bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Changes in Gait Characteristics During and Immediately After the 6-Minute Walk Test in Persons With Multiple Sclerosis: A Systematic Review
Authors: Abasıyanık Zuhal , Kahraman Turhan , Veldkamp Renee , Ertekin Özge , Kalron Alon , Feys Peter
Published: March 2022

Objective

There is limited information about gait patterns during prolonged walking in people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS). The aim of this review was to report on gait metrics during and immediately after the 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT) in PwMS with different levels of disability.

Methods

The systematic search was performed in 3 databases (PubMed, Web of Science, and SCOPUS) using keywords related to multiple sclerosis and 6MWT. Studies that reported on quantitative gait outcomes before and after the 6MWT or multiple time points during the 6MWT were included. The Hedges g effect size (ES) was calculated to determine the magnitude of change in each gait parameter.

Results

Fourteen studies (n = 534 PwMS; n = 166 healthy controls) were eligible. Five studies investigated gait parameters prior to and immediately after the 6MWT. Nine studies collected gait measures during the 6MWT. Speed (ES = −0.43 to 0.19), cadence (ES = −0.46 to 0.16), step length (ES = −0.46 to 0.14), stability (ES = −0.35 to 0.33), and regularity (ES = −0.25 to −0.15) decreased in most studies. In the majority of included studies, step time (ES = 0 to 0.35), stance period (ES = 0.12 to 0.58), double support phase (ES = 0.03 to 0.62), variability (ES = −0.19 to 1.13), and asymmetry (ES = −0.79 to 0.62) increased following the 6MWT. The kinetic and kinematic (mainly in dorsiflexion angle [ES = −0.08 to −0.36]) features of gait were also negatively changed after 6 minutes of walking. Walking speed, cadence, step length, stride length, and stride time after 6MWT at a comfortable speed all increased. Changes in the majority of spatiotemporal parameters were more pronounced in PwMS with moderate-to-severe disability compared with PwMS with mild disability.

Conclusion

Most quantitative gait parameters deteriorated during the 6MWT, especially in PwMS with moderate-to-severe disability.

Impact

The deterioration of gait patterns should be considered when designing therapeutic interventions to increase sustained walking capacity.
Scrutinizing Relative Territorial Identity Measures
Authors: Griffiths James David
Published: March 2022

Territorial politics research often emphasizes the importance of relative state/substate identities. Conventionally, researchers capture relative national identity through the Linz-Moreno question, but previous research demonstrates the limitations of this measure. Many researchers now use Relative Territorial Identity (RTI) as an alternative. However, the potential limitations of this approach are yet to be explored. I provide that examination here. After reiterating the limits of the Linz-Moreno question, I use data for England, Scotland, and Wales to highlight that RTI has similar issues to the Linz-Moreno (linearity, intensity, dual identity). Following this, I use data from Flanders and Wallonia to demonstrate the limits of conflating attachment and identity when using RTI, as respondents treat the concepts differently. Overall, these results highlight the limits of existing measures of relative identity, which have important implications for how researchers examine substate territories.
In Situ Pulmonary Thrombolysis and Perfusion Lung Angiography in Severe COVID-19 Respiratory Failure
Authors: Pérez-Calatayud Angel Augusto , Enriquez-García Rocío , Fareli-González Christian , Barrett Christopher D. , Saldivar-Rodea Carlos Alberto , Perulles-Marin Jorge , Reyes-Caldelas Miguel Angel , Rosenberg-Contreras Carlos Ivan , Gómez-Moreno Julieta Berenice , Guerrero-Avendaño Guadalupe , Serrano-Loyola Raúl , Carrillo-Esper Raúl , Moore Ernest E.
Published: March 2022

OBJECTIVES:

A proof-of-concept study using thrombolysis with catheter-directed tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) and pulmonary angiography imaging was performed to visualize perfusion deficits and reperfusion/therapeutic effects of tPA.

DESIGN:

A prospective, open-label, compassionate study. Descriptive statistics were presented for categorical variables and as means with sds for continuous variables. The Wilcoxon test was used to determine the differences between the two-related samples and a t test for continuous variables. Statistical significance was set at p value of less than 0.05. Agreement between observations was evaluated using the Kappa Cohen index and overall agreement using the Fleiss Kappa coefficient.

SETTING:

A single COVID-19 ICU of Mexico´s General Hospital Dr Eduardo Liceaga.

SUBJECTS:

Fifteen patients with severe Delta variant severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection, 18–75 years old, requiring mechanical ventilation with a persistent Fio
2 requirement of 70% or higher and Pao
2/Fio
2 ratio (or imputed ratio) less than 150 for more than 4 hours. The coagulation inclusion criteria were International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis score greater than 5, and presence of a d-dimer greater than 1,200, with viscoelastic testing using rotational thromboelastometry (Instrumentation Laboratories, Mexico City, Mexico) showing both hypercoagulability (EXTEM amplitude at 5 min > 65 FIBTEM > 30) and hypofibrinolysis (EXTEM maximum lysis < 8%).

INTERVENTIONS:

Catheter-directed tPA angiography and iFlow system analysis to assess pre-tPA baseline pulmonary perfusion and changes in response to thrombolysis.

