bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Formal and informal institutions and fair value opinion shopping: an institutional anomie theory perspective
Authors: Cao June
Published: January 2023

Purpose

The objective of this study is to examine how formal and informal institutional environment influences managers’ fair value opinion shopping behaviour in the largest International Financial Reporting Standards adopter, China.

Design/methodology/approach

To test the hypotheses, I conduct a 2 × 2 between-subject randomised experiment since the inferences about cause and effect are important in this study. The between-subject experimental situations are manipulated on the basis of the financial condition of companies and boards’ oversight.

Findings

I find that managers are likely to seek favourable fair value opinions from external valuation professionals when they are under the weak boards’ oversight and high stress to meet the regulation target of the China Securities Regulatory Commission. These results are more pronounced for managers with higher both rent-seeking and favour-seeking guanxi orientations are more likely to engage in fair value opinion shopping.

Originality/value

Consistent with theoretical analysis of Balfoort et al. (2017), this study provides empirical evidence that guanxi influences the neutrality and faithful representation in fair value measurement in China. In addition, the findings extend Salzsieder’s study (2015) and reflect the context-embeddedness nature of accounting.
How do impact investors evaluate an investee social enterprise? A framework of impact investing process
Authors: Agrawal Anirudh , Jespersen Kristjan
Published: January 2023

Purpose

Impact investors differ from venture capital firms as they invest to create social and commercial value. This paper pursues the question: how do impact investors select social enterprises? The aim of this study is to understand the selection and investing process of impact investors.

Design/methodology/approach

This study developed a database of 115 impact-investing firms across different geographies. Emails were sent to investors associated with each of the impact-investing firms found in the database, out of which 32 replied with consent for a telephonic or in-person interview.

Findings

The significant findings presented in the paper are the following. First, this study shows the impact-investing selection process model. The four major steps in the selection process are context, investment focus, venture analysis and decision. In each step, social values and missions become the defining characteristics of the selection process. Second, the findings also discuss the typologies of impact investors as a function of their selection approaches.

Practical implications

This paper discusses the impact investing strategy among social enterprises. It provides a framework for impact investing among investee social enterprises. As an impact investing professional, one learns investment strategy through this paper.

Social implications

Impact investing is a growing field. It is believed that impact investing could greatly impact sustainable development goals, climate change goals and help in inclusive development. This study helps to further understand impact investing process and hopes to help social enterprises and impact investors make a better match, thereby, creating a greater overall social and environmental impact.

Originality/value

This study helps both practitioners and academics to understand the complexity of impact investing. This study helps develop heuristics that impact investors may use to make investments. This study provides a framework for investing, which the impact investing firms may use to invest.
The role of a local network in achieving contextual ambidexterity in foreign subsidiaries operating in Brazil – a multi-level analysis
Authors: Barcelos Eduardo Jorge Branco Vieira , Borini Felipe Mendes , Amatucci Marcos
Published: January 2023

Purpose

This study aims to examine how knowledge acquired from a network built on trust and commitment can increase the management team’s effectiveness (MTE) in implementing an ambidextrous subsidiary.

Design/methodology/approach

An online survey was conducted with top managers of foreign subsidiaries operating in Brazil. A total of 289 valid respondents were statistically evaluated using the partial least squares-structural equation modeling technique to test the model and hypotheses. A multilevel analysis research methodology was applied because the conceptual model relates constructs at the micro (political behavior and management team effectiveness) and macro (improved external ties [IET] and contextual ambidexterity [CA]) levels.

Findings

Subsidiaries need to improve the MTE to achieve CA. The authors found that the local network built on trust and commitment facilitates access to differentiated knowledge. Unique knowledge reduces conflicts amongst team members and enhances explorative and exploitative activities to reach CA.

Practical implications

The authors suggest that top managers can increase decision-making effectiveness by using trust and commitment to building a robust local network with selected stakeholders. Privileged knowledge allows attaining constructive political behavior (PB) and leverages exploitative and explorative activities.

Originality/value

The novelty resides in three aspects. First refers to linking CA and foreign subsidiaries in Brazil. Second, suggesting that IET has a double effect, as a moderator between PB and MTE, and concurrently has a direct effect on CA. Third, suggesting that capturing valuable resources from a local network built on the pillars of trust and commitment. Fourth, the authors examine the influence of differentiated knowledge on MTE.
Review of effects of COVID-19 pandemic on the textile industry: challenges, material innovation and performance
Authors: Seidu Raphael Kanyire , Jiang Shou-xiang , Tawiah Benjamin , Acquaye Richard , Howard Ebenezer Kofi
Published: January 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to present a systematic review of the effects of COVID-19 on the conventional textile production subsector. The emergence of the COVID-19 virus in 2019 has subsequently caused many problems, such as unemployment, business closures, economic instability and high volatility in the global capital markets amongst others within the wider manufacturing industry including textile production.

Design/methodology/approach

Relevant secondary data are obtained from the Scopus database and Statista. Based on the data analysis of 21 seed articles, three research themes are identified: challenges in the textile industry, new material innovations or solutions and the textile industry performance.

