bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Superscan-Like Pattern on 18F-Choline PET/CT in a Patient With Essential Thrombocythemia
Authors: Urso Luca , Nieri Alberto , Borgia Francesca , Malorgio Antonio , Bartolomei Mirco
Published: February 2023

Few clinical and preclinical articles reported the potential usefulness of 18F-choline PET/CT in several hematological proliferative diseases. We report and incidental finding of a superscan-like pattern in a patient affected by essential thrombocythemia (ET), performing 18F-choline PET/CT for a biochemical recurrence of prostate cancer. The mild elevation of PSA values and the negativity of subsequent 68Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT allowed to correlate the diffuse skeletal uptake detected on 18F-choline PET/CT to the underlying hematologic disease, rather than to a prostate cancer relapse.
The Humeral Metastasis as the Initial Presentation of Lung Adenocarcinoma Revealed by 18F-FDG PET/CT
Authors: Hou Guozhu , Peng Pan , Zhao Yiting , Zheng Rong
Published: February 2023

Lung adenocarcinoma with humeral metastasis as the initial presentation is rare. We reported FDG PET/CT findings of solitary humeral metastasis from adenocarcinoma of the lung in a 57-year-old man with the right upper arm pain as the initial presentation. MRI showed bone destruction of the right humerus with a soft tissue mass, suggesting the possibility of malignancy. FDG PET/CT showed that the right humeral mass had strong activity, and there were additional FDG lesions in the right armpit, left apical lung, and left adrenal gland, which was later confirmed as humeral metastasis from lung adenocarcinoma by pathological examination.
Concurrent FDG-Avid and Non–FDG-Avid Pleomorphic Adenomas in the Submandibular Gland and Parapharyngeal Space
Authors: Park Soonchan , Lee Young Chan , Kim Gou Young , Kim Chanwoo
Published: February 2023

Pleomorphic adenoma is the most common benign tumor of salivary glands. Here we present an interesting case of concurrent pleomorphic adenomas in the parapharyngeal space and submandibular gland. The tumors showed stark differences in the imaging findings on FDG PET/CT and MRI. Pathology confirmed the diagnosis of pleomorphic adenomas with the different composition of the cellular component and chondromyxoid stroma. This case suggests that the difference in cellularity of pleomorphic adenomas can affect FDG uptake and diffusion-weighted MRI-derived apparent diffusion coefficient values.
Cervical Lymph Node Metastasis From Recurrent Glioblastoma Detected by MRI and 2-[18F]FDG PET/CT
Authors: Suárez-Piñera Marina , Pudis Michal , Vilariño Noelia , Baixeras Nuria , Torró Carlos Majós
Published: February 2023

A 53-year-old man diagnosed with recurrent glioblastoma after multimodal treatment on a follow-up brain MRI. Because of a palpable mass in the neck, the patient underwent a whole-body 2-[18F]FDG PET/CT, which revealed hypermetabolic laterocervical confluent lymphadenopathies. A nodal cervical biopsy indicated distant metastases from glioblastoma. Recent studies have confirmed dural meningeal lymphatics, as part of the glymphatic system, which provide clearance of interstitial solutes from the brain parenchyma into cervical lymphatics. Nodal cervical metastases from glioblastoma, using this pathway, are extremely rare and have been almost unthinkable some years ago.
High 18F-FDG Uptake in a Papillary Craniopharyngioma of the Third Ventricle
Authors: Kaida Hayato , Matsukubo Yuko , Im Sung-Woon , Kashiwagi Nobuo , Ishii Kazunari
Published: February 2023

Craniopharyngioma is a benign tumor classified as grade 1 by the World Health Organization Classification of Tumors of the Central Nervous System. We present a rare case of a high-18F-FDG-avidity papillary craniopharyngioma of the third ventricle. A 65-year-old man underwent CT and MRI examinations for gait disturbance, lower-limb weakness, and urinary incontinence, and an oval solid tumor that extended from the suprasellar region to the third ventricle was identified. 18F-FDG PET/CT showed high accumulation (SUVmax, 22.3) in the tumor. A transventricular endoscopic tumor biopsy led to the diagnosis of papillary craniopharyngioma.
High Coronary Artery Calcium Score Is Associated With Increased Major Adverse Cardiac Events After Liver Transplantation
Authors: Su Amanda , Almazan Erik , Sakulsaengprapha Vorada , Shay Jessica , Wittstein Ilan , Hammami Muhammad , Pustavoitau Aliaksei , Rizkalla Nicole , Alqahtani Saleh , Woreta Tinsay , Hamilton James P. , Kohli Ruhail , Ottmann Shane E. , Gurakar Ahmet , Chen Po-Hung
Published: February 2023

Background.

Liver transplantation (LT) candidates frequently have multiple cardiovascular risk factors, and cardiovascular disease is a major cause of morbidity and mortality after LT. Coronary artery calcium (CAC) scores are a noninvasive assessment of coronary artery disease using computed tomography. This study examines CAC scores and cardiac risk factors and their association with outcomes after LT.

