bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Gender diversity and firm performances suffering from financial distress: evidence from Indonesia
Authors: Abbas Ahmad , Frihatni Andi Ayu
Published: May 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to demonstrate gender diversity in the structure of corporate governance and test the effect of diversity on the firm performance suffering from financial distress.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is quantitative using a sample of 467 public firms in Indonesia. Data were analyzed into statistics descriptive and the hypothesis was tested using the test of logistic regression.

Findings

The preliminary results of the paper demonstrate the number of firms employing women and men in the structure of corporate governance of 13% on the commissioner board, 7% on the director board and 5% on the audit committee. Based on the test of effect, this paper further found that firms employing women and men (gender diversity) in the structure of the board of commissioners, tend to suffer from financial distress lower than firms only employing men (non-gender diversity).

Research limitations/implications

This paper is not an effort to make the proportion of voices of women equal to men, however the representation of women at least exists in the structure of corporate governance as part of workforce diversity and inclusivity. In addition, this paper is considered not to use panel data with the purpose of avoiding repetitive data because of the use of a nominal scale in the logistic regression model.

Practical implications

The finding of the paper is addressed to deliver insights into the current conversation on the issue of women's day with the theme of Each for Equal and to firms in positioning women in the structure of boardrooms.

Originality/value

This paper extends the limited scholarly work on the nexus between gender diversity and financial performance. The framework of social identity theory and the tenet of corporate governance are elaborated to disclose the finding that firm shareholders tend to benefit from gender diversity in the structure of the commissioner board.
Religiosity and entrepreneurial motivation roles in the goal-specific relation: a case of Muslim students in Indonesia
Authors: Siswanto
Published: May 2023

Purpose

This study aims to investigate religiosity and entrepreneurial motivation roles in the goal-specific, involving Muslim students’ entrepreneurial intention and self-efficacy. Besides, it examines the robustness model based on group context.

Design/methodology/approach

Partial least square structural equation modelling is employed to examine 502 data collected from Muslim students in Indonesia through an online survey. Meanwhile, partial least square multigroup analysis tests the robustness model.

Findings

Religiosity plays a powerful role in increasing goal-specificity. Meanwhile, entrepreneurial motivation and self-efficacy perform as full mediations in the pathway mechanism of religiosity's effect on entrepreneurial intention.

Research limitations/implications

The current study is conducted based on the previous recommendations and contradictions. Therefore, it clarifies and develops a study on the role of religiosity and entrepreneurial motivation in the goal-specific motivation of Muslim students.

Practical implications

To increase the goal-specificity of entrepreneurship activities, policymakers in the ministry of education and universities must implement and revitalize Muslim students' understanding of the relationship between religiosity and entrepreneurship.

Originality/value

This study defines the role of religiosity in goal-specific, especially Muslim students’ entrepreneurial intentions, by gender, faculty/department and age. Furthermore, it completes the opportunity for research agendas on the relationship between religiosity, entrepreneurial motivation, self-efficacy and entrepreneurial intention.
Green finance continuance behavior: the role of satisfaction, social supports, environmental consciousness, green bank marketing initiatives and psychological reactance
Authors: Al Amin Md. , Ahad Mia Md. Abdul , Bala Tapas , Iqbal Mohammed Masum , Alam Md. Shariful
Published: May 2023

Purpose

The study aims to examine the green finance customers' post-usage continuance behavior based on an extended social support theory (SST). Remarkably, this study explores five indirect predictors of green finance continuance behavior (GFCB) (i.e. environmental consciousness (EC), green bank marketing initiatives (GBMI), informational supports, emotional supports (EST) and psychological reactance) and a mediator (i.e. customer satisfaction).

Design/methodology/approach

In this study data were collected from 362 respondents from Bangladesh using a purposive sampling method with a structured self-administrative questionnaire and analyzed by partial least square structural equation and modeling using SMART PLS 3.0 software.

Findings

The results depict that the five predictors, i.e. information supports (ß = 0.367, t-statistics = 2.463, p < 0.001), EST (ß = 0.206, t-statistics = 2.315, p < 0.000), EC (ß = 0.324, t-statistics = 3.484, p < 0.000), GBMI (ß = 0.288, t-statistics = 2.028, p < 0.000), psychological reactance (ß = 0.126, t-statistics = 0.969, p < 0.052) influence GFCB while satisfaction is predicted by four predictors except psychological reactance (ß = 0.126, t-statistics = 0.969, p < 0.052). In addition, customer satisfaction (ß = 0.638, t-statistics = 6.317, p < 0.005) also has an impact on continuance behavior. Besides, the study understood that four predictors indirectly influence GFCB through satisfaction except psychological reactance ((ß = 0.080, t-statistics = 964, z = 0.958p < 0.338). Finally, the coefficient of determinations (R2) indicates that the five predictors explained 65.3% of changes in satisfaction, whereas 72.8% of changes are described by the five predictors and customer satisfactions.

