bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Corporate governance of state-owned enterprises in Iran: an exploratory pathology
Authors: Beygi Vahid , Abooyee Ardakan Mohammad , Moghimi Seyyed Mohammad
Published: March 2022

Purpose

Despite the rather adequate physical and human resources available to Iranian state-owned enterprises (SOEs), they have proved not only unproductive and unprofitable but also corrupt in cases due to their corporate governance (CG) systems. This study aims to identify the most important challenges faced within designing, implementing and operating such systems in Iranian SOEs.

Design/methodology/approach

A judgmental sampling technique was adopted for the purposes of the present qualitative study to select a heterogeneous group of interviewees in terms of experience and expert knowledge in CG and SOEs. Using 28 semi-structured interviews and the thematic analysis methodology within an exploratory approach, the themes/challenges were extracted from the data thus collected that were subsequently analyzed and explicated.

Findings

The 16 challenges derived from the data set were subsequently classified into the four categories of “general assembly deficiencies”, “contextual issues of ownership”, “board deficiencies” and “external managerial constraints”.

Research limitations/implications

This study aims to provide insights into policy-making systems at both national and international levels to gain a better understanding of the contextual factors that could be exploited toward developing and/or reforming CG codes. To improve SOEs, this study also suggests four main solutions to the CG challenges faced within Iran and similar centralized economic planning systems.

Originality/value

The literature on the topic indicates that while a few theoretical and empirical studies have been conducted on CG of SOEs, no study has ever been conducted on similar Iranian cases. The present study provides ample empirical evidence from the CG systems in a state-controlled and centralized economic system to offer new insights into the comparative CG, especially in a developing country like Iran, where the government is the major player in the economy.
The prevalence of telework under Covid-19 in Canada
Authors: Haider Murtaza , Anwar Amar Iqbal
Published: March 2022

Purpose

This study investigates the determinants of teleworking before and during COVID-19 in Canada. It explores the extent of telework adoption across industrial sectors, as well as the long-term impacts of large-scale adoption of teleworking on urban travel demand and the dwindling demand for commercial real estate in downtowns.

Design/methodology/approach

Using data from a survey of business establishments, this study employs data visualization techniques to illustrate how telework adoption evolved during the early stages of the COVID-19 lockdown. The study also estimates Logit models to explore the determinants of telework before and during the pandemic using a subsample from the Canadian labor force survey.

Findings

The study found that telework adoption reached a peak in March and April of 2020 when almost 40% of the workers in Canada were teleworking. Only 12% of employees reported teleworking before the pandemic. The adoption of teleworking was far more pronounced amongst firms that use information and communication technologies (ICTs) extensively. Teleworking appears to be far more frequent among university-educated (knowledge economy) workers.

Practical implications

Knowledge economy and highly educated workers, who switched to teleworking during the pandemic at higher rates than workers with less education, are more frequently employed in offices located in the urban core or downtowns. The drastic decline in commuting to the urban core via public transit and record low occupancy levels in downtown office towers suggests that, even if telework prevailed at levels much lower than those observed during March and April of 2020, landlords holding large portfolios of commercial real estate must prepare to cope with the lower demand for commercial real estate. This is especially significant when commercial leases come up for renewal in the next few years. In addition, governments struggling to address traffic congestion by spending hundreds of billions of dollars on transport and transit infrastructure might want to promote teleworking as a means of reducing travel demands and costly infrastructure expenditures.

Social implications

Teleworking has partially eroded the boundaries between work and home by enabling millions to continue being productive while working from home. However, teleworking would require new norms and rules to maintain a work-life balance. This change requires workers and employers to cooperate.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study that explores the extent of telework adoption during COVID-19 in Canada and the determinants of telework adoption, presenting both employee and firm-level perspectives using Canada-wide representative data.
Political connections, related party transactions and firm performance: evidence from Tunisian context
Authors: Ben Cheikh Sana , Loukil Nadia
Published: March 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the effect of the presence of political connections on firm performance through related party transactions in Tunisia, a country where that is characterized by the Jasmin revolution in 2011.

Design/methodology/approach

The study uses a sample of nonfinancial firms between 2008 and 2014 listed on the Tunis Stock Exchange and uses generalized least squares on panel data.

Findings

First, the political connection and related parties' transaction enhances firm's market performance. Second, the study reveals that political connection moderates the relationship between the related party transactions and firm performance only in the period after revolution. Indeed, politicians seem to have used related party transactions to expropriate firms in a period of political instability. Finally, we show that politicians are more attracted by firms with higher market performance and with higher number of related parties' transactions.

Practical implications

The empirical findings contribute to the current debate on the benefits and costs of political connections in emerging economies. It shows that political connections enhance market valuation of firms. However, political connection costs appear during political instability period.

Originality/value

This study addresses the interaction between related party transactions, political connections and firm performance. It is the first study to test if the related party transactions are used as a tool by politicians to expropriate firms.
Deep learning based loan eligibility prediction with Social Border Collie Optimization
Authors: Infant Cyril G.L. , Ananth J.P.
Published: March 2022

Purpose

The bank is termed as an imperative part of the marketing economy. The failure or success of an institution relies on the ability of industries to compute the credit risk. The loan eligibility prediction model utilizes analysis method that adapts past and current information of credit user to make prediction. However, precise loan prediction with risk and assessment analysis is a major challenge in loan eligibility prediction.

