bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Do ESG ratings inhibit corporate leverage manipulation? The moderating effects of internal and external supervision
Authors: Shan Mengmeng , Zhu Jingyi
Published: April 2024

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the relationship between corporate environmental, social and governance (ESG) ratings and leverage manipulation and the moderating effects of internal and external supervision.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors draw on a sample of Chinese non-financial A-share-listed firms from 2013 to 2020 to explore the effect of ESG ratings on leverage manipulation. Robustness and endogeneity tests confirm the validity of the regression results.

Findings

ESG ratings inhibit leverage manipulation by improving social reputation, information transparency and financing constraints. This effect is weakened by internal supervision, captured by the ratio of institutional investor ownership, and strengthened by external supervision, captured by the level of marketization. The effect is stronger in non-state-owned firms and firms in non-polluting industries. The governance dimension of ESG exhibits the strongest effect, with comprehensive environmental governance ratings and social governance ratings also suppressing leverage manipulation.

Practical implications

Firms should strive to cultivate environmental awareness, fulfil their social responsibilities and enhance internal governance, which may help to strengthen the firm’s sustainability orientation, mitigate opportunistic behaviours and ultimately contribute to high-quality firm development. The top managers of firms should exercise self-restraint and take the initiative to reduce leverage manipulation by establishing an appropriate governance structure and sustainable business operation system that incorporate environmental and social governance in addition to general governance.

Social implications

Policymakers and regulators should formulate unified guidelines with comprehensive criteria to improve the scope and quality of ESG information disclosure and provide specific guidance on ESG practice for firms. Investors should incorporate ESG ratings into their investment decision framework to lower their portfolio risk.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the literature in four ways. Firstly, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, it is among the first to show that high ESG ratings may mitigate firms’ opportunistic behaviours. Secondly, it identifies the governance factor of leverage manipulation from the perspective of firms’ subjective sustainability orientation. Thirdly, it demonstrates that the relationship between ESG ratings and leverage manipulation varies with the level of internal and external supervision. Finally, it highlights the importance of governance in guaranteeing the other two dimensions’ roles by decomposing overall ESG.
Between villainification and heroification: toward a theory of nuanced ethical judgments
Authors: Yoder Paul J.
Published: April 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this conceptual article is to examine the role of villainification and heroification in social studies through critically analyzing the author’s place-based encounters with three civil war narratives.

Design/methodology/approach

The article describes the author’s critical reflections on three narratives involving confederate figures and examines theoretical and pedagogical implications.

Findings

The article introduces a spectrum of ethical judgments which plots villainification and heroification on opposing ends. The author advocates for more nuanced ethical judgments that contextualize decisions as understandable or defensible based on evidence. The term understandable reflects a concept of being able to explain (i.e. demonstrate understanding) why a curricular figure made certain choices without agreeing with or supporting those choices. The term defensible denotes the existence of evidence that provides a rationale for a choice such that the person making the ethical judgment would feel comfortable making (i.e. defending) the same choice.

Originality/value

The article introduces a theory of nuanced ethical judgments in social studies that maps onto existing literature on heroification, villainification and place-based education. Pedagogical implications for social studies education are also identified.
Global palates: unraveling digital nomads’ culinary journeys and gastro-tourist profiles
Authors: Yayla Önder , Özgür Göde Merve , Ekincek Sema
Published: April 2024

Purpose

This study aims to reveal the food preferences and to define the typology of digital nomads as gastro-tourists. In this context, it is aimed to provide information on issues such as the importance of food culture in destination selection for digital nomads, food prices, local dishes, local food markets, religious restrictions, researching cultural cuisines, preparing meals and participating in gastronomic events.

Design/methodology/approach

Multiple qualitative methods were utilized in the research for this study. Digital nomads' comments, videos and semi-structured interviews constitute the data sources of the research, and the data obtained were analyzed by content analysis.

Findings

As a result of the study, it was seen that digital nomads do consider gastronomy in their destination selection, and five different gastro-tourist profiles were determined. These are Local Flavor Hunters, Gastronomy Adventurers, Budget-Conscious Food Lovers, Cultural Explorers and Health and Sustainability Focused People.

Originality/value

The theoretical contribution of the study is to provide information with regard to the food and beverage preferences of digital nomads and to contribute to filling a gap in the literature. The practical contribution of the study is to help formulate tourism marketing strategies in the destination and strategies for businesses in the tourism industry. Since digital nomads play important roles in destination promotion, it is important to determine their perspectives and typologies towards gastronomy. The results of the study will be useful for tourism industry components, such as academics, experts, travel businesses, tourism destinations and local food producers who research the tourism industry and travel trends.
Automation in gastronomy: use of smart cooking systems in industrial kitchens
Authors: Güngör Ozan , Yücel Güngör Mehtap
Published: April 2024

Purpose

The hospitality industry is on the cusp of a culinary revolution, propelled by the integration of smart cooking technologies and artificial intelligence (AI). This article delves into how these innovations are transforming hotel and restaurant kitchens, emphasizing food quality, operational efficiency and sustainability. Through AI, the culinary domain promises not just refined dining experiences but also a fundamental reshaping of kitchen operations.

