bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Long-Horizon Stock Returns Are Positively Skewed
Authors: Farago Adam , Hjalmarsson Erik
Published: April 2022

At long horizons, multiplicative compounding induces strong-to-extreme positive skewness into stock returns; the magnitude of the effect is primarily determined by single-period volatility. Consequently, at horizons greater than 5 years, returns—individual or portfolio—will be positively skewed under reasonable parameterizations. From an investor perspective, the strong positive skewness implies that the mean compound return will serve as a poor guide for typical long-horizon outcomes. Moreover, the large effects of compounding on higher-order moments are shown to affect the validity of Taylor expansions used to approximate preferences for skewness, when applied to returns of annual or longer horizons.
Bridge Builders: A Qualitative Study of Fellows’ Successful Supervision of Residents
Authors: Chiel Laura , Winthrop Zachary , Huth Kathleen , Gross Caroline J. , Gomez Amanda , Marcus Carolyn H. , Winn Ariel S.
Published: April 2022

Purpose

Clinical fellows, those training to become subspecialists in a program certified by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education, supervise residents on inpatient subspecialty rotations. Unlike for supervising residents or for faculty, there is a paucity of literature describing fellows’ supervision of residents. The aim of this study was to understand residents’ and fellows’ perception of successful supervision of residents by fellows on inpatient subspecialty rotations to inform the development of curricula to support fellows as supervisors.

Method

Using grounded theory methodology, the authors held focus groups in May 2020 of pediatric residents and pediatric subspecialty fellows at Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts. Focus groups were conducted until thematic saturation was achieved. Deidentified transcripts were independently coded by 2 authors. The author team consolidated the codes into themes and developed an interpretive model for fellows’ successful supervision of residents. Key results were confirmed via member checking.

Results

The authors conducted 4 resident focus groups, composed of 16 pediatric residents, and 4 fellow focus groups, composed of 13 pediatric subspecialty fellows. Participants perceived that fellows who provided successful resident supervision advanced residents’ professional growth and supported residents’ development along 5 “bridges”: (1) generalist to subspecialist, (2) trainee to autonomous practitioner, (3) individual to member of the interprofessional team, (4) emerging physician to patient-facing care provider, and (5) newcomer to engaged clinical learner. Fellows can further residents’ growth in these areas by demonstrating approachability, empathy, appreciation, and kindness.

Conclusions

As newcomers on inpatient subspecialty rotations, residents engage in legitimate peripheral participation. Fellows who are successful supervisors move residents toward full participation in their profession via the bridge model. The fellow-resident dynamic carries advantages of near-peer learning. Fellows can harness their role, subspecialty knowledge, and familiarity with the training environment to enhance resident supervision.
The Multispecialty Toxin: A Literature Review of Botulinum Toxin
Authors: Bach Karen , Simman Richard
Published: April 2022

Background:

Botulinum toxin (BoNT) is a potent biological exotoxin produced from Clostridium botulinum. Although it was first used therapeutically to treat strabismus, its clinical role has since expanded rapidly over the years to include treatment of a variety of head and neck, gastrointestinal, urogenital, musculoskeletal, neurological, dermatological, and cosmetic disorders. The main purpose of this review is to provide a brief updated overview of the history, mechanism of action, and clinical applications of BoNT therapy across multiple medical specialties, including the most common adverse effects and recommended Botox dosages.

Methods:

A literature review was conducted in the PubMed database limited to English language articles. Specific search terms related to botulinum toxin in combination with various subspecialty fields were used, and relevant articles were identified and analyzed. The reference section for each article was also searched to find additional articles.

Results:

BoNT is a powerful therapeutic tool and has a vast array of clinical uses in many specialties, including ophthalmology, neurology, plastic surgery, dermatology, orthopedic, gastrointestinal, gynecology, urology, and rheumatology. Due to its chemodenervation effects at the presynaptic nerve terminal, it is useful in treatments of disorders characterized by abnormal inappropriate muscle contractions.

Conclusions:

BoNT has many clinical applications in several medical specialties. Future studies should focus on any additional indications of BoNT therapy as they arise and on any novel product developments.
Failed Targeted Muscle Reinnervation: Findings at Revision Surgery and Concepts for Success
Authors: Felder John M. , Pripotnev Stahs , Ducic Ivica , Skladman Rachel , Ha Austin Y. , Pet Mitchell A.
Published: April 2022

Background:

Although it was initially described for improved myoelectric control, targeted muscle reinnervation (TMR) has quickly gained popularity as a technique for neuroma control. With this rapid increase in utilization has come broadening indications and variability in the described technique. As a result, it becomes difficult to interpret published outcomes. Furthermore, there is no literature discussing the management of failed cases which are undoubtedly occurring.

Methods:

This is a retrospective case series of two patients who underwent revision surgery for failed TMR. The authors also review the current literature on TMR and outline technical and conceptual pitfalls and pearls based on our local experience.