Design/methodology/approach

This aim of the research technique is to present a new method, namely Social Border Collie Optimization (SBCO)-based deep neuro fuzzy network for loan eligibility prediction. In this method, box cox transformation is employed on input loan data to create the data apt for further processing. The transformed data utilize the wrapper-based feature selection to choose suitable features to boost the performance of loan eligibility calculation. Once the features are chosen, the naive Bayes (NB) is adapted for feature fusion. In NB training, the classifier builds probability index table with the help of input data features and groups values. Here, the testing of NB classifier is done using posterior probability ratio considering conditional probability of normalization constant with class evidence. Finally, the loan eligibility prediction is achieved by deep neuro fuzzy network, which is trained with designed SBCO. Here, the SBCO is devised by combining the social ski driver (SSD) algorithm and Border Collie Optimization (BCO) to produce the most precise result.

Findings

The analysis is achieved by accuracy, sensitivity and specificity parameter by. The designed method performs with the highest accuracy of 95%, sensitivity and specificity of 95.4 and 97.3%, when compared to the existing methods, such as fuzzy neural network (Fuzzy NN), multiple partial least squares regression model (Multi_PLS), instance-based entropy fuzzy support vector machine (IEFSVM), deep recurrent neural network (Deep RNN), whale social optimization algorithm-based deep RNN (WSOA-based Deep RNN).

Originality/value

This paper devises SBCO-based deep neuro fuzzy network for predicting loan eligibility. Here, the deep neuro fuzzy network is trained with proposed SBCO, which is devised by combining the SSD and BCO to produce most precise result for loan eligibility prediction.
Estimating dynamic market efficiency frontiers
Authors: Mu Yali , von Cramon‐Taubadel Stephan
Published: March 2022

Past studies have used standard regression techniques to explain variation in estimated measures of the strength and speed of price transmission. We propose an alternative method for benchmarking the magnitude and the speed of restoring market efficiency that combines cointegration analysis with frontier estimation methods. The use of frontier methods highlights that market efficiency is a relative concept, and it provides a convenient way of accounting for sampling error in estimated measures of price transmission. We illustrate the proposed method using price data from 30 provincial pork markets in China from 2000 to 2017. As expected, the frontier magnitude and speed of restoring market efficiency both fall with increasing distance between two markets. We find significant province effects in the magnitude of market efficiency. Provinces located farther to the south and west display lower levels of market efficiency than those located in the northeast and central regions of China.
UAV‐assisted real‐time evidence detection in outdoor crime scene investigations
Authors: Georgiou Argyrios , Masters Peter , Johnson Stephen , Feetham Luke
Published: March 2022

Nowadays, a plethora of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) designs that significantly vary in size, shape, operating flight altitude, and flight range have been developed to provide multidimensional capabilities across a wide range of military and civil applications. In the field of forensic and police applications, drones are becoming increasingly used instead of helicopters to assist field officers to search for vulnerable missing persons or to target criminals in crime hotspots, and also to provide high‐quality data for the documentation and reconstruction of the forensic scene or to facilitate evidence detection. This paper aims to examine the contribution of UAVs in real‐time evidence detection in outdoor crime scene investigations. It should be highlighted that the project innovates by providing a quantitative comparative analysis of UAV‐based and traditional search methods through the simulation of a crime scene investigation for evidence detection. The first experimental phase tested the usefulness of UAVs as a forensic detection tool by posing the dilemma of humans or drones. The second phase examined the ability of the drone to reproduce the obtained performance results in different terrains, while the third phase tested the accuracy in detection by subjecting the drone‐recorded videos to computer vision techniques. The experimental results indicate that drone deployment in evidence detection can provide increased accuracy and speed of detection over a range of terrain types. Additionally, it was found that real‐time object detection based on computer vision techniques could be the key enabler of drone‐based investigations if interoperability between drones and these techniques is achieved.
Virtual image standard (VIS) for performance evaluation of the congruent matching cells (CMC) algorithms in firearm evidence identifications
Authors: Song Huixu , Song John
Published: March 2022

The congruent matching cells (CMC) method was invented at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in 2012 for automatic and objective firearm evidence identifications and estimation of the weight of evidence in firearm evidence identifications. Since 2013, five CMC algorithms have been developed at NIST. In this paper, the virtual image standard (VIS) is proposed through trimming and stitching KNM images for quantitative performance evaluations of different CMC algorithms. The evaluation criteria include the correlation accuracy (both the CMC numbers and distribution pattern), correlation efficiency, false positive (FP) error rate, and the maximum separation of known matching (KM) and known non‐matching (KNM) image pairs. The VIS composes correlation cells from different KNM images, which can provide a ground truth for verifying the CMC numbers, distribution patterns, and FP errors. By identifying three groups of VIS, the Convergence CMC algorithm showed superior performances for the future casework in firearm evidence identifications. Lastly, the success of this study suggests that the VIS could also be used to optimize the correlation parameters, to develop and test new CMC algorithms, and evaluate the performance before it is put into use for firearm examiner’s casework.
Peri‐dialytic hypoglycemia with hemodialysis and online post‐dilutional hemodiafiltration
Authors: Davenport Andrew
Published: March 2022

Introduction

We wished to determine whether peri‐dialytic hypoglycemia is a clinical risk in contemporary dialysis patients using glucose containing dialysate.