RESULTS:

Nine patients had microvascular filling defects demonstrated by angiography, and good agreement was found with iFlow analysis (ƙ = 0.714). Statistically significant differences were identified in the area under the curve (AUC) region of interest/AUC reference tissue with and without filling defects in phase 2 DM –0.09206 (sd ± 0.16684) (p = 0.003). The Pao
2/Fio
2 values measured immediately and 48 hours after the procedure were significantly higher (p = 0.001 and p = 0.005, respectively). Statistically significant differences were found in d-dimer values (p = 0.007), Fio
2 (p = 0.002), and oxygen saturation in arterial blood/Fio
2 (p = 0.045), as well as in the number of patients who required prone positioning before, immediately after the procedure, and at 48 hours after the procedure (p = 0.002).

CONCLUSIONS:

Thrombolysis with catheter-directed tPA resulted in imaging evidence via pulmonary angiography and iFlow technology of improved lung perfusion in COVID-19 patients with severe respiratory failure.
COVID-19 Patients Require Prolonged Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Support for Survival Compared With Non-COVID-19 Patients
Authors: Russ Martin , Menk Mario , Graw Jan Adriaan , Skrypnikov Vladimir , Hunsicker Oliver , Rudat Kathleen , Weber-Carstens Steffen , Francis Roland C. E. , Pickerodt Philipp A.
Published: March 2022

OBJECTIVES:

To investigate the ICU survival of venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) patients suffering from COVID-19–related acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) versus ECMO patients without COVID-19 (non-COVID-19)–related ARDS.

DESIGN:

Preliminary analysis of data from two prospective ECMO trials and retrospective analysis of a cohort of ARDS ECMO patients.

SETTING:

Single-center ICU.

PATIENTS:

Adult ARDS ECMO patients, 16 COVID-19 versus 23 non-COVID-19 patients. Analysis of retrospective data from 346 adult ARDS ECMO patients.

INTERVENTIONS:

None.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS:

COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 ARDS patients did not differ with respect to preexisting disease or body mass index. ICU survival rate was 62% for COVID-19 ECMO patients and 70% for non-COVID-19 ECMO patients. COVID-19 ECMO survivors were supported with ECMO for a median of 43 days (interquartile range [IQR], 18–58 d) versus 16 days (IQR, 19–39 d; p = 0.03) for non-COVID-19 patients. The median duration of ECMO therapy for all ARDS patients between 2007 and 2018 was 15 days (IQR, 6–28 d). The subgroup of patients suffering from any viral pneumonia received ECMO support for a median of 16 days (IQR, 9–27 d), survivors of influenza pneumonia received ECMO support for 13 days (IQR, 7–25 d).

CONCLUSIONS:

COVID-19 patients required significant longer ECMO support compared with patients without COVID-19 to achieve successful ECMO weaning and ICU survival.
Considerations for the Use of Race in Research in Obstetrics and Gynecology
Authors: Brown Oluwateniola , Mou Tsung , Tate Mary , Miller Edward , Debbink Michelle
Published: March 2022

The race variable in research has been the topic of debate in both research and clinical realms. The tension surrounding the discourse of the use of race in research stem from the difficulties in defining race, the limitations of the variable, and the implications for health and racial equity. In this review, we dissect the challenges faced when incorporating race into research and offer a guide for incorporating race in research in a manner that promotes racial and health equity.
Twenty-Two–Year Clinical Outcome of a Case of Endokeratoplasty
Authors: Gunasekera Chrishan Duminda , Yu Angeli Christy , Busin Massimo
Published: March 2022

Purpose:

The purpose of this study was to report the 22-year clinical outcome of a patient who underwent endokeratoplasty.

Methods:

To report the clinical outcomes of 37-year-old male who underwent endokeratoplasty for decompensated Fuchs endothelial dystrophy in 1998.

Results:

After subsequent cataract surgery and iridoplasty, at 22 years post endokeratoplasty, the Snellen best spectacle-corrected visual acuity is 20/20 (−5.50 sphere −3.00 cylinder at 135 degrees), endothelial cell count is 645 cells/mm2, central corneal thickness is 644 μm, and the cornea remains clear with no evidence of graft rejection or failure.

Conclusions:

To the best of our knowledge, this is the longest reported outcome for selective endothelial replacement. The patient undergoing endokeratoplasty can achieve an excellent visual acuity and long-term graft survival.
Corneal Cellular and Neuroinflammatory Changes After SARS-CoV-2 Infection
Authors: Kolkedi Zsofia , Csutak Adrienne , Szalai Eszter
Published: March 2022

Purpose:

The purpose of this study was to evaluate corneal cellular and ultrastructural changes and to quantify the neuroinflammatory process in patients after mild severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection.

Methods:

Thirty patients after SARS-CoV-2 infection and 41 age-matched controls were examined. All subjects underwent in vivo confocal microscopy of the corneal cell layers and subbasal nerve fibers with the Heidelberg Retina Tomograph II. Semiautomated analysis of basal epithelial, anterior and posterior stromal keratocyte, and endothelial cell density was performed. Dendritic cell (DC) density and area were also calculated, and subbasal nerve plexus morphology was analyzed.

