bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Leukoencephalopathy with vanishing white matter disease: a case report study
Authors: Kami Atefe , Langari Alale , Gharib Mohammad H. , Ghelichi-Ghojogh Mousa , Hosseini Parmis S. , Hosseini Seyed A.
Published: August 2023

Introduction and importance:

Vanishing white matter (VWM) is a neurological disorder that has an autosomal recessive mode of inheritance. VWM is caused due to a mutation in in any of the five genes of eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2B (eIF2B). The etiology is unknown.

Case presentation:

The authors report two cases of VWM disease. In the first case, an 8-month-old female child, brought to the pediatric clinic with seizure and loss of consciousness. The second case was a 24-month-old girl, presented with weakness, a disability to walk and swallow, and poor feeding. Her brain MRI demonstrated cystic changes (white matter rarefaction) in supratentorial peri-ventricular white matter and genetic testing result showed an EIF2B3 gene mutation.

Clinical discussion:

Leukoencephalopathy with VWM, also known as Cree encephalopathy is caused by mutations in the EIF2B gene. The disease is inherited in an autosomal recessive fashion. There are various agents leading to symptoms and signs of VWM disease. Physical stress like head trauma even in a mild degree, infections, and febrile diseases can be mentioned as causes of VWM. The eIF2B complex, plays a role as an important factor in the regulation of protein synthesis in cells under different conditions.

Conclusion:

As a conclusion, genetic counseling could be recommended to all individuals with VWM disease and their family members for next pregnancies and possible precautions for consanguineous marriages.
Microsurgery for drug resistance epilepsy due to temporal lobe lesions in a resource limited condition: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Tran Van Dinh , Nguyen Bac Thanh , Van Dong He , Nguyen Tuan Anh , Nguyen Phuong Xuan , Van Vu Hoe , Chu Hung Thanh
Published: August 2023

Introduction:

Epilepsy is a prevalent neurological condition that affects individuals of all ages and genders worldwide. Surgical intervention for drug-resistant epilepsy has been found to improve quality of life, with patient independence being of utmost importance.

Methods:

The study was a retrospective and prospective cross-sectional study of 35 cases of drug-resistant temporal lobe epilepsy. All patients were operated on by the primary author between May 2018 and September 2022. The study evaluated various factors including clinical characteristics, electroencephalogram, magnetic resonance imaging, surgical outcomes, and histopathology.

Results:

The success rate of the surgeries (74.3%) is similar to those reported in high-income countries. 51.4% underwent selective amygdalohippocampectomy for cases that localized to the mesial temporal lobe. Lateral/neocortical lesions underwent lesionectomy (48.6%). Our study found a complication rate of 17.1%: meningitis (8.5%), trainset focal paralysis (2.9%), and soft tissue infection (5.7%). There were no mortalities.

Conclusions:

The article showcases an international collaborative effort that demonstrates the possibility of providing highly effective and safe surgical care for temporal lobe epilepsy even in low-resource environments. The authors hope that this model can be replicated in other areas with similar resource limitations.
Fahr’s syndrome with hypoparathyroidism, thrombocytopenia, and seizure: a rare case report
Authors: katwal Shailendra , Bhandari Sushmita , Ghimire Aastha , Ghimire Prasoon
Published: August 2023

Introduction and Importance:

Fahr’s syndrome, also known as bilateral striatopallidodentate calcinosis is a rare neurological disorder that is characterized by abnormal deposition of calcium in the basal ganglia, cerebellar dentate nuclei, and cerebral cortical white matter. The authors report an extremely uncommon case of Fahr’s syndrome with thrombocytopenia, hypoparathyroidism, and seizure.

Case Presentation:

A 32-year-old male was brought with a repeated history of twitching of hands, tingling sensation, and uncontrolled seizure despite medications.

Clinical Discussion:

Computed tomography findings showed bilateral basal ganglia, cerebellar dentate nuclei, and subcortical cerebral white matter calcifications. Laboratory studies revealed reduced levels of calcium, parathyroid hormone, and thrombocyte count. Based on these investigations Fahr’s syndrome probably due to hypoparathyroidism with thrombocytopenia was diagnosed. The patient was initially treated with intravenous calcium gluconate and platelet transfusion followed by oral calcium supplementation.

Conclusion:

Fahr’s syndrome due to hypoparathyroidism should be suspected in any patient with neurological symptoms and hypocalcemia. Seizures in the patient of Fahr’s syndrome with thrombocytopenia could be very detrimental due to the risk of intracranial hemorrhage. Hence, treatment should be started as early as possible.
Uncertain significance mutation in the POLR3B gene in a Syrian boy with leukodystrophy: a case report
Authors: Hamdan Zulfiqar , Alasmar Diana
Published: August 2023

Introduction:

4H leukodystrophy, one of the POLR3-related leukodystrophy, is a rare hereditary brain white matter disease with characteristic clinical presentation and imaging findings. Hypomyelination, hypodontia, and hypogonadotropic hypogonadism is mainly presented in patients with 4H leukodystrophy.

