bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparisons of minimally invasive esophagectomy and open esophagectomy in lymph node metastasis/dissection for thoracic esophageal cancer
Authors: Li Zhenhua , Gai Chunyue , Zhang Yuefeng , Wen Shiwang , Lv Huilai , Xu Yanzhao , Huang Chao , Zhao Bo , Tian Ziqiang
Published: December 2022

Background:

The study aimed to clarify the characteristics of lymph node metastasis (LNM) and to compare the oncologic outcomes of minimally invasive esophagectomy (MIE) with open esophagectomy (OE) in terms of lymph node dissection (LND) in thoracic esophageal cancer patients.

Methods:

The data from esophageal cancer patients who underwent MIE or OE from January 2016 to January 2019 were retrospectively reviewed. The characteristics of LNM in thoracic esophageal cancer were discussed, and the differences in numbers of LND, LND rate, and LNM rate/degree of upper mediastinum between MIE and OE were compared.

Results:

For overall characteristics of LNM in 249 included patients, the highest rate of LNM was found in upper mediastinum, while LNM rate in middle and lower mediastinum, and abdomen increased with the tumor site moving down. The patients were divided into MIE (n = 204) and OE groups (n = 45). In terms of number of LND, there were significant differences in upper mediastinum between MIE and OE groups (8 [5, 11] vs. 5 [3, 8], P < 0.001). The comparative analysis of regional lymph node showed there was no significant difference except the subgroup of upper mediastinal 2L and 4L group (3 [1, 5] vs. 0 [0, 2], P < 0.001 and 0 [0, 2] vs. 0, P = 0.012, respectively). Meanwhile, there was no significant difference in terms of LND rate except 2L (89.7% [183/204] vs. 71.1% [32/45], P = 0.001) and 4L (41.2% [84/204] vs. 22.2% [10/45], P = 0.018) groups. For LNM rate of T3 stage, there was no significant difference between MIE and OE groups, and the comparative analysis of regional lymph node showed that there was no significant difference except 2L group (11.1% [5/45] vs. 38.1% [8/21], P = 0.025). The LNM degree of OE group was significantly higher than that of MIE group (27.2% [47/173] vs. 7.6% [32/419], P < 0.001), and the comparative analysis of regional LNM degree showed that there was no significant difference except 2L (34.7% [17/49] vs. 7.7% [13/169], P < 0.001) and 4L (23.8% [5/21] vs. 3.9% [2/51], P = 0.031) subgroups.

Conclusion:

MIE may have an advantage in LND of upper mediastinum 2L and 4L groups, while it was similar to OE in other stations of LND.
Welfare practices for anaesthesiology trainees in Europe
Authors: Berger-Estilita Joana , Leitl Jacqueline , Vacas Susana , Neskovic Vojislava , Stüber Frank , Zdravkovic Marko
Published: December 2022

BACKGROUND

Current regulations of anaesthesiology training programmes may affect gender equity, female representation and leadership.

OBJECTIVE

To describe the work regulations of anaesthesiology training programs and working conditions during the early period of child-rearing in European countries.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional survey.

SETTING

National Anesthesiologists Societies Committee (NASC) representatives of the European Society of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care.

PARTICIPANTS

Thirty-eight NASC representatives.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Basic specialist training working conditions, gender-related data, return to work after childbirth and workplace policies against discrimination during anaesthesiology specialist training.

INTERVENTION(S)

A 48-item questionnaire to explore the work patterns and conditions for trainees especially for new parents, professional development opportunities and work discrimination regulations in each representative country was distributed to NASC representatives of 44 European countries.

RESULTS

We collected the replies of each representative (38 representatives from 44 invited countries’ representatives, 86% response rate). The median [IQR] proportion of female trainees was 60% [50 to 68]. There were no reported pay differences between sexes. In eight European countries, pregnant trainees worked fewer hours and were excused from night shifts. Women could not be laid off during pregnancy in all 38 countries (100%). The countries offered a median of 18 weeks of paid (total or partial) maternity leave (range, 13 to 60 weeks). Most countries (89%) accommodate paid paternity leaves. A significant proportion of parental leave was unpaid (n=18, 42%). Twenty-one (55%) countries allowed part-time work after delivery. The UK was the only country with clear recommendations to formally complain after harassment.

CONCLUSION

European countries have a wide variety of regulations. On paper, numerous countries have various paid maternal, paternal and parental leave; however, it remains to be determined if such leave takes place in practice. The practical consequences of these regulations on female trainees during the child-rearing period need to be explored further.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

None
Thoracic Duct Lymphovenous Bypass: A Preliminary Case Series, Surgical Techniques, and Expected Physiologic Outcomes
Authors: Toyoda Yoshiko , Fowler Cody , Mazzaferro Daniel M. , McGraw J. Reed , Othman Sammy , Azoury Said C. , Itkin Maxim , Kovach III Stephen J.
Published: December 2022

Background:

In patients with recalcitrant mechanical thoracic duct obstruction, microsurgical lymphovenous bypass is an emerging therapeutic option. We herein discuss the preoperative workup, share our current operative technique, and evaluate preliminary outcomes with an emphasis on changes in physiology.

Methods:

A retrospective review of adult patients who underwent thoracic duct lymphovenous bypass by a single surgeon and interventional radiologist from 2019 to 2022 was performed. Demographics, comorbidities, perioperative data, and postoperative outcomes were collected.