Results:

Excessive donor nerve redundancy, kinking, donor–recipient nerve size mismatch, superficial placement of the nerve coaptation, inappropriate target selection, and incomplete target muscle denervation were identified as technical pitfalls of TMR surgery. Techniques to avoid these pitfalls were described.

Conclusions:

Although TMR has been a major development in amputee care for both pain management and improved myoelectric control, it is important to acknowledge that it is not a foolproof surgery and does not provide a guaranteed result. Failed cases of TMR represent opportunities to learn about factors contributing to unfavorable outcomes and refine our techniques empirically.
TRPM3-mediated dynamic mitochondrial activity in nerve growth factor–induced latent sensitization of chronic low back pain
Authors: Wang Dan , Gao Qi , Schaefer Ina , Moerz Handan , Hoheisel Ulrich , Rohr Karl , Greffrath Wolfgang , Treede Rolf-Detlef
Published: April 2022

The transient receptor potential ion channel TRPM3 is highly prevalent on nociceptive dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons, but its functions in neuronal plasticity of chronic pain remain obscure. In an animal model of nonspecific low back pain (LBP), latent spinal sensitization known as nociceptive priming is induced by nerve growth factor (NGF) injection. Here, we address the TRPM3-associated molecular basis of NGF-induced latent spinal sensitization at presynaptic level by studying TRPM3-mediated calcium transients in DRG neurons. By investigating TRPM3-expressing HEK cells, we further show the dynamic mitochondrial activity downstream of TRPM3 activation. NGF enhances TRPM3 function, attenuates TRPM3 tachyphylaxis, and slows intracellular calcium clearance; TRPM3 activation triggers more mitochondrial calcium loading than depolarization does, causing a steady-state mitochondrial calcium elevation and a delayed recovery of cytosolic calcium; mitochondrial calcium buffering accounts for approximately 40% of calcium influx subsequent to TRPM3 activation. TRPM3 activation provokes an outbreak of pulsatile superoxide production (mitoflash) that comes in the form of a surge in frequency being tunable. We suggest that mitoflash pulsations downstream of TRPM3 activation might be an early signaling event initiating pain sensitization. Tuning of mitoflash activity would be a novel bottom-up therapeutic strategy for chronic pain conditions such as LBP and beyond.
Magnolol reduces myocardial injury induced by renal ischemia and reperfusion
Authors: Tang Chia-Yu , Lai Chang-Chi , Huang Po-Hsun , Yang An-Han , Chiang Shu-Chiung , Huang Po-Chao , Tseng Kuo-Wei , Huang Cheng-Hsiung
Published: April 2022

Background:

Magnolol is a component of the bark of Magnolia officinalis, which is a traditional herbal remedy used in China. In this study, we investigated whether magnolol can reduce myocardial injury induced by renal ischemia and reperfusion (I/R).

Methods:

Renal I/R was elicited by a 60-minute occlusion of the bilateral renal arteries and a 24-hour reperfusion in Sprague-Dawley rats. Magnolol was administered intravenously 10 minutes before renal I/R to evaluate its effects on myocardial injury induced by renal I/R.

Results:

Renal I/R significantly increased the serum levels of creatine phosphokinase (CPK), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and cardiac troponin I and caused myocardial damage. The terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling–positive nuclei and caspase-3 activation was significantly increased in the myocardium, indicating increase of apoptosis. Echocardiography revealed left ventricular dysfunction, as evidenced by reduction of left ventricular ejection fraction and left ventricular fractional shortening. Furthermore, serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-1β, and IL-6 were significantly elevated, while the IL-10 level was suppressed. However, intravenously, pretreatment with magnolol at doses of 0.003 and 0.006 mg/kg 10 minutes before renal I/R significantly prevented the increases of CPK, LDH, and cardiac troponin I levels, as well as the histological damage and the apoptosis in the myocardium. Echocardiography showed significant improvement of left ventricular function. Furthermore, the increases in TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 and the decrease in IL-10 were significantly limited, while Bcl-2 was increased and Bax was decreased in the myocardium. Phosphorylation of Akt and extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1 and 2 was increased, while phosphorylation of p38 and c-Jun N-terminal kinase was reduced.

Conclusion:

Magnolol reduces myocardial injury induced by renal I/R. The underlying mechanisms for this effect might be related to modulation of the production of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines and the limiting of apoptosis.
Multisensory Stimulation and Soft Tissue Therapy on Pain and Neurodevelopment Among Preterm Neonates
Authors: Sharma Neha , Samuel Asir John
Published: April 2022

Purpose:

To determine the combined effects of multisensory stimulation (MSS) and soft tissue therapy (STT) in managing procedural pain and promoting neurodevelopment in neonates undergoing repetitive painful procedures during their neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) stay.

Methods:

Total of 104 preterm neonates admitted in NICU will be recruited for this trial. The intervention will be given for 5 consecutive days to both the groups. Experimental group will receive both MSS and STT; control group will receive routine NICU care. The premature infant pain profile and Neonatal Pain, Agitation, and Sedation Scale will be used for assessing procedural pain, and Infant Neurological International Battery and Premie-Neuro will be used for assessing neurodevelopmental maturity. Relevant parametric or nonparametric test will be used to analyze the data for all outcomes.

