bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Financing the growth of Urban Chowk
Authors: Jhaveri Hetal , Dash Ashutosh
Published: December 2022

Learning outcomes

▪ Identify and explain the factors that contribute to the success of a restaurant business.

▪ Analyse different sources of entrepreneurial finance.

▪ Identify and explain local entrepreneur’s expectations from a funding agency.

▪ Evaluate investment decision-making criteria for entrepreneurial funding agencies.

Case overview/synopsis

Kartikey Rajput, the promoter of a food park Urban Chowk, was waiting for the Covid regulations in the country to be relaxed. The entrepreneur in him found a business opportunity to provide hygienic food with a beautiful ambience and floated a food park (Urban Chowk) with the support of his wife Nikita Agrawal in 2017 and the second edition amidst Covid in 2020. The business model was well-appreciated by food vendors as well as customers. Rajput could see future growth potential in urban India. But his aggressive business plan to open five food parks in different cities in the next three years was disrupted due to the Covid pandemic. The expansion required huge investments, and post-pandemic challenges were plenty. The decision to go beyond Ahmedabad required the selection of cities besides the major challenge of the financing choice. The new cities might have huge footfall potential but finding the right location at the right price was a different challenge. Rajput was also concerned with the sources of getting the required finances. The entrepreneur was contemplating and evaluating the alternative sources of finance available to a start-up.

Complexity academic level

This case is appropriate for a graduate and post-graduate level programme in the courses like entrepreneurial finance, entrepreneurship and strategy. This case can also be used in an executive programme on management and Management Development Programmes (MDPs) on entrepreneurship or entrepreneurial finance.

Supplementary materials

Teaching notes are available for educators only.

Subject Code

CSS 1: Accounting and Finance.
Motives for granting additional remuneration to majority managers, by Tunisian limited liability companies, alongside their share in profits
Authors: Abdelmoula Lassaad
Published: December 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate the motives for granting additional remuneration to majority managers in Tunisian limited liability companies. The theoretical explanation is based on the tax avoidance hypothesis on the one hand and on the conflict of interests hypothesis on the other hand.

Design/methodology/approach

The sample used consists of 48 Tunisian limited liability companies throughout the period ranging from 2015 to 2020. The authors use the panel data with the generalized method of moments (GMM) estimate in first difference.

Findings

The results provide evidence of a positive relationship between the accounting performance of the company and the granting of additional remuneration to majority managers, alongside their share in profits. What is more, there is a positive relationship between the change in the company's accounting results and the granting of additional remuneration to majority managers, alongside their share in profits. Likewise, the tax avoidance carried out by the firm is positively and significantly correlated with the granting of additional remuneration to majority managers, alongside their share in profits.

Practical implications

The results may help corporations consider their future growth opportunities. This is in a context where the approach to tax avoidance and conflict of interests occupies a central place in the assessment of the granting of additional remuneration to majority managers, alongside their share in profits.

Originality/value

This article is motivated by the low number of works in the context of granting additional remuneration to majority managers, alongside their share in profits. It makes a substantial contribution to the academic literature through adding to the limited body of research on tax avoidance and conflict of interests in a corporate context.
Collaborative slot secondary allocation based on flight wave operation
Authors: Chen Kejia , Chen Jintao , Yang Lixi , Yang Xiaoqian
Published: December 2022

Purpose

Flights are often delayed owing to emergencies. This paper proposes a cooperative slot secondary assignment (CSSA) model based on a collaborative decision-making (CDM) mechanism, and the operation mode of flight waves designs an improved intelligent algorithm to solve the optimal flight plan and minimize the total delay of passenger time.

Design/methodology/approach

Taking passenger delays, transfer delays and flight cancellation delays into account comprehensively, the total delay time is minimized as the objective function. The model is verified by a linear solver and compared with the first come first service (FCFS) method to prove the effectiveness of the method. An improved adaptive partheno-genetic algorithm (IAPGA) using hierarchical serial number coding was designed, combining elite and roulette strategies to find pareto solutions.

Findings

Comparing and analyzing the experimental results of various scale examples, the optimization model in this paper is greatly optimized compared to the FCFS method in terms of total delay time, and the IAPGA algorithm is better than the algorithm before in terms of solution performance and solution set quality.

Originality/value

Based on the actual situation, this paper considers the operation mode of flight waves. In addition, the flight plan solved by the model can be guaranteed in terms of feasibility and effectiveness, which can provide airlines with reasonable decision-making opinions when reassigning slot resources.
Barriers to the adoption of digital servitization: a case of the Sri Lankan manufacturing sector
Authors: Weerabahu Weerabahu Mudiyanselage Samanthi Kumari , Samaranayake Premaratne , Nakandala Dilupa , Lau Henry , Malaarachchi Dasun Nirmala
Published: December 2022

Purpose

This research aims to identify, examine and evaluate barriers to the adoption of digital servitization in manufacturing firms in the case of the Sri Lankan manufacturing sector and analyze the inter-relationships among digital servitization barriers.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on the comprehensive literature review, 13 barriers were identified. The grey decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory (grey-DEMATEL) approach was used to uncover and analyze the relationships among barriers in terms of their overall influence and dependencies.

