectivity assessed using the Infant Behavior Questionnaire‐Revised in 6‐month‐olds. Results showed that girls whose mothers had higher cortisol had significantly higher scores of Fear and Sadness with greater exposure to the mixture. Examining higher‐order interactions may better elucidate the effects of prenatal exposure to metals and cortisol on socioemotional functioning.
Engaging families and parent advocates in research on substance use and drug policy reform: Guiding principles from a Canadian community‐academic partnership
Authors: Haines‐Saah Rebecca J. , Morris Heather , Schulz Petra , Jenkins Emily , Hyshka Elaine
Published: August 2023

Canada is in the midst of a public health emergency in drug poisoning (overdose) deaths. In this context parents, and especially mothers, of those who have died from drug poisoning have mobilised to advocate for urgent responses and drug policy reforms. To document this emerging women‐led advocacy, we initiated a community‐academic research partnership with three parent groups representing families in Canada bereaved by drug‐related deaths. In this commentary, we describe four guiding principles we developed during the course of this project, to ensure an ethical and equitable approach to conducting our research partnership. In particular, we emphasise how we navigated parents' roles as vocal advocates for addressing drug stigma and expanding harm reduction while actively working to avoid eclipsing the need to centre the perspectives of people who use drugs. Meaningful and collaborative partnerships between academics and community groups may facilitate greater understandings of how families and communities can be allied in drug policy reforms urgently needed to prevent drug poisoning deaths.
Host–enemy interactions provide limited biotic resistance for a range‐expanding species via reduced apparent competition
Authors: Prior Kirsten M. , Jones Dylan G. , Meadley‐Dunphy Shannon A. , Lee Susan , Milks Alyson K. , Daughton Sage , Forbes Andrew A. , Powell Thomas H. Q.
Published: August 2023

Aim

As species' ranges shift poleward in response to anthropogenic change, they may lose antagonistic interactions if they move into less diverse communities, fail to interact with novel populations or species effectively, or if ancestral interacting populations or species fail to shift synchronously. We leveraged a poleward range expansion in a tractable insect host–enemy community to uncover mechanisms by which altered antagonistic interactions between native and recipient communities contributed to ‘high niche opportunities’ (limited biotic resistance) for a range‐expanding insect.

Location

North America, Pacific Northwest.

Methods

We created quantitative insect host–enemy interaction networks by sampling oak gall wasps on 400 trees of a dominant oak species in the native and expanded range of a range‐expanding gall wasp species. We compared host–enemy network structure between regions. We measured traits (phenology, morphology) of galls and interacting parasitoids, predicting greater trait divergence in the expanded range. We measured function relating to host control and explored if altered interactions and traits contributed to reduced function, or biotic resistance.

Results

Interaction networks had fewer species in the expanded range and lower complementarity of parasitoid assemblages among host species. While networks were more generalized, interactions with the range‐expanding species were more specialized in the expanded range. Specialist enemies effectively tracked the range‐expanding host, and there was reduced apparent competition with co‐occurring hosts by shared generalist enemies. Phenological divergence of enemy assemblages interacting with the range‐expanding and co‐occurring hosts was greater in the expanded range, potentially contributing to weak apparent competition. Biotic resistance was lower in the expanded range, where fewer parasitoids emerged from galls of the range‐expanding host.

Main Conclusions

Changes in interactions with generalist enemies created high niche opportunities, and limited biotic resistance, suggesting weak apparent competition may be a mechanism of enemy release for range‐expanding insects embedded within generalist enemy networks.
Endoscopic submucosal dissection for a large cecal lesion using the circumferential‐inversion method
Authors: Takayama Hiroshi , Toyonaga Takashi , Kodama Yuzo
Published: August 2023

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Asynchronous development of memory integration and differentiation influences temporal memory organization
Authors: Coughlin Christine , Pudhiyidath Athula , Roome Hannah E. , Varga Nicole L. , Nguyen Kim V. , Preston Alison R.
Published: August 2023

Adults remember items with shared contexts as occurring closer in time to one another than those associated with different contexts, even when their objective temporal distance is fixed. Such temporal memory biases are thought to reflect within‐event integration and between‐event differentiation processes that organize events according to their contextual similarities and differences, respectively. Within‐event integration and between‐event differentiation are hypothesized to differentially rely on binding and control processes, which may develop at different ages. To test this hypothesis, 5‐ to 12‐year‐olds and adults (N = 134) studied quartets of image pairs that contained either the same scene (same‐context) or different scenes (different‐context). Participants remembered same‐context items as occurring closer in time by older childhood (7–9 years), whereas different‐context items were remembered as occurring farther apart by early adolescence (10–12 years). The differential emergence of these temporal memory biases suggests within‐event integration and between‐event differentiation emerge at different ages.

