bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Changes in the YLS/CMI risk inventory scores as predictors of MST behavioral treatment goals
Authors: Hukkelberg Silje Sommer , Ogden Terje G. , Taraldsen Knut
Published: May 2023

Purpose

This study aims to investigate outcomes of multisystemic therapy (MST) using the Youth Level of Service/Case Management Inventory (YLS/CMI) – part I.

Design/methodology/approach

This study, using a pre-post design, included a sample of 2,123 Norwegian youths (mean age = 14.7, SD = 1.34). The MST team supervisors assessed the YLS/CMI risk factors in addition to five behavioral treatment goals (Lives at home, Attends school/work, No violence/threats, Law-abiding and Drug-free) before and after treatment. In addition, data included responses from parent interviews six months post treatment.

Findings

Significant correlations were found between the total and dynamic YLS/CMI change scores and the additive index of behavioral treatment goals. In addition, the YLS/CMI change scores predicted the five treatment goals at the termination of treatment and at six-month follow-up.

Research limitations/implications

The results indicate that the YLS/CMI is a valuable assessment tool for predicting the achievement of MST behavioral goals in adolescents with serious problem behavior.

Practical implications

This study provides an evaluation of the YLS/CMI in a Norwegian context and adds support for continued use of the YLS/CMI in MST.

Originality/value

This paper provides new insights about the YLS/CMI inventory as a tool for examining treatment change in MST. Results show that the YLS/CMI captures relevant risk factors in the youths’ environment.
Using the Tobin Q model to evaluate the impact of credit risks on the bank’s market value during the corona pandemic
Authors: Mkalaf Khelood A. , Hilo Sanaa Hasan
Published: May 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to assess the impact of credit risk on the market values of private banks during the corona pandemic.

Design/methodology/approach

This study is identifying critical issues of credit risk at six great private banks. A conceptual framework is designed based on the Tobin Q model for investigating study hypotheses. Quantitative financial analysis methods have been used for processing data, such as financial ratios, arithmetic mean and multiple linear regression.

Findings

The most important result of this study is the lack of influence of credit risk on the market value of selected banks. Because the dimensions of credit risk have critical importance in increasing or decreasing the market value, these banks must continue to adopt quantitative financial analysis to measure credit risks to avoid their risk.

Originality/value

This study elaborates the need for financial indicators to help assess the market value of banks during the economic crises caused by the closure of commercial institutions during the corona pandemic. There is continued increase in bank credit to support these institutions, borrowers and cash withdrawals, which may affect their market reputation.
Illicit capital movement through trade misinvoicing in Burundi: a disaggregated approach
Authors: Ndoricimpa Arcade
Published: May 2023

Purpose

This study aims to examine the illicit capital movement through trade misinvoicing in Burundi, at disaggregated levels by major trading partners and by major export and import commodities.

Design/methodology/approach

Trade misinvoicing is estimated by comparing the trade values declared by Burundi with those declared by trading partners in a bilateral international transaction, after adjusting for the cost of freight and insurance. Disaggregated trade misinvoicing by major trading partners is computed using the Direction of Trade Statistics database of the International Monetary Fund over the period 1970–2019. Disaggregated trade misinvoicing by major trading commodities is computed using the UN-COMTRADE database over the period 1993–2019.

Findings

Exports of Burundi to most of its major trading partners are found to be underinvoiced. The top destinations for export underinvoicing are United Arab Emirates, Belgium and Germany. However, exports to UK and Switzerland are found to be overinvoiced. The major export commodities considered, coffee and gold, are found to be affected by trade misinvoicing to a great extent. On the import side, the estimation results indicate that imports of Burundi from its major trading partners are in general overinvoiced. High import overinvoicing is observed in the trade with Saudi Arabia, China and Japan. At commodity level, for the top 6 commodities considered, imports were to a great extent found to be overinvoiced. Cases of illicit capital outflows and inflows through trade misinvoicing are highlighted.

Practical implications

Some policy implications are drawn from this study. First, in collaboration with its development partners, the Government of Burundi should put in place measures to reduce the trade misinvoicing phenomenon, which undermines poverty reduction efforts. The study has shown which trade partners are involved and which commodities are mostly affected. Policy efforts could then be focused in that regard. Investigations at the company and transaction levels can be made to identify the mechanisms of trade misinvoicing. Second, more effort is needed in ensuring systematic and transparent reporting of international trade transactions. To fight trade misinvoicing, transparency in international trade is key, through coordinated enforcement of reporting rules.

Originality/value

Previous studies analyzed the problem of trade misinvoicing at an aggregated level. However, this leaves out essential information on trading partners involved in the phenomenon as well as trading commodities affected. This study investigates trade misinvoicing at disaggregated levels, at product level and by trading partner.
Does the economic value of new product announcements depend upon preannouncement signals? An empirical test of information asymmetry theories
Authors: Mishra Debi P. , Dalman M. Deniz
Published: May 2023

Purpose

Signals, e.g. information released by firms about new products attract the attention and scrutiny of customers, competitors and other stakeholders. In product management, an important area of research focuses on the economic value of such signals. However, extant studies consider valuation effects of product signals independently, and largely ignore how the value of a product signal at launch depends upon prior preannouncements. This study aims to investigate how the dependence of new product development (NPD) signals on past preannouncements affects firms’ security prices.

