bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Successful desensitization of a patient with hypersensitivity to pertuzumab: a case report
Authors: Lepage Violaine , Gratiaux Julian , Azzouz Brahim , Slimano Florian , Jouannaud Christelle , Parent Damien
Published: August 2023

Introduction:

Pertuzumab is a humanized monoclonal antibody used in the treatment of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2–positive early breast cancer. Its use can lead to a type-I hypersensitivity, which can be the result of an IgE-related reaction. This case describes a successful desensitization to pertuzumab in a patient diagnosed with a breast cancer.

Method:

A patient without a personal history of hypersensitivity and diagnosed with a human epidermal growth factor receptor 2–positive breast cancer was started on chemotherapy with association of trastuzumab, pertuzumab, and paclitaxel. While receiving the fourth cycle of pertuzumab, the patient developed a grade 2 hypersensitivity reaction resolved by the intravenous injection of dexchlorpheniramine and methylprednisolone. A premedication protocol has been setting up with a short desensitization protocol.

Results:

No adverse event occurred during the desensitization, which permits to continue pertuzumab at normal dose with a low occurrence of adverse events (spontaneous and favorable resolution). On analyzing the suspected adverse drug reaction, the event scored 10 and can found to be considered definite using the Naranjo Adverse Drug Reaction Probability Scale. This successful protocol of desensitization has helped to inhibit a hypersensitivity reaction. The monitoring showed the well-tolerance of the patient.

Conclusion:

This desensitization avoided a too early changing line treatment, which could have been deleterious. Very few cases of pertuzumab hypersensitivity occurred in France, and none benefited from a desensitization. This case illustrated the fact that rapid drug desensitization is possible, important and a simple opportunity to pursuit effective treatments.
Variability of Psychosocial Services Within the ImproveCareNow Learning Health System: Opportunities for Optimization
Authors: Winnick Joel B. , Jacobs Noel , David Jennie G. , Moua Mai Ku , Saeed Shehzad A.
Published: August 2023

Care for youth with pediatric inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is the focus of ImproveCareNow (ICN), an international learning health system devoted to quality care and improved outcomes through collaboration, data sharing, and research. Known to be significantly disruptive to normative social development and quality of life, pediatric IBD significantly increases the risk of internalizing distress and secondary developmental sequelae. While multidisciplinary support including psychosocial care (from social workers and pediatric psychologists) is growing, this evidence-based and beneficial set of services is not universally available to youth with IBD. In a survey sent to the more than 100 established ICN centers, psychosocial providers attempted to identify the coverage and practice scope of psychosocial providers within the network. Results indicated that support varies widely by service type and availability of providers. Recommendations for further research and considerations for centers seeking to expand supports are considered.
“Associations between patient characteristics and unplanned or delayed discharges from geriatric rehabilitation: A retrospective chart review”
Authors: Perrella Andrew J , Karimi Arian , Reppas-Rindlisbacher Christina , Lee Justin , Wong Eric , Patterson Christopher
Published: August 2023

Returning home is considered an indicator of successful rehabilitation for community-dwelling older adults. However, the factors associated with unplanned discharge remain uncertain. This retrospective chart review included patients aged 65 years and older admitted to a geriatric rehabilitation unit from medical and surgical wards in an academic hospital. Patient characteristics and outcomes were abstracted from the electronic medical record. The primary outcome was unplanned discharge destination defined as anything other than return to patients’ pre-existing residence. The associations between patient variables and unplanned discharge destination were analyzed using Pearson chi-squared and univariate logistic regression. Of the 251 charts screened, 25 patients (10.0%) had an unplanned discharge destination, and 74 of the remaining 226 (32.7%) experienced a delayed discharge (beyond 20 days). Requiring assistance for activities of daily living (OR 2.80 [95% CI 1.17–7.47]), a diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (OR 4.04 [95% CI 1.63–9.71]), and lower serum albumin level (OR 1.67 [95% CI 1.06–2.72]) were associated with unplanned discharge. Variables commonly associated with worse outcomes such as age, cognitive scores, delirium, and number of comorbidities were not barriers to returning home and should therefore not be used on their own to limit access to geriatric rehabilitation.
Short Sleep and Insomnia Are Associated With Accelerated Epigenetic Age
Authors: Kusters Cynthia D.J. , Klopack Eric T. , Crimmins Eileen M. , Seeman Teresa E. , Cole Steve , Carroll Judith E.
Published: August 2023

Objective

Short sleep and insomnia are each associated with a greater risk of age-related disease, which suggests that insufficient sleep may accelerate biological aging. We examine whether short sleep and insomnia alone or together relates to epigenetic age among older adults.

Methods

A total of 3795 men (46.3%) and women aged 56 to 100 years from the Health and Retirement Study were included. Insomnia was defined as reporting at least one insomnia symptom (difficulty falling asleep, waking up at night, or waking up too early in the morning) and feeling unrested when waking up most of the time. Those reporting <6 hours of bedtime were categorized as short sleepers. Three second- or third-generation epigenetic age acceleration clocks were derived from the 2016 Health and Retirement Study Venous Blood Study. The linear regression analysis was adjusted for age, sex, race/ethnicity, education, and obesity status.