Discussion:

This is a study protocol analyzing the combined effects of nonpharmacological interventions (MSS and STT) in preterm neonates.
Parasite resistance and parasite tolerance: insights into transgenerational immune priming in an invertebrate host
Authors: Paraskevopoulou Sofia , Gattis Sabrina , Ben-Ami Frida
Published: April 2022

Parasites impose different selection regimes on their hosts, which respond by increasing their resistance and/or tolerance. Parental challenge with parasites can enhance the immune response of their offspring, a phenomenon documented in invertebrates and termed transgenerational immune priming. We exposed two parental generations of the model organismDaphnia magnato the horizontally transmitted parasitic yeastMetschnikowia bicuspidataand recorded resistance- and tolerance-related traits in the offspring generation. We hypothesized that parentally primed offspring will increase either their resistance or their tolerance to the parasite. Our susceptibility assays revealed no impact of parental exposure on offspring resistance. Nonetheless, different fitness-related traits, which are indicative of tolerance, were altered. Specifically, maternal priming increased offspring production and decreased survival. Grandmaternal priming positively affected age at first reproduction and negatively affected brood size at first reproduction. Interestingly, both maternal and grandmaternal priming significantly reduced within-host–parasite proliferation. Nevertheless,Daphniaprimed for two consecutive generations had no competitive advantage in comparison to unprimed ones, implying additive maternal and grandmaternal effects. Our findings do not support evidence of transgenerational immune priming from bacterial infections in the same host species, thus, emphasizing that transgenerational immune responses may not be consistent even within the same host species.
The principles of pedestrian route choice
Authors: Tong Yunhe , Bode Nikolai W. F.
Published: April 2022

Pedestrian route choice, the process by which individuals decide on their walking path between two locations, is a fundamental problem across disciplines. Because this behaviour is investigated from different conceptual and methodological angles, and because it strongly depends on the environmental context, it is challenging to establish a systematic framework for research. Here, by reviewing previous work, we identify four principles for pedestrian route choice that are relevant across disciplines. First, ‘information perception’ deals with how pedestrians can perceive information selectively and purposely, given the limited available information. Second, ‘information integration’ considers how pedestrians subjectively integrate environmental spatial information into mental representations. Third, ‘responding to information’ is concerned with how pedestrians tend to be attracted and repelled by specific attributes individually and how this can lead to positive or negative feedback loops across many individuals. Fourth ‘decision-making mechanisms' describe how pedestrians trade off the evidence provided by different attributes. How pedestrians perceive, integrate, respond to, and act upon information is not fixed but varies with the context. We give examples for each principle and explain how these principles shape pedestrian choice behaviours. We hope this contribution provides a systematic overview of the field and helps to spark inspiration among specialists.
Phytophthora capsici
sterol reductase PcDHCR7 has a role in mycelium development and pathogenicity
Authors: Wang Weizhen , Zhang Fan , Zhang Sicong , Xue Zhaolin , Xie Linfang , Govers Francine , Liu Xili
Published: April 2022

The
de novo
biosynthesis of sterols is critical for the majority of eukaryotes; however, some organisms lack this pathway, including most oomycetes.
Phytophthora
spp. are sterol auxotrophic but, remarkably, have retained a few genes encoding enzymes in the sterol biosynthesis pathway. Here, we show that
PcDHCR7,
a gene in
Phytophthora capsici
predicted to encode Δ7-sterol reductase, displays multiple functions. When expressed in
Saccharomyces cerevisiae
, PcDHCR7 showed the Δ7-sterol reductase activity. Knocking out
PcDHCR7
in
P. capsici
resulted in loss of the capacity to transform ergosterol into brassicasterol, which means PcDHCR7 has the Δ7-sterol reductase activity in
P. capsici
itself
.
This enables
P. capsici
to transform sterols recruited from the environment for better use. The biological characteristics of
ΔPcDHCR7
transformants were compared with those of the wild-type strain and a
PcDHCR7
complemented transformant, and the results showed that
PcDHCR7
plays a key role in mycelium development and pathogenicity of zoospores. Further analysis of the transcriptome indicated that the expression of many genes changed in the
ΔPcDHCR7
transformant, which involve in different biological processes. It is possible that
P. capsici
compensates for the defects caused by the loss of
PcDHCR7
by remodelling its transcriptome.
Organic hempseed oil from the retail market: chemical profiling and multivariate analysis for label information assessment
Authors: Ciano Salvatore , Maddaloni Lucia , Rapa Mattia , Tarola Anna Maria
Published: April 2022

Purpose

Hempseed oil is a valuable emerging food product with recognized health positivity due to its composition. The paper aims to propose a multi-methodological chemical profiling of nine organic hempseed oil samples (different brands and prices) from the retail market, followed by multivariate data analysis.

