bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Corporate criminal liability in Islamic banks in Malaysia
Authors: Yusoff Nur Yusliana , Hassan Rusni
Published: November 2022

Purpose

This paper aims to highlight provisions that may attract corporate criminal liability (CCL) in legislation and regulations enacted in Malaysia. Further, this paper identifies gaps or obstacles in the implementation of CCL in Islamic banks (IBs) in Malaysia.

Design/methodology/approach

This research adopts the qualitative methodology. More specifically, it uses normative legal research by focusing on primary and secondary data obtained from legislation, regulations, decided case laws, guidelines, law textbooks and bank annual reports in relation to CCL provisions. It also conducts semi-structured interviews with different categories of experts, including legal practitioners (lawyers), regulators from Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) and Securities Commission Malaysia, officers of the Attorney General's Chambers and officers from legal departments in IBs.

Findings

The results conclude that IBs should implement the law on CCL because they are considered corporations. It is also found that not all IBs complied with CCL provisions brought corporate offenders before the court.

Research limitations/implications

This research is restricted by its specialisation in CCL in IBs in Malaysia.

Practical implications

The CCL provision has to be implemented effectively by IBs to achieve the benefit. However, not all IBs implement CCL provision properly. The understanding created by the interview data illuminates the challenges in implementing CCL provisions. Thus, this paper seeks to change the approach in the implementation of CCL provisions by IBs in Malaysia.

Originality/value

The paper touches upon a new area, notably CCL in IBs, which is not well researched in past literature. Although there is a vast research on CCL, corporate crime in IBs in Malaysia is still an unexplored area. This study gives light on the implementation of CCL provisions in IBs.
Cultural practices and organizational ethnography: implications for fieldwork and research ethics
Authors: Alshallaqi Mohammad
Published: November 2022

Purpose

This study focuses on the practical and ethical implications of the cultural practice of wasta for organizational ethnography in the Middle East. Wasta is a form of intercession rooted in the Middle Eastern cultural context and is similar to other cultural practices such as “guanxi” in China. Such practices do not only shape organizational lives in those contexts, but also how organizational ethnographies are designed and carried out.

Design/methodology/approach

The data in this study are derived from field notes and the author’s reflections on the fieldwork of an organizational ethnography aimed to investigate a digital transformation project.

Findings

This study draws on the lens of positionality to illustrate how wasta helps favourably reconfigure a researcher’s positionality during interactions with gatekeepers and participants, thereby facilitating access and data collection. The study also presents the ethical concerns related to reciprocity triggered by wasta. Finally, this study demonstrates how wasta functions as a situated system to ensure ethical research practices.

Originality/value

The study demonstrates that it is inevitable that organizational ethnographers engage with cultural practices such as wasta or guanxi during fieldwork in such cultural contexts. Furthermore, the study provides theoretical and methodological contributions for future researchers by engaging in a reflexive exercise to present a more nuanced and theoretically informed understanding of wasta. Moreover, it shows how it is exercised during fieldwork, the ethical concerns inherent in its exercise and how they can be mitigated. The paper concludes with practical recommendations derived from this fieldwork experience for future research.
An examination of the institutional implication of the relationship between the managerial level of education and experience on firm innovation in Africa
Authors: Njinyah Sam Zisuh , Jones Sally , Alsiehemy Ali , Aldawaish Bader
Published: November 2022

Purpose

Access to finance and corruption are two major institutional obstacles hindering firm innovation in Africa whose implication on the fit between managerial characteristics and firm innovation has not been examined. The purpose of this paper is to examine whether firms may want to hire managers with a good fit when faced with institutional constraints and the authors suggest managerial level of education and experience within an industry could play a vital role in helping such firms innovate.

Design/methodology/approach

Secondary data was obtained from the World Bank Enterprise Survey on 17 African countries and a series of hierarchical regression analyses were conducted to achieve the aim of the research.

Findings

The findings show that while managers with primary and secondary education had a negative relationship with firm innovation (product and process), managers with a university degree had a positive relationship. This relationship was also confirmed when the authors’ split the full sample into two sub-samples (the firms that are institutionally constrained by access to finance and corruption) and therefore confirm the institutional implications of managers fit for firm’s innovation.

Originality/value

While research on the effect of management characteristics on firm innovation has focused more on large firms and mostly from developed economies testing both direct and mediation effects, little research exists as to whether the institutional obstacles faced by small firms could influence the type of managers required to drive their innovation.
The impact of fast trains on tourism development in China: the role of local leaders
Authors: Deng Taotao , Dan Ting , Zhao Weishu
Published: November 2022

Purpose

High-speed railway (HSR) substantially affects tourism development, but this impact remains somewhat controversial. This study aims to explore the HSR–tourism nexus from the perspective of Chinese local governance. In the context of promotion tournament model in China, this study attempts to explain such controversy by including local leaders.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on a data set from 25 cities in China’s Yangtze River Delta region during 2005–2019, this study uses a panel data regression model to examine local leaders’ moderating role in the HSR–tourism nexus.

Findings

The tenure of local leaders has a significant moderating role in the impact of HSR implementation on tourism development. Furthermore, a shorter leaders’ tenure strengthens the boost to tourism development from HSR service.