Results

Insomnia and short sleep were associated with acceleration of GrimAge of 0.49 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.03–0.94 years; p = .04) and 1.29 (95% CI = 0.52–2.07 years; p = .002) years, respectively, as well as a faster pace of aging (DunedinPACE; 0.018 [95% CI = 0.004–0.033; p = .02] and 0.022 [95% CI = −0.004 to 0.048; p = .11]). Compared with healthy sleepers, individuals with the combination of short sleep and insomnia had an accelerated GrimAge (0.97 years; 95% CI = 0.07–1.87 years, p = .04) and a greater DunedinPACE (0.032; 95% CI = 0.003–0.060, p = .04).

Conclusions

Our findings indicate that short sleep, insomnia, and the combination of the two are linked to epigenetic age acceleration, suggesting that these individuals have an older biological age that may contribute to risk of comorbidity and mortality.
Facial Fat Graft Injection Reduces Asymmetry and Improves Forehead Contour in Early Infancy Apert Syndrome Patients
Authors: Raposo-Amaral Cassio E. , Menezes Priscila T. , Lemes Marcela V. , Medeiros Mateus L. , Raposo-Amaral Cesar A. , Ghizoni Enrico
Published: August 2023

Background:

The objective of this study is to report the outcomes of a modified comprehensive Apert syndrome surgical protocol in which fat injection was performed during early infancy concurrent with postposterior vault distraction osteogenesis (PVDO) distractor removal.

Methods:

A retrospective study was performed on 40 consecutive young patients with Apert syndrome who underwent PVDO and subsequent distractor removal between 2012 and 2022. Of these 40 patients, 12 patients underwent facial fat injection concurrent with distractor removal to treat residual supraorbital bar recession as part of a modified comprehensive Apert syndrome surgical protocol. Preoperative and postoperative severity of recession and irregularity was graded from 1 to 3, with 1 being less severe and 3 being the most severe. Recession severity was correlated with the number and type of suture fusion. The complication rate was stratified via a Clavien-Dindo scale.

Results:

The average patient age was 14.3±5 months, with 5 males (41.6%) and 7 females (48.3%). The average hospital stay was 1.08 days. The average volume of free fat graft injection was 8.29±5 mL. According to the Likert scale, forehead morphology improved in 91.67% of the patients. Complete resolution of supraorbital bar recession was achieved in seven patients (58.33%), all of whom presenting a single suture synostosis. One patient with a cloverleaf skull presented a type IIIB complication.

Conclusions:

Facial fat grafting markedly reduces forehead asymmetry and improves forehead contour in Apert syndrome patients following PVDO. Total resolution of forehead recession directly correlated with a single suture fusion.
Gene drive and genetic sex conversion in the global agricultural pestCeratitis capitata
Authors: Meccariello Angela , Hou Shibo , Davydova Serafima , Fawcett James , Siddall Alexandra , Leftwich Philip T. , Krsticevic Flavia , Papathanos Philippos Aris , Windbichler Nikolai
Published: August 2023

Homing-based gene drives are novel interventions promising the area-wide, species-specific genetic control of harmful insect populations. Here we characterise a first set of gene drives in a tephritid agricultural pest species, the Mediterranean fruit flyCeratitis capitata(medfly). Our results show that the medfly is highly amenable to homing-based gene drive strategies. By targeting the medflytransformergene, we also demonstrate two different mechanisms by which CRISPR-Cas9 gene drive can be coupled to sex conversion, whereby genetic females are transformed into fertile and harmless XX males. Given this unique malleability of sex determination, we modelled gene drive interventions that couple sex conversion and female sterility and found that such approaches could be effective and tolerant of resistant allele selection in the target population. Our results open the door for developing gene drive strains for the population suppression of the medfly and related tephritid pests by co-targeting female reproduction and shifting the reproductive sex ratio towards males. They demonstrate the untapped potential for gene drives to tackle agricultural pests in an environmentally friendly and economical way.
Case report on lethal dog attacks on adult rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) in an anthropogenic landscape
Authors: Chakraborty Bidisha , Pithva Krishna , Mohanty Subham , McCowan Brenda
Published: August 2023

For nonhuman primates living in anthropogenic areas, predation by larger predators is relatively rare. However, smaller predators such as free-ranging as well as domesticated dogs can shape the socioecology of urban nonhuman primates, directly by attacking and predating upon them, or indirectly by modifying their activity patterns. Here, we describe 3 (2 potentially lethal) cases of dog attacks on adult rhesus macaques inhabiting an anthropogenic landscape in Northern India, and the circumstances surrounding these incidents. We discuss the importance of considering the presence of dogs while studying nonhuman primate populations across the anthropogenic gradient and its implications for understanding how human presence can directly and indirectly affect predator-prey relationship in these areas, as well as its potential role in modifying group social dynamics as well as in transmission of zoonotic agents.
tICA-Metadynamics for Identifying Slow Dynamics in Membrane Permeation
Authors: Oh Myongin , da Hora Gabriel C. A. , Swanson Jessica M. J.
Published: August 2023

