bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cofactors of Partner HIV Self-testing and Oral PrEP Acceptance Among Pregnant Women at High Risk of HIV in Kenya
Authors: Ngumbau Nancy M. , Neary Jillian , Wagner Anjuli D. , Abuna Felix , Ochieng Ben , Dettinger Julia C. , Gómez Laurén , Marwa Mary M. , Watoyi Salphine , Nzove Emmaculate , Pintye Jillian , Baeten Jared M. , Kinuthia John , John-Stewart Grace
Published: November 2023

Background:

Oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and male partner HIV self-testing (HIVST) is being scaled up within antenatal clinics. Few data are available on how co-distribution influences acceptance of both interventions.

Methods:

We used data from the PrEP Implementation of Mothers in Antenatal Care (NCT03070600) trial in Kenya. Women included in this analysis were determined to be at high risk of HIV and offered oral PrEP and partner HIVST. Characteristics were compared between women who chose: (1) PrEP and HIVST, (2) HIVST-alone, (3) PrEP-alone, or (4) declined both (reference), excluding women who had partners known to be living with HIV.

Results:

Among 911 women, median age was 24 years, 87.3% were married, 43.9% perceived themselves to be at high risk of HIV and 13.0% had history of intimate partner violence (IPV). Overall, 68.9% accepted HIVST and 18.4% accepted PrEP, with 54.7% accepting HIVST-alone, 4.2% PrEP-alone, and 14.3% both HIVST and PrEP. Of women accepting HIVST, partner HIV testing increased from 20% to 82% and awareness of partner HIV status increased from 4.7% to 82.0% between pregnancy and 9 months postpartum (P < 0.001). Compared with women who accepted neither, choosing: (1) HIVST-alone was associated with being married, higher level of education, and residing with partner; (2) PrEP-alone was associated with lower social support, IPV, not residing with partner, longer time living with partner, and suspicion of other partners; and (3) PrEP and HIVST was associated with being married, IPV, and suspicion that partner had other partners.

Conclusions:

Understanding factors associated with accepting HIVST and PrEP can inform HIV prevention programs for pregnant women.

Clinical Trial Number:

NCT03070600.
PhenomAD-NDD: the Phenomics Aggregation Database of comorbidities in 51,227 pediatric individuals with NeuroDevelopmental Disorders
Authors: Dingemans Alexander J M , Jansen Sandra , van Reeuwijk Jeroen , de Leeuw Nicole , Pfundt Rolph , Schuurs-Hoeijmakers Janneke , van Bon Bregje W , Marcelis Carlo , Ockeloen Charlotte W , Willemsen Marjolein , van der Sluijs Pleuntje J , Santen Gijs W E , Kooy R Frank , Vulto-van Silfhout Anneke T , Kleefstra Tjitske , Koolen David A , Vissers Lisenka E L M , de Vries Bert B A
Published: November 2023

The prevalence of comorbidities in individuals with neurodevelopmental disorders (NDD) is not well understood, while these are important for accurate diagnosis and prognosis in routine care and for characterizing the clinical spectrum of NDD syndromes. Therefore, we developed PhenomAD-NDD: an aggregated database with comorbid phenotypic data of 51,227 individuals with NDD, all harmonized into Human Phenotype Ontology (HPO), with in total 3,054 unique HPO terms. We demonstrate that almost all congenital anomalies are more prevalent in the NDD population than in the general population and the NDD baseline prevalence allows for approximation of enrichment of symptoms. Such analyses for 33 genetic NDDs for instance shows that 32% of enriched phenotypes is currently not reported in the clinical synopsis in OMIM. PhenomAD-NDD is open to all via a visualization online tool and allows to determine enrichment of symptoms in NDD.
Influence of menstrual cycle and oral contraceptive phases on bone (re)modelling markers in response to intervallic running
Authors: Guisado-Cuadrado Isabel , Romero-Parra Nuria , Elliott-Sale Kirsty J. , Sale Craig , Díaz Ángel E. , Peinado Ana B.
Published: November 2023

Objectives

To examine procollagen type I N-propeptide (P1NP) and carboxy-terminal cross-linking telopeptide of type I collagen (β-CTX-1) concentrations across different phases of the menstrual (MC) and oral contraceptive (OC) cycles and in response to running.

Methods

17β-oestradiol, progesterone, P1NP and β-CTX-1 were analysed pre-and post-exercise in eight eumenorrheic females in the early-follicular (EFP), late-follicular (LFP), and mid-luteal (MLP) phases of the MC, while 8 OC users were evaluated during the withdrawal (WP) and active pill-taking (APP) phases. The running protocol consisted of 8x3 min treadmill runs at 85% of maximal aerobic speed.