Design/methodology/approach

The study includes a document review prepared by examining the academic literature regarding the chosen concepts in a wide range of contexts.

Findings

Smart cooking provides much convenience in working life with the help of technology, and this technology will be given more space in the future.

Originality/value

This article presents a review of the relevant literature on smart cooking systems, one of the developing digital gastronomy tools.
An overview of chatbots in tourism and hospitality using bibliometric and thematic content analysis
Authors: Yılmaz Gökhan , Şahin-Yılmaz Ayşe
Published: April 2024

Purpose

Artificial intelligence is one of the most significant and active fields of study in the last few years. Artificial intelligence-derived robotic technologies known as chatbots are gaining interest from both academic and industry sectors. By analyzing the development and patterns of research on the chatbot phenomena within the tourism field, this study seeks to develop a theoretical framework for the interaction between chatbots and tourism.

Design/methodology/approach

The Web of Science (WoS) database’s 33 articles on chatbots related to travel and hospitality were examined between 2019 and 2024 using VOSviewer software for bibliometric and thematic content analysis.

Findings

Research on chatbots for tourism and hospitality appears to be in its early stages. The factors influencing tourists' intentions to use chatbots have been thoroughly researched; the attitudes, perceptions and behavioral intentions of destinations, travel agencies and restaurant patrons regarding chatbots were examined, and it was found that the quantitative research approach was dominant. In addition, the majority of the studies are based on a particular theory or model.

Originality/value

This is one of the first attempts to directly comprehend and depict the interconnected structures of studies on the interaction between chatbots and tourism through the use of network analysis. Furthermore, the study’s findings can offer academics a comprehensive viewpoint and a reference manual for more accurate assessment and oversight of the chatbot-tourism interaction. Regarding the lack of research on the topic and the fragmented structure of the studies that exist, it is imperative to provide both a comprehensive overview and a roadmap for future investigations into the usage of chatbots in the travel and hospitality sector.
Viable-feasibility of innovated combined condenser over traditional individual condenser heat pipe solar evacuated tube water heating system: a comparative-conclusive approach
Authors: Nema Garima , K. Karunamurthy
Published: April 2024

Purpose

This study aims to provide an alternative adoption to overcome the energy crisis and environmental effluence by comparative theoretical and trial testing analysis of an innovative combined condenser unit over traditional individual condenser unit water heating systems.

Design/methodology/approach

The presented innovative new unit of the combined condenser heat pipe works efficiently through its improved idea and unique design, providing uniform heating to improve the heat transfer and, finally, the temperature of water increases without enhancing the cost. In this design, all these five evaporator units were connected with a single combined condenser unit in such a manner that after the condensation of heat transfer fluid vapour, it goes equally into the evaporator pipe.

Findings

The maximum temperature of hot water obtained from the combined condenser heating system was 60.6, 55.5 and 50.3°C at a water flow rate of 0.001, 0.002 and 0.003 kg/s, respectively. The first and second law thermodynamic efficiency of the combined condenser heating system were 55.4%, 60.5% and 89.0% and 2.6%, 3.7% and 4.1% at 0.001, 0.002 and 0.003 kg/s of water flow rates, respectively. The combined condenser heat pipe solar evacuated tube heating system promoting progressive performance is considered efficient and environment-friendly compared to the traditional condenser unit water heating system.

Originality/value

Innovative combined condenser heat pipe evacuated tube collector assembly was designed and developed for the study. A comparative theoretical and experimental energy-exergy performance analysis was performed of innovated collective condenser and traditional individual condenser heat pipe water heating system at various mass flow rate.
Basin‐scale prediction of S‐wave Sonic Logs using Machine Learning techniques from conventional logs
Authors: Lee Jaewook , Chen Yangkang , Dommisse Robin , Huang Guo‐chin Dino , Savvaidis Alexandros
Published: April 2024

S‐wave velocity plays a crucial role in various applications but often remains unavailable in vintage wells. To address this practical challenge, we propose a machine learning framework utilizing an enhanced bidirectional long short‐term memory algorithm for estimating S‐wave sonic logs from conventional logs, including P‐wave sonic, gamma ray, total porosity, and bulk density. These input logs are selected based on traditional rock physics models, integrating geological and geophysical relations existing in the data. Our study, encompassing 34 wells across diverse formations in the Delaware Basin, Texas, demonstrates the superiority of machine learning models over traditional methods like Greenberg–Castagna equations, without prior geological and geophysical information. Among these machine learning models, the enhanced bidirectional long short‐term memory model with self‐attention yields the highest performance, achieving an R‐squared value of 0.81. Blind tests on five wells without prior geologic information validate the reliability of our approach. The estimated S‐wave velocity values enable the creation of a basin‐scale S‐wave velocity model through interpolation and extrapolation of these prediction models. Additionally, the bidirectional long short‐term memory model excels not only in predicting S‐wave velocity but also in estimating S‐wave reflectivity for seismic amplitude variation with offset applications in exploration seismology. In conclusion, these S‐wave velocity estimates facilitate the prediction of further elastic properties, aiding in the comprehension of petrophysical and geomechanical property variations within the basin and enhancing earthquake hypocentral depth estimation.
Making home alive again after war: AcoliKaka’s Indigenous land sovereignties in Northern Uganda
Authors: Rosenoff Gauvin Lara
Published: April 2024