Case presentation:

A 4-year-old boy presented in the neurologic clinic with delayed psychomotor development and progressive neurologic symptoms that started from the age of 20 months. Physical examination revealed ataxic features and a global development delay. The MRI was significant for hypomyelination. The most common causes of leukodystrophy were rolled out. He was referred to an inherited metabolic disease specialist under suspect of inborn metabolic errors because of laboratory analysis, which showed elevated levels of lactic acid, pyruvate, 4-Hydroxy-Phenylactic acid, 3-Hydroxy propionic acid, and decreased levels of PCO2, HCO3, total CO2, 25-Hydroxyvitamin D. These results were unspecific and mitochondrial disease was highly suspected. However, the genetic study was requested to get a defined diagnosis and treatment; the whole exon sequencing result showed a homozygous variant of uncertain significance mutation; related to an amino acid change from Ile to Thr at position 1002 in the POLR3B gene, which helped us to reveal the final diagnosis, and the genetic counseling were recommended for the next pregnancies.

Conclusion:

POLR3-related Leukodystrophy is a very rare disease. The early diagnosis should be raised depending on clinical history and MRI findings after other conditions were rolled out, and the confirmed diagnosis depends on the genetic study.
Unattended uterine prolapse during pregnancy in a low-income setting: a case report
Authors: Taha Walaa , Zabad Kareem , Nahhat Fouad , Kurdi Bashar
Published: August 2023

Introduction:

Uterine prolapse (UP) is rare during pregnancy. It sometimes leads to serious complications such as abortion, preterm labor, and maternal death. The main risk factor for UP is previous vaginal childbirth and is usually managed conservatively. However, surgery should be considered in cases of unavailability or failure of conservative approaches.

Case presentation:

A 34-year-old Gravid4Para3 pregnant woman in the 33rd week of gestation presented with refractory vaginal pain. She had a remarkable history of second-degree UP. Upon presentation, the anterior and posterior cervical lips were swollen, bluish, and protruding through the vagina. Considering the severe pain, the alarming examination findings, and the impossibility of pushing back the protruding mass, a total vaginal hysterectomy was performed. The postoperative pathological study revealed a massive hemorrhage with edematous changes in the vaginal cuff and cervical mucosa in addition to features of placenta accreta, placenta previa, and placenta abruption.

Conclusions:

UP is a rare but potentially serious condition, especially if it is related to pregnancy. Moreover, managing UP could be challenging in low-income settings, where even simple conservative methods might be unavailable or financially unattainable.
Bilateral Wunderlich syndrome causing Page kidney during pregnancy: a rare case report
Authors: Alsayed-ahmad Zein A. , Roumi Jamal Bakri , Bouzan Dania , Helou Muhammad H. , Albitar Sami
Published: August 2023

Introduction and importance:

Wunderlich syndrome is a rare and life-threatening condition that is characterized by spontaneous renal hemorrhage into the subcapsular and perinephric regions. This case report describes the diagnosis and management of bilateral Wunderlich syndrome during pregnancy, resulting in Page kidney.

Case presentation:

The patient presented with complaints of left flank pain and breathlessness. After stabilization, an emergency lower cesarean delivery was performed, and a percutaneous drainage procedure was carried out to alleviate the compression on the left kidney. The patient was treated with blood transfusion, methyldopa, and perindopril. Follow-up examinations performed 3 months later revealed a significant decrease in fluid volume surrounding the left kidney.

Clinical discussion:

Lenk’s triad provides the primary description of the classical manifestations of this syndrome. Some instances have been connected to the Page kidney phenomenon. The relationship between pregnancy and Wunderlich syndrome has not been extensively studied, primarily because the symptoms can resemble other complications related to pregnancy. Due to the scarcity of evidence in the literature, there is no definitive guideline for managing Wunderlich syndrome during pregnancy. Consequently, each patient is treated on an individual basis. Conservative treatment is recommended once malignancy has been ruled out.

Conclusion:

The case highlights the importance of considering Wunderlich syndrome as a differential diagnosis in pregnant patients with abdominal or flank pain, a palpable mass, and hypovolemia. Furthermore, the case illustrates the successful management of Wunderlich syndrome during pregnancy.
Secondary thrombocythemia with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction as the first manifestation: a case report
Authors: Su Ke , Hou Ling , Zhao Jinbo , Li Yuanhong
Published: August 2023

Introduction:

Secondary thrombocythemia (ST), also called reactive thrombocytosis, is caused by a disorder that triggers increased production by normal platelet-forming cells and is characterized by the abnormally increased number of platelet and megakaryocytes in the bone marrow. Previous reports have found complications from malignant tumors, chronic inflammation, acute inflammation, acute hemorrhage, splenectomy, etc. to be the common causes of ST. However, reports of secondary thrombocytosis caused by antibiotics are limited and there are no reports of secondary thrombocytosis with acute myocardial infarction as the first presentation. If the patient is at high risk of thrombosis, intensive antithrombotic therapy is required. To raise clinicians’ awareness of drug-induced secondary thrombocytosis and to enhance antithrombotic therapy for high-risk patients, this article presented a case of drug-induced secondary thrombocytosis with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction as the primary manifestation.