Results

17β-oestradiol concentrations (pg·ml-1) were lower in the EFP (47.22±39.75) compared to the LFP (304.95±235.85; p=<0.001) and MLP (165.56±80.6; p=0.003) of the MC and higher in the WP (46.51±44.09) compared to the APP (10.88±11.24; p<0.001) of the OC cycle. While progesterone (ng·ml-1) was higher in the MLP (13.214±4.926) compared to the EFP (0.521±0.365; p<0.001) and LFP (1.677±2.586; p<0.001) of the MC. In eumenorrheic females, P1NP concentrations (ng·ml-1) were higher in LFP (69.97±17.84) compared to EFP (60.96±16.64; p=0.006;) and MLP (59.122±11.77; p=0.002;). Post-exercise concentrations (70.71±15.59) increased from pre-exercise (55.86±12.86; p<0.001). For β-CTX-1 (ng·ml-1), lower concentrations were shown in MLP (0.376±0.098) compared to LFP (0.496±0.166; p=0.001) and EFP (0.452±0.148; p=0.039). OC users showed higher post-exercise P1NP concentrations in WP (61.75±8.32) compared to post-exercise in APP (45.45±6; p<0.001). Comparing P1NP levels between eumenorrheic and OC users, post-exercise P1NP concentrations were higher in the EFP (66.91±16.26; p<0.001), LFP (80.66±16.35; p<0.001) and MLP (64.57±9.68; p=0.002) of the MC compared to the APP of the OC cycle.

Conclusion

These findings underscore the importance of studying exercising females with different ovarian hormone profiles, as changes in sex hormone concentrations affect bone metabolism in response to running, showing a higher post-exercise P1NP concentrations in all MC phases compared with APP of the OC cycle.
Evaluation of Alinity m CMV assay performance for detecting CMV in plasma, cerebrospinal fluid, and bronchoalveolar lavage specimens
Authors: Kostera Joshua , Hubbard Mark , Jackson Dillon , Liesman Rachael M.
Published: November 2023

Introduction

Rapid and accurate detection of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection and reactivation is crucial to preventing adverse outcomes in immunocompromised individuals, especially in transplant recipients. Current PCR-based assays were developed for use with plasma specimens, but CMV is present in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BAL) in immunocompromised patients with CMV pneumonia and has also been detected in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).

Objectives

We evaluated the performance of the Abbott Alinity m CMV assay compared to the Abbott RealTime CMV assay for quantification of CMV in plasma, BAL, and CSF specimens.

Methods

Analytical performance, including linearity, precision, and limit of detection, was established for plasma, BAL, and CSF specimen types using reference CMV control material (SeraCare). To evaluate clinical performance, 190 plasma specimens, 78 BAL specimens, and 26 CSF specimens were tested with the Alinity m assay and compared to the RealTime CMV assay.

Results

The Alinity m CMV assay showed high precision (SD <0.01 to 0.13) within the quantifiable range (1.49-8.00 log10 IU/mL) for all 3 specimen types, with strong clinical correlation to the RealTime CMV assay results (r2=0.9779 for plasma, r2=0.9373 for BAL, r2=0.9889 for CSF).

Conclusion

The Alinity m CMV assay may be useful for rapid detection of CMV in plasma, BAL, and CSF specimens.
Benzylic Radical Stabilization Permits Ether Formation During Darobactin Biosynthesis
Authors: Woodard Austin M. , Peccati Francesca , Navo Claudio D. , Jiménez-Osés Gonzalo , Mitchell Douglas A.
Published: November 2023

The Gram-negative selective antibiotic darobactin A has attracted interest owing to its intriguing fused bicyclic structure and unique mode of action. Biosynthetic studies have revealed that darobactin is a ribosomally synthesized and post-translationally modified peptide (RiPP). During maturation, the darobactin precursor peptide (DarA) is modified by a radicalS-adenosyl methionine (rSAM)-dependent enzyme (DarE) to contain ether and C-C crosslinks. In this work, we describe the enzymatic tolerance of DarE using a panel of DarA variants, revealing that DarE can install the ether and C-C crosslinks independently and in different locations on DarA. These efforts produced 57 darobactin variants, 50 of which were enzymatically modified. Several new variants with fused bicyclic structures were characterized, including darobactin W3Y, which replaces tryptophan with tyrosine at the twice-modified central position, and darobactin K5F, which displays a fused diether ring pattern. Three additional darobactin variants contained fused diether macrocycles, leading us to investigate the origin of ether versus C-C crosslink formation. Computational analyses found that more stable and long-lived Cβ radicals found on aromatic amino acids correlated with ether formation. Further, molecular docking and calculated transition state structures provide support for the different indole connectivity observed for ether (Trp-C7) and C-C (Trp-C6) crosslink formation. We also provide experimental evidence for a β-oxotryptophan modification, a proposed intermediate during ether crosslink formation. Finally, mutational analysis of the DarA leader region and protein structural predictions identified which residues were dispensable for processing and others that govern substrate engagement by DarE. Our work informs on darobactin scaffold engineering and sheds additional light on the underlying principles of rSAM catalysis.
Assessment of machine-learning predictions for MED25 ACID domain interactions with transactivation domains
Authors: Monté Didier , Lens Zoé , Dewitte Frédérique , Villeret Vincent , Verger Alexis
Published: November 2023

