bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The influence of financial knowledge on the credit behaviour of small and micro enterprises: the knowledge-based view
Authors: Liu Meiyu , Hu Yelin , Li Chengyou , Wang Shuo
Published: April 2022

Purpose

The rich financial knowledge of small and micro business owners helps to enhance the formal credit demand of small and micro enterprises and change the credit channel preference of small and micro enterprises. The purpose of this paper is to explore the relationship between financial knowledge and the credit practices of 290 small and micro enterprises in China’s Jiangsu and Shandong provinces based on their formal credit needs and preferred channels of credit.

Design/methodology/approach

To measure the degree of the credit constraints of small and micro enterprises, this study applied questionnaire surveys to obtain information on the credit demand and supply of 363 small and micro enterprises in the Jiangsu and Shandong provinces. Firstly, a probit model is used to study the influence of financial knowledge on the formal credit demand and credit acquisition possibility of small and micro enterprises, and tool variables and a biprobit model are used to deal with the possible errors of endogenesis and sample selection. Secondly, a tobit model is used to study the influence of financial knowledge on the credit access of small and micro enterprises in different channels, and tool variables and a Heckman two-stage model are used to deal with endogenesis and possible errors in sample selection. Finally, this study carried out a series of robustness tests to make the conclusions more reliable.

Findings

This study is based on the perspective of the knowledge-based view to explore the impact of financial knowledge on the credit behaviour of small and micro enterprises. This study found that financial knowledge can increase a small and micro enterprise’s formal credit needs and drive the small and micro enterprise to actively apply for loans. Furthermore, financial knowledge has a significant and positive influence on the acquisition of formal credit and approved lines of formal credit and a significant and negative influence on the acquisition of informal credit and approved lines of informal credit.

Research limitations/implications

The results indicated that increased financial knowledge can increase the likelihood of a small and micro enterprise to prefer formal credit and reduce the likelihood of it to prefer informal credit channels.

Originality/value

Financial knowledge is the ability to master basic economic knowledge and financial concepts as well as the ability to use knowledge to manage and allocate financial resources. The rich financial knowledge of small and micro business owners helps to enhance the formal credit demand of small and micro enterprises and change their credit channel preference. This paper offers a new perspective on the problems of credit constraint, low participation in formal credit markets and high participation in private credit markets among China’s small and micro enterprises and valuably supplements the research literature.
Entrepreneurial strategies and family firm culture in the Arab world: a systematic literature review
Authors: Sindakis Stavros , Kitsios Fotis , Aggarwal Sakshi , Kamariotou Maria
Published: April 2022

Purpose

Family businesses are value-based enterprises, contributing significantly to wealth creation. Although extensive research is conducted on family businesses, there is no study investigating how the cultural traits in the Arab world affect the organizational culture of family businesses. This paper discusses how the cultural characteristics in the Arab world shape family enterprises and explores how the Arab world's organizational culture enables family firms to establish competitive advantage underpinned by founder centrality, the concept of family, and business principles spanning many generations.

Design/methodology/approach

A thorough search of the extant literature was done in Scopus, Web of Science, EBSCO, and ScienceDirect using a combination of keywords such as Arab culture, family businesses, family firm culture, organizational culture, cultural traits, management strategies, and entrepreneurial strategies. Selected articles were classified according to their content, reviewed, and analyzed.

Findings

This study makes a few critical contributions about the nature, and the origins of organizational culture in family firms, entailing the founder's centrality and stewardship theory. Specifically, family firms in the examined region appear to have a stronger firm culture compared to non-family businesses. Also, organizational culture affects family businesses considering the firm-level outcomes, such as hereditary transition success, family inertia, etc.

Originality/value

This paper adds to the existing theoretical knowledge and underlines the cultural traits and family firm culture in the Arab world. A framework is presented, offering practical recommendations to managers of family firms striving to advance their competitiveness.
The new feminine face of the digital divide
Authors: Frederick Donna Ellen
Published: April 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present a theory regarding how professional and academic women face career-limiting barriers when they are no longer associated with a professional or academic or professional employer.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper presents literature review and presentation of a new conceptualization of the digital divide.

Findings

In the past 30 years, communications and information sources have become increasingly digital. To make use of digital information and communication systems, an institutional account is required. Women who are no longer employed by the institution or are no longer students lose their accounts and don't have access to the digital services they require.

Originality/value

To the best of the author’s knowledge, this paper presents an original description of a new facet of the digital divide, as the author was not able to locate any papers discussing this particular issue.
The impact of stakeholder management on restatement disclosure transparency
Authors: Hogan Brian , Reid Colin
Published: April 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the impact of a particular firm’s stakeholder orientation, particularly employee orientation, on corporate communications with stakeholders concerning financial irregularities.

Design/methodology/approach

This study explores the impact of a particular firm’s stakeholder orientation, particularly employee orientation, on corporate communications with stakeholders concerning financial irregularities. Using a sample of 762 firm restatements, the authors separate their observations by disclosure transparency (high or low transparency of disclosure) and use logit regressions to examine whether companies with stronger employee orientation make more or less transparent restatement disclosures.