Design/methodology/approach

Fatty acids, tocopherols, squalene, total carotenoids content, phenolic compounds, total phenolic content and anti-radical activity (DPPH• and ABTS•+ assays) were determined through chromatographic and spectrophotometric techniques. Multivariate (explorative and discriminant) analyses were applied to the profiling results to classify samples according to information claimed on the label, i.e. geographical origin (EU vs. non-EU), extraction procedure (cold-pressed vs. not cold-pressed) and price (lower or higher than 10 € per 250 mL).

Findings

The chemical analysis confirmed the 3 to 1 ?-6:?-3 ratio and the excellent content in antioxidant species. However, no specific trend of results can be stressed. PCA (after variables selection) highlighted a natural grouping of samples, so three discriminant analyses were performed: kNN, Naïve Bayes and LDA. The best classification efficiency was reached for the extraction procedure verification (93–100% correct classification), followed by geographical origin (83–94%) and prices (81.6–90%).

Originality/value

The integrated approach of chemical profiling coupled with multivariate analyses allowed the assessment of label information of the analyzed organic hempseed oil samples, despite the wide heterogeneity of the selected samples.
Sustainability orientation, CSR implementation and new venture growth
Authors: Danso Albert , Adomako Samuel , Amankwah-Amoah Joseph , Lartey Theophilus
Published: April 2022

Purpose

Building on the upper echelons theory and sustainability orientation (SO) literature, this paper aims to examine the possibility that the relationship between chief executive officers’ (CEOs’) SO and venture growth might be mediated by levels of corporate social responsibility (CSR) implementation.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors used data obtained from 211 new ventures operating in Ghana. Multiple regression analysis was used to test the hypotheses.

Findings

The authors found that CSR implementation mediates the relationship between SO and venture growth. In addition, the authors found that, at higher levels of financial slack, the effect of SO on CSR implementation is attenuated. However, the results show that, at higher levels of CEO power, the influence of SO on CSR implementation is amplified.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is among the first to examine the mediating role of CSR implementation in the relationship between SO and venture growth and also examines two internal contingency factors (i.e. CEO power and financial slack) on this association.
A practical discrete sizing optimization methodology for the design of high-rise concrete buildings
Authors: Lou Haopeng , Xiao Zhibin , Wan Yinyuan , Jin Fengling , Gao Boqing , Li Chao
Published: April 2022

Purpose

In this article, a practical design methodology is proposed for discrete sizing optimization of high-rise concrete buildings with a focus on large-scale and real-life structures.

Design/methodology/approach

This framework relies on a computationally efficient approximation of the constraint and objective functions using a radial basis function model with a linear tail, also called the combined response surface methodology (RSM) in this article. Considering both the code-stipulated constraints and other construction requirements, three sub-optimization problems were constructed based on the relaxation model of the original problem, and then the structural weight could be automatically minimized under multiple constraints and loading scenarios. After modulization, the obtained results could meet the discretization requirements. By integrating the commercially available ETABS, a dedicated optimization software program with an independent interface was developed and details for practical software development were also presented in this paper.

Findings

The proposed framework was used to optimize different high-rise concrete buildings, and case studies showed that material usage could be saved by up to 12.8% compared to the conventional design, and the over-limit constraints could be adjusted, which proved the feasibility and effectiveness.

Originality/value

This methodology can therefore be applied by engineers to explore the optimal distribution of dimensions for high-rise buildings and to reduce material usage for a more sustainable design.
System dynamics tool for entropy-based risk control on sleeve grouting in prefabricated buildings
Authors: Wang Chen , Zou Fengqiu , Yap Jeffrey Boon Hui , Wood Lincoln C. , Li Heng , Ding Linghua
Published: April 2022

Purpose

The production of sleeve grouting in prefabricated construction is routinely plagued by a variety of factors, and lack of mass data and complex environmental conditions over time make problems inevitable. Thus, a dynamic risk control system is a valuable support for the successful completion of the sleeve grouting process. This study aims to develop an entropy-based sleeve grouting risk dynamic control system.

Design/methodology/approach

First, static risk assessment was conducted through the structured interview survey using the entropy weight method, followed by a dynamic risk control technique, where indicators were simulated through system dynamics containing causal loop diagrams and stock-and-flow diagrams.

Findings

Finally, three types of risk control models, namely, “tortuous type”, “stable type” and “peak loop type”, were developed in the entropy-based sleeve grouting risk dynamic control system and simulated using system dynamics in a real case.

Originality/value

Compared to traditional sleeve grouting risk management, the developed system enabled dynamic control over time.
Regaining partner trust in the food delivery business: case of Zomato
Authors: Yadav Nidhi , Goyal Sonu
Published: April 2022

Learning outcomes

The learning outcomes are as follows: to understand and examine the strategies that help platforms fight competition and manage networks; to analyse the role of platform governance in the management of the networks and partners’ trust; and to evaluate the strategic risks of disintermediation and multi-homing firms face while trying to sustain profits and capture value.