Human Mediator complex subunit MED25 binds transactivation domains (TADs) present in various cellular and viral proteins using two binding interfaces found on opposite sides of its ACID domain, and referenced as H1 and H2. Here, we use and compare deep learning methods to characterize Human MED25-TADs interfaces and assess the predicted models to published experimental data. For the H1 interface, AlphaFold produces predictions with high reliability scores that agree well with experimental data, while the H2 interface predictions appear inconsistent, preventing reliable binding modes. Despite these limitations, we experimentally assess the validity of Lana-1 and IE62 MED25 interface predictions. AlphaFold predictions also suggest the existence of a unique hydrophobic pocket for Arabidopsis MED25 ACID domain.
A second crystalline modification of 2-{3-methyl-2-[(2Z)-pent-2-en-1-yl]cyclopent-2-en-1-ylidene}hydrazinecarbothioamide
Authors: Oliveira Adriano Bof de , Bresolin Leandro , Gervini Vanessa Carratu , Beck Johannes , Daniels Jörg
Published: November 2023

A second crystalline modification of the title compound, C12H19N3S [common name: cis-jasmone thiosemicarbazone] was crystallized from tetrahydrofurane at room temperature. There is one crystallographic independent molecule in the asymmetric unit, showing disorder in the cis-jasmone chain [site-occupancy ratio = 0.590 (14):0.410 (14)]. The thiosemicarbazone entity is approximately planar, with the maximum deviation from the mean plane through the N/N/C/S/N atoms being 0.0463 (14) Å [r.m.s.d. = 0.0324 Å], while for the five-membered ring of the jasmone fragment, the maximum deviation from the mean plane through the carbon atoms amounts to 0.0465 (15) Å [r.m.s.d. = 0.0338 Å]. The molecule is not planar due to the dihedral angle between these two fragments, which is 8.93 (1)°, and due to the sp
3-hybridized carbon atoms in the jasmone fragment chain. In the crystal, the molecules are connected by N—H...S and C—H...S interactions, with graph-set motifs R
2
2(8) and R
2
1(7), building mono-periodic hydrogen-bonded ribbons along [010]. A Hirshfeld surface analysis indicates that the major contributions for the crystal cohesion are H...H (67.8%), H...S/S...H (15.0%), H...C/C...H (8.5%) and H...N/N...H (5.6%) [only non-disordered atoms and those with the highest s.o.f. were considered]. This work reports the second crystalline modification of the cis-jasmone thiosemicarbazone structure, the first one being published recently [Orsoni et al. (2020). Int. J. Mol. Sci.
21, 8681–8697] with the crystals obtained in ethanol at 273 K.
Modern methods of construction (MMC) and innovation negativism in the UK public sector
Authors: Saad Ali M. , Dulaimi Mohammed , Arogundade Suhaib , Zulu Sambo Lyson , Gorse Chris
Published: November 2023

Purpose

The recent failures and insolvencies of organisations related to the modern methods of construction (MMC) have gained increased attention and controversy across the UK construction sector. Such failures are linked to their inability to achieve an economy of scale and drive key clients to accept the MMC as an alternative to traditional methods. This paper aims to unravel whether a phenomenon of “innovation negativism” has manifested and is contributing to public clients' indecision towards broader MMC, whether this is only linked to past negative experiences formed after the Second World War or whether additional contributing reasons exist to influence adoption.

Design/methodology/approach

This study focusses on exploring the decision-making of the UK public construction sector; therefore, this paper adopts a qualitative approach, utilising interviews with 14 carefully selected MMC experts, government advisors and public clients. The phenomenological stance adopted herewith enables the authors to make better sense of the perceptions of the interviewees, leading to the conceptualisation of the innovation negativism phenomenon.

Findings

The paper identifies nine themes that may be argued to promote a profound understanding of the MMC negativism influencing public clients' decision-making. The study has found that more than just the previous negative perceptions formulated post Second World War are driving innovation negativism in the UK public sector. Notably, the emerging themes are incomprehension, lacking evidence, communication, relationship history, bad experiences, uncertainty, inadequate experimentation, the business case and localism.

Originality/value

This study is the first construction management research that acts as a fair departure point to conceptualise the reasoning behind innovation negativism in the construction setting. Through mirroring demand's unipolarity for traditional methods, policy and decision-makers can now rely on the conceptualised reasoning to determine practical solutions to overcome clients' indecisions towards MMC.
School principals' leadership styles on implementing inclusive education: the entrepreneurial leadership effect
Authors: Stavrou Emilia , Kafa Antonios
Published: November 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate school principals' leadership styles in Cyprus in relation to students' support for special education needs within the context of inclusive education.

Design/methodology/approach

The original type of evidence was qualitative empirical research through the examination of four case studies in school organizations with a high number of students with special education needs. Using the interview protocol, data on school principals' leadership styles were collected from school principals and teachers. The empirical development theory method was used to analyze the data.

Findings

The findings suggest that in the respective school organizations, a combination of all leadership styles can support the desired outcomes of students with special education needs, thereby promoting the inclusive education aspect in school organizations. However, there was a preference for the entrepreneurial leadership style, which connects the external leadership dimension with school principalship.

Originality/value

These findings could assist in shaping a specific educational policy that includes professional development for school principals in entrepreneurship in order to support students with special education needs. Furthermore, the results could be compared to those in other contexts where school principals' leadership styles and practices are promoted in relation to the support of students with special education needs.
Do innovation policies support micro and small enterprises to overcome barriers?
Authors: Bittar Alexandre de Vicente , Di Serio Luiz Carlos
Published: November 2023

Purpose

Micro and small enterprises (MSEs) play a crucial role in the development of any country by generating innovative ideas. However, they face inherent restrictions that hinder their innovation capabilities. It is essential to support innovation policies to overcome these barriers and foster innovation. This study aims to explore how innovation policies can reduce barriers to innovation in MSEs using the lens of innovation capabilities.

