bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Rethinking green investment and corporate sustainability: the south European countries experiences during the COVID-19 crisis
Authors: Brescia Valerio , Esposito Paolo , Amelio Stefano , Biancone Paolo Pietro
Published: July 2023

Purpose

The COVID-19 pandemic has generated a crisis that has hit the European economy and the currently existing systems. To cope with the crisis, Europe has started an investment aiming the energy transition and crisis. Portugal, Spain and Greece have received the approval of their National Recovery Plans from the European Commission, with a definition of spending up to 2026 through the European Union (EU) Next Generation Found. The study investigates whether the Green Deal policies are relaunched by the plans financed and whether the pandemic has changed and conditioned the priorities of the energy transaction. The study uses the lens of corporate social responsability (CSR) and relapse measurable across the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Design/methodology/approach

The Green Deal policies supported by new European investments in the three countries were analyzed through a content analysis (CA) technique to investigate the associated practical and theoretical elements.

Findings

The energy theme has a relevance compared to other issues in the investment plans envisaged in Greece, Portugal and Spain. The analysis highlights energy efficiency, sustainable energy and reduction of consumption among the main themes. Energetically, sustainable building plays a central role. The study highlights the relationship between Green Deal policies, CSR, SDGs and management tools adopted.

Originality/value

The study strengthens the relationship between the Green Deal, CSR and SDGs by identifying policies that have already been implemented and theoretical and practical gaps on which politicians and scholars will have to investigate and support in the process of development and continuity of the identified pillars.
Educational data mining and learning analytics: a review of educational management in e-learning
Authors: Rabelo Anaile , Rodrigues Marcos W. , Nobre Cristiane , Isotani Seiji , Zárate Luis
Published: July 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to identify the main perspectives and trends in educational data mining (EDM) in the e-learning environment from a managerial perspective.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper proposes a systematic literature review to identify the main perspectives and trends in EDM in the e-learning environment from a managerial perspective. The study domain of this review is restricted by the educational concepts of e-learning and management. The search for bibliographic material considered articles published in journals and papers published in conferences from 1994 to 2023, totaling 30 years of research in EDM.

Findings

From this review, it was observed that managers have been concerned about the effectiveness of the platform used by students as it contains the entire learning process and all the interactions performed, which enable the generation of information. From the data collected on these platforms, there are improvements and inferences that can be made about the actions of educators and human tutors (or automatic tutoring systems), curricular optimization or changes related to course content, proposal of evaluation criteria and also increase the understanding of different learning styles.

Originality/value

This review was conducted from the perspective of the manager, who is responsible for the direction of an institution of higher education, to assist the administration in creating strategies for the use of data mining to improve the learning process. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this review is original because other contributions do not focus on the manager.
Housing reconstruction after traumatic events: a Poe study of Bam housing after the 2003 earthquake, Iran
Authors: Asadi Saeedeh , Sharghi Ali , Mottaki Zoheir , Salehsedghpour Bahram
Published: July 2023

Purpose

Earthquake stressful events cause many consequences and need for survivors. Housing reconstruction is one of the most urgent needs; due to traumatic experiences, dialectical changes in people–place relationships occur.

Design/methodology/approach

The present study uses the Poe method and Q methodology to identify the hidden dimensions of trauma-informed housing reconstruction. A questionnaire with 74 items on the Likert scale was developed based on indicative Poe. It was completed by the purposive sampling method by Bam households. The influential factors in housing reconstruction with a psychological recovery approach were extracted by q-factor analysis in communities with different traumatic experiences.

Findings

According to the findings, first, people who had experienced complete home destruction; severe physical injuries; loss of family members and relatives; and were trapped under the earthquake rubble have different place-based needs in housing reconstruction for coping with fears and environmental concerns, protective behaviors, safety perception and as result safety reassurance. Second, regardless of the traumatic experience and losses, reconstruction acceleration and economic-social dignity have a positive effect on the communities’ psychological recovery.

Originality/value

It is noteworthy that housing reconstruction with a psychological recovery approach has two basic aspects. Although some independent factors of traumatic experiences will be efficient in this approach, it was found that the type of earthquake traumatic experiences will also be effective in the survivors’ place-based needs and biases.
Organizational communication strategies in response to major disruptions: the case of the worsening situation in the Russia-Ukraine conflict
Authors: Gurkov Igor , Dahms Sven
Published: July 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to understand communication strategies formed by multinational subsidiaries in a transition economy during disruptive events. The authors develop and test a framework based on political realism and situational crisis communication theory (SCCT).

Design/methodology/approach

The authors collect and analyze communication statements from multinational subsidiaries located in Russia and made in the first two months (March–April, 2022) of the Russia–Ukraine conflict.

