bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
From corporate governance to sustainability outcomes: the key role of operations management
Authors: Sancha Cristina , Gutierrez-Gutierrez Leopoldo , Tamayo-Torres Ignacio , Gimenez Thomsen Cristina
Published: December 2022

Purpose

This article studies the role played by sustainability operations management (OM) practices in the relationship between governance and environmental and social performance adopting the lenses of the upper echelons theory and the resource-based view. In particular, the authors study three main relationships: (1) the impact of governance on the implementation of sustainability OM practices, (2) the impact of sustainability OM practices on sustainability performance and (3) the mediating role of sustainability OM practices in the relationship between governance and sustainability performance.

Design/methodology/approach

To test this study’s research model, the authors retrieved secondary data of 430 firms from the United Stated (US) and Europe and analyzed it using partial least squares (PLS)-based structural equation modeling (SEM).

Findings

This study’s results suggest that sustainability OM practices are needed to achieve higher social and environmental performance outcomes from governance, highlighting the key role of the OM department in the achievement of a sustainability strategy.

Originality/value

This paper adopts the environmental, social, governance (ESG) neglected focus and aims to provide a better understanding of and reveal the interrelationship between governance and sustainability OM practices (i.e. environmental and social).
A moderated-mediation model of the relationship between responsible leadership, citizenship behavior and patient satisfaction
Authors: Khanam Zeba , Tarab Sheema
Published: December 2022

Purpose

Based on the theory of planned behavior (TPB) and stakeholder theory, the model proposes that responsible leadership (RL) is mediated by affective commitment (AC) on both outcome variables (organizational citizenship behavior [OCB] and patient satisfaction [PS]) while distributive justice (DJ) moderates the relationship among RL, OCB and PS through the mediator of AC.

Design/methodology/approach

Overall, data collected from 275 employees and patients in India’s healthcare sector support this model both in online and offline mode. SPSS 25, AMOS 22 and PROCESS macro were used to analyze the data.

Findings

The influence of RL, OCB and PS was seen insignificant in the Indian healthcare sector. This study examines the role of AC as a mediator which does not affect extra-role behavior and PS. The findings also show that the moderation-mediation effect of DJ through AC strengthened the link between RL and OCB, but not PS. Commitment does not affect extra-role behavior and PS.

Originality/value

Until now, there has been no research in the Indian context that has tested the effect of RL on extra-role behaviors and PS, as mediated by AC, according to researchers’ knowledge. Since RL and outcome variables are related through AC, the current study aims to understand how DJ acts as a moderator to that relationship.
Marking-to-market IAS 37 provisions using options: an empirical demonstration
Authors: Haar Lawrence , Elharidy Ali , Gregoriou Andros
Published: December 2022

Purpose

International Accounting Standards Rule 37 (IAS 37) for Contingent Liabilities and Assets were designed to make analysis of exposures facing a corporate entity easier to understand, but the rules may be insufficiently prescriptive making provisions inadequate predictors of potential outlays. The purpose of this research is to redress this problem. We apply financial option theory to objectively mark-to-market the appropriateness of provisions replacing subjective inputs with market derived calculations.

Design/methodology/approach

This study applies financial option theory to determine whether provisions are appropriate according to market data. This research supports inferences regarding the probability of a provision being used while evidencing scope for earnings management.

Findings

In addition to showing how IAS 37 provisions may be calibrated against market data, from the large sample of UK-listed companies, the proposition that over-provisioning is common and related to share price volatility, is supported, supporting the view that IAS 37 rules may facilitate earnings management.

Practical implications

The financial and reporting community have struggled in interpreting the appropriateness of IAS 37 provisions. Are they too large or too small? What is the probability they will be used? Using option theory and market data, various subjective judgements may now be validated. This research should have tangible value to analysts, auditors, investors and other stakeholders concerned in the accurate valuation of potential liabilities.

Originality/value

Replacing subjective judgement and insufficiently prescriptive guidance, this study shows that financial option theory and share price data may be used to objectively calibrate the size of IAS 37 provisions.
When does unrelated diversification increase performance? The effects of financial context and contingencies
Authors: Cerrato Daniele , La Rocca Maurizio , Alessandri Todd
Published: December 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the financial factors across multiple levels of analysis that influence the performance effects of the unrelated diversification strategy, including institutional-, industry- and firm-levels.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a unique panel dataset of Italian firms from 1980 to 2010, the paper tests hypotheses on how industry external financial dependence and the firm's financial constraints both separately and jointly alter the performance benefits of unrelated diversification in contexts with financial market inefficiencies.

Findings

Unrelated diversification increases performance in weak financial contexts and such positive effect is enhanced by greater industry external financial dependence and greater firm financial constraints. However, as financial markets develop, the moderating effects of firm financial constraints shrink.

Practical implications

The study highlights the importance of recognizing the multiple financial contingencies that may alter the benefits of the unrelated diversification strategy, suggesting caution in its pursuit to boost firm performance.