Design/methodology/approach

The study develops a conceptual model that draws upon information asymmetry theories, i.e. signaling and agency theory to hypothesize the effect of firms’ product introduction announcements on security prices given two antecedent preannouncement types (costless and costly signals). Hypotheses are tested by conducting an event study analysis on a sample of 149 matched observations (product introduction announcement preceded by a certain type of preannouncement).

Findings

Empirical results confirm the hypothesis that positive valuation effects are observed during product launch that is preceded by initial costless product signaling. In contrast, for ex ante costly product signaling, launch events are not diagnostic enough to affect value. Since organizations’ NPD communications can revise investors’ prior beliefs, they need to be understood in more detail and managed strategically.

Research limitations/implications

Valuation metrics can be noisy with a potential to influence information events. In addition, product introduction signals may be deployed more frequently in certain fast-paced industries, e.g. hi-tech.

Practical implications

Managers can incorporate signal dependence in product communications. For example, in costless ex ante product signaling situations, initial economic loss may be recovered through launch announcements. Furthermore, when costly signals have been used earlier, firms may economize on promotion costs during launch.

Originality/value

Past research has focused on assessing the economic value of new product signals independently, i.e. as discrete events. Absent is an examination of valuation effects due to the dependence of launch signals on prior preannouncements. This paper addresses the dependence gap, and empirical results show that even if firms do not deploy product signals ex ante, value can be created through ex post launch announcements.
Understanding gender disparity: factors affecting higher education self-efficacy of students in Malaysia
Authors: Saadat Zakee , Sultana A.M.
Published: May 2023

Purpose

Gender disparity is a global phenomenon where females outnumber male participants. It has been observed that males are the early leaver from higher education, thus reflecting a severe concern about social instability. Malaysia is a prominent example where females outnumber males in higher education. In this context, this paper aims to examine the effect of individual, social and financial factors on the higher education self-efficacy of male and female students. It develops a comprehensive understanding of gender-based decision factors in pursuing higher education.

Design/methodology/approach

The hypothesis was formed based on a comprehensive literature review following the hypothetico-deductive positivist approach. These hypotheses were tested based on a sample of 250 respondents. A multiple regression analysis was deployed to test the relationship between the dependent variable and its predictors.

Findings

The results suggest that male and female students’ self-efficacy depends on five determinants, i.e. family influence, peer influence, career expectancy outcome, gender roles and institutional factors. Male students tend to be influenced more by these five determinants than females. Additionally, male students with better financial backgrounds are more likely to have higher self-efficacy, whereas gender roles negatively affect male and female students’ self-efficacy for higher education.

Research limitations/implications

The breakout of COVID-19 resulted in the selection of limited students in Malaysia. Due to restricted movement orders, it was impossible to reach out to the students for data collection. Future research could include a broader area to include multiple other regions of Malaysia. For a broader aspect, the study could be conducted in other areas/countries where the problem of less male participation exists.

Practical implications

The relationship between higher education self-efficacy is assessed with social, financial and institutional factors for male and female students. It will enable the stakeholders and policymakers to make better decisions in increasing the self-efficacy of students to attain equity in higher education institutions.

Social implications

The finding of this paper will assist in increasing male participation in higher education institutions to avoid any social instability.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to the literature in understanding the causes of gender gap reversal, focusing on Malaysian higher education institutions. It also provides empirical evidence to look at potential factors that affect the higher education self-efficacy of male and female students.
Self-efficacy, remote audit proficiency, effort, and performance in the COVID-19 crisis: an auditor’s perspective
Authors: Baatwah Saeed Rabea , Al-Ansi Ali Ali , Almoataz Ehsan Saleh , Salleh Zalailah
Published: May 2023

Purpose

The COVID-19 pandemic has introduced new challenges for auditors to provide high-quality audits. These challenges pose interesting questions about the ability of auditors to obtain audit evidence and ensure appropriate conclusions. In response to these questions, this paper aims to examine how self-efficacy affects the auditors’ effort and performance during COVID-19 and how remote audit proficiency helps them respond to these challenges, as reflected in more effort and high-quality performance.

Design/methodology/approach

To test the hypotheses, this study used a quantitative approach in which 193 Saudi auditors were surveyed and partial least squares structural equation modeling was used to analyze the data.

Findings

The authors demonstrated that self-efficacy is positively associated with the perceived audit effort and performance during the COVID-19 crisis. The results also showed that remote audit proficiency plays a significant role during COVID-19 as it can help auditors exert more effort and perform audit activities effectively. This study also found that remote audit mediates the association between self-efficacy and both effort and performance during COVID-19. These results are also asserted under several robust analyses.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, these findings provide the first evidence on the effect of COVID-19 on auditors and have implications for both theory and practice.
Commentary on promoting the mental health and wellbeing benefits of using student response systems (SRS) in higher education: more than just a learning device
Authors: McGivern Paul
Published: May 2023

Purpose

This commentary discusses the broader potential of student response systems (SRS) regarding their positive impact on student mental health and wellbeing. The purpose of this paper is to draw on relevant literature to illustrate the wider social and intrapersonal benefits of SRS beyond its use as an educational tool.