Results:

Nine patients were included in the study. Immediate postoperative heart rate increased significantly among this heterogeneous patient population, but within 4–6 hours the change in heart rate was no longer significant. Mean arterial pressure and oxygen requirement were not significantly different before and after bypass.

Conclusions:

Thoracic duct lymphovenous bypass seem to be well tolerated in the short-term even in patients with cardiopulmonary comorbidities. Further data are necessary to continue to better understand the resulting physiologic changes and to optimize patient outcomes.
Clinical Best Practices for Radiation Safety During Lutetium-177 Therapy
Authors: Cappon Derek John , Fang Susanna , Berry Kendall , Capone Gina , Carlton Gina L. , Chrétien Mario , Gough John , Kamen Jacob , Khoorshed Anne , Miller Andy , Nelli Stephen , Petric M. Peter , Tourneur Frank , Zic Josip J.
Published: December 2022

Importance

177Lu therapy as part of theranostic treatment for cancer is expanding but it can be a challenge for sites with limited radiation protection staff to implement the radiation safety program required for therapeutic nuclear medicine.

Objective

To increase the adoption of 177Lu therapy, especially in smaller centers and clinics, by providing a collection of radiation safety best practices and operational experience. To provide a resource for radiation safety officers supporting the implementation of a 177Lu therapy program.

Methods

A panel of 11 radiation safety professionals representing sites across Canada and the United States with experience delivering 177Lu therapy was assembled and discussed their responses to a list of questions focused on the following radiation safety topics: facility layout and design; radiation safety program; and drug management and patient care.

Results

A comprehensive set of best practice guidelines for clinical radiation safety during 177Lu therapy has been developed based on the collective operational experience of a group of radiation safety professionals. Significant findings included that 177Lu therapy is often safely administered in unshielded rooms, that staff radiation exposure associated with 177Lu therapy is minimal relative to other nuclear medicine programs, and that some relatively simple preparation in advance including papering of common surfaces and planning for incontinence can effectively control contamination during therapy.

Conclusion

The guidance contained in this paper will assist radiation safety professionals in the implementation of safe, effective 177Lu therapy programs, even at smaller sites with limited to no experience in therapeutic nuclear medicine.
Assessment of Esophageal Motility in Patients With Eosinophilic Esophagitis
Authors: Sykes Catherine , Fairlamb Grace , Fox Mark , Sweis Rami
Published: December 2022

Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is a chronic, immune-mediated condition causing esophageal symptoms, particularly dysphagia. Despite the important progress in the treatment of EoE, a significant proportion of patients continue to report symptoms that negatively impact quality of life. Esophageal manometry is used to assess motility and function, but is not routinely used in EoE. We aimed to systematically review and describe current literature evaluating esophageal manometry in EoE. Forty-eight studies meeting the criteria were identified, describing 802 patients. Using standard water swallow protocols, the proportion of abnormalities detected was not dissimilar to other populations, apart from disorders of esophago-gastric outflow, which were found in 5%. Twelve studies described pretreatment and posttreatment manometry, with motility normalization after pharmacological therapy reported in 20%. Early, brief panesophageal pressurization was described in a number of studies and was more prevalent in the few studies utilizing additional provocation testing. Reports in the literature regarding temporal relationships between manometric findings and symptoms are variable. Esophageal manometry may be capable of detecting clinically relevant changes to esophageal function in EoE. Possible mechanisms are altered neuromuscular function because of secretory products of EoE and/or fibroinflammatory processes, manifesting as pressurization because of altered esophageal compliance. Some changes may be reversible with therapy. Drawing strong conclusions from the literature is difficult, with bias toward case reports and retrospective observation. Adaptations to assessment protocols to include provocation testing may provide more robust evaluation and detect clinically relevant, subtle changes in esophageal function, earlier within the patient pathway.
In vitro models to study Clostridioides difficile infection: current systems and future advances
Authors: Ewin Duncan , Birch William Davis , Moura Ines B.
Published: December 2022

Purpose of review

Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) is the most common cause of healthcare-associated diarrhoea in western countries, being categorized as an urgent healthcare threat. Historically, researchers have relied on the use of in vivo animal models to study CDI pathogenesis; however, differences in physiology and disease prognosis compared with humans limit their suitability to model CDI. In vitro models are increasingly being used as an alternative as they offer excellent process control, and some are able to use human ex-vivo prokaryotic and/or eukaryotic cells.

Recent findings

Simulating the colonic environment in vitro is particularly challenging. Bacterial fermentation models have been used to evaluate novel therapeutics, explore the re-modelling of the gut microbiota, and simulate disease progression. However, they lack the scalability to become more widespread. Models that co-culture human and bacterial cells are of particular interest, but the different conditions required by each cell type make these models challenging to run. Recent advancements in model design have allowed for longer culture times with more representative bacterial populations.