Design/methodology/approach

Through a multiple case study, the authors examined eight MSEs in São Paulo (Brazil) and five in Florence (Italy) to conduct this study. These countries share a similar level of importance when it comes to MSEs.

Findings

Current innovation policies could be more effective for MSEs if certain barriers they encounter are faced and resolved, such as limited financial resources and a scarcity of qualified workers. These barriers directly affect two key elements of their innovation capability: financial resources and human resources. Therefore, it is essential to develop innovation policies that target these elements directly to enable MSEs to overcome these obstacles and thrive.

Originality/value

This study aims to enhance the knowledge of how innovation policies can help alleviate obstacles to innovation and how they can influence the various components that comprise the innovation capability of MSEs. This research can be valuable for policymakers as it provides insight into which innovation policies impact each aspect of innovation capability, enabling them to choose the most suitable policy based on the specific needs and local circumstances of the MSEs.
Economic uncertainty and direct property performance: a systematic review using the SPAR-4-SLR protocol
Authors: Ahiadu Albert Agbeko , Abidoye Rotimi Boluwatife
Published: November 2023

Purpose

This study systematically reviewed existing literature on the impact of economic uncertainty on property performance to highlight focus areas and spur future research amid unprecedented global uncertainty levels. Conceptually, uncertainty levels and environmental dynamism are related to investors' risk judgement and decision-making.

Design/methodology/approach

Peer-reviewed journal articles published from 2007 to 2022 were assembled and arranged through the Scientific Procedures and Rationales for Systematic Literature Reviews (SPAR-4-SLR) protocol. The initial search produced 2,028 results from the Web of Science and Scopus databases, which were rigorously purified for a final dataset of 70 articles. These records were subsequently assessed through content analysis, bibliographic modelling, topic modelling and thematic analysis. Recurring themes were visualised using the VOSviewer software.

Findings

The existing literature suggests that economic uncertainty negatively impacts investment volumes, returns and performance. Research has also increased since 2018, with a strong emphasis on the housing sector and developed property markets. Commercial property and emerging markets account for only 10 and 8% of previous research, respectively.

Practical implications

These findings highlight the negative impact of economic uncertainties on property performance and investment volumes, which necessitate careful risk assessment. Given the high susceptibility of emerging and commercial property markets to uncertainty, these markets warrant further research amid ongoing uncertainty concerns across the globe.

Originality/value

Given current unprecedented levels of global uncertainty, the effects of economic uncertainty have received renewed interest. This study synthesised the current understanding of how different property markets respond to increased uncertainty and outlined future research directions to enhance understanding. Themes and relationships were also integrated into a conceptual map summarising the reported effects of economic uncertainty on housing, commercial property, investment and behaviour in the property market.
Defender, Disturber or Driver? The ideal-typical professional identities of HR practitioners
Authors: Ferm Lisa , Wallo Andreas , Reineholm Cathrine , Lundqvist Daniel
Published: November 2023

Purpose

This study aims to contribute knowledge about different professional identities represented among HR practitioners from Weber's “ideal types” framework.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is based on semi-structured interviews with 34 Swedish HR practitioners working in large public and private organisations.

Findings

The findings reveal that HR practitioners' identity is perceived as indistinct, unclear and shattered, which leaves lots of room for interpreting HR identity. Based on a thematic content analysis, three different ideal-type identities are presented, each representing the characteristic traits of an HR identity type. These are the Defender who always supports the managers, the Disturber who questions the managers in favour of the employees and the Driver who focuses on the economic expansion of the organisation.

Research limitations/implications

One of the potential constraints of this study is the authors’ reliance on interview data. This finding implies that future research can employ mixed methods or observational techniques to bridge the gap between narrated responsibilities and real-time actions. The data source, predominantly from larger organisations, presents another limitation. This raises a significant research implication: there is a need to study identity formation among HR practitioners in smaller organisations. The theoretical framework this study contributes can aid in comprehending HR practitioners' identities and their corresponding actions. Continued research might explore the significance of these ideal-type identities.

Practical implications

The model presented provides a new way of understanding HR practitioners' complex and shattered professional identity and the various stakeholders that direct different expectations towards them. This knowledge can be used both in HR education and in HR work as a basis for discussing the social work environment of HR practitioners and negotiating their work and identity.

Originality/value

The study contributes knowledge of the professional identities of HR managers, an under-researched area, especially when it comes to empirical research about the HR practitioners' own experiences of their everyday work and view of the HR profession.
Global corporate reputation: a projective qualitative approach from a customer perspective
Authors: Youness Chebli , Valette-Florence Pierre , Assaf Cynthia
Published: November 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this research is to extend the results of previous studies regarding corporate reputation scales and identify new and specific items relevant for studying global corporate reputation from a customer’s point of view.

Design/methodology/approach

This research was based on the qualitative projective “Album on Line” (AOL) technique. The authors used a sample of 12 French consumers distributed equally between affective and cognitive scenarios. An individual-difference multidimensional scaling approach (INDSCAL) was applied to display the overall semantic space among generated items.