Findings

The results reveal that the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the textile industry, disrupted the supply chains of this industry, affected profit margins, stopped employment and impacted the retail of products to customers. Aside from the negative repercussions, there are also good sides to the pandemic which, for instance, range from advanced material innovations to textiles with anti-microbial, self-cleaning and anti-bacterial properties that would limit the transfer of the virus.

Practical implications

Findings reinforced the need for effective strategies and investments in the research and development departments of the various firms in the textile industry to innovate operations and novel materials for the next global pandemic.

Originality/value

Many companies have adopted novel strategies and practices that are helping them to survive the pandemic. This study, therefore, recommends further investigation into material innovations and reimagining strategies by companies and the supply chain within the textile industry so that it is protected against future crises.
Highlight risk management in supply chain finance: effects of supply chain risk management capabilities on financing performance of small-medium enterprises
Authors: Qiao Ruilei , Zhao Lindu
Published: January 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the important role of supply chain risk management (SCRM) capabilities as pre-factors for SMEs to improve supply chain financing performance (SCFP), also incorporating the effect of supply chain integration (SCI).

Design/methodology/approach

From the intersection of SCRM and SCF literature, this paper proposed hypothesis to discuss the impact of SCRM capabilities on SCFP and the role of SCI, aiming at combine SCRM with supply chain financing management. The research model was validated applying structural equation modeling on survey data from 286 Chinese small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

Findings

Four dimensions of SCRM capabilities have significant positive effects on SCFP with different significant levels, confirming that they are important pre-factors in supply chain finance (SCF). In addition, the impact of SCRM capabilities on SCFP differ when SCI varies, indicating the promoting effect of SCI.

Practical implications

SMEs should establish SCRM capabilities as supply chain risks greatly influence the evaluation of financial providers and the achievement of SCF. Meanwhile, SCI should be attached for it enables superior SCFP even if SCRM capabilities are relatively limited.

Originality/value

This study represents a pioneering attempt to analyze the pre-factors of SMEs in improving SCFP by combing SCRM with SCF management. Few prior studies have highlighted the importance of SCRM in SCF.
Kiva: wow, $10 million!
Authors: Anderson Joe S. , Williams Susan K.
Published: January 2023

Research methodology

This compact case is based on secondary, published information about the Kiva organization, both in book and article format, listed in the reference list at the end of this teaching note. In addition, the authors accessed the Kiva website using the Internet Archive Wayback Machine. This allowed to view Kiva’s webpages when they were a startup organization.

Case overview/synopsis

Kiva’s co-founder, Jessica Jackley, is offered $10m by the corporate social responsibility director of a large technology firm. Students discuss why Jessica hesitates to accept the $10m and explore the meaningful application of a nonprofit’s mission statement and the concepts of mission creep and mission drift. The case can be read in class for immediate discussion or assigned outside of class. Ultimately, the students decide and defend whether Jessica should accept the $10m on behalf of Kiva. In the strategic management sections, students were split 35% accept and 65% do not accept which produced a rich discussion.

Complexity academic level

This compact case has been used in several sections of the capstone strategic management course composed of senior, undergraduate and business majors. This case is used early in the course as an application of the mission and values chapter. This case could also be used in management courses in entrepreneurship, nonprofit organizations and principles.
Top‐down control of a marine mesopredator: Increase in native white‐tailed eagles accelerates the extinction of an endangered seabird population
Authors: Anker‐Nilssen Tycho , Fayet Annette L. , Aarvak Tomas
Published: January 2023

Bottom‐up control is an important regulator of marine mesopredators such as seabirds. The prevalence of top‐down control on these species is however less well understood. In particular, how native predators affect seabird populations has rarely been quantified.

Here, we investigate how an increase in white‐tailed eagles in northern Norway, a stronghold for the species, affected a local population of 25,000 pairs of black‐legged kittiwakes, a red‐listed seabird, during a 42‐year period ending with colony extinction. We use a natural experiment of two neighbouring colonies with/without eagle predation to disentangle the effects of eagles from local kittiwake foraging conditions (using size of young herring as a proxy).

At the colony where eagle predation occurred, and in contrast to the eagle‐free colony, kittiwake breeding success and population size declined with increased eagle abundance, the latter more strongly under poor foraging conditions. Breeding success increased with improving foraging conditions at both colonies.

Simple population modelling shows that although conditions were insufficient to sustain the eagle‐exposed colony, the increased abundance of eagles sped up its extirpation by many years.

Policy implications. Our study shows that top‐down effects from avian predators can be significant regulators of seabird populations, challenging their conservation where native, often protected, predators are rising. Such effects, and their possible interaction with other factors, must also be accounted for when using seabird demographic traits as environmental indicators and when developing more flexible and effective management and action plans.
Value added tax non‐compliance in the car market
Authors: Fedeli Silvia , Giuriato Luisa
Published: January 2023