As in vitro models continue to evolve, they become more physiologically relevant, offering improved simulations of CDI, and extending their applicability.
Comparison of diagnostic accuracy of Xpert MTB/RIF and Geno type MTBDRplus line probe assayfor diagnosis of tuberculous pleural effusion

Authors: Sharif Ayesha , Vaqar Maham , Jabeen Kauser , Irfan Muhammad
Published: December 2022

Background :
Tuberculous pleural effusion (TPE) occurs in up to 25% of TB patients. Owing to the pauci-bacillary nature of the pleural fluid, the diagnosis of TPE is a challenge. Newer diagnostic tools are required for the rapid diagnosis of TPE.
Objectives :
To compare the sensitivity and specificity of Xpert MTB/RIF and Geno type MTBDRplus line probe assay (MTBDRplus) for diagnosing TPE. 
Methods :
A prospective cross-sectional study was performed at Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan from August 2014 to January 2016. Patients with suspected TPE were recruited on the basis of history, exudative lymphocytic nature of effusion and raised adenosine daminase level. Pleural fluid samples were tested for AFB smear, culture, Xpert MTB/RIFand MTBDR plus .
Results : 
We enrolled 99 patients with mean age of 50.4±20.3 years. AFB culture was positive in 14 (14.14%) cases. Considering AFB culture as Gold standard, the sensitivity of Xpert MTB/RIF was found to be 57.14% (95% CI: 28.86 – 82.34%) and specificity was 97.65% (95% CI: 91.76 - 99.71%) and the sensitivity of MTBDR plus  was  35.71% (95% CI: 12.76 – 64.86%) and specificity was 98.82% (95% CI: 93.62 - 99.90%).The sensitivity of Xpert MTB/RIF in TPE was higher than MTBDRplus (p 0.013), while specificity was similar.
Conclusion : 
Xpert MTB/RIF is more sensitive for detecting TPE than MTBDRplus and AFB smear microscopy. A multicenter, large-sample study is needed to evaluate this method for early TPE diagnosis.
Resolving intergenotypicStrigaresistance in sorghum
Authors: Mutinda Sylvia , Mobegi Fredrick M. , Hale Brett , Dayou Olivier , Ateka Elijah , Wijeratne Asela , Wicke Susann , Bellis Emily S. , Runo Steven
Published: December 2022

Genetic underpinnings of host-pathogen interactions in the parasitic plantStriga hermonthica,a root parasitic plant that ravages cereals in sub-Saharan Africa, are unclear. We performed a comparative transcriptome study on five genotypes of sorghum exhibiting diverse resistance responses toS. hermonthicausing weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA). We found thatS. hermonthicaelicits both basal and effector-triggered immunity – like a bona fide pathogen. Resistance response was genotype-specific. Some resistance responses followed the salicylic acid-dependent signaling pathway for systemic acquired resistance characterized by cell wall reinforcements, lignification and callose deposition while in others the WRKY-dependent signaling pathway was activated leading to a hypersensitive response (HR). In some genotypes, both modes of resistance were activated while in others, either mode dominated the resistance response. Cell-wall-based resistance was common to all sorghum genotypes but strongest in IS2814, while HR-based response was specific to N13, IS9830 and IS41724. WGCNA further allowed for pinpointing ofS. hermonthicaresistance causative genes in sorghum. Some highlights include a Glucan synthase-like 10, a pathogenesis-related thaumatin-like family, and a phosphoinositide phosphatase gene. Such candidate genes will form a good basis for subsequent functional validation and possibly future resistance breeding.

Highlight

Parasitic plants of theStrigagenus are major pests to cereals in Africa. We pinpointed genetic causes ofStrigaresistance in sorghum that can be harnessed for future resistance breeding.
Shear Stress Induces a Time-Dependent Inflammatory Response in Human Monocyte-Derived Macrophages
Authors: Jui Elysa , Kingsley Griffin , Phan Hong Kim T. , Singampalli Kavya L. , Birla Ravi K. , Connell Jennifer P. , Keswani Sundeep G. , Grande-Allen K. Jane
Published: December 2022

Macrophages are innate immune cells that are known for their extreme plasticity, enabling diverse phenotypes that lie on a continuum. In a simplified model, they switch between pro-inflammatory (M1) and anti-inflammatory (M2) phenotypes depending on surrounding microenvironmental cues, which have been implicated in disease outcomes. Although considerable research has been focused on macrophage response to biochemical cues and mechanical signals, there is a scarcity of knowledge surrounding their behavior in response to shear stress. In this study, we applied varying magnitudes of shear stress on human monocyte-derived macrophages (MDMs) using a cone-and-plate viscometer and evaluated changes in morphology, gene expression, protein expression, and cytokine secretion over time. MDMs exposed to shear stress exhibited a rounder morphology compared to statically-cultured controls. RT-qPCR results showed significant upregulation of TNF-α, and analysis of cytokine release revealed increased secretion of IL-8, IL-18, fractalkine, and other chemokines. The upregulation of pro-inflammatory factors was evident with both increasing magnitudes of shear and time. Taken together, these results indicate that prolonged shear exposure induced a pro-inflammatory phenotype in human MDMs. These findings have implications for medical technology development, such asin situvascular graft design wherein macrophages are exposed to shear and have been shown to affect graft resorption, and in delineating disease pathophysiology, for example to further illuminate the role of macrophages in atherosclerosis where shear is directly related to disease outcome.
Lytic and temperate phage naturally coexist in a dynamic population model
Authors: Kimchi Ofer , Meir Yigal , Wingreen Ned S.
Published: December 2022