Methods.

Patients who underwent LT between January 2010 and June 2019 with a pretransplant CAC score were included in this study. Patients were divided by CAC score into 4 groups (CAC score 0, CAC score 1–100, CAC score 101–400, CAC score >400). Major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) were defined as myocardial infarction, stroke, revascularization, heart failure, atrial fibrillation, and cardiovascular death. Associations between CAC score and MACE or all-cause mortality within the 5-y post-LT follow-up period were analyzed using Cox regression. Statistical significance was defined as P < 0.05.

Results.

During the study period, 773 adult patients underwent their first LT, and 227 patients met our study criteria. The median follow-up time was 3.4 (interquartile range 1.9, 5.3) y. After 5 y, death occurred in 47 patients (20.7%) and MACE in 47 patients (20.7%). In multivariable analysis, there was no difference in death between CAC score groups. There was significantly higher risk of MACE in the CAC score >400 group, with a hazard ratio 2.58 (95% confidence interval 1.05, 6.29).

Conclusions.

CAC score was not associated with all-cause mortality. Patients with CAC score >400 had an increase in MACEs within the 5-y follow-up period compared with patients with a CAC score = 0. Further research with larger cohorts is needed to examine cardiac risk stratification in this vulnerable patient population.
Atherosclerosis and Intrarenal Resistance Index in Kidney Transplant Recipients
Authors: Bloemendal Niels T. , Hertsig Richella , Benjamens Stan , van de Kuit Anouk , Swaab Tim , Yakar Derya , Minnee Robert C. , Tielliu Ignace F.J. , Bakker Stephan J.L. , Pol Robert A.
Published: February 2023

Background.

Atherosclerosis of the aortoiliac vessels can adversely affect kidney perfusion after kidney transplantation. Atherosclerosis severity can be determined using the calcium score (CaScore). Potential problems with posttransplantation kidney perfusion can be determined using the intrarenal resistance index (RI). This study investigated the association between aortoiliac CaScore and RI in kidney transplant recipients.

Methods.

Kidney transplant recipients (2004–2019), for whom the CaScore and RI were determined, were included in this dual-center cohort study. CaScore was measured in 3 aortoiliac segments using noncontrast CT imaging. RI was determined using Doppler ultrasound. Multivariable linear regression analyses were performed between the CaScore and RI, adjusted for confounding variables.

Results.

The mean age of the 389 included patients was 59 (±13) y. The mean RI (unitless) was 0.71 (±0.09)‚ and the median CaScore (unitless) was 3340 (399–7833). In univariable linear regression analyses with RI as the dependent variable, CaScore (β = 0.011; P < 0.001) was positively associated with RI. Moreover, recipient age (β = 0.014; P < 0.001), history of diabetes (β = 0.029; P = 0.003), recipient history of vascular interventions (β = 0.032; P = 0.002), prior dialysis (β = 0.029; P = 0.003), deceased donor transplantation (β = 0.042; P < 0.001), donation after cardiac death (β = 0.036; P = 0.001), an increase in cold ischemia time (β = 0.011; P < 0.001), and the Comprehensive Complication Index (β = 0.006; P = 0.002) were also positively associated with RI, whereas preoperative recipient diastolic blood pressure (β = −0.007; P = 0.030) was inversely associated. In multivariable analyses, CaScore and RI remained significantly (P = 0.010) associated, independent of adjustment for potential confounders. Furthermore, in univariable linear regression analyses, multiple graft function characteristics were associated with RI.

Conclusions.

A significant association was found between CaScore and RI, independent of adjustment for multiple potential confounding factors, leading to a better insight into the development and interpretation of RI. Aortoiliac atherosclerosis should be considered when interpreting the RI and determining the possible cause of malperfusion and graft failure after kidney transplantation.
Sir David Allan (Dai) Rees. 28 April 1936—10 June 2021
Authors: Lawson Chris , Lillford Peter
Published: February 2023

Dai Rees was a carbohydrate chemist, who made major contributions to our understanding of the structure and function of naturally occurring polysaccharides. During his time at the University of Edinburgh he was the first to identify the self-association of polysaccharides from red algae such as agarose and the carrageenans into ordered double helical structures. This understanding of polysaccharide structure and functionality achieved in Edinburgh was of interest to carbohydrate chemists and the industries where these materials are widely used, such as foods and pharmaceuticals. Throughout the 1970s, Dai worked in the Unilever Colworth House laboratory as principal scientist. He continued his studies of polysaccharide structure and function, but also led fundamental research in emerging sciences of corporate interest to Unilever's long-term business future. Dai believed that high quality science was the source of uniqueness in innovation and technology. He identified that problems in research require a multidisciplinary approach, and at Colworth House he organized smaller projects into research themes, allowing faster development of both understanding and application. This philosophy was practised throughout his management career. He became director of the National Institute for Medical Research in 1982, and from 1987 to 1996 was the chief executive of the Medical Research Council. At the same time, he was a senior advisor to the UK National Technology Foresight exercise and president of the European Science Foundation. After retirement, he was instrumental in establishing the Centre for Novel Agricultural Products at the University of York, funded by the Garfield Weston Foundation.
Animal movement and associated infectious disease risk in a metapopulation
Authors: Dekelaita Daniella J. , Epps Clinton W. , German David W. , Powers Jenny G. , Gonzales Ben J. , Abella-Vu Regina K. , Darby Neal W. , Hughson Debra L. , Stewart Kelley M.
Published: February 2023