Case presentation:

An 80-year-old woman was admitted with cardiogenic shock due to post-activity chest pain. She was started on aspirin and clopidogrel antiplatelet therapy, then replaced aspirin with indolibuprofen, which has relatively few side effects. There was no significant decrease in platelet counts during treatment.

Clinical discussion:

Secondary thrombocythemia, characterized by nonspecific symptoms, is difficult to diagnose. Secondary thrombocytosis with acute myocardial infarction as the first symptom is uncommon, but is very urgent and associated with a poor prognosis. What’s more, cause-specific treatment counts for secondary thrombocythemia. Therefore it is important to search for the causal factor of secondary thrombocytosis. Secondary thrombocytosis caused by cephalosporins is rare. There is a need to arouse the attention of clinicians to the ST caused by cephalosporins and to provide a guide of treatment to these patients.

Conclusion:

After a thorough analysis of the pertinent literature, we discovered that several retrospective studies demonstrated the effectiveness of cytoreductive therapy in significantly reducing platelet counts. Based on this finding, we prescribed hydroxyurea to our patient, which led to a gradual decrease in platelet count and ultimately resulted in a return to normal levels.
The comparison of anastomosis strength and leakage between double-layer full-thickness and single-layer extramucosal intestine anastomosis
Authors: Warsinggih  , Akil Fardah , Lusikooy Ronald E. , Ulfandi Devby , Faruk Muhammad , Hendarto Joko , Jalil Muhammad R. , Sinangka Andi A.M. , Abdi Amirullah
Published: August 2023

Background:

Various intestine anastomosis techniques have been studied and used, but which is best is still debated. In our center, double-layer full-thickness intestine anastomosis was still considered as standard. However, a single-layer extramucosal intestine anastomosis has shown favorable results. This study created an anastomotic model to compare the anastomosis strength and leakage between double-layer full-thickness and single-layer extramucosal intestine anastomosis.

Methods:

This experimental study was performed in 20 randomized healthy male pigs, to be included either in Group A (Single-layer extramucosal intestine anastomosis) or Group B (Double-layer full-thickness intestine anastomosis). Enterotomy followed by an end-to-end anastomosis suture was performed in the jejunum. Fourteen days after the operation, any anastomosis leakage and its location was documented. The anastomosis strength was evaluated using manometry. Data were compared between groups using the Mann–Whitney U and Fischer Exact test, considering a significance level of P<0.05.

Results:

The overall mean intraluminal anastomotic bursting pressure was 4,257±1,185. Group A had a higher intraluminal anastomotic bursting pressure but was not statistically significant compared to group B (4.726±0.952 vs. 3.787±1.252 kilopascals, P=0.063). One leakage (5%, antimesenteric area) occurred in Group A and three leakages (15%, antimesenteric and mesenteric area) occurred in Group B. However, statistical analysis with Fischer exact showed no significant difference of leakage rate between those groups (P=0.291).

Conclusions:

The anastomosis strength and leakage did not differ significantly between the single-layer extramucosal intestine anastomosis group and the double-layer full-thickness anastomosis group. However, the location of leakage was most common in the antimesenteric area in the double-layer full-thickness anastomosis group.
The Effects of Angiosome Morphology on Choke Vessels and Flap Necrosis in a Rat Multiterritory Perforator Flap
Authors: Xi Shanshan , Zhao Jingfeng , Kang Ruochen , Wang Xinyue , Zhang Qingling , Jin Pan , Cheng Sheng
Published: August 2023

Background

Although the angiosome concept has been proposed for a long time, very few studies have been done on its morphology. Our study investigated the effects of angiosome morphology on choke vessels and flap necrosis in a rat multiterritory perforator flap.

Methods

Seventy-two male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 3 groups (n = 24/group). The flap contained the right iliolumbar, posterior intercostal, and thoracodorsal angiosomes (TDAVs), termed angiosomes I, II, and III, respectively. Only the posterior intercostal artery and iliolumbar vein were preserved in group 1, whereas only the posterior intercostal artery and vein were preserved in group 2, and only the posterior intercostal artery and thoracodorsal vein were preserved in group 3. Distances from angiosome II to angiosome I (II-I), angiosome II to angiosome III (II-III), angiosome I to the caudal side of the flap (I-caudal), and angiosome III to the cranial side of the flap (III-cranial) were measured. Arteriography, flap necrosis, average microvascular density, and vascular endothelial growth factor expression were evaluated.

Results

The II-I distance was significantly greater than that of II-III (3.853 ± 0.488 versus 3.274 ± 0.433 cm, P = 0.012), whereas the distance of I-caudal resembled that of III-cranial (1.062 ± 0.237 versus 0.979 ± 0.236 cm, P = 0.442). The iliolumbar and posterior intercostal angiosomes were multidirectional, whereas the TDAV was craniocaudal and unidirectional. Seven days after the operation, the choke arteries had transformed into true anastomotic arteries. Flap necrosis was lowest in group 3, followed by group 2, and highest in group 1 (10.5% ± 2.4% versus 18.3% ± 3.5% versus 25.5% ± 4.6%, P < 0.01), whereas group 3 showed the highest microvascular density and vascular endothelial growth factor expression, in contrast to groups 2 and 1, with the lowest.