Originality/value

This paper enriches theoretical framework of leaders’ tournament theory. In addition, this study provides a new perspective to understand the HSR–tourism nexus better. This study identifies the moderating role of local leaders in the HSR–tourism nexus and expands the mechanism research of HSR–tourism nexus, which helps to explain the controversy of the HSR–tourism nexus.
Laser therapy for genitourinary syndrome of menopause: Emperor's new clothes or a meaningful advance?
Authors: Robinson Dudley
Published: November 2022

Linked article: This is a mini commentary on Page et al., pp.312–319 in this issue. To view this article visit https://doi.org/10.1111/1471‐0528.17335
Management of paediatric acute severe behavioural disturbance in emergency departments across Australia: A PREDICT survey of senior medical staff
Authors: Bourke Elyssia M , Knott Jonathan C , Craig Simon , Babl Franz E ,   the Paediatric Research in Emergency Departments International Collaborative (PREDICT) Research Network
Published: November 2022

Objective

Acute severe behavioural disturbance (ASBD) is a condition seen with increasing frequency in EDs. It poses a significant risk to the patient and those around them. Little is known about the epidemiology or most effective management in the paediatric population. The aim of the present study is to clarify the practice of senior emergency doctors in Australia when managing paediatric ASBD.

Methods

The present study was a voluntary electronic questionnaire distributed to and undertaken by senior medical staff in EDs affiliated with the Paediatric Research in Emergency Departments International Collaborative (PREDICT) network. Respondents reported on exposure to and confidence in managing paediatric ASBD and their current practices.

Results

A total of 227 (33%) clinicians completed the survey between February and May 2020. Most clinicians were caring for at least two young people with ASBD each week (72%), felt confident regarding the majority of components of management and referred to local clinical practice guidelines (69%). Agitation/sedation rating scales were seldom used (19%). There was a significant variation in self‐reported management practices. The choice of whether to use medication at all, the medication chosen and route of administration all varied greatly. Respondents were more willing to provide parenteral medication to young people reported as having recreational drug intoxication (84%) than those with neurodevelopment disorders (65%) when the same degree of agitation was reported.

Conclusions

Within Australia, there is considerable variation in paediatric ASBD practice, in particular regarding medication provision. Further prospective research is required to inform best clinical practice.
Outcome after veno‐venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in elderly compared to younger patients: A 14‐year retrospective observational study
Authors: Provaznik Zdenek , Philipp Alois , Müller Thomas , Kostiantyn Kozakov , Lunz Dirk , Schmid Christof , Floerchinger Bernhard
Published: November 2022

Background

The outcome after veno‐venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in elderly patients is supposed to be unsatisfactory. Our primary aim was to determine the influence of advanced age on short‐ and long‐term outcomes; the secondary aim was to analyze risk factors for impaired outcomes.

Methods

Between January 2006 and June 2020, 755 patients received V‐V ECMO support at our department. Patients were grouped according to age (18–49.9, 50–59.9, 60–69.9, ≥70 years old), and then retrospectively analyzed for short‐ and long‐term outcomes. Risk factors for in‐hospital mortality and death during follow‐up were assessed using multivariate regression analysis.

Results

Duration of V‐V ECMO support was comparable between all groups median (8–10 days, p = 0.256). Likewise, the weaning rate was comparable in all age groups 68.2%–76.5%; (p = 0.354), but in‐hospital mortality was significantly climbing with increasing age (<50 years 30.1%/n = 91 vs. 50–59.9 years 37.1%/n = 73, vs. 60–69.9 years 45.6%/n = 78 vs. ≥70 years 51.8%/n = 44; p < 0.001). Older age groups also showed significantly reduced cerebral performance category scores. The multivariate logistic analysis yielded age, acute and chronic hemodialysis, bilirubin on day 1 of support, malignancy, and primary lung disease as relevant risk factors for in‐hospital mortality. Age, coronary artery disease, presence of another primary lung disease, malignancy, and immunosuppression were risk factors for death during follow‐up.

Conclusion

In V‐V ECMO patients, advanced age is associated with more comorbidity, impaired short‐ and long‐term outcome, and worse neurological outcome.
Early pregnancy triglycerides and not fructosamine are associated with birth weight (with foetal sexual dimorphism)
Authors: Isabel Clinck , Faro Rebecca Verelst , Vrijkotte Tanja G. M. , Theodorus Bartholomeus Twickler
Published: November 2022

Background

We evaluated whether maternal triglycerides (TGs) or fructosamine (measured in early pregnancy) predominantly contribute to birth weight (BW), in a foetal sexual dimorphism.

Methods

Analysis of data from the Amsterdam Born Children and their Development cohort study (total n = 3514). Maternal nonfasting TGs and fructosamine were determined in early gestation (median 13 weeks). Multivariable linear regression analysis was used to determine whether maternal TGs or fructosamine was associated with BW—small for gestational age (SGA)—large for gestational age (LGA) and whether it was sex‐dependent.

Results

With each 1 mmol/L increase in TGs, BW increased significantly by 81.7 g. This increase was larger with boys (107.3 g; 95% CI 66–148) than girls (60.5 g; 95% CI 23.6–97.4). No association was found with fructosamine. When including different covariates (gestational age at blood sampling, total duration of pregnancy, maternal height, age, parity, ethnicity, educational level, smoking, alcohol, and pre‐pregnancy BMI), 29% of the variance in BW can be explained. Adding fructosamine to this model gave no added value in predicting BW, in contrast to adding TGs (R2 raised from 0.292 to 0.299, p < .001). The odds of a newborn LGA with higher maternal TG were increased (OR 1.6, 95% CI 1.3–2.0), in contrast to fructosamine.

