bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Anise
Authors: Singletary Keith W.
Published: March 2022

Anise (Pimpinella anisum L., familyApiaceae) is an aromatic annual herb native to the eastern Mediterranean region and western Asia. Although the small fruit is incorrectly referred to as a seed, nonetheless, the fruit is commonly known as aniseed. When ripe and dried, it is the popular spice. Aniseed and its essential oil are used in traditional therapies, for example, for relief of coughs, respiratory congestion, migraines, gastrointestinal distress, and colic; for treatment of skin infections; as a tranquilizer and aphrodisiac; and to improve lactation. Limited and preliminary clinical research has examined the efficacy of aniseed toward diabetes, dysmenorrhea, and menopausal hot flashes. Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties also were identified. The present narrative review summarizes human and animal studies reporting potential health benefits of aniseed and highlights areas for future research.
Pandemic Health Science Communications
Authors: Rowe Sylvia , Alexander Nick
Published: March 2022

When the authors, in an article 2 years ago, explored early communication lessons from COVID-19, it was thought that the world would likely have gotten past the pandemic by publication date. Now, nearly 2 years later, the virus continues to wreak public fear and seemingly confound policy makers, the health/medical community, and risk communicators about how to address the virus. It is time to take stock again of what has worked and what has made matters worse in communicating about severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2—in other words, what may have gone wrong and what seems to have gone right. In the present article, the authors review existing risk communication guidelines and offer suggestions for additions/revisions in light of the world's COVID-19 experience. Specifically, they discuss how communicators might mitigate the politicization of pandemic messages, the need for balancing effective messaging, potential harms to public well-being, risk/benefit analysis, and the necessity of what the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine has called “radical transparency.”
BAP1 Tumor Predisposition Syndrome Presenting as a Recurrent Ovarian Sex Cord-Stromal Tumor
Authors: Albright Benjamin B. , Wignall Elizabeth , Bentley Rex C. , Havrilesky Laura J. , Previs Rebecca A. , Strickland Kyle C.
Published: March 2022

The BRCA1-associated protein 1 (BAP1) gene encodes a tumor suppressor that functions as a ubiquitin hydrolase involved in DNA damage repair. BAP1 germline mutations are associated with increased risk of multiple solid malignancies, including mesothelioma, uveal melanoma, renal cell carcinoma, and high-grade rhabdoid meningiomas. Here, we describe the case of a 52-yr-old woman who experienced multiple abdominal recurrences of an ovarian sex cord-stromal tumor that was originally diagnosed at age 25 and who was found to have a germline mutation in BAP1 and a family history consistent with BAP1 tumor predisposition syndrome. Recurrence of the sex cord-stromal tumor demonstrated loss of BAP1 expression by immunohistochemistry. Although ovarian sex cord-stromal tumors have been described in mouse models of BAP1 tumor predisposition syndrome, this relationship has not been previously described in humans and warrants further investigation. The case presentation, tumor morphology, and immunohistochemical findings have overlapping characteristics with peritoneal mesotheliomas, and this case represents a potential pitfall for surgical pathologists.
Metastatic Uterine Leiomyosarcoma With Rhabdomyosarcomatous Heterologous Differentiation
Authors: Boyraz Baris , Gogakos Tasos , Raskin Kevin A. , Nielsen Gunnlaugur Petur
Published: March 2022

Heterologous differentiation has only been previously reported twice in metastatic uterine leiomyosarcomas. We report herein the first case of metastatic uterine leiomyosarcoma with rhabdomyosarcomatous differentiation. A 67-yr-old woman presented with femur, abductor magnus, and lymph node metastases 9 yr after the primary diagnosis. The metastatic sites showed rhabdomyosarcomatous morphologic features, and immunohistochemical studies confirmed skeletal muscle differentiation. Molecular testing revealed the same loss-of-function TP53 mutation in the uterine leiomyosarcoma and metastatic sites supporting heterologous differentiation of the primary tumor. Our case highlights the morphologic shifts metastatic tumors may manifest and the potential diagnostic problems that may arise.
Leiomyoma With Massive Lymphoid Infiltration: 2 Cases With Lymphocytic Vasculopathy and Angiocentric Germinal Centers
Authors: Wong Jahg , Roy Simon F. , Provencher Diane , Maietta Antonio , Rahimi Kurosh
Published: March 2022