Findings

This study’s main findings are twofold. First, this study extends SCCT by showing that multinational subsidiaries use communication strategies that go beyond the traditional categories of diminish, rebuild and bolster. In particular, this study identifies so-called “shut the door” and “burning bridges” methods as possible industrial and home country contingent communication strategies. Second, this study shows that possession of a political realism lens provides us with powerful communication strategies made requisite during disruptive events.

Practical implications

The results provide practical hands-on advice for subsidiary managers on how to communicate effectively and efficiently during disruptive events such as the one described. This study offers novel communication strategies that help to understand the wider implications for managers in both home and host countries.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is one of the first papers to apply SCCT and political realism to a current disruptive event for multinational enterprises, i.e. the ongoing Russia–Ukraine conflict. In that context, this study expands both perspectives by highlighting their complementarities and their conceptual boundaries. The authors can base those insights on two unique and purpose-built databases of multinational subsidiary characteristics in Russia-proper.
Green supplier governance and firm performance: a comprehensive understanding of three governance approaches
Authors: Liu Junjun , Chen Yuan , Zhu Qinghua
Published: July 2023

Purpose

This study aims to develop a comprehensive green supplier governance (GSG) concept and explore whether specific GSG approaches (green supplier assessment, green supplier assistance and green strategic partnership with suppliers (GSPS)) bring environmental and economic performance. Moreover, this study aims to reveal a synergistic effect of three GSG approaches on performance improvement.

Design/methodology/approach

Using data collected from 200 Chinese manufacturing firms, regression analysis was employed to reveal the relationship between specific GSG approaches and firm performance. Further, cluster analysis was used to identify groupings of firms regarding implementation levels of three GSG approaches and compare the performance of the firm groups.

Findings

Green supplier assessment (GSA) can bring environmental performance, but GSA is not associated with economic performance. Green supplier assistance is positively associated with economic performance, while green supplier assistance cannot improve environmental performance. Only GSPS leads to improvement for both environmental and economic performance. Furthermore, firms with high implementation levels of GSA and GSPS (whether with high or low implementation levels of GSAS) can achieve the best environmental and financial performance.

Practical implications

This study provides implications for firms to more strategically and comprehensively implement GSG approaches, which can be more effective in bringing environmental and economic performance.

Originality/value

The authors' study extends the GSG concept with two approaches by subdividing the collaborative approach into green supplier assistance and GSPS based on the collaboration levels. This study also sheds light on how to improve firm performance by different GSG approaches and reveals a synergistic effect of three GSG approaches on performance.
Assessing the current sustainability initiatives of Canadian SME restaurants
Authors: Robinson Emily , Gordon Rebecca , McAdams Bruce
Published: July 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate what sustainability initiatives are being implemented by Canadian independent restaurants and to determine if the initiatives represent all 10 categories of a sustainable restaurant as established by a sustainability initiative framework.

Design/methodology/approach

The study uses a qualitative approach of semi-structured interviews with 15 small to medium enterprise (SME), independent restaurant owners and operators across Canada. The data was digitally transcribed and thematic analysis was performed.

Findings

Results indicated that most initiatives aligned with the categories of “sustainable food/menu” and “waste reduction and disposables” which shows that the operators were inclined to pursue initiatives in customer view. Restaurants put limited focus on water supply, chemicals and pollution reduction, furniture and construction materials. Some of the barriers to implementing, measuring and learning about initiatives were: cost, lack of access to programs, supply chain complications, not having buy-in from owners and lack of time to implement.

Practical implications

The study recommends that governments provide incentives to implement sustainability initiatives that are out of sight to the customer. For example, implementing composting, energy efficient equipment and water saving processes. It is also recommended that third-party restaurant organizations provide more accurate, evidence-based guidance and education on implementing a wide-range of sustainability initiatives.

Originality/value

This research contributes to the literature on sustainability in restaurants and applies a sustainability initiative framework in a practical context. The study provides a unique assessment of the current state of restaurant sustainability and states where restaurants need to improve their efforts.
#FeesMustFall# movement in the post-apartheid era: legitimacy battle for leaders
Authors: du Plessis Linda , Bui Hong T.M.
Published: July 2023

Purpose

Underpinned by institutional legitimacy, this study explores how South African public university senior managers struggled to maintain legitimacy during an unplanned radical change process.

Design/methodology/approach

Gioia's grounded theory analysis approach is employed to analyse interviews with 37 senior managers of public-funded universities in South Africa.

Findings

This study's findings show that a change without proper planning severely damages institutions in all aspects of leadership's normative, empirical, moral and pragmatic legitimacy.

Research limitations/implications

This study contributes to the literature on legitimacy by illustrating the importance of institutional legitimacy during unplanned social change and the factors that negate legitimacy.