We examine value added tax (VAT) non‐compliance in the European Union (EU) car market. This issue is of paramount importance because of the loss of VAT revenue, the profound distortion of market mechanisms, and the dangerous variety of fraudulent schemes employed. In addition to the usual VAT fraudulent schemes on intra‐community trade, the special regimes, and the different regulations for the sale of motor vehicles in the EU member states per se, favour non‐compliance in the car market. Non‐compliance also takes advantage of the lack of adequate and prompt information exchange among the tax administrations of different countries and, within each country, between the tax administrations and their departments responsible for motor vehicles. We highlight the fact that the current measures are insufficient to fight VAT non‐compliance and that the new rules proposed in the ‘definitive VAT system’ are inadequate to control the proliferation of scams in the car market. Accordingly, we suggest more substantial measures: well‐targeted and prompt cross‐checks through archives and databases, and the monitoring of their effectiveness; electronic invoices; real‐time exchanges of information between the different tax and transport authorities; and increased harmonisation of the special VAT schemes that aim to eliminate one of the most exploited opportunities for illicit gain, to the detriment of the EU member states.
Wrist, hand and finger injuries in Australian football: A prospective observational study of emergency department presentations
Authors: Gill Stephen D , Anagnostelos Lambros , Stella Julian , Lowry Nicole , Kloot Kate , Reade Tom , Baker Tim , Hayden Georgina , Ryan Matthew , Seward Hugh , Page Richard S
Published: January 2023

Objectives

Investigate the characteristics of wrist, hand and finger (WHF) injuries in Australian footballers presenting to EDs and determine if injury profiles differed between females and males, and between children and adults.

Methods

In this prospective observational study that took place during an entire football season, patients attended 1 of 10 EDs in Victoria, Australia with a WHF injury sustained while playing Australian football. Data were extracted from patient medical records by trained researchers. Data included injury type (e.g. fracture), body part (e.g. metacarpal) and mechanism of injury. Males versus females, and children versus adults were compared using chi‐squared tests or Fisher's exact tests.

Results

In total, 528 patients had a WHF injury, of which 105 (19.9%) were female and 308 (59.2%) were children. Fractures and sprains were the most common injury types (45.3% and 38.6%, respectively). Fingers were more often injured than wrists or hands (62.5%, 23.5% and 15.0%, respectively). Ball contact was the most common mechanism of injury (38.1% of injuries). Females were more likely than males to (i) have a sprain/strain injury, (ii) injure a finger (rather than wrist or hand) and (iii) injure themselves through ball contact. Children were more likely to injure their wrists, have a sprain/strain injury, or be injured falling to the ground. Adults were more likely to dislocate a joint or injure their hands.

Conclusions

Differences in injury type, location and mechanism between females and males, and children and adults, suggest an opportunity for customised injury prevention and management strategies by sex and age.
Outcome class imbalance and rare events: An underappreciated complication for overdose risk prediction modeling
Authors: Cartus Abigail R. , Samuels Elizabeth A. , Cerdá Magdalena , Marshall Brandon D. L.
Published: January 2023

Background and aims

Low outcome prevalence, often observed with opioid‐related outcomes, poses an underappreciated challenge to accurate predictive modeling. Outcome class imbalance, where non‐events (i.e. negative class observations) outnumber events (i.e. positive class observations) by a moderate to extreme degree, can distort measures of predictive accuracy in misleading ways, and make the overall predictive accuracy and the discriminatory ability of a predictive model appear spuriously high. We conducted a simulation study to measure the impact of outcome class imbalance on predictive performance of a simple SuperLearner ensemble model and suggest strategies for reducing that impact.

Design, Setting, Participants

Using a Monte Carlo design with 250 repetitions, we trained and evaluated these models on four simulated data sets with 100 000 observations each: one with perfect balance between events and non‐events, and three where non‐events outnumbered events by an approximate factor of 10:1, 100:1, and 1000:1, respectively.

Measurements

We evaluated the performance of these models using a comprehensive suite of measures, including measures that are more appropriate for imbalanced data.

Findings

Increasing imbalance tended to spuriously improve overall accuracy (using a high threshold to classify events vs non‐events, overall accuracy improved from 0.45 with perfect balance to 0.99 with the most severe outcome class imbalance), but diminished predictive performance was evident using other metrics (corresponding positive predictive value decreased from 0.99 to 0.14).

Conclusion

Increasing reliance on algorithmic risk scores in consequential decision‐making processes raises critical fairness and ethical concerns. This paper provides broad guidance for analytic strategies that clinical investigators can use to remedy the impacts of outcome class imbalance on risk prediction tools.
QTc interval measurement in patients with right bundle branch block: A practical method
Authors: Alizadeh Abolfath , Shahrbaf Mohammad Amin , Khorgami Mohammadrafie , Zeighami Mahboubeh , Keikhavani Ala , Mokhtari Torshizi Hamid , Teimouri‐jervekani Zahra
Published: January 2023

Background and Aim

Prolonging the QT interval in the right bundle branch block (RBBB) can create challenges for electrophysiologists in estimating repolarization time and eliminating the effect of depolarization changes on QT interval. In this study, we aimed to develop a practice formula to eliminate the effect of depolarization changes on QT interval in patients with RBBB.

Methods

This prospective study evaluated accidentally induced RBBB in patients undergoing electrophysiological study. Two expert electrophysiologists recorded the ECG parameters, including QRS duration, QT interval, and cycle length, in the patients. The formula was developed based on QT interval differences (with and without RBBB) and its proportion to QRS. Additionally, the Bazzet, Rautaharju, and Hodge formulas were used to evaluate QTc.