Conclusions

Maternal TGs were more dominant (compared to fructosamine) in its association with BW (measured in early physiological pregnancy) and more prominently present when carrying a male foetus. These remarkable observations warrant more future research, especially in obese patients at risk for gestational diabetes.
Inhibition of lipogenesis and sebum secretion for Lotus corniculatus seed extract in vitro and in vivo
Authors: Cheng Lu , Guo Jingyi , Lu Yina
Published: November 2022

Background

Botanical ingredients are widely used in hair‐ and skin‐care products. However, few studies have investigated the effectiveness of botanical products on counteracting sebum synthesis and secretion.

Objective

To investigate the composition of Lotus corniculatus seed extract (LC) and its potential inhibition of lipogenesis in SZ95 sebocytes and oily human skin.

Methods

The active components of LC solutions were identified by high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). The in vitro effects of LC were evaluated using SZ95 cells treated with linoleic acid (LA) and dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and incubated with LCs for 24 h and 72 h. Lipogenesis was assessed by Oil Red O and Nile Red staining of the cells. In vivo effects were assessed on 30 subjects with oily skin who were enrolled in a randomized, blank‐controlled trial and were treated with LC solution for 6 h and 4 weeks. The skin sebum contents and area on the forehead and cheeks were evaluated using a Sebumeter SM815 and Sebfix sebutape with Visioscan VC98. In addition, VISIA was used to collect half‐face photos for analysis.

Results

A novel active molecule, 5′‐o‐rhamnosyl uridine, was identified in LC. LC exhibited a dose‐dependent inhibitory effect on LA and DHT‐induced lipid synthesis. When 5% LC was applied for 3 h, the skin sebum contents and area were significantly reduced compared with the vehicle control, with an obvious reduction after 6 h. Continued use of the serum containing 5% LC for 4 weeks resulted in a significant reduction in the skin sebum contents and area. No adverse reactions were reported during the study.

Conclusions

Topical application of LC resulted in an immediate and long‐lasting reduction of the sebum contents and area of oily human skin by reducing sebaceous lipogenesis through the LA and DHT pathways. This indicates the potential of LC as a new biological treatment for oily skin.
Activity‐guided purification and identification of endogenous bioactive peptides from barley sprouts (Hordeum vulgare L.) with diabetes treatment potential
Authors: Gumus Zinar Pinar , Moulahoum Hichem , Tok Kerem , Kocadag Kocazorbaz Ebru , Zihnioglu Figen
Published: November 2022

Metabolic‐associated disorders such as blood pressure and type 2 diabetes (T2D) are some of modern society's widespread problems. While there are many beneficial treatments, the quest for “safe” alternatives using natural products (e.g., cereals) is of great promise, especially plant‐based peptides containing inherently endogenous bioactivities that can provide multiple health‐promoting effects. Here, we aimed to purify and identify potential endogenous peptides of barley sprouts through an activity‐guided process with a potential T2D therapeutical effect. Barley seeds were germinated, and sprouts were fractionated through ultrafiltration followed by RP‐HPLC. All peptide fractions were examined for various bioactivities (α‐glucosidase/DPP4 inhibition, antiglycation, antioxidant and metal chelation activities). LC‐Q‐TOF‐MS/MS was employed for sequence identification of the fraction with the highest activity level. The data demonstrated that fractions with molecular weights lower than 3 kDa were the only ones with antiglycation activities. The RP‐HPLC of the 3 kDa fraction resulted in 11 fractions, including 4 having significant IC50/EC50 levels. F11 demonstrated the highest potential as T2D treatment, and the sequence identification provided the sequences SQQENELTSLIVESNNRFNNASNT. Natural bioactive peptides from easy to procure and cheap sources are promising molecules for therapeutic applications. Further in vivo and clinical testing are necessary to validate the current findings.
Increased antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of lemongrass and cinnamon essential oils with tea polyphenols and its application in the preservation of marine fish
Authors: Zhou Qing , He Dong , Yu Hongpeng , Yang JinJin , Wu Kegang , Duan Xuejuan , Wu Xiqin , Han Xiaofang
Published: November 2022

Plant essential oils have great potential to become a new generation of marine fish preservatives, and the key to the application of essential oil in fresh‐keeping is to improve its cost performance. In this study, the combined effect of 0.008 g/mL lemongrass essential oils and 0.01 g/mL cinnamon essential oils with different concentration (0, 0.005, 0.01, 0.03, 0.05 g/mL) of tea polyphenols on the antioxidant activity and antimicrobial activity in vitro, and application in marine fish preservation was studied. The in vitro tests showed that the combination of essential oils with tea polyphenols increased the antioxidant and antimicrobial activities compared with the essential oils or tea polyphenols alone. During the preservation of the marine fish Dusky Spinefoot, the combination of essential oils with tea polyphenols slightly inhibited microbial growth, but greatly reduced the visible decay on the surface of fish flavour deterioration and biogenic amine production. Antimicrobial activities were also observed in films prepared combining essential oil and tea polyphenols. These combined effects are meaningful and provide prospects for expanding the application of essential oil and developing a new hurdle technology for marine fish storage.
Noninvasive ventilation in New Zealand: a national prevalence survey
Authors: Neill Alister , Ingham Tristram R. , Perry Meredith , Aldridge Daniel , Miller James , Jones Bernadette
Published: November 2022

Background

Home‐based noninvasive ventilation (NIV) is an effective treatment for a range of conditions that cause respiratory failure which reduces hospitalisation and mortality and improves quality of life.