Uterine leiomyoma with massive lymphoid infiltration is characterized by a dense lymphoid infiltrate and germinal centers sparing the adjacent myometrium. Only few reports describe this entity and its etiology is unknown. This rare lesion may also exhibit lymphocytic vasculopathy but this has only been reported in the setting of GnRH agonist exposure. We report 2 cases of uterine leiomyoma with massive lymphoid infiltration in which only 1 patient was exposed to GnRH agonists. In both cases, histopathologic analysis showed thick-walled vessels with swollen endothelial cells showing evidence of intramural lymphocytic infiltration, red blood cell extravasation, and medial edema. This constellation of findings represented frank vascular damage and lymphocytic vasculopathy. Our findings suggest that lymphocytic vasculopathy in these lesions may be secondary to factors other than GnRH agonists. Furthermore, both cases showed an angiocentric disposition of germinal centers that has scarcely been alluded to in prior reports. This finding may provide a clue in accurately recognizing leiomyoma with massive lymphoid infiltration. Recognition of this lesion will allow one to avoid mistaking it for mimickers such as inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor, lymphoid malignancies, or other inflammatory processes.
A Novel Validated Breast Aesthetic Scale
Authors: Duraes Eliana F. R. , Durand Paul , Morisada Megan , Scomacao Isis , Duraes Leonardo C. , de Sousa Joao Batista , Abedi Nasim , Djohan Risal S. , Bernard Steven , Moreira Andrea , Schwarz Graham S.
Published: March 2022

Background:

Breast aesthetics impacts patients’ quality of life after breast reconstruction, but patients and surgeons frequently disagree on the final aesthetic evaluation. The need for a comprehensive, validated tool to evaluate breast aesthetics independently from the patient motivated this study.

Methods:

The 13-item Validated Breast Aesthetic Scale was developed after several internal meetings, and worded to be understood by a nonspecialist. Three items are common for both breasts, with the remaining being side-specific. To test the internal consistency of the scale subitems, postoperative photographs after different breast reconstruction techniques were graded by a six-member panel. To test interrater and intrarater correlation across time, four physicians evaluated the results of abdominally based breast reconstructions following nipple-sparing mastectomies.

Results:

Graded aesthetic outcomes of 53 patients showed that the Cronbach alpha of the subitems of the scale was 0.926, with no single item that, if excluded, would increase it. Twenty-two patients underwent aesthetic outcomes grading at four different time points. The mean overall appearance was 3.71 ± 0.62. The mean grade for overall nipple appearance was 4.0 ± 0.57. The coefficient alpha of the panel overall aesthetic grade across different time points was 0.957; whereas intragrader reliability for graders 1 through 4 individually showed alpha coefficients of 0.894, 0.9, 0.898, and 0.688, respectively. Similar results were found for the other items of the scale.

Conclusions:

The proposed aesthetic scale evaluates different aspects of the breast reconstruction aesthetic result with excellent internal consistency among its subitems. Grading by a gender-balanced, diverse four-member panel using postoperative photographs showed higher reliability and reproducibility compared to single graders.
Flavobacterium selenitireducens sp. nov., isolated from rhizosphere soil of ancient mulberry
Authors: Hou Xiaoxiao , Li Shucheng , Mao Sidi , Mu Weidong , Guo Bai , Wei Shuzhen , Huang Mei , Zhao Yanfang , Deng Hongkuan , Sang Feng , Chen Zhiwei , Liu Hongliang , Liu Aijv
Published: March 2022

A Gram-stain-negative, non-motile, aerobic, yellow, convex, rod-shaped mesophilic bacterial strain, designated strain D33T, was isolated from rhizosphere soil of ancient mulberry in Dezhou city, Shandong province, PR China. The strain grew at 8–37 °C (optimum, 30 °C), pH 4–9 (optimum, pH 7) and growth occurred at 0.5–5.5 % (w/v) NaCl (optimally at 1 %). The results of the phylogenetic analyses of 16S rRNA gene and whole genome sequences indicated that D33T was closely related to members of the genus

Flavobacterium

and had the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity with ‘Flavobacterium agri’ KACC 19300 (95.4 %),

Flavobacterium ichthyis

NST-5T (94.6 %),

Flavobacterium ahnfeltiae

KCTC 32467T (93.6 %) and

Flavobacterium longum

JCM 19141T (93.6 %). The genome size of D33T was 3.8 Mb and the DNA G+C content was 48.0 mol%. The average nucleotide identity (ANI), digital DNA–DNA hybridization (dDDH) and average amino acid identity (AAI) values among D33T and reference strains were lower than the threshold values for species delineation. The only respiratory quinone of D33T was menaquinone 6 (MK-6). The predominant fatty acids (>5 %) were C15:0, C16 : 0, C18 : 0, iso-C15:0, iso–C17 : 0 3-OH, anteiso-C15 : 0 and summed feature 9 . The polar lipid profile contained phosphatidylethanolamine, two unidentified aminophospholipids, three unidentified aminolipids and two unidentified lipids. Combined data from phenotypic, phylogenetic and chemotaxonomic studies indicated that D33T is a representative of a novel species of the genus Flavobacterium, for which the name Flavobacterium selenitireducens sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is D33T (=GDMCC 1.1946T=KACC 22131T).
In vivo transomic analyses of glucose-responsive metabolism in skeletal muscle reveal core differences between the healthy and obese states
Authors: Kokaji Toshiya , Eto Miki , Hatano Atsushi , Yugi Katsuyuki , Morita Keigo , Ohno Satoshi , Fujii Masashi , Hironaka Ken-ichi , Ito Yuki , Egami Riku , Uematsu Saori , Terakawa Akira , Pan Yifei , Maehara Hideki , Li Dongzi , Bai Yunfan , Tsuchiya Takaho , Ozaki Haruka , Inoue Hiroshi , Kubota Hiroyuki , Suzuki Yutaka , Hirayama Akiyoshi , Soga Tomoyoshi , Kuroda Shinya
Published: March 2022