Molecular simulations are commonly used to understand the mechanism of membrane permeation of small molecules, particularly for biomedical and pharmaceutical applications. However, despite significant advances in computing power and algorithms, calculating an accurate permeation free energy profile remains elusive for many drug molecules because it can require identifying the rate-limiting degrees of freedom (i.e., appropriate reaction coordinates). To resolve this issue, researchers have developed machine learning approaches to identify slow system dynamics. In this work, we apply time-lagged independent component analysis (tICA), an unsupervised dimensionality reduction algorithm, to molecular dynamics simulations with well-tempered metadynamics to find the slowest collective degrees of freedom of the permeation process of trimethoprim through a multicomponent membrane. We show that tICA-metadynamics yields translational and orientational collective variables (CVs) that increase convergence efficiency ∼1.5 times. However, crossing the periodic boundary is shown to introduce artefacts in the translational CV that can be corrected by taking absolute values of molecular features. Additionally, we find that the convergence of the tICA CVs is reached with approximately five membrane crossings, and that data reweighting is required to avoid deviations in the translational CV.
lncRNA-mRNA network analysis reveals novel biomarkers in prostate adenocarcinoma
Authors: Razavi Houri , Katanforoush Ali
Published: August 2023

Prostate adenocarcinoma (PRAD) is the second most frequent cancer among men worldwide. lncRNAs have been suggested as novel promising biomarkers for cancer diagnosis and prognosis and therapeutic targets. Despite the previous investigations, still, comprehensive studies are required to discover the regulatory roles of lncRNAs in PRAD.

We introduced a PRAD lncRNA-mRNA network (PLMNET) to identify novel PRAD biomarkers and therapeutic targets among lncRNAs. The PLMNET is constructed based on RNAs that are differentially expressed and had strongly correlate with each other. PANTR1, HOXB-AS3, EMX2OS, GATA3-AS1, LINC01116, LINC02385 are PLMNET hubs that are considered key regulatory lncRNAs of PRAD. We also mapped PLMNET lncRNAs to their associated GO-terms and hallmarks. Literature review confirms our suggested biomarkers and their associated hallmarks.

The high degree nodes of PLMNET, GATA3-AS1, EMX2OS, LINC01116, LINC02137, RP11-431N15.2, LINC01671, LINC02806, ENSG00000231196, ENSG00000244252, RP11-379F12.3, and SLC2A9-AS1 indicate significant association with overall survival. In addition, we found that the hubs’ regulatory roles have previously been confirmed in different types of cancers by literature. For example, PANTER hub exhibited a high expression correlation with three known tumor suppressors (SKI, SKP2, and SH2B3) and is associated with “Sustaining proliferative signal”. The literature has confirmed that PANTER may promote cancer cell proliferation in prostate carcinoma. It also promotes renal cell carcinoma and Hepatocellular carcinoma progression. Furthermore, literature review proves that EMX2OS and LINC01116 are key regulatory lncRNAs of prostate adenocarcinoma and HOXB-AS3 and GATA3-AS1 have regulatory roles in other cancer.

According to pathway analysis, PLMNET hubs seem to contribute to PRAD proliferation, invasion, metastasis, and apoptosis via dysregulation of anaphase promoting complex/cyclosome (APC/C) subunits and dysregulation of mitotic cell cycle.

These results introduce PLMCNET hubs as potential molecular biomarkers for diagnosis and prognosis of PRAD and suggest therapeutic targets for PRAD patients.
Structure of a benzosulfonamide based inhibitor – 11l - bound to a disulfide stabilised HIV-1 capsid hexamer
Authors: Barnett Michael , Sun Lin , Xu Shujing , Liu Xinyong , Zhan Peng , Goldstone David C.
Published: August 2023

The Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 (HIV-1) continues to be a major global health issue, with infection leading to Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS). Despite advances in antiviral therapy, the need for new and more effective treatments remains critical. In this study, we determined the structure of the disulfide stabilised HIV-1 capsid protein hexamer in complex with the novel antiviral capsid inhibitor compound 11l. The structure revealed the presence of six 11l molecules bound to the capsid hexamer in a conserved site shared by nuclear import factors, and other capsid inhibitor compounds such as PF74 and GS-6207. The 11l compound exhibits disorder in the benzo-sulfonamide groups and disruption in the loop between helix 8 and 9 for the capsid C-terminal domain, an important 2-fold symmetry axis for hexamer formation. Our findings provide insights into the mechanism of action of 11l as a capsid inhibitor and antiviral. These results contribute to the ongoing efforts to develop more effective antiviral treatments for the global burden of HIV and AIDS.