Research Highlights

Children are less likely than adults to use contextual information (e.g., location) to organize their continuous experience in memory, as indicated by temporal memory biases.

Biases reflecting within‐event integration (i.e., remembering elements with a shared context as occurring closer together in time) emerged in late childhood.

Biases reflecting between‐event differentiation (i.e., remembering elements from different contexts as occurring farther apart in time) emerged in early adolescence.

The differential emergence of biases reflecting within‐event integration and between‐event differentiation suggests they are distinct, yet complementary, processes that support developmental improvements in event memory organization.
Impact of sarcosine on diabetic retinopathy: Findings based on weighted gene co‐expression network analysis and machine learning techniques
Authors: Che Mingzhu , Xia Zhezheng , Jiang Depeng , Wang Yanan , Wang Hui , Chen Yuxin , Wang Ziyi , Chen Yang , Zhang Xinlv , Zhang Zejie , Guo Chengnan , Zhang Xiaoyu , Zheng Chao , Mao Guangyun
Published: August 2023

Aim

To quantify the association between serum sarcosine and diabetic retinopathy (DR) using weighted gene co‐expression network analysis (WGCNA).

Methods

We measured serum metabolites in 69 pairs of type 2 diabetes (T2D) patients with and without DR matched by age, gender, body mass index（BMI and HbA1c, using a propensity score matching‐based approach. To identify modules and metabolites linked to DR, pathway analysis was performed using WGCNA, the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes and Small‐Molecule Pathway Database. The association of sarcosine with DR was estimated by restricted cubic spline and conditional logistic regression models. Its joint effects with covariates on DR were also extensively examined.

Results

With per interquartile range elevation of sarcosine, the adjusted odds ratio (AOR) of DR significantly decreased by 67% (AOR: 0.33, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.19‐0.58). Similar results were also found in the tertile analysis. Compared with those in the first tertile of sarcosine, the AOR significantly decreased by 54% (AOR: 0.46, 95% CI: 0.18‐1.17) and 78% (AOR: 0.22, 95% CI: 0.08‐0.59) for subjects in the second and third tertiles, respectively. Compared with subjects with lower sarcosine and lower HDL‐C levels, those with higher sarcosine and lower HDL‐C levels had the lowest odds of DR (OR: 0.13, 95% CI: 0.04, 0.43).

Conclusions

Serum sarcosine was inversely related to DR, especially in T2D patients with insufficient HDL‐C. This study provides insights on a possible novel target for DR precision prevention and control, as well as a better understanding of the DR mechanism.
Trajectory of health care resources among adults stopping or reducing treatment frequency of botulinum toxin for chronic migraine treatment in Alberta, Canada
Authors: Richer Lawrence , Luu Huong , Martins Karen J. B. , Vu Khanh , Guigue Alexis , Wong Kai On , Nguyen Phuong Uyen , Rajapakse Thilinie , Williamson Tyler , Klarenbach Scott W.
Published: August 2023

Objective

Understand health resource, medication use, and cost of adults with chronic migraine who received guideline‐recommended onabotulinumtoxinA (botulinum toxin) treatment frequency and then continued or reduced/stopped.

Background

Botulinum toxin may be a beneficial treatment for chronic migraine; the trajectory of health resources utilization among those with continued or reduced/stopped use is unclear.

Methods

A retrospective population‐based cohort study utilizing administrative data from Alberta, Canada (2012–2020), was performed. A cohort of adults who received ≥5 botulinum toxin treatment cycles for chronic migraine over 18 months (6‐month run‐in; 1‐year pre‐index period) were grouped into those who (1) continued use (≥3 treatments/year), or (2) stopped or reduced use (stopped for 6 months then received 0 or 1–2 treatments/year, respectively) over a 1‐year post‐index period. Health resources and medication use were described, and pre–post costs were assessed. A second cohort that received ≥3 treatments/year immediately followed by 1 year of stopped or reduced use was considered in sensitivity analysis.