Animal movements among habitat patches or populations are important for maintaining long-term genetic and demographic viability, but connectivity may also facilitate disease spread and persistence. Understanding factors that influence animal movements is critical to understanding potential transmission risk and persistence of communicable disease in spatially structured systems. We evaluated effects of sex, age and
Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae
infection status at capture on intermountain movements and seasonal movement rates observed in desert bighorn sheep (
Ovis canadensis nelsoni
) using global positioning system collar data from 135 individuals (27 males, 108 females) in 14 populations between 2013 and 2018, following a pneumonia outbreak linked to the pathogen
M. ovipneumoniae
in the Mojave Desert, California, USA. Based on logistic regression analysis, intermountain movements were influenced by sex, age and most notably, infection status at capture: males, older animals and uninfected individuals were most likely to make such movements. Based on multiple linear regression analysis, females that tested positive for
M. ovipneumoniae
at capture also had lower mean daily movement rates that were further influenced by season. Our study provides empirical evidence of a pathogenic infection decreasing an individual's future mobility, presumably limiting that pathogen's ability to spread, and ultimately influencing transmission risk within a spatially structured system.
A biphasic model of lifespan in nematode
Caenorhabditis elegans
worm
Authors: Mulla Suhayl , Ludlam Adele R. , Elragig Aiman , Slack Cathy , Balklava Zita , Stich Michael , Cheong Alex
Published: February 2023

Ageing research focuses on identifying lifespan modifiers and understanding and appropriately interpreting their effects. One of the most relevant quantities being studied is the shape of the survival curve that can reveal crucial information on the mechanism of action. Here, we introduce a bilogistic model to describe the shape of the lifespan curves of
Caenorhabditis elegans
populations. Using the corrected Akaike information criterion and the RMSE as goodness-of-fit tests, we show that the bilogistic model provides a better fit to the experimental data from nematode worms than other mathematical models and can identify and confirm biphasic lifespan data. Our parametric model offers a method to interpret replicate experiments data in terms of the shape parameters of the lifespan curve and enables robust statistical analysis of intra- and inter-group variance. We apply the model to novel lifespan data from
C. elegans
and
Drosophila melanogaster
and provide a rational statistical analysis of lifespan modifiers such as temperature and daf-16/FOXO mutation.
Exploring enablers and barriers to implementing the Transparency and Openness Promotion Guidelines: a theory-based survey of journal editors
Authors: Naaman Kevin , Grant Sean , Kianersi Sina , Supplee Lauren , Henschel Beate , Mayo-Wilson Evan
Published: February 2023

The Transparency and Openness Promotion (TOP) Guidelines provide a framework to help journals develop open science policies. Theories of behaviour change can guide understanding of why journals do (not) implement open science policies and the development of interventions to improve these policies. In this study, we used the Theoretical Domains Framework to survey 88 journal editors on their capability, opportunity and motivation to implement TOP. Likert-scale questions assessed editor support for TOP, and enablers and barriers to implementing TOP. A qualitative question asked editors to provide reflections on their ratings. Most participating editors supported adopting TOP at their journal (71%) and perceived other editors in their discipline to support adopting TOP (57%). Most editors (93%) agreed their roles include maintaining policies that reflect current best practices. However, most editors (74%) did not see implementing TOP as a high priority compared with other editorial responsibilities. Qualitative responses expressed structural barriers to implementing TOP (e.g. lack of time, resources and authority to implement changes) and varying support for TOP depending on study type, open science standard, and level of implementation. We discuss how these findings could inform the development of theoretically guided interventions to increase open science policies, procedures and practices.
The role of consciously timed movements in shaping and improving auditory timing
Authors: De Kock Rose , Zhou Weiwei , Datta Poorvi , Mychal Joiner Wilsaan , Wiener Martin
Published: February 2023