Metabolic regulation in skeletal muscle is essential for blood glucose homeostasis. Obesity causes insulin resistance in skeletal muscle, leading to hyperglycemia and type 2 diabetes. In this study, we performed multiomic analysis of the skeletal muscle of wild-type (WT) and genetically obese (ob/ob) mice, and constructed regulatory transomic networks for metabolism after oral glucose administration. Our network revealed that metabolic regulation by glucose-responsive metabolites had a major effect on WT mice, especially carbohydrate metabolic pathways. By contrast, inob/obmice, much of the metabolic regulation by glucose-responsive metabolites was lost and metabolic regulation by glucose-responsive genes was largely increased, especially in carbohydrate and lipid metabolic pathways. We present some characteristic metabolic regulatory pathways found in central carbon, branched amino acids, and ketone body metabolism. Our transomic analysis will provide insights into how skeletal muscle responds to changes in blood glucose and how it fails to respond in obesity.
Activation of the CA2-vCA1 pathway reverses social discrimination dysfunction inShank3Bknockout mice
Authors: Cope Elise C. , Wang Samantha H. , Waters Renée C. , Vasquez Betsy , Gould Elizabeth
Published: March 2022

Social memory dysfunction is a feature of several neuropsychiatric and neurodevelopmental disorders. Mutation or deletion of theSHANK3gene, which codes for a synaptic scaffolding protein, has been linked to autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and Phelan-McDermid syndrome, conditions associated with impairments in social memory.Shank3Bknockout (KO) mice exhibit several behavioral abnormalities that may be analogous to symptoms of ASD, including social discrimination deficits. The CA2 region of the hippocampus integrates numerous afferents and sends a major output to the ventral CA1 (vCA1), circuitry that plays an important role in social memory. Despite finding few differences in excitatory afferents to the CA2 inShank3BKO mice, chemogenetic activation of CA2 excitatory neurons restored social recognition function to wildtype (WT) levels. Specific activation of the CA2-vCA1 circuitry had a similar effect. Neuronal oscillations in the theta, gamma and, sharp wave ripple ranges have been linked to social memory, but we observed no differences in these measures between WT andShank3BKO mice in the vCA1 in response to social stimuli. However, activation of CA2 excitatory neurons enhanced vCA1 theta power inShank3BKO mice, concurrent with behavioral improvements. These findings suggest that stimulating adult circuitry in a mouse model with neurodevelopmental impairments can be sufficient to invoke latent function, particularly with respect to social memory dysfunction. The extent to which vCA1 network oscillations in the theta range are responsible for rescued behavioral function remains unknown.
Autophagy-cell death balance is maintained by Polycomb-mediated regulation during stem cell differentiation
Authors: Puri Deepika , Kelkar Aparna , Bhaskar Gauri Shankar , Subramanyam Deepa
Published: March 2022

Autophagy is a conserved cytoprotective process, aberrations in which, lead to numerous degenerative disorders. While the cytoplasmic components of autophagy have been extensively studied, the epigenetic regulation of autophagy genes, especially in stem cells, is less understood. Deciphering the epigenetic regulation of autophagy genes becomes increasingly relevant given the therapeutic benefits of small-molecule epigenetic inhibitors in novel treatment modalities. We observe that, during retinoic acid-mediated differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs), autophagy is induced, and identify the Polycomb enzyme EZH2 as a regulator of this process. In mESCs, EZH2 represses several autophagy genes including the autophagy regulatorDram1. EZH2 facilitates the formation of a bivalent chromatin domain at theDram1promoter, which allows the expression of the gene and induction of autophagy during differentiation, while still retaining the repressive H3K27me3 mark. EZH2 inhibition leads to loss of the bivalent domain, and a consequential “hyper- expression” ofDram1, with extensive cell death. This study shows that Polycomb group proteins help maintain an autophagy-cell death balance during stem cell differentiation, in part, by regulating the expression of theDram1gene.
Financial distress, earnings management and Big 4 auditors in emerging markets
Authors: Viana Jr Dante Baiardo C. , Lourenço Isabel , Black Ervin L.
Published: March 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine the association between financial distress and accruals-based earnings management in emerging markets, and the role that auditors play in that association.

Design/methodology/approach

This study relies on a sample of 33,455 firm-year observations from 20 emerging markets, covering a large period of analysis of 20 years. A multivariate analysis is performed by considering the level of financial distress as the dependent variable, and the accruals-based earnings management and dummies for the type of auditor as the main independent ones.