Originality/value

Though other legitimacy models have been well developed, they do not apply to such unplanned social change in organisations. This study shows a different angle of the legitimacy crisis under unplanned social change conditions.
Multiresponse optimization in amylolytic desizing of viscose fabric in the copresence of ferrous ions and an anionic surfactant
Authors: Raza Zulfiqar Ali , Rehman Aisha , Anwar Faiza , Ahmad Naseer
Published: July 2023

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the effect of the copresence of ferrous (Fe2+) ions and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) on the activity of an amylase enzyme during the desizing of greige viscose fabric for potential industrial applications. The removal of starches is an essential step before processing the fabric for dyeing and finishing operations. The authors tend to accomplish it in eco-friendly and sustainable ways.

Design/methodology/approach

The experiments were designed under the Taguchi approach, and the results were analyzed using grey relational analysis to optimize the process. The textile properties of absorbency, reducing sugars, bending length, weight loss, Tegawa rating and tensile strength were assessed using the standard protocols. The control and optimized viscose specimens were investigated for certain surface chemical properties using advanced analytical techniques including scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA).

Findings

The results demonstrate that the Fe2+ concentration and process time were the main influencing factors in the amylolytic desizing of viscose fabric. The optimized process conditions were found to be 0.1 mm Fe2+ ions, 3 mm SDS, 80°C, 7 pH and 30 min process time. The copresence of Fe2+ ions and SDS promoted the biodesizing of viscose fabric. The SEM, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, XRD and TGA results demonstrated that the sizing agent has efficiently been removed from the fabric surface.

Practical implications

The amylase desizing of viscose fabric in the presence of certain metal ions and surfactants is a significant subject as the enzyme may face them due to their prevalence in the water systems. This could also support the biodesizing and bioscouring operations to be done in one bath, thus making the textile pretreatment process both economical and environmentally sustainable.

Originality/value

The authors found no report on the biodesizing of viscose fabric in the copresence of Fe2+ ions and the SDS surfactant under statistical multiresponse optimization. The biodesized viscose fabric has been investigated using both conventional and analytical approaches.
3D printing of continuous cellulose fibre composites: microstructural and mechanical characterisation
Authors: Touchard Fabienne , Marchand Damien , Chocinski-Arnault Laurence , Fournier Teddy , Magro Christophe
Published: July 2023

Purpose

Additive manufacturing is a recent technology used in the production of composite materials. The use of continuous fibres as reinforcement is necessary to achieve high mechanical performance. However, making these materials more environmentally friendly is still challenging. The purpose of this study was to investigate the feasibility of 3D printing a composite made of continuous regenerated cellulose fibres using a standard 3D printer generally used for printing polymers.

Design/methodology/approach

The production process was based on a pre-impregnated filament made from a tape containing continuous cellulose fibres and Pebax® matrix. 3D printed composite samples were fabricated using fused deposition modelling. The tape, filament and 3D printed composites were first analysed by means of modulated differential scanning calorimetry and micrography. Tensile tests were then performed, and the mechanical characteristics were determined at each step of the production process. Fracture surfaces were investigated by field-emission gun–scanning electron microscopy.

Findings

Results showed that the mechanical behaviour of the material was maintained throughout the production process, and the 3D printed biocomposites had a stiffness equivalent to that of traditionally manufactured continuous cellulose fibre composites. The obtained 3D printed composites showed an increase in strength value by a factor of 4 and in tensile modulus by a factor of 20 compared to those of unreinforced Pebax® polymer.

Originality/value

This paper demonstrates the feasibility of 3D printing composites based on continuous cellulose fibres, paving the way for new biocomposites made by additive manufacturing.
Effects of binder droplet size and powder particle size on binder jetting part properties
Authors: Rahman Kazi Moshiur , Miyanaji Hadi , Williams Christopher B.
Published: July 2023

Purpose

In binder jetting, the interaction between the liquid binder droplets and the powder particles defines the shape of the printed primitives. The purpose of this study is to explore the interaction of the relative size of powder particles and binder droplets and the subsequent effects on macro-scale part properties.

Design/methodology/approach

The effects of different particle size distribution (5–25 µm and 15–45 µm) of stainless steel 316 L powders and droplet sizes (10 and 30 pL) on part density, shrinkage, mechanical strength, pore morphology and distribution are investigated. Experimental samples were fabricated in two different layer thicknesses (50 and 100 µm).

Findings

While 15–45 µm samples demonstrated higher green density (53.10 ± 0.25%) than 5–25 µm samples (50.31 ± 1.06%), higher sintered densities were achieved in 5–25 µm samples (70.60 ± 6.18%) compared to 15–45 µm samples (65.23 ± 3.24%). Samples of 5–25 µm also demonstrated superior ultimate tensile strength (94.66 ± 25.92 MPa) compared to 15–45 µm samples (39.34 ± 7.33 MPa). Droplet size effects were found to be negligible on both green and sintered densities; however, specimens printed with 10-pL droplets had higher ultimate tensile strength (79.70 ± 42.31 MPa) compared to those made from 30-pL droplets (54.29 ± 23.35 MPa).