Practical implications

Finally, this study highlights the social and managerial implications for the implementers of the green finance industry. It is recommended to emphasize green finance practice as it plays a crucial role in promoting environmental protection, ensuring social equity and driving economic growth. The green banking service providers, industry analysts, green consumers and respective government authorities can generalize green finance activities as an essential aspect of sustainable development to equalize the economic growth with a view to protecting environmental collapse and promoting renewable energy, energy efficiency, sustainable agriculture and other environmentally friendly activities.

Originality/value

The study will enormously contribute to the existing literature validating the proposed holistic framework applying SST along with EC, GBMI and psychological reactance in green finance continuance behavior.
Enterprise risk management: how do firms integrate cyber risk?
Authors: Romanosky Sasha , Petrun Sayers Elizabeth L.
Published: May 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine how companies integrate cyber risk into their enterprise risk management practices. Data breaches have become commonplace, with thousands occurring each year, and some costing hundreds of millions of dollars. Consequently, cyber risk has become one of the gravest risks facing organizations, and has attracted boardroom-level attention. On the other hand, companies already manage many kinds of difficult and growing risks, and that firms lose less than 1% of annual revenues as a result of cyber incidents. Therefore, how should firms appropriately address cyber risk? Is it indeed a materially different kind of risk area, or is it simply just one more risk that can seamlessly be integrated into existing enterprise risk management (ERM) practices?

Design/methodology/approach

The authors performed thematic analysis based on semi-structured interviews, with non-probabilistic, purposive sampling, to answer two main questions. First, how do firms manage enterprise risks, generally? And second, how are they integrating cyber risk into these existing processes?

Findings

The authors find that there is considerable variation in the approach and sophistication in ERM practices, such as whether they are driven more like an auditing function, or as a risk champion. The authors also find that despite the novelty of cyber risk, it can be integrated like other enterprise risks, and that cyber risk is most often seen as an operational risk (similar to workplace accidents or fraud), rather than a strategic risk, emerging from, for example, technology innovation and R&D.

Research limitations/implications

The generalization of the results is limited by the sample size and variation of firms interviewed. While the authors attempted to interview enterprise risk managers across a wide variation of firms, there were clear limitations in the scope. That being said, the authors were fortunate to be able to examine ERM and cyber risk practices across small and large, private and publicly traded companies, from a variety of business sectors.

Practical implications

The authors believe these finding are important because they present evidence that while cyber risk may be new, it does not require specialized handling or processes to track it at the enterprise level. While some firms may choose to provide special accommodations or attention because of their data collection or business practices, this approach is neither necessary nor required of all firms in all situations.

Originality/value

This research is one of the only papers that, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, examines how cyber risk is integrated at an enterprise level.
Small and rural police chief perspectives on human trafficking in Pennsylvania
Authors: Gibbs Jennifer C. , Strohacker Emily R. , Schally Jennifer L.
Published: May 2023

Purpose

Research on human trafficking largely focuses on large, urban areas, yet it is a problem in small, rural areas. Police in these areas must have the training to identify human trafficking and resources to combat the issue – both of which may be lacking in small, rural areas. The purpose of this project is to explore police chiefs' perspectives on human trafficking in small, rural areas.

Design/methodology/approach

A mixed-methods approach was used to assess Pennsylvania police chiefs' understanding of human trafficking and their perspective of the extent of the problem in their area. First, 349 police chiefs completed an online survey during the summer of 2020. Follow-up in-depth interviews were conducted with 52 police chiefs.

Findings

Most chiefs believed human trafficking is a problem in Pennsylvania (81%) or in their local area (12%). Logistic regression analysis indicated chief experience, department budget and the number of employees affect small and rural police chief perceptions of human trafficking. Qualitative analyses identified three themes of police chief perceptions of human trafficking: conflation with prostitution, definitional debates and competing beliefs about prevalence. Training on identifying human trafficking would benefit small and rural police departments. Chiefs recommended outside assistance investigating human trafficking cases and other state-level resources would be helpful.

Originality/value

Scant research exists on small and rural police departments in the United States, especially in regards to human trafficking. This study contributes to the literature by addressing this gap with a mixed-methods approach.
Modified trilobed transposition flap for a distal nasal defect
Authors: Asaka Akinori , Kyutoku Shigeo , Nuri Takashi , Sakuraba Minoru , Ueda Koichi
Published: May 2023

Reconstruction of a distal nasal defect is challenging due to poor skin mobility and the potential for nasal alar retraction. A trilobed flap can utilize more mobile proximal skin, increase the total rotational arc, and decrease the tension associated with flap transposition. However, the trilobed flap may not be ideal for distal nasal defects because each flap is designed using immobile skin, which may lead to flap immobility and free margin distortion. To overcome these problems, the base and tip of each flap were extended further from the pivot point than those of the conventional trilobed flap. Herein, we report the use of the modified trilobed flap to treat 15 consecutive cases of distal nasal defects that occurred from January 2013 to December 2019. The mean duration of follow‐up was 15.6 months. All flaps survived completely, and satisfactory aesthetic outcomes were achieved. No complications such as wound dehiscence, nasal asymmetry, or hypertrophic scarring were observed. The modified trilobed flap is a simple and reliable treatment for distal nasal defects.
The Making of Empirical Political Science in the UK: Jean Blondel, David Butler and Peter Pulzer
Authors: Ware Alan
Published: May 2023