Conclusions

The choke vessel adjacent to the craniocaudal and unidirectional TDAV significantly blocked venous return. Increasing venous return may reduce the necrosis.
A Transcriptomic Appreciation of Childhood Meningococcal and Polymicrobial Sepsis from a Pro-inflammatory and Trajectorial Perspective, a Role for VEGF-A and VEGF-B Modulation?
Authors: Rashid Asrar , Brusletto Berit S. , Al-Obeidat Feras , Toufiq Mohammed , Benakatti Govind , Brierley Joe , Malik Zainab A. , Hussain Zain , Alkhazaimi Hoda , Sharief Javed , Kadwa Raziya , Sarpal Amrita , Chaussabe Damien , Malik Rayaz A , Quraishi Nasir , Khilnani Praveen , Zaki Syed A. , Nadeem Rashid , Shaikh Guftar , Al-Dubai Ahmed , Hafez Wael , Hussain Amir
Published: August 2023

This study investigated the temporal dynamics of childhood sepsis by analyzing gene expression (GE) changes associated with pro-inflammatory processes. Five datasets, including four meningococcal sepsis shock (MSS) datasets (two temporal and two longitudinal) and one polymicrobial sepsis dataset, were selected to track temporal changes in gene expression. Hierarchical clustering revealed three temporal phases: early, intermediate, and late, providing a framework for understanding sepsis progression. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) plots supported the identification of gene expression trajectories. Differential gene analysis highlighted consistent up-regulation of VEGF-A and NFKB1, genes involved in inflammation, across the sepsis datasets. NFKB1 gene expression also showed temporal changes in the MSS datasets. In the post-mortem dataset comparing MSS cases to controls, VEGF-A was up-regulated and VEGF-B down-regulated. Renal tissue exhibited higher VEGF-A expression compared to other tissues. Similar VEGF-A upregulation and VEGF-B downregulation patterns were observed in the cross-sectional MSS datasets and the polymicrobial sepsis dataset. Hexagonal plots confirmed VEGFR-VEGFR2 signaling pathway enrichment in the MSS cross-sectional studies. The polymicrobial sepsis dataset also showed enrichment of the VEGF pathway in septic shock day three and sepsis day three samples compared to controls. These findings provide insights into the dynamic nature of sepsis from a transcriptomic perspective, suggesting potential implications for biomarker development. Future research should focus on larger-scale temporal transcriptomic studies with appropriate control groups and validate the identified gene combination as a potential biomarker panel for sepsis.
Self-assembly of a barnacle cement protein into intertwined amyloid fibres and determination of their adhesive and viscoelastic properties
Authors: Tilbury Maura A. , Tran Thi Quynh , Shingare Dilip , Lefevre Mathilde , Power Anne Marie , Leclère Philippe , Wall J. Gerard
Published: August 2023

The stalked barnacle
Pollicipes pollicipes
uses a multi-protein cement to adhere to highly varied substrates in marine environments. We investigated the morphology and adhesiveness of a component 19 kDa protein in barnacle cement gland- and seawater-like conditions, using transmission electron microscopy and state-of-the art scanning probe techniques. The protein formed amyloid fibres after 5 days in gland-like but not seawater conditions. After 7–11 days, the fibres self-assembled under gland-like conditions into large intertwined fibrils of up to 10 µm in length and 200 nm in height, with a distinctive twisting of fibrils evident after 11 days. Atomic force microscopy (AFM)-nanodynamic mechanical analysis of the protein in wet conditions determined
E
′ (elasticity),
E
′′ (viscosity) and tan δ values of 2.8 MPa, 1.2 MPa and 0.37, respectively, indicating that the protein is a soft and viscoelastic material, while the adhesiveness of the unassembled protein and assembled fibres, measured using peak force quantitative nanomechanical mapping, was comparable to that of the commercial adhesive Cell-Tak™. The study provides a comprehensive insight into the nanomechanical and viscoelastic properties of the barnacle cement protein and its self-assembled fibres under native-like conditions and may have application in the design of amyloid fibril-based biomaterials or bioadhesives.
altAFplotter: a web app for reliable UPD detection in NGS diagnostics
Authors: Radtke Maximilian , Moch Johanna , Hentschel Julia , Schumann Isabell
Published: August 2023

The detection of uniparental disomies (the inheritance of both chromosome homologues from a single parent, UPDs) is not part of most standard or commercial NGS-pipelines in human genetics and thus a common gap in NGS diagnostics. To address this we developed a tool for UPD-detection based on panel, exome or whole genome sequencing data which is easy to use and publicly available. Detection of UPDs and delineation of different UPD types is achieved by combining two approaches: detection of runs of homozygosity and their extent per chromosome and investigation of variant inheritance and the ratios of uniparentally inherited variants per chromosome. Both metrics have been carefully tuned with a large set of positive and negative controls to allow reliable and sensitive detection of UPDs. We provide a web tool that can be easily accessed and used to enable geneticists to perform a sensitive UPD-detection analysis based on exome, panel and whole genome sequencing data (.vcf-files) on the fly.
Antiviral efficacy of the SARS-CoV-2 XBB breakthrough infection sera against Omicron subvariants including EG.5
Authors: Kaku Yu , Kosugi Yusuke , Uriu Keiya , Ito Jumpei , Kuramochi Jin , Sadamasu Kenji , Yoshimura Kazuhisa , Asakura Hiroyuki , Nagashima Mami ,   The Genotype to Phenotype Japan (G2P-Japan) Consortium, Sato Kei
Published: August 2023