Originality/value

The authors develop a theoretical framework that explains the performance outcomes of unrelated diversification, linking the benefits of an internal capital market (ICM) with the financial context of the firm and offering a fine-grained analysis that moves beyond the advanced/emerging economy dichotomy. Furthermore, leveraging on the unprecedented time frame of the empirical analysis, the paper highlights the crucial role of industry- and firm-level financial contingencies and demonstrates that their effects change at varying levels of development of the financial context.
Automated acoustic monitoring captures timing and intensity of bird migration
Authors: Van Doren Benjamin M. , Lostanlen Vincent , Cramer Aurora , Salamon Justin , Dokter Adriaan , Kelling Steve , Bello Juan Pablo , Farnsworth Andrew
Published: December 2022

Monitoring small, mobile organisms is crucial for science and conservation, but is technically challenging. Migratory birds are prime examples, often undertaking nocturnal movements of thousands of kilometres over inaccessible and inhospitable geography. Acoustic technology could facilitate widespread monitoring of nocturnal bird migration with minimal human effort. Acoustics complements existing monitoring methods by providing information about individual behaviour and species identities, something generally not possible with tools such as radar. However, the need for expert humans to review audio and identify vocalizations is a challenge to application and development of acoustic technologies.

Here, we describe an automated acoustic monitoring pipeline that combines acoustic sensors with machine listening software (BirdVoxDetect). We monitor 4 months of autumn migration in the northeastern United States with five acoustic sensors, extracting nightly estimates of nocturnal calling activity of 14 migratory species with distinctive flight calls. We examine the ability of acoustics to inform two important facets of bird migration: (1) the quantity of migrating birds aloft and (2) the migration timing of individual species. We validate these data with contemporaneous observations from Doppler radars and a large community of citizen scientists, from which we derive independent measures of migration passage and timing.

Together, acoustic and weather data produced accurate estimates of the number of actively migrating birds detected with radar. A model combining acoustic data, weather and seasonal timing explained 75% of variation in radar‐derived migration intensity. This model outperformed models that lacked acoustic data. Including acoustics in the model decreased prediction error by 33%. A model with only acoustic information outperformed a model comprising weather and date (57% vs. 48% variation explained, respectively).

Acoustics also successfully measured migration phenology: species‐specific timing estimated by acoustic sensors explained 71% of variation in timing derived from citizen science observations.

Synthesis and applications. Our results demonstrate that cost‐effective acoustic sensors can monitor bird migration at species resolution at the landscape scale and should be an integral part of management toolkits. Acoustic monitoring presents distinct advantages over radar and human observation, especially in inaccessible and inhospitable locations, and requires significantly less expense. Managers should consider using acoustic tools for monitoring avian movements and identifying and understanding dangerous situations for birds. These recommendations apply to a variety of conservation and policy applications, including mitigating the impacts of light pollution, siting energy infrastructure (e.g. wind turbines) and reducing collisions with structures and aircraft.
Pollinator predation stabilizes plant–pollinator mutualisms through the modification of pollinator behavior
Authors: Kawata Shohei , Takimoto Gaku
Published: December 2022

Mutualisms are a basic component of multispecies communities and play crucial roles in the functioning of ecosystems. Early theory on mutualisms, however, predicted that mutualistic interactions could be destabilizing because the interdependent augmentation of mutualists caused their population explosion. Later studies suggested that additional factors, such as costs or saturating benefits of mutualisms and antagonistic interactions that exploited mutualisms, could dampen the destabilizing effect of mutualisms. In plant–pollinator mutualisms, predation on pollinators is a common form of antagonistic interactions, although its effects on the stability of plant–pollinator mutualisms have remained poorly understood. Here, using a mathematical model, we consider whether predation on pollinators can stabilize plant–pollinator mutualisms. We show that predation on pollinators does not stabilize an inherently unstable plant–pollinator mutualism, but the modification of pollinator behavior to avoid predation can stabilize the mutualism. Our results contribute to a better understanding of how predator‐induced behavior modification in pollinators can affect the maintenance of plant–pollinator mutualisms.
Cellular and potential molecular mechanisms underlying transovarial transmission of the obligate symbiont Sulcia in cicadas
Authors: Wang Dandan , He Hong , Wei Cong
Published: December 2022

Vertical transmission of symbionts in insects is critical to persistence of symbioses across host generations. The key time point and related cellular/molecular mechanisms underlying the transmission in most insects remain unclear. Here, we reveal that in the bacteriome–endosymbiont system of the cicada Meimuna mongolica, the obligate symbiont Candidatus Sulcia muelleri (hereafter Sulcia) proliferates and migrates to the ovaries mainly after the adult emergence of cicadas. Sulcia cells swell to approximately twice their previous size with the outer membrane changed to be more irregular during this process. Almost all the Sulcia genes involved in biosynthesis of essential amino acids, heat shock protein, energy metabolism, DNA replication and repair and protein export were highly expressed in all life stages of cicadas. Among which, genes involved in DNA replication and synthesis of leucine and arginine were upregulated in the newly emerged adults relative to fifth‐instar nymphs. Signal transduction is the pronounced function exhibited in both Sulcia and the cicada bacteriomes in newly emerged adults. The results suggest host sensing of arginine and leucine integrate Sulcia's output of host‐EAAs into mTORC1 signalling. This study highlights the importance of signalling pathways in regulating the host/symbiont interaction and symbiont transmission in sap‐feeding auchenorrhynchous insects.
Size matters: Optimal management of dynamic systems with varying size
Authors: Ancev Tiho , Madhavan Karunagaran
Published: December 2022