Findings

The findings show that higher levels of investment in employee orientation are associated with less transparent restatement disclosures. Further, examining a subsample of restatements in which managers may have greater discretion over how a restatement is disclosed confirms this finding. However, supplemental tests show that increased external monitoring may mitigate these effects.

Practical implications

The findings provide support that other stakeholders, such as shareholders, should weigh the potential pros/cons of management investments in corporate social responsibility (CSR). These concerns are more important now as firms continue to embrace a stakeholder-focused model of management which allocates resources to numerous stakeholder groups.

Originality/value

This paper extends the growing body of research that assesses the impact of CSR on firm outcomes (Kimet al., 2012; Guoet al., 2016; Hmaittaneet al., 2019). Further, this paper contributes to the disclosure transparency literature by finding an association between CSR investment levels and the manner in which a firm discloses a restatement.
Geographical and seasonal variation of plant taxa detected in faces of Cervus nippon yakushimae based on plant DNA analysis in Yakushima Island
Authors: Higashi Yuto , Hirota Shun K. , Suyama Yoshihisa , Yahara Tetsukazu
Published: April 2022

Recently, plant DNA analysis of feces has been successfully used to evaluate the food species composition of sika deer Cervus nippon. Here, we applied this method to Yaku‐sika C. nippon yakushimae, which increased its population and had a great negative impact on understory vegetation in Yakushima Island. We identified food plants of C. nippon yakushimae by sequencing chloroplast DNA fragments (rbcL region) of plants remaining in feces collected in the field in April, June, August, and October 2018, using a next‐generation sequencer. We collected feces from populations in two areas where populations have been managed by capture and three areas where those were not managed. The top two food plants in terms of the number of sequences determined were evergreen tall trees in all five areas. In addition to evergreen trees, understory herbaceous plants, including ferns, were included in the top 15 taxa in all areas. The diversity of food plants was higher in the managed areas than in the unmanaged areas. These results indicate that evergreen tall trees are the primary food plants of C. nippon yakushimae, but deer also forage on herbaceous plants as a side dish. Under this side dish effect, understory vegetation is reduced even under the high availability of food resources from tall trees. The high diversity of food plants in the managed areas suggested that understory plant diversity was restored when deer density was reduced by management.
Flavor challenges in extruded plant‐based meat alternatives: A review
Authors: Wang Yaqin , Tuccillo Fabio , Lampi Anna‐Maija , Knaapila Antti , Pulkkinen Marjo , Kariluoto Susanna , Coda Rossana , Edelmann Minnamari , Jouppila Kirsi , Sandell Mari , Piironen Vieno , Katina Kati
Published: April 2022

Demand for plant‐based meat alternatives has increased in recent years due to concerns about health, ethics, the environment, and animal welfare. Nevertheless, the market share of plant‐based meat alternatives must increase significantly if they are to support sustainable food production and consumption. Flavor is an important limiting factor of the acceptability and marketability of plant‐based meat alternatives. Undesirable chemosensory perceptions, such as a beany flavor, bitter taste, and astringency, are often associated with plant proteins and products that use them. This study reviewed 276 articles to answer the following five research questions: (1) What are the volatile and nonvolatile compounds responsible for off‐flavors? (2) What are the mechanisms by which these flavor compounds are generated? (3) What is the influence of thermal extrusion cooking (the primary structuring technique to transform plant proteins into fibrous products that resemble meat in texture) on the flavor characteristics of plant proteins? (4) What techniques are used in measuring the flavor properties of plant‐based proteins and products? (5) What strategies can be used to reduce off‐flavors and improve the sensory appeal of plant‐based meat alternatives? This article comprehensively discusses, for the first time, the flavor issues of plant‐based meat alternatives and the technologies available to improve flavor and, ultimately, acceptability.
Ceramide changes in abdominal subcutaneous and visceral adipose tissue among diabetic and nondiabetic patients
Authors: Brusatori Michelle , Wood Michael H. , Tucker Stephanie C. , Maddipati Krishna Rao , Koya S. Kiran , Auner Gregory W. , Honn Kenneth V. , Seyoum Berhane
Published: April 2022

Background

This study profiles ceramides extracted from visceral and subcutaneous adipose tissue of human subjects by liquid chromatography‐mass spectrometry to determine a correlation with status of diabetes and gender.

Methods

Samples of visceral and abdominal wall subcutaneous adipose tissue (n = 36 and n = 31, respectively) were taken during laparoscopic surgery from 36 patients (14 nondiabetic, 22 diabetic and prediabetic) undergoing bariatric surgery with a body mass index (BMI) >35 kg/m2 with ≥1 existing comorbidity or BMI ≥40 kg/m2. Sphingolipids were extracted and analyzed using liquid chromatography‐mass spectrometry.

Results

After logarithm 2 conversion, paired analysis of visceral to subcutaneous tissue showed differential accumulation of Cer(d18:1/16:0), Cer(d18:1/18:0), and Cer(d18:1/24:1) in visceral tissue of prediabetic/diabetic female subjects, but not in males. Within‐tissue analysis showed higher mean levels of ceramide species linked to insulin resistance, such as Cer(d18:1/18:0) and Cer(d18:1/16:0), in visceral tissue of prediabetic/diabetic patients compared with nondiabetic subjects and higher content of Cer(d18:1/14:0) in subcutaneous tissue of insulin‐resistant female patients compared with prediabetic/diabetic males. Statistically significant differences in mean levels of ceramide species between insulin‐resistant African American and insulin‐resistant Caucasian patients were not evident in visceral or subcutaneous tissue.