Our subjective sense of time is intertwined with a plethora of perceptual, cognitive and motor functions, and likewise, the brain is equipped to expertly filter, weight and combine these signals for seamless interactions with a dynamic world. Until relatively recently, the literature on time perception has excluded the influence of simultaneous motor activity, yet it has been found that motor circuits in the brain are at the core of most timing functions. Several studies have now identified that concurrent movements exert robust effects on perceptual timing estimates, but critically have not assessed how humans consciously judge the duration of their own movements. This creates a gap in our understanding of the mechanisms driving movement-related effects on sensory timing. We sought to address this gap by administering a sensorimotor timing task in which we explicitly compared the timing of isolated auditory tones and arm movements, or both simultaneously. We contextualized our findings within a Bayesian cue combination framework, in which separate sources of temporal information are weighted by their reliability and integrated into a unitary time estimate that is more precise than either unisensory estimate. Our results revealed differences in accuracy between auditory, movement and combined trials, and (crucially) that combined trials were the most accurately timed. Under the Bayesian framework, we found that participants’ combined estimates were more precise than isolated estimates, yet were sub-optimal when compared with the model’s prediction, on average. These findings elucidate previously unknown qualities of conscious motor timing and propose computational mechanisms that can describe how movements combine with perceptual signals to create unified, multimodal experiences of time.
Increase in prevalence of Streptococcus pneumoniae serogroup 24 in children upon introducing 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine in Japan
Authors: Ohkusu Misako , Takeshita Kenichi , Takeuchi Noriko , Ishiwada Naruhiko
Published: February 2023

After introducing the 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) for children, a change in the prevalence of different Streptococcus pneumoniae serotypes that cause invasive pneumococcal diseases (IPDs) has been observed. The prevalence of vaccine serotypes has decreased and that of non-vaccine serotypes has increased. Currently, serogroup 24 has become one of the major non-vaccine serotypes causing IPDs in children in Japan. The aim of this study was to characterize clinical and genomic features of S. pneumoniae serogroup 24 strains isolated from sterile body sites in Japanese children. Serotyping, multi-locus sequence typing, and genomic analysis of capsular polysaccharides of 61 strains of serogroup 24 were performed from 2015 to 2021. Among the 61 strains, 36, 23, and 2 strains belonged to serotypes 24F, 24B, and 24C, respectively. The 24F ST 2572 and 24B ST 2572 were the major serotypes and sequence types observed from 2015 to 2019. On the contrary, 24F ST 162 and 24B ST 2754 were the two major serotypes and sequence types observed after 2020. Two strains of serotype 24C were detected for the first time in Japan. Sequence analysis of abpA gene, which plays a role in the synthesis of capsular polysaccharides in S. pneumoniae, was performed to distinguish different strains of serogroup 24. After the introduction of PCV13 in Japan, serogroup 24 has become one of the most prevalent non-vaccine serotypes causing IPDs in children. This serogroup has not been targeted in the next-generation pneumococcal conjugate vaccines. Therefore, the monitoring of S. pneumoniae serogroup 24 that causes IPDs in children is essential.
The Dietary Fermentable Fiber Inulin Alters the Intestinal Microbiome and Improves Chronic Kidney Disease Mineral-Bone Disorder in a Rat Model of CKD
Authors: Biruete Annabel , Chen Neal X. , Metzger Corinne E. , Srinivasan Shruthi , O’Neill Kalisha , Fallen Paul B. , Fonseca Austin , Wilson Hannah E. , de Loor Henriette , Evenepoel Pieter , Swanson Kelly S. , Allen Matthew R. , Moe Sharon M.
Published: February 2023

Background

Dietary fiber is important for a healthy diet, but intake is low in CKD patients and the impact this has on the manifestations of CKD-Mineral Bone Disorder (MBD) is unknown.

Methods

The Cy/+ rat with progressive CKD was fed a casein-based diet of 0.7% phosphate with 10% inulin (fermentable fiber) or cellulose (non-fermentable fiber) from 22 weeks to either 30 or 32 weeks of age (~30 and ~15 % of normal kidney function). We assessed CKD-MBD, cecal microbiota, and serum gut-derived uremic toxins. Two-way ANOVA was used to evaluate the effect of age and inulin diet, and their interaction.

Results

In CKD animals, dietary inulin led to changes in microbiota alpha and beta diversity at 30 and 32 weeks, with higher relative abundance of several taxa, includingBifidobacteriumandBacteroides, and lowerLactobacillus. Inulin reduced serum levels of gut-derived uremic toxins, phosphate, and parathyroid hormone, but not fibroblast growth factor-23. Dietary inulin decreased aorta and cardiac calcification and reduced left ventricular mass index and cardiac fibrosis. Bone turnover and cortical bone parameters were improved with inulin; however, bone mechanical properties were not altered.

Conclusions

The addition of the fermentable fiber inulin to the diet of CKD rats led to changes in the gut microbiota composition, lowered gut-derived uremic toxins, and improved most parameters of CKD-MBD. Future studies should assess this fiber as an additive therapy to other pharmacologic and diet interventions in CKD.