Obligate lytic and temperate phage preying on the same bacteria coexist despite the presumption that a single resource should only support a single competitor. We construct a mathematical model demonstrating that such coexistence is a natural outcome of chaotic dynamics arising from competition among multiple phage and their lysogens. While obligate lytic (virulent) phage populations typically dominate, surprisingly, they also more readily fluctuate to extinction within a local community.
Coding-sequence evolution does not explain divergence in petal anthocyanin pigmentation betweenMimulus luteusvar.luteusandM. l. variegatus
Authors: Orr Walker E. , Kim Ji Yang , Raj Tejas , Hom Ellen K. , Person Ashley E. , Vonada Anne , Stratton John A. , Cooley Arielle M.
Published: December 2022

Phenotypic transitions in related taxa often share a common genetic basis, which suggests that there are constraints that shape the process of evolution at the genetic level. For example, noncoding changes in a gene might be favored relative to coding changes due to being less constrained by pleiotropic effects. Here we evaluate the importance of coding-sequence changes to the recent evolution of a novel anthocyanin pigmentation trait in the monkeyflower genusMimulus. The magenta-floweredMimulus luteusvar.variegatusrecently gained petal lobe anthocyanin pigmentation via a single-locus Mendelian difference from its sister taxon, the yellow-floweredM. l. luteus. Previous work showed that the differentially expressed transcription factor geneMYB5a/NEGANis the single causal gene. However, it was not clear whetherMYB5acoding-sequence evolution (in addition to the observed patterns of differential expression) might also have contributed to increased anthocyanin production inM. l. variegatus. Quantitative image analysis of tobacco leaves, transfected with highly expressedMYB5acoding sequence from each taxon, revealed robust anthocyanin production driven by both alleles compared to a negative control. Counter to expectations, significantly higher anthocyanin production was driven by the coding sequence from the low-anthocyanin taxonM. l. luteus. Together with previously-published expression studies, this supports the hypothesis that petal pigment inM. l. variegatuswas not gained by protein-coding changes, but instead via non- codingcis-regulatory evolution. Finally, while constructing the transgenes needed for this experiment, we unexpectedly discovered two sites inMYB5athat appear to be post- transcriptionally edited – a phenomenon that has been rarely reported, and even less often explored, for nuclear-encoded plant mRNAs.
Comparison of Two Budding Yeast Disome Model Systems: Similarities, Difference, and Conflict
Authors: Vinton Peter J. , Langston Rachel E.
Published: December 2022

Here we define chromosome instability as the propensity of error-prone DNA repair and maintenance to generate chromosomal alterations known as gross chromosomal rearrangements (GCR), which can be found in a variety of forms in a variety of diseased cells. Insights and study of GCRs and chromosome instability can be gained through experimentation using a disome system (a haploid strain with an extra copy of one chromosome). Chromosome instability has previously been investigated and identified in a budding yeast ChrVII disome model. Here we extend and compare the study of chromosome instability using a similar ChrV disome system. As with the ChrVII disome system, cells containing unstable chromosomes form a distinctive “sectored” colony phenotype and through the use of genetic markers, we also find evidence of allelic recombination and chromosome loss. We also found the same DNA integrity pathways suppress chromosome instability and that unstable chromosomes are not generated through homologous recombination (HR) or non-homologous end-joining (NHEJ), similar to the ChrVII system. But in contrast and more interestingly, we did not detect any altered ChrV sizes, which conflicts with a previous ChrVII disome study where it was thought that unstable chromosomes often resulted in altered sizes. We also discovered a distinct increase in frequency of instability in the ChrV system compared to the ChrVII system.
An in silico FSHD muscle fibre for modelling DUX4 dynamics and predicting the impact of therapy
Authors: Cowley Matthew V. , Pruller Johanna , Ganassi Massimo , Zammit Peter S. , Banerji Christopher R. S.
Published: December 2022

Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) is an incurable myopathy linked to over-expression of the myotoxic transcription factor DUX4. Targeting DUX4 is the leading therapeutic approach, however it is only detectable in 0.1-3.8% of FSHD myonuclei. How rare DUX4 drives FSHD and the optimal anti-DUX4 strategy is unclear. We combine stochastic gene expression with compartment models of cell states, building a simulation of DUX4 expression and consequences in FSHD muscle fibres. Investigating iDUX4 myoblasts, scRNAseq and snRNAseq of FSHD muscle we estimate parameters including DUX4 mRNA degradation, transcription and translation rates and DUX4 target gene activation rates. Our model accurately recreates the distribution of DUX4 and target gene positive cells seen in scRNAseq of FSHD myocytes. Importantly we show DUX4 drives significant cell death despite expression in only 0.8% of live cells. Comparing scRNAseq of unfused FSHD myocytes to snRNAseq of fused FSHD myonuclei, we find evidence of DUX4 protein syncytial diffusion and estimate its rate via genetic algorithms. We package our model into freely available tools, to rapidly investigate consequences of anti-DUX4 therapy.
Improvement of UAV: design and implementation on launchability
Authors: Gökbel Etka , Güllü Aydin , Ersoy Sezgin
Published: December 2022

Purpose

This study aims to a launchable design has been made to prevent wasted time in time-critical areas, and increase the efficiency of the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). In this way, a UAV can reach the mission height quickly.

Design/methodology/approach

A unique launchable UAV and launcher mechanism have been designed. The launchable UAV will be folded into the launcher mechanism and will automatically start flight after launch. The study includes mathematical calculations, 3D designs steps and produced UAV tests for the designed UAV. The launcher mechanism was designed in accordance with the tests for the UAV, and appropriate choices were made for the altitude and launch acceleration required by the UAV. According to the calculations, material selection and production were made.