Results

Pre–post health resource, medication use, and costs were similar among those with continued use (n = 3336). Among those who stopped or reduced use (n = 1099; 756 stopped, 343 reduced), health resource, medication use, and costs were lower in the post‐ (total median per‐person cost [IQR]: all‐cause $4851 [$8090]; migraine‐related $835 [$1915]) versus pre‐ (all‐cause $6096 [$7207]; migraine‐related $2995 [$1950]) index period (estimated cost ratios [95% CI]: total all‐cause 0.86 [0.79, 0.95]; total migraine‐related 0.44 [0.40, 0.48]). In the second cohort (n = 3763), return to continued use (≥3 treatments/year) occurred in up to 70.4% in those with reduced use.

Conclusions

Of adults treated with botulinum toxin for chronic migraine, 75.2% had continued use, stable health resource and medication use, and costs over a 2 year period. In those that stopped/reduced use, the observed lower health resource and migraine medication use may indicate improved symptom control, but the resumption of guideline‐recommended treatment intervals after reduced use was common.
How to make mental health services more youth‐friendly? A Delphi study involving young adults, parents and professionals
Authors: Wittevrongel Eline , van Winkel Ruud , Jackers Maarten , Colman Laura , Versyck Melina , Camp Eline , Everaert Geert , Vrijens May , Baeyens Dieter , Danckaerts Marina
Published: August 2023

Introduction

Although youth‐friendly service characteristics have been previously identified, consensus among a representative group of stakeholders about which of these characteristics are truly relevant to the youth‐friendliness of services is currently lacking. In our study, young adults, parents and professionals were consulted on this topic to reveal existing (dis)agreement. In addition, (dis)agreement on feasibility for implementation in clinical practice was also assessed.

Methods

A mixed‐method Delphi approach was used with three online questionnaire rounds and a physical meeting. Young adults (18–26 years) and parents were part of a public panel and professionals were allocated to the professional panel. In the rounds, participants were asked to rate the importance and feasibility of each item. Subsequently, the percentage agreement (% of participants giving a score of 7 or above on a 9‐point Likert scale) within and across panels was calculated. Consensus was assumed to have been reached when at least 70% agreement was achieved. A thematic analysis of the qualitative data, obtained in the rounds and the physical meeting, was performed to identify overarching themes and characteristics of relevance to the youth‐friendliness of services.

Results

For 65% of the items included in the Delphi questionnaire, consensus on importance was reached within both panels. Participants showed more insecurity about the feasibility of these items, however. Our thematic analysis revealed reasons for disagreement between and within the panels.

Conclusions

Our study revealed substantial between‐ and within‐panel agreement on youth‐friendly service characteristics. We recommend that the items for which consensus was reached should be used as a checklist in terms of youth mental health service development, design and delivery. The characteristics for which there was disagreement between and within the panels should inspire an ongoing trialogue between young adults, parents and professionals both on the individual level and the service level.

Patient or Public Contribution

In this study, (parents of) young adults with lived experience were included as experts, including one of the coauthors. This coauthor contributed to the manuscript by having a final say about the included quotes.
Tailoring doping locations and types for high‐performance CuFeO2‐based photocatalysts
Authors: Yu Shui‐Miao , Zhao Zong‐Yan
Published: August 2023