Significance Statement

Dietary fiber has well established beneficial health effects. However, the impact of fermentable dietary fiber on the intestinal microbiome and CKD-MBD is poorly understood. We used an animal model of progressive CKD and demonstrated that the addition of 10% of the fermentable fiber inulin to the diet altered the intestinal microbiota and lowered circulating gut-derived uremic toxins, phosphorus, and parathyroid hormone. These changes were associated with improved cortical bone parameters, lower vascular calcification, and reduced cardiac hypertrophy, fibrosis and calcification. Taken together, dietary fermentable fiber may be a novel additive intervention to traditional therapies of CKD-MBD.
Study on the expression of RAD51 in non-small cell lung cancer based on bioinformatics
Authors: Wu Jinghong , Zhang XianYu , Zhang Yanmei , Gao Fan , Wang Guangyan
Published: February 2023

Objective

RAD51 is a DNA repair protein, which participates in the resistance of tumor cells to radiotherapy/chemotherapy and reduces the therapeutic effect. Based on the research status of RAD51 at home and abroad and the analysis of online databases, the purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between RAD51 expression and clinical patient survival and prognosis. It is expected to provide a new theoretical basis for the clinical treatment of lung cancer patients, help identify new molecular markers, and provide new targets for the biological therapy of lung cancer patients.

Methods

the RNA Seq data of NSCLC in TCGA database were downloaded, and the expression of RAD51 gene in NSCLC and normal tissues were analyzed by R studio software. Clinical correlation analysis revealed its correlation with the clinicopathological characteristics of non-small cell lung cancer. Survival analysis was used to evaluate the relationship between the expression level and the prognosis of patients. CIBERSORT and TIMER were used to evaluate the correlation between the expression level of CIBERSORT and immune cells in the tumor microenvironment. The protein expression level of RAD51 in non-small cell lung cancer was evaluated by HPA.

Results

RAD51 was highly expressed in lung cancer (p<0.05), which was significantly associated with poor prognosis of lung adenocarcinoma patients (p=0.0026), but not with lung squamous cell carcinoma (p=0.76). The expression level of RAD51 mRNA was associated with different pathological stages of lung adenocarcinoma (p=0.000528), but not with different pathological stages of lung squamous cell carcinoma (p=0.326). RAD51 was positively correlated with the expression of TP53, BRAF, EGFR, MYC, PD-L1, and KRAS (p<0.001). In lung adenocarcinoma, lung cancer cells were positively correlated with CD4+memory T cells, CD8+T cells, and M1 macrophages (p<0.001). In lung squamous cell carcinoma, tumor cells were positively correlated with M1 macrophages (p<0.05), but not with CD4+T memory cells, CD8+T cells, M2 macrophages, and Tregs cells (p>0.05). The HPA database indicated that RAD51 protein was positive in non-small cell lung cancer.

Conclusion

RAD51 is highly expressed in non-small cell lung cancer and is associated with poor prognosis. RAD51 can be used as a biomarker related to the prognosis of non-small cell lung cancer and is expected to become a target for the diagnosis and treatment of non-small cell lung cancer.
Ataxin-2 polyglutamine expansions aberrantly sequester TDP-43, drive ribonucleoprotein condensate transport dysfunction and suppress local translation
Authors: Wijegunawardana Denethi , Vishal Sonali S. , Venkatesh Neha , Gopal Pallavi P.
Published: February 2023

Altered RNA metabolism is a common pathogenic mechanism linked to familial and sporadic Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). ALS is characterized by mislocalization and aggregation of TDP-43, an RNA-binding protein (RBP) with multiple roles in post-transcriptional RNA processing. Recent studies have identified genetic interactions between TDP-43 and Ataxin-2, a polyglutamine (polyQ) RBP in which intermediate length polyQ expansions confer increased ALS risk. Here, we used live-cell confocal imaging, photobleaching and translation reporter assays to study the localization, transport dynamics and mRNA regulatory functions of TDP-43/Ataxin-2 in rodent primary cortical neurons. We show that Ataxin-2 polyQ expansions aberrantly sequester TDP-43 within ribonucleoprotein (RNP) condensates, and disrupt both its motility along the axon and liquid-like properties. Our data suggest that Ataxin-2 governs motility and translation of neuronal RNP condensates and that Ataxin-2 polyQ expansions fundamentally perturb spatial localization of mRNA and suppress local translation. Overall, these results indicate Ataxin-2 polyQ expansions have detrimental effects on stability, localization, and translation of transcripts critical for axonal and cytoskeletal integrity, particularly important for motor neurons.
Singing from the same hymn sheet: are the chair and CEO ‘on the same page’ in their annual letters to shareholders?
Authors: Alshorman Salah Aldain Abdullah , Shanahan Martin
Published: February 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to explore whether the level of language content matching (LCM) between the chair and the CEO varies with their firm's financial performance.

Design/methodology/approach

This study examines a sample of 119 Australian firms and 476 annual letters to shareholders produced by the firms' chairs and CEOs over a four-year period. Chair–CEO LCM is measured by calculating the similarity score between the chair's and CEO's written text to shareholders within each firm year, while firm profitability is measured by return on assets. Univariate analysis of variance (ANOVA) tests as well as three multivariate linear models are used to examine the research question.