Methods

We measured blood glucose pre‐ and post‐hemodialysis or hemodiafiltration, using 5.5 mmol/L glucose dialysate, and body composition by bioimpedance.

Results

Two hundred and thirty nine patients were studied, mean age 65 ± 15.4 years, 59.4% male, 46.4% diabetes, 81.6% treated by hemodiafiltration, five hemodiafiltration patients (2.1%) had hypoglycemia, with 82 (33%) a blood glucose < 5.5 mmol/L, with fewer diabetics (19.8 vs. 74.7%, p = 0.001), and %body fat (27.7 [20.6–32.6] vs. 34.7 [26.6–42.8]%, p = 0.001). Low post‐dialysis blood glucose was negatively associated with glycated hemoglobin (OR 0.94 [0.84–0.97], p = 0.004), weight (OR 0.94 [0.89–0.98], p = 0.009), and %body fat (OR 0.92 [0.86–0.98], p = 0.013).

Conclusions

Although hypoglycemia occurred in 2%, 33% had a blood glucose below dialysate glucose. Low post‐dialysis glucose was associated with lower glycated hemoglobin and body fat, suggesting nutritional status is important in determining the risk of peri‐dialytic hypoglycemia.
Hot News: The Florence Resident Reports on the Great Fire of London
Authors: Dooley Brendan , Boerio Davide
Published: March 2022

This paper analyses the European impact and circulation of news concerning the Great Fire of London in 1666. The study dwells on the diplomatic correspondence and manuscript newsletters of Italian diplomats residing in England, on the testimonies of contemporary observers, and on the production of printed news publications. In particular, it analyses the role played by the Tuscan resident in London, Giovanni Salvetti Antelminelli, while investigating the functioning of the information‐gathering process as well as the material and cultural resources put in place in the effort to report news about a disaster. In this regard, the event has been contextualised within a much larger period comprising the pandemic crisis of 1665 and the military campaign carried out by the English Crown during the Second Anglo–Dutch War. The analysis of the European media landscape during this period illuminates the mechanisms related to circulation and transmission of news and the relationship between internal political propaganda, as well as the response and the positioning of external observers in regard to an unexpected occurrence. Finally, comparison of sources allows us to stress the essentially dialectical nature between manuscript newsletters and printed news publications during the early modern period.
The Formidable Machine: Parliament as Seen by Italian Diplomats at the Court of St James's in the First Half of the 18th Century
Authors: Bruschi Ugo
Published: March 2022

To the representatives of Italian states in London, early 18th‐century Britain often remained a puzzle. The Revolution Settlement presented them with the problem of identifying the real source of power, both in order to send home reliable information and to try to secure support for the interests of their princes, who were sometimes desperate for the friendship, or at least the lack of hostility, of Great Britain. An analysis of the weekly despatches and of the final reports drafted by Italian diplomats (namely the representatives of the Savoyard state, the republics of Genoa and Venice, the Duchy of Modena and the Grand Duchy of Tuscany) in the first half of the 18th century offers evidence on their sources of information and on their vision of the political system of the country. Parliament loomed large in their correspondence. News on the activity of the Houses as well as forecasts on the challenge they posed to the ministry were a recurrent theme. To Italian diplomats, parliament was a source of instability. In their eyes, only the rise of a strong premier minister – of which Sir Robert Walpole was the epitome – could tame the fickle assembly in Westminster and bring order, though precariously, to the British polity.
Comprehensive two‐dimensional gas chromatography mass spectrometry‐based untargeted metabolomics to clarify the dynamic variations in the volatile composition of Huangjiu of different ages
Authors: Yu Haiyan , Zheng Danwei , Xie Tong , Xie Jingru , Tian Huaixiang , Ai Lianzhong , Chen Chen
Published: March 2022

Aging plays an important role in the formation of aroma characteristics of Huangjiu, a traditional Chinese alcoholic beverage. Comprehensive two‐dimensional gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC×GC‐qMS)‐based untargeted metabolomics combined with a multivariate analysis was used to investigate the dynamic variations in the aroma profile of Huangjiu during aging process and to establish the relationship between the changing volatile metabolite profiles and the age‐dependent sensory attributes. A total of 144 volatile metabolites were identified by GC×GC‐qMS and 63 were selected as critical metabolites based on variable importance in projection values and p‐values. Based on the results of principal component analysis, orthogonal partial least‐squares discriminant analysis, and hierarchical clustering analysis, the samples of six different ages were divided into three groups: 1Y and 3Y samples, 5Y and 8Y samples, and 10Y and 15Y samples. The partial least‐squares analysis results further revealed the relationship between the aromas attributes and variations of these volatile compounds. The high esters, aldehydes, and lactones contents contributed to the high intensities of the sweet and ester aroma attributes of the aged Huangjiu, while the high alcohols and ethyl esters contents contributed to the alcoholic and fruity aroma attributes of the newly brewed Huangjiu. These results improve our understanding of the chemical nature of the aroma characteristics of aged Huangjiu.