Conclusions

Analysis of ceramides is important for developing a better understanding of biological processes underlying type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and obesity. Knowledge of the accumulated ceramides/dihydroceramides may reflect on the prelipolytic state that leads the lipotoxic phase of insulin resistance and may shed light on the predisposition to insulin resistance by gender.
Defining and Managing Corporate Tax Risk: Perceptions of Tax Risk Experts*
Authors: Brühne Alissa I. , Schanz Deborah
Published: April 2022

We examine the “black box” of corporate tax risk management by providing unique insights into practitioners' tax risk perceptions, tax risk management practices, and influences leading to variation in tax risk management practices across firms. Opening this black box is important as tax risk has become an increasingly relevant aspect in corporate tax practice—little is yet known about how firms define and manage tax‐related risks. We perform our analysis based on 33 expert interviews, which we conducted with 42 tax risk experts. The first important finding from our interviews is that tax risk is a multifaceted and context‐dependent construct, consisting of six tax risk components: financial, reputational, compliance, political, tax process, and personal liability risk. Furthermore, we find that perceived tax risk varies substantially between corporate insiders and corporate outsiders. Our interview insights further reveal that firms' most frequently used tax risk management practices relate to some form of tax communication. The tax departments' rationale for using tax communication as a key tax risk management practice is to protect the firm—in particular, the CFO—from three types of pressure: public pressure, peer pressure, and regulatory pressure. Our analysis has important implications for future studies. First, our insights reveal that several tax risk components are not sufficiently covered by common tax risk measures used by the archival literature. Second, we find that communication has a key role in managing tax risk. This deviates from the purely supportive role that extant risk management frameworks have assigned to communication.
Non‐invasive brain stimulation for smoking cessation: a systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Petit Benjamin , Dornier Alexandre , Meille Vincent , Demina Anastasia , Trojak Benoit
Published: April 2022

Background and Aims

Non‐invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) methods have showed promising results for the treatment of tobacco use disorder, but little is known about the efficacy of NIBS on sustained tobacco abstinence. We aimed to assess its effectiveness for long‐term smoking cessation.

Methods

Systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCT). PubMed, Cochrane library, Embase, PsycINFO and clinical trials registries were systematically searched for relevant studies up to May 2021. Relevant studies included adult smokers seeking smoking cessation, included in an RCT using NIBS [specifically repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS)], and with follow‐up of more than 4 weeks. There were no restrictions on location. Abstinence rates in the active NIBS groups were compared with abstinence rates in sham NIBS or in usual treatment groups, from 4 weeks to 12 months following the quit attempt. Smoking abstinence was measured on an intention‐to‐treat basis and we used risk ratios (RRs) as measures of effect size.

Results

Seven studies were included (n = 699 patients). In all included studies, the control groups were receiving sham NIBS and only data from 3 to 6 months were analysable. By pooling the seven included studies, the RR of sustained abstinence of any form of NIBS relative to sham NIBS was 2.39 [95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.26–4.55; I2 = 40%]. Subgroup analyses found that the RR was even higher when excitatory rTMS was used on the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (RR = 4.34; 95% CI = 1.69–11.18; I2 = 0%) or when using deep rTMS targeting the lateral prefrontal cortex and insula bilaterally (RR = 4.64; 95% CI = 1.61–13.39; I2 = 0%). A high risk of bias was found in four included studies. We also determined, using grades of recommendation, assessment, development and evaluation, that overall there was a low level of confidence in the results.

Conclusion

Non‐invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) may improve smoking abstinence rates from 3 to 6 months after quitting smoking, compared with sham NIBS or usual treatment.
Race and the infrapolitics of public space in the time of COVID‐19
Authors: GREGORY STEVEN
Published: April 2022

The COVID‐19 pandemic has fundamentally altered our associational life and relationship to public space, revealing deadly inequities in access to health care and other resources, particularly in communities of color. In Harlem and other areas of New York City that are experiencing neoliberal redevelopment, the response to the pandemic has also rearticulated public spaces, introducing new and diverse spatial uses and users, and providing low‐income and working‐class African American and Latinx residents with increased opportunities to contest their exclusion from public and quasi‐public spaces and the symbolic economy of gentrification. Based on ethnographic research conducted during the pandemic, I show how black and brown residents in West Harlem encountered, negotiated, and contested these race‐cum‐class–based, spatio‐symbolic exclusions through infrapolitical practices and, in the process, demanded and exercised their “right to the city.” [race, infrapolitics, public space, gentrification, redevelopment, right to the city, COVID‐19, Harlem, New York City]
Multi‐organ dysfunction syndrome in patients undergoing extracorporeal life support
Authors: Kozakov Kostiantyn , Philipp Alois , Lunz Dirk , Lubnow Matthias , Provaznik Zdenek , Keyser Andreas , Rupprecht Leopold , Schmid Christof , Schopka Simon
Published: April 2022

Background

Multiple organ failure is a common complication in patients undergoing ECLS significantly affecting patient outcomes. Gaining knowledge about the mechanisms of onset, clinical course, risk factors, and potential therapeutic targets is highly desirable.

