bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Integration of deep learning and extended reality technologies in construction engineering and management: a mixed review method
Authors: Lee Yee Sye , Rashidi Ali , Talei Amin , Arashpour Mehrdad , Pour Rahimian Farzad
Published: May 2022

Purpose

In recent years, deep learning and extended reality (XR) technologies have gained popularity in the built environment, especially in construction engineering and management. A significant amount of research efforts has been thus dedicated to the automation of construction-related activities and visualization of the construction process. The purpose of this study is to investigate potential research opportunities in the integration of deep learning and XR technologies in construction engineering and management.

Design/methodology/approach

This study presents a literature review of 164 research articles published in Scopus from 2006 to 2021, based on strict data acquisition criteria. A mixed review method, consisting of a scientometric analysis and systematic review, is conducted in this study to identify research gaps and propose future research directions.

Findings

The proposed research directions can be categorized into four areas, including realism of training simulations; integration of visual and audio-based classification; automated hazard detection in head-mounted displays (HMDs); and context awareness in HMDs.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the body of knowledge by identifying the necessity of integrating deep learning and XR technologies in facilitating the construction engineering and management process.
Analysis of several factors influencing the effect of induction magnetic levitation
Authors: Yuan Meng , Ji Yinghui , Yang Fan
Published: May 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the characteristics of the factors influencing the effect of magnetic levitation, including the impedance angle of the levitated coil, number of turns, material parameter, frequency of excitation and geometric parameters. The final purpose is to provide approaches to increasing the levitation effect.

Design/methodology/approach

Some design principles and strategies for levitation systems are suggested, such as selecting the number of turns of the levitated coil, choosing the frequency of excitation considering the saturation phenomenon of levitation force against frequency and deciding the section area of the excitation coil and its ratio of height and thickness.

Findings

The magnetic force is not always repulsive in a cycle. Therefore, the key approach to increasing the levitation is to increase the period when the force is repulsive and decrease the time when attractive. The impedance angle of the equivalent circuit of the levitated coil determines the ratio of the two periods, and the larger the angle, the longer the repulsion period. A valuable finding is that a saturation situation exists between the levitation force and frequency; that is, when the frequency increases to a certain value, the increasing degree of force tends to decrease as the frequency increases.

Originality/value

Some influential characteristics were found in some factors against the effect of the levitation system, which is beneficial for improving the efficiency of systems. For example, owing to the saturation phenomenon of the frequency, it is useless to continue increasing the frequency and the copper-levitated coil does not bring much greater force effectiveness than the aluminum coil.
Bank ties, institutional pressures, and capital structure of Vietnamese SMEs
Authors: Ngo Vi Dung , Nguyen Thang V. , Roy Achinto
Published: May 2022

Purpose

This article studies the moderating effect of institutional pressures on the impact of bank ties on the capital structure of small and medium-size enterprises (SMEs).

Design/methodology/approach

The study uses an unbalanced longitudinal dataset covering three years—2011, 2013 and 2015—from a project on small manufacturing enterprises in Vietnam. The sample consists of 7,680 firm-year observations.

Findings

Pressures from formal and informal institutions lessen the positive effect of bank ties on the capital structure of SMEs. These moderating effects are more salient in regions having lower institutional quality.

Originality/value

Empirically showing how institutional factors can be investigated together with relational factors to explain the capital structure of SMEs in a developing economy. Distinguishing between formal and informal institutional pressures and revealing their indirect effect on SMEs' capital structure through impacting the effect of bank ties.
Renewable energy consumption, CO2emissions and trade balance nexus in OECD countries: evidence from ARDL bounds approach
Authors: Mohammed Idris Fawzia , Seraj Mehdi , Özdeşer Hüseyin
Published: May 2022

Purpose

Renewable energy is at the forefront of countries’ concerns due to its global economic and environmental impacts. Previous studies have thoroughly examined the impact of renewable energy on overall national income, and this paper aims to shed light on an indicator that has received insufficient attention in research regarding its impact on economic growth, using data from 2000 to 2018.

Design/methodology/approach

This study examines the causal relationship between trade balance, renewable energy consumption and CO2emissions per capita in Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) countries using an auto regression distributed lag model (ARDL) and Johansen Cointegration Test.

Findings

The findings reveal that there is evidence of a long-run and short-run cointegrating relationship and that renewable energy consumption in the long run impacts the trade balance positively and in the short run negatively.

Originality/value

Therefore, bioenergy trade between countries and local investment should be prioritized to increase the trade balance surplus, since many of OECD countries suffer from deficit problems.
Regulatory bark and legal bite: how corruption and country institutional environments influence international logistics performance
Authors: Saldanha John , DeAngelo Gregory
Published: May 2022

Purpose

This research uses theoretical perspectives from public choice and public policy to establish and test theory of the combined effects of institutional environments and bureaucratic corruption on international delivery performance.

Design/methodology/approach

A panel archival dataset is assembled from multiple public databases to test hypotheses based on public policy, public choice and supply chain theory using a fixed effects model.