Findings

A prominent barrier to the success of adopting digital servitization in the Sri Lankan manufacturing sector is the lack of digital strategy in developing activities related to the design of digital service packages, organizational structures and processes. Supply chain integration is the most influential factor, which plays an important role in developing a competitive advantage by encouraging innovation process capabilities in servitized companies.

Practical implications

Industry practitioners can develop guidelines for adopting digital servitization practices based on the importance and interdependencies of different barriers and thereby prioritize projects within a program of digital servitization adoption in their organizations.

Originality/value

Research studies on barriers to digital servitization are limited to exploratory nature and have adopted mainly the qualitative approach, such as in-depth interviews. No empirical study has investigated the inter-relationships among digital servitization adoption barriers in the manufacturing sector. This study provides a holistic view of different barriers to the adoption of digital servitization in the manufacturing sector as a basis for developing comprehensive digital servitization strategies to manage and leverage complexity in digital transformation.
Economic growth through digitalization in Africa: does financial sector development play a mediating role?
Authors: Iddrisu Abdul Ganiyu , Chen Bei
Published: December 2022

Purpose

This paper aims to analyse economic growth in Africa focussing on the role of digitalization and financial sector development.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors employ country-level data from 36 African countries over the period 2000–2020 and used fixed effect, random effect and the Hausman–Taylor estimation techniques.

Findings

The study, first finds that, digitalization propels financial sector development in Africa. Building on this, the study further finds that, digitalization conditioned on financial sector development at best does not promote economic growth in Africa. However, results of the net effects suggest that digitalization, overall, improve economic growth in Africa.

Social implications

In the current environment of a sluggish global economy, digitalization can play an important role in assisting policymakers to spur economic growth. This has attracted the attention of many researchers in the developed world. However, little is done about the subject matter in Africa.

Originality/value

The findings of this paper are novel in the African sub-region with important policy implications.
Actions speak louder than words? The impact of subjective norms in the supply chain on green innovation
Authors: Shou Yongyi , Shan Xueshu , Dai Jing , Xu Dong , Che Wen
Published: December 2022

Purpose

Adopting the theory of planned behavior, this study attempts to investigate how subjective norms in the supply chain influence a firm's green innovation and how such influences are contingent upon the firm's internal and external factors (i.e. flexibility orientation and environmental dynamism). Two types of subjective norms are examined, i.e. injunctive norms (what supply chain partners say) and descriptive norms (what supply chain partners do).

Design/methodology/approach

Using survey data of 178 Chinese small and medium-sized manufacturers, we employ hierarchical linear regression to test the proposed hypotheses.

Findings

Our results indicate that both injunctive and descriptive norms are instrumental in stimulating firms to take actions on green innovation. Moreover, the flexibility orientation of a firm can strengthen the effect of descriptive norms. It is also observed that environmental dynamism weakens the efficacy of injunctive norms but strengthens that of descriptive norms on green innovation.

Originality/value

This study is among the first to apply the theory of planned behavior to explain the microfoundations of focal firm's green innovation and distinguish two types of subjective norms in the supply chain. In addition, it extends the theory of planned behavior by revealing internal and external contingent factors (i.e. flexibility orientation and environmental dynamism) of the relationship between subjective norms and firm behaviors.
Exploration of small and medium entities' actions on sustainability practices and their implications for a greener economy
Authors: Afolabi Hammed , Ram Ronita , Hussainey Khaled , Nandy Monomita , Lodh Suman
Published: December 2022

Purpose

The authors explore the behaviour and perspectives of SMEs' owners towards a greener economy and its implications for net zero carbon emissions target.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors draw on the mirroring concept and 26 semi-structured interviews with SMEs' owners and managers to provide insights and explore the misalignment between SMEs' actions and perceptions and the technical architecture (and requirements) of achieving net zero carbon emissions in the UK.

Findings

The authors find that SMEs lack trust and are sceptical about the government's net zero emissions agenda. The authors also find that lack of understanding and perceived benefits, and supply chain complexities (end-to-end emissions) are the key factors hindering SMEs interests in engaging with better carbon emissions management and environmental management system (EMS). Moreover, pressure from external stakeholders, particularly banks and customers, is a strong driver to draw SMEs more effectively with sustainability and environmental impact disclosure.

Research limitations/implications

The sample is limited to 26 SMEs' owners operating in seven industries. Future research could explore the result in other industries. Further research could also investigate how the sustainability reports produced by SMEs are useful for different user groups' decision-making. This study reinforces the social constructionist approach to advance our understanding of SMEs' actions towards carbon emission management and EMS.

Practical implications

This study shows how government policies and SMEs' interests can be aligned to achieve the net zero carbon emissions target.

Originality/value

This is the first study to examine the perceptions and behaviour of SMEs towards the ongoing pursuit of a greener economy in the UK, including the key factors driving their actions and reasoning.
Corporate social responsibility communication of male luxury fashion brands: analysis on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok
Authors: Castillo-Abdul Bárbara , Ortega Fernandez Eglée , Romero-Rodriguez Luis M.
Published: December 2022

Purpose

This study aims to analyze the content on corporate social responsibility (CSR) of Gucci, Prada and Ermenegildo Zegna on the social networks Instagram, Facebook and TikTok in order to examine the focus of the publications of these luxury brands, what type of content is more frequent and which ones generate more interaction and engagement.