Aims

To collect NIV prevalence, disease burden and equity data needed for effective national NIV health service planning.

Methods

The authors collected demographics and the primary diagnosis of patients receiving publicly funded NIV in New Zealand in 2018 by surveying all providers. National and regional prevalence rates were calculated using adult population data (aged ≥20 years) for each District Health Board region compared with a 2011 study. A subanalysis of individual‐level data was used to calculate age‐standardised rates by diagnostic category.

Results

A total of 1197 adults were receiving NIV giving a national rate of 32.9 per 100 000; almost twice the 2011 rate (16.7 per 100 000). Significant regional variations in NIV provision (4.5–84.2 per 100 000) were observed. The most frequent indications were obesity hypoventilation syndrome (OHS) (562, 47%), obstructive pathologies (335, 28%) and neuromuscular disorders (175, 15%); all have significantly increased in prevalence since 2011. Māori and Pacific peoples were significantly overrepresented among NIV users (2.24 [95% confidence interval (CI), 1.72–2.93] and 7.03 [95% CI, 5.52–8.94], respectively). The prevalence of NIV‐dependent use (>15 h/day) was 4%.

Conclusions

Home‐based NIV provision has doubled since the previous survey, reflecting increased burden from OHS and obstructive pathologies and a disproportionate disease burden among Māori and Pacific populations. The large regional variations are concerning and highlight the urgent requirement for national service specifications, education and equipment provision. Further research is needed to address access equity.
When does FDI make a difference for growth? A comparative analysis of resource‐rich and resource‐scarce African economies
Authors: Yimer Addis
Published: November 2022

This study revisits the foreign direct investment (FDI)–growth nexus in Africa, categorizing countries as resource‐rich or resource‐scarce for the period 2000–2017 in an attempt to capture the impact that cross‐country natural resource endowment differences may have on the FDI–growth relationship. Thus, the study is an attempt to answer the question: Does being a natural resource‐abundant or resource‐scarce country alter the FDI‒growth nexus? Using the System Generalized Method of Moments, it is found that the effects of FDI on economic growth vary depending on countries' resource richness. While FDI affects growth positively and significantly in the resource‐scarce category, the size of such an effect varies across countries within the group. The better the human capital and institutions, the higher the FDI‐induced growth. However, no effect of FDI on growth has been identified for the resource‐rich category. The findings suggest that African countries in general, and resource‐rich economies in particular, need to look carefully and critically at the type of FDI inflows they receive.
Development of morning–eveningness in adolescence: implications for brain development and psychopathology
Authors: Cooper Rebecca , Di Biase Maria A. , Bei Bei , Allen Nicholas B. , Schwartz Orli , Whittle Sarah , Cropley Vanessa
Published: November 2022

Background

Morning–evening preference is defined as an individual's preference for a morning‐ or evening‐oriented rhythm. Across adolescence, a preference for eveningness becomes more predominant. Although eveningness is cross‐sectionally associated with internalizing and externalizing psychopathology, few studies have examined developmental changes in eveningness and its potential biological substrates. Here, we investigated the longitudinal relationships among the trajectory of eveningness preference, internalizing and externalizing psychopathology and white matter development, across adolescence.

Methods

Two‐hundred and nine adolescents (49% male) were assessed longitudinally at four separate time points between 12 and 19 years of age. Morning–evening preference and internalizing and externalizing symptoms were assessed at each time point. Diffusion‐weighted images were acquired on a subset of participants at the final two time points to estimate changes in global mean fractional anisotropy (FA). Linear mixed models were performed to estimate the change in eveningness over time. A series of linear regression models assessed the influence of change in eveningness on psychopathology and white matter development at age 19.

Results

Across the sample, a preference for eveningness became more predominant by 19 years of age. Greater individual‐level change towards eveningness significantly predicted greater severity in externalizing, but not internalizing, symptoms at 19 years of age. In contrast, change in psychopathology from 12 to 19 years of age was not associated with morning–eveningness at age 19. A change towards eveningness predicted an attenuated increase in FA between 17 and 19 years of age.

Conclusions

This study suggests that developmental changes in morning–evening preference may predict both neurodevelopmental and psychological outcomes in adolescents.
Horizontal inequalities, political violence, and nonviolent conflict mobilization: A review of the literature
Authors: Hillesund Solveig , Østby Gudrun
Published: November 2022