Findings

The authors predict and find empirical evidence that firms facing greater financial distress engage in income-increasing accruals-based earnings management in emerging markets, and that such engagement is lower in firms audited by Big 4 firms compared to those audited by non-Big 4 auditors. The authors also find significant differences across Big 4 audit firms in their role of constraining income-increasing earnings management strategies in firms with high levels of financial distress.

Originality/value

The study adds to previous literature by investigating the association between financial distress and accruals-based earnings management in a comprehensive sample of 20 emerging markets, by providing important overall cross-country empirical evidence that has not been addressed by previous literature. The authors also bring new knowledge by discussing the role played by the Big 4 audit firms in limiting earnings management practices by firms with high levels of financial distress. Such a limitation serves as an important external corporate governance mechanism to restrain managers’ opportunistic behaviour in firms facing financial distress – especially in emerging economies characterized overall by institutional voids.
Understanding the market potential of products from alternative food networks in a transition economy—a discrete choice experiment
Authors: Möllers Judith , Bäuml Theresa , Dufhues Thomas
Published: March 2022

Purpose

Ethical consumption is on the rise amidst concerns about the environmental and health impacts of industrial agriculture. In light of increasingly complex food choices, alternative food networks have emerged. However, their success depends on a deeper understanding of the product attributes that guide (ethical) consumer decisions. This study focuses on the preferences of consumers when choosing and buying fresh vegetables in Romania.

Design/methodology/approach

This study employs a discrete choice experiment to determine how consumers make trade-offs across a set of product attributes, such as local origin and production method.

Findings

The study analysis sheds light on the importance of food attributes relevant to ethical consumers. The main barrier to making an ethically driven choice is convenience. While local production remains of lower importance than the production method, the authors show that the Romanian consumers surveyed strongly prefer non-certified “traditional” vegetables over certified organic products.

Originality/value

This study is pioneering with a state-of-the-art discrete choice setting looking at a set of product attributes that reflect the demand of ethical consumers in an understudied transitional context. The authors go beyond the current debate on the trade-off between organic vs local food labels by introducing traditional small-scale production as a separate attribute level. The food attribute preferences of different consumer segments and a market simulation offer relevant insights how to market fresh vegetables to health- and environmentally-conscious urban people.
Investigating the barriers of blockchain technology integrated food supply chain: a BWM approach
Authors: Khan Shahbaz , Kaushik Mohit Kant , Kumar Rajeev , Khan Waseem
Published: March 2022

Purpose

Blockchain is an evolving technology that has an impact on a variety of industries and related operations including food supply chain. There are several challenges associated in the implementation of blockchain in the food supply chain. As a result, the goal of this research is to identify and analyse the barriers associated with the implementation of blockchain in food supply chains.

Design/methodology/approach

A comprehensive literature review is conducted to identify 16 primary barriers associated with the implementation of blockchain technology in the food supply chain and experts finalise these identified barriers and further categorise them into four groups. Furthermore, the best worst method is used to prioritise the finalised barriers.

Findings

The findings suggest that “technological barriers” and “organisational barriers” are primary barriers among the identified barriers for the implementation of blockchain. These barriers could be mitigated through supply chain collaboration, efficient blockchain technology development through research and development, and increasing technical competence.

Research limitations/implications

In terms of limitation, there is a possibility that some barriers were overlooked in the literature review process, and expert judgement might be prejudiced. This paper examines the blockchain implementation in the food supply chain, to assist policymakers in overcoming these barriers and ensuring effective adoption.

Originality/value

This study focuses on the effective implementation of blockchain technology in the food supply chain in the context of emerging economies.
Belt and Road Initiative and OFDI from China: the paradox of home country institutional environment between state and local governments
Authors: Yao Haitang , Zhong Mengqing , Liu Wei , Chen Bo
Published: March 2022

Purpose

This study aims to explore the effect of the home country institutional environment on firms’ outward foreign direct investment (OFDI) and how it is affected by institutional environment differences across home country subregions. Drawing on transaction cost theory, this paper examined the relationship between the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and Chinese firms’ OFDI, as well as the moderating roles of local government officials’ career horizons and state ownership.

Design/methodology/approach

A sample of 5,018 Chinese firm-year observations with foreign investment activities was used over 11 years to estimate a panel-feasible generalized least square regression model.

Findings

The results show that the BRI improves Chinese firms’ OFDI in countries along the BRI route. Furthermore, this positive relationship is weaker for firms where provincial officials have longer career horizons and is stronger for state-owned enterprises (SOEs) compared to non-SOEs.

Originality/value

The findings confirm the positive effect of home country institutional environment on firms’ OFDI. Furthermore, the multiple government perspective offers new insight into the effects of the home country’s institutional environment on OFDI.
How does customer cooperation affect employees’ prosocial service behavior in upscale Chinese hotels? An affective social exchange perspective
Authors: Wang Ying , Zhang Yun , Xu Feng Zeng
Published: March 2022

Purpose

Guided by the affect theory of social exchange, this study aims to examine the affective process underlying the impact of customer cooperation on hotel frontline employees’ prosocial service behavior. Job autonomy was tested as a boundary condition.