As of July 2023, EG.5.1 (a.k.a. XBB.1.9.2.5.1), a XBB subvariant bearing the S:Q52H and S:F456L substitutions, alongside the S:F486P substitution (Figure S1A), has rapidly spread in some countries. On July 19, 2023, the WHO classified EG.5 as a variant under monitoring. First, we showed that EG.5.1 exhibits a higher effective reproduction number compared with XBB.1.5, XBB.1.16, and its parental lineage (XBB.1.9.2), suggesting that EG.5.1 will spread globally and outcompete these XBB subvariants in the near future. We then addressed whether EG.5.1 evades from the antiviral effect of the humoral immunity induced by breakthrough infection (BTI) of XBB subvariants and performed a neutralization assay using XBB BTI sera. However, the 50% neutralization titer (NT50) of XBB BTI sera against EG.5.1 was comparable to those against XBB.1.5/1.9.2 and XBB.1.16. Moreover, the sensitivity of EG.5.1 to convalescent sera of XBB.1- and XBB.1.5-infected hamsters was similar to those of XBB.1.5/1.9 and XBB.1.16. These results suggest that the increased Re of EG.5.1 is attributed to neither increased infectivity nor immune evasion from XBB BTI, and the emergence and spread of EG.5 is driven by the other pressures. We previously demonstrated that Omicron BTI cannot efficiently induce antiviral humoral immunity against the variant infected. In fact, the NT50s of the BTI sera of Omicron BA.1, BA.2, and BA.5 against the variant infected were 3.0-, 2.2-, and 3.4-fold lower than that against the ancestral B.1.1 variant, respectively. However, strikingly, we found that the NT50 of the BTI sera of XBB1.5/1.9 and XBB.1.16 against the variant infected were 8.7- and 8.3-fold lower than that against the B.1.1 variant. These results suggest that XBB BTI cannot efficiently induce antiviral humoral immunity against XBB subvariants.
Topology optimization and parameter optimization hybridized by mesh smoothing for IPMSM design
Authors: Sun Zhen , Sato Takahiro , Watanabe Kota
Published: August 2023

Purpose

Topology optimization (TO) methods have shown their unique advantage in the innovative design of electric machines. However, when introducing the TO method to the rotor design of interior permanent magnet (PM) synchronous machines (IPMSMs), the layout parameters of the magnet cannot be synchronously optimized with the topology of the air barrier; the full design potential, thus, cannot be unlocked. The purpose of this paper is to develop a novel method in which the layout parameters PMs and the topology of air barriers can be optimized simultaneously for aiding the innovative design of IPMSMs.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper presents a simultaneous TO and parameter optimization (PO) method that is applicable to the innovative design of IPMSMs. In this method, the mesh deformation technique is introduced to make it possible to make a connection between the TO and PO, and the multimodal optimization problem can thereby be solved more efficiently because good topological features are inherited during iterative optimization.

Findings

The numerical results of two case studies show that the proposed method can find better Pareto fronts than the traditional TO method within comparable time-consuming. As the optimal design result, novel rotor structures with better torque profiles and higher reluctance torque are respectively found.

Originality/value

A method that can simultaneously optimize the topology and parameter variables for the design of IPMSMs is proposed. The numerical results show that the proposed method is useful and practical for the conceptual and innovative design of IPMSMs because it can automatically explore optimal rotor structures from the full design space without relying on the experience and knowledge of the engineer.
Does bullying among students hamper their well-being? Roles of helplessness and psychological capital
Authors: Kuriakose Vijay , Bishwas Sumant Kumar , Mohandas Nimmi P.
Published: August 2023

Purpose

Anchoring on the Conservation of Resource Theory (Hobfoll, 1989), the study aims to examine the relationship between student bullying, helplessness and student well-being. Further, the study also examines the mediating role of helplessness and the conditional role of students' psychological capital in the model.

Design/methodology/approach

Drawing responses from 397 students in the business management program in various B Schools in India, the hypothesized relationships were tested using IBM SPSS version 23 and AMOS 23, and moderation was checked with Hayes Process Macros.

Findings

The results revealed that bullying among students poses a severe threat to their well-being. Further, the study found that bullying increases feelings of helplessness, and such feelings impair well-being. The study also found a significant moderating effect of psychological capital in the relationship between feelings of helplessness and student well-being.

Research limitations/implications

The study findings provide students and educational administrators valuable insights into how student bullying deteriorates their well-being and how it can be tackled effectively using their psychological capital.