Many natural and economic systems are managed to deliver the highest benefits to society but are subject to regime shifts. We specifically consider the variability of the size of the system itself as a key driver of a regime shift. We address the question of how the optimal management of these systems should vary with its size. Put simply, certain management options might work when the system is of a given size, while others might be preferred when the system has grown or shrunk. In this paper, we develop a model that allows us to analyse the effect of the size of the system on its optimal management. We apply this model to a case of water pollution in a reservoir/lake that varies in size over time: sometimes the lake is deep and sometimes it is shallow. Numerical simulations were conducted to compare optimal management of the reservoir with and without explicitly modelling its size variation. The findings show that the overall social costs of optimally managing pollution are significantly smaller when the variability in size is taken into account. This is due to differences in the timing and magnitude of the optimal control. The key implication is that the variability of the size of a system should be explicitly considered in this type of management problems.
Positive FDG‐PET/CT uptake guiding diagnosis in a patient with microscopic polyangiitis: A case report
Authors: Bunnag Napisa , Phuangmali Kitwiwat , Vachatimanont Sira
Published: December 2022

Microscopic polyangiits (MPA) is an autoimmune vasculitis that is challenging to diagnose because it can present with myriad of manifestations. We present a case of a woman who presented with prolonged fever. Her diagnosis of MPA was realized after fluorine‐18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (F‐18 FDG‐PET/CT) showed abnormal diffuse renal uptake in the cortex, leading to a kidney biopsy. Our report supported the value of FDG‐PET/CT as a diagnostic tool in a patient with febrile illness without localizing symptoms or signs.
Oral nicotinamide riboside raises NAD+ and lowers biomarkers of neurodegenerative pathology in plasma extracellular vesicles enriched for neuronal origin
Authors: Vreones Michael , Mustapic Maja , Moaddel Ruin , Pucha Krishna A. , Lovett Jacqueline , Seals Douglas R. , Kapogiannis Dimitrios , Martens Christopher R.
Published: December 2022

Declining nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) concentration in the brain during aging contributes to metabolic and cellular dysfunction and is implicated in the pathogenesis of aging‐associated neurological disorders. Experimental therapies aimed at boosting brain NAD+ levels normalize several neurodegenerative phenotypes in animal models, motivating their clinical translation. Dietary intake of NAD+ precursors, such as nicotinamide riboside (NR), is a safe and effective avenue for augmenting NAD+ levels in peripheral tissues in humans, yet evidence supporting their ability to raise NAD+ levels in the brain or engage neurodegenerative disease pathways is lacking. Here, we studied biomarkers in plasma extracellular vesicles enriched for neuronal origin (NEVs) from 22 healthy older adults who participated in a randomized, placebo‐controlled crossover trial (NCT02921659) of oral NR supplementation (500 mg, 2x /day, 6 weeks). We demonstrate that oral NR supplementation increases NAD+ levels in NEVs and decreases NEV levels of Aβ42, pJNK, and pERK1/2 (kinases involved in insulin resistance and neuroinflammatory pathways). In addition, changes in NAD(H) correlated with changes in canonical insulin–Akt signaling proteins and changes in pERK1/2 and pJNK. These findings support the ability of orally administered NR to augment neuronal NAD+ levels and modify biomarkers related to neurodegenerative pathology in humans. Furthermore, NEVs offer a new blood‐based window into monitoring the physiologic response of NR in the brain.
Active approach in delivery room and survival of infants born between 22 and 26 gestational weeks are increasing in Spain
Authors: Porta Roser , García‐Muñoz Rodrigo Fermín , Avila‐Alvarez Alejandro , Ventura Paula Sol , Izquierdo Renau Montserrat , Ginovart Gemma ,   the SEN1500 Network of the Spanish Society of Neonatology, Spain
Published: December 2022

Aim

To describe the trends in the delivery room approach and survival of extremely premature infants over the past two decades.

Methods

Time‐series analysis of infants included in the Spanish SEN1500 network from 2004 to 2019. Patients born from 22 + 0 to 26 + 6 weeks were included. The primary outcome was an active approach in the delivery room. Survival and temporal trends were also studied.

Results

The study population included 8284 patients. At 22 and 23 weeks, an active approach was followed in 41.4% and 80.8%. A temporal trend toward a more active approach was observed at 23 weeks. Antenatal steroids were administered in 19.6% and 58.1% at 22 and 23 weeks. From 24 weeks, an active approach was applied in nearly all cases throughout the period, and more than 80% of patients received antenatal steroids. The rates of survival after an active approach were 8.7%, 21.6%, 40.6%, 59.9%, and 74.7% at 22, 23, 24, 25, and 26 weeks and significantly increased over the period, except for infants born at 22 weeks.

