bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Quantifying universities’ direct and indirect carbon emissions – the case of Delft University of Technology
Authors: Herth Annika , Blok Kornelis
Published: December 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present a comprehensive analysis of the carbon footprint of the Delft University of Technology (TU Delft), including direct and indirect emissions from utilities, logistics and purchases, as well as a discussion about the commonly used method. Emissions are presented in three scopes (scope 1 reports direct process emissions, scope 2 reports emissions from purchased energy and scope 3 reports indirect emissions from the value chain) to identify carbon emission hotspots within the university’s operations.

Design/methodology/approach

The carbon footprint was calculated using physical and monetary activity data, applying a process and economic input-output analysis.

Findings

TU Delft’s total carbon footprint in 2018 is calculated at 106 ktCO2eq. About 80% are indirect (scope 3) emissions, which is in line with other studies. Emissions from Real estate and construction, Natural gas, Equipment, ICT and Facility services accounted for about 64% of the total footprint, whereas Electricity, Water and waste-related carbon emissions were negligible. These findings highlight the need to reduce universities’ supply chain emissions.

Originality/value

A better understanding of carbon footprint hotspots can facilitate strategies to reduce emissions and finally achieve carbon neutrality. In contrast to other work, it is argued that using economic input-output models to calculate universities’ carbon footprints is a questionable practice, as they can provide only an initial estimation. Therefore, the development of better-suited methods is called for.
Should I sell part of my family firm? Exploring the drivers of a minority sale
Authors: Kurta Elias , Kammerlander Nadine H. , Khoury Christopher
Published: December 2022

Purpose

This study aims to extend the research in the field of external investments in family firms. It contributes to the literature by analyzing the drivers of the family firm owner-managers selling a minority stake to a strategic investor. This type of external investment might be of great interest to family firms because the family firm owner-managers can secure control over the firm and preserve socioemotional wealth while simultaneously generating additional financing and gaining strategic and managerial know-how. Likewise, minority investments in family firms might also be of high interest to strategic investors, thus enabling close collaborations (e.g. in R&D, purchasing and sales) with minor equity investments.

Design/methodology/approach

This study tests the hypotheses using a vignette study leveraging 327 observations from family firm owner-managers.

Findings

Based on the socioemotional wealth perspective, this study hypothesizes that the degree of family prominence, the degree of employee orientation and pure family management influence the willingness to sell. In addition, this study hypothesizes that the moderating effect of a below-average financial performance weakens the abovementioned direct effects. This study finds support for most hypotheses.

Originality/value

This study extends the research in the field of external investments in family firms. It contributes to the literature by analyzing the drivers of the family firm owner-managers selling a minority stake to a strategic investor.
Enablers of explorative and exploitative intellectual capital in entrepreneurial ecosystems
Authors: Grande Simona , Bertello Alberto , De Bernardi Paola , Ricciardi Francesca
Published: December 2022

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the intellectual capital (IC) dynamics in entrepreneurial ecosystems (EEs) by conceptualizing EEs as systems whose purposes include the (re)generation of the intangible resources needed for effective entrepreneurship. The study proposes a taxonomy of the key enablers of IC and develops a model that captures the unfolding interdependencies across the enablers of explorative and exploitative human, relational and organizational capital in EEs.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors purposefully selected a successful EE around an entrepreneurial university in Latin America as empirical case. Specifically, they investigated the IC dynamics of the EE in the context of a series of internationally awarded hackathons and related activities organized at the ecosystem level over three years (2019–2021). The research leveraged participant observations, in-depth interviews with multiple EE actors and archival documents. For the data analysis, this study combined the Gioia method with an abductive approach.

Findings

First, the study identified 27 operationalizable enablers of IC at the EE level clustered into human, relational and organizational capital and further differentiated these enablers considering the explorative and exploitative facets of IC. Second, it determined that the dynamic interplay across IC enablers is critical for an EE to flourish and evolve adaptively. This study concludes that assessing IC enablers and their dynamics can aid the understanding, evaluation and management of EEs.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first to conceptualize EEs as systems whose purposes include creating the conditions for an effective interplay of explorative and exploitative IC at the system level. The resulting taxonomy of IC enablers provides formative constructs that will benefit both scholars and practitioners investigating the crucial role of intangible resources in EEs and guide managers, entrepreneurs and policymakers in their decision-making processes.
A light robust optimization model for a hierarchical healthcare network
Authors: Yaqoubi Amir , Sabouhi Fatemeh , Bozorgi-Amiri Ali , Amalnick Mohsen Sadegh
Published: December 2022

Purpose

A growing body of evidence points to the influence of location and allocation decisions on the structure of healthcare networks. The authors introduced a three-level hierarchical facility location model to minimize travel time in the healthcare system under uncertainty.