Doping engineering has been recognized as an effective strategy for improving the solar‐to‐hydrogen conversion efficiency of delafossite CuFeO2‐based photocatalysts. However, a comprehensive and systematic study on the doping effect in CuFeO2 is still needed to establish a universal law. To address this, we utilized density functional theory calculations to scrutinize the doping effects of various dopants at different lattice positions. Our findings revealed that Mn replacing Fe and N replacing O are the most readily achievable doping methods under oxygen‐rich and oxygen‐poor conditions, respectively, with a maximum doping concentration of 1020 cm−3 achievable at 900 K. Interestingly, we found that doping with N for O, F for O, and Ni for Cu generates impurity levels capable of capturing photogenerated holes at the top of the valence band, while Zn for Cu and Co for Fe engender impurity levels capable of capturing photogenerated electrons at the bottom of the conduction band, thereby facilitating the separation of photogenerated electron–hole pairs. However, it is worth highlighting that Mn replacing Fe results in impurity levels forming in the middle of the bandgap, acting as a recombination center for photogenerated electron–hole pairs. Furthermore, we discovered that Mg replacing Cu or Fe serves as an example of heterovalent doping capable of promoting the solar‐to‐hydrogen conversion efficiency of CuFeO2. In isovalent doping, dopants with more valence electrons than Cu, dopants with the same valence electron as Fe, and dopants with less valence electron than O can enhance the solar‐to‐hydrogen conversion efficiency of CuFeO2. Overall, this study provides a systematic analysis of the doping effects on CuFeO2‐based photocatalysts and can be applied to doping engineering of ABO2‐type delafossite photocatalytic materials.
Egg mineral levels, hatching results and bone properties in embryos and chicks obtained from broiler breeders at different ages
Authors: Varol Avcılar Özlem , Onbaşılar Esin Ebru , Yalçın Sakine , Akça Hanife , Gündoğar Umut Can
Published: August 2023

It is inevitable to obtain chicks from breeders of different ages in broiler fattening. However, breeder age has an effect on eggs. There is no detailed study on the changes in mineral levels in eggs and bones of these effects. Therefore, the aim of this study examines how mineral levels of shell, albumen, egg yolk, and bone, embryonic development and bone characteristics change according to the breeder age. A total of 370 fresh hatching eggs were obtained from Ross‐308 breeders at 2 different ages (25 to 60‐week‐old). Egg, embryo, yolk sac and chick characteristics were determined. Morphometric parameters of bones of embryos at 19 days of age and chicks at hatch were examined. Mineral levels of albumen, yolk, shell and bones of embryo and chick were determined. Egg weight, embryo weight, embryo length, chick weight and chick length were higher in old breeder than those of younger one. Femur length, width and Seedor index of tibia, weight, width and Seedor index of metatarsus were found to be high in embryos at 19 days of old breeder than young breeder. There were differences in relative femur weight, tibia length and relative metatarsus weight of chicks at hatch. The mineral levels were high in the femur, tibia and metatarsus of embryos and chicks, in parts of the egg of old breeder. K, Ca, Mg, P, Fe and Mn levels in the eggshell were decreased during incubation. Ca and Mg levels were decreased in the yolk during incubation. K, Ca, Mg, P, Fe, Zn and Mn levels were found to be high in chick bones than those of bones of embryos at 19 days of age. The total embryonic death was found to be high in the fertile eggs of younger breeder group. No differences were observed in fertility, hatchability of fertile and set eggs according to the age of breeders. These data may be useful in designing in‐ovo injections, formulating diets of broiler breeders and broilers and in preventing bone diseases in broilers.
Stimulatory effect of dietary alpha‐lipoic acid on growth performance, antioxidant capacity, liver enzymes, immunity and protection of African catfish, Clarias gariepinus (B.), Edwardsiella tarda infection
Authors: Adeshina Ibrahim , Paray Bilal Ahamad , Bhat Eijaz Ahmed , Ibrahim Aishat D. , Tiamiyu Lateef O.
Published: August 2023