Design/methodology/approach

Tenets of social information processing theory are used in conjunction with the literature from health, sociological and psychological disciplines to explicate the mental health benefits of SRS.

Findings

SRS can make a positive contribution students’ mental health and wellbeing, thus assisting the broader pastoral support and employability frameworks of higher education institutions.

Originality/value

An original perspective on the use of SRS in promoting the mental health and wellbeing of university students
Bipolar power converter and control of switched reluctance generator system for renewable energy storage
Authors: Chen Hao , Yang Fan , Aguirre Miguel Pablo , Asghar Saqib Muhammad , Demidova Galina , Anuchin Alecksey , Orabi Mohamed , Palka Ryszard , Sakhno Liudmila Ivanovna , Korovkin Nikolay Vladimirovich
Published: May 2023

Purpose

Because of the shortage of energy, the development of green and reliable energy is particularly important. As a green and clean energy, wind power is widely used. As the core component of wind power generation, it is particularly important to choose generators with high reliability. Switched reluctance machine is widely used as generators because of its strong fault tolerance and high reliability. Therefore, this paper aims to propose a power converter and its control strategy to improve the efficiency of switched reluctance generators.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper, a full-bridge power converter (FBPC) instead of the asymmetric half-bridge power converter (AHBPC) is adopted to drive the switched reluctance generator (SRG) system. Compare the FBPC with the AHBPC, the FBPC has several advantages including low cost and modularization, and operation process of SRG winding current direction is variable.

Findings

The results show that the SRG system can keep smooth operation by the FBPC with relatively high efficiency.

Originality/value

The FBPC is suitable to drive the SRG system. Meanwhile, this paper introduces two excitation modes of the FBPC as three-phase three-beat mode and six-phase six-beat mode. When the six-phase six-beat control strategy is adopted, the dead band time of the converter can be avoided. At the same time, the SRG has higher efficiency.
Family vs non family networks: Chile, Mexico and Peru
Authors: Rivas Jose Luis , Salvaj Erica , Cordova Miguel
Published: May 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to analyze interlocking directorate (ID) networks of family and nonfamily firms (FFs) in Chile, Mexico and Peru.

Design/methodology/approach

Social network analysis methodology allowed us to analyze the position of FFs within the structure of IDs at the local and transnational levels.

Findings

FFs tend to have a higher proportion of board interlocks to other firms, especially FFs. In addition, FFs are more likely to occupy a brokerage position in national IDs structures. Finally, they also have a higher proportion of interlocks to other domestic firms in and nearby geographic areas. Thus, they create transnational networks.

Originality/value

This paper finds evidence that supports three of the premises of interorganizational familiness literature (Lester and Cannella, 2006). FFs are part of national as well as international corporate networks more than other types of firms, through interlocking directorships.
Modeling the dynamics of firms’ international and product market diversification strategy: the case of U.S. firms’ response to late 20th century globalization
Authors: Bowen Harry P. , Sleuwaegen Leo
Published: May 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to derive and estimate a theory-based empirical specification that models a firm’s choices of its international diversification (ID) and product diversification (PD) and how they evolve over time in response to shocks that alter the relative cost and relative profitability of ID and PD.

Design/methodology/approach

We use longitudinal data on U.S. manufacturing firms from 1984 to 1999, a period of intense shocks associated with rapid globalization, to estimate a dynamic panel data Tobit model that permits lags in a firm’s adjustment to its optimal mix of ID and PD over time.

Findings

We find strong support for the theoretical framework underlying our empirical specifications and posited dynamics, with full adjustment estimated to require, on average, 1.5 years, a finding with implications for the time spacing of observations in empirical studies of ID and PD to avoid biased inferences. Among the globalization shocks during the time period studied, our results indicate that global competitive pressures and efficiency gains from global supply integration to be the more important factors driving U.S. firms toward greater ID relative to PD. Augmentation of firms’ organizational (managerial) and physical capital resources is also found to be important for supporting an expansion of ID relative to PD. Technological resource augmentation is instead found to favor expansion of PD relative to ID.

Originality/value

Our empirical specification is novel. It readily incorporates an often ignored but necessary theoretical condition that defines a firm’s optimal choices of its ID and PD, and it allows observed choices at a point in time to deviate from their optimal values.
Design of magnetostrictive tactile sensor for depth detection
Authors: Weng Ling , Li Zhuolin , Luo Xu , Zhang Yuanye , Liu Yang
Published: May 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to design a magnetostrictive tactile sensor for surface depth detection. Unlike the human finger, although most tactile sensors have high sensitivity to pressure, they cannot detect millimeter-level depth information on the surface of objects precisely. To enhance the ability to detect surface depth information, a piezomagnetic sensor combining inverse magnetostrictive effect and bionic structure is developed in this paper.