Findings

The authors' theory demonstrates that institutional environments as constituted by the level of regulatory trade barriers and legal system effectiveness combined with bureaucratic corruption can influence the timeliness of international deliveries.

Research limitations/implications

This research extends public choice and public policy with the insight that regulatory institutions' bark is not bad without the bite of effective legal institutions. The research uses archival data collected in mass surveys with data aggregated at the country level that can be unduly affected by selection effects, perceptual data, and unobserved underlying mechanisms.

Practical implications

The results of this research can be used to inform supply chain managers working in trade compliance to be aware of the costs and effects on logistics performance that result from encountering different institutional environments and the concomitant corruption.

Originality/value

This is the first investigation of the complex and significant interaction effects of institutional environments and corruption on international delivery performance.
Race, poverty and unemployment as quantitative predictors of voter turnout in St. Louis amidst COVID-19 and a racial justice movement
Authors: Parker Gary , Hutti Ellen
Published: May 2022

Purpose

The 2020 election season brought with it a global public health pandemic and a reenergized racial justice movement. Given the social context of the intertwined pandemics of COVID-19 and racialized violence, do the traditional predictors of voter turnout – race, poverty rates and unemployment rates – remain significant?

Design/methodology/approach

Using county-level, publicly available data from twelve Midwest states with similar demographic and cultural characteristics, voter turnout in St. Louis City and St. Louis County were predicted using race, poverty rates and unemployment rates.

Findings

Findings demonstrate that despite high concentration of poverty rates and above average percentages of Black residents, voter turnout was significantly higher than predicted. Additionally, findings contradict previous studies that found higher unemployment rates resulted in higher voter participation rates.

Originality/value

This study suggests that the threat of COVID-19 and fear of an increase in police violence may have introduced physical risk as a new theoretical component to rational choice theory for the general election in 2020.
Political violence: why conflicts can result from sub-Saharan African socioeconomic conditions
Authors: Fagbemi Fisayo , Fajingbesi Adeyemi
Published: May 2022

Purpose

This study investigates the extent to which, and in what ways and capacities, the incidence of adverse economic conditions burdening the masses, on the macro-level, increases the propensity for the generation of political instability/violence.

Design/methodology/approach

Drawing on data from a cross-section of 25 Sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries for the period 2005–2019, fixed effects (FE) and generalized method of moments (GMM) estimations are used to determine the nature and significance of the independent variable (economic condition), complemented by three control variables, on the dependent WGI-defined variable political stability scored on the basis of a continuum from −2.5 (most unstable) to +2.5 (most stable). For the link between political instability and socioeconomic conditions, the study employs a construct derived from frustration-aggression and relative deprivation theory.

Findings

The study links socioeconomic adversity to political instability in the context of SSA. In addition, larger populated countries exhibit a greater propensity to political instability than smaller populated countries. In contrast, foreign direct investment (FDI) appears to have no real effect, positive or negative, on political stability.

Practical implications

Poor living conditions seem to be strongly associated with a high risk of political violence in SSA. To buoy socioeconomic status, poverty alleviation needs be elevated into a key initiative in the decision-making agenda, at all levels of governance, with real targeted strides achieved in terms of enhancement of the standard of living of the masses. In addition, policies that control population need to be inaugurated hand-in-hand with welfare measures and a more equitable balancing of the distribution of resources in the society.

Originality/value

Given the high regional incidence of civil strife and violence, combined with a dearth of research of an empirical nature on political risk in SSA, this study provides a largely ignored and useful context on SSA apart from studies on the incidence of violence that consider the developing countries as a monolithic whole.
World heritage designation and residential property values: the case of Old Rauma, Finland
Authors: Amar Johari Hussein Nassor , Tyvimaa Tanja
Published: May 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the impact of beneficial externality generated by the World Heritage List (WHL) on residential property values in order to offer new insights into heritage discourses.

Design/methodology/approach

The study uses the hedonic price model to estimate empirically the difference in prices for residential properties located in the Old Rauma World Heritage. The study uses residential sales transaction data from the City of Rauma from January 2005 to September 2012 drawn from an online database called KVKL Hintaseurantapalvelu managed by the Central Federation of Finnish Real Estate Agencies.

Findings

The research results indicate a positive, but insignificant, relationship between the property sale prices (euros/sqm) and heritage designation. However, the total sale prices are higher in Old Rauma as the properties are significantly larger in Old Rauma compared to other properties in Rauma.

Originality/value

Studies in heritage economics have assessed the influence of the property market on heritage listing and designation at either the national level, the local level or a mix of national/local levels. This paper contributes to the literature by analysing the impact of a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) world heritage designation on residential property values. UNESCO is the leading global institution which deals with the protection of heritage sites that transcend national and local boundaries.
Online abuse: problematic for all Australians
Authors: Lee Christine
Published: May 2022

Purpose

This paper aims to disseminate results from research into three forms of online abuse: text messages, picture messages and online stalking.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a mixed methods design, qualitative and quantitative datasets were derived from an online anonymous questionnaire to identify themes associated with incidents of online abuse.