Practical Application

Huangjiu is often labeled with its age as a measure of quality, which influences consumers’ choice. Dynamic variations in volatile compounds of Huangjiu during aging and its contribution to the aroma characteristics of Huangjiu were figured out, which will assist the industry to produce better quality aged Huangjiu for consumers.
The gender imbalance in Interventional Radiology in Australia and New Zealand
Authors: Moriarty Heather K. , Clements Warren , Zia Adil , Connor Brigid , Goh Gerard S.
Published: March 2022

Introduction

There are few female Interventional Radiologists worldwide and this is a significant issue for many countries. There is little known about the current status and attitudes to women in Interventional Radiology in Australia and New Zealand. The purpose of this study was to explore the gender balance, workforce challenges and perceptions towards women in Interventional Radiology in Australia and New Zealand.

Methods

An anonymised voluntary survey exploring the current demographics of Interventional Radiologists and opinions on multiple gender issues in Interventional Radiology was conducted. The survey was sent to all members of the Interventional Radiology Society of Australasia. Statistical analysis was performed using independent samples t‐tests, the non‐parametric Mann–Whitney U testing and proportions of binary variables using logistic regression.

Results

Seventy seven responses were received, 83% males and 17% females. The majority of participants worked full time (83%) and identified as an Interventional Radiologist with/without some sessions of diagnostic radiology per week (83%). There was general consensus in many issues; however, males tended to disagree more than females that female IRs are treated differently than male IRs (p < 0.037), and that male IRs are paid more than female IRs (P = 0.020). Females agreed it was harder for female IRs to gain academic or clinical promotion; however, males disagreed (P < 0.001).

Conclusion

There is a clear gender imbalance in Interventional Radiology in Australia and New Zealand. Multiple issues should be investigated and addressed by the major stakeholders such as the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists and the Interventional Radiology society of Australasia.
Management of severe vulval lichen sclerosus with adalimumab
Authors: Manuelpillai Nicholas , Saunders Helen , Veysey Emma
Published: March 2022

Vulval Lichen Sclerosus (VLS) is a chronic inflammatory dermatosis that significantly impacts the quality of life. We report 2 cases of severe treatment‐resistant VLS treated with subcutaneous adalimumab. One patient showed modest clinical improvement with no significant improvement in quality‐of‐life measures. The second patient showed a significant improvement in both clinical and quality‐of‐life measures. Both patients achieved optimal control with a maintenance dosing of 40 mg subcutaneously weekly. Adalimumab may be a treatment option for recalcitrant VLS; however, clinical trials are required to confirm efficacy for this indication.
Immunopathogenesis of endometriosis: An overview of the role of innate and adaptive immune cells and their mediators
Authors: Moghaddam Maryam Zare , Ansariniya Hossein , Seifati Seyed Mohammad , Zare Fateme , Fesahat Farzaneh
Published: March 2022

Background

Endometriosis is a chronic inflammatory disease associated with the growth and proliferation of endometrial‐like tissues outside the uterus. Although the exact etiology and mechanism of the pathogenesis of the disease have not been fully elucidated, the immune system cells and the mediators produced by them can be named as effective factors in the onset and progression of the disease.

Aims

We aim to attempt to review studies on the role of the immune system in endometriosis to better understand the pathogenesis of endometriosis.

Content

Abundant production of inflammatory mediators by neutrophils and macrophages and reduced cytotoxicity of defined cells promote endometriosis at the early stages of the disease. Following an increase in the inflammation of the environment, the body takes compensatory mechanisms to reduce inflammation and establish homeostasis. For this purpose, the body produces remodeling and anti‐inflammatory factors leading to slow conversion of the inflammatory environment into a non‐inflammatory environment with proliferative and immunosuppressive properties. Environmental conditions induce M2 macrophages, TH2 cells, and Tregs differentiation, promoting disease progression by producing angiogenic and immunosuppressive factors. However, the exact molecular mechanism involved in changing inflammatory to non‐inflammatory conditions is not yet fully understood.

Implications

Due to the common characteristics of endometriotic cells and cancer cells, most potential treatment options for endometriosis have been suggested due to the results of these methods in the treatment of cancer. In this pathway, immune system cells and soluble mediators can be used as targets.
New multivariable prediction model PEdiatric SEpsis recognition and stratification (PESERS score) shows excellent discriminatory capacity
Authors: Solé‐Ribalta Anna , Launes Cristian , Felipe‐Villalobos Aida , Balaguer Mònica , Luaces Carles , Garrido Roser , Bobillo‐Pérez Sara , Girona‐Alarcón Mònica , Valls Ana , Cambra Francisco José , Esteban Elisabeth , Jordan Iolanda
Published: March 2022

Aim

To develop a quantitative predictive scoring model for the early recognition and assessment of paediatric sepsis.