Conclusion

Active management and survival of infants born from 23 weeks increased over the period, but the frequency of antenatal steroid administration was lower than the intention to resuscitate.
Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic interaction of DWP16001, a sodium–glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor, with gemigliptin and metformin in healthy adults
Authors: Jeong Sae Im , Kim Yun , Nah Jae Jin , Huh Wan , Jang In‐Jin , Hwang Jun Gi , Lee SeungHwan
Published: December 2022

Aims

DWP16001, a novel sodium–glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor, is under clinical development for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus. This study aimed to explore the pharmacokinetics (PK) and pharmacodynamics interaction of DWP16001 with gemigliptin and metformin.

Methods

A randomized, open‐label, 2‐sequence, 2‐period crossover study was conducted in 34 healthy male subjects. All subjects received a single oral dose of DWP16001 2 mg with and without gemigliptin and metformin (8 days of 50 mg once‐daily dose and 1000 mg twice daily dose for gemigliptin and metformin, respectively). Serial blood samples were collected for PK and serum glucose analysis, and timed urine samples were collected to analyse urine glucose excretion (UGE). The PK and pharmacodynamic parameters were analysed by the noncompartmental method.

Results

The PK interactions of DWP16001, gemigliptin and metformin were not clinically significant. The geometric mean ratios (with 90% confidence intervals) of coadministration to separate administration for area under the time‐concentration curves were 1.04 (1.02–1.06), 1.03 (0.98–1.09) and 1.17 (1.12–1.22), for gemigliptin, metformin and DWP16001 respectively. The UGE induced by DWP16001 was not affected by the coadministration of gemigliptin and metformin.

Conclusion

The results suggest that the DWP16001 could be added to metformin and gemigliptin combination therapy without dose adjustment.
Brain stimulation treatment for bipolar disorder
Authors: Mutz Julian
Published: December 2022

Aims

Bipolar disorders are clinically complex, chronic and recurrent disorders. Few treatment options are effective across hypomanic, manic, depressive and mixed states and as continuation or maintenance treatment after initial symptom remission. The aim of this review was to provide an up‐to‐date overview of research on the efficacy, tolerability and cognitive effects of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), magnetic seizure therapy (MST), deep brain stimulation (DBS) and vagus nerve stimulation (VNS).

Methods

References included in this review were identified through multiple searches of the Embase, PubMed/MEDLINE and APA PsycINFO electronic databases for articles published from inception until February 2022. Published reviews, meta‐analyses, randomised controlled trials and recent studies were prioritised to provide a comprehensive and up‐to‐date overview of research on brain stimulation in patients with bipolar disorders.

Results

The evidence base for brain stimulation as an add‐on or alternative to pharmacological and psychological treatments in patients with bipolar disorders is limited but rapidly expanding. Brain stimulation treatments represent an opportunity to treat all bipolar disorder states, including cognitive dysfunction during euthymic periods.

Conclusion

Whilst findings to date have been encouraging, larger randomised controlled trials with long‐term follow‐up are needed to clarify important questions regarding treatment efficacy and tolerability, the frequency of treatment‐emergent affective switches and effects on cognitive function.
Protective effect of a mitochondria‐targeting peptide against paclitaxel‐induced peripheral neuropathy
Authors: Itoh Kensaku , Shimoyama Megumi , Schiller Peter W. , Toyama Satoshi
Published: December 2022

Chemotherapy‐induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a major side effect of several anticancer agents including paclitaxel, a chemotherapeutic drug widely used in cancer treatment. CIPN deteriorates patients' quality of life and compromises cancer treatment. Dysfunction or injury of mitochondria has been suggested to be involved in the induction of this neuropathy. SS‐20 is a tetrapeptide that targets mitochondria and restores mitochondrial bioenergetics. This study was aimed to examine the protective effect of SS‐20 against paclitaxel‐induced peripheral neuropathy using a murine model. Repeated administration of paclitaxel to mice induced peripheral neuropathy as demonstrated by the presence of mechanical allodynia and the loss of intraepidermal nerve fibers in the hind paw. Concomitant administration of SS‐20 protected against the development of the neuropathy. Our results suggest that SS‐20 may be a drug candidate for the prevention of CIPN.
Evaluation of out‐of‐pocket pay genetic testing in a publicly funded healthcare system
Authors: Grant Peter , Cook Courtney B. , Langlois Sylvie , Nuk Jennifer , Mung SzeWing , Zhang Qian ,   GenCOUNSEL Study, Lynd Larry D. , Austin Jehannine , Elliott Alison M.
Published: December 2022

When genetic tests are not funded publicly, out‐of‐pocket (OOP) pay options may be discussed with patients. We evaluated trends in genetic testing and OOP pay for two publicly funded British Columbia clinical programs serving >12 000 patients/year (The Hereditary Cancer Program [HCP] and Provincial Medical Genetics Program [PMGP]) between 2015–2019. Linear and regression models were used to explore the association of OOP pay with patient demographic variables at HCP. An interrupted time series and linear and logistic regression models were used on PMGP data to examine the effect of a change in the funding body. The total number of tests completed through PMGP, and HCP increased by 260% and 320%, respectively. OOP pay increased at HCP by 730%. The mean annual income of patients who paid OOP at HCP was ≥$3500 higher than in the group with funded testing (p < 0.0001). The likelihood of OOP pay increased at PMGP before the funding body change (OR per month: 1.07; 95% CI: 1.04, 1.10); while this likelihood had an immediate 87% drop when the change occurred (OR: 0.13; 95% CI: 0.06, 0.32). Patients with higher incomes are more likely to pay OOP. Financial barriers can create disparities in clinical outcomes. Funding decisions have a significant impact on rate of OOP pay.
Physiopathology of peri‐implant diseases
Authors: Salvi Giovanni E. , Stähli Alexandra , Imber Jean‐Claude , Sculean Anton , Roccuzzo Andrea
Published: December 2022