Design/methodology/approach

An interpretive content analysis of a sample of 92 posts on CSR published between December 2021 and June 2022 is used. For this purpose, an analysis sheet validated through theoretical constructs and pilot testing is used.

Findings

Most of the social responsibility content of the fashion brands analyzed is linked to the use of sustainable materials, the protection of natural spaces and, in the particular case of Prada, the protection of the oceans. The posts that achieve the highest interactions are videos and photo reels. Although the strategies that significantly increase brands' reach on social networks are collaborations and joint posts with other fashion brands, as is the case of Gucci with NorthFace and Prada with Adidas. Also, one of the main findings of this research has been to identify that brands may be using TikTok – perhaps experimentally – to reach stakeholders in Asian countries, especially China, where other platforms such as Instagram or Facebook may have a more limited reach.

Originality/value

This research shows that the social responsibility activities of luxury fashion brands leverage the content marketing strategy in social networks. It also demonstrates the importance of the Asian market (mainly Chinese) in the outreach strategies of brands, as is the case of Gucci and Prada, which bet on CSR activities for the protection of the Asian tiger in the framework of the year of the tiger in the Chinese horoscope, as well as the publication of certain content on TikTok.
Yogliptin monotherapy in type 2 diabetes: A 12‐week randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled phase II study
Authors: Wang Xin , Wang Ying , Yong Xiaolan , Wu Bojun , Sun Zilin , Lou Ning , Wen Qing , Zhang Yufang , Li Shiyun , Li Jiarui , He Yan , Cheng Jinluo , Zhong Xiangdong , Shen Jing , Yang Wenying
Published: December 2022

Background

The new xanthine dipeptidyl peptidase‐4 inhibitor yogliptin has exhibited excellent hypoglycemic activity in experimental disease models. The present work aimed to assess the efficacy of yogliptin as a monotherapy in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

Methods

A 12‐week, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled phase II study was performed. T2DM patients (new diagnosis or inadequately controlled) were randomly divided into groups (1:1:1:1) and administered either a placebo or weekly doses of 200, 300, or 400 mg yogliptin, respectively. The primary efficacy end point in this analysis was hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) change at 12 weeks relative to baseline. Relevant secondary outcomes were also examined, including fasting plasma glucose (FPG), 2 h‐postprandial plasma glucose (PPG), body weight, and the rate of individuals who achieved the treatment goal of HbA1c ≤ 7% at 12 weeks from baseline.

Results

A total of 81 cases who received either the placebo (20 cases) or 200 (20 cases), 300 (20 cases), or 400 (21 cases) mg yogliptin were examined in the full analysis set. At 12 weeks, changes in HbA1c levels from baseline were 0.17 (−0.22, 0.57) in the placebo group, and −0.75 (−1.15, −0.35), −0.52 (−0.93, −0.11) and −1.02 (−1.41, −0.64) (mean % [95% confidence interval], p < .001 vs. placebo) in the 200, 300, and 400 mg yogliptin groups, respectively. From week four, significant improvements in secondary efficacy outcomes among patients administered the yogliptin monotherapy were observed. FPG showed markedly more pronounced reduction after treatment with yogliptin at 200, 300, and 400 mg in comparison with placebo patients at 4, 8, and 12 weeks. At 12 weeks, goal attainment (HbA1c ≤ 7%) was reached in 0%, 20.00%, 15.80%, and 33.33% of the placebo and three Yogliptin dosage groups, respectively. Adverse events were comparable in all groups.

Conclusions

This study demonstrated that yogliptin controlled glycemia in Chinese T2DM cases, with a great safety profile. The current findings supported that any of the three doses of yogliptin, administered once a week, could be used for phase III clinical studies.
Experts in the Boardroom: Director Connections in the Mutual Fund Industry*
Authors: Calluzzo Paul
Published: December 2022

This study examines boardroom connections that form when corporate executives sit on mutual fund boards. These connections have the potential to facilitate information flow that informs fund investment decisions. I find that fund trades in the executive's firm anticipate future earnings news and stock returns during the period that the fund and firm are connected. The evidence is consistent with a broad scope of information being transferred through the connections, implying the potential for these connections to have an economically significant impact. For example, trades in the executive's firm predict returns both inside and outside of the earnings announcement period, and trades in stocks in the same sector as the executive's firm also predict returns. This study highlights the potential for the role of fund directors to extend beyond their formal monitoring responsibilities and act as conduits of information.
Combination treatment with varenicline and naltrexone reduces World Health Organization risk drinking levels
Authors: Nieto Steven J. , Enders Craig K. , Witkiewitz Katie , O'Malley Stephanie S. , Ray Lara A.
Published: December 2022

Background

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration identifies abstinence and the absence of heavy drinking days as outcomes for pharmacotherapy trials for alcohol use disorder (AUD). However, many individuals with AUD struggle to achieve these outcomes, which may discourage them from seeking treatment. World Health Organization (WHO) risk drinking levels have garnered attention in the alcohol field as potential non‐abstinent outcomes for AUD medication trials. Further, testing combination pharmacotherapy for AUD represents an important direction in the field, particularly using medications such as naltrexone and varenicline, which are approved for treating AUD and smoking, respectively. The objective of the current study was to test the utility of the WHO risk drinking levels as a drinking outcome in a randomized clinical trial of combined varenicline and naltrexone for smoking cessation and drinking reduction. These analyses provide additional tests of the efficacy of this combination treatment.