Design/methodology/approach

Most healthcare networks are hierarchical and, as a result, the linkage between their levels makes it difficult to specify the location of the facilities. In this article, the authors present a hybrid approach according to data envelopment analysis and robust programming to design a healthcare network. In the first phase, the efficiency of each potential location is calculated based on the non-radial range-adjusted measure considering desirable and undesirable outputs based on a number of criteria such as the target area's population, proximity to earthquake faults, quality of urban life, urban decrepitude, etc. The locations deemed suitable are then used as candidate locations in the mathematical model. In the second phase, based on the proposed robust optimization model, called light robustness, the location and allocation decisions are adopted.

Findings

The developed model is evaluated using an actual-world case study in District 1 of Tehran, Iran and relevant results and different sensitivity analyses were presented as well. When the percentage of referral parameters changes, the value of the robust model's objective function increases.

Originality/value

The contributions of this article are listed as follows: Considering desirable and undesirable criteria to selecting candidate locations, providing a robust programming model for building a service network and applying the developed model to an actual-world case study.
A study on offshore wind farm site selection based on CRITIC and CPT-TOPSIS: a case study of China
Authors: Zhao Hui , Ge Yuanyuan , Wang Weihan
Published: December 2022

Purpose

This study aims to improve the offshore wind farm (OWF) site selection evaluation index system and establishes a decision-making model for OWF site selection. It is expected to provide helpful references for the progress of offshore wind power.

Design/methodology/approach

Firstly, this paper establishes an evaluation criteria system for OWF site selection, considering six criteria (wind resource, environment, economic, technical, social and risk) and related subcriteria. Then, the Criteria Importance Though Intercrieria Correlation (CRITIC) method is introduced to figure out the weights of evaluation indexes. In addition, the cumulative prospect theory and technique for order preference by similarity to an ideal solution (CPT-TOPSIS) method are employed to construct the OWF site selection decision-making model. Finally, taking the OWF site selection in China as an example, the effectiveness and robustness of the framework are verified by sensitivity analysis and comparative analysis.

Findings

This study establishes the OWF site selection evaluation system and constructs a decision-making model under the spherical fuzzy environment. A case of China is employed to verify the effectiveness and feasibility of the model.

Originality/value

In this paper, a new decision-making model is proposed for the first time, considering the ambiguity and uncertainty of information and the risk attitudes of decision-makers (DMs) in the decision-making process.
First steps towards shared print collaboration in Sweden
Authors: Byström Karin , Isaksson Anna , Thordstein Anna , Undorf Wolfgang
Published: December 2022

Purpose

This paper reports the development in Sweden during the last few years on shared print cooperation. In June 2022, 30 libraries signed a letter of intent on cooperation on preservation and withdrawal of print material. By taking joint responsibility for long-term preservation, libraries aim to secure access as well as diversity and breadth in the collections.

Design/methodology/approach

As a first practical step, the working group is conducting a national collection analysis using metadata in the national catalog LIBRIS.

Findings

The paper presents the preliminary results of the collection analysis and discusses the next steps for the collaboration. 

Originality/value

The Swedish collaboration is one of many European and international collaborations on print archiving, and as such being of interest to a global library field.
The challenge of publishing a paper: an autoethnographic study
Authors: Vasconcelos Anselmo Ferreira
Published: December 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to analyze the author’s experience related to several attempts of getting approved a paper of their authorship about gender and organizations by the lens of a researcher trying to meet his goal.

Design/methodology/approach

Throughout the endeavor, the author received substantial feedback and evaluations from editors and reviewers that allowed him to understand better the motivation of those that are dedicated to carry out such task; enhance his work whenever was possible; increase his resilience and self-motivation; and identify several inconsistencies of the peer-review process. Furthermore, that ample opinionated material allowed him to conduct the current autoethnographic study.

Findings

Accordingly, the author’s findings identified three aggregate dimensions, namely, demotivating assessments, mixed perceptions and motivating assessments. Moreover, the author did not identify any trace of developmental review (help), bill of rights or notion of being an “artist,” as some scholars suggest, from both the reviewers’ or editors’ part, but only from a specific journal’s editor and one of its reviewers. On the one hand, the majority of the reviewers/editors showed a harsh view about the author’s work or even a lack of interest to ponder his arguments and difficulties to carry out that study. Even though the author alluded to the limitations and unsurmountable hurdles that he faced along the way, they showed neither sympathy nor comprehension to his comments. On the other hand, it was not an easy task to the author to sift the hints provided by them.

Research limitations/implications

Nonetheless, the author also recognizes his own limitations that eventually affected his analysis and point of views. It is also worth noting that this method relies on a unique source (the author).

Practical implications

The author believes that his ideas and opinions have some base and merit. Rather, his findings embrace profound implications for reviewers and editors, particularly in terms of how they perform their work.