Background

Peri‐implant health is characterized by the absence of clinical signs of soft tissue inflammation. Peri‐implant diseases are initiated by the presence of bacterial biofilms and share a similar etiology as that involved in the onset of periodontal diseases.

Purpose

To summarize available evidence on the physiopathology of peri‐implant diseases with emphasis on similarities and differences with periodontal diseases.

Materials and Methods

Evidence on the biologic mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of peri‐implant mucositis and peri‐implantitis were explored in the recent scientific literature.

Results

Findings of studies in animals and in humans indicate that experimental peri‐implant mucositis leads to a larger inflammatory connective tissue infiltrate and to a higher frequency of bleeding sites around implants compared with teeth. Tissue destruction at experimental peri‐implantitis sites is more pronounced compared with that at experimental periodontitis sites. Although human periodontitis and peri‐implantitis lesions share similarities with respect to etiology and clinical features, they represent distinct entities from a physiopathologic point of view.

Conclusions

Diagnosis of peri‐implant health requires a clinical examination to confirm absence of peri‐implant soft tissue inflammation. In order to make a correct diagnosis and select the appropriate therapeutic steps to manage peri‐implant diseases, knowledge of their pathogenetic mechanisms is required.
Aspiration versus stent retriever for posterior circulation stroke: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Guo Xiumei , Xiong Yu , Huang Xinyue , Pan Zhigang , Kang Xiaodong , Chen Chunhui , Zhou Jianfeng , Wang Cui'e , Lin Shu , Hu Weipeng , Wang Lingxing , Zheng Feng
Published: December 2022

Aims

New thrombectomy strategies have emerged recently. Differences between posterior circulation stroke management via aspiration and stent retriever remain to be evaluated. We compared the safety and efficacy of aspiration and stent retriever in treating posterior circulation stroke.

Methods

Three databases (PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library) were systematically searched for studies comparing aspiration and stent retriever in patients with posterior circulation stroke. The modified Newcastle‐Ottawa scale was used to assess the risk of bias. A random‐effects model was used.

Results

Fifteen cohort studies with 1451 patients were included. Pooled results showed a significant difference in total complication (odds ratio [OR] 0.48, 95% confidence interval [CI] [0.30, 0.76], p = 0.002). successful recanalization (1.85, [1.30, 2.64], p = 0.0006), favorable outcome (1.30, [1.02, 1.67], p = 0.04), procedure duration (−22.10, [−43.32, −0.88], p = 0.04), complete recanalization (4.96, [1.06, 23.16], p = 0.009), and first‐pass effect (2.59, [1.55, 4.32], p = 0.0003) between the aspiration and stent retriever groups, and in favor of aspiration. There was no significant difference in the outcomes of rescue therapy (1.42, [0.66, 3.05], p = 0.37) between the two groups.

Conclusion

Patients with posterior circulation stroke receiving treatment with aspiration achieved better recanalization, first‐pass effect, and shorter procedure time. Aspiration may be more secure than a stent retriever.
External Time Monitoring in Time‐Based Prospective Memory: An Integrative Framework
Authors: Munaretto Giulio , Stragà Marta , Mäntylä Timo , Mioni Giovanna , Missier Fabio Del
Published: December 2022

We propose a new integrative framework of external time monitoring in prospective memory (PM) tasks and its relation with performance. Starting from existing empirical regularities and our theoretical analysis, the framework predicts that external monitoring in PM tasks comprises a first stage of loose monitoring to keep track of the passage of time, and a subsequent stage of finer‐grained monitoring, based on interval reduction, to meet the PM deadline. Following our framework, we predicted and observed in three different datasets (N = 375): (1) a marked increase in external monitoring frequency in the final part of the period of the PM task, well captured by a proportional rate exponential growth function; (2) a positive association between individual compliance with this monitoring pattern and PM performance; (3) a positive relation between monitoring frequency in the time window immediately preceding the PM deadline and PM performance at the individual level; and (4) good individual compliance with an interval reduction pattern in external monitoring, especially in the time window closer to the PM deadline. These results support the proposed integrative framework, which has the potential to foster future research on external monitoring in PM and in other fields of cognitive science.
Multi‐armed bandit heterogeneous ensemble learning for imbalanced data
Authors: Dai Qi , Liu Jian‐wei , Yang Jiapeng
Published: December 2022