Methods

The current study is a secondary analysis of a phase 2, randomized, double‐blind clinical trial, wherein participants (N = 165) who were daily smokers and heavy drinkers were randomly assigned to receive either 2 mg/day of varenicline plus 50 mg/day of naltrexone or 2 mg/day of varenicline plus placebo for 12 weeks. Medication effects on 1‐ and 2‐level reductions in WHO risk drinking levels were assessed at 4, 8, and 12 weeks into the active medication period.

Results

In logistic growth curve models individuals receiving the combined treatment had greater reductions in WHO risk drinking levels than individuals taking varenicline alone when assessed at 4 weeks into the active medication period. Among individuals who were WHO high and very high risk drinkers at baseline, the largest effect sizes favoring combination treatment were at Week 4 for the WHO 2‐level reduction outcome (Cohen's h = 0.202) and Week 12 for the WHO 1‐level reduction outcome (Cohen's h = 0.244), although these effects did not reach statistical significance.

Conclusions

These findings provide evidence that combined varenicline plus naltrexone treatment is effective at reducing WHO risk drinking levels, particularly among individuals who smoke cigarettes daily and drink heavily. These results add to a growing body of literature validating reductions in WHO risk drinking levels as outcomes of alcohol medication trials.
Selling Rural Palestine: Land Devaluation, Ethical Investment, and the Limits of Human Rights
Authors: Kohlbry Paul
Published: December 2022

This article is a study of the causes and consequences of making Palestinian land into an ethical investment. It builds on fieldwork in villages north of Ramallah where a Palestinian real estate company purchased devalued agricultural lands and offered them to Palestinian buyers as an ethical investment. It argues that through private titling, planning, and infrastructure, this company secured land for potential investors and produced an imaginary of rural areas as empty and unowned. It created enclaves that protect the rights of new owners but undermine the possibilities for collective land defence, and it pioneered a model of development that will transform the use and control of village land across the West Bank. Rather than an example of a company that uses human rights to cover up illegality, this case illuminates the limits of human rights for critiquing capital and settler colonialism and for understanding the forces that are reshaping rural Palestine.
Hypoxic stress accelerates the propagation of pathological alpha‐synuclein and degeneration of dopaminergic neurons
Authors: Guo Mengyuan , Liu Weijin , Luo Hanjiang , Shao Qianqian , Li Yuning , Gu Yakun , Guan Yuying , Ma Wei , Chen Min , Yang Hui , Ji Xunming , Liu Jia
Published: December 2022

Aims

The etiology of Parkinson's disease (PD) is complex and the mechanism is unclear. It has become a top priority to find common factors that induce and affect PD pathology. We explored the key role of hypoxia in promoting the pathological propagation of α‐synuclein (α‐syn) and the progression of PD.

Methods

We performed PD modeling by conducting intracranial stereotaxic surgery in the unilateral striatum of mice. We then measured protein aggregation in vitro. The rotarod and pole tests were employed next to measure the damage of the phenotype. Pathological deposition and autophagy were also observed by immunofluorescence staining and protein levels measured by western blotting.

Results

We demonstrated that short‐term hypoxia activated phosphorylated (p)‐α‐syn in mice. We confirmed that p‐α‐syn was more readily formed aggregates than α‐syn in vitro. Furthermore, we found that hypoxia promoted the activation and propagation of endogenous α‐syn, contributing to the earlier degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra and the deposition of p‐α‐syn in our animal model. Finally, autophagy inhibition contributed to the above pathologies.

Conclusion

Hypoxia was shown to accelerate the pathological progression and damage phenotype in PD model mice. The results provided a promising research target for determining common interventions for PD in the future.
Use of behavioural change taxonomies in systematic reviews and meta‐analyses regarding obesity management
Authors: Okonya Ochije , Siddiqui Bilal , George David , Fugate Colony , Hartwell Micah , Vassar Matt
Published: December 2022