Originality/value

To the best of the author’s knowledge, this is the first endeavor focusing on peer-review system related to organizational studies and grounded in an autoethnography approach. Therefore, their contribution is derived from a researcher that is familiar with the system and its flaws.
Mitigating asymmetric information to enhance MSME Islamic financial inclusion by Islamic banks in Indonesia
Authors: Saifurrahman Adi , Kassim Salina H.J.
Published: December 2022

Purpose

This study aims to explore and analyse the credit risk assessment procedure conducted by the Indonesian Islamic banks to address the issue of asymmetric information among their micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprise (MSME) clients. This study also investigates the gaps in credit risk assessment procedures by comparing Islamic banks’ practices and presenting several recommendations to reinforce the credit risk evaluation procedures and eventually promote more inclusion of the MSME segment into the Islamic financial services.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper adopts a qualitative method by implementing a multi-case study research strategy. The data were gathered primarily through an interview approach by incorporating purposive uncontrolled quota sampling.

Findings

The result of this study implies that the Islamic banks in Indonesia have their own unique approaches and strategies in assessing the credit risk and have several similarities in performing their evaluation procedures for the MSME. Despite seemingly adequate approaches and measures taken by the Islamic banks to eliminate the asymmetric information problem, the study identifies several gaps that occur within the Islamic banks’ methods of credit risk assessment.

Research limitations/implications

Since this study focuses on Indonesia and emphasises the two segments of Islamic banks, which consist of Islamic commercial and rural banks, in performing the MSME credit risk assessment; therefore, the findings of this study were limited around the observed Islamic banks within the MSME segment purview.

Practical implications

By referring to the recommendations as proposed by this paper, four implications could be expected from adopting these respective recommendations, among others: more effective evaluation procedures for the MSME, provision of a clear path and more efficient approach to assess the MSME units, lower financing cost and increase the confidence of Islamic banking industry in disbursing more financing to the MSME sector. This mechanism will potentially improve Islamic financial inclusion for the MSME due to the greater access to financial services; hence, the sector could contribute even more to Indonesia’s growing economy.

Originality/value

By incorporating a multi-case study among Indonesian Islamic banks pertaining to their methods in evaluating MSME customers, this study identifies several gaps affecting the effectiveness of MSME credit risk assessment. Furthermore, this study also presents a proposed framework to address these gaps accordingly by suggesting the salient strategies to minimise the issues of information asymmetry and enhance the MSME credit risk assessment procedure.
The association between spontaneous preterm birth and maternal hypertension in the fifth decade of life: a retrospective case–control study
Authors: Janssen Laura E. , de Boer Marjon A. , von Königslöw Eline C. E. , Oudijk Martijn A. , de Groot Christianne J. M.
Published: December 2022

Objective

To investigate whether a history of spontaneous preterm birth (SPTB) predisposes to maternal hypertension.

Design

Retrospective case–control study.

Setting

Two affiliated university medical hospitals in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

Population

We included 350 women with a history of SPTB between 22 and 36+6 weeks and 166 women with a history of a term birth. Women with pregnancy complications that are known to be associated with cardiovascular disease were excluded.

Methods

Both groups underwent cardiovascular risk assessment 9–16 years after pregnancy. We performed a subgroup analysis based upon the severity of SPTB.

Main Outcome Measures

Hypertension. Secondary outcomes – metabolic syndrome, mean blood pressure, anthropometrics, blood and urine sampling, Framingham Risk Score and Systematic Coronary Risk Evaluation.

Results

A history of SPTB was significantly associated with hypertension; adjusted odds ratio 1.60 (95% confidence interval 1.04–2.46, p = 0.033). Abdominal obesity was more often diagnosed after SPTB (n = 163, 46.6% versus n = 54, 32.5%, p = 0.003) and was more pronounced with more severe preterm birth (p = 0.002).

Conclusions

The presence of hypertension 9–16 years after pregnancy was statistically significantly higher among women with a history of SPTB than among women with a history of uncomplicated term birth. Women with a history of SPTB were more often diagnosed with abdominal obesity, especially those with a history of extreme preterm birth.
The ephemeral resource patch concept
Authors: Butterworth Nathan J. , Benbow M. Eric , Barton Philip S.
Published: December 2022

Ephemeral resource patches (ERPs) – short lived resources including dung, carrion, temporary pools, rotting vegetation, decaying wood, and fungi – are found throughout every ecosystem. Their short‐lived dynamics greatly enhance ecosystem heterogeneity and have shaped the evolutionary trajectories of a wide range of organisms – from bacteria to insects and amphibians. Despite this, there has been no attempt to distinguish ERPs clearly from other resource types, to identify their shared spatiotemporal characteristics, or to articulate their broad ecological and evolutionary influences on biotic communities. Here, we define ERPs as any distinct consumable resources which (i) are homogeneous (genetically, chemically, or structurally) relative to the surrounding matrix, (ii) host a discrete multitrophic community consisting of species that cannot replicate solely in any of the surrounding matrix, and (iii) cannot maintain a balance between depletion and renewal, which in turn, prevents multiple generations of consumers/users or reaching a community equilibrium. We outline the wide range of ERPs that fit these criteria, propose 12 spatiotemporal characteristics along which ERPs can vary, and synthesise a large body of literature that relates ERP dynamics to ecological and evolutionary theory. We draw this knowledge together and present a new unifying conceptual framework that incorporates how ERPs have shaped the adaptive trajectories of organisms, the structure of ecosystems, and how they can be integrated into biodiversity management and conservation. Future research should focus on how inter‐ and intra‐resource variation occurs in nature – with a particular focus on resource × environment × genotype interactions. This will likely reveal novel adaptive strategies, aid the development of new eco‐evolutionary theory, and greatly improve our understanding of the form and function of organisms and ecosystems.
Long‐term impact of patients' compliance to peri‐implant maintenance therapy on the incidence of peri‐implant diseases: An 11‐year prospective follow‐up clinical study
Authors: Costa Fernando Oliveira , Costa Adriana Moreira , Ferreira Sérgio Diniz , Lima Rafael Paschoal Esteves , Pereira Gustavo Henrique Mattos , Cyrino Renata Magalhães , Oliveira Alcione Maria Soares Dutra , Oliveira Peterson Antônio Dutra , Cota Luís Otávio Miranda
Published: December 2022