Synopsis

Insight into the mechanism of action for a novel HIV-1 capsid inhibitor antivirals are elucidated by structure of HIV-1 capsid hexamer bound to the novel inhibitor compound 11l.
Nucleoporin Elys attaches peripheral chromatin to the nuclear pores in interphase nuclei
Authors: Doronin Semen A. , Ilyin Artem A. , Kononkova Anna D. , Solovyev Mikhail A. , Olenkina Oxana M. , Nenasheva Valentina V. , Mikhaleva Elena A. , Lavrov Sergey A. , Ivannikova Anna Y. , Fedotova Anna A. , Khrameeva Ekaterina E. , Ulianov Sergey V. , Razin Sergey V. , Shevelyov Yuri Y.
Published: August 2023

Transport of macromolecules through the nuclear envelope (NE) is mediated by nuclear pore complexes (NPCs) consisting of nucleoporins (Nups). Elys/Mel-28 is the Nup that binds and connects the decondensing chromatin with the reassembled NPCs at the end of mitosis. Whether Elys links chromatin with the NE during interphase is unknown. Using DamID-seq, we identified Elys binding sites inDrosophilalate embryos and divided them into those associated with nucleoplasmic or with NPC-linked Elys. These Elys binding sites are located within active or inactive chromatin, respectively. Strikingly,Elysknockdown in S2 cells results in peripheral chromatin displacement from the NE, in decondensation of NE-attached chromatin, and in derepression of genes within. It also leads to slightly more compact active chromatin regions. Our findings indicate that NPC-linked Elys, together with the nuclear lamina, anchors peripheral chromatin to the NE, whereas nucleoplasmic Elys decompacts active chromatin.

Author summary

Heterochromatin in interphase nucleus is localized mostly at the nuclear periphery. However, the forces maintaining its peripheral localization are not well understood. Nuclear envelope consists of two lipid bilayer membranes separated by perinuclear space. The inner nuclear membrane is lined by the nuclear lamina, and both membranes are pierced by nuclear pore complexes composed of nucleoporins. Nuclear envelope can serve as a scaffold to which heterochromatin is attached. In the present study, we identified nucleoporin Elys as one of the key players maintaining peripheral localization of heterochromatin during interphase. Elys binds to multiple genomic sites located within heterochromatin and thus links it to nuclear pore complexes. However, the nucleoplasmic fraction of Elys binds to active genes and enhancers, resulting in decompactization of their chromatin.
Comparison of transthoracic ultrasonography, computer-assisted lung auscultation, and transtracheal wash cytology in stocker cattle with bovine respiratory disease
Authors: Scott Matthew A. , Woolums Amelia R. , Carter Hannah F. , Wills Robert W. , Bulla Camilo , Karisch Brandi B.
Published: August 2023

Field methods to diagnose bovine respiratory disease (BRD) do not accurately identify airway inflammation and lack clinical sensitivity. New diagnostic modalities, such as thoracic ultrasound (TU), computer-assisted lung auscultation (CALA), and transtracheal wash (TTW), have recently emerged which may deliver accurate diagnosis and prediction of BRD in clinical settings. Therefore, we sought to compare TU, CALA, and TTW fluid cytologic assessment in stocker cattle at risk for BRD in a pilot study. We enrolled 17 high-risk mixed-breed beef steers, sampled 10 and 21 days after arrival and conventional management, in a pilot cross-sectional observational study. Cattle were examined daily for 82 days for clinical BRD. On day 10, 16 cattle received CALA, and 10 and 8 of these received TU and TTW, respectively. On day 21, 12 cattle received CALA and TTW, and 10 received TU. CALA was scored as 1-5. Lung consolidation and/or comet tails were evaluated by TU. TTW was evaluated by 200-cell differential count, with inflammation defined as >20% neutrophils. Relationships between each diagnostic test, and between diagnostic tests and clinical BRD, were evaluated by logistic regression (P<0.10). Fourteen cattle were treated for BRD. CALA scores ranged 1-3; three cattle had lung consolidation. On day 10, 5 of 6 cattle previously treated for BRD and 0 of 3 not treated had >20% TTW neutrophils. On day 21, 5 of 9 treated cattle and 1 of 3 not treated had >20% TTW neutrophils. No significant relationship between CALA, TU, and TTW inflammation existed. TTW inflammation was associated with BRD diagnosis (P=0.0586). CALA and TU results were unrelated to TTW inflammation. Cytologic assessment of TTW may improve antemortem diagnosis of BRD.
Unique episymbiotic relationship betweenGracilibacteriaandZoogloeain activated sludge flocs in a municipal wastewater treatment plant
Authors: Fujii Naoki , Kuroda Kyohei , Narihiro Takashi , Aoi Yoshiteru , Ozaki Noriatsu , Ohashi Akiyoshi , Kindaichi Tomonori
Published: August 2023