Methods

Data of 354 patients undergoing ECLS with one‐, two, three‐, and four organ failures were retrospectively analyzed. Incidence of multiple organ dysfunction (MODS), its impact on survival, risk factors for its occurrence, and the impact of proinflammatory mediators on the occurrence of MODS in patients undergoing ECLS were investigated.

Results

The median follow‐up was 66 (IQR 6; 820) days. 245 (69.2%) patients could be weaned from ECLS, 30‐day survival and 1‐year survival were 194 (54.1%) and 157 (44.4%), respectively. The duration of mechanical support was 4 (IQR 2; 7) days in the median. Increasing severity of MODS resulted in significant prolongation of mechanical circulatory support and worsening of the outcome. Liver dysfunction had the strongest impact on patient mortality (OR = 2.5) and survival time (19 vs 367 days). The serum concentration of analyzed interleukins rose significantly with each, additional organ affected by dysfunction (p < 0.001). All analyzed proinflammatory cytokines showed significant predictivity relative to the occurrence of MODS with interleukin 8 serum level prior to ECLS showing the strongest predictive potential for the occurrence of MODS (AUC 0.78).

Conclusion

MODS represents a frequent complication in patients undergoing ECLS with a significant impact on survival. Proinflammatory cytokines show prognostic capacity regarding the occurrence and severity of multi‐organ dysfunction.
Editorial: choosing the optimal screening method for latent TB in patients with IBD commencing anti‐TNF therapy
Authors: Lovatt Jessica , Selinger Christian P.
Published: April 2022

LINKED CONTENT

This article is linked to Kumar et al papers. To view these articles, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.16839 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.16918
Letter: the sphingosine 1 phosphate/sphingosine 1 phosphate receptor axis—a unique therapeutic target in inflammatory bowel disease. Authorsʼ reply
Authors: Wang Jie , Goren Idan , Rieder Florian
Published: April 2022

LINKED CONTENT

This article is linked to Wang et al papers. To view these articles, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.16741 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.16888
Editorial: is older‐onset ulcerative colitis more severe or less aggressively managed? Authorsʼ reply
Authors: Okabayashi Shinji , Yamazaki Hajime , Matsuoka Katsuyoshi , Yamamoto Yosuke , Kobayashi Taku
Published: April 2022

LINKED CONTENT

This article is linked to Okabayashi et al papers. To view these articles, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.16865 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.16905
Histamine‐2 (H2) antagonists can be safely removed from standard paclitaxel premedication regimens
Authors: Foreman Emma , Polwart Calum , Walker Andrew , Chambers Pinkie
Published: April 2022

Aims

The aim of this study is to investigate the rates of hypersensitivity reactions (HSRs) in patients receiving paclitaxel chemotherapy, with and without a histamine‐2 (H2) antagonists.

Method

This prospective, multi‐centre, cohort study compared patients receiving paclitaxel treated with premedication regimens containing chlorphenamine, dexamethasone and an H2 antagonist vs patients treated without an H2 antagonist. Rates of HSRs were described and logistic multivariable regression was used to investigate any associations with H2 antagonist treatment, adjusting for confounding variables.

Results

A total of 1043 individuals were included in the study; of these, 638 (61%) patients received an H2 antagonist and 405 (49%) were not given an H2 antagonist. Incidence of HSR in the cohort treated with H2 antagonists was 11.31% (n = 70) vs 9.86% (n = 41) in the cohort without. There was no statistically significant difference between the rates of HSR observed in those receiving and not receiving an H2 antagonist (odds ratio 1.04, 95% CI 0.65, 1.66, P = .9).

Conclusions

Results presented within the study are consistent with other recently published evidence to suggest that H2 antagonists do not confer any advantage as part of premedication regimens in reducing the incidence of HSR in patients treated with paclitaxel.
Population pharmacokinetics analysis of guselkumab in healthy subjects and patients with psoriatic arthritis, plaque psoriasis and palmoplantar pustulosis
Authors: Tran Lana , Yao Zhenling , Xu Zhenhua , Vermeulen An
Published: April 2022

Aims: Guselkumab, a monoclonal antibody that binds to the p19 subunit of interleukin 23, is approved for the treatment of plaque psoriasis (PsO) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA), palmoplantar pustulosis (PPP), generalized pustular psoriasis, and erythrodermic psoriasis in various countries. The purpose of this analysis was to develop a comprehensive population pharmacokinetic (PK) model for guselkumab to determine whether PK differs across different disease populations and healthy subjects.

Methods

A nonlinear mixed‐effects modelling approach was used to analyse 23 097 serum PK samples obtained from 2623 healthy subjects and patients with PsO, PsA and PPP across 9 phase 1–3 clinical trials.