Design/methodology/approach

A magnetostrictive tactile sensor based on Galfenol [(Fe83Ga17)99.4B0.6] is designed and studied for surface depth measurement. The optimal structure of the sensor is determined by experiment and theory. The test platforms for static and dynamic characteristics are set up. The static and the dynamic sensing performance of the sensor are studied experimentally.

Findings

The sensor can detect 0–2 mm depth change with a sensitivity of 91.5 mV/mm. A resolution of 50 µm can be achieved in the depth direction. In 50 cycles of loading and unloading tests, the maximum error of the sensor output voltage amplitude is only 2.23%.

Originality/value

The sensor can measure the depth information of object surface precisely with good repeatability through sliding motion and provide reference for object surface topography detection.
The L‐arginine‐NO‐cGMP pathway mediates the locomotor activity alterations during the expression of sensitization to mephedrone in mice
Authors: Bielecka‐Papierz Gabriela , Poleszak Ewa , Listos Joanna , Szewczyk Bernadeta , Szopa Aleksandra , Orzelska‐Górka Jolanta , Turek Justyna , Bederska‐Łojewska Dorota , Jakóbczuk Małgorzata , Szponar Jarosław , Talarek Sylwia , Serefko Anna
Published: May 2023

Mephedrone is a representative of synthetic cathinones that is known from its rewarding and psychostimulant effects. It exerts behavioural sensitization after repeated and then interrupted administration. In our study, we investigated a role of the L‐arginine‐NO‐cGMP‐dependent signalling in the expression of sensitization to hyperlocomotion evoked by mephedrone. The study was carried out in male albino Swiss mice. The tested mice received mephedrone (2.5 mg/kg) for 5 consecutive days and on the 20th day of the experiment (the ‘challenge’ day) animals received both mephedrone (2.5 mg/kg) and a given substance that affects the L‐arginine‐NO‐cGMP signalling, that is, L‐arginine hydrochloride (125 or 250 mg/kg), 7‐nitroindazole (10 or 20 mg/kg), L‐NAME (25 or 50 mg/kg) or methylene blue (5 or 10 mg/kg). We observed that 7‐nitroindazole, L‐NAME and methylene blue inhibited the expression of sensitization to the mephedrone‐induced hyperlocomotion. Moreover, we demonstrated that the mephedrone‐induced sensitization is accompanied by lowered levels of D1 receptors and NR2B subunits in the hippocampus, whereas a concurrent administration of L‐arginine hydrochloride, 7‐nitroindazole and L‐NAME with the mephedrone challenge dose reversed these effects. Methylene blue only reversed the mephedrone‐induced effects on hippocampal levels of the NR2B subunit. Our study confirms that the L‐arginine‐NO‐cGMP pathway contributes to mechanisms underlying the expression of sensitization to the mephedrone‐evoked hyperlocomotion.
Prototypicality analysis of the Comprehensive Assessment of Psychopathic Personality (CAPP): A cross‐cultural perspective
Authors: Sea Jonghan , Cooke David
Published: May 2023

The Comprehensive Assessment of Psychopathic Personality (CAPP) model is a new lexically based concept of psychopathy that has potential clinical utility. The main purpose of this research is to investigate the generalizability of the CAPP conceptual model in South Korea. In the current study, 88 experts and 1727 laypeople in South Korea were asked to evaluate the prototypicality of the symptoms of psychopathy (CAPP items) by using a Korean translation of the CAPP model (K‐CAPP). In addition, 11 international prototypicality studies were systematically compared to the ratings by experts in the present study. As a result, it indicated that Korean experts and laypeople, on average, rated K‐CAPP symptoms as moderately to highly prototypical of psychopathy, and more prototypical of psychopathy than symptoms theoretically unrelated to psychopathy (foils). Also, prototypicality ratings of K‐CAPP symptoms made by those two groups were similar to each other as well as to ratings by experts and laypeople using the CAPP in other 11 countries. In conclusion, these results clearly show that both experts and laypeople in the current study conceptualized PPD in almost the same way as experts and laypeople from previous studies using the CAPP model.
Low risk of some common cancers in women with anorexia nervosa: Evidence from a national record‐linkage study
Authors: Seminog Olena , Thakrar Dixa B. , James Anthony C. , Goldacre Michael J.
Published: May 2023

Background

Some studies report that women with anorexia nervosa (AN) have lower risk than others of breast cancer, but increased risk of cancers of other sites. No work has been done to quantify the risk in the English population.

Methods

Retrospective cohort study using a national linked dataset of Hospital Episode Statistics for 1999–2021. We selected individuals with a hospital admission for AN, and compared their relative risk (RR) of developing site‐specific cancers, with that in a reference cohort.