After the war between the Ugandan government and the Lord's Resistance Army (1986‐2006), 90 per cent of the displaced rural population in Northern Uganda returned to small‐scale farming on their ancestral lands and their systems of communal land stewardship. At the time, there was much debate about transitional justice interventions to address war's violence, but in that same period over 85 per cent of Acoli chiefdoms saw affiliated clans, or kin‐based political communities (kaka), negotiate to write down their Indigenous governance constitutions for the first time. AcoliKaka’s return to their ancestral lands and small‐scale farming, and subsequent engagements withtekwaro –Indigenous knowledge –through constitution writing, served to strengthen Indigenous governance and law after their weakening in contexts of war and displacement. It is argued here that these engagements and negotiations rooted in the land, regardless of their outcomes, served to orient relationshipsawayfrom the fragmenting, unprecedented, forced Acoli‐on‐Acoli violence experienced during the war. A resurgence of AcoliKaka’s Indigenous law and governance rooted in communal land stewardship is linked to relational repair and supports calls for transitional justice processes to nurture and respect Indigenous land rights. These ethnographic arguments also lend support tokaka’s ongoing efforts towards clan unity (ribbe kaka) and to secure communal land sovereignties.
Inter‐observer variation of head and foot point selection for subject height determination
Authors: Liscio Eugene , Lim Jihwa
Published: April 2024

The purpose of this study was to examine factors affecting video analysts' decisions in marking the vertex of the head and foot point and corresponding inter‐observer marking variances when conducting height analysis on individuals seen in video. Nineteen video analysts participated in an exercise at the 2022 Ontario Forensic Video Analysts' Association (OFVAA) conference where they were asked to mark the vertex of the head and a corresponding foot point of a “suspect” on extracted video frames in a variety of positions and with different headwear (no headwear, baseball cap, and hoodie). A height scale with discrete marking points located at the same positions as where the suspect was positioned was also included in a separate image set, offering a comparison to the suspect. Marked points for all analysts were overlayed onto the respective image frame for visual observations. Summary statistics were used for data interpretation. This study demonstrated that factors such as the suspect's proximity to the camera and suspect's headwear affected the variability and range of marking, which has a direct correlation to the estimated height of the suspect. In general, when the region to be marked was larger, the variability was also larger. This study also demonstrates that marking errors were significantly reduced when discrete marking locations were present such as on a height scale. The average percentage difference of height was most notable, approximately 3%, when the suspect was wearing a hoodie and was at a position closest to the camera. The range of the percentage difference was also the highest at this position, which was 10.6%. In comparison, the height scale had a maximum percent height difference of 0.6% at position D‐5, the furthest position from the camera. The range at this location was approximately 2%, which was also the highest range value for the height scale. Future studies should consider suspect posture and look at how these errors may be minimized by examining the best locations to mark the head and foot points under different scenarios.
The impact of air pollution on cost of debt: Evidence from corporate bond markets
Authors: Hu Xiaolu , Zhong Angel , Cao Youdan , Wang Wenlan
Published: April 2024

This study explores the influence of air pollution on the corporate bond market in China. An air pollution premium is documented, whereby bonds issued in more polluted areas are associated with higher offering yields at issue in the primary market and higher yield spreads in the secondary market. The statistically and economically significant air pollution premium is robust to a battery of sensitivity checks. The air pollution premium is associated with rising investor attention to climate risk in financial markets.
Endodontic management considerations for Type III dens invaginatus based on anatomical characteristics: A case series
Authors: Wang Jia , Niu Chenguang , Zhang Pengfei , Ran Shujun , Huang Zhengwei
Published: April 2024

Dens invaginatus (DI) is a developmental anomaly of the teeth characterised by the in‐folding of the enamel into the dentin. Oehlers' Type III DI is the most serious form, in which the inherently invaginated channels communicate with periodontal and dental pulp tissue, increasing the risk of bacterial contamination. However, varying and complex anatomical features make diagnosis and treatment challenging. Conventional endodontic therapies promote healing by avoiding unnecessary interventions (e.g., surgical or other invasive treatments). Radiographic examination can reveal the structural details of such malformations. We obtained multiple procedural details for treating Type III DI based on radiographic analyses from our clinical experience. In addition, we introduce a new classification strategy for the management of Type III DI that is more applicable to treatment needs. This study aimed to discuss the anatomical features and current treatment considerations of Type III DI.
A parametric study on pulse duplicator design and valve hemodynamics
Authors: Smid Caroline C. , Pappas Georgios A. , Falk Volkmar , Ermanni Paolo , Cesarovic Nikola
Published: April 2024

Background

In vitro assessment is mandatory for artificial heart valve development. This study aims to investigate the effects of pulse duplicator features on valve responsiveness, conduct a sensitivity analysis across valve prosthesis types, and contribute on the development of versatile pulse duplicator systems able to perform reliable prosthetic aortic valve assessment under physiologic hemodynamic conditions.