Among the various bacteria present in activated sludge, uncultivatedPatescibacteria(also known as the Candidate Phyla Radiation/CPR superphylum) are ubiquitous at the class or phylum level.Patescibacteriahave a highly restricted metabolic capacity and are thought to be episymbiotic/endosymbiotic or predatory. However, only a limited number ofPatescibacteriaand their hosts have been identified. Therefore, manyPatescibacteriahave not been (co-)cultured and identified by fluorescencein situhybridization (FISH) or electron microscopy. Little is known about the morphology, metabolic potential, and hosts ofGracilibacteria(formerly GN02 or BD1-5) which belong toPatescibacteria. In our previous study, we confirmed the presence ofGracilibacteriain activated sludge and successfully recovered its high-quality genome. In this study, we designed new probes to visualize members ofGracilibacteriain activated sludge and identified its host using FISH. The FISH observations revealed thatGracilibacteria, which formed loosely associated clusters, were located within dense clusters ofZoogloea, which were dominant in the activated sludge. The metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) ofZoogloeapossessed genes related to extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) biosynthesis, floc formation, and nutrient removal, including a polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) accumulation pathway. The MAGs ofGracilibacteriapossessed genes associated with type IV pili, competence protein EC (ComEC), and PHA degradation, which suggests that they have aZoogloea-dependent lifestyle in activated sludge flocs. These findings clearly indicate a new symbiotic relationship betweenGracilibacteriaandZoogloea, and to the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to show this interaction.
A Deep Learning Approach to Detecting Temporal Characteristics of Cortical Regions
Authors: Negi Ryosuke , Yoshida Akito , Kuwabara Masaru , Kanai Ryota
Published: August 2023

One view of the neocortical architecture is that every region functions based on a universal computational principle. Contrary to this, we postulated that each cortical region has its own specific algorithm and functional properties. This idea led us to hypothesize that unique temporal patterns should be associated with each region, with the functional commonalities and variances among regions reflecting in the temporal structure of their neural signals. To investigate these hypotheses, we employed deep learning to predict electrodes locations in the macaque brain using single-channel ECoG signals. To do this, we first divided the brain into seven regions based on anatomical landmarks, and trained a deep learning model to predict the electrode location from the ECoG signals. Remarkably, the model achieved an average accuracy of 33.6%, significantly above the chance level of 14.3%. All seven regions exhibited above-chance prediction accuracy. The model’s feature vectors identified two main clusters: one including higher visual areas and temporal cortex, and another encompassing the remaining other regions.These results bolster the argument for unique regional dynamics within the cortex, highlighting the diverse functional specializations present across cortical areas.
On the impact of re-mating and residual fertility on the Sterile Insect Technique efficacy: case study with the medfly, Ceratitis capitata
Authors: DUMONT Yves , OLIVA Clelia F
Published: August 2023

The sterile insect technique (SIT) can be an efficient solution for reducing or eliminating certain insect pest populations. It is widely used in agriculture against fruit flies, including the Mediterranean fruit fly (medfly), Ceratitis capitata. The re-mating tendency of medfly females and the fact that the released sterile males may have some residual fertility could be a challenge for the successful implementation of the SIT. Obtaining the right balance between sterility level and sterile male quality (competitiveness, longevity, etc) is the key to a cost-efficient program. Since field experimental approaches can be impacted by many environmental variables, it is difficult to get a clear understanding on how specific parameters, alone or in combination, may affect the SIT efficiency. The use of models not only helps to gather knowledge, but it allows the simulation of a wide range of scenarios and can be easily adapted to local populations and sterile male production. In this study, we consider single- and double-mated females. We first show that SIT can be successful only if the residual fertility is less than a threshold value that depends on the basic offspring number of the targeted pest population, the re-mating rates, and the parameters of double-mated females. Then, we show how the sterile males release rate is affected by the parameters of double-mated females and the male residual fertility. Different scenarios are explored with continuous and periodic sterile males releases, with and without ginger aromatherapy, which is known to enhance sterile male competitiveness, and also taking into account some biological parameters related to females that have been mated twice, either first by a wild (sterile) male and then a sterile (wild) male, or by wild males only. Parameter values were chosen for peach as host fruit to reflect what could be expected in the Corsican context, where SIT against the medfly is under consideration. The obtained results confirmed that the use of ginger aromatherapy is an essential step for SIT success against medfly. Our work also highlights the importance of estimating the duration of the refractory period between matings and how it may change when a wild (or sterile) female mates first with a sterile (or wild) male. Further, we show the importance of parameters, like the (hatched) eggs deposit rate and the death-rate related to all fertile double-mated females. In general, re-mating is considered to be detrimental to SIT programs. However, our results show that, depending on the parameter values of double-mated females, re-mating may also be beneficial for SIT. Our model, being generic, can be easily adapted to different contexts and species, for a broader understanding of release strategies and management options.
Struggle to survive: case of flood risk on US community banks
Authors: Oh Nyonho , Kim Kevin Nooree
Published: August 2023

Purpose

The survivorship of firms under extreme weather poses an essential question about the local economy's health. Over 90% of agricultural banks are categorized as community banks, which are important financial institutions promoting local growth. While previous studies suggest that climate change and weather shocks adversely impact community banks' resiliency, studies on whether these institutions engage in risk-reducing management strategies have been limited. In this study, the authors examine strategic choices of local community banks when facing flood events which include (1) safety net increase, (2) portfolio diversification, and (3) branch opening. These strategic choices are the coping mechanisms banks can take to survive while affecting the local competitive lending market.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors use panel-fixed effect regressions based on the storm data from National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)'s National Weather Service (NWS) and the call reports from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). The authors focus on community banks' account variable characteristics and the number of offices to examine whether community banks take an active role in managing flood risk.