During the winter of 2022–3, three of the most influential individuals in the development of empirical political science in Europe, died. All had been active in research between at least the early 1960s and the present century. David Butler had pioneered, especially, the study of electoral behaviour and particularly in the UK. Jean Blondel had founded the outstanding Department of Government at Essex University and he was one of the principal academics responsible for the creation and subsequent flourishing of the European Consortium for Political Research (ECPR). Peter Pulzer not only published important comparative work on European politics, but he also supervised doctoral theses on topics beyond Europe's own borders. This essay discusses their respective roles and contributions in the founding of a discipline that was only newly forming when they started their own research during the 1950s.
Confessional Intelligence: Early Modern Papal Diplomats and Information‐Gathering Regarding England and Poland
Authors: KEENAN CHARLES R.
Published: May 2023

This essay examines the information‐gathering practices of papal nuncios and legates to argue that they performed much of the same intelligence work, and in a similar manner, as other diplomatic agents in the early modern Europe. It focuses in particular on papal diplomats’ efforts to gather information regarding two areas that proved especially challenging for the papacy – England and Poland‐Lithuania – both of which were far from Rome and which contained large numbers of non‐Catholics, who would understandably be wary of these diplomats’ intelligence work. The essay explores the mechanisms by which nuncios gathered information, including via ambassadors, members of religious orders, and informal networks of informants; their efforts to verify the information they received; and their methods to securely convey that information to their superiors in the Roman curia.
‘They Hide from Me, Like the Devil from the Cross’: Transalpine Postal Routes as Intelligence Work, 1555–1645
Authors: MIDURA RACHEL
Published: May 2023

Tracing patterns of letter interception across the Alps provides a new geography of Habsburg communications, espionage, and counter‐espionage in seventeenth‐century Europe. Using the correspondence of the Tassis family of imperial and Spanish postmasters, this article demonstrates that despite increasingly martial rhetoric, battles in information security took place along different geography than the military campaigns of the Thirty Years War. Instead of the ‘Spanish Road’, the article proposes the consideration of two alternative roads debated by postal administrators: the ‘German Road’ through Augsburg and the ‘Swiss Road’ through Lucerne. Letter interceptions along these roads demonstrate that information security differed from martial security in two key ways: First, Habsburg postal systems relied upon international cooperation rather than territorial control. The desire to avoid information leaks had to be balanced with the financial necessity of contracting postal operations to Alpine towns such as Lindau. Second, postmasters themselves responded to the information security needs of cosmopolitan private patrons and multiple princes, complicating their allegiances as state agents. Cases such as the imperial Postmistress General of Brussels and Spanish postmaster of Milan demonstrate that postmasters served as both ‘honorable spies’ and spy‐catchers, proposing new itineraries to circumvent espionage.
Nanomaterial interfaces designed with different biorecognition elements for biosensing of key foodborne pathogens
Authors: Atay Elif , Altan Aylin
Published: May 2023

Foodborne diseases caused by pathogen bacteria are a serious problem toward the safety of human life in a worldwide. Conventional methods for pathogen bacteria detection have several handicaps, including trained personnel requirement, low sensitivity, laborious enrichment steps, low selectivity, and long‐term experiments. There is a need for precise and rapid identification and detection of foodborne pathogens. Biosensors are a remarkable alternative for the detection of foodborne bacteria compared to conventional methods. In recent years, there are different strategies for the designing of specific and sensitive biosensors. Researchers activated to develop enhanced biosensors with different transducer and recognition elements. Thus, the aim of this study was to provide a topical and detailed review on aptamer, nanofiber, and metal organic framework–based biosensors for the detection of food pathogens. First, the conventional methods, type of biosensors, common transducer, and recognition element were systematically explained. Then, novel signal amplification materials and nanomaterials were introduced. Last, current shortcomings were emphasized, and future alternatives were discussed.
Review of analytical methods for screening and quantification of fentanyl analogs and novel synthetic opioids in biological specimens
Authors: Palmquist Kaitlyn B. , Truver Michael T. , Shoff Elisa N. , Krotulski Alex J. , Swortwood Madeleine J.
Published: May 2023