Objective

To prospectively evaluate the incidence of peri‐implant diseases and the associated risk factors during 11 years of peri‐implant maintenance therapy (PIMT).

Material and Methods

A sample of 80 partially edentulous individuals rehabilitated with dental implants was invited to participate in a PIMT program (T1—prior to entering the PIMT program). After 11 years, 51 individuals remained regularly or irregularly adherent to PIMT (T2—last recall after 11 years) and were classified as regular (RC; n = 27) or irregular (IC; n = 24) compliers. Data of interest were analyzed using univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses.

Results

The incidence of peri‐implant mucositis and peri‐implantitis observed at T2 in the IC group (70.8% and 37.5%, respectively) were significantly higher than those observed in the RC group (37.0% and 11.1%, respectively). The incidence of peri‐implant diseases was mostly attributable to potentially modifiable risk factors, as such: RC group—PM (p = 0.013); IC group—high plaque index (p < 0.001), irregular compliance (p < 0.001), the presence of PM (p = 0.015) and periodontitis (p < 0.039).

Conclusion

Regular compliance during PIMT had a strong effect in minimizing the incidence of peri‐implant diseases. Increasing regular dental visits and improving oral hygiene would provide benefits for preventing peri‐implant diseases.
Seed dispersal by waterbirds: a mechanistic understanding by simulating avian digestion
Authors: van Leeuwen Casper H. A. , Soons Merel B. , Vandionant Laura G. V. T. I. , Green Andy J. , Bakker Elisabeth S.
Published: December 2022

Waterbirds disperse plant species via ingestion and egestion of seeds (endozoochory). However, our understanding about the regulating effects of seed traits, underlying mechanisms and possible (co)evolutionary processes is limited by our traditional reliance on data from feeding experiments with living waterbirds. Here, we overcome these limitations by developing and applying a new bioassay that realistically simulates digestive processes for Anseriformes waterbirds. We test three hypotheses: 1) seed survival and germination are most affected by mechanical digestion in the waterbird gizzard; 2) seed size, hardness, imbibition and shape regulate seed survival; and 3) plants growing in aquatic habitats benefit most from endozoochory by waterbirds. Experiments with 28 200 seeds of 48 plant species demonstrated species‐specific seed survival that was entirely determined by digestion in the avian gizzard. Intestinal digestion did not affect seed survival but affected seed establishment (germinability and germination time) for 21% of the species. Large, hard seeds survived the simulations the best, in contrast to generally higher seed survival for smaller seeds during in vivo experiments. This mechanistically explains that small seeds escape digestive processes rather than being inherently more resistant (the ‘escape mechanism'), while large seeds are retained until fully digested or regurgitated (the ‘resistance and regurgitation mechanism'). Plants growing in wetter habitats had similar seed survival, but digestive processes stimulated their germinability and accelerated their germination more than for terrestrial plants. This indicates a relative advantage of endozoochory for plant species growing in wet habitats, possibly reflecting a co‐evolutionary response related to dormancy breaking by gut passage. Simulating seed gut passage using a bioassay allowed establishing mechanisms and identifying relevant seed traits involved in seed dispersal by waterbirds. This information enhances our understanding of how animal species shape plant species distributions, which is extremely relevant now that current anthropogenic pressures already severely impact plant dispersal capacities.
Visiting ‘home’: Considering diasporic practices through assemblage dynamics
Authors: Wagner Lauren B
Published: December 2022

Visiting ‘home’ as a migrant may not always be about going home. Exploring a case where visiting is motivated by tourism as much as – or more than – migration, I argue for using assemblage as a set of ontological premises enables alternative appreciations of how practices of ‘visiting home’ evolve. Starting from a primacy of relationality and of malleable materialities, this perspective does not rely on migration‐defined polarities to frame the spectrum of belonging in a homeland but allows for influences from many sources to interact and generate new formations that exceed the sum of their parts. Within this case, I analyse diasporic practices of visiting through three entwined dynamics: a contradictory sense of attachment to a place of ancestral origin, a desire for embodied leisure on vacation, and an instinct to insulate oneself from certain others. All three simultaneously contribute to the potency and perpetuation of diasporic visiting in Morocco.
Rocks explained 2: Basalt
Authors: Brooks Kent
Published: December 2022