Methods

A reference pulse duplicator was established based on literature. Further optimization process led to new designs that underwent a parametric study, also involving different aortic valve prostheses. These designs were evaluated on criteria such as mean pressure differential and pulse pressure (assessed from high‐fidelity pressure measurements), valve opening and closing behavior, flow, and regurgitation. Finally, the resulting optimized setup was tested under five different hemodynamic settings simulating a range of physiologic and pathologic conditions.

Results

The results show that both, pulse duplicator design and valve type significantly influence aortic and ventricular pressure, flow, and valve kinematic response. The optimal design comprised key features such as a compliance chamber and restrictor for diastolic pressure maintenance and narrow pulse pressure. Additionally, an atrial reservoir was included to prevent atrial–aortic interference, and a bioprosthetic valve was used in mitral position to avoid delayed valve closing effects.

Conclusion

This study showed that individual pulse duplicator features can have a significant effect on valve's responsiveness. The optimized versatile pulse duplicator replicated physiologic and pathologic aortic valve hemodynamic conditions, serving as a reliable characterization tool for assessing and optimizing aortic valve performance.
Extracellular acidification increases uterine contraction in pregnant mouse by increasing intracellular calcium
Authors: Almohanna Asmaa M. , Noble Karen , Wray Susan
Published: April 2024

Aims

As uterine extracellular pH decreases during the ischemic conditions of labor, but its effects on myometrial contraction are largely unknown, there is a need to elucidate its physiological effects and mechanisms of action. Furthermore, it is not known if any of the effects of extracellular acidification are affected by pregnancy, thus we also determined how gestation affects the response to acidification.

Methods

Nonpregnant, mid‐, and term‐pregnant myometrial strips were obtained from humanely killed mice. Contractions were recorded under spontaneous, depolarized, and oxytocin‐stimulated conditions. The extracellular pH of the perfusate was changed from 7.4 to 6.9 or 7.9 in HEPES‐buffered physiological saline. Intracellular pH was measured using SNARF, and intracellular calcium was measured using Indo‐1. Statistical differences were tested using the appropriate t‐test.

Results

Extracellular acidification significantly increased the frequency and amplitude of spontaneous contractions in pregnant, but not nonpregnant, myometrium, whereas alkalinization decreased contractions. Intracellular acidification, via Na‐butyrate, transiently increased force in pregnant tissue. Intracellular pH was gradually acidified when extracellular pH was acidified, but extracellular acidification increased contractility before any significant change in intracellular pH. If myometrial force was driven by oxytocin or high‐K depolarization, then extracellular pH did not further increase force. Intracellular calcium changes mirrored those of force in the spontaneously contracting pregnant myometrium, and if calcium entry was prevented by nifedipine, extracellular acidification could not induce a rise in force.

Conclusion

Extracellular acidification increases excitability, calcium entry, and thus force in pregnant mouse myometrium, and this may contribute to increasing contractions during labor when ischemic conditions and acidemia occur.
Editorial: Novel insights into the prognostic relevance of high‐dose PPI treatment in patients with cirrhosis
Authors: Bettinger Dominik , Thimme Robert , Sturm Lukas
Published: April 2024

LINKED CONTENT

This article is linked to Yoon et al paper. To view this article, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.17909
Attributing extreme weather to climate change: State Park employees as institutional actors
Authors: Lies Trevor S. , Omar Syed Muhammad , Roennengart Alyssia , Adams Glenn , Santangelo Byron
Published: April 2024

Researchers in environmental psychology celebrate the potential for state and national parks to inspire civic engagement in the issue of climate change. Yet, prevailing conceptions of nature may reflect ongoing colonial concerns, such that parks may represent a space to avoid thinking about—rather than reckon with—escalating ecological crises. In this paper, we approach the topic of climate change in state parks from a perspective informed by decolonial theory. In particular, we report a mixed‐methods study with (N = 51) employees at parks in Kansas and throughout the United States regarding the extra‐individual factors that impact their tendency to subjectively attribute extreme weather to climate change. Findings indicate that park employees were less likely to attribute extreme weather to climate change in parks with (1) less institutional support for climate change mitigation, and (2) increased presence of white conservatives. Responses to a question about the purpose of parks and open‐ended reflections reveal that employees conceive of parks as a space for recreation wherein their primary role in relation to visitors is to supply “fun” and “natural” experiences for consumption. We reflect on conceptions of parks and nature and discuss a conception of parks better suited to confront the escalating ecological crisis.
Advancements in medical research using fetal sheep: Implications for human health and treatment methods
Authors: Abe Tomoyuki , Sarentonglaga Borjigin , Nagao Yoshikazu
Published: April 2024