Methods

Prospective observational study including emergency department and in‐hospital febrile patients under 18 years. Sepsis diagnose (Goldstein 2005 definitions) was the main outcome. Variables associated with the outcome were included in a multivariable analysis. Cut‐off points, odds ratio and coefficients for the variables kept after the multivariable analysis were identified. The score was obtained from the coefficients, The AUC was obtained from ROC‐analysis, and internal validation was performed using k‐fold cross‐validation.

Results

The analysis included 210 patients. 45 variables were evaluated and the bivariate analysis identified 24 variables associated with the outcome. After the multivariable regression, 11 variables were kept and the score was obtained. The model yielded an excellent AUC of 0.886 (95% CI 0.845–0.927), p < 0.001 for sepsis recognition. With a cut‐off value of 5 for the score, we obtained a sensitivity of 98%, specificity of 76.7%, positive predictive value of 87.9% and negative predictive value of 93.3%.

Conclusion

The proposed scoring model for paediatric sepsis showed adequate discriminatory capacity and sufficient accuracy, which is of great clinical significance in detecting sepsis early and predicting its severity. Nevertheless external validation is needed before clinical use.
The continuum of strategic philanthropy: Rationalizing the context for philanthropy in business and society
Authors: Saiia David , Schwartz Mark S.
Published: March 2022

In order to further enhance our understanding of strategic philanthropy within business and society, our paper proceeds as follows. First, we discuss the process driving evolutionary change in philanthropy. Next, we discuss the actual development of strategic philanthropy. This includes a brief US history of salient events in corporate giving, with attention paid to the regulatory, business, and social contexts related to corporate giving. Finally, in the discussion section, we present a modified continuum of corporate giving, based on previous research and our analysis, extending from a focus on bettering society, on the one hand ‐ to that of advancing the firm's interests, on the other.
Transnational migration entrepreneurship during a crisis: Immediate response to challenges and opportunities emerging through the COVID‐19 pandemic
Authors: Harima Aki
Published: March 2022

The COVID‐19 pandemic has affected transnational migrant entrepreneurs due to deglobalization. It has limited their cross‐border mobility as well as collapsed the international value chain; their multiple embeddedness, which requires them to cope with two or more contexts; and the nature of transnational businesses, which are often more vulnerable than others. While entrepreneurship scholars have rapidly responded to the pandemic, its impact on this specific type of entrepreneur has not been investigated. This exploratory, interview‐based study identified three patterns of the entrepreneurial response of transnational migrant entrepreneurs to the pandemic: (1) balancing between multiple institutions, (2) mobilizing transnational social capital, and (3) adapting transnational value creation. Furthermore, this study identified factors on the individual, network, and macro levels that influence transnational migrants' entrepreneurial response to the pandemic. This study's findings revealed how entrepreneurs leverage cognitive flexibility and resource advantages from their multiple embeddedness to mitigate the adverse situation, find alternative strategic orientations, and explore and exploit emerging opportunities during the pandemic. The results of this study contribute to the emerging scholarly discussions on entrepreneurship under the COVID‐19 pandemic by elaborating on the unique contexts and entrepreneurial agents as well as add value to the literature on transnational migrant entrepreneurs by exploring their crisis response.
A comprehensive overview of the effects of urbanisation on sexual selection and sexual traits
Authors: Cronin Andrew D. , Smit Judith A. H. , Muñoz Matías I. , Poirier Armand , Moran Peter A. , Jerem Paul , Halfwerk Wouter
Published: March 2022

Urbanisation can affect mating opportunities and thereby alter inter‐ and intra‐sexual selection pressures on sexual traits. Biotic and abiotic urban conditions can influence an individual's success in pre‐ and post‐copulatory mating, for example through impacts on mate attraction and mate preference, fertilisation success, resource competition or rival interactions. Divergent sexual selection pressures can lead to differences in behavioural, physiological, morphological or life‐history traits between urban and non‐urban populations, ultimately driving adaptation and speciation. Most studies on urban sexual selection and mating interactions report differences between urban and non‐urban populations or correlations between sexual traits and factors associated with increased urbanisation, such as pollution, food availability and risk of predation and parasitism. Here we review the literature on sexual selection and sexual traits in relation to urbanisation or urban‐associated conditions. We provide an extensive list of abiotic and biotic factors that can influence processes involved in mating interactions, such as signal production and transmission, mate choice and mating opportunities. We discuss all relevant data through the lens of two, non‐mutually exclusive theories on sexual selection, namely indicator and sensory models. Where possible, we indicate whether these models provide the same or different predictions regarding urban‐adapted sexual signals and describe different experimental designs that can be useful for the different models as well as to investigate the drivers of sexual selection. We argue that we lack a good understanding of: (i) the factors driving urban sexual selection; (ii) whether reported changes in traits result in adaptive benefits; and (iii) whether these changes reflect a short‐term ecological, or long‐term evolutionary response. We highlight that urbanisation provides a unique opportunity to study the process and outcomes of sexual selection, but that this requires a highly integrative approach combining experimental and observational work.
Technology Matters: Collaboratively augmenting longitudinal monitoring (C.A.L.M) in bipolar disorder – co‐design, co‐production and evaluation of the alpha prototype app
Authors: Sharma Aditya Narain , Barron‐Millar Evelyn , Gaskell Maia , Glod Magdalena , Kaushal Pulkit , Grieve Kelly , Pervez Maryam
Published: March 2022