Findings

Women of all ages have experienced online abuse from men and other women. Men have also been targets of online abuse from other men and women.

Research limitations/implications

Researchers should strive to include mature-aged cohorts.

Practical implications

Researchers should not limit themselves to education settings for their sampling. Online abuse may meet the legal definition of “psychic assault”. The recent legislation against online abuse needs to extend beyond protecting young people and children. Social media owners must take more responsibility for the content on their platforms.

Social implications

The results from this research strongly suggest that gender alone is no longer pivotal to ones’ vulnerability to online abusers.

Originality/value

This research uses a more age-inclusive sample to include the experiences of people aged 25–75, who have largely been excluded from previous studies that have concentrated on the 18–25 age group.
The impact of real exchange rates on real stock prices
Authors: Wong Hock Tsen
Published: May 2022

Purpose

The study examines the impact of real exchange rates and asymmetric real exchange rates on real stock prices in Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Korea, Japan, the United Kingdom (UK), Germany, Hong Kong and Indonesia.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses the asymmetric autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) approach and non-linear autoregressive distributed lag (NARDL) approach.

Findings

The asymmetric ARDL approach shows more economic variables are found to be statistically significant than the ARDL approach. The asymmetric real exchange rate is mostly found to have a significant impact on the real stock price. Moreover, real output and real interest rates are found to have a significant impact on the real stock price. The Asian financial crisis (1997–1998) and the global financial crisis (2008–2009) are found to have a significant impact on the real stock price in some economies.

Research limitations/implications

Economic variables are important in the determination of stock prices.

Originality/value

It is important to examine the impact of asymmetric real exchange rate on the real stock price as the depreciation of real exchange rate could have different impacts than the appreciation of real exchange rate on the real stock price. The previous studies in the literature mostly found the significant impact of nominal exchange rate on the nominal stock price.
Factors that influence and change medical engagement in Australian not for profit hospitals
Authors: Long Paul W. , Loh Erwin , Luong Kevin , Worsley Katherine , Tobin Antony
Published: May 2022

Purpose

The study aims to assess medical engagement levels at two teaching hospitals and a 500 bed private hospital in two states operated by the same health care provider and to describe individual and organisational factors that influence and change medical engagement.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey was emailed to all junior and senior medical staff, seeking responses to 30 pre-determined items. The survey used a valid and reliable instrument which provided an overall index of medical engagement. Qualitative data were also collected by including an open ended question.

Findings

Doctors (n = 810) working at all sites are in the top 20-40 percentile when compared to Australia and the United Kingdom. Two sites in one state were in the highest relative engagement band with the other being in the high relative range when compared to the (UK) and the medium relative band when compared to sites in Australia. Senior doctors working at all three were less engaged on feeling valued and empowered, when compared to having purpose and direction or working in a collaborative culture. This appears to be related to work satisfaction and whether they feel encouraged to develop their skills and progress their careers. Junior doctors at 1 site are much less engaged than colleagues working at another. Since their formal training pathways are identical the informal training experience appears to be an engagement factor.

Originality/value

Despite medical engagement being recognised as crucial, little is known about individual and organisational factors that support doctors to be engaged, particularly for juniors and in the private sector.
Crisis accountability and aged “care” during COVID-19
Authors: Twyford Erin Jade
Published: May 2022

Purpose

This study aims to fill the gaps in mandated reports with social accounts to provide more inclusive accountability during a crisis using the illustrative example of Anglicare’s Newmarch House during a deadly COVID-19 outbreak.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses a close-reading method to analyse Anglicare’s annual review, reports, board meeting minutes and Royal Commission into Aged Care submissions. Informed by Foucault’s concept of biopolitics, the study collocates alternate “social accounts” in the form of investigative journalism, newspaper articles and media commentary on the events that transpired at Newmarch House to unveil a more nuanced and human-centric rendering of the ramifications of a public health/aged care crisis.

Findings

COVID-19 exacerbated pre-existing issues within the aged care sector, exemplified by Newmarch House. The privileging of financial concerns and lack of care, leadership and accountability contributed to residents’ physical, emotional and psychological distress. The biopolitical policy pursued by powerful actors let die vulnerable individuals while simultaneously making live more productive citizens and “the economy”.

Research limitations/implications

Organisations express their accountability by using financial information provided by accounting, even during circumstances with more prevailing humanistic concerns. A transformational shift in how we define, view and teach accounting is required to recognise accounting as a social and moral practice that should instead prioritise human dignity and care for the betterment of our world.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to the limited literature on aged care, extending particularly into the impact of COVID-19 while contributing to the literature concerned with crisis accountability. To the best of the author’s knowledge, this paper is also the first to examine a form of biopolitics centred on making live something other than persons – the economy.
Predicting financial distress using the worst-practice-frontier data envelopment analysis model and artificial neural network
Authors: Fathi Mohammad Reza , Rahimi Hamid , Minouei Mehrzad
Published: May 2022

Purpose

The main purpose of this paper is to predicate financial distress using the worst-practice-frontier data envelopment analysis (WPF-DEA) model and artificial neural network.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study, a neural network technique was used to forecast inputs and outputs in the future time-period. Using a WPF-DEA model, financially distressed companies were identified based on the worst performance, and an improvement solution was provided for those decision-making units.