Sheep are typically considered as industrial animals that provide wool and meals. However, they play a significant role in medical research in addition to their conventional use. Notably, sheep fetuses are resistant to surgical invasions and can endure numerous manipulations, such as needle puncture and cell transplantation, and surgical operations requiring exposure beyond the uterus. Based on these distinguishing characteristics, we established a chimeric sheep model capable of producing human/monkey pluripotent cell‐derived blood cells via the fetal liver. Furthermore, sheep have become crucial as human fetal models, acting as platforms for developing and improving techniques for intrauterine surgery to address congenital disorders and clarifying the complex pharmacokinetic interactions between mothers and their fetuses. This study emphasizes the significant contributions of fetal sheep to advancing human disease understanding and treatment strategies, highlighting their unique characteristics that are not present in other animals.
Prior psychiatric morbidity and differential psychopharmacological treatment patterns: Exploring the heterogeneity of bipolar disorder in a nationwide study of 9594 patients
Authors: Ratheesh Aswin , Speed Maria , Salagre Estela , Berk Michael , Rohde Christopher , Østergaard Søren Dinesen
Published: April 2024

Objectives

Individuals with bipolar disorders (BD) have heterogenic pre‐onset illness courses and responses to treatment. The pattern of illness preceding the diagnosis of BD may be a marker of future treatment response. Here, we examined associations between psychiatric morbidity preceding the diagnosis of BD and pharmacological treatment patterns in the 2 years following diagnosis.

Methods

In this register‐based study, we included all patients with a diagnosis of BD attending Danish Psychiatric Services between January 1, 2012 and December 31, 2016. We examined the association between a diagnosis of substance use disorder, psychosis (other than schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder), unipolar depression, anxiety/OCD, PTSD, personality disorder, or ADHD preceding BD and pharmacological treatment patterns following the diagnosis of BD (lithium, valproate, lamotrigine, antidepressants, olanzapine, risperidone, and quetiapine) via multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression adjusted for age, sex, and year of BD diagnosis.

Results

We included 9594 patients with a median age of 39 years, 58% of whom were female. Antidepressants, quetiapine, and lamotrigine were the most commonly used medications in BD and were all linked to prior depressive illness and female sex. Lithium was used among patients with less diagnostic heterogeneity preceding BD, while valproate was more likely to be used for patients with prior substance use disorder or ADHD.

Conclusion

The pharmacological treatment of BD is linked to psychiatric morbidity preceding its diagnosis. Assuming that these associations reflect well‐informed clinical decisions, this knowledge may inform future clinical trials by taking participants' prior morbidity into account in treatment allocation.
Parthenogenesis, identity, and value
Authors: Simkulet William
Published: April 2024

Parthenogenesis is a form of asexual reproduction in which a gamete (ovum or sperm) develops without being fertilized. Tomer Jordi Chaffer uses parthenogenesis to challenge Don Marquis' future‐like‐ours (FLO) argument against abortion. According to Marquis, (1) what makes it morally wrong to kill us is that it would deprive us of a possible future that we might come to value—a future “like ours” (FLO) and (2) human fetuses are numerically identical to any adult human organism they may develop into, and thus have a FLO. Chaffer contends that if human ova are capable of parthenogenesis, then they would have a FLO, which contraception may deprive them of, but contends this is absurd. Bruce P. Blackshaw challenges Chaffer, contending sexually fertilized embryos are not identical to unfertilized ovum, but this would yield a more absurd implication, that fertilization deprives an ovum of a FLO! Here I show Marquis' account of identity rules out both Chaffer's and Blackshaw's accounts.
Early erythroferrone levels can predict the long‐term haemoglobin responses to erythropoiesis‐stimulating agents
Authors: Xu Peng , Wong Raymond S. M. , Yan Xiaoyu
Published: April 2024

Background and Purpose

Our previous study reported that erythroferrone (ERFE), a newly identified hormone produced by erythroblasts, responded to recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO) sensitively but its dynamics was complicated by double peaks and circadian rhythm. This study intends to elucidate the underlying mechanisms for the double peaks of ERFE dynamics and further determine whether early ERFE measurements can predict haemoglobin responses to rHuEPO.

Experimental Approach

By using the purified recombinant rat ERFE protein and investigating its deposition in rats, the production of ERFE was deconvoluted. To explore the role of iron in ERFE production, we monitored short‐term changes of iron status after injection of rHuEPO or deferiprone. Pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) modelling was used to confirm the mechanisms and examine the predictive ability of ERFE for long‐term haemoglobin responses.