Originality/value

The study made a unique attempt to understand the effect of student bullying on their well-being. The study also provides valuable understanding about the roles of helplessness and psychological capital in the model, which will enrich the theory and practice alike.
Impact of problem-solving skills and attributional retraining intervention on conduct disorder among junior male students at public secondary school in Nigeria: a non-randomized control study
Authors: Awhangansi Sewanu , Lewis Michael , Karim Khalid , Abdulmalik Jibril , Archard Philip , Okewole Adeniran , O'Reilly Michelle
Published: August 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to report a non-randomized control study undertaken to investigate prevalence and correlates of conduct disorder among male secondary education students in South-West Nigeria and to assess the impact of a problem-solving skills and attributional retraining (PSSAR) intervention with this population.

Design/methodology/approach

In total, 787 male students from two schools were screened for conduct disorder. All participants who met criteria for the disorder were allocated to either treatment (n = 55) or control (n = 47) groups. Outcome measures comprised the strengths and difficulties questionnaire (SDQ; teacher and student versions) and the teacher rating of students’ aggressive behaviors.

Findings

Of the sample, 13% were found to present with difficulties that met criteria for conduct disorder. The presence of these difficulties correlated with several demographic variables, including parental conflict and alcohol use. A statistically significant reduction in mean scores was observed for the treatment group in the student rating of the SDQ emotional subscale and total difficulties scores. Teacher ratings were less consistent in that conduct problems, prosocial behavior and total difficulties increased following the intervention, whereas peer problems and aggressive behavior were reported by teachers to reduce. No statistically significant change was found in the outcome measures for the control group.

Practical implications

In resource-constrained settings, school-based interventions are an important means through which treatment gaps in child and adolescent mental health can be addressed.

Originality/value

In resource-constrained settings, school-based interventions are an important means through which treatment gaps in child and adolescent mental health can be addressed. This study’s findings offer some preliminary support for the PSSAR intervention for conduct disorder in this context and indicate areas for further research.
An integrated multisectoral and multidisciplinary community of practice collaboration to enhance child wellbeing in South Africa
Authors: Haffejee Sadiyya , Mbowa Sonia , Patel Leila
Published: August 2023

Purpose

There is a growing call both globally and nationally for integrated multisectoral and multidisciplinary systems of care to be implemented for children's needs in the foundation stages of their growth to be met. Extant literature shows that historical, structural, epidemiological, political and social factors create many adversities for South African children both in the short and in the long term. South Africa's fragmented and weak service delivery compounds the situation. In this paper, the authors describe the lessons learnt from a multisectoral and multidisciplinary community of practice established to strengthen social systems to ensure child wellbeing outcomes.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative research design was used, drawing on data collected over a two-year period. Data included meeting minutes, focus group discussions, and email communications between project partners. Focus group discussions were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Data was analysed thematically.

Findings

Findings show that having a shared goal, establishing supportive, mutually beneficial relationships and contributing to services that enhance child wellbeing outcomes enabled the community of practice, while differing organizational mandates and heavy workloads constrained the partnership.

Research limitations/implications

The study shows the effectiveness of a Community of Practice (CoP) in integrating services across sectors for children's well-being and promoting collaborative learning and intersectoral work. However, this success also depends on the presence of strong leadership and efficient coordination.Limitation: Despite its benefits, the CoP model presents challenges, including securing active participation and buy-in from stakeholders, managing time and resource constraints, and dealing with issues in the existing service delivery system. Questions about long-term sustainability and the practicalities of scaling and institutionalizing the model need to be addressed.

Originality/value

Through this paper, the authors contribute to a nascent area of research in the Global South, critically reflecting on the lessons the authors learnt from implementing an integrated community of practice approach to strengthen social sector systems toward the enhancement of children's wellbeing.
Do personal values influence research self-efficacy among academics in public universities in Tanzania?
Authors: Ndiango Sinyati , Jaffu Richard , Kumburu Neema P.
Published: August 2023

Purpose

The study aims to investigate how personal values (PVS) influence research self-efficacy (RSE) among academics in public universities in Tanzania.

Design/methodology/approach

A cross-sectional design was utilized by the study to gather data once through structured questionnaires administered to 247 academic staff from four public universities in Tanzania.

Findings

Generally, the results show that PVS positively and significantly influence RSE in universities. Specifically, OPC has β value of 0.284 and p < 0.001, SEFN has β = 0.352 and p < 0.001 and CONS has a β = 0.198 and p = 0.003.

Practical implications

University management should include PVS as among the criteria for recruitment of academic staff, as it determines their confidence in engaging in research.

Originality/value

The findings of this study broaden the applicability of Schwartz human values theory in Tanzania’s universities. Moreover, by carrying out empirical research on the influence of PVS on RSE in developing context such as Tanzania, the study contributes to the body of literature on PVS and RSE.
Cost of capital and firm performance of ESG companies: what can we infer from COVID-19 pandemic?
Authors: Tanjung Miranda
Published: August 2023

Purpose

Studies on sustainable finance examine how it is interrelated with economic, social, governance and environmental issues. Using financial data on publicly traded firms in Indonesia, this study aims to explore the interplay between the cost of capital, firm performance and the COVID-19 pandemic.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses firm-level data sets of publicly listed firms from 2012 to 2021. The regression analysis reported in the study includes the Driscoll–Kraay estimator, propensity score matching model and fixed-effects regression.