Fentanyl, fentanyl analogs, and other novel synthetic opioids (NSO), including nitazene analogs, prevail in forensic toxicology casework. Analytical methods for identifying these drugs in biological specimens need to be robust, sensitive, and specific. Isomers, new analogs, and slight differences in structural modifications necessitate the use of high‐resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS), especially as a non‐targeted screening method designed to detect newly emerging drugs. Traditional forensic toxicology workflows, such as immunoassay and gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC–MS), are generally not sensitive enough for detection of NSOs due to observed low (sub‐μg/L) concentrations. For this review, the authors tabulated, reviewed, and summarized analytical methods from 2010–2022 for screening and quantification of fentanyl analogs and other NSOs in biological specimens using a variety of different instruments and sample preparation approaches. Limits of detection or quantification for 105 methods were included and compared to published standards and guidelines for suggested scope and sensitivity in forensic toxicology casework. Methods were summarized by instrument for screening and quantitative methods for fentanyl analogs and for nitazenes and other NSO. Toxicological testing for fentanyl analogs and NSOs is increasingly and most commonly being conducted using a variety of liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC–MS)‐based techniques. Most of the recent analytical methods reviewed exhibited limits of detection well below 1 μg/L to detect low concentrations of increasingly potent drugs. In addition, it was observed that most newly developed methods are now using smaller sample volumes which is achievable due to the sensitivity increase gained by new technology and new instrumentation.
Effects of simulated gut pH environment on bacterial composition and pheromone production of Dendroctonus valens
Authors: Cao Qingjie , Zhao Yu , Koski Tuuli‐Marjaana , Li Huiping , Sun Jianghua
Published: May 2023

Bark beetles are an economically and ecologically important insect group, with aggregation behavior and thus host colonization success depends on pheromone‐mediated communication. For some species, such as the major invasive forest pest in China, red turpentine beetle (Dendroctonus valens), gut microbiota participates in pheromone production by converting tree monoterpenes into pheromone products. However, how variation in gut microenvironment, such as pH, affects the gut microbial composition, and consequently pheromone production, is unknown. In this study, we fed wild caught D. valens with 3 different pH media (main host diet with natural pH of 4.7; a mildly acidic diet with pH 6 mimicking the beetle gut pH; and highly acidic diet with pH 4), and measured their effects on the gut pH, bacterial community and production of the main aggregation and anti‐aggregation pheromone (verbenone). We further tested the verbenone production capacity of 2 gut bacterial isolates in different pH environments (pH 6 and 4). Compared to natural state or main host diet, feeding on less acidic diet (pH 6) diluted the acidity of the gut, whereas feeding on highly acidic diet (pH 4) enhanced it. Both changes in gut pH reduced the abundance of dominant bacterial genera, resulting in decreased verbenone production. Similarly, the highest pheromone conversion rate of the bacterial isolates was observed in pH mimicking the acidity in beetle gut. Taken together, these results indicate that changes in gut pH can affect gut microbiota composition and pheromone production, and may therefore have the potential to affect host colonization behavior.
The geography and socioeconomic characteristics of U.S. households reliant on private wells and septic systems
Authors: Hernandez Ariana , Pierce Gregory
Published: May 2023

Households reliant on unregulated, non‐grid water and sanitation infrastructure, like private wells and septic systems, face water quality and reliability deficiencies and associated negative impacts on human health at greater proportions than households reliant on publicly‐regulated, water and sewage systems. This study uses the 2019 American Housing Survey to produce the first joint, nationally‐representative analysis of household reliance on wells and septics in decades. We find that there are lower proportions of U.S. households off the regulated water grid than other contemporary estimates. We also find that while 9.1% of U.S. households rely on both private well and septics simultaneously, a slightly higher proportion of households rely on only one of these systems, with the companion infrastructure being publicly regulated. Our results show that both private well and septic reliant households are much more likely to be non‐Hispanic White, live in a single family home (a detached or attached one‐family dwelling) or mobile home (a portable habitable structure that was originally fitted with wheels to facilitate movement), and to live outside a metropolitan area than those reliant on publicly regulated service. Yet, surprisingly both private well and septic reliant households do not have lower average incomes than households reliant on regulated systems. These results suggest that federal, state and local financial assistance, technical assistance and educational programs can be better targeted to ensure that in‐need private well and septic reliant households can operate and maintain their essential water and sanitation infrastructure.
Air trapping in small airway diseases: A review of imaging technique and findings with an overview of small airway diseases
Authors: Tan Samantha , Saffar Bann , Wrobel Jeremy , Laycock Andrew , Melsom Stephen
Published: May 2023

Air trapping is a common finding radiologists encounter on CT imaging of the thorax. This term is used when there are geographic areas of differing attenuation within the lung parenchyma. Most commonly, this is the result of abnormal retention of air due to complete or partial airway obstruction from small airway pathologies. Perfusional differences due to underlying vascular diseases could also result in these appearances, and hence, inspiratory and full expiratory phase CT studies are required to accurately diagnose air trapping. It is important to note that this can occasionally be present in healthy patients. Multiple diseases are associated with air trapping. Determining the aetiology relies on accurate patient history and concomitant findings on CT. There is currently no consensus on accurate assessment of the severity of air trapping. The ratio of mean lung density between expiration and inspiration on CT and the change in lung volume have demonstrated a positive correlation with the presence of small airway disease. Treatment and resultant patient outcome depend on the underlying aetiology, and hence, radiologists need to be familiar with the common causes of air trapping. This paper outlines the most common disease processes leading to air trapping, including Constrictive bronchiolitis, Hypersensitivity pneumonitis, DIPNECH, and Post‐infectious (Swyer‐James/Macleod). Various diseases result in the air trapping pattern seen on the expiratory phase CT scan of the thorax. Combining patient history with other concomitant imaging findings is essential for accurate diagnosis and to further guide management.
Intermediaries, isomorphic activism and programming for social accountability in Pakistan
Authors: Kirk Tom
Published: May 2023