Results

We evaluated 96 patients in this study. The mean QT interval without RBBB was 369.39 ± 37.38, reaching 404.22 ± 39.23 after inducing RBBB. ΔQT was calculated as 34.83 ± 17.61, and the ratio of ΔQT/QRS with RBBB was almost 23%. Our formula is: (QTwith RBBB − 23% × QRS). Subtraction of 25% instead of 23% seems more straightforward and practical. Our formula could also predict the QTc interval in RBBB based on the Bazzet, Rautaharju, and Hodge formulas.

Conclusion

Previous formulas for QT correction were hard to apply in the clinical setting or were not specified for RBBB. Our new formula allows a rapid and practical method for QT correction in RBBB in clinical practice.
A study of modifiable factors associated with health‐related quality of life in long‐term cervical cancer survivors
Authors: Dahl Alv A. , Bentzen Anne Gry , Fosså Sophie D. , Hess Siri Lothe , Kiserud Cecilie E.
Published: January 2023

Introduction

Health‐related quality of life (HR‐QoL) in cancer survivors is relevant for symptom relief and optimal care. The aim of this cross‐sectional study of long‐term cervical cancer survivors was two‐fold: (a) To compare HR‐QoL in long‐term cervical cancer survivors with reference data; and (b) to identify modifiable factors significantly associated with low levels of generic cancer HR‐QoL in long‐term cervical cancer survivors using high HR‐QoL as reference.

Material and methods

Women treated for cervical cancer from 2000 through 2007 who were cancer‐free and alive in 2013 received a mailed questionnaire including scales for anxiety, depression, and HR‐QoL. To obtain a homogeneous sample only women with FIGO stages 1 and 2 were included. The questionnaire included the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire.C‐30 (EORTC QLQ C‐30) for generic HR‐QoL. Groups with high and low HR‐QoL were defined by the median score on the general HR‐QoL item. Between‐group differences were examined with descriptive statistics. Logistic regression analyses examined independent variables associated with low generic HR‐QoL.

Results

Complete C‐30 scores were delivered by 472 long‐term cervical cancer survivors. Median age at survey was 53 (interquartile range 14.9) years, and median time since diagnosis was 11 (interquartile range 3.9) years. The proportion of survivors with stage 1 disease was 83% and stage 2 was 17%. Mean generic HR‐QoL scores showed minor differences between long‐term cervical cancer survivors and reference data. In the multivariable analysis, only modifiable variables remained significantly associated with low generic HR‐QoL namely self‐rated health, probable depression, fatigue, and pain. In bivariate analyses other modifiable variables also showed significant associations with low generic HR‐QoL like probable anxiety disorder, obesity, smoking, sleep disturbances, and bowel symptoms.

Conclusions

Clinicians should be aware that generic HR‐QoL in long‐term cervical cancer survivors eventually may be improved by identification and treatment of modifiable factors through the whole follow‐up period.
Navigating puberty, identity, and race among transnationally, transracially adopted Korean American adolescents
Authors: Wu Christine S. , Kim Adam Y. , Seaton Eleanor K. , Carter Rona , Lee Richard M.
Published: January 2023

This exploratory study examined the relation between pubertal timing and dimensions of ethnic‐racial identity among adopted Korean Americans raised transracially in White families. The study also examined whether internalized racism moderated the association between pubertal timing and ethnic‐racial identity. Adopted Korean American adolescents (N = 202; 108 females; ages 13–19 years) completed measures of pubertal development, ethnic‐racial identity, and internalized racism in 2007. There was no significant main effect of pubertal timing for either male or female adolescents. Internalized racism moderated the relation between pubertal timing and ethnic‐racial identity clarity (B = −.16, p = .015) among male adolescents. Specifically, earlier pubertal timing was significantly associated with lower ethnic‐racial identity clarity for male adolescents with higher levels of internalized racism.
Temporal dynamics of cognitive flexibility in adolescents with anorexia nervosa: A high‐density EEG study
Authors: Berchio Cristina , Annen Lucie Clémentine , Bouamoud Ynès , Micali Nadia
Published: January 2023

Impairment in cognitive flexibility is a core symptom of anorexia nervosa (AN) and is associated with treatment resistance. Nevertheless, studies on the neural basis of cognitive flexibility in adolescent AN are rare. This study aimed to investigate brain networks underlying cognitive flexibility in adolescents with AN. To address this aim, participants performed a Dimensional Change Card Sorting task during high‐density electroencephalography (EEG) recording. Anxiety was measured with the State–Trait Anxiety Inventory. Data were collected on 22 girls with AN and 23 controls. Evoked responses were investigated using global‐spatial analysis. Adolescents with AN showed greater overall accuracy, fewer switch trial errors and reduced inverse efficiency switch cost relative to controls, although these effects disappeared after adjusting for trait and state anxiety. EEG results indicated augmented early visual orienting processing (P100) and subsequent impaired attentional mechanisms to task switching (P300b) in subjects with AN. During task switching, diminished activations in subjects with AN were identified in the posterior cingulate, calcarine sulcus and cerebellum, and task repetitions induced diminished activations in a network involving the medial prefrontal cortex, and several posterior regions, compared with controls. No significant associations were found between measures of cognitive flexibility and anxiety in the AN group. Findings of this study suggest atypical neural mechanisms underlying cognitive flexibility in adolescents with AN. More importantly, our findings suggest that different behavioural profiles in AN could relate to differences in anxiety levels. Future research should investigate the efficacy of cognitive training to rebalance brain networks of cognitive flexibility in AN.
Share repurchases on trial: Large‐sample evidence on share price performance, executive compensation, and corporate investment
Authors: Guest Nicholas , Kothari S. P. , Venkat Parth
Published: January 2023