Results

We identified 75 cancers in 15,029 women hospitalised with AN. There was a low RR of all cancers combined at 0.75 (95%CI 0.59–0.94), and, notably, low RR for breast cancer 0.43 (0.20–0.81), cancers of secondary and ill‐defined sites 0.52 (0.26–0.93). The RR for parotid gland cancer was 4.4 (1.4–10.6) within a year of first recorded diagnosis of AN. In men, we found 12 cancers in 1413 individuals hospitalised with AN, but no increased risks beyond the first year of diagnosis of AN.

Conclusions

This is the first report on the association between AN and cancers in the all‐England population. The study showed low rates of breast cancer, and of all cancers combined, in women hospitalised with AN. It is possible that some of the metabolic or hormonal changes observed in AN could work as a protective factor for breast cancer. More experimental work is needed to identify and explain these factors. The new finding on the higher risk of salivary gland tumours could inform clinicians caring for patients with AN.
Organizations affect their employees' vaccine readiness: A self‐perception theory perspective
Authors: Roswag Malte , Häusser Jan A. , Abdel Hadi Sascha , Hubert Philipp , Mojzisch Andreas
Published: May 2023

Over the past 3 years, employees have constantly witnessed how their organizations have responded to the challenges posed by the COVID‐19 pandemic. Here, we hypothesize that employees' perceptions of the COVID‐19 safety climate of their organization positively affect their vaccine readiness. To examine the underlying mechanisms of this effect, we use a self‐perception theory lens. Thus, we hypothesize that an organization's COVID‐19 safety climate affects employees' COVID‐19 vaccine readiness through employees' adherence to COVID‐19 guidelines. We conducted a time‐lagged study over the time span of 1 year (N = 351) to test our hypotheses. In general, results support our hypotheses. In particular, results showed that perceived COVID‐19 safety climate assessed at an early stage of the pandemic (April 2020, when no vaccines were available) predicted employees' COVID‐19 vaccine readiness more than a year later. In line with self‐perception theory, this effect was mediated by employees' adherence to COVID‐19 guidelines. The present study provides theoretical insight into the underlying mechanisms of organizational climate on employees' attitudes. From a practical perspective, our results suggest that organizations are a powerful lever for promoting vaccine readiness.
Tandem versus single haematopoietic stem cell transplant and BV maintenance in relapsed/refractory Hodgkin lymphoma: A matched cohort analysis from the LYSA
Authors: Marouf A. , Molinari N. , Sibon D. , Cottereau A. S. , Kanoun S. , Antoine C. , Debureaux P. E. , Cavalieri D. , Fornecker L. M. , Casasnovas R. O. , Herbaux C. , Amorim S. , Rossi C. , Bouscary D. , Brice P. , Ghesquieres H. , Tamburini J. , Deau B.
Published: May 2023

Autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplant (ASCT) is the standard curative treatment for patients with high‐risk relapsed/refractory Hodgkin lymphoma (R/R HL). The AETHERA study showed survival gain with Brentuximab Vedotin (BV) maintenance after ASCT in BV‐naive patients, which was recently confirmed in the retrospective AMAHRELIS cohort, including a majority of BV‐exposed patients. However, this approach has not been compared to intensive tandem auto/auto or auto/allo transplant strategies, which were used before BV approval. Here, we matched BV maintenance (AMAHRELIS) and tandem SCT (HR2009) cohorts, and observed that BV maintenance was associated with better survival outcome in patients with HR R/R HL.
A commentary on “Don't mind the gap: Why we do not care about the gender gap in mental health?” by P. Patalay and O. Demkowicz
Authors: Kovacs Maria
Published: May 2023

In their article, Drs. Patalay and Demkowicz raise important questions about research regarding the sex/gender gap in depression rates. However, their perspective on this topic is rather polarizing and yields statements of questionable accuracy. In this Commentary, I respond to several statements in the Article, which I consider potentially misleading. My goal is to present a broader perspective on sex/gender and depression and encourage further discussion of this important topic.
The linguistic complexity of adult and child contextualized and decontextualized talk
Authors: Brinchmann Ellen Irén , Røe‐Indregård Hanne , Karlsen Jannicke , Schauber Stefan Kilian , Hagtvet Bente Eriksen
Published: May 2023

The association between decontextualized talk (DT; i.e., talk extending beyond immediate context) and child language outcomes is well‐attested but not well‐understood. This study tested the hypothesis that DT is more linguistically complex than contextualized talk (CT). Thirty‐eight Norwegian children (Mage = 5.5 years; 25 girls; 30 Norwegian‐speaking monolinguals and eight multilinguals) and their teachers were videotaped during picture book reading, story card conversations and toy play (collected 2010–2011 and 2017). Results show that DT was more complex than CT among children and teachers. Both types of talk were more complex during book reading and story conversations than during play. The conversational context should be accounted for when theorizing about the role of DT in language development.
Monitoring trends in antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of bacterial isolates from horses with ulcerative keratitis
Authors: Foote Braidee C. , Hendrix Diane V. H. , Ward Daniel A. , Rajeev Sreekumari , Smith Joe S. , Sun Ziaocun
Published: May 2023

Background

Ulcerative bacterial keratitis can result in loss of vision or the eye. Antimicrobial susceptibility data are essential in selecting optimal therapy while pending culture results.