We investigated the prevalence of behavioural change taxonomies in systematic reviews and meta‐analyses related to obesity management. In addition, we analysed the funding sources, author conflicts of interest statements, risk of bias, and favorability of the results in such studies to determine if there was a relationship between methodological quality and taxonomy use. We searched several databases including MEDLINE, Epistemonikos, Cochrane EDSR, Pubmed and Embase for systematic reviews and meta‐analyses regarding the behavioural treatment of obesity. Screening and data extraction was performed in a masked, duplicate fashion. We performed statistical analyses to determine any significant association between use of taxonomy and study characteristics. Fifteen (of 186; 8.06%) systematic reviews used a taxonomy—nine used the BCTTv1, three used OXFAB, two used the CALO‐RE and one used “Taxonomy of choice architecture techniques.” Most interventions that referenced a taxonomy were self‐mediated (6/60, 10%). Behavioural change taxonomies were mentioned in 10 (of 87, 11.49%) studies with a public funding source. Of the studies with favourable results, 14 studies (of 181, 7.73%) referred to a taxonomy. We found no statistically significant relationships between use of taxonomy and study characteristics. We found that systematic reviews regarding the management of obesity rarely mention a behavioural change taxonomy. Given the global burden of obesity, it is crucial that behavioural change techniques are reproducible and translatable. We recommend that researchers look further into how taxonomies affect the quality and reproducibility of behavioural interventions in an effort to improve patient outcomes.
Interdisciplinarity in Cognitive Science: A Document Similarity Analysis
Authors: Alasehir Oguzhan , Acarturk Cengiz
Published: December 2022

Cognitive science was established as an interdisciplinary domain of research in the 1970s. Since then, the domain has flourished, despite disputes concerning its interdisciplinarity. Multiple methods exist for the assessment of interdisciplinary research. The present study proposes a methodology for quantifying interdisciplinary aspects of research in cognitive science. We propose models for text similarity analysis that provide helpful information about the relationship between publications and their specific research fields, showing potential as a robust measure of interdisciplinarity. We designed and developed models utilizing the Doc2Vec method for analyzing cognitive science and related fields. Our findings reveal that cognitive science collaborates closely with most constituent disciplines. For instance, we found a balanced engagement between several constituent fields—including psychology, philosophy, linguistics, and computer science—that contribute significantly to cognitive science. On the other hand, anthropology and neuroscience have made limited contributions. In our analysis, we find that the scholarly domain of cognitive science has been exhibiting overt interdisciplinary for the past several decades.
Cognitive Science of Augmented Intelligence
Authors: Dubova Marina , Galesic Mirta , Goldstone Robert L.
Published: December 2022

Cognitive science has been traditionally organized around the individual as the basic unit of cognition. Despite developments in areas such as communication, human–machine interaction, group behavior, and community organization, the individual‐centric approach heavily dominates both cognitive research and its application. A promising direction for cognitive science is the study of augmented intelligence, or the way social and technological systems interact with and extend individual cognition. The cognitive science of augmented intelligence holds promise in helping society tackle major real‐world challenges that can only be discovered and solved by teams made of individuals and machines with complementary skills who can productively collaborate with each other.
Pharmacokinetics, safety and tolerability of valbenazine in Korean CYP2D6 normal and intermediate metabolizers
Authors: Chung Woo Kyung , Hwang Inyoung , Kim Byungwook , Jung Jihyun , Yu Kyung‐Sang , Jang In‐Jin , Oh Jaeseong
Published: December 2022

Valbenazine is a selective vesicular monoamine transporter 2 (VMAT2) inhibitor approved for tardive dyskinesia treatment by the US Food and Drug Administration; its major active metabolite (NBI‐98782) is a 45‐fold more potent inhibitor of VMAT2 than the parent drug. This study aimed to evaluate the pharmacokinetics (PKs), safety, and tolerability and the effect of cytochrome P450 2D6 (CYP2D6) genotypes to the PKs after the administration of valbenazine in Korean participants. A randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, single‐ and multiple‐dose study was conducted in healthy Korean male participants. The single‐dose study was conducted for both 40 and 80 mg valbenazine and the multiple dose study was conducted for 40 mg. After a 1‐week washout, the 40 mg dose group participants received valbenazine 40 mg or placebo once daily for 8 days. Serial blood samples were collected up to 96 h postdose for PK analysis. The CYP2D6 genotypes of the participants were retrospectively analyzed. A total of 50 participants were randomized, and 43 and 20 participants completed the single‐ and multiple‐dose phases of the study, respectively. After single doses, the PK characteristics of valbenazine and its metabolites were similar between the 40 and 80 mg dose groups. After multiple doses, the mean accumulation ratios of valbenazine and NBI‐98782 were ~1.6 and 2.4, respectively. Plasma concentrations of valbenazine and NBI‐98782 were similar between CYP2D6 normal and intermediate metabolizers. Valbenazine was well‐tolerated in healthy Koreans, and its PK characteristics were similar to results previously reported in Americans.
La experiencia del diagnóstico y la atención en progenitores de niños diagnosticados con el Síndrome de Phelan‐McDermid: Un estudio cualitativo
Authors: García‐Bravo Cristina , Martínez‐Piédrola Rosa María , García‐Bravo Sara , Huertas‐Hoyas Elisabet , Pérez‐De‐Heredia‐Torres Marta , Palacios‐Ceña Domingo
Published: December 2022

Objetivo

El Síndrome de Phelan‐McDermid (SPMD) es una enfermedad rara, infradiagnosticada y sin cura. El propósito de este estudio fue explorar la experiencia de los progenitores con niños diagnosticados con el Síndrome de Phelan‐McDermid, en relación con el proceso de diagnóstico, el tratamiento y la atención médica.