Key Results

The rRatERFE protein was successfully purified. The production of ERFE was deconvoluted and showed two independent peaks (2 and 8 h). Transient iron decrease was observed at 4 h after rHuEPO injection and deferiprone induced significant increases of ERFE. Based on this mechanism, the PK/PD model could characterize the complex dynamics of ERFE. In addition, the model predictions further revealed a stronger correlation between ERFE and haemoglobin peak values than that for observed values.

Conclusions and Implications

The complex dynamics of ERFE should be composited by an immediate release and transient iron deficiency‐mediated secondary production of ERFE. The early peak values of ERFE, which occur within a few hours, can predict haemoglobin responses several weeks after ESA treatment.
Increased mortality in acromegaly is due to vascular and respiratory disease and is normalised by control of GH levels—A retrospective analysis from the UK Acromegaly Register 1970–2016
Authors: Orme Steve , McNally Richard , James Peter W. , Davis Jessica , Ayuk John , Higham Claire , Wass John ,   the UK Acromegaly Register Study Group
Published: April 2024

Context

Epidemiological studies involving patients with acromegaly have yielded conflicting results regarding cancer incidence and causes of mortality in relation to control of growth hormone (GH) excess.

Objective

The objective of this retrospective cohort study is to clarify these questions and identify goals for treatment and monitoring patients.

Methods

We studied 1845 subjects from the UK Acromegaly Register (1970–2016), obtaining cancer standardised incidence rates (SIR) and all causes standardised mortality rates (SMR) from UK Office for National Statistics, to determine the relationship between causes of mortality—age at diagnosis, duration of disease, post‐treatment and mean GH levels.

Results

We found an increased incidence of all cancers (SIR, 1.38; 95% CI: 1.06–1.33, p < .001), but no increase in incidence of female breast, thyroid, colon cancer or any measure of cancer mortality. All‐cause mortality rates were increased (SMR, 1.35; 95% CI: 1.24–1.46, p < .001), as were those due to vascular and respiratory diseases. All‐cause, all cancer and cardiovascular deaths were highest in the first 5 years following diagnosis. We found a positive association between post‐treatment and mean treatment GH levels and all‐cause mortality (p < .001 and p < .001), which normalised with posttreatment GH levels of <1.0 µg/L or meantreatment GH levels of <2.5 µg/L.

Conclusion

Acromegaly is associated with increased incidence of all cancers but not thyroid or colon cancer and no increase in cancer mortality. Excess mortality is due to vascular and respiratory disease. The risk is highest in the first 5 years following diagnosis and is mitigated by normalising GH levels.
Identifying minimum freshwater habitat conditions for an endangered fish using life cycle analysis
Authors: Polansky Leo , Mitchell Lara , Nobriga Matthew L.
Published: April 2024

Identifying the most important factors affecting population growth in animal life cycles is an important tool of species conservation. Delta Smelt (Hypomesus transpacificus), an annual fish endemic to the San Francisco Estuary in California (USA), has been provided legal protection since 1993 but 30 years later exists in a conservation‐reliant state on the brink of extinction. Despite considerable controversies about what factors are most responsible for the species' decline, no population growth rate sensitivity comparisons between the most important factors regulating growth have been done. Nor has anyone attempted to quantitatively identify habitat conditions needed to support positive population growth. We developed a set of stage‐structured population models to link habitat indices regulating recruitment of new generations of fish as they metamorphosed into juveniles and the subsequent survival of those fish over several seasons until they reached adulthood. These models are used to quantify drivers of growth rate variation over 30 years. Several complimentary sensitivity analyses indicated freshwater outflow to the estuary during summer had the largest potential to change population growth. Multiple habitat metrics (e.g., food availability, temperature) influencing recruitment and life stage specific survival rates across different seasons interacted in nonlinear ways to determine habitat conditions and water management targets associated with positive population growth. We discuss the implications for freshwater management, Delta Smelt conservation, and the challenges climate change poses for co‐implementation of these two societal priorities.
International imports and climatic filtering drive compositional variation in non‐native insect establishments
Authors: Yamanaka Takehiko , Turner Rebecca M. , Bertelsmeier Cleo , Blake Rachael E. , Brockerhoff Eckehard G. , Nahrung Helen F. , Pureswaran Deepa S. , Roques Alain , Seebens Hanno , Liebhold Andrew M.
Published: April 2024

Aim

Invasions of non‐native insects can have substantial impacts on agriculture, forestry, human health and biodiversity with considerable economic and environmental consequences. To understand the causes of these invasions, it is important to quantify the relative influence of principal drivers such as international imports and climatic effects.

Location

North America, Chile, Europe, Australia, New Zealand and Japan.

Time Period

1881–2020.

Methods

To evaluate the relative contributions of various factors in explaining global variation in numbers of non‐native insect establishments in different world regions, we conducted two multivariate regression analyses to quantify temporal changes in family‐level composition and native ranges of established non‐native species in several world regions.