Results

Guselkumab concentrations were adequately described by a 2‐compartment linear PK model with first‐order absorption and elimination. Clearance (CL), central and peripheral volume of distribution, intercompartmental flow, absorption rate constant and absolute bioavailability estimates were 0.255 L/d, 3.60 L, 1.78 L, 0.369 L/d, 0.313 d−1 and 49.2%, respectively, for a subject weighing 70 kg. Terminal half‐life was estimated to be approximately 14.6 days. Body weight was the primary factor affecting CL and central volume of distribution. CL of guselkumab was similar among patients with PsA, PsO and PPP, but CL in disease populations was 11–17% lower than that in healthy subjects after other covariate effects such as body weight were considered.

Conclusion

The population pharmacokinetic analysis indicated that, after other covariate effects were taken into account, patients with PsO, PsA and PPP had similar PK characteristics, with CL in these disease populations being slightly lower than in healthy individuals.
When and how to stop denosumab therapy in a patient with osteoporosis
Authors: Goulden Eirena L. , Crowley Rachel K.
Published: April 2022

Denosumab is a human monoclonal antibody that competitively inhibits the receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B ligand which regulates osteoclast activity. It is an effective treatment for osteoporosis with a reduced cumulative rate of vertebral fractures, hip and nonvertebral fractures as well as an increase in bone mineral density. The benefits have been shown to be maintained when treatment is continued up to and likely after 10 years of therapy, but the effects are lost rapidly if treatment is discontinued abruptly. There are rare medical indications for discontinuation of treatment. Discontinuation of denosumab is often driven by concern about complications such as osteonecrosis of the jaw, atypical femoral fractures and hypocalcaemia, which remain rare events. Further studies are required to confirm safety and efficacy beyond 10 years of treatment, but it is likely that patients will have ongoing benefits from therapy beyond this. We aim to present a personal perspective of why and how denosumab should be discontinued in patients with osteoporosis.
Luteinizing hormone β‐subunit deficiency: Report of a novel LHB likely pathogenic variant and a systematic review of the published literature
Authors: Barnabas Rohit , Jadhav SwatiRamteke , Arya Sneha , Lila Anurag Ranjan , Sarathi Vijaya , Shah Gaurang R. , Bhandare Vishwambhar V. , Shah Nalini S. , Kunwar Ambarish , Bandgar Tushar
Published: April 2022

Context

Selective deficiency of β‐subunit of luteinizing hormone (LHB) is a rare disease with scarce data on its characteristics.

Objectives

To describe a male with LHB deficiency and systematically review the literature.

Design and Patients

Description of a male patient with LHB deficiency and a systematic review of LHB deficiency patients published to date (10 males and 3 females) as per PRISMA guidelines.

Results

A 36‐year‐old Asian Indian male presented with infertility. On evaluation, he had sexual maturity of Tanner's stage 3, low testosterone (0.23 ng/ml), low LH (0.44 mIU/ml), high follicle‐stimulating hormone (FSH, 22.4 mIU/ml), and a novel homozygous missense likely pathogenic variant (p.Cys46Arg) in LHB. In the molecular dynamics simulation study, this variant interferes with heterodimerization of alpha‐beta subunits. Eleven males with pathogenic variants in LHB reported to date, presented at a median age of 29 (17–38) years, most commonly with delayed puberty. Clinical and biochemical profiles were similar to those of our patient. In the majority, testosterone monotherapy modestly increased testicular volume whereas human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) monotherapy also improved spermatogenesis. In females, oligomenorrhoea after spontaneous menarche was the most common manifestation. Ten pathogenic/likely pathogenic variants (three in‐frame deletions, three missense, two splice‐site, one nonsense, and one frameshift variants) have been reported in nine index patients.

Conclusion

We report a novel likely pathogenic LHB variant in an Asian Indian patient. The typical phenotype in male patients with LHB deficiency is delayed puberty with low testosterone, low LH, and normal to high FSH and hCG monotherapy being the best therapeutic option.
Amyloid‐β protein and MicroRNA‐384 in NCAM‐Labeled exosomes from peripheral blood are potential diagnostic markers for Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Li Ying , Meng Shuang , Di Wu , Xia Ming , Dong Lei , Zhao Yue , Ling Sihai , He Jing , Xue Xiaoxing , Chen Xiali , Liu Chengeng
Published: April 2022

Objective

We aimed to establish a method to determine whether amyloid‐β (Aβ) protein and miR‐384 in peripheral blood neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM)/ATP‐binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1) dual‐labeled exosomes may serve as diagnostic markers for the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease (AD).

Methods

This was a multicenter study using a two‐stage design. The subjects included 45 subjective cognitive decline (SCD) patients, 50 amnesic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) patients, 40 AD patients, and 30 controls in the discovery stage. The results were validated in the verification stage in 47 SCD patients, 45 aMCI patients, 45 AD patients, and 30 controls. NCAM single‐labeled and NCAM/ABCA1 double‐labeled exosomes in the peripheral blood were captured and detected by immunoassay.