Método

Se realizó un estudio cualitativo descriptivo. Los participantes fueron reclutados mediante un muestreo intencional no probabilístico. En total, se incluyeron 32 progenitores con hijos con SPMD. Se utilizaron entrevistas en profundidad y notas de campo de los investigadores. Se realizó un análisis temático inductivo.

Resultados

Se identificaron cinco temas: “El proceso diagnóstico”, se describe el proceso diagnóstico y la forma de comunicarlo a los progenitores; “El tratamiento y sus expectativas” describe las expectativas y esperanzas construidas sobre un futuro tratamiento; “Planificación familiar”, describe como los progenitores se enfrentan al consejo genético, para la planificación de tener más hijos tras el diagnóstico de SPMD; “El mundo de la discapacidad”, describe la entrada de los progenitores en el entorno de la dependencia y discapacidad tras el diagnóstico; “La economía familiar”, muestra las dificultades económicas debido al elevado coste de las terapias y los productos del cuidado diario.

Interpretación

Nuestros resultados proporcionan una visión de cómo el diagnóstico y sus consecuencias son experimentados por los progenitores con niños con SPMD. Estos resultados pueden ser utilizados por los profesionales de la salud para ayudar y apoyar a los progenitores.
Business Analytics Competition (BAC@MC): A learning experience
Authors: Ammar Salwa , Kim Min Jung , Masoumi Amir H. , Tomoiaga Alin
Published: December 2022

Over the past few years, academics have undertaken initiatives to bridge the gap between theory and practice in the ever‐growing field of business analytics, including implementing real‐life student projects in all shapes and forms. Every year since 2015, Manhattan College has invited student teams from across North America and elsewhere in the world to its campus in order to participate in an intercollegiate business analytics competition (BAC@MC). This well‐received event and the objectives behind it are described in this article. The program is shown to serve as an effective experiential learning adventure for the undergraduate students as it hones their data analytic skills in the context of an engaging real‐world business problem. The roles various stakeholders play in this high‐impact practice are highlighted. Furthermore, an example of a recent competition question is presented (along with a summary of the analytical approaches attempted) by the student teams. Descriptive visualizations, regression, and cluster algorithms implemented using python, R, Excel, or Tableau are among the typical analyses utilized by participating students. As witnessed by the students, faculty advisors, and the industry practitioners who attended the event, competitions such as BAC@MC can be rewarding, community‐building, and transformative experiences for undergraduate students who will soon become tomorrow's business analysts.
Modelling cancer metabolism in vitro: current improvements and future challenges
Authors: Dragic Helena , Chaveroux Cedric , Cosset Erika , Manie Serge N.
Published: December 2022

Advances in cancer biology over the past decades have revealed that metabolic adaptation of cancer cells is an essential aspect of tumorigenesis. However, recent insights into tumour metabolism in vivo have revealed dissimilarities with results obtained in vitro. This is partly due to the reductionism of in vitro cancer models that struggle to reproduce the complexity of tumour tissues. This review describes some of the discrepancies in cancer cell metabolism between in vitro and in vivo conditions, and presents current methodological approaches and tools used to bridge the gap with the clinically relevant microenvironment. As such, these approaches should generate new knowledge that could be more effectively translated into therapeutic opportunities.
Antarctic conservation policies and practices: Towards a more inclusive and sustainable future
Authors: Senatore Maria Ximena
Published: December 2022

Contemporary archaeology brings a unique perspective from which to critically think about Antarctic Treaty System conservation policies and practices concerning material things. The paper begins by highlighting how they have relied on several underlying assumptions, which we summarise as the ‘wilderness’ and ‘heritage’ principles. It then discusses how these policies and practices have often led to non‐sustainable or non‐inclusive outcomes. In particular, the application of the wilderness and heritage principles to environmental conservation has, on the one hand, reinforced the dominant images and narratives of Antarctica, selectively neglecting and erasing diverse human and non‐human stories, and on the other hand, led to human–thing entanglements that are currently difficult to overcome. The paper's conclusions encourage readers to envision more inclusive and sustainable conservation models by challenging the assumptions underlying current policies and practices.
Predictive factors of de novo overactive bladder in clinically localized prostate cancer patients after robot‐assisted radical prostatectomy
Authors: Watanabe Kyohei , Otsuka Atsushi , Sano Asuka , Sato Ryo , Matsushita Yuto , Watanabe Hiromitsu , Tamura Keita , Motoyama Daisuke , Ito Toshiki , Sugiyama Takayuki , Miyake Hideaki
Published: December 2022

Objectives

To assess the postoperative status of clinically localized prostate cancer patients who underwent robot‐assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) with a focus on de novo overactive bladder (OAB).

Methods

The present study included 156 patients who did not have preoperative OAB and underwent RARP between December 2015 and April 2020 at our institution. Patients were divided into the de novo OAB group and non‐OAB group based on the findings of overactive bladder symptoms score (OABSS) 6 months after RARP, and comparative assessments were performed between the two groups.