Findings

The results show that the profitability of the firm is significantly associated with the level of chair–CEO LCM. When a firm is profitable, there is a lower level of chair–CEO LCM than when the firm is unprofitable and that profitability is related to a lower level of chair–CEO LCM. Firm size is positively and significantly related to the level of chair–CEO LCM. These findings are supportive of the view that the written communications of the chair and CEO are the outcome of strategic considerations and depend on a firm's specific economic situation.

Research limitations/implications

Future studies may consider alternative approaches to measure textual similarity.

Social implications

LCM may provide insights into management techniques that may be used to explain firm performance and provide a signal to external stakeholders, such as shareholders and fund managers.

Originality/value

This study provides new insights into the letters written by the chair and the CEO to explain or justify their firm's financial performance. Rather than focus on a single letter, this study examines the level of LCM between the shareholder letters of two different people in a firm (the chair and CEO) and finds that the extent of chair–CEO LCM is varying with firm performance and size. The findings of this study suggest that LCM is an important dimension of the communications of a firm's chair and CEO.
The role of trade associations in the digital transformation of their industry
Authors: Van Veldhoven Ziboud , Vanthienen Jan
Published: February 2023

Purpose

This paper aims that digital transformation (DT) is crucial for companies to stay competitive. While research on DT has quickly gained great popularity, the intersection of trade associations (TAs) and their role in the DT of their members is not yet researched.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper, the authors conducted 20 interviews with Belgian TAs to investigate the role of a TAs in the DT of its members, and how they drive the DT of its members. In addition, the authors investigate the core tasks of TAs, the need of the different industries to digitalize, and the digital projects the different industries are working on.

Findings

The findings indicate that TAs can be in a prime position to steer the DT of their members, especially for industries comprised of smaller players. Their roles can range from informing roles to true leaders of DT by creating novel products, such as online platforms and driving the entire sector forwards.

Research limitations/implications

These findings call for more research into TAs and how their role can be optimized for steering DT of their members.

Originality/value

This is the first study to extensively study the role of TAs on the DT of their members.
Macroeconomic effects of demand and supply shocks in the global oil price on the Vietnamese economy
Authors: Duong Thuy Hang
Published: February 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the effects of several structural shocks in oil prices on the Vietnamese economy and answer three key research questions: Is there a relationship between oil price shocks and macroeconomic indicators in Vietnam? How do different types of oil price impulses affect Vietnamese inflation and economic performance? To what extent do structural shocks in oil prices explain variations in Vietnam’s macroeconomic indicators?

Design/methodology/approach

Lower triangular Cholesky decomposition is performed on a short-term impact matrix in a two-block structural vector autoregressive model. The data set is defined monthly, from January 2000 to December 2021. The contributions of structural shocks in oil prices to the domestic variances are analysed using variance decomposition methods. In this study, both forecast error variance decomposition and historical decomposition are used.

Findings

The consequences of oil price fluctuations on Vietnamese output and inflation depend on different sources of oil price shocks. In comparison, oil supply shocks have an insignificant effect on both domestic industrial output and consumer price index inflation; however, positive shocks in aggregate and precautionary oil demands increase these domestic indicators substantially and sustainably. An analysis of variance decompositions reveals that supply-side oil shocks have very limited explanatory power for variations in domestic variables. Nevertheless, the contributions of unanticipated demand-side booms to domestic variations in the past and projected forecasts are considerable.

Research limitations/implications

The findings from this research uncover potential risks for Vietnam’s economic prospects if the consequences of oil price shocks are not managed effectively.

Originality/value

Given the lack of economic sensitivity to supply-side oil shocks and the strong response to shifts in oil demands, greater pressure on the domestic economy is likely when Vietnam increases its dependence on oil imports.
A serial mediation model of entrepreneurial education and entrepreneurial intention: a social cognitive career theory approach
Authors: Duong Cong Doanh , Nguyen Thi Thu Thuy , Le Thi Loan , Ngo Thi Viet Nga , Nguyen Chi Dung , Nguyen Thi Dao
Published: February 2023

Purpose

This study aims to answer two questions: do self-efficacy and outcome expectations serial mediate the effect of entrepreneurial education (EE) on the intention to start a business? and how can the social cognitive career theory explain entrepreneurial intention (EI)?

Design/methodology/approach

This study is based on the social cognitive career theory to examine the effect of EE on start-up intention via self-efficacy and outcome expectations by a serial mediation model. A sample of 1,232 students in Vietnam and the structural equal modelling method was used to test the hypotheses.

Findings

The results of this study reveal that entrepreneurial self-efficacy (ESE) significantly mediates the effect of EE on the intention to start a business. Similarly, entrepreneurial outcome expectations (EOEs) mediate the association between EE and EI. Especially, the results of serial mediation analysis show that ESE and EOEs serially mediate the EE–intention relationship.