Using ethnographic research from Pakistan, this paper argues that social accountability programmes that overlook the role of intermediaries in clientelistic states risk undermining the wider democratising projects they seek to support. It proposes a theory of ‘isomorphic activism’ that describes how these public authorities appropriate others' opportunities to participate in politics and, in the process, undermine democratic norms. Isomorphic activism is shown to be more likely when programmes are based on ideals of civil society that render activism a technical exercise, depoliticise it and blind donors to power inequalities. The challenges the paper highlights are important given calls for development programmes to change by whom and how politics is done, whilst granting local ownership to participants and demonstrating value for money. They should also be of interest to those concerned by the spread of reductive views of civil society activism within donor organisations.
New‐onset atrial fibrillation in critically ill adult patients—an SSAI clinical practice guideline
Authors: Andreasen Anne Sofie , Wetterslev Mik , Sigurdsson Martin Ingi , Bove Jeppe , Kjærgaard Jesper , Aslam Tayyba Naz , Järvelä Kati , Poulsen Mette , De Geer Lina , Agarwal Arnav , Kjær Maj‐Brit Nørregaard , Møller Morten Hylander
Published: May 2023

Background

Acute or new‐onset atrial fibrillation (NOAF) is the most common cardiac arrhythmia in critically ill adult patients, and observational data suggests that NOAF is associated to adverse outcomes.

Methods

We prepared this guideline according to the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation methodology. We posed the following clinical questions: (1) what is the better first‐line pharmacological agent for the treatment of NOAF in critically ill adult patients?, (2) should we use direct current (DC) cardioversion in critically ill adult patients with NOAF and hemodynamic instability caused by atrial fibrillation?, (3) should we use anticoagulant therapy in critically ill adult patients with NOAF?, and (4) should critically ill adult patients with NOAF receive follow‐up after discharge from hospital? We assessed patient‐important outcomes, including mortality, thromboembolic events, and adverse events. Patients and relatives were part of the guideline panel.

Results

The quantity and quality of evidence on the management of NOAF in critically ill adults was very limited, and we did not identify any relevant direct or indirect evidence from randomized clinical trials for the prespecified PICO questions. We were able to propose one weak recommendation against routine use of therapeutic dose anticoagulant therapy, and one best practice statement for routine follow‐up by a cardiologist after hospital discharge. We were not able to propose any recommendations on the better first‐line pharmacological agent or whether to use DC cardioversion in critically ill patients with hemodynamic instability induced by NOAF. An electronic version of this guideline in layered and interactive format is available in MAGIC: https://app.magicapp.org/#/guideline/7197.

Conclusions

The body of evidence on the management of NOAF in critically ill adults is very limited and not informed by direct evidence from randomized clinical trials. Practice variation appears considerable.
Maternal alcohol consumption and the risk of miscarriage in the first and second trimesters: A systematic review and dose–response meta‐analysis
Authors: Saxov Kristina Rantzau , Strandberg‐Larsen Katrine , Pristed Sofie G. , Bruun Niels Henrik , Kesmodel Ulrik Schiøler
Published: May 2023

Introduction

According to a precautionary principle, it is recommended that pregnant women and women trying to conceive abstain from alcohol consumption. In this dose–response meta‐analysis, we aimed to examine the association between alcohol consumption and binge drinking and the risk of miscarriage in the first and second trimesters.

Material and methods

The literature search was conducted in MEDLINE, Embase and the Cochrane Library in May 2022, without any language, geographic or time limitations. Cohort or case–control studies reporting dose‐specific effects adjusting for maternal age and using separate risk assessments for first‐ and second‐trimester miscarriages were included. Study quality was assessed using the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale. This study is registered with PROSPERO, registration number CRD42020221070.

Results

A total of 2124 articles were identified. Five articles met the inclusion criteria. Adjusted data from 153 619 women were included in the first‐trimester analysis and data from 458 154 women in the second‐trimester analysis. In the first and second trimesters, the risk of miscarriage increased by 7% (odds ratio [OR] 1.07, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.96–1.20) and 3% (OR 1.03, 95% CI 0.99–1.08) for each additional drink per week, respectively, but not to a statistically significant degree. One article regarding binge drinking and the risk of miscarriage was found, which revealed no association between the variables in either the first or second trimester (OR 0.84 [95% CI 0.62–1.14] and OR 1.04 [95% CI 0.78–1.38]).