Findings

This study’s findings show that dynamic WPF-DEA has high predictability in corporate financial distress, and it can be used with high confidence. Based on the future time-period results, JOUSH & OXYGEN was predicted to be a financially distressed company in the two future time-periods.

Originality/value

In recent decades, globalization, technological changes and a competitive space have increased uncertainty in the economic environment. In such circumstances, economic growth certainly depends on correct decision-making and optimal allocation of resources. It can be done by introducing appropriate tools and models for assessing corporate financial conditions, including financial distress and bankruptcy.
Research on influencing factors of platform leadership in business ecosystem
Authors: Zhang Yi , Liu Renhuai , Chen Haiquan
Published: May 2022

Purpose

This paper aims to answer the following two questions: What are the affecting factors of platform leadership? How do the business ecosystem and unique attributes of platform enterprises affect the formation of platform leadership?

Design/methodology/approach

Based on the niche theory, this study used the grounded theory research methods to explore the strategic behavior of platform enterprises, analyze the characteristics of platform leadership and systematically explore the influencing factors of platform leadership based on four internet platform enterprises and their business ecosystem.

Findings

The result shows that the acquisition of platform leadership is closely related to the platform enterprises’ Niche, where they are located in the business ecosystem. Platform enterprises play the roles of the founder, coordinator, leader and arranger in the ecosystem, and there are four affecting factors of platform leadership: architecture foundation, connection and coordination, innovation leading and integrated expansion. The architecture foundation consists of four factors: platform architecture, installation base, intellectual property and network coverage; the connection and coordination contain five factors: interactive collaboration, multilateral user connection, information matching, neutral arbitration and mutualism; the innovation leading is composed of four factors: research and development investment, common components, complementary innovation, cross-border search and standard-setting; the integrated expansion includes resource orchestration, modular design, data collaboration, supportive enabling and scenario application.

Originality/value

This research constructs a framework of platform leadership with the influencing factors.
Team mindfulness, team commitment and team respectful engagement: the lens of the conservation of resources theory and the broaden-and-build theory
Authors: M. Rusdi Zainnur , Wibowo Amin
Published: May 2022

Purpose

This conceptual paper aims to present a model and propositions regarding the positive effect of team mindfulness on team commitment and how team respectful engagement moderates the positive effect of team mindfulness on team commitment.

Design/methodology/approach

This is a conceptual study that presents a model and propositions from an exploration of the previous literature by using the conservation of resources (COR) theory and the broaden-and-build theory.

Findings

The contribution of this study shows that team mindfulness has a positive effect on team commitment. Then, when team respectful engagement is high, it strengthens the positive effect of team mindfulness on team commitment. When team respectful engagement is low, it weakens the positive effect of team mindfulness on team commitment.

Research limitations/implications

The limitation of this research is that it only explains the causal relationships related to team mindfulness, team commitment and team respectful engagement through propositions built from the synthesis of various previous studies, without empirically confirming those relationships.

Practical implications

Teams should consider mindfulness training, such as mindfulness-based stress reduction. In addition, managers should also pay great attention to team respectful engagement, so that the interactions within the team are based on respect.

Originality/value

Limited research has been conducted to propose the model and propositions related to team mindfulness, team commitment and team respectful engagement by using the COR theory and the broaden-and-build theory.
Down‐regulation of HaABCC3, potentially mediated by a cis‐regulatory mechanism, is involved in resistance to Cry1Ac in the cotton bollworm, Helicoverpa armigera
Authors: Liao Chongyu , Zhang Dandan , Cheng Ying , Yang Yongbo , Liu Kaiyu , Wu Kongming , Xiao Yutao
Published: May 2022