Basalt is a fairly familiar word, although few laymen could define it. In fact, basalts are the commonest rocks of the Solar System. On Earth, they are found in all tectonic settings and of all ages throughout geological time. Basalts are volcanic rocks, rich in magnesium and poor in silica, consisting of plagioclase (with a composition in the labradorite range) and the mafic minerals: olivine, pyroxene, iron oxides and sometimes hornblende. They are dark‐coloured, fine‐grained (although larger crystals, known as ‘phenocrysts’ or ‘megacrysts’ may occur) and are typically found as lava flows. Basalt makes up enormous accumulations, often over 1 million square kilometres in size, known as ‘large igneous provinces’ or LIPs, which may be associated with mass extinctions. Other, more siliceous, rocks are hypothesized to be derived from basaltic magmas by the process of igneous differentiation.
circTMEM181 upregulates ARHGAP29 to inhibit hepatocellular carcinoma migration and invasion by sponging miR‐519a‐5p
Authors: Chen Bing , Li Qiaojuan , Li Yuchen , Li Qin , Lai Hongyan , Huang Shenglin , Li Caiping , Li Yan
Published: December 2022

Aim

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are a novel class of noncoding RNAs and are conserved in various species. Although numerous circRNAs have been identified, their role in cancer remains unclear.

Methods

The expression of circTMEM181 in 90 paired human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and adjacent nontumor tissues were detected using quantitative reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction. Transwell assay was performed for functional analysis of HCC cell migration and invasion. Luciferase reporter assay was used to verify the combination of circTMEM181 and miR‐519a‐5p.

Results

In this study, we identified a novel circRNA, named circTMEM181, was downregulated in HCC tissues. Decreased expression of circTMEM181 was associated with shorter overall survival of patients with HCC. CircTMEM181 overexpression reduced HCC cell migration and invasion abilities, while circTMEM181 knockdown increased cell motility. Mechanically, circTMEM181 could directly bind to miR‐519a‐5p and subsequently upregulate ARHGAP29 protein expression.

Conclusion

These data provide the first evidence of clinical significance and function of circTMEM181, and suggest the circTMEM181/miR‐519a‐5p/ARHGAP29 axis in HCC development.
Trends in school‐neighbourhood inequalities and youth obesity: Repeated cross‐sectional analyses of the public schools in the state of California
Authors: Matsuzaki Mika , Sanchez‐Vaznaugh Emma V. , Alexovitz Kelsey , Acosta Maria E. , Sánchez Brisa N.
Published: December 2022

Background

It is currently unknown whether the relationship between affluence of school neighbourhoods and prevalence of youth overweight/obesity is uniform across demographic subgroups and areal context in the United States.

Methods

We examined association between school‐neighbourhood income tertiles and school‐level overweight/obesity (OVOB) prevalence, using data on body mass index of fifth, seventh, and nineth graders who attended public schools in California in 2001 and 2010 (n = 1 584 768), using multiple logistic regression models.

Results

Overall, OVOB prevalence was higher in lower‐income school neighbourhoods, with a steeper income‐OVOB gradient for girls. Among boys, the gradient became steeper in 2010 than 2000. Among Asian and White girls, the negative gradients were steepest in rural areas. For African–American students in all areas and Latino boys in rural areas, there was less clear evidence of inverse income‐OVOB gradients. Addition of fast‐food restaurant availability to the models did not change the observed inverse school‐neighbourhood income–obesity gradients.

Conclusions

The findings suggest the needs to investigate reasons for this variability with consideration to combinations of sociodemographic, economic, and environmental risk factors that may contribute to disparities in childhood obesity.
Trends of radical cystectomy and comparisons of surgical outcomes among surgical approaches focusing on robot‐assisted radical cystectomy: A Japanese nationwide database study
Authors: Chen Wei , Yokoyama Minato , Kobayashi Masaki , Fan Bo , Fukuda Shohei , Waseda Yuma , Tanaka Hajime , Yoshida Soichiro , Ai Masumi , Fushimi Kiyohide , Nonomura Norio , Fujii Yasuhisa
Published: December 2022

Objective

To clarify the trends in radical cystectomy and to compare surgical outcomes among surgical approaches focusing on robot‐assisted radical cystectomy based on a Japanese nationwide database.

Methods

The Diagnosis Procedure Combination database was used to extract data on radical cystectomy cases. Trends in open radical cystectomy, laparoscopic radical cystectomy, minimum incision endoscopic radical cystectomy, and robot‐assisted radical cystectomy between April 2012 and March 2021 were evaluated. Basic characteristics and peri‐operative indicators were compared among the four groups. Propensity score matching was applied to assess the differences between open radical cystectomy and robot‐assisted radical cystectomy.