Results:

The posterior stromal keratocyte density was significantly lower in patients after SARS-CoV-2 infection (P = 0.0006). DC density in the central cornea was significantly higher in patients after SARS-CoV-2 infection (P = 0.0004). There was a significant difference in the DC area between the 2 groups (P < 0.0001). Significantly altered subbasal nerve fiber morphology was detected in patients after SARS-CoV-2 infection compared with healthy volunteers (P < 0.05).

Conclusions:

Corneal cellular and ultrastructural changes demonstrated in this study suggest neuroinflammatory consequences of COVID-19 in the cornea in the absence of ophthalmoscopic alterations.
Preexisting Mental Health Illness Among Victims of Sexual Assault: Case Studies to Inform Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner Practice
Authors: Scott Tilley Donna , Edwards Carrie , Richmond Misty , Stunkard Kimberly
Published: March 2022

Background

Sexual assault is a pervasive problem associated with negative long- and short-term consequences related to mental health consequences, educational function, physical health, and sexual and relationship functioning. People with mental illness, particularly those with psychotic disorders, have a significantly higher risk of becoming victims of violence compared with the general population.

Methods

Three case studies of women with preexisting mental health problems who were sexually assaulted and requested a sexual assault examination are presented. These cases illustrate common mental health problems, how mental health problems can be associated with an increased risk for sexual assault, and things the sexual assault nurse examiner (SANE) should consider in the care and treatment of these patients.

Results

These cases illustrate important ideas regarding the care of people who have been sexually assaulted: prioritizing safety, ethical issues related to consent, the importance of empathetic communication, and the need for SANEs to expand their knowledge to improve care of patients with mental health disorders.

Discussion

Being sexually assaulted can contribute to destabilization, prolongation, and exacerbation of existing mental illness, placing patients at an increased risk for sexual assault, beginning a vicious cycle of mental illness and violence. Working effectively with the interdisciplinary team, the SANE can help break this devastating cycle of violence.
Diversity Practices for Hiring the New Graduate Nurse
Authors: Montgomery Tiffany , Webb Tammy R. , Grimes Erika , Akinradewo Allan , Patton Lindsey
Published: March 2022

A multistep selection process was established to assist in securing top talent while achieving diversity objectives for a nurse residency program. The selection process incorporated objective scoring tools, diverse panel interviews, unconscious bias training, and standardized interview questions to decrease unconscious and implicit bias. As a result, the entry-level nursing workforce has become more diversified by race, gender, age, and academic training.
Prospective Pilot Study of Robotic-Assisted Harvest of the Latissimus Dorsi Muscle: A 510(k) Approval Study with U.S. Food and Drug Administration Investigational Device Exemption
Authors: Shuck John , Asaad Malke , Liu Jun , Clemens Mark W. , Selber Jesse C.
Published: March 2022

Background:

There are no U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)–approved indications for robotic plastic surgery. This study was designed to demonstrate safety and efficacy of the robotic latissimus dorsi harvest for FDA approval.

Methods:

This prospective, single-arm study was conducted under an investigational device exemption through the FDA for obtaining 510(k) approval. The primary safety endpoint was adverse events attributable to harvest. Primary efficacy endpoints included muscle viability after harvest and conversion to open technique. Secondary endpoints included postoperative pain and upper extremity function.

Results:

Fifteen patients enrolled, with a mean age of 50 ± 10 years and a mean body mass index of 25 ± 4 kg/m2. There were no adverse events, all muscles were viable after harvest, and there were zero conversions to open procedures. Visual analogue scale scores for pain progressively decreased postoperatively and returned to baseline, indicating resolution of postoperative pain. Physical therapy assessment demonstrated recovery of function in all range-of-movement domains by 36 weeks. There was no difference in function of the operated extremity between baseline and 36 weeks’ follow-up for Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (QuickDASH) questionnaire (p = 0.87); QuickDASH Work Module (p > 0.05); and QuickDASH Sports Module (p > 0.05).

Conclusions:

The use of the da Vinci Robotic Surgical System is safe based on zero adverse events attributable to harvest and efficacious based on 100 percent muscle viability after harvest and zero conversions to open technique. There appears to be little to no long-term functional deficit or pain from muscle harvest. Given these results and their own prestudy guidelines, the robotic latissimus dorsi qualifies for 510(k) submission by Intuitive Surgical and approval by the U.S. FDA.

CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE:

Therapeutic, IV.
Surgical Treatment of Granulomatous Breast Deformities Caused by Injection of Foreign Substances in Transgender Women: A Case Series and Algorithm
Authors: Cordero Daniella M. , Srinivasa Dhivya , Barnes Laura L. , Ray Edward , Terry Michael J.
Published: March 2022

Despite potentially devastating complications, free foreign substance injections for feminizing breast augmentation remain common among transgender women. To date, the literature regarding surgical treatment of these deformities among transgender women remains limited. The authors present a case series of transgender women presenting for surgical management of granulomatous breast deformities secondary to free foreign substance injections between January of 2016 and February of 2020. Seven transgender women presented for surgical management of complications secondary to free foreign substance injections of the breast. These patients ranged in age from 29 to 53 years, all identified as Hispanic/Latinx, and five were primarily Spanish speakers. All were recipients of public insurance. Six of the seven patients received free foreign substance injections outside of the United States, with an average time from initial injections to presentation of 19.3 ± 15.7 years. Three patients presented with a history of prior revisions by other surgeons. Four underwent staged reconstruction at the authors’ institutions. Patients were followed for, on average, 10.7 ± 12.6 months after their initial surgery. There were no major complications. The most common minor complication was delayed wound healing. In the present series, the authors illustrate that, with careful consideration and patient selection, it is possible to perform safe and successful breast reconstruction for the management of foreign substance granulomas in transgender women. They also provide an algorithm based on patient-specific factors to guide treatment decisions in this patient population. Further research is needed to determine the generalizability and applicability of this algorithm.

CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE:

Therapeutic, IV.
Genomic landscape of Epstein–Barr virus in familial nasopharyngeal carcinoma
Authors: Zhang Wen-Li , Zhang Jiang-Bo , Wang Tong-Min , Wu Yan-Xia , He Yong-Qiao , Xue Wen-Qiong , Liao Ying , Deng Chang-Mi , Li Dan-Hua , Wu Zi-Yi , Yang Da-Wei , Zheng Xiao-Hui , Li Xi-Zhao , Zhou Ting , Zhang Pei-Fen , Zhang Shao-Dan , Hu Ye-Zhu , Jia Wei-Hua
Published: March 2022

To better understand the genomic characteristics of Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) in familial nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), we sequenced the EBV genomes by whole-genome capture in 38 unrelated patients with NPC family history in first-degree relatives and 47 healthy controls, including 13 with family history and 34 without. Compared with type 1 reference genome, mutation hotspots were observed in the latent gene regions of EBV in familial NPC cases. Population structure analysis showed that one cluster has a higher frequency in familial cases than in controls (OR=5.33, 95 % CI 2.50–11.33, P=1.42×10−5), and similar population structure composition was observed among familial and sporadic NPC cases in high-endemic areas. By genome-wide association analysis, four variants were found to be significantly associated with familial NPC. Consistent results were observed in the meta-analysis integrating two published case-control EBV sequencing studies in NPC high-endemic areas. High-risk haplotypes of EBV composed of 34 variants were associated with familial NPC risk (OR=13.85, 95 % CI 4.13–46.44, P=2.06×10−5), and higher frequency was observed in healthy blood-relative controls with NPC family history (9/13, 69.23 %) than those without family history (16/34, 47.06%). This study suggested the potential contribution of EBV high-risk subtypes to familial aggregation of NPC.
Changes in both top-down and bottom-up effective connectivity drive visual hallucinations in Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Thomas George EC , Zeidman Peter , Sultana Tajwar , Zarkali Angeliki , Razi Adeel , Weil Rimona S
Published: March 2022

Visual hallucinations are common in Parkinson’s disease and are associated with poorer quality of life and higher risk of dementia. An important and influential model that is widely accepted as an explanation for the mechanism of visual hallucinations in Parkinson’s disease and other Lewy-body diseases is that these arise due to aberrant hierarchical processing, with impaired bottom-up integration of sensory information and overweighting of top-down perceptual priors within the visual system. This hypothesis has been driven by behavioural data and supported indirectly by observations derived from regional activation and correlational measures using neuroimaging. However, until now, there was no evidence from neuroimaging for differences in causal influences between brain regions measured in patients with Parkinson’s hallucinations. This is in part because previous resting-state studies focus on functional connectivity, which is inherently undirected in nature and cannot test hypotheses about directionality of connectivity. Spectral dynamic causal modelling is a Bayesian framework that allows the inference of effective connectivity – defined as the directed (causal) influence that one region exerts on another region – from resting-state functional MRI data. In the current study, we utilise spectral dynamic causal modelling to estimate effective connectivity within the resting-state visual network in our cohort of 15 Parkinson’s disease visual hallucinators, and 75 Parkinson’s disease non-hallucinators. We find that visual hallucinators display decreased bottom-up effective connectivity from the lateral geniculate nucleus to primary visual cortex and increased top-down effective connectivity from left prefrontal cortex to primary visual cortex and medial thalamus, as compared to non-hallucinators. Importantly, we find that the pattern of effective connectivity is predictive of the presence of visual hallucinations and associated with their severity within the hallucinating group. This is the first study to provide evidence, using resting state effective connectivity, to support a model of aberrant hierarchical predictive processing as the mechanism for visual hallucinations in Parkinson’s disease.
Nanobubbles are Non-Echogenic for Fundamental-Mode Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound Imaging
Authors: Myers John Z. , Navarro-Becerra J. Angel , Borden Mark A.
Published: March 2022