Objectives

To document aerobic bacterial isolates and antimicrobial susceptibilities from horses with ulcerative keratitis and report susceptibility patterns compared to previously described data from the same hospital.

Study design

Retrospective clinical case series.

Methods

Medical records from horses with positive bacterial cultures and a clinical diagnosis of infectious ulcerative keratitis at the University of Tennessee Veterinary Medical Center between March 2011 and December 2020 were reviewed and compared to previously published data from January 1993 to May 2004.

Results

Thirty‐one bacterial isolates were cultured from 27 samples (26 horses). The most common bacterial genera wereStreptococcus(35%),Staphylococcus(29%) andPseudomonas(13%), with a shift towards moreStaphylococcusand lessStreptococcuscompared to previous years. There were minimal temporal changes in susceptibilities for these three genera.Staphylococcusspp. were statistically more likely to be cultured than other bacteria after the use of topical neomycin‐polymyxinB‐dexamethasone (p = 0.008). In vitro antimicrobial susceptibility results suggest that targeted combination therapy covered a greater percentage of isolates, compared with monotherapy, but in vitro results may not mirror in vivo results.

Main limitations

Inconsistencies in available medical data, selection bias and a small sample size are inherent limitations in this retrospective study, along with the inability to test against all available ophthalmic medications, challenges of interpreting cultures with limited veterinary susceptibility data and no susceptibility guidelines for topical medications.

Conclusion

Limited changes have occurred over the past several decades in corneal bacterial isolates and susceptibilities within this equine ophthalmology referral population, with a shift in moreStaphylococcuscultured over time. Monitoring temporal trends of bacterial isolates and antimicrobial susceptibility data is important in every hospital.
Evaluation of two fully automated ADAMTS13 activity assays in comparison to manual FRET assay
Authors: Irsara Christian , Anliker Markus , Egger Alexander E. , Harasser Lukas , Lhotta Karl , Feistritzer Clemens , Griesmacher Andrea , Loacker Lorin
Published: May 2023

Introduction

The objective of the present study was to evaluate and compare the validity and utility of two fully automated ADAMTS13 (a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with a thrombospondin type 1 motif, member 13) activity assays for clinical diagnostic decision‐making and to compare their performance.

Methods

Two automated ADAMTS13 activity assays (Werfen HemosIL® AcuStar ADAMTS13 Activity, Technoclone Technofluor ADAMTS13 Activity) were compared with a manual FRET assay (BioMedica ACTIFLUOR ADAMTS13 Activity). The following samples were used: 13 acute phase TTP (thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura) samples from 11 different patients, one sample from a patient with congenital ADAMTS13 deficiency, 16 samples from control patients, three follow‐up samples from TTP patients in long‐term remission and one sample from a patient with stem cell transplantation related thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA). The WHO 1st International Standard for ADAMTS13 and several dilutions of normal plasma with ADAMTS13‐depleted normal plasma were also tested. Statistical analysis included descriptive statistics, sensitivity and specificity, Passing & Bablok regression and Bland–Altman plot.

Results

The quantitative comparison between the HemosIL® (x) and Technofluor (y) methods showed a strong correlation (Pearson r = 0.98, n = 49). When considering an ADAMTS13 activity of <10% as a hallmark for the diagnosis of TTP, two fully automated assays were both able to identify all TTP‐ and non‐TTP‐samples correctly, resulting in sensitivities and specificities of 100%.

Conclusion

Both fully automated ADAMTS13 activity assays showed a good diagnostic performance and quantitative correlation among themselves, discriminating reliably between TTP‐ and non‐TTP‐patients.
SHARING THE CARE: A project to enable prostate cancer care to be delivered in the community
Authors: Alcorn Jason
Published: May 2023

Prostate cancer has become the 2nd most common cancer in men worldwide. An ageing population and treatment improvements are increasing the number of men living with and beyond cancer. In 2013, there was both scant evidence to guide as to when, where or how men with prostate cancer should be followed up and neither, it appears, pointing to agreed pathways. Generally, follow up regimes are based on tradition and expert medical opinion rather than research or patient need. For men to have their follow up with their GP, several factors need to be in place such as a single system, an improved exchange of experiences, as well as information and knowledge sharing. A recent presentation of a randomized control trial has shown that there are no differences between secondary and primary care follow up. Understanding that the current model of follow up was not working and was unsustainable, a review of urological services was undertaken in 2011 in a large National Health Service (NHS) district general hospital in the north of England. The review evaluated current services, noting that some follow up pathways did not necessarily need to be undertaken within a secondary are setting. The process of relocating patients for primary care review, involved creating a shared care process for prostate cancer. A workstream consisting of consultant urologists, nurse specialists, GPs, service managers and clinical commissioners was convened. Protocols containing specific responsibilities for secondary and primary care were devised. The review and workstream, included a shared vision for improving and sustaining services. Whilst safely moving follow up from secondary to primary care, benefits were realized such as care closer to the home. In conclusion a radical approach to follow up was needed and undertaken. Shared care has yielded success for the patient, primary and secondary care.
Photodynamic therapy in the root canal treatment of primary teeth: A systematic review of clinical trials
Authors: Araújo Lucas Peixoto de , Gobbo Leandro Bueno , Silva Tamares Andrade da , Rosa Wellington Luiz de Oliveira da , Almeida José Flávio Affonso de , Gomes Brenda P. F. A. , Ferraz Caio Cezar Randi
Published: May 2023