Results

During the study period, a decreasing number of open radical cystectomies and an increasing number of minimally invasive radical cystectomies were shown in the total cohort of 28 345 cases. The number of robot‐assisted radical cystectomies rapidly increased after government approval in 2018. Minimally invasive radical cystectomies, including robot‐assisted radical cystectomies, had a significantly lower complication rate, a shorter length of stay, and a lower blood transfusion rate, but a longer anesthesia time than open radical cystectomies. In the propensity score matching analysis comparing the surgical outcomes of robot‐assisted radical cystectomy and open radical cystectomy, similar results were demonstrated, and blood transfusion rates were equivalent.

Conclusion

For the past decade, the number of minimally invasive radical cystectomies has steadily increased without compromised surgical outcomes, except for anesthesia time. Robot‐assisted radical cystectomies in particular rapidly became widespread in Japan after government approval in 2018 and became a standard surgery within the first 3 years.
Clinical outcomes of negative pressure wound therapy with instillation vs standard negative pressure wound therapy for wounds: A meta‐analysis of randomised controlled trials
Authors: Wang Guoqi , Xu Haiyan , Xu Gaoxiang , Zhang Hao , Li Zhirui , Liu Daohong
Published: December 2022

Negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) with or without instillation has been extensively applied for patients with multiple wound types. Whether NPWT with instillation is superior to NPWT alone is not known. This study aims to compare the efficacy between negative pressure wound therapy with instillation (NPWTi) and standard negative pressure wound therapy for wounds. The authors searched for randomised controlled trials (RCTs) in PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials investigating clinical outcomes of negative pressure wound therapy with instillation vs standard negative pressure wound therapy for wounds. The registration number (protocol) on PROSPERO is CRD42022287178. Eight RCTs involved 564 patients met the inclusion criteria and were included finally. NPWTi showed a significant fewer surgeries and dressing changes (RR and 95% CI, −9.31 [−17.54, −1.08], P < 0.05), and smaller wound area after treatment (RR and 95% CI, −9.31 [−17.54, −1.08], P < 0.05) compared with NPWT. No significant difference was observed on healing rate, time to heal, length of stay, dehiscence, reinfection, reoperation and readmission between NPWTi and NPWT. The addition of instillation to NPWT could improve clinical outcomes regarding the number of surgeries and dressing changes, and wound area after treatment in patients with multiple wound types. However, because of the heterogeneity these conclusions still need to be further validated by more well‐designed RCTs with large sample sizes.
Bioinformatics analysis and identification of dysregulated POSTN in the pathogenesis of keloid
Authors: Xu Hailin , Wang Zhiyong , Yang Hao , Zhu Jiayuan , Hu Zhicheng
Published: December 2022

Keloid is a benign fibro‐proliferative dermal tumour formed by an abnormal scarring response to injury and characterised by excessive collagen accumulation and invasive growth. The pathophysiology of keloids is complex, and the treatment for keloids is still an unmet medical need. Here, we investigated the transcriptional gene that influences keloid development by comparing keloid, non‐lesioned keloid skin and normal skin as well as keloid fibroblast and normal fibroblast (GSE83286, GSE92566, GSE44270). Based on the analysis, 146 up‐regulated genes and 48 down‐regulated genes were found in keloid tissue compared with normal skin and keloid no‐lesioned skin. Eleven genes were further identified by overlapping the DEGs from keloid tissue described previously with DEGs in keloid fibroblast. The overlapped genes included PRR16, SFRP2, EDIL3, GERM1, POSTN, PDE3A, GALNT5, F2RL2, EYA4, ZFHX4, and AIM2. POSTN is the most crucial node in PPI network, which mainly correlate to collagen‐related genes. Moreover, siRNA knockdown identified POSTN is a crucial regulatory gene that regulates keloid fibroblast migration and collagen I, collagen III expression level. In conclusion, our study identified 11 hub genes that play crucial role in keloid formation and provided insights for POSTN to be the therapeutic target for keloid through bioinformatic analysis of three datasets. Additionally, our results would support the development of future therapeutic strategies.
Optimized weighted mobility induced high thermoelectric performance of ZnO‐based multilayered thin films
Authors: Zhou Zhifang , Zheng Yunpeng , Yang Yueyang , Zhang Wenyu , Wei Bin , Zou Mingchu , Lan Jinle , Nan Ce‐Wen , Lin Yuan‐Hua
Published: December 2022

As a transparent thermoelectric oxide, gallium‐doped zinc oxide (GZO) has the potential to power wearable or portable electronics and may be used in the integrated circuits industry for chip cooling. Constructing ZnO–GZO interfaces has been proposed as an effective strategy for improving thermoelectric performance of GZO thin films. However, without the aid of band structure calculation for multilayered films, it is hard to directly elucidate the underlying mechanisms of carrier transport. Weighted mobility is an indicator that reveals the inherent electronic transport properties like carrier scattering, electronic band structure, and so on. Thus, to further investigate the effects of ZnO–GZO interfaces on electrical properties of GZO thin films, the structures containing different numbers of ZnO–GZO interfaces were designed and the correlations among numbers of ZnO–GZO interfaces, weighted mobility, and electrical properties were explored. It was found that with more ZnO–GZO interfaces, the weighted mobility increased, and the power factor values also improved as well. Consequently, an enhanced power factor value reached 439 μW m−1 K−2 at 623 K. This work demonstrated the beneficial effects of multiple interfaces on the improvements of electrical transport performance through analyzing weighted mobility, which laid a foundation for further optimization of thermoelectric performance.
Productivity drives the dynamics of a red kite source population that depends on immigration
Authors: Pfeiffer Thomas , Schaub Michael
Published: December 2022