Evolution of resistance to Cry proteins in multiple pest insects has been threatening the sustainable use of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt)‐transgenic crops. Better understanding about the mechanism of resistance to Cry proteins in insects is needed. Our preliminary study reported that the transcription of HaABCC3 was significantly decreased in a near‐isogenic line (LFC2) of a Cry1Ac‐resistant strain (LF60) of the global pest Helicoverpa armigera. However, the causality between HaABCC3 downregulation and resistance to Cry1Ac remains to be verified, and the regulatory mechanism underlying the HaABCC3 downregulation is still unclear. In this study, our data showed that both HaABCC3 and HaABCC3 downregulation were genetically linked to resistance to Cry1Ac in LF60. However, no InDels were observed in the coding sequence of HaABCC3 from LF60. Furthermore, F1 offspring from the cross of LF60 and a HaABCC2/3‐knockout mutant exhibited moderate resistance to Cry1Ac toxin; this indicated that the high resistance to Cry1Ac toxin in LF60 may have resulted from multiple genetic factors, including HaABCC2 mis‐splicing and HaABCC3 downregulation. Results from luciferase reporter assays showed that promoter activity of HaABCC3 in LF60 was significantly lower than that in the susceptible strain, which indicated that HaABCC3 downregulation was likely mediated by promoter variation. Consistently, multiple variations of the GATA‐ or FoxA‐binding sites in the promoter region of HaABCC3 were identified. Collectively, all results in this study suggested that the downregulation of HaABCC3 observed in the H. armigera LF60 strain, which is resistant to Cry1Ac, may be mediated by a cis‐regulatory mechanism.
Machine learning imaging applications in the differentiation of true tumour progression from treatment‐related effects in brain tumours: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Bhandari Abhishta , Marwah Ravi , Smith Justin , Nguyen Duy , Bhatti Asim , Lim Chee Peng , Lasocki Arian
Published: May 2022

Introduction

Chemotherapy and radiotherapy can produce treatment‐related effects, which may mimic tumour progression. Advances in Artificial Intelligence (AI) offer the potential to provide a more consistent approach of diagnosis with improved accuracy. The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy of machine learning models to differentiate treatment‐related effects (TRE), consisting of pseudoprogression (PsP) and radiation necrosis (RN), and true tumour progression (TTP).

Methods

The systematic review was conducted in accordance with PRISMA‐DTA guidelines. Searches were performed on PubMed, Scopus, Embase, Medline (Ovid) and ProQuest databases. Quality was assessed according to the PROBAST and CLAIM criteria. There were 25 original full‐text journal articles eligible for inclusion.

Results

For gliomas: PsP versus TTP (16 studies, highest AUC = 0.98), RN versus TTP (4 studies, highest AUC = 0.9988) and TRE versus TTP (3 studies, highest AUC = 0.94). For metastasis: RN vs. TTP (2 studies, highest AUC = 0.81). A meta‐analysis was performed on 9 studies in the gliomas PsP versus TTP group using STATA. The meta‐analysis reported a high sensitivity of 95.2% (95%CI: 86.6–98.4%) and specificity of 82.4% (95%CI: 67.0–91.6%).

Conclusion

TRE can be distinguished from TTP with good performance using machine learning‐based imaging models. There remain issues with the quality of articles and the integration of models into clinical practice. Future studies should focus on the external validation of models and utilize standardized criteria such as CLAIM to allow for consistency in reporting.
Thermal History of the Naruo Porphyry Deposit in the Duolong Ore District, Western Tibet: Evidence from U‐Pb, 40Ar/39Ar and (U‐Th)/He Thermochronology
Authors: YANG Huanhuan , FANG Xiang , SONG Yang , LIN Bin , LI Yanbo , WANG Qin , LIU Zhibo , HE Long , ZHANG Qi , FU Xuelian
Published: May 2022

The Naruo porphyry copper deposit containing more than 2 Mt of copper is located in the Duolong ore district in the west of the Bangongco–Nujiang belt in central Tibet. New zircon U‐Pb, biotite 40Ar/39Ar, zircon (U‐Th)/He ages, published age data together with thermal modeling were presented in this paper to investigate the thermal history of Naruo deposit. Thermal modeling reveals a prolonged magmatic‐hydrothermal evolution firstly cooling from ∼700°C to ∼350°C at 120 Ma, then cooling to 230°C at 106 Ma and maintaining at 200°C from 106 to 90 Ma which is attributed to multiple magmatic events and thermal effect of strike‐slip fault. Affected by thrust nappe structure, the sample was consistent with 120°C from 70 to 63 Ma. The Naruo deposit started to experience exhumation at a rate of ∼0.07 km/Myr since 60 Ma which is related to India‐Asia collision. The prolonged magmatic‐hydrothermal evolution process might have important influence on the Naruo deposit. The ore‐related intrusions preserved in the foot walls of strike‐slip fault and thrust nappe structure are the objects of future exploration in the Duolong ore district.
Lack of kinship with anaerobes is a kind of short‐sightedness of agricultural and environmental microbiologists
Authors: Prakash Om
Published: May 2022