Using a large sample of US stocks covering more than three decades, we empirically examine common criticisms of and rationales for stock repurchases. Repurchases account for a tiny fraction of the trading volume in a typical stock, making their price impact too small to generate short‐term price manipulation. Price appreciation following repurchases is modest and does not reverse on average, suggesting the small price increases following repurchases signal firms’ good prospects. Also, we find no evidence that CEOs of repurchasing firms are paid excessively or that repurchases crowd out valuable investment opportunities. Because repurchases do not appear to be systematically abusive, enforcement action should be sufficient to deal with any bad actors, and significant regulation seems unwarranted.
Developing a patient care pathway for emotional support around the point of multiple sclerosis diagnosis: A stakeholder engagement study
Authors: Tindall Tierney , Topcu Gogem , Thomas Shirley , Bale Clare , Evangelou Nikos , Drummond Avril , das Nair Roshan
Published: January 2023

Background

Diagnosing multiple sclerosis (MS) can be a lengthy process, which can negatively affect psychological well‐being, condition management, and future engagement with health services. Therefore, providing timely and appropriate emotional support may improve adjustment and health outcomes.

Purpose

To develop a patient care pathway for providing emotional support around the point of diagnosing MS, and to explore potential barriers and facilitators to delivery and implementation.

Methods

Focus groups were conducted with 26 stakeholders, including 16 people living with MS, 5 carers/family members and 5 professionals working with people living with MS (3 MS nurses, 1 psychiatrist, and 1 charity staff member). Discussions were audio‐recorded, transcribed verbatim and analyzed using framework analysis.

Results

Participants suggested that a patient care pathway should include comprehensive information provision as a part of emotional support at diagnosis, and follow‐up sessions with a healthcare professional. Barriers including increasing staff workloads and financial costs to health services were acknowledged, thus participants suggested including peer support workers to deliver additional emotional support. All participants agreed that elements of a care pathway and embedded interventions should be individually tailored, yet provided within a standardized system to ensure accessibility.

Conclusions

A patient care pathway was developed with stakeholders, which included an embedded MS Nurse support intervention supplemented with peer support sessions. Participants suggested that the pathway should be delivered within a standardized system to ensure equity of service provision across the country.

Patient or Public Contribution

This research was conceptualized and designed collaboratively with Nottingham Multiple Sclerosis Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement (PPIE) group members. One member is a co‐author and was actively involved in every key stage of the research process, including co‐design of the pathway and research protocol, data collection (including presenting to participants and moderating group discussions), analysis and write‐up. Authors consulted with PPIE members at two meetings (9 and 11 PPIE attendees per meeting) where they gave feedback on the research design, findings and the resulting pathway. People living with MS and carers of people with MS were included in the focus groups as participants.
Microbiome in paired root apices and periapical lesions and its association with clinical signs in persistent apical periodontitis using next‐generation sequencing
Authors: Pérez‐Carrasco Virginia , Uroz‐Torres David , Soriano Miguel , Solana Carmen , Ruiz‐Linares Matilde , Garcia‐Salcedo Jose Antonio , Arias‐Moliz Maria Teresa
Published: January 2023

Aim

To assess and compare the microbiome of paired root apices and periapical lesions from cases with failed endodontic treatment and to associate the microbiome and bacterial metabolic pathways in both sites with asymptomatic apical periodontitis (AAP) and symptomatic apical periodontitis (SAP), using next‐generation sequencing (NGS).

Methodology

Matched root apices and periapical lesions of patients with failed root canal treatments were surgically extracted. Specimens were cryopulverized, bacterial DNA was extracted and the V3–V4 hypervariable regions of the 16 S rRNA gene were amplified and sequenced using the Illumina Miseq platform. Diversity and community composition were studied in the paired samples, as well as in AAP and SAP cases. Diversity indices were compared in each case by means of the Wilcoxon matched‐pairs signed rank and Mann–Whitney U tests. Differences in the community composition were explored with multivariate statistical analysis and Linear discriminant analysis Effect Size (LEfSe). Bacterial functional study was performed through the Phylogenetic Investigation of Communities by Reconstruction of Unobserved States (PICRUSt) analysis.