Findings

The exploratory AOL approach generated 62 items related to both cognitive and affective orientations characterizing online and offline corporate reputation. The results uncovered six semantic clusters for each scenario. All in all, seven new items could be added in the process of building a new global corporate reputation measurement scale by adding: avant-garde, singularity, exclusivity, savings, return policy, freeness and speed.

Research limitations/implications

This research makes it possible to propose a new global corporate reputation measurement scale with sound psychometric properties. This scale will be adapted for click and mortars and pure players. This paper unlocks future perspectives by suggesting a causal model that integrates online corporate reputation and its main antecedents and consequences.

Practical implications

From a managerial perspective, this research offers insights to managers with the main orientations surrounding the components of global corporate reputation. Moreover, the AOL mappings delineate which quadrants the managers would like to be fitted into or avoid, and hence define more precisely which key elements should be stressed or discarded.

Originality/value

This research outlines AOL, an original qualitative projective technique that can be used to understand customers’ thoughts, which are stocked and collected as images. Moreover, this research intends to analyze the gathered data using both INDSCAL and fuzzy k-means cluster analysis to reduce conventional biases related to subjectivity.
Using teacher narratives to map policy effects in the Victorian Government International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (IB-PYP) context
Authors: Zonca Benjamin , Ambrosy Josh
Published: November 2023

Purpose

Government primary schools in Australia increasingly take up the International Baccalaureate's Primary Years Programme (IB-PYP) to supplement government-mandated curriculum and governance expectations. The purpose of this paper is to explore how teachers navigate and contest dual policy-practice expectations in the Victorian Government IB-PYP context.

Design/methodology/approach

This study used a narrative inquiry approach. The narratives of two teachers were generated through a narrative interview and then re-storied with participants through a set of conceptual lenses drawn out of the policy assemblage and affect studies theoretical spaces.

Findings

The stories participants told show that competing mandatory local policy expressions are experienced and contested both to stabilize a technocratic rationality and produce alternative critical-political educational futures.

Originality/value

There a few accounts of teachers' policy experience in government school settings implementing the IB-PYP. In addressing this gap, this paper directly responds to prior claims of the IB's failure to promote an emancipatory pedagogy, showing instead that when teachers who bring a more critical understanding of educational purpose to their work take up the IB-PYP policy to support the enactment of that purpose.
Treatment patterns of systemic drug use in Japanese patients with plaque psoriasis: A retrospective chart review
Authors: Tada Yayoi , Komine Mayumi , Okubo Yukari , Habiro Katsuyoshi , Tsuritani Katsuki , Morita Akimichi
Published: November 2023

Plaque psoriasis (PsO) is a chronic immune‐mediated inflammatory disease with skin lesions accompanied by an inflammation‐related comorbidity risk. The development of various oral drugs and biologics for PsO has provided increasing systemic treatment options for patients with PsO, and the guidance regarding the use of biologics and PsO treatment schemes are widespread in Japan. However, no comprehensive guidelines regarding systemic drug use are available, and the current treatment patterns of systemic drugs for PsO in Japan remain unclear. We conducted a retrospective chart review to clarify the current treatment patterns of systemic drugs for PsO. We enrolled 114 patients who started systemic drugs for PsO between January 2017 and December 2020 at four institutes, with a mean follow‐up of 37.2 months. The mean disease duration was 7.8 (standard deviation 9.5) years at the systemic drug initiation. Of all the patients, 78.1% started with oral drugs (phosphodiesterase [PDE] 4 inhibitors 56.1%. calcineurin inhibitors 14.0%. vitamin A derivatives 7.9%), whereas 21.9% started with biologics (interleukin [IL]‐17 inhibitors 9.6%. tumor necrosis factor inhibitors 7.0%. IL‐23 inhibitors 3.5%. IL‐12/23 inhibitors 1.8%). Oral drugs had shorter drug persistence than biologics: the 12‐month persistence of the oral drugs vitamin A derivative, calcineurin inhibitor, and PDE4 inhibitor, was 35.5%, 25.8%, and 60.1%, respectively, compared with that of the biologics IL‐23 and IL‐17 inhibitors, which was 85.6% and 84.7%, respectively. During the study period, the incidence of treatment changes was 59.1/100 patient‐years. Lack of efficacy was the most common reason for treatment changes from monotherapy (34.1%). This retrospective medical chart review allowed us to understand the real‐world, long‐term treatment patterns of systemic drugs for PsO and the relationships between the reasons for treatment changes and subsequent treatment selection, indicating that there is still room for improvement in the appropriate use of systemic drugs for PsO in Japan.
Companies' ethical certification and their attractiveness to institutional investors: An intermediate signaling perspective
Authors: Ismail Ahmad K. , Jamali Dima , Khalil Samer , Safieddine Assem , Samara Georges
Published: November 2023