Case overview/synopsis

The case presents the dilemma faced by Deepinder Goyal, the young founder and CEO of Zomato in formulating the growth strategy for its food delivery platform, struggling to retain its market leadership position amid intensifying competition and other challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. Zomato has become a public company with an IPO announced in mid of July 2021. Therefore, there is growing expectation for profitability among its shareholders and investors considering tailwinds of COVID-19 crisis, which have given the push towards adoption of food delivery among the customers. This has also resulted in increased competition in the industry. On other hand, there is growing dissatisfaction among its restaurant partners who have been hit hard by COVID-19 and struggling for survival. CEO Deepinder has to find how he will ensure the long-term growth for Zomato to tap the growing food delivery market in India and regain its restaurant partner’s trust.

Complexity Academic Level

The case is intended for post-graduate courses (MBA, PGDM) on digital business strategy or strategic management of technology-oriented businesses. The case can be used to understand the nature of competition and different strategies for platform-based businesses in the digital world. The case can also be used to study the role governance can play in efficient value creation and capture on the platform by the partner entities. Finally, the case also highlights how are platform businesses are coping with the Covid challenge. There are no specific prerequisites but knowledge on basic strategy concepts and platform business concepts will be good for better understanding. Level of difficulty is medium.

Supplementary materials

Teaching notes are available for educators only.

Subject code

CSS 11: Strategy.
Risk factors of long‐term alopecia after pulsed‐dye laser treatment for infantile scalp hemangiomas: A retrospective study
Authors: Yang Liu , Zhou Nuoya , Alamgir Mahin , Wang Zhen , Gao Yaoying , Li Yan , An Xiangjie , Dong Liyun , Zhang Yamin , Yang Jing , Tao Juan
Published: April 2022

Pulsed‐dye laser (PDL), as an effective and frequently‐used treatment modality for infantile hemangiomas (IH), could render patients at risk of developing long‐term alopecia. Data on alopecia caused by PDL treatment remain scant and the contributing factors are not clear. Our objective was to identify the risk factors associated with long‐term alopecia resulting from PDL treatment for scalp IH. We conducted a retrospective study incorporating patients with IH diagnosis and PDL intervention via thoroughly reviewing the clinical database of the dermatology department. Scalp IH patients were further screened and their medical records were collected. Long‐term alopecia was defined as no signs of terminal hair regrowth for at least 2 years in this study. Of the 1293 IH patients, 47 (14 boys and 33 girls) with a mean age of 4.5 months (standard deviation, 3.2) were diagnosed as scalp IH and had subsequently undergone PDL treatments. Hair growth in the treatment area of 18 patients (38.3%) nearly returned to normal, 22 patients (46.8%) had varying degrees of hair loss, and seven patients (14.9%) had no hair regrowth (long‐term alopecia). Compared with the older patients receiving treatment, IH patients younger than 3 months who started PDL treatment had a higher risk of developing long‐term alopecia (odds ratio, 30.833; 95% confidence interval, 4.079–232.025; p = 0.01). The total number of PDL sessions, post‐treatment blisters, and location of IH were not shown to be significantly associated with the development of long‐term alopecia. Collectively, our study provides an important insight into curating treatments for IH in infants younger than 3 months. PDL treatments for scalp IH may perhaps be avoided or delayed to prevent the development of treatment‐associated long‐term alopecia.
MaNsdD regulates conidiation negatively by inhibiting the AbaA expression required for normal conidiation in Metarhizium acridum
Authors: Song Dongxu , Cao Yueqing , Xia Yuxian
Published: April 2022

Conidiation necessary for filamentous fungal survival and dispersal proceeds in two fashions, namely, normal conidiation through conidiophores differentiated from hyphae and microcycle conidiation through conidial budding. Normal conidiation has been well studied, whereas mechanisms underlying microcycle conidiation are still largely unknown. Here, we report that a gene (MaNsdD) homologous to NsdD in Aspergillus nidulans serves as a suppressor of normal conidiation but a positive regulator of hyphal development in Metarhizium acridum. Disruption of MaNsdD (ΔMaNsdD) resulted in microcycle conidiation and significantly descended in conidial resistance to heat while improved to UV irradiation. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that many genes involved in conidiation, cell division and cell wall formation were differentially expressed in ΔMaNsdD, and likely associated with the conidiation process. We found that a gene (MaAbaA) homologous to the core asexual development regulator AbaA in A. nidulans was negatively controlled by MaNsdD. Disruption of MaAbaA led to the abolition of the conidiation process of M. acridum. These findings unravel a novel regulatory mechanism of microcycle conidiation and add knowledge to the asexual conidiation pathway of filamentous fungi.
Text Mining for Bias: A Recommendation Letter Experiment
Authors: Alexander Charlotte S.
Published: April 2022