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this paper details the first report of the combined effects of different particle size distribution with different binder droplet sizes on the part macro-scale properties. The results can inform appropriate process parameters to achieve desired final part properties.
How did sustainable Spanish and Italian brands communicate COVID-19 on social media?
Authors: Zarco Carmen , Robles Alberto , Valls-Prieto Javier , Cordon Oscar
Published: July 2023

Purpose

This study aims to determine how the most sustainable brands in Italy and Spain developed communication and awareness-raising actions during the COVID-19 pandemic and whether these companies were truly involved in raising public awareness of the pandemic. The authors specifically focus on sustainable companies, as health communication is considered to be an important corporate social responsibility task.

Design/methodology/approach

To answer these questions, the authors have used data on the social media activity (Twitter and Instagram) of these brands in Spain and Italy, extracting the posts and associated hashtags that each of them has published throughout the pandemic to be processed using social network analysis and visualization techniques.

Findings

The detailed analysis of both the levels of activity and the content of the messages provides interesting insights into the communication models of the companies and the influence of factors such as time, country and the specific social media platform used.

Originality/value

The authors analyze the communication of the most sustainable businesses on social media during the pandemic, adopting a highly innovative approach. The particular originality of this study lies in the parallel analysis of two different countries that were simultaneously shaken by the pandemic in very similar circumstances. This study also presents a novel use of graphical representation tools in terms of companies’ behavior for health communication on social media.
Effectiveness of treatment options for tubal ectopic pregnancy: A systematic review and network meta‐analysis
Authors: Al Wattar Bassel H. , Solangon Sarah A. , de Braud Lucrezia V. , Rogozińska Ewelina , Jurkovic Davor
Published: July 2023

Background

Tubal ectopic pregnancy (TEP) is a common gynaecological emergency. Several medical and surgical treatment options exist, but it is not clear which is the safest and most effective treatment.

Objectives

To compare the effectiveness of expectant, medical and surgical treatment options for TEP using a systematic review and network meta‐analysis.

Search Strategy

MEDLINE, EMBASE, and CENTRAL from inception till September 2022.

Selection Criteria

Randomised trials that evaluated any treatment option for woman with a TEP.

Data Collection and Analysis

We performed pairwise and network meta‐analyses using a random effect model. We assessed the studies' risk of bias, heterogeneity and network inconsistency. We reported primarily on TEP resolution and treatment failure using relative risk (RR) and 95% confidence‐intervals (CI).

Main Results

We included 31 randomised trials evaluating ten treatments (n = 2938 women). Direct meta‐analysis showed no significant benefit for using methotrexate compared to expectant management for TEP resolution. Network meta‐analysis showed similar effect‐size for most conservative treatment options compared to expectant management for TEP resolution (glucose intra‐sac instillation vs. expectant RR 0.84, 95% CI 0.63–1.12; methotrexate intra‐sac instillation vs. expectant RR 0.91, 95% CI 0.75–1.10; multi‐dose methotrexate vs. expectant RR 1.00, 95% CI 0.88–1.15; prostaglandin intra‐sac instillation vs. expectant RR 0.75, 95% CI 0.53–1.07; salpingotomy vs. expectant RR 0.99, 95% CI 0.84–1.16; single dose methotrexate vs. expectant RR 0.97, 95% CI 0.85–1.10; single dose methotrexate + mifepristone vs. expectant RR 1.09, 95% CI 0.89–1.33). All treatment options showed a higher risk of failure compared to salpingectomy.

Conclusions

There is insufficient evidence to support the use of any medical treatment option for TEP over expectant management.
Current status and temporal trend in incidence, death, and burden of esophageal cancer from 1990−2019
Authors: Mazidimoradi Afrooz , Banakar Niloofar , Khani Yousef , Allahqoli Leila , Salehiniya Hamid
Published: July 2023

Background

Esophageal cancer (EC) is one of the world's most unknown and deadly cancers. This study aimed to provide updated epidemiological indicators and the recent trend of EC by age group, gender, and geographical region in the world.

Methods

Annual case data and age‐standardized rates (ASRs) of epidemiological indicators of EC were collected from the 2019 Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study from 1990 to 2019 in 204 countries and territories based on the sociodemographic index (SDI). Relative difference (%), average annual percentage change (AAPC), and the male/female ratio were calculated. Data are reported in values and 95% confidence interval (CI).

Results

EC age‐standardized incidence rates (ASIR) decreased by 19%, age‐standardized death rates (ASDR) decreased by 25%, and disability‐adjusted life‐years ASR (DALYs ASR) decreased by 30% from 1990 to 2019. The higher number of EC cases was in men aged 50 to 69 years and in women aged over 70. From 1990 to 2019, Middle SDI countries experienced a decline in the ASIR and ASDR of EC. The High SDI countries had an increasing ASDR trend. In World Bank High‐Income countries, the ASIR of EC has remained unchanged and decreased in other regions. The Asia continent has the highest rate of incidence, mortality, and burden of EC and the highest rate of reduction. East Asia, Southern Sub‐Saharan Africa, and Eastern Sub‐Saharan Africa respectively have the highest ASIR of EC. Central Asia has experienced the greatest decrease in the ASIR and ASDR of EC, the countries of Central Europe had a steady ASIR and High‐Income North America had an increasing trend in ASIR and ASDR. The burden of EC shows a decreasing trend worldwide. Central and East Asia regions have the highest rate and the highest increase in the burden of EC.