Our research investigates how the inclusion of a company on an independent ethics index affects its attractiveness to institutional investors. Using a sample of 864 U.S. firms over the 2010–2018 period, we find that institutional investors significantly increase their holdings in companies in the quarter that they are included on the ethics index and maintain larger holdings in the four quarters following the inclusion on the Ethisphere list relative to pre‐inclusion period, with dedicated institutional investors being more swayed to invest than transient investors. This paper adds to the emerging literature on intermediate signaling by showing that a firm's inclusion on an ethics index reduces information asymmetry with institutional investors. Our evidence suggests that public companies should effectively, rather than ceremonially, adopt sound governance structures and invest in socially responsible activities, as these actions can increase their likelihood of being included on ethics indices. By doing so, these firms send credible signals about their ethical compass, granting them access to valuable institutional investments.
Lipoprotein lipids and apolipoproteins in primary immune thrombocytopenia: Results from a clinical characteristics and causal relationship verification, potential drug target identification by Mendelian randomization analyses
Authors: Ou Yang , Zhan Yanxia , Shao Xia , Xu Pengcheng , Ji Lili , Zhuang Xibing , Chen Hao , Cheng Yunfeng
Published: November 2023

Primary immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is an acquired autoimmune disease. Cellular and systemic lipid metabolism plays a significant role in the regulation of immune cell activities. However, the role of lipoprotein lipids and apolipoproteins in ITP remains elusive. The automatic biochemistry analyser was used to measure the levels of serum total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL‐C), high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL‐C), apolipoprotein A‐I (apoA‐I), apoB, apoE and lipoprotein a [LP(a)]. Genetic variants strongly associated with circulating lipoprotein lipids and apolipoproteins (LDL‐C, apoB, TG, HDL‐C and apoA‐I) were extracted to perform Mendelian randomization (MR) analyses. Finally, drug‐target MR and passive ITP mice model was used to investigate the potential druggable targets of ITP. Levels of HDL‐C, apoA‐I, decreased and LP(a) increased in ITP patients compared with healthy controls. Low HDL‐C was causally associated with ITP susceptibility. Through drug‐target MR and animal modelling, ABCA1 was identified as a potential target to design drugs for ITP. Our study found that lipid metabolism is related to ITP. The causative association between HDL‐C and the risk of ITP was also established. The study provided new evidence of the aetiology of ITP. ABCA1 might be a potential drug target for ITP.
Health‐related quality of life after a diagnosis of bladder cancer: a longitudinal survey over the first year
Authors: Rogers Zoe , Glaser Adam , Catto James W.F. , Bottomley Sarah , Jubber Ibrahim , Kotwal Sanjeev , Brittain Paul , Gill Jonathan , Rogers Mark A. , Dooldeniya Mohantha D. , Koenig Philip , Cresswell Jo , Chahal Rohit , Bryan Nicolas , Smith Nick J. , Pritchard Kelly , Abbasi Zahir , Mason Samantha J. , Absolom Kate , Downing Amy
Published: November 2023

Objectives

To describe the health‐related quality of life (HRQoL) of patients in a prospective 12‐month observational cohort study of new bladder cancer diagnoses and compare with national cancer and general population surveys.

Patients and Methods

A prospective UK study in patients with new bladder cancer diagnoses at 13 NHS Trusts. The HRQoL data were collected at 3, 6, 9 and 12 months. Questionnaires used included: the EuroQoL five Dimensions (EQ‐5D), European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer quality of life questionnaire (EORTC QLQ)‐30‐item core, EORTC QLQ‐24‐item non‐muscle‐invasive bladder cancer, and EORTC QLQ‐30‐item muscle‐invasive bladder cancer. Results were compared with the Cancer Quality of Life Survey and Health Survey for England.

Results

A total of 349 patients were recruited, 296 (85%) completed the first (baseline) and 233 (67%) the final survey. The patients underwent transurethral resection of bladder tumour (TURBT) ± intravesical therapy (238 patients, 80%), radical cystectomy/radiotherapy (51, 17%) or palliation (seven, 2%). At baseline, patients needing radical treatment reported worse HRQoL including lower social function (74.2 vs 83.8, P = 0.002), increased fatigue (31.5 vs 26.1, P = 0.03) and more future worries (39.2 vs 29.4, P = 0.005) than patients who underwent TURBT. Post‐treatment surveys showed no change/improvements for patients who underwent TURBT but deterioration for the radically treated cohort. At final survey, reports were similar to baseline, regardless of treatment. Radically treated patients continued to report poorer HRQoL including issues with body image (23.4 vs 12.5, P = 0.007) and male sexual function (75.8 vs 40.4, P < 0.001) compared to those who underwent TURBT. Radically treated patients reported lower EQ‐5D utility scores and more problems with usual activities than the general population.