Results

The Aβ42, Aβ42/40, Tau, P‐T181‐tau, and miR‐384 levels in NCAM single‐labeled and NCAM/ABCA1 double‐labeled exosomes of the aMCI and AD groups were significantly higher than those of the SCD, control, and vascular dementia (VaD) groups (all p < 0.05). The Aβ42 and miR‐384 levels in NCAM/ABCA1 dual‐labeled exosomes of the aMCI and AD groups were higher than those of the control and VaD groups (all p < 0.05). The exosomal Aβ42, Aβ42/40, Tau, P‐T181‐tau, and miR‐384 levels in peripheral blood were correlated with those in cerebrospinal fluid (all p < 0.05).

Conclusion

This study, for the first time, established a method that sorts specific surface marker exosomes using a two‐step immune capture technology. The plasma NCAM/ABCA1 dual‐labeled exosomal Aβ42/40 and miR‐384 had potential advantages in the diagnosis of SCD.
Bringing together the whats and hows in the service innovation literature: An integrative framework
Authors: Kurtmollaiev Seidali , Pedersen Per Egil
Published: April 2022

The concept of service has gone through both evolutionary and revolutionary changes, but this has had little effect on the way reviews portray service innovation research. Our paper is the first to investigate whether and how different conceptualizations of service influence the formation of perspectives on studying and practicing service innovation. Combining an exploratory content analysis with a thorough examination of 886 articles on service innovation published from 1981 to 2019, we suggest a novel integrative framework for the multiple perspectives on service innovation. We outline new service development, service engineering, service infusion, service design, service reconfiguration and service integration as autonomous, yet interconnected, perspectives, each with its own research focus, logic and vocabulary. This integrative framework can assist with defining research questions and designing innovation studies, as well as selecting approaches to managing innovation. We also argue that the main obstacles to the progress of service innovation research are lexical cross‐contamination, parallelism in approaches, the gravity of the new service development perspective and the legacy of new product development. To overcome these challenges, we encourage a more distinct pluralism of perspectives and demonstrate possibilities for meaningful conversations across them.
A proof‐of‐concept study of the removal of early and late phase biofilm from skin wound models using a liquid acoustic stream
Authors: Secker Thomas J. , Harling Christopher C. , Hand Chloe , Voegeli David , Keevil Charles W. , Leighton Timothy G.
Published: April 2022

Chronic wounds fail to progress through the normal stages of healing, with the largest remediable cause of chronicity being presence of a multi‐species biofilm. Removal of biofilm from the wound environment is central to wound care. A device for mechanically removing biofilms from wounds has been devised. The removal is caused by small‐scale liquid currents and shear, generated by acoustically activated microscopic air bubbles. These bubbles and acoustic waves are delivered onto the wound by a gentle liquid stream, allowing cleaning in situ and removal of debris in the run‐off liquid. We have investigated if this liquid acoustic wound stream (LAWS) can remove bacterial biofilm from soft biological wound models and studied the effect of LAWS on the cellular tissues of the substrate. LAWS will efficiently remove early Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm from an artificial wound in a pig's trotter, 24 hours‐mature biofilm of P. aeruginosa from a pre‐wounded human full thickness skin model (EpiDerm FT), and 3‐day mature biofilm of P. aeruginosa or Staphylococcus aureus from a porcine skin explant. Histological examinations of uninfected EpiDerm models that had been treated by LAWS and then stained with Haematoxylin and Eosin, demonstrated no damage to the human tissue, and wound diameter was smaller in the treated skin models compared with untreated samples. Immunofluorescence staining for cytokeratin 14 showed that keratinocytes had migrated further across the wound in the uninfected samples treated by LAWS. We discuss the implications for wound healing and propose further laboratory and clinical studies to demonstrate the removal of biofilm from patients with chronic leg ulcers and the impact on healing.
A new catfish species of the genus Cambeva (Siluriformes: Trichomycteridae) from the Rio Iguaçu drainage, southern Brazil, with a remarkable unique colour pattern
Authors: Costa Wilson J. E. M. , Abilhoa Vinicius , Dalcin Roger Henrique , Katz Axel M.
Published: April 2022

Cambeva melanoptera sp. nov. is described from stream tributaries of the Rio Iratim, Rio Iguaçu drainage, southern Brazil. This new species is remarkable with a colour pattern not found elsewhere among trichomycterid catfishes, consisting of a broad distal black zone in all unpaired and pectoral fins, strongly contrasting with a pale‐yellow proximal zone. C. melanoptera also differs from all other trichomycterids from eastern South America by the presence of the nasal barbel about thrice longer than the maxillary and rictal barbels. Due to the presence of a similar bicolour caudal fin, the new species is tentatively considered closely related to Cambeva castroi and Cambeva diabola, as well as more closely related to C. castroi than to C. diabola, with the first two species sharing the presence of a curved lateral process of the parurohyal and a trapezoidal projection on the lateral margin of the lateral ethmoid. The great morphological diversity found in Cambeva species endemic to the Rio Iguaçu drainage, including numerous exclusive characteristics not occurring in congeners and in any other species of closely related trichomycterine genera, indicates the need for more studies focusing on possible causal factors responsible for such unique diversification pattern.
COVID‐19 contamination through food: A study with Brazilian consumers of different socioeconomic and demographic characteristics
Authors: Torres Neto Luiz , Monteiro Maria Lúcia Guerra , Viana Fernanda Medeiros , Conte‐Junior Carlos Adam
Published: April 2022

This study aimed to investigate through free word association the perception of Brazilian consumers regarding the possibility of infection with the SARS‐CoV‐2 virus through food. One thousand individuals answered the questionnaire via an online platform. Most cited terms (hygiene—8%, fear—8%, caution—5%) and categories (negative attitudes and feeling—72% and sanitization—60%) were related to overall COVID‐19 infection rather than their specific infection through the food. The perception of the possibility of risk of this type of cross‐contamination was greater for male participants, within the food field, with high income (>10 minimum wages), and from the midwest region. Nonetheless, there are still doubts regarding this possibility, especially for participants with low income (≤10 minimum wages), females, higher education (≥secondary school), who exercise professional activity outside the food sector and from most regions of Brazil.