The association between horizontal inequalities (HIs) and civil war is well established. Yet, studies of HIs and civil war rarely specify why HIs should lead to conflict that is violent, organized, and large‐scale, such as civil war. Collective mobilization outside conventional political channels could take many other forms, such as demonstrations, strikes, riots or communal conflicts. Recently, researchers have begun to investigate whether HIs increase the risk of nonviolent, less organized, and smaller‐scale conflict. This article provides the first systematic review of the emerging quantitative literature on the impact of HIs on both violent and nonviolent conflict mobilization. We ask: Do HIs increase all mobilization outside conventional political channels, or do they shape what form of conflict breaks out? We supplement previous reviews of the literature on HIs and political violence with a systematic update for scholarly articles published in 2017–2022. This yielded 22 new articles. Furthermore, we identify 20 articles on HIs and nonviolent conflict published in 1996–2022. The review reveals that while there is robust evidence on the relationship between HIs and violent mobilization, the emerging evidence on nonviolent conflict is inconsistent. We conclude by discussing potential reasons for this inconsistency.
miR‐101‐3p contributes to the progression of preeclampsia by suppressing WDR5‐mediated proliferation and invasion of trophoblast
Authors: Zhao Xudong , Su Fengyun , Kong Fanhua , Guo Qing , Wang Xiuzhu , Cui Hong , Li Qinwen , Zhang Wangmeng , Li Lei , Li Aihua
Published: November 2022

Background

Decreased proliferation and invasion of trophoblast were proven to be involved in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia (PE). However, the regulatory network has not been clarified yet. This study aimed to explore the role of miR‐101‐3p in the progression of PE.

Methods

miR‐101‐3p expression in placentas of pregnant women with or without PE was analyzed by real‐time quantitative PCR (RT‐qPCR). Trophoblastic HTR‐8/SVneo and HPT‐8 cell lines were cultured and underwent hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) treatment to mimic PE in vitro. Cell proliferation and invasion were analyzed in gain‐of and loss‐of‐function assays. Finally, we undertook in vivo studies to explore effects of miR‐101‐3p in the PE model.

Results

Compared to placentas from patients without PE, miR‐101‐3p expressed significantly higher in placentas from PE patients, and its level was positively correlated with the severity of patients. In vitro studies found that overexpression of miR‐101‐3p significantly suppressed cell proliferation and invasion, while knockdown of miR‐101‐3p reversed the impacts of H/R treatment. Further research showed that the expression of WD repeat domain 5 (WDR5) was significantly lower in placentas from patients with PE, and its level was negatively associated with the severity of patients. In vitro and in vivo studies confirmed that miR‐101‐3p promoted PE progression through the regulation of WD WDR5 expression.

Conclusion

Increased expression of miR‐101‐3p in placenta contributes to the development of PE by suppressing WDR5‐mediated proliferation and invasion of trophoblast.
The red blood cell as a mediator of endothelial dysfunction in patients with familial hypercholesterolemia and dyslipidemia
Authors: Mahdi Ali , Wodaje Tigist , Kövamees Oskar , Tengbom John , Zhao Allan , Jiao Tong , Henricsson Marcus , Yang Jiangning , Zhou Zhichao , Nieminen Anni I. , Levin Malin , Collado Aida , Brinck Jonas , Pernow John
Published: November 2022

Background

Patients with familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) display high levels of low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL‐c), endothelial dysfunction, and increased risk of premature atherosclerosis. We have previously shown that red blood cells (RBCs) from patients with type 2 diabetes induce endothelial dysfunction through increased arginase 1 and reactive oxygen species (ROS).

Objective

To test the hypothesis that RBCs from patients with FH (FH‐RBCs) and elevated LDL‐c induce endothelial dysfunction.

Methods and results

FH‐RBCs and LDL‐c >5.0 mM induced endothelial dysfunction following 18‐h incubation with isolated aortic rings from healthy rats compared to FH‐RBCs and LDL‐c <2.5 mM or RBCs from healthy subjects (H‐RBCs). Inhibition of vascular but not RBC arginase attenuated the degree of endothelial dysfunction induced by FH‐RBCs and LDL‐c >5.0 mM. Furthermore, arginase 1 but not arginase 2 was elevated in the vasculature of aortic segments after incubation with FH‐RBCs and LDL‐c >5.0 mM. A superoxide scavenger, present throughout the 18‐h incubation, attenuated the degree of endothelial dysfunction induced by FH‐RBCs and LDL‐c >5.0 mM. ROS production was elevated in these RBCs in comparison with H‐RBCs. Scavenging of vascular ROS through various antioxidants also attenuated the degree of endothelial dysfunction induced by FH‐RBCs and LDL‐c >5.0 mM. This was corroborated by an increase in the lipid peroxidation product 4‐hydroxynonenal. Lipidomic analysis of RBC lysates did not reveal any significant changes across the groups.

Conclusion

FH‐RBCs induce endothelial dysfunction dependent on LDL‐c levels via arginase 1 and ROS‐dependent mechanisms.
Effects of COVID‐19 on sensory and cognitive perception of mild and severe diagnosed and recovered patients versus healthy consumers
Authors: Cabal‐Prieto Adan , Sánchez‐Arellano Lucía , Herrera‐Corredor José Andrés , Rodríguez‐Miranda Jesús , Prinyawiwatkul Witoon , Ramón‐Canul Lorena Guadalupe , Toledano‐Toledano Filiberto , Rodríguez‐Buenfil Ingrid Mayanin , Ramírez‐Sucre Manuel Octavio , Hernández‐Salinas Gregorio , de Ramírez‐Rivera Emmanuel de Jesús
Published: November 2022