Findings

Results suggest that community banks do employ the selected strategic choices to a certain degree, as it is found that there is an increase in the core capital that absorbs shocks and portfolio diversification. However, the magnitudes of these activities are rather small and not large enough to fully mitigate the climate risk. Also, the authors do not find any evidence of branch expansion associated with local floods.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the literature by examining different strategic choices of community banks in the face of natural uncertainty. Even though concerns of climate risk have been raised in the regulatory setting, a lack of guidance or assessment tools could contribute to the passive action of these community banks, even though climate risks can have a significant economic impact. Thus, the evidence documented from this study calls for further guidelines and the importance of highlighting climate risks on community banks so that they can actively engage in risk-reducing strategies.
Analyzing epistemic frames during STEM instructional coaching meetings: a quantitative ethnography approach
Authors: Sager Marc T. , Wieselmann Jeanna R.
Published: August 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the epistemic connections between three instructional coaches and a first-year in-service teacher during remote planning and debrief meetings. Prior evidence suggests that remote instructional coaching leads to better teaching practices and identifies the instructional coaching moves used to prompt teacher reflection.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study, the authors utilized quantitative ethnography and epistemic network analysis (ENA) approaches to explore the epistemic frames of three remote university-based instructional coaches as they supported a first-year in-service teacher.

Findings

Quantitative ENA findings shed light on the network connections between instructional coaches and teachers, as well as the epistemic frames observed during planning and debrief meetings. Additionally, the authors provide qualitative findings that complement and reinforce the quantitative results.

Research limitations/implications

All data collection occurred via Zoom, and the class was in a hybrid modality, with some students attending class in person and some attending remotely via Zoom. This unique context could have impacted the epistemic connections surrounding technology and logistics.

Practical implications

This study provides a practical codebook for use in future studies that explores instructional coaching. Findings from this study can be used to inform instructional coaching decisions.

Originality/value

The ENA findings helped deepen the authors' understanding of how instructional coaches can support a first-year in-service teacher during planning and debrief meetings in several ways. Additionally, this study presents a unique context given the COVID-19 pandemic and the remote model of instructional coaching.
Blockchain implementation and shareholder value: a complex adaptive systems perspective
Authors: Zhang Xi , Chang Rui , Gu Minhao , Huo Baofeng
Published: August 2023

Purpose

Blockchain is a distributed ledger technology that uses cryptography to ensure transmission and access security, which provides solutions to numerous challenges to complex supply networks. The purpose of this paper is to empirically test the impact of blockchain implementation on shareholder value varying from internal and external complexity from the complex adaptive systems (CASs) perspective. It further explores how business diversification, supply chain (SC) concentration and environmental complexity affect the relationship between blockchain implementation and shareholder value.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on 138 blockchain implementation announcements of listed companies on the Chinese A-share stock market, the authors use event study methodology to evaluate the impact of blockchain implementation on shareholder value.

Findings

The results show that blockchain implementation has a positive impact on shareholder value, and this impact will be moderated by business diversification, SC concentration and environmental complexity. In addition, environmental complexity exerts a moderating effect on SC concentration. In the post hoc analysis, the authors further explore the impact of blockchain implementation on long-term operational performance.

Originality/value

This is the first research empirically examining the effect of blockchain implementation on shareholder value varying from internal and external complexity from the CASs perspective. This paper provides evidence of the different effects of blockchain implementation on short- and long-term performance. It adds to the interdisciplinary research of information systems (IS) and operations management (OM).
Effect of composite surface treatments on wear performance of Al-Si alloy cylinder liner
Authors: Bian Xinyan , Han Xiaoguang , Luo Jiamei , Li Chengdi , Hao Mingxing
Published: August 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to prolong the service life of the Al–Si alloy cylinder and achieve the objective of energy saving and emission reduction by the composite treatments.

Design/methodology/approach

Chemical etching + laser texturing + filled MoS2 composite treatment was applied to the friction surface of aluminum–silicon (Al–Si) alloy cylinder. The friction coefficient and wear loss were measured to characterize the tribology property of cylinders.

Findings

The composite-treated Al–Si alloy cylinder had the lowest friction coefficient and weight loss. The friction coefficient and weight loss of the composite treatment were approximately 27.08% and 54.17% lower than those of the untreated sample, respectively. The laser micro-textures control the release of solid lubricant to the interface of friction pairs slowly, which prolongs the service life of cylinders.