Findings

In the tests, the climbing time was reduced by 1 s compared with the existing UAVs. With the launch, it enabled it to reach the altitude quickly and silently. In addition, because the launch energy was provided externally, it provided an advantage for the flight time.

Practical implications

A rotary-wing UAV with a launch mechanism and a fast launch was designed and prototyped. The maximum climb speed of the designed drone is 6.52 m/s. Frame arm length is 9.2 cm, propeller diameter is 15.24 cm and hover flight time is 7.2 m.

Originality/value

The UAV design can be launched. Design, calculation and experimental studies have been carried out for rapid take-off of the rotary wing UAV. The parts used in the UAV are originally produced. It is not a commercial product.
Social media, brand communication and customer engagement in Michelin-starred restaurants during a time of crisis
Authors: Fissi Silvia , Gori Elena , Marchi Valentina , Romolini Alberto
Published: December 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to analyse the brand communication on social media (SM) made by two- and three-starred restaurants and the customer reaction in terms of engagement effects during a crisis. The research highlights the connections between brand communication and engagement dynamics on Instagram by looking for differences in the strategies of two and three-starred restaurants and by highlighting the changes in the background engagement drivers.

Design/methodology/approach

Using data collected from 5,666 Instagram posts by 34 Italian Michelin-starred restaurants, the authors analysed the crisis-driven changes in online communication and customer engagement comparing three phases of the COVID-19 pandemic by applying a linear regression model with fixed effects.

Findings

Michelin-starred restaurants changed their strategies of brand communication to overcome the effects of the crisis. The findings highlight the importance of SM as a tool to stay in touch with consumers and the pivotal role of customers in engagement, especially during a pandemic.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is among the first studies to investigate the changes in brand communication and the effects on customer engagement during a pandemic, with a focus on Instagram. It contributes to understanding the role of platform and the main drivers of engagement on Instagram, as well as suggesting how managers can improve brand value using SM.
Be close to government and academy: TMT social capital, network prestige and firm’s innovation performance
Authors: Zhou Yu , Zhu Huaiqian , Zhu Li , Liu Guangjian , Zou Yufeng
Published: December 2022

Purpose

Drawing from social capital theory and resource dependence theory, this paper aims to test the relationship between top management team (TMT) government social capital and firm’s innovation performance via firm’s network prestige, and the moderating effect of TMT academic social capital.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors collected data from the China Stock Market and Accounting Research Database as well as A-share listed firms’ annual reports, and finally generated a sample of 922 firms and 2,464 firm-years from 2008 to 2014. UCINET 6.0 was used to analyze the data.

Findings

The authors find that the government social capital of TMT is positively related to firms’ innovation performance and firms’ network prestige plays a mediating role in this relationship. In addition, TMT academic social capital can strengthen the links between TMT government social capital and innovation performance through firms’ network prestige.

Originality/value

This paper not only contributes to literatures on the mechanism in the relationship between government social capital and firms’ innovation, but also to literatures on the effectiveness of the heterogeneity of firm’s social capital.
The effect of changes in negative feedback on task performance: the role of goal orientation and feedback utility
Authors: Chang Shih Cheng , Wei Feng , Xu Lixing , Chen Zhaoyu , Wang Yifei
Published: December 2022

Purpose

Drawing upon the feedback intervention theory, this study aims to focus on the concept of negative feedback change (increase or decrease) to analyze the dynamics of performance feedback and its relationships with goal orientation, feedback utility and task performance.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors conducted a two-wave survey by tracking 195 employees and their supervisors from two representative semiconductor-related equipment companies in China for one month.

Findings

Results showed that learning goal orientation positively moderates, and performance-approach goal orientation negatively moderates the indirect relationship between negative feedback change and employees’ task performance through employees’ perceptions of feedback utility.

Originality/value

This study provides new directions for performance feedback research by treating negative feedback from a dynamic perspective and addressing the mediating and moderating mechanisms. Furthermore, the findings also remind managers to not only consider feedback actions at a single moment but also manage it as a series of actions in the ongoing stream of time.
Corporate social responsibility transparency and trade credit financing
Authors: Hendijani Zadeh Mohammad , Naaman Karen , Sahyoun Najib
Published: December 2022

Purpose

This study aims to examine whether a company’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) transparency (reflected in two separate dimensions of social transparency and environmental transparency) affects a company’s dependence on expensive trade credit (TC) financing.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors use a panel of S&P 500 index companies between 2012 and 2019 and ordinary least squares estimators. Transparency ratings represented by Bloomberg scores capture both the quantity and quality of verified CSR practice information.

Findings

CSR transparency (CSRT) is negatively associated with a firm’s dependence on expensive TC financing. This study’s results continue to hold after a battery of robustness tests like substitute proxies for TC, use of two-stage least squares regression, industry-adjusted dependent variable, generalized linear model and bootstrapping approach. This association is stronger among companies with higher information asymmetry (IASY) and lower quality regarding governance and financial reporting. Further investigation indicates that potential channels through which CSRT mitigates a company’s reliance on TC financing are the cost of debt (CoD) and stock liquidity. This study’s findings suggest that transparent companies have a lower CoD and higher stock liquidity. This helps these companies to be more financially flexible and eventually less dependent on expensive TC financing.