The objective of this research was to analyze the effects of the SARS‐CoV‐2 virus on the sensory and cognitive perception of mild and severe COVID‐19 diagnosed and recovered consumers versus healthy consumers. Three groups of 50 consumers each (healthy vs. mild and severe COVID‐19 diagnosed with 30 days after recovery) were used for the evaluation of instant coffee stimuli in concentrations: 4.40, 2.93, 2.20, 1.76, and 1.47% weight (w)/volume (v) and determine their discriminating power, emotions, and memories. Sensory tests were performed remotely. Results indicated that healthy consumers perceived higher intensities in most of the sensory attributes (with the exception of Burnt‐A, Bitter‐T, Acid‐T, and Astringent‐T attributes) compared to consumers who presented mild and severe COVID‐19. Therefore, consumers diagnosed with mild and severe COVID‐19 had a higher discrimination power in the attributes smell, basic tastes, and flavor. Healthy consumers could only discriminate two attributes that correspond to basic flavors. Consumers with mild and severe COVID‐19 diagnosis elicited the highest number of negatives emotions (such as bored, disgusted, worried, guilty, wild, and aggressive) and negative memories (disease, pain, death, hurt, obesity, conflict personal, addiction, stench poverty, and accident) than healthy consumers. It is concluded that there were no significant differences between the consumer panels for the identification of sensory attributes. However, P‐Healthy consumers perceived the highest intensities in most sensory attributes compared to those in the PCOVID19‐Mild and PCOVID19‐Severe panels. Finally, consumers diagnosed with mild or severe COVID‐19 used a higher number of emotions and memories than those of the healthy panel.

Practical applications

Investigating the effects of COVID‐19 on sensory and cognitive perception can be useful for industry and researchers in the sensory field who wish to understand the effects of the disease in order to generate new protocols for the selection and training of people, as well as the possible development and innovation of new products focused on perception of consumers recovered from COVID‐19.
Excessive and asymmetrical removal of heterozygous sites by maxSH biases downstream population genetic inference: Implications for hybridization between two primroses
Authors: Zhang Jie , Pina‐Martins Francisco , Jin Zu‐Shi , Cha Yong‐Peng , Liu Zu‐Yao , Peng Jun‐Chu , Zhao Jian‐Li , Li Qing‐Jun
Published: November 2022

Techniques of reduced‐representation sequencing (RRS) have revolutionized ecological and evolutionary genomics studies. Precise establishment of orthologs is a critical challenge for RRS, especially when a reference genome is absent. The proportion of shared heterozygous sites across samples is an alternative criterion for filtering paralogs. In the prevailing pipeline for variant calling of RRS data – PYRAD/IPYRAD, maxSH is an often overlooked parameter with implications to detecting and filtering paralogs according to shared heterozygosity. Using empirical genotyping by sequencing data of two primroses (Primula alpicola Stapf and Primula florindae Ward) and their putative hybrids, and extra data sets of Californian golden cup oaks, we explore the impact of maxSH on filtering paralogs and further downstream analyses. Our study sheds light on the simultaneous validity and risk of filtering paralogs using maxSH, and its significant effects on downstream analyses of outlier detection, population assignment, and demographic modeling, emphasizing the importance of attention to detail during bioinformatic processes. The mutual confirmation between results of population assignment and demographic modeling in this study suggested maxSH = 0.10 has a potentially excessive and asymmetrical effect on the removal of truly shared heterozygous sites as paralogs. These results indicate that hybridization origin hypotheses of putative hybrids represented by results with maxSH = 0.25 and 0.50 are more credible. In conclusion, we revealed the critical hazard of paralogs filtration according to sharing heterozygosity at first, so that we propose to use specific protocols, rather than maxSH, to filter potential paralogs for closely related lineages.
Artificial liver support systems for hepatitis B virus‐associated acute‐on‐chronic liver failure: A meta‐analysis of the clinical literature
Authors: Li Guotao , Zhang Pan , Zhu Yumeng
Published: November 2022

To evaluate the short‐term and long‐term survival efficacy of an artificial liver support system (ALSS) in patients with acute‐on‐chronic liver failure (ACLF). A systematic search was performed for relevant published data in PubMed, Web of Science and Cochrane Library databases. Studies that evaluated the efficacy of ALSS in patients with ACLF and provided the short‐term or long‐term survival rate were included. A total of 10 studies involving 3685 patients were included in this analysis. The pooled 28‐day survival rate and 90‐day survival rate were 68.7% (95% CI: 64.5%–72.9%) and 53.4% (95% CI: 45.5%–61.4%), respectively. The pooled estimates of the OR for the 28‐day and 90‐day survival rates between the ALSS group and the control group were 1.91 (95% CI: 1.21–3.04) and 1.41 (95% CI: 1.17–1.70), respectively. Subgroup analysis showed that patients treated with lower levels of TBIL and MELD scores had a higher 28‐day survival rate (χ2 = 15.75, p < 0.01; χ2 = 13.80, p < 0.01). The present meta‐analysis suggests that ALSS treatment could remarkably improve short‐term survival rates in HBV‐ACLF patients, which implies that treatment with ALSS may help to reduce high mortality. Further prospective randomized trials are needed to validate these findings.
Trust as performance
Authors: Carter J. Adam
Published: November 2022