Originality/value

The synergistic effect of the chemical etching + laser texturing + filled MoS2 modified the tribology properties of Al–Si alloy cylinder. The chemical etching raised the silicon particles to bear the load, and laser micro-textures control the release of solid lubricant to improve the lubrication property.
Institutional pressures and procurement cycle time in Uganda’s central government procuring and disposing entities: the mediating role of opportunistic behavior
Authors: Olupot Peter Simon
Published: August 2023

Purpose

This study focused on establishing the mediating role of opportunistic behavior in the relationship between institutional pressures and procurement cycle time (PCT) in Uganda’s central government (CG) procuring and disposing entities (PDEs). The study also sought to establish the relationship between institutional pressures and PCT, between institutional pressures and opportunity behavior and between opportunistic behavior and PCT. This study was carried out because most PDEs had failed to perform well in terms of PCT, and beneficiaries had often complained of the lengthy PCT.

Design/methodology/approach

The unit of analysis was 126 CG PDEs within Uganda while the unit of inquiry was three employees per PDE, namely, giving a total of 378 respondents. Using a quantitative cross-sectional survey, the study realized a response rate of 88% for the unit of analysis and 71.7% for unit of inquiry. Data were analyzed using SmartPLS 4 with focus on ascertaining regression and mediation results.

Findings

The findings show that institutional pressures negatively and significantly predict both institutional pressures and PCT (ß = –0.569**; ß = –0.688**, respectively). Also, institutional pressures and opportunistic behavior are significant predictors of PCT, predicting 60.6% change in PCT. Furthermore, opportunity behavior partially moderates the relationship between institutional pressures and PCT.

Research limitations/implications

For Uganda’s CG PDEs to reduce procurement delays and to procure within PCT, they should put more emphasis on institutional pressures and curtailing opportunistic behavior. The study recommends further amendment of the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets (PPDA) Act 2003 to reduce delays.

Practical implications

There is need for further amendment of the PPDA Act 2003 to reduce delays, especially those attributed to approvals by contracts committee and the minimum bidding period for competitive bidding.

Social implications

The study explores PCT and its antecedents whose understanding is critical in exploring avenues of reducing PCT and boosting service delivery to the beneficiaries.

Originality/value

The PPDA Act (2003) was amended in 2014, but still the time spent in the procurement processes has remained long, hence delaying or denying citizens service delivery. This is a matter of concern to the country at large and may spill into political unrests, and yet, there is scant literature exploring PCT and its antecedents. This makes the present study one of the pioneer empirical studies on PCT, with emphasis on Uganda. This study provides a framework for examining PCT in a context where scholarly explanation of PCT is still limited.
The role of mobile money adoption in moderating the influence of access to finance in firm performance
Authors: Njinyah Sam , Asongu Simplice , Jones Sally
Published: August 2023

Purpose

Africa is becoming the fastest-growing continent despite significant challenges to accessing finance and the use of technology. This paper aims to examine the direct effect of mobile money adoption on firm performance and its moderation effect by examining how it moderates the effect of access to finance on firm performance.

Design/methodology/approach

Quantitative data were obtained from the World Bank Enterprise Survey for Cameroon, Ivory Coast and Zimbabwe. A series of hierarchical regression analyses were done to test the hypotheses.

Findings

The main findings show a negative significant relationship between mobile money adoption and firm performance, while access to finance had a positive relationship. The moderation effect though positive was not significant. Research examining the effect of mobile money adoption in Africa on firm performance is limited, and existing studies have focused on the determinants of mobile money usage. By examining the direct and contingency effect on other determinants of firm performance, this research makes both theoretical and practical contributions. Theoretically, this research shows that not all strategic resources are valuable in improving firm performance. Practically, this research provides insights into how technology could be embedded into business processes for firms to benefit from such technology.

Originality/value

This research has complemented by the extant literature by assessing the role of mobile money adoption in moderating the influence of access to finance on firm performance.
The digital preservation 101 guide for small libraries
Authors: Ahmad Rafiq , Rafiq Muhammad
Published: August 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to present some critical digital preservation strategies that are important for the preservation of digital information.

Design/methodology/approach

From review of the related studies, this paper presents critical digital preservation techniques that are vital for small libraries to ensure the accessibility of the digital collections of enduring value.

Findings

This paper comprehends major digital preservation strategies and possibilities for small libraries through which they can overcome the financial, technological, expertise and policy constraints to implement their digital preservation program.

Originality/value

This paper covers the major strategies that were collated during literature review and instrumentation process for the PhD study of the first author on this topic.
The influence of sustainability assurance report format and level on nonprofessional investors’ judgments
Authors: Dilla William , Janvrin Diane , Perkins Jon , Raschke Robyn
Published: August 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the influence of sustainability assurance report format (separate versus combined with financial information assurance) and level (limited versus reasonable) on nonprofessional investors’ judgments.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses a 2 × 2 between-participants experiment with 436 US nonprofessional investors. The authors manipulate sustainability assurance report format and level to identify differences in judgments of information credibility, investment desirability and investment amount.