Originality/value

By combining two separate research lines of TC and CSR, this study adds to both works of literature as it is the first (to the best of the authors’ knowledge) to present evidence of the effect of CSRT proxied by Bloomberg scores on a company’s reliance on TC (a real economic decision and financial policy). Additionally, this study documents the moderating effects of financial reporting quality, IASY and corporate governance on the relationship between CSRT and TC financing. In conclusion, this study provides empirical evidence regarding the potential mechanisms of CoD and stock liquidity, through which CSRT influences a company’s reliance on TC financing.
Development risk and unit size within the UK property market
Authors: Moore Cassandra Caitlin
Published: December 2022

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the relationship between market pricing and design quality within the development industry. Currently, there is a lack of research that examines real estate at the property level. Development quality is widely believed to have diminished over the past decades, while many investors seem uninterested in the design process. The study aims to address these issues through a pricing model that integrates design attributes. It is hoped that empirical findings will invite broader stakeholder interest in the design process.

Design/methodology/approach

The research establishes a framework for assessing spatial compliance across residential developments within London. Compliance is assessed across ten boroughs, with technical space guidelines used as a proxy for design quality. Transaction prices and spatial assessments are aligned within a hedonic pricing model. Empirical findings are used to establish whether undermining spatial standards presents a significant development risk.

Findings

Findings suggest a relationship between sale time and unit size, with “compliant” units typically transacting earlier than “non-compliant” units. Almost half of the 1,600 apartments surveyed appear to undermine technical guidelines.

Research limitations/implications

It is suggested that an array of design attributes be explored that extend beyond unit size. Additionally, future studies may consider the long-term implications of design quality via secondary transaction prices.

Practical implications

Practical implications include the development of a more scientific approach to design valuation. This may enhance the position of product design management within the development industry and architectural services.

Social implications

Social implications may include improvement in residential design.

Originality/value

An innovative approach combines a thorough understanding of both design and economic principles.
Engraving customer experiences through digital technologies
Authors: Chiang Chang-Tang
Published: December 2022

Purpose

In recent decades, customer experiences (CXs) have gained considerable attention from both academics and service industries. However, the role of digital technologies in CXs is largely ignored. This study aims to explore the manners of digital experience (DX) and to leverage these manners for service design.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 2,178 journal articles published as of January 2022 were collected from nine high-impact service journals. Social network analysis and cluster analysis were used to analyze 5,289 keywords and 22,645 edges.

Findings

Four DX manners (utility, sociability, informativeness and arousal) are identified from the keywords of the qualifying articles.

Originality/value

A digital experience service model is developed based on the concept of CX and DX manners. Academic and managerial contributions are discussed.
Tree dissimilarity determines multi‐dimensional beta‐diversity of herbivores and carnivores via bottom‐up effects
Authors: Li Yi , Du Yuan‐Bao , Chen Jing‐Ting , Wang Ming‐Qiang , Guo Shi‐Kun , Schuldt Andreas , Luo Arong , Guo Peng‐Fei , Mi Xiang‐Cheng , Liu Xiao‐Juan , Ma Ke‐Ping , Bruelheide Helge , Chesters Douglas , Liu Xuan , Zhu Chao‐Dong
Published: December 2022

Global biodiversity decline and its cascading effects through trophic interactions pose a severe threat to human society. Establishing the impacts of biodiversity decline requires a more thorough understanding of multi‐trophic interactions and, more specifically, the effects that loss of diversity in primary producers has on multi‐trophic community assembly.

Within a synthetic conceptual framework for multi‐trophic beta‐diversity, we tested a series of hypotheses on neutral and niche‐based bottom‐up processes in assembling herbivore and carnivore communities in a subtropical forest using linear models, hieratical variance partitioning based on linear mixed‐effects models (LMMs) and simulation.

We found that the observed taxonomic, phylogenetic and functional beta‐diversity of both herbivorous caterpillars and carnivorous spiders were significantly and positively related to tree dissimilarity. Linear models and variance partitioning for LMMs jointly suggested that as a result of bottom‐up effects, producer dissimilarities were predominant in structuring consumer dissimilarity, the strength of which highly depended on the trophic dependencies on producers, the diversity facet examined, and data quality. Importantly, linear models for standardized beta‐diversities against producer dissimilarities implied a transition between niche‐based processes such as environmental filtering and competitive exclusion, which supports the role of bottom‐up effect in determining consumer community assembly.

These findings enrich our mechanistic understanding of the ‘Diversity Begets Diversity’ hypothesis and the complexity of higher‐trophic community assembly, which is fundamental for sustainable biodiversity conservation and ecosystem management.
Combining γ‐GT, PIVKA‐II, and AFP to predict long‐term prognosis in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma after hepatectomy
Authors: Sun Lin , Gu Meixiu , Cai Jiabin , Yang Wenjing , Pan Baishen , Wang Beili , Zhang Chunyan , Guo Wei
Published: December 2022