This article uses computational text analysis to study the form and content of more than 3000 recommendation letters submitted on behalf of applicants to a major U.S. anesthesiology residency program. The article finds small differences in form and larger differences in content. Women applicants' letters were more likely to contain references to acts of service, for example, whereas men were more likely to be described in terms of their professionalism and technical skills. Some differences persisted when controlling for standardized aptitude test scores, on which women and men scored equally on average, and other applicant and letter‐writer characteristics. Even when all explicit gender‐identifying language was stripped from the letters, a machine learning algorithm was able to predict applicant gender at a rate better than chance. Gender stereotyped language in recommendation letters may infect the entirety of an employer's hiring or selection process, implicating Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Not all gendered language differences were large, however, suggesting that small changes may remedy the problem. The article closes by proposing a computationally driven system that may help employers identify and eradicate bias, while also prompting a rethinking of our gendered, racialized, ableist, ageist, and otherwise stereotyped occupational archetypes.
Who's Keeping Score?: Oversight of Changing Consumer Credit Infrastructure
Authors: Hiller Janine S. , Jones Lindsay Sain
Published: April 2022

Access to credit in the United States is contingent upon an individual obtaining the “right” credit score. Yet the opaque scoring system makes it nearly impossible for an individual to break out of a cycle of low credit ratings and participate in the benefits of the American economy. Partially as a response, alternative credit rating products now use personal nonfinancial data for automated credit decision‐making, purportedly intended to expand access to credit. Social media activity, college grades, and even what time of day a person applies for a loan are examples of data points used for this purpose. However, these and other alternative data can be highly correlated with protected traits, such as race and national origin. While extending access to credit equitably across society is an important goal, the cure should not exacerbate the same inequalities that it is designed to address. The necessity of credit for the modern consumer compels continued oversight of the credit infrastructure to ensure fair data practices and to hold participants accountable. This article contends that consumer access to a fair credit score is a necessity, and that the consumer credit infrastructure should be viewed as a modern utility and subject to additional oversight. A proposal is then advanced that establishes fair data duties for credit scoring entities.
Prenatal smoking, alcohol and caffeine exposure and offspring externalizing disorders: a systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Haan Elis , Westmoreland Kirsten E. , Schellhas Laura , Sallis Hannah M. , Taylor Gemma , Zuccolo Luisa , Munafò Marcus R.
Published: April 2022

Background and aims

Several studies have indicated an association between maternal prenatal substance use and offspring externalizing disorders; however, it is uncertain whether this relationship is causal. We conducted a systematic review to determine: (1) if the literature supports a causal role of maternal prenatal substance use on offspring externalizing disorders diagnosis and (2) whether these associations differ across externalizing disorders.

Methods

We searched Web of Science, Embase, PsycINFO and Medline databases. Risk of bias assessment was conducted using the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale (NOS), and where possible meta‐analysis was conducted for studies classed as low risk of bias. We included studies of any design that examined prenatal smoking, alcohol or caffeine use. Studies in non‐English language, fetal alcohol syndrome and comorbid autism spectrum disorders were excluded. Participants in the included studies were mothers and their offspring. Measurements included prenatal smoking, alcohol or caffeine use as an exposure, and diagnosis of attention‐deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), conduct disorder (CD) and oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) in offspring as an outcome.

Results

We included 63 studies, 46 of which investigated smoking and ADHD. All studies were narratively synthesized, and seven studies on smoking and ADHD were meta‐analysed. The largest meta‐analysis based on genetically sensitive design included 1 011 546 participants and did not find evidence for an association [odds ratio (OR)1–9 cigarettes = 0.90, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.83–1.11; OR > 10 cigarettes = 1.04, 95% CI = 0.79–1.36). Studies on alcohol exposure in all the outcomes reported inconsistent findings and no strong conclusions on causality can be made. Studies on caffeine exposure were mainly limited to ADHD and these studies do not support a causal effect.

Conclusions

There appears to be no clear evidence to support a causal relationship between maternal prenatal smoking and offspring attention‐deficit hyperactivity disorder. Findings with alcohol and caffeine exposures and conduct disorder and oppositional–defiant disorder need more research, using more genetically sensitive designs.
Buprenorphine treatment retention and comorbidities among patients with opioid use disorder in a primary care setting
Authors: Sweeney Mary M. , Prichett Laura , Fingerhood Michael I. , Antoine Denis , Umbricht Annie , Dunn Kelly E. , Buresh Megan E.
Published: April 2022

Background and Objectives

More information is needed about comorbidities among patients receiving buprenorphine maintenance treatment and their relationship with retention.

Methods

Retrospective electronic health record data over a 5‐year period from primary care patients receiving buprenorphine for the treatment of opioid use disorder were examined (N = 899). The present analysis determined the prevalence of comorbidities and examined associations with treatment retention as defined by cumulative duration of buprenorphine prescription.

Results

Tobacco use and comorbidities including hypertension were prevalent but did not predict retention according to survival analyses controlling for demographic characteristics. Retention was poorer among patients testing positive for cocaine (HR = 1.38, 95% CI: 1.09–1.74, p = .007) and patients with hepatitis C virus (HR = 1.17, 95% CI: 1.01–1.37, p = .04).