Findings

This study finds that sustainability assurance level influences participants’ judgments only when the financial and sustainability assurance reports are presented separately. Specifically, participants assess sustainability performance information as more credible and make higher investment judgments when presented with a separate limited, as opposed to reasonable, assurance sustainability report.

Practical implications

The International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board expressed concerns regarding whether assurance reports accompanying emerging forms of extended external reporting (EER) effectively communicate the level of assurance provided by the independent practitioner. The result that assurance level does not influence investor judgments in the combined reporting format appears contrary to the idea that integrated reporting should provide connectivity between financial and sustainability information. The finding that investors make higher investment and credibility judgments with limited assurance is inconsistent with the intent of sustainability assurance professional guidance and recent research results. Together, the findings suggest that investors may not be able to distinguish between differing levels of sustainability assurance when this information is presented in a combined report format.

Social implications

Standard setters should consider how sustainability assurance report format and assurance level impact nonprofessional investor judgments.

Originality/value

Research on the effects of EER assurance report format is sparse. The results indicate that even slight changes in assurance report wording may cause investors to perceive that a limited assurance report conveys a higher assurance level than a reasonable assurance report.
Young consumer engagement at the bottom of pyramid: applying S-O-R framework in e-commerce context
Authors: Gupta Ashish , Kumar Ajay , Melese Esubalew
Published: August 2023

Purpose

This study aims to identify the key drivers of consumer engagement in e-commerce among young consumers at bottom-of-pyramid (BoP) markets and their impact on continued usage intention.

Design/methodology/approach

A cross-sectional research design was used to understand low-income customers’ engagement in e-commerce, specifically online shopping. The data for this study were collected from BoP customers in the Indian market. A conceptual model was proposed, and hypotheses were developed using the stimulus–organism–response (S-O-R) framework. For analysis, structural equation modeling was performed using AMOS 20.0 software to test the structural model.

Findings

The results of the study highlight that perceived importance, technology and infrastructure and social influence are key drivers of e-commerce at BoP customers. Key drivers have shown a significant positive impact on customer engagement which leads to continue usage intention of e-commerce. Furthermore, customer engagement has shown a strong relationship with continue usage intention of e-commerce.

Practical implications

This study indicates that young consumers’ engagement is important for e-commerce service providers to gain a market share. BoP markets offer immense opportunities to create, develop and sustain e-commerce firms for a long time, especially in India. Managers should recognize the potential of BoP markets, which can generate a huge demand for products and services on e-commerce platforms.

Originality/value

This study contributes both theoretically and empirically. Theoretically, this adds to the existing knowledge of customer engagement, especially in e-commerce and BoP market segment. Empirically, it tested the conceptual research model of low-income customer engagement in the e-commerce marketplace using the S-O-R framework. The study recommended practical implications for e-retailers/e-commerce service providers engaging BoP customers in a digitally connected and intensively competitive era.
Unusual cause of inflammatory backache: SAPHO syndrome
Authors: Awadh Nabaa Ihsan , Gorial Faiq I. , Al‐Obaidi Ahmed Dheyaa , Hashim Hashim Talib , Al‐Obaidi Mustafa Najah , Hammadi Reem Abbas
Published: August 2023

Synovitis, acne, pustulosis, hyperostosis, and osteitis (SAPHO) is a rare chronic inflammatory disease that develops in adults. We present a case of SAPHO syndrome in a 37‐year‐old male presenting with gradually worsening back and neck pain for a 7‐year period. The episodes were preceded by a history of pustular skin eruptions, which first appeared on the upper trunk and then involved his face and were pustular and scarring. The purpose of presenting this case report from Iraq is to raise awareness about this rare condition, which is frequently misdiagnosed and under‐recognized.
The great reset: Could Henry George be the antidote to the world economic forum?
Authors: Cobb Clifford W.
Published: August 2023

The Great Reset, as envisioned by the World Economic Forum, involves another step in the evolution toward a system of close cooperation between the national security state and key corporations that can manage information and limit dissent. In return for allowing state control of many facets of personal life, the state offers to take care of the needs of citizens who are in compliance with their assigned place in the social order. Already citizens have given up considerable autonomy and allow constant surveillance, mostly through smartphones. The only true alternative to a paternalist trajectory is to imagine a different kind of great reset, one in which society is organized around genuine principles of self‐governance and self‐reliance. This idea can be traced to the American social theorist Henry George and further back to roots in ancient China of the philosophy of wu wei. The main idea is that higher‐order systems are designed to offer both stability and freedom to lower‐order systems. Rather than trying to abolish an intrusive state apparatus, the aim is to create systems that obviate the need for a welfare state or a warfare state. This is a tall order to fill, but it is worth striving for as a way of preserving the distinctive human capacities for both individual initiative and social bonding. Unless millions work to create a decentralized world order, we are almost surely doomed to endure a technocratic future of increasing surveillance and management of our private lives.