Local population dynamics are driven by local processes such as temporal variation of productivity, survival, emigration and population stage structure, and by processes originating from outside the local population, such as immigration. Populations may operate as sources that contribute more individuals than have died or as sinks that depend on neighbouring populations. Knowing demographic processes driving the dynamics of a local population and the significance of a local population in a system of multiple populations is crucial for understanding population dynamics and requires detailed demographic analyses. We studied demographic drivers in a red kite Milvus milvus population located in Germany that was monitored for 34 years using integrated population modelling. We specified the model in such a way that the numbers of experienced breeders, local recruits, locally born non‐breeders and immigrants are estimated explicitly, applied a retrospective perturbation analysis to identify the demographic drivers and assessed the source‐sink status of the population. The study population increased on average by 1% per year. The number of breeders was about double than the number of locally born non‐breeders, and the number of experienced breeders exceeded the number of local recruits and immigrants by a factor of six to nine. The retrospective analysis identified productivity, i.e. the number of fledglings per breeding pair, as the main demographic driver, followed by adult survival and immigration. As other studies show close links between food supply and productivity, it is likely that food supply plays a critical role in red kite population dynamics. The study population contributed more individuals than it lost through mortality, but due to emigration of locally born individuals it was not self‐sustainable and depended on immigration. This quantifies the population as a dependent source and shows that red kite populations are linked across large spatial scales.
ANAC087 transcription factor positively regulates age‐dependent leaf senescence through modulating the expression of multiple target genes in Arabidopsis
Authors: Chen Qinqin , Yan Jingli , Tong Tiantian , Zhao Peiyu , Wang Shuangshuang , Zhou Na , Cui Xing , Dai Moyu , Jiang Yuan‐Qing , Yang Bo
Published: December 2022

Leaf senescence is the final stage of leaf development and appropriate onset and progression of leaf senescence are critical for reproductive success and fitness. Although great progress has been made in identifying key genes regulating leaf senescence and elucidating the underlining mechanisms in the model plant Arabidopsis, there is still a gap to understanding the complex regulatory network. In this study, we discovered that Arabidopsis ANAC087 transcription factor (TF) positively modulated leaf senescence. Expression of ANAC087 was induced in senescing leaves and the encoded protein acted as a transcriptional activator. Both constitutive and inducible overexpression lines of ANAC087 showed earlier senescence than control plants, whereas T‐DNA insertion mutation and dominant repression of the ANAC087 delayed senescence rate. A quantitative reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR) profiling showed that the expression of an array of senescence‐associated genes was upregulated in inducible ANAC087 overexpression plants including BFN1, NYE1, CEP1, RbohD, SAG13, SAG15, and VPEs, which are involved in programmed cell death (PCD), chlorophyll degradation and reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation. In addition, electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) and chromatin immunoprecipitation‐quantitative polymerase chain reaction (ChIP‐qPCR) assays demonstrated that ANAC087 directly bound to the canonical NAC recognition sequence (NACRS) motif in promoters of its target genes. Moreover, mutation of two representative target genes, BFN1 or NYE1 alleviated the senescence rate of ANAC087‐overexpression plants, suggesting their genetic regulatory relationship. Taken together, this study indicates that ANAC087 serves as an important regulator linking PCD, ROS, and chlorophyll degradation to leaf senescence.
Fundamental Neurochemistry Review: Incorporating a greater diversity of cell types, including microglia, in brain organoid cultures improves clinical translation
Authors: Wenzel Tyler J. , Le Jennifer , He Jim , Alcorn Jane , Mousseau Darrell D.
Published: December 2022

Brain organoids have the potential to improve clinical translation, with the added benefit of reducing any extraneous use of experimental animals. As brain organoids are three‐dimensional in vitro constructs that emulate the human brain, they bridge in vitro and in vivo studies more appropriately than monocultures. Although many factors contribute to the failure of extrapolating monoculture‐based information to animal‐based experiments and clinical trials, for the purpose of this review, we will focus on glia (non‐neuronal brain cells), whose functions and transcriptome are particularly abnormal in monocultures. As discussed herein, glia require signals from—and contact with—other cell types to exist in their homeostatic state, which likely contributes to some of the differences between data derived from monocultures and data derived from brain organoids and even two‐dimensional co‐cultures. Furthermore, we highlight transcriptomic differences between humans and mice in regard to aging and Alzheimer's disease, emphasizing need for a model using the human genome—again, a benefit of brain organoids—to complement data derived from animals. We also identify an urgency for guidelines to improve the reporting and transparency of research using organoids. The lack of reporting standards creates challenges for the comparison and discussion of data from different articles. Importantly, brain organoids mark the first human model enabling the study of brain cytoarchitecture and development.