Discussion

Patients undergoing TURBT can be reassured regarding HRQoL following treatment. However, those requiring radical treatment report greater changes in HRQoL with the need for appropriate clinical and supportive care to minimise the impact of treatments.
Distribution, social organization, and management of Semnopithecus johnii: An umbrella species of fragmented landscape of the Western Ghats
Authors: Kumara Honnavalli N. , Sasi R. , Mahato Santanu , Kumar Shanthala , Nag Chetan , Suganthasakthivel R. , Ramesh Kumar P. , Umapathy G. , Singh Mridula , Singh Mewa
Published: November 2023

Due to the threats posed by changes in land‐use patterns to many species, it is necessary to have a proper description of the distribution of a range‐limited species. We aimed to assess the spatial distribution and social organization of Nilgiri langurs, and to model the potential distribution of mixed‐species groups of Nilgiri and Hanuman langurs (Semnopithecus priam or S. hypoleucos). We used our database of systematic surveys from 1994 to 2021 as well as the available literature. Nilgiri langurs are found in five regions in the Western Ghats: Nilgiri‐Brahmagiri, Siruvani, Anamalai‐ Parambikulam, Cardamom Hills, and Periyar‐Agastyamalai, each with many fragmented sub‐populations. They live in mixed‐sex groups ranging from 2 to 27 individuals with a mean group size of 9.10 ± 5.54SD and a few all‐male bands. The groups with one or two males, several adult females, and immature individuals is a typical trait of the Asian colobine social organization. The potential distribution of mixed‐species groups of Nilgiri and Hanuman langurs indicates that they are found on the eastern slopes of the Western Ghats between 500 and 800 m a.s.l, which is a transition zone of evergreen to dry forest landscapes. A detailed description of one of the populations is presented as a case study of fragmentation where the results revealed strategies to manage populations in such landscapes. Since most habitats, especially the rainforest regions, in the Western Ghats, are highly fragmented impacting many species, the results of this study may serve as a model for wildlife management in the Western Ghats.
Reliability of radioguided occult lesion localization in reoperation of loco‐regional persistent/recurrent differentiated thyroid cancer: Retrospective cohort study
Authors: Cadena‐Piñeros Enrique , Correa‐Marin Jessica , Llamas‐Olier Augusto , de los Reyes Amelia , Vallejo María Teresa
Published: November 2023

Objectives

We aimed to determine the radioguided occult lesion localization (ROLL) reliability in the reoperation of patients with differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) and persistent or recurrent non‐palpable loco‐regional disease who underwent surgery at the Instituto Nacional de Cancerología between 2012 and 2021.

Design

Observational retrospective cohort study.

Participants

We included data from patients with DTC that underwent resection with ROLL.

Main Outcome Measures

Reliability analysed as percentage of patients with complete resection of tumour lesion using ROLL, disease‐free survival, second loco‐regional relapse, adequate resectability and complications.

Results

Two hundred and four cases were obtained. Pathological examination revealed papillary thyroid carcinoma in 202 patients, and follicular thyroid carcinoma in 2. Reliability was 96.57% in patients who underwent ROLL. When wide resection was performed—at surgeon's discretion—the reliability increased to 97.5%.

Conclusions

The high reliability obtained suggests that ROLL was effective to localize non‐palpable relapsing lesions. To our knowledge, this is the largest sample size published on this topic to date.
Ethnic disparities in cardiovascular and renal responses to canagliflozin between Asian and White patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: A post hoc analysis of the CANVAS Program
Authors: Chen Xi , Hou Xingyun , Gao Junling , Yu Xiaxia , Zeng Weixian , Lv Ronggui , Yang Xixiao , Liu Yong
Published: November 2023

Aim

To assess the potential heterogeneity in cardiovascular (CV), renal and safety outcomes of canagliflozin between Whites and Asians, as well as these outcomes in each subgroup.

Materials and Methods

The CANVAS Program enrolled 10 142 patients with type 2 diabetes, comprising 78.34% Whites and 12.66% Asians. CV, renal and safety outcomes were comprehensively analysed using Cox regression models, while intermediate markers were assessed using time‐varying mixed‐effects models. Racial heterogeneity was evaluated by adding a treatment‐race interacion term.

Results

Canagliflozin showed no significant racial disparities in the majority of the CV, renal and safety outcomes. The heterogeneity (p = .04) was observed on all‐cause mortality, with reduced risk in Whites (hazard ratio 0.84; 95% confidence interval 0.71‐0.99) and a statistically non‐significant increased risk in Asians (hazard ratio 1.64; 95% confidence interval 0.94‐2.90). There was a significant racial difference in acute kidney injury (p = .04) and a marginally significant racial heterogeneity for the composite of hospitalization for heart failure and CV death (p = .06) and serious renal‐related adverse events (p = .07).

Conclusion

Canagliflozin reduced CV and renal risks similarly in Whites and Asians; however, there was a significant racial discrepancy in all‐cause mortality. This distinction may be attributed to the fact that Asian patients exhibited diminished CV protection effects and more renal adverse events with canagliflozin, potentially resulting from the smaller reductions in weight and uric acid. These findings highlight the importance of investigating the impact of race on treatment response to sodium‐glucose cotransporter‐2 inhibitors and provide more precise treatment strategies.
Integrated species distribution models to account for sampling biases and improve range‐wide occurrence predictions
Authors: Mäkinen Jussi , Merow Cory , Jetz Walter
Published: November 2023

Aim

Species distribution models (SDMs) that integrate presence‐only and presence–absence data offer a promising avenue to improve information on species' geographic distributions. The use of such ‘integrated SDMs’ on a species range‐wide extent has been constrained by the often limited presence–absence data and by the heterogeneous sampling of the presence‐only data. Here, we evaluate integrated SDMs for studying species ranges with a novel expert range map‐based evaluation. We build new understanding about how integrated SDMs address issues of estimation accuracy and data deficiency and thereby offer advantages over traditional SDMs.