Results

Twenty‐one paired apices and lesions were successfully sequenced and analysed, identifying a total of 21 phyla and 600 genera. A higher alpha‐diversity was observed in the periapical lesions, although no global differences in the community composition between the two sites were found (p = .87), the most prevalent genera being Fusobacterium, Porphyromonas and Streptococcus. Prevotella, Clostridiales_vadinBB60_group, Bosea, Phreatobacter, Afipia and Xanthobacteriaceae_unclassified were enriched in SAP samples, while Pseudopropionibacterium, Campylobacter and Peptoniphilus were significantly more abundant in AAP cases (p < .05). Metabolic pathways involved in the amino acid metabolism or degradation and flagellum assembly were more abundant in SAP samples, whereas glucose metabolism‐related pathways were associated with AAP.

Conclusions

The bacterial community composition was similar in the apices and periapical lesions. The microbiome was different in AAP and SAP samples, gram‐negative bacteria showing higher relative abundances in SAP cases. An association was observed between amino acid degradation and flagellum assembly pathways, and the development of tenderness to percussion or palpation.
The effect of health literacy in explaining medication adherence among patients with hypertension: A cross‐sectional study of Syrian refugees in Jordan
Authors: Al‐Ali Nahla Mansour , Telfah Reem Khaled
Published: January 2023

Background

Poor medication adherence is a concern among patients with hypertension. However, few studies have assessed the effect of health literacy on medication adherence among refugee patients.

Aim

The aim was to examine the effect of health literacy and associated factors in explaining medication adherence among Syrian refugee patients with hypertension.

Methods

A cross‐sectional study was used, recruiting 150 Syrian refugees with hypertension in February 2020. The Hill‐Bone scale and the Health Literacy Questionnaire were used to collect data, which were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics.

Results

Participants had low levels of medication adherence and had low mean scores in eight of nine subscales of the health literacy scale, except in the appraisal of health information subscale. Factors including patient's age, marital status, the number of medications and co‐morbid diseases were significantly associated with medication adherence. Age, understanding written health information and ability to engage with healthcare providers were predictive of medication adherence.

Conclusion

To increase medication adherence among refugee patients with hypertension, nurses need to improve patients' health literacy and understanding of health information about their disease.
New role of gramicidin A in RIG‐I‐like receptors‐mediated IFN signalling
Authors: Li Xiao , Sun Xinyuan , Yan Zhongyi , Zhao Zhenxiang , Pang Zhaojun , Yang Han , Ji Xiaoxin , Lei Yi , Zhu Zixiang , Guo Xiangqian , Mu Xin
Published: January 2023

The pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) sense exogenous molecular patterns most commonly derived from invading pathogens, to active the interferon (IFN) signalling. In the cytoplasm, the viral double‐stranded RNAs (dsRNAs) are sensed by retinoic acid‐inducible gene I (RIG‐I) or melanoma differentiation‐associated protein 5 (MDA5), depending on the length and chemical properties. Through the binding and oligomerizing onto the RNAs, they form filament to initiate the signalling cascade. Regulation of these receptors' activities are essential for manipulating the strength of IFN signalling. Here, through the virtual screening of chemical reagents using the published MDA5‐dsRNA complex structure (PDB: 4GL2), we identified an antibiotic, gramicidin A as a stimulator that enhanced MDA5‐mediated IFN signalling. Cytotoxic assay and IFN signalling assay suggested that disruption of lipid membrane, which is a well‐defined mechanism of gramicidin A to perform its action, was dispensable in this process. Sucrose gradient ultracentrifugation assay showed that the gramicidin A treatment enhanced MDA5 oligomerization status in the presence of dsRNA. Our work implicated a new role of gramicidin A in innate immunity and presented a new tool to manipulate MDA5 activity.
Responses of the photosynthetic characteristics of summer maize to shading stress
Authors: Sun Zhi‐Chao , Geng Wen‐Jie , Ren Bai‐Zhao , Zhao Bin , Liu Peng , Zhang Ji‐Wang
Published: January 2023

The vast majority of the energy and substance required for maize growth and development and related metabolic processes come from the photosynthesis of leaves. Over the past 60 years, the amount of solar radiation reaching the earth's surface has decreased significantly, reducing the photosynthetic rate of crops and leading to a significant reduction in yields. However, (1) the effects of shading stress on stomatal characteristics, electron transport efficiency of summer maize leaves and (2) the adaptability of summer maize to low light are still unclear. In order to investigate this problems, maize hybrid Denghai605 (DH605) was used as the experimental materials, and two treatments of shading (shading degree is 60%) and CK (natural light as control) were set in the field. The results showed that shading stress resulted in chloroplast dysplasia, and the overall performance of the two photosystems was reduced by 27.85%. The number of stomata per unit area decreased by 15.6% and the proportion of stomatal opening decreased by 73.1% after shading, which resulted in a significant 27.7% reduction in intercellular CO2 concentration. Shading significantly reduced photosynthetic rate by affecting stomatal characteristics and electron transport, and the former was the main influencing factor. The decrease in carbon assimilation capacity resulted in insufficient assimilate supply and significantly reduced grain allocation ratio, resulting in a significant yield reduction of 57.5%. However, in the low‐light environment, the expression of chlorophyll‐binding protein in the leaf of summer maize was upregulated, the content of Lhcb1 protein of the light harvesting pigment protein complex II (LHCII) was increased, and the content of photosynthetic pigment, especially chlorophyll b, was increased, which increased the absorption and capture of blue light, improved the efficiency of light energy utilization, and was a stress manifestation of summer maize adapting to shading stress.
Effect of silver‐containing hydrofiber dressing on burn wound healing: A meta‐analysis and systematic review
Authors: Wu Juan‐juan , Zhang Fan , Liu Jing , Yao Hui‐jun , Wang Yan
Published: January 2023

Background

Silver sulfadiazine is commonly used to treat local burn wounds. Aquacel‐Ag is a hydrogen fiber dressing containing ionic silver that reduces burn wound infection and promotes antimicrobial activity. It is necessary to compare the efficacy of the two in the healing of burns.