It is argued that trust is a performative kind and that the evaluative normativity of trust is a special case of the evaluative normativity of performances generally. The view is shown to have advantages over competitor views, e.g., according to which good trusting is principally a matter of good believing (e.g., Hieronymi, 2008; McMyler, 2011), or good affect (e.g., Baier, 1986; Jones, 1996), or good conation (e.g., Holton, 1994). Moreover, the view can be easily extended to explain good (and bad) distrust, where the latter is understood as aimed (narrow‐scoped) forbearance from trusting. The overarching framework—which assimilates the evaluative norms of trusting (and distrusting) to performance‐theoretic norms—supplies us with an entirely new lens to view traditional philosophical problems about what is involved in trusting and distrusting well and badly, and thus, places our capacity to make progress on problems in this area on a new footing.
Cumulative risk exposure and child cellular aging in a Dutch low‐risk community sample
Authors: Beijers Roseriet , ten Thije Ilse , Bolhuis Emma , O'Donnell Kieran J. , Tollenaar Marieke S. , Shalev Idan , Hastings Waylon J. , MacIsaac Julia L. , Lin David T. S. , Meaney Michael , Kobor Michael S. , Belsky Jay , de Weerth Carolina
Published: November 2022

One of the proposed mechanisms linking childhood stressor exposure to negative mental and physical health outcomes in later life is cellular aging. In this prospective, longitudinal, and pre‐registered study, we examined the association between a cumulative pattern of childhood risk exposure from age 6 to age 10 (i.e., poor maternal mental health, parental relationship problems, family/friend death, bullying victimization, poor quality friendships) and change in two biomarkers of cellular aging (i.e., telomere length, epigenetic age) from age 6 to age 10 in a Dutch low‐risk community sample (n = 193). We further examined the moderating effect of cortisol reactivity at age 6. Ordinary Least Squares regression analyses revealed no significant main effects of childhood risk exposure on change in cellular aging, nor a moderation effect of child cortisol reactivity. Secondary findings showed a positive correlation between telomere length and cortisol reactivity at age 6, warranting further investigation. More research in similar communities is needed before drawing strong conclusions based on the null results.
Environmental disasters and mental health: Evidence from oil spills in the Peruvian Amazon
Authors: Chong Alberto , Srebot Carla
Published: November 2022

Using a difference‐in‐difference approach, we test the causal link between environmental disasters and mental health indicators in rural areas of Peru by exploiting the spatial variation in exogenous oil spills and the differences in their timing for the period 2014 to 2018. We find that, after controlling for time‐varying controls and year fixed effects, oil spills lead to a significantly higher probability of suffering psychological distress. We also explore likely mechanisms that explain this causal impact. Finally, we present an event study and apply robustness tests that further support our findings.
Daily reciprocal relations between emotion dysregulation and non‐suicidal self‐injury among individuals with a history of sexual assault: The influence of posttraumatic stress symptoms
Authors: Raudales Alexa M. , Yang Manshu , Schatten Heather T. , Armey Michael F. , Weiss Nicole H.
Published: November 2022

Introduction

Non‐suicidal self‐injury (NSSI) is a serious public health concern that can be understood within an emotion dysregulation framework. The current study adds to the literature by utilizing a micro‐longitudinal design and novel statistical modeling to test reciprocal associations between emotion dysregulation and NSSI, as well as the potential moderating effect of posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS).

Methods

Participants were 81 individuals with a history of sexual assault and NSSI (Mage = 33.80; 67.9% women; 80.2% white) recruited from the community who self‐reported on symptoms of emotion dysregulation and NSSI thoughts/behaviors once daily for 7 days. Average compliance rate was 72.8% (SD = 31.3%) and 34 participants (42.0%) endorsed NSSI thoughts/behaviors over the course of the study.

Results

Findings revealed a significant positive effect of NSSI thoughts/behaviors on subsequent abilities to regulate negative emotions. Furthermore, while results did not detect a moderating influence of baseline PTSS on the relation between emotion dysregulation and NSSI thoughts/behaviors over time, individuals with higher baseline PTSS were found to experience heightened levels of NSSI thoughts/behaviors and emotion dysregulation on average.

Conclusion

Information from this study may be useful for future research and intervention development focused on the intersection of NSSI, PTSS, and emotion dysregulation.
The association of venous thromboembolism with blood transfusion in kidney transplant patients
Authors: Massicotte‐Azarniouch David , Sood Manish M. , Fergusson Dean A. , Chassé Michaël , Tinmouth Alan , Knoll Greg A.
Published: November 2022

Background

Red blood cell transfusion (RBCT) is common after kidney transplantation and could have pro‐thrombotic effects predisposing to venous thromboembolism (VTE). The risks for developing of VTE after RBCT in kidney transplant patients are unknown.

Study Design and Methods

This was a retrospective cohort study of adult kidney transplant recipients from 2002 to 2018. The exposure of interest was receipt of RBCT after transplant. Cox proportional hazards models were used to calculate hazard ratios (HR) for the outcomes of venous thromboembolism [VTE] (deep venous thrombosis [DVT] or pulmonary embolism [PE]) using RBCT as a time‐varying, cumulative exposure.

Results

Out of 1258 kidney transplants recipients, 468 (37%) were transfused during the study period. Seventy‐nine study participants (6.3%) developed VTE, 72 DVT (5.7%), and 22 PE (1.8%). For the receipt of 1, 2, 3–5, and >5 RBCT, compared to individuals never transfused, the number of events and adjusted HR (95%CI) for VTE were 6 (6.2%) HR 1.57 (0.69–3.58), 9 (7.6%) HR 2.54 (1.30–4.96), 15 (11.9%) HR 2.73 (1.38–5.41), and 23 (18.1%) HR 5.77 (2.99–11.14) respectively; for DVT, it was 6 (6.2%) HR 1.94 (0.84–4.48), 9 (7.6%) HR 2.92 (1.44–5.94), 14 (11.1%) HR 3.29 (1.63–6.65), and 21 (16.5%) HR 6.97 (3.53–13.76), respectively. For PE, among transfused individuals, there were 14 events (3.0%) and the HR was 2.40 (1.02–5.61).