Location

South and Central America.

Time Period

1979–2017.

Major Taxa Studied

Hummingbirds.

Methods

We build integrated SDMs by linking two observation models – one for each data type – to the same underlying spatial process. We validate SDMs with two schemes: (i) cross‐validation with presence–absence data and (ii) comparison with respect to the species' whole range as defined with IUCN range maps. We also compare models relative to the estimated response curves and compute the association between the benefit of the data integration and the number of presence records in each data set.

Results

The integrated SDM accounting for the spatially varying sampling intensity of the presence‐only data was one of the top performing models in both model validation schemes. Presence‐only data alleviated overly large niche estimates, and data integration was beneficial compared to modelling solely presence‐only data for species which had few presence points when predicting the species' whole range. On the community level, integrated models improved the species richness prediction.

Main Conclusions

Integrated SDMs combining presence‐only and presence–absence data are successfully able to borrow strengths from both data types and offer improved predictions of species' ranges. Integrated SDMs can potentially alleviate the impacts of taxonomically and geographically uneven sampling and to leverage the detailed sampling information in presence–absence data.
Effect of ZB/APP on ceramifying properties of ceramifiable polyethylene composites at high temperatures
Authors: Shen Jiapei , Sun Qing , Gao Xiangguang , Zhang Jian , Sheng Jiawei
Published: November 2023

Zinc borate/ammonium polyphosphate (ZB/APP) was added to polyethylene/wollastonite fiber (PE/WF) composite to further improve ceramifiable properties. The effect of ZB/APP on the mechanical properties, shape stability, and self‐supporting properties of residues was investigated. The residue formed at 1000°C had a flexural strength of 30.5 MPa for the PE composite with addition of ZB/APP, which showed a significant improvement compared to the corresponding values of PE/WF/ZB and PE/WF/APP. In terms of shape stability, the PE/WF/ZB/APP system exhibited better dimensional stability and maintained its original shape after heat treatment. The bending angles of PE/WF/ZB/APP composite after being fired at 1000°C were less than 15°. The ceramifying process was studied by XRD, FTIR, SEM, and TG. During the heat treatment process, a phosphate glassy phase containing PO43− groups was formed by the reaction between ZB and APP. And then glassy phase reacted with WF to generate hydroxyapatite (Ca5(PO4)3OH). The reaction between ZB and APP inhibited eutectic reactions between each other as well as with WF, thereby stabilizing the crystallinity of the residue at high temperature. Moreover, the viscosity of the phosphate glassy phase produced by their reaction was higher than that of the APP melt, which improved both the mechanical and self‐supporting properties of the residue.
Lattice distortion induced by rare‐earth ions doping in (Bi0.5Na0.5)TiO3‐based thin films with high piezoelectric properties
Authors: Ni Feier , Zhu Kun , Qian Jin , Shen Bo , Zhai Jiwei
Published: November 2023

High‐performance lead‐free piezoelectric thin films are urgently required for microelectromechanical systems. In this study, thin films based on the 0.8Bi0.5Na0.5TiO3–0.2(Sr0.7Bi0.2□0.1)TiO3 system were prepared on Pt(111)/TiOx/SiO2/Si substrates by a sol–gel method. The large lattice distortions were induced by introducing five rare‐earth ions with different ionic radii (Er/Pr/Sm/Nd/La) to achieve the purpose of regulating the piezoelectric response of the thin films with the maximum inverse piezoelectric coefficient up to 425.9 pm/V. X‐ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, Piezoresponse force microscope, and additional testing methods were used to observe the phase composition and microstructure of the thin films to investigate the effect of doping rare‐earth elements with different ionic radii at the A‐site on lattice distortion, and to summarize the transformation law. This study is significant for improving the piezoelectric properties of thin films and has crucial applications in microelectronic sensing.
Improving short‐term academic performance in the flipped classroom using dynamic geometry software
Authors: Fung Chak‐Him , Poon Kin‐Keung , Besser Michael , Fung Ming‐Chung
Published: November 2023

Background Study

The effects of the flipped classroom (FC) on students' academic performance remain ambiguous, and the use of pre‐class videos may be one of the main factors hindering students' progress. A software package called GeoGebra has been proposed as a substitute for pre‐class videos to aid students' learning.

Objective

This study investigates the effect of the FC using GeoGebra (FCG) on mathematical performance and memory among senior secondary students.

Methods

One hundred and sixty students of a senior high school in China were selected. A quasi‐experimental design was implemented in which the classes were split into the intervention group (FCG), control group A (FCV) and control group B (TL) by random assignment. Pretest, Post‐test 1 and Post‐test 2 were introduced.

Results and Conclusion

The results indicate that both the FCG and the FC with pre‐class videos (FCV) were more effective than traditional lectures in enhancing students' academic test scores, and that the effect of the FCG was comparable to its video counterpart,F(2, 136) = 3.752,ρ = 0.026,η2 = 0.052. Although their effects were similar, the qualitative results revealed some hidden benefits associated with the replacement of pre‐class video with GeoGebra. Furthermore, although they were equally effective in promoting students' performance in the short‐term, the long‐term effects on academic performance of both forms of FC were non‐significant when compared with traditional lectures.