One of the most widely used approaches to the class‐imbalanced issue is ensemble learning. The base classifier is trained using an unbalanced training set in the conventional ensemble learning approach. We are unable to select the best suitable resampling method or base classifier for the training set, despite the fact that researchers have examined employing resampling strategies to balance the training set. A multi‐armed bandit heterogeneous ensemble framework was developed as a solution to these issues. This framework employs the multi‐armed bandit technique to pick the best base classifier and resampling techniques to build a heterogeneous ensemble model. To obtain training sets, we first employ the bagging technique. Then, we use the instances from the out‐of‐bag set as the validation set. In general, we consider the basic classifier combination with the highest validation set score to be the best model on the bagging subset and add it to the pool of model. The classification performance of the multi‐armed bandit heterogeneous ensemble model is then assessed using 30 real‐world imbalanced data sets that were gathered from UCI, KEEL, and HDDT. The experimental results demonstrate that, under the two assessment metrics of AUC and Kappa, the proposed heterogeneous ensemble model performs competitively with other nine state‐of‐the‐art ensemble learning methods. At the same time, the findings of the experiment are confirmed by the statistical findings of the Friedman test and Holm's post‐hoc test.
A rare presentation of pemphigus vegetans as an isolated vegetative lesion—Review of histopathological clues and treatment effects in multiple biopsy specimens
Authors: Ng Joanna Ka Man , Cheung Christina Man‐Tung , Choi Paul Cheung Lung , Ip Edric Chi‐Ching , Li Joshua Jing Xi , Chan Agnes Wai Sze
Published: December 2022

Background

Pemphigus is a group of immunobullous dermatoses characterized by the presence of autoantibodies directed against adhesion molecules of keratinocytes, with pemphigus vegetans being the rarest form, accounting for 1%–2% of all cases of pemphigus. Pemphigus vegetans is characterized by verrucous vegetative lesions in addition to vesiculobullous lesions.

Methods

We report a rare case of pemphigus vegetans presenting as an isolated vegetative lesion in the groin 3 months prior to the development of blisters. Owing to the atypical presentation, multiple biopsies were performed before and after corticosteroid treatment.

Results

Comparing the histopathology of pre‐treatment and post‐treatment biopsy specimens, the resolution of intraepidermal microabscesses, and reduction in intraepidermal and dermal inflammatory infiltrates, spongiosis and interface change, attributable to treatment, were noted. However, direct immunofluorescence showed persistent intracellular intraepidermal deposition of IgG and C3 2 weeks into treatment, despite near‐complete resolution of blisters on clinical examination. Clinical regression of the vegetative lesion was noted only after 6 weeks into corticosteroid treatment, while histopathological evidence of treatment was apparent at the second week.

Conclusion

The current case illustrates the importance of a liberal use of immunofluorescence studies in establishing the uncommon yet significant diagnosis of pemphigus vegetans, particularly for vegetative lesions that are persistent, in the intertriginous areas and/or in the setting of concurrent cutaneous or mucosal symptoms.
Reduced resilience of brain state transitions in anti‐N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate receptor encephalitis
Authors: von Schwanenflug Nina , Ramirez‐Mahaluf Juan P. , Krohn Stephan , Romanello Amy , Heine Josephine , Prüss Harald , Crossley Nicolas A. , Finke Carsten
Published: December 2022

Patients with anti‐N‐methyl‐aspartate receptor (NMDA) receptor encephalitis suffer from a severe neuropsychiatric syndrome, yet most patients show no abnormalities in routine magnetic resonance imaging. In contrast, advanced neuroimaging studies have consistently identified disrupted functional connectivity in these patients, with recent work suggesting increased volatility of functional state dynamics. Here, we investigate these network dynamics through the spatiotemporal trajectory of meta‐state transitions, yielding a time‐resolved account of brain state exploration in anti‐NMDA receptor encephalitis. To this end, resting‐state functional magnetic resonance imaging data were acquired in 73 patients with anti‐NMDA receptor encephalitis and 73 age‐ and sex‐matched healthy controls. Time‐resolved functional connectivity was clustered into brain meta‐states, giving rise to a time‐resolved transition network graph with states as nodes and transitions between brain meta‐states as weighted, directed edges. Network topology, robustness and transition cost of these transition networks were compared between groups. Transition networks of patients showed significantly lower local efficiency (t = −2.41, pFDR = .029), lower robustness (t = −2.01, pFDR = .048) and higher leap size (t = 2.18, pFDR = .037) compared with controls. Furthermore, the ratio of within‐to‐between module transitions and state similarity was significantly lower in patients. Importantly, alterations of brain state transitions correlated with disease severity. Together, these findings reveal systematic alterations of transition networks in patients, suggesting that anti‐NMDA receptor encephalitis is characterized by reduced stability of brain state transitions and that this reduced resilience of transition networks plays a clinically relevant role in the manifestation of the disease.
Learning from within: Therapists' actions in daily clinical practice
Authors: de Paula‐Ravagnani Gabriela Silveira , Sundet Emeritus Rolf , Guanaes‐Lorenzi Carla
Published: December 2022