Findings

The study revealed three significant findings. First, on average, non-environmental, social and governance (ESG) companies’ cost of capital is lower than that of ESG firms. Second, ROE in ESG enterprises is significantly impacted by capital costs. Third, the cost of capital has a negative impact on the market value (Tobin’s q) of non-ESG firms. The study specifically shows that after accounting for the pandemic, ESG firms did not benefit during the troubled COVID-19 crisis after controlling for the pandemic dummy years of 2020 and 2021. These results indicate that the adoption of green or sustainable finance is still in its infancy and that the sector requires more time to establish an enabling environment.

Research limitations/implications

This study benefits from capital structure and ESG theories. It supports the argument that the debt utilization ratio is still relevant to a company’s value because it affects its financial performance. Moreover, adopting ESG principles helps businesses survive crises. Thus, the analysis confirms the superiority of ESG-based firms.

Practical implications

This study draws two conclusions. First, the results could be a reference for academics and practitioners to understand the effect of pandemic-related crises on a firm’s capital structure and performance. In terms of survival during a crisis, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, this study demonstrates how firms with strong ESG may perform differently than those without ESG. Second, this study supports the need for an empirical study and examination of the development of sustainable finance in the country while considering setbacks.

Social implications

The results should be of interest to policymakers who focus on the ESG market and academics conducting ESG-related research on emerging markets.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the literature by establishing empirical evidence on the relationship between the cost of capital and firm performance of ESG- and non-ESG-rated enterprises in the Indonesian setting while controlling for the impact of the pandemic.
Reframing physical activity in sport development: managing Active Partnerships' strategic responses to policy change
Authors: Beacom Aaron , Ziakas Vassilios , Trendafilova Sylvia
Published: August 2023

Purpose

This paper examines the role of senior personnel within Active Partnerships as the personnel seek to strategically manage UK policy developments. This paper explores how Active Partnerships engage with the policy process within an environment characterized by systemic structural changes, mounting fiscal challenges, political uncertainty and a succession of public health concerns.

Design/methodology/approach

Using the Multiple-Streams Framework (MSF), a case study approach was adopted, focusing on the perspectives of senior personnel. Semi-structured interviews with individuals involved in the management and operation of five Active Partnerships across the South of England and one national stakeholder that works closely with Active Partnerships were conducted. Data were collected during the period following Andy Reed's review of the operation of Active Partnerships. The interviews were complemented by documentary analysis.

Findings

Findings illustrate that while senior practitioners within Active Partnerships often behave in line with Lipsky's notion of street-level bureaucrats, by maximizing collective leverage, advocating priorities and providing a voice for local partners, the senior practitioners adopt behaviors more akin to policy entrepreneurs. In this sense, they seek to influence the policy process at critical junctures in order to promote preferred outcomes and protect sectoral interests.

Originality/value

This study has explored the relationship between strategic management and the policy process in the context of the rapidly changing policy domain that frames the work of regional sports organizations known as Active Partnerships. The conceptual frame of the investigation is the concept of “policy entrepreneurship”, which seeks to articulate how individuals and collectives engage in the policy process, in order to secure outcomes conducive to their objectives. This, in turn, provides a sense of context for the contemporary challenges associated with the management of sport and physical activity (PA).
Prescribed fire selects for a pyrophilous soil sub‐community in a northern California mixed conifer forest
Authors: Fischer Monika S. , Patel Neem J. , de Lorimier Phillip J. , Traxler Matthew F.
Published: August 2023

Prescribed fire is a critical strategy for mitigating the effects of catastrophic wildfires. While the above‐ground response to fire has been well‐documented, fewer studies have addressed the effect of prescribed fire on soil microorganisms. To understand how soil microbial communities respond to prescribed fire, we sampled four plots at a high temporal resolution (two burned, two controls), for 17 months, in a mixed conifer forest in northern California, USA. Using amplicon sequencing, we found that prescribed fire significantly altered both fungal and bacterial community structure. We found that most differentially abundant fungal taxa had a positive fold‐change, while differentially abundant bacterial taxa generally had a negative fold‐change. We tested the null hypothesis that these communities assembled due to neutral processes (i.e., drift and/or dispersal), finding that >90% of taxa fit this neutral prediction. However, a dynamic sub‐community composed of burn‐associated indicator taxa that were positively differentially abundant was enriched for non‐neutral amplicon sequence variants, suggesting assembly via deterministic processes. In synthesizing these results, we identified 15 pyrophilous taxa with a significant and positive response to prescribed burns. Together, these results lay the foundation for building a process‐driven understanding of microbial community assembly in the context of the classical disturbance regime of fire.
Out of Site, Out of Mind? The Role of the Government‐Appointed Corporate Monitor
Authors: GALLO LINDSEY A. , LYNCH KENDALL V. , TOMY RIMMY E.
Published: August 2023