Microbubbles (1–10 µm diameter) have been used as conventional ultrasound contrast agents (UCAs) for applications in contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) imaging. Nanobubbles (<1 µm diameter) have recently been proposed as potential extravascular UCAs that can extravasate from the leaky vasculature of tumors or sites of inflammation. However, the echogenicity of nanobubbles for CEUS remains controversial owing to prior studies that have shown very low ultrasound backscatter. We hypothesize that microbubble contamination in nanobubble formulations may explain the discrepancy. To test our hypothesis, we examined the size distributions of lipid-coated nanobubble and microbubble suspensions using multiple sizing techniques, examined their echogenicity in an agar phantom with fundamental-mode CEUS at 7 MHz and 330 kPa peak negative pressure, and interpreted our results with simulations of the modified Rayleigh-Plesset model. We found that nanobubble formulations contained a small contamination of microbubbles. Once the contribution from these microbubbles is removed from the acoustic backscatter, the acoustic contrast of the nanobubbles was shown to be near noise levels. This result indicates that nanobubbles have limited utility as UCAs for CEUS.
The clinically relevant MTARC1 p.Ala165Thr variant impacts neither the fold nor active site architecture of the human mARC1 protein
Authors: Struwe Michel Alexander , Clement Bernd , Scheidig Axel J
Published: March 2022

Recent genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have shown a common variant of the mARC1 protein to be associated with liver disease. Herein, we present the crystal structure of this mARC1 p.Ala165Thr at near-atomic resolution. No relevant differences between the structure of wild type mARC1 and the variant protein are detected.
Machine-learning algorithm for identifying and predicting amyotrophic lateral sclerosis causal mutations
Authors: Kamrava Serveh , Sahimi Ali , Ichida Justin , Sahimi Muhammad
Published: March 2022

We propose a machine learning (ML) method to classify ALS–causative and non–ALS–causative variants based on 24 variables in five different datasets. The proposed ML method classifies the five datasets with very high accuracy. In particular, it predicts the ALS variants with 100 percent accuracy, while its accuracy for the non-ALS variants is up to 99.31 percent. The trained classifier also identifies the nine most influencial mutation assessors that help distinguishing the two classes from each other. They are FATHMM_score, PROVEAN_score, Vest3_score, CADD_phred, DANN_score, meta-SVM_score, phyloP7way_vertebrate, metaLR, and REVEL. Thus, they may be used in future studies in order to reduce the time and cost of collecting data and carrying out experimental tests, as well as in studies with more focus on the recognized assessors.
Characterization of prefusion-F-specific antibodies elicited by natural infection with human metapneumovirus
Authors: Rush Scott A. , Brar Gurpreet , Hsieh Ching-Lin , Chautard Emilie , Rainho-Tomko Jennifer N. , Slade Chris , Bricault Christine A. , Kume Ana , Kearns James , Groppo Rachel , Mundle Sophia , Zhang Linong , Casimiro Danilo , Fu Tong-Ming , DiNapoli Joshua M. , McLellan Jason S.
Published: March 2022

Human metapneumovirus (hMPV) is a major cause of acute respiratory tract infections in infants and the elderly for which there are no approved vaccines or antibody therapies. The viral fusion (F) glycoprotein is required for entry and is the primary target of neutralizing antibodies, however, little is known about the humoral immune response generated by humans as a result of natural infection. Here, we use stabilized hMPV F proteins to interrogate memory B cells from two elderly donors. We obtained over 700 paired non-IgM antibody sequences representing 563 clonotypes, indicative of a highly polyclonal antibody response to hMPV F in these individuals. Characterization of 136 of these monoclonal antibodies revealed broad recognition of the hMPV F surface, with potent neutralizing antibodies targeting each antigenic site. Cryo-EM structures of two neutralizing antibodies reveal the molecular basis for recognition of two prefusion-specific epitopes at the membrane-distal apex of hMPV F. Collectively these results provide new insights into the humoral response to hMPV infection in the elderly and will guide development of novel vaccine antigens.
Zfp503/Nlz2 is Required for RPE Differentiation and Optic Fissure Closure
Authors: Boobalan Elangovan , Thompson Amy H. , Alur Ramakrishna P. , McGaughey David , Dong Lijin , Shih Grace , Vieta-Ferrer Emile R. , Onojafe Ighovie F. , Kalaskar Vijay K. , Arno Gavin , Lotery Andrew J. , Guan Bin , Bender Chelsea , Memon Omar , Brinster Lauren , Soleilhavoup Clement , Panman Lia , Badea Tudor C. , Minella Andrea , Lopez Antonio Jacobo , Thomasy Sara , Moshiri Ala ,   Genomics England Research Consortium, Blain Delphine , Hufnagel Robert B. , Cogliati Tiziana , Bharti Kapil , Brooks Brian P.
Published: March 2022

Purpose

Uveal coloboma is a congenital eye malformation caused by failure of the optic fissure to close in early human development. Despite significant progress in identifying genes whose regulation is important for executing this closure, mutations are detected in a minority of cases using known gene panels, implying additional genetic complexity. We have previously shown knock down of znf503 (the ortholog of mouse Zfp503) in zebrafish causes coloboma. Here we characterize Zfp503 knock out (KO) mice and evaluate transcriptomic profiling of mutant vs. wild-type (WT) retinal pigment epithelium (RPE)/Choroid.

Methods

Zfp503 KO mice were generated by gene targeting using homologous recombination. Embryos were characterized grossly and histologically. Patterns and level of developmentally relevant proteins/genes were examined with immunostaining/in situ hybridization. The transcriptomic profile of E11.5 KO RPE/choroid was compared to that of WT.