Conclusion

Based on great variation in the geographical distribution of epidemiological indicators of EC, investigating the reasons for this diversity requires more studies to be conducted in the field of prevention, distribution of risk factors, and implementation of screening methods with high cost‐effectiveness, and access to treatment methods. The provision of regional solutions may be more effective than global strategies.
Understanding the impacts of childhood adversity on sleep problems in children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder: A comparison of cumulative and dimensional approaches
Authors: Chandler‐Mather Ned , Betts Joseph , Donovan Caroline , Shelton Doug , Dawe Sharon
Published: July 2023

Background

The developmental impacts of prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) and postnatal exposure to adversity are typically considered in isolation. However, both contribute independently to sleep problems. Children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) have PAE and significant sleep disturbances. What is not clear is the relative contribution to these disturbances of exposure to early life adversity. This study examined how exposure to such adversity impacts frequent insomnia symptoms and nightmares in children with FASD and “At Risk” designations.

Methods

We compared two approaches to modeling adversity in children who had undergone a diagnostic assessment for FASD: a cumulative risk approach that sums adversities to create a total score and an approach that treats exposure to threat and deprivation as independent dimensions. Data on caregiver‐reported exposure to adversity and sleep problems for 63 children (aged 3 years 4 months to 7 years 8 months) were extracted from clinical archives. Cumulative risk, threat exposure, and deprivation exposure scores were computed and were tested as predictors of insomnia symptoms and nightmares. All analyses controlled for age and gender.

Results

There were high rates of caregiver‐reported sleep problems with 60.3% (n = 38) of children having nightmares and 44.4% (n = 28) having a frequent insomnia symptom. The cumulative risk analysis showed that for every additional exposure to adversity, the odds of having a caregiver‐reported insomnia symptom increased by 38%. The dimensional analysis showed no relationship between deprivation and sleep problems. However, every additional exposure to threat increased the odds of nightmares by 93%.

Conclusions

Exposure to postnatal adversity contributes to sleep disturbances in children with FASD, with unique roles for cumulative risk and the threat dimension of adversity. The implications of these findings for the etiology and treatment of sleep disturbances in children with FASD are discussed.
Exploring opportunities for drug repurposing and precision medicine in cannabis use disorder using genetics
Authors: Greco Laura A. , Reay William R. , Dayas Christopher V. , Cairns Murray J.
Published: July 2023

Cannabis use disorder (CUD) remains a significant public health issue globally, affecting up to one in five adults who use cannabis. Despite extensive research into the molecular underpinnings of the condition, there are no effective pharmacological treatment options available. Therefore, we sought to further explore genetic analyses to prioritise opportunities to repurpose existing drugs for CUD. Specifically, we aimed to identify druggable genes associated with the disorder, integrate transcriptomic/proteomic data and estimate genetic relationships with clinically actionable biochemical traits. Aggregating variants to genes based on genomic position, prioritised the phosphodiesterase gene PDE4B as an interesting target for drug repurposing in CUD. Credible causal PDE4B variants revealed by probabilistic finemapping in and around this locus demonstrated an association with inflammatory and other substance use phenotypes. Gene and protein expression data integrated with the GWAS data revealed a novel CUD associated gene, NPTX1, in whole blood and supported a role for hyaluronidase, a key enzyme in the extracellular matrix in the brain and other tissues. Finally, genetic correlation with biochemical traits revealed a genetic overlap between CUD and immune‐related markers such as lymphocyte count, as well as serum triglycerides.
Sisterly intimacies: Islam, gift‐giving, and women's relations of care in Russia
Authors: Rabinovich Tatiana
Published: July 2023

Drawing on ethnographic fieldwork in Saint Petersburg (Russia) between 2015 and 2016, this article weaves together gift exchange and affect theory to analyze how low‐income Muslim women cultivated sisterly intimacies, a materially mediated and affect‐laden form of attachment. Sustained through the practices of giving clothing, food, and other spiritually significant items to one another, sisterly intimacies illuminates not only how the women survived and thrived on the margins of Russian society amid socioeconomic crises and political volatility but also how their material exchanges facilitated their ability to remain continuously oriented toward their community and God while striving for an ethical Muslim life and a favorable afterlife. Sisterly intimacies as a cultural formation also offers a broader glimpse into the affective landscapes of Russia, where indignation about socioeconomic injustices and authoritarianism coexist with a desire for (religious) connectivity, ethical living, and collective world‐making. Sisterly intimacies as a mode of relationality and self‐making highlights the agentive capacity of intimacy to create worlds for those who struggle to live in ways that they consider meaningful.
Development and validation of a prognostic model for death 30 days after adult emergency laparotomy
Authors: Eugene N. , Kuryba A. , Martin P. , Oliver C. M. , Berry M. , Moppett I. K. , Johnston C. , Hare S. , Lockwood S. , Murray D. , Walker K. , Cromwell D. A. ,   the NELA Project Team
Published: July 2023