Conclusion and Scientific Significance

This study provides new knowledge of previously unexamined associations between comorbidities (e.g., hypertension) and buprenorphine treatment retention. The robust association between cocaine use and poorer buprenorphine retention serves to resolve prior conflicting data in the literature.
From liminal spaces to the spatialities of liminality
Authors: Banfield Janet
Published: April 2022

Geographical engagement with liminality to explore and conceptualise threshold and ambiguous experience is growing, with calls being issued to attend to its spatial qualities, yet it seems difficult to move beyond the application of liminality as an umbrella term to an ever‐increasing array of spaces and places despite disciplinary uses of liminality diverging from its conceptual origins as it is applied to broader contexts. My interest is in how we can progress from identifying more and more spaces as liminal to spatialising liminality itself. Here, I engage critically yet constructively with three themes that commonly feature in work on liminality: its reliance on binary thinking, the common association of this binary thinking with hybridity, and the in/discernibility of thresholds. I propose that if we distinguish between liminality arising from a singular binary, multiple binaries and multiple (non‐binary) states, we can start to appreciate the diversity and complexity within supposedly singular liminal situations and experiences. Subsequently, by applying such thinking to three previously published papers on liminality by other authors, I propose that we can visualise multiple spatialities of liminality that can be characterised as nested, staggered, scattered and mobile. Overall, I argue that we should be more specific as to how our engagements with liminality differ from its original formulation as a productive step in moving beyond singular ideas of liminal spaces to examine liminality as both multiply spatial and actively spatialising.
How do they add up? The interaction between the placebo and treatment effect: A systematic review
Authors: Boussageon Rémy , Howick Jeremy , Baron Raphael , Naudet Florian , Falissard Bruno , Harika‐Germaneau Ghina , Wassouf Issa , Gueyffier François , Jaafari Nemat , Blanchard Clara
Published: April 2022

Aim

The placebo effect and the specific effect are often thought to add up (additive model). Whether additivity holds can dramatically influence the external validity of a trial. This assumption of additivity was tested by Kleijnen et al in 1994 but the data produced since then have not been synthetized. In this review, we aimed to systematically review the literature to determine whether additivity held.

Methods

We searched Medline and PsychInfo up to 10 January 2019. Studies using the balanced placebo design (BPD), testing two different strengths of placebos, were included. The presence of interaction was evaluated by comparing each group in the BPD with analysis of variance or covariance.

Results

Thirty studies were included and the overall risk of bias was high: four found evidence of additivity and 16 studies found evidence of interaction (seven had evidence of positive additivity).

Conclusion

Evidence of additivity between placebo and specific features of treatments was rare in included studies. We suggest interventions for placebo‐sensitive ailments should be tested in trials designed to take interactions seriously once an exploratory RCTs has proven their efficacy with sufficient internal validity.
The answer is (not only) technological: Considering student data privacy in learning analytics
Authors: Prinsloo Paul , Slade Sharon , Khalil Mohammad
Published: April 2022

Evidence shows that appropriate use of technology in education has the potential to increase the effectiveness of, eg, teaching, learning and student support. There is also evidence that technology can introduce new problems and ethical issues, eg, student privacy. This article maps some limitations of technological approaches that ensure student data privacy in learning analytics from a critical data studies (CDS) perspective. In this conceptual article, we map the claims, grounds and warrants of technological solutions to maintaining student data privacy in learning analytics. Our findings suggest that many technological solutions are based on assumptions, such as that individuals have control over their data (‘data as commodity’), which can be exchanged under agreed conditions, or that individuals embrace their personal data privacy as a human right to be respected and protected. Regulating student data privacy in the context of learning analytics through technology mostly depends on institutional data governance, consent, data security and accountability. We consider alternative approaches to viewing (student) data privacy, such as contextual integrity; data privacy as ontological; group privacy; and indigenous understandings of privacy. Such perspectives destabilise many assumptions informing technological solutions, including privacy enhancing technology (PET).

Practitioner notes

What is already known about this topic

Various actors (including those in higher education) have access to and collect, use and analyse greater volumes of personal (student) data, with finer granularity, increasingly from multiplatforms and data sources.

There is growing awareness and concern about individual (student) privacy.

Privacy enhancing technologies (PETs) offer a range of solutions to individuals to protect their data privacy.

What this paper adds

A review of the assumption that technology provides adequate or complete solutions for ensuring individual data privacy.

A mapping of five alternative understandings of personal data privacy and its implications for technological solutions.

Consideration of implications for the protection of student privacy in learning analytics.

Implications for practice and/or policy

Student data privacy is not only a technological problem to be solved but should also be understood as a social problem.

The use of PETs offers some solutions for data privacy in learning analytics.