The integration of theories and techniques is part of family therapists' daily practice, raising the need to understand which resources are used in this professional's clinical actions. Our aim is to reflect on the use of theoretical and technical resources by family therapists in their daily practice. We developed an inquiry process inspired by collaborative action research and social constructionism. Couple and family therapy sessions were conducted by two family therapists, and we developed subsequent dialogs with them focused on describing theoretical and technical inspirations for their actions. Next, we named four categories of actions in this process: exploratory actions, actions for the construction of relational visions, actions for the construction of communication, and actions for family orientation. The therapists‐participants referred to many theoretical and technical resources that inspired their practice. For them, the choice of using one or another resource was based on the demands of the interactive moment, which involves their relational and embodied responses to what was experienced in the sessions. We argue that epistemological coherence is not something that guides the therapist's practice a priori, but something that can be achieved by talking about and reflecting on their actions. This article can contribute to clinical practice and training in family therapy by presenting an interesting reflexive process that can be useful to enhance practice in couple and family therapy (FAPESP, Process n. 2015/21316–1).
Parenting coordination – outcome measurement and prediction: Implications for research and practice
Authors: Or Sharvit Zohar , Sorek Yoa , Honigman Idit
Published: December 2022

This paper presents a formative evaluation study of the parenting coordination pilot program launched in Israel in 2016 at the initiative of the Ministry of Welfare and Social Affairs (At the time the program was launched, the Ministry of Labor, Social Affairs and Social Services) and JDC‐Ashalim. Data was collected on 131 participating families (262 parents) through self‐administered questionnaires filled out by the parents prior to the parenting coordination process (N = 204), telephone interviews with the parents following the process (N = 142), and reports by the parenting coordinators (PCs), submitted online at the conclusion of the process with each participating family (N = 131). Based on the logic model developed as a blueprint for the pilot program, the characteristics and needs of parents in high conflict were identified and desired outcome indicators were accordingly specified; quantitative and qualitative research tools were developed for the study, and the efficacy and outcomes of the parenting coordination pilot program were evaluated. Overall, the findings indicate a significant improvement in the desired outcome indicators. The implications of the findings for research and practice are discussed in the conclusion.
A case of mistaken identity: The wrongful classification of Islamic marriage contracts as premarital agreements in New York
Authors: Sferra Angelina
Published: December 2022

New York precedent has mischaracterized Islamic marriage contracts, or nikah agreements, as premarital agreements. Nikah agreements are not premarital agreements; they are contracts. This mischaracterization has subjected nikah agreements to the acknowledgement requirement codified in N.Y. DRL § 236(B)(3) which has incorrectly been used to strike down valid contracts which Islamic litigants rely on. To prevent the effects of this mischaracterization, this Note suggests to New York appellate courts that a recharacterization of these agreements as contracts would prevent further confusion amongst the lower courts and allow for clearer, more uniform decisions.
A genome‐wide association study identifies a new variant associated with word reading fluency in Chinese children
Authors: Wang Zhengjun , Zhao Shunan , Zhang Liming , Yang Qing , Cheng Chen , Ding Ning , Zhu Zijian , Shu Hua , Liu Chunyu , Zhao Jingjing
Published: December 2022

Reading disability exhibited defects in different cognitive domains, including word reading fluency, word reading accuracy, phonological awareness, rapid automatized naming and morphological awareness. To identify the genetic basis of Chinese reading disability, we conducted a genome‐wide association study (GWAS) of the cognitive traits related to Chinese reading disability in 2284 unrelated Chinese children. Among the traits analyzed in the present GWAS, we detected one genome‐wide significant association (p < 5 × 10−8) on word reading fluency for one SNP on 4p16.2, within EVC genes (rs6446395, p = 7.33 × 10−10). Rs6446395 also showed significant association with Chinese character reading accuracy (p = 2.95 × 10−4), phonological awareness (p = 7.11 × 10−3) and rapid automatized naming (p = 4.71 × 10−3), implying multiple effects of this variant. The eQTL data showed that rs6446395 affected EVC expression in the cerebellum. Gene‐based analyses identified a gene (PRDM10) to be associated with word reading fluency at the genome‐wide level. Our study discovered a new candidate susceptibility variant for reading ability and provided new insights into the genetics of developmental dyslexia in Chinese children.
Trends and issues of social annotation in education: A systematic review from 2000 to 2020
Authors: Sun Chunmei , Hwang Gwo‐Jen , Yin Zhaoyi , Wang Zhonghou , Wang Zhuo
Published: December 2022

Background

Social annotation (SA) allows users to collaboratively highlight important texts, make comments and discuss with each other on the same online document. This would not only accelerate and deepen learners' cognitive understanding of information, but also help build a sense of rapport, which is critical especially because of the worldwide shift from face‐to‐face class to remote education as a response to the COVID‐19 pandemic.

Objective

To provide a systematic review of empirical SA studies, so that current development as well as issues in SA practices and research are identified.

Methods

A total of 32 studies were identified and bibliometrical, instructional, and methodological analysis were conducted.

Results and Conclusions

The United States has published the most SA research and technology‐related journals are most receptive of SA research; one‐shot quantitative designs with a sample size between 30 and 100 have been adopted most often; there is a lack of theoretical support for SA studies; higher education settings have been more frequently researched than other educational levels; SA technological features and activities have focused more on student uses and outcomes than on those of instructors; self‐designed technologies were more preferred than commercial ones; both cognitive and affective outcomes were emphasized and nearly all studies reported positive findings.