The probability of death after emergency laparotomy varies greatly between patients. Accurate pre‐operative risk prediction is fundamental to planning care and improving outcomes. We aimed to develop a model limited to a few pre‐operative factors that performed well irrespective of surgical indication: obstruction; sepsis; ischaemia; bleeding; and other. We derived a model with data from the National Emergency Laparotomy Audit for patients who had emergency laparotomy between December 2016 and November 2018. We tested the model on patients who underwent emergency laparotomy between December 2018 and November 2019. There were 4077/40,816 (10%) deaths 30 days after surgery in the derivation cohort. The final model had 13 pre‐operative variables: surgical indication; age; blood pressure; heart rate; respiratory history; urgency; biochemical markers; anticipated malignancy; anticipated peritoneal soiling; and ASA physical status. The predicted mortality probability deciles ranged from 0.1% to 47%. There were 1888/11,187 deaths in the test cohort. The scaled Brier score, integrated calibration index and concordance for the model were 20%, 0.006 and 0.86, respectively. Model metrics were similar for the five surgical indications. In conclusion, we think that this prognostic model is suitable to support decision‐making before emergency laparotomy as well as for risk adjustment for comparing organisations.
Transmesenteric approach for laparoscopic endoscopic cooperative surgery for a duodenal adenoma located in the third portion of the duodenum
Authors: Muranaka Futoshi , Kitazawa Masato , Iwaya Yugo , Tokumaru Shigeo , Nakamura Satoshi , Koyama Makoto , Yamamoto Yuta , Hondo Nao , Soejima Yuji
Published: July 2023

We report our experience in a patient with adenoma located in the horizontal part of the duodenum, which was effectively treated with the transmesenteric laparoscopic endoscopic cooperative surgery (LECS) approach. This approach, which entails incising the mesentery of the colon, simplified laparoscopic access to the horizontal part of the duodenum, which was minimally mobilized. Thus, the bulb and descending part of the duodenum were fixed to the retroperitoneum, facilitating stable handling of the endoscope and enabled safe and effective excision of an adenoma located in the horizontal part of the duodenum. This approach enabled safe and effective excision of an adenoma located in the horizontal part of the duodenum. The advantages of this method include a secure field of view, lower probability of damage to large vessels, and minimizing the defect to the intestine caused by the incision.
Not all stakeholders are equal: Corporate social responsibility variability and corporate financial performance
Authors: Gao Yongqiang , Nie Yumeng , Hafsi Taïeb
Published: July 2023

The advocates of “doing well by doing good” have advised firms to invest in corporate social responsibility (CSR), but firms may get lost on how to invest their limited resources in it since CSR is a complex concept involving many activities and different types of stakeholders. In this work, we draw upon the perspective of stakeholder saliency and the stakeholder resource‐based view (SRBV) to propose that stakeholders may have different levels of expectations for CSR and contribute to firm value creation differently. Therefore, firms using different CSR to treat different stakeholders (high CSR variability) will have better financial performance. We further propose that context, in particular media coverage and state ownership, moderates the relationship between CSR variability and firm performance, as stakeholders of highly visible firms and state‐owned enterprises (SOEs) may frown upon a discriminate treatment in CSR. Findings based on a sample of 3313 publicly listed firms and 15,324 firm‐year observations in China's stock markets during the 2010–2018 period provide good support for our predictions.
Death: The asymmetry mystery
Authors: Goldman Alan H.
Published: July 2023

As the Roman philosopher Lucretius asked, why do we fear and regret death, but do not regret not having been born earlier, when death and prenatal nonexistence are mirror images? Both deprive us of goods we might have had, and this deprivation most plausibly explains the badness of death. This paper first considers and rejects explanations other than the deprivation of goods. It then suggests an explanation in terms of a state of which death deprives us, and which is itself asymmetrical in regard to the future and the past. This sharp asymmetry in this one very important good helps to justify the difference in our attitudes, especially among those for whom death approaches. The paper departs from the usual rigid format in which a philosopher says what she is going to say, then says it, and then repeats it. In matching form to mystery content, the missing clue to the solution will not be revealed until later in the paper.
Visual humanization of refugees: A visual rhetorical analysis of media discourse on the war in Ukraine
Authors: Martikainen Jari , Sakki Inari
Published: July 2023