Apps developed for bipolar disorder (BD) allow a sense of autonomy and self‐regulation whilst monitoring for early warning signs indicative of a relapse. C.A.L.M BD was specifically co‐designed and co‐produced with young people (16–25 years) living with BD, their family members, clinicians, researchers in human–computer interaction and an app development company to address the current lack of such technology for this age range. The prototype app tracked mood, and provided young people with the instant ability to monitor mood trends and use lifeline functionality when in crisis. The evaluation of the app demonstrated that it successfully engaged participants and provided insight to an effective way of iteratively designing an app. The future development of this app could improve outcomes for young people living with BD, however, needs to be evaluated rigorously.
Distant metastasis in medullary thyroid carcinoma: Clinical outcomes and implications of T stage
Authors: Shao Yuting , Li Genpeng , Wei Tao , Gong Rixiang , Li Zhihui , Zhu Jingqiang , Lei Jianyong
Published: March 2022

Background

The eighth edition of the American Joint Committee on Cancer tumour, node, and metastasis staging system did not take T stage into consideration when evaluating Stage IV C medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) patients. The aim of this study is to investigate the clinical outcomes and implications of T stage in this population.

Methods

Eligible patients from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database and the Department of Thyroid Surgery in West China Hospital of Sichuan University and who were diagnosed with Stage IV C MTC were included in this study. The overall survival (OS), the cancer‐specific survival (CSS), and the precise cause of MTC‐induced death were analysed. The potential risk factors, including the T stage, in the OS and CSS were evaluated by univariate and multivariate Cox regression models.

Results

This retrospective study enroled 204 Stage IV C MTC patients. The 5‐ and 10‐year OS rates were 31.8% and 17.1%, respectively, and the 5‐ and 10‐year CSS rates were 40.4% and 22.5%, respectively. More importantly, the rates of MTC‐induced death between primary or distant metastatic lesions in Stage IV C MTC patients were comparable in our institution. Additionally, the univariate and multivariate analyses demonstrated that the presence of an advanced T stage was an independent prognostic factor for both the OS (T4 vs. T1–T3, hazard ratio [HR]: 1.714, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.175–2.500, p = .005) and the CSS (T4 vs. T1–T3, HR: 1.848, 95% CI: 1.229–2.780, p = .003).

Conclusion

To achieve a better risk stratification, further classification of Stage IV C MTC patients by the T stage may be preferable.
A structural equation model investigating the relationships among online and offline social capitals and child polyvictimization
Authors: Chen Qiqi , Guo Shaolingyun , Zhou Qiushi
Published: March 2022

Social capital is a term proposed in literature to define the relationship between adverse experiences and their negative impacts. Despite evidence of correlation between offline social capital (e.g., from parents, peers and school in real life) and health effects, there is a lack of research comparing the role of online social capital (e.g., from online acquaintances and social network platforms) with offline social capitals in child polyvictimization. This study aims to investigate the effects of child polyvictimization operating through multiple forms of social capital (e.g., victimization by parents, teachers and peers or on cyberspace) on depression in children. A total of 1213 students in Grades 7–9 from boarding schools in rural China participated in the study. The structural equation modelling (SEM) was applied to specify the structure between observed indicators and latent constructs categorized as online or offline social capitals. Results showed that 54.7% of the participants reported at least one form of victimization in their lifetime and 19.8% reported peer polyvictimization. The relationship between victimization and depression showed that offline social capitals fully mediated victimization by teachers and peers, whereas online social capitals fully mediated the relationships between cyber victimization and depression. The findings offer insights for proactive intervention to improve online and offline social capital in polyvictimization prevention.
How safe bariatric surgery is—An update on perioperative mortality for clinicians and patients
Authors: Huppler Lucy , Robertson Andrew G. , Wiggins Tom , Hollyman Marianne , Welbourn Richard
Published: March 2022

Bariatric, metabolic or weight loss surgery produces sustained weight loss and imporovement in obesity related diseases. Bariatric surgery has existed for decades but there is limited reliable data on the risk of perioperative mortality following the procedures. This commentary focuses on a recent meta‐analysis which has produced contemporaneous mortality data, and the findings are significant. Utilising data from 3.6 million patients the study has shown an overall pooled perioperative mortality of 0.08%, a significantly reduced risk compared to previous, smaller studies. This finding increases our knowledge of surgical risk for these procedures and should now equip health care groups to challenge barriers to uptake of bariatric surgery. Barriers currently include a worldwide lack of focus on treating obesity, lack of funding and resource from commissioners, and a general public and professional view that bariatric surgery may be high risk. In reality, this figure equates to mortality risk for procedures generally considered ‘safe’ such as laparoscopic cholecystectomy and knee arthroplasty. Bariatric surgery is a safe option for achieving sustained weight‐loss and the treatment of obesity related diseases, and refusing access to surgery on the grounds of perioperative safety should now be an outdated premise.
What is the optimal anesthetic monitoring regarding immediate and short‐term outcomes after liver transplantation?—A systematic review of the literature and expert panel recommendations
Authors: Fernandez Thomas M.A. , Schofield Nick , Krenn Claus G , Rizkalla Nicole , Spiro Michael , Raptis Dimitri Aristotle , De Wolf Andre M , Merritt William T. ,   the ERAS4OLT.org Working Group
Published: March 2022