Results

Six months after RARP, de novo OAB was detected in 38 (24.4%) out of 156 patients. Body mass index (BMI) and the proportion of patients with hypertension were significantly higher in the de novo OAB group than in the non‐OAB group. No significant differences were observed in the other characteristics examined. Furthermore, the preoperative findings of uroflowmetry and a urodynamic study did not significantly differ between the two groups. Despite the lack of significant differences in preoperative OABSS, total international prostate symptom score, the voiding symptom score, storage symptom score, and quality of life score between the two groups, all of these findings 6 months after RARP were significantly worse in the de novo OAB group than in the non‐OAB group. Among the several factors examined, only BMI was independently associated with the development of de novo OAB 6 months after RARP.

Conclusions

Patients with a high BMI may develop de novo OAB after RARP, resulting in the significant deterioration of lower urinary tract symptoms.
The coupled task scheduling problem: an improved mathematical program and a new solution algorithm
Authors: Khatami Mostafa , Salehipour Amir
Published: December 2022

The general single machine coupled task scheduling problem with the objective function of minimizing the makespan, which is strongly NP‐hard, aims to schedule a set of coupled task jobs on one machine such that the completion time of the last job is minimized. We propose a new mixed‐integer program (MIP) for the problem. We also propose a relax‐and‐solve (R&S) matheuristic algorithm as the solution method. We show that the new MIP outperforms the available models and improves the quality of solutions. Also, the proposed MIP significantly improves the average gap to the best known feasible solution of an existing binary search algorithm. We show that our R&S matheuristic produces new best solutions for almost 50% of the instances.
Long‐term efficacy (up to 68 weeks) of Baricitinib in combination with topical corticosteroids in adult patients with moderate‐to‐severe atopic dermatitis: Analysis of treatment responders, partial responders and nonresponders originating from study BREEZE‐AD7
Authors: Silverberg Jonathan I. , Simpson Eric L. , Thyssen Jacob Pontoppidan , Werfel Thomas , Cardillo Tracy E. , Colvin Stephanie , Pierce Evangeline , Chen Yun‐Fei , Chen Sherry , Eichenfield Lawrence
Published: December 2022

Background

Baricitinib demonstrated efficacy in treating adults with moderate‐to‐severe atopic dermatitis (AD) in Phase 3 clinical trials.

Objective

To examine long‐term efficacy of baricitinib combined with topical corticosteroids (TCS) in adult patients from a Phase 3 study, BREEZE‐AD7 (NCT03733301), enrolled in ongoing extension study, BREEZE‐AD3 (NCT03334435).

Methods

Upon BREEZE‐AD7 completion, responders or partial responders (RPR [vIGA‐AD™ ≤2]) receiving baricitinib 2‐mg or 4‐mg + TCS maintained their original treatment doses in BREEZE‐AD3. Nonresponders (NR; vIGA‐AD 3,4) receiving baricitinib 2‐mg were rerandomized 1:1 to baricitinib 2‐mg or 4‐mg; NR receiving baricitinib 4‐mg remained on same dose. Integrated data from all patients (RPR + NR = baricitinib 4‐mg intent‐to‐treat [ITT] cohort) receiving continuous baricitinib 4‐mg in BREEZE‐AD7 through BREEZE‐AD3 were analysed, along with baricitinib 4‐mg or 2‐mg RPR cohorts. Primary endpoint was proportion of patients with vIGA‐AD (0,1) at Weeks 16, 36 and 52 (Weeks 32, 52 and 68 of continuous therapy). Additional outcomes included improvement in EASI75 and Itch NRS (up to Week 32). Missing data were imputed by last observation carried forward.

Results

In baricitinib 4‐mg ITT cohort (N = 102), proportions of patients achieving vIGA‐AD (0,1) at Week 32, Week 52, and Week 68 were 21.6%, 26.5% and 23.5%; EASI75 were 46.1%, 40.2% and 43.1%, respectively. Itch NRS ≥4‐point improvement (Itch ≥4) were 47.3% at Week 16 and 40.6% at Week 32.

In baricitinib 4‐mg RPR cohort (N = 63), proportions of patients achieving vIGA‐AD (0,1) at Week 32, Week 52 and Week 68 were 31.7%, 33.3% 34.9%, respectively; EASI75 were 57.1%, 49.2% and 49.2%, respectively. Itch ≥4 were 53.6% at Week 16 and 46.4% at Week 32. Corresponding proportions for baricitinib 2‐mg RPR cohort (N = 53) for vIGA‐AD (0,1) were 39.6%, 45.3% and 30.2%; EASI75 were 77.4%, 69.8% and 58.5%, respectively. Itch ≥4 were 56.3% at Week 16 and 47.9% at Week 32.