This study examines how news images of refugees in the context of the war in Ukraine mobilize intergroup relations. A visual rhetorical analysis is used to examine the rhetorical strategies employed in news images of Ukrainian refugees in a mainstream Finnish national newspaper from February 25 to May 31, 2022. The data consisted of 465 images. The study constructed four humanizing visual rhetorical strategies based on the visual expression in news images: maternalizing, fragilizing, agonizing, and activizing. The rhetorical strategies constructed four subject positions for Ukrainian refugees: vulnerable victims, innocent victims, suffering Ukrainians, and persistent/resilient Ukrainians. All rhetorical strategies implicitly communicated the subject position of evil to Russia. The paper contributes to the current knowledge of the humanization of refugees in media discourse and the potential of media images to mobilize intergroup relations. Methodologically, the paper elaborates visual rhetorical analysis as a means of social psychological study of refugee discourse in the context of war.
Coptisine inhibits the malignancy of bladder carcinoma cells and regulates XPO1 expression
Authors: Li Jie , Liu Xiuheng
Published: July 2023

This work is performed to investigate the effect of coptisine (COP) on the malignant biological behaviors of bladder carcinoma cells and its underlying mechanism. Bladder carcinoma cell lines were treated with different concentrations of COP in vitro. Cell counting kit‐8 (CCK‐8), scratch healing assay, Transwell assay, and flow cytometry were used to detect cell growth, migration, invasion, and cell cycle progression. Bioinformatics analysis was performed to predict the molecular targets of COP. Quantitative real‐time PCR and western blot were adopted to determine the expression levels of exportin 1 (XPO1) mRNA and protein, respectively. Gene set enrichment analysis was applied to predict the signaling pathways related to XPO1. This study showed that COP treatment markedly suppressed the malignant biological behaviors of bladder carcinoma cells. XPO1 was identified as a downstream molecular target of COP in bladder carcinoma, and COP treatment inhibited the expression of XPO1 in bladder carcinoma cell lines. Overexpression of XPO1 reversed the impacts of COP on the malignant biological behaviors of bladder carcinoma cells. COP treatment modulated the expression level of cyclin D1 and CYP450 via XPO1. In summary, COP represses the malignant biological behaviors of bladder carcinoma cells and regulates XPO1 expression, which is promising to be a complementary drug for bladder carcinoma treatment.
The state of evidence for social and emotional learning: A contemporary meta‐analysis of universal school‐based SEL interventions
Authors: Cipriano Christina , Strambler Michael J. , Naples Lauren H. , Ha Cheyeon , Kirk Megan , Wood Miranda , Sehgal Kaveri , Zieher Almut K. , Eveleigh Abigail , McCarthy Michael , Funaro Melissa , Ponnock Annett , Chow Jason C. , Durlak Joseph
Published: July 2023

This article provides a systematic review and meta‐analysis of the current evidence for universal school‐based (USB) social and emotional learning (SEL) interventions for students in kindergarten through 12th grade available from 2008 through 2020. The sample includes 424 studies from 53 countries, reflecting 252 discrete USB SEL interventions, involving 575,361 students. Results endorsed that, compared to control conditions, students who participate in USB SEL interventions experienced significantly improved skills, attitudes, behaviors, school climate and safety, peer relationships, school functioning, and academic achievement. Significant heterogeneity in USB SEL content, intervention features, context, and implementation quality moderated student experiences and outcomes. Strengths and limitations of this evidence and implications for future USB SEL research, policy, and practice are discussed.
Survival analysis of implants placed simultaneously with lateral sinus floor elevation in severely atrophic maxilla: A 3‐ to 12‐year retrospective cohort study
Authors: Wang Zhikang , Zhang Jing , Li Na , Pu Rui , Wang Ying , Yang Guoli
Published: July 2023

Objectives

To retrospectively evaluate whether implants placed simultaneously with lateral sinus floor elevation (LSFE) in severely atrophic maxilla (residual bone height [RBH] ≤3 mm) could achieve long‐term survival and comprehensively analyze the factors influencing their survival rates.

Materials and Methods

A total of 123 patients receiving LSFE and simultaneous implant placement from 2010 to 2019 and their 123 implants in sites with RBH ≤3 mm were included in this study. Basic characteristics of patients and implants were collected from the medical record system and cone‐beam computed tomography (CBCT) images. Kaplan–Meier survival curves were applied to estimate cumulative survival rates (CSRs) and Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to detect factors influencing implant survival.

Results

The 6‐year and 12‐year CSR of implants placed in sites with RBH ≤3 mm were 95.7% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 92.1%–99.5%) and 76.6% (95% CI: 58.1%–100%), respectively. Eight patients presented late implant failure. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses demonstrated that RBH ≤2 mm (hazard ratio [HR]: 20.63, p = 0.000) and smoking habit (HR: 6.055, p = 0.024) were significantly associated with long‐term implant survival. Specifically, the 10‐year CSR of implants in sites with RBH ≤2 mm (53.3%, 95% CI: 27.5%–100%) was dramatically lower than those in sites with RBH >2 mm (92.9%, 95% CI: 81.7%–100%, p = 0.000).