Practical applications

Although the SARS‐CoV‐2 virus was discovered 2 years ago, the emergence of new variants such as Omicron has increased infection and mortality rates worldwide. A possible way of COVID‐19 infection is cross‐contamination through food handling and contact surfaces if preventive measures are not applied. In this context, understanding the consumer perception from a continental‐size country such as Brazil, with a wide variety of socioeconomic profiles, is crucial to minimize the severe impacts of the pandemic. Our study demonstrates the need to disseminate scientific information in different media to reduce misinformation, especially social media because most Brazilian consumers had doubts and uncertainties about the possibility of COVID‐19 infection from cross‐contamination through food.
Lessons in place: Thoreau and Indigenous philosophy
Authors: Pratt Scott L.
Published: April 2022

Some have argued that Indigenous and European Americans learned much from each other along the border. This paper examines the fate of the influence of Indigenous philosophy by considering the work of Henry David Thoreau. First, it summarizes the argument of Native Pragmatism: Rethinking the Roots of American Philosophy about the influence of Indigenous thought on American philosophy. In the second section, it discusses American philosophies of resistance in relation to the process of colonization. In the third, it considers the later work of Thoreau as an example of the declining influence of Native thought on nineteenth‐century American philosophy. On one hand, Thoreau adopted a philosophy of place that seems to emerge directly from his experiences with Indigenous Americans. On the other, he overtly sets aside the Indigenous conception of relational agency in favor of a Romantic conception of individuals over against both nature and civilization.
Uniformity of palatal volume and surface area in various malocclusions
Authors: Saadeh Maria E. , Ghafari Joseph G.
Published: April 2022

Aims

To assess palatal volume, surface area and linear dimensions across sagittal and vertical components of malocclusion.

Methods

Pre‐treatment cephalographs and dental casts of 178 non‐growing patients (88 males, 90 females, age 25.81 ± 8.23 years) were used for classification in sagittal malocclusion groups: Class I (n = 48), Class II division 1 (n = 42), Class II division 2 (n = 40) and Class III (n = 48); and in vertical divergence groups based on the MP/SN angle: hypodivergent (n = 35), normodivergent (n = 95) and hyperdivergent (n = 48). Dental casts were scanned and palatal measurements recorded: palatal width, depth and interdental distances; palatal surface area (PSA, mm2) and volume (PV, mm3). A 3‐way ANOVA was used to compare palatal dimensions across groups. Pearson product‐moment correlations were employed to assess associations among variables.

Results

PSA and PV (in both sex groups) were not statistically significantly different across sagittal malocclusions and vertical patterns. Significant differences were depicted more among the vertical divergence groups than sagittal groups. Correlations between PSA and PV and palatal dimensions were low to moderate. Predictability of PSA and PV ranged between 15 and 18%.

Conclusion

The finding of similar palatal volume and surface area, on average, across malocclusions possibly underscores the limitations of environmental influences within the inherited orofacial phenotype. The vertical facial pattern seems to be more interactive with palatal dimensions than sagittal relations. Studies of palatal changes following orthodontic and orthognathic treatments are warranted.
Analysing Cycling Sensors Data Through Ordinal Logistic Regression with Functional Covariates
Authors: Jacques Julien , Samardžić Sanja
Published: April 2022

With the emergence of digital sensors in sports, all cyclists can now measure many parameters during their effort, such as speed, slope, altitude, heart rate or pedalling cadence. The present work studies the effect of these parameters on the average developed power, which is the best indicator of cyclist performance. For this, a cumulative logistic model for ordinal response with functional covariate is proposed. This model is shown to outperform competitors on a benchmark study, and its application on cyclist data confirms that pedalling cadence is a key performance indicator. However, maintaining a high cadence during long effort is a typical characteristic of high-level cyclists, which is something on which amateur cyclists can work to increase their performance.
Using a system of equations to assess the determinants of the walking behavior of older adults
Authors: Yang Linchuan , Tang Xianglong , Yang Hongtai , Meng Fanyu , Liu Jixiang
Published: April 2022