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the top five contributors to the cancer burden in China, with a poor prognosis and heavy disability‐adjusted life year burden. The criteria used for HCC prognosis are complicated and therefore restricted in routine clinical practice. Multiple factors influence HCC malignancy and progression. In this study, we retrospectively evaluated 173 patients with HCC who underwent curative resection for 9 years to evaluate the correlation of a combination of γ‐glutamyl transferase (γ‐GT), protein induced by vitamin K absence or antagonist‐II (PIVKA‐II), and α‐fetoprotein (AFP) with the long‐term survival of patients with HCC. Multivariate analysis revealed that the γ‐GT level was an independent prognostic factor for recurrence. The prediction rate of early recurrence with γ‐GT, PIVKA‐II, and AFP levels individually was 63.5%, 79.4%, and 39.7%, respectively, whereas the prediction rate of early recurrence was 95.2% with the combination of γ‐GT, PIVKA‐II, and AFP levels as a composite indicator. Our long‐term retrospective study revealed that γ‐GT, PIVKA‐II, and AFP can aid in predicting long‐term prognosis of HCC recurrence. The combination of γ‐GT, PIVKA‐II, and AFP can further aid in identifying patients with early recurrence. Together, γ‐GT, PIVKA‐II, and AFP may a be used to develop a new prediction method to improve the prognosis of patients with HCC, and our results indicate the requirement of more active HCC treatment strategies.
Diversity dynamics of aerobic anoxygenic phototrophic bacteria in a freshwater lake
Authors: Villena‐Alemany Cristian , Mujakić Izabela , Porcal Petr , Koblížek Michal , Piwosz Kasia
Published: December 2022

Aerobic anoxygenic photoheterotrophic (AAP) bacteria represent a functional group of prokaryotic organisms that harvests light energy using bacteriochlorophyll‐containing photosynthetic reaction centers. They represent an active and rapidly growing component of freshwater bacterioplankton, with the highest numbers observed usually in summer. Species diversity of freshwater AAP bacteria has been studied before in lakes, but its seasonal dynamics remain unknown. In this report, we analysed temporal changes in the composition of the phototrophic community in an oligo‐mesotrophic freshwater lake using amplicon sequencing of the pufM marker gene. The AAP community was dominated by phototrophic Gammaproteobacteria and Alphaproteobacteria, with smaller contribution of phototrophic Chloroflexota and Gemmatimonadota. Phototrophic Eremiobacteriota or members of Myxococcota were not detected. Interestingly, some AAP taxa, such as Limnohabitans, Rhodoferax, Rhodobacterales or Rhizobiales, were permanently present over the sampling period, while others, such as Sphingomonadales, Rhodospirillales or Caulobacterales appeared only transiently. The environmental factors that best explain the seasonal changes in AAP community were temperature, concentrations of oxygen and dissolved organic matter.
Measuring a contract's breadth: A text analysis
Authors: McCannon Bryan , Hall Joshua , Zhou Yang
Published: December 2022

We use a computational linguistic algorithm to measure the topics covered in teacher contracts. Topic modeling metrics are used to assess a contract's expansiveness. Our topic, diversity measurement, is then related to the prevalence of support staff. If more specialized services are provided, then contracts should be broader as they cover more employment relationships. We confirm a strong, statistically significant relationship and, thus, have a valid measurement of contract breadth.
The distinct associations of ingroup attachment and glorification with responses to the coronavirus pandemic: Evidence from a multilevel investigation in 21 countries
Authors: McLamore Quinnehtukqut , Syropoulos Stylianos , Leidner Bernhard , Hirschberger Gilad , van Bezouw Maarten J. , Rovenpor Daniel , Paladino Maria Paola , Baumert Anna , Bilewicz Michal , Bilgen Arda , Chatard Armand , Chekroun Peggy , Chinchilla Juana , Choi Hoon‐Seok , Euh Hyun , Gomez Angel , Kardos Peter , Khoo Ying Hooi , Li Mengyao , Légal Jean‐Baptiste , Loughnan Steve , Mari Silvia , Tan‐Mansukhani Roseann , Muldoon Orla , Noor Masi , Petrović Nebojša , Selvanathan Hema Preya , Uluğ Özden Melis , Wohl Michael J. , Yeung Wai Lan Victoria , Young Kevin , Zein Rizqy Amelia
Published: December 2022

While public health crises such as the coronavirus pandemic transcend national borders, practical efforts to combat them are often instantiated at the national level. Thus, national group identities may play key roles in shaping compliance with and support for preventative measures (e.g., hygiene and lockdowns). Using data from 25,159 participants across representative samples from 21 nations, we investigated how different modalities of ingroup identification (attachment and glorification) are linked with reactions to the coronavirus pandemic (compliance and support for lockdown restrictions). We also examined the extent to which the associations of attachment and glorification with responses to the coronavirus pandemic are mediated through trust in information about the coronavirus pandemic from scientific and government sources. Multilevel models suggested that attachment, but not glorification, was associated with increased trust in science and compliance with federal COVID‐19 guidelines. However, while both attachment and glorification were associated with trust in government and support for lockdown restrictions, glorification was more strongly associated with trust in government information than attachment. These results suggest that both attachment and glorification can be useful for promoting public health, although glorification's role, while potentially stronger, is restricted to pathways through trust in government information.
Commercial‐to‐residential land‐use conversion and residential recentralization in large cities
Authors: Xu Hangtian
Published: December 2022