Results

Zfp503 is dynamically expressed in developing mouse eyes and that loss of its expression results in uveal coloboma. KO embryos exhibit altered mRNA levels and expression patterns of several key transcription factors involved in eye development, including Otx2, Mitf, Pax6, Pax2, Vax1 and Vax2, resulting in reduced melanin pigmentation in the presumptive RPE and its differentiation into neural-retina-like lineages. Comparison of RNA-Seq data from wild type and KO E11.5 embryos demonstrated reduced expression of melanin-related genes and significant overlap with genes known to be dynamically regulated at the optic fissure.

Conclusions

These results demonstrate a critical role of Zfp503 in RPE differentiation and in optic fissure closure.
catena-Poly[[tetrakis(3,5-dimethyl-1H-pyrazole-κN
2)copper(II)]-μ2-sulfato-κ2
O:O′]: crystal structure and Hirshfeld surface analysis of a CuII coordination polymer
Authors: Vynohradov Oleksandr S. , Dovzhik Artur , Pavlenko Vadim A. , Naumova Dina D. , Golenya Irina A. , Shova Sergiu
Published: March 2022

The title coordination polymer, [Cu(SO4)(C5H8N2)4]
n
, was synthesized using a one-pot reaction of copper powder, anhydrous copper(II) sulfate and 3,5-dimethyl-1H-pyrazole (Hdmpz) in acetonitrile under ambient conditions. The asymmetric unit can be described as a chain consisting of four [Cu(SO4)(Hdmpz)4] formula units that are connected to each other by a μ2-sulfato-bridged ligand. The octahedral coordination geometry (O2N4) of all copper atoms is realized by coordination of four pyrazole ligands and two sulfate ligands. Four pyridine-like N atoms of the pyrazole ligands occupy the equatorial positions, while two oxygen atoms of two sulfate ligands are in axial positions. As a result of the sulfate ligand rotation, there is a pairwise alternation of terminal O atoms (which are not involved in coordination to the copper atom) of the SO4 tetrahedra. The Cu...Cu distances within one asymmetric unit are in the range 7.0842 (12)–7.1554 (12) Å. The crystal structure is built up from polymeric chains packed in a parallel manner along the b-axis direction. Hirshfeld surface analysis suggests that the most important contributions to the surface contacts are from H...H (74.7%), H...O/O...H (14.8%) and H...C/C...H (8.2%) interactions.
Greenfield FDI attractiveness index: a machine learning approach
Authors: Alon Ilan , Bretas Vanessa P.G. , Sclip Alex , Paltrinieri Andrea
Published: March 2022

Purpose

This study aims to propose a comprehensive greenfield foreign direct investment (FDI) attractiveness index using exploratory factor analysis and automated machine learning (AML). We offer offer a robust empirical measurement of location-choice factors identified in the FDI literature through a novel method and provide a tool for assessing the countries' investment potential.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on five conceptual key sub-domains of FDI, We collected quantitative indicators in several databases with annual data ranging from 2006 to 2019. This study first run a factor analysis to identify the most important features. It then uses AML to assess the relative importance of each resultant factor and generate a calibrated index. AML computational algorithms minimize predictive errors, explore patterns in the data and make predictions in an empirically robust way.

Findings

Openness conditions and economic growth are the most relevant factors to attract FDI identified in the study. Luxembourg, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malta and Ireland are the top five countries with the highest overall greenfield attractiveness index. This study also presents specific indices for the three sectors: energy, financial services, information and communication technology (ICT) and electronics.

Originality/value

Existent indexes present deficiencies in conceptualization and measurement, lacking theoretical foundation, arbitrary selection of factors and use of limited linear models. This study’s index is developed in a robust three-stage process. The use of AML configures an advantage compared to traditional linear and additive models, as it selects the best model considering the predictive capacity of many models simultaneously.
Escaping from institutional weakness by EM-MNEs: the role of firms’ resources vulnerability
Authors: Losada-Otálora Mauricio , Andonova Veneta
Published: March 2022

Purpose

How does emerging market multinational enterprises’ (EM MNEs) resource vulnerability to domestic institutional weakness influence the escapist outward foreign direct investment (OFDI)? This study aims to focus on how varying qualities of technological resources make EM MNEs vulnerable to institutional weakness at home and when such a vulnerability triggers escapist OFDI.

Design/methodology/approach

A mix of primary and secondary data is used to study evidence of escapist OFDI in the case of multilatinas. Structural equation modelling and hierarchical regressions were applied to test the hypotheses.

Findings

Domestic institutional weakness triggers escapist OFDI only when EM MNEs’ resources are vulnerable to institutional pressures. Technological leadership increases the vulnerability of EM MNEs to the pressure of institutional weaknesses at home, which, in turn, motivates escapist OFDI.