Edwardsiella tarda is one of the most common causes of fish diseases that hinder aquaculture. Oxidative stress in farm animals can induce a number of pathological disorders, production and general animal welfare. The use of exogenous dietary nonenzymatic antioxidants such as alpha‐lipoic acid (ALA) can stop a pro‐oxidant state and thus appears to have the potential to modulate the immune system and protect fish from bacterial infection. Thus, this study investigates the stimulatory effect of dietary ALA on growth performance, antioxidant capacity, liver enzymes, immunity and protection of African catfish, Clarias gariepinus (B.), against an infection with E. tarda. Five isonitrogenous and isocaloric diets (400 g/kg of crude protein) containing ALA at doses of 0.0 (control), 500, 1000, 1500 or 2000 mg/kg diet were served to 300 juveniles of African catfish (mean weight = 8.2 ± 0.2 g) adequately thrice per day for 12 weeks. Thereafter, 0.1 mL of E. tarda (ATCC 15947; 1.0 × 108 CFU/mL) was intraperitoneally injected into 10 fish from each tank and was monitored for 14 days. The results showed that ALA‐fortified diets significantly boosted the fish growth, feed consumption and utilization and feed conversion ratio but no did not affect fish survival rate. The highest final fish weight (g), weight growth (g) and weight gain (%) were all considerably higher in fish fed with ALA‐fortified diets (p < 0.05), especially from 1000 to 200 mg/kg ALA than the control group. Also, an enhanced hemato‐biochemical, antioxidant and immune indices were noticed in African catfish‐fed ALA‐enriched diets. In a dose‐dependent order, the levels of haematological indices such Ht, Hb, RBCs, WBCs and platelets were markedly increased (p < 0.05). Additionally, fish fed with ALA‐based diets showed substantial (p < 0.05) declines in aspartate and alanine aminotransferase values, with the lowest values being found in the 2000 mg/kg diet while control group had highest values. Further, African catfish fed the feed fortified with 2000 mg ALA/kg diet showed the highest levels of lysozyme, respiratory burst, proteases and esterase activities (p < 0.05). Following exposure of fish to E. tarda infection, a significant reduction in the mortality was obtained in African catfish fed with ALA‐based diets, especially from 1500 to 2000 mg ALA/kg diet (3.3%); while fish fed with the control diet had highest mortality (86.7%). Therefore, diets supplemented with ALA evoked fish growth performance, antioxidants and nonspecific immunity of African catfish. Also, resistance of African catfish to E. Tarda infection were raised when fed ALA‐fortified diets at optimum inclusion rate of 1300 mg ALA/kg diet.
Metal in mesosiderites: Evidence for redox and fractional crystallization
Authors: Mayne R. G. , Caves L. , McCoy T. J. , Ash R. D. , McDonough W. F.
Published: August 2023

Mesosiderites are an amalgamation of crustal silicates and molten metal, and their formational history is not well understood. It is widely believed that redox reactions occurred in the mesosiderites during metal–silicate mixing. Previous studies evaluated redox reactions by studying the silicates within mesosiderites, but little attention has been given to the metal for complementary evidence of such processes. Here, the evidence for redox within the metal portion of five mesosiderites is documented, most notably lower P content in the matrix metal relative to clast metal (nodule). These observations, together with the noted FeO reduction in silicates, provide further support for redox reactions occurring during metal–silicate mixing. Samples with differing Ir concentrations, such as Chaunskij and RKP A70015, have been previously classified as anomalous. However, the marked variation in highly siderophile element concentrations in all of these mesosiderites is consistent with fractional crystallization. These compositional trends could be explained by isolated metallic masses that underwent fractional crystallization before mixing or by hit‐and‐run collisions that produced metallic masses that ranged in size.
Beauvoir and Sartre's “disagreement” about freedom
Authors: Kirkpatrick Kate
Published: August 2023

The French existentialists Simone de Beauvoir and Jean‐Paul Sartre are renowned philosophers of freedom. But what “existentialist freedom” is is a matter of disagreement amongst their interpreters and, some argue, between Beauvoir and Sartre themselves. Since the late 1980s several scholars have argued that a Sartrean conception of freedom cannot justify the ethics of existentialism, adequately account for situations of oppression, or serve feminist ends. On these readings, Beauvoir disagreed with Sartre about freedom—making existentialist ethics, resistance to oppression, and feminism coherently defensible. This article identifies four conceptions of freedom in order to clarify the questions of whether and how they disagreed, arguing that some incompatibilist readings of Sartre and Beauvoir conflate or confuse these conceptions in ways that render their conclusions unconvincing. However, there are stronger grounds on which to claim that Beauvoir disagreed with Sartre about morality—and the conditions of its possibility.
Unexpected capacity‐building experiences of multicultural, multilingual participants in a public health initiative
Authors: Boutain Doris M. , Kim Eunjung , Wang Di , Lim Sungwon , Maldonado Nofziger Rebekah , Weiner Bryan J.
Published: August 2023

Aims

This study of a levy‐voter funded public health initiative program (1) identifies capacity‐building concerns, (2) summarizes those concerns at the community‐based organization (CBO) level, and (3) documents the desired CBO capacity‐building outcome.

Participants

Nineteen participants from nine CBOs were included, representing 95% of participants (19/20) and 90% of CBOs (9/10) from the initiative's program population.

Methods

Interviews were conducted. A focus group validated data. Demographic surveys were completed.