Conclusions

This meta‐analysis revealed no dose‐dependent association between miscarriage risk and alcohol consumption, but further focused research is recommended. The research gap regarding miscarriage and binge drinking needs further investigation.
Towards precision dosing of aripiprazole in children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder: Linking blood levels to weight gain and effectiveness
Authors: Hermans Rebecca A. , Sassen Sebastiaan D. T. , Kloosterboer Sanne Maartje , Reichart Catrien G. , Kouijzer Mirjam E. J. , de Kroon Matthias M. J. , Bastiaansen Dennis , van Altena Daphne , van Schaik Ron H. N. , Nasserinejad Kazem , Hillegers Manon H. J. , Koch Birgit C. P. , Dierckx Bram , de Winter Brenda C. M.
Published: May 2023

Aims

Aripiprazole is one of the most commonly prescribed antipsychotic drugs to children and adolescents worldwide, but it is associated with serious side‐effects, including weight gain. This study assessed the population pharmacokinetics of aripiprazole and its active metabolite and investigated the relationship between pharmacokinetic parameters and body mass index (BMI) in children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and behavioural problems. Secondary outcomes were metabolic, endocrine, extrapyramidal and cardiac side‐effects and drug effectiveness.

Methods

Twenty‐four children and adolescents (15 males, 9 females) aged 6–18 years were included in a 24‐week prospective observational trial. Drug plasma concentrations, side‐effects and drug effectiveness were measured at several time points during follow‐up. Relevant pharmacokinetic covariates, including CYP2D6, CYP3A4, CYP3A5 and P‐glycoprotein (ABCB1) genotypes, were determined. Nonlinear mixed‐effects modelling (NONMEM®) was used for a population pharmacokinetic analysis with 92 aripiprazole and 91 dehydro‐aripiprazole concentrations. Subsequently, model‐based trough concentrations, maximum concentrations and 24‐h area under the curves (AUCs) were analysed to predict outcomes using generalized and linear mixed‐effects models.

Results

For both aripiprazole and dehydro‐aripiprazole, one‐compartment models best described the measured concentrations, with albumin and BMI as significant covariates. Of all the pharmacokinetic parameters, higher sum (aripiprazole plus dehydro‐aripiprazole) trough concentrations best predicted higher BMI z‐scores (P < .001) and higher Hb1Ac levels (P = .03) during follow‐up. No significant association was found between sum concentrations and effectiveness.

Conclusions

Our results indicate a threshold with regard to safety, which suggests that therapeutic drug monitoring of aripiprazole could potentially increase safety in children and adolescents with ASD and behavioural problems.
Increasing brain N‐acetylneuraminic acid alleviates hydrocephalus‐induced neurological deficits
Authors: Wang Zhangyang , Nie Xiaoqun , Gao Fang , Tang Yanmin , Ma Yuanyuan , Zhang Yiying , Gao Yanqin , Yang Chen , Ding Jing , Wang Xin
Published: May 2023

Aims

This metabolomic study aimed to evaluate the role of N‐acetylneuraminic acid (Neu5Ac) in the neurological deficits of normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) and its potential therapeutic effect.

Methods

We analyzed the metabolic profiles of NPH using cerebrospinal fluid with multivariate and univariate statistical analyses in a set of 42 NPH patients and 38 controls. We further correlated the levels of differential metabolites with severity‐related clinical parameters, including the normal pressure hydrocephalus grading scale (NPHGS). We then established kaolin‐induced hydrocephalus in mice and treated them using N‐acetylmannosamine (ManNAc), a precursor of Neu5Ac. We examined brain Neu5Ac, astrocyte polarization, demyelination, and neurobehavioral outcomes to explore its therapeutic effect.

Results

Three metabolites were significantly altered in NPH patients. Only decreased Neu5Ac levels were correlated with NPHGS scores. Decreased brain Neu5Ac levels have been observed in hydrocephalic mice. Increasing brain Neu5Ac by ManNAc suppressed the activation of astrocytes and promoted their transition from A1 to A2 polarization. ManNAc also attenuated the periventricular white matter demyelination and improved neurobehavioral outcomes in hydrocephalic mice.

Conclusion

Increasing brain Neu5Ac improved the neurological outcomes associated with the regulation of astrocyte polarization and the suppression of demyelination in hydrocephalic mice, which may be a potential therapeutic strategy for NPH.
Cask wine: Describing drinking patterns associated with Australia's cheapest alcohol
Authors: Torney Alexandra , Room Robin , Callinan Sarah
Published: May 2023

Introduction

In Australia, cask wine is the cheapest alcoholic beverage available, offering the lowest price per standard drink. Despite this, there is little research on the contextual correlates of cask wine consumption. Therefore, the current study aims to describe how cask wine consumption has changed over the last decade. Then, through comparisons between cask and bottled wine, how prices, typical drinking locations, and patterns of consumption differ between the beverages.

Methods

Cross‐sectional data was drawn from two sources. Four waves of the National Drug Strategy Household Survey were used (2010, 2013, 2016 and 2019) in order to examine consumption trends over time. The International Alcohol Control study (2013) in Australia was additionally used to explore pricing and consumption trends in greater detail.

Results

Cask wine was considerably cheaper than other forms of wine at $0.54 per standard drink (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.45–0.62, p < 0.05). Consumption trends associated with cask wine differed from that of bottled wine, being consumed almost entirely at home and in significantly greater quantity (standard drinks per day 7.8, 95% CI 6.25–9.26, p < 0.05). Among the heaviest drinkers, 13% (95% CI 7.2–18.8, p < 0.05) consumed cask wine as their main drink, compared to 5% (95% CI 3.76–6.24, p < 0.05) consuming bottled wine.