Originality/value

In discussing the role of firm resources and their vulnerability to institutional weakness, a mechanism is proposed to shed light on how EM MNEs transform the general country framework of the institutional environment into the specific decision to escape via OFDI.
Consequences of abusive supervision on Indian service sector professionals: a PLS-SEM-based approach
Authors: Srivastava Shalini , Pradhan Sajeet , Singh Lata Bajpai , Madan Poornima
Published: March 2022

Purpose

The present study aims to investigate the direct and indirect relationship between abusive supervision (AS) and employees’ intention to quit (ITQ) and employee misconduct (EM). Though the direct relationship was investigated in past studies; however, the indirect effect of the said relationships via workplace ostracism (WO) and the interaction effect of resilience on the direct relationship based on the conservation of resource theory and social exchange theory were hardly explored.

Design/methodology/approach

The data was collected through a cross-sectional survey using standardized measures. In the current study, the responses from 575 respondents were analysed using partial least squares structural equation modeling to test the hypotheses.

Findings

The study’s findings stressed that AS positively affects an employee’s ITQ and EM. WO was found to be a significant mediator and resilience as a significant moderator for AS, ITQ and EM relationships.

Originality/value

The study is one of the few studies in the Indian context linking AS to ITQ and EM in the presence of WO as a mediator and resilience as a moderator.
The role of robots in entertainment
Authors: Bogue Robert
Published: March 2022

Purpose

This study aims to provide an insight into the role of robots in the entertainment industry.

Design/methodology/approach

Following a short introduction, this study first considers applications in amusement parks and robotic rides and highlights some current development activities. It then discusses the roles of robots in film making. This is followed by a consideration of the role of humanoid robots and applications in the performing arts and includes details of some recent research. Finally, brief conclusions are drawn.

Findings

This study shows that robots are used in many sectors of the entertainment industry. These include applications in amusement parks which will expand due to technological innovations; camera control and the creation of special effects in film making; and all manner of existing and emerging applications in the performing arts, including dance, music and opera, where humanoid robots play a key role. Several fully robotic rock bands have been developed and recent research has shown that artificial intelligence techniques can allow robots to compose as well as play music.

Originality/value

This study shows the growing importance of robots in the entertainment industry by providing details of a selection of applications.
Political affiliation types and corporate social responsibility (CSR) commitment: evidence from Indonesia
Authors: Selin Maria , Joni Joni , Ahmed Kamran
Published: March 2022

Purpose

This study aims to examine the association between political affiliation types and corporate social responsibility (CSR) commitment for listed companies in Indonesia stock exchange (emerging economy) from 2015 to 2017.

Design/methodology/approach

The final sample of this research is 1,121 firm-year observations across industries, except the financial sector, because they are under different regulations. To estimate the association, ordinary least square regression is used. Also, the authors check our results using an alternative measure of political affiliations, additional control variables and the generalized method of moment model for endogeneity problems.

Findings

The result indicates that corporate political affiliations, particularly through military and industry-specialized people, have a significantly positive effect on CSR commitment. After testing for endogeneity problems, the findings remain similar.

Research limitations/implications

This study implies to the literature by providing empirical findings on how different types of political connections, particularly affiliation through board members with the specifically industry-specialized person and military, influence CSR commitments. Also, the authors show an exchange relationship between government and affiliated firms as the primary external motivation for performing CSR in Indonesia. When investors, creditors and policymakers comprehend the political incentives behind CSR performance, it can enable them to create better business valuations and effective CSR strategies in developing countries. However, this study is subject to several limitations. First, the authors do not examine the effect of a different regime with different types of power. Second, the qualitative aspect of the association between political affiliation and CSR is not explored yet.

Originality/value

The authors investigate the impact of several types of political affiliations on the nonfinancial outcome (CSR) in the context of an emerging country where business practices are heavily influenced by political connections and the military’s dominance.
Bridging the supply chain resilience research and practice gaps: pre and post COVID-19 perspectives
Authors: Sarkar Piyal , Mohamed Ismail Mohamed Wahab , Tkachev Timur
Published: March 2022

Purpose

In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, all business sectors have critical needs. They face multiple challenges to restructuring their operations to build a resilient, cost-effective and sustainable supply chain. Therefore, this paper aims to investigate the practice and the research gaps related to supply chains.

Design/methodology/approach

This research paper is influenced by a literature review of the past decade. This review paper incorporates industry challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, including future steps toward developing resilient supply chains in the new normal economy. The research provides a detailed framework for designing cost-effective survivable supply chains that withstand disruptions for the long term.

Findings

The proposed research focuses on the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on supply chains and attempts to bridge pre and post COVID-19 research and practice gaps. Post-COVID-19 resilient supply chains need to be transformed into survivable supply chains. The survivability of the supply chain can be achieved by combining both supply chain resilience and supply chain viability measures. To the best of the authors’ belief, this is the first study that grounds a theory to provide interconnection of five critical supply chain concepts to manage supply chain risk. This study is uniquely positioned to develop a theoretical framework to design a cost-effective, resilient and sustainable supply chain by establishing the interconnection among these concepts in supply chains. This framework helps practitioners to implement the key strategies at the operational, tactical and strategic levels that enhance maturity in supply chains.