Aims

The aim of this study was to systematically evaluate the effect of Aquacel‐Ag on burn wound healing.

Methods

A computerized search of CNKI, VIP, Wanfang, SinoMed, PubMed, Cochrane Library, EMbase, Science Direct, Web of Science, Wiley Online Library, and Open Access Library databases was performed from January 1, 2000 to December 31, 2021 for randomized controlled clinical trials. The trials on Aquacel‐Ag dressing and silver sulfadiazine in the treatment of burns were selected. Meta‐analysis was performed using Review Manager 5.0 software.

Results

Eleven articles were finally included, with 794 burn patients. Meta‐analysis results showed that compared with patients treated with silver sulfadiazine, burn patients treated with Aquacel‐Ag dressing had shorter wound healing time [MD = −2.49, 95% CI (−5.64–0.65), p = 0.12], significantly lower tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) level [MD = −0.52, 95% CI (−0.82–0.22), p = 0.0008], higher wound healing rate [MD = 8.41, 95% CI (3.39–13.43), p = 0.001], fewer dressing changes [MD = −3.27, 95% CI (−4.90–1.63), p < 0.0001].

Conclusion

Aquacel‐Ag dressing can shorten wound healing time and effectively reduce inflammatory reactions in burn patients compared with silver sulfadiazine, but their safety still needs further exploration and analysis.
DELLA proteins regulate spore germination and reproductive development in Physcomitrium patens
Authors: Phokas Alexandros , Meyberg Rabea , Briones‐Moreno Asier , Hernandez‐Garcia Jorge , Wadsworth Panida T. , Vesty Eleanor F. , Blazquez Miguel A. , Rensing Stefan A. , Coates Juliet C.
Published: January 2023

Proteins of the DELLA family integrate environmental signals to regulate growth and development throughout the plant kingdom. Plants expressing non‐degradable DELLA proteins underpinned the development of high‐yielding ‘Green Revolution’ dwarf crop varieties in the 1960s. In vascular plants, DELLAs are regulated by gibberellins, diterpenoid plant hormones. How DELLA protein function has changed during land plant evolution is not fully understood.

We have examined the function and interactions of DELLA proteins in the moss Physcomitrium (Physcomitrella) patens, in the sister group of vascular plants (Bryophytes).

PpDELLAs do not undergo the same regulation as flowering plant DELLAs. PpDELLAs are not degraded by diterpenes, do not interact with GID1 gibberellin receptor proteins and do not participate in responses to abiotic stress. PpDELLAs do share a function with vascular plant DELLAs during reproductive development. PpDELLAs also regulate spore germination. PpDELLAs interact with moss‐specific photoreceptors although a function for PpDELLAs in light responses was not detected. PpDELLAs likely act as ‘hubs’ for transcriptional regulation similarly to their homologues across the plant kingdom.

Taken together, these data demonstrate that PpDELLA proteins share some biological functions with DELLAs in flowering plants, but other DELLA functions and regulation evolved independently in both plant lineages.
NODULE INCEPTION activates gibberellin biosynthesis genes during rhizobial infection
Authors: Gao Jin‐Peng , Liang Wenjie , Jiang Suyu , Yan Zhongyuan , Zhou Chuanen , Wang Ertao , Murray Jeremy D.
Published: January 2023

See also the Commentary on this article by Fonouni‐Farde & Frugier, 239: 449–451.
Reconstitution and expression of mcy gene cluster in the model cyanobacterium Synechococcus 7942 reveals a role of MC‐LR in cell division
Authors: Zheng Yanli , Xue Chunling , Chen Hui , Jia Anqi , Zhao Liang , Zhang Junli , Zhang Lixin , Wang Qiang
Published: January 2023

Cyanobacterial blooms pose a serious threat to public health due to the presence of cyanotoxins. Microcystin‐LR (MC‐LR) produced by Microcystis aeruginosa is the most common cyanotoxins. Due to the limitation of isolation, purification, and genetic manipulation techniques, it is difficult to study and verify in situ the biosynthetic pathways and molecular mechanisms of MC‐LR.

We reassembled the biosynthetic gene cluster (mcy cluster) of MC‐LR in vitro by synthetic biology, designed and constructed the strong bidirectional promoter biPpsbA2, transformed it into Synechococcus 7942, and successfully expressed MC‐LR at a level of 0.006–0.018 fg cell−1 d−1.

We found the expression of MC‐LR led to abnormal cell division and cellular filamentation, further using various methods proved that by irreversibly competing its GTP‐binding site, MC‐LR inhibits assembly of the cell division protein FtsZ.