Background

Liver transplant centers vary in approach to intraoperative vascular accesses, monitoring of cardiac function and temperature management. Evidence is limited regarding impact of selected modalities on postoperative outcomes.

Objectives

To review the literature and provide expert panel recommendations on optimal intraoperative arterial blood pressure (BP), central venous pressure (CVP), and vascular accesses, monitoring of cardiac function and intraoperative temperature management regarding immediate and short‐term outcomes after orthotopic liver transplant (OLT).

Methods

Systematic review following PRISMA guidelines and recommendations using the GRADE approach derived from an international expert panel. Recommendations made for: (1) Vascular accesses, arterial BP and CVP monitoring, (2) cardiac function monitoring, and (3) Intraoperative temperature management (CRD42021239908).

Results

Of 2619 articles screened 16 were included. Studies were small, retrospective, and observational. Vascular access studies demonstrated low rates of insertion complications. TEE studies demonstrated low rates of esophageal hemorrhage. One study found lower hospital‐LOS and 30‐day mortality in patients monitored with both PAC and TEE. Other monitoring studies were heterogenous in design and outcomes. Temperature studies showed increased blood transfusion and ventilation times in hypothermic groups.

Conclusions

Recommendations were made for; routine arterial and CVP monitoring as a minimum standard of practice, consideration of discrepancy between peripheral and central arterial BP in patients with hemodynamic instability and high vasopressor requirements, and routine use of high flow cannulae while monitoring for extravasation and hematoma formation. Availability and expertise in PAC and/or TEE monitoring is strongly recommended particularly in hemodynamic instability, portopulmonary HT and/or cardiac dysfunction. TEE use is recommended as an acceptable risk in patients with treated esophageal varices and is an effective diagnostic tool for emergency cardiovascular collapse. Maintenance of intraoperative normothermia is strongly recommended.
Longitudinal change in speech classification between 4 and 10 years in children with cerebral palsy
Authors: Long Helen L. , Mahr Tristan J. , Natzke Phoebe , Rathouz Paul J. , Hustad Katherine C.
Published: March 2022

Aim

To examine speech impairment severity classification over time in a longitudinal cohort of children with cerebral palsy (CP).

Method

A total of 101 children (58 males, 43 females) between the ages of 4 and 10 years with CP participated in this longitudinal study. Speech severity was rated using the Viking Speech Scale (VSS), a four‐level classification rating scale, at 4, 6, 8, and 10 years (age 4 years: mean = 52 months [3 SD]; age 6 years: mean = 75 months [2 SD]; age 8 years: mean = 100 months [4 SD]; age 10 years: mean = 125 months [5 SD]). We used Bayesian mixed‐effects ordinal logistic regression to model (1) the extent to which speech severity changed over time and (2) patterns of change across age groups and classification rating group levels.

Results

VSS ratings decreased (speech severity became less severe) between 4 and 10 years of age. Children who were first classified in VSS levels I, II, or III at age 4 years had a high probability of staying at, or improving to, VSS level I by 10 years. Children who were first classified in VSS level IV at 4 years had a high probability of remaining in VSS level IV at 10 years.

Interpretation

Early speech performance is highly predictive of later childhood speech abilities. Children with any level of speech impairment at age 4 years should be receiving speech therapy. Those with more severe speech impairments should be introduced to augmentative and alternative communication as soon as possible.

What this paper adds

Children with early Viking Speech Scale (VSS) ratings below level IV have a good prognosis for speech improvement.

Children with early VSS level IV ratings are likely to remain at VSS level IV over time.

Children did not show worsening of VSS level between the ages of 4 and 10 years.
Association of change in haemoglobin A1c with adverse perinatal outcomes in women with pregestational diabetes
Authors: Kiefer Miranda K. , Finneran Matthew M. , Ware Courtney A. , Fareed Naleef , Joseph Joshua , Thung Stephen F. , Costantine Maged M. , Landon Mark B. , Gabbe Steven G. , Venkatesh Kartik K.
Published: March 2022

Aims

To determine whether a net decline in glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c) from early to late pregnancy is associated with lower risk of adverse perinatal outcomes at delivery among women with pregestational diabetes.