Design/methodology/approach

A mix-mode quantitative survey collected data from 818 frontline employees in 14 upscale hotels across China. Data were analyzed using structural equation modeling to test the research hypotheses.

Findings

Results suggest that customer cooperation influences employees’ prosocial service behavior directly and indirectly via employees’ positive affect. Contrary to expectations, job autonomy weakened the relationships among customer cooperation, positive affect and employees’ extra-role customer service but did not moderate the impacts of customer cooperation and positive affect on employees’ role-prescribed customer service.

Originality/value

As an initial attempt to investigate the effects of customer cooperation on two types of frontline employees’ prosocial behavior, this study broadens the application of the affect theory of social exchange and contributes to an understanding of the theory’s boundary conditions by testing a framework under the contextual condition of job autonomy.
Impact of real earnings management on earnings persistence – evidence from India
Authors: Potharla Srikanth
Published: March 2022

Purpose

The present study aims to examine the relationship between real earnings management and earnings persistence and also to test how the group affiliation of the firms influences this relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

The study draws the sample of listed non-financial firms in the Indian market from the year 2011 to 2018 and applies panel least squares regression with industry and year fixed effects. Future performance of a firm is measured by one year leading value of return on assets. The interaction term of real earnings management and return on assets is used to measure the impact of real earnings management on earnings persistence. The firm-specific controlling variables are also included in the empirical model. The robustness of the results is tested by sub-dividing the sample into group affiliated and non-group affiliated firms.

Findings

The findings of the study reveal that opportunistic earnings management has a significant impact on earnings persistence when real earnings management is measured through abnormal increase in operating cash flows and abnormal reduction in discretionary expenditure. On the other hand, signalling earnings management has a significant impact on earnings persistence when real earnings management is measured through abnormal increase in the level of production. The results also reveal that REM has more negative implications on group affiliated firms compared to non-group affiliated firms supporting the theory of entrenchment effect.

Originality/value

This is the first study in the Indian context which tests the implications of real earnings management on earnings persistence by using three alternative measures of real earnings management. The study contributes to the existing literature on the implications of real earnings management in emerging markets like India.
Tales from two cities: COVID-19 and the localisation of tourism in London and Paris
Authors: Pappalepore Ilaria , Gravari-Barbas Maria
Published: March 2022

Purpose

Drawing on empirical research conducted in London and Paris between July 2020 and June 2021, this paper explores whether these two global metropolises may be able to take the COVID-19 crisis as an opportunity to develop more sustainable forms of urban tourism. More specifically, this study aims to analyse whether new forms of localised tourism have developed as a result of the pandemic, how these have been nurtured and encouraged by the tourism industry in these two cities and the implications of these trends for the sustainable development of tourism in these two cities.

Design/methodology/approach

A combination of research methods was used: an online Delphi method, followed by in-depth one-to-one interviews with selected stakeholders and complemented by the analysis of media articles, policy documents and secondary data.

Findings

The qualitative data analysis highlights some key findings: tourism sustainability gained new importance after the pandemic; however, the crisis did not bring the sustainable revolution some stakeholders wished or expected. Nonetheless, in both cities, tourism marketing adopted a new “hyper-local” approach with the objective of encouraging proximity tourism and involving local residents more; thus, pointing to the need to review traditional definitions of the (urban) tourist.

Originality/value

Although the blurring between tourism and every day in cities has been widely discussed in tourism theory, this paper provides empirical evidence from two world tourism cities, showing some of the wider, practical implications of these theoretical debates for industry and policymaking in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Robust-adaptive-behavior strategy for human-following robots in unknown environments based on fuzzy inference mechanism
Authors: Nguyen Toan Van , Do Minh Hoang , Jo Jaewon
Published: March 2022

Purpose

To follow and maintain an appropriate distance to the selected target person (STP), the mobile robot is required to have capabilities: the human detection and tracking and an efficient following strategy with a smooth manner that does not appear threatening to the STP and surroundings. The efficient following strategy must integrate the STP position and the obstacle information to achieve smooth and safe human-following behaviors, especially in unknown environments where robot does not have understandings in advance. The purpose of this study is to propose a robust-adaptive-behavior strategy for mobile robots.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper presents a robust-adaptive-behavior strategy (RABS) based on the fuzzy inference mechanism to help the robot follow the STP effectively in various unknown environments with the real-time obstacle avoidance, both indoor and outdoor and on different robot platforms. In which, the traversability of robots’ unknown surrounding environments is analyzed by using the STP position and the obstacle information obtained from the two dimensional laser scan, whose purpose is to choose the highest-traversability-score direction (HTSD) and an adaptive-safe-following distance (ASFD). Then, the HTSD, the ASFD and the current velocity of the robot are considered as inputs of the fuzzy system to adjust its velocity smoothly.