Due to limited diffusion, active root respiration and intense microbial metabolism, rhizosphere and deeper layer of bulk soil often face hypoxic or anaerobic conditions. The majority of the data on plant growth promotion (PGP) and rhizoremediation have been obtained in aerobic conditions using aerobic or facultative anaerobic microbes neglecting anaerobes and actual soil oxygen conditions. Data obtained with a nutrient‐rich medium from an aerobic condition do not exactly translate in oxygen‐stressed oligotrophic environments of soil, leading to failure of hypothesis and microbial technology for PGP and pollutants remediation. Anaerobes are key players in the soil ecosystems and participate in the different biogeochemical processes of ecological and environmental significance. This Opinion article aims to divert the attention of agricultural and environmental Microbiologists towards neglected anaerobes and anaerobic processes to develop successful and sustainable PGP and pollutants removal by rhizospheric microorganisms.
Defective mitophagy in aged macrophages promotes mitochondrial DNA cytosolic leakage to activate STING signaling during liver sterile inflammation
Authors: Zhong Weizhe , Rao Zhuqing , Xu Jian , Sun Yu , Hu Haoran , Wang Ping , Xia Yongxiang , Pan Xiongxiong , Tang Weiwei , Chen Ziyi , Zhou Haoming , Wang Xuehao
Published: May 2022

Macrophage‐stimulator of interferon genes (STING) signaling mediated sterile inflammation has been implicated in various age‐related diseases. However, whether and how macrophage mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) regulates STING signaling in aged macrophages remains largely unknown. We found that hypoxia‐reoxygenation (HR) induced STING activation in macrophages by triggering the release of macrophage mtDNA into the cytosol. Aging promoted the cytosolic leakage of macrophage mtDNA and enhanced STING activation, which was abrogated upon mtDNA depletion or cyclic GMP‐AMP Synthase (cGAS) inhibition. Aged macrophages exhibited increased mitochondrial injury with impaired mitophagy. Mechanistically, a decline in the PTEN‐induced kinase 1 (PINK1)/Parkin‐mediated polyubiquitination of mitochondria was observed in aged macrophages. Pink1 overexpression reversed the inhibition of mitochondrial ubiquitination but failed to promote mitolysosome formation in the aged macrophages. Meanwhile, aging impaired lysosomal biogenesis and function in macrophages by modulating the mTOR/transcription factor EB (TFEB) signaling pathway, which could be reversed by Torin‐1 treatment. Consequently, Pink1 overexpression in combination with Torin‐1 treatment restored mitophagic flux and inhibited mtDNA/cGAS/STING activation in aged macrophages. Moreover, besides HR‐induced metabolic stress, other types of oxidative and hepatotoxic stresses inhibited mitophagy and promoted the cytosolic release of mtDNA to activate STING signaling in aged macrophages. STING deficiency protected aged mice against diverse types of sterile inflammatory liver injuries. Our findings suggest that aging impairs mitophagic flux to facilitate the leakage of macrophage mtDNA into the cytosol and promotes STING activation, and thereby provides a novel potential therapeutic target for sterile inflammatory liver injury in aged patients.
Characterising the use of varenicline: an analysis of the Australian dispensing claims data
Authors: Gobarani Rukshar K. , Ilomäki Jenni , Wood Stephen , Abramson Michael J. , Bonevski Billie , George Johnson
Published: May 2022

Background and aims

In Australia, patterns of use of smoking cessation medications and factors associated with their dispensing are currently not known. This study aimed to measure the demographic and clinical factors associated with varenicline dispensing compared with nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) and bupropion among first‐time users of Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) subsidised smoking cessation medicines in Australia and to characterise those who discontinued varenicline treatment prematurely.

Design

Retrospective, population‐based study. Logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with varenicline dispensing compared with NRT and bupropion. Sensitivity analyses estimated the proportion of individuals who completed the recommended 12 weeks of varenicline treatment.

Setting and participants

First‐time users of PBS subsidised smoking cessation medicines in Australia. Individuals first dispensed a smoking cessation medicine between 2011 and 2019 were identified from a 10% random sample of the national dispensing claims data.

Measurements

The outcome for the regression analysis was the dispensing of varenicline compared with NRT and bupropion. The dispensing of a smoking cessation medicine was identified using the World Health Organization Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical Classification System and PBS item codes. Independent variables included demographic and clinical characteristics such as sex, age, concessional status, year of treatment initiation and comorbidities identified using the Rx‐Risk index. The proportion of people who discontinued varenicline treatment after the initiation pack was determined using prescription refill data.

Findings

A total of 94 532 people had their first PBS subsidised smoking cessation medicine. Of these, 62 367 (66.0%) were dispensed varenicline, 29 949 (31.7%) NRT and 2216 (2.3%) bupropion. The odds of varenicline dispensing were higher in males (OR, 1.18; 95% CI, 1.14–1.21), but lower in older adults (0.86 [0.82–0.90] in above 30 years to 0.49 [0.47–0.52] in 61 years and above), among concession beneficiaries (0.44; 0.43–0.46), and those with congestive heart failure (0.60; 0.53–0.68), depression (0.61; 0.54–0.69), anxiety (0.70; 0.66–0.73), psychotic illness (0.39; 0.37–0.42), and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (0.87; 0.82–0.92). The majority (37 670; 60.4%) of those dispensed varenicline discontinued treatment after the initiation pack. Anxiety and psychotic illnesses were significantly more prevalent in those who discontinued treatment. Only 2804 (4.5%) of those dispensed varenicline completed 12 weeks of treatment.