Originality/value

Under a new perspective of social cognitive career theory, the current study is expected to contribute to clarifying the gap in the relationship between EE and EI. In addition, this study also contributes to investigating the antecedents of ESE and outcome expectations and providing empirical evidence supporting the relevance of social cognitive career theory in explaining EI.
CEO marital status and capital allocation efficiency
Authors: Hossain Md Noman , Bhuyan Md Nazmul Hasan
Published: February 2023

Purpose

The extant literature provides evidence that single CEOs are less risk-averse. Building on the theory of risk aversion, the authors argue that the risk aversion trait arising from CEO’s marital status partially explains capital allocation efficiency. The paper aims to examine the association between CEO marital status and capital allocation efficiency.

Design/methodology/approach

The primary sample includes 9,671 observations from 1,264 US firms. The authors apply multivariate regression and a series of endogeneity tests to examine the association between CEO marital status and capital allocation efficiency.

Findings

Single-CEO firms have higher capital allocation inefficiency than those with married CEOs. The findings continue to hold after a series of endogeneity tests such as propensity score matching, change analysis and instrumental variable regression analysis and are robust to alternative proxies for capital allocation inefficiency. The capital allocation inefficiency in single-CEO firms arises from overinvestment but not underinvestment, and corporate risk-taking channels the effect.

Research limitations/implications

The study is limited to the effect of CEO marital status, not CEO marital quality.

Practical implications

The findings imply that besides information asymmetry and agency conflicts, CEO marital status should receive special attention for capital allocation efficiency. Also, marital status influences the CEOs’ commitment to the general good of society, affecting the potential conflict of interest with different stakeholders from inefficient capital allocation.

Originality/value

This study extends corporate finance literature on CEO marital status by providing novel evidence on the effect of single CEOs on capital allocation efficiency. The authors conclude that CEOs’ personality traits, such as marital status, matter in corporate policy choices.
Changing the world one engineer at a time – unmaking the traditional engineering education when introducing sustainability subjects
Authors: Eidenskog Maria , Leifler Ola , Sefyrin Johanna , Johnson Ericka , Asplund Mikael
Published: February 2023

Purpose

The information technology (IT) sector has been seen as central to society's transformation to a more just and sustainable society, which underlines teachers’ responsibility to foster engineers who can contribute specifically to such ends. This study aims to report an effort to significantly update an existing engineering programme in IT with this ambition and to analyse the effects and challenges associated with the transformation.

Design/methodology/approach

This study is based on a combination of action-oriented research based on implementing key changes to the curriculum; empirical investigations including surveys and interviews with students and teachers, and analysis of these; and a science and technology studies-inspired analysis.

Findings

Respondents were generally positive towards adding topics relating to sustainability. However, in the unmaking of traditional engineering subjects, changes created a conflict between core versus soft subjects in which the core subjects tended to gain the upper hand. This conflict can be turned into productive discussions by focusing on what kinds of engineers the authors’ educate and how students can be introduced to societal problems as an integrated part of their education.

Practical implications

This study can be helpful for educators in the engineering domain to support them in their efforts to transition from a (narrow) focus on traditional disciplines to one where the bettering of society is at the core.

Originality/value

This study provides a novel approach to the transformation of engineering education through a theoretical analysis seldom used in studies of higher education on a novel case study.
R&D innovation under uncertainty: a framework for empirical investigation of knowledge complementarity and goal congruence
Authors: Richard Abigail , Ahrens Fred , George Benjamin
Published: February 2023

Purpose

This study aims to introduce a new prescriptive model to aid both managers and researchers in partner selection for innovation-orientated collaboration. This framework demonstrates how prospective partner firms’ complementing bodies of knowledge and goal alignment interact to affect the success of a collaboration.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors use geometric modeling to represent the interrelationships among knowledge similarity/dissimilarity, goal congruence, knowledge complementarity (KC) and innovation in alliance formation. Using this model as a framework, the authors derive relationships among predictors of innovation success and determine how they affect the nature of partnerships under varying conditions of KC.

Findings

This research shows how innovation success is strongly determined by partner selection. Specifically, the authors examine the influence of KC and partner goals on three aspects of a potential research and development (R&D) alliance – the potential level of innovation outcome for the alliance, the boundaries of knowledge sharing and limitations arising from knowledge and goal incongruence and the nature of cooperation.

Originality/value

Although there is broad empirical support that innovation success is influenced by the similarity of R&D partners’ knowledge, further research is still needed to model the relationship more precisely between partner KC and goal alignment. The authors address this gap by developing a model that is both prescriptive and predictive of how innovation success can be achieved in the context of disparate but complementing knowledge and goal sets. The authors conclude with practical implications for practice and future research directions.
Improving displacement of silicon V-shaped electrothermal microactuator using platinum sputter deposition process
Authors: Nguyen Dzung Tien , Pham Phuc Hong , Hoang Kien Trung
Published: February 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to propose a method to reduce the resistance of silicon-based V-shaped electrothermal microactuator (VEM) by applying a surface sputtering process.