Findings

The proposed RABS is verified by a set of experiments using a real big-heavy autonomous mobile robot (BH-AMR), with the dimension 0.8 × 1.2 (m), weight 150 (kg), full-load 500 (kg), aiding smart factories. The obtained results have shown that the proposed RABS equips the BH-AMR with the ability to follow the STP smoothly and safely even when the robot is moving at the maximum speed 1.5 (m/s).

Research limitations/implications

In this paper, the autonomous mobile robot considers all environments as unknown even when it is working in mapped environments. This limitation is presented clearly in the future works section.

Practical implications

This proposed method can be used to help the autonomous mobile robot support persons in factories, hospitals, restaurants, supermarkets or at the airports.

Originality/value

This paper presents a RABS, including three new features: a fuzzy-based solution to help human-following robots maintain an appropriate distance to the STP safely and smoothly with the maximum velocity 1.5 (m/s); the proposed fuzzy-based solution, an adaptive vector field histogram and a new approach for the STP tracking is combined to follow the STP and avoid the collision simultaneously in unknown indoor and outdoor environments; the proposed RABS is considered for BH-AMRs (with the dimension 0.8 × 1.2 (m), weight 150 (kg), full-load 500 (kg)) to serve real tasks in smart factories.
How does relationship length influence donation amount over time for regular members of nonprofit organizations – the moderating role of donation frequency
Authors: Minguez Ana , Sese F. Javier
Published: March 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate whether a U-shaped relationship exists between the length of time a donor has been a regular member in a nonprofit organization and the amount donated over time. In addition, this research analyzes whether this relationship is moderated by donation frequency.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a database of 6,137 members from a collaborating nonprofit organization, a longitudinal study is conducted over an eight-year period (2013–2020). A set of ordinary least square (OLS) regression analyses are carried out to empirically test the proposed hypotheses.

Findings

This study finds a nonlinear, U-shaped relationship between donation amount and relationship length. This effect can be explained through the dynamic evolution of two dimensions of commitment: affective (decreasing over time) and normative (increasing over time). The results also reveal that these effects, however, become flatter for members who engage in more frequent donations.

Originality/value

The results provide novel insights revealing the nonlinear nature of the relationship between the length of time a donor has been a member of a nonprofit organization and the amount donated, and underscores the moderating role of donation frequency, which makes the U-shaped relationship flatter, thus increasing the amounts donated. Despite their relevance in the service ecosystem, nonprofits have been under-represented in prior work. This study offers important practical insights into the effective management of the regular donor portfolio.
Effect of supervisors’ stress on subordinates’ unethical behavior: moderating role of managers’ despotic leadership
Authors: Shah Samar Batool , Afshan Gul , Mirani Manzoor Ali , Solangi Rukhman
Published: March 2022

Purpose

By applying displaced aggression and conservation of resource theory, this paper aims to investigate the effect of supervisors’ workplace stress over subordinates' unethical behavior through displaced aggression as an underlying mechanism. Moreover, it tests the moderating effect of despotic leadership between supervisors’ workplace stress and displaced aggression.

Design/methodology/approach

The data consists of three hierarchy levels: despotic leadership (top manager), supervisor’s (immediate supervisor/middle manager) workplace stress and displaced aggression and subordinates’ unethical behavior. The data was collected from 80 managers about their workplace stress and displaced aggression besides perceived unethical behavior of their 240 subordinates.

Findings

The data analysis of 80 bank managers of Pakistan about their perception of top managers’ despotic behavior and unethical behavior of their 240 subordinates shows the support for all hypothesized relationships. Supervisors’ workplace stress positively affected their displaced aggression over their subordinates, which motivated subordinates to engage in unethical behavior. Moreover, the findings supported the moderating effect of despotic leadership in the relationship between supervisors’ workplace stress and displaced aggression.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the limited studies on the trickledown displaced aggression phenomenon in the service (banking) sector. Moreover, the manager’s despotic leadership role as a higher-level negative supervisory behavior in increasing the supervisors’ displaced aggression shows the critical aspect in such a stressful workplace situation.
PLS algorithm for estimating quality rural electricity on household income in Tanzania
Authors: Muhihi Bikolimana Giliadi , Lusambo Leopold Pascal
Published: March 2022

Purpose

This paper aims at discussing the impact of quality electricity on household income (HI) in rural areas with complementarities and intermediary resources context.

Design/methodology/approach

Partial least square-structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) was used to estimate complex variables of quality electricity (QEC), development assets (DEA) and individual motivation (IMO) on rural HI. Age, education and gender were treated as moderators of antecedents for HI whilst household strength (HS) was treated as a mediator.

Findings

The findings show that QEC is an important predictor for HI in rural areas. In similar vein, land, social network, financial and physical resources cannot be undermined in bringing HI on stage. Moreover, IMO is a best complementary for electricity to bear impact on income. In fact, income cannot be equated with one factor; hence, moderating roles of education and gender should be considered.