Background

Dental caries is the most common oral disease worldwide, and it is estimated to affect 2.3 billion people, with at least 530 million of them being schoolchildren with decayed primary teeth. This condition can rapidly evolve into irreversible pulp inflammation and pulp necrosis and thus requiring endodontic intervention. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a supplementary method to conventional pulpectomy and is used to improve the protocol used for disinfection.

Aim

The main objective of this study was to evaluate through a systematic review the efficacy of supplementary PDT on the pulpectomy of primary teeth. This review was registered a priori on the PROSPERO database (CRD42022310581).

Design

Two independent and blinded reviewers carried out a comprehensive search in five databases: PubMed, Cochrane, Scopus, Embase, and Web of Science. Eligible studies were randomized and nonrandomized clinical trials that evaluated in vivo microbiological load or clinical outcomes after using supplementary PDT in infected primary teeth.

Results

After the selection process, four studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in this study. Data regarding the sample characteristics and PDT protocols were retrieved. All included trials used phenothiazinium salts as photosensitizer agents. Only one study observed a significant difference in the in vivo microbiological load reduction outcome when performing PDT on primary teeth. The remaining studies all discussed the possible benefits of this intervention; however, none observed a significant difference in this outcome.

Conclusion

In this systematic review, moderate‐to‐low certainty of the available evidence was observed, and thus, no significant conclusions can be drawn from the findings.
Age‐specific differences in hypertension combination management and associated factors influencing treatment choice
Authors: Xiong Jianfei , Wang Li , Yang Chuanxi , Huang Hengye , He Ben , Shen Lan , Su Feng
Published: May 2023

The current hypertension guideline emphasizes combination therapy, especially single‐pill combination therapy (SPC). However, few studies compared the prevalence and factors associated with initial therapy choice across heterogeneous age groups in a current population. First, the authors consecutively identified 964 treatment naïve hypertensive patients in a large academic hospital from 01/31/2019 to 01/31/2020. All patients were grouped into (1) young aged, age < 55; (2) middle‐aged, 55≤age < 65; and (3) older aged, age ≥65. The multivariable regression model examined the factors associated with the combination therapy by age group. Overall, 80 (8.3%) were young, 191 (19.8%) were middle, and 693 (71.9%) were older aged. Compared with older age, younger patients were more likely to be male, highly educated, regularly exercised, have metabolic syndrome, and less likely to have cardiovascular‐related comorbidities, with a lower systolic but higher diastolic pressure. Only one in five patients used SPC, and the prevalence decreased with age. Besides hypertension grade, young patients without catheterization or echo test were less likely to receive multiple therapies, while older patients who were male with lower weight and lower risk levels were less likely to receive multiple therapies. In conclusion, combination therapy, especially SPC, was underused in the targeted hypertensive population. Our contemporary population study showed that young patients (<55) without a history of catheterization or echo examination and male older‐aged (≥65) patients with low‐risk classification were the population most likely to be neglected. Such information can help triage medical care resources in improving SPC use.
A data‐analytic framework to monitor product density of four‐effect falling‐film evaporator for skimmed milk production
Authors: Wagh Nivedita , Agashe Sudhir D.
Published: May 2023

The implementation of Industry 4.0 needs the convergence in operational technology and information technology (OT–IT) for improving the flexibility to access real‐time data and KPIs. In India, a small‐scale automation industry is full of edge devices and produces massive amount of data due to which an infrastructure may overwhelm. These industries face challenges in convergence of IT–OT like scalability. This work developed a data‐driven framework, which is an additional infrastructure between the IT–OT platforms. The framework consists of data cleaning which helps to remove the anomaly from the sensor data. The uncertainty analysis ensures the correctness of the data. Variable ranking and correlation matrix help to identify the KPIs of the process. All these stages are helpful to select the data and push this selected data to cloud for developing predictive or diagnostic models. This framework is deployed for the performance prediction of four‐effect falling‐film evaporator used to produce skimmed milk. The outlet skimmed milk density is the key performance indicator for the present case study and it is monitored here. Both linear and neural network‐based nonlinear models are used in the framework. It is noticed that linear regression model is capable of predicting the plant product density of skimmed milk with good accuracy. However, it is not capable to identify the faults in the key parameters like inlet milk flow rate. These faults can be better identified using k‐means clustering at the initial stage of the framework.