Results

There were temporal changes in the family‐level composition of non‐native species assemblages. Prior to 1900, invasions were dominated by scale insects, subsequently shifting to a more diverse set of species, except in North America, which had relatively small compositional change over time compared to other regions. Spatial and temporal variation in the composition of established species was associated with differences in the origin of imports and climatic factors, each explaining 26.3% and 27.4% of the total variation, respectively. The analysis of native ranges of non‐native species indicated that there was no consistent temporal variation across all regions. Established species in New Zealand were predominantly native to Australasia and species in North America and Chile were mainly from Europe. Non‐native species in Europe mainly originated from the Nearctic region while those in Japan and Australia generally originated from multiple regions. Climatic factors in the destination regions had a primary effect (66.3%) on variation in the native range of established species, although imports also had substantial effects (45.4%).

Main Conclusions

Geographical variation in climate and imports act together as drivers of establishment success for non‐native insects in all six regions.
Management practices and partial government ownership in the Middle East and North Africa
Authors: Islam Asif M. , Gatti Roberta
Published: April 2024

A wealth of evidence has shown the positive effects of better management practices on firms. More recent evidence has highlighted that ownership matters for several developing and advanced economies. However, this relationship has not been studied extensively for economies in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), a region where the presence of the government in the productive sphere looms large. This study addresses a gap in the literature by exploring how partial government ownership can influence management practices of medium and large formal firms in the MENA. Using two waves of Enterprise Surveys undertaken in 2013 and 2019/2020, the evidence points at a negative relationship between partial government ownership and management practices in the developing MENA region. The findings pass several robustness checks.
Role of dopamine neurons in familiarity
Authors: Fleury Sixtine , Kolaric Rhonda , Espera Justin , Ha Quan , Tomaio Jacquelyn , Gether Ulrik , Sørensen Andreas Toft , Mingote Susana
Published: April 2024

Dopamine neurons signal the salience of environmental stimuli and influence learning, although it is less clear if these neurons also determine the salience of memories. Ventral tegmental area (VTA) dopamine neurons increase their firing in the presence of new objects and reduce it upon repeated, inconsequential exposures, marking the shift from novelty to familiarity. This study investigates how dopamine neuron activity during repeated familiar object exposure affects an animal's preference for new objects in a subsequent novel object recognition (NOR) test. We hypothesize that a single familiarization session will not sufficiently lower dopamine activity, such that the memory of a familiar object remains salient, leading to equal exploration of familiar and novel objects and weaker NOR discrimination. In contrast, multiple familiarization sessions likely suppress dopamine activity more effectively, reducing the salience of the familiar object and enhancing subsequent novelty discrimination. Our experiments in mice indicated that multiple familiarization sessions reduce VTA dopamine neuron activation, as measured by c‐Fos expression, and enhance novelty discrimination compared with a single familiarization session. Dopamine neurons that show responsiveness to novelty were primarily located in the paranigral nucleus of the VTA and expressed vesicular glutamate transporter 2 transcripts, marking them as dopamine–glutamate neurons. Chemogenetic inhibition of dopamine neurons during a single session paralleled the effects of multiple sessions, improving NOR. These findings suggest that a critical role of dopamine neurons during the transition from novelty to familiarity is to modulate the salience of an object's memory.
AI based fuzzy MCDM models: Comparison and evaluation of dissimilar outcomes, an application to enhance pilot recruitment process
Authors: Taylan Osman , Guloglu Bulent , Alkabaa Abdulaziz S. , Sarp Salih , Alidrisi Hassan M. , Milyani Ahmad H. , Alidrisi Hisham , Balubaid Mohammed
Published: April 2024

Pilot recruitment is critical as they pose a multifaceted challenge for civilian and military organizations due to the complex traits impacting their missions and performance. In this study, a novel set of criteria and sub‐criteria were determined to compare twelve candidate pilots. Numerically immeasurable, imprecise, and non‐linear continuous fuzzy linguistic traits (variables) were studied which make the work unique and challenging due to individual preferences and disagreements between decision‐makers (DMs). The outcomes of three distinct fuzzy multiple criteria decision‐making (MCDM) approaches; fuzzy TOPSIS, fuzzy VIKOR, and fuzzy PROMETHEE were evaluated with trapezoidal fuzzy numbers (TFNs) to sort the positions of candidate pilots. Moreover, a unique defuzzification ranking method was employed to adjust the results of fuzzy MCDM methods for the synthesis and evaluation of outcomes of the pilot selection problem. All these efforts make the paper original and outstanding. Our findings and analysis suggested that fuzzy TOPSIS and PROMETHEE methods' outcomes showed maximum close similarity for ranking positions. However, substantial distinctions were noted when comparing these outcomes with the fuzzy VIKOR approach. Yet, the mission of predicting and revealing the best candidates is related to several traits, their weights, and the methods selected. Therefore, since vague information and ambiguous preferences match fuzzy superiority, a comprehensive and unbiased evaluation was achieved, ensuring the integrity of the decision‐making process. The results can be employed to enhance the safety and efficiency of airline operations and ensure that the most qualified and competent pilots are selected for the job.
The transnational engagement of Afghan diaspora organizations: Drivers of diaspora specialization
Authors: Safi Ali Ahmad , Czaika Mathias
Published: April 2024