We study the role of a relatively new type of external firm monitor, an on‐site government‐appointed Corporate Monitor, and assess whether such appointments reduce firms' propensity to violate laws. Using a sample of deferred and nonprosecution agreements, we first document the determinants of Monitor appointment. We find firms that voluntarily disclose wrongdoing and have more independent directors are less likely to have Corporate Monitors, whereas those with more severe infractions, mandated board changes, and increased cooperation requirements are more likely to have Monitors. We find such appointments are associated with an 18%–25% reduction in violations while the Monitor is on site, however, the effect does not persist after the Monitorship ends. Using a semisupervised machine learning method to measure changes in firms' ethics and compliance norms, we find that the reduction in violations is associated with changes in ethics and compliance that also do not persist. Finally, we document that firms under Monitorship experience a persistent reduction in innovation, highlighting a previously unexplored cost of these interventions. Overall, our results suggest that, although Corporate Monitors on site are associated with fewer violations, firms revert to previous levels of violations following Monitors' departure.
On the dynamics of economic growth, tourism development and environmental sustainability
Authors: Brida Juan Gabriel , Olivera Martín , Segarra Verónica
Published: August 2023

This paper introduces a dynamic model of economic growth and tourism when the environmental dimension is included in the decision‐making process of the agents. In this setup, the economy can be represented by a four‐dimensional dynamic system, which admits a set of four‐dimensional optimal trajectory. Using dynamic programming tools, we aim to study the economic behaviour of a touristic economy in which environmental dimension is considered as a system's component. It is shown that there is a unique non‐trivial equilibrium of all variables. The general results of the study indicate that the variable's dynamic relationships are complex and that the growth guided by the tourism development could exist under the presence of pollution as well as the dynamic of natural resources. The main policy implication of the results is that policy makers should control the main system's variables in order to stay in a desirable path.
Establishing a disability‐specific home enteral nutrition service in a paediatric tertiary hospital: Experience and outcomes
Authors: Comito Michaela A. , Coster Keryn M. , Gilbertson Heather R.
Published: August 2023

Aims

The provision of Home Enteral Nutrition (HEN) is a well‐established support for patients, however, significant inconsistencies in funding result in financial burden for some healthcare services across Australia. Recent government‐initiated funding changes prompted the development of a new HEN service for eligible patients with a disability, moving from a universal to more individualised approach to care.

Methods

This retrospective observational study included patients enrolled on a newly established disability‐specific HEN service at a paediatric tertiary hospital between July 2020 and February 2022 inclusive. Components of service development were explored including service model, clinical resources, information related to patient enrolments and costings for annual HEN requirements provided by dietitians. Retrospective quantitative data was collected from the Electronic Medical Record system and analysed using descriptive statistics.

Results

A total of 362 patient enrolments occurred over a 21‐month period, with an average of 17 new patients having accessed the service each month. Annual HEN supports were quoted at a median cost of $13487.94 AUD (2364.97–44170.92), mostly attributable to consumable requirements. Most eligible participants chose to receive care through the new HEN service. Supports were quoted >330% higher than previous fixed price allocations, highlighting the true cost associated with HEN care. Large variation in costings may be attributed to the diversity and complexity of patients.

Conclusion

Funding changes presented a unique opportunity to meet pre‐existing resource deficits and enabled individualised access to HEN supports for paediatric patients with a disability.
Calibration and validation of hillslope runoff and soil loss outputs from the Water Erosion Prediction Project model in Minnesota agricultural watersheds
Authors: Kohrell Garner J. , Mulla David J. , Gelder Brian
Published: August 2023

There is growing interest in studying the impact of alternative agricultural management practices on runoff and soil loss under future climate change scenarios. In order to address this interest, it is important to demonstrate that runoff and soil loss can be accurately simulated under existing climates based on comparisons between modeled and experimental results. This study calibrates and validates the Water Erosion Prediction Project (WEPP) model to quantify the accuracy of predicting growing season runoff and soil erosion in agricultural hillslopes based on comparisons with experimental data from five Minnesota hydrologic unit code 12 watersheds. In order to accurately predict runoff and soil erosion in each watershed, the baseline effective hydraulic conductivity (Kbe), interrill and rill erodibility (EIR and ER), and monthly precipitation standard deviations (Pstdev) were calibrated in WEPP using observed runoff and total suspended solids data from five Minnesota Discovery Farms field sites. Before calibration, Nash–Sutcliffe model efficiency (NSE) and percent bias (PBIAS) values for predicted versus measured monthly average total runoff (Ravg‐T), runoff ratios (RRT), and total soil loss were generally not in acceptable ranges. After calibration, the NSE values showed very good fits between measured and predicted monthly Ravg‐T (0.64–0.98), RRT (0.66–0.93), and soil loss (0.58–0.80). PBIAS values were also within acceptable ranges for Ravg‐T and RRT (±25%) and soil loss (±55%), except for RRT at site BE1. NSE and PBIAS values during validation were within acceptable ranges, except for RRT at site BE1. These findings suggest that the WEPP hillslopes calibrated in this study are sufficiently robust to accurately predict monthly runoff and soil erosion in Minnesota agricultural fields during the growing season.