Conclusion

The risks for developing VTE, DVT, and PE were significantly increased in kidney transplant patients receiving RBCT after transplant. Receipt of RBCT should prompt considerations for judicious monitoring and assessment for thrombosis.
A Phase Field Model for the Damage and Fracture of Multiple Network Elastomers
Authors: Zhao Zeang , Wang Panding , Duan Shengyu , Lei Ming , Lei Hongshuai
Published: November 2022

This work develops a continuum phase field model for predicting the damage initiation and crack propagation in multiple network elastomers. Previous researches have revealed that failure of multiple network elastomers involves microscopic damage initiation by the chain scission of filler network and macroscopic fracture by penetrating crack of matrix network. However, most existing models for multiple network elastomers only deal with its finite deformation and strain softening process, which are unable to capture the initiation and propagation of cracks. In this work, to bridge the microscopic damage and the macroscopic fracture of multiple network elastomers in the finite deformation model, we incorporate the phase field variable of crack surface density to model the crack propagation and the internal damage variable to model the chain scission. By forming a multi-field variational framework, the developed model can be used to simulate the macroscopic deformation and fracture of multiple network elastomers. Through a finite element implementation of the phase field model, previous experiment results obtained from uniaxial tension and unilateral fracture can be well predicted. Moreover, experimentally observed damage zone formed by sacrificing filler network to achieve toughening effect is also numerically illustrated in simulation, giving much clearer pictures for the contributions of different energy dissipation mechanisms.
Compressor Surge Precursors for a Turbocharger Coupled to a Pressure Vessel
Authors: Silvestri Paolo , Reggio Federico , Niccolini Marmont Du Haut Champ Carlo Alberto , Ferrari Mario Luigi , Massardo Aristide Fausto
Published: November 2022

Dynamic compressors operating region is mainly constrained by fluid-dynamic instabilities occurring at low mass flow rate conditions, such as surge and rotating stall. This work presents a vibro-acoustic experimental investigation on a centrifugal compressor of an automotive turbocharger aimed to identify and confirm some surge precursor values in correspondence of its inception conditions. The experimental campaign was carried out at the University of Genoa and developed on a vaneless diffuser turbocharger exploited for the pressurization of an innovative solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) emulator. The investigated turbocharger is coupled with a pressure vessel for a former emulation activity on a pressurized SOFC. In this kind of plants, the joint effect of large volume size downstream of the compressor makes more complex the dynamic behavior of the whole system during transients, thus significantly increasing surge onset risk.

The activity The main goal is to obtain a suitable quantitative indicator capable to detect in advance surge inception by relying only on vibrational and acoustic system response. Several transient operations starting from a compressor stable condition to surge instability onset were performed at different initial rotating speeds by progressively closing specific valves in the air line. When moving close to the surge line, vibro acoustic signals were acquired at a high sampling rate to detect variations in compressor blade passage phenomena due to possible interactions with rotating stall inception. Meanwhile, the trend of pressures, temperatures and mass flow rates measured in specific plant sections were acquired at a lower sampling rate to obtain a link between the compressor vibro-acoustic and performance behavior. Cyclostationary analysis and Several post-processing methods in time, angle and frequency domains were performed on microphone and accelerometer acquired signals to provide innovative diagnostic and predictive solutions (precursors) able to warn the incoming of surge compressor instability with cheap and not intrusive sensors like microphones and accelerometers.
Exergy Analysis of Green Power-to-Hydrogen Chemical Energy Storage
Authors: Escamilla Antonio , Sánchez David , García-Rodríguez Lourdes
Published: November 2022

Power-to-Hydrogen-to-Power are chemical energy storage systems that store surplus renewable energy in the form of hydrogen, through water electrolysis, for its later use as power when power demand rises again. Due to the very low energy and mass density of H2 at standard conditions, 0.083 kg/m3, compression of hydrogen to pressures as high as 900 bar is usually performed for storage. This is why variations in the operating conditions of the electrolyzers lead to significantly different operating conditions of the hydrogen compression system. Accordingly, a detailed thermodynamic analysis is required to identify the individual contributions of each component to the total exergy losses: a proton-exchange membrane electrolyser, and a volumetric compressor. As expected, the volumetric compressor shows the largest improvement when switching from single stage compression to multistage intercooled compression; in particular, moving from single adiabatic compression to four compression stages with intercooling enables an exergy efficiency improvement of more than ≈20 %. On the other hand, the study reveals that optimizing the operating temperature and pressure of the electrolyzer can lead to compression exergy efficiency gains of ≈5 % when the operating temperature of the electrolyser is reduced from 352.15 K to 313.15 K and ≈25 % when the corresponding pressure increases from 1bar to 30 bar. On the contrary, reducing the operating temperature of the electrolyzer would lead to an increase in the power requirements to split the water molecule, thereby reducing the overall exergy efficiency of the system by ≈2 %.