Methodology and Analysis

Data were analyzed using demographic and inductive content analyses. Fifteen capacity‐building unexpected concerns were identified. Participants from eight out of nine (88.8%) CBOs shared at least ten concerns. Seven CBO capacity‐building outcomes were identified.

Results

Capacity‐building providers helped participants mitigate the Initiative's capacity‐building testing of the National Implementation Research Network (NIRN) model. Participants' NIRN processes were Western and mainstream. Participants wanted community‐designed processes and the funder to understand CBO clients’ backgrounds, cultures, and languages. The contract money did not match the needed capacity‐building processes, time, and workload.

Discussion

The funder's pre‐selected the NIRN Western majority approach did not fit. Participants wanted to lead. Capacity‐building only for home‐based program development was less desired. Social justice leadership could have made a difference.
PTEN loss in intraductal carcinoma of the prostate has low incidence in Japanese patients
Authors: Ito Takanori , Takahara Taishi , Taniguchi Natsuki , Yamamoto Yuki , Satou Akira , Ohashi Akiko , Takahashi Emiko , Sassa Naoto , Tsuzuki Toyonori
Published: August 2023

Clinical and genomic features of prostate cancer (PCa) vary considerably between Asian and Western populations. PTEN loss is the most frequent abnormality in intraductal carcinoma of the prostate (IDC‐P) in Western populations. However, its prevalence and significance in Asian populations have not yet been well studied. In the present study, we evaluated PTEN expression in IDC‐P in a Japanese population and its association with ERG expression. This study included 45 and 59 patients with PCa with and without IDC‐P, respectively, who underwent radical prostatectomy. PTEN loss was observed in 10 patients with PCa with IDC‐P (22%) and nine patients with PCa without IDC‐P (17%). ERG expression was relatively frequent in patients with PCa with PTEN loss, although a significant difference was not observed. The co‐occurrence of PTEN loss and ERG expression was observed in four patients with PCa with IDC‐P and one without IDC‐P. PTEN loss and ERG expression did not affect progression‐free survival, regardless of the presence of IDC‐P. The frequency of PTEN loss in IDC‐P is lower in Asian patients than in Western patients. Our results indicate that mechanisms underlying IDC‐P in Asian populations are different from those of Western populations.
3D‐reconstructions of zygospores in Zygnema vaginatum (Charophyta) reveal details of cell wall formation, suggesting adaptations to extreme habitats
Authors: Permann Charlotte , Pichrtová Martina , Šoljaková Tereza , Herburger Klaus , Jouneau Pierre‐Henri , Uwizeye Clarisse , Falconet Denis , Marechal Eric , Holzinger Andreas
Published: August 2023

The streptophyte green algal class Zygnematophyceae is the immediate sister lineage to land plants. Their special form of sexual reproduction via conjugation might have played a key role during terrestrialization. Thus, studying Zygnematophyceae and conjugation is crucial for understanding the conquest of land. Moreover, sexual reproduction features are important for species determination. We present a phylogenetic analysis of a field‐sampled Zygnema strain and analyze its conjugation process and zygospore morphology, both at the micro‐ and nanoscale, including 3D‐reconstructions of the zygospore architecture. Vegetative filament size (26.18 ± 1.07 μm) and reproductive features allowed morphological determination of Zygnema vaginatum, which was combined with molecular analyses based on rbcL sequencing. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) depicted a thin cell wall in young zygospores, while mature cells exhibited a tripartite wall, including a massive and sculptured mesospore. During development, cytological reorganizations were visualized by focused ion beam scanning electron microscopy (FIB‐SEM). Pyrenoids were reorganized, and the gyroid cubic central thylakoid membranes, as well as the surrounding starch granules, degraded (starch granule volume: 3.58 ± 2.35 μm3 in young cells; 0.68 ± 0.74 μm3 at an intermediate stage of zygospore maturation). Additionally, lipid droplets (LDs) changed drastically in shape and abundance during zygospore maturation (LD/cell volume: 11.77% in young cells; 8.79% in intermediate cells, 19.45% in old cells). In summary, we provide the first TEM images and 3D‐reconstructions of Zygnema zygospores, giving insights into the physiological processes involved in their maturation. These observations help to understand mechanisms that facilitated the transition from water to land in Zygnematophyceae.