Research limitations/implications

The research findings are based on secondary reports such as industry reports, cases, research papers and expert opinions. The authors tried to consult with many companies. However, they were reluctant to share the recovery plan information from COVID. Also, as COVID still exists in many places in Canada, the authors could not gather every intended information from the companies. However, the authors have successfully shared the outcomes of this research with a reputed retail company in Canada. They recognized the importance of survivability in supply chains. Going forward, business organizations need to design cost-effective, sustainable and survivable supply chains.

Originality/value

The study attempts to unify current research dealing with supply chain resilience. The study concludes with the limitations of the current research. It highlights the prospects of future research and bridges the supply chain practice gaps from the challenges faced by industries due to COVID-19. The study contributes to the literature by identifying gaps to bridge the supply chain practice and reiterating new research directions to develop a cost-effective, survivable and sustainable supply chain.
Drivers of social entrepreneurial intentions of Palestinian refugees in Lebanon
Authors: Abou Chakra Samia Mahmoud , Al Jardali Hussein
Published: March 2022

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the impact of the three institutional environment dimensions: regulatory, cognitive and normative on the development of social entrepreneurial intentions of Palestinian refugees in Lebanon.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper follows the mixed-method methodology. Semistructured interviews were first conducted to collect primary data from 17 respondents from the Palestinian refugee community. The qualitative study was followed by a cross-sectional survey of 160 refugees administered at three Palestinian camps in Lebanon. A structural equation modeling technique using SmartPLS software was used to analyze the survey data.

Findings

This paper found that with the absence of an impact of the regulatory dimension, the roles of the cognitive and normative dimensions are more prominent in the context of the Palestinian refugees in Lebanon.

Originality/value

This paper provides policymakers in Lebanon with a better understanding of the context of the Palestinian camps and contributes to the social entrepreneurship (SE) knowledge as it establishes the effectiveness of the Country’s Institutional Profile in this under-researched population. Furthermore, this research proposes some recommendations that would enhance the level of SE in camps and provide suggestions for future research. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this research may be the first study of SE in Palestinian refugee camps in Lebanon.
Application of confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) as the basis of the evaluation of the green building certification systems
Authors: Blackburne Laura , Gharehbaghi Koorosh , Farnes Ken , Moore Olivia , Russo Melisa
Published: March 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the green building certification systems. In doing so, a validation process, using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), was undertaken.

Design/methodology/approach

An extensive literature review was conducted to highlight the paramount aspects of green building certification systems. Then, using a grounded theory, key findings of the initial literature review were explored. This was necessary to form a broad theoretical framework. Finally, CFA was performed to evaluate various green building certification systems.

Findings

Initially, it was noted that accreditation process was the central key for effective building certification systems, particularly at the international level. Further, using CFA, it was also determined that to increase the sustainable performance of the green building certification, meeting the increasing expectation of the system user is paramount.

Practical implications

When evaluating the green building certification systems, it is recommended to focus on a specific aspect of the programmes holistically. This needs to be done particularly towards delivering a clear message to the stakeholders globally; doing so may alleviate the many challenges of green building certifications.

Originality/value

Currently, various green building certification systems have been developed for local purposes. This raises the question of the adaptability of these systems across varying climates and geography in differing regions. Using CFA, this research will examine various green building certification systems to evaluate their applicability at a global level.
The influence of biological sex on latent fingermark aging as examined by the color contrast technique
Authors: De Alcaraz‐Fossoul Josep , Einfalt Mallory R. , Kammrath Brooke W.
Published: March 2022

This research further expands previous studies in which color contrast between ridges and furrows was examined as a possible age indicator for latent fingermarks. Here, the variable biological sex and its influence on aging were investigated. A total of 756 sebaceous‐rich impressions from seven males and seven females were deposited on glass and polystyrene plastic and aged in the dark for three months. At nine discrete times, random fingermarks were visualized with a titanium dioxide–based powder (TiO2), photographed, and edited in Photoshop® to collect pixel color data. Two color contrast‐related metrics, mean color intensity (MI) and intensity amplitude (IA), were analyzed to determine whether the aging processes of biological male and female fingermarks were equivalent. These metrics revealed that impressions from the different biological sexes behaved in a similar manner over time. However, significant effects between substrates were observed. Quadratic regression models best represented the aging trends based on the MI and IA metrics for both male and female fingermarks. The correlation coefficients (R) and coefficients of determination (R2) were moderate to strong for impressions on glass but weaker for plastic. These findings indicated that biological male and female fingermarks could be incorporated into a single universal age estimation model per substrate when utilizing color contrast as an age indicator. Nonetheless, future studies are needed to better understand aging processes on plastic when using this methodology and to determine the life expectancy (i.e., the potential for identification) of latent fingermarks beyond three months.
When Should Data and Code be Made Available?
Authors: Heyard Rachel , Held Leonhard
Published: March 2022

Sharing data and code as part of a research publication is crucial for ensuring the computational reproducibility of scientific work. But sharing should be done at the article submission stage, not after publication as it is now, say Rachel Heyard and Leonhard Held. Statisticians and data scientists have the skills and tools to make this change and lead by example, though there are obstacles to overcome
Can Data Visualisations Mobilise People to Act?
Authors: Frątczak Monika
Published: March 2022

Monika Frątczak shares findings from her PhD research exploring emotional responses to datavis and engagement with climate-related issues