Methods

A retrospective analysis from 2012 to 2016 at a tertiary care centre. The exposure was the net change in HbA1c from early (<20 weeks gestation) to late pregnancy (≥20 weeks gestation). Primary outcomes were large for gestational age (LGA) and neonatal hypoglycaemia. The association between outcomes per 6 mmol/mol (0.5%) absolute decrease in HbA1c was evaluated using modified Poisson regression, and adjusted for age, body mass index, White Class, early HbA1c and haemoglobin and gestational age at HbA1c measurement and delivery.

Results

Among 347 women with pregestational diabetes, HbA1c was assessed in early (9 weeks [IQR 7,13]) and late pregnancy (31 weeks [IQR 29,34]). Mean HbA1c decreased from early (59 mmol/mol [7.5%]) to late (47 mmol/mol [6.5%]) pregnancy. Each 6 mmol/mol (0.5%) absolute decrease in HbA1c was associated with a 12% reduced risk of LGA infant (30%, aRR:0.88; 95% CI:0.81,0.95), and a 7% reduced risk of neonatal hypoglycaemia (35%, aRR:0.93; 95% CI:0.87,0.99). Preterm birth (36%, aRR:0.93; 95% CI:0.89,0.98) and neonatal intensive care unit admission (55%, aRR:0.95; 95% CI:0.91,0.98) decreased with a net decline in HbA1c, but not caesarean delivery, pre‐eclampsia, shoulder dystocia and respiratory distress syndrome.

Conclusions

Women with pregestational diabetes with a reduction in HbA1c may have fewer infants born LGA or with neonatal hypoglycaemia. Repeated assessment of HbA1c may provide an additional measure of glycaemic control.
Inhibition of plasminogen suppresses fibrosis and macrophage foaming in a nonalcoholic steatohepatitis mouse model
Authors: Tomonari Yuki , Iwaki Takayuki , Arakawa Tomohiro , Umemura Kazuo
Published: March 2022

Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis is a clinically important liver disease. Its symptoms are exacerbated by macrophage foaming, which is promoted by plasminogen in vitro. However, the influence of plasminogen on nonalcoholic steatohepatitis has not been reported. In this study, we evaluated the influence of plasminogen in a mouse model of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis with macrophage foaming. L−/−/A−/− mice, characterized by hypercholesterolemia, were injected with streptozotocin and fed a high‐fat diet to develop nonalcoholic steatohepatitis with macrophage foaming. To confirm the influence of plasminogen, we used the well‐known plasminogen inhibitor tranexamic acid and L−/−/A−/−/Plg−/− mice, which are deficient in plasminogen and investigated the influence on nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. The influence of plasminogen on the expression levels of proinflammatory cytokines involved in foaming in macrophages was also assessed. The formation of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis lesions with macrophage foaming was confirmed in the L−/−/A−/− mouse model. Tranexamic acid attenuated foaming and fibrosis in the L−/−/A−/− mice. Similarly, foaming and liver fibrosis were also attenuated in the L−/−/A−/−/Plg−/− mice. The mRNA expression levels of TGF‐β1 and IL‐1β in liver and peritoneal macrophages were reduced upon plasminogen inhibition. We show that inhibition of plasminogen suppressed macrophage foaming, cytokine expression, and consequently fibrosis in nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. Our results provide a clue toward various processes leading to fibrosis and may contribute to new therapeutic strategies for nonalcoholic steatohepatitis.
M1‐linked ubiquitination facilitates NF‐κB activation and survival during sterile inflammation
Authors: Aalto Anna , Martínez‐Chacón Gabriela , Kietz Christa , Tsyganova Nadezhda , Kreutzer Joose , Kallio Pasi , Broemer Meike , Meinander Annika
Published: March 2022

Methionine 1 (M1)‐linked ubiquitination plays a key role in the regulation of inflammatory nuclear factor‐κB (NF‐κB) signalling and is important for clearance of pathogen infection in Drosophila melanogaster. M1‐linked ubiquitin (M1‐Ub) chains are assembled by the linear ubiquitin E3 ligase (LUBEL) in flies. Here, we have studied the role of LUBEL in sterile inflammation induced by different types of cellular stresses. We have found that the LUBEL catalyses formation of M1‐Ub chains in response to hypoxic, oxidative and mechanical stress conditions. LUBEL is shown to be important for flies to survive low oxygen conditions and paraquat‐induced oxidative stress. This protective action seems to be driven by stress‐induced activation of the NF‐κB transcription factor Relish via the immune deficiency (Imd) pathway. In addition to LUBEL, the intracellular mediators of Relish activation, including the transforming growth factor activating kinase 1 (Tak1), Drosophila inhibitor of apoptosis (IAP) Diap2, the IκB kinase γ (IKKγ) Kenny and the initiator caspase Death‐related ced‐3/Nedd2‐like protein (Dredd), but not the membrane receptor peptidoglycan recognition protein (PGRP)‐LC, are shown to be required for sterile inflammatory response and survival. Finally, we showed that the stress‐induced upregulation of M1‐Ub chains in response to hypoxia, oxidative and mechanical stress is also induced in mammalian cells and protects from stress‐induced cell death. Taken together, our results suggest that M1‐Ub chains are important for NF‐κB signalling in inflammation induced by stress conditions often observed in chronic inflammatory diseases and cancer.