This article delves into the engagement of Afghans in Europe in diaspora organizations (DOs) and examines the factors influencing the varying levels of transnational involvement aiming Afghan DOs (ADOs). Through a fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) of 85 ADOs across Austria, Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden and the United Kingdom, this study explores intricate configurations leading to transnational activities. Drawing from a diverse range of qualitative data sources, this study deciphers different causal pathways underlying diasporic transnational activities. The results show that although individual conditions do not singularly drive transnational activities, the analysis identifies specific configurations where external funding notably shapes these transnational activities. Particularly, the research reveals that organizations in Germany and the Netherlands have stronger transnational ties to their country of origin compared to ADOs in Austria and Sweden, which focus primarily on local activities.
Relationship between plasma tissue Factor Pathway Inhibitor (TFPI) levels, thrombin generation and clinical risk of bleeding in patients with severe haemophilia A or B
Authors: Tardy‐Poncet Brigitte , Montmartin Aurélie , Chambost Hervé , Lienhart Anne , Frotscher Birgit , Morange Pierre‐Emmanuel , Falaise Céline , Collange Fanny , Dargaud Yesim , Toussaint‐Hacquard Marie , Ardillon Laurent , Wibaut Bénédicte , Jeanpierre Emmanuelle , Nguyen Philippe , Volot Fabienne , Tardy Bernard
Published: April 2024

Introduction

Bleeding severity in severe haemophilic patients, with low thrombin generation (TG) capacity, can vary widely between patients, possibly reflecting differences in tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI) level.

Aim

To compare free TFPI (fTFPI) levels in patients with severe haemophilia A (sHA) and severe haemophilia B (sHB) and to investigate in these patients as a whole the relationships between bleeding and TG potential, between TG potential and fTFPI level and between fTFPI level and bleeding tendency.

Methods

Data on bleeding episodes retrospectively recorded during follow‐up visits over 5–10 years were collected and used to calculate the annualised joint bleeding rate (AJBR). fTFPI levels and basal TG parameters were determined in platelet‐poor plasma (PPP) and platelet‐rich plasma (PRP) using calibrated automated tomography (CAT).

Results

Mean fTFPI levels did not differ significantly between sHA (n = 34) and sHB (n = 19) patients.

Mean values of endogenous thrombin potential (ETP) and thrombin peak (peak) in PPP and PRP were two‐fold higher when fTFPI levels < 9.4 versus > 14.3 ng/mL. In patients treated on demand, ETP and peak in PRP were doubled when AJBR was , AJBR being halved in patients with a low fTFPI level (9.4 ng/mL). In patients on factor prophylaxis, no association was found between TG parameters and either fTFPI level or AJBR.

Conclusion

In patients treated on demand, bleeding tendency was influenced by fTFPI levels, which in turn affected basal TG potential. In patients on prophylaxis, bleeding tendency is probably determined primarily by the intensity of this treatment.
Efficacy of antiviral therapy for the prevention of mother‐to‐child transmission of hepatitis B virus and the risk of postpartum hepatitis flare after discontinuation of antiviral therapy
Authors: Kawamura Hayato , Matsuura Kentaro , Ito Koichi , Sugiura Tokio , Suzuki Takanori , Fujiwara Kei , Kataoka Hiromi , Tanaka Yasuhito
Published: April 2024

The use of nucleos(t)ide analogs (NAs) is recommended for mothers with a high viral load of hepatitis B virus (HBV) during the second or third trimester of pregnancy. However, postpartum hepatitis flares can occur in some cases. We examined the efficacy of NA administration for the prevention of mother‐to‐child transmission of hepatitis B virus, and evaluated the risk of postpartum hepatitis flares in mothers after NA discontinuation. Nine pregnant women with a high viral load (HBV DNA ≥5.3 log IU/mL) received tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) at approximately 28 weeks of gestation, and TDF was discontinued at 4–10 weeks after delivery. We evaluated the virological and biochemical parameters in mothers after TDF discontinuation. Hepatitis flares in mothers were defined as alanine transaminase level ≥60 U/L. None of the infants developed any congenital anomaly or acquired HBV infection during infancy. Hepatitis flares occurred within 6 months after TDF discontinuation in five of seven cases, whereas two cases were lost to follow‐up. Furthermore, three cases required the resumption of NA use. NA administration was highly effective against mother‐to‐child‐transmission of HBV in pregnant women with high HBV DNA levels. However, hepatitis flares were commonly observed after NA discontinuation in the postpartum period. Patients should be followed up carefully after NA discontinuation, and NA resumption should be considered based on a comprehensive assessment of virological and biochemical parameters.