Conclusion

Baricitinib 4‐mg and 2‐mg combined with TCS maintained clinically meaningful sustained efficacy over 68 weeks of continuous treatment.
The Use of Attendance Incentive Differentials for Managing Worker Shortages: A Study of Export Manufacturers in Global Supply Chains
Authors: Jayasinghe Mevan
Published: December 2022

Amidst frequent and consequential worker shortages, export manufacturers in developing economies use incentives to reward workers for perfect attendance each month. However, it is unclear to what extent the attendance incentive differentials observed between export manufacturers are shaped by both employers' and workers' interests. By applying prior pay setting theory in the context of evidence of when consequential worker shortages occur due to workers' pursuit of personal or professional interests during workdays, I develop a framework that explains export manufacturers' policy decisions on the incentive level to reward workers' perfect attendance. Hypotheses are tested using data on 104 export apparel manufacturing establishments in Sri Lanka. The findings imply that attendance incentive pay setting is shaped not only by export manufacturers' strategic interest in minimizing vulnerability to worker shortages but also by their understanding of workers' willingness to forgo personal/professional interests (e.g., time‐off, alternative careers/jobs) to attend on every workday.
Sitting Meditation and Mindfulness Effects on Overall Anxiety and Test Anxiety Among College Students
Authors: Lothes John E. , Matney Sara , Naseer Zayne , Pfyffer Riley
Published: December 2022

Research shows that mindfulness interventions for test anxiety in a college student population are beneficial (Lothes, Matney, & Naseer, 2022). This study assessed the effects of online mindfulness practices over a 5‐week period on anxiety and test anxiety in college students. Participants included 20 students that were randomly assigned to either a sitting meditation or a wait list control (WLC). A weekly schedule of mindfulness practices was given to participants to complete on their own for 5 weeks. The WLC did not do any mindfulness for the first 5 weeks. Participants in the both conditions showed significant within‐group reductions in test anxiety, overall anxiety, and DASS scores during their mindfulness interventions. Both groups also showed significant increases in FFMQ scores. Mindfulness may play a role in the reduction of anxiety and test anxiety. Further research is needed to assess how mindfulness may affect anxiety and test anxiety in college students.
Speciation without gene‐flow in hybridizing deer
Authors: Kessler Camille , Wootton Eric , Shafer Aaron B. A.
Published: December 2022

Under the ecological speciation model, divergent selection acts on ecological differences between populations, gradually creating barriers to gene flow and ultimately leading to reproductive isolation. Hybridisation is part of this continuum and can both promote and inhibit the speciation process. Here, we used white‐tailed (Odocoileus virginianus) and mule deer (O. hemionus) to investigate patterns of speciation in hybridizing sister species. We quantified genome‐wide historical introgression and performed genome scans to look for signatures of four different selection scenarios. Despite ample modern evidence of hybridisation, we found negligible patterns of ancestral introgression and no signatures of divergence with gene flow, rather localized patterns of allopatric and balancing selection were detected across the genome. Genes under balancing selection were related to immunity, MHC and sensory perception of smell, the latter of which is consistent with deer biology. The deficiency of historical gene‐flow suggests that white‐tailed and mule deer were spatially separated during the glaciation cycles of the Pleistocene and genome wide differentiation accrued via genetic drift. Dobzhansky‐Muller incompatibilities and selection against hybrids are hypothesised to be acting, and diversity correlations to recombination rates suggests these sister species are far along the speciation continuum.
Negotiating legitimacy and belonging: Disabled students' and practitioners' experience
Authors: Jarus Tal , Krupa Terry , Mayer Yael , Battalova Alfiya , Bulk Laura , Lee Michael , Nimmon Laura , Roberts Earllene
Published: December 2022

Introduction

People with disabilities are underrepresented in health professions education and practice. Barriers for inclusion include stigma, disabling discourses, discriminatory programme design and oppressive interactions. Current understandings of this topic remain descriptive and fragmented. Existing research often includes only one profession, excludes particular types of disability and focuses on one aspect of the career journey. To expand understanding, we examined the recurrent forms of social relations that underlie the participation of disabled individuals in learning and practice contexts across five health professions.

Method

We analysed 124 interviews with 56 disabled health practitioners and students. Participants were interviewed up to three times over 1.5 years. Using constructivist grounded theory, authors used a staged analytic approach that resulted in higher level conceptual categories that advance interpretations of social processes. Finally, the authors compared and integrated findings among students and practitioners.

Results

Participants experience challenges to their sense of legitimacy and belonging as health providers. They describe tensions within the health education and practice between the commitment to inclusion and the day‐to‐day realities experienced by disabled participants. We identified six distinct, but related, conditions underlying these tensions: (i) validity and transparency of competencies' evaluation; (ii) the social and physical contexts; (iii) integration of inclusive practices; (iv) boundaries between personal and professional identities; (v) vulnerability to authority figures; and (vi) dynamic person‐level factors.

Discussion

If we are to commit to health practitioners and students with disabilities experiencing an overall sense of legitimacy and belonging, priority needs to be given to system‐level practices and policies to support inclusion. Attention to the day‐to‐day marginalisation of students and practitioners with disabilities in the health professions is also needed. Additionally, inclusive and transparent delineation of competency requirements is needed. Finally, educational actions are needed to increase understanding of disability in the health professions, with particular attention to promoting social relations that foster collective responsibility for supporting inclusion.
Platform nations
Authors: Mihelj Sabina
Published: December 2022

This article introduces the concept of platform nations to capture an important recent shift in the way nations and nationalism operate in the public domain. If the rise of the internet initially led to a weakening of state control over public expressions of national belonging, the growing monopoly of platforms enables states to reassert control over national imagination, while also opening doors for other political and corporate actors to interfere in the process. This shift appears to be contributing, at least in some parts of the world, to a disciplining of national imagination online, partially reversing the trend to greater democratisation seen in the early stages of the internet.