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Oxygen treatment reduces neurological deficits and demyelination in two animal models of multiple sclerosis
Authors: Amatruda Mario , Harris Kate , Matis Alina , Davies Andrew L. , McElroy Daniel , Clark Michael , Linington Christopher , Desai Roshni , Smith Kenneth J.
Published: December 2022

Aims

The objective of the study is to explore the importance of tissue hypoxia in causing neurological deficits and demyelination in the inflamed CNS, and the value of inspiratory oxygen treatment, using both active and passive experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE).

Methods

Normobaric oxygen treatment was administered to Dark Agouti rats with either active or passive EAE, compared with room air‐treated, and naïve, controls.

Results

Severe neurological deficits in active EAE were significantly improved after just 1 h of breathing approximately 95% oxygen. The improvement was greater and more persistent when oxygen was applied either prophylactically (from immunisation for 23 days), or therapeutically from the onset of neurological deficits for 24, 48, or 72 h. Therapeutic oxygen for 72 h significantly reduced demyelination and the integrated stress response in oligodendrocytes at the peak of disease, and protected from oligodendrocyte loss, without evidence of increased oxidative damage. T‐cell infiltration and cytokine expression in the spinal cord remained similar to that in untreated animals.

The severe neurological deficit of animals with passive EAE occurred in conjunction with spinal hypoxia and was significantly reduced by oxygen treatment initiated before their onset.

Conclusions

Severe neurological deficits in both active and passive EAE can be caused by hypoxia and reduced by oxygen treatment. Oxygen treatment also reduces demyelination in active EAE, despite the autoimmune origin of the disease.
Substrate stiffness promotes dentinogenesis via LAMB1–FAK–MEK1/2 signaling axis
Authors: Bai Mingru , Chen Huiyu , Zhang Zhaowei , Liu Xiaoyu , Zhang Demao , Wang Chengling
Published: December 2022

Objectives

In vivo, the principal function of mechanosensitive odontoblasts is to synthesize and secrete the matrix which then calcifies and forms reactive dentin after exposure to appropriate stimuli. This study aims to develop the influence of mechanical factors on dentinogenesis based on odontoblasts, which contribute to reparative dentin formation.

Methods

We fabricated polydimethylsiloxane with different stiffnesses and seeded 17IIA11 odontoblast‐like cells on the substrates in different stiffnesses. Cell morphology was detected by scanning electron microscope, and the mineralization phenotype was detected by alkaline phosphatase staining and alizarin red staining, while expression levels of dentinogenesis‐related genes (including Runx2, Osx, and Alp) were assayed by qPCR. To explore mechanism, protein distribution and expression levels were detected by immunofluorescent staining, Western blotting, and immunoprecipitation.

Results

In our results, during dentinogenesis, 17IIA11 odontoblast‐like cells appeared better extension on stiffer substrates. The binding between LAMB1 and FAK contributed to converting mechanical stimuli into biochemical signaling, thereby controlling mitogen‐activated protein kinase kinase 1/2 activity in stiffness‐driven dentinogenesis.

Conclusion

The present study suggests odontoblast behaviors can be directly regulated by mechanical factors at cell–material interfaces, which offers fundamental mechanism in remodeling cell microenvironment, thereby contributing to physiological phenomena explanation and tissue engineering progress.
Deep learning‐assisted diagnosis of parotid gland tumors by using contrast‐enhanced CT imaging
Authors: Shen Xue‐Meng , Mao Liang , Yang Zhi‐Yi , Chai Zi‐Kang , Sun Ting‐Guan , Xu Yongchao , Sun Zhi‐Jun
Published: December 2022

Objectives

Imaging interpretation of the benignancy or malignancy of parotid gland tumors (PGTs) is a critical consideration prior to surgery in view of therapeutic and prognostic values of such discrimination. This study investigates the application of a deep learning‐based method for preoperative stratification of PGTs.

Materials and Methods

Using the 3D DenseNet‐121 architecture and a dataset consisting of 117 volumetric arterial‐phase contrast‐enhanced CT scans, we developed a binary classifier for PGT distinction and tested it. We compared the discriminative performance of the model on the test set to that of 12 junior and 12 senior head and neck clinicians. Besides, potential clinical utility of the model was evaluated by measuring changes in unassisted and model‐assisted performance of junior clinicians.

Results

The model finally reached the sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV, F1‐score of 0.955 (95% CI 0.751–0.998), 0.667 (95% CI 0.241–0.940), 0.913 (95% CI 0.705–0.985), 0.800 (95% CI 0.299–0.989) and 0.933, respectively, comparable to that of practicing clinicians. Furthermore, there were statistically significant increases in junior clinicians' specificity, PPV, NPV and F1‐score in differentiating benign from malignant PGTs when unassisted and model‐assisted performance of junior clinicians were compared.

Conclusion

Our results provide evidence that deep learning‐based method may offer assistance for PGT's binary distinction.