Conclusions

Cask wine drinkers are disproportionately more likely to consume higher amounts of alcohol, paying less per drink doing so compared to bottled wine drinkers. As all cask wine purchases were under $1.30, a minimum unit price may largely affect cask wine purchases, applying to a far smaller proportion of bottled wine.
An expression for wind erosion rate from dry and dense soil surface
Authors: Wang Zhen‐Ting
Published: May 2023

Wind erosion is a physical process predominated by airborne grains rather than the wind itself. The soil deformation is either elastic–plastic or fully plastic during its collisions with solid grains, corresponding to dense and loose soils, respectively. Only the fully plastic deformation was previously taken into account in the physically‐based wind erosion models. The impact erosion of dry and dense soil surface can be well quantified by the contact mechanics and strength theories. In this study, with the help of Owen's uniform saltation model, a simple expression for wind erosion rate is derived based upon the eroded volume per impact when soil deforms in the elastic–plastic manner. The new expression, a simple analytical function of several conventional variables and parameters of wind and soil, describes the effects of saltation flux and soil susceptibility. Its validity is verified by some field and laboratory experiments.
On the evolution of fish–coral interactions
Authors: Siqueira Alexandre C. , Muruga Pooventhran , Bellwood David R.
Published: May 2023

The biodiversity of tropical reefs is typified by the interaction between fishes and corals. Despite the importance of this ecological association, coevolutionary patterns between these two animal groups have yet to be critically evaluated. After compiling a large dataset on the prevalence of fish–coral interactions, we found that only a minority of fish species associate strongly with live corals (~5%). Furthermore, we reveal an evolutionary decoupling between fish and coral lineage trajectories. While fish lineages expanded in the Miocene, the bulk of coral diversification occurred in the Pliocene/Pleistocene. Most importantly, we found that coral association did not drive major differences in fish diversification. These results suggest that the Miocene fish diversification is more likely related to the development of novel, wave‐resistant reef structures and their associated ecological opportunities. Macroevolutionary patterns in reef fishes are thus more strongly correlated with the expansion of reefs than with the corals themselves.
Use of a pneumatic device for intraluminal enterolith fragmentation in horses
Authors: Machado Amaral Rosa Bruna , Dornbusch Peterson Triches , Duque Moreno Juan Carlos , Schade Jackson
Published: May 2023

Horses with enterolithiasis may develop clinical signs of colic due to partial or complete obstruction of the right dorsal, transverse or small colon. Laparotomy followed by enterotomy at the site of obstruction or mobilisation of enteroliths to intestinal segments deemed more appropriate for incision is indicated in these cases. However, surgical removal of enteroliths lodged in nonexteriorisable intestinal segments and/or not amenable to mobilisation may be labour intensive and dangerous. Pneumatic impact (or ballistic) lithotripsy is a potential tool for surgical resolution of simple and complex cases of enterolithiasis in horses. This study describes the use of a pneumatic lithotripsy device for intraluminal enterolith fragmentation in five cases of enterolithiasis. Seven calculi were successfully fragmented. In four cases, fragmentation was achieved at the site of obstruction and fragments exteriorised through an enterotomy incision created for device introduction or advanced towards the rectum and removed. In two cases, enteroliths were manipulated back to the pelvic flexure, fragmented and removed. Findings of this study suggest that intraluminal enterolith fragmentation can be used to avoid long enterotomy incisions and facilitate removal of calculi lodged in bowel segments that cannot be exteriorised. However, it is important to be aware of the risks of enterolith fragmentation in nonexternalisable bowel segments that cannot be visualised for intestinal viability assessment.
A novel multimodal online news popularity prediction model based on ensemble learning
Authors: Arora Anuja , Hassija Vikas , Bansal Shivam , Yadav Siddharth , Chamola Vinay , Hussain Amir
Published: May 2023

The prediction of news popularity is having substantial importance for the digital advertisement community in terms of selecting and engaging users. Traditional approaches are based on empirical data collected through surveys and applied statistical measures to prove a hypothesis. However, predicting news popularity based on statistical measures applied to past data is highly questionable. Therefore, in this article, we predict news popularity using machine learning classification models and deep residual neural network models. Articles are usually made up of textual content and in many cases, images are also used. Although it is evident that the appropriate amount of textual data is required to extract features and create models, image data is also helpful in gaining useful information. In this article, we present a novel multimodal online news popularity prediction model based on ensemble learning. This research work acts as a guide for extensive feature engineering, feature extraction, feature selection and effective modelling to create a robust news popularity Prediction Model. Three kinds of features—meta‐features, text features and image features are used to design an influential and robust model. The relative error performance measure Root Mean Squared logarithmic error (RMSLE) is used to quantify the popularity prediction error. Further, the RMSLE outcome shows 0.351 which is the lowest error value given by the proposed model. Further, the most important features are also sought out to show the dependence of the best‐fit model on text and image features.
The effects of chitosan‐TiO2 and chitosan‐TiO2‐ZnO‐MgO hybrid coatings on the shelf life of jackfruit bulbs (Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam)
Authors: Ramírez‐Concepción Heidi R. , Anaya‐Esparza Luis M. , de Lourdes García‐Magaña María , Yahia Elhadi M. , Meza‐Espinoza Libier , Montalvo‐González Efigenia
Published: May 2023