Strategies to protect student data privacy should include student agency, literacy and a whole‐system approach.
Perceiving ingroup and outgroup faces within and across nations
Authors: Kawakami Kerry , Friesen Justin P. , Fang Xia
Published: April 2022

The human face is arguably the most important of all social stimuli because it provides so much valuable information about others. Therefore, one critical factor for successful social communication is the ability to process faces. In general, a wide body of social cognitive research has demonstrated that perceivers are better at extracting information from their own‐race compared to other‐race faces and that these differences can be a barrier to positive cross‐race relationships. The primary objective of the present paper was to provide an overview of how people process faces in diverse contexts, focusing on racial ingroup and outgroup members within one nation and across nations. To achieve this goal, we first broadly describe social cognitive research on categorization processes related to ingroups vs. outgroups. Next, we briefly examine two prominent mechanisms (experience and motivation) that have been used to explain differences in recognizing facial identities and identifying emotions when processing ingroup and outgroup racial faces within nations. Then, we explore research in this domain across nations and cultural explanations, such as norms and practices, that supplement the two proposed mechanisms. Finally, we propose future cross‐cultural research that has the potential to help us better understand the role of these key mechanisms in processing ingroup and outgroup faces.
Does cronyism pay? Costly ingroup favoritism in the lab
Authors: Banuri Sheheryar , Eckel Catherine , Wilson Rick K.
Published: April 2022

Cronyism in firms arises when favoritism toward an ingroup affects personnel decisions. Two main motives underlie cronyism: profit, if an ingroup employee works harder; or altruism, if used to transfer resources. In a lab‐experiment trust game with naturally‐occurring groups, an employer (proposer) faces an employee (responder) who is or is not an ingroup member. We see that both motives play a role. Cronyism is more likely from employers who are more altruistic to the ingroup in a dictator game; and even low‐productivity (by design) ingroup members reciprocate trust generously. Cronyism pays for those who engage in it.
Comparative effectiveness of generic nifedipine versus Adalat long‐acting nifedipine for hypertension treatment: A multi‐institutional cohort study
Authors: Tung Ying‐Chang , Lin Chia‐Pin , Hsiao Fu‐Chih , Ho Chien‐Te , Tzyy‐Jer Hsu , Chu You‐Chia , Chen Wen‐Jone , Chu Pao‐Hsien
Published: April 2022

This retrospective multi‐institutional database analysis aimed to evaluate the blood‐pressure‐lowering efficacy and clinical outcomes of a generic versus brand‐name nifedipine for hypertension management. A total of 12 693 patients who were prescribed a generic or brand‐name nifedipine between January 1, 2011, and December 31, 2018, were identified from the Chang Gung Research Database of Chang Gung Memorial Hospitals, Taiwan. Among them, 2112 (21.4%) were prescribed generic nifedipine. After propensity score matching, both the generic and brand‐name groups consisted of 2102 patients. At a mean follow‐up of 3 years, the changes in office systolic (p for interaction = .791) and diastolic blood pressure (p for interaction = .689) did not differ significantly between the patients who received the generic and the brand‐name nifedipine. There was no significant difference between the two study groups regarding the composite of all‐cause mortality, acute myocardial infarction, stroke, coronary revascularization, or hospitalization for heart failure (hazard ratio 0.98, 95% confidence interval 0.85–1.13; p = .774). In conclusion, the generic nifedipine was comparable to its brand‐name counterpart regarding office blood pressure reduction and the composite cardiovascular outcome for the treatment of patients with hypertension.
Anti‐shigellosis activity of the aqueous extract of garlic, clove and fenugreek
Authors: Amer Sara Adel , Abd El‐Rahman Hanaa Sayed Mohamed
Published: April 2022

Shigellosis causes severe diarrhea and, in some cases, death in children. In this study, we investigated the in vitro and in vivo anti‐shigellosis efficacy of some aqueous herbal extracts or their chosen mixtures, including fenugreek seed, black seed, clove, garlic, and ginger. The antibacterial potential was assessed by well diffusion and microdilution assays. The extracts' minimum inhibitory concentrations ranged from 0.39 to 12.5 mg/ml. The water extract of garlic and combinations of garlic with either fenugreek or clove extracts had the highest antibacterial efficacy, hence these extracts were chosen for the in vivo investigation. Rats were given aShigella dysenteriaeinoculum and then administrated two doses (100 and 200 mg/kg bw) of the selected herbal extracts or the antibiotic ciprofloxacin (20 mg/kg bw) to treat Shigellosis in vivo. The results showed that garlic and clove extract mixtures (G6, 200 mg/kg bw), garlic and fenugreek mixtures (G7 and G8, 100 and 200 mg/kg bw), and ciprofloxacin group (G9, 20 mg/kg bw) had the best anti‐Shigellosis efficacy. G7 (garlic and fenugreek mixtures (100 mg/kg bw) outperformed almost all other groups evaluated. This group had lower defecation frequency, lower stool‐Shigellaloudness, restored body weight, recovered hematological, and liver and kidney functions, besides exhibited no anatomical alterations in the colon tissue that were comparable to the uninfected group. As a result, in the treatment ofShigella, this extract combination may be suggested as a viable therapeutic alternative to antibiotics.