Conclusion

Individuals dispensed varenicline in Australia appear to be healthier compared with those who are dispensed nicotine replacement therapy or bupropion.
Validating transdermal alcohol biosensors: a meta‐analysis of associations between blood/breath‐based measures and transdermal alcohol sensor output
Authors: Yu Jiachen , Fairbairn Catharine E. , Gurrieri Laura , Caumiant Eddie P.
Published: May 2022

Background and aims

Transdermal alcohol sensors carry immense promise for the continuous assessment of drinking but are inconsistent in detecting more fine‐grained indicators of alcohol consumption. Prior studies examining associations between transdermal alcohol concentration (TAC) and blood/breath alcohol concentration (BAC) have yielded highly variable correlations and lag times. The current review aimed to synthesize transdermal validation studies, aggregating results from more than three decades of research to characterize the validity of transdermal sensors for assessing alcohol consumption.

Methods

Databases were searched for studies listed prior to 1 March 2022 that examined associations between transdermal alcohol sensor output and blood and breath‐based alcohol measures, resulting in 31 primarily laboratory‐derived participant samples (27 precise effect sizes) including both healthy and clinical populations. Correlation coefficients and lag times were pooled using three‐level random‐effects meta‐regression. Independent raters coded study characteristics, including the body position of transdermal sensors (ankle‐ versus arm/hand/wrist‐worn device) and methodological bias (e.g. missing data).

Results

Analyses revealed that, in this primarily laboratory‐derived sample of studies, the average correlation between TAC and BAC was large in magnitude [r = 0.87, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.80, 0.93], and TAC lagged behind BAC by an average of 95.90 minutes (95% CI = 55.50, 136.29). Device body position significantly moderated both TAC–BAC correlation (b = 0.11, P = 0.009) and lag time (b = −69.41, P < 0.001). Lag times for ankle‐worn devices were approximately double those for arm/hand/wrist‐worn devices, and TAC–BAC correlations also tended to be stronger for arm/hand/wrist‐worn sensors.

Conclusions

This meta‐analysis indicates that transdermal alcohol sensors perform strongly in assessing blood/breath alcohol concentration under controlled conditions, with particular promise for the newer generation of wrist‐worn devices.
Surface roughness and cyclic fatigue resistance of reciprocating and novel rotary instruments after use in curved root canals
Authors: Merima Balić , Ivona Bago , Dubravka Milovanović , Gianluca Plotino , Ivica Anić
Published: May 2022

This study evaluated surface wear and resistance to fracture of reciprocating and novel rotary instruments after use in curved canals. Twenty new instruments (n = 5/each group): Reciproc Blue, WaveOne Gold, XP‐endo Shaper (XPS) and TruNatomy were used twice for the instrumentation of simulated curved canals in plastic blocks. The instrumentation was performed according to the manufacturer's instructions at body temperature. Surface roughness was evaluated, using a profilometer, before instrumentation and twice after the instrumentation. Instruments were, then, subjected to a cyclic fatigue test to evaluate the time to failure. Differences were assessed using ANOVA and post hoc tests (α = 0.05). The XPS instruments showed significantly higher values of roughness compared with TruNatomy at every stage, especially after the second use (p < 0.008). Reciprocating instruments showed superior cyclic fatigue resistance compared with novel rotary instruments (p < 0.05). TruNatomy showed minimal surface roughness, and XPS exhibited significantly higher surface roughness.
Real‐time image‐guided indocyanine green fluorescence dual‐visualization technique to measure the intraoperative resection margin during thoracoscopic segmentectomy
Authors: Sun Yungang , Zhang Qiang , Wang Zhao , Shao Feng
Published: May 2022

Aims

The primary goal of thoracoscopic segmentectomy is the complete resection of early pulmonary carcinoma while sparing as much of the normal pulmonary parenchyma as possible, but an obvious trade‐off exists between the pulmonary parenchymal preservation and an adequate resection margin. In this clinical trial, we explored a real‐time image‐guided indocyanine green (ICG) fluorescence dual‐visualization technique to confirm the resection margin by improving the intraoperative localization of the pulmonary nodule and identification of the intersegmental boundary line (IBL).

Methods

This study was utilized in 35 patients with a screening‐detected lung nodule <2 cm to complete thoracoscopic segmentectomy from December 2020 to June 2021. Computed tomography‐guided localization of the pulmonary nodule with ICG solution was performed on the day of surgery. During the surgery, after dissecting the targeted pulmonary segmental arteries, ICG at 5 mg/body was injected into the systemic vein.

Results

We observed no toxicity. The dual‐visualization technique was successfully implemented in all 35 patients to achieve a negative resection margin, which was more than 2 (mean 2.71 ± 0.59) cm, or the size of the tumor based on the final pathological examinations. No intraoperative complications occurred and only one patient had postoperative prolonged air leaks, which was ceased 8 days later after conservative management without reoperation.