Conclusions

Implants placed simultaneously with LSFE in sites with RBH ≤3 mm can achieve long‐term survival. However, caution is required especially for implantation in sites with RBH ≤2 mm. Besides, the smoking habit is also considered a risk factor jeopardizing long‐term implant survival.
Perioperative pain management in dermatosurgery – current practice in Germany: Data analysis of a Germany‐wide online survey among dermatosurgeons
Authors: Gschnell Martin , Volberg Christian , Eubel Verena , Pfützner Wolfgang
Published: July 2023

Background

Adequate pain management should be part of the standard of care in surgical procedures. However, there is a paucity of data in the field of dermatosurgery. In a standardized online survey among dermatosurgeons working in Germany, the current practice of perioperative pain management was investigated.

Methods

Members of the German Society for Dermatosurgery (DGDC) and heads of dermatosurgical departments were asked to participate. Questions were related to practical implementation of perioperative pain management, pain documentation and personal sources of information on the topic.

Results

116 questionnaires were analyzed. While prophylactic analgesia is rarely used, the vast majority (86%) reported the use of postoperative on‐demand medication. The majority of surgeons do not have a fixed regimen. Mostly NSAIDs and occasionally low potency opioids are used. Pain is documented by the majority (59.1%) as free text. Personal experience (69%) and in‐house standards (51%) are the most important factors in pain management. The use of guidelines (25%) plays a minor role.

Conclusions

Perioperative pain management in dermatosurgery is strongly influenced by personal experience and may vary depending on the surgery performed. Consensus‐based standardized recommendations are lacking. For adequate perioperative analgesia, the development of demand‐oriented pain concepts is desirable. This requires prospective studies that address the specific patient population and surgical procedures in dermatology.
Paradoxical increase in global longitudinal strain by handgrip exercise despite left ventricular diastolic dysfunction
Authors: Motoi Ko , Iwano Hiroyuki , Ishizaka Suguru , Nakamura Kosuke , Tamaki Yoji , Aoyagi Hiroyuki , Nakabachi Masahiro , Yokoyama Shinobu , Nishino Hisao , Murayama Michito , Kaga Sanae , Anzai Toshihisa
Published: July 2023

Background

Although global longitudinal strain (GLS) is recognized as a sensitive marker of intrinsic left ventricular (LV) dysfunction, its afterload dependency has also been pointed. We hypothesized that decrease in GLS during handgrip exercise could be more sensitive marker of intrinsic myocardial dysfunction.

Methods

Handgrip exercise‐stress echocardiography was performed in 90 cardiovascular disease patients with preserved LV ejection fraction. LV diastolic function was graded according to the guidelines. Diastolic wall stress (DWS) and ratio of left atrial (LA) volume index to late‐diastolic mitral annular velocity (LAVI/a′) were measured at rest as LV stiffness. As well, LA strains were measured to assess LA function. GLS was expressed as absolute value and significant changes in GLS by handgrip exercise was defined as changes over prespecified mean absolute test‐retest variability (2.65%).

Results

While mean value of GLS did not change by the exercise, substantial patients showed significant changes in GLS: decreased (group I, n = 28), unchanged (group II, n = 34), and increased (group III, n = 28). Unexpectedly, patients in group I did not show any clinical and echocardiographic characteristics, while those in group III were characterized by elevated natriuretic peptide levels, blunted heart rate response to handgrip exercise, and advanced LV diastolic dysfunction. Multivariable analyses revealed that DWS, left atrial booster strain, and grade II or more diastolic dysfunction determined the increase in GLS even after adjustment for elevated natriuretic peptides and the changes in heart rate by the exercise.

Conclusion

In contrast to our hypothesis, paradoxical increase in GLS by handgrip exercise could be associated with advanced LV diastolic dysfunction in cardiovascular patients with preserved LV ejection fraction. Our findings suggest that HG exercise for heart failure patients does not enhance the afterload straightforward, resulting in variable changes of GLS according to the individual conditions.
Nomen est omen: Serial reaction time task is not a motor but a visuomotor learning task
Authors: Pedraza Felipe , Vékony Teodóra , Nemeth Dezso
Published: July 2023

The serial reaction time task is a widely used task in behavioural and cognitive neuroscience to assess human and animal learning. Many publications refer to this task as a ‘motor learning task’, but it is also a perceptual learning task. We emphasize here that the incorrect use of the term ‘motor learning’ misleads researchers and medical doctors by emphasizing the motor cortex's exclusive role. It has the potential to lead to the misinterpretation of neuroscientific, neuroimaging and clinical studies. The domino effect has the potential to generate more flawed hypotheses and theories.