I examine the long‐term impact of a real estate bubble on the land‐use patterns of Tokyo and Osaka from 1980 to 2003 and find that fluctuations in land prices reflected changing demand for commercial land relative to that for residential land, which, in turn, affected housing supply and residential location choices. During the real estate bubble, land developers favored commercial over residential development because the perceived productive value of commercial land increased sharply. Thus, daytime population in central cities increased and residential population fell. During the economic downturn, however, the demand for commercial space fell, houses were favored by land developers and residents were recentralized. My causal estimates show that the commercial‐to‐residential land‐use conversion can explain approximately 9% to 16% of the housing starts after the bubble burst in Tokyo and Osaka, and their populations would have been reduced by 2% to 3% otherwise. The effect is more prominent in their central business districts. My findings provide a novel explanation for the recent changes in central neighbourhoods.
Debate: Games‐based collaboration as a driver for massive‐scale mental health research
Authors: Drachen Anders
Published: December 2022

Games have become a key part of the daily lives of many children and young people, irrespective of geographical location, age, gender or culture. Games form a gateway to these audiences – as well as tertiary groups like parents – which does not exist anywhere else. Additionally, behavioural telemetry from games forms an untapped and sizeable potential for mental health and well‐being research. Working with the games industry gives mental health research and associated interventions a pathway for conducting research and working with communities at very large scales.
Vergleich eines neuen Aluminiumlactat‐basierten mit einem Aluminiumchlorid‐basierten Antitranspirant bei übermäßigem axillären und inguinalen Schwitzen: Erste randomisierte kontrollierte Studie
Authors: Lütgerath Constantin , Weiß Christel , Faulhaber Jörg , Karsai Syrus
Published: December 2022

Hintergrund

Topische Aluminiumsalze werden häufig gegen übermäßiges axilläres Schwitzen verwendet. Über ihr anhidrotisches Potenzial in der Leistengegend ist dagegen weniger bekannt. Diese Studie vergleicht die anhidrotische Wirksamkeit und Verträglichkeit eines Aluminiumchlorid‐basierten mit dem eines innovativen Aluminiumlactat‐basierten Antitranspirants bei gesunden Probanden mit übermäßigem axillären und inguinalen Schwitzen.

Teilnehmer und Methodik

Fünfzig Teilnehmer wurden in diese offene, randomisierte, kontrollierte Studie eingeschlossen. Nach der Eingangsuntersuchung wurde die Wirksamkeit zu zwei Zeitpunkten während der Studie durch vier physiologische Parameter (pH‐Wert, transepidermaler Wasserverlust, Gravimetrie, Minor‐Test) und zwei Fragebögen (Dermatology Life Quality Index, Hyperhidrosis Disease Severity Scale) analysiert. Die Verträglichkeit wurde mit Symptomtagebüchern evaluiert.

Ergebnisse

Beide Studienpräparate waren vergleichbar wirksam hinsichtlich der Reduktion des axillären und inguinalen Schwitzens und zeigten eine zunehmende Wirksamkeit im Laufe der Zeit. In beiden Behandlungsarealen wies das Aluminiumlactat‐basierte Antitranspirant ein günstigeres Verträglichkeitsprofil auf als das Aluminiumchlorid‐basierte.

Schlussfolgerungen

Aufgrund der vergleichbaren Wirksamkeit und der – insbesondere in der Leistengegend – besseren Verträglichkeit unterstützt diese Studie die Verwendung von topischem Aluminiumlactat als Therapieoption erster Wahl zur Kontrolle übermäßigen axillären und inguinalen Schwitzens.
S1‐Leitlinie: Mikroskopisch kontrollierte Chirurgie
Authors: Kofler Lukas , Ziemer Mirjana , Andrulis Mindaugas , Horn Dominik , Kulas Philipp , Kunte Christian , Müller Cornelia Sigrid Lissi
Published: December 2022

Mikroskopisch kontrollierte Chirurgie (MKC) umfasst verschiedene Methoden, welche eine histologisch nachgewiesene vollständige Entfernung maligner Tumoren bei gleichzeitig größtmöglicher Schonung des tumorfreien Gewebes in direkter Umgebung ermöglichen. Allen unter MKC subsummierten Verfahren gemein ist die Markierung des Exzidates zur topographischen Orientierung, wodurch eine Zuordnung verbliebener Tumorreste möglich ist. Indikationen für MKC sind maligne Hauttumoren in Problemlokalisationen sowie aggressive Subtypen von Hauttumoren. Zu den etablierten Indikationen für MKC zählen unter anderem Basalzellkarzinome, kutane Plattenepithelkarzinome, Morbus Bowen sowie Bowen‐Karzinome, das Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans, Melanome in chronisch lichtgeschädigter Haut sowie akral lentiginöse Melanome und Merkelzellkarzinome. Für weitere Tumoren wie dem extramammären Morbus Paget und verschiedene kutane Sarkome liegen Hinweise vor, dass MKC Vorteile beispielsweise hinsichtlich der Lokalrezidivrate zeigt. Darüber hinaus ist MKC indiziert, wenn absehbar ist, dass eine komplexe Verschlusstechnik erforderlich ist und eine vollständige Resektion des Tumors sicher gewährleistet sein muss. Es wurden verschiedenen Methoden der MKC beschrieben, zu denen beispielsweise die 3D‐Histologie, die Horizontal‐Methode oder die Mohs‐Chirurgie zählen. Eine enge Kooperation fachlich qualifizierter Operateure und (Dermato)‐Pathologen sowie labortechnischer Mitarbeiter ist für die Durchführung der MKC unabdingbar.