The study represents the first reconstitution and expression of the mcy cluster and the autotrophic production of MC‐LR in model cyanobacterium, which lays the foundation for resolving the microcystins biosynthesis pathway. The discovered role of MC‐LR in cell division reveals a mechanism of how blooming cyanobacteria gain a competitive edge over their nonblooming counterparts.
Real‐world trends in atrial fibrillation ablation indicate increasing durability of pulmonary vein isolation at repeat ablation
Authors: Morales Gustavo , Hunter Tina D. , Rajendra Anil , Boo Lee Ming , Osorio Jose
Published: January 2023

Background

Durable electrical isolation of pulmonary veins (PVs) is associated with better outcomes after atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation, but previous studies of AF recurrence have reported high rates of reconnection despite successful acute isolation. This study aims to quantify historical trends in the durability of PV isolation (PVI) as radiofrequency (RF) ablation catheters, additional ablation technologies, and associated workflows have evolved.

Methods

The study population included adult patients receiving a first repeat ablation for AF between September 2013 and July 2019 at the study site. All index ablations were performed at the same site with an RF catheter and included PVI. Three generations of irrigated RF catheters based on the same technology platform were used by the site during the timeframe of this study.

Results

A total of 224 patients were included in the analysis. At repeat ablation, the mean number of patients with at least one reconnected PV dropped significantly with subsequent catheter generation, from 78.3% to 56.7% to 27.0% (p < .0001). Moreover, the mean number of reconnected PVs were significantly reduced from 1.48 to 0.92 to 0.47 (p < .0001), representing a 68.3% reduction across the 3 generations of devices.

Conclusion

Significant improvement in durable PVI was seen with successive generations of RF catheter over a 6‐year period. In addition to catheter technology, ancillary advances in ablation technologies, workflows, and operator experience likely contributed to these improvements.
A near‐complete genome assembly ofBrassica rapaprovides new insights into the evolution of centromeres
Authors: Zhang Lei , Liang Jianli , Chen Haixu , Zhang Zhicheng , Wu Jian , Wang Xiaowu
Published: January 2023

Brassica rapacomprises many important cultivated vegetables and oil crops. However, Chiifu v3.0, the currentB. rapareference genome, still contains hundreds of gaps. Here, we presented a near‐complete genome assembly ofB. rapaChiifu v4.0, which was 424.59 Mb with only two gaps, using Oxford Nanopore Technology (ONT) ultralong‐read sequencing and Hi‐C technologies. The new assembly contains 12 contigs, with a contig N50 of 38.26 Mb. Eight of the ten chromosomes were entirely reconstructed in a single contig from telomere to telomere. We found that the centromeres were mainly invaded byALEandCRMlong terminal repeats (LTRs). Moreover, there is a high divergence of centromere length and sequence amongB. rapagenomes. We further found that centromeres are enriched forCopiainvaded at 0.14 MYA on average, while pericentromeres are enriched forGypsyLTRs invaded at 0.51 MYA on average. These results indicated the different invasion mechanisms of LTRs between the two structures. In addition, a novel repetitive sequencePCR630was identified in the pericentromeres ofB. rapa. Overall, the near‐complete genome assembly,B. rapaChiifu v4.0, offers valuable tools for genomic and genetic studies ofBrassicaspecies and provides new insights into the evolution of centromeres.
The secrets that you keep: Secrets and relationship quality
Authors: Davis Christopher G. , Tabri Nassim
Published: January 2023

Research indicates that preoccupation with secrets takes a toll on mental health. There is also some evidence to suggest that keeping secrets from one's romantic partner may harm the relationship as it implies a lack of trust that one's partner will be supportive. Two 4‐wave longitudinal surveys of 609 adults (34.3% men, 65.4% women; Mage = 36.4) keeping a secret from their romantic partner was used to assess the lagged effect of preoccupation with the secret on subsequent relationship satisfaction, trust, and emotional intimacy as well as the reverse. Cross‐lagged panel modeling with random intercepts indicated that whereas individuals in poorer relationships were more preoccupied with their secrets, there was no evidence for cross‐lagged effects. The findings suggest that secrecy may be a symptom—not a cause—of a dissatisfying, distrustful and distant relationship.
Public health nursing workforce and learning needs: A national sample survey analysis
Authors: Castner Jessica , Stanislo Kimberly , Castner Martin , Monsen Karen A.
Published: January 2023

Objectives

Generate national estimates of the public health nursing workforce's (1) demographic and work characteristics and (2) continuing education learning needs in the United States.

Design

Secondary data analysis of the 2018 National Sample Survey of Registered Nurses.

Sample

Total 7352 of the 50,273 survey respondents were categorized as public health nurses (PHNs), representing an estimated 467,271 national workforce.

Measurements

Survey items for demographics, practice setting, training topics, and language(s) spoken fluently were analyzed.

Results

Workforce demographic characteristics are included. Mental health training was the most frequently endorsed topic by PHNs, followed by patient‐centered care and evidence‐based care. Training topic needs vary by practice setting.

Conclusions

Results here can be used as a needs assessment for national public health nursing professional development and education initiatives. Further research is needed to refine and survey a nationally representative sample in a manner meaningful to public health nursing practice.