Practical applications

This article titled “A data‐analytic framework to monitor product density of four‐effect falling‐film evaporator for skimmed milk production” by Nivedita Wagh and Sudhir D. Agashe contains the results obtained for data‐driven framework for performance prediction and fault diagnosis for four‐effect falling‐film evaporator used for production of skimmed milk. A data‐driven framework which includes uncertainty analysis, variable ranking, various linear and neural network‐based nonlinear regression models for performance prediction, and fault detection of an evaporator is proposed. The results are presented in terms of density of the skimmed milk as a performance parameter. The objective of the work is to provide the possibility of IT–OT convergence so as to solve the scalability issue in the IT–OT convergence. The authors are able to bring out a data‐driven framework for fault identification using k‐means clustering using four‐effect falling‐film evaporator used for production of skimmed milk as a case study. We hope the results will be useful to data managers for understanding the KPIs statistics and take appropriate decision in time for the overall growth of organization.
New scoring system combining computed tomography body composition analysis and inflammatory–nutritional indicators to predict postoperative complications in stage II–III colon cancer
Authors: Ma Zheng , Liu Ruiqing , Liu Huasheng , Zheng Longbo , Zheng Xuefeng , Li Yinling , Cui Haoyu , Qin Chen , Hu Jilin
Published: May 2023

Background and Aim

Postoperative complications are important clinical outcomes for colon cancer patients. This study aimed to investigate the predictive value of inflammatory–nutritional indicators combined with computed tomography body composition on postoperative complications in patients with stage II–III colon cancer.

Methods

We retrospectively collected data from patients with stage II–III colon cancer admitted to our hospital from 2017 to 2021, including 198 patients in the training cohort and 50 patients in the validation cohort. Inflammatory–nutritional indicators and body composition were included in the univariate and multivariate analyses. Binary regression was used to develop a nomogram and evaluate its predictive value.

Results

In the multivariate analysis, the monocyte–lymphocyte ratio (MLR), systemic immune‐inflammation index (SII), nutritional risk score (NRS), skeletal muscle index (SMI), and visceral fat index (VFI) were independent risk factors for postoperative complications of stage II–III colon cancer. In the training cohort, the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of the predictive model was 0.825 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.764–0.886). In the validation cohort, it was 0.901 (95% CI 0.816–0.986). The calibration curve showed that the prediction results were in good agreement with the observational results. Decision curve analysis showed that colon cancer patients could benefit from the predictive model.

Conclusions

A nomogram combining MLR, SII, NRS, SMI, and VFI with good accuracy and reliability in predicting postoperative complications in patients with stage II–III colon cancer was established, which can help guide treatment decisions.
Carcinogenic potential in regenerated mucosa after endoscopic resection of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Akizue Naoki , Okimoto Kenichiro , Hirotsu Yosuke , Amemiya Kenji , Kaneko Tatsuya , Ohta Yuki , Taida Takashi , Saito Keiko , Matsumura Tomoaki , Nishimura Motoi , Matsushita Kazuyuki , Mochizuki Hitoshi , Chiba Tetsuhiro , Arai Makoto , Kato Jun , Omata Masao , Kato Naoya
Published: May 2023

Background and Aim

Little is known about genetic mutations in the regenerated mucosa (RM) after endoscopic resection (ER) of esophageal carcinoma. Thus, this study investigates the status of genetic variation in RM after ER of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).

Methods

The study cohort included 19 patients with ESCC. We used an esophageal carcinoma panel to identify target sequences for squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), background mucosa (BM), and RM after ER of ESCC. We used OncoKB to check whether each mutation was a putative driver.

Results

We identified 77 mutations of 32 genes in SCC, 133 mutations of 34 genes in BM, and 100 mutations of 29 genes in RM. Putative driver mutations were identified in 20 mutations in 14 cases in SCC, 16 mutations in 10 cases in BM, and 7 mutations in 11 cases in RM. The rate of putative driver mutations to total mutations was significantly lower in RM (26% in SCC vs 12% in BM vs 7% in RM, P = 0.009). Additionally, the rate of cases with TP53 putative driver mutations was significantly lower in RM (63% in SCC vs 37% in BM vs 16% in RM, P = 0.011). The percentage of putative driver mutations and the percentage of cases with a putative driver of TP53 were significantly lower in RM.

Conclusion

Esophageal RM after ER of ESCC could have a lower risk of carcinogenesis.
Rethinking the nineteenth‐century museum via the Ottoman imperial museum
Authors: Ünlüönen Sezen
Published: May 2023

Most accounts of the Ottoman Imperial Museum view the museum primarily as a Westernization project for the Ottoman Empire. In such readings, the museum follows a teleological trajectory toward the European norm. This article reads several of the early practices of the Ottoman Imperial Museum (such as interactive museum displays and the sultan's casual gifting of museum holdings to other European monarchs), not as hiccups on the way to Westernization, but rather as a distinctly Ottoman vision of museology and imperial power. Seen in this light, the early history of the Ottoman Imperial Museum challenges the standard account of the nineteenth‐century imperial museum as a site where imperial subjects are molded and where the empire displays its might. Instead, in the case of the Ottoman Imperial Museum, the scientific and orderly organization of the museum artifacts become a testament not to imperial power, but to imperial powerlessness.