Implications

Future SA studies may conduct blended designs with larger sample sizes that is grounded upon solid theoretical frameworks; more customized and affordable SA technologies that support both students and teachers should be developed. Learning analytics and emotional design may be capitalized more to meet the demand of remote education during the pandemic.
Determining the clinical applicability of machine learning models through assessment of reporting across skin phototypes and rarer skin cancer types: A systematic review
Authors: Steele Lloyd , Tan Xiang Li , Olabi Bayanne , Gao Jing Mia , Tanaka Reiko J. , Williams Hywel C.
Published: December 2022

Machine learning (ML) models for skin cancer recognition may have variable performance across different skin phototypes and skin cancer types. Overall performance metrics alone are insufficient to detect poor subgroup performance. We aimed (1) to assess whether studies of ML models reported results separately for different skin phototypes and rarer skin cancers, and (2) to graphically represent the skin cancer training datasets used by current ML models. In this systematic review, we searched PubMed, Embase and CENTRAL. We included all studies in medical journals assessing an ML technique for skin cancer diagnosis that used clinical or dermoscopic images from 1 January 2012 to 22 September 2021. No language restrictions were applied. We considered rarer skin cancers to be skin cancers other than pigmented melanoma, basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. We identified 114 studies for inclusion. Rarer skin cancers were included by 8/114 studies (7.0%), and results for a rarer skin cancer were reported separately in 1/114 studies (0.9%). Performance was reported across all skin phototypes in 1/114 studies (0.9%), but performance was uncertain in skin phototypes I and VI from minimal representation of the skin phototypes in the test dataset (9/3756 and 1/3756, respectively). For training datasets, although public datasets were most frequently used, with the most widely used being the International Skin Imaging Collaboration (ISIC) archive (65/114 studies, 57.0%), the largest datasets were private. Our review identified that most ML models did not report performance separately for rarer skin cancers and different skin phototypes. A degree of variability in ML model performance across subgroups is expected, but the current lack of transparency is not justifiable and risks models being used inappropriately in populations in whom accuracy is low.
Health shocks and mortgage debt payoff among American homeowners over age 50: A survival analysis
Authors: Zhang Qun , Kim Hyungsoo
Published: December 2022

Mortgage debt is financially burdensome for many older homeowners in the United States. As people age, declining health can bring about increased healthcare costs. Focusing on homeowners aged 50 and older in the U.S., we investigate two research questions: (1) To what extent does a heath shock affect the likelihood of paying off a mortgage voluntarily or involuntarily? and (2) how long does a health shock delay the time it takes to pay off a mortgage? We used eight biannual waves (2004–2018) of the Health and Retirement Study containing 11,772 borrowers to build survival regression models. Results showed that a health shock reduced the likelihood of voluntary payoff by 12%, while it increased the probability of involuntary payoff by 18%. A health shock delayed voluntary and involuntary payoffs for 30 and 21 months, respectively. We discuss tax deduction and HELOCs as strategies to reduce older homeowners' mortgage strain.
Risk of alanine aminotransferase flare in patients with previous hepatitis B virus exposure on biological modifier therapies—A population‐based study
Authors: Ho Jacky C. L. , Mak Joyce W. Y. , Yip Terry C. F. , Lam Hong Man , Cheng Tsz Yan , Lam Tsz On , Tam Lai Shan , Law Man Fai , Cheung Carmen K. M. , Ng Siew C. , Wong Vincent W. S. , Wong Grace L. H.
Published: December 2022

Background

It is uncertain whether biological therapies would increase the risk of hepatitis among patients with past hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. This study aimed to evaluate the risk of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) flare in patients with past HBV infection while using biological therapies.

Methodology

Patients who received biological therapies for ≥3 months from 2000 to 2019 were identified from a population‐based database in Hong Kong. Patients with past HBV infection were compared with a control group without prior HBV exposure. The primary endpoint was development of ALT flare within 5 years of starting biological therapies, defined as ALT >80 IU/L.

Results

There were 2471 and 2394 patients with and without past HBV infection respectively. There was a non‐significant increase in risk of ALT flare among the HBV‐exposed group (27.6% vs. 23.7%, p = .055). In multivariable analysis, using prednisolone‐equivalent dose of >20 mg daily, male sex and concomitant immunosuppressants were risk factors for ALT flare. The risk of ALT flare was significantly higher with anti‐CD20 when compared to other biological agents (36.1% vs. 14.5%, p < .01), but was not significantly different among anti‐tumour necrosis factor, anti‐cytokine, Janus kinase inhibitors and T cell/B cell inhibitors or anti‐integrin (15.2% vs. 14.6% vs. 11.7% vs. 11.1%, p = .82). Among patients with documented hepatitis B surface antigen seroreversion, 96% were on anti‐CD20.

Conclusions

Our study further supports the current suggestion of prophylactic anti‐viral before starting anti‐CD20 in HBV‐exposed patients. While other biological therapies appear to have a lower risk for ALT flare, this result needs further confirmation.