This study evaluated the effect of chitosan hybrid coatings on the shelf life and quality of jackfruit bulbs. The treatments include control bulbs, bulbs with the chitosan coating (CS bulbs), bulbs with the chitosan‐TiO2 hybrid coating (CSTiO2 bulbs) and bulbs with the chitosan‐TiO2‐ZnO‐MgO hybrid coating (CSTZM bulbs). Bulbs were stored at 4 °C. Shelf life of control, CS, CSTiO2 and CSTZM bulbs were 4, 10, 13 and 15 days, respectively. The CSTZM bulbs exhibited < 1% weight loss, a decrease in the pattern of respiration, the highest levels of vitamin C (28.27 mg/100 g), carotenoids (10868.91 μg/100 g), phenolic compounds (31.31 mg/100 g) and antioxidant capacity (283.49–444.36 mmol/100 g). According to the Artemia salina test, all coatings were non‐toxic. In conclusion, the chitosan‐TiO2‐ZnO‐MgO hybrid coating was the best alternative to extend the shelf‐life of fresh‐cut jackfruit.
RETRACTED: The outcome of sutured wounds compared with tissue adhesive for paediatric wound closure: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Cui Xiaomei , Zhang Yuanbo , Wang Na , Chen Yafang , Xu Jin , Hou Jianghong
Published: May 2023

A meta‐analysis investigation was executed to measure the outcome of sutured wounds (SWs) compared with tissue adhesive (TA) for paediatric wound closure (PWC). A comprehensive literature inspection till February 2023 was applied and 2018 interrelated investigations were reviewed. The 18 chosen investigations enclosed 1697 children with PWC in the chosen investigations' starting point, 977 of them were utilising SWs, and 906 were utilising TA. Odds ratio (OR) in addition to 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to compute the value of the effect of SWs compared with TA for PWC by the dichotomous approaches and a fixed or random model. SWs had significantly higher wound cosmetic (WC) scores (mean deviation [MD], 1.70; 95% CI, 0.57–2.84, P = .003), lower wound dehiscence (WD) (OR 0.60; 95% CI, 0.06–0.43, P < .001), and lower cost (MD, −10.22; 95% CI, −10.94 to −9.50, P < .001) compared with those with TA in PWC. No significant difference was found between children utilising SWs and TA in wound infection (WI) (OR, 0.45; 95% CI, 0.15–1.30, P = .14) with no heterogeneity (I2 = 0%) in PWC. SWs had significantly higher WC scores, lower WD, and lower cost, yet, no significant difference was found in WI compared with those with TA in PWC. However, care must be exercised when dealing with its values because of the low sample size of some of the nominated investigations and the low number of selected investigations for the meta‐analysis.
RETRACTED: Prevalence of non‐accidental burns and related factors in children: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Hamza Hermis Alaa , Tehrany Pooya M. , Hosseini Seyed Javad , Firooz Mahbobeh , Hosseini Seyed Reza , Jamshidbeigi Amirreza , Zaboli Mahdiabadi Morteza , Ghorbani Vajargah Pooyan , Mollaei Amirabbas , Karkhah Samad , Takasi Poorya , Alizadeh Otaghvar Hamidreza , Farzan Ramyar
Published: May 2023

Non‐accidental burns (NABs) in children had some adverse effects, such as severe burns, requiring skin grafting, and mortality. Previous studies reported NABs in the form of neglect, suspected abuse, and child abuse. Also, different statistics were estimated for the prevalence of NABs in children. Therefore, the current study aimed to comprehensively review and summarise the literature on the prevalence of NABs in children. Also, factors related to NABs as a secondary aim were considered in this review. Keywords combined using Boolean operators and searches were performed in international electronic databases, such as Scopus, PubMed, and Web of Science. Only studies in English were considered from the earliest to 1 March 2023. The analysis was performed using STATA software version 14. Finally, 29 articles were retrieved for the quantitative analysis. Results found that the prevalence of child abuse, suspected abuse, neglect, ‘child abuse or suspect abused’, and ‘abuse, suspect abused, or neglect’ was 6% (ES: 0.06, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.05‐0.07), 12% (ES: 0.12, 95% CI: 0.09‐0.15), 21% (ES: 0.21, 95% CI: 0.07‐0.35), 8% (ES: 0.08, 95% CI: 0.07‐0.09), and 15% (ES: 0.15, 95% CI: 0.13‐0.16) among burns victims, respectively. Also, factors related to NABs are categorised into age and gender, agent and area of burns, and family features. Considering the results of the current study, planning for rapid diagnosis and designing a process to manage NABs in children is necessary.