Conclusions

This method is a safe and feasible alternative to ensure a negative resection margin without removing an unreasonable amount of pulmonary parenchyma during pulmonary segmentectomy. Future studies will be needed to compare this method to alternative techniques in a clinical trial.
Effects of age and sex on site fidelity, movement ranges and home ranges of white and black rhinoceros translocated to the Okavango Delta, Botswana
Authors: Pfannerstill Vera , Signer Johannes , Fitt Michael , Burger Kyle , Balkenhol Niko , Bennitt Emily
Published: May 2022

Evaluating translocation success is essential for wildlife management and conservation; short‐term success can be evaluated by analysing settlement behaviour after release. We analysed GPS collar data from 47 white (Ceratotherimum simum simum, Burchell, 1817) and 25 black (Diceros bicornis minor, Drummond, 1876) rhinoceros translocated to the Okavango Delta in Botswana between 2014 and 2018. We tested for effects of age and sex on site fidelity and compared movement ranges after translocations between different release sites and between newly released and established individuals. White rhinoceros adults displayed higher site fidelity than subadults and males higher than females. Adults may therefore be better translocation candidates. Site fidelity of black rhinoceros did not differ between sexes or ages. Established rhinoceros movement ranges were smaller than those of newly released ones, pointing towards extended post‐translocation exploratory movements and later settlement in smaller home ranges. Movement ranges of white rhinoceros released on an island were significantly smaller than others, which shows together with annual home range sizes compared with the literature that reserve size and rhinoceros density affect home range size. All rhinoceros in this study survived for more than 1‐year post‐translocation, so these translocations can be deemed successful in the short term.
From Greta to the Great Reset: Making Emergencies Work
Authors: Witt Matthew T.
Published: May 2022

This article examines the continuity of incidents linking Greta Thunberg to an ongoing stream of political shifts. It first takes us back to 1992 to her preteen predecessor, Severn Suzuki, and then forward to the COVID‐19 period and its consequences. The connecting thread that runs from 1992 to the present is the use of rhetoric to inspire terror in the population. Terror is used to promote acceptance of censorship and authoritarian restrictions that ironically interfere with the capacity of democracies to solve the problems confronting the world, such as climate change and pandemics. Elite actors create anxiety and terror to retain legitimacy in their control of narratives that preserve their power. This article shows how the World Economic Forum is transforming the acerbic language of Greta Thunberg into the basis for what is called the Great Reset, a set of policies that will enable the state and select businesses and NGOs to monitor and track the population and eliminate dissent. In short, when children are put in the world spotlight with a message, those who shine the light are the ones preventing real progress in solving problems.
Sustainable Marketing Strategies as an Essential Tool of Business
Authors: Park Jin Yong , Perumal Sriram Veeraiya , Sanyal Shouvik , Ah Nguyen Binh , Ray Samrat , Krishnan Ravishankar , Narasimhaiah Ramakrishna , Thangam Dhanabalan
Published: May 2022

How can business respond to the challenge that Greta Thunberg has presented to world leaders? Sustainable marketing, as part of a larger strategy of meeting sustainable goals, is one way. It has become an important practice in the 21st‐century business world. Without a healthy society and environment, economies will fail, and businesses will die with them. Thus, companies increasingly realize that investing in social and environmental improvements not only adds to their credibility; it also increases their long‐term profitability. Consumers expect companies to develop sustainable marketing strategies. But it is difficult for companies to keep up with these rising expectations. As a result, there is often a gap between sustainable marketing efforts and consumer demands. Those demands can be unrealistic in terms of the cost of compliance and the time required to alter production processes. Sustainable marketing makes sense only as part of a strategy that will guide all of the actions of a business, not just product development, sales, and marketing. Since governments are slow to take up the challenge offered by Greta Thunberg, the future of the planet depends on the actions taken by companies to protect the environment and create a better society.
Climate Change and Agricultural Losses in India
Authors: Kulanthaivelu Ramesh Kumar , Iyyanar Sivakumar , Ramakrishnan Sathishkumar
Published: May 2022

India’s per capita contribution of carbon emissions is well below the world average, yet it suffers disproportionately from rising temperatures. Thus, many Indians share the sense of urgency that Greta Thunberg exhibits when she demands that nations make stronger commitments to limit carbon emissions. India’s monsoon‐dependent agriculture is highly vulnerable to any change in weather patterns, but the land irrigated by groundwater is also threatened. The projected rise in annual peak temperatures, similar to those now experienced only in the earth’s hottest micro‐climates, could make it nearly impossible for humans to engage in agriculture in India and several other parts of the world. Climate change affects yields of crops, livestock, dairy, and fisheries. Rising temperatures, increased frequency of flooding, and other hazards associated with climate change will reduce food production. Even a slight drop in food output can have a dramatic effect on food prices, both locally and globally. Rice farming, particularly in the rain‐fed regions, faces multiple risks from uncertain climate, degraded soil, water deficits, and underdeveloped markets. Loss of biodiversity is also a threat to agriculture in India, and it is also affected by climate change.