As the most prevalent physical activity and transportation mode for older people, walking is considered to have multiple health and well‐being benefits. Previous studies used separate models to assess the built‐environment determinants of a battery of walking behavior measures, such as walking frequency and duration. In a departure from them, this study develops a system of equations, which is estimated by seemingly unrelated regression, to determine the built‐environment factors that significantly influence two correlated walking behavior measures (including walking frequency and duration) of older adults in Xiamen (a medium‐sized Chinese city) based on data from the Travel Survey of Xiamen Residents 2015 and built‐environment geo‐data. The results show the following: (1) the walking frequency and duration of older adults are affected by the built environment and socio‐demographic characteristics; (2) land‐use mix, intersection density, and bus route density positively influence older adults’ walking frequency and duration; (3) distance to the commercial center adversely impacts the walking frequency and duration; and (4) the built environment has similar effects on the two measures. This study offers a worthwhile reference for policy intervention to promote older adults' walking activities, thereby contributing to active and healthy aging.
Multiband Planar Antenna for Long Term Evaluation and Wireless Local Area Network Applications
Authors: Hamid Mohamad Rijal , Kai Loung Vincent Yong
Published: April 2022

In this paper, a planar antenna for Long Term Evolution (LTE) bands and Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) is proposed. The antenna is based on a coupled-fed monopole with a distributed inductor and a direct-fed monopole. These three components form two bands of operations namely a low operating band from 0.59 to 0.635 GHz and a high operating band from 1.67 to 2.80 GHz. The two operating bands satisfy the WMTS 610, UMTS 1700, GSM 1800, LTE 1900, LTE 2100, WLAN 2400, LTE 2600 and WLAN 3600 applications. The proposed antenna having dimensions 75 × 10 × 0.8 mm3 is suitable for the top edge of a mobile handset and a copper plate of 75 × 100 mm2 (5 inches screen plate), is used as the ground plane system.
A Pilot Study: The Effect of Sunnah Bedtime Routines on the Memorizing and Problem-Solving Skills of University Students
Authors: Khalid Puspa Inayat , Abdul Aziz Mohd Nur Firdaus , Alik Rozana , Harun Mokhtar , Mat Safri Norlaili
Published: April 2022

Quality sleep is essential to maintain normal levels of cognitive skills. During sleep, electroencephalogram (EEG) is used to study brain activity to detect disorders. However, the effect of Sunnah bedtime routines on the brain cognitive performance is rarely studied. Therefore, this study was conducted to compare the effect of Sunnah bedtime routines on cognitive performance of ten male college students using cortical information pathway. The students were divided into Group 1 (control) and Group 2 (Sunnah bedtime routine). Members of Group 2 performed Sunnah bedtime routines for six weeks whereas members of Group 1 were not assigned to any particular routine. The participants’ memorizing and problem- solving abilities were assessed in the first and final week of the experiment. The subjects’ brain signals were recorded using EEG and Partial Directed Coherence (PDC) was applied to extract the cortical information pathway. The cortical connectivity and test scores between the two groups were compared. Members of Group 2 were shown to perform better than Group 1 in both abilities and EEG analysis show that the two groups were utilizing different parts of the brain region. In conclusion, this study highlighted the probable impact of Sunnah bedtime routines on the two cognitive skills.
Evaluation of Spurious Emission of New System of Wireless Power Transfer
Authors: Shirokov Igor B. , Serdyuk Igor V. , Azarov Andrey A. , Shirokova Elena I.
Published: April 2022

The operation of system of wireless power transfer is considered in the paper. System design is based on the use of coupled strip lines. Considered system is distinguished from known coupled strip line by the coiling of strip lines into spiral. Mentioned approach ensures the softening the demands of mutual positioning the system elements and it leads to space saving. The main attention within the system of wireless power transfer operation is paid to spurious emission. It was shown the negative affect of system under consideration onto biological objects is negligible at relative high value of wireless transferred power
Contrast enhanced endoscopic ultrasound in the diagnosis of pancreatic metastases
Authors: Teodorescu Casandra , Bolboaca Sorana D. , Rusu Ioana , Pojoga Cristina , Seicean Radu , Mosteanu Ofelia , Sparchez Zeno , Seicean Andrada
Published: April 2022

Aim: Less than 5% of pancreatic masses represent metastases and differentiation from primitive tumors using endo-scopic ultrasound (EUS) is difficult. The aim of our work was to assess the diagnostic value of contrast-enhanced harmonic endoscopic ultrasound (CH-EUS) for pancreatic metastases. Material and methods: We retrospectively analyzed patients with pancreatic metastasis identified during a 8 year period in a tertiary medical center. Results: We included in the study 20 patients evaluated with EUS and CH-EUS. The primary tumor was localized in the kidney (6 cases), lung (5 cases), colon (3 cases), skin (2 patients) and stomach, breast, ovary and liver (1 patient each). Only 11 patients (55%) (kidney, lung, liver, ovary or skin metastases), presented hypervascularity at EUS and arterial hyperenhancement on CH-EUS, with similar diag-nostic value. All renal metastases were hyperenhanced (the negative predictive value 100%) and the stomach, colon and ovary metastases were hypoenhanced. The fast wash-out of contrast substance was encountered in all cases or renal, pulmonary and digestive metastases, but with 53.3-64.3% specificity for the different origin of pancreatic metastases. Conclusions: The vascularity assessments on conventional EUS or CH-EUS are similar for pancreatic metastases of different origin. EUS tissue acquisition remains mandatory for the diagnosis.