Design/methodology/approach

Four VEM’s samples have been fabricated using traditional silicon on insulator (SOI)-Micro-electro-mechanical System (MEMS) technology, three of them are coated with a thin layer of platinum on the top surface by sputtering technique with different sputtered times and the other is original. The displacements of the VEM are calculated and simulated to evaluate the advantages of sputtering method.

Findings

The measured results show that the average resistance of the sputtered structures is approximately 1.16, 1.55 and 2.4 times lower than the non-sputtering sample corresponding to the sputtering time of 1.5, 3 and 6 min. Simulation results confirmed that the maximum displacement of the sputtered VEM is almost 1.45 times larger than non-sputtering one in the range of voltage from 8 to 20 V. The experimental displacements are also measured to validate the better performance of the sputtered samples.

Originality/value

The experimental results demonstrated the better displacement of the VEM structure after using the platinum sputtering process. The improvement can be considered and applied for enhancing displacement as well as decreasing the driving voltage of the other electrothermal microactuators like U- or Z-shaped structures while combining with the low-cost SOI-MEMS micromachining technology.
The perceived effects of spirituality, work-life integration and mediating role of work passion to millennial or gen Y employees’ mental health
Authors: Badri Siti Khadijah Zainal , Yung Carissa Tang Muk , Wan Mohd Yunus Wan Mohd Azam , Seman Noor Aslinda Abu
Published: February 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the link between spirituality, work-life integration, work passion and mental health among millennial employees. It also tests the mediating effect of the dualistic model of work passion in the framework.

Design/methodology/approach

A cross-sectional quantitative design was adopted using samples of 167 millennial employees from the education and service sectors. Results were analysed using Statistical Package of Social Science, Process macro extension and AMOS modelling software.

Findings

The findings indicated that millennials’ spirituality was positively linked to harmonious passion, while work-life integration was positively linked with obsessive and high mental health symptoms. Mediating effects were also discovered in which harmonious passion fully mediated the positive relationship between spirituality and mental health symptoms. While obsessive passion partially mediated work-life integration and mental health symptoms.

Originality/value

This paper highlights the mediating influence of millennials’ work passion for explaining their mental health symptoms. It also suggests the practicality and essential roles of spirituality and work-life integration in managing the mental health of existing and future millennials in the workforce.
The signal lost in the noise
Authors: Corlett John
Published: February 2023

Purpose

The case studies were examined in the context of a lack of confidence in what constitutes truth and knowledge.

Design/methodology/approach

A case study design taken examining specific instances where the emergence of populist political tactics in an unfettered media world has undermined public belief in what counts as knowledge and to cast doubt on the validity of the idea of truth.

Findings

From the examples used, it was seen that not just scholarship, but scholars themselves, found themselves under attack when presenting views that, however rigorously reasoned and supported by research fact, were deemed unacceptable by the extreme political right.

Practical implications

The knowledge creation purpose of universities is under threat and “business as usual” as a response will not address that threat.

Originality/value

This calls into question the future of universities and their professoriates in a post-truth world and asks what the academy can do to adapt to continue serve the common good when knowledge gives way to the powerful influence of the evidence-free rhetorical sound bite in the formulation of public policy and public opinion.
Changes in the DJIA: market reactions and economic cycles
Authors: Ryan Patricia A. , Villupuram Sriram V.
Published: February 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to explain the mixed results to changes in the DJIA index documented in the literature. The authors show that economic cycles, especially recessionary periods, explain the difference in findings.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors examine changes in the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) from 1929 to 2019 to evaluate immediate and long-term market reactions after a component change. Using multiple event-study methodologies, the authors examine the full era, the pre- and post-exchange traded fund (ETF) windows and economic cycles using both pre and post-estimation windows.

Findings

In aggregate, DJIA additions do not present an increase in wealth; however, wealth effects are positive during expansions and negative during recessions. Deletions have a negative wealth effect. The authors find weak evidence of an indexing effect. Additions are positive post-1998, and deletions remain negative regardless of era. In the long run, firms added to the DJIA have positive abnormal returns in the second year after inclusion. Deletions in recessionary times have negative returns three years after removal, a signal of longer-term wealth decline for these firms.

Research limitations/implications

The DJIA changes periodically to better represent industries relevant to the blue-chip market, and the findings have implications for fund managers and active investors.

Practical implications

The DJIA changes periodically to better represent industries relevant to the blue-chip market, and the findings have implications for fund managers and active investors.

Originality/value

Prior literature presents limited time series of data points and mixed results and implications. The authors find that the economic cycle is a driving factor that supports predicted signs and amounts of wealth change. Furthermore, the authors see limited ETF impact on DJIA changes and some impact of the choice of estimation period.