Research limitations/implications

The results are limited to QEC, IMO and DEA as key resources which are associated with HI.

Practical implications

The findings should be twinned with rural development policy. There must be a multi-dimensional approach in diversifying development resources to the rural people for aggregated benefits.

Social implications

The rural communities remain in dire need of electricity which is a precious resource for income generation. Electricity works better with other resources.

Originality/value

Previous scholars have inferred HI in relation to electricity. Income is a function of many resources. This study inculcated complementaries and intermediaries along QEC. Unique PLS-SEM was used in rethinking some of the rethinking of QEC–income relationships.
Mannan‐binding lectin exacerbates the severity of psoriasis by promoting plasmacytoid dendritic cell differentiation via the signal transducer and activator of transcription 3–interferon regulatory factor 8 axis
Authors: Zeng Jiaqi , Wang Di , Luo Jialiang , Li Lei , Lin Luyang , Li Jingyi , Zheng Wen , Zuo Daming , Yang Bin
Published: March 2022

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease mediated by host immune responses. Plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDC) and interferon (IFN)‐α secreted by pDC are involved in the initiation of psoriasis. Mannan‐binding lectin (MBL), a vital component of the complement pathway, plays a critical role in innate immune defense and the inflammatory response. Our previous study found that MBL could exacerbate skin inflammation in psoriatic mice, but the effect of MBL on pDC remains unstudied. Herein, we revealed that the circulating level of MBL was elevated in patients with psoriasis compared with the healthy controls. Moreover, the MBL level was positively correlated with disease severity, relative inflammatory cytokine levels, and peripheral blood (PB) pDC frequency in psoriasis. An in vitro study determined that the MBL protein could promote the differentiation of human pDC and upregulate the production of relative inflammatory cytokines and chemokines. Additionally, MBL‐deficient (MBL−/−) mice exhibited decreased accumulation of pDC in lymph nodes, spleens, and skin lesions with reduced secretion of pDC‐related cytokines compared with wild‐type (WT) mice in the preliminary stage of psoriasis induced by imiquimod. Notably, the differentiation of pDC from bone marrow (BM) cells derived from MBL−/− mice was weakened compared with that from WT mice upon Fms‐like tyrosine kinase 3 ligand (Flt3L) incubation. Mechanistic research indicated that the signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3)–interferon regulatory factor 8 (IRF8) axis was responsible for MBL‐modulated pDC differentiation. In summary, these results suggest that MBL exacerbates the severity of psoriasis by enhancing pDC differentiation and pDC‐related cytokine secretion via the STAT3–IRF8 axis, thus providing a new target for psoriasis treatment.
The Word Nerds project: Findings from a research–practice partnership focused on spelling instruction
Authors: Tortorelli Laura S. , Bruner Lori
Published: March 2022

Learning to spell in English requires the integration of general and specific word knowledge. This paper describes the ‘Word Nerds’ project, a research–practice partnership consisting of two researchers from a large public university and 17 elementary teachers in seven school districts in the United States. The collaboration was formed to study variation in instructional practice among teachers using theWords Their Wayprogramme and address teacher‐generated questions related to how children learn to spell words. This paper describes how stakeholders worked together to understand (1) what grouping and organisational structures teachers use for spelling instruction, (2) the extent to which elementary students use analogy to spell unknown words that share spelling patterns with known words and (3) the affordances and challenges of a partnership approach to educational research. Data collection took place over one school year. Data sources included teacher focus groups, classroom observations and student formative spelling assessment data (n = 178). Analyses included descriptive statistics,t‐tests and multilevel modelling, nesting spelling items in students in classrooms. Findings indicated that classroom observation scores for grouping, teacher talk, student‐to‐student talk, reflection and student engagement during spelling lessons varied depending on format (whole group, small group or pair/individual). Students showed evidence of spelling by analogy, but this strategy was associated in part with the semantic difficulty of the target words. Instructional practices for spelling vary based on teachers' priorities, and teachers need support to implement and prioritise evidence‐based practices. Conducting research in partnership allowed the researchers to observe and understand variation in implementation of a popular spelling programme and to develop and answer research questions that mattered to teachers; however, it also limited the size, scope and location of the project.
What Does the State Innovation Model Experiment Tell Us About States’ Capacity to Implement Complex Health Reforms?
Authors: BOXALL ANNE‐MARIE
Published: March 2022

Policy Points

To make progress implementing payment and delivery system reforms, state governments need to make genuine stakeholder engagement routine business, develop reforms that build on past successes, and ensure health reform is a top priority for bureaucrats and political leaders.

To support state‐led reform initiatives, the federal government needs to provide financial support directly to state governments; build bureaucratic capability in supporting state officials with policy design and implementation; develop more flexible, outcome‐focused funding programs; reform its own programs, particularly Medicare; and commit to a long‐term strategy for progressing payment and delivery system reforms.

Context

For decades, Americans have debated whether the states need federal government support to reform health care. The Affordable Care Act has allowed the federal government to trial innovative ways of accelerating state‐led reform initiatives through the State Innovation Model (SIM), which was run by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Innovation Center between 2013 and 2019. This study assesses states’ progress implementing health reforms under SIM and examines how well the federal government supported them.

Methods

Detailed case studies were conducted in six states: Arkansas, Connecticut, Oregon, New York, Tennessee, and Washington. Data was collected from SIM evaluation and annual reports and through semistructured interviews with 39 expert informants, mostly state or federal officials involved in SIM. Preliminary findings were tested and refined through an online forum with health policy experts, facilitated by the Milbank Memorial Fund.

Findings

States that made the most progress implementing reforms had a strong track record and managed to sustain stakeholder, bureaucratic, and political support for their reform agenda. There was a clear correlation between past reform success and success under SIM, which raises questions about the value of federal government support beyond providing funding. State officials said the federal government could better support states, particularly those with less reform experience, by providing tailored advice that helped state officials overcome problems designing and implementing reforms. State officials also said the federal government could better support them by reforming their own programs, particularly Medicare, and committing to a long‐term strategy for health system reform.

Conclusions

States can make some progress reforming health care on their own, but real progress requires long‐term cooperation between state and federal governments. Federal initiatives like SIM that foster cooperation between governments should be continued but refined so they provide better support to states.
Microbial community succession of submerged bones in an aquatic habitat
Authors: Kaszubinski Sierra F. , Receveur Joseph P. , Nestle Emily D. , Pechal Jennifer L. , Benbow M. Eric
Published: March 2022

After death, microbes (including bacteria and fungi) colonize carrion from a variety of sources during the decomposition process. The predictable succession of microbes could be useful for forensics, such as postmortem submersion interval estimation (PMSI) for aquatic deaths. However, gaps exist in our understanding of microbial succession on submerged bone, particularly regarding longer‐term decomposition (>1 year), fungal composition, and differences between internal and external microbial communities. To further explore this potential forensic tool, we described the postmortem microbial communities (bacteria and fungi) on and within submerged bones using targeted amplicon sequencing. We hypothesized predictable successional patterns of microbial colonization would be detected on the surface and within submerged bones, which would eventually converge to a similar microbial community. To best replicate forensic contexts, we sampled bones from replicate swine (Sus scrofa domesticus) carcasses submerged in a freshwater pond, every three months for nearly two years. Microbial bone (internal vs. external) community structure (taxa abundance and diversity) of bones differed for both bacteria and fungi, but internal and external communities did not converge to a similar structure. PMSI estimation models built with random forest regression of postmortem microbiomes were highly accurate (>80% variation explained in PMSI) and showed promise for forensic purposes. Overall, we provide further evidence that internal and external bone microbial communities submerged in an aquatic habitat are distinct and each community undergoes predictable succession, demonstrating potential utility in forensics for modeling PMSI in unattended deaths and/or cold cases.
Underdispersion: A Statistical Anomaly in Reported Covid Data
Authors: Kobak Dmitry
Published: March 2022

Throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, we have become used to seeing daily numbers of cases and deaths go up and down. But in some countries, the reported numbers show very little movement over days and weeks – they are “underdispersed”, says Dmitry Kobak, and this may be a sign that all is not right with the data
Oxidation of 5‐hydroxymethylfurfural with a novel aryl alcohol oxidase from Mycobacterium sp. MS1601
Authors: Sayed Mahmoud , Gaber Yasser , Junghus Fredrik , Martín Eric Valdés , Pyo Sang‐Hyun , Hatti‐Kaul Rajni
Published: March 2022

Bio‐based 5‐hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) serves as an important platform for several chemicals, among which 2,5‐furan dicarboxylic acid (FDCA) has attracted considerable interest as a monomer for the production of polyethylene furanoate (PEF), a potential alternative for fossil‐based polyethylene terephthalate (PET). This study is based on the HMF oxidizing activity shown by Mycobacterium sp. MS 1601 cells and investigation of the enzyme catalysing the oxidation. The Mycobacterium whole cells oxidized the HMF to FDCA (60% yield) and hydroxymethyl furan carboxylic acid (HMFCA). A gene encoding a novel bacterial aryl alcohol oxidase, hereinafter MycspAAO, was identified in the genome and was cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli Bl21 (DE3). The purified MycspAAO displayed activity against several alcohols and aldehydes; 3,5 dimethoxy benzyl alcohol (veratryl alcohol) was the best substrate among those tested followed by HMF. 5‐Hydroxymethylfurfural was converted to 5‐formyl‐2‐furoic acid (FFCA) via diformyl furan (DFF) with optimal activity at pH 8 and 30–40°C. FDCA formation was observed during long reaction time with low HMF concentration. Mutagenesis of several amino acids shaping the active site and evaluation of the variants showed Y444F to have around 3‐fold higher kcat/Km and ~1.7‐fold lower Km with HMF.